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Detroit woman showers Detroit infants with love

L.A. Reid

Famed producer-writer tells all See page D-1

See page B-1

michiganchronicle.com

Volume 79 – Number 28

U.S. Conference of Mayors stands with Flint Mayor Weaver

WHAT’S INSIDE Assisting urban schools (Page A-3) Michigan citizens are surprisingly supportive of using state resources to support Detroit Public Schools. Democrats tend to be more supportive that Republicans — which is not surprising.

Michigan Chronicle Reports

Wayne Health Center (Page B-1) Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans partners with health care providers to open new Wayne Health Center

Small business equals big clout in Detroit

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

C. Grangston Bullard (Page C-1) Black designer reinvents fashion from frames to fur.

Pancakes & Politics straight talk (Page C-6)

The narrative for quite some time when it comes to Detroit is that there are very few jobs to be had, and that the majority of businesses that are truly successful in this city right now are not those owned by African Americans. And when you look at the dominant headlines concerning Detroit’s revitalization, the focus is overwhelmingly on Detroit’s downtown and what’s wonderful in Midtown — neither of which is exactly recognized as the blackest parts of a more than 80 percent black town. The latest restaurants, the hottest nightspots, all seem to be concentrated in one relatively small geographical area. Black folks are being systematically sidelined in a rigged game while the white guys get to play first string on an open field designed by them for them. That’s the more popular narrative, anyway. City Council President Pro Tem George Cushingberry, however, begs to differ. Strongly. It’s not that there aren’t enough successful black businesses in Detroit, but rather that nobody seems to care. “Conservatively in Detroit we have over

U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin stood in solidarity with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver during a recent press conference at Flint City Hall where she called for federal and state assistance. As part of the Conference’s support, Cochran also released a new bipartisan letter to Congress and the White House from more than 150 mayors around the country urging resources for Flint in the aftermath of the water crisis. As the democratically elected mayor of Flint, Karen Weaver has the full faith and confidence of her colleagues from around the country. On their second visit to Flint, Cochran, Franklin, and a team of experts are providing support to Mayor

10,000 black businesses,” he said, while sitting in the dining room of one of many of his favorite local establishments, The Crab House, a relatively new black-owned restaurant near 7 Mile and Evergreen that opened in 2009. Indeed, a Huffington Post story published nearly two years ago in July of 2014 said much the same thing, focusing on the fact that it is actually black businesses in Detroit that are powering the revitalization, even though you’d never know it by most of the news coverage. “Stories that claim entrepreneurs are building, revitalizing and even saving Detroit focus primarily on white professionals, often younger and new transplants to the city, a trend thats palpable and frustrating for locals. When journalists and readers criticized the Times for leaving blacks out of its Corktown story, the paper’s public editor addressed the lack of diversity in a follow-up, and the writer said she regretted not including a black-owned business. (A more recent Times story takes a wider-ranging view.) “It’s not difficult to find a black business owner to speak with, though. There are more than 32,000 in the city, according to U.S. Census

See SMALL

BUSINESS page A-4

This year’s first Pancakes & Politics forum quickly evolved into a direct and honest assessment of what is precisely the problem with Detroit Public Schools and what can and must be done about it.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver – Andre Smith photo

Weaver as she implements her plan to recover Flint’s infrastructure, public health, and economy. The Flint water crisis has been a top priority for The U.S. Conference of Mayors since the Conference’s January Winter Meeting in Washington, DC, where newly elected Flint Mayor Karen Weaver spoke about the challenges in her city. Immediately following the USCM Winter Meeting in January, Conference of Mayors President and Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked that former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, a national expert on water investmen, and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran co-led a mission to Flint in early February. The Conference of Mayors also supported Mayor Weaver as she testified before Congress, and Mayor Weaver recently attended USCM’s Winter Leadership Meeting where nearly 45 mayors stood in support of her efforts to solve a serious health crisis that has both shortterm and long-term impacts for Flint residents.

LL Cool J raps again (Page D-1) He is one of the greatest stars of rap, but has since become better known as a highly skilled actor and a polished, genial host of awards shows. Can LL Cool J find renewed acceptance as a rapper? He believes he can and, at age 48, is working on a new album.

March 23-29, 2016

Left to right: Crab House co-owners Eric and Damon English, Chronicle Senior Editor Keith Owens, and V. Lonnie Peek.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors is the official nonpartisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are nearly 1400 such cities in the country today, and each city is represented in the Conference by its chief elected official, the mayor.

NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT REVOLT TURNS 50

Historic event led to seismic change at DPS By Ken Coleman As resolute as he was 50 springs ago, Charles Colding leans forward from the couch in his Medical Center-area apartment, stares me in the eyes and declares: “We had to get rid of Art Carty. He was a fascist on wheels. He was a nasty person and he had no respect for the students. So that was our first objective, to get rid of him — and we did get rid of him.” His hair is bountiful with gray strands. His eyes are shielded by bifocal lenses. His body has aged and he's somewhat weary. Colding presents a stack of daily newspaper clippings that are as thick as the Holy Bible and recalls with great detail his heroism, a set of events that touched off a student walkout. One that helped to marshal in dramatic academic and administrative change at the 295,000-school district, one of the largest in the nation. “It was pretty bad,” Colding recalled in a

$1.00

See DPS page A-4

Charles Colding at the former Northern High School in Detroit.

Detroit woman showers Detroit infants with love

L.A. Reid

Famed producer-writer tells all See page D-1

See page B-1

michiganchronicle.com

Volume 79 – Number 28

U.S. Conference of Mayors stands with Flint Mayor Weaver

Michigan Chronicle Reports

Wayne Health Center (Page B-1) Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans partners with health care providers to open new Wayne Health Center

Small business equals big clout in Detroit

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

C. Grangston Bullard (Page C-1) Black designer reinvents fashion from frames to fur.

Pancakes & Politics straight talk (Page C-6)

See SMALL

BUSINESS page A-4

This year’s first Pancakes & Politics forum quickly evolved into a direct and honest assessment of what is precisely the problem with Detroit Public Schools and what can and must be done about it.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver – Andre Smith photo

March 23-29, 2016

From left: Crab House co-owners Eric and Damon English, Chronicle Senior Editor Keith Owens, and V. Lonnie Peek.

NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT REVOLT TURNS 50

$1.00

See DPS page A-4

Charles Colding at the former Northern High School in Detroit.

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Page A-2

$1.5 million from Kresge supports 21 projects in neighborhoods across Detroit Michigan Chronicle Reports

Last week, the Kresge Foundation announced grants totaling $1.5 million to 21 nonprofits for projects or planning efforts to revitalize Detroit neighborhoods. The project and planning grants span the city and include converting abandoned buildings and vacant lots for new purposes, park rehabilitations and engaging high school students in entrepreneurship and revitalization efforts. The grants are the second round of Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit, a three-year, $5 million initiative to support nonprofits in transformative neighborhood projects. Nine organizations received grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for projects to be completed in 12-18 months, and 12 organizations received grants of up to $25,000 for an eight-month planning process. “When we launched this initiative in 2014, we hoped shine a light on positive changes by tapping into the knowledge and creativity of city residents,” said Wendy Lewis Jackson, Kresge Detroit Program deputy director. “Added to the 18 in the first round of the initiative, these 21 projects are building momentum for change.” “We see in these grantees a strong desire to revitalize neighborhoods physically and to engage residents socially in the process,” she continued. “Our grantees are interested in reutilizing what’s abandoned and vacant, creating green infrastructure and new community spaces, and developing human capital, particularly among young people.” The 85 proposals for the competitive selection process came from across the city. To ensure a strong pool of proposals for the third and final round of the program next year, this year’s grants emphasized planning projects. The grant se-

lection process required that at least one planning project be embedded in each of Detroit’s seven city council districts.

which has been active in workforce development in Southwest Detroit, will plan a “YouthBuild Community” to improve the quality of life for residents in Southwest Detroit, focusing on the Chadsey-Condon neighborhood. Students will work with community members to identify tangible goals related to safety, including lighting, clean-up, and board-up opportunities. (District 6)

Through the nine “shovel-ready” implementation grants: Black Family Development Inc. will transform groups of vacant lots in the Osborn neighborhood using Detroit Future City’s “Field Guide to Working with Lots.” The guide includes plans for low-maintenance lawns, maple tree groves, barriers to deter illegal dumping and other landscape improvements. (District 3) LifeBUILDERS will rehabilitate Bringard-Boulder Park, including athletic fields and outdoor fitness equipment, to address resident desires for a safe community space for health and wellness activities. (District 3) Mack Avenue Community Church Development Corp. (MACC Development) plans to renovate a vacant 14,000-squarefoot commercial building (now known as the MACC Building) on Detroit’s near eastside as a community center. (District 5) Michigan Community Resources, following a 2015 Kresge planning grant, will reuse eight vacant lots for flower farming and create a public gathering space in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. (District 4) Michigan Environmental Council, following a 2015 Kresge planning grant, will work with staff at Denby High School to implement a four-year curriculum that incorporates elements of the Detroit Future City Strategic Framework Plan and complete neighborhood revitalization projects planned by students. (District 4 ) Ponyride will bring together students from Detroit Western Interna-

Construction at the site of a 2015 Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit implementation grant. The organization Heritage Works transformed vacant lots at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks boulevards in the North Corktown/Briggs neighborhood into a community-centered pocket park that commemorates the lives of the two civil rights leaders.

U SNAP BAC will collaborate with Habitat for Humanity and the MorningSide Association in the neighborhood of the same name to examine whether greenways, green ventures and green reuse of side lots can help stabilize the community. (District 4)

tional High School and Lawrence Technological University to transform shipping containers into retail space for entrepreneurs connecting Southwest Detroit to downtown and the riverfront. (District 6 )

and Sidewalk Festival for the Performing Arts will pair artists with community members to design and implement nature-based projects and public performances in Eliza Howell Park. (District 1)

University of Detroit Mercy will plan to utilize open spaces in the Fitzgerald neighborhood between University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) and Marygrove College, often known as the “College Core.”

Southwest Detroit Business Association will work with Southwest Detroit Community Benefits Coalition, following a 2015 Kresge planning grant, to implement an air quality monitoring system to provide accessible real-time information on levels of diesel exhaust emissions to residents near the Ambassador Bridge and I-75 in Southwest Detroit. (District 6)

Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation will plan for the development of a neighborhood-based center for Southwest Detroit residents to access housing resources and provide job training opportunities in housing and industrial trades for local at-risk youth. (District 6 )

Urban Neighborhoods Initiative will renovate a vacant building in Southwest Detroit to house community and youth development programs. (District 6) Young Nation, following a 2015 Kresge planning grant, will transform a vacant lot and empty 2,200-square-foot commercial building into new community gathering spaces. (District 6) Through the 12 planning grants: Brightmoor

Alliance

Eastside Community Network will collaborate with partners to identify a large swath of city-owned vacant land and engage nearby residents to explore green infrastructure options as an alternative to conventional maintenance. (District 4) EcoWorks will support a student-led effort of the Detroit Institute of Technology at Cody High School to plan a community space and park at a vacant lot across the street from the school. (District 7) Focus: HOPE will study the feasibility of re-

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Global Detroit will engage the Banglatown community in neighborhood planning, including, outreach efforts and community meetings. (District 3) MOSES (Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength) will work with residents of a near east side neighborhood to articulate a vision for their community through the lens of the Detroit Future City Strategic Framework Plan and develop plans for a transformative project. (District 5) People for Palmer Park will develop a revitalization plan for Lake Frances and surrounding areas within the nearly 300-acre, Frederick Law Olmsted-designed nature park and recreation site. (District 2) SER

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Classified: 3 p.m Friday. Copy, corrections and cancellations, preceding the Wednesday publication.

Weeks that contain holidays, deadline is Thursday prior to publication date.

• You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226, (800) 477-4747, for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the application at the offices of DTE Gas Company. • The first public hearing in this matter will be held:

DATE/TIME:

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and other procedural matters.

BEFORE:

Administrative Law Judge Mark E. Cummins

LOCATION:

Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, Michigan

PARTICIPATION:

Any interested person may attend and participate. The hearing site is accessible, including handicapped parking. Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 284-8090 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets. Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to mpscedockets@michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 284-8090 or by email at mpscedockets@michigan.gov.

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Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by April 12, 2016. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas’ attorney, Richard P. Middleton, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226.

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The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a public hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) January 29, 2016 application, which seeks approval to reconcile the Company’s Revenue Decoupling Mechanism (RDM) for the period November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2015. DTE Gas also seeks Commission approval to: a) adjust its existing retail gas rates so as to surcharge a net amount of $3.65 million, plus interest; and b) include any residual balance resulting from an over- or undercollection, or an over- or under-refund in subsequent RDM reconciliation filings as described in its filing.

For all news and calendar items: Deadline is two weeks prior to event.

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Proposals for the third round of Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit funding will be sought during the fall with grants to be announced in the spring of 2017.

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-17998

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Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corporation will examine the feasibility of streetscape improvements to make Woodbridge and surrounding neighborhoods safer, more pedestrianand bicyclist-friendly, and better connected to the Woodward Corridor. (District 6)

• The information below describes how a person may participate in this case.

–DEADLINE –

OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun.

Landscape installations will benefit the neighborhood through beautification, recreation and stabilization. (District 2)

• DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission approval to reconcile its Revenue Decoupling Mechanism for the period November 1, 2014 through October 31, 2015.

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developing a blighted residential and commercial site on West Davison Avenue as a live/work co-op space for entrepreneurs. (District 5)

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Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance. To file an appearance, the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information, thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private.

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Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules R 792.10422 and R 792.10432. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 284-8130.

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Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; 1982 PA 304, as amended, MCL 460.6h et seq.; and the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules, 2015 AC, R 792.10401 et seq.

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A copy of DTE Gas’ request may be reviewed on the Commission’s website at michigan.gov/mpscedockets, and at the office of DTE Gas Company. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090.

March 17, 2016

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Page A-3

Michigan residents favor helping Detroit schools pay debt A strong majority of Michigan residents favor state aid to help the fiscally strapped Detroit Public Schools pay off its debts, a new Michigan State University survey says. In the latest release of State of the State Survey results, 65.9 percent of Michigan adults surveyed said they favored state financial assistance to the urban school district. Another 29.4 percent opposed aid and 4.7 percent volunteered that they neither favored nor opposed aid. Even when the question was posed two different ways – one with information that a potential bankruptcy could leave state taxpayers liable for $1.5 billion in school district debt and the other without that information – respondents supported state aid. “Michigan citizens are surprisingly supportive of using additional state resources to support the Detroit Public Schools, whether or not they know that the state may be on the hook for some of the debt without state action,” said Matt Grossmann, political scientist and director of MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. IPPSR’s Office for Survey Research administers the State of the State Survey. Survey interviewers called landline and cellular phones from Jan. 24 to March 4. Detroit Public Schools are operating under a state-appointed financial manager and unable to afford rising debt payments. Fiscal analysts fear the payments could force the district into bankruptcy and leave taxpayers on the hook for at least $1.5 billion in debt. Gov. Rick Snyder and Michigan’s legislature are working on a financial aid package to keep Detroit schools open through the end of the school year and to help prevent bankruptcy. The state aid was favored across region and demographic measures with some differences, said Charles Ballard, SOSS director and professor of economics. “Democrats are more favorable than Independents, who in turn are more favorable than Republicans,” he said. “Blacks are more favorable than whites, and women are more favorable than men, although not always by much. Each of the groups except Republicans has a majority in favor, and even Republicans have a plurality in favor.” Statewide, 81 percent of Democrats favored the state aid and 17.7 percent were opposed. Among independents, 72 percent favored and 27.2 were opposed. Among Republicans, 49.4 percent favored assistance and 40.9 percent opposed it. “Detroiters are more favorable than the rest of metro Detroit, and metro Detroit is more favorable than the Grand Rapids area. But every region has a plurality in favor of state financial assistance directed toward Detroit,” Ballard said. A total of 838 adults were asked the two questions. The total error for the combined sample was 3.79 percent. In the split survey, 407 respondents answered a question that referred to the state’s potential liability. That question’s margin of error was an estimated 4.9 percent. Some 431 respondents weren’t told of the state’s liability for any potential bankruptcy. That segment carried an approximate 4.7 margin of error. SOSS is a quarterly telephone survey tracking the attitudes and opinions of Michigan adults. It is a random survey designed to test citizen opinion on timely issues, gather data for scientific and policy research and foster student, faculty and organizational research.

No break for Gov. Snyder and EPA Administrator McCarthy at Congressional hearing on Flint By Roz Edward “This is very personal and it’s a sad day for me,” Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) told Gov. Rick Snyder at a House of Representatives congressional committee hearing in Washington on the Flint water crisis. “You stated that state officials did not tell you about these problems. You said it wasn’t until October of 2015 despite the number of stories citing headlines as far back as June 2014,” Lawrence continued emotionally before producing a slide show of headlines from national publications announcing that there were serious problems with Flint’s water. “We all know when we are elected to office, we take an oath and we are empowered to hire staff. Do you have staff who report to you and do you have regular staff meetings?” she asked rhetorically, implying that either the governor’s staff was incompetent or the governor was lying. “It’s ironic that Michigan’s slogan is Pure Michigan,” said Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), after reprimanding the EPA administrator Gina McCarthy and Gov. Rick Snyder for their handling of the Flint water crisis. Kelly said flatly, “Being a person of color, I have to say this wreaks of environmental racism.”

McCarthy held that she was bound by legalities on when the EPA could intercede and the level of engagement allowable under the law. Snyder, who initially refused to appear before congressional committee, maintained that he was unaware of the problem until late September 2015. “At some point you can only take so much,” Gov. Snyder said in a defining moment at the congressional hearing in Washington this morning regarding the Flint water crisis. Congressperson after congressperson battered the governor and EPA administrator McCarthy with a slew of tough questions to determine who is responsible for the failure to protect the residents of Flint from contaminated drinking water. The scene in the House of Representatives was reminiscent of a Law and Order court room drama with Jack McCoy style prosecution, with one congressman producing 8,000 pages of emails and correspondence about the severity of the water problem and the urgency of the issue. Congressman Matthew Cartwright (D-PA) said, “Do you admit that you personally received a letter from Flint’s mayor on Jan. 18, 2015 saying there is nothing more important in Flint right now than fixing the water programs?” Snyder admitted he did receive the correspondence and also

admitted that he didn’t visit Flint for seven months after being made aware that there were problems with the water system and lead levels. Several members of the congressional committee called for the resignations of both Gov. Snyder and EPA administrator McCarthy. “Did you read any of those stories about, Legionnaires disease, sick kids, rashes, since the switch to the Flint river and the number of cases …” Cartwright grilled. “Even after the whole world knew about the problem you were still unaware governor?” he asked incredulously. “Plausible deniability only works when it’s plausible. You were not in a medically induced coma for a year. I have had enough of your false contrition and your phony apologies. Here you are dripping with guilt, hiring lawyers at the expense of the people. …You should resign.” Several members of the committee asked that Snyder remain mindful that he was under oath. Cartwright said, “You do admit that you and your administration failed the people of Flint.” Snyder maintains that the corrosion control responsibility belonged to the city. And as for the people of Flint, they too can only take so much.

Mayor Duggan announces plan to invest $11.7 million to renovate 40 neighborhood parks Forty city parks and playgrounds nestled in neighborhoods across the city will be renovated over the next two years, under an $11.7 million plan detailed last week by Mayor Mike Duggan and City Parks & Recreation Department officials. Community and City Council members joined the mayor to unveil the plan at Simmons Playground in District 1 on Detroit’s northwest side, one of the 40 parks slated for improvements.

The 10 parks planned for improvements in 2016, along with their anticipated needs are: District 1 Fields Playground, 16601 Florence Walkways, picnic area, fencing Simmons Playground, 19450 Chapel Walkways, playground, basketball

Anticipated improvements, which still are being finalized through an ongoing community participation process, include new playgrounds and equipment, new walkways, landscaping and more. Ten of the 40 parks will be renovated this year, and the remaining 30 next year, Duggan said. “These are not the city’s large marquee parks that already have seen improvements. These are the local parks that many families can walk to from home without ever having to cross a major road,” said Duggan. “As we bring back neighborhoods across this city, we are making sure we bring back the neighborhood parks along with them.” Duggan said the city’s recreation and general services departments identified the 40 locations based on several key criteria, including which unimproved parks had the highest concentrations of children and senior citizens living close by. Another consideration was the size of the parks; all 40 are no larger than 5.5 acres. Over the past two years, parks in the city have been undergoing a renaissance. In 2014, the city, with the help of more than 70 Adopt-a-Park volunteer groups, resumed regular mowing and cleaning of approximately 250 parks that were not being maintained in years prior due to city budget cuts.

Hansen Playground concept, photo courtesy of www.detroitmi.gov. Last year, the city spent $1 million to improve seven neighborhood parks, including Arthur, Edmore-Marbud, Optimist-Parkgrove, Ryan, Tuttle and Wilson. The 40 neighborhood parks slated for improvement in 2016-17 are part of the Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan, which outlines the city’s strategy to improve parks and recreation facilities. The improvement plan, which has had considerable community input, focuses on prioritizing parks in every area of the city, with the goal of creating quality public space accessible to all Detroiters. With these 40 parks identified for improvements, the city soon will solicit additional community input to determine the improvements and amenities each park will receive. A public meeting will be held in each City Council district to discuss the projects planned within each. The city also is planning two public meetings — one on the east side and one on the west side — to discuss its overall Parks & Recreation Im-

provement Plan. Once those dates and locations are established, the information will be made available through the city’s website at www.detroitmi.gov and city recreation centers. Input from residents is vital to the success of the city’s Parks Improvement Plan. During his budget address to City Council in February, the mayor revealed that his chief financial officer, John Hill, had discovered $50 million in bond funds that had gone unspent over several decades. Of those funds, $11.7 million has been earmarked for the park improvements. The remaining funds will pay to build out a high-tech real-time crime center at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters and to construct a new 8th Precinct for the Police Department. Last year, the city spent $1 million to upgrade seven parks around the city, including Arthur, Edmore-Marbud, Optimist-Parkgrove, Ryan, Tuttle and Wilson.

District 2 Bale Playground, 18673 Winthrop Playground, walkways, fencing Liuzzo Playground, 20053 Winthrop Walkways, picnic area, basketball District 3 Calimera Playground, 19493 Joann Playground, walkways, basketball court District 4 Hansen Playground, 542 Drexel Walkways, horseshoes, junior basketball District 5 Latham Playground, 5082 Seneca Playground, fencing, other amenities District 6 Boyer Playground, 6203 W. Vernor Walkways, playground, picnic shelter District 7 Mansfield-Diversey Playground, 7753 Rutherford Walkways, landscaping, sports field Cross/Tireman-Littlefield Playground, 8134 Manor Walkways, picnic area, basketball

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Small business Bureau figures from 2007. Many, particularly those who have kept their businesses going on shoestring budgets, feel excluded from conversations about Detroit’s revival and overlooked when it comes to getting access to funds and resources.”

2016 Downtown Street Eats returns to Campus Martius Park For the fourth season, Downtown Street Eats is back in Cadillac Square at Campus Martius Park, featuring some of the best foot in Detroit. The season of rotating food trucks and vendors has kicked off and is available for the downtown lunchtime crowd every weekday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through October 28. The 2016 Downtown Street Eats lineup showcases over 35 local food trucks offering more than 20 types of cuisine with prices ranging from approximately $5 to $10. Returning local favorites include Pita Post, Mac Shack and Norma G’s. This year’s new eateries include the Rolling Stoves, High Octane Food Truck and El Charro.

Each week the featured food selections will be posted on the Campus Martius Park website, campusmartiuspark.org, and the park’s social media channels. With the 2016 Quicken Loans Summer in the Parks on the horizon, Downtown Street Eats is only one of the hundreds of the programs, activities and events included at the five downtown parks in this exciting and action-packed season of programming. Featuring international and Detroit musical artists, the 12th annual season will energize the heart of the city with a wide variety of activities all summer long and into the fall. Summer programming begins June 1.

More specifically, from a national perspective, black-owned businesses have been virtually exploding for the past decade, according to a Feb. 2011 report by the U.S. Census. “From 2002 to 2007, the number of blackowned businesses increased by 60.5 percent to 1.9 million, more than triple the national rate of 18.0 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Business Owners. Over the same period, receipts generated by black-owned businesses increased 55.1 percent to $137.5 billion. Among cities, New York had the most black-owned businesses, with 154,929 (8.1 percent of all the nation’s black-owned businesses), followed by Chicago, with 58,631 (3.1 percent), Houston, with 33,062 (1.7 percent) and Detroit, with 32,490 (1.7 percent).” That number grew again significantly between 2007 and 2012, expanding the count of black-owned businesses nationwide by 34.5 percent from 1.9 million to 2.6 million. Detroit may not be number one, which some might still point to with distress since it remains the blackest big city in America. But then again, considering the near insurmountable odds Detroit has been battling for so many years, the fact that Detroit still ranks fourth in the nation for black business density might be considered somewhat remarkable. Strong support of these businesses might also be considered an opportunity to broaden the success — and the boundaries — of Detroit’s comeback tale. “When I was in Tampa, I went to see how many African American-owned bars there were in Tampa. Just bars. There was one, in the whole city of Tampa. Here we have thousands of black businesses, but we have been so led to believe that we ain’t got nothing that we never experience it,” said Cushingberry. “It’s the same thing with contractors. People don’t realize the kind of contracts that African Americans have with the city that are multimillion dollar contracts. For example, to tow automobiles it’s very lucrative. And we have like 8 or 10 African American companies that are doing that. The marinas are under management by a black company. Nobody would even think that we have black companies doing those sorts of things. Just millions and millions of dollars go to African American contracts. And the demolitions; one out of every five is to a black company or to a minority company. You go show me another city in America where African Americans have more economic clout than they do here. I put what we have in Detroit up against everybody.” Although figures from the Census indicate that Detroit is not the only large American

From page A-1 city where black businesses have found a way to thrive, Cushingberry’s message that blackowned businesses in Detroit deserve considerably more recognition than what they are receiving still holds. The other part of that message, says Cushingberry, is that there are many more jobs in the city than what some folks seem to think. The bigger problem, as painful as it may be to hear, may be finding enough employees ready and willing to work in those jobs. “That’s been the most difficult. Getting the personnel. And I post (on Facebook) all the time,” said Eric English, co-owner of The Crab House. “I post that there’s a rib dinner, and 65 people will like it. I post that we’re now hiring and seven people will respond.” Eric’s brother Damon, the youngest brother (Eric is the oldest, Charles is the middle brother who came up with the idea) of the three who own The Crab House, recounted how he stood up in front of a church congregation of 500 people on Detroit’s east side and invited people to apply for jobs that were available at the restaurant’s east side location. “Two people responded,” he said. On the positive side, Damon emphasized how supportive the community has been of their restaurants, both in terms of patronage and embracing them in other ways. Customers come from as far away as Toledo on a regular basis to make large purchases for friends and family, and the brothers strive to repay the loyalty and communal warmth with top service, instructing their employees to always treat customers with a smile. Their success has enabled them to recently open a new location near I-696 and Van Dyke in Warren. Still, Eric and Damon claim they have too often been the target of what they say is unwarranted police harassment that they believe stems from a persistent disbelief — even in Detroit — that a black person can operate a very successful business without there being some form of illegal shadow operation to keep it afloat. “Being in business here, on 7 Mile and Evergreen since 2009, I’ve experienced more tribulation from the Detroit Police Department than I have with Johnny Thug and Joe Thug. Johnny Thug and Joe Thug have never done a thing to me. Not a thing to me since we’ve been here. Nothing but show me love,” said Eric. Added Damon, “Since we’ve been here, I’d have to say that each one of us has been pulled over by the police at least 15 times within 50 feet from our front door.” “I don’t know why,” said Eric. “I think there has always been the strong assumption that a black man can’t work and operate a business without having some illegal aspect that’s funding what you’re doing. And we had none of that.” “Everybody out here who’s running a business and keeping it alive, they’re not doing something illegal to make it happen,” said Damon.

DPS

From page A-1

July 1987 interview published by the Detroit Free Press. “Kids were coming out that school basically unable to read and write...The white leadership didn’t care. They never intended to share society with us. They didn’t want us to learn.” Jacqueline Pitts, who transferred to Northern from Mackenzie High School located on the city’s west side in 1966, agrees with Colding. She remembered Mackenzie as a school where administrators and teachers better nurtured their students. Its composition was 46.6 percent black and 52.8 percent white, according to a 1967 Detroit Urban League study. Northern, by contrast, was 98.6 percent black and 1.3 percent white. “They didn’t think we would do anything but be maids, or go to Vietnam,” Pitts recalled. CONDITIONS In 1966, Detroit’s population was estimated at 1.6 million residents. Sprawl afforded whites an opportunity to leave the city for suburban communities, which left a mix of 50 percent white and 50 percent black. A higher percentage of blacks attended city public schools. They were heavily concentrated in the central hub of the city, the lower east side and near west side. High schools like Henry Ford, Redford and Cooley on the northwest side and Finney, Denby and Osborn on the northeast side were almost exclusively white. Central, Northwestern, Northeastern and Northern were almost exclusively black. Colding called for the walkout after school administrators refused to allow the student newspaper to publish his editorial entitled ”Educational Camouflage.” In it, he slammed the academic standards set by school officials. The 17-yearold senior and student newspaper editor was student spokesman. He was joined by Michael Batchelor and Judy Walker whom he had recruited. Dr. Karl Gregory, an assistant professor in economics at Wayne State University and a 1947 Northern graduate, points out today that the trio complemented each other. Walker lived east of Oakland Avenue, a tougher, grittier neighborhood. Batchelor was a popular athlete and knew all the jocks. And

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troit, Inc., a coalition organization formed after the 1967 civil uprising. “He’s a take-no-prisoner leader who was able to exact concessions and command respect from the likes of Henry Ford II, Max Fisher and J.L. Hudson.” MICHAEL B. BATCHELOR

Charles Colding

Judy Walker

Michael Batchelor

Colding, who resided on Clairmount Street west of Oakland Avenue, was an “intellectual” who could see the big picture as it related the inequalities in education across school and neighborhood boundaries.

Gregory earned a bachelor’s degree from Wayne University and a PhD from the University of Michigan. Now in his eighties, he lectures and opines on cultural, economic and civic matters that affect the region. He retired in 1996 as a distinguished professor emeritus in the School of Business Administration at Oakland University. Gregory believes that school officials recognized that the boycott could spread to other schools like Northwestern and Northeastern and affect the business of the district and, perhaps worse, leading to citywide civil disturbance.

Board of Education, and the only black on the 11-member elected body, along with schools superintendent Samuel Brownell announced that Carty would not return. Dr. Leonard F. Sain was appointed principal in March 1967, the first African American in school history to serve in the post.

WALKOUT The walkout began on April 7. More than half of the school’s 2,300 students boycotted classes and hundreds demonstrated outside the school. Their demands were as clear: • Fire Art Carty and officer Barney Lucas. • Retain qualified teachers who wish to remain. • Examine academic standards. • Create a Student-Faculty Council to study problems, academic and otherwise, and suggest improvements. • Investigate why the school didn’t have a community agent and appoint one. At the invitation of rector David M. Gracie, of a Freedom School operated out of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church. Colding recalls students exiting Northern and beelining to the church located two blocks south. The idea was borrowed from the schools created in southern states to rally against Jim Crow racial segregation and voting and societal discrimination. It was designed to demonstrate that the students preferred education to picketing. Gregory took a sympathetic ear to the students and assisted them in creating the school. “There was a counselor (at Northern) when I went to school who told me I didn’t have the intelligence to go to college,” Gregory stated at the time. “And that counselor is still at Northern.”

“It could have been 1967 Detroit before 1967,” he states today. More than 30 Northern teachers taught at the Freedom School as well as PhD-credentialed university professors. Parents collected more than $400 to purchase school supplies for its operation. An unnamed teacher offered this to the Michigan Chronicle in its April 23 edition: “One of the biggest problems is the administration’s attitude toward students and teachers. This attitude is one of don’t do anything, don’t teach too much, don’t rock the boat because Negroes can’t learn anything anyway.” “We had great support from the community,” Colding recalls. That support included students from neighboring schools like Northwestern High, where Pearl Cleage, editor of her school newspaper and daughter of the Rev. Albert Cleage of Central Congregational Church, met with Colding. RESOLVE On April 25, Dr. Remus Robinson, a well-respected physician, president of the Detroit

In the ensuing years after the student walkout, several black principals were named to lead city public schools and more blacks were elevated to administrative positions. By 1969, state officials passed legislation to create more local control and decision making through area regions of governance, which ushered in black voices in decision making. In 1970, the Detroit Branch NAACP and others entered a class action suit against the State of Michigan, Milliken v. Bradley, arguing that the Detroit Public Schools had been carrying out educational segregation. By 1973, a majority of the school district’s 11 central board members were African American. In 1975, Dr. Arthur Jefferson became its first black general superintendent. In 2011, the Mosaic Detroit theatre troupe, a group of teenagers, offered a production, “Northern Lights,” based on the walkout. Many of the walkout participants attended the show, including Colding, Walker and Gregory. “It was sort of strange seeing someone playing the part of you on the stage,” Colding grins. Colding calls the walkout “successful.” Batcher died in 2005; Walker in 2014. “Chuck is one of the most brilliant political minds that I have ever known,” says Gerald W. Smith, a longtime friend and former colleague at New De-

Batchelor, school yearbook editor, football player and Latin Club member, graduated in 1966. He had visited the White House and met President John F. Kennedy as a child, worked in the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and earned a degree from Detroit College of Law in 1986. He served as a softball coach and YMCA counselor in his spare time as well as helping to advise Wayne State University students during their study-in against the school’s administration in 1989. Batchelor represented Walter Budyzn, a white police officer, who faced trial after the death of a black motorist Malice Green in November 1992. CHARLES COLDING Colding, a National Honor Society member who played saxophone, graduated in 1967 and attended the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and ultimately Columbia University and Harvard University. During the months and years after the boycott, Colding was often sought after for his thoughts and ideas. He was even interviewed by NBC-TV network anchor John Chancellor. He became a vice president of the governmental affairs at WTVS-TV 56 and later served as executive director of the City of Detroit Cable Communications Commission beginning in the mid-1980s. He resides in Detroit’s Medical Center area. JUDY WALKER Voted class most athletic and a member of the basketball, tennis and hockey teams, Walker graduated in 1967 and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wayne State University. She later became a successful real estate agent who bought Red Carpet Keim Realty Company in 1988 and started Riverpointe Realty in 1998. Walker was featured in the Detroit Free Press in 1999 in a piece titled “Women Who Mean Business.”

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Page A-5

Despite major progress, society is far from colorblind By Shirley Stancato President and CEO - New Detroit, Inc.

When the topic of race relations comes up in conversation, it is often said these days that we are fortunate that young people don’t carry around the same baggage as their elders. It’s part of the same conversation that suggests that, with the election of President Barak Obama, we have reached some sort of post-racial society where the old prejudices are falling away and people don’t see skin color. But with alarming regularity, something happens Shirley Stancato that very quickly and painfully reminds us that simply is not true. Most recently, it was the incident in the Grosse Pointes in which three high school students posted pictures on social media of themselves with the N-word written across their stomachs. Fortunately, school officials reacted quickly, disciplining the students involved. It was a welcome reaction and a real sign that things have changed for the better in the Grosse Pointes from the days when a point system was used to determine whether an individual could purchase a home there. But it was also proof that we still have a long way to go in this country. Kids make mistakes. It’s part of being a kid. But you have to ask how that sort of thing could come up at a party in the first place. What sort of thought process would lead a young person to believe there was humor in an ugly racial epithet? What messages have they received that led them to think such actions were acceptable? Clearly, there is still a lot of work to be done on all levels. Equally clearly, our schools at all levels need to be doing more to address the issue of race, both its history and its current status, in this country. It shouldn’t take an incident like this to prompt people to take action.

Dedicated teachers offer life-changing results through Goodwill Detroit’s Education Recovery Program “Education is the most powerful tool anyone can use to change his or her life,” said Bishop Chui, educator with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Education Recovery program. Bishop Chui and his Education Recovery colleagues are working hard to offer access to these “life-changing tools,” which are vital to gaining sustainable employment and breaking a cycle of poverty. Education Recovery is a free literacy and GED services by Goodwill Detroit’s Flip the Script division. This program is available for low income residents living in Detroit/Wayne County, 16-29 years of age. Additionally, those needing to obtain their GED to comply with court ordered probation requirements find Education Recovery to be a realistic opportunity to do just that. Goodwill’s Flip the Script encourages those fitting the criteria committed to positive life, academic and social change, no matter the reason, to call (313) 557-4818.

That is why New Detroit convenes an annual Youth Leadership Summit on Race to bring together young people from all over Southeast Michigan to develop strategies for improving race relations in their schools and neighborhoods. The day-long summit, held every fall on the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, which is a co-sponsor, includes students from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties. The summit is planned through the year by a committee of young people from all backgrounds. It proves that young people from all races and socioeconomic backgrounds can work together to confront issues related to racial inequity and stereotyping. The summit and the activities leading up to it allow young people to interact with a diverse group of students their age in a safe setting where they can discuss race and issues related to it. It is often the first time many of the participants are in an environment where they can openly discuss race in such a diverse setting and it gives them the inspiration they need to change the future of race relations by starting with their own community. It is good that the Grosse Pointe community reacted in a very swift and positive way to a very ugly incident. But that reaction should not be the end of it. Rather, it should be the start of something much more involved. That incident did not occur in a vacuum. Somewhere along the line those young people with the N-word written across their stomach were given the idea that such an expression is acceptable.

“Education Recovery is different than comparable programs,” said Naffie Ceesay, Education Recovery educator. “We have an intensely dedicated staff that not only educates our students but builds a positive rapport and trust with them. Our students know we care and want them to succeed. While building intimate relationships with our students, we hold them fully accountable. This is the key to our success.” The Education Recovery Program allows enrollees to work at their own pace. Students attend classes Monday through Thursday from 3 to 7:30 pm and receive literacy training in reading, math and social studies. While students learn in a classroom setting, they are also provided one-on-one time to excel in their studies. The end goal is GED certification and improved literacy. Most students come in with a 3rd -5th grade reading level and some are completely illiterate. “The classroom environment is very intentional here,” said Bishop Chui. “We don’t allow defeatist attitudes. Students are not allowed to say ‘I hate reading.’ If you believe it, you can do it and we give students the encouragement they need to be successful.” Goodwill Detroit understands that some students may have financial/social barriers to their ed-

How to Qualify for Goodwill Detroit’s Education Recovery: Detroit/Wayne County resident Low income Male or Female Age 16-29 Commitment to breaking down employment barriers Willingness to learn

Call 313-557-4818 ucation as well. The organization provides resources, such as bus tickets to students without regular transportation and even handles the cost of the GED tests. “We understand that education is not always a top priority for some of our students; some are just try-

ing to survive,” said Ceesay. “Some are in domestic violence relationships or are battling homelessness. We provide access to resources they need to change their lives, such as counseling and temporary housing.” The Education Recovery staff would like anyone interested in changing their lives to call 313557-4818 to find out more about the program. “Our students have different motivations for joining our program,” said Bishop Chui. “Some want to provide better lives for their children, some want to open the doors for new careers and some want to pursue higher education. For many of our students this is the first time they’ve been successful in academics, and we encourage all to try us out.”

Detroit Councilman Benson, Coalition of Detroit Pastors and residents say no to Erotic City By Roz Edward Detroit City Councilman Scott Benson, the Detroit Building and Safety Division, Environmental Department, the City of Detroit Law Department, a host of community influencers and the Coalition of Concerned Detroit Pastors, an assembly of the ecumenical leaders, united to protest the continued operation of the Erotic City strip club on Detroit’s near east side. The club, located directly across the street from the Rose of Sharon Christian Assembly on Conant, and its owners have been charged with violating a number of city licensing codes. Complainants say that the adult entertainment establishment is a public nuisance and poses a threat to the peace, health and safety to residents of the 3rd District, which warrants the club’s license being revoked. “This is a long-term effort

to ensure that small businesses in the city of Detroit are complying with our community norms, mores and the most basic of laws and city ordinances,” said Benson. “There have been several business license violations at this establishment over the past few years, including indecent exposure, indoor smoking of cigarettes, marijuana and the sale of marijuana, and other drugs, employees dancing without dance cards, employees dancing semi-nude offstage, patrons or employees touching dancers while indecent, and noise complaints from the residents in the surrounding neighborhoods and businesses.”

vocation for undesirable businesses.

Doug Baker, representing the City of Detroit Law Department, told the crowd of protesters that the city’s commitment is to vastly improve the quality of life in Detroit neighborhoods by fighting blight on a number of fronts including licensing re-

“Our stance is not about religion, it’s not about church, it’s not about morality at this particular point. It’s about the law,” said Harris adding that the owners of Erotic City did not take steps to comply with city ordinations because they

“In this particular licensing revocation, the police department brought us evidence of a series of very serious violations, including violence that has spilled out from this business into the community on several occasions, and even gunplay which has caused us to revoke its license,” he said. Bishop Harris of the Coalition of Detroit Pastors asserted that although Erotic City’s location is of concern to worshippers at the Rose of Sharon Christian Assembly, it is not the driving force behind the neighborhood action.

felt they didn’t have to. “We talk about these types of businesses, when we talk about marijuana dispensaries, they’re not in Gilbertville, they’re not in the newly erected Hockeytown, but they’re in our neighborhoods,” said Pastor Winans of nearby Perfecting Church. “Our children have to pass strip clubs and weed joints to go to school.” Erotic City attorney Patrick McQueeney filed an appeal on behalf of Erotic City which allows the club to keep its doors opens until a final determination is reached. Baker explained that the law automatically allows a business repealing a license revocation to remain open during the appeal process, but added that he and City of Detroit legal staff are working to amend that law. Captain Timothy Leach of the DPD 11th Precinct assured protesters that if Erotic City

continued to violate the law, residents have some measure of recourse, vowing to shut the club down for a three-day period for new violations. “Now that we know that they can get a temporary license, there will be more inspections. If I go in right now and find something illegal, I can shut them down for three days,” said Leach. “I can go every other day and shut them down for three days and they can’t appeal that.” Shirley Birch, president of Dequindre Good Neighbor Block Club, applauded the efforts of Benson and the Coalition of Detroit Pastors, saying, “As citizens we have to stop allowing anyone to put whatever they want to put in our neighborhoods. This building has no business in a neighborhood where we have children going to and from school. Detroit is not a dumping ground.”

Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 23-29, 2016

Celebrate EXCELLENCE

MEN & WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE 2016 AWARDS CEREMONY AND ALUMNI REUNION IN CELEBRATION OF THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE’S 80TH BIRTHDAY!

2016 MEN AND WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE HONOREES

WOMEN OF EXCELLENCE Myra Anderson, Chief Execu,ve Officer, Sean Anderson Founda,on Paula Autry, Chief Execu,ve Officer, DMC Sinai-‐Grace Hospital The Honorable Janee Ayers, Council Member at Large, City of Detroit Ivy Bailey, Interim President, Detroit Federa,on of Teachers Paula Bridges, Communica,ons Director, Wayne County Sheriff Delores Brown, Execu,ve Director – Finance, Detroit Public Schools Remonia Chapman, Execu,ve Director, Detroit MOTTEP Founda,on Melinda Clemons, Senior Loan Officer, Capital Impact The Honorable Irma Clark Coleman, District 5 Commissioner, Wayne County Kathleen Colin, Director, Oppenheimer & Co, Inc. Dr. Tonya Corbin, Physician/Medical Consultant, Henry Ford Health System Patricia Dolly, PhD., Senior Advisor to the President on Diversity & Inclusion, Oakland University Stacie Durant, Chief Financial Officer, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority Shauna Forbes, Vice Chancellor, Wayne County Community College District Jenice Mitchell Ford, Senior Counsel, Clark Hill PLC Dr. Pauline Furman, Execu,ve Director/Owner, Center for Individual & Family Counseling Leslie Gordon, Senior Manager of Diversity Communica,ons, General Motors Cara Griffin, Director, Global Commercial Compliance & Counsel, Guardian Industries Corpora,on Carol Guyton, SVP, Financial Center Sales Market Manager, Bank of America Glinda Bridgforth Hodge, Author/Financial Coach, Bridgforth Financial & Associates LLC The Honorable Denise Page Hood, Judge, U.S. District Court – Eastern District Nichelle Hughley, Deputy CFO – Office of Grants Management, City of Detroit Wendy Lewis Jackson, Deputy Director, Kresge Founda,on LaNeice Jones, Vice President of Programs, Neighborhood Service Organiza,on Lynne Carter Keith, Associate Medical Director, Blue Cross Blue Shield Charise D. Key, VP & District Manager-‐West Oakland District, Comerica Bank Angeline Lawrence, Founder, Entrepreneur Exchange Group Tiffanie Y. Lewis, Director, Design & Business Architecture, Global Business Services, General Motors Tiffany Love, Director of Adver,sing, MGM Grand Detroit Dr. Tonya MaOhews, Chief Execu,ve Officer, Michigan Science Center Mary Mbiya, Vice President/Area Manager, Flagstar Bank Pamela McClain, Execu,ve Assistant to the Mayor, City of Detroit Shirley Mobley-‐Woods, Former Chief of Staff-‐Academics, Detroit Public Schools Jane F. Morgan, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, JFM Consul,ng Group, Inc. Carlynn Nichols, Chief Clinical Officer, The Children’s Center Stephanie Nixon, Director of Program and Service Innova,on, Detroit Employment Solu,ons Agency Dr. Earlexia Norwood, Chief of Family Medicine/Director of Prac,ce Development and Community Health Educa,on, Henry Ford Health System Marlin Page, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Dr. Glenda Price, President, Detroit Public Schools Founda,on Erin Reese-‐Burks, VP, Orthopedic Center of Excellence and Minimally Invasive Ins,tute, St. John Providence Health Freda Sampson, Director – Diversity & Inclusion, Blue Cross Blue Shield Tanisha Sanders, Senior Director, Global Government Rela,ons, Kellogg Company Denise Shannon, Campus President/Chief Academic Officer, Wayne County Community College District Dr. Derschaun Sharpley, Founder, Helping Individuals Succeed (H.I.S. Agency) Linda Smith, Execu,ve Director, U-‐Snap Bac Katrina Studvent, Execu,ve Director/Breast Cancer Special Programs, Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure/Karmanos Cancer Ins,tute Bishop Dr. CorleOa Vaughan, Pastor/Author, The Holy Ghost Cathedral/ Go Tell It Evangelis,c Ministry Worldwide The Honorable Deidre Waterman, Mayor, City of Pon,ac Ruthie White, Associate Global Director, Central Michigan University Seana Williams-‐Page, Director of Resident Services, Detroit Housing Commission

Join us in celebra,ng these outstanding Men and Women of Excellence

Friday, May 13, 2016, 5 pm Cobo Center, Detroit, Michigan 48226 For more informa,on call the Michigan Chronicle

313-‐963-‐5522

MEN OF EXCELLENCE Ronald W. BeTe, Jr., Na,onal Rela,onship Manager/ Enterprise Philanthropy, State Farm Insurance Wayne Brown, Chief Execu,ve Officer, Michigan Opera Theatre Rev. Tellis Chapman, Pastor, Galilee Bap,st Church Kenneth Cole, Director, Governmental Consultant Services Inc. Derrick Coleman, Owner/President, Derrick Coleman Elite/ Re,red NBA Players Associa,on – Detroit Chapter Derrick Coleman, Superintendent, River Rouge School District Jim Comer, Founder/Owner, Comer Holdings, LLC/Comer Founda,on Charles Crews, Vice President of Gas Opera,ons, Consumer’s Energy Douglass J. Diggs, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, The Diggs Group Heritage Edmond Douglas, Vice President, Avis Ford John Draper, Sr., President, Viridian Group Inc. Walter EllioO, Commercial Lender, Level One Bank Walter L. Epps, Re,red Sheriff SWAT Commander, Wayne County Sheriff Joel Ferguson, President/Trustee, Ferguson Development/ Michigan State University Board of Trustees Rev. Kenneth Flowers, Pastor, Greater New Mt. Moriah Bap,st Church Victor A. Green, Director of Community Affairs, Wayne State University Ronald Hall, Jr., Vice President & General Counsel, Bridgewater Interiors Troy A. Hammie, Vice President, Slot Opera,ons, MGM Grand Detroit Stan Hannah, Senior Manager, Talent & Organiza,onal Development, Plante Moran Eric Hardy, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, W3R Consul,ng Dale Harvel, Head Football Coach, Mar,n L. King Jr. Senior High School Richard Hosey, Owner, Hosey Development Link Howard, III, Chief Execu,ve Officer/Chairman of the Board, Powerlink Dr. Richard Huggins, Senior Staff Physician, Henry Ford Health System James Arthur Jemison, Director, Housing and Revitaliza,on, City of Detroit Arvin Jones, Manufacturing Manager, General Motors North America Eric Jones, Execu,ve Fire Commissioner, City of Detroit Mark Jones, Public Affairs Manager, Faith-‐Based Ini,a,ves, DTE Energy Alex Kimbrough, Director, WJBK Fox2 Wright Lassiter, III, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, Henry Ford Health System Angelo Leslie, Vice President, Wealth Advisor, Comerica Rodrick Miller, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, Detroit Economic Growth Corp. George N’namdi, Chief Execu,ve Officer/Art Dealer, N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art Alex Parrish, Partner, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins, Pastor/President, Greater Christ Bap,st Church/Progressive Na,onal Bap,st Conference AOorney Byron PiOs, Law Offices of A_orney Cornelius Pi_s, Byron Pi_s & Wright Blake Rev. Greg Roberts, Senior Execu,ve-‐Faith Based Director & Community Engagement, Wayne County Execu,ve Rudy Roberts, Interna,onal Representa,ve, UAW-‐Ford George Shade, Jr., SVP/Chief Medical Officer, Detroit Community Health Connec,on Jerome Sheppard, Chief Execu,ve Officer/Chairman, The Epitec Group Inc. John David Simpson, Esq., A_orney, Simpson, Morton & Cross A_orneys & Counselors at Law Toney Stewart, Execu,ve Director -‐ City of Detroit, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters Robert Thomas, Vice Chairman, City of Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals Ed Welburn, Vice President, Global Design, General Motors North America Fran Westbrook, Managing Partner, BLVD Content Rev. Charles Williams, President/Chief Execu,ve Officer, Na,onal ACTION Network – Detroit Chapter Stefan Wilson, President, UPS-‐Midwest Region Terrance E. Woods, Entrepreneur, Massive Entertainment

SECTION B

COMMUNITY

NAMI Mental Health Advocacy

michiganchronicle.com

March 23-29, 2016

By Tom Watkins

The word “advocate” has been tossed around quite a bit under the Capitol Dome over the years. So much so, I sometimes expect to see someone wearing a colorful costume, a cap and a brazen capital “A” pressed to their chest ready to leap the Capitol Rotunda in a single bound. There are many causes that claim strong advocates that trot to Lansing to play the legislative game of math — pluses and minuses, struggling to get more money added to the budget and keep harmful legislative bills from ever seeing the light of day. Advocates differ from “lobbyists.” They are not hired guns. They often do their work on a volunteer basis or slightly above volunteer status as a paid executive or staffer for a non-profit or government organization. These individuals are passionate and motivated by adding value and making a difference for a cause or public good. Tom Watkins Advocates don’t walk around trolling the Capitol halls looking for a legislative committee chair to take to lunch. They do not control multiple political pacs and are not fund raising “bundlers” ready to drop the maximum political contributions as a means to help “educate” lawmakers about whoever has hired them. Let’s call advocates the Rodney Dangerfield of the various species that swim with the sharks in the state Capitol aquarium. I know, and have known, many good men and women who plead for improving the human condition as advocates in Lansing. I admire them, people like: Hank Johnson, ARC- Detroit, Leon Judd, executive director of NAMI -Metro Detroit, George Gaines, former deputy director of public health for the City of Detroit and Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority Board member. The list may not be a “who’s who” on the Lansing inner circle, but to a person they have added value and have helped make Michigan a better place for vulnerable people, our fellow citizens. A Shining Light — Kevin Fischer One special “advocate” for a special cause is Kevin Fischer, the executive director of National Alliance on Mentally illness. NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Founded in 1979, NAMI has become the nation’s voice on mental illness, a nationwide organization with affiliates in every state and in more than 1,100 local communities across the country. More than 60 million people in this country suffer some type of mental health problem each year. Nearly 14 million of those live daily with its most serious forms — schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression. Mental illness skips no zip code. Mental illness doesn’t care about your level of education, income or class, though not everybody in this society has equal access to treatment. This is what Kevin Fischer struggles to address each day. Kevin has no super organizational budget. He surely can’t afford a multi-client, Lansing lobbyist and if he is buying you lunch, it is likely coming out of his own pocket, not a padded expense account. Yet, he has as worthy and powerful message to share as anyone under the Capitol Dome. He wants better resources, quality treatment and research for persons with mental illnesses. Mental illness impacts our family members, friends, neighbors and communities. Mental Health is Personal When mental illness strikes someone you love, it is devastating. Kevin quit his job at Meijer Corporate Office in Grand Rapids in July of 2009 to care for his young adult son, Dominique, diagnosed with a serious mental illness. He helped his son manage the labyrinth of treatment programs. For the next year Dominique’s care was his full time job. He took his son to therapy appointments four days a week and tried to keep him engaged in his treatment plan. His job of supporting his son ended with his suicide June 27, 2010. Kevin was devastated and emotionally unprepared to return to the world, let alone work and needed to find a way to live with his grief. In late 2010 his wife, Sonya, discovered NAMI on the Internet and suggested he learn more about them. Kevin joined NAMI-MI in 2011 and later that year was asked to join the NAMI Michigan Board of Directors. Dominique Fischer During the same period of time, trying to find some good in the loss of his son he established the Dominique Fischer Memorial Foundation, initially with the hope of funding a small scholarship in his memory at Detroit Catholic Central High School. Dominique loved being a Catholic Central Shamrock.

See MENTAL HEALTH page B-2

Detroit woman showers Detroit infants with love By Desiree Cooper Whose problem is it that more than 59 percent of Detroit children live in poverty? Or that countless Detroit infants have to leave the hospital without any guarantee that their basic needs will be met at home? Twenty-five years ago, Barbara Patton decided the problem was hers. “I have no biological children of my own,” said Patton, 62. “But I still have a responsibility to the children of this city.” For years, the long-time Detroiter and professional fundraiser met that responsibility at the Detroit Medical Center’s Hutzel Women’s Hospital. “I used to volunteer with the Cradle Care Program,” said Patton. “After you get certified, you can go in any time and hold or feed the preemies in the Special Care Nursery. You just love them and rock them. The extra touch helped them thrive and gain weight more quickly.” In 1991, Patton had another idea. She was a member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Detroit Club. The 81-year-old organization has a mandate for each local chapter to do a health initiative. “I thought it would be great to do a community baby shower for new

Barbara Patton mothers who need assistance,” Patton said. “At our first shower, we were shocked when the people started filing in with buckets and buckets of stuff.” The idea of a community baby shower is a quintessentially Detroit one. Individually, we may not have much, but together, we have enough. I’ve attended the showers over the years, and the exuberance of the donors and the lavish display of new car seats, play pens, blankets and

layettes have the positive energy of a church revival. In fact, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church has participated for each of the past 24 years. Other groups have pitched in for more than a decade, including chapters of Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha, and one group of Canadian women who spend the year knitting preemie caps especially for the event. Babies who were beneficiaries of

See INFANTS page B-2

New Health Center expands service to families in Western Wayne County Michigan Chronicle Reports

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans joined by partners from Beaumont Health, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and the Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness (HVCW) officially opened the new Wayne Health Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony. Wayne County used a $700,000 grant from the United States Department of Health & Human Services to transform the 25,000 Sq foot space into a full service federally qualified health center with eight remodeled exam rooms. The expansion from two to four evaluation rooms for recipients of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) services will allow for increased access to care. The facility’s dental suite will receive an increase in dentistry stations from three to five later this spring. The Wayne Health Center located at 33030 Van Born Rd. serves residents in the cities of Wayne, Westland, Romulus and Inkster where there is only one primary care doctor for every 4,100 residents. The new health center will deliver an expanded level of services that include: Immunizations, Behavioral Health, Nutrition Counseling, Pediatrics, OBGYN and WIC. During his State of the County Address County Executive Evans said providing residents with access to quality health care is “a top priority for my administration.” At Tuesday’s ribbon cutting the County Executive reinforced that message, said the health center will lower barriers to health care in Western Wayne County and discussed the impact the new partnerships with Beaumont Health and the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry will have on the community. “Our residents will greatly benefit from these new partnerships,” said County Executive Evans. “Now it’s more convenient for residents to receive the health services they need and deserve. For example, when you visit this center, physicians and health care professionals from the Family Medicine program of Beaumont Hos-

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans pital-Wayne are working side by side with Wayne County’s public health nurses.” “Beaumont Health is committed to delivering high quality, affordable care to the families and communities we serve," said Ashok Jain, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer, Beaumont Hospital, Wayne. "Partnering with the County on this new health center will help ensure our neighbors in the Wayne community have yet another resource to receive access to health care." County Executive Evans also said a full range of dental services are soon to be offered because of the partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. The dental school will provide dentists and dental students that can provide services at a low cost, and the school will benefit from the volume and opportunity to expand their teaching program. “The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry is excited to partner with Wayne County and Beaumont Health to provide dental services and be a part of a comprehensive healthcare solution for citizens of Western Wayne County,” said Dr. Mert Aksu, Dean of the U of D Mercy School of Dentistry. Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, Director of the Wayne County Department of Health Veterans and Community Wellness said, “The Wayne Health Cen-

ter is providing affordable access to healthcare for some of our most vulnerable citizens. In addition to having access to health care, we also teach the preventable methods of health care and provide patients with information on our other department services.” The Wayne Health Center accepts most insurance. Those who are uninsured are offered service based on their income. If insurance is needed, the Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness has outreach specialists who can help residents with their Affordable Care Act application, Medicaid and your Health and Human Service paperwork. Hours of operation are Monday – Tuesday-Thursday and Friday from 8am to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday hours are from 11a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For further information or to make appointments call The Wayne Health Center at (734) 727-7101. Eastern Wayne County residents can continue to receive affordable health care at our Hamtramck Health Center located at 9021 Joseph Campau in Hamtramck. Hours of operation are Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday hours are from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information or an appointment please call (313) 871-1926.

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Mental Health Finding Meaning from Agony and Grief

Kevin found meaning in helping others who faced the same struggles of caring for and supporting persons with mental illness. He pushed to educate others about the evils of stigma that prevented loved ones from seeking the proper diagnosis, treatment and support for their illness.

Osborn students put STEAM to the test

His goal is to educate everyone and raise the level of awareness about mental illness to the point that we reach true parity with other physical illnesses and eradicate the stigma. His fear is that it will not happen fast enough, but may mobilizing others. NAMI’s message is spreading exponentially.

By Tatianna Wheeler Osborn High School students put on their engineering hats when they were recently challenged to create a wearable device of the future. The assignment was as part of a day-long STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshop, designed to expose them to careers as entrepreneurs in the tech industry. Sixteen-year-old Kataria Green and 35 other Detroit students were tasked with coming up with three problems that wearable devices can solve. They also had to determine how the devices would solve the problems, design a device using scrap materials and then pitch it to judges. “The purpose of the techpreneur business challenge with AT&T was to expose Detroit high school students to the innovation economy and wearable technology. We focused on getting the students to think about being creators and producers versus just being consumers,” said Hajj Flemings, CEO/founder

When Kevin left his Meijer job in 2009, he had no idea it would lead to becoming executive director of NAMI-MI. He accepted the role of a struggling nonprofit because he realized NAMI was underutilized and it provided him a forum to channel his emptiness, grief and despair into helping others.

Despair to Inspiration

of Brand Camp University which collaborated on the event. Kataria said the exercise boosted her confidence and showed her that she is really good at coming up with ideas. Among the ones she threw out to her team was making sure the device had a sensor so that it could vibrate and be used as an alarm, which would allow someone who had to get up early not to wake their sleeping spouse. She also said the daylong event taught her about the importance of teamwork.

“You have to have ongoing leadership,” Kataria said. “You cannot let your team fail because you’re too bossy.” The tech challenge, she said, also made her rethink career choices. Rather than just considering a path in the healthcare or counseling arena, she is adding entrepreneur in the mix. Kianta Bankston, a data coach at Osborn, said these kinds of out-ofschool, hands-on learning experiences are perfect for students because it challenges them.

“They spend a lot of money on iPhones and Jordans and things they are consuming and never think about how they can be entrepreneurs,” she said, “We need leaders in the community.” The winning team of five students each received a $25 VISA giftcard. The workshop, held at the Detroit Center for Design + Technology, was a collaboration between AT&T, Lawrence Tech University College of Architecture & Design, Brand Camp University and Osborn High School.

Kevin's inspiration comes from Dominique. He knows his son would expect nothing less of him than that he try to assure no one else and certainly no father would feel the pain he felt with the loss of Dominique. Kevin gathers strength from remembering how badly his “friends” treated his son after discovering he was different because of his mental illness. Today, Kevin pulls inspiration from the brave people living with mental illness every day who feel alone

Retired Mental Health worker helps others heal with music Tezell Morris, of Flint, grew up in a household where music and helping others were part of everyday life. His father was a pastor who cared for his community and all eight of his brothers and sisters were constantly singing and playing music. More than 16 years ago, Morris happily retired from his satisfying job at Genesee County Community Mental Health where he taught music to individuals with mental illness. Doing so, he said, was one of the best jobs he could ever want. Upon retirement, he knew his days of service to others weren’t over. What Morris couldn’t predict was that he would enjoy a second long career — for 16 years and counting — in a role that he says makes him rise happily out of bed every day. Morris, who majored in music therapy at Lincoln University decades ago, is the music instructor at Rose Hill Center in Holly, a residential rehabilitation program for adults with serious mental illness. At the more than 400-acre facility, he teaches residents to sing, play piano, guitar, drums, trumpet or any musical aspect they desire. Music, he said, helps heal. “When a new individual comes to Rose Hill Center, I spend a lot of time getting to know him or her,” said Morris. “Sometimes they know right away that they want to sing

Tezell Morris or play music. It’s important that we all understand that many of the residents don’t realize they have talents just like anyone else. The residents come down to the music room and check out the instruments and see what moves them. Then, I coach from there.” Rose Hill Center was founded on the belief that recovery can occur when people receive professional psychiatric care and participate in

Infants

“The shower helps us support many more patients beyond medical care,” said Meagan Pitts Dunn, director of Community Outreach and Partnerships at Henry Ford Hospital. “We send families home with many items that they wouldn’t have otherwise, but that are key for the healthy development in the first

to create the change you want to see in the world. “Sometimes you’re met with obstacles from naysayers,” said Patton. “You just have to put on the blinders and step forward.” Whose problem is it that so many of Detroit’s children are born into poverty? It’s certainly not the responsibility of smallest and most vulnerable among us. I agree with Patton — the responsibility is ours. few months of life.” The circumstances of many of the families can be far from celebratory — from a mother who passed away after childbirth, to a mother of five who suffered from liver failure, to an African political refugee who was seeking asylum in the United States. The shower is a way to wrap every birth in a blanket of hope. The road hasn’t always been easy for Patton, but it’s never easy

For more information about Rose Hill Center, visit www.rosehillcenter.org or call (248) 634-5530.

From page B-1

the program in the past sometimes come back for the event highlight: a baby fashion show. Patton wanted the event to avoid judgments about circumstances or who is more “deserving,” so hospital social workers decide how the gifts are dispersed. Nearly 200 people attend each year, and Patton estimates that the Community Baby Shower has raised more than $300,000 in resources for needy infants. Most of those donors are ordinary individuals and community service organizations. The shower began at Hutzel, but for the past four years, it’s been at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

meaningful daily activity while engaging in their own treatment plan. Morris said the residents learn to cope with stress by playing instruments or singing. In the music program, they discover and hone new skills or improve already-existing talents. Residents are guided through therapeutic programs such as the well-established music, animal care and horticulture departments, where they learn to manage symptoms and achieve their highest level of independence. “Some residents want very detailed instructions, but others might just want to sit quietly and play. I had one resident who found it therapeutic and calming to beat on the drums. I saw how it helped him,” said Morris. Residents also perform at events like National Alliance for Mental Illness conventions and Rose Hill Center’s annual holiday events. They perform a variety of music, including R&B, rock, jazz and other genres. “It is wonderful to see their self-esteem improve and for them to recognize their worth,” said Morris. “It’s something everyone needs in this world.”

The 25th Annual Community Baby Shower will be held at Henry Ford Hospital’s Buerki Auditorium, 2779 Grand Blvd, Detroit on April 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Free valet parking is available at the East Entrance. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts, including infant car seats, umbrella strollers, snowsuits, diapers and portable cribs. If you cannot come to the event, you may send monetary donations to “Detroit Club-NANBPWC.” PO Box 02855, Detroit, MI 48202.

1919-2015

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From page B-1

but shouldn’t. Kevin advocates for quality mental health for all. His standard of care is as simple as it is profound: “If the quality of care is not good enough for some one you love, it’s not good enough. Every waking hour Kevin Fischer works his heart out to make it better for the next son or daughter with a mental illness. Kevin wants policy-makers to know that we are all affected by mental illness. Every person in every community. He desperately wants persons living with mental illness to receive the same respect, treatment and quality of life as those not directly affected. He wants all to know NAMI is here to help and that recovery is possible. Kevin Fischer is a values-driven advocate. Michigan is a better place because of his advocacy. Kevin, with the support of the Flinn Foundation and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority helped produce: Opening Minds-Ending Stigma A Youth Perspective https://m.youtube. com/watch?v=FtdaknKWTYk Kevin Fischer is the proud executive director of NAMI Michigan. Reach him at: 517.853.0951 www.namimi.org www.facebook.com/namiofmi Tom Watkins is president and CEO of the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (www. dwmha.com). He served the citizens of Michigan as state superintendent of schools and state mental health director.

news

March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

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AKA Lambda Pi Omega Chapter donates 5K to secure justice for victims of untested rape kits By Chiara Clayton Lambda Pi Omega Chapter (Detroit) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® donated the largest single chapter donation to date from one of the nine historically African American sororities and fraternities. The $5,000 donation will be used to help reduce the backlog of untested rape kits and prevent future sexual assaults in Wayne County. The donation, given to the African American 490 Challenge, supports the efforts to raise $657,000 to test the remaining 1,340 rape kits and is a part of the larger Enough SAID goal to raise $10 million. Kim Trent, president, and Darci McConnell, vice president, accepted the donation on behalf of the 490 Challenge. “We have some survivors whose kits have been sitting on a shelf for 20 years, and this donation will bring us one step closer to giving them closure,” said Trent. “We are truly grateful to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Lambda Pi Omega chapter for helping to bring these individuals justice.” Peggy M. Brown, president of Lambda Pi Omega Chapter, also said in a statement, “The African American 490 Challenge is an excellent vehicle for many rape kits to now be tested and a considerable number of survivors to have a chance at seeing their offenders brought to justice. With over 80 percent of the survivors associated with these kits being women of color, our chapter did not hesitate to give more.” Patricia Pickett, Connection Committee chairperson, added, “Historically, African American women have played a major role in shaping civil rights and social justice policies in this country. The members of the oldest African American Greek Letter Sorority are maintaining the legacy by taking decisive action to support the forgotten victims.” In 2009, more than 11,000 unopened, untested rape kits were discovered in a Detroit Police Department storage unit. The kits represented thousands of unprosecuted sexual assault cases and potentially thousands of sex offenders still on the streets. Economic constraints in Detroit and Wayne County have limited funding available to address this backlog. Enough SAID was created to address the need for identifying and securing resources to process the county’s untested rape kits.

As director of student affairs, Iris Lane oversees the Auburn Hills campus’ approximately 7,000-square-foot Academic Resource Center. It offers cutting-edge technology, moveable furniture and uniquely tailored learning spaces that support and encourage a variety of learning styles.

Baker College of Auburn Hills names Iris Lane director of student affairs Baker College of Auburn Hills has announced that Iris Lane, Ed.D., has returned to the campus as director of student affairs. In this new position, she is responsible for student success initiatives, including strengthening the quality of student services, student retention efforts and overall campus life. Lane joined Baker College at the Auburn Hills campus in 2002. She advanced to dean of health sciences before transferring to Baker College of Port Huron as chief academic officer in 2011. In addition to her new role, Lane will maintain her current position as dean of health sciences for the Clinton Township and Port Huron campuses through spring quarter.

Dance, Dance, Dance Join the DIA in celebrating the opening of their newest exhibit, “Dance: American Art!” For art lovers, this will be the perfect weekend activity. As of Sunday, March 20, you will have the opportunity to relish in a collection dating as far back as the mid-1800s. Over 90 paintings and other forms of art will be displayed throughout the exhibit. Entry is free every Friday for Wayne, Macomb and Oakland County residents.

Groundbreaking in Brush Park As downtown and Midtown Detroit are becoming increasingly popular places to live, it has been challenging to find an apartment. With the opening of the “The Scott at Brush Park” residents will have another great option (leasing is open). With amenities such as an onsite swimming pool, dog park, fitness center, terraces and balconies, this is an all-in-one apartment.

M-1 Rail to hire high school and college students M-1 Rail will be rolling out their third annual internship program. Positions ranging from engineering to communications will be available for high school and college students. Even more exciting, this class will be housed in the new headquarters office. Additional details on criteria are forthcoming.

“Iris has a wealth of in-depth knowledge of the learning process and the Baker College System,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “She’s a welcome asset to our campus.” Among her responsibilities for student success initiatives, Lane will oversee the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and the learning support services provided there. The approximately 7,000-square-foot ARC was created in 2015, merging the library, advising and the learning and writing centers. It provides a stimulating environment — cutting-edge technology, moveable furniture and uniquely tailored learning spaces — that supports and encourages a variety of learning styles. Lane expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the Auburn Hills campus, saying, “I am looking forward to this new role at Baker College and am excited to be working with the outstanding staff and students at the Auburn Hills campus.” For 15 years before joining Baker College Lane worked in various administrative and academic positions at technology and health care organizations. She earned a doctorate in education from Walden University, a master's in education from Central Michigan University and a bachelor's in health care administration from Detroit College

Iris Lane of Business, now Davenport University. The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker College grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker College graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker College is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu.

Movie’s theme song by 30-piece orchestra recorded and filmed in Detroit By Donald James

ment, love and faith in God as she struggled to keep her family together after her husband, Julius Gater, also known as “Dr. J,” is involved in a near-fatal car accident that left him maimed and comatose. It’s been nearly three decades since the accident occurred in metro Detroit, but against dire medical odds, Dr. J survived the accident but was left a paraplegic. Before the accident, he was a brilliant computer scientist, senior systems engineer for the Chrysler Corporation, and served in the U.S. Air Force.

Special to the Chronicle

While the official start to summer is still months away, a touch of the hot season got an early start in Detroit when recently, the theme music for the upcoming movie “Bring Back Summertime” was recorded and performed in the Motor City. A 30-piece orchestra, comprised of Detroit Federation of Musicians (Local 5) members dressed in formal orchestra regalia, was filmed performing the movie’s theme music at the Detroit Opera House. The orchestra will actually appear in the movie, on a stage with a unique summertime backdrop that was specially built for the movie by Keith Jackson, the film’s artistic director. “I thought what the orchestra did was outstanding,” said George Troia, Jr., Detroit Federation of Musicians president who also played trombone on the project. “I was happy and excited to have the Federation participate, because we don’t get this type of work in Detroit much anymore. We have great musicians here to do any type of musical project, but music scores for films are usually done somewhere else.” Donnie Lewis, the project’s

“Bring Back Summertime,” directed by Daniel Love and produced by Detroiter, Delano Glass, will begin principal photography in metro Detroit in late spring, 2016. As for the importance of the music… music supervisor, agrees. “My job was first to choose the right musicians to contract and perform on this project,” said Lewis, a drummer/percussionist who has played, recorded or toured with such artists as the Dramatics, Aretha Franklin, and the Miracles, “I had many great musicians to choose from because Detroit is still home to many of the world’s best musicians. We may not be able to get the movie industry to film here much anymore, but we can at least show that we can more

than handle whatever type of music that’s needed for any film imaginable.” Lewis said before he chose the musicians, it was important to read and understand the movie’s script, which was written by Jeanne Starr Gater, who serves as the movie’s executive producer. “I was greatly impacted by the script’s strong storyline, which reflected strength and spirituality of how to deal with adverse situations in life,” Lew-

is said. “When I finished reading the script, I knew that I had to be a part of this film project. I knew the music had to totally reflect the courage and spirituality of what ‘Bring Back Summertime’ represents.” The “Bring Back Summertime” screenplay has been awarded the Dove Seal of Approval. The film project, which also received a significant incentive award from the Michigan Film Office, depicts the epic story of Jeanne Starr Gater’s journey of dedication, commit-

“I don’t think I could be more pleased with the unique orchestration of ‘Bring Back Summertime,’” said Gater, who once taught at Cass Tech High School. “The musicality of the 30-piece orchestra sings to your spirit. When I first heard the ethereal sounds coming together in this magnificent piece, it felt like I was knocking at heaven’s door. Kudos to composer Dana Gress and the Detroit Federation of Musicians for making the ‘Bring Back Summertime’ orchestration happen spectacularly.”

news

March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

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AKA Lambda Pi Omega Chapter donates 5K to secure justice for victims of untested rape kits By Jamilah Wright Lambda Pi Omega Chapter (Detroit) of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® donated the largest single chapter donation to date from one of the nine historically African American sororities and fraternities. The $5,000 donation will be used to help reduce the backlog of untested rape kits and prevent future sexual assaults in Wayne County. The donation, given to the African American 490 Challenge, supports the efforts to raise $657,000 to test the remaining 1,340 rape kits and is a part of the larger Enough SAID goal to raise $10 million. Kim Trent, president, and Darci McConnell, vice president, accepted the donation on behalf of the 490 Challenge. “We have some survivors whose kits have been sitting on a shelf for 20 years, and this donation will bring us one step closer to giving them closure,” said Trent. “We are truly grateful to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Lambda Pi Omega chapter for helping to bring these individuals justice.” Peggy M. Brown, president of Lambda Pi Omega Chapter, also said in a statement, “The African American 490 Challenge is an excellent vehicle for many rape kits to now be tested and a considerable number of survivors to have a chance at seeing their offenders brought to justice. With over 80 percent of the survivors associated with these kits being women of color, our chapter did not hesitate to give more.” Patricia Pickett, Connection Committee chairperson, added, “Historically, African American women have played a major role in shaping civil rights and social justice policies in this country. The members of the oldest African American Greek Letter Sorority are maintaining the legacy by taking decisive action to support the forgotten victims.” In 2009, more than 11,000 unopened, untested rape kits were discovered in a Detroit Police Department storage unit. The kits represented thousands of unprosecuted sexual assault cases and potentially thousands of sex offenders still on the streets. Economic constraints in Detroit and Wayne County have limited funding available to address this backlog. Enough SAID was created to address the need for identifying and securing resources to process the county’s untested rape kits.

Movie’s theme song by 30-piece orchestra recorded and filmed in Detroit By Donald James

Special to the Chronicle

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Obama’s foreign policy has moved us toward reason

By Jesse Jackson

As Barack Obama’s presidency counts down its last months, amid the raucous babble of the Republican presidential debate, people are beginning to realize how much we will miss Obama’s leadership. He has served with dignity and grace, increasingly rare attributes in American politics. His family has exhibited the values that Americans embrace. He has brought the economy back from the freefall he inheritJesse Jackson ed. Republicans, of course, scorn all things Obama, with particular emphasis on his foreign policy. They argue that he’s destroyed our nation’s credibility, gutted our military and fostered the spread of terror. The din covers the emptiness of the argument. In reality, Obama’s foreign policy will be remembered as making a start toward reason. His record, of course, is complex. The president has enjoyed some remarkable successes — taking out Osama bin Laden, traducing al-Qaida, the nuclear deal with Iran, normalization of relations with Cuba (and thus with other neighbors across the hemisphere). He’s also met with frustrations as well. He was unable to extract us from Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Syria and Libya. He failed to close Guantanamo. He’s also asserted, dangerously, unprecedented executive prerogatives in the use of drones, assassination, the hunting of whistle-blowers, mass surveillance and more. But Obama’s biggest legacy is his effort to turn America away from the interventionist appetites of both the neo-conservatives and the “indispensable nation” liberal activists. In a remarkable set of interviews with Jeffry Goldberg in the Atlantic, Obama argues that while the United States must lead, it cannot police the world. We must be both “hardheaded” and “big hearted.” We have to be clear about

our real security concerns, learn to pick our spots, and not allow ourselves to be dragged into every civil war or humanitarian crisis. The president is clear — and clearly right — on the priority of threats facing the U.S. Despite the popular terrors about terror, he understands that the Islamic State is not an existential threat to the U.S. In contrast, climate change potentially threatens the world if we don’t act to counter it. Similarly, the president argues that the Middle East is no longer terribly important to U.S. interests, particularly with our increasing energy independence. The U.S.-China relationship, in contrast, is the “most critical.” Sustaining a peaceful rise of China that will make it a partner in securing international order is far more important to our security than all of the civil wars in the Middle East. Obama believes, against the clamor of an interventionist foreign policy establishment, that overextension in the Middle East is far more destructive than restraint in the region. As his advisor Ben Rhodes summarizes, the president’s view is that “overextension in the Middle East will ultimately harm our economy, harm our ability to look for other opportunities and to deal with other challenges, and, most important, endanger the lives of American service members for reasons that are not in the direct American national-security interest.” According to Goldberg, Obama also has a common sense position about Putin. He sees Russia as weak, not strong, but understands that it has direct security concerns about Ukraine and Georgia on its border. That fact is, as Obama says, the U.S. is not going to war over Ukraine. Russia is prepared to do that. Listen to the posturing and the bloviating of the Republican contenders for the presidency. Listen to the drone of the think tankers and academics calling for escalation without thinking of consequences. It doesn’t take long to realize that how much we should value the first steps that President Obama has taken toward reason.

Black-owned media companies should push for more political ads By Roger Caldwell  NNPA News Wire Columnist

In the 2016 Florida political campaign, there are millions of advertising dollars in play and Black-owned media companies are the perfect vehicles for driving “get out the vote” efforts in the state. At the present time, Republicans in Florida control the state legislature, the governorship and the administration. With more Democrats Roger Caldwell than Republicans on the voter rolls in the state, it makes no sense that the GOP controls everything. During the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaign, President Obama won the Sunshine State in both elections with a Republican governor. That fact proves that moderates, women, and minorities can change the color of a state from red to blue. In order to make this happen in 2016, the Democratic Party in Florida must have strong leadership, and be totally committed to win. In 2014, many of the black candidates running for office felt they received no support from the Democratic leadership, not even from Allison Tant, the chairperson of the Democratic Party. Thaddeus Hamilton, a Black man ran for Commissioner of Agriculture in Florida received over 2.3 million votes, and never received any financial support from the Florida Democratic Party. He was left off the first statewide Democratic candidate ballot box sheet, and many thought it was not a mistake. Racism in Florida politics is a reality in both parties, but over 95 percent of black voters are Democratic. There are two black-owned media associations in Florida, and they must work together. They must develop a united front with a plan to take to the national and statewide Democratic Party. The Florida Association of Black Owned Media Inc., which celebrated its 10th year in December 2015, and the newly formed Black Owned Media Al-

liance in southern Florida are the two Black-owned media associations in Florida. African Americans make up 16 percent of the Florida population, and 2.5 million blacks are registered to vote in 2016. These black media organizations should be helping to organize and register another 250,000 black voters for the 2016 election. In order to make this happen, the Democratic Party should be spending money with the Black media to educate the black community in Florida about the different elections, and what they mean. In this critical election year, the black- owned media groups in Florida must collaborate and put pressure on the national and local Democratic Party to not ignore our vote and community. But, at this time, there are too many black organizations in Florida such as the Urban League, the NAACP, Nation of Islam, and the Black Churches that appear lethargic and not excited about the election. They are not mobilizing and educating our community, and the Black media is not endorsing candidates and holding them accountable to their promises and platforms. As local candidates see the Black media more engaged in the voting process, they will spend more advertising dollars with the black media in Florida. During a media symposium in South Florida last year, Eric Knowles, the president of the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce said that only 3 percent or $2.24 billion out of $75 billion spent on television, magazines, newspapers, and radio advertising was spent on media focused specifically on the black audience. Knowles said that, “One reason (major advertisers) don’t care about us is because we’re going to spend our money in their businesses anyway.” Many of the leaders in the blackowned media groups are beginning to talk about boycotting, if the major advertisers do not spend more money in our communities. Black-owned media companies in Florida for the first time are joining forces and are reaching out to the advertising community to get a larger piece of the pie as a united front. Those business should take the same action when it comes to dealing with the Democratic Party, locally and nationally.

What I learned from the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party By Harry C. Alford NNPA News Wire Columnist

Oh yes, those were troubled times during the decades of the 1960’s and 1970’s. When Beyoncé gave tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the start of the Black Panther Movement, I thought, “She doesn’t know what she is celebrating.” A look back at the years of the Black Panthers demands attention to other groups who equally tried to force this nation into equal rights for all – especially blacks. America was about to change one way or the other.

the Los Angeles Watts Riot gave notice to the nation. Blacks were not going to take the abuse, discrimination nor police brutality by ignoring or turning the other cheek. Newark, Chicago, Detroit and other cities burned significant sections of their cities. Plus, the Vietnam War was going on (drafting Black boys in discriminatory fashion) and the war veterans were returning home to the same sad situation they left. Many of them didn’t come back alive, but in a “body bag” (500 per week at the height of the war). Some became violent. The anti-war movement, frustration with discrimination and lost faith in our political system caused many groups to form. Groups that were anti-establishment. One particular black group was formed in Oakland, California.

Harry C. Alford

When Rosa Parks lit the “spark” by refusing to give her bus seat over to a White man, the fire of the Civil Rights Movement began. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wisely set out to change the racial status of the United States via nonviolence. It required patience and discipline plus a lot of faith. There were others who became impatient and entertained the thoughts of rioting, war, separation from the Union or “by any means necessary,” according to Malcolm X. Dr. King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), because the traditional black religious groups refused to follow him or his movement. However, his following grew and eventually culminated into the signing of the Civil Rights Act and eventually the Voting Rights Act. These two great pieces of legislation were taking a long time to be fully enforced. Doubters and opportunists decided to take advantage of this slow motion. Beginning in the summer of 1965,

It was the Black Panther People’s Party then shortly changed to the Black Panther Party. Its foundation was to follow socialist/Marxist doctrine and to protect and govern their own communities. They carried weapons, called police “pigs,” wore black leather jackets with black berets fitted over their afro and promoted revolution. Violent skirmishes with the police started becoming frequent as their chapters started popping up in cities throughout the United States. S o m e members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) decided to become violent and join the Panthers. Most notably Stokely Carmichael (author of the term Black Power) and H. Rap Brown. While I was attending the University of Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to meet and quickly chat with Fred Hampton who ran the Chicago’s Black Panther chapter. He gave a rousing speech at an event sponsored by a white communist organization – Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Fight the power, but remember the power follows no morals.

Hypocrites, hucksters, histrionics and hype By James Clingman NNPA News Wire Columnist

Aren’t you tired of the rap and clap sessions by political wannabees and their respective contingents? I know I am. The so-called “debates” are downright insulting and embarrassing, especially on the Republican side, reminiscent of a stand-up comedy show, or “throwing shade” as young folks say. Over on the Democratic stage (or should I say “in their ring”?), what was a fight has turned into a face-saving swan song for Sanders since he was, in his own words, “decimated” in South Carolina. Black folks strike again. With all the money these candidates have in the bank this “theJames Clingman ater of the absurd” could go on for months, and when it’s all over Black folks will have not moved one inch toward real empowerment. Unless we get serious about our own economic and political future, by establishing our political platform and being willing to promote, support, and leverage it, blacks will continue to be relegated to the clown ring in this current political three-ring circus. We will be the diversions, the ones who turn the lion’s attention away from the performers, the clowns who turn the bull’s ire away from the bull rider by yelling and then jumping into a barrel. The “Yo Mama!” debates in the Republican ring are really not debates, in case you have not noticed; they are rap sessions, Ronald Reagan séances, and pseudo-patriotic diatribes, repeated ad nauseam by guys who swear they are the answer to our problems. The only one who has any kind of real record of having actually solved a few political problems is John Kasich. But he’s so far behind the others that a victory for him is very unlikely. Over in the Democratic ring we have two combatants who offer condescend-

ing words and platitudes directly to black folks, as opposed to the Republicans who say absolutely nothing to blacks. The Dem candidates rail against the business establishment and tell us that we really need more jobs to solve our problems. I don’t know how they expect to bring us more jobs, which are created by private businesses, when they are constantly denigrating business. It’s just hype. By the way, why do you suppose the black candidate, Willie Wilson, has been invisible? Post Super Tuesday shouting matches about who cares for black people the most now dominate, as though being embroiled in these kinds of discussions will move us forward. Top that off with MSNBC’s U-turn in firing, demoting, or exiling their Black Barack Obama-cando-no-wrong hosts and we have a real firestorm on our hands, don’t we? Aren’t you tired of being hustled and huckstered? Aren’t you tired of the hype and the political histrionics? Those of us who are absolutely tired of it all have made a commitment to DO something about it. First of all, we refuse to be swayed by patronizing pundits and condescending candidates. It matters not what they say; their actions are what matters. Understanding how the system works with regard to what they said versus what they do when they get into office, why are many of our people spending inordinate amounts of time arguing over whose plantation is more comfortable? Rather than organizing ourselves into a voting bloc that must be reckoned with and leveraging our votes, we end up acquiescing to political parties and their selected candidates. Rather than asking the candidates what they will do for us, we must present our demands to them, and rather than settle for lip-service we must have them sign an agreement signifying their support of our issues. That kind of defeatist attitude and subsequent surrender is indicative of If we don’t change, the hucksters, black ones and the white ones, will always win.

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE March 23-29, 2016 community ‘The Black Man Monologue’ and the story of the young black male By Breanna Garvin Special to the Michigan Chronicle

Young African American males have lower rates of college preparedness, test scores, graduation rates, and literacy rates than their counterparts among other racial and ethnic demographics.

On the night of Feb.19 at Wayne State University, “The Black Man Monologue” was presented. It is an interactive play written by Je’ McClain a (Den-

by High School alum), exploring and displaying the many different stereotypes of African American men. With a predominantly black cast and 4 four female cast members, the play consisted of different scenarios that exhibited stereotypes such as “The School Nerd,” “The Married Man,” “The Brother Who Just Got Out,” “The Raped Child” and many more. Throughout the play the male actor would say, “I am the voice of the stereotype.”

In each scene, the male actor pleaded his case to the audience as to why things were this way. These all were powerful moments in being faced with the actuality and prominence these given “titles” hold today. This was evident through the crowd’s response. There was laughter, sometimes silence, and other times applause. This was a night that marked history addresing the historical scars of black men in the African American community, em-

Page B-5

powering them against and to help end the negative cycles of today. Standing boldly with their fists raised high in the air, written on their shirts were names such as Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Eric Gardner and many more. “The Black Man Monologue” paid tribute to all the black men killed due to police brutality. In rememberance of these men, the play has since reached out to college and high school students, faculty and many families.

City of Southfield introduces Southfield Ambassadors community engagement program The City of Southfield Total Living Commission (TLC) is seeking applicants for the Southfield Ambassadors program, a new community engagement fellowship designed to connect the community. The Southfield Ambassadors Program will be a collective of talented residents that strive to stimulate progress within Southfield’s civic, community, business and economic development landscapes. Ambassadors will work to connect with fellow residents and surrounding cities to promote Southfield and raise awareness of its many events and activities. This select group of volunteers will engage in an active two-year leadership development program

while networking with Southfield officials, organizations and businesses to raise public awareness of key programs and projects for the city.

school or worship in the city of Southfield;

Ambassadors will be diverse in their work and life experiences as well as their demographic backgrounds. The intent of the Ambassadors program is that they will stay involved in the city well after their two-year fellowship to continue their efforts to benefit the community.

■ Applicants must be willing to submit to a criminal background check (if required).

Criteria to be eligible to become a Southfield Ambassador: ■ Applicants must be 18 years or older; ■ Applicants must be a Southfield resident, work, go to

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■ Applicants need to be available for a two-year fellowship program; and

Southfield Ambassador Program Selection Process: ■ Application period March 15 – April 15, 2016. All applications must be received by April 15, 2016. ■ Applications will be reviewed for interviews April 20-29, 2016. ■ Interviews will take place May 2-13, 2016. ■ Applicants will be selected

and notified by May 20, 2016.

to the community.

■ The official Ambassadors Welcome Reception / Program Kick-off will take place on June 1, 2016.

■ Briefly describe the applicant’s Spirit of Southfield and their willingness to share their time and efforts for the benefit and welfare of the Southfield community.

■ The selected Southfield Ambassadors fellowship will run from June 1, 2016 – June 1, 2018. To apply, potential Ambassadors must fill out an application which includes the following questions: ■ Does the applicant meet the criteria to participate in the Southfield Ambassador Program? ■ Briefly describe the applicant’s involvement in the City and what they have contributed

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•

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 23-29, 2016

MARCH 1-31

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SECTION C

BUSINESS Powered by Real Times Media

March 23-29, 2016

michiganchronicle.com

11,000 young people apply for summer jobs through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent Crain’s Detroit Business among companies helping effort to give more young people in the city opportunity, career skills In just five weeks, more than 11,000 Detroiters between the ages of 14 and 24 went online to apply to participate Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. The program, recently named one of the fastest growing in the country, offers young Detroiters an opportunity to spend their summer working at a variety of Detroit businesses, community-based organizations and nonprofits. The City of Detroit and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation hosted dozens of enrollment fairs at schools, churches and communitybased organizations in every City Council district, reaching more than 1,800 youth. “There is no doubt that young people in our city want to work, they just need an opportunity,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said.

Reinvents fashion from frames to fur

“I want to thank all our faith-based and community partners who volunteered to host enrollment fairs and brought this opportunity to youth in our neighborhoods.”

By Britta Lee

Last summer, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent employed nearly 5,600 young Detroiters. This year, the mayor is raising the bar and has set a goal of employing 8,000.

Detroit’s resurgence is moving beyond the downtown scene. With that, a historic area known for its retail is getting a major upgrade.

Last year, Crain’s Detroit Business donated more than $75,000 worth of design, advertising and marketing services and offered access to its vast network of subscribers. Crain’s also highlighted Grow Detroit’s Young Talent as part of Detroit Homecoming last fall.

The Avenue of Fashion hasn’t been what it originally was in decades past, however, one designer has set up shop to begin changing the entire look of the district. C. Grantston Bullard is a native Detroiter and renowned furrier by trade. He has worked all across the country and world, but recently returned to his hometown.

Crain’s is once again partnering with the City of Detroit and Grow Detroit’s Young Talent to help us engage more businesses and reach the mayor’s goal.

Bullard’s store carries his name and offers luxury garments, bags and jewelry, to name a few. More notably, Bullard designs each of his pieces to create a unique and individual look.

“This is absolutely the type of community service that fits our niche,” Crain’s Publisher Mary Kramer said. “A summer jobs program for teens is an investment by the business community in our entire region’s future. Our own teen worker last year tackled the updating of an important database. We were pleased with the quality of his work.”

“I remember taking a hiatus to produce everything myself,” Bullard said. “I desired to [create] products that were four seasons after only doing outerwear.”

Employers can participate for as low as $850 per teen. If you are an employer interested in hiring a Detroit youth for the summer or have questions, go to www.gdyt.org. The application review process begins March 21. Youth selected for the program will be notified by April 29. The program runs July 6 through Aug. 26. Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) is a sixweek summer youth employment program that combines work readiness training with on-the-job experience designed to prepare Detroiters, ages 14 to 24, for Detroit’s workforce. With the help of Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit’s philanthropic and corporate leaders, it is reiterated that they employed 5,600 in 2015. This year, our goal is 8,000 youth in meaningful employment.

Bullard has even engineered a designer, rimless eyewear collection that allows wearers to change the lenses at will.

How The Program Works

“A person buys one pair of frames, and he or she can simply change the lenses,” he said.

Workplace Readiness – GDYT youth are prepared for the workplace through 12 hours of work readiness training prior to placement at a worksite and 24 hours of ongoing training throughout the summer.

Growing up, Bullard’s grandfather owned a store inside one of his churches. While the designer began as a sales rep, he eventually decided to take things to a creative level. Bullard pushed himself to learn the trade of fur from foreigners. That decision is one that inspired the motto he lives by to this day.

Youth Recruitment and Matching – Eligible young people are recruited through local schools, community organizations, and the city’s workforce development system. Youth are matched to employers based on interest, ability and accessibility. Employers can interview candidates or allow GDYT Youth Specialists to manage the entire placement process.

“Don’t concern yourself with what you can buy,” said Bullard. “Only concern yourself with what you can create, and you can buy what you want.”

Youth Support – Youth are supported throughout the summer by their assigned GDYT Youth Specialist, who provides ongoing training throughout the summer and helps the young person have a successful summer in the workplace. GDYT youth will also receive bus passes to assist with transportation throughout the summer. Employer Support – GDYT makes the employer’s job easy by providing support to ensure success. Every employer will have access to: 1) Employer Training (live or webinar); 2) Employer Tool Kit; and 3) Employer Liaisons. The GDYT program also handles youth payroll.

There are three ways to get involved:

1. Become an Employer Partner and offer a sixweek work experience (up to 20 hours per week) at your workplace through a 50-50 match of $850. GDYT will manage student recruitment, payroll, work readiness training, and employer support services. 2. Sponsor a full work experience through a $1,700 Pledge to GDYT. GDYT will manage student recruitment, payroll, and work readiness training and match the young person to the right job opportunity. 3. Contribute to GDYT by directly hiring a city of Detroit youth. GDYT provides the options of helping you recruit and screen summer hires and offers employment support services, free of charge.

Bullard is a trailblazer in his industry. He was the first African American male to have a fur collection on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily. With a career that spans three decades, Bullard has served as somewhat of an icon among black fashion designers. His work embraces the beauty of cultural diversity with an assortment

See C. Granston Bullard Page C-2

Britta Lee photos

Joni Thrower, McDonald’s GM, wins prestigious global award Joni Thrower, general manager of the McDonald’s restaurant at Detroit Metro Airport McNamara Terminal in Romulus, has won a Ray Kroc Award, an accolade that recognizes the top performing McDonald’s restaurant managers globally.

April 13, 2016, at the Ray Kroc Awards Gala in Orlando, Fla., hosted by Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s president and chief executive officer, and David Fairhurst, McDonald’s executive vice president and chief people officer.

Thrower, a Detroit resident, was one of 340 McDonald’s Joni Thrower restaurant managers around the world (representing the top 1 percent of restaurant managers) to receive the honor, which includes a cash prize and a trophy. She will be awarded her prize on

Thrower, daughter of McDonald’s owners Jim and Marla Thrower, has been working for McDonald’s periodically for more than 25 years. Prior to returning to McDonald’s, Thrower was a senior attorney and di-

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Thrower. “My success is truly a reflection of the strong team I have in place. We are appreciative of every customer we serve.”

See JONI THROWER Page C-4

New Detroit to conduct business education seminars for small business owners New Detroit, Inc. will conduct a series of business education seminars for small business owners in April and May to provide help with such topics as writing a business plan, understanding the commercial lending process and other key issues affecting small businesses. The six sessions will begin Monday, April 4, on the campus of Marygrove College and will continue on a weekly basis through May 9. The series is open to small businesses that have revenues of less than $1 million a year and have been in business for not more than five years.

“The Minority Small Business Education Series provides a practical overview of issues that are essential to small business owners,” said New Detroit President and CEO Shirley Stancato. “The sessions are designed to cover topics that were identified as important in a New Detroit survey of minority small business owners. “The series is open to all types of businesses and will provide valuable business insights on a wide range of topics that are critical to running a successful small business, including information on resources available to support mi-

nority businesses doing business in low to moderate income neighborhoods and communities.” Stancato said the topics covered in each individual session will be: April 4: Writing a Business Plan and Creating a Marketing Plan April 11: Understanding Financial Statements and The Commercial Lending Process April 18: Insurance and Bonding May 25: Legal Structures, Licensing and Taxation

May 2: Business Technology May 9: Human Resources and Cultural Competency All classes will be on the campus of Marygrove College at 8425 W. McNichols in Detroit and will run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30. There is no cost to attend but prior registration is required. Interested business owners can register online at www.newdetroit.org. For more information, businesses owners should contact Rich Hawkins of New Detroit at rhawkins@newdetroit.org or call him at 313-664-2045.

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Page C-2

Jackets for Jobs CEO Alison Vaughn receives prestigious honors during Women’s History Month Social entrepreneur celebrated for global business; uses platform to inspire youth

Neighborhood residents and Detroit Police Department Commander Todd Bettison at the Sunoco at the intersection of East 7 Mile Road and Hoover.

Project Green Light Detroit Michigan Chronicle Staff Reports

At the onset of the new year the Detroit Police Department partnered with eight gas stations that have installed real-time camera connections with police headquarters as part of a groundbreaking crime-fighting partnership between local businesses, the City of Detroit and community groups called Project Green Light Detroit. Project Green Light Detroit is the first public-private-community partnership of its kind, blending a mix of real-time crime-fighting and community policing aimed at improving neighborhood safety, promoting the revitalization and growth of local businesses, and strengthening DPD’s efforts to deter, identify, and solve crime. DPD’s initial eight Project Green Light Detroit Partners have all installed, and will maintain, a number of high-definition (1080p) indoor and outdoor cameras. The stations also all upgraded to high-speed network connections capable of allowing for consistent video streaming to DPD. Moreover, the stations also have agreed to provide adequate lighting on all parts of their properties — and to making other improvements as needed to ensure that their sta-

March is National Women’s History month and women worldwide are being celebrated for their perseverance, hard work and commitment to excellence. On March 14, Detroit native and Jackets for Jobs CEO Alison Vaughn was recognized by Linwick and Associates (LWA) at the 2016 Career Mastered Women’s History Month Awards Program Gala in Detroit. Vaughn and 24 other women will share their success stories and be recognized for becoming strong leaders, mastering their careers, and providing expansive vision about women’s success. Winners of this prestigious award are trailblazing their own lanes, creating their own futures and reshaping value systems in business. Vaughn established Jackets for Jobs Inc. — a

most recently in Dubai.

Alison Vaughn non-profit organization that provides career skills training, employment etiquette and professional clothing to job seekers — 16 years ago in a small church utility closet. She has since expanded the enterprise to include two locations in Detroit as well as a location in Bots wana, Africa. Vaughn has also had the opportunity to speak on several international business panels,

C. Granston Bullard of luxury items.

Project Green Light Detroit green light atop the price sign of the Citgo at the intersection of Schoolcraft and Greenfield. tions are customer-friendly, safe, and inviting. Each partnering station has also provided for, installed, and will maintain external Project Green Light Detroit signage, including metal flag signs under their station canopies, decals at the top of their doors, and physical green lights above their price signs — all to signify to customers and community members that they are Project Green Light Detroit Partners. As part of Project Green Light Detroit, DPD and the city have committed to devote staff to effectively receive, monitor, and analyze video feeds from Project Green Light Detroit Partners. DPD and the City have also made a longer-term commitment to develop a permanent state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center

to be housed at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters. Additional work is also being done with Project Green Light Detroit Partners to strengthen the local ties between participating stations, DPD Precinct Captains, DPD Neighborhood Police Officers, and surrounding community leaders and organizations. DPD and its eight initial Project Green Light Detroit Partners continue to work on developing operating best practices, in addition to strengthening the relationships between the Partners and their surrounding neighborhoods. Beginning on March 1 of 2016, DPD and the city expanded the project to additional gas stations and other local businesses, including, but not limited to, restaurants and convenience stores.

ChemicoMays recognized by General Motors as a 2015 Supplier of the Year winner A Michigan-based chemical management company has been recognized for seven consecutive years. ChemicoMays was named a GM Supplier of the Year by General Motors during its 24th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony held Thursday, March 10, at Cobo Center. GM recognized 110 of its best suppliers Leon C. Richardson from 17 countries that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectations, created outstanding value, or brought new innovations to the company. The announcement represented the most suppliers GM has recognized since debuting the Supplier of the Year event in 1992. This is the seventh consecutive time ChemicoMays has received the award. “We are focused on building positive supplier relationships, bringing new, customer-centric innovations to GM,

and being the OEM of choice among suppliers,” said Steve Kiefer, GM vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The companies we recognize tonight not only have brought innovation, they delivered it with the quality our customers deserve.” GM’s 2015 supplier recognition represents a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of suppliers honored compared to 79 recipients in 2014. More than half of the suppliers are repeat winners from 2014. Winning suppliers were chosen by a global team of GM purchasing, engineering, quality, manufacturing, and logistics executives and selected based on performance criteria in Product Purchasing, Indirect Purchasing, Customer Care and Aftersales, and Logistics. “I started this company more than 26 years ago with one mission in mind — to add value to our customers supply chain. It’s customers like General Motors that have for the last seven years given us the opportunity to add value to their global product and performance achievements,” said Leon C. Richardson, president and CEO.

Joni Thrower rector of diversity for one of Michigan’s top law firms. She was recognized as a 2013 Rising Star from Super Lawyers magazine. She serves on the boards of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce and Detroit Free Press Reading Works. McDonald's owner-operators and regional management nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Awards to recognize their hard work, dedication, and commitment to McDonald’s and its customers. “Joni was nominated for many reasons, including her commitment to operational excellence,” said Thrower. “She and her team provide guests with unparalleled service, and she understands that building the business can only be achieved through the development and support of her people. Staff working with Joni has told us they appreciate the training, coaching and over-

From page C-1 all positive work environment she has created. We’re delighted that we are able to recognize Joni this way for her commitment to McDonald’s.” McDonald’s is committed to creating employment opportunities for people of all ages and from all backgrounds, as well as boosting employability to help people gain the skills and experience they need to progress in their careers. McDonald’s provides opportunities for progression and promoting from within. Around 90 percent of restaurant management began their careers as crew members. About McDonald's McDonald's is the world’s leading global food service retailer with over 36,500 locations serving nearly 69 million customers in over 100 countries each day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local businessmen and businesswomen.

“I love to produce the things we consume.” Bullard explains that when it comes to inspiration, he looks mostly to his lifestyle. He says he is inspired by a strong desire to constantly travel, sketch drawings, and work with his hands. “I get bored easily with the fashion and design industry,” said Bullard. “So, I’ve got to reinvent myself at least every three or four months.” Bullard was solicited by several Avenue of Fashion committees to bring his merchandise to the area. His shop serves as both a showroom and retail store. Customers can come in and purchase pieces while Bullard is busy sketching new items at the back of the store. It gives him the opportunity to both serve the community and continue his wholesale endeavors. For Bullard, the return to Detroit has been bittersweet. “It’s great to be back in the community, but, we have a ways to go.” Wayne County recently approved a plan to install 160 LED lights in the fashion district on Detroit’s northwest side. It’s an effort to encourage safety and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of Bullard. He says he would like to see others like him come to the area. Another thing Bullard says is important is that more youth explore the industry. He offers useful advice to those who aspire

to enter the world of fashion design. “My formula for fashion is to look at the past and see what’s been done,” said Bullard. “Then, I look at where we are now and project forward.” Bullard also encourages youth to never limit their creativity because that is essentially what keeps their minds moving in a meaningful way.

“Today’s women leaders are game changers. They take charge of their careers and take charge of their futures. These women have made their mark in business and are exceptionally strong role models of what a woman can do. Giving recognition to these deserving women will also inspire future generations,” said Dr. Lisa Lindsay Wicker, president and CEO, LWA and founder of the Career Mastered Women’s History Month Recognition Program. “I’ve always been a dreamer but never did I imagine that my passion for fashion and love for humanity would impact so many lives. I absolutely love the work that I do and I am truly humbled and grateful to be receiving such high honors with so many other amazing women,” said Vaughn.

From page C-1 As the fashion district continues to build, one thing is for sure. If C. Grantston Bullard is any indication of things to come, the classic location is sure to thrive in the coming years.

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“Concern yourself with what you can make,” he advises. At the end of the day, he offers an approach for youth that will help them better visualize what they need to do to achieve their goals. “First, look at where you’re supposed to be,” said Bullard. “Then, you can compare it to where you are.” Perhaps that advice is just what is needed to bring more young men and women of color into the fashion design industry. It is definitely the attitude that others must employ to help restore the classic Avenue of Fashion back to its glory. While the location is experiencing a sort of resurgence, there is still work to be done. As a well traveled and versatile designer, Bullard says he would like to see it become a place unlike no other in the world. “Once you create that, you will create more jobs in all areas for people in the community,” he said.

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March 23-29, 2016 Page C-3 THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE business DMC Midtown Marketplace expands breadth of healthy food choices in Detroit and Midtown The Detroit Medical Center Midtown Marketplace, a Papa Joe’s Gourmet Eatery, opened this past week with three new restaurants and plans to bring five more eateries in the coming weeks. This bustling marketplace offers a diverse breadth of healthy food options for more than 10,000 health care workers, DMC patients, families and visitors and those who live and work in and around Midtown. New eateries in the DMC Midtown Marketplace include regional favorites such as Starbuck’s, Sukhothai, Estia Greek Street Food and a new Chiqui’s burrito bar. Opening over the next few weeks are Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, Kabob Grill, Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market and Burger Bar Detroit. Bigalora Wood Fired Cucina will be open in early summer. DMC knows the important relationship of nutrition to overall well-

like the DMC and the partnerships they bring,” said Sue Mosey, executive director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “It’s this type of collaboration that continues to spur development not only in Midtown but throughout Detroit.”

ness, and to the challenges of maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen while at work. “This 15,000 square foot food plaza offers diners a diverse range of cuisines from around the globe, as well as access to wholesome foods that would align with any nutrition plan,” said Tony Curtis, Papa Joe’s Gourmet Market & Catering.

The DMC continues to work with its partners to develop heart healthy programs, services and food options and is committed to providing individuals with information to make informed decisions about their overall health and food options so they are empowered to make healthy choices. Ongoing efforts with DMC nutritionists and external community health ini-

tiatives complement the marketplace project begun in July of 2015

Mallet, chief administration officer, Detroit Medical Center.

“As Midtown’s economic development anchor, DMC remains focused on partnerships that enhance the overall health and well-being of our patients, visitors, colleagues and communities we touch,” said Conrad L.

The new food plaza is accessible through the Brush Mall entrance, the Harper Hospital lobby and from DMC main campus facilities. “Midtown continues to grow and thrive because of anchor institutions

Eating healthy can have a significant impact on energy levels and productivity and a healthy diet can also positively impact an individual’s ability to manage stress. In addition to its popular 61 Day Health Challenge and its Take the Stairs initiatives, there are more ways than ever before for workers and Detroiters to manage their overall health. “We are excited about this new food venture as it represents an opportunity for many regional businesses to collaborate on a project that provides access to new and healthy food options,” said Adam Baru, co-owner, Chiqui.

World renowned photographer, Monica Morgan joins Twisted Storytellers board World-renowned photographer, onica Morgan has joined the Board of M Directors for the award-winning Secret Society of Twisted Storytellersâ (TSSOTS). “I shared my story recently with a few of my international friends,” said Morgan. “The response was amazing. I am honored to join the board.” The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers is a winner of the Knight Arts Challenge which funds projects that engage and enrich Detroit through the Monica Morgan arts. "We are thrilled and honored to have Monica Morgan join our board. I have been a long-time admirer of her work,” said board president Dr. Mildred Matlock. “Monica Morgan is a Detroit treasure,” said Satori Shakoor, founder and executive director. “We are fortunate and proud to have her be a part of our

growing organization.” The Secret Society Of Twisted Storytellers’ next event, “JUSTICE!” will take place at 7 p.m., Friday, April 15 at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, 315 E. Warren Avenue, Detroit, featuring storytellers along with musical and dance guests. Shakoor will host the evening.

A Home of Your Own.

The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers is a licensed production of The Society for the Re-Institutionalization of Storytelling (TSRS), a 501(c)3 Michigan non-profit organization. TSRS has a global mission to connect humanity, heal and transform community through the art and craft of storytelling.

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March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

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Detroit entrepreneur Maurice White wins SCORE competition By Lee Claire On Tuesday, March 22, SCORE, a national non-profit dedicating to mentoring small businesses, announced that White One Auto in Detroit is a winner of The American Small Business Championship, a program that provides expert training, resources and networking opportunities to small business owners from coast to coast – all made possible by a $595,000 grant from Sam’s Club.

This win now makes White eligible to receive the $25,000 grand prize at this year’s SCORE awards in September 2016. White’s dedication, passion and tenacity in the face of potentially overwhelming challenges were key factors in his selection as a SCORE small business winner.

White One Auto on Harper Ave., was one of the 102 small business winners across the country awarded a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card, an all-expenses-paid trip to a SCORE training event, SCORE mentoring for one year, and promotion throughout the year to showcase their story.

"This year's American Small Business Champions are particularly commendable, given that they were chosen from among our largest group of accomplished applicants," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "By partnering with Sam's Club, we are proud to provide additional support for these champions, as they fulfill their dreams of small business success."

Maurice White, owner of White One Auto has been selected by a panel comprised of small business experts and judged upon the sacrifices made to help their business succeed.

"Each champion represents the passion and dedication it takes to own and manage a small business. We saw stories from a wide variety of businesses and each one was truly unique and inspiring – from bakery owners to photographers to financial advisors," said Tracey Brown,

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs. Each year, SCORE's 10,000 volunteer business experts provide free and low-cost small business mentoring, workshops and education to approximately 500,000 clients in more than 300 chapters. In 2014, SCORE volunteers provided in excess of1.2 million hours to help create over 45,000 jobs and 55,000 small businesses. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Visit SCORE at www.score. org.

T U

O D

L O

Senior Vice President and Chief Member Officer for Sam's Club. "Sam's Club is committed to helping small business owners overcome obstacles by providing resources and helping them save money and time. We look forward to seeing all of the Champions take their business to the next level so they can grow and realize their dreams."

FORUM 2 (NEW Date)

Monday, April 11th, 2014 7:30 a.m. Detroit Athletic Club

241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Guest speaker

Governor rick Snyder State and Region Update Sponsored by

Join the conversation #pancakespolitics

business

March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Page C-4

White One Auto on Harper Ave. was one of the 102 small business winners across the country awarded a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card, an all-expenses-paid trip to a SCORE training event, SCORE mentoring for one year, and promotion throughout the year to showcase their story.

“This year's American Small Business Champions are particularly commendable, given that they were chosen from among our largest group of accomplished applicants,” said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. “By partnering with Sam's Club, we are proud to provide additional support for these champions, as they fulfill their dreams of small business success.”

Maurice White, owner of White One Auto, has been selected by a panel comprised of small business experts and judged upon the sacrifices made to help their business succeed.

“Each champion represents the passion and dedication it takes to own and manage a small business. We saw stories from a wide variety of businesses and each one was truly unique and inspiring – from bakery owners to photographers to financial advisors,” said Tracey Brown,

T U

O D

L O

senior vice president and chief member officer for Sam's Club. “Sam's Club is committed to helping small business owners overcome obstacles by providing resources and helping them save money and time. We look forward to seeing all of the Champions take their business to the next level so they can grow and realize their dreams.”

FORUM 2 (NEW Date)

Monday, April 11th, 2016 7:30 a.m. Detroit Athletic Club

241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Guest speaker

Governor rick Snyder State and Region Update Sponsored by

Join the conversation #pancakespolitics

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

Page C-5

NAWBO Greater Detroit presents Annual Michigan Top 10 Business Women Awards The National Association of Women Business Owners Greater Detroit Chapter submitted its 22nd annual Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards ceremony on March 17, hosted by Emmy-winning broadcast journalist Paula Tutman. The annual celebration took place at Laurel Manor in Livonia, and honored the state’s outstanding women business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders for their contributions to excellence and innovation in a variety of fields. The winners of the 2016 Top 10 Michigan Business Women Awards represent a broad range of industries, including communication, medical, manufacturing and non-profit. While some awardees have led businesses for decades, others have become trailblazers in their fields in only the last five years. The evening’s program was dedicated to honoring these outstanding women in categories such as the Diversity Champion, Giving Spirit and Global Business Awards. In addition, an eleventh honor, known as the Greater Good Award, was presented to Crain’s Detroit Business publisher Mary Kramer. “Reading through this year’s list of honorees, it’s undeniable that women continue to play an integral, vital role as leaders

sity coordinator, Henry Ford Health System Giving Spirit Award – Cynthia Greening, founder and CEO, Hands of Hope for Tanzania Global Business Award – Alison Vaughn, founder and CEO, Jackets for Jobs, Inc.

Sylvia Daniels

Katana Abbott

Cynthia Greening

Alison Vaughn

Jennifer O’Brien

Pinnacle Award – Jennifer O’Brien, founder and president, Accounting Business Solutions Rainmaker Award – Lisa Lunsford, founder and CEO, Global Strategic Supply Solutions Red-Tape Buster Award – Akousa Barthwell Evans, CEO, The Barthwell Group Up-and-Coming Award – Pamela Smith, managing member, PTS Compliance Consulting, LLC

Lisa Lunsford

Akousa Barthwell Evans Pamela Smith

in our regional business landscape,” said Tanya R. Allen, president of NAWBO Greater Detroit. “The quality and caliber of these women, including all those that were nominated, speaks to the strength of the entrepreneurial spirit that has not only provided stability in our region through the difficult times, but distinguished Southeast Michigan as a driver of the state’s economic revival and success.” Attendees and honorees were also joined by members of NAWBO’s national leadership team, including National Chair

Cheryl Hudson

“At the national level, we are proud to continue the tradition that ensures women business owners have every opportunity to succeed. We know that when these women do well, our economy does well.”

Crystal Arredondo Crystal Arredondo, National CEO Jen Earle and National Chair-elect Teresa Meares. "It is my pleasure to have the opportunity to support this thriving group of women in Detroit,” said Arredondo.

Nancy Schlichting, CEO of Henry Ford Health System, was the keynote speaker for the evening. Known as one of the most powerful figures in the health care industry, she is credited with leading the health system through a dramatic financial turnaround, and for implementing award-winning patient safety, cus-

Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, State of Michigan adopt career pathway to ‘invisible’ energy sector jobs Michigan leading the nation in education furthering careers in energy sector

goal is to create the same connection between education and job opportunities in the energy sector for these students.”

Consumer’s Energy, DTE Energy and the State of Michigan, all members of the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium (MEWDC), have collaborated to create a pathway for career and technical education students to pursue jobs in the often “invisible,” or less visual, energy sector. This pathway will be adopted as Michigan’s 17th “career cluster,” providing students with the ability to study traditional academics while leveraging skills specific to an industry/career path. The Michigan Department of Education approved this new pathway on February 9th, with curriculum now available for interested high schools and community colleges.

Michigan is the sixth state in the nation to adopt energy as a career pathway, joining Florida, Georgia, California, Indiana and Virginia. The MEWDC was able to accelerate the work necessary to accomplish these results through a grant awarded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and USA Funds focusing on Talent Pipeline Management. This model calls for industry to lead the way through collaboration.

“We all expect the light switch in our homes to go on whenever we choose, but many young people don’t know what goes into making that happen every day. The adoption of this new pathway will make careers in energy visible to many students who are unaware of the robust opportunities the energy sector can offer,” said Tracy DiSanto, DTE workforce planning and development manager and MEWDC Co-Chair. “Students are exposed to career paths every day – seeing opportunities in advanced manufacturing, automotive and IT when they get into a car, for example. Our

“Energy is the backbone of everything we do, and if you think about it, there isn’t a lot that can be done without it,” said Stacy Mowrer, director of learning and development, Consumers Energy and Co-Chair of the MEWDC. “The addition of this new career pathway will draw attention to the opportunities many students may not have considered as career choices, while closing the skills gap to better prepare high school students interested in pursuing a career within the utility industry.” Currently, energy is incorporated into three of Michigan’s existing clusters – manufacturing, construction and agriculture. This new distinction will educate career and technical students, parents, counselors and educators about financially rewarding, reliable skilled

trade jobs available within the energy sector, as well as build a talent pipeline to succeed the roughly 50 percent of current Michigan energy workers slated to retire by 2020. “Career and technical education requires the content and standards to come from industry in that we are teaching what is most current and we are delivering to the business and industry the knowledge and skills they need. This was refreshing as industry and the MEWDC came to us and identified a talent gap and worked with us to develop instructional programs,” said Patty Cantu, director of the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education. “As other career pathways already do, the addition of the energy sector will provide a direct pathway to both industry jobs and post-secondary programs where students can earn a certificate or degree and puts our state at the forefront of closing the skill gaps for critical in demand industry jobs,” Cantu added. Adoption of Michigan’s 17th career pathway is the result of a successful partnership between more than 30 representatives of industry, workforce, education, labor and veterans. These organizations collaborated to form the MEWDC in 2008, with the goal of establishing competency and credentialing requirements for key energy sector jobs, while improving the energy industry talent pipeline.

Workforce Agency CEO Pamela Moore to head DPS Foundation Mayor Duggan thanks outgoing CEO for significant performance improvements. COO Jose Reyes to take interim lead at DESC

DESC Board Chair Laura Hughes. “Though she will be greatly missed, we understand that this opportunity to make a positive contribution to DPS at such a key time in its history was one she just could not turn down.”

After six successful years leading the City of Detroit’s workforce agency, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation President and CEO Pamela Moore is taking what she calls “a dream opportunity,” becoming President of the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.

Under Moore’s leadership, the DESC spun off from the City of Detroit in 2012 to become a separate nonprofit, but it is still governed by the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board. Over its first three years as a nonprofit, job placements of Detroit adults through the agency have increased nearly 400%, while costs, processing times and overheads have all seen significant reductions.

Moore, a graduate of Cass Tech High School and Wayne State University, will take over her new responsibilities March 28, and will hand control of DESC to current Chief Operating Officer Jose Reyes while a national search for a new CEO takes place. “It has been a privilege to lead workforce efforts under Mayor Duggan,” said Moore. “Despite all the challenges that remain, the city’s workforce agency is in a much stronger position than it was a few years ago. I’m proud of our accomplishments to date, and I wish the talented team at DESC every success in the future. “As a DPS graduate, I’m excited to be in a position to support our children.” “The DESC Board is so grateful to Pamela for her professionalism and her leadership,” said

“There are 8,000 more Detroiters working now than two years ago,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Pam and her team deserve a lot of the credit for that. The good news is that, in her new position, she will continue to play a major role in developing Detroit's talent pipeline.” Reyes, who holds a B.A. in sociology and a master’s in social work, both from the University of Michigan, has worked with Moore at the DESC for the last five years and is responsible for the implementation of leading-edge data management systems, as well as the improved internal processes that delivered a 40% reduction in operating costs. Moore will continue to play an

active role in workforce development as she leads efforts to provide youth at DPS schools with the best possible foundation to embark on their career paths. “The Board of Directors of the DPS Foundation is pleased that Pamela Moore has accepted our invitation to serve as the next president of the Foundation,” said DPS Foundation Board of Directors Chair Jerome Watson. “We believe that she has the knowledge and skills to build upon the foundation laid by Chacona Johnson and Glenda Price before her. Pamela will serve the children of Detroit well as she leads effectively, serves creatively, and ensures positive growth for many years to come.”

Jocelyn Giangrande tomer service and diversity initiatives. Schlichting is a frequent executive speaker on the topics of leadership and innovation and is the author of “Unconventional Leadership.” Schlichting signed copies of her book at a pre-ceremony VIP reception. The evening also featured a raffle with the winner receiving a two-year lease on a 2016 Dodge Ram Truck. The 2016 NAWBO Greater Detroit Top 10 Business Woman Awards was sponsored by Comerica Bank, Goldman Sachs, Varnum Law, Henry Ford Health Systems and Health Alliance Plan. The 2016 Top 10 Michigan Business Women award recipients are: Breakthrough Award – Katana Abbott, founder, Smart Women’s Coaching Diversity Champion Award – Sylvia Daniels, supplier diver-

Warrior Award – Cheryl Hudson, owner and operator, Woodhouse Day Spa Detroit Words of Wisdom Award – Jocelyn Giangrande, founder and president, Sashe, LLC Greater Good Award – Mary Kramer, publisher, Crain’s Detroit Business The Greater Detroit Chapter of NAWBO is the premier business resource for women business owners in Southeast Michigan. NAWBO was founded in 1975 and has over 5000 members in 60 chapters across the United States. NAWBO Greater Detroit’s membership includes the finest women entrepreneurs in the area, sharing their experience and empowering each other through NAWBO membership. Their companies include emerging enterprises, sole proprietorships and longstanding companies with multimillion dollar revenue. For more information, visit http://nawbogdc.org/ index.php.

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-16999 • DTE Gas Company requests that the Michigan Public Service Commission review the annual costs of the Company’s Main Renewal Program (MRP), Meter Move-out Program (MMO) and Pipeline Integrity Program (PI) and confirm that the Infrastructure Recovery Mechanism (IRM) surcharge that is projected to begin July 1, 2016 can be implemented without downward adjustment. • The information below describes how a person may participate in this case. • You may contact DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226, (800) 477-4747, for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the application at the offices of DTE Gas Company. • The first public hearing in this matter will be held:

DATE/TIME:

Thursday, April 14, 2016, at 9:30 a.m. This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters.

BEFORE:

Administrative Law Judge Sharon L. Feldman

LOCATION:

Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, Michigan

PARTICIPATION:

The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a public hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) February 23, 2016 application, which seeks that the Commission: 1) find that the Company spent an annual combined Meter Move-out Program, Main Renewal Program and Pipeline Integrity Program of approximately $86.8 million for 2015; and 2) confirm continuation of the Infrastructure Recovery Mechanism rate, as described in its filing. All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets. Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to mpscedockets@michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 284-8090 or by email at mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by April 7, 2016. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas’ attorney, Richard P. Middleton, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, Michigan 48226. Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance. To file an appearance, the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information, thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private. Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules R 792.10422 and R 792.10432. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 284-8130. A copy of DTE Gas’ request may be reviewed on the Commission’s website at michigan.gov/mpscedockets, and at the office of DTE Gas Company. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090. Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; 1982 PA 304, as amended, MCL 460.6h et seq.; and the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules, 2015 AC, R 792.10401 et seq.

March 15, 2016

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 23-29, 2016

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Hiram E. Jackson, CEO, Real Times Media, and president, survey Back from left: Nicole Mattioli, Ric DeVore, Gina Coleman and Hiram E. Jackson. Seated from left: Ivy Michigan Chronicle, promoting the hashtag and about the education system. — Monica Morgan photos Bailey, Senator Bert Johnson, Tonya Allen, John Rakolta and Alycia Meriweather

Pancakes & Politics produces straight talk about Detroit schools By Keith Owens

passed. He has also said he would not require teachers to work for free.

nce upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, Detroit Public Schools were considered close to the gold standard for what public education could and should be in a major American City. in Lansing

Panelist John Rakolta was adamant that the legislation would absolutely pass because there was no option, practically threatening the legislature with a mass uprising on Lansing’s front steps if the funds were not released to save DPS.

For reasons that should be obvious, that needs to change. Preferably sooner than later, that is if Detroit wants to maintain that happy talk narrative currently circulating around the country about how much everything is getting so much better. Because if the schools crash and burn, then rest assured that this city’s much touted revitalization will crash right along with it. Early Thursday morning, at this year’s first Pancakes & Politics forum, the panel discussion started off politely enough but quickly evolved into a more direct and honest assessment of what is truly behind the problem and what needs to be done to solve it. Perhaps some of the most frank talk was delivered near the end of the conversation by Michigan Sen. Bert Johnson, who was the first to tackle the issue of race, labeling it “the elephant in the room,” and putting it on the table for all to see as a too-big-to-be-denied-yet-for-some-oddreason-still-unspoken reason why the children of Detroit are considered an afterthought in Lansing. To be sure, racism is not the only reason for the current condition of Detroit schools, and to blame all of DPS’s demise on “The Man” would be disingenuous. But, as Johnson pointed out, to ignore the obvious is to ignore the

“If you thought Flint was bad, this will be ten times worse,” he said. For the record, Ivy Bailey, interim president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and also a panelist, indicated that Rhodes is the first emergency manager who appears to have an interest in working with and listening to the teachers.

Panel: Ivy Bailey, Senator Bert Johnson, Tonya Allen, John Rakolta and Alycia Meriweather problem altogether. Johnson also said that in the Michigan legislature, Detroit legislators are on their own, which makes negotiations extremely difficult when it comes to getting what they need for their constituents. Namely us. He harshly joked that in Lansing there are the Republicans, the Democrats, and the Detroiters. This means, suggested Johnson, that the fate of Detroit’s children, to an uncomfortable degree, rests with a group of legislators who do not believe that black people are capable of governing their own affairs and making their own decisions. Interestingly – and thankfully – enough, one of the audi-

ence polling questions asked those in attendance who they would most trust with the governance of their schools, the governor, the mayor, or a locally elected school board. More than 80 percent quickly responded in favor of a locally elected school board. Another question which prompted a strong response was what would happen after April 8 if the legislature did not pass the funding legislation requested by Gov. Snyder to keep DPS operational. Judge Steven Rhodes, now serving as DPS Emergency Manager #5, has said that teachers could no longer be paid after that date if the legislation is not

Tonya Allen (left), The Skillman Foundation; Steven Hamp, Hamp Advisors; and Veronica Conforme, EAA Alycia Meriweather, Ivy Bailey and Rev. Wendell Anthony

“I’m going to be hopefully optimistic. Judge Rhodes did something that no other emergency manager did. When Judge Rhodes first came into the system, I don’t even think he was working yet, he asked to speak to the teachers. And we had a large meeting at Cass Technical High School. The questions were tough, because as you know our teachers are frustrated and tired, so he got some hard questions,” said Bailey. “But he did not back away from them. He didn’t walk out on us. We’ve had other emergency managers come to a meeting and when the questions got done they got up and left. But Judge Rhodes stayed there. He answered all of the questions. He’s been calling over to the union office to ask our opinions on certain things. And he’s been very open to the teachers. There was also an incident at Cass Tech, and he went over there and dealt with that situation personally.”

Ric DeVore, president PNC Bank

and CEO,

Carol Cain conduct Q&A with audience; Pamela Moore of Survey of who the audience trusts to oversee the education Audience member taking the survey Detroit Employment Solutions Corp asking the panel a question system in Detroit

Back from left: Aubrey Lee, Jr., Pricilla Archangel, Jean Bosworth and Hiram E. Jackson. Seated from left: Ivy Bailey, Senator Bert Senator Bert Johnson, Tonya Allen and John Rakolta Johnson, Tonya Allen, John Rakolta and Alycia Meriweather

John Reeves, St. John Providence

SECTION D

March 23-29, 2016

michiganchronicle.com

famed producer-writer, tells all

Reflections By Steve Holsey

Don’t call it a comeback? Seldom does anyone say anything even remotely negative about rock and R&B stars being “older” and still doing what made them famous. Icon Gladys Knight can continue singing her heart out at 71, and legend Mick Jagger can prance around the stage at 72, but it is hard to imagine someone rapping at those ages.

LL Cool J

Of course, megastar actor-rapper LL Cool is far from his seventies, but people within and outside of the music industry are watching him closely, because at the age of 48 he is in the process of recording a new album.

When Queen Latifah made a rap album a few years ago, it didn’t do well because many of her fans from her rap days had moved on, and younger rap fans were not particularly interested. Plus, importantly, she is now recognized mainly for television, movies, etc. The situation could be the same for LL Cool J, co-star on “NCIS: Los Angeles.” “With hip-hop today, in this era, I feel like I have to make a contribution,” he said. “I’ve made a contribution in every other era.”

Well, we’ll see what happens.

BILLBOARD magazine, the preeminent source in such matters, examined its much-consulted charts and from that research it can be revealed that the Top 10 best-selling albums of all time by black artists are as follows: “Thriller” (Michael Jackson), “Whitney Houston” (Whitney Houston), “Confessions” (Usher), “The Bodyguard” (soundtrack featuring Whitney Houston and others), “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em” (M.C. Hammer), “Can’t Slow Down” (Lionel Richie), “Mariah Carey” (Mariah Carey), Usher “The Emancipation of Mimi” (Mariah Carey), “II” (Boyz II Men) and “Control” (Janet Jackson). JOHN LEGEND got into a heated “tweet exchange” with Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr. In response to Legend labeling his father a racist, Trump Jr. tweeted, “Here we go again. That can’t be the answer for everything you don’t like. That’s why the country is so John Legend divided now.”

By Steve Holsey Antonio M. Reid, widely known to the music industry and beyond as L.A. Reid, record producer, songwriter, executive, is a giant in the industry. A man of so many accomplishments over such a long period of time that an autobiography was appropriate. “Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who’s Next,” published by HarperCollins, has been well-received in terms of both reviews and public interest. It is a treasure chest of fascinating information, anecdotes and, yes, “juicy tidbits.” (What’s an autobiography without some of those?) Reid is best known for his innumerable collaborations with the equally talented Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds. Reid is currently chairman and CEO of Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.

was Kennth “Babyface” Edmonds. The Deele found their way into the national Top 10 three times — with “Two Occasions,” “Body Talk” and “Shoot ’Em Up Movies.” BY THE end of the decade, the Deele had disbanded and Reid and Edmonds decided to develop their own label, LaFace Records, distributed by Arista Records. The hits came in rapid succession for an impressive roster of artists, among them Toni Braxton, TLC and Usher. The decision was made in 2000 to merge LaFace with Arista, with L.A. Reid appointed to the position of president and CEO. Reid signed such hitmakers as Ciara, Avril Lavigne and Pink. One album by OutKast, “Speakerboxxx/ The Love Below” (featuring the frenetic “Hey Ya!”), was certified 10x platinum, meaning 10 million copies were sold.

REID MEANS just what the title of his book says because, as he put it, “I live for opening doors for the young generation of creators... the deepest and most sincere feeling I get is when I meet an artist and they have that steel in their eyes and that fire and passion.”

Next stop, Island Def Jam Music Group where Reid, chairman and CEO, had everything to do with the resurgence of Mariah Carey with “The Emancipation of Mimi.” He was also instrumental in the success of Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Bon Jovi, to name a few.

Surprisingly, Cincinnati-born Reid started out his career as a drummer. Back in the mid-1970s, a band he was in called Pure Essence recorded a single and later shortened the name to Essence.

In “Sing to Me: My Story of Making Music, Finding Magic, and Searching for Who’s Next,” Reid, who admits that he missed out on signing Lady Gaga, shares that to this day Vanessa Williams will not speak to him. He was in talks with Williams, but a hit song ended up going to Pebbles and the former Miss America was furious.

That band was only mildly successful, but it was a completely different story with the next band he was part of — the Deele. Another member of the ’80s band

L.A. REID became a familiar name and face to millions of television viewers when, in 2011, he signed on as a judge on the popular singing competition show “The X Factor.”

Speaking of the fiery Pebbles, to whom Reid was married from 1989 to 1996, she once learned that Paula Abdul was at his apartment — after midnight. (There was no relationship, he writes, although only they know exactly why she was there at that hour.)

See L.A. Reid Page D-2

No, there is a lot more to the division than that! The prospect of Donald Trump becoming president — and hence, the most powerful man in the world — is one of the scariest thoughts that have ever occurred. His following represents much of the underbelly of society — the racists, the violent, the malcontents, the sexists, the homophobes, etc. In an age of “combat TV,” it should not be shocking that a mean-spirited reality TV star could become a serious contender for president.

Reid and Edmonds decided to develop their own label, LaFace Records, distributed by Arista Records. Diana Ross, Berry Gordy and Mary Wilson THERE was something heartwarming about that night in New York a while back when Diana Ross and Mary Wilson got together for the premiere of “Motown the Musical.” It proved that the ladies have matured to the point of knowing that even

See Reflections Page D-2

entertainment

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MOTOR CITY ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

BEYONCE, Ford Field, May 29. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

MARGARET CHO, Sound Board at Motor City Casino, April 17. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCityCasino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

March 23-29, 2016 Page D-2

Week’s Best

LOTTERY

781 265 109 114 425 372 841 504 800 389 816 567 23-25-43-8-45-3 7128 5669

STANLEY CLARKE, Hiroshima, Music Hall, April 9. For more information, visit musichall.org or call 313-887-8501. GEORGE CLINTON, Parliament, Funkadelic, Alise King, Sound Board at Motor City Casino, May 5. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCityCasino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. MIKE EPPS, Tommy Davidson, Jay Pharoah, Cocoa Brown, Joe Louis Arena, Friday, March 25. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCityCasino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. KIRK FRANKLIN, Fox Theatre, Friday, March 25. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. JOHNNY GILL, Christopher Williams, Sound Board at Motor City Casino, April 14. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCityCasino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. ANTHONY HAMILTON, FANTASIA, Fox Theatre, April 22. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. DAYMOND JOHN & Friends, Fox The-

P I CK S

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Tommy Davidson

LisaRay McCoy-Misick Stanley Clarke

atre, April 6. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. GLADYS KNIGHT, THE O’JAYS, Fox Theatre, May 8. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. JAY LENO, Fox Theatre, May 7. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. “MARRIED But Single,” Music Hall Center, May 7-8, starring LisaRaye McCoy-Misick, Chrisette Michele, Carl Payne, La’Myia Good, Flex Alexander, Terrell Carter, Skye Griffin and Alvester Martin. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and the Music Hall box office. THE MOTOWN Show, presented by “Hair Wars,” Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, April 17. Cash bar. For more information, call 313.534.8318. MUSIQ SOULCHILD, Sound Board at Motor City Casino, May 20. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCity-

Casino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. RINGO STARR, Fox Theatre, June 23. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

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STYLISTICS, Stephanie Mills, the Manhattans featuring Gerald Alston, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, Ray, Goodman & Brown, Fox Theatre, Saturday, March 26. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations and MotorCityCasino.com. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. TYRESE, Monica, Fox Theatre, Sunday, March 27. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. FRANKIE VALLI & the Four Seasons, Fox Theatre, April 29. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. MARLON WAYANS, Fillmore Detroit, May 6. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

Bass player to superstars mines Motown for new talent Detroit native and nationally known musician Kern Brantley is issuing a call for Detroiters to “Join the Band.” A sought-after bass player, who currently performs with Lady Gaga and has backed Beyoncé, Chris Brown and many more of the entertainment industry’s biggest names, Brantley says his hometown is a breeding ground for undiscovered greatness. “Join the Band is a professional development program to recruit promising performers from Detroit, whether at schools, churches, or just out in the community,” says Brantley. Open auditions will be held at noon Saturday, March 26, at Detroit Impact Center, 9930 Greenfield Road. Youth ages 8 to 17, choirs (10 to 30 members), singers, poets and dancers are invited to perform, regardless of experience.

While he says his new program won’t guarantee a career in music, it will provide exposure to opportunities and tools for longevity in the entertainment industry. “Stars come and go over the years,” he says, “but the band members always stay hot.” Performers and their guests are asked to bring containers of clean tap water to donate to three Flint, Mich. families, for bathing and hygienic care.

Kern Brantley Brantley lives in Southfield, while traveling the country during Lady Gaga’s tours and concerts, most recently performing at the Academy Awards. “There’s a lot of talent in Detroit and quite a few people good enough to perform on the national stage,” Brantley adds. “The problem is not everybody can pick up and

go to L.A. for an audition, or jump on a plane with just 24 hour’s notice, to give a show. Join the Band will recruit and prepare these people to play at the highest level, right here at home.”

THERE WAS a disagreement with Jermaine Jackson, who Reid was working with, over Michael Jackson also working with Reid. Jermaine was furious because he was there first, and he therefore announced that he wanted to record a song about Michael. This resulted in the scathing attack song, “Word to the Badd!!”

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Along with live touring as a bass player, Brantley has established himself as a sought-after musical director.

L.A. Reid Pebbles came in like a hurricane and smashed Reid’s glass furniture with a broom, as Abdul stood by “trembling in fear.”

Your Finger Tips! AtAtYour Finger Tips!

From page D-1 They changed their minds about wanting it released, but the highest ranking executive at the company Jermaine Jackson recorded for at the time wanted it released, so it was. The song was getting airplay, then suddenly disappeared from the airwaves, and Reid thinks Michael Jackson had something to do with it although he has no idea what. Usher was only 15 when Reid decided he needed to be “toughened up”; he didn’t want him to be “soft and

Reflections

though it is unlikely that they could ever be “best girlfriends” again, they can at least rise above the differences that put a wedge between them. Besides, deep down they still love each other. Wilson and Ross made history as original members of the Supremes, the most successful female vocal group of all time. If you are looking for a “bargain” (ha ha!), Sean (P. Diddy) Combs is selling his Alpine, New Jersey mansion for a little under $8 million! Hey, it was $13.5 million, but he hasn’t been able to sell it, despite trying for five years. When asked about the “Real Preachers” reality TV show, gospel superstar Kirk Franklin said bluntly, “I hate everything about the show.” Since Eddie Holland is one-third of the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland Motown songwriting team of, you would think that his favorite song might be one they wrote, or at least a Motown song. But Holland says the Drifters’ “Save the Last Dance for Me” is his favorite. It was written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman and was a No. 1 hit, R&B and pop, in 1960.

pretty.” So he “turned him over to the wildest party guy in the country” — Puff Daddy. He admits that this might not have been “responsible,” but it served its purpose. There are other stories as spicy as these, but mainly Reid’s book is about the music, the industry, and his place in it. Despite monumental changes in the music industry, Reid still believes that “the glory days of the record industry aren’t behind us. They’re actually ahead of us.”

From page D-1 BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Whoopi Goldberg’s real name is Caryn Johnson. MEMORIES: “Easy Lover” (Philip Bailey and Phil Collins), “Please Return Your Love to Me” (the Temptations), “I Feel for You” (Chaka Khan), “Sara Smile” (Daryl Hall & John Oates), “We Both Need Each Other” (Norman Connors, featuring Phyllis Hyman and Michael Henderson), “You” (Marvin Gaye), “It’s All Right” (the Impressions), “Enjoy Yourself” (the Jacksons), “Holding On (When Love is Gone)” (L.T.D.), “Make Me Yours” (Bettye Swann). BLESSINGS to Montez Miller, Lorenzo Colston, Eric Hunter, Kimmie Horne, Linsey Porter, Huel Perkins, L.J. Reynolds, Karen Dumas, Eric Merchant and Yvonne Gullick. WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Wayne Dyer: “Treasure the magnificent being that you are, and remember that you’re a spiritual being having a human experience.”

Let the music play!

Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.

UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND GOLD CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH HOME BOX OFFICE A PLAYTONE PICTURE “MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2” NIA VARDALOS JOHNMUSICCORBETT LAINIE KAZAN GIA CARI DES JOEY FATONE LOUIS MANDYLOR EXECUTIVE WITH ANDREA MARTIN AND MICHAEL CONSTANTINE BY CHRISTOPHER LENNERTZ PRODUCERS PAUL BROOKS SCOTT NIEMEYER STEVEN SHARESHIAN NIA VARDALOS PRODUCEDBY RITA WILSON DIRECTED TOM HANKS GARY GOETZMAN p.g.a. WRITTENBY NIA VARDALOS A UNIVERSAL RELEASE BY KIRK JONES SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, MARCH 25 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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March 23-29, 2016

Page D-3

‘Brown is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority’ By Steve Phillips “Hard-hitting … abundant use of solid statistics … brilliant commentary. Phillips’ robust plea for profound political changes is motivating and will invite those new to the discussion to join in the fight for social change and racial equality in America. A passionate discussion of race and politics sure to inspire heated debate and … proactive solutions.” — Kirkus Reviews Democrats and progressives are going to lose if they don’t turn out people of color in 2016. “Brown is the New White: How the Demographic Revolution Has Created a New American Majority” is a wake-up call to the Democratic Party and progressive movement that they will lose elections and our country’s future if they don’t make turning out people of color and progressive whites a

greater priority. Despite the abundant evidence from Obama’s victories proving that the U.S. population has fundamentally changed, many progressives and Democrats continue to waste millions of dollars chasing white swing voters. The explosive population growth of people of color in America over the past fifty years has laid the foundation for a New American Majority consisting of progressive people of color (23 percent of all eligible voters) and progressive whites (28 percent of all eligible voters). These two groups make up 51 percent of all eligible voters in America right now and that majority is growing larger every day. Failing to properly appreciate this reality, progressives are at risk of missing this moment in history, and losing. “Brown is the New White” takes an unvarnished look at the history of whites and peo-

A leader in national politics for 30 years — from advancing the Jesse Jackson presidential campaigns in the 1980s to establishing the country’s first super PAC aimed at supporting Barak Obama’s bid for president — Steve Phillips has had a front row seat to these extraordinary demographic and political changes. A civil rights lawyer and senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, Phillips draws on his extensive political experience to explain exactly how people of color and progressive whites add up to a new majority, while exposing how far behind the curve Democrats are in investing in communities of

Steve Phillips ple of color in America, revealing how the past has created current conditions that have revolutionary implications for U.S. politics in 2016 and beyond.

Sounding a clarion call to action for the entire progressive movement, “Brown is the New White” illuminates a path forward to seize the opportunity created by the demographic revolution.

Phillips is a national political leader, civil rights lawyer, and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. In 1992 he became the youngest person ever elected to public office in San Francisco and went on to serve as president of the Board of Education. He is co-founder of PowerPAC.org, a social justice organization that conducted the largest independent voter mobilization efforts backing Barack Obama, Cory Booker, and Kamala Harris. In 2014, he co-authored the first-ever audit of Democratic Party spending and was named one of “America’s Top 50 Influencers” by Campaigns and Elections magazine. He has appeared on multiple national radio and television networks including NBC, CNN, Fox News, and TV One. He lives in San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.brownisthenewwhite. com.

Book Review:

‘Serenade’ by Rashod Ollison

By Terri Schlichenmeyer Vinyl is making a comeback. Those are five words that put a smile on a music aficionado’s face. A CD isn’t the same, they say. An MP3 is nowhere near as good. You don’t get the right sound unless you’re spinning a record, so vinyl is coming back – but, for people like Rashod Ollison in “Soul Serenade,” it never really left. There was once a time when Dusty Ollison’s parents were happy. He knows it’s true; he has evidence of it, in the form of a picture taken at the beginning of their marriage, which lasted thirteen years. When they split, he was old enough to witness but too young to understand, having become inured to the fights, the cheating, and the drinking at his home near Hot Springs, Arkansas. After Ollison’s father fled his family – leaving Ollison’s mother with a ‘tween and two small children – he rarely returned. But he left a gift behind: stacks of vinyl.

Michigan Film & Digital Media Office commissions app for ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Filming locations in Detroit creates model for attracting tourists The “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” mobile tour app, commissioned by the Michigan Film & Digital Media Office, will debut on the same day the film debuts in theaters, March 25. The exciting new app developed by Grand Rapids-based Mutually Human allows movie fans and travel enthusiasts to combine their interests to create a tailored experience shaped by their own, self-guided navigation of locations from the film’s scenes shot in Detroit. The mobile tour features an interactive map that designates 12 shooting locations from the Warner Brothers movie and gives background information about the scene shot at the site, as well as the property itself. The app also features social media sharing functionality, as well as a library of “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” characters and clips.

Ollison says he remembers poking around music stores with his father, ogling covers, eager for approval of his taste in performers. Chaka Khan, Bobby Womack, Stevie Wonder, Ollison recalls fascination with their record labels spinning on the turntable. Michael Jackson gave him comfort, Aretha was a mood barometer, they all taught him about grown-up love through lyrics. With his mother working two full-time jobs to keep food on the table, Ollison counted on music to anchor him. It was his means of escape as his oldest sister took her rage out on him, as his family moved repeatedly, as he was bullied in school for “actin’ like a woman.” He denied feminine gestures and a tender heart, but by age thirteen, he could no longer ignore that he was gay. School, by then, had joined music as a thing of refuge; Ollison excelled at his lessons, achieved good grades, made friends, and expanded his playlist. As he grew, he also wondered about his father sometimes but was largely indifferent, even as the man lay dying. And then an aunt told Ollison something that made him change his tune. “Soul Serenade” starts where many good memoirs do: with a faded picture of a time that barely seems possible. From there, we’re surprised by a death that promises to taint much of what’s to come, all wrapped in family lore. But don’t get complacent. Author Rashod Ollison doesn’t allow any lingering. Soon enough, his story becomes angry yelling, a smack upside the head, profanity, TV-as-babysitter, fists and sore feet. We’re taken from neighborhood to neighborhood as the lights are shut off, the rent isn’t paid, and he’s taunted with words that his sister has to explain. It’s chaos – but it’s also a darn good tale that it doesn’t dissolve into whining or poor-me-ing, testament to Ollison’s storytelling skills. “Soul Serenade” is one of those books that sticks in your brain — not only for the suggested music, but because the memoir itself leaves its mark. And if that sounds like solid gold to you, then give this book a spin.

“The city of Detroit in particular has benefitted greatly in recent times from welcoming film productions to our streets, yet there is still an untapped opportunity to connect film production and tourism in our state that this app provides: cost-effective promotion while engaging users to explore Michigan,” said Jenell Leonard, commissioner of Michigan Film & Digital Media Office. “This app also takes an innovative approach that helps us promote Michigan businesses and cultural destinations located nearby and along the paths to location sites in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’’ Recent studies indicate one in five tourists are motivated to visit a location based on their favorite movies and TV programs. Michigan is the first state to develop an app as a way to promote tourism connected to the appeal of a popular film shot within state boundaries. Sites included in the app are exclusively from scenes shot in Detroit at locations like Belle Isle, the Michigan Central Station, and the Masonic Temple. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” film footage, photographs, and character information were provided by the film’s distributor, Warner Bros. Pictures, to promote this exciting new release. Through the assistance of the Michigan Technology Association of Michigan (MTAM), the MFDMO reviewed multiple proposals from Michigan-specific app developers. In consultation with Warner Bros., the worldwide distributors of the movie, the company Mutually Human out of Grand Rapids was selected to build

and design this unique tourism-focused mobile app. Approval was also given by Atlas Entertainment/Cruel and Unusual, producers of “Batman v Superman.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Academy of Warren, a Tuition-Free Public School Academy located at 13943 E. 8 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48089, announces its Open Enrollment period for the 2016-17 school years for grades K-8. Applications are available at and may be submitted to Academy of Warren, www. academyofwarren.net, or by calling (586) 552-8010, during the Open Enrollment period of April 04, 2016-April 18, 2016. If enrollment applications exceed the number of available spaces, a random selection drawing will be held at Academy of Warren on April 20, 2016.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Weston Preparatory Academy

REQUEST FOR QUOTE The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQ’s for Pre-Encoded Regional Bus Passes, Control No. 16-2115. RFQ packages will be available March 21, 2016, at www.mitn.info. RFQ’s are due Thursday, April 14, 2016 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. THIS CLASSIFIED SPOT FOR SALE!

A Tuition-Free Public School Academy, announces its Open Enrollment period for the 2016-17 school year for grades K-8. Applications may be picked up at the school, 22930 Chippewa, Detroit, MI 48219, www.westondetroit.com (313)387-6038, during Open Enrollment period April 5, 2016 through April 19, 2016 during school hours as well as April 7 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. If enrollment applications exceed the number of available spaces, a random selection drawing will be held at Weston Preparatory Academy on May 3, 2016 at 2:00 p. m.

Advertise your EVENT, PRODUCT, or RECRUIT an applicant in more than 130 Michigan newspapers! Only $299/week. To place, Call: 800-227-7636

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROJECT:

River Rouge Housing Commission 2014 Capital Funding Program Roofing Replacement

OWNER:

River Rouge Housing Commission 180 Visger Road River Rouge, Michigan 48218

ARCHITECT: Sauriol Bohde Wagner Architects and Associates Inc. 46869 Garfield Road Macomb, MI 48044 Telephone: (586) 532-9388 Facsimile: (586) 532-9377 PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Notice is hereby given that the City of Detroit proposes to amend its HUD Consolidated Plan as follows:

• Decrease the Block Grant appropriation for 2011-12 Care First Community – Public Service funding by $34,784.72 • Decrease the Block Grant appropriation for 2011-12 Catholic Social Service of Wayne County – Public Service funding by $15,502.80 • Increase the Block Grant appropriation for Neighborhood Service Organization – Public Service funding by $126,730.28 Note: Funds being reprogrammed were allocated in prior Community Development Block Grant years. Persons or organizations wishing to comment on this proposed change may transmit such comments in writing, in person, or by telephone to the Housing & Revitalization Department at the address below: City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department W. T. Duncan Grants Management Section Coleman A. Young Municipal Center 2 Woodward Rm 908 Detroit, MI 48226 Telephone: (313)224-6380

Bid Due Date:

Thursday, April 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

Location:

180 Visger Road River Rouge, Michigan

INVITATION:

Letters of Intent Notice REQUEST PROPOSALS

The Senior Alliance (TSA) is requesting proposals to provide the following services to adults age 60 and older in the 34 communities of southern and western Wayne County, Michigan. Some adult day care and respite funding will include service to individuals who are age 18 and older. Legal Aid Nutrition Programs Administration Home Delivered Meal Program Assessments Medication Management Safe-At-Home (Safety Modifications) Senior Center Staffing Caregiver & Community Transportation

**NOT ALL SERVICES LISTED MAY RESULT IN AWARD OF CONTRACT** Service Period: FY 2017-2019 (October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2019) Bidders must provide services in one (1) or more of the following communities. Additional criteria will be provided concerning serving residents of all listed communities. Allen Park Belleville Brownstown Township Canton Township Dearborn Dearborn Heights Ecorse Flat Rock Garden City

Gibraltar Grosse Ile Township Huron Township Inkster Lincoln Park Livonia Melvindale Northville Northville Township

Sealed bids will be received by the River Rouge Housing Commission, and will be publicly opened and read immediately after due date time. Bid Proposals will be received at:

River Rouge Housing Commission 180 Visger Road River Rouge, Michigan 48218 Attention: Ms. Lori Long, Executive Director Office: (313) 382-1414 Fax: (313) 382-0228 In order to receive consideration, make bids in strict accordance with the project manual and include, with the Bid Form, the following:

BIDDING DOCUMENTS: Proposals shall be made according to the contract documents as prepared by Sauriol Bohde Wagner Architects and Associates Inc.

On March 16, 2016, Electronic Plans and Specifications will be available at the office of:

Sauriol Bohde Wagner Architects and Associates Inc. 46869 Garfield Road Macomb, Michigan 48044 Architect’s Project No. 16843 Electronic Bidding Documents may also be examined at the following locations: Construction Association of Michigan – CAM 43636 Woodward Ave Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302-3204 www.cam-online.com Builders Exchange 4461 Cascade Road SE Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546 www.grbx.com Construction Data Company www.cdcnews.com BID BOND REQUIREMENTS: All bids shall be accompanied by a “Treasury Listed” bid bond or a certified check in the amount of five percent (5%) of the aggregate total bid, made payable to the River Rouge Housing Commission and enclosed in the same envelope with the bid. The successful bidder’s security will be retained until he/she has signed the Contract and has furnished the required Certificates of Insurance and Bonds.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: The City of Detroit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sex or sexual orientation. Complaints may be filed with the Detroit Human Rights Department, 1230 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit, MI 48226.

Adult Day Care Caregiver Legal Aid Elder Abuse Prevention Services Evidence-Based Disease Prevention/Health & Wellness Programs Friendly Reassurance Kinship Caregiver Legal Aid Home Delivered Meals & Congregate Meals Preparation

The project consists of roofing, fascia trim, soffit panels, gutter and downspout removal and replacement at twenty-three (23) multi-family housing buildings, located in Three (3) areas along Goodell Street, Beechwood Street and Polk Avenue in River Rouge.

a. Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements of Bidders HUD – 5369A. b. Non-Collusive Affidavit c. Bid Bond d. Section 3 Implementation Plan e. Certification Regarding Debarment and Suspension

CITY OF DETROIT MICHAEL E. DUGGAN, MAYOR HOUSING AND REVITALIZATION DEPARTMENT NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN THE HUD CONSOLIDATED PLAN

• Decrease the Block Grant appropriation for 2012-13 Effective Alternative Community – Public Service funding by $76,442.76

River Rouge Housing Commission – Roofing Replacement

Walk-Through Date: Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Location: 460 ½ Lenoir Court River Rouge, Michigan

BIDDING:

March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Plymouth Plymouth Township Redford Township Riverview River Rouge Rockwood Romulus Southgate Sumpter Township

Taylor Trenton Van Buren Township Wayne Westland Woodhaven Wyandotte

All prospective applicants for FY 2017-2019 funding for the above listed programs MUST submit a Letter of Intent PRIOR to submitting a formal application. Final funding levels for FY 2017 have not yet been determined. Complete Letter of Intent requirements can be found at: http://www.aaa1c.org/doing-business-with-us/request-for-proposal/ Letters of Intent may be mailed, delivered, or e-mailed to: The Senior Alliance ATTN: Nicole Jeffrey 3850 Second Street, Suite 100 Wayne, MI 48184 njeffrey@tsalink.org Letters of Intent must briefly describe the basic elements of the program, major benefits of the applicant agency, major partners, and innovation/sustainability. Letters of Intent must not exceed one (1) page in length. The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents will be available only to those who submit a Letter of Intent in writing NO LATER than 4:00 p.m. on April 13, 2016. TSA will hold an Application Workshop on May 2, 2016 and all bidders are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, please call: (734) 858-2238

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LABOR REQUIREMENTS: Contractor must ensure that employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Contractor must comply with the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

SECTION 3: Contractors shall comply with HUD Section 3 requirements as specified in Article 40 of the General Conditions, Section 00700, and shall make every effort to hire area residents. Contractor shall also provide with the bid the Section 3 Implementation Plan as required and further described in Section 00120, Supplementary Instructions to Bidders. GUARANTEE BONDS: All accepted bidders shall be required to furnish at their expense prior to the execution of the contract, “Treasury Listed” bonds in the amount of 100% of the Total Contract Price for the faithful performance of the Labor and material obligations arising. WITHDRAWAL OF BIDS: A bidder may withdraw its bid, either personally or by written request, at any time prior to the scheduled time for opening bids.

No bidder may withdraw its bid for period of sixty (60) calendar days after the date set for opening thereof or until the successful bidder enters into the contract. Bids shall be subject to acceptance by the River Rouge Housing Commission during this period.

Bid security may be forfeited by any bidder who withdraws his/her bid prior to the execution of a contract with the successful bidder of the expiration of the sixty (60) day period.

REJECTION OF BIDS: The River Rouge Housing Commission reserves the right to reject any or all bids. The rejection may include but not be limited to any bid which is incomplete, obscure, or irregular. One or more items in the price schedule may be rejected. Any proposal in which unit prices are omitted, or in which prices are obviously unbalanced, may be rejected. Conditional bids, or those which take exception to the specifications, may be considered non-responsive and may be rejected. SALES TAX:

The Contractor shall pay all sales, consumers, use and other similar t axes required by law.

EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT: The form of Agreement which the successful bidder will be required to execute is referenced in the Contract Documents. Following the authorization by the River Rouge Housing Commission and responsible bidder, the Architect will issue a Notice of Award to that bidder. The bidder to whom the Contract is awarded shall within fourteen (14) calendar days after the Notice of Award and receipt of Agreement forms from the Architect sign and deliver required copies to the Architect. PROJECT MANUAL: The Bidders shall be required to obtain and refer to the Project Drawings and the Project Manual for additional project requirements and bidding instructions.

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MARCH IS National Myeloma Awareness Month

Classified Hiring Dentist for Dental office. Call (313)617-1846 or Fax (313)893-0282.

Police Officers Laborers

Application deadline for all openings is Thurs. March 31 at 5 p.m. Must meet all quals. on-line at: www.ci.dearbornheights.mi.us/HR_ EmpOpp.cfm. Call for more info 313-791-3420. EOE

MARCH is NATIONAL KIDNEY Awareness MONTH

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Volume 79 – Numbe

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Darnell Earley was only a symptom

Februar y 3-9, 2016

The late Horace Sheffield, Jr. has been rightfully described as a warrior and a bridge builder. He is the founder of the Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO). ganization is set The orto the 100th anniversahonor ry of Sheffield’s birth.

Renewal Acct. # Accepted

Something women need to know (Page B-1)

A woman’s heart attack causes, symtoms and outcomes may be different from thosevery of a man, and difference s in risk factors are further pronounced in black and Hispanic women.

Detroit’s ‘educational mess’ (Page B-4)

By Keith A. Owens

SENIOR EDITOR

been more than enough baggage for any one troubled administrator

Snyder, who appointed Earley

to juggle as the Tom Watkins strongly both positions The clock has to And then there Detroit Public , said the followwas Earley’s Darnell Earley been ticking for Schools, the institutio ing: asserts that the press release, for awhile now. crisis in n that he was supposed which said, You’d have to the Detroit Public part: to rescue (despite in be deaf not to “Darnell has Schools hear the combined failure anything that — and charter in job under some done a very good loud. previous emergenc of the three “When I was EAA very difficult appointed to well — is something as cumstances. y managers cir- this position, It would have who preceded I want been hard Gov. Snyder him), continued enough for the for his profession to thank him agreed people should be more and I crash and burn to departing Detroit that our alism and his around him. service to the cerned because conto be the last goal was for me people of MichiEDITORIAL Public Schools it affects But to survive gan. He restructu ager appointed emergency manus all. And if nothing both emergency red a heavily man- scandals? At the same of those bureaucratic ager to survive completed the to DPS. I have is done, there will central office, time? comprehensive nent role in the his very promiin place operating set restructu be Uhh…no. Flint ring heavy price to pay a and water necessary cost-condisaster that he has tainment measures to downsizing the central in the repeatedly tried The , and future.

The Michigan Chronicle 479 Ledyard • Detroit, MI 48201 Motor City Match (Page C-1)

deny despite much evidence to the contrary. to And it would have

announcement was made early Tuesday morning. According to a press release quoted the Detroit Free in Press, Gov. Rick

taken steps has to stabilize enrollment. These factors should set the course all for a sustainab new Detroit Communi le, as I have proposed. ty Schools, ”

See EARLEY page A-4

By Roz Edward

Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Mr. Reese married Marie Williams in 1968, and in 1983 he retired from the City of Detroit, where he worked his way up to director of the Elections Commission.

John H. Reese Jr. was born on Oct. 3, 1931 in Detroit to John H. and Vivian Reese. He attended Detroit public schools, graduating from Northwestern High School. He also studied piano at the Art Centre Music School. He served four years in the United States Air Force.

Services for Frezell Gurley were held on Tuesday, March 15, at St. Paul AME Zion Church with Pastor Eleazar Merriweather officiating. Mr. Gurley passed away on March 7, 2016

Left to cherish the memory of John H. Reese Jr. are his son, Dwayne Hayes; a sister, Mildred Gaston; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment took place at Detroit Memorial Park-East.

Army during World War II. The Gurleys moved to Detroit and he found employment with Ford Motor Company and later worked for the Board of Education. He also sold life insurance on a parttime basis.

Frezell Gurley was the fourth of the seven children of Sidney and Ethel Gurley in Huntsville, Alabama. He attended Huntsville public schools and A&M College. He married Ninell Lanear in 1943.

Frezell Gurley is survived by his wife, Ninell; two daughters, Joyce Hurst Patterson and Diedra Smith; and many other relatives and friends.

Mr. Gurley served in the U.S.

Russell Simmons brin water and attentio gs plight of Flint resi n to dents

Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home.

Eleanor DunCombe

Services for DunCombe will take place on Wednesday, March 23, 11 am, at Sacred Heart Church, 1000 Eliot in Detroit. The family hour starts at 10:30 am.

while James was away serving his country.

Eleanor DunCombe, mother of Judge Trudy Archer who is the wife of former Detroit mayor Dennis Archer, was born on Sept. 11, 1918 in Detroit to the union of Ernestine E. Davis and Oscar A. Miles. The early part of her life was spent in Poughkeepsie, New York, but the family later moved back to Detroit. Her mother married Walter Williams in 1924; he adopted Eleanor.

Eleanor DunCombe’s memory is being cherished by her daughters, Judge Trudy DunCombe Archer and C. Beth DunCombe Brown, Esq.; sons-in-law, Dennis Wayne Archer and Joseph Nuttall Brown, Esq.; grandsons, Dennis Wayne Archer, Jr. and Vincent DunCombe Archer; great-grandsons, Dennis Wayne Archer III and Chase Alexander Archer; granddaughter-in-law, Judge Roberta Cheryl Archer; and many other relatives and friends.

Mrs. DunCombe, after attending public school in Detroit, enrolled at Wayne State University where she met the man who would become her husband, James Vincent DunCombe, Jr. They were married in 1941 and a few months later he began serving in the U.S. Army. Their daughter, Trudy, was born in August of 1943

Supervise staff including Research Engineer, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Machinist, & Electronics Technician in the conduct of research, as needed. Also supervise students assigned to research projects.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

By Patreice A.

Massey toxins and pollutants and has been deemed Funny thing happened to responsible on my way to Flint the other me numerous health problems for day. the small town Well, not so in much funny and increasin as it lead levels was interestin g in children. g. We stopped in a suburban computer Jon Connor could store, cameras in tow, have been one of those to children. memory cards purchase a few when the cashier Connor is a rapper, asked what we producer were going to and former XXL be filming. Freshman I who told him that Kory Woods photos up until about we were going three years to Flint to see ago resided in what’s going Flint. Connor’s on with the life changed water crisis. when legendary He asked a few super producmore queser, rapper and tions, which former I NWA answered. We member Dr. completed the Dre personall y transaction. By Roz Edward signed him It to was all good. pledge of 1,000,000 his Aftermath When business bottles of water to the people label. In order Then as I Jon Connor mogul and founder of the of Flint. was leaving he to fully seize However, the sell Simmons RushCard, Ruscongenial mood , arrived in good luck and said, “All right, Flint became increasingly ty he had to movethis opportuniearly Monday remember, don’t morning to deliver drink the water. somber as to Los Angeles citizen after to be closer to cases of bottled Ha ha ha.” citizen recounted his mentor, thus water door-tohorrific stories forcing door he did I paused. My of how the so with a minimal taminated first instinct house him to move from the was to become amount of fanfare. water has and conand town that indignant, point he’s called Flanked continues to affect out what an home for all a handful of their health and ass local reporters by comprom of his 30-year-ol at that particular he was being life. several staff members, and d ise an already moment and fragile quality of life, Simmons school him on and his affable and wreak havoc the insensitiv Connor has team carried of his comment case on children whose ity for a deep affinity after case of his hometown Aquahydrate damaging ning late and . But I was runeager and desperate . So with Flint to levels of lead poisoning being did not wish have been diagnosed residents. engage. So I In total, Simmons to state recently declared in as left. acutely a But of and emergenc damhis comhis team aging to life threatenin ment stayed with delivered 150,000 needed to come y, he knew he me. g. The prognosis is not water to cardholde bottles of good for the citnect with his home and con“Don’t drink izens of Flint. the water.” communi paid debit card rs of the prety and family that still and students This was a at Flint Southwes “My heart line usually of whom have live there, many breaks for served for Third rehad Simmons partneredt Academy. people the for lead poisoning to be tested World counof Flint, who with tries. Sean deprived “Diddy” Combs are Yet here it was . of the most basic being and Mark Wahlbeing said in reference to “I’m a Flint resident berg (owner of necessities – clean a of first and drinking water,” about 66 miles city that is only foremost. Before launch a relief Aquahydrate) to said Simmons away from my or I campaign for home. But much anything else was an artist tims of the Flint vic- teary resident who hugged one I was a Flint like a Third resident,” water contamas she shared World country, ination crisis said Connor. her the water that here which includes “So I’m has been consumed to see what’s a See SIMMONS going on and from the to also page A-4 Flint River is see what else filthy. Filled is needed. with Mateen, Dre, the entire After-

Rap pioneers honored (Page D-1)

When the 2016 Grammy Awards airs this spring, among those receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award will be Run-D.M.C., the first rap act to be honored in that way. They, more than anyone else, were sible for igniting responthe hip-hop explosion rap/ .

$1.00

office, and the development of a network structure that empowers the educational leadership of our schools to direct more resources toward

Flint rapper Jon Con nor talks aftermath of water crisis

Mayor Mike Duggan has announced the second round of projects that will receive a combined $500,000 in grant funding through Motor City to help them start Match expand in Detroit. or

Position requires a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering or Mechanical Engineering & 24 months experience as a Researcher in Ergonomics. Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) Exp. using human motion capture equipment; & 2) Exp. performing three-dimensional human body measurement & modeling. Any exp. reqs. may be met concurrently during the same 24-mo. period. Job duties: Conduct research on automotive safety, injury biomechanics, anthropometry, & ergonomics. Use human motion capture equipment to study human task performance. Perform threedimensional human body measurement & modeling. Develop funding sources & write proposals for new research projects. Design research studies & analyze data. Prepare publications & presentations based on research results.

WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

THE MICHIGAN CHRONI SHOW BUSINES CLE S

REAL TIMES MEDIA

DABO founder’s 100th birthday

The University of Michigan has available positions of Assistant Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI. Though the position is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan the Assistant Research Scientist will be expected to travel 5% of working time to attend conferences & meet with collaborators at other universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, & Australia.

Qualified candidates should send resume & verification of reqs. to Sarah Schimelfening, HR Assistant, University of Michigan, UMTRI Building, Room 107, 2901 Baxter Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2150.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Cherishing the memory of Ruby Ann Bradford are her children, Angelique Bradford, Kim Bradford, Sherri Pierce and Toni Bradford; two grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Frezell Gurley

Zip

Check if Renewal

Mrs. Rowe enjoyed traveling, playing the piano and shopping.

Services for John H. Reese Jr. were held on Friday, March 11, at Messiah Baptist Church with Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn officiating. Mr. Reese passed away on March 3, 2016.

www.oakgov.com/jobs

City

grown, she pursued a career as an administrative assistant in the Admissions Office at the University of Detroit.

John H. Reese Jr.

Seeking

Provide specialized office assistance, coordinating procedural business or service activities for a complex program area involving processing, implementing, advising on, and reporting specialized subject matter. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years progressively responsible office experience, including direct experience in office coordination, prioritizing work assignments and maintaining work flow to meet deadlines. This is a full time, clerical-technical position, salary is $41,197.00 annually. See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 1, 2016. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Services for Ruby Ann Bradford were held on Tuesday, March 15, at New Liberty Baptist Church with Rev. Maurice Stimage Jr. officiating. Mrs. Bradford passed away on March 9, 2016.

She married Joseph Cox Bradford in 1952 and they had five children, Angelique, Kim, Sherri, Toni and Joseph. Once her children were

Equal Opportunity Employer

OFFICE ASSISTANT III AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Ruby Ann Bradford

Ruby Ann Rowe was born on May 28, 1930 in Detroit to Donovant and Leontine Rowe. She attended Sacred Heart Catholic High School and what is now Eastern Michigan University.

Inmate Caseworker Technical Assistant ‐ Treasurer Epidemiologist Public Health Nutritionist II Treatment Services Clinician I Corrections Deputy I Customer Service Tech I & II Sr. Business Development Rep. Sewage Treatment Plant Oper. Real Estate Appraiser Trainee I Contingent Staff Nurse Sewage Treatment Plant Operator I & II Civil Engineer II & III General Helper ‐ County‐Wide

POLICE OFFICER POLICE SERVICE AIDE BUILDING MECHANIC II ELECTIONS SYSTEMS OPERATOR SEASONAL LABORER CITY OF LIVONIA For complete information visit our website at: http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us/Departments/CivilService/JobOpeningsSelect/ tabid/173/Default.aspx or apply in person at Livonia City Hall, 3rd floor, 33000 Civic Center Dr. Livonia, MI 48154 E.O.E. M/F/H

Page D-5

OBITUARIES

HELP WANTED

City of Dearborn Heights is seeking applicants for the following F/T positions:

March 23-29, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Mrs. DunCombe, who loved playing bridge and interior decorating, found employment with the Bank of the Commonwealth.

Swanson Funeral arrangements.

Home

handled

the

Interment takes place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Second Baptist Church of Detroit celebrates 180th Anniversary

When 13 free Black men and women established Second Baptist Church of Detroit — then Coloured American Baptist Church —in 1836, after being denied full participation in worship services or even the opportunity to sit on the main floor with white congregation members at First Baptist Church of Detroit, it was a supreme accomplishment in and of itself. Now, 180 years later those dedicated servants would have marveled in amazement at the achievements of one of the nation’s most historic and beloved black churches. Second Baptist Church of Detroit pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin Turman, first lady Denise Turman, Second Baptist Church members and guests joined with members of First Baptist Church of Detroit at the Roostertail on Sunday, March 20 to celebrate the church’s rich and storied past. Pastor Turman’s son, Rev. Theodore Turman — who now presides over First Baptist Church of Detroit and is the first African American pastor in the church’s 188-year history — led a poignant and moving tribute to the history of the church, its present day accomplishments and their hopes for the future was

Rev. Dr. Kevin M. Turman and first lady, Denise Turman converse with congregants at Second Baptist Church of Detroit 180th Anniversary celebration.

Second Baptist Church is renowned for its commitment to “help free slaves so they could enjoy the privileges of citizenship,” is a cornerstone of the Second’s mission. The last stop on Route 4 of the Underground Railroad, the church helped thousands of runaway slaves escape to Canada.

Pastor Turman also spoke to celebrants regarding social issues and the church’s role in meeting those needs in a rapidly changing and often struggling world.

“It’s not so much where you have been, but rather where you ought to be,” said the younger Turman as he addressed anniversary celebrants. “Yes, preaching at a church with 180 years of

congregational ministry is no small feat. It is something not just to be acknowledged, but indeed celebrated.”

“What does this city, this state and this world need of Second Baptist Church of Detroit?” asked the younger Turman. “We have to tell them you’ve come too far to slow down now, you’ve come too far to rest on your laurels now, you’ve come too far

to play it safe now.. ” extolled Turman. “And it’s your job to extend that message to someone else. We have a responsibility to tell everyone … you are above and not beneath.” Second Baptist Church of Detroit is located at 441 Monroe, and continues its long-standing commitment to serve God, proclaim the Gospel and provide ministries to address the social realities of today. For more information on Second Baptist Church please call (313) 961-0920 or visit the website at www.secondbaptistdetroit.org

Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 16-22, 2016