2018 MEN OF EXCELLENCE
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Induction Celebration NEW DATE
MA R CA YOU K LE R ND AR
Friday, August 3, 2018 | 6PM - 9PM Motor City Casino
Michigan Chronicle
Vol. 81 – No. 42 | June 27 - July 3, 2018
End of an Era:
t.Lab Global Accelerated Learning Centers to host annual black tie fundraiser gala
Jimmy Settles
By Donald James Special to the Chronicle
Dr. Clarence Nixon, founder and CEO of t.lab Global Accelerated Learning Centers, is excited about the upcoming 5th Annual Black Tie Fundraiser Ball., to be held Friday, June 29 at the VisTA Tech Center on the campus of Schoolcraft College (18600 Haggerty Rd.) in Livonia, Mich. This year’s fundraising theme is, “Leveraging Our Legacy to Realize Academic & Marketplace Excellence.” The keynote speaker is Dr. William F. Pickard, founder and chairman of Global Automotive Alliance (GAA).
retires as UAW-Ford VP
By Roz Edward
N
ext month, after more than 30 years helming one of the nation’s largest and most diverse labor unions, James “Jimmy” Settles will conclude his long and extraordinarily productive run as vice president of UAW-Ford. As one of Detroit’s and the auto industry’s most prolific civil and human rights leaders, Settles rose to national and prominence as a skilled union negotiator, closing sensitive contract agreements with the State of Michigan, American Axle, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Boeing, Spirit Aerosystems, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Ford Motor Co. Many of those agreements having been struck in turbulent times and a racially charged climate.
“We are extremely excited about this event,” said Nixon. “We have been working tirelessly to confirm sponsorship support that will go a long way to help us continue our mission, which is to create, foster and promote achievement among urban students.”
During Settles’ long and illustrious career, he regularly negotiated sensitive agreements between the automaker and workers, garnering him the support of corporate executives, union members and Detroit's economic elite. News of the trade union activist’s decision to retire, which marks an end to Settles' era of bold bargaining, caused many of the city's business leaders, political officials and those who knew him in the community to react with shock and dismay, tempered with some measure of sorrow and foreboding.
According to Nixon, the Dr. William F. Pickard, Garden Citykeynote speaker based t.lab was established in 2007, to prepare young urban students, specifically African Americans, for leadership roles and careers in an array of professions. Such professions include, but are not limited to, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and areas of research, especially those related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (S.T.E.M.).
“I've spent a lot of time lately reflecting on my years at UAW-Ford. Now that my time as vice president is ending, it's hard to look back and say, ‘My work here is done,’” said Settles. “The truth is I'm not sure that's ever the case when it comes to retirement. But I'm proud of the work we've done – the jobs and benefits we've fought for and saved, the agreements we've reached and the promises we've made and kept to our workers and our communities.”
Proficiency in reading, English and writing is also a core objective for program participants. Since its inception, t.Lab has served more than 1,700 students (pre-k through college), and over 2,500 respective parents. “The academic goal for our students is to become independent learners and become tomorrow’s leaders.” said Nixon. “To realize desired program goals, parental involvement is a necessity. Parents are expected to participate in daily, weekly and monthly student development activities. t.lab’s Parent University equips parents with the necessary tools to enable and realize extraordinary academic achievements from their children, our students. We just don’t let parents drive-by and drop off their children.” While there are many organizations with programs aimed at empowering young urban people academically, t.lab is unique. “We believe that a self-directed learner is the best learner,” said Nixon. “Therefore our model of learning and
See FUNDRAISER page A5
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Settles worked zealously over the span of his career as a
See JIMMY
SETTLES page A2
Time Line Of SETTLES CAREER 1977 to 1980 he was elected
1990 Becomes a member of
1982 Appointed to the UAW Local
2002 Settles is elected director
bargaining committeeperson and vice president 600 staff
1983 Appointed UAW Local 600 1968 Settles begins work at Ford
staff director
1973 Elected district committee
administrative assistant
1975 Two years later, he was
members as recording secretary
Motor Co.’s Dearborn
person and unit recording secretary. elected unit vice president and district committeeperson,
WHAT’S INSIDE
1984 Appointed UAW Local 600 1984 Elected UAW Local 600 1987
Elected UAW Local 600 first vice president
the UAW-Ford National Negotiating Committee of UAW Region 1A where he plays a key role in successfully organizing campaigns at such automotive parts suppliers as Johnson Controls, Arvin Meritor, GKN Sinter Metals, ACI, Bridgewater Interiors and Hollingsworth.
2006
Elected vice president of UAW-Ford, a position he would remain in until his retirement in 2018.
RECAP
Pancakes & Politics Forum IV: CEO Roundtable
By Dan Dildy
GLOW Ya Body with
CREAM Blends City.Life.Style. C1
$1.00
of a new facility in the Oakland County area near Square Lake and Telegraph Roads and a new medical center is expected to be completed within 18-20 months. Henry Ford Health System is now "spreading its DNA internationally in places like Saudi Arabia and India,” commented Lassiter.
On June 21, 2018, the Michigan Chronicle closed its 13th season of Pancakes and Politics with Forum IV: CEO Roundtable. The sold-out breakfast featured panelists: Wayne County Chief Executive, Mr. Warren Evans, Wright Lassiter, CEO and President of Henry Ford Health System and Dr. M. Roy Wilson, President of Wayne State University. Moderated by Dennis Archer, Jr. and Vickie Thomas of WWJ Radio, the forum addressed a variety of important issues concerning Detroiters and the surrounding region. Each panelist conveyed a spirit of cooperation and synergy within and between their appropriate areas of expertise. One example of that is the quiet cooperation between Wayne State University and Henry Ford Health System. Although it has been publicly revealed that an affiliate negotiation is ongoing for the last 18 months, apparently no contracts
Warren Evans
M. Roy Wilson
have yet been signed, therefore neither chief of those entities were willing to provide details when asked about the negotiations. Wright Lassiter of Henry Ford Health System only offered a comment, "Roy and I continue to work together for a better Detroit."
code you lived in, statistically speaking, it used to be that you could live up to 13 years longer by living in a wealthier area of town," he said. The panelists all agreed that race has been a factor in obtaining good health care.
However, on the issue of health within the Detroit community, Lassiter discussed the historical disparities in health care. “Depending on which zip
Many believe that the situation is now changing because of equity investments and a more intimate connection to the community. Progress is being made in the development
Dr. M. Roy Wilson of Wayne State provided insight into his style of leadership. “I have always fought for the underdog; even as a kid I wanted to even the playing field if I saw a one-sided situation,” said Dr. Wilson. As president, he has provided innovative ideas and a new way of thinking. Graduation rates at Wayne State have tripled among minority and Latin students since he took the job. His experience and dedication is obvious as this is his third assignment as president of a University or college. Wayne State’s well-documented involvement in higher education with Detroiters goes all the way back to1868 when it was known as Detroit College of
See CEO
ROUNDTABLE page A2