MC Digital Edition 8.28.19

Stanley Clarke: Living legend and 2019 Detroit Jazz Festival’s Artist-in Residence to Perform Three Shows

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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 82 – No. 51 | Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

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Loans Available for Livernois Businesses Impacted by Construction

By Patreice A. Massey MANAGING EDITOR

As previously reported by the Michigan Chronicle, businesses located along Livernois have been negatively impacted by the recent construction. Help, however, is now here.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), through the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) and in partnership with the City of Detroit and various lending institutions, has created a zero-interest loan program for businesses impacted by construction along the Livernois commercial corridor. This financial tool will provide flexible capital to qualifying small businesses located in the Livernois streetscape improvement area between 8 Mile Rd. and Margareta Ave. “DEGC is working in lockstep with the city, business owners and funders to provide the financial assistance, marketing, logistics and other support needed to keep the Avenue of Fashion strong,” said Kevin Johnson, DEGC president and CEO. “As streetscape improvements launch in other retail districts, DEGC will bring its toolbox of resources and partners to assist businesses throughout the city.”

The zero-interest loan program lends financial stability to businesses experiencing reduced revenues during the construction period. This pilot mitigation program will include both a loan fund and access to small-business technical assistance. Based on their pre-streetscape revenues, eligible businesses can borrow between $5,000 and $20,000. The first payment on approved loans is due one year after closing. After making 24 months of on-time payments, business owners can have the remaining 36 months (60 percent) of their loans forgiven.

What’s in a Name?

Cobo Hall has been officially renamed TCF Center

By Branden Hunter Albert Cobo was not fond of the black residents he was elected to serve. The Republican mayor was a proponent of urban renewal, which displaced thousands of black residents in Detroit in the 1950s and 60s, and he neglected civil rights initiatives that would have integrated the city. The convention center that sits along the Detroit River has been named after the former racist mayor of the city for the last 60 years.

Tuesday, the Cobo Convention Center was given a new name.

Now that the merger between TCF Bank and Chemical Bank became official as of August 1, the downtown Detroit venue will be called TCF Center. The bank bought the 22-year naming rights to Cobo Center for $33 million.

Rain moved the press conference and sign unveiling inside, but the new name and signage were still revealed by TCF Executive Chairman Gary Torgow and Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) Chairman Larry Alexander, with the help of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, U.S. Sen. Debbie Gary Torgow, Executive Chairman, TCF Financial Cor-

See TCF

CENTER page A2

poration with Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“Supporting small businesses is a DEGC imperative,” said Pierre Batton, DEGC vice president of Small Business Services.

“Providing Livernois businesses access to capital during streetscape construction supports business owners today, so they will be well-positioned to take full advantage of the increased business that infrastructure improvements are expected to generate.”

Based on the program’s success, the DEGC will work with its partners to secure additional capital to service businesses impacted by streetscape construction in

See LOAN

FUND page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Keep That Same Energy: Let’s Talk About The Detroit Water Crisis

By Charles K. Dodson, Jr.

ican and those living in predominantly African-American neighborhoods.

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Rebel Nell Opens In Detroit!

City.Life.Style. C1

$1.00

For many of Detroit’s citizens, despite living in an urban American city, their living conditions are seemingly similar to that of a third-world country particularly when it comes to access to water. Between April 1, 2019, and August 1, 2019, a period of four months, there were 13,067 total households eligible for service interruption concerning their water, per City of Detroit records.

In order to be eligiblequalify for service interruption, a customer must either be: 60 days past due; or at least $150 past due. Of all those eligible qualified for disconnection, 11,801 households experienced service disruption, which equates to a staggering 90.3 percent.

According to the Service Interruption Summary released by the Detroit Water and Sewage Department on August 6, 2019, 7,370 of the 11,801 disconnected residents had not been reconnected,

While it may be debatable if this is more of an economic issue versus race, the reality is that this water crisis has greatly affected citizens. While some are for the first time having to face the ramifications associated with having their service disconnected, for others, it has been somewhat of a back and forth situation for quite some time.

Hydrate Detroit and a team of ‘water warriors’ address the water shutoffs at the recent board meeting on Wednesday, August 21, 2019. nearly 62 percent. However, City of Detroit officials speculate that only about 5,354 residents are actually without water, as they assert that approximately 2,016 of the disconnected households are vacant. Many citizens, especially those that have paid, want

the city of Detroit to restore service with the same energy in with which they disrupted service.

Detroit has received many allegations that the water shutoffs are racist in nature, as many of those affected are African-Amer-

A case in point, Ms. Sereetha Bond, a resident and homeowner on Detroit’s west side for 49 years. As a senior citizen living solely on meager insufficient funds that she receives from her Social Security check, Bond has found it to be a tremendous hardship at times to pay the high water bills she has accumulated. “At one point, my water bill charges were over $3,000,” Bond said in an interview with the Michigan Chronicle. Consequently, Ms. Bond’s water was

See WATER

CRISIS page A5

Page A-2 • michiganchronicle.com •

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

DETROIT SEVEN-DAY FORECAST MOSTLY SUNNY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

SUNNY

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

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WED. AUGUST 28 77°/57°

THUR. AUGUST 29 79°/66°

FRI. AUGUST 30 78°/57°

SAT. AUGUST 31 73°/58°

SUN. SEPT. 1 74°/57°

MON. SEPT. 2 77°/60°

TUE. SEPT 3 80°/66°

TCF Center From page A-1 Stabenow, Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony, and a host of the bank’s and DRCFA’s top leaders and other city, state, and community dignitaries.

“Today has been a long time coming and is a good day in the City of Detroit,” said Mayor Duggan.

“For the last three years, I have been pretty vocal with Larry Alexander about changing the name of this facility. And we need to be honest about some things. This center has been named after an individual that was responsible for policies that moved large numbers of African Americans out of their homes and businesses with no place to go, in the name of urban renewal. The pain caused in that time still reverberates today.”

Against the backdrop of 10 million visitors who come to the greater Detroit area and the 1.5 million visitors to the convention center annually, officials said TCF Center will continue to grow its bookings of meetings, conventions and event business as it has continued to set record-breaking numbers since its $279 million renovation. In fact, TCF Center had an unprecedented year in 2018 with 244 events and a 564 percent increase in revenue since 2009. Some of the center’s more well-known events include the North American International Auto Show, and the NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.

“We couldn’t be prouder or more honored to partner with the Authority on this unique opportunity to support our hometown and state.

It helps ensure a continued strong, vibrant future for the world-class Detroit convention center that connects our city to the world,” Torgow said. “It’s an important part of our larger, intentional effort to marry inclusion with investment across the city and its neighborhoods, region and state. We look forward to reaching new heights.”

Calls to remove Cobo’s name from the convention center increased as cities across the coun-

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Donnell R. White, Chief Diversity Officer, Chemical Bank. try began debating the fate of controversial statues in public places.

Cobo, who served as mayor from 1950 to 1957, was known for his racist policies, and ran on a platform of segregation, aiming to keep African Americans from living in predominantly white neighborhoods.

The native Detroiter was heavily criticized for spearheading urban renewal projects that razed black neighborhoods, most notably Black Bottom, which was replaced with the I-375/I-75 freeways. He was condemned throughout his career by civil rights groups that accused him of moving too slowly in response to harassment and police brutality against the city’s black residents and for continuing the city’s longstanding housing segregation policy. Cobo was Detroit’s mayor until he unexpectedly died of a heart attack on September 12, 1957, while completing his final two-year term. He was 63.

The former Cobo Hall or Cobo Center, has a special place in the heart of Detroiters. From the Detroit Pistons playing games there from 1961-1978, to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. first delivering an early rendition of his famous “I Have A Dream” speech there in 1963, from the auto show, and to the Detroit Public School League basketball playoffs and championships. But all good things come to

an end at some point.

“Today marks a new beginning and a new chapter in the novel of Detroit’s history,” said Rev. Anthony, who gave the closing remarks.

“Today is historic and important, because it serves as a bridge from a very negative and divisive past, into a positive and constructive future.

The name Cobo reminds us of an era that we seek to want to keep in the past, never to be resurrected in the future, even though there are those today seeking to take us back to a place of division and discrimination.”

Opened August 15, 1960, Cobo is the 17th largest convention center in the United States, and is among many other notable national and international convention and event centers. Every sitting U.S. president since 1960 has addressed a convention or attended an event there.

Following the press conference, the bank hosted a block party outside the convention center’s entrance. The day-long celebration featured free food catered by Slow’s BBQ, Centerplate, and frozen treats provided by Detroit Water Ice Factory. There were interactive games and several musical performances, including The Temptations and Selected of God Choir. DDOT city buses on 23 routes downtown for the event were also free.

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Loan Fund From page A-1

other retail districts. Interested business owners may apply in the following ways: • Download the loan application at degc. org and email the completed form to loans@ degc.org.

• Request a paper application by calling ­1-844-338-4626.

• Pick up an application at DEGC at 500

­ riswold St. Suite G 2200.

• Pick up an application from a DEGC staff member at Good Cakes and Bakes, 19363 Livernois Ave., Tuesday mornings, or Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois, Thursday mornings, 8. -10 a.m., through Oct. 3, 2019. Applications are available after then by appointment.

In addition to the loan application, business owners can find pertinent information at degc.org.

PAY YOUR WATER BILL ONLINE Skip the Line!

You can pay your water and sewer bill online from your computer or mobile device– without even leaving your home. Just create an account on our web portal and you can: • Enroll in autopay • Schedule payments • Track your water use in real time • Enter a payment plan arrangement

Visit www.detroitmi.gov/paymywaterbill or call 313-267-8000 for more information.

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-3

Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman to host Town Hall Discussion on the Phoenix Center’s Future

By Patreice A. Massey The City of Pontiac and Ottawa Towers ended six years of litigation last winter over the future of the Phoenix Center and rooftop plaza. It’s time for the city to take the next step to ensure that the critical deadlines laid out in the settlement agreement are met.

Mayor Deirdre Waterman is hosting a town hall meeting on the future of the Phoenix Center from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the facility’s amphitheater so the public can hear what designers, attorneys, contractors and local leaders have to say about its restoration.

City Council members have been presented with several options for financing the terms of the settlement since they signed off on the settlement agreement in November 2018. The agreement stipulated that the city is responsible for repairs and upkeep of the Phoenix Center. Some of these repairs must be completed by November 1, 2020, to avoid the city being in jeopardy of default and possibly risk losing the property altogether. Funding for approximately $16 million

in repairs and delayed maintenance is needed to bring the structure up to building code standards and make it fully functional again.

If the Phoenix Center settlement were to fall apart, the cost of a judgment would amount to $802.00 assessment for every resident in Pontiac.

“Time is weighing down on the City Council to save the Phoenix Center. We could still lose this case and expose the city to a potential loss of $33.6 million, including the Phoenix Center property itself,” says Mayor Waterman.

“We must avoid the mistakes made in the past with city assets such as the Silverdome and hold up our end of the bargain by funding the repairs to the Phoenix Center. This settlement is a win-win for both parties and the best possible outcome after years in court.”

Other features of the Town Hall will include a performance by song stylist Gwen Fox, a local favorite. Another highlight planned for the Town Hall will be the dramatic re-lighting of the long darkened tented canopy which crowns the Phoenix Center structure. City planners

are hoping this will evoke memories of the glory days when special events were held at the amphitheater as well as offering a foretaste of the excitement a restored Phoenix Center could bring to the city.

The settlement allows the city to retain ownership of the Phoenix Center and control its destiny as a catalyst for downtown development. Once the repairs and improvements are completed, Pontiac will have a state-of-the-art parking facility that will generate revenue and provide parking for the city’s rejuvenated downtown.

One of the financing plans that the City Council is considering is the of issuance of capital improvement bonds. This is the only one of the options that would not result in a cash payout from the city residents or an accompanying increase in their property taxes. According to the city’s Bond Counsel, Ron Lipscombe of Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone and Financial Advisor, Brian LeFlore of Robert W. Baird & Co., the bonding process would take about 18 weeks.

Ideally, the City Council could have begun the bonding

process in March in order to leave a comfortable timeline to complete the design and bids for the improvements, as well as the construction itself.

If the city were to rely entirely on the general fund surplus to pay for the construction, it would cause a budget deficit.

Pontiac is able to issue bonds once again due to the hard­ fought restoration of the city’s financial stability, emergence from state financial oversight and establishment of a budget surplus.

Presenters will answer questions about financing options at the Town Hall. The Town Hall is open to the public. Parking for the event is free at the Phoenix Center garage.

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28 WHERE: The amphitheater on top of the Phoenix Center at Saginaw and Water St. in downtown Pontiac. Enter at Phoenix Center garage Judson Street entrance; ushers will direct you.

JVS Human Services CEO Leah Rosenbaum Announces Plans to Retire in 2020

By Chronicle Staff The Board of Trustees of JVS Human Services, based in Southfield, Mich., has announced that Leah Rosenbaum, president and chief executive officer, has shared her intention to retire effective March 1, 2020. Ms. Rosenbaum has served more than half of her 40-year career in a leadership role at JVS, including six years as CEO and 18 years as Chief Operating Officer. The Executive Committee of the JVS board has established a search committee to assure a smooth transition in leadership.

“We are very proud of JVS Human Services’ excellent reputation for serving our community with heart, and we deeply appreciate Leah’s leadership and dedication to the people we serve,” said Josh Eichenhorn, chair of the JVS Human Services Board of Trustees. “We wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.”

Leah Rosenbaum

Since 1941, JVS Human Services has been a dedicated community partner helping individuals

and businesses achieve their employment goals.

The agency helps job seekers jumpstart their careers, provides enriching programs for people with disabilities and helps seniors remain active and engaged in the community.

In recognition of her tireless efforts, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit honored Ms. Rosenbaum with the Mandell L. and Madeleine H. Berman Award for Outstanding Professional Service in 2016.

“I have been blessed with a wonderful career doing what I love, the opportunity to work with people that I admire, and the privilege of serving people in our community,” said Ms. Rosenbaum. “JVS will always hold a special place in my heart. I leave feeling confident that our talented and caring staff and lay leaders will continue to passionately serve our mission, and that JVS Human Services will move forward and remain one of the best human services organizations.”

BLACK FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, INC. MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

Alice G. Thompson Chief Executive Officer

Alice G. Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Black Family Development, Inc. (BFDI), is pleased to announce the launch of its Training Institute with Keisha N. Allen serving as its newly appointed Executive Director.

Alice is also pleased to announce that Keisha has earned her Master of Science degree in Restorative Practices from the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP).

Keisha had the honor of being the keynote speaker during the graduation ceremony. She spoke about the importance of engagement with our youth and noted, “Engagement is meant to be willing to enter into war with our youth for the promise of purpose that is offered on the other side.” She continued, “the work of restorative practices will help us to effectively engage our youth.”

BFDI is uniquely postured to provide restorative practices trainings as the only affiliate partner with IIRP in the United States. In October 2018, BFDI was the host of the IIRP World Conference. It was the largest conference held

by IIRP with over 600 participants representing North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The attendees from North America represented 28 different US states and 4 Canadian provinces. Countries in attendance outside the US included Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

The Training Institute offers a variety of professional development series with its main focus on Restorative Practices.

For the past six years, Keisha has trained thousands of individuals in the educational and criminal justice systems. She has mediated victim-offender conferences and is skillful at providing coaching to school districts to ensure the full impact of restorative practices during the year.

BFDI’s impact in the restorative practices arena yields partnerships with organizations such as Wayne RESA, Plymouth Canton School Districts, Henrico County Virginia School District, The Obama Foundation’s My Brothers Keeper (MBK) and the Skillman Foundation. BFDI offers eleven restorative practices trainers that are licensed and equipped to provide stellar trainings.

BFDI trainings have proven to reduce suspensions and transform climates and cultures. BFDI Training Institute is committed to enhancing the lives of children, youth and families, through partnerships that make a difference.

Keisha N. Allen Master Restorative Practices Trainer Executive Director BFDI Training Institute

For more information on restorative practices, please contact Keisha Allen at (313) 758-0150 or email at kallen@blackfamilydevelopment.org.

BFDI Training Institute Offering

Evidence Based Restorative Practices Trainings & Coaching: ~ Introduction to Restorative Practices ~ Using Circles Effectively

Two-Day Training:

~ Facilitating a Restorative Justice Conference ~ Family Engagement & Empowerment ~ Restorative Parenting with Purpose ~ Listening Circles 2995 East Grand Boulevard~Detroit, MI 48202 ~ (313) 758-0150 ~ www.blackfamilydevelopment.org

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Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 | Page A-4

America’s Racial Wealth Gap Could Cost Economy $1.5 Trillion

By Charlene Crowell NNPA Newswire Contributor

America’s nagging racial wealth gap has been the focus of many research reports and economic policy debates.

Now new research analyzes the strong connection between disproportionate wealth and financial services and products that are either shared or denied with consumers of color.

Authored by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), The economic impact of closing the racial wealth gap, identifies key sources of the nation’s socioeconomic Charlene Crowell inequity with its accompanying racial and gender dynamics along with family savings, incomes, and community context.

“Black families are underserved and overcharged by institutions that can provide the best channels for saving,” states the report. “For instance, banks in predominantly black neighborhoods require higher minimum balances ($871) than banks in white neighborhoods do ($626). Unsurprisingly, 30% of Black families are underserved by their banks, and 17% are completely disconnected from the mainstream banking system because of a lack of assets and a lack of trust in financial institutions.”

Additionally, according to the MGI report, the nation’s overall economy is affected by racial wealth gaps, estimating that between 2019 and 2028, the cost of economic losses to the general economy will be in the range of $1.0$1.5 trillion.

Black America’s “racialized disadvantage” was created through historical forces – including private business practices and public policies that together advantaged white consumers while often excluding or relegating Black Americans. For example, the National Housing Act of 1934 limited housing options for Black Americans by assigning a D-rating to neighborhoods in general decline and occupied by lower-income residents.

Fast forward to more recent times, the Federal Reserve in 2017 found that Black consumers are 73% more likely than whites to lack a credit score due to “credit redlining”. This term refers to where a consumer lives to be the central determining factor in whether to approve credit, rather than the actual credit profile.

Among the MGI report’s other key findings are that: Black Americans can expect to earn up to $1 million less than white Americans over their lifetimes; Black men with no criminal records are less likely to receive job interviews than are white men with criminal records; The median wealth of a single Black women is $200, while that of a single white man is $28,900; and Black families are up to 4.6 times more likely to live in areas of concentrated poverty, than are white and Latino families; Geographically, 65% of Black Americans reside in one of only 16 states.

The states are also areas that score below the nation’s national average of 77 state performance metrics spanning economy, education, economic opportunity, fiscal stability, infrastructure

and more: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

“This study represents a critical look at the key components of wealth-building: access to community and family assets, ability to save, access to homeownership and availability of good jobs,” said Tom Feltner, Director of Research with the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL). “At every step it points to a widening racial wealth gap between Black families and white families.”

“With today’s Black homeownership rate hovering around 40%, while 73% of similarly situated whites own their homes, access to responsible mortgages remains more of a dream than a reality,” added Keith Corbett, a CRL EVP. When student loan debts and criminal incarcerations are factored into the racial wealth divide, an even more bleak scenario is disclosed.

“Incarceration is estimated to reduce annual wages by 40% -- not including the lost wages during the time served – for the formerly incarcerated,” states the MGI report, “reduces their economic mobility, and even increases the risk of school expulsion six times for their children….[B]lack men without criminal records are actually less likely to receive job interviews than are white men who have criminal records.”

For Black women, gender brings a dual “wage penalty”, according to the report. Median earnings for Black women are only 65% as much as those earned by white men, and 89% of median earnings for Black men. Black women typically borrow more in student loans, so their lower earnings bring stronger financial challenges in repayment years. As a result of these and other factors, the median wealth of a single Black woman is only $200, while that of a single white man is $28,900.

Both male and female Black college graduates are prone to support their families more so than their white college classmates. The financial assistance shared with older family members reduces the amount of disposable dollars that might have contributed more to paying down student debt or beginning financial investments like mutual funds or certificates of deposit.

“Education, while quite beneficial to those who attain it, is not an equalizer,” said Aracely Panameño, CRL’s Director of Latino Affairs. “And financial innovation and debt, even if well underwritten, can never undo historical racial discrimination that results in financial marginalization. Moving forward this situation can only be addressed through bold federal and state laws and policies that create equity of opportunity for all.”

Authors of the MGI report would likely agree.

“A number of simultaneous and mutually reinforcing initiatives will likely be necessary,” states the report.

“This work will be neither simple nor easy, but targeted, productive efforts will likely strengthen the economy, increase economic and social equity, and improve the quality of life for families.”

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s communications deputy director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher

PATREICE A. MASSEY Managing Editor | AJ WILLIAMS City.Life.Style. | Entertainment Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

The hundreds of thousands of distressed desperate women with babies, children and men from Central America, South America and Africa who journey thousands of miles from their countries, risking their lives and leaving those that they love behind to enter the United States for a new life, will not be stopped by a Southern border wall.

That belief is simply folly, or at worse, political Eddie Bernice Johnson rhetoric designed to win over emotional voters that can be easily manipulated during the election season by an administration whose life expectancy, many predict, will conclude in 2020.

Serious thinkers understand that a comprehensive federal immigration strategy and a working relationship with the leaders of nations such as Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, are critical to stem the tide of the massive numbers of migrants that are moving north.

Perhaps the president and those who help him to shape his immigration policy might consult with people such as the president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, who recently suggested that migrants

LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

CONTACT US 1452 Randolph • Detroit, MI 48226 • (313) 963-8100 e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com

THE GOSPEL TRUTH

Fix immigration…but don’t forget about us!

By Rev. Dr. Jim Holley

Immigration is a hot-button issue that’s dominating the political spectrum of the United States of America’s government and its politicians. And immigration is not just a federal issue, it also impacts this entire country on state, county and city levels, each and every day. The issues surrounding immigration, and how to fix it, have been around for decades, if not for at least a half-of-century or more.

While Democrats and Republicans have dueling ideologies about how to secure borders, fix immigra- Rev. Jim Holley tion, and address immigrants who are already in America – or on their way - legally and illegally, in most cases whatever solutions are reached through policies and laws will have a profound negative impact on African Americans.

As African Americans, we’ve always been about seeking equality and fairness for ourselves and others who’ve been oppressed. No group or nationality of people should be treated any differently than another. However, when illegal immigrants stream across borders at record rates, it does have a significant effect on America and black folks, in terms of the economy, in terms of healthcare delivery, in terms of employment and education opportunities, and in terms of how

organizations, businesses or individuals affect social empowerment policies and opportunities.

And you know, black people are already at the bottom of the ladder when it comes to being beneficiaries of any and all of the above areas.

While answers are being sought as how to handle America’s immigration problem through policies and laws, I have one important question: What about us as African Americans? Somehow and someway, black people in this country have been lost in the whole argument surrounding immigration.

What bothers me more than anything is that leadership, on multiple levels of the government, dismiss black people for the most part. And such dismissals start with the top officeholder in the country: The President of the United States. From there “the dismissal” in many forms trickles down from politicians of both political parties, as the hot issues of immigration heat up even more to find solutions.

Hello! We are already inside the borders of this country, and have been for 400 years – and counting. Yet, we are still being dismissed and can’t get our fair share of the resources available.

Even our black leaders on national levels are more concerned about immigration and borders these days than they are about helping us.

I know that immigration must be fixed.

I also realize that America can’t take in everyone. And yes, I’m sensitive to the ill treatment and toxic rhetoric that immigrants from black countries or brown countries see and hear when

HUD’s Move to Weaken Protections Against Housing Discrimination WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement condemning the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposal to weaken a key aspect of the Fair Housing Act, the disparate impact standard, under which defendants can be held liable for policies or practices that have a discriminatory impact without proof of malicious intent.

“For too long, the federal government played a heavy hand in the institutionalization of overt rac- Maxine Waters ism and systemic inequality in our housing market through redlining practices, residential segregation, and lax industry regulation. While great strides have been made since the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, housing discrimination continues to exist, and we must remain diligent in the face of artificial intelligence, algorithms, and other innovations in our housing market that can perpetuate discriminatory outcomes.

“Since January 2019, the Committee on Financial Services has held a variety of hearings that have demonstrated that housing discrimination remains persistent and threatens our economic prosperity as a country.

“Rather than taking these fair housing concerns seriously, Secretary Carson has proposed a rule that represents yet another egregious step by this Administration toward the dismantling of key civil rights protections in America. The proposed rule would make it substantial-

A Fool’s Folly

By Eddie Bernice Johnson

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997

would remain in the country that he leads if there were sufficient employment and a safe environment.

President Bukele recently urged Washington to become his country’s partner in creative a massive jobs programs in El Salvador.

He said that he believes his government, with assistance from President Trump, could create nearly 400,000 jobs that do not exist today. Those jobs, President Bukele said, would discouraged Salvadorans from seeking a life in the United States, he added, saying “… if people have an opportunity for a decent job, a decent education, a decent health care system and security, I know that forceful migration will be reduced to zero.”

No one wants to leave their home. If the average person were to examine their own lives and found that they were jobless and fearful, they would search for a place where they could earn an income and raise their families in peace.

Isn’t that what the first settlers in this country did when they fled what they characterized was tyranny in England?

So, history teaches us that those who stand at our Southern Border eager to enter and those who are walking towards it are not much different from those who settled what is now the United States of America, which we have declared as the ‘the land of the free and the home of the brave.’

Congresswoman Johnson represents the 30th congressional district of Texas in the US House of Representatives.

ly more difficult for victims of housing discrimination, including persons with disabilities, families with children, and racial minorities, to prove their case in a court of law and thereby hold bad actors accountable for their actions.”

HUD’s announcement that it plans to weaken the disparate impact standard is part of a series of efforts by the Trump Administration to dismantle key civil rights protections in this country, including Secretary Carson’s refusal to implement the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule and HUD’s cruel proposal to terminate housing benefits for families with mixed-immigration status.

Chairwoman Waters continues to fight against these efforts, and in the 116th Congress, she convened hearings on numerous issues including homelessness, homeownership, appraisals, access to credit and financial technology to shed light on housing discrimination and the resulting disparities in housing trends.

In April 2019, the Chairwoman convened a hearing specifically focused on housing discrimination entitled, “The Fair Housing Act: Reviewing Efforts to Eliminate Discrimination and Promote Opportunity in Housing.”

In 2018, she introduced legislation to restore several fair housing protections that Secretary Carson has eliminated.

In 2015, the Supreme Court upheld the disparate impact standard under the Fair Housing Act in its Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs et al. v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc., et al. decision, thereby affirming the majority of appellate court decisions on the issue. Chairwoman Waters led the effort to submit a Congressional amicus brief in the Inclusive Communities case in support of the disparate impact standard under the Fair Housing Act.

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Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-5

Judge orders Johnson & Johnson to pay $572 million in opioid lawsuit

By Sean Murphy Associated Press

An Oklahoma judge on Monday found Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries helped fuel the state’s opioid crisis and ordered the consumer products giant to pay $572 million, more than twice the amount another drug manufacturer agreed to pay in a settlement.

Cleveland County District Judge Thad Balkman’s ruling followed the first state opioid case to make it to trial and could help shape negotiations over roughly 1,500 similar lawsuits filed by state, local and tribal governments consolidated before a federal judge in Ohio.

“The opioid crisis has ravaged the state of Oklahoma,” Balkman said before announcing the judgment. “It must be abated immediately.”

An attorney for the companies said they plan to appeal the ruling to the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Before Oklahoma’s trial began May 28, the state reached settlements with two other defendant groups — a $270 million deal with OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma and an $85 million settlement

Sabrina Strong, an attorney for Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries, answers a question during a news conference following the announcement of the decision in in the Opioid Lawsuit. with Israeli-owned Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Oklahoma argued the companies and their subsidiaries created a public nuisance by launching an aggressive and misleading marketing campaign that overstated how effective the drugs were for treating chronic pain and understated the risk of addiction. Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter says opioid overdoses killed 4,653 people in the state from 2007 to 2017.

Hunter called Johnson & Johnson a “kingpin” company that was motivated by greed. He specifically pointed to two former Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries, Noramco and Tasmanian Alkaloids,

Water crisis From page A-1 was able to receive support from her neighbors who gracefully allowed her to use their water for drinking, hygiene and cleaning purposes.

Bond also spoke about how the water crisis issue in Detroit really affects the senior citizens and those of low socioeconomic status in the city: “We need some type of system for the senior citizens and those that are low income,” Bond expressed. “We need something in place that we can afford to pay with the income we make.” Fortunately, through her involvement with an organization called Hydrate Detroit, Bond was able to get her water turned back on.

Hydrate

Detroit,

founded

which produced much of the raw opium used by other manufacturers to produce the drugs.

On Monday, Hunter said the Oklahoma case could provide a “road map” for other states to follow in holding drugmakers responsible for the opioid crisis.

“That’s the message to other states: We did it in Oklahoma. You can do it elsewhere,” Hunter said. “Johnson & Johnson will finally be held accountable for thousands of deaths and addictions caused by their activities.”

Among those seated in the courtroom on Monday were Craig and Gail Box, whose son Austin was a 22-year-old standout linebacker for the Oklahoma

2016, is a nonprofit organization that assists residents with water issues by delivering emergency water and providing support to residents to get their water issues resolved. The support that Hydrate Detroit provides includes helping to repair minor plumbing issues and paying down payments up to 10 percent for citizens whose water has been shut off.

While speaking to Demeeko Williams, founder and chief director of Hydrate Detroit, he was not bashful in stating his position on the Detroit Water Crisis, especially regarding water shut-offs. “The water issue is systematic racism,” said Williams. “We have a problem with water shutoffs in a black city with black politicians and black lawmakers.”

in

Detroit officials have denounced

Sooners when he died of a prescription drug overdose in 2011.

One of the attorneys for the state, Reggie Whitten, said he also lost a son to opioid abuse.

“I feel like my boy is looking down,” Whitten said after the judge’s ruling, his voice cracking with emotion.

Oklahoma pursued the case under the state’s public nuisance statute and presented the judge with a plan to abate the crisis that would cost between $12.6 billion for 20 years and $17.5 billion over 30 years. Attorneys for Johnson & Johnson have said that estimate is wildly inflated. The judge’s award would cover the costs of one year of the state’s abatement plan, funding things like opioid use prevention and addiction treatment.

Attorneys for the company have maintained they were part of a lawful and heavily regulated industry subject to strict federal oversight, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, during every step of the supply chain.

Lawyers for the company said the judgment was a misapplication of public nuisance law.

Sabrina Strong, an attorney for Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries, said the companies have sympathy for those who suffer from substance abuse but called the judge’s decision “flawed.”

“You can’t sue your way out of the opioid abuse crisis,” Strong said. “Litigation is not the answer.”

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the cases consolidated before a federal judge in Ohio called the Oklahoma judgment “a milestone amid the mounting evidence against the opioid pharmaceutical industry.”

“While public nuisance laws differ in every state, this decision is a critical step forward for the more

than 2,000 cities, counties, and towns we represent in the consolidation of federal opioid cases,” they said in a statement.

Also on Monday, the Kentucky Supreme Court declined to review an earlier ruling , making previously secret testimony from former Purdue Pharma President Rickard Sackler and other documents public. The court record was sealed in 2015 as part of a $24 million settlement between Purdue and Kentucky.

The 17 million pages of documents were being shipped Monday from Frankfort to Pike County, where the case originated. The Pike County Circuit Court Clerk’s office could not immediately say how and when they would be available.

that idea completely, ensuring that they are only responding to residents’ failure to pay their water bills.

A study conducted at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor shows Detroit citizens are currently paying, on average, 10 percent of their monthly income on water. As if those findings were not astonishing enough, the Environmental Protection Agency, the organization created to protect human health and the overall environment, suggests that water bills should not require citizens to pay more than 4.5 percent of their monthly income.

Currently, the average water bill in Detroit is around $75 per month.

“Water is a human right,” Williams said. “The water crisis in Detroit does not belong to one person, it belongs to all of us.”

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Neighbors Making a Difference.

Congratulations to Huntington Bank and their tremendous contribution to the Warrendale/Cody Rouge neighborhood. Your partnership with the City, community leaders, and residents will make a lasting impact in this important neighborhood of Detroit.

Thank you from your friends at Chemical Bank!

Gary Torgow Executive Chairman of the Board of Chemical Financial Corporation

Thomas C. Shafer Vice Chairman of Chemical Financial Corporation and President and Chief Executive Officer of Chemical Bank

Donnell White Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Strategic Partnerships

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com •

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

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B1

| Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

Roots.

L!FE YSC 2019 Panel 2 w L!FE.

michiganchronicle.com

Detroit’s Young People Wrestle with their Place in a Changing City

By Eli Day Special to the Chronicle

The day is Friday, August, 9, and Wayne State’s Mike Ilitch School of Business is teeming with young people.

L!FE YSC 2019 Nicole Sherard Freeman (City of ­Detroit), Paul Glanz (Emagine) and Jill Brack (Sachse).

In the school’s Lear auditorium, where a massive screen stretches across the main wall and two others blast out the campus logo in Technicolor, a panel featuring a handful of both the city and state’s most influential institutional voices — Jeff Donofrio, director of the State of Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Anika Goss-Foster, executive director at Detroit Future City and Rico Razo, deputy director of Bridging Neighborhoods at the City of Detroit, to name a few — is holding court before a full house.

L!FE YSC 2019 Mike Ilitch School of Bus Dean Robert Forsythe & Assoc.

Dean Dr. Bertie Greer.

Dubbed the Youth Summit Conference, the inaugural affair was produced by student participants in the summer program of L!FE Leaders Inc., a “leadership and career development program” that supports young people as they navigate the often stormy journey of “finding your voice, articulating what you care about, establishing goals and the paths to achieve them,” says Amy Nederlander, one of the organization’s co-founders and current president. The conference, which spotlighted the opportunities available to young people amid Detroit’s uncertain economic landscape and the role they can play in its equally uncertain future, fits squarely under that umbrella.

L!FE YSC 2019 Rico Razo, State Rep. Karen W ­ hitsett and Jeff Donofrio.

L!FE Leaders’ aim for the day was intentionally ambitious. After realizing “that too few people know about the existing opportunities for careers, training and education,” Nederlander says, they decided to

L!FE YSC 2019 State Rep. Karen Whitsett mingling with students. bring the professionals together so that the high-schoolers could hear directly from those tasked with overseeing the city’s development.

And, at the same time, to hear how those officials plan to address mounting pressure to “keep De-

See YOUTH SUMMIT page B-2

MOE Better Awards Celebrate All Things Great About the East Side of Detroit

By Branden Hunter

To vote for your favorite east side business or block club, ECN has setup a Google doc to cast your vote. Past winners of the MOE Better Awards have included the East English Village Association, The Craft Café, Harper Upholstery, They Say Restaurant, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Charlevoix Village Association, Chandler Park, Sister Pie, and Caper’s, among others. Voting ends August 31.

Despite those on the east side of Woodward Avenue being hated on by those on the west side, the east side of Detroit and its residents have plenty to offer. It will all be on display at the “Most Outstanding on the Eastside” Awards to be held September 27 at the Eastside Community Network’s (ECN) 31st Annual Eastside Extravaganza at the Roostertail.

“We want people to see that the east side does have amazing, highly-functioning neighborhoods, groups, block clubs, and restaurants,” said Bailey.

“We have a premier Detroit park in Chandler Park that gets mowed every single week. We have been able to install football and lacrosse fields around the east side, and others things that do not get highlighted. The MOE Better Awards counter the negativity about the east side with positivity.”

The MOE Better Awards, as the Eastside Community Network calls it, have been going on for as long as the organization has been in existence, and celebrates all that is good about the east side of Detroit. The categories include: Best Restaurant, Best Block Club/Neighborhood Group, Best Fun Spot, Best Small Business, Best Employer of Eastside Residents.

Winners of each category will go home with a plaque.

“For a long time, the narrative around the east side was always a negative one,” said Orlando Bailey, chief development officer for ECN and a na-

tive east-sider. “Especially on the lower east side, we weren’t targeted for investment or by private philanthropy. We had

to advocate and do everything that we were able to get done by ourselves. And if no one was going to recognize the dope-

ness that’s on the east side, we wanted to create a platform that would do that on a big stage, and in a positive light.”

The Eastside Extravaganza will be an evening of elegant dining, dancing, award-giving,

See EAST SIDE page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

East Side From page B-1

and socializing with 500 of the east side of Detroit’s finest neighbors. Funds raised from the event will support the community and commercial development, youth leadership, and mobility out of poverty programs. Larry Lee and Back In The Day will provide the sounds once again and WDIV Local 4’s Andrew Humphrey returns as this year’s Master of Ceremonies. There will also be a live and silent auction and a 50/50 raffle.

Youth Summit

its success. She’s observed students who sit quietly by themselves at the start of the program soon become robust contributors to the conversation and find their voice.

From page B-1 troit, Detroit” amid wide public frustration in the city’s poor and working-class communities over what researchers at the Urban Institute have called “a tale of two cities.” Though the tale can be complicated in its details, it’s simple in its overall arc: as Peter Moskowitz describes in his book “How to Kill a City: Gentrification, Inequality, and the Fight for the Neighborhood,” capital has overwhelmingly flowed to Detroit’s downtown core, while the neighborhoods continue to face a swarm of social crises, creating a situation in which “the chasm between rich and poor is growing.”

Students weren’t shy about questioning how their city’s leaders plan to address the multiple challenges this situation

L!FE YSC 2019 Panel 1 on stage Jeff Donofrio, Anika Goss, Rico Razo and State Rep Whitsett. presents, drilling them on everything from the rising cost of living to the opportunity-snatching clutches of the criminal justice system. Each of the panelists made sure to acknowledge the legitimacy and seriousness of those concerns. Donofrio spoke about the potential size and scope of revitalization, while

Razzo, Goss, and others, shared their perspectives on what the Detroit of next 20 to 50 years will require to flourish while avoiding the potential pitfalls of gentrification.

This deep curiosity and hunger for answers, Nederlander adds, is one of the benchmarks by which L!FE Leaders measures

Composed of a web of students representing organizations across the city, the Youth Summit Leadership Council plans to meet throughout the year with two objectives in mind: building on the goals they’ve established for themselves during the conference as well as providing support to other young people and community leaders whose missions overlap with their own.

Ultimately, Nederlander and her organization hope to see these young people carve out their own unique lanes, from owning small or large businesses and joining local government to growing into great parents and mentors who lead Detroit in the future.

Back to School: How to Approach Anxiety Instead of Avoiding It How to Handle Stress and Anxiety you know how difficult this is for them. As your child has more time living with the stressors, they will see that their stress and anxiety is actually decreasing. When we are afraid, the worst part is the anticipatory phase before we experience the dreaded fear. If you have the chance to shorten that period of anticipatory time for your anxious child/children, you can save them a lot of extra stress.

The first in a series by the therapists from the Birmingham Maple Clinic “How to Approach Anxiety Instead of Avoiding It”

Lori Kanat Edelson

LMSW, LMFT Birmingham Maple Clinic www.birminghammaple.com As conscientious parents, we want to help protect our children when they experience anxiety.

Ironically, sometimes by trying to shield our kids from anxiety, we may in fact prevent them from working through it.

Learning to tolerate anxiety and come out well on the other side, is actually a first step in learning how to manage anxiety. “Managing” is the operative concept. “Fighting” and “avoiding” anxiety and the triggering stressors is are actually counter-productive. What we want to do is to teach our kids how to handle the anxiety by facing it.

When your child is anxious about something, the most important thing you can do for them is to assure them that they will be okay, that they will be able to manage-

Lori Kanat Edelson it, and to explain that as they go through the process, their anxiety will, in fact, begin to decrease.

Be careful not to exacerbate their fears, but instead help them understand the reasons for their fears and encourage them to face their fearsthem while assuring them that you will be there to help them through it. It’s important for parents to make sure they are not communicating their own anxiety to their children without realizing it.

Let your child know that you are aware of how they feel and that

Talking through “what might happen” and “what they are afraid of” helps the child develop coping tools that make sense and may provide comfort for their unanswered fears about “what if…?”

Just having a plan to cope with stress can be a great reliever. Slow, deep breathing and physical exertion are techniques to discharge excess stress and easy to teach kids.

As with everything we do as parents, modeling how to cope with stress and fears using healthy, adaptive skills will provide good examples for our children. If their stress and anxiety do not abate after a few weeks of modeling and talking, it is probably wise to consult a professional.

DTE’s Beacon Park announces fall lineup of free events

Football games on the big screen, Design Core Detroit art in the park, Cider in the City weekends, Parktoberfest and more Cheer on the Detroit Lions, Wolverines and Spartans during watch parties and enjoy trick-or-treating in the park

DTE’s Beacon Park, located at Grand River and Cass Avenues in Detroit, will feature a variety of free, fun events to celebrate and enjoy the upcoming season. The fall series is presented by the DTE Beacon Park Foundation and programmed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (NEW) Friday, Sept. 13 and Saturday, Sept. 14 | Shows start at 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7 p.m.)

Take the campy Rocky Horror Picture Show, add an ensemble performance by The Detroit Actor’s Theatre Company mirroring the movie, and top the night off with a Rocky Horror goody bag, and you’re sure to enter an interactive time warp of fun. The event is free to attend, and signature cocktails are available for purchase from Lumen Detroit. Popcorn and other food trucks will also be onsite.

5th Annual Parktoberfest Saturday, Sept. 22, noon – midnight and Sunday, Sept. 23, noon – 8 p.m.

Back and better than ever, expect a full two-day celebration of German-style food, music and entertainment that is as good as it gets without going to Bavaria. Head over to Beacon Park dressed Munich-style in dirndls and lederhosen and listen to live music, drink German Oktoberfest beers, eat sauerkraut and bratwurst, participate in cornhole tournaments and play other lawn games.

A special feature this year is a dream destination for beer lovers: the Big Biergarten Tent.

The largest tent of its kind to appear at Beacon Park yet, the Big Biergarten is an ideal location for keg tappings, stein hoisting competitions and taste-testing a vast variety of craft, Michigan and other specialty beers. Bavarian dance performances and other German cultural traditions will be showcased. Food for purchase will be available from the Bavarian Inn Cluck Truck and Lumen Detroit. The Faygo Root Beer Garden will specialize in serving ice cream floats from noon – 5 p.m. on both days, and there will be fan-favorite foods for both children and adults. Special activities just for kids will be onsite, as well as prizes for competitions and other giveaway items.

Cider in the City Saturdays (NEW) Saturdays, 1 – 5 p.m. from Sept. 28 to Oct 26

What better way to spend every fall Saturday than at a cider mill located in the heart of Detroit? For five consecutive fall Saturdays, Michigan-based Blake’s Orchard and Cider Mill will offer free horse-drawn hayrides, fresh donuts, cider and caramel apples available for purchase and the park will be transformed with fall décor, perfect to capture family photos. Each week will include free themed activities and make and take projects for kids, games, entertainment and food trucks.

Detroit Design Core | Month of Design Installation (NEW)

College football fans are invited to cheer on their team and watch several big games on the jumbo screen. There will be a DJ and lawn games along with signature drinks from Lumen and tailgate fare for purchase. The Beacon Park Watch Parties schedule is as follows: Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:30 – 11 p.m. Michigan State vs. Ohio State Saturday, Nov. 16, TBD game time University of Michigan vs. Michigan State Saturday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. University of Michigan vs. Ohio State Detroit Lions Watch Parties Get out your Honolulu blue and come to Beacon Park to root for the Detroit Lions while the team is on the road. Football fans of all ages are welcome to enjoy music, lawn games, ticket giveaways and watch away games livestreamed on the big screen under the comfort of a tent. Food truck fare and a bar provided by Lumen will be available. The party kicks-off one hour before the following games: Monday, Oct. 14, 7 – 11 p.m. Lions vs. Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 3, 3 – 8 p.m. Lions vs. Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 10, noon – 5 p.m. Lions vs. Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec 8, noon – 5 p.m. Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

Prototypes on display in Beacon Park from September 20 to October 13

Halloween Family Fun Day

Detroit’s Month of Design is a citywide celebration of creativity. Every September, partners from across Detroit come together to share their latest works and ideas. These events take place in all corners of the city of Detroit. At Beacon Park, an installation that collectively celebrates Detroit as a design capital will be on display to the public for three weeks this fall.

Gather your little goblins and head to Beacon Park’s free Halloween Family Fun Day. Come dressed to impress and ready for a howling good time complete with trick-or-treating, face painting, make-and-take projects, cider and donuts, music and more.

College Football Watch Parties

Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 – 5 p.m.

Visit DTEBeaconPark.com for more information and a full list of fall activities at DTE’s Beacon Park.

“This will be the best party on the east side,” said Bailey.

Bailey, who has been with the ECN for seven years, has deep east side roots, growing up near the area of Mack Avenue and Manistique. When the Mack-Alter Square shopping plaza was developed in 2005, the Eastside Community Network had to assemble the land on the corner of Mack and Alter Road. Several landowners were convinced to sell their homes in order to do so, one being Bailey’s grandmother.

“I call it the living room of the community,” said Bailey, whose family migrated from rural Mississippi to Detroit’s Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood in the 1940s.

“Right where the Family Dollar is in the plaza is where I grew up. That’s where my living room was.”

“The east side is home for me and to be able to work for an organization that serves the constituency that I actually grew up knowing and who knew my grandmother, it means a lot. It means legacy as well. Our family home that my great-grandparents purchased, at 615 Algonquin, is still in the family four generations later.”

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE GAS CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-20369 • DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission to approve the reconciliation of its 2018 Energy Waste Reduction (“EWR”) plan costs and authority to implement revised EWR surcharges.

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

• You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226, 313-235-8000 for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the documents at the offices of DTE Gas Company.

• A pre-hearing will be held:

DATE/TIME:

Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at 9:30 AM

BEFORE:

Administrative Law Judge Dennis Mack

LOCATION:

Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, Michigan 48917

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.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a pre-hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) May 31, 2019 application requesting Commission to: 1) determine that DTE Gas’s reconciliation of its 2018 EWR plan year meets all relevant requirements of Act 295 as amended by Act 342; 2) approve DTE Gas’s reconciliation for the 2018 EWR plan year, the performance incentives, and the associated proposed tariffs; 3) approve DTE Gas’s proposal to carry forward the 2018 under-recovery of $7.0 million into 2019 on a customer class basis and used as beginning balances for the 2019 reconciliation; and 4) approve the necessary accounting authority.

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 September 10, 2019. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas Company’s attorney, David S. Maquera, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 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 Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and 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 Company’s application 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.; 2008 PA 295, as amended, MCL 460.1001 et seq., and Parts 1 & 4 of the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, Mich. Admin Code, R 792.10106 and R 792.10401 through R 792.10448.

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-3

Obama Academy Opens This Fall on Detroit’s East Side

By Branden Hunter School districts that are predominantly African American deserve to have schools honoring prominent and successful African Americans. And this fall, one school on the city’s east side is honoring former President Barack Obama.

Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, a public charter school, has been changed to the Barack Obama Leadership Academy. Additionally, the school will expand its holistic kindergarten through eighth-grade curriculum to integrate the nationally-recognized Leader in Me program.

“President Barack Obama epitomizes the personal values and leadership characteristics that we endeavor to instill in each of our students,” said Bernard Parker, CEO of Magnum Educational Services, the school’s management company. “With his innate ability to inspire people across our nation and around the globe, we are pleased to name our school in honor of President Obama.”

Recognizing the importance of a solid educational foundation, including academics, critical thinking skills, self-confidence, and the exploration of the arts, athletics and community service, the curriculum

Former President Barack Obama spoke at a voting rally held at Detroit Cass Tech High School in 2018. PHOTO- Kory Woods. is designed to equip students with fundamental academics, expand their horizons, and develop their leadership capabilities to prepare them for lifelong success.

The school hosted a fundraising breakfast at the Detroit Athletic Club to support the purchase of the Leader in Me materials, ongoing training and curriculum implementation and the school’s annual open house and enrollment event.

The event featured appearances

by Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council President Brenda

Jones, The Skillman Foundation President and CEO Tonya Allen, Judge Greg Mathis, and others. Mathis also made an appearance at the school’s annual Open House and Enrollment event. The event was free to the public and included food, live music, and family activities. Barack Obama Leadership Academy is currently enrolling kindergarten through eighthgrade students.

“We firmly believe every child has an inherent leadership ability that must be nurtured and developed during their forma-

The Barack Obama Leadership Academy will be the first high school in Detroit named after a U.S. President. PHOTO- Ridgeley Hudson. tive educational years,” said Cha-Rhonda Edgerton, principal of the Barack Obama Leadership Academy. “The Leader in Me curriculum integration enables us to provide our students with the academic and much-needed life skills required to excel both inside and outside the classroom now and throughout their lives.”

The Barack Obama Leadership Academy is located at 10800 East Canfield near Detroit’s East Village neighborhood. Prior to being named

Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, it was named after late federal Judge Damon J. Keith who passed away earlier this year.

Obama Academy pledges to offer a unique, holistic, student-centered academic experience with a leadership development focus, small class sizes, free tuition, breakfast and lunch, and free transportation for eligible students. As a designated 21st Century Learning Center, free after school programs are also available.

Detroit Children’s Fund to Create Change in Detroit Schools Via Collaboration Collective

By Chronicle Staff Detroit Children’s Fund (DCF), a nonprofit organization seeking to improve education in the city, has begun the first year of its School Collaboration Collective (SC2) program. SC2 is a program designed to forge a long-term partnership between DCF and four carefully selected Detroit non-profit, public charter schools. DCF will invest $3.5M in the selected schools over the next two years.

SC2 takes a holistic approach to school improvement by combining national best practices and school level data to improve student performance.

The unique program provides intensive support to each school with 1:1 coaching for teachers and instructional leaders, computers and technology for students, school visits, common core aligned curriculum, and intensive leadership training.

“We wanted to create a program that

addresses the systemic issues in the Detroit education system at the school level,” said Jack Elsey, executive director, Detroit Children’s Fund. “SC2 is helping schools that have shown indicators of success and a strong belief that all children can succeed. We are implementing customized strategies at each school that enable them to improve their academics.”

The four participating schools are: Escuela Avancemos Academy, Detroit

Academy of Arts and Sciences, Hope Academy, and Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. These schools are learning together – collaborating with one another throughout the process of the program through monthly cohort training sessions.

“We know education is the foundation of progress in our communities; it is central to our well-being, economic progress, a productive workforce and a more engaged public,” said Erica Robertson, deputy director, DCF. “We identified schools that had strong leadership and the right mindset for improvement, who will create sustainable change for years to come.”

DCF recognizes that great schools require great leaders and teachers. The program equips staff with best practices, training and expert advice to improve student outcomes. In the early stages of the program, DCF is already seeing significant results and Escuela Avanc­ emos Academy is a perfect example of

that change.

Escuela Avancemos was forced to move buildings at the end of the 2018/19 school year, and administration worried about losing teachers with the transition. Due to the SC2 plan to provide increased instructional support and retention bonuses for school staff, Escuela Avancemos was able to retain 100 percent of its staff for the upcoming school year.

“The partnership with DCF came at a critical moment for our school,” said Sean Townsin, principal, Escuela Avancemos Academy. “The support our teachers are getting through the program, in both professional development and monetary incentives, helped to make our teachers feel respected and valued, and ultimately want to stay.”

To learn more about the Detroit Children’s Fund and the School Collaboration Collective visit: www.DetroitChildrensFund.org.

Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com • Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

DR. CONRAD C. MAITLAND: A Man on a Mission Spreading the Word that

‘PROSTATE AWARENESS and EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES’

by David C. Butty

You may have heard about the stereotype linked to medical doctors -- a stethoscope in one hand and a golf club in the other hand bore well with Dr. Conrad C. Maitland, a longtime Site Director of Urology Residency at SinaiGrace Hospital, and have served as Chief of the Department of Urology at the hospital in Detroit. He sometimes spends his spare time playing golf just to Dr. Maitland relieve the stress. While doctors may use golf to relieve stress from long hours of work, every golfer, even the professionals, can attest to the occasional frustration when it comes to hitting bad shots or missing that five-foot putt, and Dr. Maitland is no exception.

“I don’t have much spare time, but when I can, I love chasing that little white ball with the enjoyment and relaxation it brings me. I also enjoy soccer, cricket, basketball and track and field. I consider myself a sports enthusiast.”

For over three decades now, Dr. Maitland, himself a prostate cancer survivor, has been on a mission of educating men; most especially African American men about prostate cancer; a disease which kills more African American men than any other disease. “This is my passion, to help African American men take good care of their health to minimize the risk of prostate cancer, said Dr. Maitland.

“In 2002, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am a prostate cancer survivor. This topic has not become my passion, simply because I ‘fell on my sword,’ but for years, even before my diagnosis, I preached prostate awareness and that early detection saves lives. For many years, I have sponsored and participated in prostate awareness programs, through several community organizations including different churches. I always welcome the opportunity to speak on urology topics, especially prostate cancer – screening, awareness, risk factors, and treatment. This condition has taken its toll on young African American men. African American men age 40 and older need to be proactive and spread the word about awareness.’

A native of Grenada, West Indies, Dr. Maitland is a graduate of Wayne State University Medical School. He obtained his formative years of schooling under the British System of education in his native country of Grenada, before coming to the United States to pursue his advance educational goals. “I attended college beginning at the New York University and ending at the University of Detroit; where I earned my Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology; before attending medical school at Wayne State University. In 1978, I graduated from WSU’s Medical

School; and did my Surgical Residency at Sinai Hospital in Detroit; and my urology residency; at WSU which was completed in 1983.

“Medical school was never an initial dream. It became a reality during college. My family (Grenadians) always believed in upward mobility and great achievements, and so I always have had great expectations for myself. As a family, we always believed in being ambitious, in hard work and dedication. Having being brought up that way, it was not difficult to pursue high educational professional goals,” he said.

Dr. Maitland, who runs the Sherwood Urology Practice on Detroit’s near west side, said giving back to a community that rear you runs in his family. “At an early age, our parents instilled in us as children a giving spirit – never to forget your humble beginning; don’t forget where you came from and cast your bread upon the waters,” our mother would often say to us.” He is the 5th child of a family of nine children; five boys and four girls. “By contrast, I have only one child, Nicholas Maitland (Atty. at Law) and three wonderful, delightful grandsons – the apples of my eyes – Christian, Cameron and Alex.”

Dr. Maitland has never forgotten his mother’s words and has not forgotten his humble beginning and his native land. He makes annual visit to Granada, which he calls his “Granada Mission. “This is made possible through cooperative efforts from staff or relief donations (supplies) that would otherwise go to waste. Annually, we will send barrels of medical supplies/equipment for the Mission in Grenada.

While in Grenada, I will operate several urology clinics throughout the island; perform urology surgeries at the main hospital; the St. Georges General Hospital. The need in Grenada is tremendous, and what I contribute is only a drop in the bucket,” he said.

“My second home is in Detroit. I consider myself “home grown” as a urologist practicing in Detroit. I always wanted to remain in the community, the place where I could do the most good to the people most in need. I always felt that the local community is where I could make the most impact or contribution, giving back the most to the ones who need it. I will always perform these community activities.

I will never stop.”

“I have been in private practice now for 36 years in the city of Detroit, and at the Livernois Seven Mile location, my permanent location for the past 24 years. This location is central and provides good transportation route for everyone. It is 7-10 minute from Sinai Grace Hospital and easily accessible from the freeways and bus routes,” he added.

“In 1986, I had the opportunity to visit China. While there, I was able to observe several acupuncture medical and surgical treatment, including open heart surgery. Three years later, I became certified in Medical Acupuncture through a UCLA Program. That training helped my subsequent pursuit in the City of Detroit drug treatment. As I worked in the clinics performing drug detoxification and acupuncture detoxification. Today, the whole world is faced with a great drug problem – the Opioid Crisis. The problems faced in the 90’s pale in comparison to the Opioid crisis.

Prostate cancer is a disease which kills more African American men than any other disease. “This is my passion, to help African American men take good care of their health to minimize the risk of prostate cancer.”

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5

Dr. Maitland will perform another of his community services, and his service to the people when he leads an array of physicians during the

Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD’s) first Opioid symposium to be held at the Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus 801 West Fort Street, Detroit, in the Frank Hayden Community Room August 30, 2019, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

The symposium is free to the public and parking is available. Participants will learn how to unmask the epidemic and the role of regulations.

Today, the whole world is faced with a great drug problem – the Opioid Crisis.

The problems faced in the 90’s pale in comparison to the Opioid crisis.

Maitland, who will serve as moderator for the day’s program will put the opioid crisis into perspective. “This is not the first time that America has been plagued by an epidemic. Like the epidemic in past years, the opioid epidemic is real, touching real people and real lives. Thousands of US citizens died from opioid overdose in recent years,” he said. “How did we get here? Is this the first time this country has faced a crisis with drugs? The answer is NO! The story of opioids has plagued us for more than 150 years.

We should care about it. We all should learn the deadly truth about opiates in order to veer off the road to addiction; while unmasking the deadly epidemic. There is a lot of blame to go around—from manufacturers, to distributors, to pharmacies, to doctors, to illicit drug pushers—and even governmental agencies. Governmental agencies are trying to put a handle on things with guidelines, rules and regulations. These agencies include the CDC, FDA, DEA, CMS and state governments,” Dr. Maitland said.

Also on the panel will be Stephanie Beachnau, Pharm D., who will talk about the Road to Addiction. “Despite increasing attention relating to appropriate pain management with opioids and education about the dangers of inappropriate opioid use and abuse, the opioid epidemic continues.

An understanding of the basic pharmacology of opioids and how opioid use could lead to addiction can help prevent the opioid epidemic from continuing in the future,” she said.

Dr. Sagar Patel will address the Pain Pathways in Addiction. “Opioid medication has been at the center of pain management for centuries, yet has only recently garnered national attention,” he said.

“To truly understand this medication and its implication on society, we need to focus first on how it behaves in our body. This presentation will unravel some of its mystery and bring us one step closer to understanding its role in our world.”

Dr. Marvin Glass said drug overdose deaths was 47,000 in 2017 and it about time that people understand the epidemic. “The opioid epidemic can be outlined in three waves: 1990: increased prescribing; 2010: increased heroin use and 2013: increased synthetic opioid use Signs and symptoms of opioid addictions; Change in mood or Lack of interest in activities; sadness and fatigue.

Also speaking at the symposium will be Dr. Carmen McIntyre, who will address the opioid Crisis and its community impact in Michigan. “The opioid epidemic has become a national emergency, with Michigan being hard hit,” she said. “Opioid overdose deaths are now double the number of traffic deaths in Michigan. This talk will outline the community impact the epidemic has had, from the person suffering with the addiction, to first responders, to legislation.”

Joann Watson, a WCCCD professor and community activist will provide the closing and food for thoughts on the crisis.

“The Opioid Crisis must be addressed comprehensively with each of us playing key roles. Educators, Students, Community, Health Care Experts, Policy Makers, Legislators and Media must harness our specific skills and expertise to craft a sustainable workable solution to the Opioid Crisis. The time to begin is NOW and the place to begin is HERE.”

OPIOID FAST FACTS • Opioids bind to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, disrupting pain signals. They also activate the reward areas of the brain by releasing the hormone dopamine, creating a feeling of euphoria.

• Opioids such as morphine and codeine are naturally derived from opium poppy plants. Heroin is an illegal drug synthesized from morphine.

• In 2016, the most widely prescribed opioid was hydrocodone (Vicodin). In 2016, 6.2 billion hydrocodone pills were distributed nationwide. The second most prevalent opioid was oxycodone (Percocet). In 2016, 5 billion oxycodone tablets were distributed in the United States.

• Fentanyl is a fully synthetic opioid, originally developed as a powerful anesthetic for surgery. It is also administered to alleviate severe pain associated with terminal illnesses like cancer. The drug is up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Just a small dose can be deadly. Illicitly produced fentanyl has been a driving factor in the number of overdose deaths in recent years.

• Dependence is often coupled with tolerance, meaning that opioid users need to take increasingly larger doses of the medication for the same effect.

• People who become dependent on pain pills may switch to heroin because it is less expensive than prescription drugs.

In 2016, the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated that nearly half of young people who inject heroin turned to the street drug after abusing prescription painkillers.

Individuals who are addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to become addicted to heroin.

Source: CNN Health July 18, 2019

Page B-6 • michiganchronicle.com •

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

Dr. Cullian W. Hill Celebrates 52 Years of Preaching!

By Nicole Black

On Sunday, September 1, 2019, Reverend Dr. Cullian W. Hill will celebrate his 52nd preaching anniversary at the Greater Concord Baptist Church located at 4500 E. Davison in Hamtramck, MI. Dr. Hill’s ministry journey started at the Toledo Bible College in Toledo, Ohio.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Midwestern Baptist College in Pontiac, Michigan. After graduating, he worked two years on his Master of Divinity at Ashland Theological Seminary University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. He also received his Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at Tennessee School of Religion in Memphis, TN., and Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Emmaus School of Religion in Elizabethtown, TN. Dr. Hill was the first Chairman of the Board of United Theological Extension in Flint, Michigan. His preaching ministry began the first Sunday in September of 1967 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church under the pastoral

leadership of the late Pastor L. W. Pryor. Dr. Hill pastored the Second Baptist Church in Bay City, MI., for six years and Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church for four years until founding the Greater Concord Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as senior pastor.

Over fifty-two years, Dr. Hill has proclaimed the gospel in places such as Jerusalem, the “Brush Harbors of Africa”, Sierra Leone, Dakar Senegal, and Liberia. He has lectured in the Manila, Philippians and delivered a devotional message in Hong Kong. He’s preached in Historical Churches such as Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, St. John Baptist Church, San Francesco, and Central Baptist, Memphis Tennessee.

Back To School Drive And Panel On “How To Successfully Navigate The Public Education System” At Biblical Faith Ministry Center On Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 2pm, Pastor Myron Jenkins of the Biblical Faith Ministry Center and Educational Advocate and Attorney Robyn L. McCoy of McCoy & Associates, PLLC and the Michigan Children’s Law Center are collaborating to bring a Back to School Drive and a Panel of Experts to speak about “How to Successfully Navigate the Public School System” to the Biblical Faith Ministry Center located at: 20118 Schoolcraft, Detroit, Michigan 48223.

Dr. Hill has made many strides preaching these fifty-two years and gives God the glory for it all. For more information regarding the Anniversary Celebration Service, please call the Greater Concord Baptist Church at (313) 891-6800.

Pastor Myron Jenkins Pastor Myron Jenkins, founder of the Biblical Faith Ministry Center, a nondenominational and non-profit ministry, said that his church is “committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world” and “making sure that the general public has access to resources that will help to improve themselves, their friends and family”.

Anyone seeking to provide donations to the event can go to the following link: https://biblicalfaithministries.org/donate. Biblical Faith Ministry Center is a 501(C)(3) organization with church services every Sunday at 12:30pm.

Attorney Robyn L. McCoy, who is a Partner of McCoy & Associates, PLLC and Educational Advocate and Attorney with the Michigan Children’s Law Center, said

Stay Connected.

Keep Informed.

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that “it is important that we assist the parents and students with the basic tools for success in the public education system

and also make sure that they are aware of their rights as it relates to the public education system”.

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Money.

| Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

michiganchronicle.com

Property is Power:

When is it a Good Time to Buy Property?

By Anthony O. Kellum “Owning a home is a keystone of wealth…both financial affluence and emotional security.” – Suze Orman There are several factors to think about when considering whether it’s a good time to buy or not. One way to tell if the right time is now is to look at the stock market. This does not mean you need to be an expert, but the stock market does reflect earning expectations 6 – 24 months in advance. You can investigate and look at sectors where your location has a lot of exposure. For example, Detroit remains Anthony Kellum known as the “Motor City” and “Motown,” however it is gradually expanding into other industries/technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology information technology and hydrogen fuel development. Not to mention its proximity to Windsor, Canada.

Stocks are fast to correct especially compared to real estate which is slow to correct and usually takes time for everyone to realize the real estate market is weakening.

And, by then assets, cash, basically dries up and there is a huge crash. But if the stock market is correcting then it’s time to pay closer attention to investments/property purchases that you are interested in with confidence.

Other important categories that factor into deciding if “now” Is the right time to buy are market factors and your personal life factors.

Market factors are things like interest rates (the lower the rate, the lower your monthly payment) and whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. A buyer’s market is great for a buyer, there are a lot of homes for sale and sellers are usually willing to drop the price or make other concessions in order to make their home more attractive to sell. In a seller’s market, the home sellers have the advantage. Usually there are fewer homes available, and typically there are multiple buyers interested in their property and owners can demand the highest price available.

The personal life factors that may play a role in the timing of your home buying decision include: Your financial situation: • How is your credit score?

• Do you have the income to qualify for the loan you want?

• Do you have money saved for the down payment?

• Can you afford the other home expenses that come with home ownership?

Lifestyle you desire: • Do you have the time to maintain your home?

• How soon do you want to buy a home?

• Do you plan to move again soon for work or school?

• Is the size of your family changing?

Factors ranging from interest rates to determining if you want to stay in the same city play a role in the timing of your buying decision.

There are many avenues you may travel when deciding on the right time to buy so the best approach is to buy a home when you can afford it. One thing is certain and that is the real estate market is cyclical, don’t attempt to predict interest rates or home values, if you are ready and can afford it, the best time to buy your home is now.

“Owning a home is a keystone of wealth…both financial affluence and emotional security.” – Suze Orman Anthony O. Kellum, Speaker, Author and TV Host, President of Kellum Mortgage, LLC Powered by Hull Funding NMLS #145445.

Connect with me on Facebook at www. facebook.com/propertyispower. O: 248-5991624 E: anthony@kellummortgage.com Anthony O. Kellum is on a mission to save the American Dream of Homeownership. Access to credit and serving distressed communities remains my chief focus.

Shannon Smith represented JPMorgan Chase at the press conference. One of the key sponsors for the Financial Empowerment Centers. PHOTO: Branden Hunter

Financial Empowerment Centers Launch in Detroit

By Branden Hunter

Financial literacy is the ability to understand how money works. But it is not just about balancing your checkbook or knowing how much money you have in the bank. Financial literacy is about planning for the future.

The City of Detroit and the Wayne County Treasurer’s office is helping residents plan for the future financially, by opening Financial Empowerment Centers across the city. In partnership with Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, the Financial Empowerment Centers will provide free, one-on-one financial counseling and coaching to residents at six locations by the end of the year. The first two, located inside the Wayne County Treasurer’s office and Wayne Metro, officially opened Monday.

The Financial Empowerment Centers are supported by contributions totaling $770,000 from the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), JPMorgan Chase, The Skillman Foundation, the Wayne County Treasurer and the City of Detroit.

“This is a message to low and moderate-income residents of the city of Detroit that there are more opportunities here than there have been before, including opportunities for home ownership and to build wealth,” Mayor Duggan said at the press conference. “But if you feel like you need a little bit of help from someone that is a career professional, trained volunteers will help you for free. We want to make sure you make more money and keep more money.”

At the centers, professionally trained counselors will help individuals and families with low and moderate incomes manage their finances, pay down debt, increase savings, establish and build credit, and access safe and affordable mainstream banking products. As the program gets underway, four additional locations will be added around the city, for a total of six Financial Empowerment Centers.

Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree said the locations for the other four centers have not been made official yet.

“The Financial Empowerment Center is just another tool to give us more ability to go one-on-one with the taxpayers,” said Sabree. “Sometimes, it’s not enough to just share information.

Some individuals that come in for help need guidance. This new Financial Empowerment Center takes a serious, holistic approach to financial

Mayor Mike Duggan announced the opening of six Financial Empowerment Centers to be located around the City of Detroit for residents. PHOTO- ­Branden Hunter. counseling which, in turn, can help struggling taxpayers take advantage of existing programs, better manage their financial affairs, and retain ownership of their properties.”

At the core of the FEC model is the pairing of financial counseling with other services, such as job training and placement paired with bank account setup assistance to ensure new employees have direct deposit; housing assistance and foreclosure prevention, paired with savings assistance; returning citizen resources, paired with credit score repair services and access to banking to improve employment opportunities; and benefits access to help residents access programs like food assistance.

Other services include water affordability, utility assistance and free tax preparation, to ensure residents are getting the most out of their return each year.

“We need to make sure that Detroiters have financial stability to succeed and move forward,” Mayor Duggan added.

JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to the Detroit Financial Empowerment Center is part of its $200-million commitment to Detroit in order to help connect more Detroiters with economic opportunity. Shannon Smith, 29, is a banking associate for JPMorgan Chase and native Detroiter. Some years ago, he helped launch the Detroit Economic Development Challenge, a financial literacy and business basics program geared toward Detroit high school students. Smith, in hopes of allowing the city’s youth to have a greater role in the city’s re-

vival, believes this new initiative will do the same for adults in the city.

“As a life-long Detroiter and DPS graduate, I was fortunate enough to go off to the University of Michigan and study economics and political science,” said Smith, who graduated from Detroit King High School in 2008. “I had every intention to come back home and work with residents of Detroit to address barriers to opportunities like these. These are the type of programs that I imagined and through a number of collaborations, we were able to do more than just imagine.”

“I am honored to be a part of JPMorgan Chase and excited about our $50 million commitment that will further help break down barriers to opportunities,” Smith continued. “So that more long-term residents of Detroit, especially Black Detroiters, can access job training, become homeowners, and grow small businesses.”

First piloted in New York City under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2008, Financial Empowerment Centers across the country have worked with almost 85,000 clients, helping them reduce individual debt by more than $100 million, and increasing their families’ savings by close to $10 million. In addition, a recent CFE Fund evaluation showed that this program works even for residents with very low incomes and other complex financial challenges.

To schedule an appointment at the Detroit Financial Empowerment Center, residents should call (313) 3226222. Additional information is available at www.detroitfec.org.

Detroit elections department to host job fair for election assistants & poll workers aug. 28 Individuals May Register to Vote at the Job Fair

and Poll Workers for training and administering elections.

In an effort to recruit adequate staff for the upcoming 2020 primaries and presidential elections, City Clerk Janice M. Winfrey will host a job fair August 28 at the New Center Park, 2998 West Grand Blvd. from noon – 4 p.m. The Department of Elections is looking to hire Election Clerical Assistants

Election Clerical Assistants Prospective Election Clerical Assistants are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, six months of general office or clerical experience, knowledge of Microsoft Office and comprehend standard office work methods. Interested

candidates must submit a resume for employment and be available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. with some required weekends.

Poll Workers Prospective poll workers are required to be at least 16 years of age. If a perspective poll worker is 18 years or older, they must be registered to vote in

the State of Michigan. Training sessions are mandatory for employment.

Voter Registration Drive During the job fair, the Elections staff also will register prospective voters. Those individuals are required to be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, a resident of the State of Michigan and a U.S. citizen.

For more information, please contact the City of Detroit Department of Elections Recruitment & Training Division at 313-876-0230 or 313-876-0231.

Election Clerical Assistants recruits can bring their resumes to the job fair or submit them to ecajobs@detroitmi.gov. Poll worker recruits may also register at www.vote4detroit.net/ pollaccess.

Page B-8

• michiganchronicle.com •

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

Photograph by Marvin Shaouni

The Michigan Chronicle supports the businesses along the Avenue of Fashion.

We want you to do the same.

Below is a listing of the businesses impacted by the construction on Livernois.

Stop by at least one of them today!

RETAIL Sharmells, 18967 Livernois Canvas Livernois, 18985 LIvernois Mike-Itchells on the Avenue, 19106 Livernois Prisca Fashion for Less, 19110 Livernois African Fabric & Fashion, 19160 Livernois The Shoe Box, 19186 Livernois Mike’s Market Grocery Store, 19195 Livernois Teasers, 19355 Livernois Detroit Fiber Works, 19359 Livernois Jo’s Gallery Cafe, 19376 Livernois Simply Casual, 19400 Livernois Livernois Pop-Up Shop, 19410 Livernois Professional Racquet Services, 19444 Livernois Art n Motion, 19452 Livernois Flag Ship Boutique, 19456 Livernois Karisma’s Kloset Detroit, 19458 Detroit Three Thirteen, 19495 Livernois Stitches, 18955 Livernois D’Created Boutique, 19480 Livernois Superior Screen Printing and Sportswear, 19174 Livernois Framing & Custom Design, 19496 Livernois In & Out, 19910 Livernois Fel’le Art Gallery, 19926 Livernois Liquor Palace, 20078 Livernois Fred’s Unique Furniture, 20201 Livernois Magic Dollar Store Plus, 18647 Livernois Foot Locker, 19121 Livernois Suits for Less, 19131 Livernois CVS, 18600 Livernois Pet Supplies Plus, 18956 Livernois Metro PCS, 18984 Livernois

BEAUTY/BARBER Dixon Barber Shop, 18937 Livernois Naturally Beautiful, 18981 Livernois Uppercuts, 18989 Livernois Terry’s Wigs & Lashes, 19139 Livernois Beauty Spot Supply, 19155 Livernois 21st Century Salon, 19353 Livernois Micah’s Salon & Boutique, 19374 Livernois Inspirations Old School, 19558 Livernois The Buzz, 20094 Livernois Happy to be Nappy, 18945 Livernois Exclusive Virgin Hair, 18975 Livernois Ho Nail & Spa, 18984 Livernois African Hair Braiding, 19118 Livernois African Nubian Queens, 19301 Livernois

L. Swygert’s Salon, 19464 Livernois Heavenly Creations, 19480 Livernois

FOOD/DRINK/CATERING Biggby Coffee, 18685 Livernois Legends Pizza on the Ave, 19163 Livernois Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20150 Livernois Good Cakes and Bakes, 19363 Livernois Durden’s Catering, 20504 Livernois Boston Market, 18610 Livernois China Wok, 18670 Livernois Table No. 2, 18925 Livernois Mr. & Mrs. Benson Bakery, 19126 Livernois Narrow Way Cafe, 19131 Livernois Bucharest Grill, 19492 Livernois Noni’s Sherwood Grille, 19700 Livernois Hangover’s Lounge, 20143 Livernois

MEDICAL/HEALTH Apple Denture Center & More, 18657 Livernois Wayne County Dialysis Center, 20001 Livernois Sherwood Urgent Care, 20176 Livernois iCare Spine and Rehab Center, 18984 Livernois Heidelberg Dermatology, 20400 Livernois

SERVICES/OTHER House of Morrison Shoe Repair, 18933 Livernois Prime Financial Plus, 19966 Livernois Capital Transfer Agency, 19983 Livernois Team LBR, 20122 Livernois (real estate) Pyratech Security Systems, 20154 Livernois USPS, 20501 Livernois Red Carpet Select Restore, 19144 Livernois Majik Touch Dance Studio, 19200 Livernois Summit Realty, 19218 Livernois Professional Racquet Services, 19444 Livernois Hill Realty, 19983 Livernois

AUTOMOTIVE/GAS STATIONS/CAR WASHES Valero, 6401 W. Eight Mile Road BP, 4125 W. Eight Mile Road BP, 19030 Livernois Hubert’s Towing & Auto Repair, 20049 Livernois U-Haul, 19797 Livernois Detroit Detail Express, 18911 Livernois

City. Life. Style.

C1 | Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

By AJ Williams – City.Life.Style Editor Rebel Nell, the socially-driven jewelry design and manufacturing company that restores fallen street art into one-of-a-kind jewelry, and York Project, the social streetwear company that helps homeless, are opening a “bricks and mortar” retail space. The social enterprises launched their collective store on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at their new location on 1314 Holden St. in Detroit.

Rebel Nell is sharing space with the York Project that offers trendy social streetwear that provides a donation kit of socks, water and toilet paper to the homeless with each item sold.

Opens In Detroit!

The store opened for regular business hours at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24. Store hours will be Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 pm.

Rebel Nell’s mission is to employ, educate and empower women to overcome barriers and tackle obstacles that have been prohibitive in the past. To date, Rebel Nell has hired 22 women from shelters, thanks to their employment at the social enterprise. Rebel Nell has provided $378,000 in wages, $20,000 in microloans, housed 15 families, and has implemented more than 3,436 hours of workforce preparedness training.

Rebel Nell furthers their commitment by hiring these women in roles such as “creative designers,” teaching them how to craft wearable art from fallen layers of graffiti, while providing wrap around support such as financial awareness, business education, life wellness, career development and offering other resources to guide their way to self-sufficiency.

“The women we serve come first and that’s why every product sold has a direct impact on the lives of our creative designers,” says Amy Peterson, founder of Rebel Nell.

Molly Layman, store manager says, ““Our customers have always been hungry for a deeper connection to the product, to learn about how the jewelry is made, and who made their piece.

That’s what this store provides. Guests will be able to see the jewelry production and engage with our incredible creative designers. Additionally, it will provide retail training, digital literacy See REBEL NELL Page C-2

TEDxDetroit Returns November 6th

By AJ Williams – City.Life.Style. Editor TEDxDetroit will bring together the area’s leading thinkers, designers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and students for an inspiring day to celebrate ideas worth spreading this fall.

“When it all comes together TEDxDetroit is part business conference, part science fair, part art festival and part revival,” said Charlie Wollborg, curator of TEDxDetroit and co-founder of Moka Boka Adventure Books. “It really is a crazy day that fills your head with new ideas, your belly with fire, and puts the spring back in your step.”

Do you have an idea worth spreading?

See TEDxDETROIT Page C-2

Vintage, Local Makers Collaborate To Create Detroit’s First Market In The City

By AJ Williams – City.Life.Style.

that happens every year. Partnering with Jennyfer is allowing us to do bigger and better things.”

Vintage finds and locally-made goods will abound this September at a brand new Detroit event called Market in the City.

As a cross between two already successful events - All Things Detroit and The Vintage Market – Market in the City will feature a handmade and Detroit-made focus – and is expected to draw shoppers and visitors of all ages.

An all-day, outdoor shopping and entertainment event, Market in the City is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 8, 2019 at Detroit’s historic Fort Wayne. The concept was forged from a collaboration between All Things Detroit Founder Jennyfer Crawford and Rina Belanger and Angie Guzzardo ,the founders behind the Vintage Market.

“Hosting this event at the historic Fort Wayne with the ladies of the Vintage Market means a lot because it’s at a venue that I have always dreamed of working with for an host an event – and we’re doing so at with two ladies I admire who have the same passion to help small businesses as I do,” said Crawford.

The admiration is quite mutual.

“We have been long-time fans of Ask Jennyfer and All Things Detroit,” said Belanger. “We rarely miss one of her events. Jennyfer is great at what she does and, for a large event such as Market in the City, good things can only

come from partnering with a like-minded boss babe who knows her way around a good event.

“Market in the City will be a great combination of both of our events. We plan to grow this event into something huge for the city of Detroit - an event

It was created to show strong support for small, local business owners. It will highlight up to 200 small business owners who represent everything from vintage and shabby chic goods to home decor, furniture, bath and body products, candles, upscale handmade items and of course a focus on Michigan-made goods.

The day will also include a food truck rally, live music all day and free photo booths. Visitors can check out vintage camper and mobile fashion boutiques, get psychic readings by Billy Tyler Healing, take the kids to the play area, and

See MARKET IN THE CITY Page C-2

Page C-2 • michiganchronicle.com • Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

TEDxDetroit From page C-1

Now is also the time for aspiring TEDxDetroit speakers, performers, and exhibitors to apply to be part of the 11th annual event. Applications are now open online at tedxdetroit.com. The line-up for this year’s event will be announced in mid-September.

“We fill the stage with people who make us think, laugh, cry, and say ‘wow!’” said Tyler. “It’s always an eclectic array ranging from CEOs to artists to scientists that you won’t find anywhere else.”

The annual event returns 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the Masonic Temple, located at 500 Temple Street in Detroit. Tickets go on sale for TEDxDetroit beginning Tuesday, August 13th at tedxdetroit.com.

Market in the City From page C-1 pet rescue animals from The Devoted Barn.

Rebell Nell

From page C-1 and customer service experience for the women we serve. Our goal is to use this retail store as a way to connect shoppers with the greater community of Detroit. This city already has a remarkable retail landscape, and we are excited to integrate an impactful shopping experience that gives back to the people here.”

Rebel Nell’s full product lineup, including new jewelry featuring fallen street art from Michigan Central Station and the contemporary Evolve collection, will be available at the Holden St. store.

York Project, a social streetwear brand, was born when then 19-year old Josh York hand stitched his last name into a maroon beanie and began selling them to his friends at local music shows. York quickly learned that there was not as great of a need for beanies for the homeless as there was for socks, toilet paper, gloves, and underwear. The team quickly switched the giving model to include these items as do-

nations, instead of just beanies.

On top of its social mission, York Project not only designs and sells clothing, but as of summer 2018, started manufacturing clothes in-house.

“I realized that so many brands were printing “Detroit” on the same t-shirts and sweatshirts that we were, and it had become really difficult to differentiate ourselves,” said Joshua York, founder, York Project. “By opening up a cut and sew production facility, we can now offer truly unique shirts, including the only “Detroit tee” actually made in Detroit. Manufacturing is an opportunity to provide more jobs for Detroiters, so our mission has advanced to include workforce development.”

Currently, York Project makes a kit to donate for each product sold. Each kit includes a durable tote bag, toilet paper, socks, and bottled water. Since 2012, they’ve contributed more than $84,000 worth of donation kits and other supplementary items in 23 American cities.

For more information on Rebel Nell visit www.RebelNell.com

“Angela and I are longtime supporters and lovers of the city of Detroit,” added Belanger. “When we started The Vintage Market over 5 years ago, it was always one of our dreams to host an event in Detroit. Many of our vendors have opened shops in the city and it’s been so exciting to see them flourish and grow.”

It’s also the first time an event of this kind has been held at Historic Fort Wayne. Crawford hopes Market in the City will encourage visitors “to see this space come alive.”

“Where we decide to host a market is very important to us,” added Belanger. “When seeking a venue for our markets, we always strive to find somewhere with a beautiful park-like setting - or somewhere with a gor-

geous backdrop. Historic Fort Wayne embodies all of the above. Not only is the fort a part of American history, the grounds are beautiful and the waterfront view is stunning.

“We are so excited to host an event to showcase these wonderful small businesses all in one place,” said Belanger.

Market in the City will cost $5 admission at the gate, though kids 12 and under enter free. Expect free parking and a free porting system to help manage large purchases.

City. Life. Style.

Where City Meets

LIFE STYLE and Life Meets

In Print and Online

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CLARKE 2019 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

OUR 40TH REUNION IS BRINGING BACK FORMER ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE

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Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com •

Book Review: The Story of Plessy v. Ferguson and America’s Journey from Slavery to Segregation

Stanley

Clarke:

By James A. Johnson Plessy v. Ferguson, the United States Supreme Court case synonymous with “separate but equal,” was decided on May 18, 1896; 163 US 537(1896). Steve Luxenberg, a Detroiter and Harvard University alum is the author of the critically acclaimed Annie’s Ghost: A Journey into a Family Secret. He is an associate editor at the Washington Post.

Living legend and 2019 Detroit Jazz Festival’s Artist-in Residence to Perform Three Shows

This is the story about race and inequality and how a nation embraced separation in almost every aspect of American life.

Luxenberg starts this outstanding work with “Where should I sit?” A simple question that confronts him every time he boards the commuter train that shuttles him to his job in Washington D.C. He tries to imagine what the passengers encountered on a train at the end of the nineteenth century complying with the new requirement in many southern states to sit in white and black separate cars.

The answer to L u x e n b e r g ’s simple question where to sit in the nineteenth century was mandatory. The law gave conductors the authority of a judge and the power of a police officer.

Luxenberg tells the story of Plessy v. Ferguson through the eyes of the people caught up in the case. Starting with the cast of characters from Henry Billings Brown, a scion of New England elite and author of the majority opinion, Albion W. Tourgee recruited to argue the case to James C. Walker, a New Orleans lawyer hired as local counsel. Very few people today know about the cast of characters central to the case. Another person interested to test the constitutionality of separate cars was Eli Freeman a principal of Manhattan’s colored schools. He was a Louisiana native living in Manhattan, Kansas wrote a letter to Albion W. Tourgee seeking his advice and help.

“And now in behalf of the 7,999,999 of my race whose interest and whose rights you have championed I thank you…..An early reply would be greatly obliged.” For the uninformed, Jim Crow or separate railroad cars began in Massachusetts around 1838 set out in great detail by Luxenberg.

Of particular interest to Michiganders is the case of Day v. Owen, 5 Mich. 520 (1858). Day v.

Owen was the first public accommodation case in Michigan that affirmed the practice of segregation. See pages 140-142 in the text and Notes in the sources section. On October 1, 1855, Day a person of color and his wife boarded the steamer Arrow in Detroit. Day asked for an indoor cabin for the overnight journey to Toledo, Ohio and was refused because of his color. Day sued the steamboat’s captain and owner, John Owen. In short, Owen’s defense “was well understood that Day, because of his color was excluded from ordinary social and familiar intercourse by the custom of the country.” The Michigan Supreme Court held that a steamboat operator could refuse passage to a Negro. The Court held that while a common carrier could not have refused to transport Day, it could require him to conform to reasonable regulations of the vessel. It is interesting to note that the Michigan legislature passed a Civil Rights Act in 1885 that prohibits racial discrimination aboard public conveyances, in public accommodations and public amusements.

By: Donald James SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

The term “living legend” is often overused or even misused when attempting to describe many of today’s artists and their respective bodies of work. Yet, in the case of Stanley Clarke, jazz historians and aficionados have long described him as a “living legend,” and have even added “pioneer,” “quintessential” and “virtuoso” to depict the musical prowess of Clarke, the bass player, recording artist, conductor, arranger, and film score composer.

Simply put, since the early 1970s, few, if any, bass players in any genre of music have amassed the music

to the same Main Stage on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. And, his group will perform again on the Main Stage on Labor Day at 7 p.m. At this, his final performance for this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival, Clarke will perform the music he scored from the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood,” the pop-culture silver screen classic. His performance will also feature the Detroit Jazz Festival String Orchestra.

Although a native of Philadelphia who now lives in Southern California, Clarke remembers playing at some of Detroit’s music venues beginning in the 1970s, such as the Masonic Temple, Dummy Georges, and Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. In addition, Clarke said he has the greatest respect for the many great

Plessy is relevant today. Black people will tell you without hesitation that “racism in America is alive and well.” Racism is enforced both consciously and unconsciously and is maintained by legal and cultural institutions in our society.

The author emphasizes that dealing with racism is a constant battle. The author expresses that racism is more than a personal attitude - it is the institutional form of that attitude. Luxenberg brings to life the complex notions of race that dominates conversations about race in America today. The reader can entertain and even conclude that race is a made up label – a social construct to effectuate restrictive binary. Separate gives the reader intimate knowledge on how we got to the place where we are today and what the future might bring.

About the Author James A. Johnson, of James A. Johnson, Esq. of Southfield, Michigan is a historian and trial lawyer. He concentrates on serious personal injury, insurance coverage and federal criminal defense. Jim is an active member of the Michigan, Massachusetts, Texas and Federal Court bars. He can be reached at www.JamesAJohnsonEsq.com

like the rock and roll cats. Girls loved it. I didn’t really take it seriously.”

Clarke’s perspective of the electric bass guitar evolved appreciatively, especially after he joined forces with jazz pianist Chick Corea in the early 1970s to form “Return to Forever.” Comprised of Clarke, Corea, Lenny White (drums) and Al Di Meola (guitar), the quartet played and recorded fusion music, which innovatively and magically incorporated jazz, classical, and rock genres like never before heard.

“The thing that I really loved about ‘Return to Forever’ was that you could really feel that we were spearheading new things in music,” said Clarke. “We were changing how people thought about music.

We were young, but looking at it now, in retrospect, I have more of a scientific, more of a scholarly look at what we did.”

Clarke’s first album as a solo artist was “Children of Forever,” released in 1973. To date, he has recorded more than 40 albums, and is believed to have played acoustic and/ or electric bass on more than 200 studio or live recordings of other artists’ projects, covering multiple spectrums of music.

Plessy v. Ferguson is one of the most compelling and dramatic stories of the nineteenth century. It protected segregation whose reverberations are still felt today. Separate tells the story of slavery, segregation and existing racism in America.

Race is still a problem in the twenty-first century manifested economically, socially, educationally and in many other ways.

What most people do not know and set out by Steve Luxenberg is that Homer Plessy was a lightskinned black man with Caucasian features. So much so, that not even black people could definitively determine that Plessy was African American. Plessy could easily have passed for white.

In arresting Homer Plessy for refusing to move to the Jim Crow railroad car was prearranged.

Plessy was a constitutionality test case and he intended to be arrested for refusing to move in violating Louisiana’s law the Separate Car Act. That fact alone should arouse the intellectual curiosity of the reader to turn the pages of Luxenberg’s richly detailed prose. Even the railroad had agreed to participate to settle the constitutional question before spending money on extra cars.

Luxenberg’s vivid account of how the legal strategies were developed from the Louisiana courts to the U. S. Supreme Court should be of great interest to lawyers and lay persons alike.

Page C-3

portfolio of Clarke, bolstered by his mastery of navigating the intricacies and complexities of playing both the acoustic upright and electric bass.

Clarke, a four-time Grammy Award winner, brings his cache of musical talents to the Motor City this weekend, as he will help the Detroit Jazz Festival celebrate its 40th anniversary, serving as its “Artist-in-Residence.”

“Stanley Clarke is the perfect ambassador for our Festival during this banner year,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival. “His musical accomplishments, perennial career and commitment to the perseverance of jazz have unequivocally positioned him as a ‘living legend.’“ In addition to serving as this year’s Artist-in-Residence, Clarke will give festival goers three distinct and mega doses of his brand of music. Clarke and his band will hit the JPMorgan Chase Main Stage (Campus Martius) on Friday, Aug. 30, at 9 p.m. Clarke calls this performance, “Back to School Days,” in reference to his highly acclaimed 1976 jazz fusion/jazz-funk album, “School Days.”

Clarke and his band will return

bass players from the Motor City, including Ron Carter, James Jameson, Paul Chambers, and Ralphe Armstrong.

“I would say the bass player that influenced me the most on acoustic bass was Detroiter Ron Carter,” Clarke said. “He was the biggest. I studied him to become more educated on the bass. To me, pound-forpound, he’s the best, and the most important bass player in the last 100 years.”

After high school and barely out of his teens, Clarke moved to New York City, the undisputed Jazz Capital of the World. In the Big Apple, he played with such jazz luminaries as pianist Horace Silver, drummer Art Blakey, and tenor saxophonists Dexter Gordon, Pharoah Sanders, and Joe Henderson, among others.

Playing mostly acoustic bass at the time, Clarke was on his way to stardom. Yet, the electric bass, in Clarke’s mind, played second fiddle to the acoustic upright bass.

“The electric bass was always a fun instrument to me,” said Clarke, who had a strong background in classical music. “In high school I liked playing it at parties, because it looked good; it made me look cool

In the late 1980s, Clarke added a new dimension to his music career when he began composing and arranging music for film and television. To date, Clarke has scored or composed music for 70-plus projects, including “Boyz n The Hood,” the Tina Turner biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Romeo Must Die” and “The Transporter.” His most recent work as a film composer was for the documentary “Halston,” which debuted Sunday, Aug. 25, on CNN. While composing and scoring movies, television and documentary projects, all incredible platforms which Clarke has mastered, touring and playing live at national and international concert venues remains very special to him. And, returning to Detroit to perform at the Detroit Jazz Festival, which he calls “one of the best in the world,” is also special. Clarke said he’s proud of the band that will be playing with him, which includes Cameron Graves (keyboards), Beka Gochiashvili (piano), Shariq Tucker (drums), Salar Nader (Tabla) and Detroiter Evan Garr (violin).

“These are professionals,” Clarke said. “Together, we’re a very energized unit and are a treat for audiences. I’m constantly amazed at their fearlessness.”

To see the entire Detroit Jazz Festival schedule of performers and performances, log on to www.detroitjazzfest.org.

Page C-4 • michiganchronicle.com • Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019 ANNOUNCEMENTS

INKSTER HOUSING COMMISSION NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP No. P19003

Asset Repositioning Consultant

Team Wellness Center Primary Care Clinic Announces Expanded Hours and Services Team Wellness Center is expanding the operating hours of its Primary Care Clinic at 3646 Mt. Elliot St. Detroit, MI 48207.

Beginning Monday, August 26, 2019 the clinic will be open on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays thru Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The clinic will also expand services to meet the needs of families with children and teens headed back-to-school. Families can make appointments or walk-in for annual wellness exams and sports physicals.

The site also provides urgent care services including treatment

for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as cuts, bruises, sprains, nausea, vomiting, coughs, and flu.

“We are responding to the needs of the community,” said Pamela Jastrabek, President & COO of Team Wellness Center. “We recognized a growing demand for access to primary care services in the evening when people are off work and children are out of school.”

Team Wellness Center accepts most major insurances including Medicare and Medicaid. They also have programs for the uninsured.

To make an appointment call 313626-2400. Walk-ins are also welcome.

AGENCY CONTACT PERSON

Paul Bollinger, Executive Director Telephone: (313)561-2892 E-Mail: bollingerp@inksterhousing.org TDD/TTY: (800)545-1833 1. Access ha.economicengine.com (no “www”).

2. Click on the “Login” button in the upper left side.

3. Follow the listed directions.

4. If you have any problems in accessing or registering on the Marketplace, please call customer support at (866)526-9266.

NONE SCHEDULED Monday, September 16, 2019, 3:00 PM ET Attn: Paul Bollinger, Executive Director Administrative Office 4500 Inkster Road, Inkster, MI 48141 Thursday, September 26, 2019, 3:00 PM ET

HOW TO OBTAIN THE RFP DOCUMENTS ON THE EPROCUREMENT MARKETPLACE

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

[Section 3, Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

CONGRATULATIONS HONOREES Emeka Amazu Senior Buyer, Global Purchasing & Supply Chain General Motors Hodari Brown Public Affairs Specialist U.S. Small Business Administration Donovan Colquitt Founder The Scholar’s Key Dr. Maegan E. Daughtery, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Dr. Amy C. Parker DDS, MS & Associates Jewelette Estes Senior Project Manager—Corporate Marketing & Customer Experience Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Andre Gilbert II Deputy City Clerk City of Detroit Shawn Green CEO & Principal Broker Smart Realty & Investments Inc., Smart lending Group LLC, Smart Construction & Development LLC Maxcel Hardy Owner & Chef River Bistro & Coop Detroit Jessica Hayes-Stallings Founder Skinphorea Facial Bar & Acne Clinic Danielle Hughes Dream Director The Future Project Darryl Humes Jr. Co-Founder Mature Tiffani C. Jackson Founder & Executive Director / Contract Manager Eden Community Organization / Wayne County Yelitsa Jean-Charles CEO & Founder Healthy Roots Dolls Mikiah Keener Minister Triumph Church

Justin Kimpson National Program Manager Ford Men of Courage/Senior Director Ford Resource and Engagement Center Eastside Gleaners Community Food Bank

Portia Powell Vice President—Manager of Municipal Banking Operations Chemical Bank Asia Rawls Director of Software Education and Training Trumble Inc.

Josh Landon News Anchor WJBK/FOX 2 News

Charli Rose Mortician/Funeral Director Andrews Funeral Home

Erika Lawrence Assistant Product Manager, Digital Innovation General Motors

Kierra Sheard Singer/Songwriter/CEO/Designer Drew’s Girl Productions & Eleven60

Amber Lewis Director of Digital & Social Media City of Detroit, Mayor’s Office

Courtney Smith Chief Executive Officer Detroit Phoenix Center

Whitney Lewis Director of Communications, Wayne County Department of Public Services Wayne County Government LaShauna Lowry Executive Director Consumer Systems Team Ally Financial Drew Matthews Jr. Owner & Executive Chef Le Culture Café David Merritt Co-Founder Narrow Way Café and Shop Jonathan Merritt Co-Founder Narrow Way Café and Shop

Maria Stroud Owner/President MES & Co. Lynita Taylor Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager Wayne State University Mike Ilitch School of Business Angelique Turner Industrial Engineering Manager/WO Pillar Lead Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Phaedra Wainaina Executive Director Vehicles for Change Detroit & MACC Development Daniel Wallace Global Diversity Initiatives Lead General Motors

Kiera Pack Owner Pareik Gallery & Pareik Studio Dr. Danielle Penson Clinician/Entrepreneur Kaydense Galleria Tameishia Pigford Chief Executive Officer Dream Celebrations, Inc. Ken Porter President Porter Media Group

Meagan Ward CEO & Co- Founder Femology Dwanette Williams Assistant Vice President/Financial Center Manager Bank of America Bianca Wilson Psychotherapist Oak Park School District, The Guidance Center Chief Executive Officer Umbrellex Behavioral Health Services, LLC

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PERSONAL SERVICES

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting bids for Janitorial Services.

Solicitation forms for RFP Control No. 203012 may be obtained beginning August 23, 2019 from http://www.mitn.info.

Proposals are due by 3:00 PM ET, September 20, 2019.

Louisiana Rootman Bro Harris will tell you everything without you telling me anything

REQUEST FOR QUOTES The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQ’s for New Power Washers and Hose Reels, Control No. 20-2970.

RFQ packages will be available after August 23, 2019, at www.mitn.info.

Better HEALTH, MONEY, LOVE, PEACE, and HAPPINESS will be yours

BLESSED BE. Get the HELP you Need TODAY Call (313)341-0145 or Write Bro Harris P.O. Box 21765 Detriot, MI 48221

RFQ’s are due Friday, September 20, 2019 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

OBITUARY

Robert Williams

Mr. Robert Williams, 79 died peacefully at home on August 17, 2019, Oak Park, Michigan after a short illness. His public viewing will be held on August 30, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (open reflections from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) at the Kemp Funeral Home, 24585 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Mi. 48075. His funeral services will be held on August 31, 2019 at Mount Beulah Baptist Church, 20056 Cherrylawn, Detroit, MI. 48221 at 10:00 a.m. family hour and 11:00 a.m. homegoing services.

Mr. Robert Williams was born January 28, 1940, the youngest son of six born to the late Nevada Carter Williams and Ellis Mike Williams in Snowdoun, Alabama.

Mr. Robert Williams married Ms. Mary Helen Hardwick in 1959 and to this union one son and two daughters were born. After leaving Alabama in 1971 for better opportunities, he gained employment at the GM DetroitHamtramck Assembly plant until he retired after 30 years in 2001. He was united in holy matrimony to Ms. Annie Abrams Kimbrough in 1976. To this union no children were born; however, he raised her two daughters as his own.

Mr. Robert Williams was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. His memory of laughter and love will be cherished by those that knew him as bay brother and whose smile was infectious. He loved to travel with his family and will be sorely missed.

WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan – RFP Notice is hereby given that the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is accepting proposals for Legislative Services Consulting Support (RFP # 2019-04). This RFP is available on the RTA’s procurement website at www.bidnetdirect.com/mitn.

Detailed specifications are available by contacting Virginia Lickliter, Executive Administrator, at (313) 402-1020 or vlickliter@rtamichigan.org.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with requirements set forth in the RFP and be received on or before September 23, 2019.

The RTA reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals, to re-advertise for proposals and to waive any informality in any proposal and to determine the most responsive proposal by its own criteria, as described within the RFP. Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan – RFP Notice is hereby given that the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is accepting proposals for Ann Arbor to Detroit Commuter Rail Service Feasibility Consulting Services (RFP # 2019-06).

This RFP is available on the RTA’s procurement website at www.bidnetdirect. com/mitn.

Detailed specifications are available by contacting Virginia Lickliter, Executive Administrator, at (313) 402-1020 or vlickliter@rtamichigan.org.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with requirements set forth in the RFP and be received on or before September 27, 2019.

The RTA reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals, to re-advertise for proposals and to waive any informality in any proposal and to determine the most responsive proposal by its own criteria, as described within the RFP.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

PUBLIC NOTICE APPOINTMENT OF NEW MAGISTRATE JUDGES (Detroit and Flint, Michigan)

The Judicial Conference of the United States has authorized the appointment of full-time United States Magistrate Judges for the Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit and Flint (one position at each location). The current annual salary of the position is $194,028.

The term of office is eight years.

Copies of the complete notice and the application form may be obtained at <www.mied.uscourts.gov>.

In order to be assured of consideration, applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., SEPTEMBER 20, 2019.

INKSTER HOUSING COMMISSION NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP No. P19002 Environmental Review (ER) / Physical Needs Assessment (PNA) Services AGENCY CONTACT PERSON

Paul Bollinger, Executive Director Telephone: (313)561-2892 E-Mail: bollingerp@inksterhousing.org TDD/TTY: (800)545-1833

HOW TO OBTAIN THE RFP DOCUMENTS 1. Access ha.economicengine.com (no “www”).

ON THE PROCUREMENT MARKETPLACE 2. Click on the “Login” button in the upper left side.

3. Follow the listed directions.

4. If you have any problems in accessing or registering on the Marketplace, please call customer support at (866)526-9266.

PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

NONE SCHEDULED

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS

Monday, September 16, 2019, 3:00 PM ET

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL RETURN

Attn: Paul Bollinger, Executive Director Administrative Office 4500 Inkster Road, Inkster, MI 48141

PROPOSAL SUBMITTAL DEADLINE

Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 3:00 PM ET

[Section 3, Minority- and/or women-owned businesses are encouraged to respond]

Please visit our website for more classified ads. www.MichiganChronicle.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan – RFP Notice is hereby given that the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) is accepting proposals for External Communications & Social Media Support Consulting Services (RFP # 2019-03).

This RFP is available on the RTA’s procurement website at www.bidnetdirect. com/mitn.

Detailed specifications are available by contacting Virginia Lickliter, Executive Administrator, at (313) 402-1020 or vlickliter@rtamichigan.org.

All proposals must be submitted in accordance with requirements set forth in the RFP and be received on or before September 23, 2019.

The RTA reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals, to re-advertise for proposals and to waive any informality in any proposal and to determine the most responsive proposal by its own criteria, as described within the RFP. WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

HELP WANTED

COMPUTER SPECIALIST The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments seeks a computer specialist for its Information Technology department. Experience in IT troubleshooting and computer support. For more information, please visit www.semcog.org/Careers. EOE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Salary Range: $54,423 - $74,288 with an excellent fringe benefit package, starting salary depending upon qualifications and experience. A copy of the job description for this position is posted on the City’s website at cityofeastpointe.net. Those candidates who meet all minimum qualifications will be required to pass an oral board interview.

Prior to employment, applicant must pass city-designated physical examination, which includes drug screening.

Minimum qualifications include Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, real estate, economic development, marketing, communications, or related field and two years of progressively more responsible experience in economic development or an equivalent level of education and experience.

Send application and resume to the City Manager’s Office 23200 Gratiot Avenue, Eastpointe, MI 48021 by October 2, 2019.

EOE

Ryan Cotton

Interim City Manager

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Virtual Design, Development &Validation Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, perform &execute CFD sims of psgr vehicle engines incldg fluid flow, heat transfer &combustion, for engine sim incldg fuel delivery, air delivery &exhaust processes for gasoline engines, to meet U.S. EPA, CARB, &UNECE fuel economy &emissions reqmts &internal power, torque, fuel economy &emissions reqmts &goals. Use UGNX to gather engine product inputs, &CAE SW incldg MATLAB, Star CD, Star CCM+, &Es-ICE to perform CFD simulations. Perform &execute CFD analyses for variety of engine components such as manifolds, ports, fuel injectors, &combustion chambers. Attend physical tests &tear downs &correlate CAE &CFD simulation results to physical test. Present CAE results to cross functional teams. Master, Mechanical or Aerospace Engrg, or related. 36 mos exp as Engineer or Analysis Engineer, performing CFD simulations of psgr vehicle engines incldg fluid flow, heat transfer &combustion, for engine simulation incldg fuel/air delivery &exhaust processes for gasoline engines, to meet country or regional fuel economy &emissions reqmts &internal power &torque reqmts, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1985, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Portfolio Planning Analyst Warren, MI, General Motors. Analyze &support Buick brand portfolio (psgr vehicle design features, aesthetics, interior &exterior details &materials, &customer preference; vehicle trim level (mainstream, standard features &luxury); optimized market share (MS) &aggregated contribution margin (ACM) of full vehicle &packaging pricing; country/regional location of vehicle assy; &pwrtrn selection incldg balance of GHG emissions costs decisions using data sources incldg market research, long-term volume forecasts, competitor intelligence, portfolio planning database (GM3PD), &product program financials. Conduct quantitative &qualitative research clinics by country of sale incldg U.S. &China. Evaluate statistical &regressive data &exercise judgment of reliability of data. Support Planning Portfolio Mgr to create Portfolio Sufficiency Reviews for global Buick brand, &studies for new entries, propulsion syss &countries of sales through Approval For Study &Notice of Decision process. Communicate clearly through standalone presentations, leadership reviews, team mtngs &1:1 discussion w/ leaders. Master, Bus Admin., Marketing, or Marketing Research. 12 mos exp as Product &Portfolio Analyst or Manager, Assistant or Junior Marketing Manager, Marketing Manager, or related, analyzing &supporting customer preferences for vehicle, engine, or generator brand portfolio (optimized MS &ACM); &regional location of assy) decisions using data sources incldg market research &competitor intelligence, or related. Mail resume to Ref#76-402, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

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PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Materials Specialist Trelleborg Sealing Solutions U.S., Inc. seeks a Materials Specialist, in Northville, MI, responsible for material selection, design, and support to internal team and customers; training in materials for SEs and customers; among other duties.

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science or Chemical Engineering and two years of experience in the job offered or related.

Please send resumes to: Mr. Tom Geren, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions US, Inc., Resume Processing/JO#10039954, 2509 Bremer Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46803.

Engineer, Senior 1 (Software) BorgWarner PDS (USA) seeks an Engineer, Senior 1 (Software) in Auburn Hills, MI to define software requirements for All-Wheel Drive(AWD) product line and conduct analysis of customer requirements and BorgWarner internal requirements, among other duties.

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or electrical and computer engineering and five yrs. of experience in the job offered or related. Please send resumes to: Ms. Catherine Wood, Resume Processing /JO#10045890, BorgWarner, 3800 Automation Avenue, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

Subsystem Validation Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp, execute &monitor test plans &capture &analyze data logs on electrical test bench &in vehicle for qlty control &improve embedded Body Control Module, Virtual Key Module, Power Sunroof (and Sunshade subsystem) feature, &Remote Start feature, to meet design reqmts, for 2022 &beyond MY psgr vehicles, in CAN bus, LIN bus, GMLAN &Ethernet comm. protocols, using IBM RTC, DOORS, RQM, VehicleSpy, ACal, DPS tools, &NeoVI FIREII &P-CAN H/W. Analyze captured CAN comm. logs of vehicle subsystem ECU reprogramming &vehicle features, &dvlpmt of diagnostic application to support reading of Diagnostic Trouble Codes. Perform sys level verification tests incldg sanity / functional / & interaction tests. Verify vehicle diagnostic content such as Parameter ID, Data Identifiers &Control Parameter ID to ensure feature functionality within the subsys under test. Bachelor, Electrical, Computer, Instrumentation, or Control Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg &executing test plans on electrical test bench for qlty control &improving embedded ECU to meet design reqmts for psgr vehicle, heavy duty vehicle or commercial vehicle, in CAN bus &Ethernet communication protocols, using IBM RTC, DOORS, &RQM tools. Mail resume to Ref#29153-39, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Production Team Manager New Boston, MI, Brose North America. Plan &lead two production teams (Assembly Seat Syss &Power Sliding Console), consisting of Production Supvs, Engineers, &production operators, to produce in high volume production environment Brose mechatronic first row power seat &back frame syss on production lines. Lead &mentor Production Supvs to launch &operate welding shop &paint shop for seat components.

Plan material flow &assure proper implementation &launch of welding &e-coating equipment incldg plant improvements &expansions, from layout preparation, production &material flow. Support installation &ramp up processes of new equipment &lead production, from launch to high volume production, in Standard Laser, Remote Laser &MAG weld cells, to produce seat syss &back frames. Control continuous production operations (welding, assy &testing) to meet programmed delivery dates &volume &optimize waste, down time &stock levels. Manage production, qlty, deliveries &costs. Ensure that processes comply w/ Brose Production Syss.

Bachelor, Business Admin, Economics, Engrg, or related. 24 mos exp as Production or PreProduction Team Leader, Supervisor or Manager, supporting installation &ramping up processes of new equipment &leading production, from launch to high volume production, in Standard Laser, Remote Laser &MAG weld cells, to produce seat syss &back frames, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1922, Human Resources, 3933 Automation Ave, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

System Engineer – Voice Processing (VP) Warren, MI, General Motors. Create detailed performance &software reqmts for technical implementation of in vehicle VP features such as hands-free calling &in vehicle communication, &functions such as noise cancellation, echo cancellation &automatic gain control in conventional &autonomous psgr vehicle Center Stack Module, using Head Acoustics ACQUA, DOORS NextGen, RTC, Nuance/QNX tuning tools, CMW500, &VehicleSpy tools. Collaborate w/ cross functional teams to ensure VP features &functions are integrated into vehicle. Work w/ Tier I &II suppliers to dvlp &implement new VP features &functions in CSM. Support dvlpmt of technology roadmap (3-5 yr) for VP w/in psgr vehicle infotainment &telematics syss. Dvlp global engrg reqmts for end-to-end in vehicle VP solutions incldg hands-free audio, multimicrophone/beamforming, &speech wake-upword. Dvlp, tune, test Hands-Free Audio. Conduct in vehicle VP testing according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU) P1100, P1110, P1140 &related standards &w/in GM spec. Tune automotive HFA syss to optimize echo, noise suppression, &double talk performance.

Troubleshoot speech &audio qlty issues &recommendations for improvement. Conduct ITU based standard testing &cert. using Head Acoustics, Bruel &Kjaer electro acoustics tools.

Master, Electrical or Acoustics Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg, tuning, testing Hands-Free Audio, &conducting in vehicle VP testing according to ITU P1110 &P1140 standards. Mail resume to Ref#2738, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Please visit our website for more classified ads.

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• michiganchronicle.com •

Aug. 28 - Sept. 3, 2019

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