MC Digital Edition 4.10.19

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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 82 – No. 31 | April 10-16, 2019

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Roberta Hughes Wright, First lady of the Charles H. Wright Museum, Leaves Legacy for Detroit and the World

By Janis D. Hazel The city of Detroit mourns the loss of Roberta Hughes Wright, the First Lady of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

She was known fondly for her numerous contributions to the city and the nation.

Roberta died on April 2 at the age of 96 and was laid at the African American History museum for the official visitation of mourners.

A second visitation service was held at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals, Northwest Chapel. It was there Roberta Hughes Wright that her sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. conducted its revered “The Ivy Beyond the Wall” ceremony, which is reserved for sisters who have died.

A native of Detroit, Michigan,

See WRIGHT page A4

Former Detroit Restaurateur

La-Van Hawkins Passes Away

By Branden Hunter La-Van Hawkins, the Detroit entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar empire, has passed away.

A big personality, at 6’2”, 285 pounds, Hawkins was known for his custom suits and Bentley cars. However, he was notorious for buying and selling numerous restaurants, including Burger King, Checkers, the upscale Sweet Georgia Brown in Detroit’s Greektown district and over 100 Pizza Hut restaurants.

Born in 1960 in Chicago, Il Illinois Hawkins La-Van Hawkins waswas raised in the Cabrini-Green housing project. Forced to drop out of high school and provide for his mother when his father died, La-Van’s career in the restaurant business began in 1971 when he was just 11 years old. He scrubbed toilets at one of the McDonald’s restaurants owned by his uncle. By the time he left McDonald’s in 1979, Hawkins had risen

See HAWKINS page A4

Robert J. Manilla (VP and CIO, The Kresge Foundation), Susan Taylor Batten (President and CEO, ABFE) and Rip Rapson (President & CEO, Kresge Foundation)

The Kresge Foundation Commits to Investing over $450 million with Diverse- and Women-Owned Businesses

By Janis D. Hazel The Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE) put out a call-to-action that would benefit African American’s and women. Detroit’s hometown hero, The Kresge Foundation, was the first private foundation to answer that call.

Kresge introduced its ”25% by ’25” initiative to place 25% of its U.S. assets, by the year 2025, with women- or diverse-owned asset management firms. [with asset management firms owned by women or blacks or other minorities].

ABFE aims to secure similar pledges from 50 foundations by the end of 2021, coinciding with its 50th anniversary. By signing ABFE’s “Diversity in Foundation Asset Management Pledge” during its annual conference in Detroit last week, Kresge committed to supporting diverseand women-owned investment firms to encourage philanthropic and institutional endowments and expand gender and racial diversity within the field.

“We are talking about state pension plans, foundations, endowments and universities, and those corporate managers that control wealth in this country,” said Rip Rapson during ABFE’s conference, which was held at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.

Kresge’s president and chief executive officer Rapson also noted, “About 15 percent of Kresge’s $1.85 billion in domestic assets is already invested with the type of firms it has pledged to support. A boost to 25% would mean a total of $462.5 million.”

ABFE President and Chief Executive Officer Susan Taylor Batten shared her thoughts that “Kresge had taken an important step to not only look inward but to serve as a model for other institutions that manage large endowments.”

Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with offices in Detroit, The Kresge Foundation was founded in 1924 to promote human progress. Today, Kresge fulfills that mission by building and strengthening opportunity pathways for low-income people in America’s cities as well as dismantling structural and systemic

barriers to equality and justice. Utilizing a full array of grant, loan and other investment tools, Kresge invests more than $160 million annually to foster economic and social change.

“The foundation has also restructured its recruiting and hiring practices to remove implicit bias to ensure that it is attracting a more diverse and talented candidate pool and is supporting efforts to build a pipeline of young people who are interested in and prepared for

See INVESTMENT page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE NEIGHBORS

Census 2020: The Heads Up! Barber And Beauty By Jasahn M. Larsosa Shops Groom People $144 million. This is what the city of Detroit stands to lose as And Communities COMMENTARY a result of its popuRoots. B1 lation that will be in-

carcerated during the 2020 census count.

This is apart from the amount of Detroiters who will falsely report residency or avoid responding altogether.

Also not factored are those serving time in federal prisons or those incarcerated out Jasahn M. Larsosa of state.

$1.00

It was Desiree Ferguson of the Detroit Justice Center who explained mass incar-

ceration as “mass displacement.” Additionally, Professor Heather Ann Thompson, PhD, of the University of Michigan connected this phenomenon to the economic disenfranchisement of Detroit through the census. Focus: HOPE was blown away by this!

What can be done by those of varying backgrounds loving, living and working in Detroit?

The answer is clear: “Be Counted, Detroit.”

Also, be sure all colleagues, children,

See HEADS

UP page A4

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April 10-16, 2019

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Investment From page A-1

careers in the investment industry,” panelist Robert J. Manilla, Kresge vice president and chief investment officer, told the crowd at the conference. He went on to say, “We recognized the pipeline and networks to these careers – that have been traditionally white, male-dominated – must be diversified early. [In addition,] curriculums at local high schools and colleges [have been launched] to create pathways for careers in investing.”

Kresge is currently partnering with the Pontiac Schools system, Oakland University and Wayne State University on the investment curriculum initiative.

The 2019 ABFE conference was aptly titled, “Harambee: Let’s All Pull Together” after the Kenyan Harambee tradition

LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com

of community self-help, fundraising and development. Its literal translation in Swahili is “all pull together.”

ABFE’s Batten expressed, “It was only natural to convene the nation’s largest gathering of Black professionals in philanthropy for networking and learning strategizes [in order] to increase public and private investments in Black communities. Detroit, which is ripe with history and current day realities, served as a great context for our conference. As part of the Great Migration, many of our families traveled “up-south” to Detroit for the promise of a better future.

Black Americans found good jobs and a good way of life… away from the oppression of the hyper-racist south. People found freedom in Detroit and enjoyed the cultural strengths and assets that would soon birth a global soundtrack inspiring people from all walks of life.”

City seeks to fill 200 seasonal Parks & Recreation positions at upcoming Hiring Fairs If you have an interest in parks and recreation, then the City of Detroit may have a job for you. The City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Division is looking to fill 200 seasonal positions and will be holding job fairs over the next two weeks at four of the City’s recreation centers.

The positions include play leaders, locker room attendants and lifeguards. The positions are seasonal and range in skill level as well as qualification requirements.

April 11 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort Street April 12 | 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Young Recreation Center, 2751 Robert Bradby Dr. April 17 | 2- 6 p.m. at Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 E. Outer Drive Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and should bring an updated resume. The City also will conduct on-site interviews. Applicants must wear proper attire -- no jeans, sweats, sweatshirts, t-shirts or gym shoes.

Prior to attending one of the job fairs, applicants must apply online at www.detroitmi.gov/employment. For additional information, individuals may call (313) 224-4419.

U.S. Department of Labor Provides Dislocated Worker Grant to Combat Opioid Crisis The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the award of an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) to the Michigan Talent Investment Agency for up to $1,809,752, with $800,000 released initially. This grant funding will address the workforce impacts of the opioid crisis in Macomb County by providing employment services to eligible individuals affected by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose.

The project will provide eligible grant participants with disaster-relief employment as peer recovery coaches in a community recovery organization combatting the effects of the crisis. The project will also provide employment services to eligible participants seeking careers in healthcare professions related to addiction, treatment, prevention, and pain management.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency in October 2017, enabling Michigan to request this funding for a DWG project.

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, Dislocated Worker Grants temporarily expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that cause significant job losses.

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Wright From page A-1 Wright graduated from Northern High School and Wayne State University where she received Bachelor of Science, Master of Education and juris doctorate degrees. She went on to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy in behavioral sciences in education from the University of Michigan.

A proponent of education, she adored children and delighted in sharing her love for reading. Roberta was routinely seen at various Detroit elementary schools reading books to the children during story time. A testimony to having several careers in one’s lifetime, she was also an educator at the elementary school-level, a college professor, social worker, attorney and noted author who wrote and published 16 books on multiple topics. A few titles include The Wright Man, a biography of Charles Wright, an autobiography of her life entitled, Reflections, My Life, and Lay Down Body: Living History in African American Cemeteries, which was about the rich history, struggles and importance of African-American cemeteries.

In addition to Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Wright was a dedicated member of the Links, Inc., the Michigan State Bar, the Bar of the District of Columbia, and was admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

She was also a partner with the law firm of Waterman, Hooe, Curry and Hughes with a focus on probate law, which led to her appointment as a public administrator for the Oakland County Probate Court.

Wright had a son and daughter with her first husband, Wilbur B. Hughes Jr., who died in 1985.

In 1989, she married the late Dr. Charles H. Wright, an obstetrician and gynecologist who founded the International Afro-American Museum in Detroit. Founded in 1965, the museum initially operated out of a house that he owned on West Grand Boulevard and featured the curated artifacts he collected exploring the diaspora of Africans and African Americans. The museum’s name was changed to the Museum of African American History and again to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in his honor in 1998.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the widow of our founder, Dr. Roberta Hughes Wright. She was a fierce stalwart supporter who deeply believed in the mission of our institution,” said Neil A. Barclay, chief executive officer of the Charles H. Wright Museum, in an official statement released by the museum. “Her generous spirit left a mark – whether she was arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court or speaking with students at the museum. This is a great loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this magnificent woman.”

James H. Cole Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.

Hawkins From page A-1

to the position of director of operations.

His next stop was the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant chain where he worked for eight years – first as an area manager and then as a district manager. In 1981, La-Van began his real ascent in the fast-food business when he successfully led the company’s special inner-city marketing project.

By 1995, Hawkins founded Inner City Foods Corporation and was running the most successful African-American franchise restaurant company in the United States, Checkers. Under his direction, the company concentrated Checkers franchises in urban minority neighborhoods. His goal was to employ young minority workers and provide them with opportunities for financial independence via increased opportunities for management-level positions and restaurant ownership. La-Van owned 47 Checkers restaurants, which brought in approximately $65 million a year.

As chairman and chief executive officer of Urban City Foods Management Inc. (UCF) from 1995-1998, he spearheaded the development and operation of unique Burger King Express Way franchises. This development provided job opportunities for minorities in federally-funded areas.

In the early 2000s, his company, Hawkins Food Group L.L.C., had recorded sales topping $200 million and was earning national attention.

La-Van would soon set his eyes on Detroit, Michigan, where he opened Sweet Georgia Brown, a southern-themed restaurant that opened in the city’s Greektown area. Sweet Georgia Brown made $8.5 million in business during its first year.

He also invested in Pizza Hut franchises in Detroit and its surrounding areas owning nearly 100 franchises. As with his Checkers and Burger King restaurants, Hawkins invested heavily in promoting Pizza Hut locations in urban areas.

At the height of his career, he employed 30,000 employees, but it eventually all came crashing down.

In 2009, Hawkins pleaded guilty to one count of a nine-count indictment. Investigators claimed that from 2001 to 2003, $5.3 million was deducted from employees’ checks for Social Security and Medicare, but the funds were not given to the government. He was ordered by a federal judge to pay $5.7 million in restitution.

La-Van was also sentenced to ten months in prison concurrent with his 33month federal sentence from a 2007 conviction of wire fraud. He was released on March 19, 2010.

La-Van returned to Detroit in 2012 to open the Detroit Cheesecake Bistro, which folded the following year.

Hawkins was married to his ex-wife, Wendy, from 1994-2004.

James H. Cole Funeral Home will be handling funeral arrangements.

The Congressional Black Caucus Launches State of Black America Listening Tour in Detroit: Reparations for African Americans Dominated Town Hall

By Janis D. Hazel On Friday, March 29, 2019, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) hosted a delegation of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members in Detroit to discuss The State of Black America. Joining Congresswoman Lawrence were fellow legislators, Representative – and chair of the Congressional Black Caucus – Karen Bass (CA37), Representative Joyce Beatty (OH -3), Representative Valdez Demings (FL-10), Representative Robin Kelly (IL-2), Representative Shelia Jackson Lee (TX-18) and Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-5).

Known as the “Conscience of the Congress” since its establishment in 1971, the Congressional Black Caucus has been committed to using the full constitutional power, statutory authority and financial resources of the federal government to ensure that African Americans, and other marginalized communities in the United States, have the opportunity to achieve the American Dream by addressing their unique needs.

The CBC has a historic 55 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate and represents more than 82 million Americans (25.3 percent of the total U.S. population), and more than 17 million African Americans (41 percent of the total U.S. African-American population). In addition, the CBC represents almost a fourth of the House Democratic Caucus. Noteworthy is the fact that CBC members are chairs of five House full committees: Education and Labor, Oversight and Reform, Financial Services, Homeland Security, and Science, Space and Technology.

The National State of Black America Listening Tour provided an opportunity for members of the community to discuss significant challenges affecting African Americans in Detroit.

Listening sessions were held throughout the day beginning with Congresswoman Lawrence and members of the CBC hearing directly from the people at distinct site visits and listening sessions including the Wayne County Jail - Women’s Division where the State of Black Women: Incarceration and the Loss of Rights, Family and Dignity was discussed.

A listening session also took place at the Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit’s Flip the Script program’s North End site on East Grand Blvd.

The Flip the Script program serves hundreds of individuals each year with program participants including those on court-ordered probation and/ or parole, low income and chronically unemployed and underemployed women, and youth that have aged out of the formal educational/school process.

Later, CBC members engaged in a stakeholder round table with community leaders to explore sessions such as The State of Black Women; The New Face of Poverty in Today’s Economy; Young, Gifted & Black: Women Millennials Take Their Seat at the Table; and Women Impacted by Incarceration,

Heads Up From page A-1 neighbors, friends, housemates, roommates, classmates and loved ones are counted with us.

The Numbers Many folks remain unaware of the huge economic impact that the census has on where we live.

Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the country undergoes a count of its resident population every 10 years.

This helps the government determine several things for districts, from electoral and legislative representation to the amount of federal funding received until the next census. The funding is used to support food provision, education, medical service, roads and housing for hundreds of thousands of Detroiters.

Every person counted in the census represents approximately $1,800 per year in federal dollars or $18,000 for a total of 10 years. As of 2017, the city of Detroit is estimated – perhaps underestimated – to have a population of 673,104. From these numbers, it is equated that approximately $12 billion will go toward Medicare and Medicaid; food stamps, W.I.C. and free lunch; Head Start, Early Head Start and special education grants; and, of course, highway planning and construction.

The Dark Past It’s important to note that the U.S. Constitution also outlined who would count! Specifically, enslaved Blacks in this country were factored as 3/5 persons during the census, however, whites in the rural south enjoyed inflated political and economic advantages from even the partial count of Black bodies in their districts. These advantages came at the extremely high cost of Blacks’ freedom with little to no trickle-down benefit to those Blacks and their families.

The Present Disappointingly, there is little difference today. According to the Michigan Department of Corrections, there are currently 8,000 Detroiters serving

Inside & Out: Engines of Change.

The second component of the Listening Tour was the community town hall meeting held that evening at Wayne State University’s McGregor Memorial Conference Center. The community meeting was moderated by Carolyn Clifford, news anchor of WXYZ Channel 7; Judge Aliyah Sabree of 36th District Court, State of Michigan; Dr. Ann Elrington, obstetrician-gynecologist at DMC Harper and DMC Receiving Hospital; Dr. Ken Harris, president and chief executive officer of National Business League, Inc.; Portia Roberson, chief executive officer of Focus Hope; and Shawn Blanchard, mentorship specialist and author at University of Moguls Publishing. The meeting was focused on a plethora of issues ranging from criminal justice reform to economics and equal pay, which Lawrence stated, “is an issue that specifically affects African-American women across this country.”

Lawrence, who serves as the CBC second vice chair and on the House Appropriations and House Oversight and Reform Committees, went on to say, “We have reached a critical juncture in our nation’s history for African Americans. The State of Black America is very much unsettled with the safety and wellbeing of our communities being challenged and our equal access to opportunity under attack.

The Congressional Black Caucus leadership is laboring diligently to assess current matters and advocate for national action.”

When residents got hold of the microphone, numerous passionate questions were asked, and a spirited discussion ensued regarding the Reparations for African Americans (H.R. 40) legislation. First introduced by Michigan’s former 13th Congressional District Representative John Conyers, Jr. in 1989, the latest version of H.R. 40, “Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act,” was introduced

by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) this year. Lee said, “[It] can help us reach into this dark past and bring us into a brighter future.” Portia Roberson, chief executive officer of Focus Hope stated that she still wants her 40-acres and her mule.

According to a report published

by Newsweek, reparations could cost

anywhere between $5.9 trillion and $14.2 trillion when calculating hours worked among men, women and children from 1776 to 1865. The figure was determined by a calculation of multiplying hours labored during this period and the average wages along with a compounding interest rate of three percent each year to adequately measure inflation.

Representative Rashida Tlaib of Michigan’s 13th Congressional District joined Brenda Lawrence and CBC members at the town hall meeting and said she is a co-sponsor and supports the bill.

Dr. Ken Harris, an economist and chief executive officer of the National Business League, reminded the crowd that, “African Americans missed the agricultural and industrial revolutions due to racist policies. We should not let white folks that have benefited from racism tell us that reparations are not necessary when they are from the privileged class that built their wealth by implementing and upholding laws that denied blacks participation in America’s economy and education.”

Karen Bass, who is currently serving in her fifth term representing California’s 37th Congressional District, told attendees that “President Trump’s budget for fiscal year 2020 is deeply troubling and makes it abundantly clear he isn’t serious about addressing the needs of the African-American community.” She also helped Lawrence field questions about “Big Pharma” lobbyists controlling Congress and increasing costs of prescription medication. She stated, “This budget strips Americans of their healthcare and makes it harder to move into the middle-class with drastic cuts to housing, education and job training. If we didn’t already know what African Americans stood to lose under a Trump presidency, this budget makes it abundantly clear.”

She went on to assure residents that the CBC will work to ensure that they protect access to quality and affordable healthcare to strengthen the middle-class.

Other members of the CBC will be hosting subsequent Listening Tours and town hall meetings within their districts – dates and locations to be announced at a later date.

time in Michigan prisons. One can assume that many of them are being held for nonviolent, victimless crimes.

This is the result of deeply-embedded and wide-spread biases in law-making and law-enforcement, which is exemplified by the lengthy sentences imposed on Blacks.

Sadly, 154 years “post slavery,” Blacks in this country are still uprooted in droves and held captive in rural districts, which benefits predominantly white populations by immensely inflating their political and economic advantages, for example. An ironic twist, instead of these Blacks being counted as 3/5 today, each person is considered wholly. This means with no trickle-down benefit to the prisoner or their home communities, the federal resources determined by the census will be redistributed from Detroit in full to the rural areas around prisons to the tune of $144 million from 2020 to 2030.

The Way Forward There’s unfortunately little we can do about the currently displaced individuals except pray for their safe return home and connect them to programs, people and opportunities to prevent recidivism. However, what we can do for the city of Detroit, in the meantime, is ensure that we each are counted next year.

Portia Roberson, Focus: HOPE’s chief executive officer, declared Monday, April 1, 2019, “As we are counting on our children’s early education, we must be counted in 2020...

For the 44,000 seniors who count on Focus: HOPE for food monthly, we must be counted in 2020.” This announcement was made during Mayor Mike Duggan’s 2020 Census Kickoff Rally held at Focus: HOPE last week.

The HOPE While one reason people avoid being counted is fear of government or insurance providers, we hope that our collective love for Detroit and our desire to see it succeed may embolden us to participate properly.

We must understand that the fate of Detroiters new and old – including overcoming the harms of displace-

ment and underrepresentation – is tied to us being counted together.

This was evidenced by the overwhelming presence at the rally on Monday. Dr. Felix Rogers, D.O. and Focus: HOPE volunteer through Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, recounted that the meeting space was filled to standing-room-only capacity well before the program started. The room throbbed with music and pulsed with the energy of the gathering crowd. At least 10 video cameras from the media were jammed in a row near the front, obstructing the view for many. The gathering was multi-cultural, multi-racial and multi-generational. Business, political and nonprofit leaders converged with grassroots.

The enthusiasm was palpable.

Mayor Duggan declared that was Detroit.

A mixed line-up of speakers, activists and poets – including officials like Senator Peters and Congresswoman Tlaib – encouraged listeners to be brave and assured them that the Census Bureau is restricted from sharing information with government agencies or otherwise. “Including your insurance providers,” said Mayor Duggan to a room of hundreds bursting with laughter. “So, if you live in Detroit and not the suburbs, you can admit it to the Census!” he added.

Focus: HOPE is committed to the idea that if Detroit is on the way up even as thousands of its people are being displaced, disenfranchised and left behind, then all of us owe it to them, to ourselves and to the future of this city to welcome them back to a locality fully resourced, supportive and committed to finally undo the legacy of racism, poverty and other injustices in the region.

Jasahn M. Larsosa is Director of Advocacy, Equity & Community Empowerment, serving under Portia Roberson, the newly appointed CEO of Focus: HOPE. The insights in this analysis are part of an ongoing education series launched on MLK Day at Focus: HOPE. Look for more analysis with further insights on disrupting racism from Mr. Larsosa.

April 10-16, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-5

NATIONAL NEWS

Lori Lights Up Chicago On a historic night that recorded more firsts for Black leadership, Lightfoot swept all 50 wards to become the first Black female mayor of Chicago

By Erick Johnson On a historic night, Lori Lightfoot cemented her inspiring rise to political power to become Chicago’s first Black female mayor commanding a landslide victory over machine politics in the nation’s third largest city where there are more Blacks in public office than anywhere in the country.

In the second mayoral runoff in Chicago’s 182-year history, she swept all 50 wards as she delivered a crushing defeat to her opponent, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, a Black female political “Boss” who after rising to political prominence, lost an election for the first time in 32 years.

The evening also marked an unprecedented achievement for Chicago Blacksone that set new records in Black political power in Chicago and Cook County.

For the first time in the country, two Black women at the same time will lead Chicago, and Cook County, the second biggest county in America.

Chicago is now the largest city to elect a Black female mayor. It joins 13 cities headed by Black female mayors.

They include San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Baltimore, New Orleans, Baton Rouge (LA), Charlotte (NC), New Haven (CT) and Rochester (NY).

In another historic victory, State Representative Melissa Conyears-Ervin became the city’s first Black female treasurer.

Blacks in Chicago now head the nation’s second largest police department, the second largest transit system, the third biggest public school system as well as the Chicago Fire Department, the Chicago Housing Authority and the Water Department.

With many Black residents struggling and disillusioned, some of these positions carry more symbolism than power and influence. With Lightfoot poised to take over, there’s the question of whether she will challenge or even shakeup the Black public leadership that Mayor Rahm Emanuel created, to restore trust with Black voters.

Lightfoot will be sworn in next month and replace Emanuel, an embattled official who decided not to run for a third term after losing trust among Chicago’s Black voters amid the police shooting of 17-year Laquan McDonald.

But the spotlight is on Lightfoot, a former prosecutor who was born to a working class family in Ohio. Thirty-six years after Harold Washington became the city’s first Black mayor, Lightfoot steps into the role at a time when hundreds of thousands of Blacks are leaving the city after years of crime, poverty and sweeping segregation among its Black and white residents.

Lightfoot is also the city’s first openly gay public official.

The evening set records on various

levels in an election where only 30 percent of Chicago’s 1.6 million voters went to the polls after a long, highly publicized campaign season that for the first time saw two Black women vie for the city’s highest political office.

Lightfoot’s victory is being viewed as extraordinary. She defied odds as a gay, political rookie who had never held an elective office. There was concern that she would not get the support of the Black electorate because of her sexual orientation. In addition to being an ‘outsider’ at City Hall, the Chicago Black Caucus as an organization did not endorse her, or publicly campaign for Lightfoot. A WGN poll on March 5 showed that Lightfoot led her opponent by as much as 53 percent to Preckwinkle’s 30 percent. Another poll showed that 29 percent of voters remained undecided on their candidate of choice.

That left Preckwinkle’s supporters hopeful. But Lightfoot won anyway.

Forty-six minutes after the polls closed at 7 p.m, Lightfoot was declared the winner.

She grabbed nearly 74 percent of 498,154 votes that were cast. Lightfoot kept a massive lead over her opponent throughout the evening. When the first results appeared on the screens at her election night watch party at the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue, cheers erupted from a diverse crowd of supporters in a packed ballroom where Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., businessman Willie Wilson, activist Ja’Mal Green and several Black aldermen were in attendance.

With her wife and daughter standing behind her, Lightfoot gave an 18-minute speech that highlighted her tough journey to victory and expressed her vision for Chicago.

To hundreds of her supporters Lightfoot said, ‘You created more than just history. You created a movement for change. When we started this journey 11 months ago, nobody gave us much of a chance. We were up against powerful interests, a powerful machine and a powerful mayor. [Dr.] Martin Luther King said something when I was very young. Faith, he said, is taking the first step when you can’t see the staircase…

We let our faith overcome our fears.

“Together, we can and will, finally put first the interests of our people-all of our people, and not the interests of a powerful few. We can and will make Chicago a place where your zip code doesn’t determine your destiny.”

After her landslide victory, Lori Lightfoot speaks to her supporters as the C ­ hicago’s first Black female mayor. seriously as an ambitious figure seeking to shake up Chicago’s political machine.

His downfall gave rise to Lightfoot, a relatively unknown figure in the Black community who quit her mayoral-appointed job to take on Emanuel and the machine politics at City Hall. She stunned the city’s status quo after beating 14 candidates in the February 26 election with little support from big donors and the political elite.

The victory added more fuel and momentum to Lightfoot as she remained defiant and outspoken about the city’s machine politics that for years have left many residents disenfranchised and disillusioned.

Standing in Lightfoot’s way was Preckwinkle, a political heavyweight, who has grown after she helped put in office Cook County’s first Black female State’s Attorney Kim Foxx, and Juliana Stratton, the first Black female Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. After winning the Primary in March, 2018, Preckwinkle became the first Black female to serve as chairman of the powerful Cook County Democratic Party.

Preckwinkle launched a negative advertising campaign that painted Lightfoot as an affluent attorney who built her legal career on defending powerful corporations while she served as a partner at the high-profile global law firm of Mayer Brown. But in the end, Preckwinkle’s ties to the corruption scandal of Alderman Ed Burke played into her

opponent’s message that she is part of Chicago’s political machine. And Preckwinkle’s negative attacks only boosted her negative image as a mean-spirited public official.

In the final weeks leading up to the runoff election, the two racked up political endorsements at a pace not seen before in recent Chicago memory.

Lightfoot was endorsed by the city’s daily newspapers and several Black aldermen. Many of Preckwinkle’s endorsements came from unions. Former President Barack Obama and several organizations remained silent, fueling speculation that many Democrats had abandoned Preckwinkle when she really needed them. Obama’s former Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett endorsed Preckwinkle in the final weeks of her mayoral campaign.

Obama, whose mansion is in Hyde Park where Preckwinkle lives, endorsed Preckwinkle during her campaign for a third term as Cook County Board President.

Lightfoot in her victory speech promised to heal the wounds, after a bitter campaign season among two strong Black women.

“In this election, Toni and I were competitors. But our differences are nothing compared to what we can achieve together. Now that it’s over, I know that we will work together in a city that we both love.”

Lightfoot also won all of the city’s Black wards, weeks after she was endorsed by Black businessman and former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson, who won 13 Black wards in the general election in February. Wilson’s endorsement is being viewed as a game changer in Lightfoot’s campaign, and his influence signaled his own rise to political prominence in a city that never took him

April 11, 2019

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT 2019 MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL ACTION PLAN Prior to submission for further funding from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development, Michigan is required to prepare a Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan (the Consolidated Plan). The Consolidated Plan proposes an action strategy by which those needs will be addressed through five program years for the period July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2020. The five annual action plans are funded by five formula programs covered in the Michigan Consolidated Plan (HOME, Community Development Block Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDs, the Emergency Solutions Grant, and the Housing Trust Fund). The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is responsible for preparing the Michigan Consolidated Plan and soliciting comments from the public regarding the plan on an annual basis.

The comment period will commence on April 11, 2019 and end on May 11, 2019 and will focus on the draft action plan language. Copies of the 2019 Michigan Consolidated Action Plan may be downloaded free of charge from the MSHDA website at www.michigan.gov/mshda.

All interested parties are invited to attend the public hearing listed below and/or submit written comments for the Michigan Consolidated Action Plan. Information gathered during the public hearings and the written comments received will be used to develop the 2019 Michigan Consolidated Action Plan.

Please note the following date and locations for the 2019 Public Hearings: Detroit: Wednesday, April 24, 2019 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon MSHDA Detroit Office, Cadillac Place, 3028 W. Grand Boulevard, Suite 4-602 Lansing: Thursday, May 2, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

MSHDA Lansing Office, 735 E. Michigan Avenue Individuals and organizations unable to attend the hearing may still submit written comments to Tonya Young, 735 East Michigan Avenue, P.O. Box 30044, Lansing, MI 48909. Written comments must be received no later than May 8, 2019.

Comments can also be submitted to the MSHDA Consolidated Plan Coordinator via e-mail to hidmailbox@michigan.gov.

Special Assistance: The meeting locations are accessible to mobility-challenged individuals. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in a meeting should contact Housing Initiatives at 517.335.2524 a week in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

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Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com •

April 10-16, 2019

FORUM II

“A View from the Top: Regional Leaders Discuss Detroit’s Future” Thursday, April 18, 2019 • 7:30 a.m.

Detroit Athletic Club 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 Panelists

TONYA ALLEN President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation

GARY TORGOW

DAVID LEWIS

Chairman of Chemical Financial Corporation

President of AT&T Michigan

RICHARD L. DEVORE

Executive Vice President and Regional President PNC Bank, Detroit and Southeast Michigan

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B1

| April 10-16, 2019

Roots.

michiganchronicle.com

NEIGHBORS

Barber And Beauty Shops Groom People And Communities

Beauty salons and barber shops offer far more than a place to get a cut, curl or natural hairdo.

They serve as community gathering spaces, where men and women catch up on the latest news, debate the day’s issues, watch sports and movies, or simply relax and chill.

For children, that first trip to a professional shop is almost like a rite of passage.

As importantly, in black communities, these businesses have a long history as a cherished space for camaraderie, a reliable source of income and an outlet for creativity for countless entrepreneurs. Detroit is widely regarded as a hair capital because of its many creative stylists.

There are 593 licensed barber shops and beauty salons in Detroit, according to a City of Detroit spokesperson Tiffany Crawford. Nationally, there were 673,700 people employed as barbers, beauticians and cosmetologists in 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s an estimated $58 billion industry and growing, according to the Small Business Development Center.

Hair salons and barber shops contribute mightily to the health, vitality and character of city neighborhoods, said Lily Hamburger and Bobby Boone, officials with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation which has provided funding for some shops to start or restore their buildings.

Many barbers and beauticians give back to the communities they serve.

A few examples, in addition to the three featured this month in the Neighbors section, include: ■ The Final Kut Sports Barber Zone, which was awarded $50,000 this year from Motor City Restore, to refresh its building on W. Seven Mile and help restore vacant properties nearby. Among other things, the sports bar-like shop, offers health screenings and a Barbers With Books program to encourage reading among black boys and men.

On the Saturday before Easter (April 20)— typically one of the industry’s busiest days--any child who reads a book while getting his or her hair cut at The Final Kut will get that service free of charge. And they don’t have to bring a book.

The shop has a shelf full of books, many of them featuring children of color.

■ The Social Club Grooming Company gives environmental and community service. Sebastian Jackson and his wife, Gabrielle, created the Midtown Detroit shop using lumber from blighted Detroit properties, and clippings from haircuts helped to fertilize 200 new trees in the city.

■ Barber Kyle Williams regularly cuts boys’ hair at the Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men. He rewards good attendance with free high-end cuts, and has his own home-based shop called Gentleman’s Geometry.

Calvin Mann cuts customer’s hair at Faye ‘Ness Hair Works Salon. PHOTOS: Kory Woods

WEST SIDE: WYOMING-FENKELL

Brotherhood At Faye ‘Ness Beauty/Barber Shop Supports Manhood And Mentoring Projects

BY ALICIA NAILS

summer program for ninth graders to learn about college and a 14-week black male achievement program starting in the fall – both held at Rosedale Park Baptist Church.

NEIGHBORS STAFF WRITER

The sign on the combination barber / beauty shop at 15758 Wyoming near Fenkell, on Detroit’s northwest side, reads Faye` Ness. It was left behind by a previous owner. No need to waste money on a new sign at this clean, quiet shop with its mature, no-nonsense clientele. They know where they’re headed – into a home base with lifelong friends and extended family.

Torrey Lucas, whose cousin owns the shop, dropped in for a line-up and trim one recent day. He says he supports Mann’s project “by buying the clothing and the money goes to help with the youth.”

The three barbers and one beautician also support the mentoring efforts of their friend, Calvin Mann, a client who is a consistent presence in the shop, and the founder and president of Encourage Me I’m Young (EMIY).

powerment and development program for black males age 8 and up that is supported by the men who work in or frequent the shop. EMIY has a clothing line and incorporates sports in its mentoring initiatives.

EMIY is a 10-year-old youth em-

Mann also operates a six-week

Lucas’s son benefits from the project. “My son participates in the program because basketball teaches you life skills like leadership and teamwork,” Lucas said.

He said his son, 17 year old Keelen, has committed to Albion College as a student-athlete.

See FAYE ‘NESS page B-2

Often the bonds between customers and groomers are like family.

“During the recession, many of these businesses have stayed in the community when others closed,” said Boone, DEGC Small Business Attraction Manager.

“They are an entryway to entrepreneurship and they offer a service that almost guarantees they’ll have business,” said Hamburger, director of Small Business Attraction and Retention. “It’s something people can learn to do and continue doing for a long time.”

As the busy Easter season approaches we shine a spotlight on three of them.

– Cassandra Spratling

Shop owner Tina Sanusi cuts hair of a long-time client at Another Level. PHOTOS: Kory Woods

EAST SIDE: WARREN-CONNER

Michigan Chronicle

&

Hair Salon Takes It To Another Level

By James W. Ribbron Neighbors Staff Writer

East side Detroit barber Tina Sanusi turned struggle into success.

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE AND ARISE DETROIT! TEAM UP One Year in The Life, a new monthly supplement to the Michigan Chronicle Roots section, is dedicated to coverage of the Detroit experience at a grassroots level. The edition is the result of a partnership between ARISE Detroit!, a nonprofit coalition of more than 400 organizations, and the Michigan Chronicle, the state’s oldest and most respected African American newspaper. The project is made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation Of Southeast Michigan.

The Detroit newspapers strike in 1995 left her without work at a time when she was divorced and raising four children. She turned her attention to a talent she had shown since she was a teenager: doing hair. She already had a cosmetology license.

“When the strike came, I was trying to figure out how can I make the same kind of money. And so, I went back to school and became a barber,” said Sanusi, who had been a material handler for the Detroit Newspaper Agency.

She opened her shop, Another Level, almost 20 years ago.

“A business opportunity came when an abandoned shop located at 17826 East Warren became available and I took the chance,” Sanusi, 58, said.

It turned out to be a smart move.

“The shop is beneficial enough for me to be able to make a living and take care of myself,” she said. “I am able to say I am successful because work is steady, and I need another stylist.”

One of her long-time customers also took a chance on her when she was working at Mo Better Cuts, also on East War-

See ANOTHER LEVEL page B-2

Barber Alonzo Palmer in front of his shop Alta Moda Salon.

EAST SIDE: GRATIOT - ST. AUBIN

Alta Moda Offers Styles and Conversation in a Spa-Like Atmosphere

By Laydell Harper Neighbors Staff Writer

Alta Moda Salon offers more than a fresh cut or hairdo. This popular east side salon serves as a stylish gathering spot where both men and women discuss and debate the latest news or just chill in a relaxed, enticing environment while getting a hair cut or curled.

The full-service salon has occupied the corner of Gratiot Avenue at St. Aubin on Detroit’s east side for 18 years. “{Overall} I’ve been in the business for 30 years, said Alonzo Palmer, salon owner and stylist. “We have a very loyal clientele. The community really supports us, basically because of our location, and because we take pride in being one of the best in the city. We are a full-service salon; offering relaxers, hair coloring, braiding, weaving and barber service. We’ve always had a reputation for good service.”

See ALTA MODA page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • April 10-16, 2019

Another Level From page B-1

ren, where she was the only female barber.

The Barber Shop

“While others were waiting on the men barbers to cut their hair, I was in a hurry, so I sat in her chair. She cut my hair and I’ve been going to her since then,” said Yunnas Tony Harrison, 51, of Roseville. “Tina also braids my daughter’s hair. Tina is very talented woman and she has skills, runs a tight business and I’m very proud of her.”

Sanusi, also puts her talent into community service. Among other things she gives free haircuts and school supplies for a back-to-school program run by the church next door,

By Faith Outreach Ministries located at 17820 E. Warren Ave. “It means a lot to our church congregation that Tina offers free hair cuts and donates school supplies and her time to our annual back-toschool event every year for the past five years,” Pastor Claudia Finley said.

Sanusi describes her Christian owned and operated shop as a comfortable, caring place, often filled with lively conversation about the latest

Where A Man Can Be A Man and A Boy Learns How Written by Detroit City Councilman Andre L. Spivey

movies, politics and the news.

She says Detroit stylists have a national reputation for excellence.

“When I go out of town on trips with family or to hair conventions, people will say, ‘Oh my God, your hair is so nice; you must be from Detroit’. Detroit is recognized for our colors and styles”.

Sanusi’s motto incorporates the name of her salon.

“If you’re not taken by your style, you should be taking it to Another Level”.

That urban secular sanctuary around the corner, next to church and school, I’ve gone there all my life.

A place where a fatherless child can take his pick.

You can be schooled in how to handle boss man, Know the ways to please or displease your lady, woman, wife or sometimes-called momma.

The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand.

The place where everybody is on equal footing.

You can have a doctor in one chair, a factory worker in another, a skilled tradesmen in the middle and rounding out the last chair, the preacher.

A place where he can be himself just kicking it with the boys but not disrespecting his special calling to be a spokesperson for the good Lawd.

Every now and then a sister will come to get trimmed or lined, everyone is on their best behavior for it could be your wife, mother, daughter, sister of aunt another day.

The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand.

As you wait and conversate, it’s finally here, your turn for a cut.

You ascend the throne of the barber’s chair as he places the royal robe upon you to keep you from having small pieces of hair as accents to your attire.

He asks your request, and for the next few minutes he is at your beck and call. As you’re turned around in the chair you see nod and eye the awaiting crowd as each follicle falls, transforming you into your very own king once again.

The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand.

Faye ‘Ness

Detroit City Councilman Andre L. Spivey goes to two Detroit barber shops: Walt’s Barber Shop on Mack, and McKee & Stoner Barber Lounge on Grand River.

From page B-1

Barber, Tony Brookings, Mann’s “brother from another mother,” says they rarely get negative people in the shop but when they do, they just set a better example and diffuse the situation. He praises the “Most High” for bringing him into this brotherhood.

“It was meant for me to be here,” he said.

Brookings said the men in the shop discuss issues like those covered at the monthly Men Circles he and Mann attend. He noted, “In society you’re taught not to cry. Men don’t do this or that. But you’re human. You’re gonna cry.”

Good Fathers Only, another group Mann started, is a non-profit with 30plus men. They are preparing for a Father’s Day weekend Fatherhood Conference and Father and Son Breakfast.

More than a dozen of these volunteers are clients of the shop as well.

Mann says his occupation is “national encourager.”

The two organizations hold annual activities, including a fatherhood walk and pancake breakfast. Mann’s youngest, 15-year-old son Cameron, participates with his dad – including pitching in to cook all of the eggs for 80 people at the pancake event and cleaning the commercial kitchen afterward.

Kalin Lucas, a former Michigan State University Spartan, played overseas after graduating in 2011.

Mann says the men here focus on affirming the father’s role in the family and lifting the value of fathering. He taught his son to shop, budget, cook and clean. “Him being prepared for life is my job.”

Proof of his power to propel youth comes from Ken Lucas who came in for a cut. He’s the father of the shop’s owner, native Detroiter and new Detroit Piston Kalin Lucas.

His perseverance has now earned him a Pistons contract and when asked about mentoring programs that helped build his son’s character, Ken Lucas points to Mann, the coach who he says reinforced time management, personal responsibility and respect.

“That was his mentor,” the father says with pride.

For more info on the Encourage ME I’m Young visit: http://emiyworld.com/

Alta Moda From page B-1

The salon formerly housed the Universal Barber College.

The spacious salon offers ample room for clients to relax or discuss the day’s hot topics. On any given day you might find customers in the salon chair working or socializing on their cell phones or jumping into one of the serious discussions.

Palmer is a catalyst in keeping the discussions going.

He always has an opinion and shares it frequently with clients. So much so that one of his regular clients, Riana Anderson, a professor at U of M school of Public Health in Ann Arbor recently invited him to speak to her class.

“Professor Anderson has been coming to the salon for eight years,” Palmer said.

“She lives in Detroit and commutes to Ann Arbor every day. We’ve had long discussions about social issues that’s why she

invited me to speak to her class.”

When asked how he got into the salon business, Palmer replied, “My family has always been in the beauty business. My aunt did make-up, another aunt did nails.

I worked in the automotive plant. When I left the plant I went to beauty school.”

Curtis, a Chrysler worker and a regular customer who didn’t want to give his full name, likes being in a salon with women and has had the same barber for 24 years. “I come every Wednesday. I love my barber,” he said.

Clinton Childs, a barber at Alta Moda salon since 2001, also has women customers.

“This is a great place to work, great atmosphere,” he said.. Alonzo lets you be your own boss.”

Another customer joined the chorus of praise.

“I’ve been coming here for two years,” said Z. Needham. “I like the location, the prices and I love my stylist, Charisma Wilson. Everyone is so friendly. It’s like coming to a spa; it’s very relaxing.”

April 10-16, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-3

WWJ’s Vickie Thomas to be inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame

By Donald James

career in news radio reporting, Thomas pointed to the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19, 1995 that killed 168 people.

She reported from the site.

Locally, Thomas picked the Detroit visit of Nelson Mandela in June, 1990, a few months after he was released from prison in South Africa.

Special to the Chronicle

Since 1991, Vickie Thomas, city beat reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950, has been perhaps this region’s most recognizable and trusted voice for informing listeners of diverse stories – good and bad. On any given day, the award-winning reporter covers stories, events, people and issues that are making impacts –one way or another - locally, regionally, state-wide and even nationally. With 28 years of reporting under her belt, it’s a safe assumption that Thomas has covered and reported more than 9,000 stories for WWJ, one of the nation’s oldest “all-news” 24/7 talk radio platforms.

On Sunday, April 14, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan, Thomas’ epic body of work as a radio reporter and journalist will be recognized, when she’s inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. Thomas will be the fifth African American woman ever inducted.

“It’s a real honor, but makes you feel old,” Thomas said with a laugh.

“After 30 years in the industry, however, it’s been a marvelous ride. And, I’m looking forward to spending more years in the business, and looking forward to seeing what’s after that.”

According to The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame’s website, the industry entity recognizes reporters, editors, publishers, owners, photographers, broadcasters, educators and others who have made outstanding contributions to the profession.

The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame has been honoring jour-

“When Nelson Mandela came to Detroit, Winnie Mandela was with him,” recalled Thomas. “There was a news conference at the RenCen first. And later that day Nelson Mandela spoke at Tiger Stadium. It was a huge local story I covered that had a national and international impact. Both Nelson and Winnie Mandela were so humble. I can still see their faces and still see where they sat. It’s one story I’ll never forget.”

Vickie Thomas nalists since 1985.

While the Hall will honor Thomas for her three decades of making outstanding contributions to the profession, interestingly, Thomas almost chose another occupation after high school.

“Growing up in Highland Park, my mother was a nurse,” Thomas said. “I thought I was going to follow in my mom’s footsteps. Nursing was my major when I went off to college at Michigan State.

Once there, I decided I didn’t want to be a nurse.

So I had to do some soul searching.”

The inner reflections led Thomas to recall her love for writing and public speaking, which

she traced to her days at Henry Ford High School and Crocket Vocational Technical Center, after her family moved from Highland Park to Detroit’s west side. Thomas’ writing skills won an essay contest sponsored by WJBK Channel 2 (now FOX 2).

In addition, Thomas topped local and regional contestants during a speaking competition in high school as a member of Health Occupational Students of America (HOSA).

Deciding to identify an occupation that would fully utilize her two core strengths of writing and public speaking, Thomas changed colleges, electing to attend Wayne State University, where she earned a bachelor’s

Jerome Edmonton of EDN Communication Joins AT&T’s FirstNet Dealer Program Industry Experts in Public Safety Can Now Market, Promote and Co-Sell FirstNet Services EDN Communication and Technology, led by Jerome Edmondson, is joining the FirstNet (http://www.firstnet. com/) Dealer Program through the AT&T (http://www.att.com/aboutus)* Alliance Channel. As a FirstNet Dealer, EDN Communication can now sell FirstNet services nationally to eligible current and future public safety customers.

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degree in broadcast journalism. She graduated cum laude.

Fresh out of school, Thomas’ first job as a radio reporter was at WDET – FM, a public radio station in Detroit. She actually began at WDET in 1988, one year before graduating from WSU. In April, 1991, Thomas was hired by WWJ, and as the old adage goes: The rest is history.

Over her three decades of radio news reporting, Thomas has received other awards and honors in journalism from such industry entities as the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, National Association of Black Journalists, The Detroit Press Club, and the Associated Press. The International Black Expo also once crowned Thomas “Journalist of the Year.”

When asked to identify major stories that have stood out in her mind during her three-decade

Thomas’ love for broadcast journalism manifests itself beyond Detroit.

Nationally, Thomas served five years on the board of directors for the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ). Her term ended in 2018. Yet, while serving, Thomas was instrumental in NABJ holding its 2018 national convention in the Motor City. It was the first time since 1992 the organization’s national convention had been held in Detroit.

Thomas has also had a positive impact in guiding the policies of the Detroit Chapter of NABJ, where she has held such positions as president, vice president, and now, membership manager.

While Thomas has worked at WWJ Newsradio 950 for almost thirty years, she still loves her job, which she described as fast-paced, exciting, with almost an all-day adrenaline rush, as she rapidly covers story after story.

“The reason that this job had been such a good fit for me is because I love people,” said Thomas. “I love talking with people,

I love hearing about their triumphs and challenges, and I love being the first person to report a story.

And there are no typical days, and there are no dull stories when you get at the heart of what makes people tick. I simply love what I do; it’s a joy to go to work.”

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Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com • April 10-16, 2019

Congratulations to Dr. Curtis L. Ivery and WCCCD! We congratulate WCCCD Chancellor Dr. Curtis L. Ivery on the recognition of his transformational leadership with the naming of a group of District buildings as the “Curtis L. Ivery Central Educational Complex.”

Under his leadership, WCCCD, the largest urban community college district in Michigan, has been transformed into a thriving, six-campus inclusively pluralistic District that serves more than 60,000 credit and non-credit students annually.

Dr. Ivery has assembled academic, community, business and government leaders at the table across a series of roundtables and

conferences to develop strategies to expand educational equity and economic mobility in our region, and throughout the nation. He is a recognized national thought leader, equity advocate, educator, author and scholar. "e naming of this complex recognizes the profound and transformative leadership of Dr. Ivery, and the indelible mark that he has made on countless lives through his unwavering focus on providing doorways to better lives through higher education," said WCCCD Board Chairperson Mary Ellen Stempfle.

Congratulations, Dr. Ivery!

April 10-16, 2019 Page • michiganchronicle.com • B-5

Curtis L. Ivery Central Educational Complex

Page B-6 • michiganchronicle.com •

April 10-16, 2019

Detroit Renaissance senior Alano Carter and his Dream Director Danielle Hughes.

Detroit Cody assistant principal Eric Pate, Idris Ali, and Lance Woods.

Future Project scholarship winners honored at Detroit Pistons game

By Branden Hunter A snowstorm February 12 forced officials to postpone the 14th annual Detroit Pistons Foundation Black History Month Scholarship Event. Thirty high school seniors from around Detroit were scheduled to compete in a poetry slam and poster contest for $80,000 in scholarships.

The competition was in partnership with The Future Project, a national organization that works in schools and beyond to help young people develop the mindsets and skills they need to bring their dreams for self, school, and society to life.

To compete, students presented an original interpretation poem of the contest theme, “I Dream Detroit.” The poetry slam took place March 18 in front of more than 300 fellow classmates, teachers, and a panel of community leaders at the Detroit Film Theatre, for $50,000.

Detroit Cody High School senior Idris Ali took home the third place prize of $10,000 and felt he could have done even better.

“I feel like I shorted myself,” said Ali, who said he read off his paper during the performance. “Proper preparation prevents poor performance, but I wasn’t prepared. March 18 came around and I still had to add some finishing touches to my poem. But greatness lies within me, even when I’m not ready. If I had prepared more, I probably could have qualified for first place.”

Ali’s poem was about Detroit progressing and started off with him singing to add a bit of creativity and stage presence to impress the judges. He was back on the big stage, when he was honored at center court of the Pistons and Orlando Magic game with his mother. She said he gets his creative side from her.

“I am very proud of him, but I wish he would give me more recognition,” laughed Keitsha Perkins, Ali’s mother. “He actually started off my stealing my lyrics. I’m a rapper myself and he would take my lyrics and rap them to his friends at school.

Somehow, he tapped into his own creativity and he’s taking off.”

Ali said he plans on entering the Detroit Promise program to have his college tuition paid for at a two-year college and then transfer to Tennessee State University (TSU). The alma mater of his Dream Director, Lance Woods.

“I already had a close bond with Mr. Woods,” said Ali, who wants to be a Civil Rights Activist. “But this year, I realized his pathways are similar to mine.

He’s a successful man and I see myself on the road to success just like him.”

In Detroit, The Future Project is active in nearly half of the public schools, where they embed “Dream Directors” full-time in schools to develop belonging, belief, purpose, and power in young people.

Woods has been a Dream Director for four years at Cody and has his own roots in the Detroit Public School system. He graduated from Northwestern High School in 2006 and grew up in one of the more notorious neighborhoods in the city.

A large majority of his friends are either dead or in prison.

Woods was able to leave his environment, graduating from

high school with a 2.9 GPA, and graduated from TSU in 2012 with a degree in business. But he wanted to impact students in his city directly and decided to come back home and do just that with the Future Project.

“The kids remind me of myself and I wanted to go to a school where the kids truly needed the help and could identify through someone similar to them,” said Woods. “I chose Cody because you hear so much about the negative press there and I wanted to place myself in an environment where I could ignite the fire that exists within the students.”

The other Detroit students honored at the Pistons game included Renaissance’s Alano Carter ($10,000), Destinee Taggart of East English Village Prep ($15,000), Jalen Rose Leadership Academy’s Travon Crook ($15,000), and Aaliyah Cornelius of Cornerstone Health and Technology ($15,000).

Carter took home second place in the in the poster competition, where 15 Detroit students submitted posters for a visual arts interpretation of the theme, “I Dream Detroit.” The

posters were voted on by the public from February 8-10 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, for $30,000.

“I feel Detroit has a negative connotation sometimes,” said Carter, who drew a cityscape of Detroit for his poster. “But this is a beautiful city and I wanted to show that in my poster.

I made Detroit look as beautiful as possible. I captured all the features that I feel Detroit should be represented by.”

Carter said he plans to attend either Purdue or Savannah College of Art and Design to become a professional animator.

He said without his Dream Director helping and encouraging him, he would not have won.

“Alano actually found me.

He stumbled into my office and told me what his goals for the school year were and how he wanted to change the culture in the school,” said Danielle Hughes, Dream Director at Renaissance. “Everyone should want a student like Alano. He’s enthusiastic, a team player, hardworking, and the most creative student that I have.”

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April 10-16, 2019 •

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • Page B-7

Hundreds Celebrate the Life of

Nipsey Hussle in Detroit

By Branden Hunter

Police said the suspect repeatedly approached Hussle and exchanged words with him. He then returned with a gun and opened fire before fleeing in a car driven by an unidentified woman.

Crenshaw is 2,000 miles from Detroit, but the two share commonalities. Both cities are predominately African-American hubs where the crime rate is high, opportunities are few, and there is an abundance of love felt for Nipsey Hussle.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Eric Holder, was captured Tuesday in Bellflower, a Los Angeles-area city approximately 20 miles southeast of where Hussle was gunned down.

Born Ermias Asghedom, the 33-year-old father, son, brother, businessman, philanthropist and rapper was tragically gunned down in front of his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles Sunday afternoon, March 31, 2019. Hundreds of fans and supporters gathered to pay respects to the slain rapper the following Wednesday night in Detroit, Michigan.

As the sun set on the downtown skyline, the crowd in Cadillac Square lit candles on the steps of the granite Bagley Memorial Fountain, released balloons and danced to Nipsey Hussle’s songs during the candlelight vigil.

“Detroit is all about love and respect, and we had to pay our respects to Nipsey Hussle,” said music video director Seno The Hero who organized the vigil. “He was one of my favorite artists and a legend. He was an icon in hip hop, and I want to thank Detroit for coming out tonight.”

Seno The Hero made the initial flier for the event and sent it to some of his influential friends in Detroit to get the word out. One of those people was party promoter Justin Floyd who posted it

Nipsey Hussle was killed the day before he was scheduled to meet with L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore and Commissioner Steve Soboroff about the relationship between officers and the inner city.

on his Instagram page. He encouraged the rap community in Detroit to show up; among those rappers were Snapp Dog, Stretch Money, Gmac Cash and others.

“Tonight was a great look,” said Floyd, who, equipped with a DJ, hosted the vigil. “It was important to show love to Nipsey Hussle and all he did for the hip hop community and his own community. We need a lot of that here in Detroit and his impact was felt here in our city.”

Well known for his

business acumen, Nipsey invested heavily in his Crenshaw neighborhood and spearheaded redevelopment efforts. He opened a co-working space for entrepreneurs called Vector 90 and launched a STEM program for Los Angeles youth in hopes of building a bridge between the inner city and Silicon Valley. He also partnered with Puma to refurbish the basketball court at a Crenshaw elementary school and invested in an open-air museum called Destination Crenshaw, which is dedicated to honoring African-Ameri-

can artistic achievement.

Hussle, who co-owned the shopping plaza where he was murdered, was known for providing jobs for and assisting those in need within the community.

“He was giving people jobs,” said Snap Dogg who dedicated a song to Nipsey Hussle and filmed the video at the vigil. “He was opening up shops; I’ve seen this man take a man on the street and give him a job.” He continued, “I see myself like Nipsey, and I want to follow his same footsteps.

I want to provide for my community; I want to let the kids know there is always a way and to go to school. The streets is [SIC] not what everybody wants. We don’t want our kids growing up in this.

We want them to get up out of here.”

He had plans to redevelop the shopping plaza on Slauson and Crenshaw Boulevard into a mixeduse commercial and residential complex. The plan was part of Nipsey Hussle’s broader ambitions to rehabilitate the neighborhood where he grew up. Lured in as a member of the Rollin 60’s Neighborhood Crips when he was younger, Nipsey also wanted to break the cycle of gang life in the community.

Nipsey Hussle is survived by his two children and longtime girlfriend, Lauren London.

Page B-8

• michiganchronicle.com •

April 10-16, 2019

Destined to Succeed

Whatever your child wants to be is within reach when you are involved.

Your engagement in their education will prepare them for the future.

To learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and how you can advocate for your children, visit us at www.nnpa.org/essa Sign-up for our ESSA alerts at www.nnpa.org/essa

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City. Life. Style.

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

C1 | April 10-16, 2019

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michiganchronicle.com

By AJ Williams – City.Life.Style. Editor

ave you ever wanted to combine vibes of quaint, quite, lux, bohemian and LIT? Welcome to Sarasota.

Perceived as maybe more mature “Miami” with its seasonal residents and visitors known for snow-birding and retiring, the city may not be the first thing that comes to your mind for your next girl’s trip, but looks are deceiving, Sarasota has everything CHICK needs PERIOD. The vibe of Sarasota provides you with whatever mood you are in, whether you want to stroll and take in the view on the bridge toward Lido Key beach or want to flirt and dance the night away and all moods in between it’s there for you.

Home to several other outlining stops like Siesta Keys, if you’re not feeling one vibe, your just an Uber ride away from matching up to activities you want to do including the culture and diversity staring with Newtown ALIVE! Tours that take you into a deep dive of African-American History within the city. Or if you are looking to take in a show stop by the on West Coast Black Theatre Group, their production, ‘Love In the in the Key of Aretha’ is an amazing story and tribute to the Queen of Soul.

Downtown Sarasota bustle with a hometown feels with shops, boutiques, crafted coffee houses, cafes and restaurants to match any palette. With culinary fare from Hungarian-American gastropub at The Coolinary to Duck Wings at The Blue Rooster, your cravings will be satisfied.

After dinner it’s time to dance it off with the Sarasota nightlife, filled with a diverse city of boss babes, you can network with your girls at the Perspective Rooftop Bar, head over to have custom daiquiris at Daiquiri Deck then flirt and slow grind the night away at the Gator Bar… Hello Weekend!

After you’ve danced your stilettos off, it’s time to rest and rejuvenate in the Art Ovation hotel with lux rooms filled with art from top to bottom, lush beds that comfort every side of you, with coffee service ready for you when you wake up ready to take on the next day.

After a night of partying, what better to recover from a hangover than with Saturdays Mimosas with your best babes and what better way than to take your CHICK Squad out on an early afternoon tiki bar boat ride with Crusinin Tikis — followed by a day of beach bumming it with a mini boombox, Spotify (quite Drake and Summer Walker) and a cooler to watch the amazing sunset at Lido Key beach.

Before you head back home be sure to take a Sunday shopping stroll around St. Armand’s Circle for some digs and swag to take back home. Then round it out with a spa day at the Ritz-Carlton followed by Farewell cocktails and bites at the hotel’s eatery and bar Jack Dusty’s know for it’s famous “The Siren” (it really is, I drunk this and felt amazing for my flight back to the D) and it’s outside off the coast views All in all, I give Sarasota, Florida a 4 of 5 Travel CHICK stars. It’s definitely on the return travel list for a solo or chick squad visits! Visit www.MichiganChronicle. com to download your quick go-to guide “A CHICK’S GUIDE TO SARASOTA, FLORIDA” For more information on visiting Sarasota, Florida visit www.VisitSarasota.com

E

By AJ Williams – City.Life.Style. Editor

xciting changes to Red Dunn Kitchen, inside Trumbull & Porter Hotel in Corktown, bring a redeveloped menu under the direction of newly appointed executive chef, Michael D’Angelo. Exciting changes to Red Dunn Kitchen, inside Trumbull & Porter Hotel in Corktown, bring a redeveloped menu under the direction of newly appointed executive chef, Michael D’Angelo.

Since coming on board in February 2019, D’Angelo went straight to work revamping the two-year-old restaurant’s concept and menu, transforming it to one that is poultry and game-focused with main courses featuring elk, venison, wild boar, quail and partridge.

“We are thrilled to have Chef Mike lead Red Dunn Kitchen’s culinary team,” said Red Dunn’s General Manager, Nick Knight. “His creativity and passion for quality, approachable and regionally-inspired cuisine is sure to impress our guests’ palates.”

“Michigan has always had a rich culinary history when it comes to game, yet it is noticeably missing from the current restaurant landscape,” said D’Angelo. “Elk, partridge and pheasant may be exotic and new to some diners, but we created these new dishes to be approachable and in familiar preparations which are sure to appeal to our diners’ palates.” said D’Angelo.

That is evident with Chef’s twist on the menu’s pasta offering, a Venison Bolo with hand-made pappardelle with braised venison ragout, Parmesan cheese and herbs. In a nod to Corktown,

See RED DUNN KITCHEN Page C-2

Page C-2 • michiganchronicle.com • April 10-16, 2019

• An opening performance by InsideOut poet and 2019 Detroit Youth Poetry Slam Team member, Aaron Mahone.

#BeSceneFeatured Event The Corner Ballpark Presented By Adient 1680 Michigan Ave, Detroit (Corner of Michigan & Trumbull) The All-City Slam is produced and hosted by Joel Fluent Greene Soundtrack supplied by DJ Equad

Raw, honest, exciting, relevant. Come join the dopest crowd in the city and witness for yourself the power of the spoken word!

There will be a delicious food menu and full bar available.

TICKETING: Purchase link: https://allcityslam.brownpapertickets.com ■ Advance admission: $20

The evening will also feature: • The Detroit Based Vendors Marketplace. 12 local artisans on deck selling everything from delicious desserts to handmade jewelry!

■ Door admission: $25 ■ Reserved table for 2: $75

How the King of Comedy Rap laughed his way to success

By Branden Hunter

L

ike millions of Detroiters since the turn of the 20th century, rapper Gmac Cash wanted to work at Chrysler. And why not? Working in the plant is a secure job and it has great benefits. He finally landed a job at the Sterling Stamping Plant about a year ago, but it did not last long.

Brian McKnight is Back and Taking Over 2019

Mr. “Back at One” is back at it again with his new song “When I’m Gone”. The melodic chords tied with vulnerable lyrics, paints the picture of what it means to miss someone special. Brian McKnight is very transparent when explaining his inspiration behind the latest single. “My wife and I, we want to spend every second together, and since she has her own career we can’t always do that,” explains McKnight talking about his wife Leilani Malia Mendoza who gotten married in 2017.

“The song is really about the one time last year when I was headed to Tokyo. She wanted to come with me and we tried our best with facetime and calls, but it’s just not the same,” McKnight detailed. “We really wanna spend every second together and I wanted to convey that message and from her side too”. To McKnight this is more than just a song, but a opporutity for listeners to get a view into his life. “It’s really about how I’m not sure how much longer i’m gonna be able to do what i’m doing, and I don’t ever wanna be away from you, so that’s pretty much the message.”

Since his last album Genesis he released in 2018, he have plans on heating up the summer with his new album Bedtime Story. Which

he explained as sixty minutes of straight love making. “Some people usually may make 7-11 minutes. It basically covers the beggining of the romance, to the night, to the very end,” he explains. Brian McKnight not only made the album with a certain theme in mind, but with the listener as well. “You don’t have to change out, or change the song, or change the playlist. Just 50 minutes of what Bryan Mckinight gives to you.”

Providing a great sound mean everything to Brian McKnight which is one of the reasons why he’s excited, about his upcoming performance at Sound Board in Detroit, Mi on April 18th.

“I love the sound board it’s one of the best state of the art rooms that we play throughout the year,” says McKnight. The Motor City also serves a special place in Brian’s heart as well. “Since my first job, have Detroit always treated me like a native son. It’s always a fantastic thing to play there”.

If your’e not able to see him in person at his next show, you can now see him online through his latest venture. He is launching a new platform called Video Request Line (VRL), an interactive communications platform allowing recording

artist, athletes, celebrity personalities, public figures and more to connect with their fan base through personalized, custom video messaging.

“For years I have gotten dms from people who want personalized videos. So long story short I put it up on a website a few years ago, and the response went through the roof,” Mcknight detailed. “So I spent the next five years developing it to be the buffer betwwen artist, and their fans for their creative use that they couldn’t get anywhere else.”

Diving into creating a new platform wasn’t easy. “The tricky part is to not have people think that artist not bringing their fans for money. It’s really the fact that one it’s a want. It is something my fans find incredible that they can’t believe I took the time out to do for them. As well two I don’t believe artist should do anything for free.

So it’s bringing two things together.” On why invest in tech Brian see it as more than just business, but the new tomorrow. “Imagine if you would have been on Beats when it started, nobody thought that way.

If youre not looking at technology as what the future going to be, then your’e a little bit behind”.

Red Dunn Kitchen

In October 2018, plant officials approached him about a song he recorded two years prior titled, “FMLA.” FMLA refers to the Family and Medical Leave Act, which is a federal law that guarantees certain employees up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave each year with no threat of job loss. The song was about him not wanting to go to work the next morning after a night of partying, using his FMLA to excuse his absence.

“The song, initially wasn’t about Chrysler,” said Gmac Cash. “I did the song in 2016 and when I started working at Chrysler, I shared the video with some co-workers and it blew up. They wanted me to do a video and some people told me whatever I was planning to do, just don’t do it on company property. I did the video on the sidewalk and from there, it blew up.”

The two-minute video went viral and reached plants all across the Detroit area, including Ford and GM. Somehow, human resources became aware of it and asked him to take it down, citing it made the company look bad. Gmac Cash took the video down after just three days of it being on YouTube. A week later, he was fired from Chrysler.

“I had never been late, I stayed overtime and none of that counted. They still fired me,” said Gmac Cash, who had not received FMLA while working at Chrysler.

“That was an embarrassing moment.”

Gmac Cash placed a disclaimer in the video and never mentioned Chrysler’s name in the song. He even went to another Chrysler plant in Warren to film the video. But because he violated a “misuse of company property” law, he was fired.

Gmac Cash was ‘Tommy with no job,’ but he did not let that affect his mental or his craft. That same day, he filmed his popular, “Who Got The Bridge Card” video at the Walmart on 12 Mile and Van Dyke. It currently sits at 31,000 views. He used his firing as motivation and now he has the last laugh.

“That taught me to do what I want in life,” said Gmac Cash. “Being fired from Chrysler almost made me stop rapping. I was fired from a job I had been trying to get into for forever and I was ready to quit what I loved. If they wouldn’t have fired me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I want to thank them for that.”

Now an internet sensation, Gmac Cash is the mastermind behind songs such as “First Day at Popeyes,” which is a parody of Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley’s “First Day Out” hit, “Snow,” where he is tired of the snowy weather in Detroit, “40 Ball,” and “Gas Money,” among others. His comedy-rap videos have gotten him thousands of views on YouTube, social media, interviews with radio and news stations across Detroit, and is the official King of Comedy Rap. “I started out wanting to rap, but I always wanted to do something that would grab people’s attention,” said Gmac Cash, who started rapping at age nine. “Other than talking about what other rappers in the city rap about, I wanted to be different and make people laugh. When my first Popeyes Chicken video made it to Worldstar, that’s when I knew I had something.”

Hailing from the east side of Detroit, Gmac Cash can relate to the culture of Detroit. Whether it is needing an EBT Card, gas money, or $40, he touches on it all through his music, which has seen his popularity grow by the day, being recognized wherever he goes.

“Sometimes, I’ll post a status on Facebook looking for topics to rap about,” said Gmac Cash, who turned 26 in March. “I’ll get a thousand comments and if I see something I like, I’ll write it down. Other than that, everyday life situations and trendy topics inspire my raps.”

From page C-1

there is the Irish Pheasant Stew made with Irish stout.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree ‘two-ways’ offers lemon-honey glazed thighs and cornflake-crusted breast, served with red wine poached pear, pistachio puree and chocolate rosemary sprig.

“People want to listen to music they can relate to.

Not everyone is in Detroit killing, selling drugs or doing what the average rappers are talking about. I have music that most Detroiters can relate to.”

Other main courses include Quail a la Chasseur, roasted, bacon-fig stuffed with pickled radish and sauce Chasseur; the generous cut coffee-rubbed Elk Chop served with roasted root vegetables, carrot puree, and a cherry jus lie and a roasted Wild Boar Porchetta with pistachio puree, hunter sauce and lemon-honey glazed carrots.

as the Red Dunn Burger and Bangkok Brussels. Entrees range in price between $19 to $48.

Vegetarians and those who are ‘not game,’ will find an array of selections to their liking from the shareables and entrée menu including the new RDK Fried Cauliflower, soy milk fried served with a vegan three-pepper corn muffin and black bean patty in addition to several signature Red Dunn Kitchen items such

Red Dunn Kitchen is located at 1331 Trumbull St Suite 100, in Detroit. Hours are Sunday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (bar is open until midnight), Friday and Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (bar is open until 2:00 a.m.). For more information, visit www. reddunnkitchen.com or call 313-887-9477.

Gmac Cash said his goal is to open for comedians such as Kevin Hart one day. He is not a comedian himself, but he is naturally funny and combined with his musical talent, has found his niche. April 1, he dropped his latest mixtape called, “King of Comedy.”

It can be streamed through Apple Music or Tidal and is available in physical copies.

“I have different Detroit comedians on the project,” said Gmac Cash. “They are all cracking jokes on me and it’s special. It’s the first mixtape that’s just funny.

The entire project is good music and laughs.”

April 10-16, 2019 • michiganchronicle.com •

Dancing with the Motor City Stars T

he Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. presents “Dancing with the Motor City Stars,” a fundraising event on Saturday, April 13 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The Detroit Deltas are proudly Josh celebrating 80 years of providing impactful Landon public service to the community. Proceeds will benefit our scholarship fund, public programs, and other operational needs.

The evening will begin with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by an elegant evening of dinner, dance performances by our Motor City Stars who are business and community leaders, music for your listening and dancing pleasure, a silent auction and much more! FOX 2’s Josh Landon will host the event.

For more information, email ­DancingStars@detroitdeltas.org.

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Prince: Three Years Later Fans say their ‘Guitar still Weeps’

By Stacy M. Brown

100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

“The highlights of Prince’s life are so Three years ago, the world lost another many – how to pick one? From the first time icon: Prince.

I watched Purple Rain in the theater – where Prince Rogers Nelson, the Minneapo- the girls in Boston screamed at the screen lis-born, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honoree every time Prince was in a scene – to the and multi-Grammy-winning artist collapsed Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame solo on While My in an elevator and died of an accidental pre- Guitar Gently Weeps; to the most amazscription drug overdose at his Paisley Park ing Super Bowl halftime performance ever where Prince said ‘Can you make it rain hardhome and studios on April 21, 2016. er?’ when a concerned producer checked in He was 57. with him before he was supposed to go on; Standing at just 5 feet 2 inches, the leghis life was one of brilliance that inspires us to endary Purple Rain singer was proof that this day,” recalled Terence O’Toole Murnin, a physical stature is no indication of the impact Prince fan who lives in Arizona. an individual can have on the entire world.

Another fan, Nicholas Wolaver, attended “No other single album influenced me as a what would be Prince’s final concert series teenager and into my adult years more than in Atlanta in 2016. It was Purple Rain,” said Michael following that show that a Stover, president of MTS plane carrying the superManagement Group and star was forced into an MTS Records. emergency landing be“The album is sheer cause Prince needed imperfection, and Prince was mediate medical attention a once in a lifetime. I’ve for an apparent overdose. always told people that Doctors revived Prince Prince is the 20th and 21st and less than a week latcentury equivalent to Moer as a private doctor was zart or Beethoven,” Stover arriving at Paisley Park to said. help the singer with addicPrince’s groundbreaktion, he was dead. ing 1984 album Purple “I started listening Rain sold more than 20 to Prince in the fourth million copies worldwide grade with Little Red Corand produced such era-devette and other pre-Purple fining hits as “When Doves Rain hits on the radio,” Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” Wolaver said. and the title track, “Purple “Later my college jourRain.” ney took me to MinnesoThe album earned ta where the local scene three Grammy Awards was much more informaand three American Mutive about Prince’s impact Prince playing at C ­ oachella sic Awards while the film earned an Oscar for Best 2008. (Photo by penner via ­Wikimedia there. I attended three of his concerts in Atlanta, Original Song Score, the Commons) including an arena show, last to receive the award. an intimate performance with only a few hunJust two years prior, in 1982, Prince redred people and finally that penultimate conleased,“1999,” his fifth studio album which cert at The Fox Theatre,” Wolaver said. sold more than 6 million copies and was his “For the arena and intimate show, he was first to reach the top 10 on the Billboard muall about the guitar, while the piano was the sic charts. centerpiece for the final events – he rocked It proved that the crossover star was just any instrument he touched. I still have a regetting started. cording from that penultimate concert on my Born on June 7, 1958 Prince was named phone and play it often and reflect on the life after his father, whose stage name was Prince he led and music he created. He’s greatly Rogers and who performed with a jazz group missed,” he said. called the Prince Rogers Trio, according to For Ginna Currie of New York, she said the website PrinceVault.com. she’s thankful that famed director Spike Lee In a 1991 interview, Prince’s father, John throws an annual block party in Brooklyn in L. Nelson, said he named his son Prince be- memory of Prince. cause “I wanted him to do everything I want“I have been a Prince fan since 1979’s ed to do.” With albums like “Prince,” “Con‘I Wanna Be Your Lover,’” Currie said. troversy,” “1999,” “Purple Rain,” “Sign O’ the “It is still hard to comprehend that there Times,” and “Musicology,” Prince released will be no more Prince concerts to attend. nearly 1,000 songs over his career.

Every couple of years Prince was in the New He has won multiple Grammy Awards, York metro area on tour,” Currie said.

American Music Awards, a Golden Globe “He was the consummate entertainer with and an Academy Award. In 2004, Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. singing, dancing and playing guitar, piano, That same year, he was named the top male drums. I listen to his music almost every day pop artist of the past 25 years and Rolling and I just wish [Prince’s] family would release Stone ranked Prince No. 27 on their list of the the music inside the vault,” she said.

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special moments like marital bliss, visit ­elivingtoday.com. (Family Features)

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Game.

| April 10-16, 2019

michiganchronicle.com

Players, coaches, staff, and family members of the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 NBA championship team. PHOTO: Kory Woods

‘Goin’ to Work’

Pistons honored for 2004 NBA title

By Branden Hunter

brought together through a unique set of transactions. By NBA standards, there were no “superstars” on the team, but that is what made the “Goin’ To Work” era special. They each did their part.

There was not much to cheer about on the court at Little Caesars Arena, as the Detroit Pistons lost an important game to the Charlotte Hornets during their push to make the playoffs.

Fans booed the team’s performance in the first half, finding themselves with a 23-point deficit in the second quarter.

But there was plenty to be excited about off the court, with the 2004 NBA championship team being honored during halftime and throughout the game with video tributes. The core group, Chauncey “Mr. Big Shot” Billups, Ben Wallace, Richard “Rip” Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and former head coach Larry Brown were all in attendance. Notably missing was Rasheed Wallace.

Others in attendance included Darvin Ham, Elden Campbell, Mike James, Mehmet Okur, and former staff of the 2004 team. Tremaine Fowlkes, Lindsey Hunter, Darko Milicic, and Corliss Williamson could not attend.

Players recalled what made the era special, a stretch that saw the Pistons reach the Eastern Conference finals six straight seasons in 2003-08.

They upset the favored Los Angeles Lakers in a “five-game sweep” to win the franchise’s third championship, and the group narrowly missed winning a second straight title in 2005, losing to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.

Chauncey Billups addressed the fans during halftime, as the Detroit Pistons honored the 2004 NBA title team. PHOTO: Kory Woods

“At one point in time, everybody on this team was given up on,” said Wallace. “When we all came together, we had something to prove, we were fighting not only for our career, but we

“It’s so good to have all the coaches and guys back together. We don’t get this opportunity very often,” said Billups, who was the MVP of the 2004 Finals.

“I am so happy and thankful that the Pistons brought us back and they are celebrating what was probably the best years of our careers.”

The city of Detroit has always been known as a hard-working, blue collar city, and the 2004 team embodied that. They were a unique group of unique parts

Tayshuan Prince, Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, and Ben Wallace. Rasheed Wallace couldn’t attend. PHOTO: Kory Woods

were fighting for each other.

We wanted to see each other shine.”

Before the game, fans were able to see the 2004 team up close and personal on the concourse. Video tributes for Billups, Wallace, Prince, and Hamilton, played on the jumbotron, garnering loud cheers from the fans who needed something to cheer about. The fans even went home with celebratory shirts with the players’ names and “Goin’ To Work” in the shape of a wrestling championship belt.

“It was great to be able to see most of the 2004 team together again,” said Nathan Hill of Detroit. “I wasn’t born when the Bad Boys won, but I remember this team and they have a special place in my heart when it comes to basketball. The current team didn’t win, but tonight was special for all Detroit Pistons fans.”

Another disappointment was Wallace not making the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame over the weekend.

The names of the enshrinees, announced at the Final Four in Minneapolis, included Sidney Moncrief, Bobby Jones, Vlade Divac, Paul Westphal, Chuck Cooper, Al Attles, and WNBA player Teresa Weatherspoon, among others. The class will be enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

Detroit Pistons bringing 3-on-3 basketball to LCA

By Branden Hunter The Detroit Pistons will host a new summer 3-on-3 basketball tournament in downtown Detroit at Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, July 13, 2019.

With over 30 divisions, including a wheel chair and special needs division, the tournament is open to men and women, girls and boys throughout metro Detroit and region ages eight and above. Players interested in competing in the tournament can register their teams at www.pistons.com/3on3.

Teams will play a minimum of four games.

“The Detroit Pistons are pleased to announce a new summer 3-on-3 basketball tournament that will bring basketball players and fans together for a day of exciting summer competi-

tion and entertainment,” said Pistons Vice Chairman Arn Tellem. “We look forward to watching players of all ages and skill levels compete in a way that supports a key pillar of our ‘Basketball For All’ program – making the game of basketball accessible for everyone.”

Basketball players from Detroit, Southeast Michigan and across the Midwest will come together in downtown Detroit to compete in the first-ever tournament that organizers hope will become a yearly event. Two hundred teams comprised of 800 players will compete for the 3-on-

3 championship title through a series of games on outdoor courts surrounding Little Caesars Arena, with select divisions hosting their championship games on the Pistons’ home court.

Elite division winners will earn the opportunity to tryout with the Detroit Pistons NBA G-League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Drive.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit charitable organizations that support local youth through education, arts and athletics within the city of Detroit.

The tournament is presented in partnership

with Hoop It Up, the original 3-on-3 tour, established in 1989. Over the past three decades, Hoop It Up has reached over one million participants across the country. Courts will be set up in the plaza outside of Little Caesars Arena, inside the arena and on adjacent side streets surrounding the arena. The event will feature a main stage with live music and all-day entertainment, food and beverage options as well as fan engagement enhanced by supporting partner StockX. The new Detroit Pistons 3-on-3 Tournament will include opening festivities and community engagement elements at one of the refurbished city courts which will be announced on a later date. For more information on Pistons 3-on-3 tournament, visit www.pistons.com/3on3.

Classified

April 10-16, 2019

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, MICHIGAN

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting bids for a Copier – Lease or Purchase. Bid forms for RFP Control No. 19-2918 may be obtained beginning April 5, 2019 from http://www.mitn.info.

ll en’s basketba WCCCD wom AA District wins first MCC ship Champion Game. C3

ronicle Michigan Ch Powered

To the qualified electors of Highland Park:

Vol. 82 – No.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Furnish all labor, material and equipment to install Theater lighting at the McMorran Auditorium in Port Huron, Michigan with appurtenances, complete, as per the project drawings and specifications Proposal documents including drawings and project manual contract documents, including instruction to bidders form, agreement and specifications may be examined and shall be obtained from the office of the City Engineer of the City of Port Huron, Room 316, Municipal Office Center, 100 McMorran Boulevard, Port Huron, Michigan, 48060 beginning on Thursday, April 11, 2019. Shipping is an additional $15.00 per set. There will be no refunds or returns of proposal documents.

By Hiram E.

Brenda Green

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Published Every Wednesday

For questions regarding this project, please contact Dave Smith at (810) 984-9730.

PUBLISHED: April 5, 2019 City of Port Huron website (www.porthuorn.org) Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA) website Michigan Chronicle

INVITATION TO BID April 8, 2019

You are invited to submit your proposal to Braun Construction Group for The University Meadows Project, Phase I which incorporates MSHDA, Section III, and CITY OF DETROIT requirements. Bids must incorporate the requirements, including, but not limited to, those outlined in the Project Manual and the Plans and Specifications.

Tuesday, April 30, 2019, 2018 by 2:00 P.M.

Project Name:

Project Location: Advertisement:

Wage Requirements:

University Meadows – Renovations and Addition – Phase 1 4500 Trumbull Ave, Detroit, MI 48208 This project is advertised in the Michigan Chronicle.

This project has Prevailing Wage Requirements Additional Requirements: MSHDA Section 3 Pre-Bid Site Visit: Wednesday, April 17, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m.

City Clerk

HELP WANTED

(313) 252-0050

HELP WANTED

RESEARCH SCIENTIST IN DETROIT, MI Wayne State University has an available position of Research Scientist in Detroit, MI. Position requires a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in Medicine or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Neuroscience & 24 months experience as a Researcher in Human Anatomy.

Exp. must include 24 mos. exp. dissecting human tissue.

Job duties: Conduct research in two distinct areas of human biology: opiod abuse & age-related neurodegenerative diseases including gender differences. Dissect post-mortem human tissue. Collect scientific data. Use animal models for neurodegenerative diseases. Analyze data.

Synthesize results into predictive models of diseases. Prepare grant applications.

Publish results of research in peer-reviewed journals & present at international conferences.

Qualified candidates should apply through the WSU Online Hiring System for posting # 044244 at https://jobs.wayne.edu.

Email: ebraun@brauncg.com Phone: 248-848-0567

Seeking

TECHNICAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Chemistry

HELP WANTED

COMMUNICATIONS DEPT. – UNIV. OF MICHIGAN The University of Michigan has an available position of Chinese Communications Manager & Public Relations Representative Senior in Ann Arbor, MI. Position requires Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications or Journalism & 24 months of experience as a Translator. Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) 24 mos. exp. translating news releases from English to simplified Chinese; & 2) Spoken & written Chinese (Mandarin) language fluency. Job duties: Plan, prepare, & promote stories about University of Michigan research, programs, projects, & faculty translating from English language to simplified Chinese. Engage with Chinese-language media to publish stories about the University of Michigan. Manage University of Michigan Chinese-language social media platforms.

Manage Chinese-language University of Michigan news website.

Coordinate communications with Chinese Studies, Global Research, & Michigan News as well as the 19 schools & colleges on University of Michigan campus & multiple institutes & centers with Chineseinterest research. Serve as communication liaison between the University of Michigan Medical School’s Global Reach Program & central campus related to China. Qualified candidates should send resume & verification of reqs. to: Deborah Lee Doyle, Director, Communication Policy Administration and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Vice President, University of Michigan 503 Thompson Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Please visit our website for more classified ads.

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment and instrumentation used in the Department of Chemistry for both teaching and research laboratories. Provide assistance to the Department Chair and Laboratory Manager.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related area with extensive laboratory experience or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Wide knowledge of the proper use and care of chemistry laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Minimum two years’ experience in maintaining and repairing electronic equipment such as spectrometers, computers, printers, etc.

Refer to online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 15, 2019.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Seeking

RESIDENCE DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HALLS AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY University Housing

This position provides primary leadership for the operational, administrative, and programmatic functions for a university residential area, which includes a community of approximately 500-600 Students. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Student Affairs or related field required. One year of post bachelors experience in university housing and or university housing community development or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. This is a full time position, requiring evenings and weekends.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Refer to online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 15, 2019.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE www.MichiganChronicle.com

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY

TIMES MEDIA

the was named Roy Wilson of Wayne When M. in the history I can recall 12th president in 2013, if the State University hoping that, hadn’t fiuniversity sethad at least inits man, it keep the nally found who could the right tled on someoneand headed in stitution stable direction.

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By Trevor W. the school City address,a • Last fall, class in history State of the In his sixth Mike Duggan made est freshman its commitits’s has deepened a provost to reclaim Detroit Mayor for Detroit • The school by creating chief difor job opportuspirited call a leading city progress made ment to inclusion oversee diversity;of Multiculspot as a much praised the position to and an Office nities. He goal already but said versity officer;Engagement toward that to be done. highly tural Student himself a room work remains crowded , Wilson, to pursue before a Meanwhile PreparatoSpeaking access surgeon, continues the English Village trained eye aimed at boosting African at the East Duggan said among for a strategy l sciences Academy, moved forward color. ry of biomedica the city has students to the of $10 million and other areas where a coalition plans to invest Americans he formed Police Departwas in its colleges more Detroit and officer), For instance, universities and to hire 70 ed (civilian Building InfraDetroit-bas programs personnel NIH-funded (BUILD) ment the for job trainingPromise to Diversity to launch decline $4.5M more Leading to the Detroit structure the drastic prior and expanding the cost of numerous Galled by students Program. estabmed school include covering skilled trades. ns for the in minority arrival, Wilson also certificatio program, unemployChrysler to his 2013Wayne Med-Direct while noting 50 percent Ford, and lly talented However, lished the exceptiona out of central more than ly it is General Motors, ment is down he acknowledged from traditionalto which guarantees success in shifted their production 1957, while students peak, of recent 1945 and its admission school from high ring plants bly high. to as examplesforward.

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COMMENTARY

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page A2

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to Detroit recent visit the Federal During a of Chairman (FDIC), the former Company the , praised Deposit Insurance Gruenberg of the state’s Martin J. nt and role controlled manageme American only African , First Indepen-d institution underserve financial in helping ed much-need dence Bank, ies gain communit capital. access to in serving critical role who Citing its residents oods and obtaining neighborh have difficulty otherwise most commercial banks, SVP GovcomPatricia Herndon, loans from Financial nce Bank; said as a designated instiski , VP, Chief Gruenberg Chairnt financial “misFirst Independe Kenneth Kelly, of Directors, Elizabeth Zuchelkow nce is a munity developme on Noel, Board Bankers Association; , Board Director, FDIC, First Independence Independe tution First institution focused FDIC (L-R) Dr. Phares Directors, Michigan ” Martin J. Gruenberg , Board of Development Banking, sion-driven of Detroit. nce Bank; ernment Relations, y people Earl Newsome Independe miserving the Group nce Bank; Minority and Communit Officer, First is no question Independe Montez Miller s play a crit- man & CEO, First “I think there FDIC. PHOTO: National Director, institution J. Rudolph, Deputy to the Director, oods nority deposit Bank; Betty serving neighborh Shively, Acting ical role in A3 and Philip

See FIRST

page INDEPENDENCE

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Software Engineer - Middleware (MW) & Calibration Code Generation

Seeking

PROGRAM COORDINATOR AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY SEHS OUCARES

This position will work in cooperation with the Director of OUCARES to develop, market and implement both recreational and educational programs for individuals, families and the community impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder. Recruit, train and retain needed volunteers to support OUCARES programs.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required.

Knowledge and experience in working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental disorders/special needs. This is a full time position. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 15, 2019.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Renovation of existing University Meadows Senior Living Apartment Complex. Renovation includes complete renovation of 53 units and common spaces.

If you are interested in bidding, please contact Evan Braun, Estimator

chronicle.com | michigan

2019

Jackson

/CEO REAL PUBLISHER

Please take notice that the City of Highland Park will be voting on the following proposal: Shall the proposed Charter of the City of Highland Park, drafted by the Charter Commission be adopted?

Full text of the proposed charter may be obtained at the City Clerk’s office 12050 Woodward Ave. Highland Park, MI. 48203 and may be viewed at www.highlandparkmi.gov Absentee ballots are available for all elections; registered voters may contact the local clerk to obtain an application for an absent voter ballot.

To comply with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting instructions will be available in audio format and in Braille. Arrangements for obtaining the instructions in these alternative formats can be made by contacting the clerk in advance of the election. All polling locations are accessible for voters with disabilities.

Sealed proposals will be received by the City of Port Huron, Michigan, in the office of the Finance Director, Room 217, the Municipal Office Center, 100 McMorran Boulevard, Port Huron, Michigan, until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 and immediately thereafter the proposal will be publicly opened and read in the Third Floor Conference Room 317 of the aforesaid Municipal Office Center.

13-19, 27 | March

Media

by Real Times

n Dr. M. Roy Wilso for Has Delivered Wayne State

Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held in the City of Highland Park on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

At the following locations: Precinct 1 Healing Spring MB Church, 12647 Hamilton Precinct 8 Faith Tabernacle Church, 16548 Hamilton Precinct 14 Ernest T. Ford Field House, 10 Pitkin Precinct 15 Ernest T. Ford Field House, 10 Pitkin Precinct 18 Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Complex, 12050 Woodward Ave. Precinct 20 New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 13100 Woodard Ave. Precinct 23 Downes Manor, 13725 John R.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR PROPOSAL CITY OF PORT HURON, MICHIGAN MCMORRAN THEATER STAGE LIGHTING UPGRADES PROJECT NO. P19-0280

BID DUE DATE:

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

MAY 7, 2019

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

DATE:

Page C-5

Seeking

ASSISTANT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Athletics Department

This position will assist in day to day management of the Intercollegiate Athletics Weight Room. Responsibilities include, but not limited to, daily oversight and management of various Olympic Sports Programs.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, or similar field of study or an equivalent combination of education and/ or experience. A minimum of two years of Division I Intercollegiate Strength & Conditioning experience. NSCA (CSCS) or CSCCa (SCCC) as well as First Aid/ CPR / AED certification also required. This is a full time position which requires evenings and weekends. Salary commensurate with education and experience. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 17, 2019. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Design Release Engineer – Switches Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, dvlp, &release psgr vehicle customer interface switches incldg printed circuit boards &plastic parts to meet appearance, mechanical, electrical, functional &human factors reqmts such as force of detent, travel distance, tactile ratio, &communications signals (digital, analog, &LIN), in compliance w/ FMVSS#101 Control Location, ID, &Illumination, CMVSS#101 Controls, Telltales, Indicators &Sources of Illumination, &Brazil CONTRAN Resolution 225/07 Localization &ID of Controls &other internatl standards. Prepare Statement of Reqmnts package compiling technical specs, deliverables, timetables, costs &responsibilities for procurement of component dvlpmt. Write Component Technical Specs to define appearance characteristics, mechanical, electrical &functional reqmts &validation test flow applicable to component. Use UGNX &Teamcenter tools to review surfaces &graphics provided by Design Studio &analyze engrg feasibility for proposed design. Bachelor, Electrical, Electronics, or Mechatronics Engrg, or related. 24 mos exp as Engr, engrg &dvlpg psgr vehicle customer interface or underhood switches, printed circuit boards &plastic parts, to meet appearance, mechanical, electrical, &functional reqmts. Mail resume to Ref#49556, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr &dvlp rulesets for controller MW C code generation in Model Query Language, Java &Text Generation Language that parse info from IBM Rhapsody models for psgr vehicle Body Control/Exterior Light Modules. Dvlp templates for calibration code generation &necessary partitioning of code in accordance w/ memory reqmts for given ECU. Design Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) model serving as intermediate data model for C code generation. Bundle w/ required Model Development Workbench libraries &release MW code generation S/W tool to Controller Software Team (CST). Collect future reqmts or bug reports from Algorithm Dvlpmt &CST using IBM RTC tool.

Master, Computer Engrg, Computer Network Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg templates for calibration code generation &partitioning of code in accordance w/ memory requirements for ECU, designing EMF model serving as intermediate data model for C code generation. Mail resume to Ref#332, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Senior Controls System Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp &review serial communication &diagnostics validation procedures for current &future psgr car, truck &SUV electrical architectures. Act as single point of contact for Advanced Architecture Grp providing validation inputs during serial communication &diagnostics design. Create test tool reqmts for future serial communication protocols for monitoring &logging of serial data.

Evaluate vehicle cybersecurity test procedures to determine sections which can be automated. Dvlp test scripts for test serial data &vehicle cybersecurity using Vector CANoe &CAPL scripts. Support suppliers &Design Engrs in use of automated testing provided by GM. Create training material for use of test automation for suppliers, &validation engineers. Perform script dvlpmt, using CAPL C/C++, Python, &VehicleSpy. Use serial communication protocols such as CAN, Ethernet, LIN, FlexRay, MOST, &Ethernet AVB. Dvlp &verify Ethernet FSA RBS using Vector CANoe. Bachelor, Computer, Electrical, or Electronics &Telecommunication Engrg, or related. 36 mos exp as Engineer, IT Analyst, or related, creating test tool reqmts for future serial communication protocols for monitoring &logging of serial data using Vector CANoe &CAPL scripts.

Mail resume to Ref#3101-122, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Engineering Group Manager – Product Program Cost Optimization (PPCO) Warren, MI, General Motors. Manage &lead core team of psgr vehicle chassis brake syss incldg calipers, rotors, drums, bearings, vacuum booster, ebooster, brake modulator, brake hoses, brake pipes, Chassis front &rear exhaust sys incldg catalytic converters, exhausts pipes, mufflers, &chassis powertrain mounts, body mounts &cradles mounts, cost estimation group subordinate workforce. Supervise &lead team of 5 Cost Engrs. Evaluate &approve component costing using Teamcenter Product Cost Management Sys tools, &estimate &issue vehicle component &supplier tooling costs through team anlys of content of raw materials, labor rates, capital amortization, floor space, energy cost, &component mfg processes incldg stamping, casting, brazing, injection molding, thermal forming, machining, welding, pipe bending, painting, &chroming required equipment for component mfg facilities, &required component volumes. Bachelor, Mechanical, Electrical, or Automotive Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Cost Engineer, Buyer, Purchasing Coordinator, Regional or Global Sourcing Program Coordinator, or related, evaluating component costing using TcPCM tools, &estimating vehicle component &supplier tooling costs through anlys of content of raw materials, component mfg processes incldg stamping, casting, injection molding, thermal forming, machining, welding, painting, &chroming required equipment for component mfg facilities, &required component volumes. Mail resume to Ref#49894, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

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• michiganchronicle.com •

April 10-16, 2019

Friday, May 3, 2019 Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center Women’s Conference: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Induction Reception & Ceremony: 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Lysette Bailey, Chief Information Security Officer and Operational Risk Officer, Comerica Amina Bell, Events & Community Affairs Partner, MGM Grand Detroit Tonya Berry, Vice President Operations Performance, Consumers Energy Faithe Brooks, Evangelist, New St. Paul C.O.G.I.C., NE Michigan Historic 1st Jurisdiction C.O.G.I.C. Tarolyn Buckles, President & CEO, Onyx Enterprise, Inc. Tiffany Buckley-Norwood, Law Principal (Jackson Lewis P.C.) / President (D. Augustus Straker Bar Association) La Donna Combs, Founder and President, Sisters Against Abuse Society Star Crawford, Vice President of Community Relations, Bank of America Janette Davis, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Authority Health Lanie L. Dixon, Director, Performance Excellence & Patient Experience, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland – Trinity Health Erica D. Donerson, Vice President, Government & External Affairs, Wayne County Airport Authority Emma Elder-Howell, Partner, Detroit Title & Escrow Nailah Ellis-Brown, Founder & CEO, Ellis Island Tea Latina Fauconier, Managing Director , PwC Bridgett Feagin, Chief Financial Officer, Harper University Hospital Kristy Fercho, Executive Vice President, President of Mortgage , Flagstar Bank Charisse Gibert, Senior Pastor, Detroit Worship Center Evette Griffie, Chief of Staff – Customer Service, DTE Energy Tonya Hallett, Executive Director, Global Manufacturing Human Resources, General Motors Bessie Harris, Retired Principal, Detroit Public Schools Tamara Hawkins, Owner, The Zone Dance Center Orlene Hawks, Director of LARA, State of Michigan Dr. Anita Hicks, Associate Director, Oakland University, Oakland Center Jamii J. Hitchcock, Ph.D., Director | Character Education, Diversity & Equity, Birmingham Public Schools Stephanie Hobson, Sr. Manager of Procurement, International Automotive Components Group Jacqueline Howard, Senior Director, Corporate Citizenship, Ally Financial Jehan Crump-Gibson, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Great Lakes Legal Group Tracy Joshua, Vice President, Procurement Indirect, The Kellogg Company Dr. Portia Lockett, Director of Spiritual Care and Community Affairs, Detroit Medical Center Beverly Maddox, Director, Signature Events, Detroit Regional Chamber Telva McGruder, Director, Global Facilities Engineering & Manufacturing Operations Sustainable Workplaces, General Motors April Miller-Boise, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, & Corporate Secretary, Meritor, Inc Kylee Mitchell, Executive Director -SE Michigan, Ballmer Foundation Donna Murray- Brown, President & CEO, Michigan Nonprofit Association Mayowa Reynolds, Principal, Detroit School of Arts Bianca Rogers, International Rep (Special Assigned), UAW-Ford Dr. Tiffany L. Sanford, Chief Medical Officer, The Wellness Plan Medical Center Senator Sylvia Santana, 3rd District State Senator, Michigan State Senate Joya Shepard, Personnel Director, Orion Assembly & Pontiac Stamping, General Motors Audrey E. Smith, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Family Medical Center of Michigan, Inc. Andrea Smith, Director, Clinical Practice Improvement, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority Angela Terrell, IT Manager, Business Intelligence, Retired - GM, Ford and DTE Energy Dana White, Founder & CEO, Paralee Boyd Patricia Wilkerson-Uddyback, MD, MBA, Vice President of Academic & Community Affairs, Detroit Medical Center Lisa Williams, Principal, Ferndale High School Geneva Williams, CEO, Consultant Business and Personal Leadership, Dr. Geneva Speaks Lakia Wilson, Executive Vice President of Detroit Federation of Teachers, Detroit Public Schools Community District Chrystal Wilson, Assistant Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District Maria Woodruff Wright, CFO, The Skillman Foundation Monique Woods, CEO & Founder, Monique Woods Agency Sponsored by

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