Boys & Girls Club raises $425k at kick-off event Roots. B1
Michigan Chronicle
Vol. 82 – No. 33 | April 24-30, 2019
Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com
New Detroit Names Michael Rafferty as its new President and CEO By Michael V. Hubbard New Detroit, Inc. announced today that its board has named Michael Rafferty as its new president and CEO. He succeeds Shirley Stancato who held the position for the past 18 years. Rafferty brings more than 20 years of career experience, much of which has been in the non-profit industry, to the role. He has particular expertise in community economic development and public policy. In his last post, as vice president of the Detroit Michael Rafferty Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), Rafferty led the organization’s small business portfolio, best known for its Motor City Match and Restore programs, which provide funding and resources to Detroit entrepreneurs. “Mike brings a depth of experience and vitality to steward New Detroit as we implement a new strategic plan to impact racial equity,” said Rachel Tronstein Stewart, New Detroit’s board chair. “His experience managing major programs in collaboration with government entities, community groups, and residents throughout metropolitan Detroit will prove incredibly valuable as we build a broad coalition to advance race relations in our region.” While at the DEGC, Rafferty was recognized for growing the small business practice to a 25person team that implemented a robust portfolio of small business and entrepreneurship economic development programs. His efforts helped to open more than 50 small business in Detroit in three years, with a pipeline of 150 business set to open in the next several years. “Mike has done great work during his time at the DEGC to help grow the number of minority-owned small business’ in Detroit through programs like Motor City Match,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “I know that he will use his new role as CEO of New Detroit to expand on the work he already has done to bring greater economic equity to our city. The board of New Detroit made a great choice.” Prior to his role at the DEGC, Rafferty led the Michigan Nonprofit Association’s Metro Detroit office
See RAFFERTY page A2
WHAT’S INSIDE
Tonya Allen President and Chief Executive Officer, The Skillman Foundation, Gary Torgow Chairman of Chemical Financial Corporation, David Lewis, President AT&T Michigan and Rick DeVore, Regional President of Detroit & Southeast Michigan at PNC Financial Services Group.
Pancakes & Politics - Forum II
Building a Better Future for Detroit By Branden Hunter The story of Detroit is a classic one about a once-thriving city that has lost its employment base, its stellar school system, and its upper and middle classes, but is now looking to rebuild for the future. It is difficult to convey the post-apocalyptic nature of Detroit after its downfall. Miles upon miles of abandoned homes and vacant land are visible in the city. Decades of underinvestment problems as well as high unemployment and violent crime rates have led to a near-complete breakdown of civic infrastructure: the roads are terrible; the police are understaffed; and no one seems to know how to fix the public-school system. The conversation surrounding Detroit’s future can be heard in community meetings, panels, board meetings and even bars around the city. The latest conversation emerged at Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes and Politics - Forum II during the panel discussion. The topic was “A View from the Top: Regional Leaders Discuss Detroit’s Future” with commentary from Tonya Allen, president and chief executive officer of The Skillman Foundation; Gary Torgow, chairman of Chemical Financial Corporation; David Lewis, AT&T Michigan president; and Ric DeVore, PNC Bank regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
the teachers taught better, the problems will be fixed. Of course, we can do more to support our students and provide professional development to our teachers, but that is not the reason we are having such dramatic declines in education in our state.” Jobs
Education The city exited bankruptcy in 2018, and there are private investments being directed toward Detroit’s revival. Mayor Duggan wants to make a fresh start, but it is hard to see how a renaissance can occur without making headway on the public-school system. The Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) is the largest in the state and has had its failures over the decades. Tonya Allen said the educational decline is statewide, not just in predominately African-American areas such as Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Pontiac. “Our children aren’t broken; our schools are not broken; our system is,” said Allen. “A lot of times, we like to point the finger because there is so much despair in our educational system. And we think that if only the students showed up who were ready and
#MJBxNas:
City.Life.Style. C1
$1.00
Chemical Bank is doing its part with plans to move its headquarters to downtown Detroit in the near future, which will bring more than 500 jobs to the city. It was also a part of a team of seven companies that pledged $5 million each to the city of Detroit’s efforts to improve its streets and parks in neighborhoods beyond the downtown corridor. This will create jobs and build a stronger economy beyond downtown. “We, as a company, believe that in order for Detroit to succeed, it needs to be inclusive and diverse,” said Torgow.
See PANCAKES
& POLITICS page A2
Ola Ivery is on a Mission – to Raise Young Readers through Pure Joy By David C. Butty
Mary J. Blige and NAS Team Up for Summer Tour
Detroit has made great progress toward addressing the needs of its residents in the last few years. However, one of the city’s most important challenges remains: rebuilding the city’s workforce. At the heart of the issue, there are too few jobs in the city for its residents and too many employment barriers. Much of the development in the city has gone toward downtown and midtown, and Gary Torgow pointed out that all of Detroit needs to reap the benefits.
“It has been a lifelong passion for me and my husband to empower future generations – to spark their curiosity and to champion their intellectual growth so that they might create their best lives through education,” she said.
For Ola Ivery, the excitement around hosting the annual “Carnival” for children that she founded hasn’t waned in 12 years. It’s the wonder and exhilaration on the children’s faces that fuels her joy, Ivery says, particularly as this carnival aims to light up children’s imaginations and love for reading. The Wayne County Community College District’s 12th Annual Chancellor’s Reading Carnival for Children will be held Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WCCCD Curtis L. Ivery Downtown Campus, located at 1001 West Fort Street in Detroit. The Annual Reading Carnival is the biggest event every year of the Bookworm Club, the group that WCCCD’s First Lady, Ola Ivery, and her husband, Curtis L. Ivery, Chancellor of the College District founded some 16 years ago. Nearly 1,000 attendees flock to the Reading Carnival every
Ola Ivery year, making it one of the most successful early learner events in metro Detroit. “We know from research and experience that developing early literacy skills profoundly influences language development, and other modes of learning,” said Ola Ivery. “We also know that early literacy skills are one of the most powerful tools for personal and economic growth and progress.
The Annual Reading Carnival features storytelling and interactive programs that allow children to engage with stories and books in multiple ways. Face painting, games, and a range of fairytale activities surround children in a storybook environment, allowing them to be immersed in a world of imagination. Children and families also receive book bags filled with books and other school supplies to help them continue the experience at home. Families are invited back for several “BookWorm Club” meetings throughout the year, where children are led in storytelling, songs and appearances from the BookWorm to help keep their excitement for reading active. Importantly, the program is
open to the public at no cost and invites all children and families across the 500 square miles, and 36 cities and townships the District serves across Wayne County. ”My child is five years old and this is one of the best programs she has ever participated in,” said one parent who attended a past Reading Carnival. “She seems to have learned so much, had a great time, and loved the company of the other excited children I hope more parents bring their kids to attend one of the best free programs for children.” For Ola Ivery, that is the point. “Early experiences in learning are fuel for children’s minds that are busy growing and making connections to help them take their next steps in life,” she said. “The more learning activities that we can provide our children from a warm, engaging, fun space, the more opportunity we have to grow lifelong learners. We see that as our life’s mission.”