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April 26 - May 2, 2017

Best of luck, Nikolai Vitti, you will need that, and more

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

On Tuesday evening, the newly empowered Detroit Public School Board voted to appoint Nikolai Vitti to be the new DPSCD superintendent. That was their choice, and what’s done is done.

I have said before that I did not believe it was fair not to at least grant interim Superintendent Alycia Meriweather an interview for the job that she has been doing for the past year, and doing it well. I also have some concerns — and I'm certainly not the only one who does — about the Nikolai Vitti current board's seeming tendency to conduct important business and discussions behind closed doors that should be conducted out in the open in front of the public. Granted, that might not always be the most comfortable or enjoyable option, especially when things get testy, but it was the public that fought hard and loudly for the return of Detroit's elected school board, and therefore I would argue the board should probably bend over backwards to conduct as much business as possible in the public eye, not just the minimum amount required.

And finally, I happen to agree with those who think the selection process was rushed, and that's putting it politely. There should have been much more time and many more candidates to choose from.

Rep. Maxine Waters — Monica Morgan photo

And still they persist Democratic female dynamic duo delivers powerful anti-Trump message at Freedom Fund Dinner

By Keith A. Owens

the Senate floor.

Senior Editor

“Sen. Warren was giving a lengthy speech,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell, who was responsible for having her removed. “She had appeared to violate the rule. She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.”

The power of Democratic women in Congress was on full display Sunday night at Cobo Hall at the Detroit Branch NAACP’s annual Freedom Fund Dinner, and President Donald Trump served as whipping boy while the two of the most powerful and most visible female legislators on Capitol Hill cut loose, sounding a rallying cry both for the 2018 mid-term elections as well as the 2020 presidential.

That said, I’m still rooting for the new board and have every hope that they will do what’s best for Detroit’s children. This is not an easy job by any stretch because children’s lives are at stake, and at this point I choose to believe each of those elected officials understands that fact and understands the daunting task ahead. And unfortunately, there isn’t much time for a learning curve, so it’s a given that mistakes will be made. Hopefully they will be few, and hopefully the board will pay attention when the voters attempt to grab their attention and point them out.

The public isn’t always right by any means, and sometimes the loudest ones are the ones with the least amount of valuable information. But their voices do need to be heard, and the board

Rep. Maxine Waters, (D-CA, 43rd District) was the recipient of the Detroit NAACP’s James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, and for good reason. For more than two decades, Waters has distinguished herself as a tenacious fighter for the causes she believes in, and who never has a problem speaking her mind. Most recently, Waters has attracted the spotlight as one of the most vocal Democrats on the Hill not only willing but anxious to openly criticize President Trump for his numerous transgressions, his incompetence, and his obvious inability to accomplish even a minimal amount of legislative achievements despite the fact that his Republican Party is in control of both the Senate and the House.

See SUPERINTENDENT page A-4

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-

WHAT’S INSIDE

There’s something about

Detroit See page D-1

$1.00

What was intended as an apparent attempt to intimidate Warren instead became a rallying battle cry for women across the country within a matter of days. “Nevertheless She Persisted” is now on a T-shirt.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren — Andre Smith photo MA), was the evening’s keynote speaker and, like Waters, has gained a respected reputation as a well-credentialed progressive who will fight hard and long for what she believes is right. Most recently, Warren gained notoriety (again) when she was removed from the Senate floor in February after attempting to strongly protest the nomination of then-Senator Jeff Sessions who was being considered for the position of attorney general. Sessions, predictably, was even-

tually seated, but not without a strong fight from Warren who refused to be silenced in her protest and continued to read the searing words of the late Coretta Scott King who in a 1986 letter called out Sessions as an obvious racist whose actions clearly defined his objectives and successfully urged Congress to block his nomination for federal judge. Warren continued to read King’s words outside the closed doors of the Senate even after being removed from

Flint still fighting for the future

By Curt Guyette

Authority for the next 30 years.

Special to the Michigan Chronicle

The city is currently bound by contract to begin purchasing its water from the Karegnondi Water Authority once Flint’s treatment plant is upgraded to handle raw Lake Huron Water pumped through the newly built Karegnondi pipeline.

A newly announced plan to permanently keep Flint on the Detroit-based regional water system has both sparked hope and raised important questions.

And if the six arrests for disorderly conduct made at a town hall meeting held to discuss the plan are any indication, government officials have a long way to go before residents trauma- Flint Mayor Karen Weaver tized by the ongoing crisis are convinced the deal is truly in their best interests.

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver disclosed the plan at a press conference, saying she supports a deal to allow the city to continue buying its water from the Great Lakes Water

Flint borrowed $85 million — in a possibly illegal deal — to construct that pipeline and is committed to paying $7 million a year until the debt and interest are paid off. In addition, the city is contracted to buy up to 18 million gallons of water per day (gpd) from the KWA. The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) — which was created during Detroit’s bankruptcy to take over the city’s sprawling regional system — is offering to provide Flint with a

See FLINT page A-4

Waters praised her colleague during her acceptance speech as someone who has been consistent in her fight against injustice. She said the award itself held a special meaning for her, both on a personal level and also as a timely reminder of the true significance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” also known as the Negro National Anthem, penned by Johnson.

“To stand before you today as the 2017 recipient of the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award, well, this is a very significant honor. It also has great personal meaning for me. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a strong black woman. Ironically, I attended the James Weldon

See FREEDOM

FUND page A-4

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page A-2 news Mayor unveils first completed neighborhood park improvements, announces 30 more Michigan Chronicle Reports

Neighborhood Parks Improved in 2016:

Mayor Mike Duggan cut the ribbon on new and improved Boyer Park in southwest Detroit, which is among the first 10 to be renovated under the 40 Neighborhood Parks program he launched last spring. The mayor also announced that work is getting under way on the other 30 neighborhood parks slated for major capital improvements this year.

District 1 Fields Playground, 16601 Florence Walkways, playground, fitness equipment, picnic area Simmons Playground, 19450 Chapel Walkways, playground, picnic shelter, soccer field, softball backstop, junior basketball

Standing with residents of the surrounding neighborhood, Duggan officially rededicated Boyer Park, which includes new play equipment, soccer field, walking paths, benches, a new half-pipe for skateboarders and a basketball half-court.

Construction at Boyer was completed late last fall.

reation and General Services departments identified the 40 locations based on several key criteria, including which unimproved parks had the highest concentrations of children and senior citizens living close by. Another consideration was the size of the parks; all 40 are no larger than 5.5 acres.

Just two miles from Boyer, residents gathered to celebrate the start of construction at Szafraniec Park, which is one of 30 remaining neighborhood parks that will be upgraded this year.

“These park improvements are just one of the ways we are investing in our neighborhoods for the residents who live here and to make the city more attractive to new families,” said Mayor Duggan.

“Access to quality recreational opportunities is a key to the strength of any neighborhood.”

When Duggan took office in January 2014, only about 25 parks citywide were being regularly maintained. Within a year, however, that number swelled to about 275 thanks in large part to a successful Adopt-APark Program with local churches, businesses and other organizations.

With quality maintenance now handled, the City has turned its attention to making significant investments into the long-neglected and smaller neighborhood play lots that once served as the “Central Park” for many

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families and safe havens for children.

In 2015, the City spent $1 million to improve seven neighborhood parks, including Arthur, Edmore-Marbud, Optimist-Parkgrove, Ryan, Tuttle and Wilson, bringing to nearly 50 the number of neighborhood parks that have seen major upgrades since Mayor Duggan took office.

“Neighborhood represent more

parks than

green grass and games for children. They are the center gathering space for a neighborhood, a place for families to gather, laugh and play,” said Adriana Alvarez, a Detroit resident who lives near Boyer Park and President of Congress of Communities. “Parks are where neighbors come together and build strong friendships that will help us bring this city back.”

The city’s Parks & Rec-

Motor City Makeover 365 emphasizes year-round cleanup and beautification efforts Detroit’s annual Motor City Makeover campaign kicked off recently at the Northwest Activities Center with the theme for this year’s effort titled Motor City Makeover 365, which emphasizes the city’s plan to promote and encourage cleaning, beautification and additional board ups of vacant houses throughout the year. Volunteers can sign up at www.motorcitymakeover.org or by calling 313-224-4415.

At the announcement, Mayor Mike Duggan called on residents, community organizations, business owners and students to join the effort to clean the city during the first three Saturdays in May. This year, Districts 1 and 2 will be cleaned on May 6; Districts 3, 4, and 5 will be cleaned on May 13; and Districts 6 and 7 will be cleaned on May 20.

Calling this year’s effort Motor City Makeover 365, the city plans to promote cleaning and beautification throughout the year. In addition to the citywide cleanup in May, the city will focus on:

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June

Flower planting and beautification efforts The city will be giving away about 1500 flats of flowers to registered community groups

July

Board-ups In addition to community groups, the city will be working with GM Cares and Life Remodeled for large-scale boardups of 400 vacant homes in July and early August.

August Safe Routes to Schools (in coordination with United Way) The city will work with volunteers, schools and community groups to board up homes and organize patrol group for 20 schools across all seven districts.

“Thanks to the efforts of residents, city workers and our sponsors, our city is noticeably cleaner and more beautiful,” said Duggan. “Now is the time to make sure that we are keeping up this effort throughout the year.”

Serve Detroit – New Online Volunteer Portal A new part of the effort to sustain this good work is the launch of a new website, Serve Detroit, which provides information about for Detroit residents and others to connect with volunteer events to improve the city. This month’s featured volunteer opportunity is Motor City Makeover.

By visiting www.servedetroit.org, residents can find a number of other volunteer opportunities, learn how to organize a block club, meet their Department of Neighborhoods district manager and more.

The 40 neighborhood parks slated for improvement in 2016-17 are part of the Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan, which outlines the City’s strategy to improve parks and recreation facilities.

The improvement plan, which has had considerable community input, focuses on prioritizing parks across the city, with the goal of creating quality public space accessible to all Detroiters.

During his budget address to City Council in February 2016, Duggan revealed that his Chief Financial Officer, John Hill, had discovered $50 million in bond funds that had gone unspent over several decades. Of those funds, $11.7 million has been earmarked for the park improvements. The remaining funds will pay to build out a high-tech, real-time crime center at Detroit Public Safety Headquarters and to construct a new 8th Precinct for the Police Department.

District 2 Liuzzo Playground, 20053 Winthrop Walkways, playground, fitness equipment, picnic area, pickleball courts, landscaping Wells Playground, 20159 Griggs Basketball, playground upgrade, fitness equipment, fencing, picnic shelter District 3 Calimera Playground, 19493 Joann Playground, walkways, halfcourt basketball, picnic area, landscaping District 4 Hansen Playground, 542 Drexel Walkways, fitness equipment, expanded playground, junior basketball, picnic shelter, landscaping District 5 Latham Playground, 5082 Seneca Playground, walkways, game pad, horseshoe court, picnic area, landscaping District 6 Boyer Playground, 6203 W. Vernor Walkways, skate ramp, mini basketball courtl, playground, youth soccer field, picnic area District 7 Mansfield-Diversey Playground, 7753 Rutherford Walkways, picnic shelter, full court and junior basketball, sports field, landscaping Cross/Tireman-Littlefield Playground, 8134 Manor Walkways, fitness equipment, picnic area, landscpaing

30 Parks to be Renovated in 2017 District 1 • Cook Playground, 16001 Fenkell • Hackett Playground,

17236 Avon • Marx Playground, 18201 Greenview • Reid Playground, 20625 Santa Clara District 2 • Clinton Playground, 8145 Chalfonte (Transferred from Detroit Public Schools) • Diack Playground, 13889 Curtis • Gorham Playground, 19969 St. Marys • Varier Playground, 15639 Thatcher • Bale Playground, 18673 Winthrop District 3 • Collins Playground, 11618 Alpena • Luce-St. Louis Playground, 13490 St. Louis • Marruso Playground, 19908 Annott • Syracuse Playground, 19192 Syracuse • Yaksich Playground, 18160 Anglin District 4 • Brewer Playground, 12450 Hayes (Transferred from Detroit Public Schools) • O’Brien Playground, 11938 E. McNichols District 5 • Dueweke Playground, 4975 Sheridan • LaSalle Park, 2380 S. LaSalle Blvd.

• Gordon Playground, 1935 Atkinson • Stewart, 12701 14th Street (Transferred from Detroit Public Schools) • Yates Playground, 2499 Blaine District 6 • 30th-Herbert Playground, 5000 30th Street • Nagel Playground, 3100 Wabash • Sak Playground, 4322 Kinsman • Scripps Playground, 3666 W. Grand River • Szafraniec Playground, 4513 Campbell District 7 • Doan Playground, 9946 Prest • Greene Playground, 9177 Robson • Phelps Playground, 9982 Sorrent • Richard Allen (Nardin), 9516 W. Grand River

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page A-3

Detroit’s road to recovery goes through the schools

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

The topic for the day on Thursday morning, April 20, was “The Road to Rebuilding Detroit,” but pretty much everyone in Detroit who knows anything about what’s going on here knows that there is no road to rebuilding Detroit that doesn’t pass through the calamity of Detroit’s public — and charter — schools.

So it was in that spirit that Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley apparently decided not to waste time, cutting to the chase at the second Pancakes & Politics forum of 2017 when she asked a certain question to the assembled panelists, each of whom represented a major philanthropic foundation that collectively has contributed literally billions of dollars toward Detroit and its revitalization. Describing the panel as the “brain trust of the philanthropic community,” Riley said “I have to ask, with that amount of money and that amount of (inaudible) acumen, how in the world are the city’s schools so bad?”

Those participating in Thursday morning’s panel discussion were: David Egner, president and CEO, Ralph C. Wilson Foundation; Mariam Noland, president, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan; Tonya Allen, president and CEO, The Skillman Foundation; Rip Rapson, president and CEO, The Kresge Foundation; and Melanca Clark, president and CEO, Hudson Webber Foundation.

Riley suggested that one possible solution might be for the foundations to pool their substantial resources and “drop the mother of all philanthropic

bombs on the city’s schools.”

So, OK. Maybe the image of dropping any sort of bomb on Detroit schools wasn’t the best visual, especially considering who currently occupies the White House. Still, the question was valid. Rip Rapson had an answer: “At the risk of not saying what you’d like me to say, I think if we knew that money was the solution, we would have done exactly that. When I look at every

major city in America, based on these same issues that they struggle with, they’re spending enormous amounts of money in other places, and they just haven’t cracked the code. It’s not to say that you don’t have to lean in with all the resources you can possibly muster [but] I think we have to figure out as a community what it is we want to do. And then we can assemble the resources.

But I think just throwing the resources at it, I’m not sure that’s what we want.

I don’t think any of us on this podium would blink if we knew exactly how we could apply those resources in the most effective ways to move the outcomes for young people. I don’t think you lead with the money, I think you lead with the ideas.”

Tonya Allen suggested that Detroit needs to fully recognize and acknowledge the true, full scope of the problem we’re facing when it comes to Detroit schools and Detroit children — and then we need to fix it. Period.

DDOT announces final phase of major service expansion DDOT customers will see a series of service improvements that represent the final phase of a larger planned service expansion announced by Mayor Mike Duggan last summer.Since September of last year, the Detroit Department of Transportation has implemented six new 24-hour routes, six brand new routes that help connect Detroit neighborhoods to major job centers and a series of other improvements that have added 1,300 additional weekly trips available to DDOT riders.

Sunday schedule now features later evening service and a 55-minute frequency.

A transferless transfer is available to 49 – Vernor on Sunday.

One major new improvement is the addition of the #42 Mid-City Loop route.

This brand new route will allow continuous service to Highland Park, the North End, DMC, Wayne State University, New Center, Henry Ford Hospital and Virginia Park while also providing easy connections to other major routes.Another change DDOT customers will see in April are major improvements to the existing route #49 Vernor which will extend to/from Michigan and Schaefer in Dearborn.

34 – Gratiot

Since Mayor Duggan took office, DDOT has made significant progress, including: ■ Meeting schedule for the first time in more than a decade

Weekday Northbound trip departing Third and Michigan at 8 pm now travels via the Cass/Times Square side of Rosa Parks Transit Center.

42 – Mid-City Loop, New Route A new neighborhood route with service to Highland Park, the North End, DMC, Wayne State University, New Center, Henry Ford Hospital and Virginia Park.

Buses travel a one-way in a clockwise loop via Manchester, Victor, Oakland, E Grand Bl, Beaubien, St Antoine, Canfield, Second, Warren, Anthony Wayne, W Grand Bl, Rosa Parks, Webb and Hamilton. Easy connections are available to many major routes.

■ Hiring more new bus drivers and mechanics

Last week, on the front page of our April 19 edition, we incorrectly reported that Dr. Edward Montgomery was recently named as the first African-American president of Western Michigan University (WMU). Dr. Montgomery is, in fact, the second African- American president of WMU. Dr. Elson Floyd, who served as WMU president from 1998 until 2002 was the first. After leaving a very successful tenure at WMU, Dr. Floyd went on to become president of the University Dr. Edward of Missouri sysMontgomery tem and then from there to Washington State University.

Dr. Floyd died last year.

■ Equipping all coached with interior and exterior cameras ■ Implementing the DDOT Bus app and Bus Tracker website map to let riders know the real time location and expected arrival time of every DDOT bus The following list details the April 2017 service changes: 9 – Chalmers At the south end of the route, the first/ last bus stop and timepoint changes to Jefferson and Maryland. A new bus stop is located on Jefferson just west of Maryland. Buses no longer serve the stop on Maryland. Trips and times are unchanged.

14 – Crosstown On all days, times are adjusted by 2-5 minutes for improved schedule reliability. Service levels are unchanged.

16 – Dexter Saturday Northbound times are adjusted by 3-5 minutes for improved schedule reliability. Service levels are unchanged.

19 – Fort Weekday trips via Bassett are discontinued; 89 – Southwest Direct provides improved service on Bassett. All Weekday trips now travel between downtown and Outer Dr.

Allen also suggested that it might be time to re-examine the meaning on this New Detroit we keep hearing so much about, because, “When I ask young people, ‘What do you think about the New Detroit?’ they have no idea what you’re talking about,” but they have no problem expressing concerns about not feeling welcome downtown and feeling as if they have no access to the most visibly revitalized section of their own city.

“The second thing that they would say is ‘we are the New Detroit.”

Yes, they are.

Tanya, “If we ask how are the children, we would have to answer that the children are not doing well.”

At the east end of the route, the first/ last bus stop and timepoint changes to Jefferson and Maryland. A new bus stop is located on Jefferson just west of Maryland. Buses no longer serve the stop on Maryland. Trips and times are unchanged.

CORRECTION

■ Establishing a full time transit police force

And yes, that is exactly what Allen said. No apologies, no retraction, no whoopsie I meant to say this or that.

The use of the phrase — and the word — was obviously purposeful to drive home the point Detroit-style that Detroiters are no strangers to hard times and how to take them down, and this is no time to change that narrative. I can even see the T-shirt now: “Detroit. We do the hard sh--.”

25 – Jefferson

■ First major service expansion in more than a decade

■ Purchasing 80 new buses, with 20 more on order

“We think that if we just work with young kids that those young kids in 18 years are gonna change the city,” she said. “Except they have parents that we forgot about. They have older brothers and sisters that we forgot about. And I think it’s time for us to make a generational declaration that we are no longer as a community going to say that this is too hard for us. I think one of the most

powerful things that we’ve experienced in this city in the past two years is that …we have a muscle memory that says we can do really hard sh--.”

The Michigan Chronicle wishes to apologize to the entire Western Michigan University community, as well as to all of our readers, for this error.

We work hard to be as accurate as we can be and to produce a quality product. We hope everyone will understand that this unfortunate mistake does not reflect who we are as a news organization.

Respectfully, Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

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news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Flint credit equal to the amount of its annual bond payments. It is also offering to assume rights to that 18 million gpd that Flint would no longer need if it stays with the GLWA. The deal would allow Flint to either shutter or sell its aging, costly water treatment plant.

The latest estimate is that it would cost more than $100 million to treat the Karegnondi’s raw Lake Huron Water.

Instead, much of that money could be used to provide badly needed repair and replacement of the city’s failing water mains and other infrastructure.

Donnell White (left), executive director, Detroit Branch NAACP; Monica Anthony; Kimberly Gill, WDIV Local 4 news anchor; Rep. Maxine Waters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rev. Wendell Anthony, president, Detroit Branch NAACP. — Monica Morgan photos

Freedom Fund Johnson Elementary School in St. Louis Missouri.

“I want you to know that tonight’s honor reminds me of one of his greatest contributions to the African American community that was writing the lyrics to ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing.’”

“To me, James Weldon Johnson’s words are especially relevant today as we work to confront the abnormal and dangerous threats that this current president of the United States poses to our community and our country. We now have a president who has disregarded and disrespected the historical contributions of many Americans, particularly African Americans.

And in less than 100 days, he has already jeopardized our health care system, our environment and national security. And to make matters worse, he is well on the road to undermining our democracy, and may have already done so if it is determined that he colluded with the Russians and Vladimir Putin to interfere with our elections and hack our government.”

“As you all know, I’ve dedicated my life’s work to speaking truth to power, and having the strength of my convictions. And I believe that it is my responsibility as a member of Congress, to work every day to

From page A-1

confront and expose the dishonest, disrespectful and dangerous behavior demonstrated by this president and his administration. I’m not afraid of this man, I’m not intimidated by him, I’m not gonna back up when he bullies everybody,” she continued.

“I intend to do everything that I can to help all of those involved in the investigation to connect the dots. And they’ve got to follow the money because this president, I believe. was involved in collusion. This president, if it is determined that he and his allies and his campaign were involved with colluding with the Russians, and the oligarchs of Russia, then he will have not only colluded with hacking into the DNC (Democratic National Committee), and into our phones, he will not only have tried to undermine our electoral system, he would have undermined the democracy that we all fight so hard for. And if he has undermined the democracy, I’m gonna work until he’s impeached.”

Warren’s remarks were equally critical as well as urgent concerning the need to rally and unite against the threat of Trump.

“I haven’t come to Detroit today in a moment of triumph. I come to Detroit today because our country

is in a moment of crisis. A time when everything that generations of Detroit NAACP members have worked for is being systematically undermined by the folks in power in Washington. A man who calls African Americans thugs is now president of the United States. A man who embraces white supremacists is his senior advisor. And a man who was too racist to become a judge in 1980 now runs the Department of Justice. Each and every one of you has seen the ugly reality of what happens when our government turns its back on millions of people,” she said.

“I am the daughter of a janitor who became a professor at Harvard Law School and a U.S. senator because America invested in educating our kids. I know the power of an open door. But I’m worried that instead of opening more doors that America is closing doors. I’m worried that for too many of our kids, especially African American kids, those doors are locked tight.

“There’s no sugarcoating it; systemic racism has restricted opportunity in America, period. And if we can’t say that plain and clear, then we can never change it. President Trump isn’t advancing hatred and prejudice all on his own. He has a lot of help and we can’t forget that.”

It would also keep the city from having to deal with yet another change in its water source.

Until April 2014, Detroit had provided Flint with treated water for nearly 50 years. Flint’s water plant was used only as a backup source in case there was some disruption in the flow of water from Detroit. Then, as a result of its commitment to the Karegnondi project and the ill-fated decision to save a few million dollars, an appointed emergency manager switched the city’s water source to the Flint River.

The tragic results of that ongoing disaster — dubbed the Flint water crisis — are now well known, as a city of nearly 100,000 people has spent the past three years grappling with a lead-poisoned water supply.

In October 2015, Gov. Rick Snyder allowed Flint to return to the treated water provided by the GLWA. The proposed deal announced

by Mayor Weaver would keep the city from having to go through yet another costly, disruptive change in water sources.

Weaver said another advantage of going with the GLWA would be that it allows Flint residents to benefit from the authority’s water assistance fund, which helps low-income residents pay their water bills.

Which brings us to one of the questions we have.

In 2015, we reported that, according to its own study, the GLWA admitted that the $4.5 million being allocated to assist poor people in paying their bills was entirely inadequate.

Referring to the GLWA’s planned Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP), the report warns: “Unfortunately, the scope and structure of these efforts pales in comparison to the endemic problems induced by persistent poverty in our communities.

WRAP will provide support to a select number of families in need. Preliminary estimates indicate that 2,000 to 5,000 households will be provided assistance each year under WRAP.”

Rev. Wendell Anthony (left), president, Detroit Branch NAACP; Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Kimberly Gill, WDIV Local 4 news anchor; Jaren Johnson, Eastern Michigan University Black Student Union president; Heaster Wheeler, founder and CEO, Heaster Wheeler Speaks and Detroit City Clerk candidate; Darius Anthony, president, Eastern Michigan University NAACP; and Donnell White, executive director, Detroit Branch NAACP.

It is important to keep in mind those households aren’t just located in Detroit, but are spread throughout a southeastern Michigan region filled

Interest rate reduction program extended for 2017

Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree is pleased to announce that his office has successfully led an effort to extend a special program to reduce interest rates for homeowners at risk of foreclosure from 18 to 6 percent.

was signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder and started April 10.

“Homeownership sets the foundation for strong communities and vibrant neighborhoods.

Working with Treasurer Sabree, we’re committed to do everything we can to help Wayne County residents stay in their homes. After the success the program saw in 2016, I am pleased to see it reinstated this year,” said Evans.

In alliance with Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, the Interest Reduction monthly payment agreement — which had expired in 2016 — has been reinstated in 2017 under a bill signed

by Gov. Rick Snyder. The new program, which also reduces the interest rate to 6 percent from 18 percent, takes effect in April and runs through June 2019.

“This is a great opportunity for people to reduce interest rates saving money and saving their homes,” said Sabree.

“We thought it was a highly successful program last year and we worked hard with the help of many people to have it reinstated for 2017 by legislative action.”

In the program, homeowners are eligible to enter in to payment plans at a reduced interest rate — 6 percent, compared to the usual 18 percent — and pay delinquent taxes.

“We would like to get as many people as possible into the program formally known as the Interest Reduction Stipulated Payment Agreement.”

The result is a reasonable monthly payment amount that will help hundreds of families stay in their homes. The reduced interest plan is available only to those who own their primary residence.

The 2017 plan, similar in scope to the 2015-2016 version,

“During the first two years of this program, nearly 50,000 De-

Eric R. Sabree

troit families that were facing foreclosure, were able to keep their homes,” said Duggan.

“Without it, we would not be seeing the recovery in our neighborhoods that is taking place.

Thanks to Treasurer Sabree’s efforts, thousands more Detroiters who are at risk of foreclosure will be able to access the help they need."

“There are new programs that will allow individuals to avoid foreclosure if they own and live in their home as the primary residence. Should they make the required payments, the interest rate, which is currently 18 percent, will be reduced to 6 percent and will avoid foreclosure,” Sabree said.

He also noted that the home does not need to be at risk of foreclosure to take advantage of this program. If any delinquent taxes are owed, one can enter into the lower interest rate payment plans to save money.

Page A-4

From page A-1 with poor people.

“The numbers are daunting, indicating that over 685,000 individuals are living below the poverty line in the three largest counties [Wayne, Oakland and Macomb] in the GLWA service area,” the report noted.

So how much assistance would actually be available to the people of Flint, a city with a poverty rate of 40 percent and water bills that are already among the highest in the nation?

Another question has to do the 18 million gpd in water rights the GLWA is assuming.

Who will be buying that water?

We submitted the question to the GLWA, but have yet to receive an answer.

The proposed deal is being hailed by officials at all levels of government as a win for all. But the Flint Journal, in an editorial voiced a sound note of caution.

“Forgive our skepticism, given this is not the first time officials have celebrated Flint's water future,” wrote the paper’s editorial board. “A smiling photo-op with politicians cheering each other with full water glasses three years ago ended with catastrophic results.

That’s when the city turned to the Flint River for drinking water and elevated blood lead levels were eventually detected in some children as the improperly treated water caused lead to leach from service lines and plumbing. A Legionnaires disease outbreak, which coincided with the water switch, left 12 dead and dozens more sickened.”

If the deal does pan out, however, it will produce a circular conclusion that only serves to highlight what a terrible fiasco this tragic series of events has been for the people of Flint.

Forced off the system that had been providing clean, safe water for nearly half a century; made to drink dangerous, improperly treated river water; forced to wait for a costly new pipeline to be built, only to end up returning to, and staying with, the source it abandoned three years ago — that’s a lot of tragedy and waste to only end up back in the same place.

As Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) told the Free Press, if the people cutting this deal had gotten together four or five years ago, “all these problems wouldn’t have happened.

It’s really frustrating because it shows you the failings of the emergency manager law and the fact that people don’t have a voice.”

Curt Guyette is an investigative reporter for the ACLU of Michigan. He can be reached at 313578-6834 or cguyette@ aclumich.org. His “Democracy Watch” blog can be found at http:// www.aclumich.org/democracy-watch-blog.

Superintendent From page A-1 needs to seek to work together with the community.

After all these years of suffering under emergency management, you can best believe the community is sick and tired of being dictated to. They want a seat at the table.

This is something Mr. Vitti needs to understand as well. Not everyone will be welcoming him with open arms, and he needs to understand that some of their concerns and reservations are valid. He needs to deal with these issues up front, not hide in his new office. Dealing openly with the community is the only way he will ever establish any level of trust, and trust is a hard thing to come by in this town.

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page A-5

Mayor, Flex-N-Gate break ground on $100M Detroit manufacturing facility Michigan Chronicle reports

Garlin Gilchrist II

Garlin Gilchrist II files petitions to become Detroit’s next City Clerk

Citing the need for an innovative civic technologist as Detroit’s next City Clerk, Garlin Gilchrist II filed paperwork today to join the race to become Detroit’s next City Clerk.

While engaging Detroit residents talking with people around the city, Gilchrist has seen clearly that Detroit residents want to participate in elections but often run into barriers, as was noted by many news organizations during the last most recent presidential election. The proud husband and father to three-year-old twins is equipped with a background in software engineering for Microsoft, community organizing for MoveOn.org and President Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, and solving problems that impact all Detroiters for the City of Detroit. His track record, and the support of his community, shows that he is ready to fix the broken systems in the City Clerk’s office.

“Detroit’s City Clerk is the city’s Chief Participation Officer. Detroiters should have more opportunities to have their voices heard, respected, and acted upon, even when it’s not election season,” says Gilchrist. “I will aggressively use new tools to make sure every Detroiter, in every neighborhood, regardless of their access to technology, can play a role is the decision-making processes that impact them.”

Making elections work for more res-

idents is a priority, but there is more to the role of City Clerk, including working closely with Detroit’s City Council to ensure their public records are accurate and easily accessible to the public.

Since starting work as the director of Innovation and Civic Technology for the City of Detroit in 2014, he has proven to be a skilled collaborator as he has worked to make many city records open and accessible to the public without the need for filing Freedom of Information Act requests.

Gilchrist has also worked tirelessly to solve complex challenges in the city with simple technology solutions.

“Creating a way for the Detroit Fire Department and the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department to work together to fix broken fire hydrants was an exciting challenge,” he says. “After a lot of listening, we were able to find the core of the challenge and pull together a solution that worked for both departments, which helps make Detroit safer for all residents.”

That type of win often goes without notice, but Gilchrist has never been motivated by praise or publicity. Ensuring that Detroit is a city where everyone has a voice that is heard, a Detroit where families like his can thrive, is what keeps him going and what will give him the drive to be Detroit’s next City Clerk.

Mayor Mike Duggan, Flex-N-Gate owner Shad Khan, along with state and local officials and community leaders today officially broke ground on the global auto supplier’s new $95 million manufacturing facility on the city’s east side. It will be the largest investment by an auto supplier in the City of Detroit in over 20 years. The 350,000 square foot facility, which is expected to open about a year from now, will become a new centerpiece to the city’s growing I-94 industrial Park and is a sign of the city and state’s success in attracting more manufacturing jobs back to Detroit.

Flex-N-Gate is a top global auto supplier of exterior trim components, aluminum and steel modular stamped body in white and chassis assemblies, lighting and other OEM automotive products. Announced last year, the facility will supply parts to Ford Motor Company and will create at least 400 and up to 700 new jobs in Detroit over the next three years; at full capacity, up to 750 total jobs could be added.

Flex-N-Gate has committed to hiring 51% of its construction workforce from within the city of Detroit and awarding at least 30% of construction work to Detroit-based companies. Tooles Contracting Group, a Detroit-based and minority owned company, has been selected to perform the majority of civil work prior to construction of the new facility. FlexN-Gate also has committed to develop a comprehensive hiring plan in conjunction with the City’s Human Rights Department and Detroit Employment Solutions, Corp., to help ensure permanent jobs for Detroiters. A general contractor to lead construction will be selected in the months ahead.

As the facility nears completion, FlexN-Gate will hold job fairs where interested Detroiters can learn more about jobs being offered and apply. Residents interested in applying can learn more at www.Flex-N-Gate.com/detroit. Most of the hiring will take place in mid-2018 once the facility is complete.

“This new facility is an example of how Detroit has become much more attractive to large manufacturers like FlexN-Gate,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Shad Khan has made a strong commitment to hiring Detroiters and use Detroit-based contractors and is committed to using this project and this new facility to provide employment opportunities to as many Detroiters as possible. They have been a great community partner.”

“I have always believed that the embodiment of the American Dream is in manufacturing, and nowhere is that dream becoming more real and attain-

able for workers and families today than in the U.S. auto industry,” Khan said. “Detroit is the birthplace of U.S. automakers, and today Detroit is experiencing a manufacturing rebirth not only throughout the region, but specifically within the city limits. Our new facility at the I-94 Industrial Park will enable Flex-N-Gate to serve our customers better than ever, but the headline for me is one word – jobs.”

“In fact, these are excellent jobs that will build promising careers, with a hiring emphasis on men and women who live in the City of Detroit. We’re also committed to making sure Detroit city-based and minority‑owned companies like Tooles Contracting Group are strongly represented during every phase of the build. Today’s groundbreaking is a day for celebration but the best days and years for Flex-N-Gate and the City of Detroit are still to come.”

To support the project, the Detroit City Council recently approved a $5.9M property tax abatement. In addition to the facility’s construction, Georgia Street, along the planned facility’s south side, will be resurfaced as part of a separate $2.6 million grant from the US Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Administration. The street improvements came out of the community engagement process for the project, where residents voiced concerns of bad roads from increased truck traffic. The Georgia Street improvements will fortify the streets for the new trucks.

This new multi-layered investment provides a major boost to the I-94 Industrial Park, and is the culmination of a collaborative effort among the city of Detroit, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which administers incentives and programs on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

MEDC also serves as the state’s chief business attraction and marketing agency along with directing the Pure Michigan campaign.

From 2009 through the second quarter of 2015, automakers and auto suppliers have made $16 billion investments into Michigan, accounting for about 20 percent of auto-industry investment in North America. Since 2009 through the end of last year, 175,000 manufacturing jobs have been created in Michigan, according to the Center for Automotive Research.

“I’m proud of the jobs that will be created for District Three and Detroit residents,” said Councilmember Scott Benson. “And I’m so proud of the impact that residents in District Three have had on the development process.”

Congratulations to our President

Marilyn Horn 2017 Woman of Excellence

VAN DYKE•HORN IS A DETROIT-BASED, MINORITY-OWNED PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY THAT EXECUTES INTEGRATED AND STRATEGIC CAMPAIGNS THAT RESONATE WITH OUR CLIENTS' INDUSTRIES AND THEIR AUDIENCES. WE ARE RESPECTED FOR OUR SKILL AND INTEGRITY AND DEDICATED TO OUR CLIENTS AND OUR COMMUNITY.

Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • April 26 - May 2, 2017

Now Accepting Online Nominations

: M E 17 The Michigan Chronicle is now accepting nominations for the Men of Excellence induction Now in its seventh year, the Men of Excellence awards seeks to honor local, African American men who are visionaries in their given fields and inspire those around them to go beyond the norm and strive for the exceptional. They are entrepreneurs, community leaders, fathers, husbands, and inspirers. There is no shortage of negative publicity surrounding African American men, and here at the Michigan Chronicle, we know that there are more black men doing amazing things in business and the community than is being reported.

If you know a man who has defied expectations and changed the status quo, then submit your nominations for the Men of Excellence award by going online to the MichiganChronicle.com.

Nominations are due May 8, 2017.

Submit your nomination at www.michiganchronicle.com

www.michiganchronicle.com

#MCMOE2017

SECTION B

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michiganchronicle.com

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Quality mental healthcare is integrated healthcare

By Dr. Herbert Smitherman A physician’s job is to heal the sick, help the wounded and lately protect their rights to quality physical and mental healthcare. As a practicing physician for 30 years, I can tell you integrating healthcare does not take place at the payer level, it takes place at the provider/patient level. Some of the most vulnerable citizens in this state are persons with serious mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance use disorders.

Afro-American Sports Hall Of Fame comes home to Charles H. Wright Museum

Michigan is trying to decide how to best deliver and coordinate Medicaid physical and behavioral healthcare and services. A public firestorm was started when Governor Snyder proposed Executive Order 298 in his fiscal 2017 budget to simply turn over the $2.6 Herbert Smitherman billion behavioral health system to the 11 largely private for-profit $8 billion Medicaid HMOs. Transferring funding does not “integrate care,” it integrates taxpayer resources targeted to serve vulnerable people under private, often publicly-traded, stockholder or private family owned business control.

This business model puts profits over people and is not based on care or service.

PHOTOS: Jon DeBoer

By Keith A. Owens and Press Reports

The 298 Workgroup established by Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Nick Lyon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, met for over a year to explore ways to best integrate physical and behavioral health care in our state and recently submitted their 298 report/recommendations to the legislative leadership.

The Medicaid HMOs were active members of the workgroup along with the input of countless citizens. The citizens who participated in this process decided they want both public oversight and public control over public dollars meant to serve and support the most vulnerable citizens of this state. They don’t want their healthcare turned over to private insurance companies. Medicaid HMOs now want to toss a yearlong report that impacts the most vulnerable citizens in the state and just transfer $2.6 billion of public money to private insurance companies. It’s called a money grab and has nothing to do with optimizing care or the best interest of Michigan citizens.

H

istory matters, even more for the young people than for the adults. The future is well-equipped with overanxious erasers standing by to wipe out the memories and the truth of those who came before us and the lives they lived, so it will always remain up to those of us in the present to fight for the preservation of those who can no longer tell their own stories and their own truths.

In that spirit, it was great to hear that the Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame & Gallery will now be preserved for future generations following a dedication celebration held last week at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. In an effort led by the Wayne County Council for the Arts, History and Humanities, the collection was transferred to the Wright Museum as part of a special, one-day display — “The Dream Lives!” — commemorating the lives and legacies of the Hall’s founders and inductees.

“How lucky we are that these things were preserved and kept,” said Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, who gave opening remarks at the event. “As the city starts to grow and as the city starts to come back I think it’s very important that we remember things like the importance of the arts and humanities and sports and those other things that bring a cultural heritage that is really important to all of us.

“It’s exhibits like this that will help kids understand the history of ball players of color. A black kid sees somebody doing something, he knows he can do it. If he sees somebody who looks like him doing something, he knows he can do it.”

There have been inflammatory articles from Medicaid HMO Association leadership, particularly by Meridian President and COO Jon Cotton asserting, “Their [MI public behavioral health system] time has passed. Medicaid health plans should take over that role,” he said. “It’s like comparing a bicycle to a Ferrari. Both go from A to B, but the ride is different.” We can cut $200 million out of the behavioral health system and health plans have

The Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame & Gallery was a first-of-its-kind organization founded in 1982 by the late Elmer Anderson and co-founder Art Finney to honor African-American sports legends and pioneers, such as Joe

See Afro-American Sports Hall Of Fame page B-2

See Mental Healthcare page B-2

Mental Health Authority accepts resignation of CEO The Board of Director’s for the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA) recently met with and accepted the resignation of Tom Watkins, President and CEO effective August 31, 2017. Mr. Watkins has agreed to work with the board and staff and has committed to be an advocate for the people we have a commitment to serve through the end of his contract. The Board of Directors wishes to thank Mr. Watkins for his service and wishes him well on his future endeavors.

“DWMHA board and staff has made tremendous strides since becoming an independent Authority over the past four years. Under the guidance of an extremely talented and dedicated Authority team we will continue to lead our organization, putting the community’s needs first as we uphold quality service in our system of care.” - Herbert C. Smitherman, Jr., MD, MPH, Board Chairman Our Board of Directors has established a Strategic Plan (http://www. dwmha.com/about-us/dwmhaauthority-board/strategic-plan-information/) for our system of care that is our commitment to providing an excellent experience for all persons served and will continue to help drive our network ensuring easy access to the public mental health system throughout Wayne County, The DWMHA Board of Directors looks forward to the search process for a new President and CEO that will move our organization forward. Additional information will be posted on our website at www.dwmha.com. In the meantime we welcome interested parties forwarding their resumes to: Jody Connally, DWMHA Human Resource Director, jconnally@dwmha.com

Lighting up Highland Park with light installations powered by the sun Michigan Chronicle reports

A military veteran, a pastor, a mother, a business owner and a community organizer each received a big surprise on April 23, a solar-powered light installed on their home or business, to thank them for their clean energy leadership.

“What a wonderful surprise — and something our neighborhood needs,” said Lucy Frye, better known in the community as “Nandi.” She is the owner of Nandi’s Knowledge Café in Highland Park. “Our families and businesses thrive when we have safe streets and community spaces. For my business, this solar light will make a real difference.”

Frye was recognized for her work with the Highland Park nonprofit Soulardarity, which local residents formed after the utility DT Energy repossessed more than 1,000 of the community’s

streetlights in 2011 because of increasing energy costs. The non-profit is now working to raise money — both through a crowdfunding campaign and city government collaborations — to replace all of the original lights. This approach is expected to save the city $3 million.

“The loss of our streetlights plunged virtually every street in Highland Park into darkness. People were afraid to go out at night,” said Bridgett Townsend, board president of Soulardarity and lifelong Highland Parker. “But thanks to these amazing people, we are building a homegrown collective that is lighting up the night with solar-powered lights owned and controlled by the community, independent of any utility.”

The solar-powered lights presented were part of the 100 percent campaign’s One100 Awards, which are designed to honor individuals across the country who are giving their 100 percent to pro-

mote clean energy. So far, awards have already been given to individuals in Buffalo, New York and San Bernardino, California. The 100 percent campaign is part of the national non-profit The Solutions Project founded by the actor Mark Ruffalo and dedicated to making clean energy more accessible and affordable for everyone.

“Organizations like Soulardarity are showing what’s possible when communities bring together bold innovation and deep caring,” said Sarah Shanley Hope, The Solutions Project’s executive director. “Clean energy is a breakthrough technology, but it’s when we combine it with human energy and political power that we really see lives improving.”

“Solar lights are making our neighborhoods safer, but they are also doing

See Solar lights page B-2

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page B-2

​2017 Ford Freedom Award essay contest now open

Students in grades 4-8 are invited to share how they could use their passions to help bring people together from diverse backgrounds as part of the 2017 Ford Freedom Award Scholar’s Experience Essay Contest.

This year’s theme is “Talents That Unite: How African Americans bring diverse communities together across America.”

Students are invited to submit essays on the following topic: Passion - n. - a strong feeling of excitement or enthusiasm for doing

something

Scholarships ranging from $250-$5,000 will be awarded. The contest deadline is April 28.

In its 19th year, the Ford Freedom Awards, celebrates and recognizes individuals whose achievements brought forth lasting and positive change for African Americans – and the world.

For complete contest/ program information and contest rules, visit: http:// nieonline.com/detroit/ downloads/ffa17_rules_ entry3.pdf

Detroit Parks and Recreation makes summer camps available at rec centers citywide

Afro-American Sports Hall Of Fame Louis, Turkey Stearnes and Althea Gibson, as well as lesser known athletes. The Hall of Fame’s collection was displayed in the old Wayne County building until the county moved in 2009 and had been preserved in storage by the Old Wayne County Building Limited Partnership and Farbman Group, who assisted in managing the building.

Mr. Anderson’s sister, Sharon Hasan, agreed to donate the collection to the Wright Museum in 2017.

“The Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame helped preserve the stories of so many AfricanAmerican sports legends, some of which might have been lost with time,” said Wayne County Council for the Arts, History and Humanities President Jocelyn Rainey. “When the Council learned the Hall of Fame’s collection was in storage, we made it our priority to find it a suitable home where these critical stories from our past would be accessible for generation after generation. We owe a big thanks to Farbman Group and the Wright Museum for being such great partners.

“We are celebrating the realization of a dream.

But it takes a journey for the dream to be realized. The Afro American Hall of Fame has been on a journey. The journey started in the heart of a man named Elmer Anderson who understood the importance of collecting history. All too often, important documents in our history have not been preserved such as film, visual arts and oral stories.

It’s important to know that we have an obligation to document and preserve the history for future generations.

“It’s been years that people have protected this collection, and it ended up here. And that’s

The Detroit Parks & Recreation Department is now accepting registrations for its 2017 Summer Camps. Day Camps will run from June 26 – August 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday at these Recreation Centers: Adams/Butzel, Clemente, Crowell, Heilmann, Lasky, Patton, Williams and Young. Children ages 6-12 years old will enjoy a summer filled with arts & crafts, outdoor adventure, fitness activities and field trips. Adams/Butzel, Heilmann and Young are also offering an Early Exposure program option for ages 3-5 years old.

“The department is pleased to offer affordable day camp opportunities for all children. Because we realize that even $425 may be difficult for some of our participants, espe-

where it’s supposed to be.

This is the right time, and it’s at the Wright Museum.”

With the encouragement and assistance of County Executive Warren C. Evans, the Council hosted a special “Celebration of the Afro-American Sports Hall of Fame & Gallery” at the Wright Museum featuring “The Dream Lives!” one-day display. The Hall of Fame will now be located at the Wright Museum to be preserved and accessible as part of its object collection. The Wright Museum is continuing to catalogue the collection and will selectively display artifacts as part of future programming.

In addition to Evans and Rainey, the event featured WXYZ-TV Public Affairs Director Chuck Stokes, who served as moderator. Stokes interviewed Sharon Hasan, plus hosted a panel discussion featuring retired ballplayer Ron Teasley Joyce Stearnes Thompson, daughter of Baseball Hall of Famer Turkey Stearnes and Kevin Lloyd, son of NBAS pioneer and former Pistons Coach Earl Lloyd. Gary Gillette, baseball historian and president of Friends of Hamtramck Stadium, gave a detailed and informative presenta-

tion on the history of Negro League baseball.

players in the world. That was the good news.

“These great athletes blazed a trail for generations to follow,” said Evans. “Their successes, often in the face of intolerance and discrimination, teach an important lesson about equality and the value of diversity. They left their unique and inspiring signature on our history and offer insights that are just as relevant today.”

“But there was a downside to that. In the Negro Leagues, there were great ball players, they competed against each other, and they wanted the opportunity to compete against the best everywhere. But just think about the institutions that we lost when the Negro Leagues dissipated. Think about the black owners, the Ruth Johnsons, the coaches the managers, the whole industry of baseball dissipated in the AA community with the integration into the major leagues.

And where the stadiums were there were side businesses too. There were other businesses run by people of color that was significant to those communities.”

Evans told the comical story of the legendary Negro League baseball player “Cool Poppa” Bell, whose speed was said to rival that of Olympic champion Jesse Owens.

Evans remembered his father telling him the story of how Cool Poppa “was so fast that when he went to bed at night and he cut out the bedroom light, he was under the covers before the room got dark.

Now that’s fast.”

On a more serious note, Evans made the point of how progress sometimes comes at a cost. For example, when Jackie Robinson broke the color line by being drafted into Major League baseball as a player for the Brooklyn Dodgers, that opened the door for other black players to follow his lead and compete against someof the best

Evaans continued, “Do I think it was a mistake to lose the league? No, I don’t think it was a mistake. But I think it is a reality to understand that there were a lot of benefits that were inured to communities of color when we had those leagues.

And the thing that always sticks out in my mind is while they wanted to compete against what they felt was the best in the country, people like me would say they were the best in the country anyway.”

Beaumont’s Ball to benefit Neonatal Intensive Care and the Center for Exceptional Families

Beaumont’s 12th Annual Red Tie Ball is set to take place Saturday, May 6, at the Dearborn Inn in Dearborn. More than 600 guests are expected to participate in the event which will raise funds to support the Center for Exceptional Families and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn.

Event chairman Patrick A. Rugiero, executive director of Roman Village Restaurant Group, and auction chairwoman Jae Vitale Plawecki, owner of JVP Enterprises, are leading a team to create an elegant evening for guests with a lively Gatsby-period theme. Guests are encouraged to dress in their 1920s era finery and, of course, a red tie.

“I have the pleasure, once again, of working beside a group of individuals that is very passionate about supporting area children who are in need of special care and services,” said Rugiero. “Our goal is always to raise the most money we can for the children’s programs, but we are also committed to ensuring that those who give are thanked by enjoying a wonderful evening with

friends and other community members.”

With a fundraising goal of $300,000, the evening will host silent and live auctions. More than 75 Items will be auctioned off. Items include a week’s stay in an Italian villa, helicopter rides over the City of Detroit, sports memorabilia, unique jewelry, family events, fine wine and many other pampering packages.

Reservations and sponsorships start at $275 and are currently being accepted. The doors open at 6:00 pm with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by dinner and music by the Rick Lieder Band.

The NICU at Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn is a critical care area that supports infants in need of very specialized services during a crucial time in their young lives. After birth, a baby must make many physical adjustments to life outside of the womb in order to make this transition successfully. It is not uncommon for issues to arise in infants born prematurely, during difficult labor and deliveries or with

conditions that put their survival or development at risk. Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn’s NICU was created to care for these infants. The NICU admits about 550 critically ill infants annually. Approximately 10 percent of these newborns are transported from other community hospitals in Southeast Michigan.

Located in Dearborn, the Center for Exceptional Families offers a medical home model of care, providing comprehensive and innovative medical, rehabilitation, recreational and supportive care for children with special needs and their families. Children treated at CEF range from mild developmental delays to multiple impaired children with fragile health conditions.

Services also include an Autism Diagnostic Clinic and Children’s Multidisciplinary Specialty Clinic.

CEF prides itself on coordination of care and providing support through a team of pediatric-trained specialists. They provide exceptional medicine, rehabilitation, support and learning through a team approach.

Learn more at www.Beaumont. org.

Solar lights more than that,” said Paul Bond, a military veteran who received a One100 Award and was honored with a surprise solar light on his home. “We need jobs and opportunities in clean energy for veterans and other people who live here. Soulardarity is an on-ramp for people right here in our community to become leaders in clean energy.”

In addition to Frye and Bond, three other Soulardarity activists re-

cially those with multiple children in the home needing the day camp experience, we will work with families on payment plans prior to the start of camp,” said Interim Director Keith Flournoy.

The total cost for the 8-week program is $425 for Detroit residents and $475 for non-residents.

There is a multiple child discount available for three or more children in the same household.

Registrations are accepted at the recreation centers during normal hours of operation.

Payment may be made by cashier’s check or money order. No personal checks or cash accepted.

Deadline for registration is June 10, 2017.

For more information, call (313) 224-1100.

From page B-1 ceived One100 Awards and were recognized with solar-powered light installations. They are Rick Smith, assistant pastor at the Prayer Temple of Love; Phillis Judkins, North End community activist; and Cindy Mondy, mother of six children ranging in age from 3 to 15.

“We’re extremely thankful to the 100 percent campaign for recognizing our hard work and for this generous award,” said Townsend.

Mental healthcare From page B-1

the experience to manage both systems. “They say they can help the state save money, improve quality and care coordination and extend more services to patients.”

Let’s look at the facts.

Michigan’s Public $2.6 billion behavioral health system provides care with a 7% admin costs/overhead rate. The for-profit $8 billion Medicaid physical health HMO system provides care with a 17% admin costs/overhead rate.

Simply “taking over” the behavioral health system would result in roughly $260 million being taken away from direct care services and transitioned to HMO overhead (president, CEO, executive salaries).

Since 100% of the clients in the behavioral health system use services as opposed to 20% in the HMO physical health system, this amounts to a $260 million removal of care and services to our most vulnerable population. The public says it doesn’t want the bloated costs of a “Ferrari.”

Quality of care: A review using 2016 HEDIS quality scores for Michigan Health Plans (MHP) indicates less than “Ferrari”-like performance at just slightly above average compared to national results. Of note, almost 35% of indicators fall below the 50th percentile nationwide. Another 44% were below the 75th percentile.

For nearly 20 years private health plans have poorly demonstrated their ability to manage the behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability supports and services benefit. The psy-

chiatric and psychotherapy benefit for the state’s Medicaid enrollees who have “mild-to-moderate” mental health conditions in communities across the state have pointed to long waiting times and the inability to gain access to this benefit due to the fact that the health plans have few, if any, psychiatrists and psychotherapists taking new Medicaid patients. If you can’t manage the “mild-to-moderate” you can’t be trusted to manage the “severely ill” behavioral health client. This is not the track record of a group that can adequately manage the care of some of the most vulnerable members of our communities. This “Ferrari” has mostly been in the shop.

The track record of the health plans relative to behavioral health care in Michigan is historically poor; they see an opportunity to enrich themselves at the expense of Michigan’s citizens by “integrating” billions of tax dollars under their private/profit control.

This is bad public policy and as physicians we owe it to our patients and the communities we serve to speak up for those who often cannot speak for themselves.

Herbert C. Smitherman, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP is vice dean, Diversity and Community Affairs, associate professor, Department of Medicine and Karmanos Cancer Institute, Wayne State University School of Medicine/ Detroit Medical Center, president and CEO, Health Centers Detroit Foundation, Inc. and board chairman, Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority.

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page B-3

Latest round of small business awards announced by Motor City Match A Creole restaurant with entertainment, a fitness center, a technology service provider serving Detroit Public Schools and 10 other entrepreneurs were approved today for Motor City Match cash awards totaling $500,000.

Ten of those businesses are also woman-owned. The Economic Development Corporation for the City of Detroit approved the awards, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recognized those business owners and 80 other owners of current or future Detroit-based small businesses who will receive non-cash assistance from Motor City Match Round 7.

First Lady Missionary Doris Brooks, Bishop P.A. Brooks and Evangelist Faithe Brooks – Montez Miller photo

Bishop P.A. Brooks gets street naming honors

By Lee Claire P.A. Brooks, First Assistant Presiding Bishop, Church Of God In Christ and pastor of New St. Paul Tabernacle Inc., was recently honored with a street named in commemoration of his storied history of spiritual guidance and his faith-based commitment to improving the quality of life for his congregants and all Detroiters.

Street signs bearing the bishop’s name have been erected at the Southfield Freeway and Fenkell intersection.

Bishop Brooks founded New St. Paul Tabernacle COGIC in 1953. From humble beginnings, the ministry has grown to an impressive record of accomplishments and service to God and community.

In 1975, he was appointed Jurisdic-

tional Prelate of the Historic First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Michigan, commonly known as Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction. That same year, he established the March of Faith Television Broadcast. He was the first AfricanAmerican pastor to broadcast on television in Detroit. The broadcast aired on WGPR Channel 62, the first blackowned television station in the country.

The March of Faith Broadcast Ministry continues today, both on radio and television.

In 2007, Bishop Brooks was elected Second Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ, Inc. In 2009, under Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. Bishop Brooks was elevated to First Assistant Presiding Bishop, an office through which he continues to serve the church today.

The recognition ceremony took place at Lil Brilliant Mindz, a child care center that used Motor City Match funds from a previous round to more than double its space, and the number of children it could serve. Since the program was launched nearly two years ago, Motor City Match has distributed $3.4 million in grant funds to 74 local businesses while providing assistance for such items as locating a site, securing funding, marketing, and business plan development to more than 500 entrepreneurs. To date, 17 businesses have opened after receiving Motor City Match assistance and 23 more are under construction.

Duggan said he is thrilled to see so many types of businesses and neighborhoods represented in this round of Motor City Match, including a co-working space in Islandview, a fitness center in Grandmont Rosedale, a soul food restaurant in Morningside and a skin care salon on the Avenue of Fashion.

“We are seeing more and more businesses open up along our neighborhood commercial strips, which is exactly we created Motor City Match to do,” said Duggan. “We are creating a new culture of entrepreneurism where Detroiter are realizing their dream of opening their own businesses to provide residents access to more goods and services, as well as job opportunities in the neighborhoods.”

Duggan pointed out that Lil Brilliant Mindz is a great example of the effectiveness of the program since it started almost two years ago. Owner Angela Hayes completed the buildout for her expansion in one month.

“Not only did Motor City Match support a growing business, it is helping parents by providing quality care for their children while they are at work,” Duggan said.

The largest matching grant awarded was $65,000 to support the opening of Gabriel Hall, a New Orleans-style restaurant featuring Creole cuisine and live entertainment at 8002 Kercheval in West Village, next to three previous Motor City Match awardees. Co-owners Dameon Gabriel and Ederique Gouda earned design assistance in an earlier round of Motor City Match. They will use the Match funds as part of the $470,000 total financing for the project.

The east and west corners of the Southfield Freeway at Fenkell was given a secondary street name, Bishop P.A. Brooks Dr., in honor of Bishop P.A. Brooks, first Assistant Presiding Bishop, Church Of God In Christ, Inc. and pastor of New St Paul Tabernacle Church Of God In Christ.

Among the woman-owned businesses that earned matching cash was Fit4Life Health, a “whole person” fitness consultancy and gym that will offer training, exercise, nutrition guidance, motivation and health workshops. Owner Felicia Maxwell launched the business out of her home in 2013 and has grown her membership base enough to expand to a brick and mortar location. Fit4Life is a past Motor City Match Space awardee, and was awarded $45,000 as a matching grant to help open in the Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood at 19522 West

McNichols. The gym will also feature a juice bar, providing space for another entrepreneur to start and grow their business.

In all, the program’s seventh round grants ranged from $20,000 to $65,000.

Other businesses earning awards were: • SpaceLab Detroit. Co-working space for real estate development-related professions. 607 Shelby Street. $55,000 • IC Data Communications. Technology service provider. 7404 Dexter. $50,000 • Coyote Hawk Design Center. Co-working space for professionals in the creative sector. 3106 Bellevue St. $45,000 • Skin Bar VII. Skin care spa. Kimberly Jones. 18951 Livernois. $45,000 • Soul 2 Go. Take-out restaurant. 9900 Whittier. $35,000 • MI Frozen Food.

Food processor and distributor.

1820 Mack Ave. $35,000 • Naturally Glam­ our­ous Salon.

Hair and nail salon. 19151 Grand River. $30,000 • Paralee Boyd Salon. Blow-dry hair salon. 3939 Woodward Ave. $30,000 • Boulevard Kitchen. Restaurant. 2641 W. Grand Blvd. $25,000 • Sfumato Fragrances. Fragrance maker and boutique. 3980 Second Ave. $20,000 • Detroit Blows. Blow-dry hair salon.

1234 Library St. $20,000 Every three months, Motor City Match connects new and expanding businesses with Detroit real estate opportunities and other information needed by startups.

Along with the 13 matching cash grants, Motor City Match provides assistance to entrepreneurs who need help writing a business plan, finding a space or planning a renovation. Other Round 7 award levels included the following: • 45 Business Plan Awardees • 28 Space Awardees • 7 Design Awardees Through the first seven rounds of Motor City Match the winning MCM businesses so far: • 78% are minority-owned • 69% are women-owned • 55% are minority-women-owned • 61% are owned by native Detroiters The small business team at Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) manages the Motor City Match Program.

DEGC Vice President for Small Business, Michael S. R. Rafferty said, “It is very gratifying to see businesses literally going from idea to open through Motor City Match. Entrepreneurs are coming into the program to get business plan assistance, and after one or more other rounds have earned cash matching grants.”

Motor City Match is funded with more than $7 million in federal community block grant funds distributed to Detroit, as well as with city funds approved by Detroit City Council and support from local foundations. The program has helped to create a strong pipeline of businesses in the city.

Applications are available on the first day of each financial quarter. The next application window for building and business owners to apply to Motor City Match will be open from June 1, 2017 to July 1, 2017. Application details are available at www.MotorCityMatch.com.

Michigan Strategic Fund approves business expansions, community revitalization projects A wide range of projects including business expansions and community revitalization projects around the state, additional funding for the American Center for Mobility, and support for entrepreneurship received Michigan Strategic Fund approval today, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced.

The projects are expected to generate a total capital investment of nearly $529 million and create 405 jobs.

“The Michigan Strategic Fund continues to help fuel new economic activity across Michigan, strengthening our communities, and creating well-paying jobs for our residents,” said Steve Arwood, chief executive officer at MEDC, the state’s business attraction arm that administers programs and conducts due diligence on incentive agreements with private companies.

“Today’s investments in Michigan and its people show that our efforts are making our state a desirable location for businesses to locate, grow and thrive.”

US Farathane, LLC is a global plastics manufacturer that supplies to the automotive industry, including OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers. The company has been awarded several new contracts to manufacture in-

terior and under-hood components and plans to expand two of its Michigan subsidiaries. US Farathane Port Huron plans to lease an additional facility in the city of Port Huron, investing $14.25 million over the next 3 years and creating 205 jobs. As a result MSF today awarded the company a $2.3 million Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant.

The city of Port Huron is offering marketing and promotional assistance and/or use of public facilities in support of the project.

In addition, US Farathane has acquired an Auburn Hills, Michigan based tooling design and manufacturing company.

The project will generate a capital investment of $14 million and create 68 new jobs, resulting in a $600,000 MBDP performance-based grant. The city of Auburn Hills will provide marketing and promotional assistance and/or staff time in support of the project.

Michigan was chosen over competing sites throughout the U.S. and Mexico for both projects. Individuals interested in careers with US Farathane should visit http://www.usfarathane.com/humanresources.html.

Bridge and Stocking, LLC plans to redevelop an underutilized site located on

the block bounded by Bridge, Seward and First Streets in the city of Grand Rapids. The plan involves the development of a Meijer store, the first full-service urban grocery store in downtown Grand Rapids, as well as 116 market-rate residential units, office space and a parking deck. In addition to bringing a grocery store to the downtown area, this transformational project will redevelop an area that has been underutilized for decades, help connect the riverfront and the central business district, improve the neighborhood business districts, and increase the viability of future projects in downtown Grand Rapids. The project is expected to generate total capital investment of $55.6 million and create 130 jobs, resulting in a of $6.3 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based loan participation award.

The City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also received MSF approval of $13,222,985 in local and school tax capture for the alleviation of brownfield conditions and prepare the site for redevelopment. The brownfield work plan supports eligible expenses related to the Bridge & Stocking project as well as eligible expenses associated with a 68-unit affordable housing project on the adjacent site to

the west.

The County of Washtenaw Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received MSF approval of $4 million in local and school tax capture for the Kingsley Condominiums Redevelopment project adjacent to downtown Ann Arbor. The project plans to redevelop an underutilized site located on Felch and West Kingsley Streets into a five-story residential building with 51 units and integrated parking. The project will also create a new walking and bike path that will connect to the larger greenway path system and will increase overall density of the neighborhood. The project is expected to generate total capital investment of $44.1 million and create two jobs. The tax capture will be used to alleviate brownfield conditions at the site, prepare the site for redevelopment and make infrastructure improvements.

MSF today approved a $15 million equity investment to the Willow Run Arsenal of Democracy Landholdings Limited Partnership (WRAD) to begin the first phase of construction activities of the American Center for Mobility’s Connected Automated Vehicle test facility at Willow Run. The center, located at the Willow Run site in Ypsilanti Township, will help accelerate advanced mobili-

ty vehicle development safety while bringing economic opportunity to southeast Michigan and the United States. The project is a multi-layered initiative among the Michigan Strategic Fund, Michigan Department of Transportation, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, MEDC, and many county and local authorities. ACM’s board of directors includes members designated by the University of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK. Last week, the MEDC executive committee approved a $15 million loan to support the project and encourage private investment. In July 2016, the MSF board approved a $17 million equity investment into WRAD toward continuing operational and development expenses and plans and completing funding for the acquisition of the Willow Run real estate, and in March 2016 the MSF board approved an initial $3 million for start-up costs and expenses for the project.

The Michigan Strategic Fund also approved a revised agreement with The Dow Chemical Company to its existing MEGA Tax Credit to support the company’s Michigan Transformation Project.

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher

A Real Times Media Newspaper 479 Ledyard • Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 963-5522 e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page B-4

CATHY NEDD Associate Publisher KEITH A. OWENS Senior Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997 LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

Recent unemployment report is mixed news

By Julianne Malveaux Our 45th president has had no trouble claiming the good employment news reported for January and February of this year. In those jobs reports, released on the first Friday of the month, we saw unemployment rates of 4.8 and 4.7 percent. In both of those months, more than 200,000 jobs were created. 45 crowed that this data showed how successful his presidency had been, even though he had barely kept his seat in the Oval Office warm, and oven though he had done nothing, from a policy perspective, to stake his claim on progress that could only have come from the economic recovery engineered by his predecessor, President Barack Obama.

Now, we have the report from March, with an unemployment rate, at 4.5 percent, that is at Julianne Malveaux its lowest level in a decade (since May 2007). We also have a sluggish report on job creation, with just 98,000 new jobs, less than half as many jobs that were created in each of the last two months.

Is the 45th president going to claim that his actions have caused a slowing in job creation? Since he was so quick to claim credit when the numbers looked good, what will he say now?

More importantly, the low jobs creation number suggests that the economic recovery we have been experiencing is far from solid. The March number can be a mere hiccup — we did have weather challenges last month that may have slowed some job creation, and may even have been responsible for lower job growth in the retail sector. But it might also suggest that the Fed should not be so quick to raise interest rates.

Despite relatively low unemployment rates, there is room for much more job creation before employers will have to compete for workers.

The overall unemployment rate of 4.5 percent would be something to celebrate if it were accompanied with more job creation. It might also be something to celebrate if the Black unemployment rate were not so high — at 8 percent it is more than twice the white rate of 3.9 percent. Furthermore, when those

marginally attached to the labor market, discouraged workers, and those working part time because they can’t find full time work, are included, the overall unemployment rate is 8.9 percent. Using the same methodology, this unemployment rate would be 15.8 percent for African Americans.

To be sure, these numbers are a vast improvement on the numbers we saw a year ago, not to mention five years ago.

But the impact of these low numbers has bypassed many workers. Too many have still not seen their pay levels increase (wage growth was around .02 percent last month), and too many still fear layoffs or job reorganizations.

Equally importantly, the approach this administration has taken to federal employment and to health care have had chilling effects in the labor market. As an example, while employment has been trending up in health care, the health care sector added about 20,000 jobs a month, compared to an average monthly gain of 32,000 jobs in 2016. The baby boom isn’t getting any younger, and Americans sure aren’t getting any healthier. It is plausible that, instead, announcements about health care by this administration, and chicanery by this Congress, may have slowed health care employment when it should be rising.

Except for “America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again,” and a whole lot of rhetoric, we have no specifics around this administration’s economic plan. We do know, however, that freezing or reducing federal employment will have an impact on unemployment rates, and that cutting key departments (Health and Human Services, Labor, Interior) will have an impact on the long-term employment situation.

Those who work in the social service areas (social workers, community service workers) are also rightly apprehensive about how their work will be funded and who will pay for it. This unemployment rate report may be as good as it gets if Mr. Trump has his way.

President Obama did his best to create a robust economic recovery. President Trump says he inherited “a mess.”

The January and February unemployment numbers disprove that assertion.

The March report, however, shows that while 45 did not inherit a mess, he can make one with his draconian budget cuts and other ill-advised economic measures.

Duggan’s dilemma

By Bill Johnson Pundits and agitators are trying to push Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan into installing a new pro-black business president and CEO at the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. following the resignation last month of Rodrick Miller. The implication is that the mayor has been pro-white corporate cozy in his attempts to kick-start business investment and development.

I’m not one to rescue Mayor Duggan from allegations of playing favorites with white companies and indifference to this majority black constituency. He has his share of foibles and deficiencies.

But there’s nothing to justify hanging Bill Johnson an anti-black business noose around his neck.

Not up for debate is that blacks have generally been excluded from the bulk of new business opportunities, primarily in the downtown and Midtown areas of the city. But it’s no fault of Duggan.

And for the most part, it’s hardly the fault of the mayors that preceded him.

In the 1920s during Detroit’s segregated history, blacks owned hospitals, hotels, pharmacies, clothing stores, grocery stores, nightclubs, bowling alleys and more – mainly on the lower east side and primarily out of necessity. As housing covenants were lifted (provisions banning the sale of houses to blacks and Jews), black homebuyers were able to move west across Woodward.

Urban renewal ultimately and thankfully wiped out the enclave of “Black Bottom,” with its substandard living conditions and dilapidated buildings.

Regrettably, much of the sustaining black businesses culture dissipated with integration.

Coleman A. Young took office in 1974.

To his credit, Detroit’s first black mayor encouraged the black business class to make investments in the city. He urged them to purchase vacant downtown buildings, pool their collective resources, form strong companies and help achieve the dream of a predominately black-administered city becoming a mecca and model for economic success.

With few exceptions, his pleas fell on deaf ears.

Businessman Don Barden, one of the blacks Coleman Young elevated to underserved prominence with a cable contract, attempted to push the envelop with Mayor Dennis Archer.

When Archer was considering who should receive casino contracts, Barden launched an all-out media assault. He claimed he deserved one of the casinos because he was “black,” not because he

We still must get the every student succeeds act right Wade Henderson (NNPA Newswire Guest Columnist)

In late March, President Trump signed a resolution to invalidate a regulation designed to help implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

This move will create tremendous confusion among states that are currently in the middle of putting the new law in place in time for the 20172018 school year.

Even more egregious is that congressional Republicans attempted to rewrite or ignore the intention, history and plain text of the law to eliminate the rule.

The 2015 passage of ESSA was a rare recent example of successful bipartisan policymaking. The legislation both reauthorized the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act Wade Henderson (ESEA) and reinforced ESEA’s core principles to ensure schools have the resources they need to teach all children well, particularly Black children and other children who’ve been neglected for too long, and give them the opportunity to succeed.

Now that the rule is gone, it’s essential that the civil rights legacy and legislative intent behind ESSA and the original ESEA not be obscured and that states recognize in developing their state accountability plans that they are still bound by the provisions of the law designed to ensure all children have equal educational opportunity.

ESEA is — and always has been — a civil rights law. It was a central plank in the Johnson Administration’s “War on Poverty” and one of a long string of legislative successes emanating from the civil rights movement in the mid-1960s. The legislation provided federal funds to help educate low-income children and recognized that the federal govern-

ment has an important role in the educational success of every American child, no matter where they lived, how much money their parents had, or what they looked like.

Honoring this civil rights legacy, legislators ensured in 2015 that the ESSA reaffirmed that the federal government has an essential and irreplaceable role in enforcing civil rights laws and holding states and districts accountable if schools are not educating all children well.

And yet Republicans, in their zeal to rewrite ESSA’s legislative history, have been claiming that states would have carte blanche to ignore the students who’ve been deprived for far too long and sweep problems in schools under the rug now that the rule is gone. And that has led to more confusion and uncertainty for states who are in the middle of drafting their accountability plans, attempting to comply with the law, and deciding how best to support their students.

But make no mistake, ESSA — and its requirements for states — are still on the books and it’s important for our children’s future that states understand their responsibilities under the law.

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and The Leadership Conference Education Fund.

Under Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, black businesses that tended to get a foothold had to be filtered through Maestro Associates, the consulting firm of his dad, Bernard Kilpatrick. Some, after receiving special treatment or surviving a strategic shakedown, were caught up in a federal RICO criminal probe that landed the mayor in prison with a sentence longer than some murderers receive.

Corruption trumped black business progress.

By the time Dave Bing became mayor, there was only a sliver left of the economic pie and bankruptcy hovered over the city.

Despite laudable gains in some areas, the city continues to lose residents and tax base to the suburbs.

While pockets of development are evident, the overwhelming majority of Detroit’s neighborhoods are characterized by a soft real estate market, acute social distress, weak employment prospects and an unstable financial situation.

General business markets are projected to remain poor for the foreseeable future.

Mayor Duggan attempted to tip the scale toward more black inclusion in the city’s recovery in the form of a $6.5-million set-aside in the form of business capital made available to black-owned small businesses. The Duggan-backed initiative turned out to be nothing more than political window dressing because many black businesses couldn’t meet loan requirements.

Black businesses should have figured out by now that simply holding out an empty hand does not automatically result in a favorable response from government.

In fairness, there are a few promising black investment projects scattered throughout the city. But they have emerged from risk-takers who have been willing to put some skin in the game.

The Duggan administration must accept that a level playing field is best achieved by across-the-board regulatory relief and easing the tax burden on businesses of all kinds and entrepreneurs of all heritages.

Editor’s note: Bill Johnson is an award-winning freelance broadcast and print news journalist and former Detroit News columnist. He served as public affairs officer for the Detroit Water & Sewerage Dept.; as CEO for the Wayne County Commission, 2003-2010; as press secretary for Wayne Co. Executive Bill Lucas, 1983–1986. Johnson has been a frequent voice on Detroit radio and television. He runs his own political consulting firm, the Bill Johnson Group.

A View from the Bridge

By Paul Bridgewater

As an advocate for seniors for almost 40 years, I have seen many fluctuations in funding for nutrition programs under the Older Americans Act (OAA). For more than 50 years, the OAA has been the primary piece of federal legislation supporting social and nutritional services to Americans age 60 and older. OAA programs are vital for seniors who are at significant risk of hunger, isolation and losing their ability to live independently.

According to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), the demographic shift is evident across the United States, where ratios of older adults exceed the current national average. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are serving more people with less money and fewer resources. The situation is expected to get worse as the population of adults 60 and over will outnumber youth under 20 by 2035.

One only has to reflect on the long history of state and local decisions shortchanging vulnerable students to understand why the federal role is essential for historically marginalized students, including the children of color who now comprise a majority of K-12 students in America’s public school classrooms.

Children facing the greatest barriers to their success like Black children and children from low-income communities need and deserve schools that educate “all” children well. They also deserve to know that the federal government will still hold states and school districts responsible if schools are not doing well or need help to improve.

was one of the best qualified. Archer ultimately awarded the contracts to three nationally known operators, but Barden represented an attitude that still exists today.

In March, the president sent his Budget Blueprint, also referred to as “the skinny budget,” to Congress with a plan to release further details in the coming months. The blueprint focuses on discretionary spending levels for Fiscal Year 2018 and makes investments in defense programs, paid for through deep cuts in non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs, such as Meals on Wheels.

Paul Bridgewater

The portions of the president’s budget that have been released so far call for the elimination of a number of federal programs, including the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), on which some Meals on Wheels programs rely to deliver nutritious meals, safety checks and friendly visits to our nation’s most vulnerable seniors.

Funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) has struggled to keep up with the growing population for the past 10 years. That is why now more than ever, we must encourage policymakers to develop and promote policies that will improve support for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page B-5

Henry Ford Academy senior wins National Gold Medal in Scholastic Art and Writing Awards its art and design focus. He is currently vice president of the school’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society, and was recently awarded a scholarship to attend the world-class College for Creative Studies in the fall.

Michigan Chronicle Reports

Habacuc Bessiake, a senior at Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies, has been awarded a National Gold Medal in the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for his self-portrait drawing, “For the Greater Good…00:01.” Bessiake is the first student from the tuition-free Detroit art and design middle-high school to receive a Scholastic National Gold Medal.

This year, more than 330,000 works of art and writing were submitted to the program. Less than 1 percent were recognized at the national level. Bessiake and other students from around the country who have won highest honors have been invited to attend a ceremony at the world famous Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 8. Only one other student attending a school in the city of Detroit won a Scholastic National Gold Medal in visual arts this year.

At the regional level, Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies students won a total of 21 awards; Bessiake earned seven of those awards, including a Gold Key Portfolio. His Scholastic National Gold Medal piece is a part of that portfolio, in which he uses self-portraits to explore self-control and the dynamic between anger and calm.

“Growing up in a large family with many aggravating younger

Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies was founded in 2009 by the College for Creative Studies and Henry Ford Learning Institute with the express dual purpose of providing students with an intense art and design focused experience and equipping them with the academic, social, and creative problem-solving foundation to thrive in post-secondary education and careers of their choice.

Habacuc Bessiake and older siblings, I learned the importance of self-control pretty fast. Now, as I become closer to adulthood, I still find that the ability to manage and carry oneself is a characteristic of great value,” said Bessiake.

“The portfolio series counts down from ‘00:08’ to represent the time bomb in the chest of anger, which causes the conflict of the story. My Scholastic National Gold Medal work is the last piece in the series, which is time-stamped ‘00:01’ and depicts self-restraint and calm.”

“Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies is immensely proud of Habacuc Bessiake, his achievements in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and the dedicated teachers who have supported his growth. With looming cuts to the arts, he and his artwork serve as a compelling reminder of the importance of arts education. Art and design can change a child’s life,” said Curtis L. Lewis, Ph.D., principal of Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies.

Bessiake chose the school for

The Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies K-12 District is comprised of two art & design charter schools serving more than 1,200 students -- Henry Ford Academy: Elementary School (K-5, opened 2012) and Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies Middle/High School (6-12, opened 2009).

Both are Thompson Educational Foundation 90/90 schools authorized by Grand Valley State University, governed by Public School Academies of Detroit, and managed by Henry Ford Learning Institute (HFLI), a non-profit that exists to redesign how we learn.

Learn more at www.hfaelementary.org and www.schoolforcreativestudies.org.

Spelman student from Detroit establishes scholarship fund Detroiter and Spelman College junior Phallon Foxworth has established a $500.00 scholarship in honor of her grandmother, Rosa Blanding.

Called Rosa’s Angels, the purpose of the fund is to help incoming freshmen and their families offset the cost of college tuition.

“It is my goal and passion to support and inspire youth to pursue a college education. I’ve been blessed to have the support of my family to accomplish my educational goals with the hopes of attaining my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a mental health concentration. It is my honor to present the 2017 Rosa’s Angels Scholar-

Phallon Foxworth

ship in honor of my grandmother who has always pushed me to be the very best that I could be in accomplishing my goals,” said Foxworth.

The funds, which will be given to an incoming college freshman from the Detroit area, will help assist that student in paying for books which can cost as much as $650 per semester. The scholarship deadline is June 18, 2017, and can be accessed by visiting website www.phallonsym.com.

Details for qualifying students can be found on the website.

Foxworth is active in the Spelman and greater Atlanta community. She

is a member of the Beta Kappa Chi National Honors Society, an executive board member of the Psychology Club, a Spelman Ambassador, a former Spelman director for Enactus, and volunteers with Kates Club which provides support services to children who have suffered traumatic loss.

She is the daughter of radio personality Frankie Darcell and entrepreneur Ed Foxworth. The Spelman College motto is “A Choice to Change the World.” This award, which will be presented annually, is Foxworth’s commitment to that credo and her grandmother’s legacy.

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community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page B-6

The Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Class of 2017 – Monica Morgan photos

Women of

2017

Janice Cosby accepts the Pinnacle Award on behalf of Dr. Patricia Maryland, St. John Providence. Ed Gordon made the presentation.

The Michigan Chronicle hosted the 10th annual Women of Excellence Class of 2017 at MGM Grand Detroit to celebrate influential women who have proven their continued leadership, community service and innovation.

Hiram E. Jackson with Kiko Davis of First Independence Bank

Pat Locke, first African-American female to graduate from West Point Academy. is recognized with the Trailblazer Award.

WOE honoree First Lady Loretta Mormon of Christian Tabernacle with Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle.

WDIV Channel 4 anchor Kimberly Gill was an honoree.

Cass Technical High School Principal Lisa Phillips is honored with the Community Excellence Award.

WOE honorees got together before the induction ceremony.

Rhonda Walker (right)m WDIV anchor Anika and Jackie Jackson of Prestige Au“Motown the Musical” cast and former WOE honoree tomotive member, Elijah Ahmad “Motown the Musical” cast member Judith opens the ceremony with a Franklin sings “Dancing in the Street” by MarStevie Wonder song. tha and the Vandellas.

Nearly 900 people were in attendance to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Former WOE honorees help welcome the Class of 2017.

WOE

SECTION C

New Detroit chooses four honorees for race relations advances New Detroit, Inc., will honor four groups and individuals who have advanced race relations in Detroit and the surrounding area at its annual Closing the Gap Awards dinner on May 17.

“As New Detroit observes our 50th anniversary, it is important that we recognize those who have committed themselves to our mission of working to identify and eliminate racial disparities over the long haul,” said New Detroit President and CEO Shirley Stancato. “This year’s honorees represent a broad cross-section of the community.

Each, in their own way, has moved racial affairs in our region forward in a significant manner. Each has advanced New Detroit’s goal of closing the gap between the races.”

The Closing the Gap award ceremony and dinner will take place on Wednesday, May 17, at 5:30 p.m. at Cobo Hall. Marla Drutz, vice president and general manager of WDIVTV, is serving as the event’s chair. Awards will be presented by Stancato and William S. Taubman, New Detroit chairman and chief operating officer of Taubman Centers Inc.

2107 Honorees:

John A. James, founder and chairman, James Group International James Group International is a Detroit-based group of companies that offers international supply chain services, such as consolidation, deconsolidation, sub-assembly, inventory management, warehousing, distribution, and transportation services. It began as O-J Transport in 1971, a partnership of John James and his uncle, Calvin Outlaw, starting with one truck, and has steadily expanded its operations to become a global company.

In 1991, he established Motor City Intermodal Distribution, a marine terminal and Foreign Trade Zone, and that was followed two years later by Motor City Logistics, a warehousing and parts sequencing operation. Renaissance Global Logistics (RGL) was launched in 1998 as a global consolidation operation, packing and exporting automotive component to South Africa, South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

JASCO International, a strategic alliance with Sumitomo Corporation of America and Sumitrans was added to James Group International in 2000. JASCO International has three operations — two deconsolidation centers for inventory arriving from Japan, Malaysia, Spain, the U.K. and Korea, and a sub-assembly operation in Park City, Ky. Motor City Express (MCX) was established in July 2001 to provide truckload transportation services.

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April 26 - May 2, 2017

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Music mogul brings

Motown

back with another industry hit

heard by larger audiences.

By Roz Edward

W

hen Berry Gordy returned home to Detroit on April 19, he brought with him to the Fisher Theatre his latest and one of his greatest commercial endeavors, “Motown the Musical.” And in typical Gordy style, always the task master, he’s tweaked the show to near perfection since it was last here when it embarked on its national tour in October 2014.

“There are a lot of things that happened in my life that were my motivations for so many of the things that I have accomplished. … This play is not only about what I did and how I did it, but why I did it,” said Gordy in an exclusive interview with the Michigan Chronicle.

The man responsible for the Motown legacy stirred up the buzz at Hitsville USA’s Studio A as he made his way through the throng of performers who came to place their fates in the legendary record producer’s hands, just as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and so many others had done in that magical Motown era.

Beaming and buoyed by the energy of the crowd, Gordy spoke in a tone as familial as an uncle sharing confidences with relatives, but this was busincess.

Although Gordy is best known as the founder of the legendary Motown record company and its many subsidiaries, there were several business ventures before he struck gold with Jackie Wilson at the Flame Show Bar “For example, many people don’t know how important the Michigan Chronicle is to me. It’s where I got my first lesson as a young boy on the difference between black and white when I was selling papers,” he said.

“I was a hustler and I sold a lot of papers in the black neighborhoods, so I decided to expand to white neighborhoods and downtown. I just knew I was going to be rich, so I took my brother Robert with me the next day so he could share the wealth.

“But when we went downtown on Woodward Avenue we sold nothing. It turned out that one black kid was cute, but two were a threat to the neighborhood.”

Success is in Gordy’s DNA and he applied the lessons learned from his youthful enterprise to build Motown. He was careful not to put black faces on early Motown album covers, which instead included colorful illustrations and sometimes even white faces in order to get the music

“On the Isley Brothers’ ‘This Old Heart of Mine’ cover I had blonde lovers at the beach on the cover. The Marvelettes’ ‘Please Mr. Postman’ album cover had a mailbox on it, and on the Miracles’ ‘Mickey’s Monkey’ I had a big ape, but it was a cute big ape,” he said with a laugh.

Gordy’s acute sensitivity to human behavior and emotions stands in striking contrast to his reputation for being an unrelenting perfectionist in the studio and a pit bull in the boardroom. He is remarkably open to discussing intimacy and private moments in his life.

“All people have the same feelings. They get mad at the same things, they fall in love. They feel heartache and pain and happiness, and I wanted to express that in music,” he said.

Deeper examination of the Motown legacy reveals that the hitmaker’s formula for success was not complicated.

He assembled talented people and encouraged them to freely share ideas about making music without the threat of being scorned or rebuffed.

“Anybody could have an idea. There were no stupid ideas. We were dreamers and I have not changed that over the years. I am still that same dreamer, running around Detroit. I am here and I am so proud to see the people of Detroit enjoying what they helped to stimulate,” Gordy said.

While music lovers and Motown fans have wondered about the perfect storm that created such a wealth of talent over that 13-year period from 1959 to 1972 (when the company moved to Los Angeles), it was the Gordy factor that gave rise to the record company that would revolutionize the music industry.

What Detroit had that Philadelphia, Chicago and New York didn’t was a visionary at the helm with a razor sharp eye for talent and a manufacturing mentality. And when Gordy got his second wind, we got the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson.

“Motown the Musical” is as remarkably honest in its narrative as Gordy is in telling the story of his life and Motown, which to most observers appear to be the same. It is as scintillating as it is sentimental. From the Flame Show Bar to Gordy’s blazing love affair with protégé-turned-superstar Diana Ross to the controversial decision to move Motown to the West Coast, it’s all there.

“Motown the Musical” runs through April 30 at the Fisher Theatre.

James Group International was the first African American company to be issued broad operating authority to transport automotive parts and other commodities in the State of Michigan. It is also the first African American company nationally to be granted such authority by the Interstate Commerce Commission to operate in Interstate and foreign commerce. Because of his own business experiences, which include taking his case for transportation authority to the U.S. Supreme Court, James makes every effort to share his knowledge and expertise with other minority business entrepreneurs attempting to enter the highly competitive business world.

Max M. Fisher, The Fisher Family Foundation Max M. Fisher, who served as New Detroit’s second chairman, recognized that the challenges facing Detroit did not, and do not, have quick or easy solutions. “Those of us associated with New Detroit,” he wrote in New Detroit’s second annual report, “have dedicated and rededicated ourselves to continue to work for and seek an end to the urban crisis. And in pledging ourselves to this task, we are prepared to give years and years of effort to complex problems that will

See New Detroit Page C-2

Andre Smith photo

Crystal Marie Events LLC: Creator of the ‘wow factor’

By Donald James Special to the Chronicle

Since starting Crystal Marie Events LLC in 2008, Crystal Marie, owner and senior event stylist of this Detroit-based company, has been on a mission to bring to fruition cutting edge and memorable affairs, such as weddings, bridal showers, birthday and dinner parties, bar mitzvahs, corporate parties, fundraising events, milestone celebratory affairs, and much more. Whether it’s building an event from a client’s idea, or creating, planning, organizing, and presenting an event internally, Crystal takes great pride in her company’s ability to deliver the “wow factor.”

While the company’s portfolio con-

tains many types of events, the most represented affairs are weddings.

Thus, Crystal’s goal is for each wedding to be unique, and punctuated with class.

“Usually, my clients are people who want something outside the normal box,” said Crystal. “As for weddings, as much as you need organization, order, and a trusted liaison, you also need glam, class and proper etiquette.

So basically a wedding needs to be a showstopper. Repeat, a showstopper.

Therefore, many people want me to take their themes and make them into experiences. That’s what I do. I specialize in turning events into experiences.”

In addition to conducting busi-

See Crystal Marie Events Page C-2

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page C-2

Crystal Marie Events From page C-1 ness throughout metro Detroit, Crystal Marie Events also service clients in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The company, under Crystal’s supervision, has planned and presented destination weddings in the Bahamas, Jamaica and Mexico.

Raised in the Dexter-Davison area of Detroit’s west side, Crystal said she always had an eye and flair for creativity and being fashionably different.

After graduating from the Detroit School of Arts (DSA), Crystal attended Virginia Union University, where she maintained her flair for creativity. At Virginia Union, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta, and used her creative mind and passion to plan and implement powerful initiatives for the historic sorority, with the goal to always empower the college and surrounding communities.

“I have always been this beautiful weirdo with a creative mind,” said Crystal, with a laugh. “I dressed differently. I’ve always had my own creative style, and I was fine with that. My creativity carried on from high school to college.”

After graduating from Virginia Union with a bachelor’s degree in biol-

ogy, Crystal returned to Detroit, where she earned a master’s degree in nutrition and food science from Madonna University.

She subsequently worked for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Detroit. While with the FDA, Crystal started Crystal Marie Events LLC. Two years ago, she walked completely away from the federal agency to devote full-time energy to growing Crystal Marie Events.

“I just wasn’t being fulfilled working for the FDA,” Crystal said. “I wanted to use the other side of my brain, which was the creative side. Yet, I was in this cubicle at the FDA, where I felt like I was suffocating. One day I heard this voice inside me say, ‘It’s time to go.’

So I got up from my desk and walked out. There was no two-week notice necessary. I don’t recommend anyone leaving a company this way, but it was my way, because I was really ready to be a full-time entrepreneur.”

In addition to being an entrepreneur, Crystal has penned an informational book titled “The Girlfriends’ Guide to a Crystal Clear Bride.”

“The book gives no-nonsense wedding tips and advice from an expert wedding planner,” Crystal said. “I wrote the book to help give brides

New Detroit not give in to quick and easy solutions.”

Fisher’s untiring endeavors matched his words. He gave “years and years of effort” to identifying and implementing mechanisms to address the urban crisis.

That effort has continued unabated since his passing in 2005 through the work of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, which, under the direction of his family, continues that mission. In the city of Detroit, it has focused much of its humanitarian giving on organizations active in the Brightmoor Community through support of initiatives such as the Brightmoor Alliance, City Mission, Forgotten Harvest, Gleaners Community Food Bank, Starfish Family Services, the Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and other humanitarian organizations.

In recognition of his long-term commitment to New Detroit’s mission and its continued manifestation today through the work of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation under the direction of the Fisher family, New Detroit is honored to present the Fisher family with its 50th Anniversary Legacy of Leadership Award.

Tonya Allen, CEO, The Skillman Foundation The Skillman Foundation, which was founded in 1960, works to improve the lives of children, helping Detroit children prepare for college, career and life.

Tonya Allen, who joined Skillman in 2004, has been instrumental in many successful philanthropic, government and community initiatives and has a comprehensive understanding of philanthropic governance and strategy. She has played a major role in initiatives that focus on education reform, urban revitalization and public policy, so that these sometimes divergent areas of work come together to improve the well-being of Detroit’s children.

She served as the architect of the foundation’s 10-year, $100 million Good Neighborhood Initiative and was deeply involved in the development and design of key education improvement strategies, including Excellent Schools Detroit, Michigan Future Schools and the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren.

Under her leadership the Foundation serves as more than a funder. It brings ideas and people together and works to attract others to its work. The Foundation invests $15-$17 million a year in its initiatives and leverages its legacy of results and innovation to attract others to invest in leaders, organizations, and networks taking bold action for children. It works in an embedded way with its partners and incorporates the voices of residents and youth in its work.

the ultimate wedding expe- she does so with zest and rience.” a smile of confidence.

As Crystal prepares for “I love what I do,” she the busy season of wed- said. “There’s something dings and other events, very special about being the catalyst for planning and presenting weddings, social events, corporate events and various mileFrom page C-1 stone events in unique and memorable ways.

Since the formation of the public-pri- This is something that vate partnership, Clark Park has been, and remains today, the community’s anchor, providing programming yearround for more than 1,200 young people.

It provides free lunches daily to more than 100 youth throughout the summer.

The park’s value to the area is evident by the hundreds of volunteers who donate their time each year.

For more information about services offered

by Crystal Marie Events

LLC, or to order the book “The Girlfriends’ Guide to a Crystal Clear Bride,” call Crystal Marie at 313.407.4127, or log on to www.crystalmarieevents.com.

Crystal Marie Events is located at 1420 Washington Blvd., Suite 301 in the Julian C. Madison Building in downtown Detroit.

Clark Park operates the only regulation-size outdoor ice hockey rink in Metro Detroit, and Clark Park Coalition Hockey is a member of the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative. The Clark Park Coalition exists to provide an array of diverse, high-quality recreational, educational, social and mentoring programs for southwest Detroit families promoting skills development, which helps young people grow into responsible, self-confident adults.

New Detroit, Inc. is a coalition of leaders from civil rights and advocacy organizations, human services, health and community organizations, business, labor, foundations, education, media and clergy. It is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt organization. New Detroit’s mission is to serve as the metropolitan Detroit leadership organization working to identify and eliminate racial disparities in the region by building economic equity, social justice and racial understanding.

For more information, go to newdetroit.org.

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Nike Community Store In Detroit Awarded LEED Platinum Certification Sachse Construction, a premier commercial construction management firm and NIKE, Inc. the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities, announced that the Detroit Nike Community Store is the first store in Detroit to earn a LEED Platinum Certification. Sachse Construction President & COO Steve Berlage and NIKE, Inc. Director of Construction North America NFS Ken Kosinski made the announcement.

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When Clark Park was closed by the City of Detroit due to a city financial crisis in 1991, concerned citizens from the neighborhood came together to form a nonprofit to partner with the City of Detroit’s Recreation Department to keep the park open and thriving. The result was a successful public-private collaboration that continues to this day and has a tremendous impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

“There are very few LEED Platinum Certified projects in Detroit and Sachse is proud to have worked alongside NIKE, Inc. to get the Nike Detroit Community Store included on that exclusive list,” says Sachse Founder & CEO Todd Sachse. “It takes a true partnership to continue to raise the bar in environmental sustainability, and we are thankful to collaborate with Nike to achieve this major accomplishment for our environment, The City of Detroit and the retail industry as a whole.”

recycled and strictly from The Great Lakes area. The retailer’s location on Woodward Ave. in proximity to local transit also played a role in earning the project extra points towards the certification, as well as NIKE, Inc. acquiring a heat pump carrier that enhances the air quality in the store.

Clark Park serves as the “town square” of a thriving area in southwest Detroit, regularly hosting festivals, concerts and special events for the most ethnically diverse community in the city, while serving as a popular yearround meeting place for family picnics and gatherings.

An extremely difficult certification to earn, the Detroit Nike Community Store’s LEED Platinum accolade can be correlated to the project team’s dedication to using local and regional building and design materials that are

“Sustainable innovation is a primary quality of the NIKE, Inc. brand,” said Kosinski. “The Detroit Community Store is truly a standout in its LEED qualifications, and I commend our Detroit project team for their dedication to

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I’m good at, it’s a natural gift for me. Right now, I feel that I’m living my best life by doing what I’m doing, because I really love seeing my clients happy when their events have the Crystal Marie Events ‘wow factor.’”

Broken Power Jacks Keyboard Replacement Computer Insurance NIKE, Inc.’s commitment to environmental sustainability and cutting-edge green initiatives.”

The 22,000-square-foot Detroit Nike Community store is among a handful of NIKE, Inc. stores that are LEED Platinum Certified. Sachse has worked on approximately 20 LEED certified stores across North America for NIKE, Inc. and Converse as the retailer’s general contractor of choice.

The Detroit Nike Community Store opened to the public on Woodward Ave. in May 2016.

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Section C-3

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Detroit PAL keeps soccer on the rise in ‘The D’

For the love of the game: Spring season is also soccer season in Detroit, as hundreds of local youth will take the field thanks to programs provided by Detroit PAL.

Mikyle Covington introduces our youth to a ‘beautiful game’

By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle Mikyle Covington will forever be a part of Detroit sports history.

As a senior at St. Martin de Porres High School, Covington was a starting two-way lineman on the last team to win a state football championship for that sto-

ried school.

When Covington walked off the field in 2003, and later walked across the stage in 2004 as a graduate of St. Martin de Porres, he did so as a champion. However, the positive story did not end there. Today, Covington is still doing great things through his work with Detroit PAL, where he uses a different game— soccer—to empower boys and girls in our community.

“I want to help grow the game of soccer in our city and grow the soccer community,” said Covington, who is now an associate athletic director for Detroit PAL.

Without a doubt, Covington and PAL have been successful in their mission. When Covington spoke to the “Best of Young Detroit,” he was finalizing the schedule for the upcoming PAL school soccer season, which will involve roughly 1,200 boys and girls (K-8) from more than 40 schools.

“Our goal is to get as many schools in the community regardless of demographics to be a part of the program at Detroit PAL,” Covington said. “And it’s all free. We provide the equipment—balls, shins guards, everything the kids need to play—and parents don’t have to pay a dime.”

Covington cited a partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation as a major reason why students are able to participate in the

school program free of charge. He said the organization also has been a valuable resource in training coaches, which goes beyond teaching the finer points of the game and also includes vital topics like nutrition that are passed along to youngsters playing in the school program.

While expressing his enthusiasm for the PAL soccer program, Covington often repeats one very important word—“mentors.”

“Studies have shown that one in three children growing up in inner cities don’t have a role model, so the mentoring aspect of what we are trying to do with the soccer program is of the utmost importance,” said Covington, who views every coach in the school program as a valuable mentor to the kids.

Covington added: “We have teachers who have grown up playing the game and now they want to give back to their community by coaching, and the kids want to be around their teachers, so now they have a chance to play for their favorite mentors.”

A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Covington never lost his connection to his hometown and PAL. Covington started at PAL at the tender age of 6 playing soccer in the recreation program, and would later participate in football and basketball, as he got older. When he turned 18, he began working with PAL, assisting with the basketball, football a n d

baseball programs. Therefore, his commitment to Detroit youth is heartfelt and he is most appreciative of everyone that shares that commitment including the Mayor’s Office.

“Our partnership with the Mayor’s Office is the one of the major reasons

why the participation in our soccer program has continued to grow,” said Covington, who let the “Best of Young Detroit know that Mayor Mike Duggan “loves it (soccer) like crazy.”

Covington added: “With the help of the Mayor’s Office, we’re taking kids off the street and putting them on a field where they’re doing something productive and we’re also teaching nutrition.”

The PAL recreation soccer pro-

gram that Covington once participated in as a youngster is still going strong and is expected to attract roughly 700 boys and girls when the spring season begins. Combined, PAL’s school and recreation leagues will touch about 2,000 young lives this spring alone. And as the kids get better at the game, important life lessons also are learned.

“I would say the greatest lesson is perseverance,” Covington said. “For most of our kids in Detroit, soccer is not their first sport of choice. In many cases, it’s not their second choice, or even third. Our kids are used to sports that involve hand-eye coordination and soccer is played with your feet, so a lot of kids get discouraged at first because the sport doesn’t come to them naturally, but they don’t give up.”

And for not giving up there are rewards, for the kids, as well as the adults that cheer for them.

“It’s crazy to watch some of these kids become skilled at the game,” said Covington with gusto. “To see the creativity, the flair, the poetry, that’s why they call it the beautiful game.”

Sometimes Covington’s work on behalf of Detroit youth takes him outside of the city, which will be the case when he attends the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Urban Soccer Symposium in Washington, D.C. at the end of this month. In touting the benefits of soccer to youth, the organizers of the event provide compelling data showing how the sport combats childhood obesity, while also helping boys and girls to try hard in school and avoid anti-social behavior.

When Covington returns from the symposium, the “Best of Young Detroit” looks forward to working with him to report on the spring soccer seasons conducted by Detroit PAL, including interviews with players, coaches and other supporters of the sport. To learn more about all the life enriching programs offered by Detroit PAL for local youth please visit detroitpal. org.

UAW-Ford’s Best of Young Detroit

April 26 - May 2, 2017

Page C-4

Our community is invited to Legends League’s Opening Weekend Garrett Street, director of Legends League Baseball, has extended a special invitation to our community to come out and experience the league’s Opening Weekend games. A nonprofit organization, supported by UAWFord, Legends League Baseball provides affordable baseball to Detroit youth and families of Detroit youth, while focusing on baseball skill and character development.

This spring season, Legends League Baseball maxed out at 36 teams! “The Best of Young Detroit” salutes all the sponsors, coach-

es, and other supporters that have made this special opportunity possible for youth across metro Detroit.

Following is a listing of Opening Weekend games that will be played from Thursday, April 27 through Sunday, April 30. Legends League games are free of charge, but light refreshments can be purchased at weekend games. For more information about Legends League Baseball, including exact baseball diamond locations, please contact Street at 313363-7271.

12 and Under Spring Competitive Division Saturday, April 29 Mighty Warriors vs. Detroit Playmakers at Balduck (11 a.m.)

Detroit Playmakers vs. YMCA Tigers at Balduck (1:15 p.m.)

YMCA Tigers vs. Detroit Stars at Balduck (3:30 p.m.)

Detroit Stars vs. SW Aztecs at Balduck (5:45 p.m.)

Sunday, April 30 Detroit Yankees vs. Blue Jays at Balduck (noon) Detroit Yankees vs. Motor City Royals at Balduck (2:15)

14 and under Friday, April 28 Ecorse Raiders vs. Incredibles at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 and 8:45 p.m.)

Detroit Yankees vs. Southwest Aztecs at Balduck (6:30 and 8:45 p.m.)

DPSCD’s ‘Evening of Fine Arts’ is May 11 The “Best of Young Detroit” would like to remind our community that the 48th Annual Detroit Public Schools Community District’s Evening of Fine Arts will take place Thursday, May 11 at the Detroit School of Arts, Ford Auditorium (123 Seldon, Detroit).

The event, presented by the DPSCD Office of Fine Arts, is an extravaganza of art, dance, instrumental and vocal music performed and presented by DPSCD students. The event is free of charge, but tickets are required for entry and can be obtained at the following schools and offices: Burton International, Durfee K-8, J R King, Cass Tech, Detroit School of Arts, East English Village, Martin Luther King, Renaissance, and the DPSCD Office of

Sunday, April 30 Detroit Stars vs. Detroit Braves at Balduck (11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.)

Michigan Heavy Hitters vs. DEPSA Jr. High DH at Balduck (3:30 and 5:45 p.m.)

10 and under Competitive Division Thursday, April 27 Indians Baseball Club vs. Downriver Demons at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.)

Sunday, April 30 Southwest Aztecs vs. Windsor Stars DH at William Clay Ford Field (Noon and 2:15 p.m.)

10 and under New Teams Division Saturday, April 29 Southwest Aztecs ll vs. Detroit Yankees at William Clay Ford Field (1 p.m.)

Southwest Aztecs ll vs. Blue Jays at William Clay Ford Field (3:15 p.m.)

Full Count Kings vs. Blue Jays at William Clay Ford Field (5:30 p.m.)

Full Count Kings vs. Detroit Braves at William Clay Ford Field (7:45 p.m.)

Student Voices

Fine Arts (9th floor of the Fisher Building).

Tickets are limited to four per person. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, please contact 313-873-1951.

Remembering Eddie Tolan: Cass Tech speedster dashed to Olympic gold

Davis Aerospace students take responsibility seriously Fresh back from spring break, our student contributors at Davis Aerospace Technical High School proved their minds are still sharp as they tackled a critical topic: What does it mean to be a responsible young man or young woman? The “Best of Young Detroit” appreciates all of our featured students for their extremely thoughtful responses and we also are most thankful for their teacher, Michelle Davis, who never takes a break when it comes to educating and enriching her students.

Ananda Thomas, junior: “Being a female is a matter of birth, being a woman is a matter of age, but being a responsible woman is a matter of choice. Being a female does not guarantee a girl will grow up to be responsible and ladylike because the culture we live in today does not always promote these qualities. When we look on social media, qualities like education and class are often missing. Instead, there are so called Instagram models and rappers being glamorized when it should be the teachers, doctors, and lawyers that are glorified.

Detroit student-athletes competing in track this season are a part of a rich legacy, and one of the greatest contributors to this legacy was a sensational sprinter out of Cass Tech by the name of Thomas Edward “Eddie” Tolan Jr. (Sept. 29, 1908 – Jan. 31, 1967).

Before Usain Bolt, before Carl Lewis, and even before the legendary Jesse Owens, Eddie Tolan (Cass Tech Class of 1927) was an Olympic superstar in the 100 and 200 meters.

At the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Tolan, wearing an elastic brace on his left knee, and horned-rimmed glassed taped to his head, roared down the Los Angeles Coliseum track (chewing gum all the while) to capture gold medals in both events. Tolan’s victory over Ralph Metcalfe in the 100 meters was regarded as the greatest 100 meter Olympic final up to that time, and the victory was not awarded to Tolan until several hours later after an extensive photo review. Both men were credited with a then Olympic record time of 10.3 seconds. When the 200 meters came around later in the Games, Tolan left no doubt who was the winner and captured his second Olympic gold in a time of 21.2 seconds, which was also an Olympic record. With the two victories on the world’s biggest stage, Tolan earned the mythical title of “World’s Fastest Human,” the first African American to earn that distinction.

As a senior at the University of Michigan, Tolan first demonstrated that he may be destined for Olympic greatness by winning conference crowns in the 100 yard (9.6 seconds) and 200 yard (20.9 seconds) dashes. After graduating from Michigan in 1931, Tolan headed to West Virginia State College for graduate work and did some coaching, all the while staying in shape as he readied himself for Olympic glory.

Your Feedback Matters The “Best of Young Detroit” welcomes feedback from our community. Please submit story suggestions and other comments to Scott Talley at stalleyassociates@gmail.com or 313-590-3686.

Tolan, who was born in Denver, Colorado and moved to Detroit with his family when he was 15, had some special performances at Cass Tech, too. During a great track career, Tolan was undefeated in the 100 and 200 meters over three years running at the Michigan High School Athletic Association state championships. And capped his high school career by equaling the prep world record at the time of 9.8 seconds in the 100 yard dash at a meet in Chicago. However, his greatest athletic performance at Cass Tech may have been on the football field when he scored six touchdowns in a game against Western as a 131-pound quarterback.

Young athletes of today also need to understand the challenges Tolan faced off the track. One example occurred in September 1930, when Tolan, along with John Lewis, a highly acclaimed and versatile runner out of Detroit Northeastern and Gus Moore, one of the nation’s top distance runners during the 1920s and early 1930s, were denied lodging at the Illinois Athletic Club and the Chicago Athletic Club where their teammates were staying for an AAU event against Great Britain. Threatening to leave, Tolan was told by an AAU official that he would “be through in athletics forever” if he quit the team. A distraught Tolan wired his mother for advice and was urged to “run his heart out.” The three athletes eventually stayed at the Grand Hotel, a Black-owned inn on Chicago’s South Side. Tolan followed his mother’s advice and indeed ran his heart out all the way to Olympic gold, and for his talent, tenacity, and always exemplary sportsmanship, Eddie Tolan deserves to always be remembered in Detroit where he performed some of his finest work on and off the track.

“To be responsible you must always look presentable and have proper etiquette. Responsibility also requires keeping areas where you live tidy and clean, especially when you have guests over. Staying organized and having your day already planned before you wake up in the morning also are qualities of a responsible person. As a woman I believe a part of being responsible is to stay cultured and educated. In addition, a responsible person should always be respectful and helpful to your family, because family always comes first.

Responsibility means having a strong work ethic at home, your community, and work place, and taking responsibility for actions at work and in your personal life. “It wasn’t my fault “ doesn’t really fly when you know right from wrong. In addition, it is important to be reliable with your time and resources. You never know when you are going to need something from someone, so it’s best for people to know that you are reliable and trustworthy.

A responsible woman understands that her strength is not found in trying to be like a man, but in being thoughtful, kind, intelligent, and self-assured.”

Johnnie Davis, junior: “We have too many irresponsible young men in America today, to be specific, black young men.

An immense number of black young men in America are living in households where there is an absence of a father. Due to this many of these young men don’t know what it takes to be a responsible man. Hopefully I can give an accurate insight on what they should do to steer them in the right direction.

“My advice is to be fearless, as in admitting your fears and going beyond them. A real man doesn’t deny their fear and will push through the situations that call for him to do things that seem terrifying. A man should be flexible and reliable at the same time. If necessary, he will start from the beginning again at any given moment. No matter the situation: His mother dies, he gets in a car accident, even if he has mourning to do, he starts all over again. A real man will accept his fate but won’t become a victim of it. A man will do whatever it takes to provide for his family. No matter the sacrifice,

a real man always makes sure that priorities are handled and that his family is well taken care of before participating in any form of recreation. A responsible man will hold himself accountable for all choices and actions. If he makes an inapt choice he can only blame himself. Holding myself accountable for every choice I make in my life is what compels me to think before I act.

“These are just a few of the necessities to becoming a responsible man, for there are far more. Being a responsible man may be a difficult task for some individuals and an easy one for others, but it is something that each and every man must learn to be because we don’t stay children forever.”

De’Ernest Johnson, junior: “Do others rely on you for things they need done? Are you capable of carrying out a task with no problems? If you answered yes to any of those you can be considered responsible. A responsible man is honest, trustworthy, dependable and most of all he is mature. He knows how a man should carry himself in public and on the job.

He knows the proper dress code for a mature and respectful man. Not only does he know this, he acts upon it. He understands the importance of appearances.

“To be a responsible man requires knowledge. A responsible man knows how to stay on the right track with his work and is not easily distracted by others. He is a hard worker who puts all his time and dedication into his work. He does not burden himself with the fear of striking out. A responsible man is very confident, not only in himself, but also in the decisions that he makes. In addition, a responsible man is selfless, considerate, persistent, and dependable. Instead of looking for a way to fit in or acclimate to the norm, he branches out to make his own way. Responsible men will take initiative, while carrying themselves with integrity and determination.

When men are responsible they have a mindset that implies failure is not an option, which means they will do everything in their power to be successful.”

Steven Lindsey-Sparks, senior: “As many of you may know, being a responsible young man is the final step into becoming a full grown man. One of the things that determine your future is the amount of responsibility you uphold. It is essential for you as a young man to ensure you can meet your responsibilities and to rise over all challenges that comes your way. By doing so, you will be cementing better success into your life for as long as you live.

What it means to become a responsible young man is to take action and learn from your mistakes by being consistent, honest, respectful, and trustworthy when it counts the most.

“Being a responsible young man also means to learn from your mistakes and work your way around them. To some this may not be an easy task. Despite it not being an easy task, it is a burden we must all carry to fulfill our goals. My personal definition of being responsible is to inhale all your burdens and exhale all the fears of believing that you will fail your tasks. The only way to fail at being responsible is to not fight for your future success and your life.”

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page C-5

SBA’s 2017 Michigan Small Business Awards announced The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the winners of its 2017 Michigan Small Business Awards. The awards will be presented on May 4, 2017 at the 13th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards event at The Lansing Center in Lansing.

C. Denise Griffith

As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA has been recognizing the special impact made by outstanding American entrepreneurs and small business owners since 1963. “Together with our partners, we honor and celebrate the small business owners who are the backbone of our country’s economy,” said Constance Logan, SBA Michigan district director.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business was founded by the SBA, the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Michigan Small Business Development Center, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Business Network in a collaborative effort to showcase the economic power of Michigan’s small business.

The following winners were selected because of their staying power, financial performance, innovativeness, response to adversity, contributions to their communities, and advocacy for the advancement of small business.

Morgan Subbarayan

• Michigan Small Business Person of the Year: Jon Lanning, President, Inontime, LLC • Michigan Women Owned Small Business of the Year: Monica Starks, President, C. Denise Griffith, CEO, GS Group, LLC • Michigan Small Business Exporter of the Year: Tom Murray, President and CEO, Hosco Fittings, LLC • Michigan Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year: Bruce L. Whetter, President, Americhem Sales Corporation • Michigan 8(a) Graduate of the Year: Morgan Subbarayan, President, CTI and Associates, Inc.

David Goudreau

• Region V Subcontractor of the Year: David Goudreau, President, Northern Wings Repair, Inc. • Michigan SCORE Chapter of the Year: Tip of the Mitt SCORE Petoskey Chapter, Margo Johnson, Chapter Chair Person • Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award, Michigan and Region V - Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, Debra Loeser, Program Manager of WBC • Michigan Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award - SBDC I-69 Trade Corridor Region, Marsha Lyttle, Regional Director

Bruce L. Whetter

In a related development, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Michigan District Office is pleased to announce its fiscal 2016 lender awards. The awards are given

in recognition of overall support of the SBA loan guaranty programs each year. Huntington National Bank was named Michigan Lender of the Year, SBA’s award for the best overall performance. Consideration was given to volume, increases in dollar amount, area coverage, and participation in SBA programs and community activities. Huntington National Bank originated loans totaling nearly $164 million in fiscal 2016. This is the eighth year in a row that Huntington Bank has won this prestigious award. Runners up include Comerica Bank, Chemical Bank, and Chase Bank.

“Our lending partners play a critical role in helping small businesses get the financing they need to start and grow their businesses,” said Constance Logan, SBA Michigan District director. “We are pleased to recognize their commitment to growing Michigan’s economy.”

Tom Murray

Also recognized this year is the State Bank as the Community Lender of the Year.

This award is given for best overall performance among Michigan-based, non-preferred lenders and is based on total volume, new market activity, and comparison with historical performance. State Bank originated 24 SBA loans totaling $8.93 million. It has shown steady growth and broad usage of all of SBA’s products.

Other award winners include Comerica Bank as the Business Development Lender of the Year. This award goes to the institution with the largest increase in loan approvals. In fiscal 2016, Comerica Bank showed strong growth with a 124% increase in the number of loans totaling $47 million.

Chase Bank was named the 504 Third Party Lender of the Year. This award is given in recognition of the best overall support of SBA’s 504 loan program. Chase originated 23 loans totaling $9.5 million.

Chase Bank was also selected as the Diversity Lender of the Year for the best overall performance in supporting new market businesses, including minorities, women, and veterans. Chase was selected for its percentage of SBA loans that went to new markets and its support for the full diversity of the population in fiscal 2016.

The SBA District Director’s Award goes to Northern Initiatives, a non-profit Community Development Finance Institution that provides loans to small business owners and entrepreneurs in Northern Michigan. The organization was chose for exceptional support of SBA programs in the Michigan District. It is the most active SBA Community Advantage lender in the state, having approved 11 Community Advantage loans for $1.7 million. Northern Initiatives also provides microloans, in part funded by the SBA and approved 33 loans for $833 million in fiscal 2016.

Debra Loeser

Jon Lanning

Margo Johnson

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page C-6

Pancakes and Politics Forum ll: The Road to Rebuilding Detroit

Panelists (from left): David Egner, Mariam Noland, Tonya Allen, Rip Rapson and Melanca Clark. — Monica Morgan photos

Guest tweeter Bishop Edgar Vann reads a copy of “Millionaire Co-moderator Vickie Thomas listens intently as Moves” by Dr. William Pickard. All guests received a complimentary Co-moderator Dennis Archer, Jr. kicks off the Pancakes & Politics forum. copy of the book. the panel responds to her question.

PNC Bank Regional President Ric Panelists and lead sponsor, PNC Bank Devore gives sponsor remarks.

Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press columnist, poses a Rip Rapson, president question from the audience.

Foundation

Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, welcomes the audience.

Cathy Nedd, COO and associate publisher of the and CEO, The Kresge Michigan Chronicle, addresses the sold out crowd of more than 300.

Join the conversation #PancakesPolitics2017

Pancakes & Politics attendees

Tonya Allen and Rip Rapson share a light moment.

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SECTION D

April 26 - May 2, 2017

michiganchronicle.com

Reflections

By Steve Holsey

Trump madness… stars speaking out The opinions of celebrities are no more important than those of anyone else. But they have a platform that enables them to reach millions and perhaps, to an extent, alter some people’s thinking, for the better.

It is disheartening — to say the least — that Donald Trump is president of the United States, and many celebrities have been boldly expressing their opposition.

For example…

Earl Klugh

John Legend: “I do think he will be impeached. I think he’s already done enough to be impeached. Now it’s just a matter of when Congress has the guts to do it.”

Samuel L. Jack­son: “He’s more P.T. Barnum than politician.”

There’s something about

John Legend

Cher: “Donald Trump is a pathological liar, racist, fascist, disgusting and despicable.”

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “Never before in modern history have we had a president so ill-informed, ill-tempered, irrational and ill-equipped to deal with the major issues that face this Kareem Abdul-Jabbar country.”

By Steve Holsey I’ll never forget it. One day, back in the ’80s when Coleman Young was mayor, Billy Dee Williams was in town making a guest appearance at an event benefitting physically challenged kids.

At one point, a reporter asked Williams how he liked Detroit, and he responded, “You don’t want me to answer that.”

More recently — last week in fact — a friend of mine who used to live in Detroit but now lives in Los Angeles told me that his neighbor, who has never been here, said he thought of Detroit as a dangerous “Third World country.” He added that he had heard about new developments, but still would not come here under any circumstances.

His focus stayed on the negative things he saw on television, heard on the radio and read in newspapers. Fortunately, that kind of coverage has lessened.

Russell Simmons: “Stop the bull---.

My friends, both Muslims and Jews, are saying there are so many comparisons between your rap and Hitler’s, and I cannot disagree.”

Robert De Niro: “God help us.”

ON A MORE positive note, popular Mix 92.3 radio personality Donafay Collins will be graduating from the University of Michigan-Dearborn on April 30, proud possessor a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree.

Collins is a busy man.

In addition to college, Donafay Collins there is his long tenure as a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy, reaching officer status, plus he presents cabarets on a regular basis.

The Lifetime TV network is making a movie on the Flint water crisis starring Queen Latifah and Jill Scott, among others, with Latifah also serving as executive producer. This will bring even more attention to the horrendous and inexcusable situation, and let’s hope the lion’s share of the profits go to Flint.

Sure, we had and have our problems, but Detroit is hardly unique in that sense. This tough, resilient city has a lot to be proud of and a lot to offer.

Our focus here is on the arts, primarily music, but also including television and movies.

Smokey Robinson said that when Motown Record Corp. was reaching unprecedented heights in the ’60s, some record companies started recording in Detroit, thinking there was something “magic” about the city itself. “Like there was something in the air or the water,” joked Robinson.

Thornetta Davis

No, it was Berry Gordy and his massive brigade of singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, executives and promoters. And it almost seemed that it was meant to be, set up by a Higher Power.

See DETROIT Page D-2 David Alan Grier

Aretha Franklin

There was a time when being in one’s seventies was considered in some circles to be “really old.” But these days, some of the biggest stars have crossed the seventy threshold and just keep it moving.

Among the age challengers are Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Rod Stewart, Patti LaBelle, Frankie Valli, Smokey Robinson, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick and Tom Jones.

THE ONGOING success of “combat” TV shows like “Real Housewives of Atlanta” — which do nothing for the image of women in general and black women in particular — says a lot about the “dumbing down” of society today.

The Supremes

Eminem

George Clinton

Vanessa Williams and Tichina Arnold It seemed like only a matter time before those kinds of shows were spoofed.

VH1 has developed a show called “Daytime Divas” featuring, among others, Tichina Arnold (from “Martin” and “Everybody Hates Chris”) and Vanessa Williams.

Even though it’s all for laughs, it was still kind of disappointing that the classy Vanessa Williams would agree to be a part of it. Maybe she just wanted to try something different.

See Reflections Page D-2

The Clark Sisters

The Temptations

entertainment

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page D-2

Reflections From page D-1 “Coming to America,” the hit 1988 movie featuring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair, is going to be remade. No word yet on who the stars will be.

Cuba Gooding with Cuba Gooding, Jr.

Remembering Cuba Gooding

From the early to mid ’70s, one of the foremost groups in R&B was the Main Ingredient, led for the majority of their years by Cuba Gooding who passed away on Thursday, April 20.

Gooding joined the Main Ingredient in 1971. Prior to that, the group had enjoyed several hits, including “Spinning Around (I Must Be Falling in Love)” and their first chart entry, “You’ve Been My Inspiration,” with Donald McPherson singing lead. The other members were Luther Simmons and Tony Sylvester.

With Gooding up front, the Main In-

gredient reached new heights, their biggest hit being “Everybody Plays the Fool.” They also scored with “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely,” “Happiness is Just Around the Bend” and “Rolling Down a Mountainside,” among others.

Gooding, father of Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., left the Main Ingredient in 1977 to record for Motown though with only moderate success. He returned two years later, only to leave again in the late ’80s.

One of Gooding’s other two sons, Omar Gooding, is also an actor.

MOTOR CITY ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

“BRING IT! LIVE,” Fox Theatre, July 23, featuring Miss D and her Dancing Dolls, Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez, Eddie Griffin, Joe Louis Arena, May 13. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

DAVE CHAPPELLE, Fillmore Detroit, May 23-25. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

Yang Twins, Lil Jon. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

GLADYS KNIGHT, the Commodores, Fox Theatre, May 14. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

PATTI LABELLE, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, Oct. 19.

Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

LIL WAYNE, Fox Theatre, May 11. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

GEORGE CLINTON and Parliament-Funkadelic, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, May 25.

BRIAN McKNIGHT, Sound Tickets sold at Ticketmaster Cedric the Entertainer Board at MotorCity Casino, May locations. To charge by phone, 18. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster call 1.800.745.3000. locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

JERMAINE DUPRI, Fox Theatre, May 26. Tickets sold “MOTOWN THE MUSICAL,” at Ticketmaster locations.

Fisher Theatre, through April To charge by phone, call 30. Tickets sold at the Fisher 1.800.745.3000. box office and Ticketmaster locations.

KENNETH “BABYFACE” EDMONDS, Brandy, MasonCHRIS ROCK, Fox Theatre, ic Temple, May 14. Tickets April 28-30. Tickets sold at Ticksold at Masonic Temple box etmaster locations. To charge office and Ticketmaster loca- Dave Chappelle by phone, call 1.800.745.3000. tions. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

MUSIQ SOULCHILD, Sound Board at MoDARYL HALL & JOHN OATES, Tears for torCity Casino, Nov. 30. Tickets sold at TickFears, Joe Louis Arena, May 17. Tickets etmaster locations. To charge by phone, call sold at the Joe Louis box office and Ticket- 1.800.745.3000. master locations. To charge by phone, call RUSSELL THOMPKINS, JR. & the New Styl­ 1.800.745.3000. istics, Ford Community & Performing Arts ANTHONY HAMILTON, Sound Board at Mo- Center, Saturday, July 22. Call 313.943.2354 torCity Casino, June 1. Tickets sold at Tick- for tickets and more information. etmaster locations. To charge by phone, call CECE WINANS, Sound Board at Motor1.800.745.3000.

City Casino, July 14. Tickets sold at TicketHIP HOP SMACKDOWN 2, Joe Louis Arena, master locations. To charge by phone, call May 27, featuring Mystikal, Uncle Luke, Ying 1.800.745.3000.

Detroit

To help people get in shape and “lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks” — and of course, make money for themselves, actor Morris Chestnut and celebrity fitness trainer Obi Obadike have written a book titled “The Cut.” BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that when Mary Wells left Motown in 1964 on the heels of her biggest hit, “My Guy,” what was to be her follow-up single, “When I’m Gone,” was given to Brenda Holloway. It was a major success though not No. 1.

MEMORIES: “Keep Your Head to the Sky” (Earth, Wind & Fire), “My Smile is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down)” (Carolyn Crawford), “Don’t Look Any Further” (Dennis Edwards, featuring Siedah Garrett), “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” (Marvin Gaye), “Tumblin’ Down” (Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers), “Close the Door” (Teddy Pendergrass), “I Wanna Get Next to You” (Rose Royce), “Pillow Talk” (Sylvia), “You Put a Move on My Heart” (Quincy Jones, introducing Tamia), “Lady” (the Whispers).

BLESSINGS to Donald James, Kimmie Horne, Melody Moore, Yvonne Gullick, Patricia Singleton, E.J. Johnson, Montez Miller, Anthony Neely, Rian Barnhill and Ron Stevenson.

37

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WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Sydney J. Harris: “Charity does not begin at home. It begins where it is most needed.”

Let the music play!

Steve Holsey can be reached at svh517@aol. com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.

DIGITAL DAILY WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

From page D-1

In the history of the recording industry, no company had ever had so many major hits, first in the U.S. and then abroad. The Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Diana Ross, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder, Martha & the Vandellas, the Marvelettes, Jr. Walker & the All Stars and many more.

Amazing!

And then there are the many artists who had no affiliation with Motown, such as Aretha Franklin, Freda Payne, Bettye LaVette, Keith Washington, Jackie Wilson, One Way featuring Al Hudson, the Dramatics, Don Was, Ray Parker, Jr., Michael Henderson, Della Reese, Jack White, the Floaters, Enchantment, Kem, Anita Baker, Dwele, Little Willie John, the Detroit Emeralds, George Clinton-Parliament-Funkadelic, Cherrelle, the Jones Girls, Aaliyah and many more.

Jazz is also a Detroit specialty. The city has given the world some of the best and continues to do so. Think of Earl Klugh, Kenny Burrell, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Yusef Lateef, Roland Hanna, Donald Byrd, Straight Ahead, Betty Carter, Roy Brooks, Tommy Flanagan, James Carter, Milt Jackson, Marcus Belgrave and Harold McKinney, to name a few.

Detroit is well known for its prowess in the field of gospel music. In fact, it is often cited as the gospel music capital of the world, thanks to such notables as the Winans family (nine separate acts!), the Clark Sisters (five acts!), Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Fred Hammond, Thomas Whitfield, Commissioned, Witness and J Moss, among others.

Detroit also produced Eminem, the first white rapper to achieve superstardom. Big Sean is a major attraction. J Dilla, Royce da 5’9” and Obie Trice are also important names.

Francis Ford Coppola The Motor City is where techno music was created, developed by Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins and Eddie Fowlkes.

Detroit doesn’t come up short in the blues department either: John Lee Hooker, Alberta Adams, Thornetta Davis, Johnnie Bassett, Little Sonny and on the story goes.

Then, when you step outside of music, the attractions include comedian-actor David Alan Grier, famed film director-screenwriter-producer Francis Ford Coppola (“The Godfather,” “Patton,” “Apocalypse Now”), comedienne-actress Lily Tomlin, radio personality Casey Kasem, reality TV star and pageant winner Kenya Moore, television producer-TV host Byron Allen, actress Marlo Thomas, comedian-actor John Witherspoon and actor Robert Wagner, among others.

In so many ways, Detroit is a powerhouse, a mecca for talented people.

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page D-3

David Anthony Williams Services for David Anthony Williams were held on Friday, April 21, at Swanson Funeral Home with Dr. Tony Curtis Henderson officiating. Mr. Williams passed away on April 14, 2017.

David Anthony Williams was born on April 27, 1953 in Detroit to Walter and Bessie Lura Williams. He was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and upon graduation from high school attended Eastern Michigan University, majoring in economics and history.

It was there that he met and married his first wife with whom he had a son, David James G. Williams. He and his second wife, Warnie Dahmer, had two children, Steven Anthony and Jessica Nicole.

Mr. Williams was employed with Washtenaw Pest Control and later started his own company, Prestige Pest Control. After that, he accepted a position at the Park Ridge Community Center in Ypsilanti.

Greater New Mt. Moriah Pastoral Anniversary

Bishop Victor E. Sharpe, Jr.

Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church celebrated Pastor Kenneth Flowers’ 22nd pastoral anniversary with an elegant Black and White Musical Gala and Pastoral Anniversary Celebration.

due Charles Gwen Scales.

The Pastoral Anniversary Celebration Service was on Sunday, April 9, with guest speaker Bishop Victor E. Sharpe, Jr. pastor of the St. John the Great Cathedral.

The gala including contemporary harpist/singer Onita Sanders and renowned vocal/instrumental

Pastor Kenneth Flowers’ theme for his 22nd pastor anniversary was “Celebrating the Faithful and

McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour comes to Detroit McDonald’s 11th annual Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour is kicking off in Detroit for a free night of inspiring music, comedic relief and giving.

Some of gospel music’s most celebrated artists have teamed up with McDonald’s to deliver messages of hope and joy during this 15-city concert series. The concert will take place at Greater Grace Temple on May 10.

Doors open promptly at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7 p.m.

Gospel superstar and

multi-award winner Tye Tribbett is joined on this year’s tour by returning music director and songwriter Donald Lawrence, legendary pastor and singer Bishop Paul S. Morton, gospel crooner Brian Courtney Wilson, songbird Anita Wilson and singing sensation Jekalyn Carr, as well as renowned quartet voice Paul Porter. Christian comedienne Small Fire will again bring the laughter while radio personality and gospel artist Lonnie Hunter resumes hosting duties.

Prominent dentist of Motown artists has passed Esteemed dentist Dr. Lawrence Winston Coffee, Sr. has passed. Dr. Coffee graduated from Meharry Medical College and went on to become the first African-American dentist in Detroit to provide cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain replacements and implants. He was the dentist for many great Motown artists including Marvin Gaye, Florence Ballard of the Supremes, several of the original Temptations, former Miss USA Kenya Moore, and many others.

He had several patients who traveled from as far away as California for his treatment.

Dr. Coffee was president of Meharry Medical College alumni for two decades, and is listed in Who’s Who in America. He also served in the U.S. Army’s Dental Corps during the United States-Korean conflict. He relocated to Belize in 2016 to enjoy his remaining years. He

Loyal Servant.” “For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10).

Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church would like to thank everyone who came out to be a blessing to Pastor Kenneth Flowers.

A message of thanks Greetings. It is with great joy we have come to celebrate and to thank the Lord for blessing and keeping the Church Of Our Father Baptist congregation of born again, baptized believers together for the past 79 years.

We’re grateful unto God and excited about how Jesus Christ has used us in His Kingdom work to win souls and to prepare Christian disciples to do and continue the work of ministry.

We thank God for enabling us to be a Bible teaching church, a Bible believing church and a congregation of born again believers standing on the promises of God. (Ephesians 6:10-18) “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Finally, we’re excited, we’re grateful and we are so thankful unto God our Heavenly Father for making us able to stand on the promises of Jesus Christ our Lord, until He returns.

Yours in Christ Service, Pastor Burnard and the Pastoral Anniversary Committee

Dr. Lawrence Coffee is the father of Lawrence Coffee, Jr. and (Arleen), LaJuan Coffee Reese and (Dr. Perry), Roderic V. Coffee, five grandchildren, Lawrence (Winston) Coffee III, Amanda Coffee, Kellie, Alanna and Dayna Reese.

Memorial services for Dr. Lawrence Coffee will be held on Saturday, April 29, at 10 a.m. at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit.

96

th

For more information please contact Lawrence Coffee, Jr., 248-252-6949 or Coffee483@icloud.com

He loved cooking, especially barbecue, and also enjoyed swimming, bowling and watching sports.

Cherishing the memory of David Anthony Williams are his wife, Warnie; sons, David and Steven; daughter, Jessica Nicole; five sisters, Bessie, Shirley, Kathleen, Lura and Christine; two grandsons, Artis and Jaiden; and many others relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Westlawn Cemetery.

Sylvia Rose Moy On April 22, services for Sylvia Rose Moy were held at Greater Grace Temple with Bishop Charles H. Ellis III officiating. Ms. Moy passed away on April 15, 2017.

Sylvia Rose Moy was the second child af Melvin and Hazel (Ridgell) Moy. She attended Detroit Public Schools, studying and performing classical and jazz music at Northern High School.

Ms. Moy is best known for the hit songs she co-wrote and produced at Motown Record Corp., especially for Stevie Wonder — “My Cherie Amour,” “I Was Made to Love Her,” “Uptight (Everything’s Alright). She also co-wrote hits such as “It Takes Two” (Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston), “Honey Chile” (Martha Reeves & the Vandellas) and “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” (the Isley Brothers).

When Motown moved its headquarters to Los Angeles, Ms. Moy remained in Detroit where she set up and operated a non-profit organization, Center for Creative Communication, and a recording studio, Masterpiece Sound.

Cherishing the memory of Sylvia Moy are her siblings, Merril Moy, Melvin Moy, Angelica Moy-Adams, Celeste Moy-Street, Christopher Moy, Francetta Moy-Johnson and Anita Moy; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Lucy Inez Tait On April 6, services for Lucy Inez Tait were held at Swanson Funeral Home with chapel ministry officiating. Ms. Tait passed away on March 30, 2017.

Lucy Inez Tait was born on Oct. 14, 1936 to James Tait, Sr. and Willie Mae (Lowery) Tait in Luverne, Alabama, the youngest of four children.

She spent her childhood in Alabama, but the family moved to Detroit where she was educated in the city’s public school system, graduating from Pershing High School and continuing her education at Lewis College of Business. At the age of 18, she began working for Michigan Bell (now AT&T), retiring after 31 years.

Ms. Tait loved Motown music and having a good time at the Graystone Ballroom. She was an active member of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority and was named Soror of the Year in 1972.

Ms. Tait, who had always been especially close to mother, leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

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Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery.

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Joe Louis Everett, Sr.

1919-2015

Services for Joe Louis Everett, Sr. were held on April 18 at Ecc’lesia Christian Ministries with Minister Joe L. Everett, Jr. officiating. Mr. Everett passed away on April 8, 2017.

Joe Louis Everett, Sr. was born to the union of Ben and Mary Everett on June 13, 1920 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, the youngest of four children. After serving in the U.S. Army, he settled in Detroit to start a family.

He became an independent truck driver for many companies and had worked numerous other jobs as well. He enjoyed working in his yard.

He married Ruby Roberts in 1991.

Cherishing the memory of Joe Louis Everett, Sr. are his wife, Ruby; a son, Joe L. Everett, Jr.; a daughter, Michelle Jones; five stepchildren, Johnny Roberts III, Jerome Roberts, David I. Roberts, Rever Anderson and Ruth Smith; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Welcome to

NOTICE OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS The Public Lighting Authority of Detroit has issued an RFP for qualified contractors who can execute the operations, maintenance and repair of the City’s new LED streetlight system, as well as customer service.

Potential bidders with interest in participating should download the bid documents at www.pladetroit.org/business-rfps. Proposals will be received on the website until 3 p.m. May 12, 2017.

A pre-bid conference will be held at 10 a.m. May 1, 2017, at the PLA offices at 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3100, Detroit, MI, 48226.

Grandmont Rosedale A Place Where You Belong

NOTICE OF ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING The Board of Directors of the Public Lighting Authority will hold its annual budget hearing for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year as follows: Public Lighting Authority 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 3100 Detroit, MI 48226 Wednesday, May 3, 2017 4:30 p.m.

12TH ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2017 - 1-5PM North Rosedale Park Community House 18445 Scarsdale, Detroit MI 48223

Homes for Sale Open for Viewing www.grandmontrosedale.com/ 313-387-4732 Ext 105 or 313-909-0760

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

The proposed Capital and Operating budgets are on file at SMART, Buhl Building, 6th floor Receptionist, 535 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226 and may be reviewed from Monday, April 24, 2017, through Wednesday, May 24, 2017, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Written comments or written requests for a public hearing regarding the budgets must be received by Wednesday, May 24, 2017. If a hearing is requested, notice of the scheduled date, time and location will be provided at least 10 days in advance. Submittals should be mailed to the attention of Manager of Capital and Grant Programs, SMART, at the above address. Barring any changes made in response to the written comments, this document will become final.

Legal Notice

George Washington Carver Academy

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

Attention: Employee Leasing Companies The George Washington Carver Academy is requesting proposals for employee leasing services.

Vendors and/or their representatives may submit proposals to: George Washington Carver Academy c/o Provision Business Solutions Attention: Mrs. Alma Hollins 17336 W. 12 Mile – Suite 200 Southfield, MI 48076

RFQs are due by 3:00 PM ET, May 17, 2017.

REQUEST FOR QUOTE

The George Washington Carver Academy Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to accept the proposal that is in the best interest of the school district.

All proposals must be submitted no later than 3:00 p.m. on May 11, 2017. RFPs may be requested from Alma Hollins at (248) 440-7318 or at alma@provision4solutions.com. All proposals should be delivered in a sealed envelope and addressed to George Washington Carver Academy and be clearly marked: Employee Leasing Proposal.

The City of Highland Park Catch Basin and Curb Inlet Cleaning Services 2017 Hubert Yopp, Mayor The City of Highland Park is soliciting a qualified firm to provide catch basin and curb inlet cleaning services. Beginning Wednesday, April 26, 2017, a Request for Proposals (RFP) will be available by contacting the City of Highland Water Department via email at ttoliver@metroca.net for a copy of the bid documents.

The selected firm is to provide all labor, material, equipment and deposal services to perform catch basin and curb inlet cleaning.

Debris and sediment shall be removed from grate openings, catch basin and curb inlets, and catch basin and curb inlet sumps. This project shall be referred to as “Catch Basin and Curb Inlet Cleaning Services 2017”.

Three (3) copies of the Bid and other documents required to be submitted shall be enclosed in a sealed envelope. The envelope shall be addressed to the party receiving the Bids and shall be identified with the Project name, the Bidder’s name and address, if applicable, the designated portion of the Work for which the Bid is submitted. If the Bid is sent by mail, the sealed envelopes shall be enclosed in a separate mailing envelope with the notation “Catch Basin and Curb Inlet Cleaning Services 2017” on the front.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Senior Development Engineer

(Detroit Diesel Corporation, Detroit, MI) Lead in the design and development of complex powertrain components and systems. Apply engineering principles to design and validate powertrain components that set the industry benchmark for performance, fuel efficiency, cost, reliability and safety.

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Eng, Electrical Eng or related + 4 years’ exp as Development Engineer or any related automotive engineering occupation.

Must have exp with gasoline, diesel, pass car, and truck powertrains, problem solving systems Shainin, SixSigma. Resumes to Anthony Long, Daimler Trucks North America, 4555 N. Channel Ave., Portland, OR 97217.

Include position reference #DDCN1 in response.

Researcher

PROPOSAL SCHEDULE • Project Advertisement: Wednesday, April 26, 2017 • Contractor Questions Due: Tuesday, May 2, 2017, 5:00 p.m.

Questions should be sent via email to both: - Damon Garrett, PE, Highland Park Water Department Director: dgarrett@metroca.net -Willie Faison, Highland Park Department of Public Works Director: wfaison@highlandparkcity.org All emails should contain “Highland Park Catch Basin and Curb Inlet Cleaning Services 2017” in the subject line • Responses to Questions: Wednesday, May 3, 2017 • Contractor Bids Due: Monday, May 8, 2017, 12:00 Noon Proposals must be hand delivered to: Ms. Brenda Green, Highland Park City Clerk Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building 12050 Woodward Avenue Highland Park, Michigan 48203 Sealed bid package shall be marked with “Catch Basin and Curb Inlet Cleaning Services 2017” for identification • City Council Meeting: Monday, May 15, 2017 All bids received on time will be opened at the City Council Meeting on Monday, May 15, 2017 The proposals will then be forwarded to the Water Department and Department of Public Works for a review and recommendation.

Contractor shall be contacted for bid clarification during this process • Contract Award: Monday, June 5, 2017 Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Building 12050 Woodward Avenue Highland Park, MI 48203

Warren, MI, General Motors. Perform advanced theoretical research on industry standards &benchmark academic investigations, develop &improve next generation passenger vehicle Electrical Control System (ECS) architectures, including prototyping &simulation using C++ &MATLAB. Evaluate &support bench implementation of inter-system communication using Linux, SomeIP, &Ethernet technology. Perform safety verification of software for autonomous passenger vehicles. Evaluate Temporal Logic (timed-automata) based method in C++ for passenger vehicle. Participate in global vehicle manufacturer AUTOSAR, consortium for industrial software architecture standardization. Develop strategy &definition of system level FaultTolerant &Fail-Operational ECS architectures involving redundancies &reconfigurations. PhD, Electrical Engrg or Computer Science. 6 mos exp as Graduate Research Assistant or Engineer, performing safety verification of nonlinear dynamic model or of software for autonomous passenger vehicle, &programming or evaluation of Temporal Logic method in C++ for vehicle or robot.

Mail resume to Ref#1963, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.

WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

April is Autism Awareness Month

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Published Every Wendnesday

HELP WANTED

FIREFIGHTER

VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSORS OF CHEMISTRY OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Min. qualifications and application at http://www.waterfordmi.gov/humanresources Closing date is 4:00 p.m. 05/19/17

The meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Michigan Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267, MCL §§15.261-15.275.

Page D-4

HELP WANTED

In compliance with MCL §141.412: “The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing.” The PLA notes that no property tax millage is proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget.

RFQ’s are due Wednesday, May 10, 2017 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

RFQ’s are due Wednesday, May 10, 2017 by 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

SMART ensures that the level and quality of transportation service is provided without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For more information regarding our Title VI obligations or to file a complaint, please contact us at the below address.

Charter Township of Waterford is taking applications for the position of Entry Level Firefighter.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Board of Directors will make certain accommodations to those with disabilities.

Should you require such accommodations, please contact the Public Lighting Authority at (313) 324-8291 at least one business day prior to the meeting.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQ’s for Information Post Box Sign Holders Control No. 17-2159A. RFQ packages will be available April 26, 2017 from www.mitn.info.

Notice is hereby given that the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) has prepared the FY 2018 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets. The total estimated budgets include the following programs: 5307 Formula ($25,741,256), 5307 LETC Governor’s Apportionment ($1,524,748), 5339 Formula ($2,496,267), 5339 LETC Governor’s Apportionment ($97,288), CMAQ ($2,500,000), 5310 Formula ($5,277,138), Act 51 Operating ($35,289,400), 5311 LETC Operating ($195,000), and Other State Subsidized Services (Operating) ($811,819).

The proposed 2017-2018 Annual Budget shall be available for public inspection at http://www.pladetroit.org/finances on April 26, 2017.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQ’s for Magnetic Tickets & 31-Day Passes, Control No. 17-2296A. RFQ packages will be available on April 26, 2017 at www.mitn.info.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQs for Electronic Circuit Board Repairs at all Three Terminals for 3 Years with 2 One-Year Options. RFQ forms may be obtained beginning on April 18, 2017 from www.mitn.info.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

MRS. LINN

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Why you’re so unlucky. If your loved one is true or false.I will advise you all problems of life, such as love, marriage, business and health, etc. Why suffer, you can be free from all troubles. I guarantee Sucess where others failed. I am superior to any other reader you have seen.

Don’t let distance keep you away from Health and Happiness. Hrs. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily and Sunday.

April 26 - May 2, 2017

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

EOE Seeking

BUSINESS MANAGER & FINANCIAL ANALYST AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Golf Courses

This part-time position (working 5 days per week – 6 hours per day) will provide business office accounting services and assists in development of the golf and learning center department business plan and budget analysis. Advises on long term business direction and oversee all fiscal and budget matters. Provides reports ensuring budget control and compliance with University accounting policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Financial analysis and event planning experience. Two years’ experience with office billing, inventory control, invoices and collections. One year experience in accounting, budgeting and planning. Refer to online posting for additional requirements.

Salary commensurate with education and experience. First consideration will be given to those who apply by May 5, 2017.

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

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Design Release Engineer – Autonomous and Active Safety Systems Warren, MI, General Motors. Design &release final specifications of autonomous passenger vehicle automated driving sensing systems incldg cameras, radars, &LiDAR modules), &design &validate Ethernet gateway components incldg software using CANoe &C#, &Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) using Unigraphics NX (UG) &Teamcenter. Dvlp Component Technical specifications (CTS) &Statement of Reqmts (SORs). Design, peer &qlty reviews to support sourcing. Resolve of technical issues &managed core product dvlpmt meetings (PDT). Master, Electrical Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer designing &validating Ethernet gateway components incldg software using CANoe &C#, &PCBs using UG &Teamcenter. Mail resume to Ref#38214, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.

Component Engineer,

Detroit Transmission

(Detroit Diesel Corporation, Detroit, MI) Perform powertrain integration, design optimizations, use analysis to guide transmission design and development, perform failure analysis of hardware, provide analytical engineering consultation. Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Eng or closely related field + 1 year exp as Product Engineer or related automotive engineering occupation. Must have exp in powertrain integration and design optimization, analysis to guide transmission design and development, failure analysis of hardware, analytical engineering consultation, product design and development, performance/fuel economy/durability improvement, design robustness. Must have exp in fluid mechanics, dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics analysis, controller for transmission/engine/vehicle systems, exp in stress and fatigue life analysis, failure analysis technology, leading design, development, validation and release components and subsystems of transmissions. Resumes to Anthony Long, Daimler Trucks North America, 4555 N. Channel Ave., Portland, OR 97217. Include position reference #DDCP1 in response.

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

The Department of Chemistry at Oakland University invites applications for non-tenuretrack full-time Visiting Assistant Professor positions, to begin August 15, 2017, for one academic year. Ph.D. in Chemistry is required and teaching experience desirable. Teaching responsibilities will include lectures of high enrollment introductory courses in the general chemistry, or other courses/laboratories in the area of the candidate’s expertise such as analytical, physical, or organic chemistry.

Upload cover letter, your CV, and arrange for three professional references at: http:// jobs.oakland.edu/postings/10559.

Review of applications begins May 15, 2017 and will continue until the position is filled.

Oakland University is an EOE institution committed to increasing diversity.

Seeking

NURSE PRACTITIONER (PART-TIME) AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Graham Health Center

Under the direction of Center director, provides medical care, disease prevention, health maintenance and health teaching to OU students and staff within the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner. Prescribe medication, treatments and diagnostic studies in consult with and under the delegated authority of contracted physicians. Minimum qualifications require Master’s Degree in Nursing or Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and/ or experience. Certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. Current State of MI licensure and two years’ experience. This is a part-time position working 20 hours per week with variable days Monday-Friday, no holidays or weekends. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by May 3, 2017.

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

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Senior Creative Designer Warren, MI, General Motors. Design future car, truck, &SUV full interiors incldg but not limited to seating systems incldg instrument panel, center stack, floor &overhead consoles, seats, door trims, gearshift levers, A/B/C/D pillars trim &garnish, sills, rocker panels, interfaces, knobs, switches, gear knobs, headliners, overhead consoles, pedals, lock pillars, headliners, trunk garnish, lift gate trim, mirror foot sensor farm, receiver hook, &dome lamps, &vehicle architectures, using Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Showcase, VRED &PowerPoint. Sketch &propose concepts &mockups of vehicle architectures &functions such as airbags, infotainment screen integration, seating system, &ergonomic positions &knee room, foams, trim, cut &sew, &decoration; IP/console, door trim, garnish &trim.

Release at Design Sign off gate, the main theme design surface with all contents.

Develop chosen design solutions by the executive design &engrg leadership into 3D properties as physical models made by industrial grade clay sculpted by hand &5axis milling machines as well as 3D CAD models in Autodesk Alias &Siemens NX software. Bachelor, Transportation Design or Industrial Design. 24 mos exp as Creative Designer, Design Manager or related, designing passenger vehicle full interiors, using Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Autodesk Alias, Autodesk Showcase, VRED &PowerPoint, sketching &proposing concepts &mockups of vehicle architectures &functions such as airbags, infotainment screen integration, seating system, &ergonomic positions &knee room, foams, trim, cut &sew, &decoration; IP/console, door trim, garnish &trim. Mail resume to Ref#45467, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32D44, Detroit, MI 48265.

CLASSIFIED

entertainment

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Metro Detroit author releases book about his World War I veteran father

HELP WANTED Seeking

OFFICE ASSISTANT II AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

“A Place Near the Front” shares the coming-of-age story inspired by author’s undocumented immigrant father

Reading & Language Arts

Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years general office work, including experience in prioritizing work and meeting deadlines. Ability to operate standard office equipment. Knowledge of proper grammar, spelling & punctuation, intermediate word processing, spreadsheet and database applications. Ability to effectively interact with the public, students, faculty, and staff. This is a full time, clerical-technical position, with a salary of $39,693 annually. See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by May 9, 2017.

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

UNIT MARKETING COORDINATOR – MACOMB COUNTY OUTREACH AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Outreach

This position will manage and coordinate marketing and communication initiatives in support of enrollment for OU’s Macomb County locations. Responsibilities include writing, editing, and managing content for marketing projects including advertising, publications, departmental website, video projects and digital signage.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in education, business, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. A minimum two years’ experience working with program development and coordination. May include some evenings and occasional weekends. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. This is a full time position located at the Anton-Frankel Center in Mount Clemens, MI. See online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by May 3, 2017.

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

COORDINATOR OF OUTREACH AND DEVELOPMENT AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Campus Recreation

Oversight of department outreach and membership development. Responsibility for branding the department, including prioritizing departmental marketing requests to University Communications & Marketing, along with blog writing and social media posting. In addition, Website content maintenance.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business, Sports Management or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

One to three years of full-time experience in marketing brand development, public relations or related field. One year student staff supervision and development. This is a full time position with 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 May 3, 2017 Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Seeking

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, SCIENCES AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Office of Research Administration

Responsible for working directly with faculty, departments, centers, and programs to strategically identify and pursue external funding. Will also work with faculty to further their competitive positioning and develop tools and strategies to improve competitive capacity and reduce time spent engaging in the preaward activities required to obtain external funding. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in a discipline within the natural, physical, mathematical, or information sciences, on in a related field. At least five years’ experience editing and developing nationally competitive grant proposals for external, peer reviewed competitions. Refer to online posting for additional minimum requirements. This is a full-time position with salary commensurate with education and experience.

First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 9, 2017.

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

RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, ENGINEERING AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Office of Research Administration

Responsible for working directly with faculty, departments, centers, and programs to strategically identify and pursue external funding. Will also work with faculty to further their competitive positioning and develop tools and strategies to improve competitive capacity and reduce time spent engaging in the preaward activities required to obtain external funding. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, or in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. At least five years’ experience editing and developing nationally competitive grant proposals for external, peer reviewed competitions. Refer to online posting for additional minimum requirements. This is a full-time position with salary commensurate with education and experience. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 9, 2017 Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Are you hosting a concert or faith-friendly event?

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PROMOTE IT HERE!

PRAISE CONNECT Contact us at: 313.963.5522

PRAISE CONNECT

April 26 - May 2, 2017 Page D-5

“Three Queens,” 1971, Wadsworth Jarrell, acrylic on canvas. Detroit Institute of Arts

DIA presents ‘Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement’ As part of a citywide commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Detroit rebellion, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) presents “Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement,” July 23-Oct. 22, 2017. The exhibition is free with museum admission, which is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

“Art of Rebellion” features 34 paintings, sculptures and photographs mostly by African-American artists working both collectively and independently in the 1960s and ’70s. Artists in the collectives created art for African-American audiences that asserted black identity and racial justice and, situated within the story of these collectives, is the Detroit rebellion of 1967. The exhibition also includes works by artists who were not part of a collective and artists working in later decades who were inspired by art from the Civil Rights Movement. A scholarly catalog accompanies the exhibition.

The exhibition is co-organized by the DIA and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, which is hosting a complementary exhibition, “Say it Loud: Art, History, Rebellion.”

Both are part of a community-wide reflection on the Detroit rebellion of 1967 that involves about 100 local institutions led by the Detroit Historical Museum.

“The commemoration of the 1967 Detroit rebellion provides an opportunity to call attention to the talented and often overlooked artists who were reacting to the struggle for social, political and racial justice during the 1960s and 70s,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “The DIA’s collaboration with the Wright Museum lays a foundation from which we are building a strategic and lasting working relationship that will help bring our community closer together.”

Most of the exhibition focuses on the art of five artist collectives: Spiral Active 1963-65 in New York and formed by Romare Bearden, Charles Alston, Norman Lewis and Hale Woodruff to advance the Civil Rights Movement’s platform of social change.

Charles Alston’s “Black and White #7” (1961), “Untitled (Alabama)”

by Norman Lewis (1967) and Romare Bearden’s photo projection on paper “Conjure Woman” (1964) are shown in this section.

Kamoinge Workshop Founded in 1963 in Harlem by photographers Louis Draper, Ray Francis, Herbert Randall, Albert Fenner and Roy DeCarava. Kamoinge is still active in addressing the underrepresentation of black photographers in the art world and in conveying the black experience. Ming Smith’s “James Baldwin in Setting Sun over Harlem, Harlem, New York, 1979” (1979/91), “Fadiouith, Senegal” by Anthony Barboza, (1972) and Adger W. Cowans’ “Malcolm X Speaks at a Rally in Harlem (at 115th St. & Lexington Ave.), New York, September 7, 1963” (1963) are among the photographs in this section.

Weusi Based in Harlem, founded in 1965 by Ademola Olugebefola and Otto Neals. An ongoing collective dedicated to eradicating negative misrepresentations of black culture in the media and to teaching African Americans about their heritage. This section includes Che Baraka’s “Blood of My Blood” (1973), “Curiosity” by Otto Neals (1969) and “Shango”

by AdemolaOlugebefola (1969).

Black Arts Movement (BAM) Active in New York 1965–76 and founded by poet and playwright Amiri Baraka in response to Malcolm X’s death. These artists emphasized racial pride and African heritage in art that reflects black culture and experiences.

BAM members were politically militant and often racial separatist.

This section features “Southern Pasture” by Benny Andrews (1963), “The Fire Next Time” by Vincent Smith (1968) and Hale Woodruff’s “Ancestral Memory” (1966).

AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists) Established in Chicago in 1968 by Jeffrey Donaldson, Wadsworth Jarrell, Jae Jarrell, Barbara Jones-Hogu and Gerald Williams. These artists created powerful art that was understandable, relevant and accessible.

They regarded art making as a revolutionary act and developed Afrocentric aesthetic principles and concepts that reflected the style, colors, cool attitude and rhythm associated with African American culture. Among these works are “Three Queens” by Wadsworth Jarrell (1971), “Unite” by Barbara Jones-Hogu (1971) and Jeff Donaldson’s “Victory in the Valley of Eshu (1971).

“Art of Rebellion” also includes work by artists who did not belong to a collective but who were also reacting to civil rights and social justice issues. Some examples are “Black Attack” by Allie McGhee (1967), which is about Detroit’s 1967 rebellion and “Selma to Montgomery, Alabama March, Cover of May, 1965 Issue of Ebony Magazine” by photographer Moneta Sleet Jr., which shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. leading protesters on the famous march in the title of the work.

Many African-American artists working in the 1980s to the present were inspired by artists in the collectives, who were virtually unknown and unrecognized in their own time. Among them are Rita Dickerson, whose 2017 painting “1967: Death in the Algiers Motel and Beyond” is about the 1967 Detroit rebellion; Elizabeth Catlett’s “Homage to Black Women Poets” (1984) and David Hammons “African American Flag” (1990).

Museum Hours and Admission 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $12.50 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62+, $6 for ages 6–17.

For membership information, call 313-833-7971.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSANT TO O.R.C. 1317.16 THAT ON THE 9TH DAY OF MARCH, 2017 AT 9:30 A.M., A PUBLIC SALE WILL BE HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY: 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1G1ZH57B594218924 LOCATION OF SALE: M ANHEIM AUTO AUCTION 600 WILL CARLETON RD CARLETON, MI 48117 CONDITIONS OF SALE: CASH ONLY. IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF VEHICLE AND REMOVAL FROM PREMISES BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SALE DAY.

Detroit-area author William G. Herbert writes about the immigrant experience in America through the eyes of his father Gordon in his first book, “A Place Near the Front.” His father, born on the island of Trinidad in 1897 came to the U.S. in 1915 as a teenaged merchant seaman. Facing discrimination as both a black man and an immigrant, the senior Herbert’s coming-of-age-story recounts his experiences as an undocumented newcomer to the U.S. and his service in World War I. Herbert will read from his book on Tuesday, May 2, 6 p.m. at Pages Bookstore, 19560 Grand William G. Herbert River Ave., Detroit.

“A Place Near the Front” tells how Gordon grew up in Trinidad dreaming of bigger things, and takes a job as a merchant seaman aboard the SS Mariposa in January 1915. After several trips to New York City, Gordon jumps ship and slips into the streets of Harlem. He works his way through Howard University and ultimately makes his way to the trenches of World War I, serving as a second lieutenant with the Buffalo Soldiers, earning his citizenship along the way. Whether it’s dealing with the mob that’s chasing him through the dangerous streets of New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, battling German soldiers, or facing his most insidious enemy – his own military commanders who resent black officers – Gordon never stops reaching for his dreams.

“Writing this book about my dad has been a labor of love,” said Herbert. “My dad passed away when I was 18, but he shared with me and my siblings many stories of his life as an immigrant in the US., initially as an undocumented immigrant.

Unfortunately, he died before he could tell me all the details of his life so I filled in the remaining pieces based on my memories of him. This book is a testament to his commitment, sacrifices and the love he had for the U.S.” “A Place Near the Front” (ISBN: 978-1-49178717-5) is available at all online booksellers and at www.williamgherbert.com, where visitors can get information on the book and the author and watch a short video about the book.

Author Bio A Detroit-area resident, William G. Herbert has had a long career in computer science and engineering and served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army.

Born in Harlem to a West Indian father and an African-American mother, Herbert credits his upbringing, time served in the military and his longtime membership in Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s oldest black fraternity (he sits on the executive board of the Detroit alumni chapter) for making him the person he is today. Herbert is married with three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. “A Place Near the Front” is his first novel.

Art-making workshops, Concert of Colors and animated film this summer at the DIA In addition to great art, the DIA presents a variety of multicultural activities in July, from a reading by local Arab American author and former director of the Arab-American National Museum Anan Ameri, to an animated movie retelling the story of an ancient Indian epic, to world music during the annual Concert of Colors and a documentary about musicians in Mali. Opening July 23, is the exhibition “Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement” featuring 34 paintings, sculptures and photographs mostly by African American artists working both collectively and independently in the 1960s and 70s.

Programs are free with museum admission and free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties unless otherwise noted. For more information, call (313) 833-7900 or visit www.dia.org.

Exhibitions: “Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement” on view July 23 through Oct. 22 General Guided Tours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Fri-

days, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries for an overview of the collection.

General and Family Guided Tours: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 and 3 p.m.

Enjoy a guided tour of select galleries or enjoy family and kid-friendly tours.

55+ Thursdays: 1 p.m.

The first Thursday of the month features a guided gallery tour; the second a talk; the third an art-making activity; and the fourth a film.

In months with a fifth Thursday, a second gallery tour will be offered.

Detroit City Chess Club: Fridays, 4 to 8 p.m.

The club’s mission is to teach area students the game and life lessons. Members have won state, regional and national competitions.

People wanting to learn to play chess should show up between 4 and 6 p.m. There will be no teaching between 6 and 8 p.m., but visitors can play chess.

Drawing in the Galleries (for all ages): Fridays, 6 to 9 p.m.; Sundays, Noon to 4 p.m.

Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • April 26 - May 2, 2017

The Barrister’s Ball 2017 Marcus Patton photos