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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
May 17-23, 2017
Page A-4
A grateful community says goodbye to a favorite son By Lee Claire Beloved civic leader and popular jurist, Judge Louis F. Simmons passed away on Saturday, May 13 at the age of 86.
UAW Ford celebrates Mother’s Day with a community of Mothers By Olga Hill UAW-Ford stood in solidarity with women once again as it hosted its third annual Mother’s Day Brunch on Saturday, May 13, at the UAW-Ford National Programs Center in downtown Detroit. More than 300 women were treated to an afternoon of empowerment, encouragement and appreciation. The event was Co- hosted by Randi Myles, midday personality and assistant program director for Radio-One Praise 102.7 FM, and Angie Starr, Mason and CoCo in the Morning sidekick, on 105.9 FM. Attendees were entertained by the mesmerizingpoetry of nationally recognized poet Jessica Care Moore. Moore shared her experience of traveling the world reciting her poetry and then returning to her hometown of Detroit awaiting her next performance, struggling to feed her then newborn son, King. Through her poem, “The Welfare Office,” Moore reflected on a time when she had to swallow her pride to ensure her children would be okay. An all-star panel of women shared their personal stories of motherhood, reflection of lessons taught by their own mothers and things they learned along the way. “You can do it,” is what Brenda Perryman remembers her mother saying to her as she lay in a hospital bed for three months after being involved in a near fatal car accidental that paralyzed her from the waist down. After being told by doctors that her daughter would never walk again, instead of sharing the diagnosis she encouraged her to keep forging on and to push herself. Through prayer and perseverance she regained feeling in her toe. She believes it was through this experience of tragedy to triumph and the endless amount of unconditional care she received from her mother that she was inspired to dedicate her life to working with children. “Mothers have passion, be passionateabout something,” said Patricia Murray. She recalled her mother was a passionate woman, playing music every Saturday morning while cleaning the house. The sounds of Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway and Lou Rawls would fill the
house with joy, and she whistled while she worked. Her mother worked during the day and earned her degree at night. While still being a mother. She considers her mother to be a trailblazer moving into a predominately white neighborhood and becoming heavily involved in the community, paving the way for other African Americans. Murray asked the audience, “What’s your passion? Are you living of passions?” She encouraged every woman in the room to live their life with purpose and passion, and develop a plan. Myra Anderson, mother of rap superstar and Detroit native Big Sean, said, “Two things I know for sure — God can run my life better than I can and you don’t own your kids because they belong to the universe.” Anderson reminded the women of the importance of their role as mothers; they are caretakers and provide guidance as their children begin their own journey of life. She saw music as a way to keep Sean out of trouble, but it turned out to be his life. Upon graduating from high school and being accepted by Michigan State University, Sean received a call from rap superstar Kanye West with an invitation to produce music. Anderson left the decision up to Sean and says she has never regretted allowing her son to forge his own path. “Motherhood doesn’t end after death,” said Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris, founder of Avalon Village. Her son, Jakobi Ra, was only two years old when he hit and killed by hit and run driver. The horrendous pain affected her, her family and the community. She feared that he would be forgotten. After receiving a restitution check in the amount of $246.26, she used the funds to lay away his headstone. She recalled feeling her son’s presence throughout the next nine years, urging her do something with a nearby park in Highland Park. She decided to dedicate the park in honor of Jacob Ra. She honored the legacy of her son by turning the negativity of her grief into something positive. From this tragedy, Avalon Village was born and today is Mama Shu is working to turn a blighted neighborhood into a self-sustaining ecovillage that will serve as a safe place for children to play and learn.
Long recognized for groundbreaking decisions on the Bench, Judge Simmons retired on Jan. 1, 2005 after 23 years as a member of the Bench. He practiced law until he was appointed to the 36th District Court by Gov. Milliken in 1981. Two years later, he was elevated to the Wayne County Circuit Court by Gov. James A. Blanchard on May 6, 1983. Judge Simmons was a Phase II Individual Calendar Judge and served in the Civil Division until his retirement. In a landmark decision in March of 1999 Judge Simmons, denied the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's motion to reconsider its request for a temporary injunction against Made In Detroit. Made in Detroit is a Detroit-themed apparel and retail company, and over the years it has come to be the unofficial motto of hundreds of thousands of proud Detroiters. Simmons, the devoted husband of Carrie Ruth Simmons, was born in Beaumont, TX and moved to Flint, MI at an early age with his mother and younger brother Iron Alphious. He attended Central High School and Flint Junior College. He moved to Detroit and enrolled at the University of Detroit. His studies were inter-
Judge Louis F. Simmons rupted by a stint in the army, but he returned to Detroit to complete his Juris Doctor degree in 1956. Simmons married in 1956 and had two daughters, Patricia and Kathleen. He had a great sense of humor and impacted many people with his kindness and generosity. Family visitation will take place Thursday, May 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Swanson Funeral Home at 14751 W. McNichols. The Family Hour is 11:00am and Memorial Service at 12:00pm
LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Health Endowment Fund (Health Fund) announced today that the Michigan Medigap Subsidy is expanding its eligibility criteria to help more Michigan residents. This is part of the Health Fund’s $120 million subsidy assistance commitment to help low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities cover a portion of their Medigap insurance, used to supplement Medicare. The subsidy will now be available to Michigan residents with a qualifying Medigap policy and an annual income at or below 225 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), or $26,730 or less for an individual and $36,045 for a couple. Previously, the subsidy was limited to those with an income of 150 percent or less of the FPL ($17,820 for an individual or $24,030 for a couple). “We needed to make sure we were able to provide assistance for those who needed it most, so we initially prioritized a smaller group of Michiganders,” explained Terry Gardner, chief operations officer of the Health Fund. “Now we are confident that the dedicated funding for the subsidy can help even more people, so we’re broadening the eligibility.”
Hill Harper some confusion earlier about which Fisher mansion, because there are several in Detroit due to the number of Fisher brothers.
of the entire world (name another city with as many stars in as many genres as Detroit), the numerous and wide variety of other ethnic/cultural/neighborhood/ art festivals taking place throughout the summer, MOCAD, the Detroit Historical Museum, the Detroit Public Library… So yes. We have culture for days. The challenge is how to broadcast this secret to the rest of the world so that it’s no longer so much of secret, and also to continue getting the word out to our own residents making them more aware of the vast array of cultural resources that are available. What makes this particularly important right now is that we live in an age where the arts have effectively been removed from the classroom. And that’s not just in Detroit but throughout the country. But in Detroit, where so many of our world-class musicians will be
According to a press release, Harper said that “Detroit is a great American city that was forged on innovation, social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Having lived here filming two movies in Detroit over the past four years, I have come to love this city and its people. I believe in Detroit. It is truly a vibrant, unique and great American city.”
From page A-1 the first to tell you how they got their early – and invaluable - instruction from whichever public school they happened to attend, one can only imagine what the landscape might have been like had those music teachers been erased from the scene. We can’t allow our young people to drift into the world without a thorough exposure to the culture that is right here in their own backyard, and we can’t allow the not-so-young people to not feel more invested in the local arts scene. The point being that the arts matter, and they matter greatly. A great city without great art and great culture is little more than a location on a map trying to convince itself that it’s a great city. But a city with the sheer depth of art and cultural talent found in Detroit is a city that has no excuse for not being great.
A memorial service for the Hon. Louis Frank Simmons, Jr. will take place on Friday, May 19, at Gesu Catholic Church, 17180 Oak Dr. The funeral mass will take place at noon following the family at 11 a.m. The family will greet friends on Thursday, May 18, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Memorial Service will begin at 6 p.m. at Swanson Funeral Home, 14751 W. McNichols in Detroit.
Michigan Medigap subsidy expands eligibility to help more Michigan residents
To determine the best way to expand the program, the Health Fund sought
Arts and Culture
on Friday, May 19th at Gesu Catholic Church on 17180 Oak Dr.
Harper is also a New York Times best-selling author, and he plans on bringing his Summer Empowerment Academy (SEA) to Detroit this summer, which focuses on young people. SEA is a free high school and college readiness program that Harper’s Manifest Your Destiny Foundation runs in the most challenged areas in cities across the country. Which is to say that, despite the glowing and welcome narratives about the New Detroit, we still more than qualify as a ‘most challenged area’ because, well, we just are. I’m not going to depress anybody today by reciting the statistics all over again (although I will come back to them later), but suffice it to say that we can definitely use the energy and enthusiasm of a Hill Harper, who has also bought the Roasting Plant as a business investment. According to the Detroit News: “Harper’s plan is to use the coffee roastery and cafe as a platform for his
input from senior and disability advocates, including the Michigan Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program, Area Agencies on Aging, and AARP; insurance carriers; and state government officials and departments. “The Health Fund is dedicated to helping improve the health of Michigan residents, especially those most vulnerable like older adults,” said Paul Hillegonds, Health Fund CEO. “Expanding the Medigap subsidy program is one way we can do that, helping more low-income seniors and individuals and people with disabilities afford the health care coverage they need.” For those who qualify, the monthly subsidy will be: • $125 for individuals under 65 with a disability; • $40 for individuals between the ages of 65 and 75; • $65 for individuals 76 or older. The subsidy is only available to Medicare-eligible individuals currently enrolled in Medigap plans under five participating insurers: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network, Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP), Priority Health and United/AARP.
From page A-1 Manifest Your Destiny Foundation that helps underserved youths. He wants to use the Roasting Plant to provide tactical work skills and professional growth opportunities for young people in Detroit.” Sometimes it’s nice just to let yourself feel good about some good news. And this right here? This is some good news.
Equality Index From page A-1
The "Main Street Marshall Plan" is one of the most detailed proposals impacting African Americans put forward by any civil rights organization in the U.S. "These main streets are in big cities and in small towns...they are where this nation's poor and middle class live,” said Morial. “We need action and not rhetoric.” A special about the State of Black America will air on TV One on May 31. Learn more about the 2017 State of Black America report at http://stateofblackamerica.org. Lauren Victoria Burke is a speaker, writer and political analyst. She appears on “NewsOne Now” with Roland Martin every Monday. Lauren is also a frequent contributor to the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com. Connect with Lauren by email at LBurke007@ gmail.com and on Twitter at @LVBurke.