MC Digital Edition 5.6.2020

Inside this week’s edition Michigan Chronicle

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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 83 – No.35 | May 6-12, 2020

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Governor Whitmer:

Do the Right Thing

By Godfrey J. Dillard, Esq. Most folks are confused and dismayed by the absence of a federal constitutional right to education, despite the fact that many state constitutions grant such a right. Nowhere in the US Constitution do you find such a fundament right, not in the original text or in any of the Amendments. How could this be? After all, the law of the land has now progressed to grant a fundamental right to marry a person of the same sex. Is not a quality education as important, if not more so? An educated and informed citizenry is the sine qua non to a fair, competent and just democracy.

Yet, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez, in 1971, in a 5-4 decision, held Godfrey J. Dillard the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment did not create a constitutional right to education. Surprisingly, it was an earlier version of Justice Lewis Powell, who wrote the majority opinion, holding ‘the Equal Protection Clause does not require absolute equality or precisely equal advantages”. By 1978, Justice Powel seems to have somewhat changed his views. In Regents of California v.

Bakke, he held the 14th Amendment could authorize race-conscious affirmative action admission policies, because they create an educational environment that fosters the robust exchanges of ideas so necessary to a pluralistic and modern society, such as America.

We now have a once-in-a-lifetime chance, here in Michigan, to make a difference in the lives of marginalized primary and high school students of Detroit and the State of Michigan. A Federal Appeals Court recently held that Detroit students have been “deprived of access to literacy.” In Gary B. v. Whitmer, Judge Eric Clay, writing for the majority said, “a group of children is relegated to a school system that does not even provide a plausible chance to attain literacy, we hold that the Constitution provides them with a remedy.”

Governor Whitmer, alone, has the decision as to whether or not to appeal this decision. She should not appeal this decision. It is a giant step in the right direction toward a compassionate and redemptive educational system in Michigan. The ruling will be the law in Michigan, if not in other states. She does not need the votes of the Republican Party of Michigan. She does not need the votes of the Michigan Legislature. Detroiters need politicians asking for their votes to deliver on issues that are fundamentally beneficial to them.

Detroiters are the backbone of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Now is the time and now is the moment, Governor, to demonstrate what you stand for.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Evrod Cassimy

Rev. Horace Sheffield III

LaToya Henry

The Faces of COVID-19:

Survivors Speak Out Regarding Coronavirus

By Whitney Gresham As the COVID-19 emergency appears to be leveling off and indications are the state may be moving toward relaxing social restrictions imposed to hinder its spread, some metro Detroiters who survived the deadly virus are urging the public to proceed with caution.

After the sheer agony of experiencing the disease personally and having several members of his church afflicted with the highly contagious virus the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the head of DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations), and Pastor of New Destiny Christian Fellowship Church, said it would be foolish if not dangerously irresponsible to move too quickly in easing restrictions.

“You’ve got crazy white folks walking around with Confederate flags demanding the governor let them get back to work,” he said. “Meanwhile our whole earth is contaminated with this coronavirus and we don’t know if we ever will be able to walk around without a mask. And yet, people are partying and telling others to come to church on Sunday. It’s just ludicrous.”

Sheffield, who is still recovering said he believes he contracted the virus while on a business trip to New York City in mid-March while already feeling a bit under the weather. Upon his return, he felt so ill that he eventually had his wife; a nurse practitioner, bring him to the hospital where he was eventually diagnosed with COVID19.

After battling the disease for more

than two weeks while it ravaged and weakened his body, he admitted there were times when the physical pain was so intense and psychological misery so deep, that he was not sure if he would pull through. “I was in a fight to not let whatever it was to overtake me and overpower me. There was a little bit of delirium and feeling of disorientated.”

However, Sheffield slowly gained back his much of strength and clarity. Upon doing so he became alarmed at how early on in the pandemic many African Americans believed in the “myth” that they were not susceptible to the coronavirus and were fed other misinformation which resulted in far too many people not taking it seriously. As a consequence, the virus was allowed to wreak havoc in our communities.

“We probably had a delay in submitting to the recommendations to social distancing, and covering our hands and faces,” Sheffield said. “And now we’ve got this disease that certainly has had a major impact across the country. It makes me feel as if some of us literally have blood on our hands. The whole way this thing has been responded to really has exacerbated and facilitated the spread of the virus.”

According to the Michigan Department of Health, as of this week, Detroit, which has been the hardest-hit city in the state, now has more than 7,700confirmed cases and close to 700 confirmed deaths. While this is a slight increase from Sunday, it’s a noticeable decline from earlier reported rates.

The state overall has identified more than 32,000 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus and more than 2,700 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic in Michigan.

Much of the change appears to be taking place in the metro Detroit region of the state which is the most populated and experienced the greatest impact. And with outstate and northern Michigan communities not experiencing the surge in cases that had been anticipated, the pressure is mounting on Gov. Whitmer to ease up on the state-sanctioned social distancing measures she has imposed last month. Including the extended stay-at-home order in effect for everyone but essential workplace employees through April 30.

As a consequence the state has experienced massive layoffs across its industries and unemployment has risen at a record pace. More than a million people have applied for benefits since March.

LaToya Henry, of Lathrup Village, is still recovering and self-quarantining from her recent bout with COVID-19.

She said after feeling poorly for several weeks and finally being diagnosed with pneumonia, a fever that reached 102.7 and then, COVID-19, she spent two weeks in the hospital; including a week on a ventilator. She was released April 11th and was told it could take up to eight weeks for her to regain her strength.

Henry said she had been compliant, followed all the social distancing recommendations, and did not engage

See SURVIVING

Foundations Step Up To Fight The Coronavirus Effect

By Darlene A. White

Mind

Yourself:

Maintaining Mental Health Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis

Roots. A3

$1.00

COVID-19 page A2

As the deadly coronavirus continues to spread throughout the world, local foundations are stepping up in the midst of the crisis to help the community.

“It’s important to remember we’re all in this together,” said Nathaniel Wallace, director of the Community and National Initiatives Program for Knight Foundation.

“We are focused on the health and safety of the residents of Detroit. We are assisting with the immediate needs of our communities impacted

by COVID-19 by supporting relief funds and helping grantees apply for federal assistance through CARES and PPP for payroll and other operational expenses,” explained Wallace.

In addition, Knight Foundation has committed millions to local relief. ”In each of the 26 commu-

Nathaniel Wallace

Faye Alexander

nities where we operate, we committed more than $10 million to local relief funds, mostly through our community foundation partners. In Detroit, we have committed $500,000 to the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan’s COVID-19 Relief Fund,” he stated.

navirus and to ensure those we support have the resources they need to deal with the crisis,” says Wallace.

“Our number one goal right now is helping our communities impacted by the coro-

“Right now, there’s nothing more important than locking arms with the community and lifting each other up,” he added.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation also recognizes the unprecedented time we are

in as we deal with this global pandemic. Faye Alexander Nelson, director of Michigan Programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation said, “We have contributed to the United Way in support of basic community needs. Through direct funding and coordination with our grantee outreach, we are supporting the sustainability of small businesses through our Residents’ First Fund, a collaborative philanthropic fund that supports resident leaders. We have also expedited payments and relaxed requirements on fund use to enable aid to be distributed into the community as quickly as possible.”

She added that the organizations they support “are working directly in the community, many responding to basic resident needs such as water and food issues.”

“Our foundation is leveraging our expertise in a variety

See FOUNDATIONS page A2

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May 6-12, 2020

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

Joe Biden’s Plan for Empowering Black America

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

When former Vice President Joe Biden sat for an exclusive live stream interview with National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. in February, the now presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said it was crucial to secure the Black vote if he is to unseat President Donald Trump in November 2020.

Now, the two-time former second-in-command to President Barack Obama has laid out a comprehensive plan for African Americans.

Biden said the plan reflects many months of work and feedback from local elected officials, activists, organizations, practitioners, policy experts, strategists, and young people.

His campaign called the plan “a living document.”

It said the Biden team looks forward to hearing from everyone as they continue to develop the Democrat’s vision for all of America.

In a news release, the campaign noted that Biden “knows we need a comprehensive agenda for African Americans with an ambition that matches the scale of the challenge and with a recognition that race-neutral policies are not a sufficient response to race-based disparities.”

They said the Biden Plan for Black America would: • Advance the economic mobility of African Americans and close the racial wealth and income gaps.

• Expand access to high-quality education and tackle racial inequity in our education system.

• Make far-reaching investments in ending health disparities by race.

• Strengthen America’s commitment to justice.

• Make the right to vote and the right to equal protection real for African Americans.

• Address environmental justice.

“Joe Biden knows that African

Joe Biden Americans can never have a fair shot at the American Dream so long as entrenched disparities are allowed to chip away at opportunity quietly,” his campaign’s statement noted.

“He is running for President to rebuild our economy in a way that finally brings everyone along – and that starts by rooting out systemic racism from our laws, our policies, our institutions, and our hearts.”

With the novel coronavirus hitting African Americans the hardest, Biden’s plan recognizes the disparities long faced by the Black community.

In April, he called on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to collect more data regarding how COVID-19 is affecting communities, including breaking down its impacts by race.

“The data we’ve seen so far suggests that African Americans are dying from COVID-19 at a higher rate than whites,” the campaign noted.

“Long-standing systemic inequalities are contributing to this disparity – including the fact that African Americans are more likely to be uninsured and to live in communities where they are exposed to high levels of air pollution.”

Biden’s campaign continued: “African Americans also represent an especially high percent-

age of the front-line workers putting themselves at greater risk to sustain the economy and keep the rest of the country safe and fed – and are less likely to have a job they can do from home, forcing them to make the difficult choice between their health and a paycheck.

“While there’s a lot we don’t yet know about COVID-19, we do know that equitable distribution of resources, like testing and medical equipment, can make a difference in fighting the virus. Biden believes this should be a priority, and action must be taken now.”

Other highlights of the plan include rolling back Trump Administration policies that gutted fair lending and fair housing protections for homeowners and giving local elected officials the tools and resources they need to combat gentrification.

Biden said he plans to hold financial institutions accountable for discriminatory practices in the housing market, and he will restore the federal government’s power to enforce settlements against discriminatory lenders.

Additionally, the plan calls for Biden to strengthen and expand the Community Reinvestment Act to ensure that the nation’s bank and non-bank financial services institutions are serving all communities.

Biden plans to eliminate local and state housing regulations that perpetuate discrimination and establish a $100 billion Affordable Housing Fund to construct and upgrade affordable housing Providing tax incentives for the construction of more affordable housing in communities that need it most.

Biden also plans to create a White House “Strike Force” to partner with rural communities to help them access federal funds.

“Today, we need a comprehensive agenda for African Americans with an ambition that matches the scale of the challenge and with a recognition that race-neutral policies are not a sufficient response to race-based disparities,” Biden stated.

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Surviving COVID-19 From page A-1 in any risky behavior. Yet, she caught the virus and has no idea how.

After her life-altering health crisis, the Detroit native warned with so much uncertainty surrounding the highly contagious virus and the lack of adequate testing supplies in the state, the consequences from catching COVID-119 are far too deadly to loosen regulations meant to protect the public while it is still actively causing so much damage.

“People think they can tell if someone has it, but you can’t tell,” Henry said. “So, you stay at home because you just don’t know. And no economy will be able to work well if workers are sick and making other people sick. It will continue to spread.”

And like Rev. Sheffield, she too is suspicious about the motives of some of the people clamoring the loudest for Governor Whitmer to let upon the public safety restrictions.

While watching the news coverage of the protest up in Lansing, one of the images I saw on TV was a sign that said “Don’t Punish the Rest of the State for Detroit,” Henry said. “They are putting out an image with definite racial tones to it and once again pitting

Foundations From page A-1

NNPA Newswire

As conditions around the globe worsen because of the coronavirus pandemic, publishers of Blackowned community newspapers and media companies and their staffs are struggling to sustain business operations that enable them to deliver important news and information to their readers, listeners and viewers.

On Wednesday, May 6 at 1PM ET, four publishers from across the country, including Bobby Henry of Florida’s Westside Gazette, Sonny Messiah Jiles of the Houston Defender, Hiram Jackson of Real Times Media (whose publications include the Chicago Defender and five other regional weeklies in the U.S.) and Larry Lee of the Sacramento Observer, will participate in a special livestream broadcast to discuss the status of their operations as the global COVID-19 pandemic rages on.

All four publishers and their media companies are members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association representing America’s Black press.

The broadcast will stream live

over Facebook and YouTube and will include a lively and insightful discussion on the status of local community-based journalism. In particular, the panel will discuss the state and fate of Black-owned media companies.

As small business owners, these publishers faced significant challenges even before the economy took its current downward turn. However, there’s no secret that Black-owned small businesses have been essentially ignored when it comes to providing access to stimulus funding and small business loans.

Each of the publishers will discuss the vital role that Black-owned publications have served for the nearly two centuries (193 years) of the Black Press and why their role remains essential to the communities they serve.

Since the first issue rolled off the press in 1971, Henry’s Westside Gazette has maintained a high level of professional, insightful and reader-sensitive reporting that has gained the trust and respect of South Florida’s African American community.

The Houston Defender serves a city that’s home to nearly 1 million African Americans. Houston is con-

ers during the pandemic.

“At the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, children are at the heart of everything we do,” reported Nelson.

“In our role as co-chair of the Southeast Michigan Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation, we are sharing data from the early childhood field with the governor to support determining how to best support childcare providers during this crisis time.

We are also coordinating our support of early childhood with the Hope Starts Here initiative and the mayor’s office on a webbased platform of COVID19 resources for parents and providers.

“Ultimately, everyone’s main purpose during this pandemic should be to minimize the widespread effects of this crisis,” says Nelson.

“We have no idea what the future holds or the extent of the COVID-19 aftermath, but we stand prepared to work with and support our communities moving forward,” she added.

of areas during COVID19, namely our work in the social determinants of health space,” said Nelson.

“A member of our Michigan team, Dr. Marijata C. Daniel-Echols, was selected to participate on the Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities being chaired sistently ranked as one of the top

by Lt. Governor Garlin ten cities based on median houseGilchrist as we view the hold income, households earning disproportionate impact more than $100,000 annually, busiof this virus on the Afriness ownership, college graduates, can American community and homeowners. Additionally, the and the racial equity work city has enjoyed the lowest unemthat the governor has ployment and home loan rejection. launched,” she stated.

At the leadership helm since “We look to share our ex1981, Jiles has ensured that the periences in the work to Defender’s legacy as a publication determine the best ways that promotes the positive, ana- to meet the immediate lyzing problems and sharing solu- needs within communitions. ties, and to contribute to Jackson’s Real Times Media is a changing the policies and multimedia company and conglom- practices that lead to the erate of five publications: Atlanta disparities in access to Daily World, Atlanta Tribune, Chi- care and health outcomes cago Defender, Michigan Chronicle, laid bare by this pandemand New Pittsburgh Courier. ic.”

Further west, Lee’s SacramenThe Kellogg Foundato Observer is a past winner of the tion is also stepping up to NNPA’s John B. Russwurm Award, support childcare providwhich recognizes the Nation’s Top Black Newspaper. During its five decades of operation, the Sacramento Observer has been honored with over 600 local and national awards for journalism excellence and outstanding community service.

Tune in to view the livestream Follow Us On at 1PM ET, Wednesday, May 6, over facebook.com/michiganchronicle Facebook and YouTube. An archive @michronicle of the stream will also be made available.

LIVESTREAM: #SaveLocalJournalism — Publishers Discuss the Need for Strategy, Innovation and Community Support in the Era of COVID-19

By Stacy M. Brown

Detroit against the rest of the state. But, they are definitely going to be impacted too.”

“I’ve been through this,” she said. “I want people to know this is very serious. Please stay at home. Please practice social distancing and all the things we have been taught to help mitigate the spread and improve the quality of our life.”

Evrod Cassimy, WDIV Channel 4 morning news anchor knows how Henry feels. After battling through COVID-19 and seeing the havoc it has caused in so many lives across the state he said he understands the anxiety on both sides of the argument over loosening the restrictions.

“When you have a fear of getting sick that is one thing,” he said. “But when you have a fear from the financial aspect, I can understand that too. I don’t have the answer. Nobody does. But I know staying home is saving people’s lives.”

Still, Cassimy believes Michigan and the rest of the country will eventually get through this crisis.

“This will be over soon,” he said. “I believe we are all in this together and if people are advising me to do things that will help, then, I want to do this. Everyone wants to get back to her normal lives and we are going.

DIGITAL DAILY www.michiganchronicle.com

At your fingertips

A3

Roots.

| May 6-12, 2020

michiganchronicle.com

Essay:

Coronavirus has affected us so much

Mind

This essay is written by Jeremiah, who is a Boys & Girls Clubs member at the Dick and Sandy Dauch Club.

I am a member of a youth fraternity and a Boys & Girls Club member. Right now, in the world we are in a fight of our lives against the coronavirus. It has affected many people including myself. I’m now at home every day and it really is affecting me socially. Not being able to speak to friends and see people I see on a regular basis is hard for me. Also, now that school is closed for the rest of the year it has really had an effect on my school life. I am not used to being at home all the time and working on the computer. I’m usually in a classroom surrounded by my peers. However, I am human so I will learn to adapt, but for now it is hard.

It has affected me personally in the social and educational aspect, but I know around the city of Detroit it’s affecting others as well.

In Detroit, which is one of the cities around the country hit hard by the virus, the pandemic has also affected the youth. Youth are now forced to stay home instead of going to school and spending time with friends. Most kids need to be outside and with people to release their energy and socialize. Now this cannot happen, because the virus has affected us so much. One thing we also see happening is food insecurities and social distancing. Due to what is happening in the world, people are very much afraid and cautious about food supply and interactions with people. People are afraid and are told to stay inside, so we stock up supplies that will last them about a month. Usually people get stuff that we will last them about two weeks, but now we need to stay home as much as we can.

With social distancing, we now separate ourselves from other parts of society. This has made me feel very much disconnected from my friends. Humans are made to be out and about and socialize with beings on Earth. These unfortunate events have led many people to be disconnected from society.

This has allowed my mind to go to the dark side, where my fears come out. My main fear is “How long will my life be on pause?” I’m afraid of how long I will be stuck in the house and can’t see my friends.

Will it be a couple more weeks or will it be a couple months?

The Boys & Girls Club has helped me a lot during this crisis.

Just for a couple hours, I’m able to forget about the real world and have a good time. This is because the club has come to us. The Virtual Club has helped me still talk to people and meet new people as well. BGCSM has helped me through a lot of things in my life these past few years. So, I know for sure it helps other kids through these tough times. This experience with BGCSM virtually is helping lighten my heart, through my darkest time.

This essay is part of a series in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan exploring the impact on youth and local organizations serving youths as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yourself: Maintaining Mental Health Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis

By Darlene A. White From long days of social isolation at home to working on the front line, the mental health challenges of the coronavirus pandemic have taken a toll on all ages.

“I’m actually scared for my life,” said Diamond Crawford, 22, of Detroit. “I have witnessed my close friends lose their family due to this virus. I personally have family that lost their jobs, and last week my co-worker tested positive for COVID-19.

The world is suffering right now. It’s more than a virus, just the thought of it is messing with our mental health.”

Crawford says she has anxiety due to the pandemic. “I literally shake when I have to go out for essential things,” she explained. “I make sure that I have on a face mask, gloves, and I practice social distancing, but I suffer from anxiety attacks once I get into my car. I don’t want to be one of the next number of COVID-19 cases on the news.”

Dr. Cheryl Merchant, co-founder and mental health therapist of the LPC Institute in Southfield says the coronavirus has forever changed the past, present and future.

“COVID-19 has impacted the way we live our lives in ways we never imagined.

We feel uncertain about our health, the health of our loved ones, how long we will live in isolation from society, and our livelihoods,” she stated. “Many people have questions about how they may be able to cope with the ways they are feeling in response to COVID-19.”

It has always been important to focus on your mental health, but it’s really important now more than ever, says Merchant.

“It is normal to feel anxious in general,” she explained. “COVID-19 is an unseen

predator that is dangerous globally because it has reached pandemic status. It is a highly contagious, infectious disease, it can be lethal, and it has claimed the lives of so many people – those we did not know, and many we knew who were loved ones and friends.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of writing this article, Michigan has a total of 33,966 confirmed COVID-19 cases and a total of 2,813 COVID-19 deaths.

“While it is necessary to be informed and updated on COVID-19, limiting our consumption of the COVID-19 news may help in alleviating the uncertain feelings we may be feeling. Watching 24/7 coverage of COVID-19 news, could elevate anxiety levels, when the goal is to alleviate and reduce anxiety,” Merchant clarified. “My recommendation is to limit the watching of the COVID-19 news to no more than two to three times a day.”

Patrece Lucas, counselor and life coach of Indigo Transitions and Coffee with A Counselor in Detroit, says it is important for people isolated by themselves to know that they are not alone during the state-wide shutdown.

“For now, it is important to do what we can to cope with not being able to connect with others physically. The best way to cope is to reach out to others and utilize the telephone, video calls, and social media,” Lucas said. “Join online support groups via websites and through social media. Even if you haven’t been attending church services, in a club, or engaging in other community events, now is the time to research one and start by utilizing their online and call-in services with the idea that you may then continue to connect with them after the COVID-19 social distancing practices.”

It’s also important for people to remember that children can have anxiety and get scared as well hearing about COVID-19, says Lucas.

“The number one thing parents can do for their children is acknowledge and address whatever the child may be experiencing which can only be achieved through having age appropriate conversations explaining what is happening in our world and asking the child what they are experiencing,” says Lucas. “With children and ourselves it is important to encourage or talk about the future without giving concrete absolutes, but generalizations.

An example is talking about how hard everyone is working to make sure school starts back in the fall versus saying school is going to start back on an exact date.

This is necessary because it builds trust and teaches them and us to be okay with uncertainty and to concentrate on the effort for achieving better versus guaranteeing a particular outcome.”

People are asked to seek out mental health therapy during the pandemic.

“Most mental health clinicians are providing tele-health services using telephone calls, video conferencing and more. People can contact their insurance providers for ways to obtain services or Google directories such as Psychology Today for clinicians, including culturally specific sites such as Therapy for Black Girls, Melanin and Mental Health, Therapy for Black Men and so many more,” explained Lucas. “During the time of COVID there are also many free initiatives for mental health support and I encourage everyone to seek them out and utilize them even if you don’t think you need it, because it will help strengthen and create optimal mental health and protect our overall health.”

Coming Together: Detroit PAL Needs Community Support to Help Area Youth As we began the new year, Detroit PAL was coming down from an emotional, historical high as our organization had just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019. Following our celebration, we immediately became focused on shaping how our organization would support our City for the next 50 and beyond.

tions to limit exposure of everyone involved, including our youth, staff, police officers, etc. through the following measures:

How times quickly change.

Like many other non-profit organizations, we needed to quickly pivot and our most significant, immediate priority become the health and wellness of our youth, families, and mentors of Detroit PAL.

• Postponing our PAL awards and other fundraising events.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we quickly became aligned with the recommendations of national health management agencies and are taking the necessary precau-

to understand opportunities to provide additional support and a resource.

Providing awareness and access to the education, health, and economic resources that are available to the community.

Detroit PAL is a communication hub and a trusted source that can reach tens of thousands in the Detroit area.

• Cancelling all public events and programs until further notice.

• Shutting down our events and field space.

We are all experiencing unprecedented challenges as we continue to serve a greater purpose. Our youth and their families need us more than ever and Detroit PAL remains steadfast to our mission of helping youth find their Greatness. With that said, we must do more for our community, which includes: Repurposing

the

Corner

Robert Jamerson, Detroit PAL CEO Ballpark Presented by Adient to serve as an emergency community resource.

Detroit PAL has been in discussions with City, County, and State government leaders in addition to our corporate partners like Rocket Mortgage

Offering virtual PAL programming, including reading sessions with Detroit Police officers, who are volunteering their time to read books, aligned with the G.R.E.A.T. model (Goal setting, Resilience, Embracing a healthy lifestyle, Accountability and Teamwork).

These videos are being shared for students at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1pm on our Facebook page.

All of this while trying to keep focusing on the future, looking beyond the challenges that many are experiencing presently. While we continue to serve the community in our greatest time of need, Detroit PAL needs our supporters to work together and ensure our youth have the support they need to find their greatness.

Our youth and their families need us more than ever. We hope you will join us in support of Detroit PAL’s youth by volunteering your time to our organization or by making a monetary donation on our website, www.

DetroitPAL.org, as we work together to ensure our youth have the support they need to get through this challenging time.

On behalf of PAL, we thank our entire community and for your consideration and support.

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com • May 6-12, 2020

Coalition of Civil Rights Leaders Support CBC in Protecting Black Health happen. Together, we can ensure that the old way of doing business – putting insurance company profits over people – STOPS.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., National Action Network (NAN) Founder Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and the Black Women’s Health Imperative, are up in arms because they say too many Washington politicians are protecting insurance company profits over health care for African Americans.

Collectively, they argue that too often, insurance companies refuse to cover emergency services, and either patients are forced to pay bills they cannot afford, or hospitals are shuttering.

Congress claims to be tackling this challenge, but until the Congressional Black Caucus got involved, Congress focused only on protecting insurer profits, not people, according to the coalition.

Chavis, Sharpton, and others are throwing their support behind the CBC. They’re asking that others also support the CBC. Led by Chair Karen Bass (D-Calif.), the 55-member CBC has worked almost non-stop in fighting for health equity in the African American community.

The CBC works to pro-

They continued: “Join us and support

tect and expand voting rights, comprehensive criminal justice reform, building a more inclusive economy, and ensuring access to quality and affordable healthcare.

A primary focus of the CBC remains to target insurance companies that have disproportionately neglected the needs of African Americans while also providing below standard care.

expand their networks and cover more emergency services. This will maintain access to care

in hard-hit Black communities. “The status quo means hospitals in our communities close first,” the group noted in a statement.

“We cannot let this

“This outrageous situation benefits one group and one group alone: powerful insurance executives, who have managed to get off the financial hook for such bills, even as insurers shrink insurance coverage networks to wring more and more profits out of the system,” Chavis has stated.

He and the other leaders have continued to express strong opposition to any legislation that would give insurers more control over health care prices.

In their continued push for health equality, the

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group is working to ensure that insurance companies

the CBC. Help us work to make sure Congress passes a bill that keeps us healthy and alive by allowing insurance networks to grow and cover lifesaving services.”

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Prophet Cedric Banks

REPENT “Therefore, say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” ~ Ezekiel 14:6 Many people in today’s era are idol worshipping ...worshipping man, worshipping preachers, worshipping NBA stars, and worshipping celebrities. It’s ok to love them, it’s ok to admire them, but we have to get back into a place where we are worshipping God. We have to get back to placing our highest value on God. For more info, look us up on Facebook at ‘Cedric Banks Prophet’ or call 313-421-9977

Michigan Chronicle

Maintaining Mental Health Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis In support of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Michigan Chronicle is ­launching Mind Yourself: Maintaining Mental Health Amidst The COVID-19 Crisis, a month-long series on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in the black community. Mind Yourself will provide resources and tips on maintaining emotional wellbeing during these troubling times and beyond.

For more information on how to be a partner and support Michigan Chronicle’s commitment to mental health and awareness, contact your Account Executive Today! michiganchronicle.com | DQE

A5

| May 6-12, 2020

Money.

michiganchronicle.com

Detroit Businesses Supporting COVID-19

By Kevin Johnson Those of us who remember our history know the important role Detroit played in supporting U.S. troops during WWII. Today, the “Arsenal of Democracy” has become the “Arsenal of Health,” leading the fight against an (albeit) invisible enemy threatening the safety and security of our people and economy.

For Detroit’s Big Three -- GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler -- it’s very familiar territory.

Where once it was iconic machines of war – the Willys Jeep, Sherman tank and B-24 bomber, today’s wartime production includes ventilators, face shields, N95 mask and more.

Our automakers are not alone in this incredible response. Many Detroit companies are Kevin Johnson working to stop the spread of COVID-19 by pivoting to personal protective equipment (PPE) production, including: • LIFT, who is 3D printing N95 masks • Detroit City Distillery and Atwater Brewery are producing hand sanitizer • Commonwealth Sewing Company is making masks and gowns • The Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) is making surgical masks and isolation gowns in partnership with the Empowerment Plan • Detroit Denim and Pingree Detroit are producing plastic for face shields • York Project is making surgical masks • Xenith is assembling face shields In a true testament to our work ethic, Southeast Michigan has become a hub for PPE manufacturing, with many companies even donating the items being produced. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is helping 12 Michigan businesses with their transformation through its Pure Michigan Business Connect COVID-19 Emergency Access and Retooling Grants program. This program is providing a total of $1 million to small manufacturers now producing critical health and human service supplies. Three Detroit businesses were among the recipients - Industrial Sewing And Innovation Center (ISAIC), Commonwealth Sewing Co., and York Project.

For ISAIC, PPE production was definitely not the launch plan. The non-profit learning institute was slated to open this spring as an apparel manufacturer dedicated to creating sustainable employment and promising careers for Detroiters. However, its advanced manufacturing foundation and expertise in emerging technologies positioned ISAIC to instead begin producing medical grade masks and isolation gowns for the medical community. ISAIC is now working with local manufacturing partners to produce specialty mask/gown kits for area hospitals. Established in 2017 and located above Carhartt’s flagship store in Midtown Detroit, ISAIC was one of two businesses receiving the maximum award of $150,000 from MEDC. “This support will help us continue our mission of developing the talent force for domestic apparel manufacturing in Detroit,” said Jen Guarino, CEO of ISAIC. “It will also allow us to support local businesses and help keep their workers employed as we get critical protective equipment to healthcare workers.”

Thanks to our manufacturing leadership and innovative production processes, Detroit’s business community is not only protecting our heroic first responders and healthcare workers, they are keeping employees working. With unemployment at record highs, a paycheck is a critical element in sustaining ourselves through this crisis.

Detroit’s response to adversity does not change. We are makers and creators. We find solutions and implement change. It’s who we are. When our world returns to its new normal, I’m hopeful that global corporations will take notice of Detroit’s ability to pivot, scale, transform and deliver. If our people can do this during a crisis, imagine what Detroiters’ can offer in the post-COVID-19 world.

The SBA Rings Bell on Second Round of PPP Funding

By Arthur Bridgeforth Jr.

• Use 75 percent of the PPP loan for employee payroll, salary, retirement and healthcare benefits.

Ronnie Hilburn is counting on the Payroll Protection Program’s (PPP) second-round of funding as a lifeline to keep her business alive.

• Use the remaining 25 percent for rent, payment on mortgage interest and utilities.

Hilburn has owned Ronnie Renee’s Day Care in Detroit’s Linwood/Clairmont neighborhood for 25 years. The day care has been closed since March 20, just days before Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered that all daycare facilities be closed due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

That meant Hilburn and her two employees were out of work.

“After that we were left to figure out what we can do,” Hilburn said. “It’s kind of hard when you’re self-employed and you don’t have income coming in.”

Last week’s passage of the additional funding bill by the U.S. Congress that was signed by President Donald Trump, will provide $484 billion in additional funding for the PPP. Some of the funds are earmarked for small minority-owned businesses to provide forgivable loans amidst the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The loans are designed to cover two-months of First Independence payroll for small businesses whose workers have been idled.

COO Jim Dunn There is $60 billion specifically set aside for minority-owned and rural small businesses.

There will be $30 billion earmarked for each group, said Rob Scott, SBA Great Lakes Regional administrator.

That’s what Hilburn is hoping to take advantage of, having missed out on the first round of funding. When Hilburn approached a couple of banks the first time around, she was told they were no longer accepting applications because the funds were depleted.

In fact, the first round of funding was snapped up in just two weeks.

When the PPP launched, the SBA approved a total of 1.6 million loans to small businesses amounting to $349 Billion.

The maximum amount that can be borrowed under the PPP is $10 million, Scott said. In the first round of the program, 74 percent of the loans were approved for $150,000 or less. The average loan approved was $206,000.

“In the first round we approved in 14 days what we would normally do in 14 years,” Scott said.

In Michigan, there were 43,438 PPP loan applications approved in the first round, valued at $10.3 billion, Scott said. The state ranked eighth in terms of PPP loan approvals and ninth in total dollar amount of those loans.

So, how can Detroit’s minority-owned small businesses qualify for PPP? Scott said businesses can qualify with: • 500 employees or less • For-profit; 501c3 nonprofit and individual franchisees, i.e. Subway, McDonald’s, Starbucks

The loans are forgivable – meaning small business owners don’t have to repay them – provided the banks are able to verify the funds have been used as required.

So, where can Detroit’s minority-owned businesses go to borrow money?

There are 5,000 financial institutions facilitating the PPP loans, Scott said. Potential borrowers don’t have to be customers of those lending institutions.

Among those institutions are community banks and credit unions that are designated to facilitate loans set aside for minority-owned, underserved and rural small businesses.

First Independence Bank, based in Detroit, is one of the community banks that minority-owned small businesses can turn to for PPP loans.

First Independence COO Jim Dunn said it is working to help minority-owned businesses get access to the second round of PPP funding.

“Yes, definitely,” Dunn said. “We’re seeing more customers that didn’t get served in the first round.”

Dunn added that small business owners like Hilburn have an opportunity to secure a PPP loan.

“The key is to have the application put together and have all the necessary information,” Dunn said.

However, some of the information required for the application may present challenges for some small businesses.

Unlike larger companies that have resources of accountants or payroll services that track and break down payroll, the smaller companies would have to review their own records. But it can be done.

The PPP loans are based on the 2019 payroll calendar.

That means an applicant will have to use their average monthly payroll from 2019 to figure out how much they can borrow.

For example: a business’s payroll amounted to $12,000 over 12-months. The average monthly payroll would be $1,000.

The applicant then would multiply it by 2.5, which would equal $2,500. That would be the amount they could borrow to cover the two-month period designated by the PPP loan guidelines.

The PPP doesn’t require a minimum loan amount, Dunn said.

Dunn added that small businesses shouldn’t have a problem securing a loan if it can support its application with the basic paperwork, such as: •Documentation of payroll for 2019 • Form 941 that businesses file quarterly with the IRS • Drivers’ license In addition, they could not have defaulted on a previous SBA loan or be listed as a terrorist on the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) List.

See PPP

FUNDING page A6

Hungry Howie’s Hires Tonya Michael As New Vice President Of Operations

Tonya Michael

Hungry Howie’s Pizza, the originator of the Flavored Crust Pizza®, announces the appointment of Tonya Michael as the company’s new Vice President of Operations. Michael, formerly serving as a Franchise Business Partner at McDonald’s, joins Hungry Howie’s with more than two decades of experience in the restaurant sector and a proven track record of achieving operational brilliance.

In her new role at Hungry Howie’s, Tonya will focus on strengthening the brand’s operational support, ensuring that franchisees are well-supported wit the tools needed for success. As the head of operations, she will devise new processes and procedures to drive the brand forward as a leader in the pizza industry.

“We are proud to welcome Tonya to the Hungry Howie’s family, and know that her knowledge and dis-

cipline of the largest restaurant company in the world will empower our teams and strengthen our operational foundation to improve the efforts to grow our brand,” said Steve Jackson, CEO & President of Hungry Howie’s Pizza. “With almost 550 restaurants open across the United States, Tonya will play a key role in elevating operations for the growth of our brand.”

“In the unprecedented times we face, if everyone

can agree on one thing, it’s a love for delicious pizza,” said Michael. “I am honored to join the Hungry Howie’s team, and look forward to creating an unparalleled experience for our franchisees that will propel the brand forward.”

Previously, Tonya spent a 22-year tenure at McDonald’s, where she was responsible for the operations of over 500 company-owned and franchise locations.

May 6-12, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-6

Restaurants in America Hard Hit by COVID-19 Face Uphill Battle to Return to Normal NNPA Newswire

“There’s a lot of fear, will tourists come back, will people come out? Are the employees going to want to come back to work? How are we going to convince everybody it’s safe and healthy to eat in a restaurant again?”

This is what Melissa Fleischut, president of the New York State Restaurant Association, told a reporter last month.

The devastating economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been particularly divesting to the restaurant and service industry. One estimate proclaimed that 40 percent of restaurants in New York are unlikely to reopen after the pandemic is over.

But even after it ends, there is fear that business won’t be the same until some months after cities officially reopen.

Over 660,000 people employed in restaurants in New York state alone have been furloughed. They are part of the over 30 million people in the U.S. who have likely filed for unemployment since the middle of March.

According to reservation app OpenTable, reservations in Seattle were down 31 percent by March 3 right as the coronavirus was reported to have caused a fatality in the city. San Francisco saw a 24 percent decline. Soon after the drop

PPP Funding From page A-5 The other critical point small businesses need to remember is that the loans are only forgivable if the funds are used correctly. Meaning that 75 percent went to payroll and 25 percent was spent on rent, utilities or mortgage interest.

The PPP requires the banks facilitating the loans to verify after two months that the money was spent as stipulated, Dunn said.

Otherwise, small businesses will have 18 months to repay the loan at 1 percent interest. If the business defaults on the loan, the bank takes the hit.

“It’s not a free ride for the banks certainly,” Dunn said.

Tim Mackay, executive vice presi-

was close to 50 percent.

Social distancing rules are a huge challenge to the restaurant industry in a way that is likely to impact revenue for some time to come. Though Georgia Governor Brian Kemp re-opened much of the state last week, over 120 restaurants in Atlanta are refusing to open their dining rooms until they believe it’s safe.

Prominent Georgia chefs have formed the “#GAHospitalityTogether” initiative. The group includes award-winning chefs Ford Fry, Anne Quatrano, Hugh Acheson and Mashama Bailey.

Late on May 1st it was learned that 1,165 Georgians have died due to the outbreak. In the past 24 hours (as of this writing), the Georgia Department of Public Health has recorded 33 COVID-19 deaths for a total of 26,000 infected.

For African American businesses that are cash strapped the challenge is even tougher. A majority of Black-owned businesses have only one employee and many are contractors. Many elected officials and civil rights groups are focused on Black owned businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist for NNPA and the host of the podcast BURKEFILE. She is also a political strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC

dent of consumer banking for Level One Bank in Farmington Hills, said it also expects to be approached by small businesses that were turned away by the larger banks in the first round.

“It’s an important opportunity for small businesses to work with the local community banks,” Mackay said.

He added that community banks like Level One are equipped to deal with local small businesses.

Meanwhile, Hilburn has found another bank to apply for one of the PPP loans. She is hopeful that she can secure one of the loans to continue paying her employees, including herself and keep her business afloat.

Hopefulness Hopeles

➔

By Lauren Victoria Burke

Words can hurt.

Words can heal.

When you change the way you talk about opioid use disorder – and see it as a medical condition rather than a willful choice – you can help others heal. End the stigma.

Michigan.gov/Opioids

“You can’t get discouraged if you need the money,” Hilburn said. “I just don’t want to go under. I’m not ready to retire – I can’t afford to.”

Stay safe, seniors.

Help is close by.

• Home-delivered meals • Friendly check-ins • Care management • Support for caregivers Feeling alone during the COVID-19 pandemic?

You’re not. Your local Area Agency on Aging is here to help. Let us connect you with resources that can give you peace of mind during this time.

Whether you are an isolated senior or a concerned family member, learn more about the services we provide.

Go to Michigan.gov/AASA or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.

For health-related questions, call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-535-6136.

Page A-8

• michiganchronicle.com • April 29 - May 5, 2020

May 6-12, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com •

Michigan Chronicle

Small Business COVID-19 T Presented by

MAY IS

SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

and the Michigan Chronicle is doubling down on our support of small businesses with the Small Business COVID-19 Toolkit, featuring weekly content to provide small business owners with the tools they need to navigate today’s terrain.

Grab a paper and follow us on social media for tools and resources to benefit your small business. michiganchronicle.com | DQE

Page A-7

OLKIT

Page A-8 • michiganchronicle.com •

May 6-12, 2020

To our DMC Nurse Heroes,

THANK YOU for the way you selflessly serve our community.

National Nurses Week is May 6-12 Thank you for caring for us in our greatest time of need, for standing strong with us when we need it the most, for working tirelessly to serve our community, for the many lives you save each day, and for inspiring us with your unwavering strength, courage and bravery.

You are our heroes. And you are A Community Built on Care.

Children’s Hospital of Michigan | Harper University Hospital | Heart Hospital | Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital Hutzel Women’s Hospital | Detroit Receiving Hospital | Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan | Sinai-Grace Hospital

Make yourself at home.

When you’re ready to buy your first home, our dedicated home loan professionals are with you through the whole process and will help give you the confidence to make the right mortgage choice to fit your needs.

Learn more at TCFBank.com/WelcomeHome

All loans subject to approval and program guidelines. Member FDIC.

City. Life. Style.

B1 | May 6-12, 2020

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

Kristen McGee, Registered Nurse, Ascension Macomb hospital.

By AJ Williams, Managing Editor For the last three years City.Life.Style. has celebrated Mother’s Day with a special “Millennial Moms” edition, however, 2O2O introduced a health crisis that suddenly changed our lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, making us truly grateful for our family, friends, neighbors, and life itself. The term essential worker is now apart of our new norm and everyday doctors, nurses, technicians and more are putting their lives on the line and their families on hold to support, help and save us and our loved ones. This year, there are no other mothers, I could imagine highlighting more than these beautiful humanitarians who are on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis. From the Michigan Chronicle and City.Life.Style.

THANK YOU!!!

Candace Johnson Kimpson, Emergency Medicine Physician, St John Hospital Macomb Campus

Antoinette Carroll, Respiratory Therapist, Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak

La Shone Smith RN BSN, Henry Ford Hospital

Melanie Curtis, COVID-19 ICU Nurse, Beaumont Trenton

Rachelle Williams RN BSN, Providence Hospital Southfield

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • May 6-12, 2020

Melissa Driskell, Patient Care Technician, Providence hospital Southfield

IG LIVE @MichiganChronicle Q

Kai Paul, RN BSN Critical Care Nurse, Detroit Medical Center

Teri Asbell, Nurse, Medical Procedures Unit, University of Michigan

If I could do one thing, I’d have a daycare closer to work.

If you could do one thing for your community, what would it be? More daycare centers? More funding for Head Start? Completing the 2020 Census is a safe and easy way to inform how billions of dollars in funding flow into your community for hundreds of services. Respond online, by phone, or by mail.

Complete the census at:

2020CENSUS.GOV Paid for by U.S. Census Bureau.

C24097_2a_2019_Census_Daycare_Newspaper_HalfPage_SizeB_9_889x10.indd 02.25.20 Epson

A24097x08B_340-00034703_CMYK_news.tif

4C Newspaper - Size B

May 6-12, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com •

Page B-3

Virtual Facetime Photoshoot Challenge with Belton Media Group Detroit’s Creative Agency Virtual FACETIME Photoshoot Challenge with LA Supermodel and Photographer Dominique Muscianese Creative Director + Photographer and Detroit native Dennis Belton Jr. founder of Belton Media Group and Creatives around the world started a new trend on social media called #FacePhotoshoot during this Pandemic encouraging people how to be creative staying at home. The crave for new content all over Instagram Belton had a photoshoot via Facetime from his

home in Detroit with supermodel Dominique Muscianese from her home in Los Angeles. The Quarantine photoshoot is simply done from an IPhone. Dennis Belton Jr created the perfect picture with his Belton Media Signature classic Black and White Photography. He also interviewed the model with behind the scenes footage on his agency’s Instagram page @BeltonMedia. @DBeltonjr ‘Shooting with Dennis is awesome to work with, easy going and straight to the point, he just knows what he’s doing. It’s nice to work with someone you can equally be creative with and I still can have a say,”Dominique

Muscianese said. Dominique Muscianese reached out to Dennis on this special Collab Belton thrives on engaging the youth to art and connecting them to resources to follow their dreams. Through his Non-profit ARTicle. Belton has been known for his photography to the stars like Bryson Tiller, Meek Mill, Detroit’s superstars Ryan Destiny, Big Sean and The Sean Anderson Foundation, in addition to the You Matter campaign with Detroit’s comedic rockstar to Hollywood’s rising star Demetrius social media sensation, University of Michigan’s Athletic Department and the NBA to name a few.

Charlie Wilson / Bruno Mars Collaboration “Forever Valentine” Hits Number 1 On Billboard

T

he collaboration between R&B Icon, Charlie Wilson, and multi-Grammy winner, Bruno Mars, “Forever Valentine,” (P Music Group/BMG), has hit number one on the Billboard Adult R&B chart and Mediabase Urban Adult Contemporary chart. The music video for the song, celebrates multiple generations of love with a wedding and dance party. Watch the music video for “Forever Valentine” here. Wilson has performed “Forever Valentine” on “The Wendy Williams Show,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and together with two of his biggest hits, “I’m Blessed” and “Outstanding,” on “Saving Our Selves: A BET Covid-19 Relief Effort” which aired on April, 22, 2020 raising more than $16 million in relief funds.”

“I’m so happy that Bruno and I were able to create a song which means so much to so many people,” stated Wilson. “When we recorded this song, we knew it was special and sharing it with the world at this time makes it even more meaningful. My family and I continue to pray for everyone and want to thank all the first responders on the frontline during these trying times, who continue to support and care for people around the world working to keep us safe and healthy.”

“Forever Valentine,” produced by Bruno Mars, together with The Stereotypes and D’Mile, is one of the fastest rising singles on the Billboard Adult R&B chart and garnered the highest debut on that chart since 2018. Wilson is no stranger to number one singles, having had ten previous number ones and thirteen Grammy nominations.

“I am so happy for Charlie to have gained another #1 single and be able to share this hit with these amazing producers for their contributions and attention to detail into making this such a timeless record,” stated Michael Paran, P Music Group President and Wilson’s manager. “Bruno Mars was genius in highlighting and bringing out the best of Charlie on the record and the Stereotypes went beyond the call of duty and giving the song its characteristic groove. It was an honor to work with these great talents and we’re looking forward to finishing up more records with them for Charlie’s new project.”

5 Ways To Pamper Your Skin During Lockdown Being in lockdown means working extra hard on those habits that keep us looking healthy and beautiful. Looking after your skin is not exception to the rule but can feel like a challenge without regular professional facials.

Finding ways to pamper your skin and looking good is great for the body, mind and soul so build a pampering habit into your weekly routine.

Here’s 5 ways to pamper your skin during lockdown: 1. Cleanse skin – you may not be wearing make-up as often or going outside as much but cleansing your skin from dirt and impurities

is still an essential! Treat yourself to a luxury product that feels great on your skin.

2. Exfoliation – at least once a week you’ll want to sweep away dead skin cells with an exfoliating cream. Use a light, circular motion on your face. You can even make your own scrub using oatmeal, baking soda and water. Wash off thoroughly.

3. Experiment with DIY facial masks – you may have your own go-to product but it’s easy to make your own nourishing mask at home that’ll leave your skin feeling soft and refreshed. Try oatmeal, avocado and honey. Leave

on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.

4. Remember to moisturize – after you’ve cleansed and exfoliated make sure to apply a moisturizer that’s suitable for your skin type.

You can even use a little coconut oil before bed but make sure to cleanse away in the morning.

5. Establish a routine – the secret to great skin is to create routines and look after your skin on a daily basis. Always remove makeup at the end of the day and use products that are specific to your skin type. Invest in the best quality you can but experiment with some homemade alternatives too.

Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com • May 6-12, 2020

F

FAMILY FEATURES

reshen up family dinners by adding new ingredients like pecans, with natural richness and subtle sweetness coupled with irresistible crunch.

Kitchen staples are being used to add twists to traditional dishes, so finding an item you can use to mix up classic family recipes is key. Pecans pack flavor, texture and nutrition all in one bite, and they have a long shelf life. Shelled pecans can be kept in airtight containers in the refrigerator for about nine months and for up to two years in sealed plastic bags in the freezer.

While pecans are beloved in classic desserts, like pecan pie, they also offer a variety of nutrition benefits that can be added to nearly any meal. They are among the highest in “good” monounsaturated fats, contain 3 grams of plant protein per serving and are a source of fiber, flavonoids and minerals like manganese, which is essential for metabolism and bone health.

Nearly two decades of research document the heart-health benefits of pecans. In fact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1 1/2 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pecans, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. One serving of pecans (28 grams) has 18 grams of unsaturated fat and only 2 grams of saturated fat.

Add crunch to this Chinese Chicken Salad with Pecans by swapping out croutons, use chopped pecans as a flavorful and nutrient-dense coating for Pecan Chicken Meatballs and bake this Pecan Banana Bread as a nutritious and kidfriendly breakfast or snack to fill your home with a delicious scent.

Discover more nutritious recipes at AmericanPecan.com.

Pecan Chicken Meatballs

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Yield: 9 meatballs

1 pound ground chicken 1/4 cup spinach, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 egg

1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

1 cup finely chopped fresh pecan pieces, divided Heat oven to 400 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

In large bowl, mix ground chicken, spinach, lemon juice, egg, garlic, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, cayenne (if desired) and 1/2 cup pecans until well combined.

Roll chicken mixture into 1 tablespoonsized meatballs.

Place reserved pecans in bowl. Roll meatballs in pecans to coat then place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake 20-30 minutes until meatballs are cooked through.

Serve warm with sauces for dipping or over pasta.

Pecan Chicken Meatballs

Pecan Banana Bread

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 60 minutes Servings: 8 10 ounces gluten-free baking

flour mix

1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 flax eggs

1 cup organic brown or coconut sugar 1/2 cup coconut oil 1/2 vanilla bean 1/2 cup vegan yogurt 3/4 cup mashed bananas, ripe

1 cup raw pecan pieces, chopped, plus additional for topping

Heat oven to 350 F. Prepare 9-by-5-inch banana bread pan.

In medium bowl, sift flour mix, baking powder, baking soda and sea salt; whisk to combine.

In mixer bowl, mix eggs, sugar and coconut oil 2 minutes on medium-low speed.

Scrape vanilla bean and add to mixture.

Add vegan yogurt and mashed bananas; mix 2 minutes on medium-low speed.

Remove bowl from mixer and fold 1 cup raw pecan pieces into batter until evenly distributed.

Add batter to banana bread pan and use spatula to smooth down top. Sprinkle additional pecan pieces on top.

Bake banana bread on top rack 60 minutes until toothpick comes out with few crumbs but not completely clean.

Remove from oven and allow to cool 10 minutes in pan. Hold sides of pan and flip onto wire rack.

Allow bread to cool completely. Slice as desired.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Pecans

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 Dressing: 1/4 cup pecan butter

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons warm water, plus additional as needed (optional)

Salad:

4 ounces dried thin rice noodles cold water

4 cups chopped romaine lettuce

4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce 1/4 cup toasted and chopped pecans

2 scallions, finely chopped

1 cup bean sprouts 1/2 cup crispy wontons

1 cup mandarin oranges

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, chopped

To make dressing: In medium bowl, whisk pecan butter, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil and soy sauce until smooth.

Add 2 tablespoons warm water and whisk until incorporated. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if desired, until dressing reaches pourable consistency.

To make salad: Cook rice noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and transfer to bowl with cold water to keep from sticking.

In large bowl, toss romaine and iceberg lettuces, pecans, scallions, bean sprouts, crispy wontons, mandarin oranges and sesame seeds.

Divide salad among four plates; top each with 1/2 cup chicken and serve with dressing.

Pecan Banana Bread

Classified

May 6-12, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CEMETERY LOTS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CEMETERY LOTS

Notice is hereby given that the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) has prepared the FY 2021 Annual Operating and Capital Budgets. The total estimated budgets include the following programs: 5307 Formula ($28,823,545), 5307 LETC Governor’s Apportionment ($2,196,983), 5339 Formula ($2,821,121), 5339 LETC Governor’s Apportionment ($90,308), CMAQ ($4,185,371), 5310 SMART ($2,750,232), 5310 Monroe and NOTA ($372,404), 5311 Nonurban JARC ($472,480), SDNT ($400,000), Act 51 Operating ($38,910,000), 5311 LETC Operating ($225,000), and Other State Subsidized Services (Operating) ($938,294).

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.

The proposed Capital and Operating budgets are on file at SMART, Buhl Building, 6th floor 535 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI 48226 and may be reviewed from Monday, April 27, 2020 through Wednesday, May 27, 2020 by appointment only as the State of Michigan stay at home order allows. To reserve an appointment, please call, 313-2232149, or email a request to publichearing@smartbus.org.

Mt Hope, 2 Plots, 2 Vaults, one 56 x 15 BRONZE HEADSTONE

The proposed FY2021 Operating and Capital Budgets can also be reviewed on the SMART website at www.smartbus.org/about/financialreports Written comments regarding the budgets must be received by Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at SMART, Buhl Building, Attention: Manager of Capital and Grant Programs, 535 Griswold Street, Detroit, MI. 48226 or, at the following email address: publichearing@smartbus.org A public hearing on the Operating and Grants budgets will be held during the regularly scheduled SMART Board of Directors meeting on Thursday May 28, 2020, at 2pm to allow public comment and the reading of written comment on the FY2021 Capital and Operating Budgets.

Notice of Budget Hearing

The Detroit Achievement Academy (MI PSA) shall hold a public budget hearing for its 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 annual operating budgets on June 9th at 6:00pm; visit website below for up-to-date location information.

A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at: www.detroitachievement.org/budget

Notice of Public Hearing Weston Preparatory Academy, a Tuition-Free Public School Academy, will hold its 2020-2021 Budget Hearing on May 21, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. at 22930 Chippewa Street, Detroit, MI 48219, (313) 387-6038 to review the proposed 2020-2021 operating budget.

A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the above address.

Published Every Wednesday MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 313 963-5522

Legal Notice George Washington Carver Academy Attention: Janitorial Service Companies The George Washington Carver Academy is requesting proposals for janitorial services.

Vendors and/or their representatives may submit proposals to: George Washington Carver Academy c/o Provision Business Solutions Attention: Mrs. Alma Hollins 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 via email no later than 1:00 p.m. on May 20, 2020 to Alma Hollins at alma@provision4solutions.com. RFPs may be requested from Alma Hollins at (248) 440-7318 or at alma@provision4solutions.com.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Quality Engineer New Boston, MI, Brose North America. Engr &improve mfg &assy processes (lines), applying qlty assurance techniques &SAP ERP Quality Management (QM) module tool to increase OEE &reduce failure rates, warranty claims &scrap costs during high volume production of Brose proprietary mechatronic Touchless Handsfree Access, door modules incldg carrier plates, window regulators, seat adjuster syss incldg 2/4/6/8-way seats, spindle drives &CFMs at high volume cmpnt mfg plant, for JIT delivery to OEM customers. Apply DMAIC data control driven methodology, based on statistical tools such as Pareto, Process Capability/Performance &DOE analysis, to identify &solve root causes of problems. Apply Red X Shainin techniques to complement root cause anlys using 8D problem solving to correct chronic issues w/ proprietary mechatronic doors, seat adjuster syss &drives syss. Dvlp &implement APQP strategies. Master, Industrial, Mfg, or Mechanical Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, Qlty Supv or Mgr, or related, engrg &improving mfg or assy processes, applying qlty assurance techniques &SAP QM module tool to increase OEE &reduce failure rates, warranty claims &scrap costs during high volume production of mechatronic cmpnts at high volume cmpnt mfg plant, or related. Mail resume to Ref# 40440-204, Brose, Human Resources, 3933 Automation Ave, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

Assistant Manager, Global Media Ops General Motors, Detroit, MI. Improve efficiency &effectiveness of Global Media Ops global paid online (digital &social media) &offline (TV, print, &OOH) annual media (budget) investments (incldg vendor allocation &channel breakdown).

Act as Point of Contact for commnctns for data driven media related projects, media strategy, &Points of View (POV) betw HQ &priority Region markets, CAN/MEX, Africa &Middle East, BRZ, ARG, Colmotores, KOR, &Holden media teams.

Analyze &evaluate large data through white/blacklist &viewability reports to provide guidance &support to core Digital Media Ops activities incldg Digital Ad Quality (brand Safety, Viewability &Ad Fraud) &monitor/protect trademarks on search channels. Plan, set agenda &lead status check in calls w/ priority &secondary markets (23 countries). Required travel to CAN/MEX, BRZ, KOR, AUS, &Middle East to present annual global media workshops to Marketing team, &media, digital &creative agency stakeholders, to improve people based marketing capabilities in Regions &stretch media investment, up to 20 days P/A. Bachelor, Marketing, Business, Business Informatics, Communications, or related. 24 mos exp as Media, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Digital Marketing Assist. Mgr or Mgr, acting as POC for commnctns for data driven media or CRM related projects, media or CRM strategy, &POVs between OEM &OEM Region or betw OEM Region &Dealer Network, or related.

Mail resume to Ref#1905, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

System Modeling & Driveability Analysis Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, perform dynamic &driveability anlys, dvlp new CAE methods in one dimensional (1D) dynamic (linear &nonlinear) sys modeling, &validate gasoline, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) &Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) psgr vehicle engine, transmission, electric drive unit (DU) &chassis syss incldng drivelines to improve transmission shiftability, engine response time, &reduce chassis kicks &jerks &DU clunk, using AMESim, MATLAB, Simulink, AVL-Cruise, AVL-Drive, GT-Suite &CarSim tools. Perform &conduct full vehicle multibody &1D torsional dynamic anlys, using sys level high fidelity dynamic models of engine, transmission, electric DU &chassis syss incldg drivelines, using AMESim tool. Dvlp new CAE methods to identify HW, controls, &calibration elements impacting driveability compass scores.

Master, Mechanical or Mechatronics Engrg, Smart System Design, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, engrg &dvlpg new CAE methods in 1D dynamic (nonlinear) sys modeling, &validating psgr vehicle engine, transmission, &chassis syss incldg drivelines to improve transmission shiftability, engine response time, &reduce chassis kicks &jerks, using AMESim, MATLAB, &AVL-Drive tools. Mail resume to Ref#1606, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Engineering Specialist - Diagnostics Validation Subject Matter Expert Warren, MI, General Motors. Analyze &create global conventional, semi-autonomous, &autonomous psgr vehicle test plans &procedure specs, test strategies, &test designs for cybersecurity elements &practices in Core ECUs, using VSpy, CANalyzer, CANape, CANoe, DOORSNG/RTC/Rhapsody, DIVA, MDI, &SharePoint tools, &neoVI FIRE and other HW. Dvlp &revise cmpnt level vehicle cybersecurity test procedures, create test plans, &test rationality, secure memory, &in vehicle MAC, TLS, Secure Diagnostics, Rationality Checks, &Fuzz testing, using automotive cybersecurity protocols &cryptographic methods, for conventional psgr vehicle embedded Core Controllers incldg Central Gateway (CGM), Body (BCM), Engine (ECM), Transmission (TCM), External Object Calculation (EOCM) Control Modules; HEV Hybrid Control Processor; &BEV Vehicle Integration Control Module & Electrification Control Processor, to support real time testing of integrated controllers on test bench &in vehicle using VSpy &internal tools. Master, Electrical, Software, Computer Engrg, or related.

12 mos exp as Engineer, creating psgr vehicle test strategies &testing designs for embedded modules incldg CGM, BCM, ECM, TCM, &EOCM, using VSpy, CANalyzer, CANoe, &DOORS tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#40462, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

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313/ 770-7161 HELP WANTED

CITY OF DETROIT – LAW DEPARTMENT Department: Law Location: 36th District Salary Range: Based on Qualifications Employment Type: Temporary The City of Detroit – Law Department is currently searching an Indigent Defense Counsel Coordinator. This position will oversee the implementation of the newly expanded indigent counsel program at 36th District Court under the recent MIDC grant.

The Coordinator will be responsible for the continued funding, policy development, and leadership of the court-wide criminal defense system intended to provide effective assistance of counsel to all indigent defendants who are charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses.

The Coordinator will work with the 36th District Court to support and develop the management of assignment, performance review, and training functions.

Apply online to the City of Detroit website: www.detroitmi.gov.

Department: Police Department Location: Ferndale Police Department Salary Range: Officers at Academy, $45,000 Officers in Field Training, $49,000 Patrol, $51,127.15 - $68,869.00 FLSA: Non-exempt/Union Employment Type: Full-time

The City of Ferndale is currently looking for the best of the best. We are not looking for just anyone, we are looking for the right one. If you believe that is you, we are now accepting applications for the position of Police Officer. Interested parties will first need to complete the EMPCO test and profile. For testing dates, please visit the following website www.empco.net/testing.

Candidates must have two years of college credit (60 credits), or four years of active military duty with an honorable discharge, or an acceptable combination; must be in excellent health and free from criminal background. Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, FSA, and Retirement Plans are available.

For a full list of qualifications and to apply, go to https://www.ferndalemi.gov/jobs.

Department: Police Department Location: Ferndale Police Department Salary Range: $37,390.94 - $47,479.69 FLSA: Non-exempt/Union Employment Type: Full-time City of Ferndale, population 21,127, is seeking a Police Dispatcher to take calls for assistance and dispatch police, fire and rescue units. Responsible for monitoring City radio networks to receive, relay and transmit messages; conducts record checks, maintains radio logs, and performs clerical duties. Minimum qualifications include at least one year (30 credit hours) of college coursework completed and one-year communications or clerical experience. Preference will be given to candidates demonstrating prior 911 dispatch experience. Position will remain open until filled.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, FSA, and Retirement Plans are available. For a full list of qualifications and to apply, go to https://www.ferndalemi.gov/jobs.

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Rosa Robinson Wearer of Many Hats

Rosa Robinson made her transition on April 10, 2020. She was married to William F. Robinson for 51 years until his death in 2013.

She was the mother of seven children. Rosa graduated from Pershing High School. Upon graduation, she had a modeling and singing career while also working parttime at her aunt’s restaurant. Rosa founded United Citizens for Detroit, a non-profit organization, over 30 years ago. Under this program she used her resources and talent to help young men and women take advantage of various opportunities, not limited to jobs and pageants, to make it to the next level.

Rosa was a five-time beauty pageant queen and was deemed Detroit’s Queen of Queens by one of the local papers. She was first runner-up in both the Mrs. Michigan USA and Mrs. Michigan America pageants. Rosa wanted to sponsor a non-profit pageant that had no entry fee and would provide an opportunity for young women of color, so in 1978 she produced, directed and coordinated the Miss Black World Michigan pageant and its televised shows. This pageant produced two beauty queens that went on to win the national title of Miss USA, Carole Gist – the first African American woman to win the title – and Kenya Moore. Both women also placed in the Miss Universe pageant. Rosa was instrumental in the hiring of more women of color for the North American International Auto Show.

Outside of pageantry and modeling, Rosa was a producer and host of the televised shows Detroit Talent Showcase and the 30 Minute Variety Show.

Rosa was a respected event coordinator having overseen events such as The Detroit Optimist Club award ceremony for Colin Powell, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (19891993). She also coordinated the Bill Pickett Rodeo and the grand opening for the Detroit Cotton Club. She was one of the dance coordinators for the popular local dance show The Scene. Through her organization, UCFD, and along with her brother Gino Washington she coordinated and co-sponsored an award ceremony for the comedian Redd Foxx. Rosa was also politically active. She helped many candidates campaign for office throughout the years, she even ran for city council and just missed getting on the ballot. She made many contributions by helping others and helping to improve the image of Detroit, her hometown. This strong, giving and phenomenal woman will truly be missed. Rosa Robinson’s final arrangements were entrusted to Swanson Funeral Home. The family will have a memorial service for her at a later date. They wish to thank everyone for all their condolences, prayers and support.

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