How to with Naturally Flyy Detroit Page D1
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Volume 80 – Number 42
michiganchronicle.com
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Chronicle to Paradise Valley: More than an address change
By Ken Coleman After 56 years at its 479 Led yard Street office, the Michi gan Chronicle is moving to the area of downtown that has been identified as the new Paradise Valley district. Talk about going full circle. Let’s go back in time. “Lucius (Harper) gave me the keys to the one-room office at 1727 St. Antoine after intro ducing me to the other tenants of the building who, for the most part, were the most im portant and richest gamblers and numbers kings in Detroit,” a wide-eyed Louis E. Martin, the Chronicle’s first editor and pub lisher, recalled about the news paper’s beginnings. “He left $17 in a cloth money sack, the entire cash capital of the busi ness and told me to be careful with the money.” The Detroit Chronicle, as it was known, first published on April 14, 1936. The office suite was located in the original Par adise Valley, once the epicenter for black business and cultural expression. It sat where Ford Field is today and was owned by numbers-running boss Everett I. Watson. The two-story build ing also served as business headquarters for heavyweight boxing star Joe Louis and his co-manager, John W. Roxbor ough. During the late 1930s, the Chronicle moved to 612 E. Vernor Highway at Paradise Val ley’s northern border and later to a large residential dwelling located at 268 Eliot Street on the northern end of Brush Park. After that, the paper moved to its present location, 479 Led yard, in March 1961. I had the great fortune of writing for the paper during the 1990s and in a sense I never left. In fact, if I can’t make it to Chronicle on Wednesday to pick up my paper, I sometimes call just so I can hear Pauline Leatherwood, office recep tionist, respond to my ring by saying, “The Michigan Chroni cle…” I’m going to miss Ledyard in spite of its structural im perfections. If the walls could talk, they would share riveting stories about legendary jour nalists like Longworth Quinn, publisher; Al Dunmore, manag ing editor; June Brown, classi fied sales manager and colum nist; as well as Aretha Watkins, Betty DeRamus, Bill Black, Danton Wilson, Mike Goodin,
See PARADISE VALLEY page A-4
WHAT’S INSIDE Touching Communities. Touching Lives.™ A PUBLICATION OF MGM GRAND DETROIT
June • 2017
Silver anniversary Concert of Colors is sure to be pure gold By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle
World class: Few events in the world use the power of music to unite diverse audiences like Concert of Colors. The 25th edition of Concert of Colors will take place July 12-16 at several exciting locations throughout our community. Cover photo by Doug Coombe
During her days as a morning news anchor at WDET-FM, Kim Silarski could always be counted on to provide an accurate account of important events that impacted our city and citizens. Fastforward about two decades and Silarski still speaks the truth, and that is why our community can trust her when she says the 25th Concert of Colors will be one of the most special events to take place in metropolitan D “The 25th Concert of Colors is not just one of those round and shining anniversaries, we feel it is a real accomplishment,” said
Many say downtown growth explosion is major sign of progress. But for who?
By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
In short? The anger being expressed by a number of Detroiters over the $34.5 million in public funding approved by De troit City Council to go toward the Detroit Pistons’ move downtown is the chickens coming home to roost. After attending the standing-room only emergency school board meeting that was called last Friday largely in response to these angry Detroiters (not to men tion the community meeting called at the exact same time by Councilwoman Mary Sheffield who said she is considering changing her ‘yes’ vote because of so many angry calls from constituents at the 7-2 vote), the one thing that occurred to me is that this level of discontent has been simmering near boil ever since former Governor John Engler took over the Detroit Public Schools more than two decades ago.
COMMENTARY
Many Detroiters say they are getting tired of having multi-million dollar de cisions made involving their tax dollars without their input and without their sayso. The widely held perception that this most recent multi-million dollar decision is being made to benefit billionaires such as Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the Ilitch family, the driving force behind the construction of Little Caesars Arena and District Detroit, when so many De troiters are struggling to make ends meet makes the sting that much more severe. The question that keeps popping up is why does the city have to pay all this money? These guys are billionaires, so why can’t they cover it? To be clear, the opposition does not at all seem to be against having the Pistons come to Detroit. Many actually support
• MGM Grand Detroit is a proud sponsor of the 25th Concert of Colors • Damon Martin brings elements of his work at MGM Grand Detroit to make sweet music at United Sound Systems Recording Studios • Mayor Coleman A. Young’s legacy lives on through scholarships to Detroit students • And much more!
Detroit’s Queen of Tires
It must be stated, however, that the tax increment financing deal actually won’t affect any of the money intended for DPSCD, and therefore will not diminish the money that’s intended for the chil dren. What will be affected is the payment toward the debt, which falls under DPS, also referred to as ‘oldco’, not the newly created entity of DPSCD. “I’m very troubled by the fact that it appears as if some people here don’t want the people of the City of Detroit to have a voice in what’s going on. I’m personally for the Pistons coming back. I’m just not for using our dollars to help billionaires. This is major corporate welfare,” said Wil liam Davis during the public comment portion of last week’s emergency school board meeting. Davis President of the De troit Chapter of National Action Network. Rochelle Jordan, a neighborhood resi dent, felt much the same, as did the lengthy line of public speakers that stretched out the door of the meeting room. “I’m for the Pistons coming downtown, but when it comes to these children we’re looking and future congressmen and future lawyers. It’s very important that we fight for these children.”
Added Russ Bellant, “I find it troubling as a former [library] commissioner be cause I know we lost millions of dollars to the tax capture of the Detroit Public Li brary,” said Russ Bellant. “I’m hoping as board members you will look at this not from any downtown influ ence, not from any other influence other than is this right for the school district. That should be your only criteria because that’s your elected responsibility. Is it good for the education of children? “When the city had charges put on tick ets of institutions they own; Tiger Stadi um, Red Wings, money was collected by the owners to pay for the maintenance of those to the city. They never paid it. And in 2012 the law department said that the Ilitch organization owed the city of Detroit $284 million. It was never collected. Ilitch signed off on paper for a total couple mil lion dollars and it was buried.” And that furiously boiling sentiment right there is what the supporters of all those $$$$ for Little Caesar’s Arena and the Detroit Pistons move either don’t un derstand or are purposefully overlooking. Because ever since Detroiters lost control over their school system, which means parents and voters who felt they no longer had a voice in how their own children were being educated, followed by the loss of control over their city, there has been a hardening sense of resentment directed against those who they felt were responsi ble for taking that control away. To many, this sequence of events has felt very much like taxation without representation. So now, after all these years of a steadily building anger over being disenfranchised and shut out, while watching stories about how their city was making a come back, the (hopefully) last DPS emergency
See GOOD
DEALS IN DETROIT page A-4
The problems of poverty are bigger than the programs and policies designed to solve them By Sandra Svoboda
gest municipalities, the percent age of people living in poverty rose dramatically during the last five decades. In 1970, 15 percent of Detroit residents lived at or below the federal poverty line. By 2014 that had nearly tripled and is the nation’s highest among big cities.
WDET
When the Kerner Commission Report came out in 1968 to ex plain the wave of urban violence across the country, its authors famously warned that America was headed toward two societies, separate and unequal, largely based on race.
“Detroit is an outlier in the extent of poverty relative to the other major cities here in the United States that it’s up against,” says Matthew Larson, assistant professor of criminal justice at Wayne State Universi ty.
Now family income also is de fining inequality in urban Amer ica, where most of the biggest cities saw rises in the percentage of people living in poverty be tween the 1960s and today. The problems of the resulting poverty are bigger than the pro grams and policies designed to solve them, says Liette Gidlow, associate professor of history at Wayne State University.
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that move, are anxious to have the team in the city, and love the Pistons. But the belief amongst the people on the ground that the movers and shakers behind this deal may be structuring a deal that fattens the corporate wallets of billionaires and advances a major development deal on the backs of poor Detroiters by redirecting millions of school tax dollars that could and should be spent on Detroit’s DPSCD schoolchildren is fanning the flames. Which is why those at the meeting are ad vocating that the question be put on the November ballot, giving residents the op portunity to vote on whether this money should be approved.
Continue on page 3
Inside This Issue
Page C-1
How much will this Detroit progress cost us?
“There are broad economic forces at work: globalization, de
cline of manufacturing. The jobs that have been created in the last several decades that have re placed manufacturing jobs have not replaced the incomes earned by those jobs,” she says. “Even the minimum wage has not kept
up. So incomes are down over time, and the result of that is in creasing poverty.” In Michigan cities, the story is more dramatic than in the rest of the country. In the state’s 12 big
Throughout the state, the ef fects of poverty are widespread and felt differently in each com munity, says Kate White, ex ecutive director of Michigan Community Action, a network of organizations throughout
See POVERTY page A-4
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Page A-2
Congressman Dan Kildee introduces legislation to reducing youth violence in Mid-Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) has introduced legislation in Congress aimed at reducing violent crime in cities like Flint and Saginaw as well as investing in programs that help youth to find summer employment that is linked to their school work or career focus. The two bills focus on additional law enforcement on the streets and addressing the lack of employment opportunities for youth, which is a systemic driver of violence.
employ youth to help with recovery efforts in Flint and clean up state parks.
Congressman Kildee’s two pieces of legislation are: • The Help Communities Fight Violent Crime Act, which would provide an additional $25 million a year in funding for the next five years for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to conduct “surge” programs to root out criminals and violent crime. In years past, ATF conducted successful surge operations in Flint, where federal law enforcement would coordinate intelligence
operations, partner with local and state law enforcement, and provide additional personnel on-the-ground. In 2012, such a surge reduced Flint’s homicide rate by over 50 percent during the time it was active. • The Empowering Youth Through Summer Employment Act, which would invest $50 million annually for five
years to help expand summer youth employment programs, returning the program to funding levels under the George W. Bush Administration. Under the legislation, federal grants would be awarded to states to fund community programs that give young adults opportunities for summer employment that is direct-
ly linked to academic or occupational learning. This program, which has previously had bipartisan support, would
“We can increase opportunity for Michigan families by making our neighborhoods safer and ensuring that youth have summer employment opportunities,” Congressman Kildee said. “Targeted law enforcement surge programs have a proven track record of getting criminals and illegal guns off of the streets. Additionally, making sure youth have summer jobs allows them to be productive and gain life skills that prepare them for good-paying jobs in our community,” said Congressman Kildee. “Together, these bills will not only reduce crime in cities like Flint and Saginaw, but also provide youth the job skills necessary to end the destructive cy-
cle of violence.” The bills are part of Congressman Kildee’s continued efforts to increase opportunities for youth in his district and reduce violent crime. Congressman Kildee previously introduced similar versions of these bills in February 2014. Since 2013, he has served as an honorary host of Priority Children’s annual Summer Youth Expo to help kids and young adults fill their summers with activities that help them exercise, get job training and serve their community. Additionally, Congressman Kildee has worked on several initiatives to boost mentoring programs. In January 2015, he helped launch the mid-Michigan Mentoring Challenge to encourage more local-area residents to become mentors for atrisk youth.
Kurt Wilder, Michigan Supreme Court Justice In May 2017, Justice Kurt Wilder was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court. He had previously served on the Washtenaw County Trial Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals. His A.B. in Political Science was received from the University of Michigan. From there, he earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. Justice Wilder gained experience in the practice of law working at two firms, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. and Butzel Long, P.C.
He also served as a member of the Family Division Joint Rules Committee, the Family Court Implementation Task Force and the Model Criminal Jury Instruction Committee. His philanthropic and civic activities include serving on the boards of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Justice Wilder is an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth.
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Justice Kurt T. Wilder
Dingell and Latta Commit to working together on self-driving car legislation Following a House Energy and Commerce Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection (DCCP) Subcommittee Hearing, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Chairman Bob Latta (OH-05) expressed their commitment to working together on autonomous vehicle legislation. The DCCP hearing discussed 14 bills aimed at establishing a working framework for regulation of self-driving vehicles that would allow manufacturers to
Northland proposed routing workshops start now The Detroit Department of Transportation and the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation are starting the second phase of outreach for Northland relocation plans with a series of workshops starting tomorrow. These will be working meetings where options will be discussed that were developed from the informal open houses held last month. These workshops will be followed with Public Hearings coming later this summer.
When and Where: Thursday, June 22, 2017 6:30pm – 7:45pm 16001 W. Nine Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075 Fisher Auditorium (Please use the Providence Medical Building entrance) Tuesday, June 27, 2017 10:00am - 11:30am Rosa Parks Transit Center 1310 Cass Ave. Detroit, MI 48226 Tuesday, June 27, 2017 6:30-7:45pm Oakland Community College (Southfield Campus) 22322 Rutland Dr. Southfield, MI 48075 Thursday, June 29, 2017 6:30-7:45pm Northwest Activities Center 18100 Meyers Rd. Detroit, MI 48235
innovate and increase safety on the roads. Video of today’s hearing can be viewed here. “Today’s hearing is an important step toward finding bipartisan consensus on the best ways to deploy automated vehicle technologies and keep this country at the forefront of innovation,” said Dingell. “With a staggering 35,000 deaths on our roadways in 2015, the development of these technologies has the potential to improve motor vehicle safety and save lives. Automated vehicles are going to be developed – it is simply where it will happen first and by whom. The U.S. must stay at the forefront of innovation and technology, and we must make sure that we remain in the driver’s seat as opposed to countries like China or India. We must also ensure that safety is the number one priority, discuss cyber security and understand the impact on the labor force as well as societal impacts, including the
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benefits automated vehicles provide for the aging, disabled and others. I look forward to working with Chairman Latta and my colleagues on a bipartisan bill that ensures the U.S. is the leader in this important area.” “Self-driving cars provide the opportunity to increase safety on our roadways and improve quality of life for all Americans,” said Latta. “In order for the U.S. to lead on this cutting-edge technology, we need a framework that allows industry to innovate while ensuring high safety standards. This endeavor should not be a partisan exercise, and I’m glad to work with Congresswoman Dingell to ensure that the federal government is performing its customary oversight role while allowing industry the ability to develop, test, and implement this new technology. Her insight and perspective will be valuable as we work to develop a legislative and regulatory approach that strikes the right balance.”
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news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Page A-3
Protect MI Care coalition opposes Senate’s efforts to end Healthy Michigan Plan Protect MI Care, a coalition of consumer, health care and insurer organizations, said today that it opposes the effort by U.S. Senate Republicans to kill Medicaid expansion in Michigan and undercut health insurance protections for the 30 percent of state residents with diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, multiple sclerosis and dozens of other “pre-existing conditions.” “The ‘discussion draft’ of the Senate health bill released by Senator McConnell today fixes none of the U.S. House bill’s core problems and makes some of them worse, including cuts and caps to Medicaid, which hurts Michigan families with low incomes, seniors and people with disabilities,” said Gilda Z. Jacobs, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy and member of the coalition. “Somehow the Senate managed to one-up the House bill with a bill that would negatively impact even more Michiganians.” The Senate bill ends the Medicaid expansion, under which 650,000 Michigan residents—most of whom work low-paying jobs without health insurance—have gained coverage through Gov. Rick Snyder’s Healthy Michigan Plan. Whether the expansion ends right away or more slowly, the result is the same: thousands of families with low incomes, seniors and persons with disabilities in Michigan will lose coverage, access to care and financial security. The state’s 1.8 million Medicaid recipients beyond the Healthy Michigan Plan are also in danger of losing coverage. The Senate bill also drastically cuts and caps the entire Medicaid program, putting thousands of Michiganians at risk, largely people with disabilities, seniors, and families with children. The Senate draft’s overall cuts to Medicaid are even deeper than the House bill’s 24 percent federal funding cut over the long run. Similar to the House bill, the Senate bill would gut consumer protections currently in federal law, leaving people with pre-existing conditions without access to needed health care. The bill allows states to drop requirements that health plans cover basic services. The Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of the House bill predicted that this could leave half of individual market consumers without access to coverage for maternity care, mental health or substance use treatment. In Michigan today, a record 92 percent of state residents are insured. More than half of those receive coverage through their employers; many others are benefiting from the state’s traditional Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plans.
Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA, Denise Rolark Barnes, outgoing chairman of the NNPA and Dorothy Leavell (far right) honor Martin Luther King III with the NNPA’s Lifetime Legacy Award at the Legacy Awards
Real Times Media takes home honors at prestigious NNPA Conference By Roz Edward Managing Editor
Real Times Media, parent company of four of the largest and most influential African American weekly newspapers in the United States, was honored with multiple Merit Awards at the much celebrated 2017 National Newspaper Publishers Association Annual Conference held at the Gaylord Convention Center at the National Harbor in Maryland from June 20 to June 24. RTM properties, founded in 2003 by a consortium of Chicago and Detroit business leaders is the umbrella corporation for several of the most historic and iconic print news outlets around the country including; the Michigan Chronicle, the Chicago Defender, the Atlanta Daily World and the New Pittsburgh Courier. “We have shown the nation the struggle, sacrifice, progress and triumph of black Americans and of America as a nation from the black perspective,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA. “The Black Press covers the progress of black Americans and provides interpretation of the events involved in our progress. No other print or digital media serves in this role quite like the Black Press.” The NNPA is a trade association of the more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers from around the United States. Since its founding 75 years ago, the NNPA and its member newspapers have consistently been the voice of the black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts our country. On RTM’s local home fronts the list of Merit Award winners include: • Michigan Chronicle senior editor Keith Owens who won second place for the Robert S. Abbott Best Editorial Award for his column titled, “Darnell Early Was Only a Symptom.” • The Michigan Chronicle’s managing editor, Roz Edward received the firstplace award in the E. Washington Rhodes
Best Business section category • The New Pittsburgh Courier garnered the second-place award in the E. Washington Rhodes Best Business section category category. • The New Pittsburgh Courier also took home the second=place award for Digital Excellence In addition to the Merit Awards wins, Real Times Media also secured two important positions in NNPA leadership. Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times and publisher of the Michigan Chronicle was elected to the NNPA’s Region 3 Board of Directors, and Chicago Defender interim publisher, Frances Jackson was elected to the NNPA Foundation’s Board of directors. The NNPA Awards ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Lifetime Legacy Award at Annual to Martin Luther King III for his service as an ambassador of his parent’s legacy of nonviolent social change. The NNPA is one of the most impactful in-
stitutions our community has and every week the newspapers of the Black Press reach at least 22 million people in our communities,” said King. “And every week the Black Press tackles issues that we deal with, that we cannot find in the mainstream newspapers.” King continued: “The Black Press provides the information that’s needed for African-Americans and if not for the Black Press, I would say that, during the Civil Rights era, my father would not have been successful. The African-American [journalists] had their ears to the ground to what was important in our community.” Other highlights of the event included a special recognition segment of NNPA publications that have been in operation for more than 100 years. The National Newspaper Association is committed to the ideal the Black Press and America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonisms when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights.
City to acquire Conrail railroad property, filling largest gap in Inner Circle Greenway By Keith A. Owens and Michigan Chronicle reports The City of Detroit and Conrail have reached agreement in principle for the sale of Conrail railroad property to complete the largest gap in the Inner Circle Greenway. A 26-mile non-motorized pathway, the Inner Circle Greenway connects the city’s neighborhoods and residents to Detroit assets like parks, commercial corridors, the riverfront and downtown. The Greenway makes use of existing paths like the Detroit RiverWalk and Dequindre Cut, will upgrade existing bike lanes like those on the Southwest Detroit Greenlink and build new on and off-road infrastructure to complete the 26-mile loop. The agreement will see the city acquire 76 acres of land from Conrail for $4.3 million to build a new off-road greenway through Detroit, similar to the Dequindre Cut. The city will be reimbursed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation. The sale, which is still subject to Conrail board and City Council approval, is initially scheduled for detailed design and construction preparation to begin this fall. “The Inner Circle Greenway is going to connect Detroiters from every corner of the city to some of our greatest resources,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Residents will have a safe and reliable non-motorized path of greenways and bike lanes connecting them to the river front, eastern market, parks across the city and more.”
Conrail Vice President and Chief Counsel, Jonathan Broder, noted “Conrail has been part of the Detroit community for decades, and we’re so happy that this deal will help to further improve the community for generations to come. As a small contribution to this effort, we’ll be putting $500,000 from the sale into an escrow account to contribute towards remediation work along the route.” The 7.5 mile stretch runs along the historic Detroit Terminal Railroad that supplied resources and parts to assemble Ford Model T automobiles. The property runs through dozens of neighborhoods in Detroit, and also through Highland Park and along the Detroit’s border with Dearborn. It will feature bike lanes, pedestrian paths, seating, lighting, public safety elements and other amenities. “This is the really important story. And once we get this acquisition, we can then move to the next phase, which is to create a framework for looking at the
relationship between the greenway and the adjacent neighborhoods to the east and to the west, to the north and to the south of this former rail. And then our ultimate goal is to connect the whole thing into this 26-mile loop,” said Maurice Cox, director of Planning and Development whose department has been instrumental in leading the charge on upgrading Detroit’s neighborhoods. “We need to study and see how we can support the rehabbing of homes there (meaning rea within quarter to half mile either side of the greenway). Because what happens when you put in an amenity like this, is people make housing choices based on the ability to recreate with their family just within 5-10 minutes from their house. “Amenities like this, which are practical because they are safe routes to school, or safe routes to work, also are amenities for families that are just looking for something to do with their kids on a weekend. It’s part of a much larger story. That’s why I push back [when
I hear that] we’re not attentive to the neighborhoods. I reject that because all this effort is fundamentally to give folks …this is not a downtown amenity. This is not for the hipsters. This is for the folks who live in the upper east side, the upper west side, and how we can make sure that they have the same quality of amenities that people associate with the downtown or the riverfront.” The goal of the greenway is to connect neighborhoods previously separated by freeways and disjointed transit via pedestrian and bike paths. The greenway will connect residents to small businesses and commercial corridors previously too difficult to access by foot and will also connect residents to public open spaces like Palmer Park, Clark Park, Lasky Park and the riverfront. The greenway runs through a number of neighborhoods, including Russell Woods, Fitzgerald, and Banglatown, covering five of the seven city council districts. Residents in these neighborhoods will be able to use the Inner Circle Greenway to travel safely and efficiently all the way from 8 Mile to the riverfront. The greenway will improve transit opportunities for Detroiters, especially the 25 percent of residents without access to cars, providing reliable, safe, and affordable routes vital to accessing transit, jobs, training centers, neighborhood services, and civic amenities. Several employers are located on the proposed routes, including universities and health care systems. Service providers Focus: HOPE and the Neighborhood Services Organization are also along the greenway.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Page A-4
City to launch park design competition in Morningside neighborhood The City of Detroit is launching a design competition in the Morningside neighborhood that aims to design and build a new central park for that community, replacing a decommissioned park that will be sold to adjoining residents. Give a Park, Get a Park will accept qualifications from interested designers between June 19 and July 31. The city is particularly interested in receiving Qualifications from Detroit- and Michigan-based emerging design professionals and design students. Applicants can register and learn more at gapgapdetroit.org. Give a Park, Get a Park (GAPGAP) is a pilot program, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, designed to ‘give a park’ — by selling a half-acre mid-block, decommissioned mini-park to adjacent community residents for private use through the city’s side lot program — and, in exchange, allowing the entire community to “get a park” of high-quality, innovative design in a more accessible location. The new parks are to be built on a community engagement process giving residents increased financial equity and a physical stake in the future of their neighborhoods.
amenities for all. A primary goal of the competition is sustainability, to minimize maintenance costs. Designers will have the opportunity to tackle a number of additional disciplines, from traffic control, to park security to incorporating existing park infrastructure installed by the community. The end result will be a space for community art, murals, and public gatherings that celebrates the neighborhoods’ unique character.
“We know that great neighborhood parks are a critical amenity for retaining families with children in our neighborhoods,” said Maurice D. Cox, director of the City’s Planning and Development Department. “This competition seeks to explore innovative strategies that will maximize the value in the patchwork of publicly owned lands and improve the quality of life in Detroit’s neighborhoods. “Morningside is a vibrant neighborhood on the east side that lacks a vibrant park within walking distance of families. The competition is part of our effort to allow residents to direct the future of their neighborhood.” The
decommissioned
PHOTO: Michigan Radio park sits on the north border of the Morningside neighborhood, along the I-94 freeway.
Poverty the state that seek to reduce poverty by increasing family earnings and self sufficiency and creating community partnerships between individuals and organizations. For example, the lack of mass transit in the Detroit metropolitan area means people without cars can’t get to jobs. In some smaller, more rural Michigan towns, when a main employer leaves, the impact is greater than in a metropolitan area. If a city or suburb’s rental homes are not energy efficient, have lead paint, or are expensive to heat, family budgets are affected differently, White said. “Poverty shows its face in many, many ways,” she says. “If people are struggling to keep a roof over their head, that means less money for food, less money for extras.” The cycle of poverty, then, travels through other sectors. In Detroit, being poor contributes to public safety as a top priority for the city. Indeed the city’s crime rate eclipses other American cities. Assistant Police Chief Steve Dolunt agrees it’s often the income challenges for individual citizens that become public safety challenges for communities. “You’ve got to eat. If you don’t have money, you’re going to find ways to make money, and you can make money quicker selling drugs or breaking into people’s houses or just sticking up someone on the street,” Dolunt said. “You have to understand the plight of the impoverished.” Many of the efforts to reduce poverty in Detroit and other cities have been simultaneously led, influenced and stifled by the federal government, Gidlow says. That dynamic starts with who is in the White House and dates back to the beginnings of the Republic. “We had the Jeffersonians and we had the Whigs, or the Federalists and the anti-Federalists,” she said. “Some believed in internal improvements, that is in funding basically public infrastructure, public works, resources that would help to develop areas economically, and others that had a different vision, a more agrarian vision.” Just a few years before the urban uprisings of the later 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson declared his “War on Poverty,” a part of his Great Society programs. “He laid out a vision for a society that could address problems of poverty and joblessness and lack of education and lack of access to health care,” Gidlow
The new park will be located on a larger 1.5 acre parcel of land more centrally located in the neighborhood, comprised
From page A-1 said. “He thought that this society could do better.” Johnson’s efforts eventually led to Medicare and Medicaid, food stamps, jobs programs and a network of Community Action agencies, which remain in place. Michigan Community Action and its 29 affiliates are a legacy of that work. “They’ve survived to this day because they’ve continued to evolve,” White says. But Gidlow says at the time when community action agencies formed, conservatives especially blamed them for the urban riots of the 1960s. “There are some who felt that these Community Action Agencies helped radicals to organize and that federal dollars were being used to attack the status quo,” she said. “There were some people who felt that these were bad actors and that they were being funded by the federal government and felt that that was inappropriate.” The Nixon Administration dismantled some programs, including the Office of Economic Opportunity, which Johnson had created and then tried to use to prevent urban unrest by improving conditions in cities, Gidlow says. Under Ronald Reagan, some of the funding that had gone to federal anti-poverty programs transformed to the Community Development Block Grant program and were reduced. “Jobs as a political issue, is something that has been very controversial through most of the 20th century up to our own day,” Gidlow said. But poverty rates in cities remain high and unmoving. White defends government- and nonprofit-led efforts to address root causes of poverty in Michigan, saying the reasons for poverty are too complex, widespread and not able to be anticipated or controlled. She cites 20 years of stagnating wages, outsourcing of “massive amounts of jobs,” lack of investment in education, the state’s failure to change how schools are funded, low high school graduation rates, cuts to mental health services, epidemics in substance abuse and “criminal justice reforms that went too far” with incarcerations for non-violent crimes. “All of these things in combination have really made it virtually impossible to solve poverty,” White said. “The problems are so intense, and there are so many people in difficult straits that it’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of strategic thinking to pull the resources together.”
of vacant, city-owned corner lots less than a mile from the former park at the corners of Three Mile Drive and Munich, with additional lots and some existing park infrastructure included in the design process. Give a Park, Get a Park design participants will work with neighbors,
ensuring a community engagement effort that asks Detroit residents what they want to see in their neighborhoods and mirrors the greater planning strategy for the city. The competition will connect some of the region’s brightest designers to the community as they work together to create better, more accessible park
The competition will conclude with a community design review of participant entries in late summer, with winning designs announced in fall 2017. An individual or team of up to three individuals may register and compete. First place design winners will receive a prize of $10,000, second place will receive a prize of $5,000 and third place will receive a prize of $2,500. Funded as a winning project in the Knight Foundation’s Cities Challenge Grant competition, this is the second of three national Cities Challenge awards won by the city’s Planning and Development Department.
Good deals in Detroit manager – sorry, transition manager stepped down last year to make way for the first so-called ‘empowered’ elected school board since 2009 when Robert Bobb stepped in as the first emergency manager. Even though the empowered board remains under the supervision of the Financial Review Commission. And a full year hasn’t even passed before they hear stories about all this money – their tax money –¬ that is going to help some wealthy billionaires finance their business deal with money that was supposed to go to help Detroit’s school children. From the Detroit Free Press: “Council's approval comes more than six months after negotiations began between the city and the Pistons and hours after a late Monday night decision by a federal judge to deny an emergency injunction that sought to block the funding. “The Downtown Development Authority, the public entity that owns the arena, has amended its district boundaries several times, most recently in 2013, to accommodate the new arena, which will also be home to the Red Wings, and surrounding development that covers a nearly 45-block area from Grand Circus Park to Charlotte between Woodward and Grand River.
Paradise Valley Jill Day-Foley and many more. Those walls would also recount visits by hundreds of recording artists, television and motion picture stars as well as political figures. The first time I saw the legendary radio personality The Electrifying Mojo was when he walked by my desk as I raced to make a print deadline. But I’m equally excited about the Chronicle’s move to Paradise Valley, in part because of the changing of demographics of downtown Detroit. I lived there for more than 10 years and witnessed the building of stadia and casinos. I also witnessed gentrification. It’s becoming home to more affluent people, a significant number of them white. That’s why I’m pleased with black-owned
From page A-1
The DDA is expected to collect $726 million in school property tax revenue through 2051 as part of its tax increment financing. The money will be used to pay off $363 million in bonds for public investments in the arena and the surrounding development district.” “Robert Davis and D. Etta Wilcoxon, both plaintiffs in the lawsuit over public funding of the arena, are asking the school board to place a question on the November ballot on the use of school tax revenue for the arena.” No decision was made by the conclusion of last week’s meeting as to whether or not the school board would do this. To be sure, the argument can be made that the decision approved by city council in support of the deal can be considered the vote of the people since they are the duly elected representatives of the people. And there is also merit in the view that to derail such a major development deal at this late date could do irreparable harm not only to the deal itself but to the city’s economy and growth potential. These are valid points. But an equally valid point is that a lot of Detroiters feel their city is being wheeled and dealed away from them, and they’re both scared and furious at the same time. This anger is ticking.
From page A-1 business development in the new Paradise Valley. Progress is great but with that must be genuine opportunity and participation for black folk, especially those who have lived here during the period when former mayor Coleman A. Young and others kept the city afloat as the Lions bolted in 1974, the Red Wings wanted to jet for Pontiac in 1977, and Pistons declared duces in 1978. The Michigan Chronicle’s move to the new Paradise Valley is more than just a change of address. It also has game-changing symbolism: A black institution in a majority black city relocating to a reinvigorated downtown business district that resembles Livonia more each day.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Page A-5
Bridge agreements set aside more than $48 million for neighborhood, job training, and health monitoring for Detroiters Detroit will also assist WDBA in bridge related matters.
The City of Detroit has announced that it has reached an agreement with the State of Michigan to sell 36 city-owned parcels of land, underground assets and approximately five miles of city-owned streets as part of a series of landmark agreements totaling $48 million. The City of Detroit will use the funds for neighborhood redevelopment, job training, and health monitoring for Detroit residents. Mayor Mike Duggan credited the Community Advisory Group for developing initiatives that will help the Delray community and neighborhoods across the city. The initiatives outlined in these agreements will ensure that Detroiters will be in a position to leverage the job opportunities both during the construction and operations phases of the project and will provide for the implementation of a health and emissions monitoring program for residents of Southwest Detroit. “This kind of collaborative approach is how we are going to approach every major project that comes into our city,” said Mayor Duggan. “We were able to come up with a package that addresses the needs and concerns of the community in the area of the bridge and positions Detroiters to take advantage of the jobs that this once in a lifetime infrastructure project will create for years to come. We will continue to work closely with members of the CAG to ensure their voices are heard.” The multi-billion dollar Gordie Howe International Bridge project will create thousands of jobs and provide highway-to-highway connectivity between 1-75 in Detroit and Highway 401 in Windsor, Ontario. The bridge and associated state-of-the-art ports of entry, once in service, will meet future traffic demands, facilitating the potential to create an internationally competitive logistics hub in Detroit. “Mayor Duggan’s announcement today is the result of several years of successful collaboration between the state, the city, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and numerous stakeholders, including community leaders,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “Everyone listened to one another, worked hard to understand concerns, and forged a partnership based on solutions. This shows that by working together, we can achieve great things for everyone.” The Gordie Howe Community Advisory Group, a group made up of 15 Southwest Detroit community representatives, has been working since 2015 to ensure that the Gordie Howe International Bridge has a positive impact on the people of Southwest Detroit and creates economic opportunities for Detroiters. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has worked closely with the State of Michigan and Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority to find ways to address the community’s key concerns. Among the key provisions of the agreements are: ■ $33M to be invested in a neighborhood improvement fund. ■ $10M job training tiative to prepare troit residents to both construction operations jobs.
iniDefill and
Mayor Duggan will dedicate the funds secured through the Land Trans-
■ $2.4M invested in air and health monitoring in SW Detroit over the next 10 years. ■ $3M to Detroit Water & Sewerage Department and Public Lighting Authority for the purchase of assets in the project footprint. Simone Sagovac, member of the Delray Community Advisory Group, said, “The CAG and community have fought long and hard to secure the best outcome for the people of Southwest Detroit and Delray. We support this agreement and look forward to the implementation of it. We will continue to work with all the stakeholders and advocate for Southwest Detroit and Delray.” Neighborhood Fund The city intends to use the $33 million neighborhood improvement fund to assist more than 450 Detroit families who live in the vicinity of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project, giving families who live south of I-75 the option to stay in their current homes or swap their home for a move-in ready home in another Detroit neighborhood. Those families who choose to move will work with the City of Detroit’s Department of Housing and Revitalization to find a home and the city will oversee renovations. Residents who live north of I-75, which is being expanded to accommodate truck traffic, will have the opportunity to choose a relocation package or have their homes retrofitted with state-ofart insulation, windows and HVAC systems. Money provided by the agreements also enables families who live north of I-75 to have safe, protected pedestrian access to CHASS, a health clinic that many southwest Detroit families rely on for healthcare. These agreements complement the significant mitigation and enhancement measures and community benefits plan that are requirements of the project. The City of Detroit Planning Department is launching 10 neighborhood planning efforts across the city; including in the Delray neighborhood. Job Training The Gordie Howe International Bridge project is anticipated to create thousands of jobs both during the construction and operations phases. As part of the initiatives announced today, $10M will be invested in programs to train Detroiters for jobs in the skilled construction trades and for longer term jobs related to inter-modal logistics, bridge operations, customs and law enforcement, maintenance and
fer and the Leases and Services agreements to administer the neighborhood improvement fund. The Michigan State Housing Authority and the Economic Development
Corporation will also contribute to this fund. Construction on the Gordie Howe International Bridge is set to begin in 2018.
manufacturing. The training programs will launch a year before construction of the US components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project begins, allowing the City build a pipeline of Detroiters prepared to work and take advantage of the new opportunities. The initiative will be run through Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), the city’s workforce development agency, and be overseen by the Mayor’s Workforce Development Board.
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Air quality monitoring Because Southwest Detroit is already heavily industrial, the state will provide $2.4 million for a robust indoor/outdoor air quality monitoring program that will last at least for the next 10 years and be run in partnership with the MEDQ, Detroit Health Department and a University partner.
• • • •
There initiatives are detailed in an agreement between the city and the State of Michigan that is being transferred to Detroit City Council Friday for its approval. Two additional agreements are also being transferred to Detroit City Council for approval. These are: 1. Land Transfer Agreement — The City will transfer parcels of land, including city roads, needed for the components of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. 2. Leases & Services Agreement — WDBA will lease land from the City of Detroit for construction staging. The City of
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NOTICE OF REGISTRATION OF DETROIT ELECTORS FOR MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION OF AUGUST 8, 2017 Registrations and Transfers may be executed at the
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS 2978 W. Grand Blvd. Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Monday, July 10, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 10, 2017 WILL BE THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION OF AUGUST 8, 2017 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CALL (313) 876-0190 Detroit residents born on or before August 8, 1999 are eligible to register at this time. Electors who registered, voted or transferred in Detroit since January 1, 1999 are not required to register. Those who have moved from one Detroit address to another since they last voted may transfer at the Department of Elections in person, or by mailing a signed notice no later than Monday, July 10, 2017, giving old and new addresses. Persons who registered prior to January 1, 1999 but have not voted since, should re-register, if they have not already done so. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED TO VOTE AT ANY ELECTION.
ALL QUALIFIED AND REGISTERED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE AT THE ABOVE ELECTION JANICE M. WINFREY CITY CLERK
Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 28 - July 4, 2017
DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED DELIVERS INSPIRATION AND MORE!
2017 DTU Fellows: Noni Marshall (Howard University), Alexa Spencer (Howard University), Darrell Williams (Morehouse College), Tiana Hunt (Clark Atlanta University), Ayron Lewallen (Morehouse College), Taylor Burris (Spelman College), Jordan Fisher (Clark Atlanta University), Kelsey Jones (Spelman College)
Our DTU Fellows are busy connecting and collecting amazing stories from the African American community! This year, Discover the Unexpected presented by the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association includes students from Howard University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Check out the inspirational stories and exciting videos from our 8 DTU Fellows from Atlanta, Washington D.C., Raleigh and New Orleans.
#discovertheunexpected
DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR STORY AT NNPA.ORG/DTU
SECTION B
COMMUNITY Powered by Real Times Media
michiganchronicle.com
June 28 - July 4, 2017
The Motor City experience
Don’t just go see a show at the Soundboard...do the whole thing By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
Let me tell you, this was the way to experience The Funk. And this is coming from someone who has been a fan of George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic for more than 40 years. Let me rephrase that. I have been a rabid, obsessed parliafunkadelicized P-Funk disciple and spreader of the word since I was just a little Kidd Funkadelic. There. That’s better.
I can’t even count the number of shows I have been to over the years, both good and bad, but I regret nothing, and I confess nothing. Because what happens at a P-Funk show stays at a P-Funk show. Those who know already know. People who you thought you knew, and then you see them at a P-Funk show and you’re struck wondering “is that the same…?” Until you notice somebody else giving you that same look, and you think…damn. But then you both smile, flash the sign of the ‘P’,
See Motor City experience page B-2
Using music to infuse students with power
By Erin Einhorn
Detroit Journalism Cooperative
As soon as Quincy Stewart started teaching music, he realized that harmonies and melodies would never be enough — not nearly enough for a man determined to connect his students with their history and culture. “I’m a black man and these are black children,” said Stewart, 59, a music teacher, bandleader and choir director at Detroit’s Central High School. “These children have been robbed by this system, from the cradle until right now. They’ve been miseducated, undereducated and misused. They walk in here and they don’t even know who they are.” So Stewart’s music classes — whether he’s teaching music theory, music appreciation or the fundamentals of playing piano — take kids on a tour through black history, from the nations of Africa to black power and civil rights. At a time when music classes are seen as a luxury in many schools, with districts cutting arts instruction in favor of math and reading, Stewart’s approach to teaching music demonstrates that it doesn’t have to be one or the other. The arts can be deeply integrated into core subjects. Stewart teaches math by walking music theory students through the mathematical details of musical scoring.
Pictured from left are honorees Mary Jo Smith, Deysi Martinez, Sandra Pickens, Dotti Sharp, Sonia Renia Brown, Aleasa Peatross-Smith and Dell Stubblefield.
Michigan Community Resources honors local leaders at the Power of One Dedicated Woman breakfast By Alisha Dixon Michigan Community Resources honored six Detroit grassroots leaders at the third annual “The Power of One Dedicated Woman” awards breakfast at the Stroh River Place Atrium. Founded in 1998, MCR supports and empowers community organizations in the Michigan that serve low-income populations. The hallmark of MCR’s mission is community economic development through pro bono legal services, urban planning services, community outreach and educational training. Jill Ferrari, CEO of Michigan Community Resources, believes the annual ceremony provides a space for MCR and the community to celebrate these local sheroes for their tireless work within the community.
Music teacher Quincy Stewart said he used his own money to buy many of the musical instruments his students use at Detroit’s Central High School. — Erin Einhorn photo He teaches writing by insisting that students write several papers a year on themes covered in class. He cuts them no break on grammar or format, marking up papers with a red pen in a manner more typical of English teachers than of those whose certifications are in instrumental music. “Some of your papers look like a blood transfusion when I get done,” Stewart told a group of students on a recent morning. “That’s because y’all can’t write.” But it’s history, power and politics that get the most attention in his classes.
“This is the third time that we have held this event,” said Ferrari. “Every year I leave inspired by the hard work and determination of these women. They give selflessly to their neighborhoods in every way imaginable. We are so lucky to have them as leaders in our community. They deserve this recognition precisely because they don’t ask for it. And MCR is committed to providing them the services and resources they need to do their best work.” The six women chosen for MCR’s 2017 Power of One Dedicated Woman awards are Sonia Renia Brown of Auntie Na’s House, Deysi Martinez of Living Arts, Aleasa Peatross-Smith, Sandra Pickens of Littlefield Community Association, Mary Jo Smith of University District Radio Patrol, and Dell Stubblefield of Focus: HOPE. These extraordinary women, chosen from a list of dozens of impressive nominees, have proven their commitment to their communities by strengthening their neighborhoods’ economies, increasing safety, creating
green and community spaces, strengthening the housing and environment of their neighborhoods, engaging their community and building strong organizations. “We’re just honored and privileged to serve these women and these organizations and we are really looking forward to the day when these stories are the norm, that these stories are being told on major media outlets and there is no gap between these women and this work and everyone that’s trying to make decisions and do good in the city of Detroit. When these women sit at decision-making tables that will drive the future of Detroit,” said the MCR CEO. “In every neighborhood and on every corner there is a woman who loves. Loves her neighborhood. Loves the people in her neighborhood and that is in every corner of this city and it’s that story that needs to get told because it’s everywhere.” During the ceremony, created by Dotti Sharp, board chair of Covenant Community Care, each nominee was given a purple baton to symbolize the importance of “Passing the Baton,” a major MCR tenet, in order to support youth as they develop into future community leaders. “There is always recognition for women at a professional level, but I had not heard of an event for women who work in their community because they love Detroit and want to see it sparkle as the jewel that it is,” Sharp said. “These women all give of themselves to foster a loving community and a brighter tomorrow for their children. They are stewards of selflessness. They encourage and mentor others to get involved throughout our city.” For more information about Michigan Community Resources or to submit a nomination, go to http://www.mi-community.org.
“I found that a majority of my students didn’t know anything about their own history,” he said. Students knew about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but hadn’t gotten the full story. “They were slaveholders and racists and white supremacists,” Stewart said. “So once we debunk all of the myths, then we get to open up that can of worms about uncovering black history and we use music to do it.” He starts his class with Africa, playing students the music of the Akan and the Ashanti people, the music of Ghana, Mali and Timbuktu. “We’ve traveled all the way from the West Coast of Africa to Jamaica and the islands to Virginia,” Stewart said. “We moved through slavery up until the first part of the 20th century and we get into Rosewood, to Oklahoma, into all those socalled race riots where blacks were slaughtered because they had towns of their own and the corresponding music that goes with it. This is the time of Louis Armstrong. This is the time of Freddie Keppard. This is the time of Bessie Smith. So we play the music from there.” On a recent morning, he peppered his students with questions about Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton. He drilled them on Hampton’s background, the details of the 1969 Chicago police raid that killed him and the FBI COINTELPRO
See Quincy Stewart page B-2
Mental Health Authority celebrates saving lives and making a difference in the community The Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority hosted its Annual Meeting, Community Celebration and Luncheon on Wednesday, June 21, at Burton Manor in Livonia. The event was comprised of two parts; the first was an open board meeting, followed by the Community Celebration and Luncheon. “We [shared] our accomplishments, our progress and the work ahead with advocates, consumers, providers, community leaders and all those who care about public mental health services,” said Tom Watkins, DWMHA President and CEO. “Their support is needed now more than ever.” Over the past few years, DWMHA and other mental health authorities throughout the state have experienced uncertainty from the latest
developments in Lansing with the Governor’s Budget Section 298. The community has mobilized advocates, consumers, caregivers and providers to share its voice on the matter. In light of these developments, the luncheon portion of the event will feature a keynote presentation by Megan Foster Friedman, a healthcare analyst from the Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation. She provided an analytical perspective on change as it pertains to mental health services with a discussion on “Future trends in behavioral healthcare with the American Health Care Act and 298.” Later in the program, DWMHA honored dozens of law enforcement officers who have utilized their DW-
MHA-provided Naloxone training and kits to reverse opiate overdoses that have saved more than 48 lives in Wayne County over the last year. To date, DWMHA has trained over 1,900 first responders, providers and community leaders and recognized officers from Detroit, Dearborn, Inkster Southgate, Michigan State Police and more. DWMHA also unveiled its Board of Directors Scholarship, a newly established fund which will provide financial support to incoming students to Wayne State University. “No matter the political outlook in our cities, state or nation, DWMHA is going to go the extra mile to provide opportunities for individuals to change their lives for the better,” said Watkins. “We want[ed] to underscore that during our annual meeting.”
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 -July 4, 2017
Page B-2
Detroit youth celebrate summer safely at Matrix Center’s CAMP OZ Matrix Human Services’ Matrix Center has provided thousands of Detroit youth with a safe place to experience summer since 2007 in its CAMP OZ sixweek summer camp for youth ages 5-13. CAMP OZ begins June 26 and concludes Aug. 4, offering youth from Detroit’s most dangerous, at-risk neighborhoods supervised summer activities, breakfast and lunch five days per week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The total program cost for each camper is $80.
Teen Arts Council members at the DIA. — Detroit Institute of Arts photo
Detroit Institute of Arts initiates Teen Arts Council Fifteen high school students from five tri-county schools are part of a new Teen Arts Council (TAC) at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), funded by a $30,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Guided by DIA educators, the paid TAC interns will help design, implement and promote teen arts programming at the museum with the goal of attracting a more diverse, engaged teen audience. Additionally, the program will introduce the students to a range of museum professional career paths. The DIA recruited students from Cass
Technical High School (Detroit), Detroit International Academy for Young Women, Fitzgerald High School (Warren), Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men (Detroit) and Hazel Park High School. TAC students represent the cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity of the tri-county region and will support the museum’s ongoing initiative to be a town square where everyone feels welcome and represented. “Members of the Teen Arts Council have the opportunity to use the DIA as a space to explore, challenge, interpret and question,” said Salvador
Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Working together on real-life projects will help the students develop the skills necessary to thrive as dynamic, creative and critically thinking adults. In turn, the DIA will learn from the council how to better engage with teens and foster a lifelong relationship with art.” The students will bring their experience and skills learned during the participation on the Teen Arts Council back to their schools and communities. School administrators will help them connect their work at the DIA to humanities initiatives
within their schools. The DIA believes there are a host of benefits to engaging teenagers with art. Researchers at the Whitney Museum of American Art (New York), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), Contemporary Art Museum Houston and the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles conducted a landmark study in 2011 that looked at the longterm impact of intensive teen programs in art museums. They found that such programs created a lifelong relationship with museums and culture, expanded career options, improved personal identity and self-knowledge, provided a broader worldview grounded in art and fostered an aptitude for community engagement and influence.
“Campers from across Detroit make CAMP OZ an annual tradition and even return as camp counselors when they’re old enough,” said Ken Brown, director of Matrix Center. “CAMP OZ engages young Detroiters with a safe, fun space to learn and play throughout the summer and helps minimize the possibility of potentially dangerous, unstructured, unsupervised activity when school is out.” The cornerstone of CAMP OZ is a partnership with The Parade Company in which campers collaborate to build a float to display in a celebratory parade at the culmination of camp on Aug. 4. Participants are divided into groups (by ages 5-7, 8-10 and 11-13) to visit The Parade Company’s facility, beginning July 3, for hands-on learning to create and implement float concepts. This year, campers will build two floats, courtesy of The Parade Company. The Aug. 4 parade pro-
Motor City experience
ceeds on a one-mile route on E. McNichols Road beginning at Rowe Street and ending at the Osborn Community Learning Garden near the Matrix Center in the Osborn neighborhood, where a celebration – including a bounce house, summer cookout, music, dancing and giveaways – of the camp’s final day will be held. Throughout CAMP OZ, youth also are provided with education opportunities (focused on literacy); field trips to cultural locations around Detroit; exercise instruction; lessons in sportsmanship, friendship and leadership; and, most of all, fun. The following organizations are CAMP OZ partners in providing impactful programming for participating youth in 2017: S.E.E.D. (Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development), Parade Company, Keys to Life, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, NSO, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT), Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, Matrix Building Better Men, Detroit Public Library the Franklin Branch, Detroit PAL. The Matrix Center is seeking “camperships” to help fund camp experiences for children of families who could not otherwise afford the cost of the summer program. Companies or individuals interested in funding camperships can do so online at http:// www.matrixhumanservices.org/campozdonate/.
From page B-1
and funk on.
Music teacher Quincy Stewart incorporates math, writing and history in his music classes at Central High School. — Erin Einhorn photo
Quincy Stewart
operation that targeted him and other leaders of 1960s-era social movements.
From page B-1 year of the EAA.
“And what were some of the songs that were playing at the time of the black power movement?” he asked his students. “Give me some songs!”
“It’s kind of like being at the bottom of a latrine,” Stewart said. “The biggest thud from what comes into a latrine lands at the bottom. Us teachers have really felt the thud of the crap.”
Stewart questioned his class about the ethics of civil rights and black power leaders who worked as FBI informants and pressed them to say if, during slavery, they would have considered informing on other slaves in a bid to secure their own freedom. (One student volunteered that he’d gladly choose freedom regardless of the consequences to others).
He hasn’t been able to get the resources he felt he needed for his classroom. When he took over a music program that had lost most of its musical equipment to theft before he arrived, he used his own money to buy things like drums, keyboards and guitars for his students to use.
Stewart even used the arrival of a mouse that came scurrying across his classroom as a teaching moment, comparing the rodent’s struggle to the history of African Americans in the United States. “I’ve tried to kill him but he’s an elusive mouse,” Stewart said. “He knows his rat history. He knows that down through history, human beings don’t like him. He knows that down through history, people have set traps for him. He knows that down through history, people are out to get him. He’s become very crafty at getting away, waiting until my back is turned and then he runs.” Stewart’s students say the history lessons have been eye-opening. “When I signed up for this class, I thought I’d be going over Beethoven and classical artists and stuff but I found information about myself, my history,” said student Lamont Hogan. “This class gave me more information about myself than I could even imagine. Things that I never would have known and never would have imagined without Mr. Stewart teaching.” Teaching at Central hasn’t been easy, Stewart said. The state-run Education Achievement Authority, which took over Central and 14 other low-performing Detroit schools in 2012, has undergone dramatic changes in recent years and is going through another transition now as its schools return to the main Detroit district next week. The changes have taken a toll on teachers and students, said Stewart, who came to the school in 2012, the first
Attendance has also been an issue. His first-hour class on a morning in early June had just eight students — a fraction of the 24 enrolled. “A lot of kids don’t have transportation,” he said. “Some are catching three and four buses to get here and, I hate to say it, but some of it is just lack of parental support telling them to get their a-- up and get to school. They have the liberty of coming to school, in many cases, when they feel like it.” Now the latest challenge Stewart is facing is a likely cut to his salary.He is among EAA teachers bracing for dramatic pay cuts when their schools return to the main district. But Stewart says he’s looking forward to his first summer off in years. Since EAA teachers were required to work through the summer, the school’s return to the Detroit Public Schools Community District will mean a chance for Stewart to spend the summer playing music and performing. He is a professional musician who says he toured the world before going into teaching in his forties. Stewart doesn’t know what will happen next year as Central gets a new principal and as that principal responds to changes from the new Detroit superintendent. He said he plans to keep teaching this way as long as he is permitted to do so. “I have what I can give them and I’m going to give it to them,” he said. “And if a principal comes in here and tells me I can’t do it, then that’s the day I quit. I leave. Period. Because I’m not here for the money. There is no money.”
Anyway, that’s what it was like last month when my wife and I went to see George and the crew on a Thursday night at the MotorCity Sound Board. The first time we’d seen him at the Sound Board was last year and it was a great show. It was clear to see the difference that pulling himself back off the harder stuff and generally circling the drain had made, because not that many years ago I was at the painful point of forcing myself to confront the fact that maybe, just maybe, the time had come to remember George at his best and stop reflexively going to see him every time he hit town. Because the return on investment definitely was leaving a lot to be desired. And because once you’ve seen the Mothership land onstage, or seen the giant skull rolled out onstage with a massive five-foot long joint shoved between its teeth by a couple of funksters who then proceed to fire it up with a blowtorch after which the skull’s eyes light up bright red and it starts to say “right on, right on” in this really loud, bass kind of voice (yes, this really happened), then it’s hard to come down from that. And those days will never come back. I know that. But the latest version of George and the band (including kids and even grandkids in tow) is still a hell of a show. But what made the show even better? It wasn’t just seeing the show at MotorCity Sound Board, recognized as one of the best indoor venues in the country (in a city full of some of the best musical venues in the country), but having dinner with my wife before the show at Iridescence, taking our time to enjoy one of the best meals I have ever had in this city in the 24 years I’ve lived here, then sauntering downstairs to enjoy the show, and then spending the night at the Motor City Casino Hotel. The nighttime view of the city from way up there was worth the stay all by itself. Usually, like most folks I know living their lives on a constant neverending treadmill, I rarely
George Clinton think I have time to just slow the hell down and let myself really — I mean really — enjoy. But this was a trip that reminded me and the wife of just how important it is to take that time. From the time we pulled up for the valet until the next morning when we left, it was hard for me to find a flaw, and it got to the point where I started looking for glitches just for fun. About the only thing I could find that irked me and my wife both, since we are both addicted to our computers and other electronic devices, is that there didn’t seem to be nearly enough outlets in the hotel room. Without an outlet next to the bed
to let our devices charge overnight within arm’s reach kinda gave each of us gadget withdrawal. But other than that? Close to perfect. From the valets in the parking lot to the hotel staff, everyone seemed genuinely interested in making sure we were enjoying ourselves, and what’s more they did it with ease. And that is the difference between a nice place to stay and a great place to stay. When you get the feeling that the staff enjoys helping you to enjoy yourself as much as you need to enjoy yourself (and believe me, I needed it that night), then you know you’ve found something special.
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Page B-3
Kresge Foundation extends free fare to all QLINE riders through Labor Day The QLINE has extended free fares to all riders through Labor Day thanks to a generous contribution from The Kresge Foundation. During the nineweek extended free fare period, QLINE and its service provider, Transdev, will make specific operational and rider experience improvements to the new streetcar service, which opened to the public on May 12. “We are thrilled by the enthusiastic reception the QLINE has received in Detroit and across the region,” said M-1 Rail CEO Matt Cullen. “We’re building toward our ridership goals and appreciate the support of the Kresge Foundation to provide complimentary service for all riders while we make service improvements that will ensure we can sustain the early success of the QLINE. The vehicles have been performing beyond our expectations. We’ve experienced no major issues and rider feedback has been very positive.” The QLINE served over 100,000 riders during its first month, with average vehicle wait times (headway) of 20 minutes Monday-Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday. Headway times improved 10 percent during the first month of service, however reducing vehicle wait times and improving the consistency of service is a top priority for M-1 Rail over the next two months. “The QLINE holds much promise as an integral piece of a true regional transit system and we are invested in its longterm success,” said Kresge President & CEO Rip Rapson. “With dozens of summer festivals and activities up and down the Woodward Corridor, our motivation to extend free fares is to expose every city and metro resident to the QLINE. Building a sustainable ridership will enable the streetcar to contin-
ue to serve as a positive demonstration project for regional transit.” In addition to its initial $50 million contribution to the M-1 Rail streetcar project, Kresge has committed to cover expected ridership revenue from July 1 through September 4, 2017. “M-1 Rail will work with our operational partner Transdev North America to provide consistent service with streetcars arriving every 15 minutes on weekdays in the short term and 12 minutes long-term,” said M-1 Rail COO Paul Childs. “We’ve outlined a series of operational improvements that will be addressed by Labor Day, which include: Station Information Kiosks M-1 Rail is working with its real-time transit information provider to improve the accuracy of predicted streetcar arriv-
als.
Stop Policy
Peak/off-peak operations
QLINE station stops without passengers boarding or exiting the streetcar will be bypassed. The QLINE will stop at all stations with waiting passengers. It will also stop when onboard passengers push the “stop” button aboard the streetcar, indicating their intention to exit the streetcar. Reducing Charge Times The performance of the QLINE’s battery powering system has exceeded expectations, reducing the amount of time needed for vehicle charging along the route. The QLINE will begin to operate approximately 80% off-wire, eliminating approximately three minutes of battery charge time on every roundtrip. Transit Police Enforcement New development along Woodward Ave. has continued
Additional operators are currently being trained and will be deployed in the coming weeks to allow the full implementation of a four-car service during off-peak operations and a fivecar operation during peak service times. Traffic Policy and Signal Preemption QLINE operational policies have been revised to limit unnecessary time in traffic along the route. In addition, M-1 Rail continues to work with MDOT and the City of Detroit to authorize signal priority at select intersections along Woodward Avenue, including: Congress Ave. (complete) Campus Martius (complete) Burroughs St. (in process) Montcalm St. (in process)
at an aggressive pace. M-1 Rail continues to work closely with transit police to enforce policies that keep the QLINE route free of vehicle and construction obstructions. About M-1 RAIL M-1 Rail owns and operates the QLINE, a 6.6-mile circulating streetcar route serving 12 locations on Woodward Ave. from downtown Detroit through Midtown, New Center and the North End. The QLINE is the first major transit project led and funded by private businesses and philanthropic organizations, in partnership with local, state and the federal government. The QLINE operates from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.midnight on Friday, 8 a.m. -midnight on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Detroit Walk raises
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A symbol of Detroit’s apartheid — Little Caesars Arena
By Ida Byrd-Hill
For 50 years, corporate executives and government leaders have refused to learn the lesson the 1967 Detroit riot taught. Any decisions impacting Detroit neighborhoods should be filtered through grassroots ambassadors — black-led Detroit nonprofits, black Detroit media and black Detroit cultural institutions, who understand black native Detroiters. Detroit is an apartheid — two nations operating in one city. Apartheid, defined by Dictionary. com, is any system or practice that separates people according to color, ethnicity, caste, etc. Detroit’s apartheid is built on race and socioeconomic class. Corporate executives and government leaders are foreigners in black neighborhoods. Ida Byrd-Hill Brilliant leaders understand this concept when they land in China as they hire a native Chinese representative. Often these same leaders refuse to embrace this concept when interacting in black neighborhoods as they hire black affluent suburbanites to act as leaders of black Detroit when these individuals do not understand or care about ordinary Detroiters. Detroit has 39.2% of its adults and 58% of its children in poverty. Like housing discrimination stoked the tension leading to the 1967 Detroit riot, today’s employment discrimination is stoking a similar flame. Detroit schools fueled employment discrimination by tracking students to certain career levels. The top 20% of students, mainly affluent, were placed on the college prep track, educated with algebra, geometry, ghemistry and physics to prepare them for university level coursework. These students received degrees that powered them to an affluent lifestyle. Ironically, these are the same individuals who are quick to defend corporate executives and government leaders when they do not hire diverse employees, saying “Detroiters are unqualified.” These affluent individuals are oblivious to the fact that the remaining 80% of students had basic math classes that tracked them into manual factory production and service jobs that powered Detroit’s factories the past 100 years. As stated in the book, “Invisible Talent Market,” “The education of blacks was to further those skills needed to fit the subservient needs of the white economy and society. Booker T. Washington reflected on the situation when he said in 1915 that ‘white men will vote funds for Negro education just in proportion to their belief in the value of that education.’ The only value to a white landowner ... lay in their ability to pick cotton or wash laundry. Any education beyond the rudiments of literacy and figuring would not only be wasted on them, but it might encourage them to seek higher education, which would make them unfit for working on whiteowned farms and in white homes.” Detroiters grew up dreaming about securing a “good high paying job” as a production worker as that was the only option for many people. When outsourcing and automation accelerated in 1990, replacing these jobs, by the millions, with skilled trade jobs, k-12 schools continued to teach diluted curriculum, leaving black Detroiters unprepared to fight for admissions to union apprenticeship programs that utilizes algebra/ geometry proficiency as a tool to screen out Detroiters.These leaders, who have diverted billions of dollars from school/ library budgets for Detroit development projects under the guise this investment would to create high wage jobs in the Detroit community, have the utter audacity to tell Detroiters they are unqualified for these jobs. They justify the Little Caesars Arena workforce. Schools, a Reflection of Communities Having orchestrated six DPS school turnarounds, I know schools are a reflection of the community and its family leaders. A high performing school system requires an evolved ecosystem immersing both family leaders and students in skill building 24 hours a day, seven days a week with fun extracurricular activities. As stated in “Invisible Talent Market,” “Play allows individuals to model the learning process and professions naturally. Modeling prepares students for the challenging work — for framing problems; finding, integrating and synthesizing information; creating new solutions; learning on their own; and working cooperatively. Play leads to innovation or profitable invention. The
irony, play has been squeezed out of school, and the community. Play has been criminalized as a behavior issue.” Children need play to perform well on standardized exams and avoid the summer slide. This ecosystem extends well beyond the six hours of daily school instruction. When this ecosystem is fully functioning, families gravitate out of a poverty mindset and low income, creating prosperous cities. Detroit’s Neighborhood Digital Future Begins Now Over the decades, Detroit leaders have siphoned monies to build their business empires, from both school and library tax revenue without any thought to the damage they have caused in the neighborhoods. During the expansive proliferation of automation, Detroit’s family leaders and their children have not been exposed to the future technology of robots, software, data analytics nor mathematics to be prepared for manufacturing or construction jobs. Schools and libraries, entrusted to provide that exposure, have had to live with bare resources as their tax dollars were allocated to the construction of new office towers, stadiums and condominiums. Consequently, more family leaders, unable to secure the skills for high demand high paying jobs, have slid further down the slope of poverty. Neighborhood Impact Fund The neighborhoods need millions to groom Detroiters to cure the skilled trades talent shortage and strengthen the economy. The Little Caesars Arena lack of diversity penalty is not sufficient, especially since the same anointed leaders are directing the usage of the funding to the same nonprofits. Detroit ers want a Neighborhood Impact Fund managed by grassroot black and brown women Detroit leaders who understand the neighborhood. Current foundations and funders have a worse track history of diversity than Little Caesars Arena developers and unions, yet we depend on them to understand black Detroit communities and fund their prosperity. Yes, there are millions of funds pumped into Detroit but not for the black and brown Detroit moms, who are responsible for grooming children and neither for the black lead nonprofits that service them. Detroit Moms are the Key to Economic Revolution As a single mom, I raised a web developer, who earned $32.50 per hour at a Boston internship in the past six months. My son is set to graduate from Rochester Institute of Technology April 2018 with a BS in Information Technology. If my daughter had not died in her junior year of college, she would have landed in market research analyzing marketing data. My children, graduates from DPS, are the math proficient employees corporate America states they desire. Summer camp provided my family access and exposure to a society different than my neighborhood. Detroit’s population is largely single women and children. They are struggling to deliver children who are mathematics proficient with little to no assistance. Their needs are overlooked. Detroit has 58% of its 107,000 students, ages 6-17, living in poverty circumstances. Many of these children will be left unsupervised this summer as the typical single mother, who works a full time job earning $400 a week, cannot afford to pay for the Detroit Recreation Department summer camp initiated to serve 320 students at $425 a child, which equates to $150 per week for a family with three children. The rationale is the City of Detroit does not have money to subsidize those camps for 320 student, let alone 20,000 young people. The City of Detroit’s function is to serve all residents, not just the affluent residents. The developers of these stadiums, office buildings and condos have foundations and funds that can fund these essential services. The City of Detroit must negotiate with these developers and contractors. Realizing what black and brown parents needed master the math of the skilled trades industry, I created Automation Workz, an event hosted at the NAIAS and now a math pre-apprenticeship program. Despite receiving approval from the largest auto show in the world to expose hundreds of black and brown parents to skilled trades, I struggle to secure corporate funding. Revolutionary change is not comfortable. It is messy, chaotic, unsettling, but strategic and intentional. Detroit neighborhoods need revolutionary change. When corporate executives and government leaders are willing to learn and invest millions in proven grassroots leaders, who know the Detroit neighborhoods, then and only then, will Detroit become an upwardly growing community, one nation no longer under apartheid. Ida Byrd-Hill, is the president of Uplift, Inc., a nonprofit tech diversity and inclusion firm.
Wayne County Treasurer’s Office works hard to reduce foreclosures Eric R. Sabree Treasurer, Wayne County
Since my election as Wayne County Treasurer nearly one year ago, we have taken aggressive steps to prevent foreclosures in Wayne County. Contrary to some recent media reports reflecting special interests, there’s simply no incentive to foreclose on homeowners anywhere in Wayne County. The assertion we are counting on foreclosures to balance the county budget is absurd. We are doing everything we can to reduce foreclosures, help people get into payment Eric R. Sabree plans and obtain the financial aid and advice they need to be productive homeowners in our greater community. Without question, the foreclosure issue is a major one in Wayne County and may well be unprecedented anywhere in the nation. Wayne County and its largest city, Detroit was impacted by the Great Recession and subsequent largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. History – all following decades of decline in population due to evaporating jobs in the automotive and related industries and globalization. No other region has been affected by similar economic shock waves. I cite these issues to provide context to the challenging dilemma of the continuing foreclosure problem. From my perspective, we have a firm grasp on the challenge and can demonstrate great progress in foreclosure reductions. We are optimistic that the worst is behind us. Let’s look at just the past few years: In 2015, some 28,000 properties were auctioned due to foreclosures.
In 2016, we were able to reduce the number of foreclosures to 13,900. We are working to reduce the number of properties in the auction in the fall of 2017. The office of the Wayne County Treasurer has less than 10,000 properties scheduled to be auctioned. Conducted an unprecedented outreach campaign using paid and earned media to educate people on options to prevent foreclosures. Supported and attained new legislation for the Interest Rate Reduction program allowing homeowners to reduce their interest rates on delinquent taxes for 18% to 6%. Enrolled thousands of homeowners in monthly payment plans. Joined a kiosk network to allow people to make payments in their neighborhoods in a safe, convenient manner with no “convenience fees.” (This has increased collections, reduced overhead and stabilized payment programs). Engaged homeowners in Taxpayer Saturdays and Talk with the Treasurer sessions throughout Wayne County to educate residents on all of the options and resources available to help them stay in their homes. Cooperated with the State of Michigan and Federal Government in the Step Forward program to bring additional resources to help. Commissioned a door knocking campaign for over 6,200 properties in Detroit. Securing and boarding up unoccupied structures that are open to trespass and pose a safety hazard. One of the root causes of property tax foreclosure is poverty, which is compounded by a lack of education, job training and employment opportunities. Our office will continue to fulfill our statutory duties and collect taxes and enforce the law while doing everything possible to help people stay in their homes.
Our children deserve quality teachers By Dr. Elizabeth Primas Program Manager NNPA/ESSA Public Awareness Campaign
I am a native Washingtonian. I still live on the same street that my parents brought me home to 50-plus years ago. I am a product of D.C. public schools. I began my education prior to integration. I was taught by the best-prepared teachers in the city. I remember that most of my teachers had masters’ or doctorate degrees. They were highly qualified, dedicated, and allowed no child to be left behind. The principal knew every student by name. She knew our strengths Dr. Elizabeth Primas and weaknesses. She made sure that her teachers addressed the individual challenges of each student. I left public school well prepared to face the world. Through the years, I have witnessed many changes in both education and community. I have watched my neighborhood demographic change from middle class black families, to a neighborhood where drug use, unemployment, and the lack of marketable skills has resulted in random acts of violence. Today, my neighborhood is nearly unrecognizable due to gentrification. However, my immediate concern is not growing property taxes or well-intentioned, but ill-informed redevelopment projects. My immediate concern is for the children in my neighborhood, right now; the children struggling to succeed in a rapidly changing environment and an ineffective education system; children who are taught by teachers who do not relate to their personal struggles and lack the skill set to respond to their individualized needs. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) addressed many of my concerns in education. The NNPA continues to echo the message that giving parents a voice in how the school system operates is vital to closing the achievement gap. It’s critical that parents engage with educational leaders and demand equal access to high quality teachers. Unfortunately, high-poverty schools
are disproportionally staffed by unprepared, substitute, and out-of-field teachers. Although, there are numerous causes for this phenomenon, the fact remains that ill-prepared teachers undermine student achievement. According to an article by Emma Garcia published by the Economic Policy Institute, about eight in 10 poor black students attend high poverty schools. Garcia found that 81 percent of poor, black children attend high poverty schools compared to 53.5 percent of their poor white peers. It is also noted that attending a high-poverty school lowers math and reading achievement for students in all racial and ethnic groups. ESSA requires states and districts to ensure that low-income students and students of color are not disproportionally taught by ineffective, inexperienced, and out-of-field teachers. ESSA requires state and school district report cards to include the percentage of inexperienced teachers, principals, and other school leaders; teachers with emergency or provisional credentials; and out-of-field teachers. ESSA changes the distribution formula for funds by requiring that any increase in funding is prioritized to states with high rates of students living in poverty. ESSA has ended the requirement of states to set up teacher evaluation systems based significantly on students’ test scores. Growing evidence suggests that using student test scores to determine teacher effectiveness is misguided and does not improve instructional practices. ESSA includes a Teacher and School Leader Innovation Program that will provide grants to districts that want to try out performance pay and other teacher quality improvement measures. At some point, we must stop treating our children like widgets. The cuts in the federal education budget have targeted teacher training and professional development. We owe our children the best education possible. Together, we can fulfill the promise of ESSA and ensure that every student succeeds. Learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act at nnpa.org/essa. Dr. Elizabeth Primas is an educator, who spent more than 40 years working towards improving education for children of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds.
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Omobonike Odegbami (left) with her daughter, Omoyanjuola Ogunfiditimi
Overcoming odds
A 16-year-old girl diagnosed with rare form of brain cancer was among Wayne County Community College District’s Class of 2017 Her name is Omoyanjuola Ogunfiditimi, which when translated from her native Nigerian Yoruba language means to complete the wealth of a family. But she prefers to be called Yanju. She is an optimist and she responds to change and adversity with hope. The 16-year-old was diagnosed at age 13 with Pineal Parenchymal Tumor of Intermediate Differentiation (PPTID) —Grade III, a rare form of brain cancer. Although there are many stories of cancer survivors; and stories that cut across ethnicity and age group, the story of Yanju and how she is coping with her ailment is heartwarming. She lives her life daily with hope for the future and determination to survive. She would often tell her friends and family, “Although I have cancer, cancer does not have me.” This kind of approach to a rare form of cancer sums up her courage and determination to survive. “It was a devastating blow to the entire family, but we are dealing with it in a unique way,” said her mother, Omobonike Odegbami. Yanju is currently in remission with some after-effects of chemotherapy and radiation, which affects her energy level and cognitive abilities. She runs 1-3 miles per day, five days a week. How does she get the energy to do that? “To me, anything is possible and I always approach life with optimism. I would love for people to know that anything is possible if you set your mind to it in spite of real or perceived limitations,” she said. “I want the grown-ups including my parents to know that [we] kids will meet the expectation our parents set for us, and I encourage parents to set the expectations for their children higher because we can meet those expectations.”
She is expected to also receive her high school diploma from Northville High School in June 2018. Dr. Randall Robinson, founder and president of TransAfrica spearheaded the movement to influence U.S. policies toward international black leadership, was the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremonies. WCCCD continues to break down traditional age characteristics for graduates by awarding both young and senior students with degrees. Eugene Williams, who graduated with an Associate in General Studies degree, was the oldest in the Class of 2017. He is 80 years old. Also in the 2017 class was Chelsea Caises, who, at age 16, received her Associate of Science degree. She will join 16-year-old Omoyanjuola Ogunfiditimi as one of the youngest graduates. Yanju, who received a degree in general studies, joined 53 other dual enrollment students representing Metro Detroit area school districts that graduated from WCCCD this year. As she reflects on her dual enrollment journey, Yanju said, “This was the first time ever graduating from anything. I recall sleepless nights just to be able to submit assignments and meet the expectations of both my college and high school teachers. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel on the road to a better future now that I walked across the stage and joined my colleagues amidst all the cheers from my teachers, my parents and all the other families and friends that supported their graduates.”
Her mother agrees. “Yanju’s energy is all in the family. I sometimes consider myself her role model in the kind of energy she has and the way she responds to life’s changes and adversity. We are not going to let cancer defeat her. She always sees the glass half full and we are with her every step of the way.”
Best of all, she credits her best friend, Emma, and especially her parents for their support when she needed it most. “My parents literally gave up everything to be by my side and I am appreciative for that. I know it is hard on them financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually, but we are all approaching this with strength and positive thinking. I am grateful.”
Despite the challenges that life has thrown her way, Omoyanjuola Ogunfiditimi is pressing on and is energized daily to keep moving forward and keep surviving. She was among approximately 2,500 Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD’s) students in the Class of 2017 who walked across the stage during the District’s 48th Commencement Ceremony at Joe Louis Arena on June 10, 2017. She received her Associate of General Studies degree.
Yanju, who will be heading to University of Detroit-Mercy, said despite her ailment, she is prepared for a four-year college. “The knowledge I received from my dual enrollment classes will help me get acquainted with four-year college work. I am better prepared because, among other things, my dual enrollment classes have enabled me to experience college-level writing, and what the general college environment feels like. I am prepared.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit gets new vice president Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit, the area’s largest organization offering one-to-one mentoring, announced today the addition of Jay Alexander as Vice President of Development and Operations. Previously, the Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Detroit PAL, Alexander will lead all fundraising efforts for Big Brothers Big Sisters, with a focus on corporate and individual giving, as well as oversee key operations within the organization. “Adding Alexander strengthens the agency’s internal leadership and is part of a growth strategy to build our capacity to serve more vulnerable and at-risk youth in Wayne,Oakland and Macomb counties,” said Jeannine Gant, President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit. “Since I became the head of this organization in 2014, our focus has been on right sizing and sustaining our efforts after changes in key federal funding. Now we are ready and want to grow be-
cause the need for getting youth mentors is tremendous. Jay’s experience in building partnerships will be instrumental for engaging the community in our mission”, said Gant. About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit In our community, many children grow up without the support of a mentor. Parents and caregivers work hard to provide for their children, but they are often too stretched to give undivided attention, unique learning opportunities, or new perspectives. When children have a mentor in their lives, research shows they are likely to improve or maintain their grades, and avoid risky behaviors like smoking, drinking and drug use. With over forty years of service locally in the metropolitan Detroit community, Big Brothers Big Sisters maintains a stellar reputation of recruiting exemplary citizens to share positive experiences with youth throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. For more information of how to sign up, call 313-309-0500 or visit our website at www.bbbsdetroit.org.
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Motor City Re-Store initiative gives boost to neighborhood businesses
June 28 - July 4, 2017
By Donald James Special to the Chronicle
There are many stakeholders in the city that believe Detroit cannot claim a full comeback victory, until neighborhoods reap major levels of benefits that downtown and midtown sectors have, and continue to receive. While there has been some progress in clearing blight, with new construction and renovation projects in local communities outside the parameters of downtown and midtown – and a lot more is needed - it appears that help for neighborhood businesses is on the way. On Wednesday, June 14, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) announced the launch of Motor City ReStore, an innovative initiative aimed at improving and stabilizing the external appearances of businesses in neighborhoods. In essence, the program will provide $500,000 every three months in matching grants to selected “existing business owners and respective landlords.” Not-for-profit and franchised organization are ineligible. “We realized how important it is for businesses to have attractive facades, because it helps build the business’s brand,” said Michael Rafferty, DEGC’s vice president of small business services. “Over time we expect to see the same types of vibrant activities that we see in downtown and in other cities. People have visual aesthetic pleasures that come from not seeing so much blight in residential and commercial corridors.” Rafferty explained that the Motor City Re-Store’s application process for Round 1 began on June 15, and will close August 1. Winners will be announced this fall. Round 2’s application process will begin Sept. 1 and end Oct. 1, followed by Round 3 (Dec. 1 to Jan. 2018), and Round 4 (Mar. 1 to April 1, 2018). In all rounds, business owners and landlords, city-wide, must apply jointly for 50% matching grants. Multiple businesses applying as a group are eligible for 75% matching grants. Up to 20 matching grants are expected to be awarded each quarter. The Motor City Re-Store program will be managed by DEGC’s small business team, led by Rafferty.
Queen T
Detroit’s
The initiative to transform small businesses’ façade from blight to attractiveness is a positive step. The program is created to also improve landscaping and parking lots attached to chosen businesses. Design and architectural services, via grants, are parts of the planning stages for approved projects. “The small neighborhood businesses that have hung in there over the years and have sustained our city are part of Detroit’s revitalization. That’s why we created Motor City Re-Store,” said Mayor Duggan. “This is how were are going to bring our city back, by supporting our existing businesses and residents as we welcome new ones to our neighborhoods.” Rafferty is happy about the initiative’s goal of drastically improving the appearances of neighborhood businesses, many of which are storefronts. “This becomes personal for me,” said Rafferty, a native Detroiter who grew up in the W. Seven Mile Rd - Lasher area of the city. “I wouldn’t have come into this organization if I didn’t believe that it will offer something positive for businesses throughout the city, especially for small businesses in the neighborhoods.”
By Pamela Hilliard Owens Special to the Michigan Chronicle
Audra Carson is proof that one person’s blight can become another person’s opportunity. And therein lies the difference between an entrepreneur and your regular everyday person. Carson is far from the only Detroiter to get upset about the seemingly hundreds of ‘dead’ tires tossed randomly about the city into vacant lots, alleys, and just about anywhere else in the city’s numerous rundown neighborhoods where the number of occupied homes are matched – and sometimes overmatched – by blasted out skeletons and empty lots. But rather than staying stuck on complain, Carson decided this was a job for an entrepreneur. A female entrepreneur. From Detroit. And that’s how De-Tread was born… Q: Tell us a little bit about your business. It’s De-tread.
of ires
A: Born and raised in the city of Detroit. Just an overabundance of love for the city and the entrepreneurial journey that I’ve taken allows me to even just write my own love letter to the city of Detroit. Basically they call me the tire nerd and as we talk you guys will probably figure that out. Just wanting to do something and leave an impact and a legacy for the city that I love. Q: Our colors at Cass Tech were green and white, so you are dressed appropriately! Talk about, speaking of education, where you went to school and your first career, which was in corporate America.
See QUEEN OF TIRES Page C-2
See Motor City Re-Store Page C-2
Ford Motor Company Fund, Michigan Women’s Foundation host EmpowerHER Summit By Alisha Dixon
gave attendees an inside look at what it takes to create social change while making a profit.
The Ford Motor Company Fund and Michigan Women’s Foundation partnered to launch the EmpowerHER Summit on Tuesday to support women (and a few good men) who want to start or grow their own social venture startups that will ultimately help to address and solve issues that exist in the community. “Ford has invested in our community for over a century and when you think about it, 30% of small business owners are women. So, the impact of women just from a business perspective on our economy and on our country is huge. We want to harness all of that amazing insight and business savvy and all of the creativity that women possess and to put it into a social entrepreneurship program so that in addition to creating sustainable businesses, the women will be empowered to create businesses that will also help our community,” said Pamela Alexander, director of Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund.
For over 30 years, the Michigan Women’s Foundation has been an important resource for local women entrepreneurs by helping to eradicate social equality and economic barriers that many women face through various programs and the microloan fund, the largest in Michigan. Carolyn Cassin, CEO of Michigan Women’s Foundation believes MWF’s partnership
with the Ford Motor Company Funds for the EmpowerHER Summit and competition is another way for the organization to fulfill this mission. “I’m thrilled that Ford decided to partner with us because this is really the first of its kind where the Ford Motor Company Fund is investing in this, I believe, very innovative business
competition. They believe that women and people of color are really the key to helping solve some of the social problems that exist in this world,” said Cassin about the partnership. At the summit, TED Talk-like presentations and keynote addresses from successful social entrepreneurs, including Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder,
“Women are transforming the world we live in and are a force for economic change. Women are certainly doing their part in taking advantage of Michigan’s growing economy. Currently, there are more than 33,000 establishments run by women in Michigan that employ over 230,000 people in our state. This may seem like a lot, but this only accounts for 7% of businesses in Michigan. Ladies, we can do better! I believe women can and should be at the forefront of creating an even better businesses environment here in Michigan. We have the ideas, the passion and the drive to make it happen and thanks to programs like EmpowerHER, these dreams are becoming a reality. Each person in this room has a unique and innovative idea that is valuable to the economic diversity and strength of our state,” said Snyder. The summit kicked off the yearlong EmpowerHER competition that will provide partici-
See EmpowerHER Page C-5
business
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Motor City Re-store
Queen of Tires A: I went on to Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan, which is a small, Lutheran, private college. That was the choice because at the time I was painfully shy and my parents wanted me to go somewhere small. That’s where I ended up. The second part of your question? Q: How you got into your first career in corporate America? A: Okay. Just took the natural progression from going to college. My parents wanted me to have a nice, stable, regular job. I went from college to MetLife and I was a business analyst there. Then I transitioned to another healthcare provider, where I was a business analyst there for over 15 years before I decided to make a change. Q: Speaking of that, even before you left corporate America, how in the world did you get into recycling tires? A: Well, the story is, Pamela, and I’ve always said this, De-tread chose me. I didn’t choose it. I was seeing what was happening in the community that I grew up in. My parents still live there. They still thrived. I love that community and it was beginning to be a dumping ground for tires. Around that same time, there was a story on HGTV, where a guy was making mulch from tires. I’m like, “Wow. That’s possibly a solution. I’m like, “Well, if he can do it,” you know I’m from Detroit, “I should be able to do it.” At the time, I felt like I needed someone else to assist me and so I asked the gentleman that I was dating at the time, “Would you like to go into business?” He didn’t feel it and I asked one of my girlfriends. She didn’t feel it. My older brother, who is now deceased, he told me, he said, “I believe you need to make this path and go down this journey alone.”Even if you’re scared, do it alone. Around 2009 is when De-tread was formed. The goal was to have a tire processing facility in the city of Detroit, to pay people well. Q: You wanted to employ others? A: We wanted to employ others. That was the goal and this tire processing facility, you take this form of waste that most people don’t even really think about. You go and you buy a new tire. You don’t figure, you don’t even wonder where it goes afterwards. To take this tire waste and to create a product or products from that. I’m still along that path of having that state-of-the-art facility. Because of that, my path has meandered a little bit. It’s changed, but it’s unfolded the way that it’s supposed to unfold. As I stated, I know that this is
fortability and attractiveness of what’s inside. It will lead to more customers coming in. I’m excited about the opportunities the initiative presents.”
Rafferty credits former DEGC president and CEO, Rodrick T. Miller, with creating the small business services unit within the organization, to help small businesses take advantage of multi-level opportunities for growth. Miller left DEGC in March to pursue other opportunities.
Thursday, June 22 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Good Cakes and Bakes, 19363 Livernois Ave. in Detroit
In addition to Motor City Re-Store,
From page C-1 Rafferty said there are other initiatives
Q: Just dump them anywhere in the city. They don’t care. They just see an open space and just dump them there. A: Yes. With having the experience that I have in this industry and it’s truly a nontraditional industry for a woman, a black woman, what happens is it’s the impact of those tires being dumped. It’s four layers to that impact. You have the environmental because the tires leach into the soil. You have the composition of the tire. It has oils and synthetics and that sort of thing. When tires sit for a long period of time, most often they have water in them and we’ll talk more about that water a little later, but so they freeze and they heat and they freeze and they heat. They off gases. They combine with that water and so they leach into the soil. You have an issue where your soil is being compromised in a very great way, for the communities.
From page C-1
DEGC is a private, non-profit organization, and is not part of the city of Detroit’s governmental structure. However, the organization is the primary economic development agency for Detroit. One of DEGC’s many strengths is in business development.
“When Rod was here, one of the many things that he did was look at the programs we had in business development,” said Rafferty. “He saw there was programming in business development that was more small business focused. Therefore, he created this new branch at DEGC that provides helpful services to small businesses.”
what I’m supposed to do. A second company has been formed out of that, where it’s an extension of what I was already doing. The second company is Izzie Logistics and Distribution. Basically at the core of that is beautification. The first and foremost form of beautification is remediation of tires. Most people don’t know. They may not live in an urban core or a rural environment. People feel like it’s okay to dump tires. They dump them by the hundreds. They dump them because it’s a cost associated with the disposal of those tires, so to mitigate the cost, they just feel that they can dump these tires anywhere.
Page C-2
that DEGC’s small business unit is overseeing, inclusive of D2D, created to link Detroit small businesses with large companies and local suppliers; the Green Grocer Project, created to empower local grocery entities while increasing affordable offerings of fresh, healthy foods for Detroiters.
Additionally, small business services oversees NEIdeas, an innovative challenge for small businesses to receive financial rewards for great ideas to grow respective businesses. There’s also Motor City Match which helps entrepreneurs, looking to start or expand their business, find the right space, and fill financial gaps with competitive grants, loans and related counseling services. Right now, Rafferty is encouraging all qualified small businesses in Detroit neighborhoods to apply to Motor City Re-Store. Alicia George, owner of Motor City Java and Tea House, located on Lasher Rd., just north of Grand River Ave. on the city’s west side, will submit an application to Motor City Restore, either as an individual business, or with multiple businesses. “Motor City Restore will definitely impact my business in a positive way,” George said about her seven-yearold business. “It will allow Motor City Java and Tea House to have a facelift. So, what’s attractive on the outside of my business will match the spirit, com-
Business owners interested in applying for Motor City Re-Store are invited to attend one of two information sessions:
Thursday, June 29 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Matrix/Osborn Neighborhood Alliance, 13560 E. McNichols in Detroit. For more information about Motor City Re-Store’s Round 1, or to proceed with the application process, log on to www.motorcityre-store.com or call 1.844.749.8359.
EmpowerHER From page C-1 pants with technical assistance, educational opportunities, financial resources and networking to support the cultivation of local social venture enterprises that serve the community. To enter the competition, a two-page concept paper and financial overview must be submitted by September 30 for review by a panel of accomplished professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Successful submissions will have the following criteria: • Fundamentally exists to solve a real community problem. • Requires a business model that will ultimately allow the business to be sustainable. • Must focus on a product or service people will pay for. • Must follow the “No Margin, No Mission,” that is, while some profits may be sacrificed to serve the mission, the business must ultimately be sustainable. Up to ten finalists will be chosen and each will be paired with a coach and mentor, who will assist in developing a business plan and a pitch to compete for a pool of $50,000 to support their social enterprise. For more information about the EmpowerHER program, go to www.miwf. org.
Back to that water and that rain, once water gets in the ring of the tire, you can’t get it out unless that tire’s cut. In the mean time, it houses mosquitoes, which potentially carry disease. A pile of tires can be a house for rodents, which also carry disease. Health and safety, another layer of that is the potential for fire. Because of the composition of tires, they are extremely flammable. Once they become engulfed in flame, they’re very, very difficult to extinguish. The last layer that people don’t even really think about is what does it do to the children who live in these neighborhoods, who believe that this is normal to have to navigate around a thousand tires to get to school or their parents or grandparents. Their street is blocked. Because it’s a mountain of tires. What does that do to the psyche of those children? Does it diminish their desire to reach their highest height? It’s a societal issue as well. To read the entire interview, visit our website at michronicle.com
Mayor and EMS Union announce contract amendment to raise EMT/Paramedic pay Mayor Mike Duggan, Fire Commissioner Eric Jones and Detroit Fire Fighters Association, President Mike Nevin announced a new three-year, collective-bargaining agreement amendment for the City’s EMTs and paramedics. The agreement was ratified on Monday by EMS members and approved Tuesday by Detroit City Council. Under the new contract, the City will provide a 4 percent, across-the-board raise for all 213 EMS Division field staff. It also includes the following provisions: • Attendance Incentive Program effective January 1, 2018 • Eligible employees may receive up to .25% Attendance Incentive quarterly • Eligible employees may receive up to 1% Attendance Incentive annually • Any changes to Active Employee Health Care Options for Fire will result in same coverage being offered to EMS personnel • Miscellaneous work rule changes to maximize the efficiency of EMS staff. The cost of the new contract – approximately $800,000 per year – is being paid for through cost savings in the department. The Detroit Fire Department previously operated a separate medical first responder service called Romeo Units. With the recent training of firefighters as medical first responders, the Romeo Units were eliminated and the savings used to fund the EMS pay raises. While the EMS contract originally was not set to expire until the end of 2018, the City followed the pattern of the last two years with the police and firefighter contracts to open them up and add a 4% wage increase to bring them closer to the pay of surrounding communities. The new contract runs through the end of June 2020. “Our EMTs and paramedics have
done incredible work to get our average response times down significantly to the national average of 8 minutes at the same time the number of runs they are taking has increased,” said Mayor Duggan. “Our residents are safer as a result and this new contract reflects our appreciation for their hard work.” The amended EMS agreement comes seven months after EMS members joined with firefighters and became members of the DFFA, after having been represented for years by the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM). Today, the DFFA represents all 892 DFFA members, including all 213 EMS field personnel. Last year, the EMS division responded to more than 132,000 medical runs up from about 117,000 in 2014. During that same timeframe, the average EMS response time for priority (life-threatening) medical runs has been reduced from nearly 20 minutes to eight minutes. “The EMS Division is one of the most overlooked functions of our public safety family,” said DFD Commissioner Eric Jones. “This contract extension gives recognition to our employees and ensures the Detroit Fire Department can retain its more important assets, the men and women who serve our citizens.” DFFA President Mike Nevin thanked the Mayor and City Council for their support of his members. “The City has once again proven its commitment to the Detroit Public Safety Worker,” said Nevin. The City of Detroit is operating under a state-appointed Financial Review Commission (FRC), which must approve any collective bargaining agreements after determining that the city can fund the contracts without running a deficit. The new EMS contract is expected to be considered by the FRC and voted on before August 1.
UAW-FORD’s
Section C-3
June 28 - July 4, 2017
Play ball:
Local youth find joy through America’s pastime!
On the upswing: Assisted by new collaborations among area leagues, thousands of area youth are experiencing the life-enriching lessons that baseball offers.
New local partnerships help thousands of kids get in the game
By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle Childhood experiences can have a lasting impact and Garrett Street is living proof. Growing up on Birwood in northwest Detroit, Street spent many early summer mornings at nearby Mumford High School where he and his neighbor, Kevin Martin, played the game they loved—baseball. “The Martins were first cousins with Willie Horton and the youngest kid, Kevin, was my age so we were pretty much forced to play baseball as kids, but I fell in love with the game,” Street recalled fondly. “Every morning it would be either me or him already at Mumford, depending on who got up first, and the guys working up there let us draw a box on the shed.” The kindness extended by the gentlemen working at Mumford’s athletic field allowed Street and Martin to lose themselves in the game of baseball, as they perfected their hitting and throwing skills during epic games of “Strikeout.” These contests would generally last until midday (when practice for Mumford’s football team commenced), and if the boys desired more baseball, Mumford’s baseball diamond was usually available for a game. Fast-forward about four decades, and Street is now in a position to share his never-ending love for baseball with young people growing up in Detroit today, as the director of Legends League Baseball. Supported by UAWFord, Legends League Baseball provides affordable baseball to Detroit youth and families of Detroit
youth, while focusing on baseball skill and character development. The “Best of Young Detroit” was proud to share updates on Legends League Baseball throughout the 2017 spring season, but at this time we are equally excited to report a relatively new initiative that involves Street, the United Baseball Leagues Association (UBLA). Like Legends League, UBLA is all about extending more positive opportunities to Detroit youth, by allowing youth leagues from across metropolitan Detroit to collaborate. “UBLA increases the number of teams that kids will be able to play against,” Street said. “In my experience with baseball, kids only learn through repetition and through repetition is games. So the more games we provide, the stronger the kids are going to be.” When describing UBLA to the “Best of Young Detroit,” Street sounded much like a community organizer. “The purpose of UBLA is to get people who are close together working together,” Street stated. “We can have all of these teams playing each other, maybe special events, maybe tournaments, maybe spring and fall leagues, but at the end of the day the kids are getting the optimal amount of reps that are needed to continue to develop. “I had a team the Mighty Warriors that
played in two leagues in the spring, in the summer and also the fall, and they wound up playing 80 games last year. You should see their team, they’re young, but they can play against 13 and 14-year-olds because they are so experienced.” And as teams rack up games and reps through greater collaboration among area leagues, the young players benefit in ways beyond baseball. “We want to build character in kids, it’s not about winning and losing,” said Richard Reznik, commissioner of baseball for Detroit PAL. “These are kids that will be taking care of us one day.” As this edition of the “Best of Young Detroit” was going to press, Reznik was throwing out a ceremonial first pitch during a Tigers home against Kansas City. Reznik was honored as the 2017 Champions Award winner for his deep commitment to youth baseball. But despite the prestigious honor, Reznik says his work is never done and he strongly supports the UBLA’s mission. “It’s up to us to get as many teams playing as possible,” said Reznik, whose PAL’s baseball and softball programs touch more than 1,500 youngsters ages 4 to 19. “We’re all family. I never want other leagues to fail—I want them to succeed.” The metropolitan Detroit youth baseball family that Reznik speaks of also extends to Darryl Ott, who has coached youth baseball in Southfield for more than 20 years. “Baseball is immensely important to our area,” said Ott, who coached teams in Legends League Baseball this spring, while also competing on the travel circuit. “It’s an avenue for kids to learn
life lessons and to reinforce values. Through baseball, kids learn how to get along with others. They learn, too, that in life you get knocked down sometimes, but are you going to get back up?” Ott also stresses the importance of academics. “We have a saying with our kids that they will all will be professionals in something other than baseball,” said Ott, who cherishes a list that he continues to update, which identifies young men he coached who have graduated from college. “We want to produce pro people. My kids know that if they want to impress me bring me A’s and B’s, that’s much more important than a home run or a no-hitter.” Ott informed the “Best of Young Detroit” that he speaks almost daily with Street, as they discuss ways to reach out positively to youth in our area. Street said he is much appreciative of the new partnerships being formed through the UBLA, which also includes the Detroit Public Schools Community District K-8 baseball program. He also expressed deep appreciation for UAW-Ford’s role as a supporter of youth league play and a provider of high quality baseball fields, such as those built at Balduck Park and Woodbridge Community Center. Last but certainly not least, Street gave special praise to the pride of Northwestern High School and the Detroit Tigers—Willie Horton, a man who should never be forgotten when discussing the past and future of youth baseball in Detroit. “He’s an instrumental, kind of pioneer in Detroit,” said Street, of Horton, who hit a famous home run on June 9, 1959 at Briggs Stadium (past home of the Detroit Tigers) to lead Northwestern to a PSL title. “When no one was thinking about baseball in Detroit, Willie Horton was holding clinics and having scouts come to the clinics to give those players still playing in the city an outlet. He really held things together because Willie Horton just wants Detroit kids to play baseball, and that’s the momentum that we’re building on today.”
UAW-Ford’s Best of Young Detroit
June 28 - July 4, 2017
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Remembering Steve McCrory: Olympic gold medalist never forgot Detroit
Raised in Detroit, Josh Jackson takes talents to NBA Arguably the greatest international amateur boxing team ever assembled in this country, the 1984 United States boxing team featured some of the biggest names in the sport during that era including Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Mark Breland, Meldrick Taylor and Tyrell Biggs. The team also included a small man from Detroit with enormous heart and skill named Steve McCrory (April 13, 1964 – August 1, 2000). The pride of Pershing High School and the younger brother of former world welterweight champion Milton McCrory, Steve McCrory stood only 5 feet 5 inches, but was indeed a big man at the 1984 Olympics, where he won gold in the flyweight class (112 ½ pounds). Afterwards, Steve McCrory said: “Detroit, this is for you.” A product of Detroit’s legendary Kronk Gym, Steve McCrory was among nine United States boxers to win gold at the Los Angeles Games. That list also included Paul Gonzalez (light flyweight), Taylor (featherweight), Whitaker (lightweight), Jerry Page (light
welterweight), Breland (welterweight), Henry Tillman (heavyweight), Biggs (super heavyweight), and fellow Detroit native Frank Tate (light middleweight). Nicknamed the “Bluesman,” the charismatic Steve McCrory possessed a golden smile and was known for his intelligence, style and courage in the ring. After defeating Redzep Redzepovski of the former Yugoslavia to win gold in Los Angeles, Steve McCrory fought successfully as a professional for many years, while winning the WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight title and recording 30 wins in 36 pro fights. Because he never forgot Detroit and proved that there is always a place for a determined, courageous competitor at the highest levels of sports— regardless of size—Steve McCrory should always be remembered as a champion by the people of our community.
It may not quite be up there with the 1991 NBA Draft when Detroit’s own Steve Smith (Pershing), Doug Smith (Mackenzie) and Victor Alexander (Denby) were all selected in the first round after their collegiate careers, but the recent first round selection of Josh Jackson (fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns) once again demonstrated that the Motor City also doubles as Hoops City. Rewind to 2014, and Jackson was leading Detroit Consortium College Preparatory High School to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Class C state championship before transferring to Prolific Prep in California. During his brief time on the college stage, fans discovered that Jackson packs a ton of athleticism in his lanky 6-foot-8 body. In his one season at the University of Kansas, Jackson averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists, while displaying the type of versatility that is most appealing to coaches and general managers at the pro level. Jackson will join a Phoenix team that features another standout player with Michigan roots—dynamic shooting guard Devin Booker from Grand Rapids.
COMMUNITY Josh Jackson
Steve Smith
Victor Alexander
Doug Smith
Forgotten Harvest provides free summer meals for kids at two local sites The “Best of Young Detroit” would like to inform our community that Forgotten Harvest is sponsoring a free summer meal program for children, through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program. The program is part of an effort to ensure children have access to a full meal when school is not in session, and is open to children 18 and under. The meals will be provided from noon to 2 p.m.., Monday to Friday, at the Corporation for Artistic Development (9520 Mettetal) and from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, at Second Canaan Missionary Baptist Church (9435 Hayes). Both sites will offer meals through September 1 and will be closed on July 3 and July 4. Forgotten Harvest hopes to serve 10,000 lunches during the summer through the program.
For more information on Forgotten Harvest, please visit forgottenharvest.org.
Building on a rich hoops history: By being selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns, Josh Jackson adds a new chapter to Detroit’s connection to the NBA Draft, which includes 1991 when Steve Smith, Doug Smith and Victor Alexander all heard their names called as first-round picks following outstanding college careers.
Student Voices
CAYF Scholars analyze the price of college in human terms As we have reported in the “Best of Young Detroit,” awarding scholarships is just one of the vital community services provided by the Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF). Not only does CAYF award scholarships, but the organization also works with its scholarship recipients on an ongoing basis to ensure future success. The result: CAYF Scholars have achieved a 91 percent graduation rate during the past two decades, far exceeding national graduation rates for all students that enter college. During a recent writing workshop presented by 2017 CAYF Educator of the Year Michelle Davis, CAYF scholars were prompted to write about the cost of college, which the brilliant participants approached from a human perspective. The CAYF Scholars shared their thoughts with the “Best of Young Detroit,” and we hope their thoughtful insights and words of wisdom will inspire the students coming up behind them across our community. Rumi Begum, Detroit International Academy For Young Women 2017 graduate, will attend Wayne State and major in biology: “College is the pathway that makes your dreams become a reality. It’s an amazing opportunity that can brighten your future, however, it won’t come easy. Nothing worth having will ever just slide your way, rather, you will have to work hard for it. There will be loads of stress and a lot of struggles that one will face. Yet, without the taste of bitterness, you won’t appreciate the mounds of sweetness. Whether it’s the assignments, the professor, or the environment, you have to learn to work your way through all obstacles. “Aside from the price you have to pay, it’s the best thing you can do for your success and happiness. It’s so important to understand the value of education, because it’s the key to elevate yourself from your current environment. Yeah college can challenge you, but it can also empower you. College will help shape your dream and assist you on the road to happiness. At the end of the day, you will be
able to make the change you wish to see in this world. Life is too short to regret anything ,so make the best out of it.” Djiby Coulibaly, Renaissance High School 2017 graduate, will attend Michigan State and major in human resources management: “Rooted in anxiety, and the allure of opportunity, college is the first class window seat on an airplane. The ticket is not always affordable, but the service is always desirable. When you take the risk and buy the ticket, nothing is handed to you. You still have to walk through the gate and sit in that seat. Once the plane takes off the flight is bound to have some turbulence. How you deal with that turbulence is what defines you. “Although the destination may be clear the flight path will not be as evident. Sometimes it will take more than one flight to get to where you are going. But when you look out that window, as you continue to ascend, the path will reveal itself. When finally landing, you will push forward out of that seat to new horizons, now as a transformed version of yourself. Congratulations, you have arrived.” Danielle Williams, Renaissance High School 2017 graduate, will attend the University of Michigan and major in film production: “As a young bird who hardly knows how to fly, leaving the security of my parent’s nest is both exciting and daunting. For me, the nest has always been a place of safety and familiarity. I contribute a great deal of my academic success to having had the support of my parents and siblings. “As I embark on the new challenge of college, I leave behind the protection of the nest and become acquainted with the concept independence. Because of this, I view leaving my comfort zone as one cost; a cost that I hope will
transform this young bird into a mighty and fierce eagle overcoming adversity and soaring through the wind.” Trinity Farrar, Renaissance High School 2017 graduate, will attend Northeastern University and major in linguistics and cultural anthropology.“With great knowledge comes equally great responsibility, but responsibility seems to be the heavier weight to bear in the needs of kids preparing for college. No longer will clothes fold themselves and gone are the days of reckless spending. College is around the corner and it seems as if fear is following down the block. In short, preparing for college is an exercise in vulnerability; you open yourself up to trials of doubt, debt, and solitude. “College is costly and the price to pay is lofty, but along with these fears comes an opportunity for growth. College is supposed to be a choice for self-betterment—emphasis on choice. It’s always good to remember that just choosing to be a better you already puts you on a road for success.”
Your Feedback Matters The “Best of Young Detroit” welcomes feedback from our community. Please submit story suggestions and other comments to Scott Talley at stalleyassociates@gmail.com or 313-590-3686.
business
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 28 - July 4, 2017 Page C-5
Ford Motor Company Fund drives social mobility in Detroit neighborhoods Ford Motor Company Fund, working with Points of Light Civic Accelerator, an organization that helps mobilize people into taking action on causes they care about, has announced it will award $50,000 to entrepreneurs interested in improving social mobility in Detroit neighborhoods. The FREC City Accelerator competition is seeking applications by July 14 from early-stage for-profit and non-profit ventures that can answer the question: How might we accelerate economic opportunity for individuals and families in Detroit’s neighborhoods? Program organizers are looking for innovative technologies, platforms, and other models that improve financial outcomes and prepare Detroit youth and families for financial success. Solutions may address any of the following outcome areas: • Entrepreneurship • Workforce Readiness • Career Pathway Education • Financial Literacy • Social and Emotional Learning “Ford’s footprint in the community and its continued support for entrepreneurs is not only far-reaching by driving innovation globally, it also reaches in the neighborhoods through social mobility,” said Shawn Wilson, manager, multicultural engagement, Ford Motor Company Fund. FREC City Accelerator takes its name from the Ford Resource and Engagement Center, a community center program Ford launched in 2013 to work with non-profits to meet local needs. The first FREC is in southwest Detroit. A second FREC in Detroit is planned for later this year at Fisher Magnet Upper Academy on Detroit’s east side. Points of Light Civic Accelerator, part of Atlanta-based Points of Light volunteer service organization, will provide the curriculum for the three-day intensive per week during a seven-week time span. Topics of study will include business model design, LEAN business development, storytelling, financial strategy, and authentic leadership. Additionally, participants will work with business leaders and mentors to reach their business goals. At the end of the program, two ventures will be selected to receive a $25,000 grant each, as determined by their peers through a peer investment model. Applications will be accepted through July 14, 5 p.m. EDT. Visit www.freccity. org to apply.
National conference focuses on transportation needs of the future The nation’s largest diverse association of transportation officials is bringing its national conference to Detroit, July 14-18. More than 600 members of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) will convene at the Detroit Marriott for the 46th National Meeting and Training Conference. New and seasoned executives from across the nation will lead and participate in more than 50 lectures, workshops, technical tours and events that address today’s most pressing questions facing transportation: “How Will We Move, How Will We Move Things, and How Will We Move Better?” This year’s theme, “Smart Transportation: The Next Frontier,” will highlight a range of innovative transportation best practices from public access, intelligent transportation systems, and smart cities, to multi-modalism., creative infrastructure investments, and sustainable transit options. “This annual conference is known for helping to shape conversations about the future of transportation,” said Kim Avery, COMTO Michigan Chapter president and conference chair. “We’re also excited to bring our colleagues to Detroit and showcase how much the city has grown.” Avery is director, Bureau of Field Services, MDOT. Conference highlights are: Saturday, July 15: • Golf Tournament and Detroit-area Scholarship Awards (Inn of St. John, Plymouth, MI)
T:10”
• Careers In Transportation for Youth S:9.75” (CITY) Intern Leadership Forum (De-
troit-Marriott)
Cost; Schedule and Liability Impact
• Youth Symposium: Transportation related careers, simulations, autonomous vehicles (Wayne State University and Toyota Research Center)
• Detroit Welcome Reception (Charles Wright Museum of African American History)
• CEU Courses: Gordie Howe International Bridge Project; 10 Steps to Becoming a Project Management Professional; ADA: Responding to Reasonable Modification of Policies and Practices (Detroit Marriott)
• Plenary Session: SMART Technology Panel on SMART Cities, Autonomous Vehicles and Connected Vehicles
• Technical Tours: International Tunnel to Canada; Ford Rouge Factory (Driverless car); Metro Airport; Ride the QLine; I-94 Modernization Project Office. Sunday: • Exhibit Hall Ribbon Cutting • CEU Courses: A New Business Model for Integrated Autonomous Transportation Services—Evolution or Revolution?; Historically Underutilized Business Forum; MWDBE Construction Program; Fort St. Bascule Bridge: Building the Future with an Eye to the Past Geotechnical and Construction Considerations. • Technical Tours: QLine/Penske Operations Center; People Mover; Southeast Michigan Transportation Operations Center (SEMTOC) Monday: • CEU Courses: Understanding & Empowering Millennials in the 21st Century Transportation Industry; Workforce Development Legislation; Rail-volution: Building Livable Communities with Transit; M-1 Rail: Delayed Environmental Investigation to Mitigate
Tuesday:
• CEU Courses: Innovative Design/ Build Project: M-20 over Schrader Creek; Connected and Automated Transportation in Michigan; Brave New World: Methods for Understanding Public Sentiment of Transportation in Trump’s America; Smart Leadership: Managing Talent in a Changing World; Innovative Geotechnical Design for Regional Connectivity Center: Dingell Transit Center • National Scholarship Luncheon • Industry Awards Banquet Founded in 1971 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC, the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials was created to provide a forum for senior-level minority professionals in the transportation industry, and create pathways to opportunities for minority participation and advancement, through advocacy, training, and professional development. The organization has grown to 40 chapters across the United States. Members include professionals and executives in transportation related careers--engineers, planners, architects, designers, project managers—organizations, transportation agencies, non-profits, and historically underutilized businesses.
SUMMER SALES EVENT
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*2016 Calendar Year. **Not all buyers qualify for Ford Credit financing. 72 months at $13.89 per month per $1,000 financed regardless of down payment. Trade Assist Cash requires trade-in of ’95 or newer vehicle or lease terminated 30 days prior to or 90 days after new retail delivery. Not available on Focus RS. See dealer or go to BuyFordNow.com for qualifications. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by 7/5/2017. ***Not all buyers qualify for Ford Credit financing. 60 months at $16.62 per month per $1,000 financed regardless of down payment. Trade Assist Cash requires trade-in of ’95 or newer vehicle or lease terminated 30 days prior to or 90 days after new retail delivery. Not available on Raptor or Super Duty. See dealer or go to BuyFordNow.com for qualifications. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by 7/5/2017.
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• THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 28 - July 4, 2017
Lifetime Achievement Award Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams Senior Pastor Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
Friday, June 30, 2017 • MotorCity Casino Hotel 5pm Hors d’oeuvre Reception 6pm Induction Ceremony Dr. William F. Pickard, Ph.D.
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
Community of Excellence Award Ford Motor Company Fund Men of Courage
Keynote Speaker Successful Businessman and Author of “Millionare Moves”
Sponsored by
June 28 - July 4, 2017 |
How to Reflections By Steve Holsey
Down for the G cause
D1
with Naturally Flyy Detroit By AJ Williams
Slowly but surely — key word being “slowly” — more people are learning to separate what is important from what is not.
If you are a sista rocking natural hair in Detroit and have not heard of the Naturally Flyy Detroit movement, you have been living under a rock. The duo sister team of Espy “EttaFlyy” and Jennifer Thomas professionally known as Sister Flyy 17 are the fly founders of the natural hair group.
On the important side, for example, are crime, homelessness, the Flint water crisis, many forms of discrimination, outrageous auto insurance rates in Detroit, violence, under-performing schools, and Donald Trump being in the White House.
The group turned meet-up, turned epic natural hair experience, that is now known as Naturally FLYY Detroit presents “WE ROCK DOPE HAIR! A Natural Hair Experience.” Both sisters are part owner with their parents of Sweet Potato Sensations bakery on Detroit’s west side. When the business upgraded to a new facility across the street, the women began to explore how they could use the space for different types of programming. “While my sister (Jennifer) was transitioning, she was in multiple natural hair pin boards and would attend natural hair meet-ups. But the closest one was in Pontiac. There was nothing local, so we decided to create a meet-up,” said Espy.
Kerry Washington
Russell Simmons
Brad Pitt
Jennifer Hudson
JAY-Z
With any new venture, there is apprehension on whether or not the idea or event will be well received, and natural hair meet-ups are no different. “We set a date, but we were worried about who would show up. We thought only 30 people would show up. But then our friends encouraged us to put it on Facebook, and despite being nervous we took their advice and had about 100 people attend, and that’s when we realized we didn’t have enough room.” said Jennifer. See Naturally Flyy Detroit Page D-3
Beyoncé
Sexuality, always a touchy subject, is starting to take a back seat, as it should since most studies now show that sexual orientation is not a choice. It’s not about “right” and “wrong.” It’s about “just is.” A growing number of people in the music industry and Hollywood have been speaking out in support of gay, lesbian and bisexual people, whose numbers are very large. Among those making their voices heard are Kerry Washington, Russell Simmons, Vanessa Williams, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Hudson, Tyra Banks, John Legend, Quincy Jones, T.I., Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Tyson Beckford, Barbra Streisand, Mary J. Blige, Zoe Saldana and Lil’ Kim. Also, JAY-Z (he uses all caps now), Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, Nicki Minaj, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Holliday, Christina Aguilera, Whoopi Goldberg, Janet Jackson, Glor ia Estefan, Mo’Nique, George Clooney, Patti LaBelle, Dolly Parton, Alicia Keys, Enrique Iglesias, Gabrielle Union and others. And in the political world, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Al Sharpton, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson, to name a few. We should all stay focused on important matters and also remember the time-honored adage, live and let live. LIKE FATHER, like son. Derran Day, son of Morris Day, has stepped into the music business. He does not, Derran Day however, sound anything like his father and his style is completely different. You can hear what he sounds
See Reflections Page D-2
Foodies find love at first bite on ‘The Avenue’ By Roz Edward
50 percent more meat, these egg rolls move from the appetizer category into the realm of small plates fare.
Fusion food lovers from all corners of Detroit are flocking to the Avenue of Fashions to experience a divine cultural concoction that’s turning the food and beverage industry on its culinary ear. The International Kitchen and Café, best known for its eclectic mix of menu items, from burritos and pizza to rice bowls and tacos, is responsible for the craze that’s taking The Avenue and Detroit by storm. While the concept of the egg roll is not a new one — invented in New York in the 1930s — it was perfected in Detroit this year. The savory appetizers were typically filled with pork or chicken and encased in a pastry-like wrapper. But Detroiters, being Detroiters, are famous for bringing our own flare to everything we touch and the egg roll is no exception. The Avenue International Kitchen and Café fills the delicate dish with top shelf delicatessen meats, egg rolls filled with corned beef or steak
The Avenue’s corned beef is purchased locally, from the oldest and most renowned corned beef cooks in the country, E.W. Grobbel Sons, located on Orleans Street in Eastern Market. In addition, both the corned beef and steak and cheese egg rolls are made with 100 percent cheese from French provinces that are longtime favorites of master chefs for their centuries old recipes and their extraordinary brands of fromage. are making their mark with a fierceness. Restaurant proprietor Vince Sheffield, who has garnered major respect in the business community for putting the customer first, confirmed that he and his staff spared no expense in taking the relatively new food favorite to the next level. “Our motto, is can we offer this product, give it an amazing
taste and make it healthier for our people. We don’t use anything processed,” says Sheffield. “We spent weeks analyzing the product put out by our competitors and decided there were several ways we could improve the product, especially in terms of making it more nutritious and flavorful by using the best ingredients available. So, we tested and tasted until we got it just right.” And with
“The corned beef egg rolls are the best I’ve ever tasted,” says Yachecia Holston, a minister from the North End of Detroit, and a leading competitor in Season 8 of the popular “Master Chef” cooking show with notoriously judgmental, temper tantrum-throwing chef Gordon Ramsay. “The quality of the product is absolutely top shelf and par excellence from
See The Avenue Page D-2
Page D-2 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 28 - July 4, 2017
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PICKS 515 374 100 439 964 WEEK’S BEST LOTTERY
806 129 657 221 054 138 741 8525 6496 491 30 33 37 64 22 4 YOUR AD
LOOKS
Friday, June 30 | 10 pm | Common Pub HER DETROIT SUMMER PARTY: HER is the largest dating and social networking app for LGBTQ women with over 2 million users in over 55 countries. By now you’ve probably heard all about the incredible HER parties that have popped up in major cities around the world. Now, the wait is over and HER Detroit is making its debut downtown on June 30 at Common Pub on Cass INFO: WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM Saturday, July 1 | 9 pm | The Key Club SILENT TRAP PARTY DETROIT: Urban Fêtes is back in the great city of Detroit with the hottest — and quietest — party wave. Join in on Saturday, July 1, at The Key Club Downtown as we add a “TRAP” twist to our #SilentParty. Don a pair of headphones and rock with three DJs spinning the hottest hip-hop/R&B, Top 40 and trap/house hits. INFO: WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM Saturday, July 1 | 8 pm | Campus Martius FAYGO MOVIE NIGHT IN THE D (HIDDEN FIGURES): Enjoy award-winning films on the big screen at Campus Martius Park, as we host our outdoor movie series, Fay-
go Movie Night in the D every Saturday night through August 19. Grab a chair or bring a blanket and join everybody on the lawn. INFO: WWW.DOWNTOWNDETROITPARKS.COM Saturday, July 1st | 5:00 pm | The Annex HEART OF THE CITY MUSIC FEST: Come experience the 1st Annual Heart Of The City Music Festival. Vendors, live performances, live DJ sets, professional dancers, laser light shows and so much more. Genres of music include hip-hop, R&B, trap, techno, EDM and more. Sunday, July 2nd | 2:00 pm | Eastern Market SHED 5 DANCE MUSIC FITNESS FEST: THE ULTIMATE FITNESS PARTY OF THE SUMMER...ALL THE MUSIC ALL MOVEMENT ALL THE GOOD VIBES. The weather won’t be the only thing HOT at Eastern Market on July 2. Come experience four hours of fitness euphoria with 10 of the top fitness enthusiasts Detroit has to offer. The line-up is bananas! INFO: WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM
“Marvin Gaye’s story has always fascinated me,” said Foxx. “His brilliance in music is unparalleled.” Two Marvin Gaye movies had been announced, but those projects came to a halt. One was to feature Lenny Kravitz in the lead role, but for whatever reason he dropped out and Jesse L. Martin, best known for the long-running series “Law & Order,” stepped in. THE 30-YEAR reunion of “The Scene” takes place on Saturday, July 15, at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. It will also be a 70th birthday celebration for the show’s
Call (313) 963-5522
From page D-1
like on YouTube.
Jamie Foxx is producing a limited TV series on the legendary Marvin Gaye, with the blessings of his family and Berry Gordy. One of the executive producers is Suzanne dePasse.
Place your classified or display ad in the
INFO: WWW.EVENTBRITE.COM
Reflections Beyoncé is to be commended for starting the Formation Scholars Program. The purpose is to “encourage young women who are unafraid to think outside the box and are bold, conscious and confident.” Thus far, four institutions of higher learning are affiliated with the program — Spelman College, Howard University, Parsons School of Design and Berklee College of Music.
GOOD IN PRINT
lem that can’t be solved without violence.” Let the music play! Steve Holsey can be reached at svh517@aol. com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
Marvin Gaye
Nat Morris
host, Nat Morris. Former “Scene” dancers will be there and the Persuasion Band featuring LaWanda Gray, lead vocalist and one of most popular dancers from the show, will perform. Another very well known “Scene” dancer, Cheryl Peoples, who gained national fame as a winner on “Dance Fever,” will also entertain. Deejaying will be Tyrone Bradley, Hump the Grinder, Ron O.J., Dion Norman, Crystal P. and DJ Purse. There will be a cash bar, hot food and free parking. For more information and/or tickets, call 313.221.0719 or visit www.thescenereunion. com. Cedric the Entertainer is suing the SoCal Gas Company in Southern California. He says a 2015 gas leak caused he and his family to experience nosebleeds, vertigo and more.
Booker T. Jones, organist, leader of Booker T. & M.G.’s and an integral part of the legendary Stax record company, is writing an autobiography. That should be interesting. BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Keith and Darrell Littlejohn, nephews of Smokey Robinson, made several singles for Motown, but unfortunately nothing happened.
The Avenue the egg roll rapper to the finest in Swiss cheeses.” Sheffield’s, whose creed of quality first extends beyond egg rolls and producing the best product possible, recently removed the popular schwarma from the menu after Detroit’s iconic Bucharest restaurant opened its doors on Livernois Avenue just a few doors down. “Although schwarmas were popular with our patrons we removed them from the menu,” he explains. “Bucharest is the king of schwarmas. I can’t make them better, so rather than compete with them, I prefer to support them.” Sheffield and his staff are recognized for sending patrons to other dining establishments on The Avenue including Kuzzo’s and the American Bistro to satiate their cravings for the best fare. Avenue customers Dawn and Delbert Williams say they were making their first foray to The Avenue specifically to sample the latest food craze. “We found out about the Avenue on
MEMORIES: “I Love Your Smile” (Shanice), “To Be Loved” (Jackie Wilson), “Want Ads” (the Honey Cone), “I Can’t Stand the Rain” (Ann Peebles), “Love Don’t Love Nobody” (the Spinners), “Twistin’ the Night Away” (Sam Cooke), “Lovely Day” (Bill Withers). BLESSINGS to every person reading this right now. WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Andrew Young: “There is no prob-
From page D-1 Facebook and when I saw the menu I told my husband we are going to have to roll by there today and try [the egg rolls],” says Dawn, a food lover and self-described critic. “I have had them before at other places and didn’t really care for them. But these are great, not too salty and not too greasy. The others we had at different restaurants had wraps that were smaller, but too bready, so we were chewing for about half an hour,” quips her husband. These joy of cooking chefs and cuisine connoisseurs contend that their customers deserve nothing less than the best they have to offer. And although the fare could fetch a relatively hefty price for the filling and incredibly satisfying egg roll, they are regularly priced at only $2.99. But for the duration of the summer the Avenue is offering food lovers a special deal. “We’re celebrating the 93 official days of summer with a special on our most popular egg roll, and offering customers a chance to buy them for only $1.99 until Sept. 21,” concludes Sheffield.
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June 28 - July 4, 2017 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • Page D-3
Naturally Flyy Detroit From page D-1 It was Mom to the rescue. “Our mom suggested putting people in the kitchen. We were shocked she would suggest putting people in her kitchen. Her response? “Black women have been getting their hair done in the kitchen forever, why not?” said Espy. As the meet-up grew up, it also grew out of the family-owned bakery. “A lot of people suggested we move to Cobo Hall and honestly we really could accommodate the space. However, after a conversation with John George (owner of Artist Village), he insisted on us staying in the community, and we moved the location to Artist Village,” said Jennifer. Although, George played a role in the event staying in the community that was not the only reason they ladies remained on the west side of Detroit. “There is a certain type of energy and flavor that we wanted to maintain and to show that everything that’s fresh and dope doesn’t happen downtown,” said Espy. “We Rock Dope Hair” is more than just an event for these ladies; they are the local poster children for embracing your natural beauty and creative style. Their Naturally Flyy Detroit Facebook group is a place of camaraderie for women to be transparent in their fears of going natural along with celebrations of all types of natural hair. So here are some Naturally Flyy tips on how to rock your dope hair: Going natural is personal, but should a first timer do the big chop or transition slowly into natural hair? “I was not comfortable with a big chop. Some people can’t deal with the straight hair mixed with kinky hair. Although I have met girls who chop it all off and will rock a fade. It depends on the person.” said Jennifer. Espy, however, was different, explaining, “I transitioned over two years through braids and two strand twist.” What are your go-to moisturizing methods or products? Espy said, “Whenever someone asks me about moisturizing their hair because their hair is dry, I inquire on how much water they drink daily and also what kinds of medication are they are taking. Hair starts from within. If you are not drinking enough water, no matter what moisturizer you use, your hair will alway be brittle and dry. If water or medication are not affecting you, then I recommend the LOC method (liquid, oil then styling cream). Also, every season give your hair a hot oil treatment. Jennifer added, “Do not wash your hair consistently with a clarifying shampoo. Overuse can strip your hair of its natural moisture. Try to opt for a moisturizing shampoo and use a clarifying shampoo once a month or when you notice significant product buildup.” Winters can be harsh in Michigan on natural hair. The solve? Protective styles. “Braided updos and twists are great because you don’t have to manipulate the hair, so it allows for less breakage and damage,” Espy noted. If you decided on braids or any protective style, do not have your hair tightly braided where your hair follicles pull because this can cause permanent damage to the hair follicles causing loss of hair. Follow Espy and Jennifer Thomas in their natural hair group, “Naturally Flyy Detroit,” on Facebook.
Classified OBITUARIES
HELP WANTED
Max Warren Jameson Max Warren Jameson, who passed away on June 5, 2017 at the age of 82, was born on Feb. 3, 1936 in Franklin, Kentucky. He furthered his education at Kentucky State University. He was married to Avis M. Jameson. Mr. Jameson received honors and awards during his military service. He played All-American basketball and also played as one of the original Harlem Globetrotters. He competed in Masters level track and field events while coaching youth in the sport. He mentored athletes young and old well into seventies. Mr. Jameson later worked in labor relations and held various high-level managerial position with General Matters. He enjoyed collecting high-end, fine, classic, model automobiles. A memorial service for Max Warren Jameson will take place on July 22, 2 pm, at Southland Park, 625 Hill N Dale Road, Lexington, Kentucky 40503. The event is in conjunction with a family reunion and all friends are welcome to attend this celebration of his life. Max Warren Jameson leaves behind three daughters and a wealth of family and friends.
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The Detroit Building Authority is accepting applications for a Special Area Maintenance Project Superintendent. For a detailed job description, and information on how to apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/detroit Canton Township: Network Administrator (Full-Time) Canton Township is now accepting applications for the Full-Time Network Administrator position. Application Deadline: Monday, July 10, 2017. Job description with complete qualifications and hiring process is available on the Canton Township website: http://canton.applicantpro.com/jobs/. (EOE) Seeking
ASSISTANT ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR COMPLIANCE AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Seeking
ACADEMIC ADVISER AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY First Year Advising Center
The mission of the First Year Center is to reach out to all incoming students. The Adviser will manage a caseload of students and assist them in all facets of academic planning and transition to college life. Also serve as a liaison to a professional school or College of Arts and Sciences to insure effective communication in the interest of student progress and engagement. Minimum Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Education or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years experience in an educational setting. Demonstrated skill in working with students to achieve educational goals. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Refer to online posting for additional requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by July 6, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
Seeking
SKILLED TRADES VI – HVAC AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Plant Maintenance Department
This successful candidate will become part of a skilled trade’s team responsible for University Housing Maintenance activities. This individual will be called upon to perform a variety of tasks associated with maintaining building HVAC, and mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. City of Detroit unlimited refrigeration journeyman’s license or equivalent journeyman’s license or card through Union Local 636, and proof of six years of continuing job related experience dealing specifically with large heating/ventilation/air conditioning systems. In the absence of above credentials, individual may possess a State of Michigan mechanical contractor’s license. Salary is $28.62 per hour/$32.20 after 90 days. See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by July 7, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
Upward Bound
Generate the required number of eligible and qualified Project participants annually and implement strategies to retain participants. Make needs assessments (and agency referrals as needed), providing guidance for establishing goals and monitoring the achievement of goals. Supply academic, college admission, financial aid, and career advising to facilitate college entry and retention. Provide administrative support. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in human services or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years’ work experience with educationally at-risk high school students and their parents in an educational setting. Significant experience developing, implementing, and evaluating the effectiveness of social, cultural, and career enrichment programming for groups. Salary commensurate with education and experience. Refer to online posting for additional requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by July 7, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
Legal Affairs/General Counsel/Board of Trustees
To coordinate athletic rules and compliance for the athletic department. Serve as part of the Departments administrative team. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum one year experience in collegiate athletics administration. Working knowledge of intercollegiate athletic department. Perform job duties in manner consistent with NCAA conference and university rules, regulations, ordinances, policies, procedures and guidelines. This is a full time position. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 30, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
This position is located in the Clerk’s Office of the United States District for the Eastern District of Michigan and reports directly to Case Manager Supervisor. The employee is responsible for assisting pro se filers and managing programs to inform them of required filing procedures as they self-direct their case through the litigation process (unless appointed pro bono counsel). The work is performed in an office setting. Occasional travel within the district may be required. EOE
Senior Design and Release Engineer
National Home Safety Month MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Published Every Wendnesday
Senior Design and Release Engineer, Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, design &implement Power &Signal Distribution Systems incldg low &high voltage DC wiring harnesses for future conventional &hybrid vehicles using UGNX &VisMockup software. Perform virtual &physical routing of vehicle electrical wiring harnesses incldg selection &validation of cables (types &gauges), heat &crash shields, connectors, fasteners, &retainers, &proper routing of wiring harness assemblies &optimization of splice locations, according to strict U.S. FMVSS &UN ECE crash, safety &durability reqmts, &American Wiring Gauge (AWG) 5, 16-22, 35, &95mm standards, &ISO/TC 22/SC 32 standards. Release wiring harnesses &subcomponents using E-squared &APM software to manage Bill of Material (BOM) &technical reqmts for fasteners. Work closely with vehicle program teams, such as interiors, structures, powertrain, CAE, &mfg. Lead peer &electrical wiring harness assessment reviews, developing engr designs &performing complex engrg design analysis. Bachelor, Electrical, Mechanical, or Automotive Engineering. 24 mos’ exp as Engineer, performing virtual &physical routing of vehicle electrical wiring harnesses incldg selection &validation of cables, heat &crash shields, connectors, fasteners, &retainers, &proper routing of wiring harness assemblies &optimization of splice locations, according to U.S. FMVSS, UN ECE, &AWG standards. Mail resume to Ref#1233, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
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PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
Lead Applications Engineer Visteon Corporation is seeking a Lead Applications Engineer in Van Buren Twp., MI, to support new business proposals, formal design reviews and customer presentations, and design and develop software based on requirements specifications, among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in computer science or computer science and engineering and five years of experience in the job offered or as an applications or systems engineer. For confidential consideration, please apply online at www.visteon.com/careers/. Please respond to Job Requisition Number 17-0042. EOE.
Design Release Engineer
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan - Vacancy Announcement at: http://www.mied.uscourts.gov.
PROJECT ADVISER AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
June 1 thru July 4 Fireworks Safety Month
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
TEMPORARY PRO SE CASE ADMINISTRATOR
Seeking
HELP WANTED
SPECIAL AREA MAINTENANCE PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT
June 28 - July 4, 2017
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Researcher-Autonomous Vehicles
Warren, MI, General Motors. Work as an independent yet integral member of a team to dvlp innovative &creative AI &machine learning solutions for automated vehicles. Implement learning algorithms such as inverse reinforcement learning, deep reinforcement learning &probabilistic inference for decision support systems. Implement deep neural network topologies such as convolutional nets, recurrent convolutional neural networks, causal reasoning &probabilistic programming. Dvlp reqmts &evaluation methods for AI technologies &benchmark vendor technologies. Research on manipulating high-volume, high- dimensionality data from varying sources to highlight patterns, anomalies, relationships &trends with machine learning techniques. Dvlp tools to send, read &parse messages on Controller Area Network (CAN bus) in Linux environment. Implement hardware &software interfaces for multiple sensors such as camera, radar &Light Detection &Ranging (LiDAR). Fuse &predict data from multiple sensors with Kalman filter &visualize data based on OpenCV &OpenGL library. Dvlp &maintain C/C++ &Python code under Linux for general purpose PCs &embedded hardware platforms. Master, Electrical or Computer Engineering. 6 mos exp as Engineer, implementing hardware &software interfaces for multiple sensors such as camera, radar &LiDAR, dvlpg tools to send, read &parse messages on CAN in Linux. Mail resume to Ref#13533, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Senior Digital Sculptor
Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp Class A surfaces of full vehicle &passenger vehicle (conventional &electric passenger car, SUV, truck, performance car) exterior components such as full exterior body sides, hood &deck lids, roof, front/rear/side glass, front &rear fascias, &detailed exterior components such as grilles, badges, headlamps, tail lamps &wheels using Autodesk Alias AutoStudio & UGNX. Interpret &define the design intent of the designer while directly collaborating with engrg, packaging, &tooling teams, &assure minimum radii, minimum draft in compliance with U.S., European &China standards on radii, draft &tooling reqmts. Translate the design intent into the 3D surface math data using prior exp &skills such as design sensitivity, aesthetic proportions, brand identity, customer focus, &attention to details. Mentor jr &new hire digital sculptors on methods to build high qlty Class A surfaces &how to interpret engrg &design criteria. Collaborate &work closely with cross-cultural cross-functional global teams of engrs &designers to understand their design intent, reqmts, &engrg constraints &deliver project on time with desired qlty. Dvlp Class A surface for initial concept to production surfaces achieved in various stages as per Global Vehicle Dvlpmt Process. Bachelor, Transportation Design, Mechanical Engrg or Automotive Engrg. 12 mos exp as Digital Sculptor or Engineer, dvlpg Class A surfaces of full vehicle &passenger vehicle (conventional &electric passenger vehicle exterior components such as full exterior body sides, hood &deck lids, roof, front/rear/side glass, front &rear fascias, &detailed exterior components such as grilles, badges, headlamps, tail lamps &wheels using Autodesk Alias AutoStudio &UGNX. Mail resume to Ref#6807, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
CAE Engineer - N&V
Warren, MI, General Motors. Perform complex analytical simulations to evaluate noise &vibration (N&V) performance in full vehicle structures, subsystems &components. Build, debug &validate finite element (FE) CAE models using computer aided engrg (CAE) software, incldg NASTRAN, ABAQUS, HyperMesh &ANSA for noise &vibration (N&V) analysis. Dvlp engrg designs (incldg subsystems, components) considering factors such as geometry, stiffness, deflection, strain, cost &mfg. Use LMS Test.Lab software to analyze test data for modal information, sound pressure, noise radiation &CAE model correlation. Participate in N&V Performance Integration Team (PIT) &Structural Integration (SI) meetings to work through packaging issues, mass &cost impact of solutions. Produce &communicate concise management summaries that meet the needs of Directors &Chief Engineers. Perform complex design analysis &design optimization using design of experiments (DOE) methods &software such as OPTISTRUCT. Master, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering. 12 mos exp as CAE Analyst or CAE Engineer, using NASTRAN, ABAQUS, &HyperMesh to build &validate FE CAE models of full vehicle structures for NVH, &using LMS Test.Lab to analyze test data for modal information, sound pressure &noise radiation. Mail resume to Ref#16472, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Published Every Wednesday
Design Release Engineer, Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, design &release future mid-size CUV hard trim, incldg A/B/C Pillar trim, front rocker, quarter lower, liftgate, &liftgate sill plate trim, using UGNX, VisMockup &Teamcenter, &implement globally in design of future vehicles. Engr &release CUV hard trim components in strict compliance with FMVSS 201u Upper Interior Head Impact &302 Flammability standards. Set technical parameters &test reqmts to CAE Engrs to simulate &improve design to achieve structural performance reqmt &optimize for mass &cost while balancing safety &formability reqmts. Review &release Statement of Reqmts (SORs) with Program Team &Purchasing Team for supplier sourcing. Review &release parts from prototype build with Pre-Production team &build suppliers. Bachelor, Mechanical, Automotive or Chemical Engineering. 12 mos exp as Engineer, engrg &releasing passenger vehicle hard trim, incldg A/B/C Pillar trim, front rocker trim, quarter lower trim, liftgate trim, using UGNX, VisMockup &Teamcenter. Mail resume to Ref#1238, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Design Release Engineer
Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, dvlp &release fuel tank assembly, fuel filler pipe assembly &fuel tank strap for current &future luxury PHEV passenger cars. Lead &plan each program’s fuel tank &filler pipe assembly timing &manage the program dvlpmt meeting weekly. Engr, design, dvlp, release &continuously improve production &processes to meet the fuel tank &fuel filler pipe assembly reqmts &vehicle emissions/safety regs. Dvlp, evaluate &assure the systems &subsystems in fuel tank &fuel filler pipe assembly comply with emission regs such as Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV), Low Emissions Vehicle III (LEV III), &U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) safety standards such as 49 CFR Part 571. Improve the design to achieve structural performance &operating reqmts such as required fuel flow rate, refueling performance, fuel level indication, fuel &thermal resistance durability, &noise &vibration (N&V) performance. Bachelor, Mechanical, Automotive or Aerospace Engineering. 12 mos exp as Engineer, engrg &releasing passenger car fuel system components incldg fuel tank/fuel filler pipe assemblies &fuel tank strap, &assuring that fuel systems comply with emission regs such as PZEV/LEV III, &FMVSS Part 571 standards. Mail resume to Ref#1235, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Automated Driving Software Engineer
Warren, MI, General Motors. Analyze existing autonomous driving vehicle software written in C &Python on Robot Operating System framework to evaluate functions &performance of autonomous driving algorithms. Dvlp a software-in-the-loop simulation toolchain for autonomous driving vehicle systems by integrating Carsim, Simulink, ROS, &Gazebo. Perform autonomous driving &vehicle dynamics simulations using engrg software such as MATLAB, Simulink, Carsim, &ROS. Write programs in C to integrate Carsim vehicle model into autonomous driving software written on ROS. Dvlp virtual vehicle dynamic models with data obtained from physical vehicle handling tests. Dvlp driving scenarios &road networks to test autonomous driving control algorithms. Analyze, dvlp &simulate vehicle control models using feedforward and/or feedback control techniques including but not limited to Proportional Integrate Derivative (PID) &Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) feedback control algorithms, &Kalman filter for state estimator, using MATLAB &Simulink. Identify variables affecting differences in simulation &reality &correlate virtual simulation results to physical tests. Analyze data captured by radars to study feasibility of using radars for vehicle localization. Master, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. 2 mos exp as Engineer or Graduate Assistant, dvlpg &simulating feedback control techniques including PID/LQR feedback control algorithms, &Kalman filter for state estimator, using MATLAB &Simulink. Mail resume to Ref#2709, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Design Clay Sculptor
Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp &perform physical sculptures. Evaluate physical surfaces &digital sculptures in Alias (surfaces to mill). Interpret sketches &drawings. Dvlp interior &exterior clay models of full vehicles (full-sized models) &components (as well as components in steel, carbon fiber, wax, low density foam (Renboard), rubber &wood) &scale models, working on 1-3 new concept passenger vehicles (passenger cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, &performance cars), facelifts &show cars at any one time. Take measurements from completed half of model &duplicate them on unfinished half to make both sides symmetrical. Finish Class A Surfaces, troubleshooting &resolving complicated structural &design problems in connection with the dvlpmt of full vehicle models in clay &low density foam. Use highlight lamps to evaluate surface quality &curvature, &check tolerances &continuity of surfaces. Assure good surface &that highlights are perfect, with precise surface smoothing, &exact placement of DI-NOC architectural finishes to surfaces &materials. Verify uniformity &smoothness of curved surfaces with splines &sweeps. Bachelor, Industrial Design, Product Design or Design. 12 mos exp as Clay Sculptor or Digital Sculptor, dvlpg &performing physical sculptures, evaluating physical surfaces &digital sculptures in Alias (surfaces to mill), interpreting sketches &drawings, dvlpg interior &exterior clay models of full vehicles &scale models, working on concept passenger vehicles, facelifts &show cars. Mail resume to Ref#1273, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
June 28 - July 4, 2017 Page D-5 THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE praise connection CLASSIFIEDS Spiritually Speaking: confidence Dellie Bernice Glover
plus discipline equals power
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
Analysis Engineer Analysis Engineer, Pontiac, MI, General Motors. Conduct 3D &1D CFD &thermal analysis for incompressible &multiphase flows, such as coolant &oil for engine subsystem. Dvlp &execute engine lubrication &cooling CFD models using Amesim > suite. Determine pressure drops, velocity, priming time &flow rates in circuits. Dvlp engine simulation/analytical models for engine systems including pistons, engine cooling systems, water jacket-coolant systems, oil lubrication systems, transmission warm up systems, &engine heat balance systems. Dvlp active thermal management models in GT suite software to predict engine metal, coolant, oil temperatures for coolant control valve operating modes for conventional &full electric propulsion systems. Determine performance of vehicle cabin heater, coolant control valve logic, engine coolant flow distribution, vehicle de-icing performance, Federal Test Procedure cycle thermal performance, oil heat exchanger performance, engine heat/energy balance &thermal control maps for calibration. Dvlp scripts in MATLAB, Python, C &Excel VBA to automate engine standard work analysis. Dvlp control loops between analytical codes &model physics based procedures. Master, Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering. 12 mos exp as Engineer or Technical Expert, conducting 3D & 1D CFD &thermal analysis for incompressible &multiphase flows, such as coolant &oil, for engine subsystems. Mail resume to Ref#2655, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer, Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan &execute for vehicle assembly plant Paint Shop automated controls for Paint Shop infrared &convection ovens, spray booths, spray robots, phosphate &electroplating sealing systems. Engr, design &implement automated plant systems such PLCs &PLC-based machinery &equipment systems such as Allen-Bradley ControlLogix PLC &GuardLogix PLC modules; robotic cells such as Fanuc; vision systems such as Cognex &Leone, incldg robot path corrections; work stations using Win7M; plant communication networks in Ethernet &DeviceNet; safety systems such as Pilz/Sick Safety devices; &server backups using Acronis. Meet with technical &engrg representatives of PPG, GK, Fanuc, Axalta, Duerr, Leone, &other major manufacturers &suppliers of tooling &machinery to determine equipment layouts &controls design. Ensure implementation &use of General Motors safe operating processes &procedures in terms of Electrical Safe Work Practices, Lock out–Tag out, implementation of Safety placards on control panels, use of Global Risk assessment tools (G-Risk). Bachelor, Electrical or Electronics Engrg. 60 mos exp as Project or Manufacturing Engineer, Leader or related planning &executing for vehicle assembly plant Paint Shop automated controls for Paint Shop infrared &convection ovens, spray booths, spray robots, phosphate &electroplating sealing systems. Mail resume to Ref#323, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, Mail Code 482C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Senior Design Release Engineer Senior Design Release Engineer, Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr &dvlp passenger vehicle (truck &SUV) functional specifications &Design Verification Plan &Report (DVP&R) for electrical centers, incldg selection &sizing of circuit breakers, fuses &relays on PCBs according to vehicle features such as wiper systems, power seats, starters, brake vacuum pump &window defoggers in engine compartment, instrument panel &rear cargo area. Conduct DFMEA, Design/Production Validation (DV/PV) testing reviews with suppliers according to Vehicle Technical Specification (VTS) &Component Technical Specificatio`n (CTS). Implement product lifecycle activities from concept to launch using Global Vehicle Dvlpmt Process (GVDP). Execute engrg design changes to electrical centers during the product life cycle using E-Squared tool to write Engrg Work Orders &Temporary Work Orders. Provide handson technical support at vehicle assembly plant during launch during Engrg Tryout (ETO) &Production Trial Run (PTR) tryouts. Perform Root Cause analysis &troubleshoot using 8D principles plant &field failures, &warranty claims using Problem Resolution Tracking System (PRTS) processes. Bachelor, Electrical or Electronics Engrg. 60 mos exp in any related engrg occupation. Exp must include dvlpmt of vehicle functional specifications &DVP&R for electrical centers, incldg selection &sizing of circuit breakers, fuses &relays on PCBs according to vehicle features such as wiper systems, power seats, starters, &brake vacuum pump. Any suitable combination of education, training &exp is acceptable. Mail resume to Ref#522, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, Mail Code 482-C32D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
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Obamacare repeal threatens Healthy Michigan
Governor struggles to preserve signature health care program By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
RepubliNo matter how try to spin cans in Congress majority of it, it seems the know the ts their constituen when their difference between trying to are elected officials when they screw them and to do the r and Gary Torgow Jr., David Rainmake are actually trying Damon Creighton recently reright thing. A Hiram E. Jackson, that most leased poll shows little to no Americans have Amerifaith in the proposed (AHCA) Act can Health Care known legislation, otherwise Repeal, that as Replace and in the House the Republicans So much are putting forward. Republicans so, in fact, that essentially in the Senate are proposal declaring the House don’t even By Keith A. Owens dead on arrival and with it. Senior Editor want to be associated this whole of getting an educaBut even before The whole purpose school back when Nobody goes to thing got started, tion is to succeed. the most spectacular Trump and be Trump was just to learn how to president of be. we had an actual failure they can doing presithe United States having Trust me on this. dential things withoutbrought Bank being thank Chemical to worry about Oh, and you can the “killa and back Gary Torgow for up on charges, during Board Chairman s were coined the term Torgow when the Republican desire one S.W.A.G.’ their what quickly became totally united in his remarks in Obamacare, of the 2017 S.W.A.G. to dismantle of the favorite terms differMichigan had a slightly unlike Awards. Museum, ent approach which,overseen at the Charles Wright week Last states recognized some most other aclights the Michigan Chronicle by Republican governors, brightest young the value for of metro Detroit’s tually understood (Students Wired A residents die at the 2017 S.W.A.G. of not letting its Greatness) Awards. and Achievement and students were from lack of affordable school high care. Chrontotal of 13 local accessible health (courtesy of the Jr. with last year's awarded checks as somepartner, Chemical winner Damon Creighton Recognized now prize icle and our S.W.A.G. 2017 $10,000 award alter$1,000 to the top S.W.A.G. AWARDS photos thing of a Republican Bank) ranging from prize winner, (waivers Logan – Carla Jones of the book “MillionLast year’s top top winner, Jay'la native to Obamacare how the of EnAlliance and author this $10,000. of offer to for Proven Principles present he said. were required aire Moves: Seven Jay’la Logan, was benefit of her experi- be a productive citizen,” instructed them Medicaid exthe state implanted citizen, maybe trepreneurship,” similarly year’s awardees they were reas well as to Michigan freshman, Healthy “And as a productive you’ll come out that this was not free money pansion), and as such. ence as a college Maybe of helping to the Chronicle you’ll buy a house. or a talented videogra- ceiving, nor should it be treated supported the idea get the express her gratitude to attend be a journalist, Those are the for enabling her and Michigan Bank return. the Michigan residents and to for Chemical he “Learn, earn needed, but to she was determined no pher. Maybe come work expect of you,” health care they college. Although believe we’re going -style things that we or another, and al belief, and this Chronicle. So don’t and it’s the last time three with some Republicanas recollege one way fundament to a go have assistance “I in check such in said. you this made it, the of us who are born ideas thrown in doubt would have summer give going to see you. We’re investing critical for some personal re$10,000, plus a for some of us ople. We is so quiring more a we’re of an unexpected zip codes. So critical We’re businesspe the process. Bank, made quite gender, a certain our community. that the certain sponsibility in internship at Chemical away. We believe are born of a certain is this: Anybody much more don’t give money our busi- who belief Obviously, it’s difference. is, the stronger that overethnicity. And that accomplish anything. Michigan Chronicle stronger Detroit complicated than to hire our own can seemed to from anywhere also Hiram E. Jackson, will be. We’ll be able good financial deciall, but the idea Times Media CEO, the nesses you become employed, a of you to make a proposal publisher and Real people. And once your families and take I beg make $1 million counsel to you be that this was and if advice Reof because a as sions, year, you offered sound you will take care that could be sold ods, and it will year, and you spend $1 million a would not awardees. care of your neighborho of us.” publican effort that t. We are investing create more opportunity for all are what? Broke.” totally reject “This is an investmen completely and we’re because through you. So A-4 Dr. William Pickard,e Obamacare simply was in in our community give you this money, See S.W.A.G. page Keynote speaker we Global Automotiv the name “Obama” hoping that once get your chairman and CEO of . it wisely, you will there somewhere that you will use out and two, you’ll come degree, or maybe page A-4
17 features S.W.A.G. Awards 20 some of Detroit’s best
IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE See HEALTH CARE
WHAT’S INSIDE
partnerships are School board leader says
vital to DPSCD success
proed school reform needs and implement lity was evchildren with special grams and sustainabilooking for maintenance. was providing building ident. He did. I would are starting an individual ideally who and And so, while we an opportunationally recognized and driven anew and we have challenges. be president of bring a set of data Dr. Iris Taylor is tic nity, we have those Detroit Board around researched based programma the seven-member recently disWe also have challenges the District. He repto inherent She So, strategies of Education. teacher vacancies. that impact those key elements. about the cussed the issues in the enthusiasm enthusiasm resents Schools Compressure to the Detroit Public Do you feel any future, and I do have and its keys to clear that the to Detroit’s remunity District for the future, I’m able help contribute we face, and being is birth or renaissance? success. challenge goal want to do, amount to fund what we What is the District’s There is an enormous ? enormous. that we provide or and vision statement expectation of conthat that enables Have you completedDr. Ni- facilitate a structure Providing an experience and strive. ns with to be able to District to grow tract negotiatio allows our studentsin the world. was attrac- the as a person responsible for kolai Vitti? What to you? And compete anywhere navigate life so that we to tive about Dr. Vitti facilitating the board To be equipped and they choose a contracon policy decisions in any vehicle that We have completed been ac- focus do indeed grow the talent continue in the Dr. Iris Taylor to be in as they agreement that has board. that we to produce in a fourour resourc- tual and the within the District are looking education trajectorya vocational Galvanizing all of cepted by Dr. Vitti we in that we can provide He officially started on Tuesday, the product that year project or Detroit an entrepre- es to ensure dent. We for. So yes, the city of goals of the tic superinten as program, or being programma 23, our revitalizachal- May equipped them the will not complete neur. That we’ve stage of their District. It’s going to be Dis- were looking for an individual in tion unless the school district is the a proven track record to move to the next Financially, while had eslenge. who the . allotdefined money performing nt in schools lives and we’ve trict is in debt, the process improveme that are fail- also . children is not sence of excellence ted for educating that have programs particularly page A-4 challeng- enough to provide the extensive looking See PARTNERSHIP What are major as ing. I was not only Education is wraparound services, such someone who had es the Board of services for for to resolve? programs to provide faced with working
By Ken Coleman
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By James Washington NNPA
I have two words for you today; confidence and discipline. Both of which, when viewed spiritually, exude Godly principles. Put this on the Holy Spirit, but discipline is an amazing thing. When applied to faith, be it natural or supernatural, the result is spiritual confidence. Spiritual confidence and discipline, without ego or arrogance, gives you an attitude of awareness and knowledge and dare I say power? The example I’d like to use is of those saints in the Upper Room, when the Holy Spirit came upon them on the day of Pentecost and instilled everyone there with well, confidence and discipline. These people ultimately came to demonstrate a level of faith that was used via the power and grace of God to spread the Word of God all over the world. If you look at the before and after of this Pentecostal happening, you’ll begin to see my point. Prior to this, the faithful were huddled in secrecy, being faithful to the belief that what Jesus had told them, was indeed true. God would send another. That ‘Other” turned out to be the Holy Spirit, who imbued them with more of what they already had. Now their confidence in the truth of Jesus, coupled with their discipline to spread that word, manifested itself in their ability to communicate the gospel to the world. The world has not been the same since. The question then becomes, in what is your confidence and discipline based? Where do you get the necessary power to have your gifts fortified? Does your faith give you the strength to acquire the discipline necessary to know
what you should be doing in the Lord’s name and then do it? I believe the result is the power to know that you can do anything through Christ Jesus, provided you were called to do it. I also believe scripture illustrates to us that without spiritually based discipline, it is practically impossible to stand up to the trials and tribulations of life, but also impossible to withstand the temptations that seek to control our sometimes out of control behavior. The good news here is that wherever the Holy Spirit resides, change will occur, the right kind of change. Of those anointed in the Upper Room, many were faced with the opportunity to make their lives easier, if they would simply maintain the secrecy of their faith. Spiritually based faith and confidence gave each the power to boldly speak the truth. Remember Peter denied Christ three times without confidence. Some would call that cowardice. After Pentecost, he was buoyed by confidence and discipline. Power is the Word that comes to mind here. You remember Paul at Ephesus? “When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.” Acts 19:6. Here, these twelve men were already baptized but knew nothing of the Holy Spirit. After, we are told, they began to preach the gospel. Can’t you see the power gained and their growing confidence? There is nothing restrictive about this kind of discipline. It is in fact quite liberating. They knew that they knew the same way we know that we know. It’s that change thing again. It’s called being set apart and not having to apologize or keep it a secret. I believe it lets us stand up as Christians in the face of criticism, adversity and temptation.
The Power of Prayer
Learn & Grow
God is progressive. If we don’t progress we don’t survive. If we don’t learn what is new we will die physically, mentally, spiritually, even financially. There is no room in our lives for not learning. Reading newspapers, internet research, listening to podcasts have put the world in our hands. God wants us to learn to maneuver in this world because it has progressed.
God has not changed but has shown us progress. We no longer live in tents and kill food every day. We no longer go to the priest to go to God for us. We have prayer power to instantly access God anywhere. What a blessing! We owe
our best to God and to ourselves. That means growing and learning. When we were children we learned letters which taught us to read. Now let us grow from reading to applying our knowledge. Systems and governments can take our money. Nobody can take what you learn, feel, pray and believe. Read, study, learn, pray, save and share it with the rest of us. That is why God blessed you to learn. We need your knowledge and understanding!
Dorma McGruder www.dormamcgruder.com 313-282-3382
On Monday, June 12, services for Dellie Bernice Glover were held at Messiah Baptist Church with Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn officiating. Mrs. Glover passed away on May 31, 2017. Dellie Bernice Glover was born to the union of Eatherna Warren Crawford, Sr. and Bertha Lee Boykins on May 12, 1927. As a young woman, she gave birth to a daughter, Bertha Lee Anderson, and married Cleveland Anderson, Jr.
After moving to Detroit, she earned a general education degree and found work in a laundry. She later took the State of Michigan Board Exam which led to employment at Northville State Hospital. She was married to James Glover. Cherishing the memory of Dellie Bernice Glover are her brothers, Eatherna Crawford, Jr., Carl Crawford, James Moore and Henry Moore; a sister, Veronica Thomas; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Melvin C. Jones Services for Melvin C. Jones were held at Swanson Funeral Home, east chapel, on Monday, June 19, with Elder Chris Holden officiating. Mr. Jones passed away on June 8, 2017. Melvin C. Jones was born on Sept. 14, 1948 to the union of Carrie Mae Thomas and Calvin Jones in Detroit. He attended Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Northeastern High School. He continued his education at Wayne State University and was then called to serve in the U.S. Army. He held a number of jobs over the years. Cherishing the memory of Melvin C. Jones are his daughter, Tamika; sisters, Denise D. Ledbetter, Elaine T. Crenshaw, Helen S. Hopkins, Margaretta E. Hopkins and Kimberly Catling; brothers, Dennis L. Jones, Richard Hopkins, Mark Hopkins, Dale A. Hopkins, Wayne P. Hopkins and Clark Gipson; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment took place at Great Lakes National Cemetery.
Mary Lee Stroud Services for Mary Lee Stroud were held on Saturday, June 10, at Nehemiah Temple of the Apostolic Faith with Rev. Dr. Benjamin A. Jones officiating. Mrs. Stroud passed away on June 2, 2017. Mary Lee Stroud was born on Dec. 16, 1929 in Independence, Louisiana, the second of five children. She and Otis Williams were married in 1946 and had two children, Shirley Mae and Olivia Denise. She married a second time in 1983, to Rufus Stroud. She worked as a nurse’s assistant at Children’s Hospital for 20 years. Cherishing the memory of Mary Lee Stroud are her daughter, Olivia Williams; a sister, Mary Madeglene; and other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment took place at Metropolitan Memorial Gardens.
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