2017 Discover the Unexpected Fellowship program winners explore Detroit
Friday, June 30, 2017 MotorCity Hotel
Page B1 POWERED BY REAL TIMES MEDIA
Volume 80 – Number 39
michiganchronicle.com
June 7-13, 2017
Mayor Duggan speech wows Mackinac crowd, but what now? By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
On Wednesday, May 31, Mayor Mike Duggan gave a speech at the 2017 Mackinac Policy Conference that was praised by many as the urban version of the Sermon on the Mount. But not everyone was bowing down. In a strictly-the-facts presentation, Duggan educated the (still) overwhelmingly white Mackinac business crowd about the root causes of Detroit’s historic and devastating woes, letting them know in no uncertain terms that DeCOMMENTARY troit, contrary to what many of them may have believed prior to his address, is not responsible for all of the ills that have beset us in the past half-century. We did not put the noose around our own neck and then jump. Detroit has been strategically ostracized, victimized and cannibalized. And then blamed, as if this is the fate we would have chosen for ourselves. In informal conversations with a number of conference attendees after the speech, most of whom were upbeat about its content, the main thing that stood out to them was that it seemed to be the first time any of them had ever heard a mayor — let alone a white mayor — speak so bluntly about weaponized racism and how much it is directly responsible for the destruction of a city. These days, most choose to avoid any conversation about race at all costs, but Duggan jumped in with both feet. The fact that he chose to do this in front of the Mackinac crowd made it that much more awe-inspiring. But not to all. By now the twitter attack launched by Motor City Muckraker’s Steve Neavling listing all the reasons why he believed Duggan’s speech was fraudulent has been gaining some attention and making the rounds, especially among the Don’tTrust-Duggan crowd. Although some of the charges leveled by Muckraker were questionable, or at least not readily verifiable outside of his own reporting or quite fair, it would be wrong to say he was totally off-base with all his charges, as the Metro
See MACKINAC page A-4
WHAT’S INSIDE
Detroit’s seniors deserve better in their ‘golden years’ By Roz Edward Managing Editor
More than 80,000 Detroit residents are at-risk and vulnerable targets of predators on numerous fronts. The city's elderly citizens, many of whom lack the capital to secure appropriate housing services or the resources to pay for quality in-home care, are relying on the kindness of relatives and due diligence from paid health workers. But as the baby boomer population ages and the senior population increases in Detroit, so too does the problem of affordable, quality care in those golden years. Statewide statistics indicate that one in 24 seniors, 60 and older, are the victims of elder abuse. In Michigan, as many as 90,000 older adults are victimized each year. In 90 percent of reported instances of abuse, the perpetrator is a trusted family member, while only 10 percent are abused or neglected by paid caregivers. The problem of protecting older adults and stopping or preventing abuse is compounded by underreporting, and severely hindered by the victims’ fear of retribution, a sense of shame and in many cases their reluctance to send the abuser, who may a family member, to jail. Primary forms of elder abuse include physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse and neglect and exploitation. Elderly women are abused more often than elderly men, and those with physical and mental disabilities are abused at a much higher rate in both groups. In April, Faith Abdullah and her brother, Christopher Hood, of Detroit became aware that there was something terribly wrong with a 91-year-old relative when they came across a private message on Facebook. They found their beloved cousin, Edward, a former engineer, bedridden and covered with debris-filled bed sores. “We
saw the conditions he was living in and the type of people who had attached themselves to him,” said Abdullah. Neighbors who’d promised to care for the senior in his home for a fee of $2,800 a month not only failed him miserable, they robbed the fragile elder of tens of thousands of dollars. “His accounts had been closed, and there was money taken from them with no receipts or accounting for the missing money.” Edward who was removed from the home by Detroit police, has received therapy which doctor’s believe will have him up and walking soon. “I thought people were coming in to my home and stealing from me,” said an 89-year-old victim who requested her name not be used. “I told some relatives about it, and they didn’t take me seriously. Then they started moving things around to add to my confusion and maybe accelerate my demise,” she said, adding that she suffered a minor stroke prior to the property
Page B-1
$1.00
Although this victim’s account is relatively mild in comparison to more heinous offenses and violent crimes committed against area seniors, any level of abuse is injurious and damaging for these more fragile citizens. Like when Ralph Ford, a resident of St. Francis Nursing Center on Detroit’s east side, wandered off in March of this year, only to be found dead later in a trash bin outside the nursing center. “We felt secure there,” said Ford's niece, Carlas Parker. “We thought everything was covered, that he would be safe there. It was a good place for him to be.” An analysis of the death certificates of persons who died in nursing homes revealed that over 7 percent, or 1 in 15, of the deaths of seniors in nursing homes were caused, at least in part, by neglect,
See SENIORS page A-4
Detroit leaders laud local action, condemn Trump on climate change and pollution Lee Claire and Chronicle Reports
Trailblazing athlete Godfrey Dillard used sports as weapon against injustice
theft pranks, which evolved into theft and robbery.
change and ignores the demonstrated harms of air and water pollution. Lives are at stake, especially for the one million Michiganders who suffer from asthma and for low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are disproportionally impacted by pollution and climate change.
Detroit climate advocates were joined by others to criticize the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt for failing to protect Detroit families from dirty air and water. In a press conference hosted by Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice (DWEJ), speakers condemned the Trump administration’s plan to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement and gut the EPA’s budget and staffing, which would hurt the agency and its mission to protect Michiganders from dangerous pollution. “According to the recently released 2017 CAPHE Public Health Action Plan, two to three metro Detroit residents die every day from illnesses attributable to
poor air quality. We cannot stand by and do nothing when the federal government drops the ball,” said Michigan State Representative Stephanie Chang. President Trump continues to deny the danger of climate
“Local power is now all important, given that the federal front is abdicating its environmental responsibilities,” said Guy O. Williams, president and CEO, DWEJ. “Fortunately, this is an election year for Detroit. The Trump administration may be shortsighted when it comes to clean air and water, our environment, our health. But we can’t be. And we won’t be.” Speakers also noted that Pruitt, who sued the EPA 14 times as Oklahoma attorney general, is hostile to public health
protections and is cozy with fossil fuel companies, having taken nearly $350,000 in campaign contributions from the polluting industry. “President Trump proposed a dirty budget to rig the system in favor of polluters at the expense of our air and water. Slashing the EPA’s budget by 31 percent is unacceptable. This budget is setting us on a path towards disastrous public health consequences and we need to stand up and tell the Trump administration this is unacceptable,” said Keith Fusinski, chief steward VP for Professional Unit, AFGE Local 704. The event concluded with speakers pledging to hold President Trump and his allies accountable for any attempts to roll back climate action.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Page A-2
Michigan schools recognized for promoting healthy lifestyles St. Charles Elementary School in St. Charles Surline Elementary School in West Branch Surline Middle School in West Branch Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Redford Westlake Elementary School in Battle Creek
As part of the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan and in recognition of taking initiative to build healthier school environments, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Gov. Rick Snyder are recognizing 55 Michigan schools for fostering healthy eating, physical activity habits, and tobacco-free lifestyles among more than 24,000 students. “Schools are in a unique position to encourage young people to develop healthy lifestyles by providing regular opportunities for physical activity and encouraging healthy eating,” said Nick Lyon, director of MDHHS. “The Michigan schools recognized today with School Wellness Awards have gone above and beyond to create healthy environments that support lifelong healthy habits and learning.”
The Michigan School Wellness Award program aims to engage schools statewide in creating healthy school environments by establishing School Wellness Teams, completing the Healthy School Action Tools, and implementing sustainable policy and environmental changes. Schools that have achieved all of these elements are recognized with the top level Gold award. This year’s winners represent such achievements as increasing time each week that students participate in physical education, farm-to-school programs and engaging students to lead for healthy lifestyles. The winners of this year’s School Wellness Awards include:
Bronze Brookside Elementary School in Big Rapids Clarenceville Middle School in Livonia Columbia Middle School in Brooklyn Dudley School in Battle Creek Franklin School in Battle Creek Highland Pines School in Caro Lamora Park School in Battle Creek
Allendale Middle School Atherton Elementary School in Burton Laker Middle/High School in Pigeon Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy Prairieview School in Battle Creek Pullman Elementary School R.W. Kidder Middle School in Jackson White Pine Middle School in Saginaw
Lincoln Developmental Center in Grand Rapids Maples Elementary School in Dearborn Marshall Greene Middle School in Birch Run Myers Elementary School in Taylor New Haven High School Niji-Iro Japanese Immersion Elementary School in Livonia Pittsford Middle/High School in Pittsford Robert B. Havens Elem. School in Saginaw Shields Elementary School in Saginaw Springport Middle School in Springport Unionville-Sebewaing Elementary School in Unionville Valley View Elementary School in Springfield Vassar High School Vista Charter Academy in Wyoming
2
7 01
G
D ESU
etroit Vacation Bib le S
Bendle Middle School in Burton Cass City Elementary School Clinton Elementary School in Clinton Covert Elementary School in Covert Douglas Road Elementary School in Lambertville Dundee Elementary School in Dundee East Jackson Elementary School in Jackson East Middle School in Plymouth Estabrook Elementary School in Ypsilanti Fairview School in Lansing Fancher School in Mt. Pleasant Glencairn School in East Lansing Henry North Elementary in Lansing Highland Elementary School MacDonald Middle School in East Lansing Marble School in East Lansing Minges Brook School in Battle Creek Northwest High School in Jackson
In 2017, one person is turning age 65 every 10 seconds. That equates to three to four million American’s becoming Medicare-eligible this year alone.
Health Underwriters, speaking on ACA Changes and Medicare, and NAHU President James Stanger, discussing the state of the insurance industry.
To ensure that insurance professionals have the most up-to-date information on the state of this market, Metro Detroit Association of Health Underwriters hosted a Medicare Summit on Wednesday, May 10, at the Wyndham Garden Hotel in Sterling Heights. This meeting was attended by 150 health insurance professionals who work in the senior market and human resource professionals who advise employees reaching retirement.
“Medicare can be very complicated. It is important to be up-to-date on all the important parts of the Medicare puzzle. We strive to help our members stay informed,” said Amy Purcilly, local chapter president. “We are excited about the success of this event and the opportunity to educate members of the insurance and human resources community.”
Save the Date!
June 26-30, 9am - 3pm (Before and After care offered)
GESU Detroit VBS Registration Begins February 20th Special Appearance by a Former Detroit Lions Player Fun and Exciting Activities
Academic Games Surprises during the week, Giveaways & Prizes Yoga and Pilates for Kids Register TODAY at www.GesuVBS.com SPACE IS LIMITED
The National Association of Health Underwriters represents 100,000 professional health insurance agents and brokers who provide insurance for millions of Americans. The Metro Detroit AHU serves health insurance professionals and consumers of southeastern Michigan with over 500 members.
City’s residential street sweeping program nears midpoint Detroit’s recently revived residential street sweeping program is on track to cross the 50 percent mark of its first citywide cleaning cycle and move into more neighborhoods, according to DPW Director Ron Brundidge. Mayor Mike Duggan announced the return of the service during his State of the City Address in February. After a seven-year absence, the Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) relaunched its residential street sweeping program on May 1 on the city’s northeast side. The last time the city’s 2,000 miles of residential side streets were swept was 2010, before the service was stopped due to city budget cuts. “All city residential streets will be swept three times each year,” Brundidge said. Now five weeks into their first 10-week cycle, crews expect to complete their first sweep of the east side by the end of the week. As crews move westerly, residents in the following neighborhoods should see sweepers arrive during the first two weeks of June: Aviation Sub, Chadsey Condon, Barton-McFairland, Plymouth- Hubbell, Nardin
ch oo
Silver
Medicare Summit in provides important update on insurance issues
The summit included 14 industry experts discussing a wide variety of Medicare-related topics. The keynote speakers for the day were Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of
Powell Middle School in Washington Riverside Elementary School in Battle Creek Rogers Early Elementary School in Allen Park
To apply for the program, schools provide information about nutrition, physical education/activity and tobacco-free practices, and submit at least one success story.
l
The Michigan School Wellness Award program is part of the Michigan Health and Wellness 4 x 4 Plan, and a collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education, the United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Action for Healthy Kids, and the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition. Michigan’s award-winning schools were recognized today during a special ceremony at the State Capitol.
Gold
Park, Petosky-Otsego, Midwest Two days prior to sweepers arriving, the city will post No Parking signs to ensure machines have access to streets for proper cleaning. According to its sweeping schedule, the Department of Public
HOW TO CONTACT US: THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 479 LEDYARD • DETROIT MI 48201 (313) 963-5522
OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For general, local................. Ext. 232 Entertainment news............ Ext. 241 Community
(religion, weddings, etc)................... Ext. 247
Subscriptions....................... Ext. 243 –DEADLINE –
Classified: 3 p.m Friday
Copy, corrections and cancellations, preceding the Wednesday publication.
Display: 12 p.m. Friday
preceding the Wednesday publication. For all news and calendar items: Deadline is two weeks prior to event. Weeks that contain holidays, deadline is Thursday prior to publication date.
Works crews will sweep 100 curb miles or 330 blocks a day of residential streets. A map showing when areas of the city are expected to be swept is available at http:// www.detroitmi.gov/PublicWorks.
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY Publication No.: USPS 344-820
479 Ledyard Street Detroit, MI 48201 Phone: (313) 963-5522 OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. The Michigan Chronicle is published every Wednesday. Periodical Postage, paid at Detroit, MI. Price $1.00 and other post office.
MEMBER OF AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATION POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 479 LEDYARD DETROIT, MI 48201
10% SAVINGS When your business is more energy efficient, it’s also more profitable—and DTE Energy wants to help make that happen. Take John Logiudice, owner of Florentine Pizzeria, for example. DTE worked with him to make some small changes that led to big savings. Simply installing a programmable thermostat, sink aerators, LED lights and a pre-rinse spray valve in the kitchen saved John around 10% a month on his energy bill. If you’d like to manage energy use to save money at your business, visit dteenergy.com/savenow.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Page A-3
Knight and Ford foundations give $2.5 million to Detroit neighborhood fund Detroit’s effort to focus targeted, strategic reinvestment in city neighborhoods has received a significant boost from support awarded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Knight Foundation has invested $1.5 million over three years in the Strategic Neighborhood Fund, a public-private partnership between the City of Detroit and Invest Detroit. This initiative is working to show that neighborhood redevelopment can be done in financially sound, sustainable and inclusive ways in the city. The Ford Foundation, as part of its larger commitment to an equitable revitalization, has awarded $1 million to the effort. Initially, the neighborhood reinvestment is focused on three areas of the city: the West Village on the city’s lower east side, the Vernor Highway corridor east of Clark Park in southwest Detroit and the Livernois-McNichols area of northwest Detroit. Developments in these neighborhoods include a mix of new commercial and residential projects, rehabilitation of existing residential properties and, in the Fitzgerald Neighborhood on the northwest side, a quarter-square-mile of blightfree residential homes with new green recreation space, community gardens, orchards and a walking path connecting the University of Detroit Mercy to Marygrove College. “We are deeply appreciative of the commitment of Knight Foundation and the Ford Foundation to Detroit’s strategic plans for revitalizing neighborhoods that suffered disinvestment for too long,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “The foundations’ leaders understand, as Invest Detroit does, that for the city’s recovery to be sustained and inclusive, it must focus on the needs of longtime residents who never gave up on the city. We’re making the case that neighborhood reinvestment works in Detroit.” Invest Detroit is a key leader in the revitalization of the City of Detroit. Actively investing in the city for over twenty years, Invest Detroit is a financial catalyst serving the Detroit community with over $230 million
in capital and tax credit allocation under management. With funds spanning real estate development, commercial lending and venture capital, Invest Detroit is a 501(c)(3) Community Development Financial Institution developing innovative solutions to economic development challenges in this region. Working in collaboration with private, public and philanthropic partners, Invest Detroit promotes the creation of jobs, density and better quality of life for underserved communities. For more, visit investdetroit. com. The Strategic Neighborhood Fund is a more than $30 million public-private partnership that is part of a broader vision for stabilizing Detroit neighborhoods with targeted reinvestment including new and rehabilitated mixed-income housing
and new commercial developments designed to enhance neighborhoods for existing residents and draw new residents and businesses. The redevelopment efforts are driven by the needs of neighborhood residents who participate in extensive community meetings that guide the city’s planning. “Building a network of thriving neighborhoods in Detroit is essential to attracting and keeping talent in the city, and creating new economic opportunities for all,” said Katy Locker, Knight Foundation program director for Detroit. “The Strategic Neighborhood Fund will help support the growth of more small businesses in Detroit, bring people of different backgrounds and income levels together, and create more of the kind of places where people
LIVE IN CONCERT
JUNE 10, 2017 FREE CONCERT – 6 PM
MADISON CENTRAL STAGE DOWNTOWN DETROIT Between the Music Hall and Detroit Opera House
want to live.” “We are pleased to partner in this potentially game-changing initiative to ensure the revitalization of the city of Detroit is shared across neighborhoods and to all those committed to the continued ascension of this great city,” said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. “I commend the mayor and his team for understanding the importance of capital flowing to all corners of the city for a true resurgence and equitable recovery.” Detroit’s goal is to expand the neighborhood redevelopment and community planning to an additional seven areas, spanning more than 50 neighborhoods, over the next three years. In addition, Invest Detroit will target seven micro-districts within these areas in a more focused fashion.
The support further builds on the $10 million previously awarded to the Strategic Neighborhood Fund by JP Morgan Chase and the Hudson-Webber Foundation. It also adds to funding to the City of Detroit to implement the national Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative, a partnership between Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation and The JPB Foundation. The initiative aims to counter economic and social fragmentation by revitalizing and connecting public spaces — parks, plazas, trails, libraries. The investment aligns with previous support from Knight Foundation and Ford Foundation for economic development initiatives in Detroit including the New Economy Initiative, Motor City Match and the Detroit Development Fund.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Seniors preventable falls, lack of food or water, untreated bedsores, or other generally preventable ailments. Since that study, the nursing home population has risen sharply. But even more distrubing than the stories above is the fact that most elder abusers are not strangers. The National Center for Victims of Crime reports that of alleged perpetrators of elder abuse, 33 percent are adult children, 22 are other family members, 11 percent are spouses/ intimate partners and 16 percent are strangers. As a result, elder abuse is largely hidden.
Mackinac
Times took the time to point out. And it wasn’t just Muckraker who wasn’t willing to completely jump on the All Hail Duggan bandwagon. Detroit Free Press columnist Stephen Henderson also weighed in with the observation that part of the reason Duggan isn’t being pushed harder on his vulnerabilities is because there isn’t a challenger in the mayoral race who currently has the juice to make the mayor sweat. In other words, it’s not that Duggan is the Super Mayor that some are saying he is, it’s just that he is in the fortunate position of not having to worry about a serious challenger who could seriously exploit the weaknesses of his exposed flank(s). As for me? I thought the speech was strong, but I didn’t expect much less. Especially after the speech Duggan gave at last year’s Mackinac conference. The mayor is a formidable politician who
does his homework, who knows his crowd, and at his best can deliver a stirring populist address with the best of them. To get a blindingly white and wealthy heavily Republican and conservative crowd like Mackinac to jump up and down in applause about the dangers of white racism is quite a feat. And Duggan has a right to brag about many of his accomplishments. The Detroit News recently published the story that Detroit now has a $63 million surplus and has been debt-free for two years in a row. And I have said before, that Duggan’s recent highlighted focus on the plans for Detroit’s neighborhoods is great, and it’s unfair to say that those plans are only to booster his re-election campaign because the neighborhood revitalization program spearheaded by Planning and Development Director Maurice Cox, did not just begin this year. Those plans have been in the works
for quite some time now. Getting the street lights back on is a big deal. Period. And yes, I was very pleased — and surprised — with how Duggan framed Detroit’s problems in the context of white racism. Very pleased. But my primary criticism of the mayor’s cheerleading — understanding that he is a politician and that’s what politicians do — is that he continues to give relatively short shrift to the actual magnitude of the remaining challenges ahead such as the crippled public schools and the multiple related effects of crippling poverty and joblessness. His list of programs are fine (Motor City Match, Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, etc.), but they are far from enough to deal with in a city where nearly 40 percent of the populace struggles beneath the poverty line, where far too many young black men have criminal records barring them from effective employment, where
Detroit to honor LGBT Pride Month with flag raising at Hart Plaza The City of Detroit is flying the LGBT rainbow pride flag over Hart Plaza for the first time to honor LGBT Pride Month. “Detroit is growing. Detroit is rebounding. We won’t keep that momentum unless we are committed to inclusive city where everyone matters – black, white, Latino, Arab, and LGBT,” said Detroit Police Chief James Craig, who is also Deputy Mayor and represented the Duggan Administration at the event. “Today’s LGBT pride flag raising is a small gesture but it says a lot to our LGBT community: Detroit’s got your back.” The flag raising coincides with activities leading up to the Motor City Pride Festival June 10-11 at Hart Plaza. Flying the flag for LGBT Pride Month is part of the city’s efforts to support an inclusive, welcoming city for all. It comes at a time of progress for the LGBT community, which in 2015 celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic ruling making same-sex marriage legal across the country, but also backlash and challenges to LGBT rights. “The raising of this flag sends a message that Detroit is a welcoming city where everyone is valued and has real opportunity,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We are proud to be building a diverse city that includes our LGBT neighbors and celebrates the contributions they make to our city every day.” Motor City Pride draws more than 30,000 people to celebrate the advancements and encourage unity in support of full equality for all members of the LGBT community. Pride celebrations were born out of protest in the late 1960’s, from the Compton Cafeteria and Stonewall riots, as well as pickets in the mid1960’s in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, Pa. The late Gilbert Baker de-
veloped the pride flag in 1978 to bring the LGBT community together with a unifying symbol that stood for gay rights and LGBT diversity. The 2017 festival will offer over 130 exhibits for LGBT individuals to connect with non-profit groups and business that support equality. There will also be rallies to fight back against discrimination and support amending the state of Michigan’s Elliott Larson Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ individuals. The highlight of the festival will be the Pride Parade that will consist of companies that support equality in their workforce along with several local churches and associations that share a vision of equality.
The Parade will step off Sunday, June 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of Fort and Griswold Streets. The festival will also offer family-centered activities and five stages of entertainment highlighting over 150 local and national performers. Also attending the flag raising were Stephanie White, executive director of Equality Michigan, the Detroit-based statewide LGBT advocacy agency; Dave Wait, chairperson of the Motor City Pride Festival, and Curtis Lipscomb, executive director of LGBT Detroit, a nonprofit serving the African American LGBT community. A complete list of festival activities is at www. motorcitypride.org.
Tiffany Albert keynotes DAUMW luncheon
The Detroit Association of University of Michigan Women (DAUMW), a non-profit organization which provides financial assistance you young ladies entering U of M, announces The 105th Annual Scholarship Luncheon, Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 12 Noon. The scholarship luncheon will be held at the Detroit Athletic Club (DAC) located at 241 Madison Ave. in Detroit. The keynote speaker will be Tiffany A. Albert, President and CEO of Blue Care Network, Vice President of Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Michigan. Everyone is invited to
Tiffany A. Albert attend this special event. Tickets are $50 and includes parking. Please e-mail – daumw1912@ gmail.com to purchase tickets.
From page A-1 nearly half the population is functionally illiterate, etc., etc., etc. While Duggan’s before and after slideshows highlighting the admirable repeated transformation of broken down homes to House Beautifuls rarely fails to impress crowds with appreciate “ooohs and ahhhs,” I have yet to see a slideshow revealing a before and after city street or neighborhood. Granted, maybe that’s too much to ask, but I think Detroiters now need to see transformed neighborhoods not just pre-selected individual homes. And that transformation needs to happen quickly, like how District Detroit and Little Caesars Arena are happening quickly. The other complaint I heard whispered is that black developers have been effectively shut out of downtown and Midtown, and that’s a lot of money and opportunity to be shut out of. I have not had the chance yet to do a deep dive on this yet, but judging by the folks who are telling me this, I don’t think it’s just smoke, otherwise I wouldn’t print it. Sure, there’s still the rest of the city for black developers to work with, but in a city that is about 87 percent black, how crazy is it that black developers are shut out of anywhere? How crazy is it that in a city still struggling with crime citywide, the Kingdom of Downtown Detroit now has its own private police force courtesy of Dan Gilbert? Protecting who from whom? And now that Michigan's influential white conservative power elite have been sufficiently educated about the evils of white racism and its effects on not-so-influential black and poor Detroit, what are they going to do about it between now and Mackinac Policy Conference 2018? What difference will it make? I’m just asking.
But the tides of mistreatment are changing, as elder advocates in Michigan and Detroit have instituted a litany of laws and initiated programs to create awareness and protect elderly and vulnerable adults over the past year. The Detroit Area Agency on Aging Region 1 announced in May of this year the receiving of funding from the Aging & Adult Services Administration to help prevent elder abuse and neglect in metropolitan Detroit communities. The DAAA1A will work collaboratively with faith based organizations and various community organizations on Elder Abuse Prevention initiatives and objectives to as follows: • Determine unique characteristics of elder abuse and intervention/prevention in urban areas with large minority populations • Develop model and tool kit for faith-based organizations to train and support faith-based organizations in elder abuse identification, reporting and service interventions • Plan pilot service interventions for elder abuse prevention within select faith-based organizations • Convene meeting with local faith-based organizations to share results of Urban Solutions to Elder Abuse to support replication within faithbased organizations. The goal is to educate and advocate for a no-tolerance position in metro Detroit communities, and to make clear its zero-tolerance policy for
Page A-4
From page A-1 elder abuse, and promote its mantra, “There’s no excuse for elder abuse.” “We are excited about helping older adults and caregivers in our community to gain better access to information and education to not only recognize and respond to the mistreatment of elderly adults, but to help prevent it,” said Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO, DAAA. The main goal of this initiative is to highlight the need for appropriate action. Nationally, up to five million older Americans are abused every year, according to the National Council on Aging. “This effort is really about recognizing that this problem won’t go away if we aren’t proactive in working together with faith-based organizations and communit organizations to raise awareness and promote elder abuse prevention efforts by educating our families and communities,” said Tamara Perrin, prevent coordinator, DAAA. The project has already developed a team of individuals from various community and faithbased organizations from Detroit, the five Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park that meet on a monthly basis to focus on the development of Elder Abuse Prevention toolkit specifically for faithbased organizations. The overall goal is to ensure individuals receive training and awareness of how to address elder abuse which will ultimately contribute to helping to improve the quality of life for seniors in urban communities. For more information on how you can get involved please contact Tamara Perrin, DAAA elder abuse Prevention coordinator. Established in 1980, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) is a nonprofit agency that serves older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers residing in Detroit, the five Grosse Pointes, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and Highland Park. For more information, please call (313) 4464444 or visit http://www. DetroitSeniorSolution. org.
news
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Page A-5
City of Detroit to begin planning and redevelopment in three more neighborhoods The City of Detroit is seeking proposals for planning and design services to create a neighborhood and economic development strategy in three additional neighborhoods: Russell Woods/Nardin Park, Jefferson Chalmers, and Campau/ Banglatown. This is another step forward in the Planning and Development Department’s (PDD) goal of creating framework strategies for Detroit’s neighborhoods. The Request for Proposals follow similar strategic planning efforts already underway in Rosa Parks – Clairmount, West Vernor/Southwest, The Villages/Islandview and Grand River/Northwest neighborhoods. Plans already are being implemented in Livernois-McNichols (including the Fitzgerald Revitalization Project) and East Riverfront, where residents will see an expanded access to the river, the preservation of more public riverfront land and nearby economic development. With the release of the RFPs, the Planning Department will have targeted neighborhood planning projects across each of the city’s seven council districts. The studies now reach over 60 neighborhoods across the city. Each study will coordinate planning with existing community groups to identify the key issues and come up with innovative yet realistic solutions that the city can implement. Strong community engagement in each neighborhood study will produce community-driven framework plans for the areas. “These latest studies provide the City with an opportunity to allow residents to drive the vision of their own neigh-
borhoods,” said Maurice D. Cox, director of Detroit’s Planning and Development Department. “We consider each study a new chance to engage residents deeply and to understand the unique assets particular to their neighborhoods.” In Russell Woods/Nardin Park, the study will focus on economic development along the Dexter, Livernois, and Grand River Corridors with special attention to the stabilization of vacant homes in the historic Russell Woods neighborhood. Nardin Park will focus on a land stewardship strategy for vacant land throughout the neighborhood, with a focus on stabilizing vacant homes, vacant schools and vacant multifamily buildings of historic significance. The area is gen-
erally bounded by Oakman to the North, Grand River to the South, Dexter to the East and Livernois to the West. The Jefferson Chalmers study will focus on commercial corridor improvements, historic preservation, rehab development, and creating green storm water infrastructure. The study will also look for streetscape and mobility suggestions and improvements. Much of the housing in Jefferson Chalmers is in great condition, spurring a recent spike in new residents there. The neighborhood also boasts 160 acres of waterfront parkland and the city’s only remaining exposed canal system, a strong asset for the residents. The planning area is bounded by Vernor (N), Alter (E), Detroit River(S), and Connor (W).
The neighborhood study in Campau/Banglatown will have a specific focus on landscape stewardship, rehab development, and the strengthening of commercial corridors. The study will also focus on green infrastructure, mobility and zoning. This area is home to a strong, connected, and diverse community of residents and business owners. It also is a welcoming neighborhood where people from different cultures, backgrounds, and generations can learn about one another and contribute positively to the quality of life in the neighborhood. Banglatown is also the only neighborhood in the country where voters can get a voting ballot in Bengali. The planning area is bounded by Davison/McNichols (N), Mound
(E), Dequindre (W), Carpenter/ Conant/Caniff (South). The city is seeking proposals from a diverse group of planners and designers, both in and out of Detroit, to come work with the city and other world-class teams already on the ground. “Our urban design work in the city is driven for positive, lasting, and equitable impact. Working with the City of Detroit, and Esther Yang’s team on the Islandview Greater Villages project has been a great partnership,” said Dan Kinkead, design principal with the SmithGroupJJR. “We all have a shared commitment to creating real benefit through thoughtful, innovative, and resourceful strategies.”
Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 7-13, 2017
CONGRATULATIONS DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED FELLOWS!
Alexa Imani Spencer HOWARD
Noni Marshall HOWARD
Darrell Williams MOREHOUSE
Ayron Lewallen MOREHOUSE
Jordan Fisher CLARK ATLANTA
Taylor Burris SPELMAN
Tiana Hunt CLARK ATLANTA
Kelsey Jones SPELMAN
Discover the Unexpected is back! This year’s DTU journalism fellowship presented by the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association has expanded beyond Howard University to include students from Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Our 8 DTU Fellows will share stories from Atlanta, Washington D.C., Raleigh and New Orleans. Our young journalists will explore and share stories from these rich strongholds of African American history and culture. Join them as they embark on this exciting journey of inspiration, education and discovery.
#discovertheunexpected
DISCOVER MORE OF THEIR STORY AT NNPA.ORG/DTU
SECTION B
COMMUNITY Powered by Real Times Media
michiganchronicle.com
June 7-13, 2017
AARP brings Block Party to River Days By Lisa Whitmore Davis AARP Michigan Associate State Director for Multicultural Outreach
For the first time ever, AARP will bring its Block Party to the 2017 GM River Days in Detroit June 23-25, featuring radio personality Donnie Simpson, a virtual reality experience, special prizes, and other activities for the entire family. But the star of the show will be the Neighborhood Services Organization (NSO), a nonprofit, multiservice agency founded more than 60 years ago in response to the needs of low-income families and communities in Detroit. Lisa Whitmore Davis As a part of the AARP’s efforts to support the Detroit community, we will donate $1 for every frozen treat given away at the AARP Block Party (maximum donation of $5,000). “We’re pleased to be able to contribute to Neighborhood Services Organization. They do great work in Metro Detroit providing social and health services for older adults,” said Paula D. Cunningham, State Director of AARP Michigan. NSO President and CEO Sheilah Clay commented: “NSO has the honor of engaging in the lives of older adults with mental illness and those who just need community supports to live quality lives. We are excited about the gift from AARP. “We plan to use the funds to enhance our senior Wellness Center program funded by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging,” Clay added. “This program provides community senior services, congregate meals, nutrition education, and other social and health related services. The funds from AARP will enable us to add additional programming requested by our seniors. It is their voices that drive our work.” The check will be presented to NSO on Sunday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m. The AARP Block Party is a travelling exhibit that engages attendees with interactive experiences that relate to AARP’s programs and mission. Visitors who stop by the AARP block party can experience virtual reality and receive a free AARP-branded Google Cardboard VR viewer. In addition to the free Popsicle stand, the Block Party site in the center of the festival area will include a photo booth, prize wheel, and “commitment wall,” where attendees can leave heartfelt messages to the city. Simpson, a long-time radio DJ and movie and TV personality with Detroit roots, will have a meet and greet at the Block Party tent. He will be at the Block Party from 2-5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25. GM River Days is a one-of-a-kind festival which takes place along the Detroit Riverfront. The 10-year-old festival celebrates Detroit’s RiverWalk with activities on land and water. Learn more at RiverDays.com
When sports becomes more than just a game Trailblazing athlete Godfrey Dillard used sports as weapon against injustice By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor
Sometimes it’s the setbacks in life that steer you closer toward your purpose in life. Just ask Godfrey Dillard. Now 69, Dillard was a trailblazing athlete throughout high school and college, but it was a sports-related injury that yanked him off the basketball court just long enough for him to follow yet another path leading to an activity in which he also excelled, namely raising hell. Or, to say it more politely, he became a civil rights activist. Dillard is widely known for being one of the two AfricanAmerican lawyers who participated in the famous reverse discrimination suit of Gratz v. Bollinger filed by a disgruntled white student against the University of Michigan claiming that the school admissions policy discriminated against white people. But decades before that time came, Dillard was making a name for himself in Detroit during the early ’60s as a superior high school athlete who excelled in both basketball and football (he was All-State in both sports), and also did quite well in baseball and hockey. One of the few black students enrolled at Visitation High School, a Catholic high school that used to be located at 12th and Webb, Dillard remembers his time there under the tutelage of the Dominican nuns as a largely positive experience where he learned early on that he could compete both academically and athletically against the best, white as well as black. “We won one championship every year I was there, in both football and basketball,” said Dillard, who also recalled playing hockey against the Canadians on Belle Isle on the pond and in Windsor. Dillard had three brothers and one sister. All of the brothers excelled in sports. His father, Earl Dillard, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, died right after World War II.
See Godfrey Dillard page B-2
2017 Discover the Unexpected Fellowship program winners explore Detroit By Alisha Dixon Chevrolet and the National Newspaper Publishers Association recently made a stop in Detroit to kick off the 2017 Discover the Unexpected fellowship program with a two-day interactive immersion experience for eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities journalism students. “Last year, we were honored to launch the DTU fellowship program at Howard University and meet a group of very talented journalism students,” said U.S. Vice President of Chevrolet Marketing Paul Edwards. “Their enthusiasm, insight and determination made the selection process extremely difficult. We’re excited to send more trailblazers on the road to highlight the positive, inspire hope and document the legacy of African-American voices for generations to come.” With the program, Chevrolet and the NNPA want to create a platform for stu-
dents to add to and change the narrative of how news about the African-American community is reported. “The NNPA is looking forward to welcoming the next group of fellows to the program,” said NNPA President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis Jr. “Our 2016 fellows showed that despite the negative perceptions seen in the media, there are also beautiful and powerful stories in African-American neighborhoods across the country. Our 2017 fellows will continue sharing stories of community advocates, making impactful and lasting changes on a local and global level.” This year, the DTU fellowship program expanded to welcome students from Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morehouse College. The eight students were chosen based on their major (must be communications, mass media or visual arts), GPA, technology/social media proficiency, work
See Fellowship program page B-2
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Fellowship progam
H. Wright Museum of African American History and the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art.
DTU Fellows represent the next generation of communications, mass media and visual arts professionals who will reshape the art of storytelling.
The experience was designed to prepare the students for what they will experience this summer during the DTU program and subsequent journalism and media internships.
While in Detroit, the fellows participated in an interactive immersion experience that included a scavenger hunt throughout the city of Detroit to learn and write stories about the city’s landmarks that included D’illa’s Delights, Detroit Vs. Everybody, thes.Charles
For eight weeks over the summer, the fellows will cover multimedia and print stories and work alongside professional editors and reporters from NNPA newspapers in Atlanta (the Atlanta Voice), New Orleans (theLouisiana Weekly), Raleigh (the Carolinian) and Washington, D.C. (the Washington Informer). Each fellow was awarded a $10,000 scholarship and provided with a stipend to cover any travelling expenses related to covering stories throughout the summer. Chevrolet also provided access to the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox for use during reporting assignments.
Godfrey Dillard “During the wintertime, football is over and it’s too cold, so we played hockey.One thing about my mother with four boys and no father, she encouraged sports. My older brother was a star athlete; he went to Western Michigan University. My other brother was All-State, All-American football player for Central High School. So that’s where her excess money went. We needed football shoes, helmets, whatever.” Dillard’s strength in sports attracted the attention of college scouts across the nation. “I was highly recruited, had over 30 schools that wanted me, but I went to Vanderbilt [University], where I was the first black in the SEC (Southeastern Conference). Thing about that is you got Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, and of course that’s during the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Freedom Summer ’64, ’65, ’66. I came in ’66. “I came to the South in part to participate in the southern movement. To try to break down the segregation patterns in the South. As an athlete, my way of doing it was sports.” Still, it made him naïve going to Visitation High School, be-
Page B-2
From page B-1
samples and an interview by a panel of judges from the NNPA and HBCU officials.
The 2017 DTU Fellows include Taylor Burris of Spelman College, Darrell Williams of Morehouse College, Jordan Fisher of Clark Atlanta University, Tiana Hunt of Clark Atlanta University, Kelsey Jones of Spelman College, Ayron Lewallen of Morehouse College, Noni Marshall of Howard University and Alexa Imani Spencer of Howard University.
June 7-13, 2017
cause Dillard was a black man accustomed to being accepted by whites. “I didn’t have any feeling of inferiority vis-à-vis white folks.” “But southern racism was different than northern racism. Even though I felt like I navigated the northern, when I hit that, it was totally different. And then I became politically active,” he said. “I started the first black newspaper at Vanderbilt. I was the first black Afro-American president of the [black] student government. And I pushed for more black teachers, more black classrooms, more black studies, more black administrators.” He helped create the first black student union on campus. “There were only eight black folks on the entire [Nashville, Tennessee] campus. And I was the only one from the north.” All the other black students were from the segregated South and more fluent in the ways of southern racism, whereas Dillard talked trash on the court and had no problem being aggressive on the court. But in the South at that time “black folks didn’t talk trash. They shut their mouths and they played. … There was a backlash
From page B-1 against me eventually.” Perry Wallace, the other black player on the team, was the hometown hero from Nashville who had gone to the local black school. He had been on the State Championship team that broke the color barrier when it became the first time whites played against blacks in the state of Tennessee. Wallace’s team won. Wallace was also a valedictorian and an All American. “He could have gone anywhere, but the pressures from the black community in Nashville for him to go to Vanderbilt and break that [color] barrier was tremendous.” “Freshman year, he (Perry Wallace) and I, we break the color barrier in Starkville, Mississippi at Mississippi State. But folks were on top of us, man. This was in Sports Illustrated. This was big. The place was packed for the freshman game. Because at that time freshmen didn’t play varsity. I guess I was so young and naïve I didn’t know to be scared. “Because when I look back on it, I was in a very dangerous situation. But we didn’t really focus in on that, we focused in
on what we were doing, which was playing basketball. It was a crazy scene, the state troopers were out, they (the crowd) were throwing stuff at us, calling us names, it was just unbelievable. But that was the historic game. The first time a black ever played against a white boy in the state of Mississippi.” Sophomore year, Dillard was at the peak of his game when, as fate would have it, he blew out his knee. So for the rest of the year at school he committed himself to activism in addition to his studies. To put it mildly, that didn’t play well in the South. “I didn’t understand that athletes weren’t supposed to be politically active,” he said. “When I came back my junior year, they kicked me off the team.” So Dillard left Vanderbilt, came back home to enroll in Eastern Michigan University for his senior year and still managed to graduate on time. “My whole experience at Vanderbilt made me want to be a lawyer, so I went to University of Michigan Law School and graduated from there.” Then he decided to get a
master’s in International Affairs from George Washington University. And then he was recruited by the State Department to be a foreign service officer in Africa where he remained for several years before resigning and returning home to practice law. Dillard has worked with many of the more prominent lawyers in town, and Milton Henry is one of that number. It was Henry he worked with on the Gratz v. Bollinger case. “It was about race, but blacks weren’t represented because the plaintiff was white and the defendant was white. And yet you’re talking about black people, but we don’t have a seat at the table,” he said. Dillard and Henry decided it was important that the black perspective be represented in such a momentous case, so they filed a motion to intervene when the case was filed in Detroit . “We decided to intervene on behalf of people of color, and that is the first time that has ever happened where the minority group was actually allowed to be a party, which meant they could cross-examine witnesses as well as present evidence,” Dillard said.
A Speakers Forum
FORUM IV
CEO Outlook June 15, 2017 • 7:30 a.m. Detroit Athletic Club 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 Panelists
Dr. William F. Pickard
Matthew J. Simoncini
Cindy Pasky
Gerard M. Anderson
Dr. William F. Pickard
Chairman & CEO, Global Automotive Alliance
Matthew J. Simoncini President & CEO, Lear Corporation
Cindy Pasky
Founder, President & CEO, Strategic Staffing Solutions
Gerard M. Anderson Chairman & CEO, DTE Energy Presented by
Media Partners:
Join the conversation
#PancakesandPolitics17
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Page B-3
Gleaners Food Bank receives Morgan Stanley grant Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan has announced a $50,000 grant from the Morgan Stanley Foundation to fund its School Food Mobile Pantry program, a child hunger initiative that helps to make sure low-income families have a readily accessible source of healthy and nutritious food to prepare at home.
LAGRANT Foundation awards scholarships to minority college students By Donald James Special to the Chronicle
There are few words in the college vernacular that excite a college student more than hearing that he or she has been awarded a scholarship. So there was plenty of excitement on Monday evening, May 22, when the word “scholarship” was announced over and over as 50 ethnic minority college students — undergraduate and graduate — received scholarships from the LAGRANT Foundation (TLF). Held at General Motors Heritage Center in Detroit (Sterling Heights), the reception, sponsored and hosted by General Motors and Weber Shandwick, provided the platform for the LAGRANT Foundation to present 30 undergraduate students with $2,500 scholarships, and 20 graduate students with $3,750 scholarships. Overall, the LAGRANT Foundation awarded $150,000 in scholarships. The scholarship recipients represented colleges/universities across America, including Howard University, Wayne State University, DePaul University, Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Southern California, New Mexico State University, Harvard University, City College of New York, University of Minnesota and University of Georgia, among others. The common thread shared by recipients was that they all are ethnic minority students majoring in advertising,
marketing and public relations. The lone scholarship recipient from a Michigan university was Johnny L. Ricks, an African American who is a public relations graduate student at Wayne State. Ricks, a 10-year U.S. Air Force veteran, will receive his master’s degree in public relations and organizational communication in May 2018. “Receiving this scholarship from the LAGRANT Foundation means a lot to me,” said Ricks, a native Detroiter who graduated from Henry Ford High School. “It is a great financial help because graduate school is really expensive. This scholarship will allow me to be able to concentrate more on my studies. In addition to receiving this scholarship, I am also appreciative to the LAGRANT Foundation for helping me receive an internship at DOW Chemical Company, a Fortune 50 company.” The diversity of the group of recipients stood out as a strength to many corporate executives in attendance. “General Motors values diversity,” said Tony Cervone, host committee chair, who also is GM’s senior vice president of Global Communications, chairman, General Motors Foundation, and board member, the LAGRANT Foundation. “So it continues to be important to GM that ethnically diverse students and professionals are given an opportunity to succeed because of what it means in the communi-
cations field, as well as other areas of the company., In the global communications areas of GM, or any other company, there is a need for diversity to achieve strong creativity, thoughts and ideas. It’s critical for success.” In addition to the 50 undergraduate and graduate college students receiving scholarships, they also participated in three full days of activities that were instrumental in advancing their knowledge in corporate advertising, marketing and public relations fields. A career and professional development workshop, hosted by GM, provided students with firsthand knowledge of how GM’s teams of communication professionals work together to tackle corporate issues that involve advertising, marketing and public relations. Students also toured the OnStar Command Center and Social Media Center of Expertise. Additionally, Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading public relations firms, hosted a second career and professional development workshop, where scholarship recipients learned valuable lessons about networking and finding employment opportunities. Students also heard presentations from communications and public relations professionals regarding industry employment opportunities in Detroit. Presentations on the many opportunities in the Motor City were given by Bridget Russo, chief marketing officer, Shinola Detroit; Nick Perold, vice
KaBOOM! Community Playground Awarded a $15,000 Let’s Play community Construction Grant from Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and non-profit KaBOOM!, the Northeast Guidance Center board, staff and community volunteers spent two days constructing a playground at the new John Van Camp Community Center in the Mack-Ashland neighborhood on Detroit’s east side. Volunteers included Comerica Bank, HAP, Southwest Solutions, and the Rotary Club of Grosse Pointe, U-Snap-Bac and JP Morgan Chase. Juan Bradford represented the Miracle Recreation Equipment Company as crew boss.
“It’s most unusual for a supportative housing community to have a playground that will help
improve parenting and socialization skills,” said Sherry McRill, president and CEO.
Morgan Stanley employees from Detroit-area branches presented the check and volunteered at Gleaners’ Pontiac warehouse as part of Morgan Stanley’s “Feeding Kids Around the Clock” initiative, a full day of activities across the globe to help the fight against childhood hunger. The Foundation is awarding a total of $750,000 in grants this month to food banks across the country. Employees from the firm are also volunteering today in 40 different loca-
“Morgan Stanley and its employees provide vital support for Gleaners through generous contributions like this and many hours volunteering.” “We are honored to be able to help Gleaners Community Food Bank in its important fight against child hunger,” said Morgan Stanley Regional Director Steve Austin. “We are delighted to extend our support through this grant and provide even more children with the foods they need to learn, grow and thrive.” “Grants like this from Morgan Stanley make a vital difference in our efforts to provide children with the nutritious meals they need every day,” said Andy Wilson, chief development officer at Feeding America. “More than 13 million children in the United States live at risk of hunger. Together, we can solve hunger and en-
president of marketing, Bedrock/Quicken Loans; Alexis Wiley, chief of staff to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan; and Hajj Flemings, CEO, Brand Camp University. Andy Polansky, CEO of Weber Shandwick, served as host committee co-chair. The LAGRANT Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the number of ethnic minorities in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations by providing workshop, mentorships and internships to African Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Americans, Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders and Hispanics/Latinos who are undergraduate and graduate college students. TLF provided airfare and lodging accommodations for all 2017 scholarship recipients to participate in the three-day event in Detroit. Kim L. Hunter, chairman and CEO of the Los Angeles-based LAGRANT Foundation, was extremely happy about all events in Detroit. “I can’t believe that this is the 19th anniversary of the LAGRANT Foundation’s scholarship and donor recognition reception,” said Hunter. “I am extremely pleased to congratulate TLF’s 2017 scholarship recipients. I have no doubt that each of them will be invaluable assets in the fields of advertising, marketing and public relations.”
tions, including Detroit, to pack and sort food in preparation for the summer, when nearly 300,000 children who typically received reduced and free lunches through school lose that access to nutrition. Through its partnership with Feeding America, a nationwide network of 200 food banks, the Foundation has given more than $21 million to help launch, expand and sustain critical childhood feeding programs including summer feeding programs.
sure that children have the fuel they need to grow healthy and strong.” Morgan Stanley employees were scheduled to participate in “Feeding Kids Around The Clock” events in more than 40 locations in the United States.
For 40 years, Gleaners Community Food Bank has been “feeding hungry people and nourishing our communities.” Last year, Gleaners distributed more than 38 million pounds of emergency food to 534 partner schools, soup kitchens, shelters “We are thrilled to re- and pantries in Wayne, ceive this important grant Oakland, Macomb, Livfrom the Morgan Stanley ingston and Monroe Foundation in support counties. Of every dollar of our efforts to deliver donated, Gleaners uses more nutritious meals to 95 cents for food and food children and families in programs. One dollar proDetroit,” said Gerry Bris- vides three meals for a son, Gleaners president. hungry neighbor
HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher
A Real Times Media Newspaper 479 Ledyard • Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 963-5522 e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com June 7-13, 2017
Page B-4
CATHY NEDD Associate Publisher KEITH A. OWENS Senior Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011
JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997 LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989
HBCU leaders, advocates must engage Democrats and Republicans By Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. (President and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund)
As the president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), I’m spending a good amount of time working to build strategic, government alliances that extend beyond our traditional Democratic support. If you’re wondering why, all you need to do is look at a map of where America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are located. The fact of the matter is that a majority of TMCF’s 47 member-schools are clustered in southern and midwestern states completely controlled by Republicans. By that, I mean states where the governor, both U.S. senators, both Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. chambers of the legislature and most of the U.S. House members are Republican.
imprint in research and training for its students. The people who currently hold the purse strings, nationally and on a state level, are, in most cases, Republicans. Yet, some will still suggest that we not even talk to those elected leaders, because of their party affiliation. When the media released photos of our meeting at the White House with President Trump, some derided it as just a “photo-op.” Tell that to the administrators who were wondering how they’d possibly fill the gap in funding should their already strained budgets face sudden, drastic cuts. We’re simply not able to pick and choose whom we engage with. With so many capital needs, we must ensure Washington doesn’t cut the vital capital financing program that provides about $20 million a year to support more than $280 million in capital financing for our schools.
Many of our institutions of higher learning are in desperate need of not just operating dollars, but serious capital infusions to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The need to work across the aisle extends beyond just elected officials. In January, TMCF announced a $25.6 million gift from the Charles Koch Foundation and Koch Industries. This generous gift was a direct result of proactive outreach I initiated with Mr. Koch, a man often associated with support of conservative and libertarian causes. What I found by having a dialogue with him is that we share a deep concern about the impact of over-incarceration and lack of educational opportunities that disproportionately impact fragile communities. Together in January, we launched a new, HBCU-based research institution, known as the Center for Advancing Opportunity, that is studying barriers to opportunity in those communities.
Earlier this year, for instance, Grambling State University President Rick Gallot announced that his school will need to abandon the campus library — an unprecedented decision for a university seeking to expand its national
In reaching across the aisle, we should never forsake our historic alliances. But for the sake of the young people our HBCUs seek to educate, we must also realize the need to grow new and different alliances.
The next largest group of our member-schools occupies states that are under at least a majority of GOP control. Only a small number of our member-schools, three to be exact, are in states and the District of Columbia that are completely controlled by Democrats.
President Trump’s cruel war on children By Marian Wright Edelman
stomachs of hungry children by slicing $193 billion over ten years from the President, Children’s Defense Fund Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which some still call food Our nation’s budget should reflect stamps. SNAP feeds nearly 46 million our nation’s professed values, but Pres- people including nearly 20 million chilident Trump’s 2018 Federal Budget, “A dren. This cut is an unprecedented 25 New Foundation for America’s Great- percent reduction in a core safety net ness,” radically does the opposite. This program that in 2014 lifted 4.7 million immoral budget declares war on Amer- people, including 2.1 million children, ica’s children, our most vulnerable out of poverty. group, and the foundation • Chops $22 billion over of our nation’s current and ten years from TANF future economic, military (Temporary Assistance and leadership security. for Needy Families ProIt cruelly dismantles and gram) including $6 billion shreds America’s safety net that eliminates the TANF laboriously woven over the Contingency Fund which past half century to help helps support some of our and give hope to the 14.5 neediest families. Slashes million children struggling programs to assist famitoday in a sea of poverty, lies with housing and end hunger, sickness, mis-edhomelessness by $7.4 bilucation, homelessness and disabilities. It slashes tril- Marian Wright Edelman lion, a 15 percent cut for 2018 including $2.3 billion lions of dollars from health care, nutrition and other critical pro- from Housing Choice Vouchers, which grams that give poor babies and children would leave more than 250,000 low ina decent foundation in life to assure tril- come households without them; $1.8 lions of dollars in tax cuts for million- billion—nearly 29 percent — from pubaires and billionaires and powerful cor- lic housing already in desperate need of porations who do not deserve massive repair and expansion; and $133 million — 5.6 percent — rom homeless assisdoses of government support. tance grants. The cruel Trump budget invests more in our military — already the most cost- • Whacks $72 billion over ten years from ly in the world — but denies vulnerable the Supplemental Security Income Prochildren and youths the income, health gram (SSI), which more than 8 million care, food, housing and education sup- children and adults with the most seports they need to become strong future vere disabilities depend on to keep gosoldiers to defend our country. Seven- ing. Despite the President’s promise not ty-one percent of our 17-24 year olds are to cut Social Security, his budget cuts now ineligible for military service, be- $48 billion from Social Security Disability Insurance, which assists, among cause of health and education deficits. others, grandparents and other relatives President Trump invests in fight- raising children because their parents ing those he sees as outside enemies cannot care for them. through weapons and walls and turns his back on the internal enemies that • Slashes job training programs by $1.1 threaten the basic domestic needs of billion, or 40 percent, over ten years for our people—health care, housing, ed- youths, adults and dislocated workers. ucation and jobs that pay living wages. It denigrates the concept of public serThe Congress and the people of the Unit- vice jobs by eliminating the Corporation ed States must reject President Trump’s for National and Community Service, 2018 Budget and the mean-spirited val- and with it AmeriCorps, Vista and Senior Corps. ues it reflects. • This draconian budget slashes over $3 The president’s 2018 budget: trillion dollars in the next decade and • Slashes $610 billion over 10 years tramples America’s values and is anfrom Medicaid which nearly 37 million ti-child, anti-poor, and anti-low-income children rely on for a healthy start in working people. It erodes the security of life and which pays for nearly half of all our nation’s future. births and ensures coverage for 40 perThe Trump budget would not pass the cent of our children with special health test of any great faith or standard of faircare needs. The budget also assumes passage of the more than $800 billion ness. It must be rejected resoundingly additional cuts in Medicaid included in by the Congress and the American peothe American Health Care Act for a to- ple. tal Medicaid massacre of more than $1.4 Marian Wright Edelman is President trillion over ten years. of the Children’s Defense Fund whose • Rips $5.7 billion from CHIP (Children’s Leave No Child Behind®mission is to Health Insurance Program), which cov- ensure every child a Healthy Start, a ers nearly 9 million children in working Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful families ineligible for Medicaid. passage to adulthood with the help of • Snatches food out of the mouths and caring families and communities.
Prohibitions and bans: Serious, unintended consequences By Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network, and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., National Newspaper Publishers Association Rapidly shifting U.S. demographics are fueling the urgency of civil rights leaders, social scientists, policymakers, and public health professionals to focus their attention on policies designed to close the gap in racial and ethnic health disparities and ensure justice and equity in communities of color. In the interest of social justice, the good intent of policies developed and endorsed by dedicated public servants requires, however, Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. a thorough and thoughtful consideration of the impact of unintended consequences of those policies in communities of color across the nation. While many black Americans have made significant advances in professional and educational achievement, heightened political and social status, far too many are still burdened with poverty, few employment and educational opportunities and poor health. Compounding this situation is the tense relationship between police and the black community because of use of excessive force, profiling, over incarceration, and selective prosecution. It has also been well documented that black people are sicker, experience bias and discrimination in the healthcare system and die sooner than other groups in American society. It stands to reason why conscientious policymakers and public health professionals are zealous in their efforts to do whatever it takes to improve the safety, quality of life and health in Black communities — even if it means making selected harmful products unavailable by imposing bans and prohibitions. Prohibitions and bans are official public proclamations and legislative orders forbidding, limiting, restricting and making illegal a behavior or forbidding, limiting, restricting and making illegal the use, manufacture or selling of a product. In 1920, Congress ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the manufacture, transportation and sale of liquor. The good intentions of those who aggressively supported the prohibition on alcohol were to reduce access to alcohol as a way of reducing drunkenness, the crime and accidents caused by drunkenness and to reduce the death, illness and disease associated with the use and abuse of alcohol. The national prohibition of alcohol (1920-1933) was extremely difficult to enforce. While the consumption of alcohol dropped at the beginning of Prohibition, it subsequently increased. Banning alcohol did not stop its use. Unregulated, illegally produced alcohol was more dangerous to drink, crime increased and became “organized,” courts and prisons were stretched to the breaking point. When the production and sale of alcohol went underground, black markets developed controlled by the Mafia and gangs in communities. By 1933, public sentiment had turned against prohibition and Congress repealed the prohibition by constitutional amendment. The unintended consequences of alcohol prohibition were real and far outweighed the good intent of the prohibition and led to the failure of this noble experiment. The lessons learned from the failed policy of alcohol prohibition are important for us today when a ban on menthol cigarettes has been proposed to reduce smoking among African Americans. Since over 80 percent of African Americans who choose to smoke, smoke menthol cigarettes, prohibitions, restrictions and bans would affect Black communities more than other communities in America. When police have to spend time enforcing prohibitions and bans, they have less time to focus on solving violent crime and ensuring public safety. Tensions between police and the Black community have focused national attention on the pervasive inequities in the U.S. criminal justice system. In 2014, the National Research Coun-
cil issued a comprehensive report on America’s overgrown criminal justice system. The rate of imprisonment in the United States has more than quadrupled during the last forty years. The U.S. prison population is largely drawn from men under age 40 and mostly men of color. The Council found that high incarceration rates came about not because of an increase in crime, but because of policy choices. Al Sharpton A menthol ban could make a bad situation in the criminal justice system worse for Blacks. We do stand united with policymakers, public health professionals and tobacco control advocates — smoking is bad and not good for public health. We support the regulation of the manufacture and sale of tobacco products, especially restricting the sale of tobacco products to youth. We strongly encourage black people to stop smoking and educate our youth about the dangers of smoking. The National Action Network and the National Newspaper Publishers Association do not promote smoking nor endorse or advertise smoking products. Our concerns about the impact of a menthol ban are based on our experience and understanding of how law enforcement works when bans and prohibitions are imposed. On June 22, 2009, when President Barack Obama signed into law the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the new law gave the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comprehensive authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and sale of tobacco products. The good intent of the law is to reduce smoking that is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. We are very concerned that while the FDA is considering a national menthol ban, state and local governmental agencies are implementing ordinances that will prohibit, restrict and ban menthol cigarettes, the preferred tobacco product of African Americans. A ban on menthol cigarettes would give police another way to interact negatively in Black communities on the retail level or with individual citizens for a low-level, non-violent offense. A ban, prohibition or restriction on menthol cigarettes would mean punitive consequences, if the prohibition or ban is violated. History has proven that prohibitions and bans don’t work. Education and treatment work. Young people are less likely to smoke if they get open, honest health information and tools to deal with peer pressure. Adults who struggle with smoking addiction are more likely to make healthier decisions when they have access to counseling, treatment, smoking cessation aids and are helped to develop stress management skills. We welcome the opportunity for positive, realistic, solutions-oriented dialogue with supporters of a menthol ban, public health professionals, law enforcement officials, community leaders, and civil rights activists to reduce smoking in the black community. At the same time, we hold our public health professionals and policymakers accountable to address the social determinants of health that include a broad range of factors that are reasons for health disparities and poor health outcomes in the Black community. We urge tobacco control advocates, public health professionals and policymakers not to defer to the criminal justice system by imposing prohibitions, bans and the threat of punishment to solve an urgent public health crisis. In the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” Reverend Al Sharpton is the founder and president of National Action Network. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., is the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
City Year Detroit programming gets boost from major foundations Michigan Chronicle Reports
City Year Detroit has been awarded three grants from prominent Detroit foundations — The Skillman Foundation, Dresner Foundation, and Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation —in recognition of its successful academic and behavioral support programs being implemented in Detroit’s public schools. The grants, totaling $350,000, will serve to enhance City Year’s current efforts to increase student achievement and graduation rates. “Our team is grateful and humbled by the generous contributions we have received from organizations that do such necessary and impactful work in Detroit.” said Andrew Stein, executive director of City Year Detroit. “Support from The Skillman, Dresner and Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundations for City Year Detroit will have a direct link to how we improve educational outcomes for students in Detroit and gives us hope that our efforts are valued and will receive the resources needed to continue.” Most recently, City Year Detroit received $200,000 from the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation in December 2016 to be used over the next two years in the Brightmoor community’s Gompers Elementary-Middle School. This multi-year grant ensures that there will be a City Year team in the community for at least two more years. The consistency of City Year membership in schools such as Gompers is crucial to the success of the programs and the longevity of the positive impact on students. “City Year Detroit’s service aligns closely with our mission of empowering children in need, and the continuity of the program is important to us,” said Phillip Fisher, vice-chair of the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Founda-
tion. “We’re confident in City Year’s results and are glad to able to contribute to the sustainability of its impact.” The Dresner Foundation granted City Year $50,000 in October 2016 to bolster the Whole School, Whole Child program at Noble Elementary-Middle School. Noble is a “feeder school” to Central High School, where Joseph Dresner — the foundation’s namesake — graduated. Part of City Year Detroit’s strategy to increase high school graduation rates is to focus on support-
ing these critical feeder schools. The Dresner Foundation funds will help support this strategy and ensure that younger students have the necessary resources to achieve academic success now and in the future. “The Dresner family’s connection to Detroit’s public schools makes the decision to support City Year Detroit a personal one,” said Kevin Furlong, CEO and treasurer of the Dresner Foundation. “Seeing the success City Year Detroit has achieved in improving students’ skills starting in elementary school to prepare them for fruitful high school careers inspired us to get involved. It’s clear the strategy works, and we want to help it continue and strengthen.” A $100,000 Skillman Foundation Challenge Grant awarded to City Year Detroit in September 2016 is being used to grow the Detroit corps’ presence, doubling the number of school
partners and AmeriCorps members engaged in service. With a stronger corps membership, City Year will be able to touch more lives and better combat the systemic shortfalls preventing Detroit students from completing their educations. “The most important investments we can make to improve our city are in our children,” said Tonya Allen, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation. “City Year Detroit is helping to prepare a prosperous, empowered population of Detroiters. We’re proud to support the growth of its membership.” In over 300 schools in 28 cities nationwide, City Year supports students, teachers and schools by providing the “people power” to effectively meet each student’s academic and social-emotional needs. Diverse teams of City Year AmeriCorps members serve full-time in schools alongside teachers, establishing developmental relationships with students and providing research-based interventions to help students and schools succeed. AmeriCorps members partner with teachers and principals to increase academic achievement and student engagement, while enabling schools to create learning environments that are responsive to students’ unique needs. Through direct support in the classroom, City Year AmeriCorps members bring additional capacity to help differentiate instruction and meet the needs of the whole class. At a school-wide level, City Year partners with administrators to provide whole school enrichment activities to improve climate and foster student engagement. To learn more about the work City Year is doing and opportunities to get involved, visit www.cityyear.org/Detroit.
Pre-Father’s Day Festival features Afro-centric principles Alkebu-lan Village is a 39-year-old youth development organization dedicated to serving the city of Detroit and strengthening its families. Major components of the organization’s philosophy are the 3 M’s (Mental, Moral and Martial), meaning the organization teaches self-respect, self-control and self-defense to the youth it serves. Alkebu-lan Village uses an African-centered approach, believing this history is the thread that ties all people together. Throughout its history, the organization has served over
250,000 youth and families. However, as funding for youth programs become scarce, organizational survival requires creativity and community support. On June 17, Alkebu-lan Village is having a Pre-Father’s Day Festival. Free outdoor afternoon activities start at noon and end at 4 p.m. There will be vendors from the community selling a variety of handmade and hardto-find items, food and various other types of merchandise. Live entertainment will be provided by the Fresh
Heir Band. The festival will be held on the grounds of Alkebu-lan Village in Mama Eddis Park which is adjacent to its building at 7701 Harper Ave. Alkebu-lan Village cordially invites all to come out to the Pre-Father’s Day Festival and get acquainted for some and reacquainted for others. Take a tour and spread the word about one of Detroit’s jewels. Alkebu-lan Village is a 501(c)3 B:10” tax-exempt charitable organization. T:10” Donations are tax deductible.
June 7-13, 2017
Page B-5
Memorial jazz concert for Skip Norris A concert honoring the life of Wesley Skip Norris will be held at 8 p.m., June 9, at the Northwest Activities Center, located at 18100 Meyers Road, on Detroit’s west side. Proceeds from the concert will be given to the college fund of his daughter, Sarah Norris. The fund is being administered by Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, where Norris served as a trustee. Wesley Skip Norris died on Jan. 26, 2017 in Detroit. He was a strong advocate of jazz and jazz musicians, and many artists are coming to Detroit to celebrate his life. Linda Yohn, from WEMU, will host the evening. To date, committed musicians are vibraphonist Joe Locke, saxophonist JD Allen, vocalist Tammy McCann, Brazilian vocalist and guitarist Nanny Assis, pianist Eric Reed, vocalist Jean Baylor, drummer Marcus Baylor, saxophonist Victor Goines, and two special guest musicians who cannot yet Skip Norris be advertised. Musicians Gary Schunk, Ralphe Armstrong, and Bill Higgins will serve as the rhythm section for the evening. Ticket prices are as follows: VIP tickets are $100 which includes a pre-concert reception and meet-and-greet with the musicians and special priority seating. The second tier of tickets is $40, general admission. There will be a CD signing of the various artists to which all concert-goers are invited. The VIP reception will begin at 6:30 pm. General admission doors open at 7:15 pm. Skip Norris had a long and distinguished career as a concert presenter and artist manager. He brought a deep knowledge and affinity for the jazz idiom and worked with a myriad of Jazz artists, including Nancy Wilson, Sonny Rollins, Branford Marsalis and Chick Corea. As an artistic director, he led and curated a number of notable venues in Detroit including the historic Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, the Jazz Café at the Music Hall for The Performing Arts Center, and Jazz at the Centre located in the Northwest Activities Center. He wrote essays on jazz history and its evolution on the world at large. At the time of his death, he was the director of booking for Gail Boyd Artist Management. You will not want to miss this special event, featuring some of the world’s greatest jazz artists paying tribute to the beloved Skip Norris.
S:10”
WE MAKE THE WORLD SMALLER SO YOUR BUSINESS CAN GROW. Worked with more than 300 global purchasers
Facilitated nearly $5 billion in contracts
make Michigan the Great Make State. See how we can help your business grow by streamlining the process of connecting you with potential partners.
Learn more at MichiganBusiness.org/PMBC
T:10.5”
Pure Michigan Business Connect is opening more doors to local businesses that
B:10.5”
S:10.5”
Set up 8,500 unique supplier-purchaser meetings
Page B-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 7-13, 2017
Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle addressing guests at 2013 induction ceremony
YEARS OF EXCELLENCE This year, the Michigan Chronicle commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Men of Excellence. The past decade of recognizing excellence has brought about so many remarkable moments and unforgettable memories. Created in 2008, to celebrate the accomplishments of local African American men, the program has now grown into an extraordinary brotherhood and network of support. With induction of this year’s class, we will have celebrated the accomplishments of more than 500 men in our region. These men command our board rooms, executive offices and legislative chambers. They are trailblazers, leaders, activists, and entrepreneurs and their many accomplishments are worthy of continued recognition, honor and applause. It has been our pleasure to introduce you to some the region’s most powerful men, unsung heroes and future leaders of tomorrow. Unfortunately, we have lost some remarkable gentlemen along the way. Don Barden, General Holiefield just to name a few but we are tremendously grateful that we had the opportunity to share their story of excellence. We invite you to join us on Friday, June 30th 5pm at Motor City as we look back on the past decade of celebrating African American excellence and inducting the 2017 Class of Men of Excellence. I invite you to call the Michigan Chronicle at (313) 963- 8100 or visit www.michiganchronicle.com for more details. We look forward to seeing you on June 30th for this moment in African American history!
The 2008 inaugural class of Men of Excellence honorees with mistress of ceremonies Rhonda Walker.
Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed providing keynote remarks at the 2013 celebration
Men of Excellence alumni Bill Proctor and General Holiefield (dec.)
John Hope Bryant, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and 2015 honoree Wright L. Lassiter, III
Former Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing
Native Detroiter Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), keynote speaker for the 2015 awards program The 2010 class of Men of Excellence honorees
Sincerely,
Hiram E. Jackson Publisher Michigan Chronicle
2008 MOE honorees
MOE alum, Jonathan Quarles with wife, Barika
2014 MOE honorees
2016 honorees celebrating their induction into the community of Men of Excellence
Judge Damon Keith accepting his Men of Excellence
2013 honoree Bill Perkins with mistress of ceremonies, actress and comedienne Kim Coles
Alum Don Barden (dec.) accepting an award
The 2013 class of Men of Excellence honorees
Friday, June 30, 2017 • MotorCity Hotel 5pm Hors d’oeuvre Reception • 6pm Induction Ceremony
www.michiganchronicle.com
For sponsorships please call 313-963-5522
#MCMOE2017
BUSINESS
SECTION C
June 7-13, 2017
Powered by Real Times Media
michiganchronicle.com
Milner Arms apartments to get new life with $12M renovation
By Lee Claire
Broder & Sachse Real Estate and the City of Detroit have reached an agreement to keep affordable housing in the multi-family development located in Midtown at 40 Davenport St., formerly known as the Milner Arms Apartments. Broder & Sachse purchased the property in March 2016. The building has been renamed The Hamilton. Broder & Sachse worked with the City of Detroit’s Department of Housing and Revitalization, as well as Midtown Detroit Inc.’s Stay Detroit Program, to develop a new model for responsible rehabilitation of an occupied building. This program will help qualified residents locate temporary housing and return to The Hamilton after renovations are complete. Broder & Sachse will assist with the process of finding interim accommodations and will support qualified residents with financial assistance for incurred expenses, including moving fees, security deposits and any differences in rental fees during renovation of 40 Davenport. Residents who make less than $40,000 will qualify for the program. Current residents making $40,000 and above will have first rights to new apartments. Under the agreement, Richard Broder and Todd Sachse will undertake a $12 million redevelopment of the 93-unit building known as 40 Davenport. To adequately improve the necessary systems within this historic property, qualified residents of the building will work with United Community Housing Coalition to be temporarily relocated to appropriate units where they will pay only their current rent with any difference in rent paid by the developer. Full rehabilitation will not start until each qualified resident has an appropriate unit. They will be moved back into new units at no cost to them and maintain their legacy rental rates as long as they choose to lease in the building. “This is a win for the residents and a win for the city,” said Arthur Jemison, director of the Housing & Revitalization department. “We want to say thank you to the developers who stepped up and recognized the importance of growing together. I am really pleased with the high standard they are now setting for other developers in this community.” The average affordable rent in the
Broder & Sachse redeveloped 1214 Griswold, which is now known as The Albert building in Capitol Park as market housing building is approximately $600. Upon returning to the building the qualified residents will pay a one-time increased rent of 5 percent, and rental rates will never increase by more than 1 percent per year. “The Hamilton is a unique and architecturally significant building located in the booming Midtown neighborhood of Detroit,” Broder & Sachse CEO Richard Broder said. “It is a true honor to work with and for the community and to restore this important property, providing safe, affordable and comfortable living options for a wide range of residents in the city. In addition to updating the critical infrastructure of the property, we intend to restore the stunning ballroom and add outdoor space. We are still in the planning stages for the project and will share additional information with the local community when it is available.” In exchange for the developer’s commitment to keeping units affordable, the city will support the project request for tax abatements with council and contribute approximately $450,000 towards
the costs of the rehabilitation. “Developing a plan for sustained housing and support for residents of 40 Davenport has been our top priority, and this is a creative way to develop a true mixed-income property, preserving the neighborhood and providing stability in the community while transforming this historic property into well-maintained affordable units,” said Broder & Sachse Vice President Todd Sachse. “We have been working closely with the city on fine-tuning our plan, and we are pleased to partner with the city on this concept for our residents while we pursue necessary historic renovations.” This is the first time the city and developers have worked in this way to preserve occupancy in a building that did not have federal or state income restrictions. In 2014, Broder & Sachse acquired and redeveloped 1214 Griswold, now known as the Albert, an expired affordable senior housing building in Capitol Park as market housing. All former residents were given a Section 8 voucher, but the affordable housing in the Albert
was not preserved. Today with the Hamilton, Broder & Sachse are being proactive about inclusive growth, with a focus on preserving affordability and occupancy for current residents. The move also comes on the heels of council action on the Stevens & Industrial property in downtown which will preserve 165 deeply subsidized units on Washington Boulevard. Renovation plans are currently under way. Broder & Sachse is reviewing and considering all options for development related incentives. In addition to faithfully restoring period-appropriate elements, Broder & Sachse will introduce contemporary amenities to the individual units and the common areas. Due to the nature of the infrastructure updates required, including electrical and HVAC systems, residents will be relocated prior to construction commencement. Situated at the cross streets of Woodward and Martin Luther King Jr. drive, the property first opened in 1913 as Hotel Stevenson and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
SDBA hosts 60th anniversary celebration at community investment event Michigan Chronicle reports
The Southwest Detroit Business Association will host more than 300 business owners, community leaders, entrepreneurs and residents during its annual Community Investment Breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 15. This special event includes special guest speakers, awards ceremony and networking reception with more than 300 local business and community leaders
The breakfast is presented by MotorCity Casino Hotel and will be held inside the Sound Board located 2901 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Fox 2 Detroit’s Huel Perkins will serve as master of ceremonies. The event features a business networking reception, an awards ceremony and a special presentation to recognize the nonprofit organization’s 60th anniversary. In lieu of a keynote address, three local distinguished business leaders and
past breakfast honorees will deliver formal remarks as part of the anniversary celebration. “Sixty years ago — that was 1957 — West Vernor businesses planned a year’s worth of events to compete with the newly opened Northland Shopping Center,” said SDBA President Kathy Wendler. “Those merchants came together as the W. Vernor Highway Businessmen’s Association, who with their customers, created the bustling spine of SW De-
troit, reflecting a place that is endlessly diverse, lively, noisy and the very definition of community.” The 2017 awards ceremony will honor individuals in four categories: The Trailblazer Award; The Spirit of Southwest Detroit Award; The Legacy Leaders Award; and The Kathy Wendler Award. The honorees consist of local business owners and community leaders who have each demonstrated a high level of professional and
personal success, helping to positively affect the Southwest Detroit community. The Trailblazer Award honorees include Jason Ghannam of Paul’s Pizza, George Azar of Flowers of Vietnam, and Alana Rodriguez of Mama Coo’s Boutique. The Spirit of Southwest Detroit Award honorees are Charles Danto of Danto’s Furniture and Jim Saucedo of State Farm Insurance. The Legacy Leaders Award honorees in-
See Anniversary Page C-2
business
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 7-13, 2017
Page C-2
Nike Community Store in Detroit to give $50,000 to local organizations Nike has announced that applications for the next round of funding through the Nike Community Impact Fund are now being accepted through July 31, 2017. The Community Store in Detroit will award a total of $50,000 via grants of $5,000 to $10,000 each to local organizations that are focused on getting kids active. All told, six Community Stores will award a total of $300,000 in grants — ranging from $5,000$10,000 each — New Orleans, Ivy City in Washington D.C., Chicago, East Los Angeles, the Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn as well as Detroit. NCIF is administered with the support of the Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF America) and funds projects that help kids unleash their potential through physical activity, sport and play.
port projects that deliver impact through the lens of sport and physical activity. The online grant application along with the required information can be accessed at nike.com/ncif.
At Your Service
COMPUTERS
Sales & Service
represent a broad spectrum of community-based solutions that are focused on community impact and transformational change through the power of sport,” said Kathy Webb, Nike’s Community Impact Manager. “It’s an honor to help support organizations that are making a real difference in their communities by improving the health and vitality of our kids.”
where NCIF began, as well as 48 grants for a total of $240,000 that have been awarded to six additional communities where Nike has Community Stores: downtown Detroit, South Chicago, New Orleans, the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington D.C., Flatbush in Brooklyn and East Los Angeles.
Since 2010, the NCIF has awarded more than 400 nonprofit organizations in the United States with nearly $4 million in grants, which includes 356 grants for a total of “Past grant recipients $3.75 million in Oregon
In Detroit, the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan received a grant during the 2016 grant cycle to create a co-ed basketball league for children at the club.
The NCIF is an innovative approach to grant-making that engages a committee of Nike employees and store athletes from across the U.S. to directly impact the cities where they live and work. The committee spends volunteer hours reviewing applications and then offers recommendations for organizations to receive cash grants.
Grant Recipients Are Committed to Strengthening Their Communities
“We are very grateful to our local Detroit Community Store, The Nike Community Impact Fund and CAF America for their support of our co-ed basketball league,” said Patrice Dickens, club director, Boys & Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan-Lloyd H. Diehl Club. “At the Boys & Girls Club, we want our kids to succeed. Through the co-ed basketball team, we have been able to provide even more opportunities for our youth to participate in a structured environment that will help them develop skills, increase fitness, learn strategy and practice good
The Kathy Wendler Award, which recognizes an influential community advocate and business owner who has been at the forefront of Southwest Detroit’s resurgence, will be presented to Carmen Munoz, a retiree from Munoz Machine Products. In 1957, a group of Southwest Detroit business leaders established the “West Vernor
“Within these six communities around the nation, organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan are helping pave the way for brighter futures for kids. We encourage more non-profits and schools in these cities to apply for the upcoming grant cycle, which opens on June 1st,” said Webb. Applications for Detroit, Chicago, the Flatbush neighborhood in Brooklyn, New Orleans, Ivy City in Washington D.C. and East Los Angeles are due July 31, 2017. All grant awards will sup-
Willie Brake MBE
Offering Affordable, Professional Computer Sales & Service Virus Removal Cracked Screen Replacement Broken Power Jacks Keyboard Replacement
Anniversary clude Sylvia Gucken of Ideal Group, Ben Fienman of E & L Supermercado, and Omar Hernandez of Armando’s Mexican Restaurant and MexicanTown Bakery.
sportsmanship.”
Computer Insurance From page C-1 Businessman’s Association” to combat the loss of local customers to suburban malls. Today, the SDBA is a coalition of business owners and community leaders who work alongside investors, entrepreneurs, customers and neighbors to capitalize on Southwest Detroit’s competitive advantage. Listed among the organization’s many program and business accomplishments are: in 1981, the SDBA was the first organization to receive a LISC grant in the City of Detroit for commercial revitalization; it was
the first business organization to receive a nonprofit status in the State of Michigan in 1989, founded the Mexicantown Development Corporation in partnership with the Hubbard Richard Community Council; in 1991, founded the Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision in partnership with the East Michigan Environmental Council; in 1993, selected as one of three organizations nationwide as a Community Initiated Development National Main Street Model; and in 2007, formalized the first BID (Business Improvement District)
in the State of Michigan. The Presenting Sponsor for the 2017 Community Investment Breakfast is MotorCity Casino Hotel, the Investment Sponsor is CSX Transportation and the Revitilization Sponsor is JPMorgan Chase. Individual tickets are $80 and can be purchased online at www.southwestdetroit.com. For more information about the SDBA’s Annual Community Investment Breakfast call 313-8420986, ext.1007 or email events@ southwest.com. For more information, visit www.southwestdetroit.com.
New & Refurbished Computer Sales Wireless Network Installation Video Surveillance Systems Senior & Student Discount
CALL NOW!
(313) 218-4888
www.callwillie.com
6450 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48210
(2 blocks west of Livernois)
Se habla español!
At Your Fingertips
1x8.5
DIGITAL DAILY WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
Follow Us On @michronicle facebook.com/michiganchronicle
UAW-FORD’s
Section C-3
June 7-13, 2017
Unafraid to care and love, Cody students stand strong!
Powerful statement: : I am smart. I am brave. I am kind. I am passionate and more, say students that participated in the “I Am Cody Strong” campaign.
Nadeen Alaouie’s mission is to help our youth feel powerful and brave
By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle The old saying “one good turn deserves another” really means something to Nadeen Alaouie. As a result, many students on our city’s west side are literally standing stronger now than ever before thanks to the “I Am Cody Strong” campaign that she initiated and brought to life during the month of May. The effort was a perfect follow-up to the “My Life Matters” campaign that Lance Woods skillfully orchestrated at Cody— Academy of Public Leadership earlier this school year. Alaouie paid special attention to what Woods was able to accomplish, because like Woods, she has been given the charge to make a positive impact across the entire Cody community as a “dream director” through The Future Project. “Lance and my students at Cody—Detroit Institute of Technology inspired me to think of something along the same lines (of ‘My Life Matters’) for our school, and that resulted in the ‘I Am Cody Strong’ campaign, a series of community wellness and self healing for our kids,” Alaouie said. “The purpose of the campaign was to redefine what it means to be from Cody High School and to show each other within the Cody community that if we come together to support, love, and encourage each other to be better, it can make all the difference.”
And making a difference in a real way is what Alaouie is all about. “As I started to apply for jobs in February 2016 to prepare myself for life after graduation, I was coming across nothing of interest; rather just a bunch of positions that would pay the bills,” said Alaouie, who earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan last year. “However, three days before The Future Project’s dream director application deadline, I received an email from my academic advisor and mentor to apply to this position because it seemed like something ‘right up my alley.’ I looked into the position and fell in love with it.” Alaouie added: “So often our kids, especially our kids in Detroit, are told that they will never reach their dreams or never be anything beyond what society has categorized them. As dream directors, we are there to trash this narrative and encourage students to envision what their best future could look like and actually take action to grow towards that vision.” For Alaouie, helping students to take action requires first listening to what students have to say, and her ability to listen was critical to the “I Am Cody Strong” campaign. “Everything that we do at Cody—DIT starts from students initially bringing it up to me as a good idea,” Alaouie said. “ ‘I Am Cody Strong’ came about when I had multiple students coming up to me about feeling isolated in dealing with some
of their personal stories including mental illness and unhealed history. Because of the many occurrences of students coming to me for help, I figured this would be something that every student could benefit from. Therefore, the idea of spreading this opportunity to talk about some tough subjects turned into a really successful week of events. Each day was focused around a different issue that was brought up by students, which we ended up marketing as a series of events towards community wellness and self-healing.” After listening carefully to the needs and concerns of students, the hard work of actually implementing the “I Am Cody Strong” campaign still had to be done, which Alaouie and an enthusiastic group of students pulled off in creative ways including transforming the school cafeteria into a place for workshops on self-care and stress management; providing ongoing opportunities for students to heal and learn through engagement with peers and professionals; and the presentation of a talent show at the end of the campaign, which encouraged an anti-bullying message and allowed 20 students to perform before the entire student body. While the “I Am Cody Strong” campaign was led by Alaouie and the group of students she worked closest with all school year, known as the Cody Detroit Institute of Technology College Prep High School Legendary Dreamers, the campaign touched students across the entire Cody community, which now entails three smaller schools: Cody—Detroit Institute of Technology College Prep High School, Cody—Academy of Public Leadership and Cody—Medicine and Community Health Academy. In closing, the “Best of Young Detroit” would like to share the thoughts of a small sampling of students that were positively impacted by “I Am Cody Strong.” From their comments, we are confident that our readers will agree that a positive, “strong” spirit can be found across the Cody Nation! Joshua Claiborne, 12th grade: “The impact that ‘I Am Cody Strong’ had on me was that it motivated me to open up more about what I’ve been through. I’ve never shared with anyone what I shared during the ‘I Am Cody Strong’ lunch sessions, I miss it. The environment and the atmosphere that it provided me to speak was all together very impacting. I can’t believe that when you speak your heart, that others are willing to listen. It’s crazy how
total strangers can care about you. That’s what this campaign did for me, created a community of support.” Lourdes Manns, 12th grade: “The “I Am Cody Strong” campaign made me open my eyes to some things that I would usually ignore. Hearing the stories of what my peers have gone through was mind blowing and only made me want to be there for them. I wish I could hug every person that was in that room. It made me experience how a campaign like this can bring our school community together and allow for others a chance to feel better. It also allowed students like me, who haven’t been affected by such negative experiences a lens into their lives.”
Jasmine Williams, 9th grade: “This program helped people address their problems head on. It personally helped me with my anger and depression. I used to feel very alone and that nobody could relate to the things I was going through. However, after this campaign, I’ve met people who have gone through the same things as me and have offered to be there. I feel much more supported and I now know I am never alone.” Jemilla Siggers, 12th grade: The “I Am Cody Strong” campaign helped me out in so many ways. One way in particular was by helping me with my anger. This campaign was dedicated to bettering ourselves, and I definitely felt like I needed some bettering. During the first day’s launch where every student was there, I went over to the station where I could make and take home a stress ball—it actually works to release my stress and control my anger. For example when one of my co-workers does something that sets me off a little, I’ll immediately grab my stress ball and say, “I am Powerful, I am Brave, I am Cody Strong.”
UAW-Ford’s Best of Young Detroit
June 7-13, 2017
Page C-4
Remembering Lorenzo Wright: Given chance to run, Miller product won gold Some of the greatest Olympic Team as a long high school sports action jumper, and just missed in our city’s history has takmaking the Olympic meden place at Lorenzo Wright al podium in his specialty Field, adjacent to King High event with a fourth-place School. And perhaps that finish in London. It was iniis only fitting, given that Lotially assumed that the long renzo Wright (December 9, jump performance would 1926 – March 27, 1972), the be the end of Wright’s pride of Miller High School, Olympics, but when one of was one of the greatest aththe projected runners on letes to ever come out of the United States’ 4x100 Detroit. meter relay was unable to Wright was a part of participate due to asthma, a long line of sensationWright received the call to al athletes to come out of join the relay team. When Miller, but when it came to the team was successful versatility, he had very few Picture perfect: Lorenzo Wright’s performance at the with Wright in the semi-final peers. In addition to being 1948 Olympics in London was seen by the world with the round, he was given the opa two-time PSL long jump help of LIFE, one of the most popular magazines of the portunity to run the second champion, Wright was an time. Wright’s majestic long jump (captured by LIFE) fell leg in the final, which the outstanding sprinter on the just short of a medal, but he came back to win gold in the United States won in a time track. And away from track 4X100 relay. of 40.6 seconds to capture and field, he was regarded gold. The victory did not as a solid swimmer and gymnast. come without controversy, an official felt there was an illegal After Miller, Wright would continue to demonstrate his handoff between the United States’ leadoff man and Wright, athletic prowess at Wayne State, where he lettered in 1945, but ultimately the victory was upheld and Wright returned to 1947, 1948 and 1949 (this period also included time when Wayne State and Detroit as an Olympic champion. he was away from school due to military service). His athletWright would graduate from Wayne State in 1950 with a ic highlights as a collegian included winning the inaugural bachelor’s of science degree in education. He would later Mid American Conference 100 and 220-yard dash, 220- have a successful high school coaching career in Detroit, yard low hurdles, and long jump titles. Wright was an All including stints at Miller, Eastern and Southwestern, and in American long jumper in 1947 and 1948, and in 1948 he 1968 he was named supervisor of Detroit Public Schools also set what was then an indoor record in the long jump Athletics. The holder of two degrees from Wayne State (25 ¾). and a charter member of the Wayne State University AthHowever, Wright would become known to the world be- letic Hall of Fame, Wright should always be remembered cause of another occurrence in 1948—the Summer Olym- in Detroit where he helped to set a high standard for future pic Games in London. Wright made the United States generations of student-athletes that followed him.
Honoring Our Motor City Legacy
The “Best of Young Detroit” salutes the more than 50 students from the Detroit Public Schools Community District’s (DPSCD) Breithaupt Career and
Technical Center that assembled a replica of a 1965 Shelby Daytona Coupe. The Ford Motor Company Fund in partnership with DPSCD provided
the unique learning experience, which involved the students handling more than 1,000 parts over the course of 18 weeks. The finished car was shown at Ford’s Dearborn Development Center, featuring a 350-horsepower Ford 306 V8, Ford TK5 manual transmission, and an independent rear suspension. In a statement, Ford Motor Company Fund multicultural manager Shawn Wilson said: “Ford is proud to be a part of a collective effort to help Detroit Public School Community District students prepare for careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics). Students who are inspired to learn are better prepared to reach their full potential in academics and in life.”
Detroit Raiders’ trust in the ‘process’ produces another tourney title
The Detroit Raiders’ 12-and-under baseball team is continuing to have an outstanding season, which now includes winning the recent “AA” Memorial Day Super NIT tournament in Mt. Clemens. Mrs. Charissa Williams, the team’s dedicated business manager, shared the good news with the “Best of Young Detroit.” After an opening game loss, the Raiders showed their resolve and “trusted the process” en route to winning the three-day tournament. Along with being a travel team, the Detroit Raiders are a new edition to Legends League Baseball, which is proudly supported by UAW-Ford. Legends League Baseball provides affordable baseball to Detroit youth, while focusing on baseball skill and character development. Following is a listing of Legends League games that will be played from Wednesday, June 7 through Tuesday, June 13: 12 And Under Spring Competitive Division Wednesday, June 7 Southfield Tigers vs. Motor City Royals at Miller (6:30 p.m.) Ecorse Knights vs. Detroit Playmakers at William Clay Ford Field (8:15 p.m.) Saturday, June 10 Detroit Raiders vs. Detroit Stars at William Clay Ford Field (6:45 p.m.) Detroit Raiders vs. Blue Jays at William Clay Ford Field (8:30 p.m.) Sunday, June 11 Detroit Playmakers vs. Detroit Yankees at William Clay Ford Field (4:30 p.m.) Detroit Stars vs. YMCA Tigers at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Detroit Stars vs. Mighty Warriors at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Tuesday, June 13 Southfield Cardinals vs. Ecorse Knights at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) 14 and under Friday, June 9 DEPSA Jr. High vs. Detroit Stars at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 and 8:45 p.m.)
PSL student-athletes compete in state track and field finals The “Best of Young Detroit” congratulates all the student-athletes from the Detroit Public School League that participated in Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Lower Peninsula Track and Field State Finals on Saturday, June 3. Following is a listing of top-10 finishers: MHSAA LP D1 State Final (Site: East Kentwood) Girls 100 Meters 9. Mizan Thomas, Renaissance 12.53 Girls 4x100 Relay 2. Renaissance (Imani Jackson, Deshonda Johnson, Paige Chapman, Mizan Thomas) 47.48 Girls 4x200 Relay 8. Renaissance (Makylah Slappy, Mizan Thomas, Imani Jackson, Arinn Hayes) 1:43.03 9. Cass Tech (Carmella Hobson, Damya Carson, Megan Davis, Amari Newsom) 1:43.84
MHSAA LP D2 State Final (Site: Zeeland) Boys 100 Meters 4. Davion Hightower, Cody, 11.15 Girls 400 Meters 2. Nala Barlow, Cody, 58.72 Boys 4x200 Relay 6. Cody (Alvin White, Leviticus Fielder, William Gibson, Davion Hightower) 1:30.40 MHSAA LP D3 State Final (Site: Comstock Park) Boys 100 Meters 8. Christopher Matthews, Southeastern, 12.14 Boys 200 Meters 8. Christopher Matthews, Southeastern, 24.11
10 and under Competitive Division Wednesday, June 7 Windsor Stars vs. Southfield Cardinals at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Thursday, June 8 Midwest Cubs vs. Windsor Stars at William Clay Ford Field (7 p.m.) Midwest Cubs vs. Southfield Dodgers at William Clay Ford Field (9 p.m.) Friday, June 9 Southwest Aztecs vs. Detroit Yankees at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Full Count Kings vs. Southfield Cardinals at William Clay Ford Field (8:45 p.m.) Saturday, June 10 Southwest Aztecs vs. Southfield Dodgers at William Clay Ford Field (4:30 p.m.)
Girls 4x400 Relay 10. Renaissance (Shania Shepard, Mizan Thomas, Imani Jackson, Paige Chapman) 3:59.53 Girls Shot Put 4. Camari McCarroll, Renaissance, 39-06.00
Student Voices
Davis Aerospace students call for crime reduction this summer Our student contributors at Davis Aerospace Technical High School want the best for their city, and it is their hope that our upcoming summer will be a period of fun not crime. Here are their recommendations for making that wish a reality: Malik Williams, senior: “Because the temperature is rising, doesn’t mean our crime rate has to. It’s a known fact that during the summer our crime rate spikes, yet, little to nothing is done to prevent it. With the school year coming to a close for the summer, children and teens are left wandering around the streets, ready to fall subject to negative peer pressure. If we were to increase the amount of summer programs we have for the youth, not only would they have something to do for the summer, but it also will keep them off the streets and out of trouble. With the proper programs added for the duration of the summer, there is no doubt that our crime rate would decline. “There are two variants of peer pressure. You have negative peer pressure, which I mentioned earlier, and you have positive peer pressure. Everyone whether they like to admit it or not falls subject to peer pressure. If we are to implement community programs like; summer camps, community centers, and a few mentorship groups, it would keep our youth off the streets, and it would also get them prepared for the next school year. With the proper programs implemented throughout the summer, our crime rate wouldn’t spike, and
Sunday, June 11 Detroit Braves vs. Incredibles at Balduck (11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) Michigan Heavy Hitters vs. Detroit Stars at Balduck (3:30 and 5:45 p.m.)
only our temperature will still continue to rise.” Johnnie Davis, junior: “Recent studies have found that violence/ crimes in Detroit neighborhoods have a tendency to increase as the summer nears. It seems as the temperature rises, the crime rate rises as well. The people of these communities that are experiencing an increase of crimes should come together and create resolutions for these issues. If everyone involved in the community could assist in decreasing the crime rate, the goal would surely be reached much more quickly, than if it were only a few people putting forth effort. “I think that these crime problems could be easily resolved using the following solutions. One solution that could assist in decreasing crime around summer is increasing the number of patrolling officers in the area. Another solution would be; to place more cameras in the area to let those who may commit crimes know that they’re being watched. A logical person’s common sense would stop them from committing a crime if they can see they are being watched. My last solution would be to inform the citizens that reside in the area, to be watchful and cautious of any suspicious persons. This would empower citizens to act as a type of enforcement joined along with the officers patrolling the neighborhood. When a team effort is put forth in the community to make a difference, the goal will be easier to achieve.”
Monday, June 12 Southwest Aztecs vs. Windsor Stars at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Southfield Dodgers vs. Southwest Aztecs II at William Clay Ford Field (8:45 p.m.) 10 and under New Teams Division Wednesday, June 7 Yes Academy Lions vs. Southfield Orioles at Miller (6:30 p.m.) Harms Elementary vs. Southwest Aztecs II at Palmer Park (6:30 p.m.) Friday, June 9 Southfield Cardinals vs. Full Count Kings at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Southwest Aztecs vs. Detroit Yankees at William Clay Ford Field (8:45 p.m.) Saturday, June 10 Detroit Yankees vs. Detroit Braves at William Clay Ford Field (noon) Detroit Braves vs. Southfield Aztecs II at William Clay Ford Field (2:15 p.m.) Sunday, June 11 Southwest Aztecs II vs. Yes Academy at Palmer Park (noon) Southfield Orioles vs. Full Count Kings at William Clay Ford Field (noon and 2:15 p.m.) Monday, June 12 Southwest Aztecs vs. Windsor Stars at William Clay Ford Field (6:30 p.m.) Southfield Dodgers vs. Southwest Aztecs II at William Clay Ford Field (8:45 p.m.) Legends League games are free, but light refreshments can be purchased at weekend games. For more information about Legends League Baseball, including exact baseball diamond locations, please contact director Garrett Street at 313-363-7271.
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 7-13, 2017 Page C-5
Protect Your Money:
There’s an app for that (StatePoint) — Since the credit card made its debut as an alternative to cash over 50 years ago, more Americans are using debit or credit cards as a primary payment method than ever before. In addition to the convenience and simplicity of using a card, another reason they have become increasingly popular is because they offer certain protections. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your maximum liability for fraudulent credit card transactions is $50 and many credit cards promise zero liability for all fraudulent transactions. While similar protections apply to fraudulent debit card transactions under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, it’s important to remember that a stolen debit card, however, impacts your bank account balance as soon as the fraudulent transaction occurs. This can lead to other problems, like overdrafts and bounced checks. For all these reasons, consumers should pay careful attention to their statements to ensure all the transactions taking place are legitimate, advise experts. To understand how you are protected, it’s a good idea to check with your bank to understand their policy on customer liability and to inquire if they offer solutions you can use to protect your card if it’s lost or stolen.
Fostering relationships with influencers to grow your business By Tasha S. Robinson
characteristics you want this person to have.
Collaborating with influencers is a great way to gain traction on social media, market to your target audience and much more. However, too many small business owners are going about it the wrong way. It is imperative to understand how to partner with the right influencers to scale your business.
Bloggers Are Not the Only Influencers
Select the Right Person The first mistake business owners make when collaborating is working with the first person that contacts them via direct message or email. Stop letting the influencers pick you and start researching the people who fit your brand’s messages. You want someone who reflects your brand’s message and resonates with your target audience. Just because someone is popular on social media does not mean they have your target audience. Take the time to outline essential
The individuals who influence me daily are women I discovered on social media; they run businesses, are super creative and are operating in their purpose. Take a moment to think about people who influence you. If somebody embodies all the qualities you want for your campaign, that is the person you want to work with even if they don’t have “blogger” as their title. Establishing a Relationship On any given week, I receive packages to my P.O. Box. Rarely have these individuals reached out before sending me something they want me to promote. When clients seek my advice on working with influencers, I suggest they spend 90 days or more engaging this person on various plat-
forms. You just don’t email a highly popular influencer saying “Let’s work together.” Spend time cultivating a relationship that can become mutually beneficial. Your goal is to build rapport with this individual before you decide to design a marketing campaign around them. Pitching Your Influencers After investing time building a relationship with this person, it’s time to craft a pitch. Before pitching any influencer, visit their website and retrieve their media kit. In their media kit, you will see stats for their site, social media, past collaborations and pricing. In your proposal, outline your goals for this partnership. It’s important to be open to their ideas and thoughts because they know what resonates with their audience. And most importantly, when it comes to collaborating with others, make sure they are the right fit for your brand.
While some card issuers have evolved cards to offer security chips, as well as have created phone apps to protect against unauthorized charges and monitor purchase activity in real time, some banks are taking extra steps to make debit card usage more secure by putting even more technology in the hands of their customers. For example, Ally Bank’s Card Controls app -- available at no cost to both checking and money market customers with active debit cards and Android or Apple phones -- was designed to give customers more control at their fingertips. By using a secure mobile app associated with their bank accounts, users have the ability to turn their debit card on and off, enable only certain types of transactions, set maximum single transaction amounts and create alerts to be notified when transactions occur. Customers can even set location awareness controls so that the card can only be used within a certain proximity of their phones or within a specified geographic region. “The ability to proactively control, monitor and manage card usage from a mobile phone provides greater peace of mind,” says Diane Morais, president of Consumer & Commercial Banking Products at Ally Bank, Member FDIC. Fortunately, technology advancements are resulting in new tools that banks can offer their customers to make it easier to control and monitor how and when your card is used, but the services vary from institution to institution. To ensure you are using all the resources available to protect your money, find out what your bank offers to make debit card usage more secure.
Page C-6
• THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 7-13, 2017
DIGITAL DAILY WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
At Your Finger Tips!
Follow Us On
facebook.com/michiganchronicle
@michronicle
June 7-13, 2017 |
D1
Reflections By Steve Holsey
Superstardom could be his Ever since he made his album debut in 2006, Ne-Yo — whose real name, by the way, is Shaffer Smith — has been an important attraction. He is a good singer, a good live performer, and he reached new artistic heights with his 2008 album, “Year of the Gentleman.”
Aretha Franklin Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
He proved how versatile he is when he sang and performed the standard “Lover Come Back to Me” on a televised tribute to icon Barbra Streisand. Ne-Yo is also very serious about his acting career. He has already proven his skills on several occasions and was especially good on “Empire” in 2015. It was hoped that he would secure a recurring role on the popular show. But Ne-Yo only wants to be hired for TV and movie roles if he qualified for them, not because of his name value. He has joked that the offers are not exactly pouring in — but, of course, that could change in an unpredictable industry.
Ne-Yo
FEW THINGS in life are more exhilarating and/or relieving than learning to be at peace with yourself. Basing your life on the prejudices and whims of others is draining. And as for trying to make everybody “like” you, as Eminem put it, if you do that you will drive yourself crazy. The multitalented Jill Scott has found a state of mind that could be described as a form of nirvana. “It’s part of the gig to be picked apart — too old, too young, too fat, too skinny, whatever, but that’s the way Jill Scott this business (and life) works, unfortunately,” she said. “I’ve made the decision not to fall into anybody’s traps based on what they’re thinking of me. Whatever’s going on in somebody else’s mind, I leave that to them.” STEPHANIE MILLS has been an R&B favorite in the black community for nearly four decades, enjoying plenty of hit records, but it is strange that she has had such limited success in the Pop market. For example, “I Feel Good All Over,” Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)” and “I Have Learned to Stephanie Mills Respect the Power of Love” were all No. 1 R&B hits, but they didn’t make the Pop charts at all. In fact, her only Top 10 Pop hit was “Never Knew Love Like This Before.” And by the way, it’s hard to believe that Mills — the original Dorothy in “The Wiz” on Broadway — turned 60 in March. VALERIE SIMPSON says that when she and Nick Ashford were writing all of those hit songs, many of which became classics, it never occurred to them that the impact would continue for decades. “The music Valerie Simpson is everlasting,” she said. “I didn’t think about it
See Reflections Page D-2
Sean Blackman-InTransit
Detroit Music Weekend starring Aretha Franklin brings harmony to Paradise Valley By Lee Claire In what just may be her last performance in her beloved hometown, Aretha Franklin will headline a free outdoor concert which includes some of the most popular Detroit bred musical acts from R&B to rock, to hip-hop, to techno and even country and gospel. On Saturday, June 10 in the center of the Detroit Entertainment District, bookended by a Friday, June 9, tribute concert to the Queen of Soul, starring a bevy of selected celebrity vocalists and backed by the Detroit SuperBand at the Music Hall. Also on the ticket are dynamic performances by renowned local artists, Obed Succari, Sean Blackman-InTransit, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and a Best of Detroit Showcase free concert. The show’s headliner, the indomitable Ms. Franklin, will perform on June 10, at the Madison stage near the intersection of Madison and Grand Circus Park. Franklin, both a 20th and 21st century musical and cultural icon, is known the world over simply by her first name.
SCHEDULE: Thursday, June 8 at 5 p.m. Street Naming “Aretha Franklin Way” Madison Center Friday. June 9 at 6 p.m. Dedication Ceremony & Superstar “Tribute to Aretha Franklin” Music Hall Center for Performing Arts Surprise guest vocalists with The Detroit Super Band (a first of its kind assembly of top musicians for national acts, like Mary J. Blige, / Beyoncé /Lady Gaga/Usher /Chris Brown/ Neyo/Lil Wayne, Ariana Grande/KEM, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson) *Ticketed Event* Friday. June 9 at 6 p.m. Inaugural Detroit Music Weekend Gala Detroit Opera House Stage *Ticketed Event* Friday. June 9 at 7 p.m. Gospel Promenade and Sneak Peek of the New Detroit Music Stages, Tents and Pavilions Madison Ave Saturday. June 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Outdoor Public Legends Concert: Madison Central Stage Josh Gracin Larry Callahan & Selected of God Choir Laith Al-Saadi
The Queen of Soul has created an amazing legacy that spans an incredible six decades, from her first recording as a teenage gospel star, to her most recent release, “Aretha Franklin sings the Great Diva Classics.” Her many standards include “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Chain Of Fools,” “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” her own compositions “Think,” “Daydreaming” and “Call Me,” her definitive versions of “Respect” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” and hits like “Freeway of Love,” “Jump to It,” “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” her worldwide chart-topping duet with George Michael, and “A Rose is Still a Rose.”
muiltiple generations, justifiably earning her Rolling Stone magazine’s No. 1 placing on the list of “The Greatest Singers of All Time.” But, Detroit Music Weekend is much more than a free concert featuring the very best homegrown talent, it’s really about community and celebrating our cultural differences through the myriad of creative and powerful musical interpretations that all share the regional DNA that is Detroit.
The recipient of the U.S.A.’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal Of Freedom, an 18-time Grammy Award winner — the most recent of which was for Best Gospel Performance for “Never Gonna Break My Faith” with Mary J. Blige in 2008, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement and Grammy Living Legend awardee, Aretha Franklin’s powerful, distinctive gospel-honed vocal style has influenced countless singers across
Detroit Music Weekend brings this sense of community into the very center of one of the busiest entertainment districts in all America for the weekend of June 8-11, beginning with a tribute to the Queen of Soul and Detroit original, Aretha Franklin and ending with a free performance from Aretha herself along with two other stages of the best of all genres, irrespective of demographic, this festival is 100 percent Detroit.The weekend will also be filled with cultural exhibits from Detroit’s finest not-forprofit museums and galleries in addition to highlighting all the new restaurants and retail in downtown D etroit.
DMW SuperBAND Obed Succari Sean Blackman-InTransit Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels
have put their rich and powerful vocals to work in the service of God and of show business magic, including the unforgettable Superbowl XLV commercial with Eminem.
*Free Event*
Laith Al-Saadi
Sunday. June 11, 4 p.m.
Soulful vocalist and powerful guitarist with a taste for blues, vintage R&B, jazz and classic rock, Laith Al-Saadi’s influences as an Ann Arbor kid layered his father’s Arabic classical onto his mother’s broad range of musical interests. He won the nation’s hearts and ears with his appearance on ‘The Voice’ last summer, and his current album, ‘REAL’ is staking a claim at the tops of a whole variety of charts
R&B Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets $45-$95 FEATURED ARTISTS Tuxedo feat. Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One Grammy-nominated singer, producer, songwriter, arranger, audio engineer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist, Mayer Hawthorne takes his stage name from his middle name and the Ann Arbor street he grew up on. In addition to his recordings, his music can be heard on the soundtracks of TV and movies and his myriad of influences include that of his father’s Detroit band. Josh Gracin As a country music singer, former member of the US Marine Corps, and finalist in American Idol Gracin has had many singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks list. He most recently released an EP title Nothin’ Like Us, Pt. 1 that is available to download on iTunes and streaming on Spotify. Larry Callahan & Selected of God Choir When twenty Detroit singers open their mouths and it sounds like there are a hundred, you know you’re listening to Larry Callahan and his Choir. Working together for over ten years, they
Obed Succari Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels From Hamtramck to the world, Mitch Ryder’s turbo high-octane sound has created a deep groove and inspired countless other legends including Bob Seger, John Mellencamp, and Bruce Springsteen. Currently blazing a trail through Europe yet again, Mitch and the band return to Detroit with their unmatched style of pure visceral rockin’ R&B. DJ D-Nice Derrick Jones, better known by his stage name, is a disc jockey, beatboxer, rapper, producer, and photographer who began his career with the hip-hop group Boogie Down Productions and was discovered by Kid rock in the late 1980s, landing him a deal with Jive Records. His current work includes photography, with album cover credits for Carl Thomas and Pharoahe Monch. For a complete lineup visit michiganchronicle. com
Page D-2 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 7-13, 2017
Reflections From page D-1
Friday, June 9 | 7 pm | The Baltimore Gallery SPARK: Art and design will be in full bloom as guests enjoy fun food stations and cocktails while browsing the silent auction, and taking part in a high-energy raffle. Backyard games, a live art presentation and local designer displays will be a feast for the eyes as guests enjoy the evening. INFO: sparkdgg.eventbrite.com
Friday, June 9 | 8 pm | N’Namdi Center For Contemporary Art FRESH PRODUCE SERIES FEATURING MOONCHILD: Since cementing themselves into the vibrant LA soul scene, Moonchild have released two albums and collaborated or toured with highly-respected. INFO: eventbrite.com
Friday, June 9 | 9 pm | Chene Park K’MICHELLE WSG JEREMIH AND LLOYD: It’s officially the return of summer with the kickoff of Chene Park’s Summer Series. Info: cheneparkdetroit.com
Saturday, June 10 | 11 am | Music Hall DETROIT MUSIC WEEKEND FREE DAY: 11am - 7:30pm - FREE Outdoor Public Legends Concert featuring ARETHA FRANKLIN at 6pm! 12pm-6pm - *FREE Invited Artist Showcase Performances. INFO: detroitmusicweekend.org
Sunday, June 11 | 2 pm | Edison Boat Club THE HAPPENING: The HAPPENING is bringing together Detroit’s finest with a summer brunch. Enjoy booze and beautiful views at in. includes entry and bottomthe Detroit Edison Boat Club.4.94 Tickets less mimosas.
before, but now I realize the music has legs way beyond whatever we originally might have thought.” She refers to classics such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’m Every Woman,” “Your Precious Love,” “You’re All I Need to Get By” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.” Of course, she badly misses husband Nick, who left us in 2011, saying, “I’m still not used to him not being there. Hopefully, his spirit will stay with me.” ONE THING that aggravates women is when their ex or in this case, soon-to-beex, husbands drag their feet on making child support payments. Just ask Keisha Knight Pulliam, who we watched grow from cute little Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show” to a beautiful young woman. (She’s now 38.) Pulliam wants some sort of arrangement to be made whereby the money would automatically be taken out of Ed Hartwell’s NFL retirement or disability funds. They have a five-month-old daughter and it was Hartwell who filed for divorce. Lauryn Hill begins a tour with Nas on Sept. 7 that will end Oct. 11. Let’s hope she sticks to the music. In the past there have been occasions when she has spent an inordinate amount of time airing her opinions…and that’s after showing up very late. Sheila E. is working on an album titled “Iconic,” featuring songs of encouragement because she says the country has been through so much in the last five years. Among the songs are “Respect Yourself” and, yes, “One Nation Under a Groove.” Freddie Jackson’s next album will be titled “Love Signals.” BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that Motown had David Ruffin record a rendition of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” but didn’t release it. Ruffin’s version was good, but his voice was a bit rough and mature for this song. MEMORIES: “I Wanna Know Your Name” (the Intruders), “I’ll Keep Holding On” (the Marvelettes), Easy Lover” (Philip Bailey with Phil Collins), “Just Got Paid” (Johnny Kemp), “I Want to Take You Higher” (Sly & the Family Stone), “Sukiyaki” (A Taste of Honey), “Kiss” (Prince & the Revolution). BLESSINGS to J. Michael McKay, Katherine Adams, Walter Bridgforth, Jr., Maxine Stevenson, Duke Fakir, William Andrews, Jr. and Georgella Muirhead. WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Billy Joel: “You need to know that you are not alone, that there are people who feel as you do, live as you do, who are like you.” Let the music play!
37
PICKS 326 314 680 191 657 WEEK’S BEST LOTTERY
245 455 168 387 147 592 967 6344 1027 859 28 30 37 43 57 5 YOUR AD
LOOKS
GOOD IN PRINT Place your classified or display ad in the
Call (313) 963-5522
Steve Holsey can be reached at svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
CECE WINANS FALL IN LOVE TOUR PRESENTED BY MEDI-SHARE
10.5 in.
JULY 14
SEAN PAUL
TOWER OF POWER WITH SPECIAL GUEST JAKE CLEMONS
UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PERFECT WORLD PICTURES A SECRET HIDEOUT/CONSPIRACY FACTORY/SEAN DANIEL COMPANY PRODUCTION
SOUNDBOARDDETROIT.COM
TOM CRUISE “THE MUMMY” ANNABELLE WALLIS SOFIA BOUTELLA JAKE JOHNSON COURTNEY B. VANCE EXECUTIVE PRODUCED MARWAN KENZARI AND RUSSELL CROWE MUSICBY BRIAN TYLERSCREEN PRODUCERS JEB BRODY ROBERTO ORCI BY ALEX KURTZMAN p.g.a. CHRIS MORGAN SEAN DANIEL p.g.a. SARAH BRADSHAW STORYBY JON SPAIHTS AND ALEX KURTZMAN & JENNY LUMET SCREENPLAY DIRECTED BY DAVID KOEPP AND CHRISTOPHER MCQUARRIE AND DYLAN KUSSMAN BY ALEX KURTZMAN A UNIVERSAL PICTURE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC
© 2016 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IMAX® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION.
MotorCity Casino Hotel and MotorCity Casino Hotel design are trademarks of Detroit Entertainment, L.L.C. ©2017 Detroit Entertainment, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 9 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES
June 7-13, 2017 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • Page D-3
age Ebony Rutherford, Trish’s gar
Nefertiti Harris, AJ Williams Rocki, Detroit
Umi Love, Detroit
Shavon Andrews
Pam McClain
Janeia Nicole
Tiffany T, Kree B, Detro it
Astrolotea
Sunset Sundays
Damion Ellis
Sabrina Nelson
range Auirel (O .) o C g n (Teali LaVonne ) Moon LTD
Astrolotea
Classified
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PERSONAL SERVICES
BUDGET HEARING
MRS. LINN
BORN GIFTED READER The 7th Daughter without asking you a single word. I will tell you what you want to know. Tell your present, past and future. Tell you who your friends and enemies are. Why you’re so unlucky. If your loved one is true or false.I will advise you all problems of life, such as love, marriage, business and health, etc. Why suffer, you can be free from all troubles. I guarantee Sucess where others failed. I am superior to any other reader you have seen. Don’t let distance keep you away from Health and Happiness. Hrs. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Daily and Sunday.
Hope Academy, a public charter school, will hold its Budget Hearing on Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at Hope Academy, located at 12121 Broadstreet, Detroit, MI 48204, (313) 934-0054. The budget will be available for public inspection at Hope Academy.
No Mail Answered 2742 Monroe St., Toledo, Ohio 1-419-248-2145 1-419-973-9058
ANNOUNCEMENTS PUBLIC NOTICE of BUDGET HEARING In Compliance with the OPEN MEETINGS ACT (MCLA 15.261 et seq Public Act No. 267 of 1976) the ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING of the BOARD of DIRECTORS of Detroit Collegiate High School, a Charter School formed pursuant to the Revised School Code of 1976, will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 11:30am. The budget will be available for public inspection at the offices of EQUITY Education, 13600 Virgil Street, Detroit, MI 48223. The public meeting will be held at the offices of EQUITY Education, 13600 Virgil Street, Detroit, MI 48223 COVENANT HOUSE ACADEMY DETROIT SOUTHWEST CAMPUS 1450 25th STREET, DETROIT, MI 48216 Phone: (313) 297-8720 Fax: (313) 297-8730 Applications for the 2017-2018 academic year Will be available at the school for enrollment and re-enrollment from May 24, 2017 through June 07, 2017. An Answering machine is available for messages.
BUDGET HEARING NOTICE The Board of Directors is conducting its annual budget hearing
COVENANT HOUSE ACADEMY DETROIT CENTRAL CAMPUS 2959 MLK JR. BLVD., DETROIT, MI 48208 Phone: (313) 899-6900 Fax: (313) 899-6910 Applications for the 2017-2018 academic year Will be available at the school for enrollment and re-enrollment from May 24, 2017 through June 07, 2017. An Answering machine is available for messages. Applications will be accepted for grades 9-12, Serving students ages 16-22. Should applications exceed available space, a random selection drawing will be held on June 08, 2017 at the school.
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
Meritor Inc seeks a Sr. Financial Analyst in Troy, MI, to implement process for market intelligence activity, including close collaboration with the business to monitor and evaluate industry trends including customers, competitors, technologies, regulations, disruptors, etc. among other duties. Master’s degree in Business Management or Business Administration and two years of experience in the job offered or related. Please send resumes to: Ms. Sarah Trautmann, Meritor Inc, Resume Processing/JO# 7772767, 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084.
Senior Process Engineer
New Paradigm Glazer-Loving Academy TIME: 6:00pm DATE: June 27, 2017 LOCATION: New Paradigm Loving Academy 1000 Lynn St. Detroit, MI 48211 University YES Academy TIME: 6:00pm DATE: June 27, 2017 LOCATION: University YES Academy 14469 Curtis St. Detroit, MI 48235 The meeting will be conducted in accordance with the Open Meeting Act. The Academy shall comply with subtitle A of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Public Law 101-336, 42 USC 12101 et seq or any successor law. Should you require specific accommodation(s) please contact: School Administrator at: 313-260-0024 prior to the meeting.
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
June 1 thru July 4 Fireworks Safety Month
Senior Digital Sculptor
Warren, MI, General Motors. Create finished 3D digital models of full exteriors incldg body sheetmetal, bodysides (incldg quarters panels &front/rear fenders), hoods, glass/greenhouse, roofs, decklids, tailgates, front &rear fascia, &lenses, of future production passenger cars, pickup trucks, concept cars for auto shows, dvlpg aesthetic surfaces within dvlpmt timing &qlty reqmts. Contribute to problem solving with design &engrg stakeholders, assisting in the dvlpmt &execution of corporate Global Vehicle Dvlpmt Process (GVDP) planning. Use Alias AutoStudio &UG NX to create models based on artistic sketches developed by designers &incorporate technical engrg criteria &manufacturing reqmts. Work with creative designers to deliver advanced concepts from bi-dimensional sketch or 3D scans. Design parts using rapid prototyping &design fabrication methods to support physical clay model. Support &work collaboratively with clay sculptors, regarding data reqmts sent to milling machines &related instructions. Use technical expertise to execute curves &surfaces with qlty standards required for Class A surface releases. Bachelor, Industrial Design, Engrg or Architecture. 12 mos exp as Digital Sculptor or Digital Modeler, creating finished 3D digital models of exterior systems incldg body sheetmetal, bodysides (incldg quarters panels &front/rear fenders), hoods, glass/greenhouse, roofs, decklids, fascia, &lenses, of future production passenger vehicles, concept vehicles for auto shows, components, &accessories, using Alias AutoStudio &UG NX to create models. Mail resume to Ref#1916, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
Easy, Breezy Cocktail Ideas for Summer “Alizé Apple has a wonderful fruit-forward sweetness, so there is no need to add sugar to this version of a daiquiri. Lime juice gives tartness for balance, and pineapple juice enhances the apple flavors as well as imparts a touch of frothiness and a velvety texture to the cocktail. Sage and bitters give hints of spice,” says Rios. Bright Nights • 4 oz. Ginger Beer • 2 oz. Alizé Apple • 3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice • Add ingredients into highball glass and top with crushed ice. • Swizzle and top with bitters and garnish with candied ginger. Rios explains that in this variation of a Moscow Mule, “the Alizé Apple blends nicely with ginger beer. Fresh lime juice give the drink brightness and the bitters, spice and bite.” La Vie en Vert
(StatePoint) Are you throwing a party this summer, or just relaxing with your crew? Whatever your plans are, cocktails are an essential of summer entertaining: make them easy and breezy, just like the perfect summer evening. To get your party started, NYC mixologist Jaime Rios has created a selection of cocktails containing only three ingredients, including a blast of Alizé Apple, making entertaining this season as easy as flipping the switch to pump your favorite summer beats. Golden Delicious Daiquiri • 2 oz. Alizé Apple • 3/4 oz. Fresh Lime Juice • 1 oz. Pineapple Juice • Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds and strain into martini glass. • Garnish with mist of bitters and a fresh sage leaf.
• 1 1/2 oz. Alizé Apple • 1 oz. Rosé Vermouth • 3 dashes bitters • Combine in a wine glass with ice. Top with sparkling wine of your choice. • Garnish with fresh apples, a fresh rosemary sprig and a lemon twist. “This is your new summer staple. It’s like a refreshing sparkling sangria with the vermouth developing wonderful stone fruit flavors and herbaceous notes, while the bitters lends notes of anise,” says Rios. Each of these cocktails uses the recently released Alizé Apple—available nationwide at $19.99—which is made with premium French vodka and ripe apple flavor. The line’s other flavors include Red Passion, Bleu Passion, Gold Passion and Peach. For more recipes, visit facebook.com/AlizeInColor. Give your parties an extra something this summer with fun, new cocktails.
System Engineer
Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan, engr, design, validate, execute, &release current &NextGen global vehicle reqmts for Vehicle State &Power Moding strategies in Body Control System, incldg push button start &ignition switch methods. Plan, engr, design, execute, &release Teen Driver &Valet Mode System incldg optimized safety features such as speed limiting, seat belt reminder &control, torque limiting, &default safety features that may not be disengaged. Evaluate reqmts &perform system review through GM Legal &Privacy Board. Test features on test benches using Vehicle Spy, performing hardware in loop simulations, &use Rhapsody models to evaluate reqmts. Review JD Power feedback, potential customer complaints, &NHTSA inquires as they may arise. Perform Functional Safety Analysis (FSA) Hazops, DFMEAs, Functional Interface Analysis, Single Effects Failure Analysis &follow the safety process. Support investigations performed by investigators for issues raised through Speak Up For Safety (SUFS) process. Bachelor, Electrical or Electronics Engrg. 5 yrs of exp as Lead Engineer, Technical Lead or Engineer, planning &setting product strategies for global vehicle architecture for Body Control System and/or Vehicle State &Power Moding strategies in Body Control System, or related. Mail resume to Ref#3730, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Warren, MI, General Motors. Assure the dvlpmt of new SUV &small &midsize truck vehicle programs (Global Compact SUV &Global Midsize Truck), adhering to General Assembly (GA) Bill of Process (BOP) guidelines &mfg reqmts &achieve inter-buildability &flexibility reqmts &compliance to GA global center strategies. Use VisMockup to conduct virtual vehicle &tooling studies/assessments throughout Vehicle Dvlpmt Process (VDP). Evaluate, monitor, track &anticipate impact on new tooling, conveyors, fixtures, &equipment, tryout, testing &implementation, for future high volume passenger car assembly plants affected by programs supporting two vehicle assembly plants in China (Wuhan &Dong Yue North), two vehicle assembly plants in Mexico (San Luis Potosi &Ramos) &one vehicle assembly plant in Canada (Ingersoll). Document process, specialized tooling, features, gauges &reqmts for Regional Execution &ensure compliance by each executing assembly plant. Host Process Failure Mode &Effects Analysis (PFMEA) level 2 risk assessment workshops to minimize assembly errors &improve executing plant control plans. Bachelor, Mechanical Engrg or Electrical Engrg. 24 mos exp as Engineer, assuring the dvlpmt of new global passenger vehicle programs, adhering to GA BOP guidelines &MR &achieving inter- buildability &flexibility reqmts &compliance to GA global center strategies, using VisMockup to conduct virtual vehicle &tooling studies/assessments throughout VDP. Mail resume to Ref#17345, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
Lead Clay Sculptor Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan &lead surface &clay model dvlpmt of exterior &interior full size &scale models. Interpret &define the design intent of designer, directly collaborating with engrg, packaging, &tooling teams. Lead &supervise team of 5-7 Clay Modelers each possessing bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design and/or Engrg fields. Translate design intent into 3D surface clay model using creative clay modeling tools &equipment to dvlp surfaces meeting design &engrg specifications, design sensitivity, aesthetic proportions, brand identity, customer focus, &attention to detail. Dvlp Class A surface for initial concept to production surfaces achieved in various stages as per Global Vehicle Dvlpmt Process (GVDP). Plan &deliver project clay model on time as per various Decision Fixed Points (DFP) over vehicle dvlpmt timeline. Lead Clay Modelers to achieve GVDP creative process, from Vehicle Program Initiation (VPI) to Styling Freeze (SF), production surfaces from Initial Date Release (IDR) to Verified Date Release (VDR), approving &releasing final surfaces to Engrg in support of production tools dvlpmt. Achieve surface qlty as per GM Global Styled Math Data Standards. Ensure surface clay models to FMVSS 201U for passenger head impact analysis on interior components to overcome those. Escalate criteria, design conflicts. Respond to late Design Change Requests (DCR) or Engrg Criteria Changes by accommodating changes in clay models. 24 mos exp as Clay Sculptor, dvlpg Class A surface for initial concept to production surfaces achieved in various stages as per GVDP or related stages, planning &delivering project clay models on time as per various DFP over vehicle dvlpmt timeline. Mail resume to Ref#47210, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
Page D-4
PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED
Sr. Financial Analyst
New Paradigm College Prep Academy TIME: 6:00pm DATE: June 20, 2017 LOCATION: New Paradigm College Prep 2450 S. Beatrice St. Detroit, MI 48217
COVENANT HOUSE ACADEMY DETROIT EAST CAMPUS 7600 GOETHE, DETROIT, MI 48214 Phone: (313) 267-4315 Fax: (313) 267-4320
Applications will be accepted for grades 9-12, Serving students ages 16-22. Should applications exceed available space, a random selection drawing will be held on June 08, 2017 at the school.
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Published Every Wendnesday
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Applications will be accepted for grades 9-12, Serving students ages 16-22. Should applications exceed available space, a random selection drawing will be held on June 08, 2017 at the school.
Applications for the 2017-2018 academic year Will be available at the school for enrollment and re-enrollment from May 24, 2017 through June 07, 2017. An Answering machine is available for messages.
June 7-13, 2017
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Counsel, Special Investigations GM Legal, General Motors, Detroit, MI. Conduct internal &external supplier investigations, provide guidance on company policies concerning anticorruption, antifraud, &misconduct in foreign operations located in Asia, Africa, Australia, Russia &Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Conduct special &cybersecurity investigations, assist in dvlpmt of remediation plans to address deficiencies &enhance internal controls. Work with foreign legal counsel &forensic auditors, lead &support a broad range of global special investigations to enforce with specific focus on Code of Conduct (i.e., Winning with Integrity) &strict compliance with anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, &other anti-corruption laws where GM operates. Provide investigations, anti-corruption &corporate compliance training, manage &support GM Global Ethics & Compliance Center (“GECC”) law-centric projects working collaboratively with other members of the GECC (e.g., Chief Compliance Officer, Regional Compliance Officers, Compliance Process Members, Export Compliance Office, &Data Privacy Team). Dvlp strategies to mitigate corruption &other corporate compliance risks, &manage &effectively respond to requests for guidance made of the GECC. Master of Law, International Law or Comparative Law. 24 mos exp as Country Compliance Officer or related, conducting internal &external supplier investigations, providing guidance on company policies in connection with alleged corruption, fraud &other alleged wrongdoing or misconduct in foreign operations such as in Asia, Russia &CIS. 20% of annual employment will require travel to Asia, Africa, Australia, Russia and CIS. Mail resume to Ref#4993, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.
HELP WANTED
SUPERINTENDENT OF CAPITAL PROJECTS The Detroit Building Authority Is accepting applications for a Superintendent of Capital Projects. For a detailed job description, and information on how to apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/ careers/detroit/ Seeking
ART & PRACTICE OF MEDICINE COURSE COORDINATOR (PART-TIME) AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY School of Medicine
Reports to the Director, Clinical Skills Training & Simulation and will provide administrative support for the Clinical Skills Center. Initial point of contact for the CSC. Responsible for scheduling, purchasing, payroll, logistics, and record maintenance. Provide general oversight to the Standardized Patients. This position is located at the Troy campus of Beaumont Hospital. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum three years administrative experience, preferably in an educational setting. This is a part-time position working 30 hours per week. Salary commensurate with education and exprience. Refer to online posting for additional requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 13, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Seeking
SUPERVISOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY University Housing
This position will supervise assigned maintenance personnel and perform related duties. Minimum qualifications requires high school graduation or equivalent combination of education and/or experience, five years experience in building maintenance and one year supervisory or leadership experience. Willingness to work flexible shift and/or work overtime when needed. Ability to effectively interact with the public, students, faculty and staff. Requires a valid Michigan Driver’s license acceptable to the University’s insurance carrier. Salary is $47,305.00 annually. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 16, 2017. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
ASSISTANT REAEARCH SCIENTIST The University of Michigan has an available position of Assistant Research Scientist in Ann Arbor, MI. Position requires a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Materials Science & Engineering. Position also requires: Two peer-reviewed journal publications in which individual used smoothed boundary method to simulate battery systems. Job duties: Conduct research in materials science & engineering emphasizing energy materials & computational materials. Use smoothed boundary method to simulate battery systems. Publish results of research in peer-reviewed journals. Present results of research at international professional conferences/meetings. Qualified candidates should send resume & verification of reqs. to: D. Todd Richardson, Department Administrator, University of Michigan, Dept. of Materials Science & Engineering, 3062E H.H. Dow, 2300 Hayward St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
praise connection
Spiritually speaking: in the world’s prison, you are free By James Washington NNPA
I remember a while back I heard Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potters House preach a sermon that still resonates with me to this day. The gist of it was that a good portion of the Bible was written from a jail cell. I’m pretty sure his overall message had something to do with the church’s outreach ministry, which I understand to be significant. What struck me then and remains with me now is the reality of God’s Word and direction coming from the steadfast faith of those imprisoned. What is it about being a believer, a walking, talking believer that somehow frightens those in power so much, that a jail cell is an inevitable and practical an-
swer? History suggests that professing one’s belief in Jesus Christ as Lord can literally be a death sentence. The Bible teaches us that eventually our belief will be put to the test. The thing is have you ever wondered why God’s teachings are so feared by those who believe in other religions, or no religion at all? At one time I used to say Jesus’ message made so much sense that even if He didn’t exist, we should invent Him. Now that I’m saved, I guess you could say I’m a candidate for institutional oppression. If you’re a believer, there are things in this world that want you dead. The odd thing about what Bishop Jakes said was and is that I don’t view myself as a threat to anyone based on my belief in one God, the
Holy Trinity and the truth of Jesus Christ. But the world in which I live does. I suppose a larger issue might be have I done anything or said anything that should land me in jail; if jail is defined as that spiritual place that present day Sadducees and Pharisees want to send people like you and me? If I haven’t said or done anything, then maybe I better get going, stir some things up. In their day, the apostles, Paul and others were indeed looked upon as threats to the so-called establishment. That meant governments and principalities, as well as the church hierarchy of that day. If nothing else, I don’t think anyone would argue that on His worst day, Jesus was the quintessential revolutionary. It
still amazes me how such principles of unconditional universal love for humankind got him killed. And then it always hits me that this philosophy will ultimately attack and undermine entrenched institutional power of all kinds especially that contained within the church. That’s when I realize that if you are a believer in Christ, you are most certainly a threat to man. Man craves power and Christianity abdicates all power to Jehovah. We stand as representatives of that truth and stand trial everyday with the world as our judge and jury, or so it sometimes appears. That explains that target on the backs of believers throughout history and should remind us all that there is indeed a target on all of our backs. It’s a light, a very bright light illuminating the darkness that surrounds many a non-believer. All I can encourage you to do in the face of all this is to stay the course and know our defense attorney has already argued this case. The prosecuting attorney has already lost. So when you’re alone in your cell, remember this battle you’re in is over. The verdict is in. We win. Be humble in your victory. May God bless and keep you always.
In our scripture today, Amos is speaking on behalf of God, telling his people that they should hate evil because evil is against and God’s will for their lives. Evil is anything or anyone that is against the goodness of God and what God has intended for His people. Amos says, that we should hate evil, but that we should also love good. The word “good” in the Hebrew (bwj) can be translated as “good things”, “benefits”, “welfare”,
“beautiful” or “pleasant”. We should love what is pleasant and beautiful, but, if we do this, we must also maintain justice in the courts. During Amos’ time the courts were the same as your local community, block or street. He is instructing that God’s people hate evil but love good. One way that we can show that we love what is good is by us maintaining justice in our community. This means that we can show God’s love by doing what is right not just in our communities, but on our street, our blocks and/or in our schools. Justice is speaking up for those that cannot, doing good for those that need it and speaking up for those that are unable to
Are you hosting a concert or faith-friendly event? Are you celebrating an anniversary or special occasion?
Prayer: Jesus today show me how I can actively hate what is evil and visibly love what is good on Your behalf. Help me to do good, or perform justice on behalf of those that need it today. God show me today and I will do it. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. Amos 5:15 Hate evil, and love the good, and establish judgement in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
PROMOTE IT HERE!
PRAISE CONNECT Are you hosting a concert or faithfriendly event?
She and Calvin Wilson, were married on July 6, 1998 and she helped raise his two children, Calvin Wilson, Jr. and Shantinique Johnson. Gina Yvette Smith-Wilson, who was affectionately known at GeGe, leaves behind to cherish her memory her husband, Calvin Wilson, Jr.; two brothers, Mark and Garland Smith, Jr.; and many other relatives and friends.
Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Queen Esther Shepherd Services for Queen Esther Shepherd were held at Second Ebenezer Church on April 13 with Elder Marvin L. Miller officiating. Ms. Shepherd passed away on April 4, 2017. Queen Esther Smith was born on May 1, 1956 in Detroit to Johnny Shepherd, Sr. and Mary A. Shepherd. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University.
Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Gina Lolita Washington Services for Gina Lolita Washington took place on Friday, May 26, at Hope United Methodist Church, 26275 Northwestern Hwy., in Southfield. There was a family hour at 10 am. Public viewing was at Swanson Funeral Home, which handled arrangements, located at 14751 W. McNichols Rd. on the city’s west side.
Interment took place at Sacred Heart of Saint Mary Cemetery.
Sherrian Marie Jose Services for Sherrian Marie Jose were held on April 17 at El Bethel Baptist Church with Pastor Lawrence Glass officiating. Mrs. Jose passed away on April 6, 2017. Sherrian Marie Jose, born on Oct. 9, 1945 to Wilber and Corine Hall, had a passion for life and love for people and was a church-going woman. She had two sons and furthered her education in the dietary aide field. Her late husband, Joseph Jose, was a minister. Mrs. Jose enjoyed shopping, good food and getting dressed up. Cherishing the memory of Sherrian Marie Jose are her two sons, Leonard and Terrence; a brother, Edmond Hall; and many other relatives and friends.
PRAISE CONNECT Contact us at: 313.963.5522
Gina Yvette Smith was born to Martha Jane Smith and George Smith, Jr. in Detroit, the youngest of three children. She attended Detroit Public Schools and continued her education at Catholic Immaculata High School, then Marygrove College, and received an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland Community College. She worked as a school service assistant for the Detroit Public Schools.
Cherishing the memory of Queen Esther Shepherd are her son, Stephen White II; grandson, Stephen White III; a brother, Johnnie Shepherd, Jr.; two sisters, Ozzie Miller and Mary Mosley; and many other relatives and friends.
do so. Love in justice. Live It Out: Today “be” God’s love by hating what is evil or against God and God’s word by loving what is good and showing someone else justice. How can you do what is right on someone else’s behalf today?
Gina Yvette Smith-Wilson Services for Gina Yvette Smith- Wilson were held on Tuesday, May 9, at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Carnel Richardson officiating. Mrs. Smith-Wilson passed away on May 2, 2017.
Ms. Shepherd was employed as a special education teacher in the Detroit Public Schools for nearly three decades. She played the organ and was minister of music for several churches.
Hate what is evil but love what is good and do what is just and right in your community Break Down: Growing up I was told that the word “hate” wasn’t good because it was such a strong word. However, as time passed, I realized that sometimes it should be used to help make a point.
June 7-13, 2017 Page D-5
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
96
th
Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.
Interment took place at Grand Lawn Cemetery.
Mae Birdie Smith On April 15, services for Mae Birdie Smith were held at First Church of the Redeemed with Minister Michael Echols officiating. Mrs. Smith passed away on April 7, 2017.
Are you celebrating an anniversary or special occasion?
PROMOTE IT HERE!
Mae Birdie Smith was born on Jan. 16, 1932 in Robinsonville, Mississippi to Roosevelt Young, Sr. and Hattie B. Young. The family later migrated to Memphis and from there she moved to Detroit. On April 2, 1955 she and James Alexander Smith were married and had four children.
Contact us at: nblack@realtimesmedia.com
1919-2015
Mrs. Smith, who was a church-going woman, had numerous jobs, the last being with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Cherishing the memory of Mae Birdie Smith are her children, Jeanette, Timothy and Lemuel; three sisters, Rosa Lee Stewart, Dorothy Tatam and Leotha Brown; a brother, Roosevelt Young; and many other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment took place at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery and Crematorium.
Share your news story with us!
Send to: newsdesk@michronicle.com
Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 7-13, 2017