Comerica Bank teamed up with Iron Mountain and Re-Source Partners to host community
GO! Smoothies
Shred Day
proves eating better can taste better too
See page B-1.
See page C-1.
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michiganchronicle.com
Volume 78 – Number 44
WHAT’S INSIDE Bert’s fight for survival (Page A-3)
Who owns Detroit’s downtown?
The fight to save Bert’s is still on. A special event is being planned for Friday, July 24, featuring an array of Detroit artists. Bert’s has long been recognized as one of Detroit’s precious jewels and should be a part of the city’s resurgence.
Comerica Bank Shred Day (Page B-1)
US
Obama’s winning record becoming more clear (Page B-4)
Healthy and delicious (Page C-1)
When Callie Bradford and Monique Dooley founded GO! Smoothies, the purpose was to build a business designed to help others avoid unhealthy mistakes they had made. But the success of GO! Smoothies has exceeded all expectations.
Using art as a bridge between cultures
NOT
In collaboration with Iron Mountain Incorporated and Re-Source Partners, Comerica Bank recently presented Shred Day, helping people protect their identity by shredding documents containing personal information.
Jesse Jackson speaks out in support of President Barack Obama. “Increasingly, it is becoming clear that he will be remembered as a significant president, not just for winning office but for what he accomplished while holding that office,” said the civil rights icon.
By Keith A. Owens The hope is that better days are coming for Detroit, but nobody is singing “We are the World” just yet. This is a city that needs to master baby steps before attempting John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” But enough with the musical references. The point here is that the Concert of Colors may have ended this past Sunday, but the attached conversation surrounding how arts and culture can play a bigger role in overcoming racial and ethnic barriers needs to continue.
A local developer discusses why that matters Sharon Madison – Monica Morgan photos By Keith A. Owens
S
haron Madison has owned the Julian Madison Building, located in the heart of downtown Detroit, since 1987.
Named after her father, with whom the third generation architect, planner and developer purchased the building shortly before his death, the investment was made at a time when businesses – and individuals – were fleeing Detroit as fast as their outward bound vehicles could carry them. Being a Detroiter back then meant you were either a hardcore supporter who refused to believe in the evidence of decline, or you were stuck and simply couldn’t leave. Madison credits her father and mother for understanding the
importance of ownership, as well as learning how to run a business. “I consider two of the smartest people I ever knew personally to be my father and Coleman Young,” she said. “I also have to give a lot of credit to my mother, Mildred Madison, who stood with me and in many ways financed me through this crisis. My mother’s 89 years old, and she is here every day. And it’s a good thing she is.” Those were not the best of times for Detroit when the Madisons first moved in. But for those downtown businesses that stuck it out, and who could see past the screaming headlines to what a prime location downtown Detroit really
See NOT
US page A-4
Which recording stars are here to stay? (Page D-1) Legendary recording artists such as Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Smokey Robinson have been around since the early 1960s and are still popular and relevant. Which of today’s recording stars will have that kind of remarkable longevity?
July 15-20, 2015
Because Detroit has made two major contributions to the world: cars (actually the assembly line production method of building cars introduced by Henry Ford) and unforgettable music. Detroit put the world on wheels, and we did it to a beat that made the entire world hum along. It Zena Ozeir — Monica is that Detroit Morgan photos sound — and not just Motown — that has bridged racial and ethnic boundaries worldwide more than any government policy ever could. One week ago, the Concert of Colors sponsored its annual Forum on Community, Culture, and Race at the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn. The event, with opening remarks by Zena Ozeir, coordinator, was first introduced as an important addition to the Concert of Colors in 2006 (the Concert of Colors itself began 23 years ago in 1993) but then went on hiatus for a few years until 2014 when it was reintroduced. The extremely diverse and multiracial crowd, which was full to capacity, came to listen to an impressive panel of artist/activists speak about the untapped power of arts and culture to create whole and healthy communities, something Detroit most certainly needs more of.
From the website: “The Concert of Colors is metro
See ART
On the lighter side…
Some of Detroit City Council’s ‘greatest hits’ By Steve Holsey Detroit City Council has always been a sometimes colorful, even entertaining bunch, at least in recent decades. We can’t comment on what the council was like in 1824 when it was first established as the legislative body of the city, but maybe it was sometimes colorful and entertaining then, too.
$1.00
AND CULTURES page A-4
This is not to in any way suggest that Detroit City Coun-
cil does not get the job done because it (usually) does. But there have been some “events” that had little, if anything, to do with taking care of city business. Some of it was as funny as what might be seen on a good sitcom. Remember the skirmishes between Kay Everett — “the hat lady” — and Sharon McPhail?
See COUNCIL page A-4