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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 83 – No. 45 | July 15-21, 2020

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Racism:

McDonald's Scrambles To Address Racial Diversity Issues Part Three Of A Three-Part Series

By Trevor W. Coleman

scrutiny is that leader in the fast food industry.

or anyone following the events that have unfolded since the shocking murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of city police officers, the list of major corporations and foundations announcing their support for the Black Lives Matter movement reads like a virtual all-star roster of Fortune 500 companies.

Last month during the heat of the protest over the murder of Floyd, McDonald’s released a dramatic ad that referenced several African American victims of racial violence: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Alton Sterling, Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.

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From McDonald’s $1 million donation to the Open Society Foundations’ $220 million, the contributions have been pouring in to address racial equality and systemic racism. And along with the financial support have been expressions of sympathy, if not solidarity, with the aims of the movement which is to rid America of structural and institutional racism as well as the pursuit of economic parity and justice across all sectors of American society.

However, this rush to suddenly embrace BLM while welcomed by many, has also raised questions about the true extent of those commitments and the businesses’ own record of diversity and inclusion within their organizations.

Given the explosive racial discrimination lawsuit against McDonald’s by two former African American female vice presidents that has been rocking the fast food industry, one of the most obvious targets of such

“They were all one of us,” the ad reads. “We see them in our customers. We see them in our crew members. We see them in our franchisees. And this is why the entire McDonald’s family grieves. It’s why we stand for them and any other victims of systematic oppression and violence.

“Today we stand with black communities across America.

Which is why we’re donating to the National Urban League and the NAACP. We do not tolerate inequity, injustice, or racism.”

The ad was released across its social media accounts while the company pledged to donate $1 million to those civil rights organizations. McDonald’s generated a total revenue of $21.08 billion in 2019 and African Americans make up about 14 percent of its customer base.

Interestingly enough the gesture illuminated the painful dichotomy between McDonald’s words of support for racial progress, diversity, inclusion and economic parity and the reality of its record on race over

WHAT’S INSIDE

recent years. It is a record at the very heart of the racial discrimination lawsuit.

In fact, just last week as the country continued to convulse over demands that it more aggressively and honestly address issues of institutional racism within the legal, political, criminal justice, academic, entertainment and business industries, McDonald’s announced its Global Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Wendy Lewis suddenly “retired.” However, rather than having a credible, experienced, professional waiting in the wings to replace her as another dedicated corporate officer focused on addressing and correcting racial inequities throughout the corporation, in a memo obtained by the Chronicle, Heidi Capozzi, executive vice president and global chief people officer for McDonald’s announced instead they are creating something called a “global, cross-functional advisory council.”

Given the racial dynamics roiling the country at this very moment a Chicago-area businessperson, following the lawsuit but who did not want to be identified, said it almost unthinkable that a leading Fortune 500 company not prioritize a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer role and be prepared with another expert in the wings to step in and pick up the slack when they know a retirement is pending.

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In her memo, Capozzi wrote: “… the council is made of leaders from across the system to holistically identify and address areas where McDonald’s can be a catalyst for change.

The advisory council is focused on building meaningful actions into the business that support employees, customers, franchisees, suppliers and our communities.”

While obliquely conceding “we have more work to do,” nowhere in the lengthy statement does it mention specifically addressing claims of racial inequities and discrimination within the organization. Including allegations made in the lawsuit by the plaintiffs Domineca Neal and Vicki Guster-Hines that under the current leadership of its new CEO Chris Kempczinski, and Charles Strong, zone president west, there are no African Americans on the executive team. And that they defunded the company’s African American Diversity Council which provided career development and a talent pipeline for African American employees and targeted African Americans for demotion and elimination.

The women claim this not only resulted in the absence

of African Americans at Kempczinski’s leadership table to advocate on behalf of Black employees, franchise operators or customers, but also a dramatic reduction in the number of African American executives in the top ranks (Vice President or higher) of McDonald’s operations. Those numbers fell to seven in 2019 from 42 in 2014, the year before former CEO Steve Easterbrook, Kempczinski and Strong took over.

A Chicago executive familiar with the lawsuit scoffed at the $1 million dollar donation noting it represented less than .02 percent of McDonald’s revenue of more than $21 billion last year. They claimed it was simply “window dressing” and a superficial effort to appear socially conscious and supporters of racial equity when in reality the company has been pulling away from its traditional commitment to racial diversity and inclusion after nearly 50 years of being an industry leader.

“If they were genuinely interested in helping African Americans obtain racial and economic justice, along with implementing a strong internal policy of developing and promoting African American executives and entrepreneurs they could have followed Netflix’ example and invested funds in Black banks and other Black businesses and grassroots or-

See RACISM page A2

The Price We’ve Paid

By Alexis Wiley

Resilient: Black Businesses

“Especially nowadays when companies of all sizes are rushing to hire Chief Diversity and Inclusion officers, or deem it important enough to create an office and staff,” that person said.

The last place you want to be during a pandemic is the hospital. But that’s exactly where I found myself March 16, my 37th birthday – alone in the emergency room after experiencing symptoms of what I feared was a miscarriage.

COVID-19 protocol forced my husband to wait in the parking lot while medical staff isolated me from sick patients.

In between tests, I could hear coughing in the distance, and while I had no clue whether those patients were fighting the virus, the mere thought of it terrified me.

COVID-19 after spending days fighting for his life on a ventilator. His death was followed by a steady stream of other friends and professional associates, most of them young and Black, their bright futures snuffed out by a mysterious virus. Then I started to hear from Black friends who lost loved ones, one after another. The weeks that followed were marked by so much grief for so many. I suspect that grief made many particularly agreeable to the Stay at Home orders that followed. We knew that what we weren’t just fighting for our livelihoods, we were fighting for our lives.

While many Black MichiThankfully, I was sent ganders know intuitively that home early the next morn- Alexis Wiley we’re paying a disproportioning. False alarm. While I made ately high price during the pandemic, a it out, many never did. statistic I heard on a recent workday conSeven days later, a good friend of mine ference call validated fears. Accord– a man not much older than me who ap- ing to a recent analysis of death statispeared to be the picture of health – died of

tics, Black people account for 65% of all deaths of Michiganders under the age of 60, despite being just 14% of the state’s population and 23% of Metro Detroit’s population. Consider this a warning: If you are Black and under 60 years old, COVID-19 is stalking you.

Thanks to the steps we’ve taken and the sacrifices we’ve made, Michigan flattened the curve and the calls and texts about people in the hospital or on their death bed began to slow. We are beginning to establish a new normal – a world where work looks different and spending time with our friends and family requires extra precautions and even video technology.

But now I fear we’re going backwards.

It’s disturbing to see a growing number of people in restaurants, bars, stores and other public places either not wearing masks or wearing them on their chins, where they’re completely worthless. We can’t forget what we’ve been through. We can’t afford to refill our hospitals and emergency rooms.. We can’t lose

See COVID-19 page A2

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COVID-19: Where we are, what we must know, what we must do

At least 15,000 Black Americans would still be alive if they had died of COVID-19 at the same rate as White Americans. This is according to publication of a recent study from the APM Research Lab called, “The Color of Coronavirus”.

Just the latest in a barrage of information on COVID-19 and the pandemic. How do you make sense out of all of it? How much of this do you need to know? What do you really need to do to protect you and your family?

Let’s start at the beginning.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.

According to the South China Morning Post, a 55-year-old individual from Hubei province in China may have been the first person to have contracted COVID-19, November 17, 2019. The COVID-19 virus first hit the United States in January 2020; the first death here was in February; and by March, the virus had hit all 50 states! Now, here we are six months later, after 3 months of “sheltering in place”, and signs of “reopening” are popping up, while at the same time, some states and cities are having to close as soon as they open. The media is continuing to bombard us with more information than any of us could, reasonably, be expected to be able to process. We’ve now passed a half-million cases around the world, and 2.5 million infection cases, and more than 125,000 deaths here in the United States.

At this rate, half of the entire population of the United States will be infected by the end of the year.

In light of these dismal statistics and facts, we still aren’t sure how bad things really are. It seems that the data that is being collected and reported to us is all over the place.

When it comes to the death count, 63 percent of all the deaths in the United States are reported as much as 10 days from the date of death.

And that’s after an actual death certificate is issued. Not to mention

that some states report daily, some report weekly, and some report monthly.

It takes extra time to code COVID-19 deaths. While 80 percent of deaths are electronically processed and coded by NCHS within minutes, most deaths from COVID19 must be coded by a person, which takes an average of 7 days.

Oh yeah, then there’s the vaccine! In spite of the fact that a successful vaccine clinical trial typically takes 10 years, we’re being promised one as early as January 2021, by Dr. Anthony Fauci . Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, is even more optimistic. He believes, “if all goes well, maybe as many as 100 million doses by early 2021” would be possible.

First, it’s truly a long shot if 10 years is the typical amount of time, and we’re hearing about less than a year. According to Gilead, the pharmaceutical company to develop a treatment for COVID-19, Remdesivir, a patient will require six doses, at $520 apiece, over five days, for a total of $2,340. That’s the cost to the hospital; who knows how much it will cost the patient.

In the meantime, testing is the buzzword traveling throughout communities across the nation, today. At this time, the FDA doesn’t require the manufacturers of testing kits to provide information on the accuracy of the tests. One notable controversy was over a test kit produced by Abbott Laboratories’.

The FDA and other monitors found that Abbott’s “rapid-test” missed between a third to one-half of infections that were identified correctly by another competing manufacturer’s test kit. We should take remember that getting tested is not enough to give you relief from the stress and worry about infection from the coronavirus.

The CDC wants us to keep in mind that when it comes to testing, “The test result only means that you did not have COVID-19 at the time of testing. You might test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during your illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then.”

So, what can we do to protect ourselves and our families?

First, each one of us has to decide, and declare to ourselves, “do I want to live, or do I want to die?” All too often, we just not are fully committed to make sacrifices and efforts that are in our own best interest. We can greatly improve our chances of making it through this pandemic, but, like the old man was asked, “Do you want to be well?”

If so, then all we need to do is to practice the 3 W’s: Wash your hands thoroughly and often; Wear a mask; and Watch how close anyone is to you, or vice versa.

(The information included in this column is for educational purposes only. I do not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a replacement form of treatment for physical, mental or medical problems by your doctor either directly or indirectly. Glenn Ellis is Visiting Scholar at The National Bioethics Center at Tuskegee University and a Harvard Medical School Research Bioethics Fellow.)

COVID-19 From page A-1

more talent. We can’t lose more friends and loved ones.

This friendly warning isn’t just for my peers. If you’re young and white, you’ve got to be careful, too, because while this virus may not be killing, proportionately, as many young white people, it could kill someone you love, someone you’re not ready to lose.

Today, I’m just weeks away from my due date. As a new mother to be, I will take this pandemic seriously. When I’m out, you won’t have to ask me to wear a mask or stay an appropriate distance from those outside my household. I have too much to lose and too much good work to do. And, so do you.

Alexis Wiley is the chief of staff to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. She’s part of a coalition of civic leaders encouraging Michigander to help reopen the state economy safely and encourage citizens to continue to wear masks and stay safe.

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Racism From page A-1

ganizations including community development institutions (CDIs) that build sustainable wealth and close the wealth inequality gap,” the person said.

In a post in Variety magazine, Netflix announced last month that it will donate $5 million to Black youths, Black creators and Black-owned businesses. $1.5 million will be going to the Ghetto Film School, Black Public Media, Firelight Media and Film Independent’s Project Evolve to support Black creators. Another $1 million in grants each, to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp, the Posse Foundation, and Black Girls Code to support Black youths.

And another $500,000 in grants to be distributed by Vermont Slauson Economic Development (VSEDC), a nonprofit group that provides resources to communities in South Los Angeles to help Black businesses traditionally underserved by banks.

In addition to this donation Netflix will also match their employees’ personal donations at 200%.

And yet, McDonald’s, which at one time set the industry standard for its investment in diversity and inclusion initiatives, announces after losing its diversity officer that it is forming an “advisory council” to be a “catalyst for change” but deliberately avoids mentioning African Americans in its statement.

However, given the urgency of the moment many African American

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civil rights and social justice advocates along with Black corporate executives said the time for “studying” or needing advisory councils to figure out what to do about racial inequality is over.

Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president at Ariel Investments, a Black-owned Chicago-based investment firm, criticized such timid approaches to addressing racial inequality in the workforce in 2020.

During a recent interview on CNBC she noted that in corporate America “talk is cheap.”

“When it comes to diversity, for whatever reason, this has been this ongoing struggle where we just can’t move the needle,” she said. “I love the saying ‘math has no opinion.’ You just count and when you count and you see at the highest levels of corporate America, all the way down the chain, the differences in the numbers and how people of color, black and brown Americans, are under-represented; minorities do not show up in the numbers that we exist in this country.”

“That is not acceptable,” Hobson added.

“And so, what we must do to hold ourselves accountable in corporate America is set targets like we set targets on everything else and identify people you want to get and be very clear and very bold about what the expectations are. And if we do that, we would see this needle move, because so much of this unrest, the civil unrest is tied to economic inequality. That’s just a fact. And we need to move the needle on this economic inequality.”

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| July 15-21, 2020

Roots.

How To Make Your Child’s Transition Back To School As Smooth As Possible

Children are now heading back to schools after nearly 3 months off, and this transition to a ‘new normal’ way of learning will surely create some questions and mixed emotions for children. How can you help make their transition as smooth as possible?

Michael Cloonan is a life coach aiming to help others with their mental health / life goals after successfully ’curing his depression in a day’. Here, he shares some insight into how you can help your child adjust to the ‘new normal’ experience of going back to school: • “It must be a daunting time for children and parents alike getting back into the swing of school after 11 weeks away. Right now your child may have loads of negative thoughts running round their little minds and its your place as parents to fill them with all the positive things they can look forward to – seeing their friends again, learning new things and seeing their favorite teacher.

• The change in routine may be hard for children as they adjust to the ’new’ normal, so be patient as they adjust and remember children work better when they know what to expect. Take the time to listen to them and let hem know you understand how they may be feeling and why they might feel it and reassure them that’s its ok and that you are there for them

And its a time for parents and teachers to communicate with each other and talk through their concerns and tackle any issue.”

Life Coach Carole Ann Rice offers up some useful advice for parents too.

“The most important thing parents can do when getting their children ready to head back to school is that the parents remain calm, positive, light-hearted, and watch their words when speaking around the children.

As a parent, don’t let your own anxiety, neurosis, or fear be heard by your children.

These negative emotions will rub off on the children, as children often pick up on their parents’ anxieties. Children will also pick up on their parents’ positive feelings, so it’s important to make light of the situation (making the children happy to see their friends again, learn new things) and normalize the situation so children are comfortable and confident with heading back to school.

Don’t demonize the virus, instead try to explain the situation in easy terms and highlight the importance of being careful. Ask questions and listen to your child’s thoughts too – it is important that you as a parent understand their fears or concerns, know how they’re feeling about it (excited, worried, confused), and try to comfort them as best you can.

michiganchronicle.com

Fear Of

Going

Out:

How To Cope With FOGO As The World Reopens

By Therapist Carrie Krawiec

A

LMFT, Birmingham Maple Clinic

s the state begins phases of reopening, people have reported FOGO, or a “fear of going out.” For some, this fear is about the safety of resuming contact during a pandemic.

These people are deeply fearful of getting sick or having someone they know getting sick because of their behaviors. Others are fearful of being uncomfortable in new environments, being judged by peers or family for their reluctance to resume normalcy, or not performing the new expectations well enough. The latter could be indicative of social anxiety disorder, where the fear of being judged or intensely watched by others interferes with daily life.

For many with social anxiety there was relief during the COVID-19 stay home orders as everyone was largely expected to behave the same. Now as restrictions ease, some people feel uncertain about how they will be treated socially and professionally if they do not join in, ultimately causing undue pressure, shame and fear of failure. Additionally, there is another group of people who do not want to participate in returning to normal but also do not want to miss out engaging with friends or family as others start to do so. They may experience FOGO and FOMO (the fear of missing out) simultaneously causing rejection, isolation, and sadness.

Here are a few tips to help find balance between your social, professional, and relational expectations versus your own physical and psychological needs.

Accept adjustment and anxiety.

The new behaviors and expectations required of us are plentiful. Accept that adjusting is hard and may cause stress. Do not shame yourself for feeling stressed. Stress is a part of our fight or flight response to protect us. It is OK to feel uneasy in uncertain situations especially during an uncertain time. Our bodies are equipped to handle stress, but in turn needs periods of rest.

Be sure to structure your time so that you can make attempts at what is expected of you but also have planned periods of down time.

Predict and problem solve to prevent panic.

Predicting what you may need to feel comfortable will be important as you anticipate these stressful situations. Brainstorm potential solutions such as going to stores early morning or end of day, finding an ally amongst friends if you need a code word to leave early, or let your children know you may try a park or activity but that you will also have a backup plan in case the park is too busy or seems unsafe.

Create comfort and coping in times of calm.

Routinely practicing deep breathing exercises, including at home while wearing a mask, is an important way to improve your resilience to the triggers that may cause panic when you are out in the world. Deep breathers reduce the incidence of panic because they are less likely to send themselves into physical situations that cause panic – increased heart rate, dizziness and muscle tension.

When your blood is not properly oxygenated, it may signal a stress response that contributes to anxiety and panic attacks.

Practice deep breathing during calm times so that it’s easier to apply it when it is necessary.

If there’s any doubt from your children, give them something to look forward to like getting a special treat /gift after school or making a special meal in the evening.

Remind them that summer holidays are approaching soon and get them looking forward to seeing their friends and teachers again.”

The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit Launches Summer in the City Fundraising Campaign The average electric bill for a family of four residing in Michigan during the summer months is approximately $97, while the average monthly rent in the city of Detroit is about $890. To help meet the gap the Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is kicking off its Summer in the City fundraising campaign presented by Toyota. From July 13 through Aug. 7, the nonprofit will look to the community to help raise $250,000 for metro Detroit residents who are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Summer in the City Campaign will provide food assistance and utility bill payments, as well as adequate access to medications, prescriptions and transportation assistance.

Led by a $77,777 matching donation from Toyota, the four-week fundraiser will be chaired by Alva Adams Mason, director, multicultural business alliance & strategy for Toyota Motor North America and Salvation Army National Advisory Board member.

Donations of any amount made to the Summer in the City Campaign are welcomed, and because all gifts up to $77,777 will be doubled and fully

that have been brought on by the coronavirus. We’re all in this together, and we must combine our resources to help those in need, no matter where we live.”

matched, dollar-for-dollar by Toyota, a $1 donation becomes $2, $25 becomes $50, $100 becomes $200, etc.

“At Toyota, we want to build more than just great cars and trucks,” said

Adams Mason. “The success of our communities is key to a healthy nation.

We are proud to continue our support of The Salvation Army and its mission of helping families and individuals in need, especially during these uncertain times

“The Salvation Army knows how hard our region was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we want to continue providing assistance to our community in any way we can – but we would not be able to do that without this generous support from Toyota” said Major Timothy Meyer, general secretary and metro Detroit area commander (regional chief operating officer) for The Salvation Army Eastern Michigan Division. “We take pride in helping anyone who needs it throughout the year; we have always provided food and shelter to clients throughout southeast Michigan, as well as utility and rent assistance – so the Summer in the City Campaign is another way we’re continuing our mission to ‘Do The Most Good’ and help families facing hardships on the road to recovery, post COVID-19.”

For more information on the 2020 Summer in the City Campaign or to donate please Text SUMMER to 24365 or visit www.salmich.org and click DONATE

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com • July 15-21, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 in Our Community: Let’s Not Put Our Health at Risk

By J.C. Watts Founder and chairman of J.C. Watts Companies

Washington, D.C., city attorney George Valentine was Black, brilliant, and fit. But after contracting COVID-19, he became so weak, he had trouble moving and even speaking. When it got to the point where he could barely breathe, George called an ambulance and waited on the steps of his house for it to arrive. Every second he waited must have seemed like an eternity. Two days later, George died. He was 66 and had suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure before getting sick with the coronavirus.

New research seems to confirm that, across the nation, the coronavirus has disproportionately impacted Black people, with death rates more than twice as high as that for any other race. Why is this happening-and can we do anything about it?

There are several explanations for the disparity, and most have to do how we live, where we work, and our underlying health conditions. There are also factors that are within our immediate control that we can all do right now to protect ourselves, but that many in our community are failing to do.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite several possible reasons that Black Americans are more affected. One is that many of us live in more highly populated areas where it’s more difficult to practice physical distancing from one another. Many of us also live in multi-generational households where it’s easier for younger family members to spread the virus to more vulnerable elderly members. This is especially true for lower-income households with smaller living spaces.

Another reason is that a large percentage of African Americans hold frontline service industry jobs as food servers, cleaners, and personal-care providers, and in fields such as nursing that are all considered essential during the pandemic, and they bravely continue to go to work each day.

One other big factor is that, sadly, our people also tend to have more underlying medical conditions-like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension-that make us more vulnerable.

While many of these factors are difficult to change in the near term, we can do some things immediately to reduce our risks. In my own community in Oklahoma, I’ve witnessed many Black folks not wearing masks or practicing any degree of physical distancing in public. A lot of people just plain aren’t following recommendations to keep themselves and their families safe.

Let’s be real for a minute. Some of this stems from past experiences with

government that make people skeptical about what they’re hearing from public officials. For some, it’s the bitter memories of government-enforced segregation and other racist policies. For others, it’s the fact the young Black men have more negative encounters with the police, and people don’t want to wear masks and give anyone an excuse for mistaking them for criminals. For others, it’s that politicians have made promises to us for decades and have failed to make good.

Why trust them now?

Despite all this, please don’t put your health at risk. We have to do all we can to protect our communities and our loved ones from being exposed to infection.

First, avoid close contact with people who are sick. Being in the same enclosed room with somebody who has the virus can lead to infection. Second, keep at least six feet between you and others if you have to leave home. People can be infected even if they’re not showing symptoms. Third, wash your hands or sanitize them often and for at least 20 seconds. Also avoid touching your face, mouth, and eyes with unwashed hands.

I know the advice about wearing masks is a tough one for many folks, but perspectives have changed during this pandemic. So, cover your mouth and nose with a bandana or other face covering if you have to leave home. The mask provides some protection for others in case you’re infected and don’t know it.

Finally, be sure to get medical help if you have any flu-like symptoms or have trouble breathing, persistent pain in your chest, a fever, or a dry cough.

As I write this, The Heritage Foundation’s National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, of which I’m a member, is wrapping up its final report offering recommendations to help us all recover from this pandemic. The commissioners are deeply concerned that COVID-19 has hit minority communities so hard and are urging medical researchers to look into how we can prevent this disproportionate impact in the future.

The commission is also recommending ways that our churches and community institutions can be a positive force for encouraging people to take preventative actions to stop the spread of COVID-19.

I’m hopeful that our nation will conquer this disease and that together, we will emerge from this chapter in our history stronger than before. But ultimately for that to happen, the cure must start with us.

J.C. Watts is founder and chairman of J.C. Watts Companies, chairman of Black News Channel, and a member of National Coronavirus Recovery Commission.

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Who’s Who In Black Relaunches With New Website Who’s Who In Black, a Real Times Media subsidiary, announces a new initiative to build a dedicated online community of African American professionals. The new initiative recognizes the growing need to provide African American professionals of various backgrounds the opportunity to connect and grow. Furthermore, it represents a shift in the ethos of Who’s Who In Black (formerly Who’s Who Publishing).

“In the past, only select markets could be a part of the network,” said Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media, “But we listened to customer’s demands for a more interactive and multifaceted platform. Then, COVID-19 made it clear that we needed to focus on connecting our network beyond geographical location.”

Resilient:

Black Businesses Fight to Survive and Reopen During COVID-19

By Scott Talley The first phase of the new Who’s Who In Black is the launch of the new website, WhosWhoInBlack.com where the focus will be on professional development, general news and information and lifestyle content for the African American professional who likes to play as hard as they work. In addition to expansive news content, there will be a variety of programming options, including, webinars, virtual panel discussion, and virtual networking. Key elements of the first phase include:

Special to the Michigan Chronicle

D

uring normal times small business owners face a variety of challenges. But these are anything but normal times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and small businesses regardless of size, location, funding and industry have been heavily impacted.

New Website — WhosWhoInBlack.com featuring: • Business, Lifestyle, and Entertainment News • Interviews with Local and National Newsmakers • Highlight Young Emerging Leaders • Vendor Marketplace • Engaging Social Media Community • Member’s Spotlight • People on the Move Spotlight • Virtual Events • Digital Daily Newsletter Additional “members-only” features will roll out periodically, but will include specialty clubs, tailored newsletters, exclusive webinars and courses, and job boards.

The entrepreneurial giving spirit of Detroit: COVID-19 could not stop chef Maxcel Hardy, owner of Coop Caribbean Fusion Restaurant, from giving back and giving more as he prepared thousands of hearty, hot meals with care for hospital staff, firefighters, police officers and people in need.

“Our network is comprised of some of the best and the brightest in their respective fields,” Jackson said, “There’s a heightened need for racial equity and the new platform will be the destination for companies and boards looking for racial diversity.”

ABOUT WHO’S WHO IN BLACK A subsidiary of Real Times Media, Who’s Who In Black was founded in 1989. The brand highlights and celebrates African American achievements around the country and is an invaluable resource and networking guide for the entire community. Real Times Media is dedicated to sustaining its presence as the leading source of African American related news, entertainment, and lifestyle information.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dennae Holmes and Nadony Muslim, operators of Tauntus Cosmetics Beauty Bar, adjusted their business on the fly leading to the production of popular masks with school names including former longtime Detroit high schools.

Access to capital—always a critical issue for small business owners—has become increasingly burdensome to entrepreneurs and the burden is compounded by the challenges to comply with necessary orders from government and health authorities that can threaten a business’ ability to remain operational.

Williams, who had an up-close look at it all as the meals were being prepared in the kitchen of the Horatio Williams Foundation building (1010 Antietam). “Max did all of the cooking along with his students in an adult cooking class he was teaching at our center, but we also are very thankful for partners like MGM Grand Detroit that donated good food and to other agencies and restaurants that provided food and funds as well.”

And as quickly as the food came in Williams said Chef Hardy “cooked it on up” and meals went out—roughly 40,000 by his estimate during a period of 40-plus days through May.

“We provided meals to places like Operation Get Down, COTS (Coalition On Temporary Shelter), hosHowever, in Depitals, our police troit, during a time officers, firefightwhen small busiers, the Osborn ness owners would High School athletnot be faulted for ic department. We putting their perKen Harris, president tried to reach out sonal needs first, there are examples and CEO of the Nation- to everyone,” said Williams, who like of African Ameri- al Business League.

Chef Hardy, was can entrepreneurs passionate about giving back who are stepping forward to actually help others. One sterling even at a time when he was losexample is chef Maxcel Hardy, ing funding for programs at his the owner of Coop Caribbean own foundation.

Fusion Restaurant (474 PeterWilliams added, “We did as boro), who used his celebrat- many meals as we could until ed gourmet talents to prepare we ran out of funds. It’s just thousands of hot meals to peo- always great to help somebody ple in need of nourishment, as when help is needed most— well as to other unsung heroes that’s an honor.” that have provided care and serIn some instances, helping vice to others during the panothers and promoting commudemic. nity pride can provide an oppor“I’ve never seen anyone tunity to reimage a business on push that many meals out the fly and remain in operation while being so organized, and during the pandemic. NadonMax wanted to do this—he did it all from his heart,” said Horatio See RESILIENT page A6

Hollywood’s Kevin Hart partners with Detroit Beverage Maker Nailah Ellis Superstar comedian Kevin Hart is investing in Detroit beverage maker Nailah Ellis and Ellis Island Tea. Ellis Island Tea is an all-natural beverage, handcrafted from a recipe inspired by Ellis’s Jamaican great-grandfather, who came to America through Ellis Island more than 100 years ago. Made with real herbs, including hibiscus, Ellis Island Tea is rich, red, smooth and flavorful.

The story always matters to Hart.

An artist and an author, Hart knows an audience looks for truth and a way to connect. So, when Ellis introduced him to her family tea, he was intrigued.

The tea’s history and Ellis’s own backstory of starting with nothing at the age of 20, brewing tea in her mother’s kitchen and selling it from

the trunk of her car around Detroit resonated with Hart. Hart’s own story is one of resilience and perseverance - working small clubs and honing his craft for years before becoming a bankable star who commands $10 million-plus a movie.

“There were a lot of people pulling for Nailah,” said Hart, who was impressed by the Detroiter’s determination and hustle. “Her name just kept coming up and coming across my radar. So, I figured there had to be something to it.”

Ellis won BET’s Queen Boss business competition and her company’s growth has been chronicled in national media, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, MSNBC, The Financial Times, The Root 100 and Black Enterprise. Accolades

See NAILAH

ELLIS page B5

July 15-21, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-6

Resilient From page A-5

ya Muslim and Dennae Holmes, operators of Tauntus Cosmetics Beauty Bar (18979 Livernois) on the Avenue of Fashion, have done just that.

“Nadonya was the visionary,” said Holmes, who like her business partner, is also an assistant principal for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. “We went to an online model.

We had to build a website for customers to shop— we went into high gear with it—making websites, shipping, learning how to provide customer service online.”

Holmes describes herself at this moment in time as “hopeful and enthusiastic,” and a significant reason for her enthusiasm is the outpouring of support the company has received for a product created out of necessity that also combines the partners’ love for Detroit youth, the city’s history and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“We started making masks with school names on them,” Muslim said.

“It went from us literally thinking we were about to close because no one was buying lipstick or makeup, to a blessing, receiving orders from as far away as Alaska, Hawaii and Guam. We started making the masks so people could show pride in our schools, including our high schools that were closed and then we said let’s represent the HBCUs to expose our kids and community to something else. Schools are wanting to use the masks for fundraisers and we also have heard from alumni associations of our closed high schools.”

Dr. Ken Harris, a strong advocate for Detroit’s African American businesses as president and CEO of the National Business League, is not surprised by stories about giving back and reinvention by local entrepreneurs during this challenging period.

“Throughout our history Black entrepreneurs have always been resilient,” said Harris, whose organization is the country’s largest professional association for Blackowned businesses.

In recent weeks, Harris’ Detroit-based organization has been working

Nailia Ellis From page A-5

and awards have poured in, but Ellis has always focused on building a business that endures.

Today, Ellis has her own Detroit beverage production facility and is the largest Black female beverage manufacturer in the United States. Her tea is an emerging national brand sold by retail giants Sam’s Club and Costco and airport concessioners across the country.

Hart’s investment comes at a critical time - Ellis Island Tea will be rolling out in Walmart this month and will soon debut in Target and CVS. With Hart’s backing, sleek new packaging, competitive pricing, and new e-commerce options, Ellis expects rapid growth.

Ellis has always given a nod to the man who inspired the recipe for Ellis Island Tea - her Jamaican Great-Grandfather Cyril Byron.

“Cyril’s story is one of a true risk taker. He came here with nothing but his

to provide funds to help spark rebuilding and innovation among local small business owners including partnerships with Comerica Bank and American Express that will provide access to capital for local entrepreneurs.

As Harris and the Na-

tional Business League attempt to bring additional resources to local small businesses, he also

says the local community has an important role to play.

“The mindset should be first and foremost to support Black businesses,” Harris said.

“Patronage is going to be extremely important to our recovery.”

Harris’ message is already understood by local members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, which are encouraging the community to join them for a day of safe shopping on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. along the Avenue of Fashion.

“The Avenue has been hurt twice, including the Livernois construction, so we are doing what we think all people in our community need to be doing,” said Leon Wilkerson, a member of Phi Beta Sigma and director of social action for his chapter.

“It’s an historic place for us and home to quality Black businesses that are trying very hard to survive right now. If we don’t

support these businesses who will?”

The project supporting businesses on the Avenue of Fashion will coincide with Neighborhoods Day, presented by ARISE Detroit! for the 14th consecutive year, and the organization’s founder, Luther Keith, also will be rooting for Avenue of Fashion businesses and entrepreneurs across Detroit on Aug. 1 and beyond.

“To give our neighborhoods life, there has to be an economic driver, and our small businesses really are the lifeblood of our community,” said ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith.

“Whether those businesses are on Livernois, or Grand River, or Warren, or wherever, they all have a story to tell and represent someone’s dream. In this time, when we are addressing social injustice and economic opportunity for everyone, it’s critical that we support our local small businesses because they represent our future.”

dreams,” Ellis said. “He went on to become a head chef on Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line and then the owner of Byron Caterers, one of the most successful Black-owned catering businesses in the Bronx.”

Cyril was an optimist, an activist, an entrepreneur and a pragmatist, she said.

When he passed down his tea recipe for future generations, Cyril said ‘This recipe is to be sold, not told.’

It’s best dealt with before it happens.

A financial crisis?

Hart also is a big believer in building for the future. The soon-to-be father of four has said that “You’re supposed to set up for the next generation...if you’re not doing that, you’re not doing your part.”

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Ellis takes that seriously as well. She is building upon the dreams of her ancestors, hoping to pass on a legacy to her two young daughters. She’s also proud to be providing jobs for Detroiters like herself.

“We all need opportunity,” she said.

“I’ve been given mine and now I’m paying it forward and providing that for others.”

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July 15-21, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-7

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Page A-8 • michiganchronicle.com •

July 15-21, 2020

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City. Life. Style.

B1 | July 15-21, 2020

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

Oprah Winfrey and Lionsgate Join Forces With Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones To Adapt the Acclaimed 1619 Project Pulitzer Prize®-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times have chosen global content leader Lionsgate to be the home for a wide-ranging partnership to develop Ms. Hannah-Jones’ landmark issue of The New York Times Magazine, The 1619 Project, and hit New York Times podcast, 1619, into an expansive portfolio of feature films, television series and other content for a global audience.

As part of the ground-breaking venture, Lionsgate has partnered with media titan Oprah Winfrey as a producer who will provide stewardship and guidance to the development and production of the 1619 Project.

Lionsgate, The Times and Ms. Winfrey will join forces with Ms. Hannah-Jones, a 2020 Pulitzer Prize® winner, staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, and one of the nation’s foremost investigative journalists, who will serve as the creative leader and producer in developing feature films, television series, documentaries, unscripted programming and other forms of entertainment enlisting world-class Black creative voices to help adapt her celebrated series chronicling the ways that the original sin of slavery in America still permeates all aspects of our society today. Her colleague at The Times Magazine, Caitlin Roper, an editor of The 1619 Project and head of scripted entertainment at The Times, will also produce.

One of the most impactful and thought-provoking works of journalism of the past decade, The Times Magazine’s 1619 Project was a landmark undertaking that connected the centrality of slavery in history with an unflinching account of the brutal racism that endures in so many aspects of American life today.

It was launched in August 2019 on the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies that would become the United States, and it examines the legacy of slavery in America and how it shaped all aspects of society, from music and law to education and the arts, including the principles of our democracy itself.

Ms. Hannah-Jones created and was the architect of the initiative at The Times Magazine with contributions from Black authors, essayists, poets, playwrights, and scholars comprising a special issue of the magazine and a special section in the print edition of The New York Times produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture, as well as a five-part podcast that topped the Apple Podcast charts.

One of The Times’ most widely read pieces of journalism last year, The 1619 Project has been discussed in the Senate, is being adapted into a series of books with One World, a division of Penguin Random House, and is already changing the way that American history is being taught in schools.

“We took very seriously our duty to find TV and film partners that would respect and honor the work and mission of The 1619 Project, that understood our vision and deep moral obligation to doing justice to these stories. Through every step of the process, Lionsgate and its leadership have shown themselves to be that partner and it is a dream to be able to produce this work with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, a trailblazer and beacon to so many Black journalists,” said Ms. Hannah-Jones.

“I am excited for this opportunity to extend the breadth and reach of The 1619 Project and to introduce these stories of Black resistance and resilience to even more American households.”

Pandemic

Summer: Seasonal Fun During COVID-19

By Megan Kirk

L

et’s face it, COVID-19 has put a significant dent on summer plans. As the world faces this pandemic, vacations, girl’s nights, and weddings have seen cancelations due to stay-at-home orders. So, what now?

Detroit is making sure your summer plans can continue, with slight modifications.

Grab your friends and get pedaling with the Detroit Rolling Pub. Launching in 2015, the Detroit Rolling Pub brings the bar to you. The mobile bar comes with a driver and offers a chance to gather with friends and enjoy the city views. The “bike” seats up to 16 and even has a Bluetooth speaker to play your favorite tunes. Hosting two-hour tours, the Detroit Rolling Pub offers a private look into the city. Beer, wine, and liquor are allowed.

For water lovers, Detroit Cycle Boat is a way to enjoy the summer sun and the Detroit River vibes. Founded by the same company as the Detroit Rolling Pub, this 16-passenger motor pedal boat comes with a captain and a deckhand and allows you to bring beer, liquor, and wine. However, if a bigger boat is needed for the party, Detroit Cycle Boat offers The Big Kahuna! This 12-passenger boat is for those who do not want to pedal, but still want to enjoy the waterfront views.

This private charter docks at Sinbad’s Restaurant and Marina and is fun for all ages.

If Hawaii was on the list of summer plans, Detroit has you covered.

Bring the island home with Aloha Tiki Tours. Like Detroit Cycle Boat, Aloha Tiki Tours is a waterfront experience but does not require pedaling. Leaving from Detroit or St. Clair Shores, this floating tiki bar allows food and beverages. While parties up to 24 are accepted, no more than six individuals are assigned to each floating tiki. Detroit Cycle Boat operates both; a waiver must be signed for rolling pub, cycle boat, and tiki tour adventures. Please remember to enjoy responsibly.

For lovers of the big screen, Campus Martius Park offers Movie Nights in The D. Airing at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. each Saturday; Campus Martius hosts movies such as Toy Story, Harriet, and Frozen II. The movies are free! With no admission, this is great for date nights, solo adventures, or a fun night out with the family. Registration is required, and you may arrive up to 30 minutes before showtime. Movie-goers must wear

masks in the park and maintain a 6 feet distance from other patrons.

If you are looking for a more traditional movie theater experience, take a drive to the Ford Drive-In where you can enjoy box office movies from the car’s comforts. Located just outside of Detroit city limits in Dearborn, the Ford Drive-in offers double features for the price of one. Admission is free for children under five, while children under 12 are $5 and adults are $12.

In addition to movies, the Ford Drive-In will also host Encore Drive-In Nights. Beginning July 25, this summer concert series is exclusive to drive-ins across the nation and will feature brand new performances filmed exclusively for drive-in movie theaters.

One ticket will accommodate one vehicle with up to six passengers.

Detroit is known for its music and culture. The Motown Museum pro-

See PANDEMIC SUMMER Page B-2

See 1619 PROJECT Page B-2

Serena Williams Reminds You: You Are Unstoppable.

“Tennis icon and fashion designer Serena Williams is launching Unstoppable, a special edition jewelry capsule to benefit Opportunity Fund. The two pieces, in sterling silver with a diamond accent, are etched with the word Unstoppable around a polished circle. The elegant simplicity of the design is meant to reflect Serena’s positivity and determination, and to inspire her fans and followers also to be Unstoppable. The bracelet and necklace are accessibly priced at $100.”

“Serena’s Unstoppable pieces are not only great-looking, on-trend jewelry, but they will also remind you that your strength, kindness and grace are, indeed, Unstoppable. And simply knowing that a piece of jewelry you put on in the morning helps others in impactful ways is empowering.

Look fabulous and do good!

Now through August 5, 100% of net proceeds

See UNSTOPPABLE Page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • July 15-21, 2020

Pandemic Summer From page B-1 vides the opportunity to relive an iconic moment in Detroit’s history. Considering the pandemic, the museum has introduced a more personal way to experience the museum and comply with safety guidelines. While walk-up visitors are welcomed, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and require a mask to be worn during the tour. Reduced from its grouping of 30, the Motown Museum offers private 10-person tours to give you a feel of the Motown Sound.

1619 Project

do justice to the project.”

From page B-1

“From the first moment I read The 1619 Project and immersed myself in Nikole Hannah-Jones’s transformative work, I was moved, deepened and strengthened by her empowering historical analysis,” said Oprah Winfrey. “I am honored to be a part of Nikole’s vision to bring this project to a global audience.”

“For many Americans, The 1619 Project was a great awakening and a true history that you probably never learned in school,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “For others, the project was a fresh analysis of the historical record by one of the world’s leading media authorities. We’re proud to partner with The New York Times, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Oprah Winfrey, a creative talent with unparalleled stature, to amplify Nikole’s voice and reach across our worldwide platform to marshal all of our top creative relationships to translate her vision into a canon of storytelling for a global audience.”

“Since the publication of The 1619 Project last year, we have been searching for the right partners to expand the reach of its message into film and television while preserving the authenticity of its voice,” said New York Times Assistant Managing Editor, Sam Dolnick. “We believe that Lionsgate and Oprah Winfrey are the perfect combination of partners who understand the editorial integrity of The Times and the gravity of The 1619 Project’s message, and have the reach, resources, compassion, and talent relationships to join with us and with Nikole in producing films, television, and other programming for a global audience that

“Nikole Hannah-Jones and her deeply reported journalism has done nothing short of challenging the entire history we thought we knew, revealing the true role of slavery and the impact of racial prejudice in shaping the America of today,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chairman Joe Drake and Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs. “The truths she uncovers are painful and disturbing, but we are better for it because her crowning accomplishment in shining a spotlight on the previously untold contributions of Black Americans delivers a powerful message of empowerment and inclusion. That is the message that we want to advance through feature films and television series whose storytelling, breadth of scope, and world-class talent do justice to their subject matter.”

Unstoppable From page B-1 of the Unstoppable limited-edition pieces will benefit exclusively Opportunity Fund’s Small Business Relief Fund to provide support directly to Black small business owners.”

In addition, a percentage of other Serena Williams Jewelry core collection purchases will be donated to Opportunity Fund. The Serena Williams Jewelry Unstoppable collection is available as an e-commerce exclusive on serenawilliamsjewelry.com.”

In collaboration with global diamond manufacturer K.P. Sanghvi, Serena Williams Jewelry features ethically-sourced and conflict-free diamonds.

Founded in 1985, this historic gem sits in the Northwest Goldberg neighborhood of Detroit. The visit is led by a tour guide to walk you through Hitsville U.S.A, Berry Gordy’s humble beginnings. With many of the artists being local legends, the tour follows a timeline of musical genius. Feel free to sing and dance to classic hits by Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and The Miracles and Stevie Wonder.

Phones, cameras, and food are not allowed in the museum. Guests will be subjected to temperature checks before entering the museum.

The Detroit Institute of Arts offers an opportunity to explore art from all over the world. With so much to do and see within the museum, there will be something to satisfy the whole family. The DIA houses over 65,000 pieces of art and provides guided tours through its galleries.

Whether a tour or leisurely enjoying the pieces independently, the DIA does not just

stop at the arts. The museum also offers a movie theater and special exhibits to be shown during a specific time frame.

Museum hours are adjusted to certify the safety of its visitors. Opening from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the museum will also allow those who are high-risk to visit the museum 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. each morning.

Tickets will be free until August when regular ticket pricing will resume. Before entering the museum, guests will are required to wear a mask, receive a temperature check, and practice social distancing. At this time, cash is not accepted, and all services must be paid for using a credit or debit card.

Painting With A Twist is doing its part to bring fun curbside and offer a new spin to their business. Instead of visiting its studios, the studio is offering curbside pickups.

For a fee of $35 per person, guests can bring the studio home. The paint kit will come with everything needed to create a masterpiece. All items included in the kit can be kept, including the brushes! To replace in-person instruction, Painting With A Twist is offering virtual sessions. Providing the link once the purchase is complete, videos are uploaded to the studio’s Facebook account and will provide step-by-step instructions to complete the painting at home. Gather the whole family and pick an outline to paint!

With these things to do, summer does not have to be canceled. As the world continues to adjust to the pandemic and new norms emerge, Detroit continues to offer fun around the city. Be sure to check the websites for additional information on how to be safe while exploring the city.

RWJF-26758 Project Play Michigan Chronical Quart Page 5” x 10.5” | CMYK | No bleed

Ways To Deal With Being

‘Cancelled’ “It’s part of our nature to want to be connected, socially. When we’re ‘cancelled’ or excluded from that group, it can feel catastrophic.

Cancel culture is prevalent, these days, but you don’t have to let it ruin your life if it happens to you.”

“Here, renowned life coach Michael Cloonan, shares 5 ways to deal with being ‘cancelled’:”

Understand it – although your first response will be to react emotionally, understand that ‘cancelling’ is nothing more than a tool to keep society in order. It’s not personal, and it definitely isn’t the end of the world. Remain centered because that’s the best state to respond from.”

See the funny side – most things have a funny side, and this is a great way to gain emotional control over them. So you’ve been ‘cancelled’? what does that actually mean? You’re still here, living your life. If you can

laugh about it, laugh about it. Doesn’t that feel better?”

Shift your perspective – looking at things ‘from the other side’ can be extremely helpful. Everyone is fighting their own invisible battles, everyone has their own motivations and ways of protecting themselves. Maybe the person who ‘cancelled’ you needs some forgiveness, themselves.”

Don’t be intimidated – the goal of cancel culture is to silence and ostracize. Don’t let yourself be beat into submission. When you feel strong and confident again, stand up and remind the world that you exist.”

Heal yourself – give yourself the love that others have temporarily stopped providing you with. Strengthen and nurture your connection with yourself and realize that that’s something that can never be ‘cancelled’, regardless of what’s happening in the outside world.”

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July 15-21, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com •

Page B-3

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July 15-21, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Complex 12050 Woodward Ave. Highland Park, MI 48203

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Electronic submissions can be submitted to mwalton@eastpointecity.org.

Applications will be accepted until Monday, August 10, 2020.

Warren, MI, General Motors. Create &dvlp U.S. &global test plans/strategies/designs/scopes, &test &validate Electronic Brake Control Modules (EBCM) incldg electronic &hydraulic control units, &eBoost Modules for U.S. &global psgr vehicles to meet qlty, reliability &durability (QRD) reqmts, using CEMENT, ECM, E2 tools. Analyze QRD &warranty data to ensure lessons learned. Track full test plans, incldg required supplier testing, &all internal testing required to validate cmpnts, incldg U.S. FMVSS-based regulatory testing, subsys integration testing, &functional safety testing. Test &validate psgr vehicle brake syss at cmpnt (incldg PCBs, electronics, connectors &casings), sys &vehicle levels. Create, approve &validate Brake cmpnts test plans to meet electrical, electromagnetic compatibility, diagnostics, SW, serial data, OTA, Cybersecurity, Blackbox, Polyspace &unit testing reqmts, &monitor Tier I suppliers to ensure reqmts are met. Bachelor, Electrical, Electronics &Telecommunication, Mechanical Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, analyzing warranty data at cmpnt level (incldg PCBs, electronics, &connectors), &resolving QRD issues of psgr vehicle chassis electronics syss incldg EBCM or eBoost Modules, or related. Mail resume to Ref#34851-F155, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

CITY OF EASTPOINTE

CAE Engineer (Troy, MI), responsible for conducting system virtual test with CAE software to perform conventional accessory belt drive, start/stop belt drive, timing belt drive simulations and cranktrain damper optimization, among other duties. BS in Mech. Eng. or related & 2 yrs. of exp.

Send resume to Heather Boden-Carr (Code CAEE-MI), Dayco Products, 1650 Research Dr., Suite 200, Troy, MI 48083.

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 313 963-5522

The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer program used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meets the requirements of law.

BRENDA GREEN CITY CLERK CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

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Customer Experience Center Representative – Detroit, MI Accounts Receivable Specialist – Detroit, MI Several Positions Are Ready to be filled by Extraordinary Individuals!

Energy Advisor I – Metro Detroit Area Customer Experience Center Representative – Detroit, MI Direct Installer – Okemos, MI

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**Please note the location of the position when applying. **

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For a full list of qualifications please visit https://wmenergy.com/careers-2/

NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS AND ELECTORS **Please note the location of the position when applying. ** OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK OF INTENT TO ISSUE BONDS AND THE RIGHT OF REFERENDUM RELATING THERETO PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the City of Highland Park, County of Wayne, State of Michigan, intends to issue and sell its general obligation limited tax bonds pursuant to Act 34, Public Acts of Michigan, 2001, as amended, in an aggregate amount not to exceed Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($450,000), for the purpose of paying all or a portion of the costs of acquiring, constructing, installing, repairing and improving certain capital improvements in the City, including lead service lines in the City’s water supply system, together with all necessary interests in land, rights-of way, appurtenances and attachments thereto (the “Project”)

SOURCE OF PAYMENT OF BONDS THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON SAID BONDS SHALL BE PAYABLE from the general funds of the City lawfully available for such purposes including property taxes levied within applicable constitutional, statutory and charter tax rate limitations.

BOND DETAILS SAID BONDS will be payable in annual installments not to exceed thirty (30) in number and will bear interest at the rate or rates to be determined at the time of sale to the Michigan Finance Authority but in no event to exceed the maximum rate permitted by law.

ADDITIONAL SECURITY FOR BONDS SOLD TO MICHIGAN FINANCE AUTHORITY BECAUSE THE BONDS WILL BE SOLD TO THE MICHIGAN FINANCE AUTHORITY, THE CITY MAY PLEDGE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE BONDS MONEY RECEIVED OR TO BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY DERIVED FROM IMPOSITION OF TAXES BY THE STATE AND RETURNED OR TO BE RETURNED TO THE CITY AS PROVIDED BY LAW, except for money the use of which is prohibited for such purposes by the State Constitution. The City may enter into an agreement providing for the payment of taxes, which taxes are collected by the State and returned to the City as provided by law, to the Michigan Finance Authority or a trustee, and such funds may be pledged for the payment of the bonds.

RIGHT OF REFERENDUM THE BONDS WILL BE ISSUED WITHOUT A VOTE OF THE ELECTORS UNLESS A PETITION REQUESTING SUCH A VOTE SIGNED BY NOT LESS THAN 10% OF THE REGISTERED ELECTORS RESIDING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY IS FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK WITHIN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. IF SUCH PETITION IS FILED, THE BONDS MAY NOT BE ISSUED WITHOUT AN APPROVING VOTE OF A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS RESIDING WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY VOTING THEREON. THIS NOTICE is given pursuant to the requirements of Section 517, Act 34, Public Acts of Michigan, 2001, as amended.

Brenda Green City Clerk, City of Highland Park

How You Can Help Find a Solution to COVID-19 (Family Features) The human immune system holds important clues about how people naturally detect and defend against disease. For COVID-19, many people have been able to defeat the virus because of their natural defense systems.

Now researchers are working to learn from these survivors’ immune systems to inform the development of new tests.

If you’ve been affected by COVID-19, you can help. A leader in immune-driven medicine, Adaptive Biotechnologies – which specializes in developing products based on the body’s immune response to disease – is working with Microsoft on the virtual clinical study ImmuneRACE. As part of the study, they are seeking 1,000 participants between the ages of 18-89 from major metropolitan cities in the United States who: ■ Currently have COVID-19 ■H ave recently recovered from COVID-19 ■W ere exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19 Understanding testing options. There are currently two types of tests for COVID-19: PCR tests that indicate the presence of live virus from a nose or throat swab and serology tests that indicate exposure to and potential immunity against the virus by measuring antibodies in the blood.

A third type of test could help address current challenges with testing, resulting in these scenarios: ■C omplementary or alternative testing for individuals who have had known exposures or symptoms ■A bility to triage patients and inform treatment strategies based on risk ■C onfirmation that individuals have recovered and are no longer infectious Such a test could also contribute key information as part of an immune scan.

Please visit our website for more classified ads. www.michiganchronicle.com

How you can get involved. To participate in the study or learn about more ways to join in the fight against COVID-19, visit ImmuneRACE.com. If you decide to participate and qualify for the study, a trained technician will travel to you to collect a de-identified blood sample in the comfort and safety of your home.

The global race for solutions. Because COVID-19 is a disease affecting communities around the world, stopping its spread requires solutions from every angle. It is the belief of Adaptive Biotechnologies and Microsoft that the answers may lie within the immune systems of those who have been impacted by the coronavirus.

The de-identified data collected through this study will also be made freely available to the global scientific community to help develop other solutions.

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• michiganchronicle.com • July 15-21, 2020