H APPY POWERED BY REAL TIMES MEDIA
Volume 81 – Number 11
michiganchronicle.com
November 22-21, 2017
Singer-actress
Della Reese (1931-2017)
By Steve Holsey Detroit-born Della Reese, who passed away on Nov. 19 at the age of 86, was outstanding in every endeavor — singer, actress, TV host, minister and anything else she set her mind to. She made an impact that will endure. But first and foremost, Della Reese was a great singer, one whose range included pop, jazz, R&B and blues. And she was an original; no one sounded like Della Reese. Born Delloreese Patricia Early on July 6, 1931, the career of Della Reese spanned six decades. Like so many others, she started singing in church at a very early age. While in her early teens, she was invited to sing with the legendary queen of gospel music, Mahalia Jackson. She later formed her own highly acclaimed gospel group, the Meditation Singers. But as much as she enjoyed singing gospel, Reese had a yearning to explore outside of that field. A turning point was winning a talent contest that resulted in her singing for a week in one of Detroit’s best known clubs at the time, the Flame Show Bar. She signed her first recording contract in 1953. Her two biggest hits were “And That Reminds Me” and “Don’t You Know.”
Winter in Detroit heats up downtown
By Roz Edward and Branden Hunter A resurgent downtown Detroit has become something of a magnet for small startup companies, corporate headquarters and even fine cuisine. And while business and finance experts debate the best strategies to attract new business to bourgeoning business enclaves downtown, the pop-up shop phenomenon is apparently a good fit for discriminating consumers.
Winter in Detroit
shopping hours are: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Stores will close for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. And much like so many other new developments in Detroit, unconventional
approaches to commercial development is catching on. Rather than focusing on major chains and big box anchor stores which may be big on savings, but woefully short on charm and the personal touch, savvy entrepreneurs have set up 30 small shops in downtown Detroit to cater to the needs of downtown workers, visitors and holiday shoppers. The idea may be unconventional and hard to
See DETROIT page A-2
From left: Tresa Deal-Galloway, educator, owner of ED by Tresa Productions; Madison Galloway, daughter, 11; and MaKayla Galloway, daughter, 9. In front is Tyler Ruth, 9.
Let the festivities begin By Roz Edward and Branden Hunter
Reese continued to make major strides in her career. One of the highlights was being the first African American woman to guest host “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in 1970. She also had a daily talk show of her own, “Della,” that aired from June 9, 1969 to March 13, 1970, a total of 197 episodes.
Downtown Detroit’s unparalleled holiday transformation from bustling business center to even more bustling Winter Wonderland brought scores of visitors — 40,000 plus to be exact — to Campus Martius and Beacon Park for the most dazzling holiday exhibit in the city’s history.
Although she continued to sing, Reese’s career later became more focused on acting. She appeared on many TV shows — “The Mod Squad,” “Sanford and Son,” “L.A Law,” “Design-
Not to be outdone (read: outshone), DTE’s Beacon Park presented equally impressive interactive holiday light displays from Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles at its inaugural winter event, while homegrown but internationally renowned talents turned up the heat with brilliant performances at the Nov.
The main attraction, a stunning 60-foottall Norwegian Spruce, decorated with nearly 20,000 colorful lights and ornaments, towers over Campus Martius Park, adding its mark to downtown’s increasingly vibrant scene.
See HOLIDAY
See DELLA REESE page A-2
WHAT’S INSIDE C
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Comerica Bank, The Parade Company offer exclusive glimpse into holiday magic See Page B-1
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FESTIVITIES page A-2
JPMorgan Chase announces investments to support Detroit’s economic recovery JPMorgan Chase & Co. announced Wednesday a $900,000 investment to support sustainable infrastructure projects in Detroit. In addition, the firm is retrofitting over 70 percent of Chase branches in the city with LED lights and new Building Management Systems. As part of the firm’s $150 million commitment to Detroit’s long-term economic recovery and building on its commitment to advance sustainable solutions for clients and across its operations, these investments are designed to boost Detroit’s continued economic recovery. “Sustainable infrastructure is critical to the efficient and continuous operation of small businesses and to revitalizing commercial activity throughout Detroit,” said Matt Arnold, global head of sustainable finance, JPMorgan Chase. “We firmly believe that sustainability lies at the heart of long-term economic growth and we are excited about bringing our expertise in advanc-
ing environmentally sustainable solutions to Detroit.” “The City of Detroit Office of Sustainability applauds JPMorgan Chase for its leadership in energy and sustainability through their branch retrofits and support of Detroit non-profit organizations,” said Joel Howrani Heeres, director of sustainability, City of Detroit. “By ex-
panding the scope of the green infrastructure and green building practices it is engaged in throughout the city, JPMorgan Chase serves as an example of sustainable business in Detroit making an environmental impact that will benefit all Detroiters.” Highlights of the firm’s sustainability investments in Detroit include:
• Branch Retrofit: As part of JPMorgan Chase’s collaboration with Current, powered by GE to conduct the world’s largest LED lighting installation and to install Building Management Systems across branches, the firm is retrofitting 13 branches in Detroit. The retrofits of branches across Detroit will cut lighting
See INVESTMENT page A-2