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Volume 78 – Number 39
WHAT’S INSIDE
Call for diversity (Page A-3) It’s a good thing that an increasing number of organizations are posting jobs that encourage minorities (ethnic, sexual orientation, etc.) to apply. But what is needed are more conversations regarding how to maintain those employees.
June 10-16, 2015
Detroit is NOT a police state Four-day curfew cuts against access for children
By Bankole Thompson CHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR
The last time I checked, Detroit was not Russia under the KGB. Detroit is not South Africa under P.W. Botha where Blacks were required to have a special pass before moving around. Detroit is part of the United States, a paragon of democracy and one
of the best in the world, despite the contradictions we often witness in this democratic experience called the U.S.A.
effect during both the Detroit River Days Festival and the Ford Fireworks.
The optics of having children in this city move This therefore begs the around with documentaquestion: Who in the Detion or permission slips, troit Police Department the way South Africa was came up with the idea of under Botha and how the Bankole implementing a draconiKGB ruled Russia is a Thompson very bad idea, and its iman four-day curfew from June 19-22 for all children in plementation is worst, plain and Detroit under the age of 17 not simple. At a time when conversaaccompanied by an adult? tions around race and economic This curfew, if passed by the access for Blacks are boiling up Detroit City Council, will be in to the center, we don’t need any
Lee A. Daniels notes that police mistreatment of Black and Hispanic citizens is rising. And while these incidents are widely documented, thanks largely to new technology, there are underlying mindsets that set the stage for these acts of violence.
M-1 Rail, leading the construction of the threemile streetcar system along Woodward Avenue, has announced the acquisition of six individual streetcars, all of them American-made.
A doctor with a cause (Page C-4) Dr. John W. Sealey saw things growing up in North Carolina during the civil rights era that had a profound effect on him. He became committed to doing his part to make quality healthcare available to all.
The realities of reality TV (Page D-4) Although reality television can be entertaining, informative and even uplifting, in so many ways it also represents appealing the lowest common denominator of society, showing adults at their worst.
See CURFEW page A-4
By Donald James SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Moratorium in
Wayne County? Conyers, others call for reprieve for 31,000 homeowners By Bankole Thompson CHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR
C
ongressman John Conyers, the dean of Congress, is the latest to add his voice to a growing call for a moratorium on property tax foreclosures in Wayne County after Monday’s deadline. About 31,000 homeowners as of last month are facing foreclosure by the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office. “I remain gravely concerned over the fate of the tens of thousands of Wayne County residents that could lose their homes to property tax foreclosure. While I greatly appreciate the hard work done by the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office to keep people in their homes, including providing an exten- John Conyers sion, additional time is needed to protect our residents from being kicked out of their homes,” Conyers said. “Detroiters already suffered through a foreclosure crisis caused by the discriminatory lending policies and incompetence of our nation’s biggest lending institutions. We cannot tolerate another round of foreclosures and eviction, much less one carried out by our local government that has a duty to serve our citizens.” Out of the 62,000 parcels of land that were served, 17,000, representing 27 percent, have paid their 2012 taxes and are out of foreclosure. On top of that, there are 10,000 owners of land which represents 16 percent of the entire foreclosure list who are on a payment agreement. The deputy county treasurer, David Szymanski, said that as long as those respondents keep up their payments they can avoid foreclosure.
owe inaccurate and unreasonable amounts in property taxes. In some cases, the owed taxes exceed the actual value of the home.” In March, about 2000 homeowners were in the process of making payment arrangements, which accounted for 3 percent of the foreclosure list. The distressed owner occupant extensions, meaning individuals who have not owed any taxes prior to 2012, represents another 1000 homeowners, or 1.5 percent. Those individuals have been given a year to pay what they owe for 2012. The Treasurer’s Office at the time said it had 1000 owners in what is called hold status, basically homeowners who are facing dire financial issues like bankruptcy. About 400 of the 1000 are already in bankruptcy. Given the statistical breakdown, the Treasurer’s Office Raymond Wojtowicz noted that about 31,000 parcel owners are still facing foreclosure, which is 50 percent of Detroiters. But because of the canvassing Szymanski and the office have been doing, they discovered that 10,500 of the 31,000 parcels are actually vacant land with no structure which basically means 34 percent are vacant land. Another 8,000 of the 31,000 parcels are structures that have been abandoned, accounting for 26 percent. The occupied structures represent 12,500 parcels or 40 percent of the 31,000 foreclosure list. The Treasurer’s Office believes that among these numbers there are landlords who are collecting rent and not paying taxes.
“Finally, foreclosing on occupied homes actually hinders the goal of raising revenue. Selling these homes at auction only gathers a tiny fraction of the revenues owed in taxes, while the eviction of families from their homes increases blight, depresses surrounding prop “Despite the economic hardship faced erty values and destabilizes neighborhoods,” by many Detroit families, too many Detroit Conyers said. “For these reasons, I strongly homeowners are being obligated to pay taxes urge Wayne County Treasurer Raymond Wowhen they are eligible for a statutorily-manjtowicz to immediately implement a moratoridated poverty exemption. Furthermore, the um on property tax foreclosures until there is City of Detroit has not carried out its duty an appropriate remedy for these families and under Michigan’s Constitution (Art. IX, § 3.) our community.” to assess the actual value of properties on an annual basis,” Conyers explained. “The failure Szymanski, the deputy treasurer, said a of local authorities to fulfill these two legal moratorium will not be granted. requirements means that many homeowners
See FORECLOSURE page A-4
$1.00
We just came back from Mackinac where race was a topical issue on the minds of business leaders. The leaders that I talked to on Mackinac Island the ones who often serve as patrons to the Detroit Police Department are concerned about the factors
Nation’s Black publishers heading to Detroit for NNPA 75th convention
America’s true crime problem (Page B-4)
American-made vehicles for streetcar system (page C-1)
policies or actions that further create a racial powder keg and gives the false notion that Black children are so bad that they should be quarantined for several days from the public in their own city.
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), America’s largest and most influential Black-owned media trade organization, will hold its 75th Annual Convention June 16-20 in Detroit. Convening under the theme “Empowering a New Generation of Leadership,” all convention events will be held at the downtown Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, with the exception of the International Day of African Youth Pro- Benjamin Chavis gram (Wayne County Community College Atrium), the Presidential Reception (Charles H. Wright Museum of African Americans History) and the Chairman’s Reception (MotorCity Casino). The Michigan Chronicle, a longtime member of NNPA and the state’s largest Black-owned newspaper, will serve as the convention’s host publisher. “It is a tremendous honor to welcome this historic body of Black-owned newspapers to Detroit,” said Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, who also sits on NNPA’s national board of directors and chairs its digital committee. “NNPA has been a strong voice of Black America for 75 years and it continues to address issues that impact every element of everyday life in the nation’s Black communities and beyond. Detroit is evolving on so many fronts, so to have the storied NNPA meet in our city, as the organization reaches new heights, is incredible for both Detroit and NNPA.” “We are extremely excited about holding the 75th Annual NNPA Convention in Detroit,” said Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA president and CEO. “Detroit has had a long tradition of publishing outstanding African American-owned newspapers. The Michigan Chronicle is one of the most important newspapers in America. It’s wonderful that we are coming to a world-class city that’s experiencing a comeback. We are looking forward to being there to help celebrate its comeback as we celebrate and reflect on the present and future of the NNPA.” The five-day conference will feature a series of workshops, training sessions, informational forums, interactive panels, speeches and other presentations that will proactively address print, digital and social media platforms used by the membership of NNPA. Additionally, other presentations will focus on economic development and sustainability in the Black community, as well as hot-button issues confronting the Black community, including deadly police violence, high unemployment, the need to improve education, among other topics. The convention will also hold its Legacy Awards, NNPA Foundation Merit Awards Dinner, swear in new board members, and salute Black church leaders at a gospel brunch, which will feature gospel recording artist Vickie Winans. The history of the NNPA dates back to 1940, when John H. Sengstacke, owner and publisher of the
See CONVENTION page A-4
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June 10-16, 2015
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Weather: 7-day forecast
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Partly Cloudy
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Page A-2
Wet Weather Driving Tips: Safety starts before you drive, and your goal should be to see and be seen. Replace windshield wiper inserts that leave streaks or don’t clear the glass in a single swipe. Make sure all headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals are properly functioning so other drivers will see you during downpours.
Forecasts provided by The Weather Channel, www.weather.com
Wayne County seeks brokerage firm to sell Guardian Building and other county-owned properties Wayne County announced that the Guardian Building and two other county-owned properties are listed in a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking real estate brokerage services. The RFP advances the Evans Administration’s goal set-forth in the Recovery Plan to eliminate the county’s $52 million structural deficit and rationalize the county’s real estate holdings. The Guardian Building, located at 500 Griswold, is one of Detroit’s most elaborate buildings and has played a significant role in downtown Detroit development. The building was designed by Wirt C. Rowland who was instrumental in defining Detroit’s architectural genre. With its orange brick façade, lavish interior, and carvings by Corrado Parducci, the Guardian Building has become a fixture in Detroit’s rich story. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1989, the building does not fall short on character or visual appeal. Located in the heart of downtown Detroit’s central business district, the stately art-deco style building reaches heights of 496 feet and is bounded by Congress, Larned and Woodward Avenue. Completed in 1929, the building’s footprint covers an impressive 461,102 square feet of fully functional office space. The selected real estate brokerage firm will meet several qualifications, including a demonstrated history of success with at least three properties that sold over $10 million in the past three years, has a global or national market reach, has a minimum of five years experience in the sale of commercial and/or government real estate or property, and is a licensed real estate broker in good standing with the State of Michigan.
Also included in the RFP are:
·
First Street Parking Deck at 621 First Street; and
·
511 Woodward
Future opportunities to market other county-owned properties are also anticipated. To obtain an online copy of the RFP, please visit the Michigan Inter-governmental Trade Network website at http://www.mitn.info.
Inside the lobby of the Guardian Building.
Macomb County veterans received over $269 million last fiscal year During the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2014, data shows that 55,391 veterans living in Macomb County were receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits with V A expenditures totaling $269,093,000.
economy was a significant portion of the over $3.7 million VA expended to serve the 658,469 veterans living throughout the state of Michigan.
479 LEDYARD • DETROIT MI 48201 (313) 963-5522 • FAX (313) 963-8788
County veterans and their families received $168,160,000 in service-connected disability compensation, Dependency and Indemnity Death Compensation, veteran’s pension and death pension benefits; $20,592,000 for educational and vocational rehabilitation benefits; $76,498,000 for medical care expenditures; $8,975,000 for unique patients; and $3,842,000 for insurance and indemnities all from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
OFFICE HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The influx of money into the Macomb County
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Of this total, Macomb
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Over half of all VA expenditures are paid directly to veterans and their families. The balance of the money is used to support the VA medicalservicesand health care programs provided a t M i c h i g a n ’ s four VA Medical Centers (VAMC) and 18 Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) located throughout the state.
mation concerning veterans and dependent’s benefits, contact the Macomb County Veterans Services Department located at 21885 Dunham, suite 3, in Clinton Township, 48036. An appoint-
ment is required for m o s t services. To schedule a n appointment and o b t a i n a list of required documents and information n e e d e d to file a claim for benefits, call (586) 469-5315 or stop in from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Obtain information directly from the VA by calling the VA toll free line, (800) 8271000 or by visiting www. va.gov.
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 10-16, 2015
Page A-3
Prime Politics Progressive organizations need, must have racial diversity By Sarah Audelo
it’s important to at least acknowledge these personal challenges.
Over the past decade, it has become increasingly common to see organizations posting jobs that specifically encourage people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; and people with disabilities to apply.
These challenges are real and may have an impact on young people’s personal and professional lives. Whether it is student debt forcing someone to work an additional job on the weekend or whether people are forced to listen to those who have never lived a working-class life telling their community how to pull itself up by its bootstraps, such experiences can trigger negative and even demoralizing feelings that can drive those most affected by social justice issues out of the work.
While this is an important step toward expanding the diversity of the applicant pool and provides a clear signal that those identities are valued, more action is necessary. What’s needed are conversations about how to keep diverse communities on staffs and in leadership positions in the workforce. This is particularly true and valuable for progressive and social justice organizations, the work of which centers around those most in need. I know this firsthand. As a Latina and new manager with a Sarah Audelo team of individuals who can check off many identity boxes, I’ve searched for insights and tools to make me a better leader of a diverse staff. Sadly, I’ve come up incredibly short on resources, as many are specific to corporate environments and a bit more surface level than what I have hoped to find. Perhaps because there is so much focus on getting a representative mix of people in the door, there is a tendency to forget what is needed to keep them in the work for the long run. For the past year, I’ve watched our diverse communities take to the streets to address a variety of important issues — police brutality, separation of families due to deportation, high murder rates of transgender women of color, fights to raise wages — all of which are issues that progressives address. But to wage the good fight, progressive and social justice organizations must have staffers who come from these communities, who are personally affected by these issues, and who are given the support that they need to do this work effectively and in a sustained way. For example, in the aftermath of the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, and following the failure of a grand jury to indict police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of 19-year-old Michael Brown, I remember staying up for hours watching as young people — fellow Millennials, my generation of social justice activists —mounted protest demonstrations to demand justice. It was an emotional time for me. As a former teacher who mostly worked with young Latino males, I saw my students in Michael Brown. But I also saw friends who have been harassed by the police and communities that have been too
While many managers may not have encountered personally any of the challenges facing their staffs, they nonetheless must be sensitive to those dealing with them.
“To wage the good fight, progressive and social justice organizations must have staffers who come from these communities, who are personally affected by these issues, and who are given the support that they need to do this work effectively and in a sustained way.” long ignored. As for those young people who took to the streets of Ferguson, I saw the youth activists with whom I’ve been privileged to work. I recall walking to the office blearyeyed one morning after a marathon viewing session of the news and livestreamed footage from activists in Ferguson via Twitter and stopping by a Dunkin Donuts to pick up a box of goodies. Upon arriving at work, I offered the donuts and a space for my team to talk about the events on all of our minds. As many of us identify with the activists and community members of Ferguson and as all of us are engaged daily with social justice issues, it was a simple gesture that allowed those in my office a space to express their concerns and share their feelings before plunging back into the grind of work. These small conversations may not have changed the course of history, but they provided a moment for reflection and acknowledgment that our communities were angry and hurting. Sadly, police brutality is not the only issue with which my colleagues must grapple. Some of those I have supervised were born in another country, and others have parents who are immigrants. If you work with Millennials, this is relatively common: 15 percent of the generation was born outside the United
States. So while my job is to press lawmakers and policy experts to pass inclusive laws, some of those in our communities — my colleagues — bear witness to government officials facilitating the separation of their families or questioning their loyalty to the United States. This often provokes challenging and emotional responses to the work they’re doing related to immigration or other important issues. How do you engage with elected officials when those same elected officials are calling your family members criminals and working to pass legislation that would facilitate their deportation? And what do you do when you see elected officials fight so hard against your ability to live your life? How do you react as they work to block marriage equality and nondiscrimination protections that could protect you from being fired or ensure you right to remain in housing? And what happens when you work in a place such as the District of Columbia, which has these protections, but where your family and friends are on constant alert, as their ability to use a restroom is in question or their families are refused health care by discriminatory providers? For managers at social justice organizations like myself, and especially for those of us who supervise young people still finding themselves in their careers,
For example, I understand it’s fairly common for bosses to be supportive of valued staffers who are going through a divorce or struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction — as they should be. However, as conversations with peers and youth activists have brought to light, these same bosses are often less sensitive — or at least are perceived as less sensitive — to the needs of employees with incarcerated or homeless family members. When communities of color are criminalized and face higher rates of incarceration — often due to the War on Drugs and drug-related offenses —this understanding and support matters. How are we supposed to fight on behalf of those most in need if we are unable to work in close contact with or take direction from them? The lack of diversity on staffs and among the leadership of progressive organizations comes across as a form of cruel insincerity to many within the communities we say we’re fighting for. It’s not enough to talk and write about diversity — which, to be honest, still far too few youth spaces are doing, even those that call themselves progressive. We also must ensure that those who have experienced the issues facing LGBT communities, communities of color, and the community of people with disabilities are at the table for the long haul, not just for a one-off event or for a show-and-tell media forum. And while it shouldn’t have to be said, this commentary is not about creating excuses for staff members not to do their jobs. It’s about supervising staff in ways that meet both their and their organization’s needs, hopefully resulting in better work and a pipeline where those most affected by the issues that progressives address become the leaders of our progressive movements. For all the talk about diversity in our organizations, we have to start walking the walk. Sarah Audelo is the policy director for Generation Progress. Her work focuses on directing youth-led policy solutions to economic justice, civil and human rights, and democracy.
Will new tech economy solve the old economy’s racial problems? By Algernon Austin Research shows that more homogeneous companies are more prone to misguided groupthink, are less creative, and tend to be less profitable. In the words of Larisa Ruoff, who represents a socially responsible investment firm, “We live in an increasingly complex global marketplace, and the companies that can hire, attract and retain women and people of color are better equipped to capitalize on global opportunities and avoid missteps that may not be apparent to a more homogeneous group.” Although more and more research shows that diversity is good for business, workforce statistics released by Silicon Valley technology companies show a startling lack of diversity. For example, Latinos and African Americans combined make up less than 5 percent of the tech workers at Google, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Yahoo and eBay. There is good reason to believe that women of color are even more scarce since women and people of color are underrepresented in the new technology firms. One reporter dubbed a Black female software engineer in Silicon Valley a “super minority” because Black females are so rare. While Silicon Valley deserves special attention because of the importance of new technology companies to the economy and to Americans’ day-to-day social lives, it would be a mistake to see the problem as limited to Silicon Valley. National statistics show higher unemployment rates for people of color with science, technology, engineering,
and math, or STEM, degrees than their White counterparts. Among young, recent college graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or mathematics, the White unemployment rate is 5.2 percent, lower than the Asian American rate of 7.7 percent, the Hispanic rate of 9.2 percent and the African American rate of 10 percent. A similar pattern exists among those with degrees in engineering and the biological and physical sciences. For all of these fields combined, the Latino and Asian American unemployment rates are 1.6 times the White rate, the Black rate is 1.9 times the White rate. This pattern suggests a White advantage in STEM fields. The ratios of White to nonWhite unemployment rates among STEM degree-holders are similar to the ratios found among college graduates overall. Hispanics with STEM degrees have an unemployment rate 1.6 times the White rate, compared to an unemployment rate 1.4 times the White rate for bachelor degree holders overall. For Blacks, the ratios are 1.9 in STEM and 2.0 overall. For Asian Americans, they are 1.6 both in STEM and overall. In recent years, there has been a push to have more Latinos and African Americans pursue STEM degrees, but there has been much less attention paid to the problem of discrimination in obtaining STEM employment. Unfortunately, workers’ education and skills alone will not prevent them from experiencing discrimination in the labor market. Perhaps the most surprising fact revealed by these data is that Asian Americans are at a disadvantage relative to similarly educated Whites.
As noted in previous research, Asian Americans’ disadvantage in the labor market tends to be hidden behind their very high level of educational attainment. To see their disadvantage, one must specifically compare college-educated Asian Americans with college-educated Whites. Although Asian Americans with STEM bachelor’s degrees have a higher rate of unemployment than Whites with STEM bachelor’s degrees, Asian Americans are overrepresented in STEM employment. Asian American representation in the STEM labor force is about three times higher than in the labor force overall. Even though Asian American STEM graduates are at a disadvantage in finding employment, the disadvantage is not great enough to overwhelm their high level of overrepresentation in the STEM labor force. Incorrect comparisons between Whites and Asian Americans are often used to deny that discrimination exists against people of color. However, when the unemployment rate for Asian Americans with bachelor’s degrees is properly compared with the rate for Whites with bachelor’s degrees — or,
even better, the rate for Asian Americans with STEM bachelor’s degrees to the rate for whites with STEM bachelor’s degrees — a clear White advantage appears. Hiring is only the first step to equal opportunity in employment. Retaining and promoting employees is also essential. Erica Joy Baker has written poignantly about her feelings of isolation and alienation as a Black woman working for more than 13 years in the tech industry. To be “one of the guys,” Baker had to put up with racist and sexist jokes, play violent video games in which she had no interest, play paintball despite her nightmares about being shot, and go to beer taverns even though she does not drink beer. Baker has an amazing level of fortitude, but she has suffered psychologically and physically by staying in her field. Many other women have left STEM occupations because they find the work environment to be hostile to women. People of color are also underrepresented in the leadership of tech companies. While Asian Americans are overrepresented as workers in Silicon
Valley technology companies, they may face difficulties getting into leadership positions. At Yahoo, for example, nearly three-fifths of the tech workers are Asian American, but Asian Americans make up less than one-fifth of those leading tech teams. Relative to the Yahoo tech workforce, Whites are highly overrepresented as leaders of tech teams. While Silicon Valley technology companies have created the so-called new economy, they seem to have continued the discriminatory employment practices of the old economy. While many leading Silicon Valley companies employ low numbers of Latinos and African Americans, there are those that show it is possible to do better. For example, 13 percent of Apple’s tech workers are Latino or African American. This is considerably higher than the 4 percent of many of its peer companies. Intel has set concrete goals to increase the diversity of its workforce by 2020, and it has allocated $300 million to achieve these ends. Ultimately, whether or not new technology companies break with the old patterns of exclusion will depend on the actions of the public. Ordinary Americans can vote with their dollars as consumers and put pressure on elected officials to ensure that anti-discrimination policies are enforced. At a time when STEM employment is increasingly important to the American economy, America’s old prejudices should not be allowed to hamper the nation’s future. Algernon Austin is former director of the Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy at the Economic Policy Institute.
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
June 10-16, 2015 Page A-4
Foreclosure
From page A-1
"A moratorium would likely accomplish nothing more than delaying the inevitable and in that delay the tax situation will only get worse. Another year of taxes added to the bill with another year of interest making it more difficult for the taxpayer to fashion a solution to foreclosure," Szymanski said. "We have found the earlier we can intervene the more likely we are to avoid foreclosure. A moratorium will not be granted by the treasurer. We encourage people to get into the payment arrangements and then work on legislation to address what they see as the problems." He said he has yet to see any legislation introduced by the moratorium advocates that might address their claims.
Curfew
From page A-1
that gave rise to Baltimore. Others are worried that Baltimore ccould presage things to come in Detroit. To have a curfew that will adversely impact the free movement and the freedom of association of Black children, in a city like Detroit, harkens back to an era that reminded us of strict segregation policies. Such amounts to racial profiling because in implementing such a curfew, the majority who would be affected are Black kids. This is not public safety at work. Such a proposal is antithetical to the democratic principles that should guide a constitutional agency like the Detroit Police Department. " I think Ferguson laid bare a problem that is not unique to St. Louis or that area, and is not unique to our time, and that is a simmering distrust that exists between too many police departments and too many communities of color," President Obama said in the wake of Ferguson. Our police force should be working to build trust, not be an appendix to the history of distrust between police departments and communities of color. The Detroit Police Department is not an occupied force and this is not Baghdad where young people should be under some form of strict monitoring for a festival that is supposed to be open to all families and children in Detroit and around the region. One of the enduring legacies of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy under its former CEO, Faye Nelson, has been a Detroit River Days Festival that welcomes all families to the riverfront to enjoy the fesitval of music and a host of other fun and family-oriented activities. I’ve volunteered two years in a row during the summer to read to about 200 or more preschool and kindergarten kids from different parts of the city who converge with their parents on the riverfront for a reading fest. The Detroit Riverfront Conversavency was not created for some people. It was created for all people. The Detroit River Days Festival is supposed to give Detroiters a sense of pride and ownership at an event that is positive and has become a draw for the city during the summer. If anything, the festival should champion the diversity and equality of all attendees regardless of age. If the Detroit Police Department thinks that the only way it can curtail crime during the week of the festival and fireworks is to impose a four-day curfew as if we are in a state of emergency, then we should all be concerned about the direction of the police department. When Chief James Craig took the job as top cop, he and I had some conversations about his plans for a department where morale is low, some of which led to a crime town hall at Wayne County Community College District downtown campus that I moderated. He spoke a lot about residents' safety and the appearance of feeling safe. A four-day curfew is not the way to make people feel safe. Such unwarranted action goes against the grain of ensuring that children in the city have access to the activities that are geared toward giving them unique experiences in Detroit. The festival and the fireworks allow young people to explore uninterrupted the "right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I like many others attended the festival last year as well as the fireworks. There was no cause for concern. That's
Convention historic Chicago Defender, convened publishers of Negro newspapers from across the country to address problems in advertising, editorial and newsgathering. Furthermore, Sengstacke wanted to explore strategies and ways to harmonize and maximize critical messages needed to help elevate Black Americans out the doldrums of a very segregated nation. Initially called the National Negro Publishers Association, in 1956, the organization changed its name to the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Chavis applauds the growth of NNPA over its first 75 years. “On one hand we have made tremendous progress, on the other we must keep pushing forward,” he said. “Therefore, we just can’t look to the past, we have to learn from the past to
because there are hardworking men and women in the Detroit Police Department and Detroit Riverfront Conservancy security who ensured all of our safety. There was no need for a four-day curfew or overbearing law enforcement.
"In the meantime it is treasurer Wojtowicz who sought and gained access to Step Forward funding. It was treasurer Wojtowicz who sought and received legislation reducing the interest rate from 18 to 6 percent with retroactivity. This office acts to assist distressed taxpayers with real action," the deputy treasurer said. Wojtowicz responded to several let-
ters calling for a moratorium for homeonwers facing foreclosure. "You must understand the necessity of collection of taxes. It is taxes that fund essential government services. Without payment of taxes government cannot provide essential services such as police and fire protection, schools or trash collection," Wojtowicz said. "If property taxes are not paid, we do not have an ability to turn off services to only those who do not pay. We cannot refuse to send the fire department to a home if the taxes are not paid." Szymanski added, "We deeply appreciate Congressman Conyers' assistance in reaching out to distressed taxpayers but believe a moratorium is not appropriate. With the programs this office offers, each taxpayer has the ability to receive a one-year moratorium through the Distressed Owner Occupant Extension which gives the owner/occupant of residential property an additional year to pay delinquent taxes. Bankole Thompson is the editor of the Michigan Chronicle. Email bthompson@michronicle.com.
The last thing the police need to do is to create any kind of policy that suggests that Detroit kids are being treated differently than other children. This leads to racial animosity because children in Detroit are not the only ones who attend this festival. There are kids from all over the region there. We cannot champion safety and equality of all Detroiters, while at the same time engaging in selective enforcement that underscores power and privilege for some rather than for all. While the police must work to aggressively curtail crime and needs to do so during the festival and fireworks, it cannot at the same time be engaged in any action that suggest it is giving privilege to a certain group of people. Already, we know that the Detroit Police Department has been fending off criticisms that its jurisdiction of protection has been mostly downtown intead of the neighborhoods. The four-day curfew only reinforces that notion. The Detroit Police Department should be the foremost defender of equality, fairness and justice and the curfew has divisive implications. You can remove the bad guys without making everyone, including innocent young people, victims in the process. Given all that is happening around the country — Baltimore and Ferguson in particular — it should serve as a lesson in race and criminal justice reform. Think about the image of Black children under 17 not with an adult being banned from attending the festival and the fireworks and detained by police while their counterparts in other parts of the region are taking part and soaking in the unique experience of the festivals. What does this say about Detroit? What does this say about the character of the city? Detroit is better than that. The police department should simply withdraw its proposal and come up with more creative and effective ways to address crime during those two events without giving us any flashbacks to the KGB and P.W. Botha eras. At all cost, our police department should avoid any appearance that it is enforcing a perceived inferior position of Blacks, an issue that has been the subject of study and research for decades by many scholars and advocates of criminal justice reform, including the late A. Leon Higginbotham Jr., the former chief judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Whoever conceived the four-day curfew idea with great temptation for abuse can go back to the drawing board and birth an alternative idea with the rule of law. Such will allow the community to work with and accept police authority out of respect and duty, not out of intimidation and unlimited power. Bankole Thompson is the editor of the Michigan Chronicle. He is the host of “Redline with Bankole Thompson,” on WDET-101.9FM (Detroit Public Radio), which airs live every Thursday 11am12noon. He is the author of two books on President Obama, the culmination of a series of sit-down interviews with Obama. E-mail bthompson@michronicle.com or bankole@bankolethompson. com
Henry Carr, Olympic great, passes By Herb Boyd
years, from 1965 to 1967 he was a defensive back for the New York Giants. Back in Detroit after leaving the Giants, he tried out for the Lions but injuries curtailed that possibility.
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
At Northwestern High School in the ’60s, Henry Carr was called the “Gray Ghost” because of his amazing speed in track. But later in life, after becoming a Jehovah’s Witness, he was most interested in reading the Bible and teaching the importance of service to others. Carr was 72 or 73 when he died of cancer on May 29 in Griffin, Georgia. From the moment he stepped on the track at Northwestern High School (and as a matter of full disclosure, he was a freshmen and I had graduated four years before he arrived) he burned the cinders. His victories in the city and state sprint events were harbingers of greater success that would culminate in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo when he won gold medals in the 200 meter dash and on the 4x400 relay team. “I didn’t think it was that fast,” Carr told reporters after winning the 200 meter race, setting an Olympic record at 20.3 seconds. “This was the easiest of my races.” The races may have been easy for the gifted sprinter but mastering the reality races of life were a bit more challenging. Born in Montgomery, Alabama on Nov. 27, 1941 or 1942, depending on
Henry Carr in 1964 with his 200-meter Gold Medal. the source, Carr was the ninth of 11 children and he was still very young when the family relocated to Detroit. At Northwestern, where Sam Bishop was the athletic director, he not only excelled in track and field, he was also an outstanding football and basketball player. But it was at Arizona State that he began to acquire his national reputation, winning 220 yard dash in 1963 and tying for first place that year in the AAU event. The victory was his outright the next year, where by then he was a member of the Phoenix Olympic Club. After his success at the Olympics in Tokyo, Carr was practically unbeatable in the 200 meter, and he also competed will in the 100 and 400 meter races. His speed and size made him a perfect fit for football and for three
From page A-1 improve the present and have a greater sense of self-determination for the future. “The state of Black-owned newspapers is at a pivotal moment, where we have to expand what we do by complementing what we do in the print world with social media and other digital platforms. It all works together. In other words, we have to use the multiple media platforms and technologies that are available to deliver pertinent messages to our readers in new and innovative ways.” The NNPA’s membership is comprised of over 200 Blackowned newspapers across the United States. Collectively, they reach about 20.1 million readers each week, which is factored to include the four-to-five person “pass-on-rate,” which surpasses normal distribution and circula-
tion of Black newspapers. The NNPA’s membership reaches approximately five million readers each week using digital platforms. “Digital platforms are the wave of the future,” Chavis said. “We have to find better ways to be more creative and innovative to have our trusted voices heard. Our convention, this year, will offer great platforms to discuss how we go about meeting the digital challenges that are vital to the growth of the NNPA and its membership.” “We have a trusted voice that’s more important now than ever, especially when one looks at what’s going on in Ferguson and in Baltimore and in America’s Black communities,” said Jackson, who as CEO of Real Time Media, oversees the publishing of such historic Black newspa-
pers as the Michigan Chronicle, Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier and Atlanta Daily World, as well as the company’s RTM Digital Studio. Real Times Media also produces special events and publishes specialty/niche books that chronicle the achievements of African Americans living and working in almost 30 national markets. “The Black press has been given this huge responsibility of trust and we must continue to honor it for the betterment of Black America.” For more information about the NNPA and its many programs and services, or to learn more about the 75th Annual NNPA Convention in Detroit, log on to www.nnpa.org, contact the national office at 202.588.7348 or email Jackie Willis at jackiewillis@nnpa.org.
With his athletic ability in decline, Carr struggled to make a living, finding it difficult to obtain decent employment after his bar was closed. Gambling and drug addiction took their toll and he was now in another more important race. “In time, I hit rock bottom morally as a man, coming into association with drug dealers and prostitutes,” he wrote in The Watchtower, a Jehovah’s Witness publication. It was his commitment to the Witnesses that rescued him from further debilitation and hurt. Also, there was his faithful companion and wife, Glenda, his high school sweetheart. “He was a beautiful runner, graceful,” she recalled of Carr’s running style. “He was effortless. There was no strain. A very unusual runner.” Some of that style and grace can be seen on YouTube when he won the 200 meter race in Tokyo. See: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=73JPTcAZN64. “Stars are soon replaced and generally forgotten,” he once noted. “Rather than competing with others to be best, helping and serving others is what brings true satisfaction.” In 1997, Carr was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. And the track at Northwestern High School bears his name. “Stars are soon replaced and generally forgotten,” he wrote in The Watchtower. “Rather than competing with others to be best, helping and serving others is what brings true satisfaction.” In addition to his wife, Carr is survived by two daughters, Piper and Andrea Carr; a son, Peyton; four brothers, Emmitt, Linwood, Jasper and Ethan; three sisters, Flozell Coachman, Charity Harris and Escalita Jones; and five grandchildren.
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Restructuring is essential for survival of the Detroit Public Schools
By Darnell Earley
DPS EMERGENCY MANAGER Last week, I announced the restructuring of the Detroit Public Schools’ central office operations, creating a streamlined system that is “laser-focused” on supporting schools to strengthen and improve student achievement. The restructuring is a part of my 10-Point Management Plan which has been guiding the district’s transformation into a more efficient and effective educational service provider since it was released earlier this year. Since day one, I have been saying that in order for DPS to not only survive, but thrive, it could no longer operate like a school district from 50 or even 20 years ago. DPS must completely restructure the way it does business, focusing all of its resources on where they will have the most impact – in the system’s school buildings and classrooms, and on giving increased autonomy and pushing resources down to building leadership. To achieve this critical outcome, district operations are being re-imagined around a set of four key principles: empowering school building leaders, shifting resources to schools, organizing support to schools around a network structure, and ensuring that the district as a whole is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible. A key theory in the redesign of central office is providing defined autonomy to school-level leaders to make decisions based on the needs of their students. To ensure this happens, in our new structure principals will have the authority to make decisions not only on individualized professional development and the support they need for their buildings, but also in the long-run on how their available budget dollars are spent based on what they know to be the needs of the students they are serving in their buildings. I am confident that this will help these building leaders better address improving the academic achievement of their students. In order to better support school leaders in establishing a culture of defined autonomy and accountability, we will develop a network structure to support schools. This will provide a central point-of-contact and a dedicated group of staff who will support schools instructionally and operationally to ensure that principals can focus on instruction at the school level. This change directly addresses concerns that have been voiced by DPS principals on what they need to help them improve academic outcomes in their buildings. Networks will be clusters of schools affiliated based on geographic, thematic and/or other groupings. The new structure will consist of six networks, each of which will be comprised of a team of individuals, whose objective is to improve overall academic achievement by providing more coordinated coaching and development for school leaders and teachers in the schools and reducing the administrative burden. To further assist us in operating more efficiently and effectively, the restructuring will streamline central office operations and reduce resources spent on activities that do not directly support increased student achievement and learning. Moving forward, the district’s central office will be organized around a set of five core functions: academics and school support, strategy, talent management, finance and operations, and the Emergency Manager/Superintendent’s office. Over the next six months, DPS’ central office will transform from a topheavy 60 individual departments to five divisions (representing the core functions), which will be comprised of a total of 16 offices/departments. Except for the Emergency Manager/Superintendent’s office, which I will continue to lead, each of the other four divisions will be led by a deputy superintendent. The 16 offices will be led by executive directors. Recruiting for the four key deputy superintendent positions will begin immediately. A number of the executive director positions will be filled with existing staff, while others will be posted and applicants (both internal and external) will be reviewed for their qualifications and fit based on the newly designed job descriptions. There will also be a number of new positions created across the divisions that reflect the district’s new operating principles and structure. These new positions will be posted on an ongoing basis over the coming year, and the best and the brightest talent from inside and outside of the district will be encouraged to apply. A significant structural change to point out within the new five core divisions is the transformation of the Human Resources Department into the Talent Division. Within this division, there
Darnell Earley will be two offices, Talent and Human Resources. The Talent Office will focus on the recruitment for and staffing of schools, which will support increased autonomy at the school level and will work through the new network structure. The Human Resources Office will continue to provide employee relations, benefits and hiring service to staff the overall district. In addition, DPS will create an accountability function that will work to ensure that there is a performance management framework that drives decisions across the district. We have designed this new structure to ensure the sustainability of Detroit Public Schools. My goal is to build a leadership team that will carry the longterm vision of the organization forward, and ensure that it will be around to serve and educate many generations of Detroit school children. When fully implemented, the restructuring is expected to save $10 million annually for the district. Savings for the first year (2015-16FY) are projected to be slightly less ($5-7 million) due to the phasing in of the implementation of some changes. It is expected that the restructuring process will be complete by the beginning of the 2017 fiscal year in July 2016. The restructuring of the district will also include a continued review of its finances and expenditures. Over the course of the next six months, there will be additional consideration of and potential changes to Central Office personnel. Also critical to the restructuring process is a further redesign of the district’s healthcare plan, which will place an even stronger focus on wellness and health engagement, and introduce a consumerism approach similar to what is being implemented across the country, which advocates patients’ involvement in their own healthcare decisions and ensures that employees only pay for healthcare services they use. Although employee healthcare contributions are not expected to increase, deductibles will be added to all plans. I think it is important to mention that I was assisted in the design of the district’s restructuring by a newly formed DPS Transformation Team, a group of 90-plus internal representatives and stakeholders who are participating in ongoing leadership training, being provided at no cost by the University of Michigan-Ross School of Business. The group, made up of teachers, principals, curriculum staff and district administrators, has already met for more than 75 hours over the last six weeks and provided invaluable insight that has helped shape the district’s plan for the future. Since first being engaged during a two-and-a-half day training off-site at the Michigan Ross School in April, the commitment of the Transformation Team has solidified and gotten stronger. Alycia Meriwether, a member of the Strategy Team and director of the DPS Office of Science, said, “The positivity surrounding the engagement of staff is unprecedented. A survey recently conducted of the Transformation Team shows that they feel that their input is visibly influencing the district’s restructuring and budget development. This builds employee morale and helps ensure that the changes being made will be sustainable.” That’s important to me, and I am committed to maintaining the engagement of not only the Transformation Team, but the entire employee base of Detroit Public Schools. In fact, I am convinced now, even more than when I first began this journey six months ago, that DPS will be able to transform itself into a high-performing, efficient and effective education service provider in Detroit. We have set a solid course for how DPS should look and how it can and will move forward. Failure is not an option. The future of Detroit’s children, and in turn the future of our city, state and region, is depending on us getting this done right. I thank you for your continued support. Please know that we will be counting on you to work with us to make Detroit Public Schools a high-achieving district that is a draw for all of Detroit’s families and their children.
June 10-16, 2015
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Chad Segrist (far right) and his Detroit Institute of Technology students take a quick break to snap a photo of the chalet during a class trip to Belle Isle during Comerica Bank Free Prix Day.
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HOMEFRONT Cody High School students take behind-the-scenes tour at Belle Isle Grand Prix during
Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix General Manager Charles Burns explains the intricacies of hosting the race on Belle Isle to 30 students from Detroit Institute of Technology at Cody High School. The class was invited to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Grand Prix as special guests of Comerica Bank.
Comerica Bank Free Prix Day
For the third consecutive year, Comerica Bank sponsored Free Prix Day giving fans of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix the chance to enjoy an entire day of race activities for free. As part of its partnership with the Grand Prix, Comerica also treated Detroit Institute of Technology (DIT) students at Cody High School to a behind-the-scenes tour into the world of professional racing.
well as a tour of the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock with motorsports writer John Oreovicz.
“Comerica Bank Free Prix Day has been in existence for several years and we’re honored to once again have them sponsor this day,” said Charles Burns, general manager of the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix during a Free Prix Day interview with WJBK-TV FOX 2. “We want everyone to come out and get a taste of it.”
“Today’s tour was a culmination of what the kids have worked with since Comerica first contacted us, said Segrist. “It’s important to bring these experiences to the students and Comerica was just unbelievable in their flexibility and their willingness to let this happen for our kids.”
What makes Comerica Bank Free Prix Day unique is that it gives Grand Prix fans the chance to not only experience the Grand Prix for free, but also gives people a look inside the paddock area, the locker room of motorsports. Race fans have the opportunity to get up close and personal with drivers and their crews.
TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series drivers Ricky and Jordan Taylor talk about their experiences as professional drivers with students from Detroit Institute of Technology during Comerica Bank Free Prix Day.
For an even more memorable experience, Comerica invited the 30 DIT students on a special tour, exposing them to the expansive STEaM-related careers available in the racing industry complete with presentations with Chevrolet Verizon IndyCar Series Program Manager Chris Berube, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Series drivers Ricky and Jordan Taylor, and Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix General Manager Charles Burns, as
A special day for the students, Comerica’s tour of the Grand Prix provided DIT teacher, Chad Segrist, the opportunity to expose them to many real life applications of what they’re learning in the classroom.
“We thought it’d be a great opportunity for [students from DIT] to have a backstage pass and see up close the science and technology that goes into this sport,” said Patricia McCann, vice president and national civic affairs manager at Comerica Bank. Comerica’s sponsorship of Free Prix Day is another example of the bank’s commitment to metro Detroit communities and bringing the DIT students to the island was an opportunity to not only support local schools and promote education, but an amazing way to give the students an experience they won’t soon forget. For more information about Comerica’s commitment to the community, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares.
Patricia McCann, vice president and national civic affairs manager, Comerica Bank, chats about Comerica’s commitment to Detroit during a live Comerica Bank Free Prix Day interview with Lee Thomas of WJBK-TV FOX 2.
A Detroit Institute of Technology student gets a close up Detroit Institute of Technology students gather around a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette during a tour of the Chev- view of the track during qualifying on Belle Isle during Comerica Bank Free Prix Day. rolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Paddock with motorsports writer John Oreovicz.
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Detroit Zoo opens Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness Kagan, DZS executive director and CEO. “We’re so grateful to the Cotton family for helping to make the Wolf Wilderness possible.” To celebrate the opening of the Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness, the zoo invited persons whose name includes “wolf” or a version thereof to enjoy complimentary admission. Anyone who produced valid photo ID verifying that their first, middle or last name is Wolf — or Wolfe, Wolfson, Wolford, Wulff, Wulfmeier and similar — was eligible for free entry.
Photos courtesy of the Detroit Zoo.
The Detroit Zoo has opened its latest animal habitat and introduced its newest residents.
male Kaskapahtew, Lakota for “smoke.” The Canadian-born wolves arrived from the Minnesota Zoo earlier this year.
The Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness, located at the southwest corner of the zoo, is a two-acre naturalistic habitat that features grassy hills and meadows, native Michigan trees, a flowing stream and pond, dens and elevated rock outcroppings from which wolves can survey their surroundings and zoo visitors.
Detroit Zoo visitors are able to see the wolves from many vantage points around the $1.4 million habitat, including from the historic Log Cabin, which features an observation area with expansive glass viewing windows that allow people to get very close to the wolves.
The Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness is the new home to two gray wolves, seven-year-old female Waziyata, whose name means “north” in Lakota, and five-year-old
“Our goal is to provide the wolves with a wonderful home and also to educate our guests about these apex predators and their importance to Michigan’s ecology,” said Ron
In addition to the Cotton’s lead gift toward the development of the wolf habitat, support was also provided by Service Systems Associates, the Detroit Zoo’s operator of concessions and retail, as well as proceeds from last year’s Sunset at the Zoo “Howling at the Moon” event. The Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness makes its debut just in time for this year’s Sunset at the Zoo “Summer Chill” fundraiser on Friday, June 12, celebrating the future Polk Penguin Conservation Center. The event features a strolling supper, music, dancing, auctions and access to many of the zoo’s award-winning ani-
mal habitats at twilight. For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.detroitzoo.org/sunset. The Detroit Zoological Society, a nonprofit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo, is recognized as a leader in conservation, animal welfare and sustainability, and providing sanctuary for animals in need of rescue. With an annual regional economic impact of more than $100 million, the Detroit Zoo is one of Michigan’s largest paid family attractions, hosting more than 1.3 million visitors annually. Its 125 acres of award-winning naturalistic habitats are home to more than 2,500 animals.
For hours, prices, directions and other information, call 248.541.5717 or visit www.detroitzoo. org.
Joey s Hazel Park, MI
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Comerica Bank’s Michigan Index sees second consecutive decline Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index decreased in March, losing 0.8 percentage points to reach a level of 117.8. March’s reading is 44 points, or 60 percent, above the index cyclical low of 73.8. The index averaged 117.6 points for all of 2014, three and three-tenths points above the index average for 2013. February’s index reading was 118.6. “Our Michigan Economic Activity Index declined again in March, showing the impact of a lingering bad winter on the state economy. Residential construction activity in particular was delayed due to weather. Also, auto production ticked down as sales were hampered nationally by bad weather in February. The good news is that job creation continues to match the U.S. average, and that will support increasing consumer spending for Michigan houseRobert A.Dye holds,” said Robert Dye, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. “So far in this business cycle the state’s manufacturing sector has added jobs at a steady rate. We expect those gains to taper as the business cycle matures, with more jobs coming from nonmanufacturing industries.”
The Belle Isle Nature Zoo sits on a five-acre site surrounded by undisturbed forested wetlands on Belle Isle State Park and provides year-round educational, recreational and environmental conservation opportunities for the community.
Jewelry & Loan
UNI_CBP-5136_HELOC.pdf
June 10-16, 2015
20804 John R. Hazel Park, MI 48030
The Michigan Economic Activity Index consists of eight variables, as follows: nonfarm payrolls, exports, hotel occupancy rates, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, sales tax revenues, home prices, and auto production. All data are seasonally adjusted, and indexed to a base year of 2008. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages. Comerica Bank, with 214 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Michigan and Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
To find Comerica on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow us on Twitter at @Comerica_Econ.
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MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. Comerica Bank NMLS ID: 480990 *The Introductory Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 3.25% is for home equity line of credit accounts only and applies to balances on the first six monthly statement cycles after the account open date, which changes to a variable APR as low as 3.50% at the end of the introductory period. To receive this rate, the application must be submitted between July 1, 2015 and December 31, 2015, and the loan must close by February 29, 2016. This special offer is for a limited time only and cannot be combined with any other offers or special promotions. The variable APR is 3.50% for line amounts of $50,000 or more. This rate includes a 0.25% discount for maintaining an automatic payment from a Comerica Bank deposit account. Your margin, rate and payment may differ based upon loan amount, collateral value, credit history and additional banking relationships. After the introductory rate expires, your rate will never be lower than 3.50% or higher than 18%. APR is a variable rate that will change based on the prime rate as published in the Midwest edition of The Wall Street Journal plus a margin (currently 3.25% as of May 1, 2015). A cash advance fee of $2 to $15 applies. $350 early termination fee, if account is closed within the first two years for Michigan customers. $50 annual fee (waived the first year) for Michigan customers. No title fees and no cost for the initial property valuation conducted by Comerica for credit line amounts less than or equal to $500,000. Additional property valuations, when requested by you, are at the sole discretion of the bank at your cost. A security interest will be taken in your home. Property insurance is required and flood insurance may be required. Comerica reserves the right to modify or end this offer at any time. Subject to credit approval. CBP-5136 05/15
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June 27
Henry Ford Health System’s “Get Your Heart Racing” Kickoff Pit Party
Edsel & Eleanor Ford Houise Fairy Tale Festival
Eastern Market Shed 3 Dertoit
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House Grounds 1100 Lake Shore Road Grosse Pointe Shores
Join Ford Truck man Toby Keith at this year’s kickoff Pit Party in downtown Detroit, presented by Crest Automotive Group. Guests will be thrilled with a private performance by the famed global music superstar in Eastern Market Shed 3. Or mingle with members of the Ford Racing team at the pre-party driver’s reception. For more information visit www. henryford.com/body.cfm?id=56187.
June 12 Sunset at the Zoo “Summer Chill” Detroit Zoo 8450 W. 10 Mile Road Royal Oak This 21-and-over fundraising gala will be celebrating the zoo’s Polk Conservation Center. The evening will feature an exquisite strolling supper and desserts by more than 40 of metro Detroit’s finest restaurants. Enjoy live entertainment, dancing under the stars and a chance to win “zoonique” prizes. “Sunset at the Zoo” is not just a great party, it raises critical funds to support the Detroit Zoological Society and its mission of celebrating and saving wildlife.
Fairy tales come to life throiugh music, theater, storytelling and imagination. All on the enchanting grounds of the Ford House. This year’s theme: is “Things with Wings.” $12/person in advance, $15/person on site, $42 Family Four Pack.
Ford Free Second Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 E. Warren Ave. Detroit
For more information visit www. fordhouse.org.
June 27 & 28
Bring your family and friends to experience the wonder of the Wright Museum with free admission courtesy of Ford Motor Company. Enjoy the many exhibitions on display as well as engaging programming for the entire family.
The Luther Vandross Experience at Bert’s Entertainment Complex 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Berts Entertainment Complex 2727 Russell St. Detroit
For more information call 313.494.5800.
June 19-21
This event brings to life the soul-stirring sounds of Luther Vandross’s legendary performances, featuring the talents of Darron Moore, Delisha Thomas, Janine T. Jefferson, Nigel Foster, Antonio Dandridge, and the One Four Groove Band. For more information call 313.721.1964
June 28
For more information call 248.547.5717.
June 12-14 Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Weekend Detroit Zoo 8450 W. 10 Mile Road Royal Oak Michigan International Speedway is the venerable host of a weekend’s worth of rip-roaring NASCAR racing. For more information call 248.547.5717.
Sasha Center’s 4th Annual Bike Tour Fundraiser in Detroit
Detroit River Days
Ford Fireworks
Detroit Riverfront
Downtown Detroit and downtown Windsor
Enjoy live entertainment, by land and sea. There will be personal watercraft demos, sand sculptures, live music, riverboat tours, big ships and plenty to eat. The fun extends from the GM Plaza and Promenade to Rivard Plaza.
An annual international tradition, the Ford Fireworks lights up the sky above the Detroit River, which separates the U.S. from Canada, Detroit from Windsor. People on both sides of the riverfront cheer with every atmospheric display.
For more information call 313.566.8200 or visit riverdays.com.
For more information call 313.923.7400 or visit theparade.org.
11 a.m. Wheelhouse Detroit 1340 East Atwater St. Detroit Sasha Center will be hosting its 4th Annual Bike Tour Fundraiser to raise money for its alternative programming. The nonprofit organization is located in Detroit and serves survivors of sexual assault. Cost: $25 For more information call 313.214.2083.
Quicken Loans heats up Campus Martius this summer INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING Photo courtesy of Campus Martius Park
Detroit’s Quicken Loans Summer in the Parks kicks off this week and runs daily for 14 straight weeks through September 2. More than 500 events and activities are planned in downtown’s four historic parks — Campus Martius/Cadillac Square, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park and Paradise Valley. Featuring international and Detroit musical artists, the 11th annual season energizes the heart of the city with a wide variety of activities all summer long. Activities range from basketball, aerobics, expanded beach parties and new BBQ nights to opera, movies, salsa dance, and everything in between. Returning activities are bigger and better than ever while many exciting new programs add fresh features and flare. The Detroit 300 Conservancy, an affiliate of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, with the support of the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department, is producing the most extensive program of free summer events in downtown Detroit’s history, while continuing to add new amenities and park upgrades. This blockbuster schedule, featuring more than 250 diverse musical, cultural and entertainment acts on seven stages, will further fuel and accelerate the positive energy and momentum throughout the entire city. “In a region inundated with summertime music, cultural and fun offerings, downtown Detroit’s Quicken Loans Summer in the Parks threemonth season stands alone for its array of free options, beautiful and unique venues and its celebration of Detroit’s finest performers and entertainers,” said Robert Gregory, president of the Detroit 300 Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that manages and programs Campus Martius Park. “Whether it’s a pick-up basketball game in Cadillac Square, indie rock in Capitol Park, a classy night outdoors with the Michigan Opera Theatre in Grand Circus Park, swing dancing in Paradise Valley or a diverse musical lineup at the Beach
or Main Stage in Campus Martius Park, Downtown Detroit’s free Quicken Loans Summer in the Parks 2015 season is sure to please all tastes.” “The excitement and activity in downtown Detroit and its surrounding neighborhoods is at an all-time high,” said Bill Emerson, Quicken Loans CEO. “The 2015 Quicken Loans Summer in the Parks series is sure to build on that momentum by bringing more free activities and events for the entire family than ever before, providing a way to celebrate the city and take in the culture that makes this region so great.” This 11th Annual Summer in the Parks season at all four downtown parks and spaces is produced by the Detroit 300 Conservancy, an affiliate of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, with the support of the City of Detroit Parks and Recreation Department. Established in 2004, Campus Martius Park, Detroit’s gathering place and downtown centerpiece, is a legacy gift to the city of Detroit from the Detroit 300 Conservancy, the nonprofit organization that designed, built, operates and programs the park through businesses, foundations and individual donations. The internationally recognized Campus Martius Park has helped catalyze downtown Detroit’s transformation with over $1 billion of new investment. The park is the recipient of the first ever Urban Land Institute’s Amanda Burden Open Space Award, one of the APA’s Top Ten Great Public Spaces in America, the USA Today’s “Top Ten US Parks That Has Helped Revive Their Cities,” and the Downtown Detroit Partnership’s Perception Survey Number One Voted Downtown Destination. For more information, contact the Detroit 300 Conservancy at 313-9620101, visit www.campusmartiuspark. org, or follow on Twitter at @ CampusMartius and on Facebook at Facebook.com/CampusMartiusPark.
TUESDAY, JUNE 16 AT AMC LIVONIA 20 AT 7PM To download a pass for 2, visit www.Gofobo.com/RSVP and enter the code DOPEMICHRON While supplies last. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Pass admits two (2). Please arrive early. Seats are not guaranteed, as the theatre is intentionally overbooked to ensure capacity. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. This film is rated R.
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Judgment imposes levy without taxpayer consent By Gary Woronchak When a court judgment against a municipality awards money, the municipality has two choices — pay whomever filed suit directly, or pass it on to taxpayers by levying a special property tax. It’s called a “judgment levy” and is required by law if the municipality doesn’t pay the bill with existing or surplus funds.
accumulated budget deficit. That’s where a majority of the Wayne County Commission disagreed with County Executive Warren Evans. The executive believes that $78 million should be allocated to paying down the county’s deficit. A majority of commissioners voted to move $49 million of that money anyway, believing that money could go to avoiding the judgment levy.
Of course, we realize that Most dramatically, the City would be $49 million less toof Inkster recently agreed to ward the county’s recovery. pay $1.38 million to a man But the basic right-wrong who had been beaten by a of this is whether taxpayers police officer during a traffic should be forced to pay on stop. Inkster doesn’t have this summer’s tax bills when that kind of money to pay out, there is another way, even if so the judgment will be put it would keep the county in a on Inkster’s summer tax bills, financial hole a while longer. costing the owner of a home I’m surprised at how some, worth $100,000 about $180. including in the news media, Every taxpayer in Wayne Gary Woronchak think this is just something County may face a similarly unexpected and imposed property tax the taxpayers should eat. It was sugthis summer under the same mecha- gested this is the price they pay for poor performance of the people they elect. nism, the judgment levy. First, how does that twisty logic apply to Whether it is a judgment for payment those who voted over the years against on a catastrophic accident involving a the previous administration? Then, are county vehicle or, as it is in this case, we blaming the housing market crash over a required payment not made to that had a hand in this case on elected the county pension system, the point is, officials? there is a judgment against the county. As the legislative branch of county At issue is whether the county will pay from available funds, or let the bill be government, the Wayne County Commission is elected to directly represent paid directly by taxpayers. the taxpayers of their district. At the risk of further diverting from Letting this money be taken, without that bottom line, but in order to clarify permission, from the pockets of resipoints that are distracting on this matter, let’s review how we got here. The coun- dents this summer would not be keepty did not make a required $32 million ing faith with, or showing respect to, our payment to the pension system in 2010. taxpayers. If we want taxpayers to assist Rearview mirrors aside, that was during in Wayne County’s financial recovery, the height of the property value decline to share in the sacrifice, we should ask that was crippling the county’s financ- them. We should convince them that it’s es. That move with the pension system necessary, and we’ve done all we can on was to avoid 500 layoffs. The county be- our end. It should not be imposed on lieved it was on firm legal ground and, them. in fact, the move was upheld initially by However this matter ends up, I remain the court, but overturned on appeal. In concerned that the judgment levy could December, the state Supreme Court de- be viewed as a tool for extracting money clared the county owes the pension sys- from taxpayers. If it goes forward now, I tem $32 million plus lost earnings to be fear it will be less difficult to swallow the determined by the local court. On May next time. And the taxpayers who used 29, the Circuit Court entered a judgment to believe they had a say in their properthat the county owes $49 million. ty tax rates will realize that, under cerWayne County’s dismal fiscal condi- tain circumstances, they do not. tion is well known, and $49 million is Gary Woronchak (D-Dearborn) is a big bill. However, there is $78 million in his third term as chairman of the in a fund that has not yet been allocat- Wayne County Commission. He reped, though it had been expected that it resents Allen Park and Dearborn. would go toward reducing the county’s
America’s true crime problem
By Lee A. Daniels
It’s getting to be difficult to recall a week when, thanks to public exposure of videos, or tweets, text messages or emails, we’ve not seen another shocking example of police mistreatment of Black or Hispanic citizens under questionable circumstances.
because the use of social media has undeniably revealed that some significant segment of cops — largely White ones but also some Black and Hispanic ones, too — view Black Americans not as citizens to protect but easy marks to prey upon. What’s also been made clear, via a growing stack of Justice Department investigations of small-and big-city police departments, is that this predatory attitude and behavior, has long been part of the “culture” of policing itself.
Consider that, and then ponder these words about Black Americans and the criminal justice system: “There is too much crime and For example, one of the too little justice in the lives of high-ranking Miami Beach, Black Americans today. But Fla. cops charged last month while the problem of crime is Lee A Daniels with exchanging 230 emails widely shared in the United filled with racist and sexist jokes and States, the problem of injustice is not.” pornography, told a local news channel And these words which closely follow last year when the emails first surfaced, them: “It is a paradox that Black Ameri- “That was the culture back then. It was cans, who suffer from crime dispropor- just guys emailing each other. There tionately, have mixed feelings, at best, was a good ol’ boy mentality back then.” regarding its support of and confidence What that “aw shucks” pose tried to in the criminal justice system as it operobscure was both the vile nature of the ates today.” emails and that “back then” covered the And, finally, these: “The only way years 2010 to 2012. Who would expect out of this paradox is to address the officers with these attitudes to treat problems of crime and injustice simul- citizens of color fairly? Polls have long taneously — changing the nature of the shown that Black Americans don’t. courts, criminal punishments and law The Justice Department’s scathing enforcement agencies and their agents, while honestly acknowledging the scope report on the management and practicof the crime problem and working for es of the Cleveland police force is the latest to show that police department’s peace in Black America.” racist practices toward Blacks and HisNo, you won’t find those words in panics is also both a cause and effect the agreement signed recently by the of bad policing: of the unnecessary and Department of Justice and the city of excessive use of deadly force and lethal Cleveland requiring an extensive re- force; of retaliatory beatings and the form of the city’s widely-criticized po- unnecessary use of Tasers, batons and lice force. Actually, they were written chemical sprays; of the mistreatment of 20 years ago by criminal justice scholar people who are mentally ill; of the use Christopher E. Stone, then head of the of poor tactics in dangerous situations nonprofit Vera Institute for Justice, in that put officers and innocent civilians the 1996 edition of the National Urban at risk; and of a lack of proper training League publication, The State of Black and supervision of its officers. America 1996. Stone, a founder of the The findings largely repeat those of a Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, in New York City, is now president Justice Department investigation done of the George Soros-funded Open Soci- a decade ago during the Bush administration that let Cleveland officials off the ety Foundations. hook with a voluntary pledge to change But they are as relevant today as then departmental practices.
Protecting 50 years of child healthcare
By Marian Wright Edelman
“It was a generation ago that Harry Truman said, “Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and to enjoy good health. Millions do not now have protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. And the time has now arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and to help them get that protection.” “The need for this action is plain, and it is so clear indeed that we marvel not simply at the passage of this bill, but what we marvel at is that it took so many years to pass it.”
the progress made in reducing the rate of uninsured children, pushing tens of millions of Americans — including millions of children — into the ranks of the uninsured and underinsured. The Budget Resolution also puts in motion a process to repeal the ACA, which prohibits discrimination against the 129 million children and adults with pre-existing health conditions, helps more than five million uninsured 18-26 year olds now covered under parental insurance plans, and extends Medicaid coverage to age 26 for some youths leaving foster care.
More than 10 million near poor adults, including many parents, in the 29 states and the District of Columbia that President Lyndon B. JohnMarian Wright have expanded their Medicaid son said this as he signed Edelman rolls under the ACA will lose Medicaid into law on July Medicaid coverage as a result. 30, 1965, thanking former President Harry S Truman and the many While children comprise 48 percent of members of Congress from both parties those enrolled in Medicaid, they account who laid the groundwork and worked for less than a quarter of Medicaid costs. tirelessly to make the Medicaid program Medicaid’s current structure guarand its protections reality. antees children the health and menNot only has Medicaid been a lifesav- tal health care to meet their individual er for tens of millions of older Ameri- needs when they need it and must be cans for 50 years, it has helped Amer- protected. Changes that result in loss of icans of all ages, including millions of or limits on children’s health coverage children. Together with the Children’s would require states and local commuHealth Insurance Program (CHIP) it has nities to absorb substantial costs. brought the number of uninsured chilAlmost 75 percent of children endren to a historic low. Medicaid and rolled in Medicaid had a preventive wellCHIP provide comprehensive and afford- child visit in the past year compared to able health coverage to more than 44 41 percent of uninsured children. million children – 57 percent of all chilMedicaid is also a special lifeline for dren in America. children with disabilities, serving 40 With the new coverage options offered percent of children in America with speby the Affordable Care Act (ACA), 93 per- cial health care needs. For many of these cent of all children now have health cov- children Medicaid is the only source of erage. Yet, at a time when we should be financing for their care. celebrating Medicaid and CHIP successThe findings reaffirm the economic es, serious threats to Medicaid, CHIP, and the ACA continue to surface in Con- case for doing what common sense and gress. So in addition to advocating for morality already dictate: by investing in continuing improvements in children’s childhood well-being now, the governhealth coverage, we must also play de- ment will recoup the benefits later. fense to protect the hard earned gains After 50 years of Medicaid’s protecmade for children as well as adults. tions, how can any elected leaders still The 2016 Budget Resolution passed not get it or get it but simply not care by both the House and the Senate paves about the most vulnerable among us? the way to radically restructure Medic- We should let them hear from us. aid, making deep cuts that will reverse
Blacks must be part of the energy debate By Matthew C. Whitaker Numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that income disparities among different ethnic groups in the U.S. remain pronounced. Median weekly earnings for Black males are just 75.6 percent of the median for White males, and Black females’ earnings were 82.3 percent of the median for White females. Overall, African Americans are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as non-African Americans.
This just does not work. The grid is something we all rely on to get our electricity. This includes those with rooftop solar panels that depend on the grid to get electricity when the sun doesn’t shine. So when rooftop solar users cut and run from paying for the grid, everyone else has to pick up the slack.
Because of the economics of rooftop solar, “everyone else” in this case ends up being the less financially welloff. Just think about it. First and foremost, you’ve got to have a house. This automatically eliminates anyone who lives in community housing, rents an apartment, or lacks Those Americans — inclear property rights. And, accluding many minority famicording to a 2008 study by the lies — who remain below the Matthew Whitaker poverty line face a sea of challenges, but National Renewable Energy Laboratory, one of the most important is the cost of approximately 75 percent of all residenhousehold energy. This is a basic need. tial rooftop areas in the United States Every family needs to heat and cool its aren’t suitable for rooftop solar panels, home. So when we talk about energy because of climate, trees, and other conpolicies in this country, we need to fo- straints. cus on the importance of affordability.
I recently had the opportunity to participate in a discussion in Charlotte, N.C. at the 2015 American Association of Blacks in Energy national conference, where we discussed some of the energy policy challenges of particular concern for the African American community. One such topic is renewable energy and how to foster its growth so that one day all consumers who want to make the choice to rely on clean fuels can. That we are fortunate enough to be at this point part of the energy policy debate is a testament to the innovation and cutting-edge technologies that this country is championing. Of course, any new opportunity brings challenges along with opportunities, and the dynamics behind the growth of rooftop solar panels specifically are no exception. In fact, one rooftop solar policy that I spoke about at the conference is actually tipping the scales against minority and underserved communities like mine in favor of those who are more fortunate. That policy, called net metering, overcompensates rooftop solar users and essentially lets them bypass the cost of paying for the grid.
Finally, rooftop solar systems, which can run up to $40,000, are not financially feasible for many. Even to lease the panels, consumers must have a high credit score, which is yet another barrier. So the cloudy reality with net metering is that it is a regressive policy, serving as a wealth transfer from the poor to the rich. Ultimately, this is an issue of social justice, especially if it leads to the creation of energy poverty zones. There are some bright spots when it comes to this issue, however. Arizona, for example, is leading the way by trying to institute a cost structure that ensures the fair integration of rooftop solar while also sufficiently supporting the grid. The path forward is clear. Through discussions like the one we had in Charlotte, and in various forums across the country, energy stakeholders have an opportunity to shape policies that are more inclusive of minority communities. The good news is that meaningful public policies changes really can smooth the economic outlook for Americans, including minority populations. In today’s economic environment, every fix counts.
community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Page B-5
Detroit International Academy for Young Women
SCHOOL
OF THE
WEEK
SCHOOL OF THE
June 10-16, 2015
DIA students celebrate 10 years at the school’s first-ever white gown commencement ceremony
WEEK:
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raduation Day continues to top the list of most memorable moments for many students but to the young ladies at Detroit Public Schools’ Detroit International Academy for Young Women, this year’s commencement was truly one to remember. Detroit International Academy (DIA) for Young Women, the only public all girls kindergarten through grade 12 program in the state of Michigan, celebrated its 10th anniversary during the school’s first-ever “white gown” commencement ceremony. The ceremony was held on Thursday, June 4 at the Millennium Centre in Southfield.
“I told my girls that DIA was my plan and it started out with a piece of paper,” said DIA Principal Beverly Hibbler. “I wrote down a plan and defined the vision. For the past 10 years I have been working on this plan to complete the vision. The vision was so clear during our commencement ceremony.” More than 60 DIA seniors, for the first time, received their diplomas while wearing beautiful long, white dresses donated and selected by students, with help from staff, contrary to the typical “cap and gown” theme. Preparation for the white gown commencement began last year. Teachers utilized multiple etiquette workshops throughout the year to further prepare the young ladies for the ceremony.
to get where they are today,” said Brooks. “Everything was extra special with this being the first year for the white gowns,” said DIA junior Nikebia Brown-Joseph. “It was awesome how the jewelry maker came in and was able to make pearl jewelry to go with the dresses for the ceremony.”
The memorable night also included special remarks and performances made by DIA students and notable district and city officials such as Alexis Wiley, Chief of Staff for the City of Detroit; Janee’ Ayers, City of Detroit Councilwoman, At-Large; and Karen P. Ridgeway, Detroit Public Schools Superintendent of Academics. “I was just so happy,” said Hibbler. “My final piece of advice to the graduates was to take out a piece of paper, pen, pencil, iPad or whatever and write down their plan, create a vision and make it happen as I was witnessing mine happen.”
“Commencement was a very emotional night,” said Lisa Brooks, 11th and 12th grade English Language Arts teacher and senior sponsor. “I have a special bond with these girls and have witnessed many of them overcome hardship while showing up every day performing at their absolute best.” Brooks, who joined the DIA family two years ago mentioned that many of the girls are not only first generation college-bound students but are also first generation high school graduates in their families.
Detroit International Academy for Young Women
“The night was about celebrating them, how beautiful they are and how hard they have worked
9026 Woodward, Detroit MI, 48202 Phone: (313) 873-3050 Principal: Beverly Hibbler
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community
June 10-16, 2015
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
COMERICA IN THE COMMUNITY
Page B-6
COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Angelo Leslie Angelo J. Leslie is a vice president and wealth advisor with Comerica Wealth Management. In this position he is responsible for creating new business opportunities for the Wealth Management area of the bank with a strong focus on potential clients in the metro Detroit region. He began his career in banking, transitioned to sales and then returned to banking with strengthened business development skills. He wide range of experiences contributes extensively to his current position.
Janice Tessier (right), president of the Comerica Charitable Foundation, presents a check representing Comerica’s support of the American Red Cross (ARC) Southeastern Michigan Chapter Day of Giving to Kimberly Burton, CEO of the Michigan Regional ARC, and LaForice Nealy, the organization’s COO.
Comerica Bank had a team of 145 walkers at this year’s American Heart Association Heart Walk. ComericaCares volunteers raised almost $32,000, as they joined the fight to end heart disease.
Comerica sponsors Career Day at Service Learing Academy Comerica Bank recently hosted the third annual Career Day at the Service Learning Academy District. Colleagues from a variety of bank departments met with
the students to discuss their careers and educational background and the importance of education and preparing for and saving for their futures.
From left, Comerica colleagues Samantha Cunningham, assistant manager of the McNichols-Myers banking center; Sheila Harton-Montgomery, business banker; and Marvin Rushing, Detroit district manager; with Airlene Gross, DSLA board member at large, and DSLA students at the third annual Comerica Bank-sponsored Career Day.
Justin Williams (left) and Kina Cummings proudly display the certificate of completion students received from Golightly Career and Technical Center. Nine students received $1,000 scholarships and 15 students received Windows-based tablets donated by Comerica Bank and other member companies of Golightly’s information technology advisory board.
Comerica colleagues who served as mentors in the TutorMate program gathered recently at Roberto Clemente Learning Academy to celebrate the end of the school year.
Comerica tutors celebrate end of school year with their students Comerica Cares volunteers who participated in Innovations for Learning’s TutorMate program during the 2014-2015 school year recently gathered at the Roberto Clemente Academy for a celebration with their students. The TutorMate program allows Comerica Cares volunteers working from offices throughout metro Detroit to tutor students without ever leaving their desks. An online platform allows students and volunteers to see the same computer screen, where together they can complete activities geared toward improving reading and spelling skills. Comerica volunteers have participated in the program for the past four years.
Leslie grew up in Inkster, Michigan and attended Hillsdale College where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Growing up in the Detroit area and having such a strong connection to Michigan, he dedicates much of his time to volunteering and serves on many boards and committees, inAngelo Leslie cluding the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, the Henry Ford Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Crossroads Advisory Committee, the Michigan Women’s Outreach Initiative for Comerica, and the Women of Color Entrepreneurial Circle steering committee. Since February, Leslie has been working with the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce to help launch an external sourcing initiative designed to empower minority women entrepreneurs by providing them with resources to help align business and personal wealth management goals. The program will launch in September and Leslie describes it as a game changer for the bank and feels it will really move the needle for minority women business owners when it comes to providing accessibility to wealth management services and solutions. This initiative is just one of the many subsets to Leslie’s overall women’s initiative strategy within Wealth Management. There are also future events that lend to the overall strategy such as a Women’s Wealth and Health Week cam- Angelo Leslie, vice president and paign, a collaboration wealth advisor, Comerica Wealth partnership with Henry Management, with former Negro Ford Hospital and Co- League player Jake Sanders merica Bank; the “Art during the 13th annual Negro of Investing” at Park Leagues Weekend at Comerica West Gallery, which Park. will focus on women and investing; a webinar series that includes a session devoted to women business owners; and a special wealth series at a women’s business conference being hosted by Comerica Wealth Management this fall. What do you enjoy most about working for Comerica?
Mark Fontana of Comerica Bank reviews spelling words one last time with his students.
“That would have to be the support I have received from the president of Comerica Bank on down. I have been welcomed with an open mind and open arms. It is an extreme honor to know I work for a company that believes in me and has given me the freedom to help grow this position within the Wealth Management division.” What is your most memorable volunteering experience? “Thinking back to all the volunteering experiences I’ve had, I believe the most impactful was the time I spent mentoring a young boy through Big Brothers, Big Sisters. He was fatherless but I was able to step in and provide him with a strong male presence. It has really had a lasting effect on me and helped me put things in perspective. It has helped me remain humble and I carry that experience with me each day.”
Comerica’s Michigan CRA Manager Michael Cheatham was among the Comerica colleagues who met with DSLA students.
How do you spend your days outside of working and volunteering? “Well, I love to be outside. I enjoy golfing and many other physical activities. But what I enjoy most is spending time with my family. I love watching my son perform in school plays and spending time with my wife, Ingrid. We are going on our 20th year together and she really is my inspiration and my biggest supporter.”
Rhonda Dunigan enjoyed helping her student, Nevaeh.
Lashawn Jimenez tutored students Brandon and Juliana.
For more information on Comerica, our colleagues and our commitment to the community, visit
www.facebook.com/ComericaCares.
2015
Detroit has long been known as a great jazz town. Celebrating its 15th season, Comerica Java & Jazz continues the tradition of providing a monthly after work concert series that showcases some of Detroit’s finest creative talent.
Comerica Java & Jazz • June 16, 6:00 p.m. Detroit Public Library – Main Library 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202
The Marvin Jones Trio
Powerful high-spirited jazz standards combined with smooth vocals and beautiful three-part harmony. Syncopated and stylized to achieve classic arrangements for bass, drums and keyboard.
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BUSINESS Powered by Real Times Media
June 10-16, 2015
michiganchronicle.com
M-1 Rail will run six battery powered streetcars Photo by Jason Flowers
Dequindre Cut expansion forges ahead Construction of Phase II of the Dequindre Cut is moving forward as construction crews have laid blacktop. The expansion extends the greenway north a half mile from Gratiot Avenue to Mack Avenue. The greenway is most popular for biking and as a walking trail. Construction should be completed this summer. The Dequindre Cut Greenway is an urban recreational path that opened to the public in May of 2009. The 1.5-mile greenway, developed through a public, nonprofit and private partnership which includes the federal government, City of Detroit, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, offers a pedestrian link between the east riverfront, Eastern Market and several residential neighborhoods in between. Formerly a Grand Trunk Railroad line, the Dequindre Cut is a predominately below-street level greenway that runs parallel to St. Aubin Street, between Gratiot Avenue and Atwater Street, just north of the riverfront. Well known for its examples of urban artwork and graffiti, the greenway features a 20-foot-wide paved pathway that includes separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Entrance ramps to the Cut are located at Atwater Street, Franklin Street, Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue and Woodbridge Street.
Conceptual rendering courtesy of M-1 Rail. Color and design to be determined.
Six American made vehicles to be built for nation’s leading off-wire streetcar system By Jason Flowers
MANAGING EDITOR M-1 Rail, leading the construction of the three-mile streetcar system along Woodward Avenue in Detroit, has announced the acquisition of six individual streetcars. The agreement was entered into with Brookville Equipment Corporation, a Pennsylvania based manufacturer, to design, build, test for safety certification of the six streetcars. “Selection of Brookville provides M-1 Rail with a company that has experience constructing streetcars that best meet this project’s technological requirements and timeline, ” said Paul Childs, chief operating officer for M-1 Rail. “We are pleased to reach agreement with Brookville, a streetcar manufacturer that specializes in the advanced offwire technology that will make our system a leader in this technology.”
building streetcars with similar operating systems and specifications to what we have planned for M-1 Rail, so we know exactly what we’re getting,” said Childs. “Other streetcar projects utilize overhead wiring for everything from vehicle propulsion to the infrastructure of their maintenance and repair sites. “M-1 Rail will minimize its impact on the aesthetics of Detroit’s iconic Woodward Avenue, and the Penske Technical Center will not have the labyrinth of wires overhead that typify the maintenance and repair sites of other systems.” The off-wire technology enhances safety and enables more efficient maintenance and repairs. The six-vehicle purchase, at $32 million, will come with spare parts and support services. The 66-foot-long streetcars traveling up to the maximum speed of 35 mph will carry 125 passengers
on average. The streetcars will also be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing for station-level access for pedestrians, as well as persons who use mobility assist devices. Vertical bicycle racks will be included in the design to accommodate Detroit’s burgeoning bicycle community. The vehicles also will feature Wi-Fi access for passengers, and HVAC systems to facilitate the swings in Michigan’s weather. Walk-up fares are expected to be $1.50, although passes and other fare options will be available. Delivery of the six streetcars will begin in the fourth quarter of 2016. Brookville Equipment Corporation is a century-old manufacturer that also is the only maker of streetcars to design and manufacture exclusively in the United States.
A key factor in selecting Brookville was the company’s strong performance in providing streetcars for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), a system operating with similar streetcar technology. M-1 Rail officials say the Woodward route will be the nation’s leading system employing off-wire technology, with 60 percent of the line operating on battery power provided by 750-volt rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. “Brookville has had success
Michigan Good Food Fund launches a partnership to increase access to healthy food and drive economic development LANSING — The Michigan Good Food Fund, a new public-private partnership loan and grant fund created to address lack of healthy food access in rural and urban communities alike by supporting good food entrepreneurs across the state, has launched.
Inforgraphic courtesy of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy
The Michigan Good Food Fund addresses the significant need for healthy food access in rural and urban communities alike. While Michigan is the second most agriculturally diverse state in the nation with food and agriculture contributing $101.2 billion annually to the state’s economy, more than 1.8 million Michigan residents — including 300,000 children — live in lower-income communities with limited healthy food access. The lack of access to affordable and nutritious food has serious implications for the health of our children and families. More
than 30 percent of Michiganders are obese, the second highest rate of obesity in the Midwest region. Communities of color are disproportionately impacted. “The Michigan Good Food Fund will be an essential component of our work to provide accessible healthy food to everyone in Michigan, especially vulnerable communities,” said Oran Hesterman, Fair Food Network president and CEO. “The fund will also be an incredible opportunity for food entrepreneurs, harnessing capital and growing strong, local economies.”
Created by a coalition of food sector, nonprofit, higher education, government and philanthropic partners, the fund provides financial capital and business assistance to businesses that grow, distribute and sell fresh and healthy food that reaches low-income populations. This effort will increase access to healthy food, improve the health of all Michigan residents and drive economic development and job creation. Core partners include the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, fund manager Capital Impact Partners, and Fair Food Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems who will co-lead business assistance and pipeline development. The fund is modeled after the pioneering Pennsylvania Fresh
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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Healthy Food
June 10-16, 2015
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Food Financing Initiative, the California FreshWorks Fund and other similar successful statewide efforts. However, unlike other healthy food financing initiatives, which primarily focus on retail efforts, the Michigan fund will work to create financial and social impact throughout the food supply chain. The Michigan Good Food Fund supports efforts across the value chain including healthy food production, distribution, processing, marketing and retail projects. It will offer financing through flexible, competitive loans as well as grants investments with a mission-driven approach targeting those enterprises often overlooked by traditional sources of financing, Lending will be bolstered by business assistance to help entrepreneurs grow their ventures and build a pipeline of investment-ready projects. At the launch, fund investors included the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States committed to partnering with communities where children come first, and the Max and Marjorie
Fisher Foundation. The goal is to grow the fund to $30 million. The fund is committed to supporting projects that benefit traditionally underserved communities through increased access to nutritious food as well as capital and job opportunities. It also encourages the sourcing of locally grown food and sustainable environmental practices. It presents an opportunity not only for entrepreneurs, but also for foundations and other investors looking to amplify their work for greater impact in service to low-income children and families. “One in five Michigan residents live in lower-income communities with limited access to the nutritious fruits and vegetables they need to thrive,” said La June Montgomery Tabron, W.K. Kellogg Foundation president and CEO. “The Michigan Good Food Fund is fueling our state’s good food economy and increasing access to healthy food with direct benefits for our most vulnerable children and families.”
New mortgage program aims to boost employee residency in Detroit
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced a new mortgage program at Flagstar Bank that will make loans, including renovation funds, available to city employees who purchase a home in Detroit through the Detroit Land Bank auction. In March, Duggan announced a 50 percent discount on Land Bank homes for city workers, retirees and their immediate family members. Since then, 44 homes (22 percent of the total) have been sold to qualifying bidders as part of the employee discount program. To meet the growing demand for Land Bank homes, the Land Bank last month began auctioning three houses every day at BuildingDetroit.org. The new Flagstar loan program shows how yet another major lending institution is demonstrating its confidence in the Detroit housing market, Mayor Duggan said. Recently the Bank of America and NACA announced a similar program for all home buyers in Detroit, as well as additional incentives for purchasers of Land Bank homes. Last year, Talmer Bank offered up to $1 million in forgivable loans up to $25,000 to help fund the
restoration of Land Bank auction properties in the Marygrove Neighborhood. “Every day, we are seeing increasing interested among people who want to live in Detroit, especially city employees,” Duggan said. “This great new program from Flagstar, along with our 50 percent Land Bank discount for city workers and improving city services, is helping Detroit to bring back home many of its workers.” Loans will include rehab financing, allowing winning bidders to restore Detroit’s classic houses and neighborhoods. Here are some of the details of Flagstar’s innovative new program for city employees: • Loans will be written for up to 300 percent of a home’s loan to value ratio • RENOVATION FUNDING INCLUDED IN MORTGAGE • 15 year fixed rate mortgage • Loans held by Flagstar • City employees eligible for 50 percent discount on final bid amount on Detroit Land Bank Auctions “Flagstar is a local
bank, a community bank, and a national leader in home lending,” said Sandro DiNello, CEO of Flagstar Bank. “We recently opened two new branches in the city, upgraded a third branch, and stepped up our sponsorships in Detroit. Now we’re using our expertise in home lending to help the hard-working employees of the city of Detroit buy homes where they work. We’re excited to be part of Detroit’s comeback and to support the rebirth of its neighborhoods.” Since the start of the 50% employee discount program in February, hundreds of city employees have registered to become bidders on the Detroit Land Bank’s home auction website, www.buildingdetroit.org. “Whether they are staying in the city, coming back to Detroit, or moving in for the first time, employees are interested in making Detroit their home,” said Mayor Duggan. “We can’t force employees to live here. We shouldn’t want to. What we can do, and are doing, is making Detroit the place that they want to live. We are always looking for new ways to make that easier.”
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www.amerihealthcaritasvipcareplus.com To enroll in AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care Plus and other options for your health care, call Michigan ENROLLS at 1-800-975-7630 (TTY: 1-888-263-5897). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care Plus is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Michigan Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. We are in Macomb and Wayne counties. All images are used under license for illustrative purposes only. Any individual depicted is a model.
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June 10-16, 2015
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Professional Medical Centers extends to Saturday office hours On May 9, Professional Medical Center began extending to Saturday hours at its northwest Detroit medical center, 20901 Seven Mile Road, in Detroit. Patients now have the option of scheduling doctor appointments on the second Saturday of every month. The doctor’s office is now open for business from 9 am to noon. The change will help to accommodate those patients who cannot make it to the doctor’s office during the week and help people take care of unexpected illnesses. “We’re excited about our new hours. We want to make our facilities as accessible to the community as possible to get the care they need,” said Robin Cole, president and CEO of Professional Medical Centers. “This is a beginning and we’re hoping to eventually be able to open every Saturday to better serve the community.” The current regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. This is the first of their five locations to offer Saturday hours.
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Are you serious about taking your ü business to the next level? Are you looking for the tools and ü advice to get you there?
egister for the üR Business Bootcamp TODAY! internal and family medicine practices to patients who may need immunizations or have even more serious conditions. The Professional Medical Centers staff of trusted physicians include Dr. Arti Subramanian, boarded in both internal medicine and pediatrics to solve diagnostic problems, chronic illness and children’s illnesses; Dr. Hester Pernell, certified in internal medicine with a primary focus on adults and seniors; and Clifford Owhor, a boarded physician’s assistant who treats chronic illnesses and physical healthcare needs of the entire family. The facility allows walk-ins although appointments are suggested to allow undivided attention to each patient. To schedule an appointment call 313-5322000. For more information visit www. professionalmedicalcenter.org.
The West Seven Mile location offers
Robin Cole, Professional Medical Centers CEO, receives top NAWBO award
WHAT: BUSINESS PLAN BOOTCAMP A comprehensive, 2-day, action-oriented event designed to revisit, reshape, and in some cases redo your working business plan. For some of you, it may even be the first time you’ve actually put these items to paper! It’s ok, it happens all the time and this is a completely confidential no-judgment zone. We will focus on the 7-Working Parts of EVERY business including:
Marketing • Sales • Factory • People • Physical Plant • Money & Metrics • YOU
Who is this Bootcamp for? • Entrepreneurs with a business that’s gotten stuck somewhere along the way on the journey from $0 to the breaking the 7 figure barrier. • Small Business Owners who have been so busy growing their business that you want help to update your business plan. • Entrepreneurs who have no plan but you’re committed to step-up and give yourself a real fighting chance
When is the Bootcamp?: This two-day action oriented workshop will take place Friday, June 12 – Saturday, June 13, and Monday, August 24 – Tuesday August 25, 2015 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, located in Downtown Detroit. Advanced registration is required.
For More information visit
www.businessplanaccelerator.com/detroit or call 248-246-1166 Brought to you by:
From left, Tanya Allen, Robin M. Cole and Paula Tutman. The National Association of Women Business Owners – Greater Detroit Chapter (NAWBO-GDC), recently honored Robin Cole, president and chief executive officer of Professional Medical Centers, with the Top 10 Michigan Business Women Up and Coming Award. This honor is given to women business owners for their contribution to the business field, innovation as business owners and commitment to their communities. Cole received the Up and Coming award as an emerging and promising businesswoman owning a business for five years or less that “aspires to inspire,” a slogan that resonates with the theme of this
year’s awards ceremony. Professional Medical Centers operates five multi-specialty healthcare centers located throughout the metropolitan Detroit area. Cole recently expanded into Oakland County, now operating a medical facility located in the city of Southfield. Professional Medical Centers educate patients, and the surrounding community, on preventive care, health screenings and physical examinations for the treatment and management of chronic conditions. With such ailments as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease that are major pitfalls for the African American community,
Cole and her staff of doctors and clinicians aid the community by offering methods for a healthier lifestyle. Cole is committed to providing healthcare services for the disadvantaged. She plans to continue to be an outspoken healthcare advocate by leading community-based initiatives to stem rising human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), obesity rates and associated health conditions in Detroit and the metro area.
The event speakers are: Social Media Analyst Graves Neal De Armond, who has worked in both the private and public sectors, and sits on the Board of the Social Media Club of Detroit; and Social Media Strategist Billy Strawter Jr. who
The new interactive eBill from DTE Energy makes it easy to analyze energy usage and pay your bill. The new, simple layout shows your usage at a glance, gives you links to energy-saving ideas, and lets you pay your bill in a snap. There are even sections specific to your business that can help you understand and manage what you use, and pay.
For more information about Professional Medical Centers, please visit www.professionalmedicalcenter.org for a list of location or call their offices at (313) 925-4540.
TechTown Detroit to host social media monitoring event TechTown Detroit, a non-profit business innovation hub, will host an event Wednesday, June 17 on how to monitor social media for mentions about your brand or business. This one-hour event from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. boasts to teach you how to monitor for social media conversations that matter to your business.
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Graves Armond
Mr. Buck, Owner Mr. Buck’s Hair Pavillion
Billy Strawter Jr.
for the past 13 years has worked with brands to combine traditional marketing with the online world. For more information visit www.techtowndetroit.org
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June 10-16, 2015
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Providing medical hope to urban and rural communities By Donald James
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Growing up in a rural North Carolina town during the Civil Rights Movement, a young John W. Sealey witnessed segregation up close and personal. He saw how African Americans were denied basic rights in everything, including quality medical care, simply because of their skin color. He remembers seeing “Colored Only” and “White Only” signage around town, even in his White doctor’s office. Thus, Sealey vowed to one day become a physician and help underserved populations, especially African Americans, find medical equality. Today, more than four decades later, Dr. John Sealey is one of the nation’s best thoracic and cardiovascular surgeons, Black or White. Additionally, he is the director of medical education for Authority Health, an initiative that encourages physicians from around the country to do their residences in rural areas, as well as in urban centers such as Detroit.
Dr. John W. Sealey, D.O., F.A.C.O.S.
Now in its third year, the program, under the auspices of the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority Teaching Health Center, is operated in partnership with Michigan State University’s College of
Osteopathic Medicine under the directorship of Dean William D. Strampel. Sealey created the program after seeing vast shortages of physicians in Detroit, as well as in rural areas of Michigan. He crafted the program’s framework and, along with Chris Allen, Detroit Wayne County Health Authority’s executive director and CEO, established Authority Health. “The residence program is going great,” said Sealey. “This year we will graduate our first group of five residents. The program is structured so that when the students graduate they will go into underserved and physician-shorted areas.” Sealey also enjoys visiting local schools, where he talks and mentors young people, especially African Americans, about careers in the medical field. He loves visiting elementary schools. “The best time to influence someone about a career is when he or she is in the sixth grade,” Sealey said. “Because by the time they get to high school, the majority, are pretty much set in what they want to do. So I really like to talk with them when they are in elementary school.”
Maybe there’s something special about the sixth grade, because as a youth, this was the grade that Sealey first witnessed segregation in his doctor’s office, punctuated by “Color Only” and “White Only” signs of divide. “I knew what I saw in my doctor’s office wasn’t right,” recalled Sealey. “That’s when I made the commitment to become a medical doctor. The memory of segregation and those signs are what motivated and pushed me to the next level.” After high school, Sealey attended North Carolina Central University, where he majored in organic chemistry with a minor in mathematics. He ultimately applied and was accepted into Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. He graduated in 1976.
Sealey remains on a mission.
“My passion is to increase the number of minorities that will choose medicine as a career,” Sealey said. “We need to get more people of color into the community to treat the community. We don’t have enough of that going on right now. Therefore, we want to make sure that we have enough physicians to take care of the underserved population of Detroit, Wayne County and across the nation.”
Turning 65? It’s time to start thinking about Medicare. HAP is here to help answer any questions you may have about your Medicare options. Because when you choose HAP, you’re choosing a partner in good health. • Personal service coordinator to answer any questions or concerns • Large network of doctors and hospitals • $0 copay on Medicare preventive services, lab visits and x-rays • Health-focused extras that help pay for gym memberships, Weight Watchers® and more
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June 10-16, 2015
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Pure Michigan Business Connect offers links to other businesses
Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) now connect buyers to suppliers of Michigan goods and services.
“Pure Michigan Business Connect began in 2011 by Governor Snyder as an incentive to improve the economic development space,” said Trevor Pawl, managing director of Pure Michigan Business Connect. PMBC provides resources to businesses that survived the recession and are looking to grow into new markets. As a third-party facilitator, companies express procurement needs to PMBC through its business-to-business portal. Companies whose profiles match these needs are then notified, leading to new connections and potential business prospects. Growing second-stage companies are encouraged to explore PMBC as well, and apply to the Economic Gardening program that offers resources to launch companies into the next stage of growth at no additional cost to those who qualify. PMBC also hosts supplier summits and partner searches as a way to connect businesses and boost Michigan’s
economy. Through PMBC, the MEDC partners with local and global purchasers to organize dedicated buyer-supplier matchmaking summits by working with buyers across industries to identify critical supply chain gaps or new innovation opportunities.
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Michigan companies can sign up for free access to the premier business-to-business (B2B) network for leads and opportunities to expand their supply chain within the state and access Michigan service providers, including pro bono and discounted services, such as legal, accounting, Web development, logistics and human resources assistance.
What do thousands of Michigan companies have in common?
PMBC then qualifies and schedules meetings with Michigan suppliers, providing potential solutions to buyers to fill these gaps. To save purchasers’ time and resources, the MEDC manages all summit planning, including the online application process, communication with the applicants and all onsite logistics. There is large participation from suppliers in the African American community.
The right connections. In today’s economic climate, business owners need all the support they
“Thirty to 40 percent of suppliers are minority-owned businesses,” said Ryan Michael, manager, procurement, and Pure Michigan Business Connect Operations.
can get. That’s why more and more Michigan businesses are turning to Pure Michigan Business Connect. This free program connects you to billions
If a company is interested in exploring their procurement options or wants to partner with a Michigan company outside of a PMBC summit, the MEDC staff can conduct detailed searches to introduce buyers to a potential Michigan solution.
of dollars in resources that can help you expand your supply chain. Identify new business opportunities. And provide complimentary legal, accounting and
These searches can be done confidentially across any sector or industry.
Web services. Putting Michigan to
To explore opportunities for partner searches or as a summit buyer, call 888.522.0103 or email BusinessConnect@michigan.org for more information. For news about upcoming summits or to apply to a summit as a supplier, go to the business-to-business (B2B) tool at puremichiganb2b.com.
work for you.
To register your business, go to michiganbusiness.org/TMC
Southwest Detroit Business Association to host Investment Breakfast The Southwest Detroit Business Association will host hundreds of community leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs and residents during its Client: MEDC annual Community Investment Breakfast next in Detroit. Job week #: 10262963
360 TheWest annual networking event event, is presented by MotorCity Maple Road • Birmingham • MIac• 48009 • which 248-203-8000 knowledges the positive contributions Casino Hotel, will be held in the Sound made by the association while celebrat- Board located at 2901 Grand River Ave. ing the economic vitality of its business Individual tickets are $80 and can be Division: MItheme, ECON DVLPMT CORP districts. This year’s breakfast purchased online at southwestdetroit. “Investing in Partnerships: Getting De- com. 10262963B Ad #: troit Back to Work,” will highlight the Isaiah McKinnon, deputy Chronicle Ad Description 2015 PMBC Detroit Print Production-Michigan Creative Director call — For more information 313-842mayor, and Chris Ilitch, president None and ways in which local businesses and in- 0986, ext. 29, Art Stallings orDirector emailSusan events@southMedia Type Print Live Ratio 1” = 1”contribute to the vestors are helping to CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. will deliver Copywriter — west.com. Unit Trim 5” x 10.5”city’s job growth. Live 5” x 10.5” 1/4 Page formal remarks. WDIV TV-4 news mornAcc’t Executive — None Line Screen Trim 5” 133 x 10.5” ing anchor Rhonda Walker willBleed serve as The breakfast will take place from Acc’t Coordinator Chelsea Huguley Color of ceremonies. 4 Color 5” x on 10.5”June 18. The mistress 7:30 to 9:30Bleed a.m. MAC Artist Kris Watson Caption What do thousands of Michigan companies have in common?
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You are cordially invited to the Keynote Speaker:
Native Detroiter
Congressman Keith Ellison U.S. House of Representatives Minnesota 5th District
2 0 1 5 HONOREES Christopher Allen Vice President Health Plan Administration & Finance, Chief Financial Officer Detroit Medical Center / Harbor Health Plan Dr. John Barnwell Sr., MD Chief of General Surgery Detroit Medical Center / Sinai Grace Charlie Beckham Group Executive- Neighborhoods & Administration City of Detroit Dr. E.L. Branch Senior Pastor Third New Hope Baptist Church
Reginald Hartsfield President & Co-Owner Advantage Management Group
Joseph Rochester, MPH Director / Market Community Relations HAP Midwest
Bishop John Henry Sheard Senior Pastor Greater Mitchell Temple COGIC
Dr. John Sealey, DO FACOS Osteopathic, Cardio Thoracic Surgeon Detroit Medical Center
Rudy Hobbs Chief of Staff Wayne County Executive Office
Bishop J. Drew Sheard Senior Pastor Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC
Lloyd Jackson Director of Communications Wayne County
Dr. Alton G. Smith, MD Diagnostic Radiologist William Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe & Associates
Rev. Alvin E. Jackson Sr. Senior Pastor Wings of Love Missionary Baptist Church
Reginald Braxton Senior Sales Executive McGraw Hill Education
Rev. Larry Jordan Founding Pastor, International Third World Leadership Association Family Victory Fellowship
N.Z. Bryant President & Chief Executive Officer Patterson- Bryant, Inc.
Alvin Ward Executive Director Athletics Detroit Public Schools
Reginald Lee, FPHL Regional Chief Executive Vibra Healthcare LLC
Dr. Frank M. Clark Co-Owner Alsan Medical Clinic
Franklin D. Warren Vice President Fossil Generation – DTE Electric
Ronald R. Lockett Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director Northwest Community Programs, Inc.
Scott Alan Davis Program Manager, Business Energy Consultation Program SEEL LLC
Bertram L. Marks, Esq. Litigation Associations and Pastors First Community Baptist Church
Jamaine Dickens Principal DMC Strategies
Kirk Mayes Chief Executive Officer Forgotten Harvest
Dr. Galen R. Duncan Director of Player Development Detroit Lions
Richard McKay Global Sr. Purchasing Manager Renault Nissan North America
Darnell Earley Emergency Manager Detroit Public Schools
Warren Morgan Assistant Vice President Fifth Third Bank
Terence Edmondson President Exclusive Reality
Minister Victor Saadiq Abdul Muhammad Director of Prison Reform Ministry Nation of Islam, Michigan Chapter
Rogers Foster Photographer Rogers Williams Foster Freelance Photography
Calvin Hart Lieutenant Michigan State Police Department
Raymond Waller Director Brighton Hospital, St. John Providence Health System
Harold Lasenby Chief Executive Officer, Managing Member Infinite Technologies, LLC
Michael Cheatham Vice President /Michigan Community Reinvestment Act Manager Comerica
Daryl Gilliam Agent State Farm Insurance
Jason Tinsley Executive Director JP Morgan Private Bank
Dr. Darnell Kaigler Jr. Associate of Dentistry and Co-Owner Kaigler and Associates
Forest Bryson Vice President of Store Delivery Faygo Beverage Co.
Rev. Kenneth G. Giles Pastor Greater St. Mark Baptist Church
Kevin Sweeney Market Director Urban Partnership Bank
Dr. David Wash Medical Director Professional Medical Center Brian White Chief of Staff City of Detroit – Council Member Mary Sheffield Dr. Kevin Whitlow, MD Internal Medicine Henry Ford Health System Maurice Wiggins Owner, Chief Executive Office Addison Eatery, International Hospitality Group Horatio Williams Founder Horatio Williams Foundation James Williamson Jr. Owner JKW Insurance Agency
Ray Paige Attorney at Law City of Detroit
Danton Wilson Attorney Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office
Michael G. Perkins Corporate Sale Manager Wayne State University / WDET Public Radio
Jason Q. Wilson President , Managing Partner Wilson Law Group, St. Regis Hotel
Quentin Perry Chief Executive Officer / Founder Taurus Productions
Shawn Wilson Multicultural Community Engagement Manager Ford Motor Company
Dr. Glenn R. Plummer Founder CTN, Senior Pastor WLPC TV 40 Detroit / Comcast 397, Ambassador for Christ Church
Friday, July 10, 2015 at the MGM Grand Detroit 1777 Third Street, Detroit, MI 48226 #MCMOE2015
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June 10-16 , 2015
Reflections By Steve Holsey
She made her own way One person I admire very much is Tracee Ellis Ross. It is difficult to be successful in show business when a parent, in this case Diana Ross, is a megastar. The comparisons can be overwhelming and cut a hoped-for career short. But Ross has carved out her own identity and has two major hit TV shows to her credit, “Girlfriends” (2000-2008) and the current “Blackish.” It takes a lot of hard work, belief in self, preparedness and, yes, good fortune on the part of the offspring.
Reality
Tracee Ellis Ross (right) with sister Rhonda Ross Kendrick and father Robert Ellis Silberstein. “Because of my unique experience as my mom’s child, the beginning of my journey was more about me trying to figure out who I was on my own,” Ross said. On a lighter note, Tracee Ellis Ross, 42, said she used to think 40 was old, but now thinks it’s “hot.” And on an educational note, Ross recently received an honorary doctorate degree from Brown University, her alma mater, in Providence, Rhode Island. IN SOME ways it is difficult to believe that it has been 21 years since the infamous O.J. Simpson murder trial. (I will never understand why so many in the Black community supported him; I believe he was 100 percent guilty.) “American Crime Story,” the series that airs on FX, has begun filming the first season which will cover the Simpson trial, the official name of which is The People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson.
Cuba Gooding Jr. and O.J. Simpson. Several major stars were recruited, but I can’t envision Cuba Gooding Jr. as O.J. Simpson. He can surely handle the job, but bears not one bit of resemblance to Simpson. But, then again, Laurence Fishburne looked nothing like Ike Turner in “What’s Love Got to do With It?” and was brilliantly effective. HARVEY FUQUA, the great singer (the Moonglows), record producer and songwriter who is no longer with us, has an amusing quote about Aretha Franklin in the earlier days of her fascinating life and career in David Ritz’s riveting book, “Respect.” “She’d be in a room with other people for hours and not say a word,” he said, “but Harvey Fuqua when the room emptied, she sure wasn’t shy about coming up to me and asking for an introduction to this guy or that guy. Once she was introduced, she pursued him, and I mean pursued him hard. The girl was relentless.” Speaking of Aretha Franklin, I once asked her sisters, Erma and Carolyn, the same question: “Do you first think of Aretha as your sister or as the star?” Erma said, “My sister,” but Carolyn said, “The star,” although I am sure she didn’t mean that. YOU MIGHT not want to invite Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey to the same party. Regarding some less than stellar Carey performances, Dupri said, “When you’re in the business you have to pay attention to everything. There’s some artists out there that aren’t as serious as they’re supposed to be, and I think someJermaine Dupri times Mariah doesn’t take it as seriously as she should. That is where the criticism comes from.” Viola Davis, the super actress, rides the subway like most New Yorkers…Janet Jackson’s long-awaited album will be released this fall…Since Kanye West and Kim Kardashian named their first baby “North,” will
See Reflections Page D-2
By Steve Holsey The question has been asked, in light of the burgeoning popularity of reality TV: Is it more a matter of society being reflected in the programming of reality TV, or does reality television reflect (and influence) society?
Most likely they are both true.
Although reality television can be entertaining, informative and even uplifting, it would be difficult argue with anyone who maintains that it many times represents TV stations appealing to the lowest common denominator. Some critics even go so far as to equate it with “the dumbing down of America.”
ENTERTORIAL
Programs such as “The Jerry Springer Show” I have labeled “combat TV,” featuring “ignorance on parade.” To say the “guests” are “playing to the camera” would be putting it mildly — embarrassing themselves always, and often embarrassing their race or their gender. And the chanting, amazingly crass audiences are almost as bad. Kids frequently see these shows, since in many cases no one is monitoring what they watch. How can the deplorable behavior of these “adults” be explained? It sets the poorest possible example. And let’s face it, how “real” can any show be with the cameras rolling? “Unscripted real-life situations”? Perhaps sometimes, but
See Reality Television Page D-2
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New Pamela Samiha Wise album, an intriguing musical journey Let it not be said, or even thought, that authentic jazz is not being made today. Granted, the outlets for “the real thing� are not as plentiful as they deserve to be, but true jazz with its de cidedly African and Af rican American roots, is alive and well. For sonic-blast proof, one need look no further than “Kin dred Spirits,� the new release from pi anist-keyboardist Pa mela Samiha Wise, a Detroit mainstay, and an array of equally tal ented and committed collaborators. That includes Wen dell Harrison, John Doug las, Ralphe Armstrong, Mike Palazoola, Damon Warmack, Brother Uche, Djallo Djakate, Lawrence Newson Jr., Mahindi Ma sai, Greg Freeman, Akuda Hollis, Jacob Schwandt, Mbayu Chui, Ping Spells, Ashaki Zeiler and Kashi Wade.
jazz with all kinds of Af ro-Cuban, world beat and neo soul flourishes with poetry added to the mix. Indeed, as pointed out in the liner notes by Herb Boyd, “Nothing is more in dicative of our living in a global village than listen ing to the latest CD release by Pamela Samiha Wise.
The album is the latest product from Tribe Re cords/Rebirth Inc.
For more information on “Kindred Spirits� or any thing else connected with “Kindred Spirits,� pro Pamela Samiha Wise Tribe Records/Rebirth Inc., call 313.875.0289 or visit duced by another Detroit www.rebirthjazz.org. — Steve Holsey mainstay, Wendell Harrison, is potent
Reality Television there is much more to the story than that. THERE HAS long been a fascination with women “having it out� verbally — “Real Housewives of Atlanta� and other “wives� shows come to mind — and even physically. No one who saw or heard about it will ever forget Porsha Williams and Kenya Moore on the floor scuf fling on “Real Housewives of Atlanta.� In those moments it became as much “combat TV� as anything on Springer’s show. Of course, the “combat� shows are just one reality TV genre. There are many others, one of the most popu lar being law enforcement shows, like “Cops,� and shows focusing on people being unfaithful and getting caught, not ably “Cheaters.� The public also enjoys “makeover� shows. There is in spiration to be de rived, for example, from people trans forming from morbid ly obese to slim and trim, or at least slim mer and trimmer. Dramatic changes in hair, attire and make up are popular, too. REALITY televi sion got its start in the early 1990s, but became a force to be taken very seriously late in the decade and in the early 2000s, in the process, during the daytime hours especially, knocking standard TV fare like soap operas (“daytime dramas�) to the side. “Court TV� — or to put it another way, “reality legal programming� — was also a key factor in the decline of “the soaps.� Same for chatty panel talk shows like “The View,� “The Talk� and “The Real.� It’s sonic confusion when all the ladies talk at the same time. And then there’s gossip queen Wen dy Williams, an entity unto herself, who says, “Their business is our business� in reference to the celebrities she so gleefully “dishes� on. She can be very funny, although she often carries things too far.
From page D-1
celebrity salaries to pay. Some reality shows are harmless, but, with regard to shows like “The Bachelor� and “The Bachelorette,� view ers with a strong sense of discernment have no choice but to label the shows “inane.� The premise — a gaggle of wom en competing for a man or a cavalcade of men vying for a woman — is silly. Also more than a little degrading to those competing. Where is their self-pride? There have been so many reality tal ent shows that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel quipped, “Is there any undis covered talent left?� The list is long and includes “American Idol� (ending next year after an amazing 15-season run), “So You Think You Can Dance,� “The X Factor,� “Showtime at the Apollo,� “Dancing with the Stars,� “The Voice,� etc. and in very different fields but com petition shows nev ertheless, “America’s Next Top Model� and “Hell’s Kitchen.� Danger, talent show saturation point dead ahead, or maybe it’s already here. ONE OF the eeri est reality shows was “Fear Factor� that ran from 2001 to 2006. Contestants, for mon ey and “15 minutes of fame,� were willing to do disgusting things. Yes, including eating live insects! But that pales in comparison to the idiocy of “Jackass,� featuring a group of “daredevil� young madmen doing un imaginable and extremely dangerous stunts. The fact that the show spawned five movies speaks volumes. There is also a large market for “liv ing arrangement� shows — a group of “roommates� going about their busi ness, including disagreements, as if they are unaware that cameras are rolling. Ratings are also good for “team shows� like “Survivor� where competitors not only engage in all manner of activities, but also form alliances and have peers “voted off.�
This writer is no fan of court TV — why would anyone want their court case on television? — but I must admit, I do like Judge Greg Mathis and Judge Judy. I watch their shows for a few minutes ev ery now and then.
What is the reason, or what are the reasons, for the ever-increasing appeal of reality TV? One is that a lot of people relate to or are fascinated by people who are nothing like themselves. Why else would so many people want to “keep up with the Kardashians� or care about “Honey Boo Boo�?
THE NETWORKS were all for the new phenomenon, mostly because they are relatively inexpensive to produce, in part because, in evening programming in particular, there are no over-the-top
Then too, in many cases reality TV is just a diversion, but one other thing is certain: Reality television is here to stay — the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Reflections the one they are expect ing be named “Southâ€?? One of my coworkers sug gested “Compass.â€? BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW‌that the mid dle name of Halle Berry, born Maria Halle Berry, was taken from Halle’s Department Store in her hometown, Cleveland. MEMORIES: “Lipstick Tracesâ€? (the O’Jays), “I Wanna be Where You Areâ€? (Michael Jackson), “Boogie Feverâ€? (the SylÂ
vers), “How Will I Know?â€? (Whitney Houston), “Out standingâ€? (the Gap Band), “What Does it Take (To Win Your Love)?â€? (Jr. Walker & the All Stars), “My Prayerâ€? (the Plat ters), “Vogueâ€? (Madonna), “Everlasting Loveâ€? (Carl Carlton). BLESSINGS to Ste phen Singleton, Diane Perkins, Gerald W. Smith, Denise Stevenson Cash, Keena Green Clinkscales, Leland Stein, Ann Jam erson, Paul Barker, DerÂ
From page D-1 ek Thornton and Yvonne Gullick. WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Oprah Win frey: “If you are holding anyone else accountable for your happiness, you are wasting your time. You are responsible for your life.�
Let the music play!
Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol. com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.
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««STAR CHART«« ARIES Your good will and intentions towards others will reap you an inheritance of abundance and wealth. You will be blessed with many good wishes and enjoy them in the company of family and friends. Soul Affirmation: I appear to others what I know myself to be. Lucky Numbers: 30, 32, 33 TAURUS Your dignity and composure is a sure asset this week. Be Mr. or Ms. Cool Breeze. In touchy situations you have the ability to maintain a high level of emotional balance and a calm disposition. Use these qualities to the fullest this week. You have the know-how to re-direct negative feelings into a positive solution.
LEO Just to prove to yourself once again how lucky you are you should fly into the face of bad predictions. Gamble this week in business, relationships, love -something. Remain truly confident that things will come out in a way that will satisfy you. Soul Affirmation: Change is my middle name. Lucky Numbers: 4, 28, 37 VIRGO Move through your social environments and festive occasions this week without stopping even for a little while to listen to rumors. Rumors are often untrue. And for goodness sake believe only good things about friends and your lover.
Soul Affirmation: Superficiality is often the best route to clarity. Lucky Numbers: 20, 28, 31
Soul Affirmation: I keep my eyes open for business opportunities this week. Lucky Numbers: 15, 30, 45
GEMINI Start this week to make a difference for tomorrow. You can determine the prosperity of your future by making difficult decisions in the present. Rearrange your priorities and decide what are the important things to you. Make a list. Write them down and act on it now!
LIBRA Keep focused. Your energies are likely to be spread out this week. Your attention is likely to be pulled in many directions. Let yourself be seduced by the things that interest you most. Concentrate on your affairs. Others need you, but they can wait.
Soul Affirmation: As chances come around again. I take advantage of them. Lucky Numbers: 17, 50, 54
Soul Affirmation: I find a source of strength in someone I love. Lucky Numbers: 7, 11, 21
CANCER You are often superb at exercising good judgment and rational decision-making. Yet sometimes you are rash. Flip to the observant side of your mentality this week. You will soon find yourself in a situation where there will be strife if you are not careful. Soul Affirmation: A cheerful soul should be wrapped in a cheerful package. Lucky Numbers: 18, 36, 44
CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. India’s first P.M. 6. *Lake Geneva or ____ LÈman to the French 9. “The Fame Monster” Lady 13. Soft single in baseball 14. Go wrong 15. Like Al Yankovic 16. Goes with a dagger? 17. ____ bum, found in mountains 18. Pavlova and Karenina 19. *Bourbon ____ in New Orleans 21. *The Smithsonian, e.g. 23. Questionnaire check box 24. Table hill 25. “____ to the Bone” 28. *You spend it in Acapulco
SCORPIO You might be looking into the buying or selling of a piece of property, and this week seems to be a favorable week for this type of negotiation. Be careful with the intricacies of the matter. Pay attention to details or it could cost you a great deal later. Soul Affirmation: I care deeply about the feelings of others. Lucky Numbers: 11, 21, 35
SAGITTARIUS What a blessed week this will be. Spend it meditating on all that God has given you. This week think hard about some form of worship. Curtis Mayfield wrote a song called ‘’Who Do You Love?’’ Someone should write one called ‘’How Do You Love?’’ For your love lesson, the second song would be the one you should sing. Soul Affirmation: New intuitions create new plans and a new cast of characters. Lucky Numbers: 7, 16, 25 CAPRICORN Being stubborn won’t get the job done. Work with others so they can work for you. Your ideas are not always the best ideas, so don’t push them too hard this week. You might find yourself in an awkward position with no allies. Give in to your emotional needs and don’t be afraid to let you guard down. Soul Affirmation: I let go and let the spirit take control. Lucky Numbers: 20, 42, 54 AQUARIUS Your self-confidence is making you glow all over! People are attracted to your outlook this week, and you may be deluged with offers. Some may not be sincere, but trust your fabulous instincts and you’ll pick and choose what’s real for you.
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PISCES Find motivation within yourself to complete a task that has been hanging around too long. You will want to play later in the week, and you’ll feel happier then with a clear mind. Remember that you’re the boss of your emotions. Soul Affirmation: My imagination is the source of my happiness. Lucky Numbers: 18, 27, 55
69. Old French coin 70. Mideast V.I.P. 71. Jamaican rub 72. QB exclamation 73. Schoolmarm’s whip DOWN 1. Major network 2. Building extensions 3. Owl’s talk 4. Woman’s cries, according to Helen Reddy 5. Homeowner’s concern 6. “____ we forget” 7. Genesis vessel 8. C in CSI 9. Kind of pool 10. Hokkaido people 11. One thousandth of kilogram 12. Publisher’s revenue source 15. *Popular condiment
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Soul Affirmation: Clinging to the old will inhibit my growth this week. Lucky Numbers: 1, 3, 10
Theme: Tourist Destinations
30. Manual calculator 35. Shade of beige 37. Grub 39. “That is,” Latin 40. High or low cards 41. Echo sounder 43. Month of Purim 44. Violent collision 46. Spanish earthen pot 47. Jesus’ first guests? 48. “Pollock” actor Ed 50. Varieties 52. Workout unit 53. Leave at the altar 55. Mama sheep 57. *Versailles or Buckingham 60. *London or Golden Gate 63. It is often wreaked 64. Lungful 66. Liveliness 68. Smart ____
Week’s Best
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when dining in Tokyo 20. Golden parachute recipients 22. *Disney World is among its most popular attractions 24. Like light of full moon 25. *Keys attraction 26. Capital of Ghana 27. Dismal 29. “Go away!” 31. Original rib owner? 32. Mothball substitute 33. Data ____ 34. *The ___ in Las Vegas 36. It was Brezhnev’s domain 38. *China has a great one 42. Autumn laborer 45. Steal a plane 49. “___’em!” to a dog 51. Extreme agitation 54. Fido’s restraint 56. Swelling of human organs 57. Not sun-kissed 58. Affirm 59. Key receiver 60. Very dry 61. Increased in size 62. December 24 and 31, e.g. 63. Pilgrimage to Mecca 65. Promise to pay 67. “____ he drove out of sight...”
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The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting proposals for: Replacement of Fire and Burglar System and Security Alarm Monitoring Services. The proposal forms for RFP Control No. 12-1112 may be obtained beginning on June 4, 2012 from www.mitn.info. Proposals arePERSONAL due by 2:00 PM ET, July 9, 2012. SERVICES
June 10-16, 2015
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Faxon Language Immersion Academy, 28555MRS. LINN Middlebelt, Detroit, MI 48334, (866) 606-2721.The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional BORN GIFTED READER God lent him to me for myK-5 very Applications for grades for own the 2012-2013Transportation (SMART) is soliciting sealed Letschool me become his mother, The 7th asking you a single for Daughter a contractwithout to provide Vehicle Paint word. I will year are available at the school. An an-bids alone tell you what youSupplies want to know. Tell SMART your present, past swering me service is available for messages. Theand Painting for the Gave him to me,deadline not forisan for appli-Maintenance application Julyhour 30th.– Should and future. TellDepartment, you who your andNo. enemies are. IFBfriends Control cations exceed available space, a lottery will be12-1092. years! Why you’re unlucky. your loved one is true or false.I Bidsoforms mayIfbe obtained on June held on August 1st at 4:00 p.m. at the school.6, will2012 advise all problemsBids of life, fromyou www.mitn.info. aresuch due as by love, mar-
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Davison Façade Improvement $ 150,000.00 American International Academy The Board of Directors for the W-A-Y CITY OF DETROIT
$
Greenon Jobs Training & Placement 225,000.00 process by minimizing number of hearing will hold the its annual budget wing Academy, a public $$school academy, will$$ DAVE BING, MAYOR Lasky Recreation Center 150,000.00 place into their Thursday, June carry-on 18, 2015 at 5:45 p.m. to ap- these items conduct a public hearing for the proposed$ Lenox Recreation Center $ 150,000.00 ng. review and comment on the Academy’s Repaving of 10 miles of Class-C Streets $ 1,840,000.00 $
budget for the 2015-2016 school year and NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE
Public Improvements Targeted Areas 1,120,000.00 game consoles,school remote-con2015/2016 budget. The location will willPLAN also conduct a $$public hearing for the$$ ss (video for IN THE HUD CONSOLIDATED Demolition City-Wide 880,000.00 be 300 S. Henry Ruff Road, Westland, MI with to the anti-bully-$ Mortgage Assistance proposed modifications $ 1,269,332.00 48186. budget available for public ed computerPublic bags soThe theyCommunity don’t is have ing policy on Monday, June 15, 2015, at Residential Energy Improvements $ 250,000.00 $ Notice: Development Block Grant –Recovery -Amendment
inspection at 300 S. Henry RuffSmall Road, Business Energy Efficiency $ will 250,000.00 $ 4:30 P.M. The meeting be held at 8701 proUniversity Commons West Façade Improv.is Highway, $ 200,000.00MI 48209. $ Westland, The City throughMI the48186. Planning & Development Department proposing an ou’ve collected all of of Detroit, your belongings Vernor Detroit, Amendment to thewill 2008 Consolidated Plan for the Community Development The meeting be HUD conducted in accoryand checkpoint. The meeting is open to the public.
150,000.00 PIONEER POLE 225,000.00 150,000.00BUILDINGS 0.00 2,340,357.00 Free Estimates 1,120,000.00 Licensed and 1,380,000.00 1,269,332.00insured-2x6 500,000.00 Trusses-45 Year 0.00 Warranty 200,000.00
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Steel-19 P&DD comment regarding the above-reflected changes. The public Block Grant – Recovery (CDBG-R). dance with thethey’ve Open Meetings Act.is soliciting public Copies of 06, the 2012 proposed budget andthrough June 20, items to retrieve because have Colors-Since comment period begins on June and will continue 2012. proposed anti-bullyingthe modifications will Comments can be changes mailed to:in restructuring can The purpose of the amendment is to assist in facilitating 1976-#1 in beaavailable at the Academy for the public CDBG-R Thanksgiving program. Specifically, modification in the bud- Department e asoften impede Michigancan and the activity changes reflect Planning & Development of the activities that this allocato review during regular business hours gly advise gets all our clients to displayed keep ourbelow. The Department has determined CDBG-R Comments Call Today tionphone distribution the needs of Detroit citizens: June 8, 2015. 65beginning Cadillac Square, Suite 2300 charged cell justwill in best casemeet they
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
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Current Amount
Detroit, MI 48226
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of the above is subject to authorization of the Detroit City Council. nce traveling for of the holidays. $ a996,221.00 $ 133,000.00 Council Highland Park will Approval hold putwhile Administration Micro Loan Program $ 531,657.00 $ 531,657.00 also Public Hearing HELP WANTED Notice of Non-Discrimination: The City of Detroit does not discriminate on the basis Crowell Comm. Center $ 1,950,000.00 $ 1,950,000.00 ders location nearest you, call 888INSTRUCTION/ Monday, June 15, 2015of $race,150,000.00 Davison Façade Improvement $ 150,000.00 color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sex or sexual orientation. Com. When your includes us, 7:15 p.m. Greenjourney Jobs Training & Placement $ 225,000.00 plaints may be filedSCHOOLS with$the 225,000.00 Detroit Human Rights Department, 1230 Coleman A. er of Lasky Recreation Center $ 150,000.00 $ 150,000.00 Young Municipal Center, Detroit, MI 48226 y-on Seeking
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Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Complex Lenox Recreation Center $ 150,000.00 Repaving of 10 12050 miles of Class-C Streets Woodward Ave. $ 1,840,000.00 Public Improvements Targeted Highland Park,Areas Mi. 48203$ 1,120,000.00 Demolition City-Wide $ 880,000.00 Mortgage Assistance To consider the following: $ 1,269,332.00 Residential Energy Improvements $ 250,000.00 Small To Business Efficiency $ the 250,000.00 hear Energy citizens input regarding UniversityProposed Commons Façade $ 200,000.00 WaterImprov. Rate Increase.
$ 0.00 $ 2,340,357.00 $ 1,120,000.00 AVIATION Grads $ 1,380,000.00 work with JetBlue, $ 1,269,332.00 Boeing, $ NASA, 500,000.00 0.00 others-$ start here $ 200,000.00 hands-on training
for FAA
DIRECTOR OF NURSING CE PROGRAMS at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Academic Affairs
POLICE OFFICER Canton Township is now accepting applications for the Police Officer position. Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2015. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Job description with complete qualifications and hiring process is available on the Canton Township website: http://canton.applicantpro.com/jobs/. (EOE) Diesel Calibration Specialist General Motors Co. seeks a Diesel Calibration Specialist in Milford, MI to develop and provide functional calibration sub-sets for each engine/diagnostic subsystem utilizing Calibration Standard Work; document testing done to create calibrations; execute the automated calibration procedures on the dyno & use data to create calibrations sub-set for each level required by calibration development standard process, among other duties. Min. MS & 2 yrs. exp. Please send resumes to: GM Co., Resume Processing, Ref. #5859125, 300 Renaissance Center, M/C 482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265-3000.
Software Engineer II General Motors Co. seeks a Software Engineer II in Pontiac, MI to develop and test Motor Power Electronics Control Embedded Software required for the Electric Drive Systems in GM Electrified vehicles; develop and release motor control software for interior mounted permanent magnet and induction machines; generate software for digital controls of high voltage power electronics, among other duties. Min. MS & 2 yrs. exp. Please send resumes to: GM Co., Resume Processing, Ref. #5858939, 300 Renaissance Center, M/C 482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 482653000.
Seeking
OFFICE ASSISTANT III at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Business Administration
Provide specialized office assistance, coordinating procedural business or service activities for a complex program. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years progressively responsible office experience, including direct experience in office coordination, prioritizing work assignments and maintaining work flow to meet deadlines. This is a full time, clerical-technical position. Salary is $40,389.00 annually. See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 16, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
Oversee the operation of the Practical Nurs-
Green regarding the above-reflected changes. The public P&DD is solicitingBrenda public comment certification. ing program which includes and is not limited comment period begins June 06, 2012 and will continue through June 20, 2012. Cityon Clerk Financial aid if to hiring of faculty, reviewing faculty at the apComments can be mailed to: qualified.
propriate evaluation time, overseeing that the Notice of Public curriculum is implemented in accord with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Hearing Nursing (SBON) and responding to the SBON Maintenance The Starr Detroit Academy Board as required. Minimum Qualifications: BacheApproval of the above is subject to authorization of the Detroit City Council. of Directors will be holding its 2015-2016 lors of Science in Nursing, allied health, health 1-877-891-2281 annual budget hearing onThe theCity following Notice of Non-Discrimination: of Detroit does not discriminate on the basis education, or related area. Three years’ experidate color, and time: June 17, 2015 5:30handicap, p.m. sex or sexual orientation. Com-ence as an educator/trainer in nursing or allied of race, creed, national origin,atage, plaints be Academy filed with the Human Rights Department, 1230 Coleman A. Starr may Detroit willDetroit also, be conducthealth field. Must possess a current license as Young Center,regarding Detroit, MI the 48226 ing aMunicipal public hearing proposed a Registered Nurse in the State of MI. BCLS MISC. Cyberbullying policy at 6:00 p.m. Certification required; Michigan Board of Nursing Train-the-Trainer for nursing assistant proThe Location will be: grams. Refer to online posting for additional Starr Detroit Academy, 19360 Harper Ave., minimum requirements. This is a regular fullStop OVERPAYHarper Woods, MI 48225. time position with a salary up to $60,000, comING for your pensation commensurate with education and prescriptions! The 2015-2016 budget is available for experience. First consideration will be given Save up to 93%! public inspection at 19360 Harper Ave., to those who apply by June 18, 2015. Call our licensed Harper Woods, MI 48225. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Canadian and International pharmacy WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM service to compare Seeking prices and get BUSINESS MANAGER Institute for Population Health, Inc. (IPH) $15.00 off your first at OAKLAND Attn: Food Service Vended prescription and UNIVERSITY Meal Companies FREE Shipping. Nursing – Detroit Focus Hope Institute for Population Health, Inc. (IPH) Center is seeking competitive bids for food and non-food items for the Summer Food SerProvides operational leadership for the School vice Program. The Vendor would provide of Nursing Focus Hope Continuing Education meal services in accordance with United programs. Manages all the day-to-day aspects States Department of Agriculture regulaOxygen of implementing and operating a training centions and State of Michigan Department Concentrator ter that includes: program planning, budgetof Education guidelines and policies. The InogenOne – ing, financial management, customer service, contracting process is subject to federal Regain Indepeninstructional facilities management, program procurement regulations. dence. Enjoy scheduling and public relations. Minimum Greater Mobility. Qualifications: Bachelors of Science (Arts) in A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for June NO more Tanks! business administration, human resources de15, 2015, at 10:00 am at 1400 Wood100% Portable velopment, management, education or related bridge, Detroit, MI 48207. Copies of the Long-Lasting areas. Five years of managerial experience in Invitation for Bid will be available at this Battery. education, training or human resource develtime or by email on this date. Attendance Try It RISK-FREE! opment setting. Five years of experience in a is optional but strongly encouraged. InterFor Cash Buyers workforce development, career placement, or ested vendors should e-mail their interest Call human services counseling. Salary is up to the to the following e-mail address: gdaniels@ 1-800-525-9132 mid $50s annually, commensurate with eduipophealth.org. In the subject box, state: cation & experience. This position works in Request for Proposal. the Detroit Focus Hope Center. Refer to online posting for additional position requireSealed bids will be opened on July 7, 2015 ments. First consideration will be given to at the Institute for Population Health, those who apply by June 15, 2015. (IPH) at 10:00 am at 1400 Woodbridge, Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Detroit, Michigan 48207. Planning & Development Department CDBG-R Comments CALL Aviation 65 Cadillac Square, Suite 2300 Institute of Detroit, MI 48226
1-800259-4150
DIGITAL DAILY
WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM
Seeking
STORAGE ENGINEER at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
University Technology Services – Technical Support
Provides technical leadership, planning, and project management for the university’s data storage environment. Working with the director, responsible for capacity planning and establishing the technical direction for the university’s data storage environment. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Four years’ experience with various highly available storage and backup platforms in a production environment. Salary up to the mid $50’s annually, compensation commensurate with education and experience. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 17, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Seeking
ASSISTANT DEAN OF HEALTH SCIENCES at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Academic Affairs
Provide administrative support to the Dean and School of Health Sciences in academic planning, budgeting, personnel, grants management, fiscal analysis, projections and statistical analysis. Provide business management direction and oversight in the proper processing and disbursement of payrolls. Ensure that all personnel actions adhere to university policy. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, business administration, public administration, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Five years of progressively responsible complex budget, financial, personnel and administration experience. Salary is up to low $70s, commensurate with experience. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 18, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
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Compartment Manufacturing Engineer General Motors Co. seeks a Compartment Manufacturing Engineer in Warren, MI to ensure product compliance to manufacturing requirements & General Assembly Strategies; provide a consistent voice of Manufacturing to Product Engineering for a given global architecture/style; communicate product info & requirements to Architecture Leads and Program Execution; enforce compliance to General Assembly Strategies, among other duties. Min. BS & 5 yrs. exp. Please send resumes to: GM Co., Resume Processing, Ref. #5856261, 300 Renaissance Center, M/C 482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265-3000.
Payroll Project Manager General Motors Co. seeks a Payroll Project Manager in Detroit, MI, responsible for the delivery of the global payroll solution and managing the overall system development process; manage the vendor relationship, budget and support contract negotiations, among other duties. Min. MS & 3 yrs. exp. Please send resumes to: GM Co., Resume Processing, Ref. #5853964, 300 Renaissance Center, M/C 482-C32D44, Detroit, MI 48265-3000. Seeking
COORDINATOR, TICKET SALES AND OPERATIONS at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Athletics
Responsible for all marketing and promotions; assist with ticket office operations for the Department of Athletics, Athletics Marketing Intern Program, Cheer Team, Dance Team, Band and Mascot Program. Assist with sponsorship sales and execution. Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. This is a full time position including evening and weekend hours. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 18, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
Seeking
NETWORK & TELECOM ENGINEER at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY University Technology Services – Network Support
Oakland University requires a strong network installation to meet campus strategic goals related to teaching, learning, research, business operations, and communications. Will be involved in new technology projects, as well as maintaining the campus communications infrastructure. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Minimum three years’ experience in wired, wireless or voice environments. Flexibility in work schedule. Salary up to the mid $50’s annually. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 17, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
Seeking
SENIOR DEVELOPER ANALYST at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY University Technology Services – Database Applications
Join the Enterprise Applications team that supports a variety of University enterprise systems using current software and development tools. Research and implement current and emerging technologies used to enhance Ellucian Banner ERP and integrate with other third party systems. Perform troubleshooting, user-support and collaboration in support of new processes and application development. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Five years’ experience in enterprise information systems, database applications and design. Experience implementing new applications and executing project plans. Salary up to $60,000 annually, compensation commensurate with education and experience. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 17, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Seeking
VIRTUALIZATION ENGINEER at OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
University Technology Services – Technical Support
Provides technical leadership, planning, and project management for the server virtualization platform solutions such as the VMware vSphere suite. Responsible for VMWare setup, installation, implementation, diagnostics, analysis, and maintenance. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Four years’ experience of administering VMware virtual infrastructure in a production environment. Experience in virtual architecture and design. Flexibility in work schedule. Salary up to the mid $50’s annually, compensation commensurate with education and experience. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 17, 2015. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu
praise connect
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Juneteenth Celebration
June 10-16, 2015
Page D-5
In Memoriam
Juneteenth is being performed at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History by the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers. Everyone is invited to come to this free-of-charge event and enjoy the entertainment and enactment of Gen. Granger’s arrival in Texas to free the enslaved. Please be there June 20 at the Wright Museum of African American History located at 315 East Warren Ave., Detroit, from 10 am to 3 pm in the Latiner Café. For more information, please call Jatu Gray at (313) 494-5816 or email info@detroitassociationofblackstorytellers.com.
Revival time at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church Mildred E. Webb Former Michigan Chronicle sales team member Mildred E. Webb passed away on June 8. A longtime member of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC),
she served as state choir director for many years. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time.
Pastor Frank Harris, Jr. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 5651 Middlebelt Rd, Westland, will hold its annual Spring Revival, Monday through Wednesday, June 15-17, 7 p.m. nightly. The evangelist will be the dynamic and multi-gifted Pastor Frank Harris Jr. of New Jerusalem Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Rev. Dr. Kenneth C. Pierce is senior pastor of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. All are invited to participate in lifting the name of Jesus. For more information, please call (734) 595-6146.
Detroit welcomes the 110th National Baptist Congress of Christian Education
John Mark Williams, Sr. Services for John Mark Williams, Sr. were held on Saturday, May 30, at True Love Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. Karl L. Reid, pastor, officiating. Mr. Williams passed away on May 18, 2015. John Mark Williams, Sr. was born Kenly, N.C., to James M. Williams, Sr. and Mamie Williams. After spending his younger years in the South with his grandmother, John and his twin brother, James (now deceased), moved to Detroit to be with their parents. Mr. Williams graduated from Eastern High School and then relocated to Washington, DC, where he attended Howard University. While in DC, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Mr. Williams, who married Evelyn Trammer in 1966, worked for the City of Detroit, the Detroit Medical Center, Conrail, and the Detroit Public Schools from which he retired in 2008 as a first class operating engineer and facilities manager. Left behind to cherish the memory of John Mark Williams, Sr. are his wife, Evelyn; sons, James M. II, Kenneth and Jason and special niece/ daughter Doreen Warr; many grandsons, three sisters, numerous inlaws and other relatives and friends. Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Interment was at Elmwood Cemetery.
Dr. Tellis Chapman Michigan Baptist Fellowship welcomes the 110th National Baptist Congress of Christian Education to Detroit, June 21-26 with the theme, “Envisioning the Future Exceptionally.” The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education will be held at Cobo Center, 1 Washington Blvd., downtown Detroit. The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education is offering a curriculum of 286 classes of which 80 percent will be offered in one location, Cobo Center, with special events, preaching, banquets and a concert featuring some of Detroit’s finest. This meeting, to be attended by 30,000 delegates, is expected to be one of the most exciting, sprit-filled and eventful conferences ever. The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education has planned an educational and edifying week of Christian education and promises to present some of the most outstanding and captivating classes, top-notch faculty, powerful preaching, stimulating lectures and various musical expressions and art forms offered to edify and equip delegates for “Making Disciples for Christ.” (Matthew 28:19-20). From the opening evening worship service through the commencement, children and youth rallies, there is something for every national Baptist church, every generation, every family and for all ages. After this week, pastors and churches as well as Sunday schools in every church of the convention will be rising up to help our Lord make new disciples and be further challenged to help
all disciples grow in their witness and faith. The Congress will kick off with a pre-service that will be held at Tabernacle Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Nathan Johnson and a pre-musical that will take place at Cobo Hall on Tuesday, June 23, at 7 pm. under the leadership of Bishop Andre Woods and Dr. Dorgan Needam. This is a great opportunity for the delegates of your church to be taught by the most qualified instructors. For more information and to register, please email galilechapman@aol.com, visit www.nationalbaptist.com or call (313) 372-1270.
Solution from D-3, Crossword Puzzle
Barbara Ann Cook Services for Barbara Ann Cook were held on Saturday, May 29, at Northend Church of God in Christ with Pastor Willie B. Toone officiating. Mrs. Cook passed away on May 18, 2015. Barbara Ann Beckom was born on November 29, 1945 in Texarkana, Texas, to Velma and Brice Beckom Sr. She was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. She married Harold Smith and they were blessed with three children. Mr. Smith died and
she married Phoenix Cook in 1973. Two children came from this union. Left behind to cherish the memory of Barbara Ann Cook are her husband, Phoenix; children, Danita, Disa, Christina and Purnell; a brother, Brice Jr.; many grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Arrangements were handled by Swanson Funeral Home. Interment took place at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery.
Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 10-16, 2015
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FORUM FOUR
Matt Moroun
Wright Lassiter, III
Leon Richardson
“CEO Round Table: Marketing the ‘D’ to the Rest of the World” Thursday, June 25, 2015 • 7:30 a.m. Detroit Athletic Club 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 PANELISTS
Matt Moroun
Vice Chairman Central Transport
Wright Lassiter, iii
President Henry Ford Health System
Leon richardson
President / CEO ChemicoMays, LLC
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