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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 84 – No. 40 |

June 9-15, 2021

Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com

COMMENTARY

Calling Tomorrow’s Social Justice Leaders The Memorial Foundation, which built the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, is now recruiting the next generation of social justice leaders and preparing them to step out onto the frontlines of the movement. Through June 11, the Foundation is accepting applications for our Social Justice Fellowship. This eight-week training program will provide rising leaders with the skills and connections they need to take our world closer to Dr. King’s dream. When our Foundation unveiled Dr. King’s memorial 10 years ago, it marked a historic moment in the social justice movement and the legacy of Dr. King. The memorial became a permanent place to tell the civil rights leader’s story and promote the tenets of his teachings: democracy; justice; hope; and love. However, we knew the memoHarry E. rial did not mark our Johnson Sr. country’s fulfillment of Dr. King’s dream. By many measures, we have yet to live up to the promise of America’s creed that all people are created equal. Action is still required, and our rising generation of leaders knows that better than anyone. That is why, in the wake of repeated racial injustices and violence last year, young people led massive demonstrations around the nation, including at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. Crowds filled the spaces around the towering stone carving of Dr. King, raising banners, taking knees, and grabbing bullhorns to lead the rallying cries of a new generation. These spectacular moments in social justice can seem to rise-up spontaneously, but they rarely do. In times of love, outrage, hope, or anger, leaders must emerge to channel that passion in a way that drives progress. Advocates must step forward to assemble, organize, and direct the energized masses. Bold individuals must have the courage to hold the microphone and take to the stage, and they need to know what to say when they do. To make the most of these moments, capable leaders must be able to amplify them through the media, replicate them in communities across the country, and translate them into actions on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and in City Halls nationwide. Through our Foundation’s Fellowship, we will teach rising leaders the skills required to lead the social justice movement. Accomplished workshop instructors will coach the Fellows on how to tell their stories, leverage the media, and run for elected office. We will also establish new connections between the Fellows and bring them to Washington, DC to provide personalized introductions to the national leaders who can further their cause. Our Fellowship will run virtually, for a just a few hours a week, so individuals with schooling, jobs, or family members to care for can still participate. To much of the world, Dr. King has become a timeless figure who inspired us with his dream. However, we must remember that he was also a young man who dedicated himself, tirelessly, to the

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WHAT’S INSIDE

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County Executive Evans Reflects on COVID-19 Impact and the Leadership of Wayne County By Sherri Kolade What is the future of Wayne County? For Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, that tomorrow looks ripe with equitable economic possibilities for the most populous county in the state – there’s also work to be done to move the needle forward to make that a plausible reality. During a Michigan Chronicle Studio 1452 special on Thursday, June 3, Evans met with Digital Anchor Andre Ash and Staff Writer Sherri Kolade to discuss the state of the county and what’s ahead. “What I want to see is more Wayne County contracts [whatever services we may be contracting for],” Evans, dressed in a navy-blue suit, said. “I want them to be from more smallowned businesses, minority-owned businesses.” Evans is pushing for a “far more equitable” distribution of the tax dollars the county collects and the services they buy to grow beyond where Wayne County is today. “A year from now when we see how much revenue loss has come from COVID … I think we will have a much better vision of where the county will be in four or five years down the line,” Evans said. From improved job training and strengthening the small business sector, Evans said that come 2022 he wants to see the county revitalized. “[We will] have a much better idea on whether my plan and vision are getting where I want to get,” Evans said. A year ago, Wayne County’s hospitals were overflowing, as were the funeral homes with COVID-19 patients and victims who died at the height of the pandemic. Businesses were on

shaky economic footing and the emotional and mental toll of the worldwide crisis has left deep scars many are grappling with. “I think like all of us it has been devastating,” Evans, who spoke openly about the pain of losing Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napolean to COVID-19 last year, said. “Not everyone died but a lot did -- officers I worked with.” He added that the “inability for people to grieve” is another component many have not even “started to deal with.” Evans said that to him the most important factor in recovering through COVID is the “human toll” and helping employees and community members from a county perspective. Today, Evans said that the county (with 34 cities and nine townships) is seeing “a lot of movement” economically despite COVID-19 and things are looking up as the pandemic is looking to be on the decline. Evans said that even prior to the pandemic the county was not on good footing financially and “all of the bets” were on the county going into bankruptcy six years ago. “And not only did we never go into bankruptcy, but we’ve had six balanced budgets since,” Evans said, adding that “things were moving reasonably” well with the economy up until last year. “Obviously we got hit with COVID and trying to manage through... we still got a balanced budget, but it’s been challenging.” That recovery also includes a financial component from the Wayne County Cares Program that helped employees when the state was shut down. The Wayne County Economic Development Department budgeted $4 million last year for Wayne County Cares to provide up to 8,000 cash cards to

qualified workers, all Wayne County residents. While the program is now closed, Evans said that the county is still in a planning process to distribute what is left of the money which doesn’t have to all be spent in a year. “We want to make sure the vision … is a healthy vision,” Evans said, adding it is important to consider what is going to truly help Wayne County residents down the line. “What institutions do we need to bolster and move forward to try to have a more equitable county for everybody?” Evans added that while the push for equitable distribution is key, it’s important to cast a wide net so everyone can receive a piece of the pie, particularly through business grants. He also said in doing so, even more women-owned and Black-owned businesses get their fair share. From continuing protests on police brutality (“the only thing that moves the needle”) to not voting for former Republican Detroit Police Chief James Craig if he runs for governor (“there is a philosophical gap void”), Evans had a lot to say about national and local issues. He brought it back by talking about new things on the way in the city, like a new criminal justice complex, coming online next fall, to replace the three county jails that is costing a lot of money to operate. The complex will house the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office headquarters, a new juvenile detention facility, along with other city-based services, with improved parking and more. Another complex, featuring the Circuit Court, is also on tap. Evans, who is running for one more term (his current term ends in 2023), said that he is proud that he helped get

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Detroit Charter Commission Gains A Win To Put Proposal P On August Election Ballots By Gatini Tinsley The Detroit Charter Revision Commission calls on the Michigan Supreme Court in the latest bid to get Proposal P on the city’s August 4, ballots. On Friday morning, June 4, the Commission was joined in solidarity by District 6 Detroit City Council Member Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, Wayne State University Law Professor Dr. Peter Hammer, Detroit Business Agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Ric Preuss, Director of The Equitable Internet Initiative Janice Gates, Environmental Justice Organizer for the Sierra Group Justin Onwenu, Policy Director of Detroit Disability Power Jeffrey Nolish and Community Organizers at Detroit Peoples Platform Renard Monczunski and Kea Mathis.

In a united front they called the city of Detroit’s local and state leaders out for upholding voter suppression in the largest Black city in the United States. “You can’t think about law in isolation, law is really a reflection of power. The fight over the Detroit city charter is really a fight over race, it’s a fight about democracy and it’s a fight about the future. Detroit is Americas largest Black majority city. If one

were to substitute the word Detroiters for Negro’s in the language of Dred Scott, one would have an apt description of how the Mayor, the Governor and now the Michigan courts treat the democratic rights of Detroiters and their ability to vote for a charter,” said Hammer. This strong statement was echoed by numerous local organizations and upheld on June 3 by Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Dr.

Wendell Anthony. “The NAACP has long since its inception believed in the fundamental right to vote. It is one of the pillars on which the organization stands. In that spirit, the Detroit Branch NAACP must oppose any attempt which may directly or indirectly impede, negate or eliminate the right of the people to cast their vote and exercise their constitutional rights. “After nearly three years and hundreds of proposed revisions from the community, the Charter Commission has completed its work. The Wayne County Circuit Court has recently ruled that the question of the revision of the Detroit City Charter cannot be properly placed on the August 3, 2021, ballot due to the Governor’s non-approval of the ballot measure. The matter is

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