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Is Detroit’s $400 Million Investment in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Accessible for Black Detroiters?

Money. A5

Cosm Detroit HOMEFRONT C

Comerica Celebrates New Generation O of M Black E R Tennis I C A Stars 35 Years of Supporting

the Nation’s Largest City.Life.Style. B1 UNCF Walk for Education Scholarship Brings Immersive Sports Experience of Downtown Roots. A3 to the Heart Fundraiser City.Life.Style. B1

M ichigan C hronicle Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 87 – No. 2 | September 13-19, 2023

All Black Everything:

Vol. 90 87 –– No. September16-22, 20-26,2026 2023 Vol. No. 3 3 || September

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UAWHudson Darienne Strike Takes ATriple Night ofOver Elegance and Excellence at the 10th Annual Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 AgainstFoundation Detroit DPSCD Automakers Leadership Ahead By Ebony JJ Curry of Pivotal School Late ThursdayElection night, Sept. Board 14, a historic moment unfolded SENIOR REPORTER

in Ebony AmericanJJ Curry labor relations as By

the United Auto Workers (UAW) SENIOR REPORTER

union initiated a strike against Ford, andnamed Dr. General DarienneMotors Hudson(GM), has been Stellantis. For thePublic firstSchools time, Comchair of the Detroit the union tookFoundation simultaneous munity District Board of action against all threethe major Directors, succeeding late DeDr. Iris troit-based automakers. action and A. Taylor as both the The foundation involves public approximately 13,000 move Detroit’s school system UAW members plants through a periodinofassembly leadership change. across Michigan, Ohio, Hudson, president andand CEOMisof United souri, whoSoutheastern walked jobs has troiters. The symbolism of Black beekeepers revitalizing niably commendable. Way for Michigan, By Ebony JJ Curryoff their after existing labor contracts extheir city is a powerful testament to the resilience and Amidst the glitz and glamour, the event also showserved the DPSCD Foundation board SENIOR on REPORTER pired at 11:59 p.m. ingenuity of our community. cased the diversity of talent within our community. From since 2020. Her appointment places a Shortly before and midnight onleader As the night unfolded, we had the privilege of hon- Paris T. Prichard, a forensic scientist pushing the boundlongtime nonprofit n aeducation breathtaking celebration of talent, determinaSept. GM released a statement at the 14, helm of the organization as it contion, and the unyielding spirit of Black excellence, oring other outstanding individuals, each carving their aries of her field, to math wizards like Donna Laster, who expressing disappointment with tinues expanding investments inmarked Detroit its 10th Annual own path to success. Clement “Fame” Brown, the crethe Michigan Chronicle the strike action, despite offering students, families40 and schools. 40 Under event Thursday evening. This year’s ative mind behind Three Thirteen Detroit’s Brand Name, See 40 UNDER 40 page A2 what termed anin“unprecedented soirée,it drenched the theme “AllinBlack “I believe the Everything with received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award. economic package” that included Gold Accents,” transcended expectations and essential- Brown’s commitment to empowering the city through brilliance and pohistoric wage increases. Stellantis ly illuminated the golden within the true essence fashion and entrepreneurship has left an indelible mark. tentialgems of Detroit’s of Black excellence. young Hostedpeople by the charismatic duo of “Entrepreneur of the year – that’s a big deal,” said and Andre Ash and Lynzee from Michigan Chroni- Brown. “It’s always an honor to be honored and it’s in Mychael our collective cle’s Finally Friday, the night was a triumph for the city always a blessing to be in a room full of so many talentresponsibility to of Detroit and its vibrant makecommunity sure theyof young Black pro- ed, accomplished, and popular people that look like me. fessionals. I’m geeked. I started making and selling clothes as a kid have every opporto the field provided by the Detroit clerk’s that follow a presidential or congressional By Jeremy Allen have a business, but I tunitywith to thrive,” The evening sparkled a golden promise as we and I always knew that I would office. Two current board members — race. In some neighborhoods, a voter may EXECUTIVE EDITOR brand name business, Hudson said. celebrated remarkable individuals from various walks never knew it would be Detroit’s DPD Chieflearn James Steve Bland Jr. and Bessie Lee Harris — are more White about a Says school Increased board candidate that our business rep“There is so much of life. Among the honorees were the brilliant and vi- so I take a lot of pride in the fact seeking another term, while 32 other canfrom a yard sign than from anything else. Detroit voters have seen this movie Police Presence Culled Violence good work hap-Nicole Lindsey and resents our city’s pride.” sionary co-founders of Detroit Hives, didates are asking voters for a seat at the before. That makes a race with 34 candidates pening across district, and work the founTimothy Paulthe Jackson. Their has not only changed Taking home the Corporate Excellence Award Iris was Taylor died in table. Board member especially interesting. By Andre Ash A crowded ballot can look like a good dation has an incredible opportunity to the landscape of beekeeping and urban farming in De- Dannis Mitchell, Director of Community Engagement at July, and her name was removed from ANCHOR the thingimpact with plenty choices, plenty of DIGITAL A familiar isn’t necessarily canbring people, resources and ideas togethness ballot. district that had been the lifeblood of towards mendingname the wounds inflicteda on troit expressed but also exemplified thein transformative BartonofMalow. By Ebony JJ Curry also disappointment voices, plenty of people asking for a chance didate who understands school governance, er around that work.” Black Detroiters and restoring a sense of bethe community. professionals on their communities. “It is so important to recognize that34 there arefor young SENIOR REPORTER aBlack statement, saying can the have company That’s names five spots. A string of to represent the city. Democracy is supandshootings a polishedin campaign isn’t necessarily Hudson over contingenfollowing the environmental, It’s a that history marred “Togethertakes we have created a social, leaders across the country, many are born herebyin pain, injus- longing that was so callously torn away in immediately went into posed to give voters options, after all. The race is the largest field for the school evidence of aleft clear governing philosophy. Greektown in mid-April death of toTaylor, who had chaired thesaid Jackson. For manyLindDetroiters, Interstate 375, our or city tice,nationally and economic and financial impact through bees,” Detroit. I represent and I devastation. tell people, More than the past. cy mode protect its operations. board since 2016, when more than 60 canAnd frequently, people confuse a social both visitors and residents of But the catch is that somebody still has foundation since 2021with, and “It also I-375, has long been‘Yea just another stretch of from The I-375 Boulevard Project is about more sey followedboard that sentiment is through our local 130,000 residents,ofprimarily I’m a D-girl I’m the west-side Detroit,’”Black, were The on UAW has branded the Board indidates sought seats on the newly media following a clear indicator that thiscreated bustling downtown des- with to make sense of all those choices. served the elected DPSCD of urban highway, a concrete artery connectthan just correcting historical injustices; it’s partnerships and collaborative efforts that we exist in Mitchell expressed. “But more importantly, been able forcibly displaced.I’ve Families were uprooted, dustrial action as the “Stand-Up DPSCD board. a lot of people think a candidate is qualified tination in awe. One of these Education. gotofto a the lesson in To that ing different parts city. some, it’s about redefining the future. It will connect over 28 plus locations managing the health of Detroit 4.5 milhave experiences within an industry that not many of generational wealth was obliterated, and a Strike,” focusing on specific plants to approach a district budget, shootings downtown tragically Detroit claimed during the 13th Congressional a mere convenience; to others, it’s an unreto surrounding neighborlion honeybees –inhumbly our movement has us, specifically women of thriving color, have the opportunity Taylor’s death July leftspeaking a vacancy community was torntoasunder. The within each automaker. UAW spethe life of a popular and academic be- gap thatperformance, District race in daily 2022. NineI’veHowmarkable part of their commute. was placed upon inspired others locally, nationally, and internationengage in and been thewounds youngest personby in the room, on the seven-member school board at a even inflicted I-375 run deep, tran- hoods, bridging the President Shawn Fain stated, “This cial education, transportation, loved security guard followcompeted in the there’s a deeper, far more troubling ally to take onmoment similar missions.” the only Black person in the room, the andphysical the onlybarrier Sistah of ina freeway to the city decades ago. consequential for the district. ever, Democrats scending strategy will keep the companies school safety, or the relationing a dispute with a patron. primary,the including Shri Thastory founded beneath surface of this seemingly the room, and I really had to articulate the importance Five of the board’s seven seats are on the penetrate the very soul of Black Detroiters. Today, allegedly the resurgence of Paradise Valley Detroit Hives, a pioneering organization by guessing. It will give our nationship between the board and The male suspect Adam of Hollier, Portia ordinary freeway—a story of pain, showing up,displacegiving chances others won’t, ballot Nov. with 34harnesses candidates runstandsbefore as a fleeing testament to the indomitable Lindsey and3,Jackson, power of nedar, urban beeThiswhen painful legacy can and be traced back al negotiators maximum leveragethe the superintendent. shot the guard Roberson, John Conyers III, ment, and the lasting impact on Black DetroiBlackinterstate woman thrivning for them, making this the Black Detroiters and the enduring keeping to revitalize neighborhoods City. being persistent.” As a trailblazing to the nation’s highway program and flexibility in bargaining. Andlargestin the Motor the scene, spirit whileofhis female But the job of the board Gay-Dagnogo, ters. Sherry ing in aSharon predominantly male-dominated industry, her to connect legacy of Black excellence. Detroit school board field since the cre-critical This historic disTheir initiative not onlywe addresses issues like of 1956—a program that aimed if we need to go all out, will. companion is accused of conis specific. It’s not there to McPhail, Michael Griffie, Sam to country fortifying connections ation of DPSCD 2016. The tale begins inunwavering what is nowcommitment Lafayette the trict, once aher vibrant hub Black businessenvironmental conservation but also provides valuable DPDfor Chief James White butthe often did so at the expense Everything is onin the table.” Union cealing the weapon in bra. run individual schools or to Riddle and Lorrie Rutledge. between businesses and Detroit’s communities is undeknown education andalso employment opportunities Black De- as Black Bottom—a neigh- of marginalized communities. In the case of es and culture, is experiencing a renaissance Only have two current members, Steve Park,toonce leaders indicated that manage the district’s daily These incidents unfolded during an unseasonably Thanedar with 28.3% culture rooted inwon African-American that harkens back to its glory days. The deBland Jr. and Bessie Lee Harris, are run- borhood additional plants could be targetI-375, it meant carving a path through the operations. Its responsibility warm spring, leading to increased pedestrian traffic and of the vote, while Hollier finBottom may have torn ning. appointed to the board and history. Named after its dark, fertile heart of Black Detroit, reinforcing segrega- struction of Black ed in Both futurewere waves if negotiations is governance — setting directensions in the densely populated downtown ishedBottom secondflourished with 23.5%. during the mid- tion, and perpetuating inequality. heightenedapart a thriving community, but the resolute in 2025stalled. to complete the terms of mem- soil, Black remain tion, establishing policy and area. It took the a dreams third election and aspirations determination of a new generation of entrebersFain whoclarified stepped the down. BoardstratPresident 1900s, nurturing union’s holding the superintendent acFor one to aptly recognize the harm The surge in crime and the influx of visitors to Decycle to change the occupant preneurs and visionaries is reclaiming that LaTrice McClendon Vice President of prominent Detroiters like Coleman Young, egy: “I want to give aand major shoutcountable for carrying out the caused by such projects, it is vital to note that troit’s downtown core garnered the attention of the Deof the seat. In August 2026, and numerous other Detroit leglost legacy. Corletta Vaughn are not seeking reelec- Joe Louis, out to the thousands of members district’s work. behind Police Department (DPD), catching them somewhat ends. state But inRep. theDonavan name of McKinney urban renewal in some of the planners and politicianstroit tion, while Taylor’s seat is also among In the heart of Paradise Valley, Blackwho are on the picket lines right those projects built them directly through Superintendent Nikolai off guard. defeated Thanedar in the Demthe 1950s, this vibrant neighborhood was those voters will are not just flourishing Housing Helpline in communi- owned businesses now fighting forfill.all of us. The By Andre Ash the heartResource of vibrant, populated Vittifor hasthe called the Police 2026 Deelecocratic primary, ending Thasystematically dismantled, erased from the James White, Chief of Police Detroit but thriving, offering diverse services, prodThat means will determine a response to the challenges Stand-Up Strikevoters is a new approach ties—oftentimes to reinforcethat segregation and said: DIGITAL ANCHOR tion a watershed moment for nedar’s time in Congress after map, and replaced by a lifeless stretch of aspartment, “We were caught somewhat flat-footed that pay homage to the majority of the school thisall fall. residents face in navigating the to replace ucts, and experiences to striking. Instead ofboard striking sometimes as part of a direct effort DPSCD. phalt. two terms. right out the gate. By design we went into the spring past while paving the way for a prosperous complex system of neighborhoods. housing serplants at once, select locals be The elected boardcontinues carrieswill significant or eliminate Black Homelessness to That makes seats deployment, whichFrom is lessjazz than the mid-summer deploypoint isn’t a brunt vices. WhileThe the residential areasthat bore the future. clubs to soul the foodfive restauThe helpline provides a called on to stand up and walk out authority over Michigan’s largest school Having 34 candidates doesn’t mean plague urban communities, with But now, after decades of enduring the on the ballot more than five names to circle. ment, and saw we say an uptick in violence that first ballot demolition, theautomatically heart of Black produces Bottom, the the Black Press, and art galleries to single voters point of contact for people on strike. This is our generation’s district, including hiring and evaluating of thiscrowded have to know life stories. Theyrants, families and individuals grappling They boutiques, are five positions on a governing body scars of I-375, there is a 34 glimmer of hope warm weekend.” wrongbusiness result. It doesn’t. Voters largely make their its thriving center, remained fashion this revival is breathing seeking housing assistance and answer to the movement that built the superintendent and making decidon’t need to become political junkies bewith the challenges of making responsible for decisions that reach into on the horizon. Plans have been unveiled to White own decisions, and candidates win elecuntouched. Restaurants, theaters, clubs, and Chief attributes the violence in Greektown to life into the very essence of what once made connects them withand theElection resourcesDay, either. But our –inthe sit-down strikescliof sions involving district policy, curricutween now endsunion meet today’s economic homes, and neighborhoods transform this once-divisive freewaya combination into a thisclassrooms, tions because enough voters choose them. bars—the very places that brought Detroit’s of weather conditions and a surge in popneighborhood a vibrant cultural epicen1937. We told the Big 3 that Sept. they need. lum and spending. they do need to pay attention. mate. Whether it’s struggling to Detroit. that extends beyond vision that seeks to right the wrongsulation. of the ter.throughout concenIt’s a resurgence The point istogether—were that a lot of choices require 14 was the deadline and we meant will Black community Against thatmortgage backdrop, Hudson That’s because school board elections Support for the helpline comes meet monthly payments past while heralding a new era of inclusivity Voters should asking “Who undertratedaaround Hastings the epicenter brick and it be represents thethat resurlot of sorting, andStreet, Detroit voters are about explained, “ Wemortar; saw numbers downtown we it. gave the soaring companies our ecolead the separate DPSCD Foundation, are Gilbert easy to Family overlook. There are noHetelevifrom the Foundaor We coping with rental costs and community revitalization. stands the job?” instead of “Whose name of African-American culture in the city. gence of a spirit that refuses to be subdued. to get another exercise sorting. This time, have not seen, ever. People are emerging from COVID nomic demands eight weeks ago the district’s official philanthropic arm. sion commercials the evening do I recognize?” tion, which has pledged dominating $10 milin a housing market marked by by more than $100likely million the in decision about of who willHastings help govern Fueled Then, a cruelis twist fate, andfrom feeling that in a post-COVID era… and it took more than aprivate month to corCity we’re Councilman Fred Durhal The foundation and news, and there to bethere’s cam- a Detroit lion over three years to aren’t fund the shockingly high raises prices, a variety the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Detroit Public Schools Community District. A voter might know a candidate personStreet, too, was obliterated a few years later, and with the venues downtown and the reasons to come get to the table.” III, representing District 7, where Eastern porate support for programs and initiapaign eventsMetro drawing the kind of crowds program. Wayne Commuof factors contribute to the growand other partners, this ambitious down project making way construction of I-375. withMarket all the resides, activities that going on, we saw told theare Michigan Chronicle, Therefor arethe 34Julie candidates running for five union is pushing for a comMeagan Dunn Schneider nity Action Agency manages the ingThe issue of people becoming unSee DARIENNE HUDSON aims to create jobs, remove barriers to ecoThis marked the final blow, sealing the fate hundreds of more people and, in particularly, young “It’s still very early in the process, MDOT is open seats on the school board, according prehensive list of demands. This helpline, making it accessible to SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS Page A-2 housed. DPSCD Page A-2 reconnect the neighborof Black Bottom and signaling the beginning nomic growth, andSee folks, teenagers that we hadn’t seen.” all Detroit residents. This initiative simplifies access to the See INVESTMENT Page A-2 Historically, shelterspage have provided a temporary respite of the end for Paradise Valley, the Black busi- hood with the rest of Detroit. It is a Responding step See UAW STRIKE A2 swiftly to the surge in violence, DPD for those in need, often serving as the first or second option City’s various housing services, ensuring that residents in adjusted its deployment plans. Rather than waiting for after exhausting alternatives like staying with friends or need can easily find assistance. mid-summer, they deployed officers in the spring itself family. Shelters offer a place to rest one’s head and a warm “The city and its partners offer a lot of great services to address the situation. meal, albeit sometimes for extended periods. For others, to help Detroiters with their housing needs, but they don’t The rise in visitors to the Greektown area is evident being unhoused means living in cars or makeshift outdoor mean much if people don’t know how to access them,” said in data from Placer.ai, a location analytics company settings. Mayor Mike Duggan. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners becauseand of discrimination, but they specializing in visit trends demographic insights Mychael The causes of homelessness By areLynzee as diverse and complex and the generous support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, were also coming because Black through geolocation-enabled mobile devices. From MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST exam, in the 2024-25 school year. we now have a simple process to guide residents to the right as the individuals experiencing it. response, the City of ByInPatricia Edwards people was doing some stuff. When May 1-Aug. 27, 2022, there were 1.3 million visits and Detroit has adopted a holistic approach to combat this issue. 2024, Michigan students PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION AT housing resource and a growing number of programs to didIn Black people starttodoing things 655,000 visitors to Greektown, according Placer.ai. From the days of the Great Mihelp them.” scored below the national averMICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY “Providing services and high-quality housing to personsof Black in the these city?numbers They started doing In the same period this year, increased to gration when thousands age in reading on the National AsThe Gilbert Family Foundation’s broader commitment at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness is a key things in this area in the 1800’s. 1.4 million visits and 670,000 visitors. families flocked Detroit published in search This story was to originally sessment of Educational Progress. involves pledging $500 million to support projects across priority of the City of Detroit, said Julie Schneider, Director In the 1800’s the major thing that of jobs and better life, to the pivAs Detroit’s downtown area continues to attract both by aThe Conversation Michigan graders averaged Detroit over the next ten years, with housing initiatives of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization were fourth doing in Detroit is they otal roleDepartment. they played in the city’s residents and visitors,they the police department has imple209, five points below the nationAbout 1.4 million Michigan stubeing a significant part of their contribution. were the leaders in fightthe against “This means focusing on building pipeline of sup-heritage, culturaltheand musical mented various enforcement measures to the manage inal average, while eighth Railroad graders dents returned to the state’s slavery. The Underground Notably, Detroit has witnessed a consistent decrease in portive housing and coordinating with the Continuum of an K-12 Black Detroiters have left increased population. Notably, metal detectors have been averaged 255, compared with 257 public school classrooms this fall. is the rootGreektown in the city to of deter Detroit recent years, with the number of unhoused residents steadiCare What on the a delivery of critical resources suchon as emergency delible mark the city. However, strategically placed throughout theto Federal nationally. Oneand ofyears, the most inall of this Black innovation that you ly declining. In 2019, approximately 7,847 people were unshelter, rapid rehousing, and diversion prevention proProtecting Customers While in recent Detroitpowerful has expeillegal carrying of firearms. Government Shutdown standardized test fluences on how these students see Although coming later.” housed and entered the City’s community response system. grams. It also means preserving and expanding affordable rienced significant gentrification, “We have strategically placed themfully at key points,the “ scores do not capture will perform outside In the 2021, about 5,687 people experienced homelessness. housing options for Detroiters of all incomes andexists improving Could Mean which has raised concerns about Aretha Chief White explains.breadth It Musical has been alegends deterrentlike for some, of students’ knowledge, classroom: the quality of the parthousing stability though comprehensive service of offerings the displacement long-standing Marvin Gaye, and the According to the City of Detroit, since the start of the and some have testedFranklin, it. If you are legally carrying a for Detroiters? abilities or potential, they can pronerships that schools and available through the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine Black residents. Similar to a families setting sound emerged from Defiscal year 2019 to 2021, Detroit saw a 28% decrease in the weapon and carrying Motown a CPL, have a great day. If you’re vide one useful indicator of how establish with eachspirit, other.and Black and Detroit Housing Services Division within HRD.” sun, there’s a rising troit, providing a soundtrack for the well students are developing literSee POLICEcivil PRESENCE Page A-2 Establishing partnerDetroiters are reclaiming their placeSee COMBAT HOMELESSNESS page A2 rights movement and inspirIn May 2023, the City of Detroit launched thethese Detroit acy skills. easier the thanchallenges it sounds. inships the may city, be despite ing generations. Motown Records, Don’t by letBerry yourself be misled. Throughout more than four deposed by gentrification. founded Gordy Jr., wasUnnot derstand issues with from excades as anthe educator researcher and west sides. Over time, these long after our current phase of gen- just a record label buthelp a symbol of During GreatandMigration, pandemic. Only 39% of Michigan Black Family engagement helps perts excellence National studies also demonbecame centers of trification. studying of literacy family en- neighborhoods and empowerment. thousands Black and families from third graders proficient or strate that families want to play students achieve culture and entrepreneurship. gagement, I have learned in that most Black “Black peoplescored were coming to Dethe South came to Detroit search However, as Detroit faced ecoadvanced in English language arts active roles in their children’s edufamilies deeply care about their This message is especially timely According to Historian Jamon troit because Black churches were nomic of jobs in the booming automobile decline and population loss on the M-STEP, annual cation. They show, too, that many children’s education want to Jordon in Michigan. Many students con- here, Black resilience in the city black schoolsanwere here,state and in industry. Despite facingand discriminathe late 20th century, many work with teachers toward the best tinue to the experience challenges in Up roots that extend far before the its was BlackDigital businesses here,” said Scan QR Code to Sign for the Daily Newsletter tion and segregation, they built vi- has $2.00 Seewere HELPING STUDENTS SUCCEED Page page A-2 A2 possible outcomes. reading following the COVID-19 Great Migration and will persist Jordon. “They coming of course brant communities on the city’s east See LEGACY $1.00

DPSCD School Board Elections: Greektown Had 1.4 Million Visits This and 34 Candidates, Five Seats, and A Lot of Homework forSummer Detroit Voters No Shootings Can Reparative Investment Finally Heal the Wounds Left by I-375?

All Hands On Deck to Combat Homelessness A Holistic Approach to Providing Shelter and Support for Detroit’s Unhoused People

WHAT’S INSIDE WHAT’S INSIDE

Here’s HowAmidst Teachers and Parents Reclaiming Can Collaborate andLegacy Black Resilience Gentrification: Detroit’s Help Michigan’s 1.4M Students Succeed

Powering the Future Money. A5 Roots. A3

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To Choose

Elected officials are also working to keep women Roe v. Wade intact thus holding off Michigan’s n pre- 1931 trigger ban. Goveroment nor Gretchen Whitmer of the released a statement e final. saying, in part: a law“The words ‘Roe over31 law turned’ are no longer effect, theoretical. I want every ed the Michigander to know— m that no matter what happens nstituin D.C., I’m going to fight ontain n. Our like hell to protect access anned to safe, legal abortion in ates of Michigan…” More than legal impliunding alition cations, overturning Roe roduc- v. Wade would impact sevAll, a eral systems across the affirm spectrum. With the poon and tential to drive both foster om in and adoption numbers ution,” upward, a ban on aborGiroux. tions could leave many s that women to choose a less ing in safe route restoring ‘back and page illegal abor- alley’ From A-1 abortion practices, including higan, ally, or they might recognize a name self-abortions. Moreover, makes from years of community involveAfrican American we will ment. Someone else might women be drawn women of color, who a candidate because of a particular e can to and or because has already havethat a candidate long-stoatients position been especially visible during the camried history with access e they paign. and inclusion in medi-

cine and healthcare, may be adversely impacted by the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. “What we are really concerned about is the impact on our patients. Access to abortion is already out of reach for far too many Michiganders, especially Black people and people of color who face additional barriers to care as a result of systemic inequalities and institutional racism. Losing access to legal abortion will impact those communities most, forcing people to become parents or expand their families against their will. Being able to decide and control if, when and how to become a parent is central to building and living a healthy, happy life,” said Vasquez Giroux. Beyond the scope of pro-choice versus prolife, the fight for reproductive choice is one of guish among those options. freedom. As Michigan Here is the full list of candidates: officials work to ensure Natalie La’Vonne Bien-Aime each woman who finds Steve Bland, Jr. herself in the position to Michelle Rene’ Broughton choose has access to care Katrina Lanise Brown without the threat of legal Cidney Julia-Angela Calloway Bobby Lee Christian action, many wonder

what the Supreme Court will rule in the upcoming days. Despite the decision, advocates on both sides of the argument are willing to continue their pursuits. “Overturning Roe v. Wade would be a terrible break with nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and – more importantly – a blow against individual freedom. It is my hope that the majority of justices will reject the findings of this draft. If that is not the case, we need to stand with Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Gov. Whitmer in support of their efforts to preserve the right to reproductive freedom,” said Chair Alisha Bell, on behalf of the Wayne County Commission.

DPSCD School Board Elections

Those things can matter. But they don’t answer the basic questions every islature adopts voter should ask. Whatit. does this candidate Increase think the school boardfundshould school be doing? What does the candidate ing: DPSCD Statutory to believe needs changes to accomplish? 1 increase Aid What authoritythe does School a board member o have actually Fundhave? revenue by at the least How would cansenta- didate with $3.6approach billiondisagreements and establish does the egisla- thea superintendent? permanent What weighted candidate know about the district’s funding formula based on finances? What does the candidate student and community n and think should happen when academic needsaren’t and where universal pre-to al jus- outcomes they need And perhaps the biggest question: (0-3). recom- be?school evidence does the candidate ection What Reject offer that he or censorship she understands in the analy- responsibility history that instruction: Encomes with the poth the sition? couraging Gov. Whitmer Attor- to Those questions the take some ensure goalwork forto chigan answer. Michigan schools should Law be That’shistory the uncomfortable part of instruction choices. More choicndards having thatsoismany presented by proes don’t automatically mean more inciation fessionals with the subformed choices. Sometimes, they mean cutors more ject matter expertise, homework. olders pedagogical and But once the votesskills, are counted, the ect and choice judgment necessary to has consequences, and that’s gically. particularly with a schoolinforboard. presenttruecomplex Parents have live with the conto tostudents that war- mation of school board are grounded in decisions, provHouse sequences and students, teachers, and taxpayers able facts and add to the ations don’t get to opt out. The people sitting understanding of make modhear- around that board table will deern-day America. d other cisions that can affect the direction of for years. uld ban the district Increase mental health So yes, 34 candidates Deof no- supports for the means Black troit voters have options. knock community: Recommendng the It also means voters have to distin-

Nicole Marie Conaway Vilma Valeria Escamilla-Durán The health committee Daniel Franklin Ferguson, III recommends Duane Larry Grisby, Jr. reviewing state licensure policies to Bessie Lee Harris address theHarris, barriers that David Dwayne II Henriettapsychologists Ivey Black face Christopher Allen Hubbard in obtaining licensure in Ijazz Johnnay Michigan. Jackson Tabrian Chas Joe Ensure disShinese DeCarolequitable Johnson tribution ofJones state health Theodore Rhett Georgia Mae Lemmons funds: Ensure all MichiLaMar communities Demetri Lemmons with a gan Clement Ogden Lett significant Black popuPhillip E. Lloyd, II lation receive adequate Aliya Rebekah Moore funds to address mental Darious Lamar Morris health issues. Liana Stern Mulholland Tyshea Elaine PopeBlack voting Protecting Danetta rights:Lynese UrgeSimpson state officials Tawanna Simpson to remain vigilant in the Jameel Montgomery Smith fight against schemes to Calesther J. Smith-Arnold disenfranchise MichiganShawn Vaughn ders of color. Terry Eugene Whitfield Elizabeth Ann “BLAC Williams members have Theresa Arleen Williams

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who appeared on your social media feed, or the candidate whose name you’ve seen on a yard sign. That’s the easy way to do it, but It’s also a very poor way to choose a school board. Detroiters have plenty of opportunities to get more information before they vote. Candidates will have forums, campaign materials, interviews, and public appearances. Voters can look at their backgrounds, listen to what they say, and pay attention to whether they understand the difference between running a campaign and governing a school district. And they can ask a simple question whenever a candidate makes a promise: Does the school board actually have the authority to do that? That question alone could eliminate a lot of confusion because, again, school board candidates aren’t running to become principals or superintendents. They’re running for a governing position with specific responsibilities and limitations, and ensuring that candidates know those responsibilities could make the choice easier for voters. So does knowing what candidates would do with the authority they actually have. As a voter, you don’t need the 2026 DPSCD election to become an exercise in becoming an expert on 34 people. Just be engaged enough to make five intentional choices. Choice and competition are good things. And a wide field gives voters the opportunity to hear from people with different experiences, ideas, and priorities. But choice only works when people use it thoughtfully. Thirty-four candidates are asking Detroit voters for five votes. Five of them will get seats on the board. The hard part for voters is figuring out why those five deserve your vote.

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Darienne Hudson From page A-1 tives serving DPSCD students, families and schools. Hudson had worked alongside Taylor on the foundation board and had previously been identified through the organization’s succession planning as a future leader, according to the foundation. Kerrie Mitchell Campbell-Mabins, president and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation, said Hudson’s experience working across education and community organizations will help guide the foundation as it expands. “She knows our community, she knows this work and she understands the power of bringing the right people and resources together to make a difference,” Campbell-Mabins said. The foundation currently directs investments toward literacy, student health and wellness, college and career readiness, family engagement and other priorities aligned with the school district. Hudson has spent much

of her career working at the intersection of education, nonprofit leadership and family support. As president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, she oversees an organization working across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties on economic stability, education and family support. DPSCD Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said Hudson’s understanding of education alongside the broader needs facing families will be an asset to the foundation. “She brings a unique ability to connect education with the broader needs of families and communities,” Vitti said. As board chair, Hudson will work with fellow directors and foundation leadership on fundraising, partnerships and investments supporting DPSCD students. Her arrival comes as the foundation carries forward Taylor’s work while the district prepares for an election that could reshape much of the governing board it works alongside.

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worked hard to identify theHonestly, needs though, of thethere’s Blacksomething almost comical about community and we seeing feel 34 names lined up for five seats. But the these recommendations number also underscores the responsiwill provide solid bility voters haveawhen they first walk into step towards breaking the voting booth. There’s a temptation in a race barriers like this to simplify it by pickdown in educaing the community name you know,safety, the person tion, your neighbor mentioned, the person health and business,” ing Michigan set a goal said BLAC Co-Chair Dr. o pass of increasing the number m and of Black mental health Donna L. Bell. BLAC will hold a virmer to service providers by 20% he leg- each year over five years. tual town hall meeting what meaningful reading might look like. From page A-1 to discuss its policy recSome parents were uncertain about parents seek clearer communication and ommendations on Thursteachers’ expectations or viewed reading primore meaningful opportunities to collaboday, marily May 12 at 4 p.m. Join as getting the words right. These exrate with educators. BLAC and a virtual audipeople believe one that they 1 In my assessment, of the most en- periences helped inspire Parents as Partners ence in discussing the need developments to for themselves in family engage- in Reading, a program I designed to help races. couraging families support children’s literacy through to supment research over the past two decades and others to live better recommendations interactive read-alouds that port the Black communi-encourage conbeen the growing recognition among ansfor- haslives.” versation and making connections between educators and schools that ty. books and children’s everyday lives. p as a researchers, Ivery is parents“Chancellor are not simply volunteers who och that casionally housedI in the In is Louisiana, assist schools. They are co-educa- BLAC a true transformational showed rather than change torsleader Michigan Department of whose knowledge, cultural wealth and and an outstandsimply told them experiences enrich children’s educae sys- lived Labor and Economic Oping CEO, who is more how they might opportunities. stanc- tional Members repthan worthy of the CEO of portunity. make reading with This understanding reflects a broader erating the resent many professional more Year Award he justequity re- and their children movement toward educational backgrounds, ” Ivory ceived, “ said Prof. James interactive and including enshared responsibility for student success. joyable. I modeled law, public mation- C. Mays, who teaches economics, are partners in education how to sit comforthealth and wellt just Parents entrepreneurship and safety, ably with a child, Families may be invited to attend conness, arts and culture and o cer- ferences, supply chain literacy nights ormanageworkshops, but let the child hold media. They leverage their s them they ment at always WCCCD’s are not invitedCorpoto share their the book and turn experiences andvary expertise the pages, iew of knowledge or participate equal27 partners rate College. “Inas his their voices, pause about their children’s learning. to make recommendand ex- in decisions years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery questions, In my elevated experience, families mayto feel that tionsto toaskthe governor on e that has WCCCD talk together about educators do not understand their cultural critical issues affecting ecause become nationally recogthe pictures and follow the child’s interests and linguistic practices. They may notice the Black community. what thatnized and reactions. for excellence and from communication flows primarily create school prescribing innovation and than preparing learn than more abouta single “right” to home rather in both direc- To Rather way to read together, these interactions every- tions, that their knowledge of their own ouror students professionBLAC and this upcoming gave parents opportunities to try different is undervalued. entire children ally and personally to do event, visit www.michiapproaches, ask questions and discover For families whose previous encounters things in the world.” ecause great gan.gov/BLAC. what worked best for them and their chil-

Helping Students Succeed

Curtis Ivery

viewing parents through their strengths rather than perceived flaws. Families know dimensions of their children that may never be visible during the school day: the child who loves to tell stories at the dinner table, or the child who is fascinated by cars or animals. When educators listen to those stories, they gain information that can change how they understand and teach a child. Family engagement must also mean creating opportunities for educators to learn from families. Instead of asking why families are not involved, they begin asking how schools can become more welcoming, more responsive and more collaborative. That shift in perspective often changes the entire culture of a school. Here are a few ways educators can build relationships with families and vice versa:

These early exchanges also communicate an important message: “I know my child in ways that can help you teach them, and I want us to work together.” Make communication a conversation Families should hear from educators, but educators also need to hear from families. Communication is most meaningful when educators listen as much as they inform. Educators can ask parents and caregivers: What are your hopes for your child this year? What should I know about your child that will help me be a better teacher? How does your child learn best? What is the easiest way for us to stay in touch? Parents can ask teachers: “What are you noticing about my child as a reader and learner?” and “What are some things we can do at home that would reinforce what you are teaching at school?”

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with schools have involved judgment, exclusion or racism, or educators focusing on perceived shortcomings rather than recognizing families’ strengths, an invitation to participate does not automatically create understanding. Some of my most formative lessons came during my early work with African American families in Louisiana. I began spending time with parents and listening carefully to what they understood schools were asking them to do at home. Teachers frequently encouraged parents to “read to your child,” without explaining

dren. Parents then practiced these approaches with one another before using them. As their confidence increased, the interactions began to flow more naturally: Parents relied less on the strategies I had modeled and became more comfortable following their children’s lead, responding to their questions and comments and allowing conversations about the story to develop spontaneously. Talking to families with empathy I’ve watched educators transform their relationships with families once they begin

Build relationships before you need them Teachers shouldn’t wait until there is a problem to reach out to families. Relationships are strongest when schools communicate with families before challenges arise. A welcoming phone call, a quick note celebrating something a child did well, an invitation to visit the classroom, or simply taking time to learn about a child’s interests can go a long way. Parents can make a point of introducing themselves to their child’s teacher early in the school year. Parents might share something the teacher would find helpful to know about their child – what excites them, what they enjoy reading or doing at home, or what helps them feel confident as learners.

Bring empathy to difficult conversations At some point, educators may need to talk with families about academic, behavioral or attendance concerns. Teachers can begin by sharing what the child does well and listening to what the family is seeing at home. Then invite their insights and perspectives: “Here is what I’m noticing. What are you seeing, and how can we work together?” This small shift – from presenting families with a problem to inviting them into a conversation – can transform a potentially difficult exchange into an opportunity for genuine partnership. Families can listen carefully when teachers raise concerns and ask questions to better understand what the teacher is observing about their child. They can also share what they notice about their child at home, since children may demonstrate different strengths, behaviors and abilities in different settings. Together, families and teachers can identify strategies to try at home and at school to address the concern and agree on a time to reconnect and discuss the child’s progress.

A3 | September 16-22, 2026

Roots.

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Protecting Customers While

Powering the Future DTE is working to keep energy reliable and bills low as Michigan prepares for new data center growth Artificial intelligence is changing the way people work, learn and use technology every day. To support that growth, companies are building data centers — large facilities that store and process the information behind many of the digital tools we rely on. Some of those big companies are looking to establish their operations right here in Michigan. For families and businesses, it is fair to ask: Will this raise my energy bill? DTE’s answer is no. The company says data center development will not increase customer rates. Data centers will pay the costs needed to serve them, so those costs are not passed on to residents and small businesses. Large customers, like data centers, can also help spread some of the fixed costs of the electric system across more

users, which reduces the amount needed from other customers over time. Customer Protections Come First These protections are backed by Michigan law, state regulatory oversight and DTE’s contracts with these new data center customers. The contracts include requirements that help make sure data centers pay their share, even if their plans change later. That means other customers are not left paying costs that belong to someone else. State regulators have also added safeguards designed to protect customers and support reliable service. Together, these steps help make Michigan a strong example of how to welcome new industry while putting customers first.

investment to Michigan’s electric system. According to DTE, its first two data center contracts — one approved and one under review — are expected to contribute billions of dollars toward electric system improvements through 2045. Those investments will help modernize the electric grid and improve reliability, reducing the amount that would otherwise be needed from other customers. Some people are worried that there isn’t enough energy to go around, but DTE has stated the company has enough energy to serve all customers. As an added safeguard, data center customers will pay for resources such as renewable energy, battery storage and programs that reduce demand during times of high demand.

These steps are designed to protect reliable service for all customers, especially on very hot summer days when energy use is highest. Michigan’s Opportunity Michigan has a chance to attract new jobs, new investment and new technology. But growth must be managed carefully, with clear protections for customers and communities. By pairing strong customer protections with careful planning, DTE says they can help power the future while protecting customers today. To learn more about DTE’s approach to responsible data center development, visit www.dteenergy.com/datacenterfacts.

The goal is simple: support growth in Michigan while keeping energy affordable for the people and businesses already here. Building a Stronger Electric System Data centers can also help bring new

Music, Faith and Warmth:

Hallelujah for Heat Returns for Its 15th Year DTE Energy’s Hallelujah for Heat returns for its 15th year on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Fellowship Chapel (7707 W. Outer Drive, Detroit). Doors open at 5 p.m., and the concert takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. This milestone celebration features Grammy Award-winning recording artist Ricky Dillard and New G, Detroit gospel favorite Minister Lisa Page-Brooks and emceed by Detroit radio personality Randi Myles. “Week of Warmth helps ensure Michigan families are aware that assistance is available, even before the coldest months of the year arrive,” said Katrina McCree, CEO of THAW. “For 15 years, Hallelujah for Heat has served as a meaningful start to that effort, bringing people together through music and faith while raising awareness of the need for energy assistance across our state, while also shining a light on the critical need for energy assistance. We are grateful for DTE’s longstanding partnership and support of

THAW’s mission. As we begin this year’s Week of Warmth, we look forward to connecting more families with the resources they need to stay safe, warm and stable this winter.” Hallelujah for Heat is a free, community gospel concert, and serves as the official kickoff for The Heat and Warmth Fund’s (THAW) Week of Warmth, which provides critical energy assistance to Michigan families during the winter months. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at DTEH4H2026.eventbrite.com. THAW’s Week of Warmth runs until Sunday, Nov. 1. More information on THAW’s Week of Warmth and ways to give, visit THAWFund.org. Over the past 15 years, the Hallelujah for Heat stage has welcomed gospel legends including Pastor John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and others – making it one of the most anticipated gospel events in Detroit.

Rooted in Community:

The DTE Foundation’s 2025 Impact If you want to understand what resilience looks like in Detroit and across Michigan, look at the people and organizations doing the work every day. Start on a block in Brightmoor, where a vacant, blighted lot became a garden that blooms every season.

lives, Red Cross volunteers installed the smoke alarms that woke families in time to escape. “Their generosity has helped us protect families against the threat of a home fire and assist individuals who are impacted by disasters,” said Nada Charara of the Red Cross Michigan Region.

Detroit Hives had the vision. Neighbors, local businesses and community members brought it to life, planting more than 500 perennials and 14 trees where an abandoned parcel once sat. The DTE Foundation helped make it possible, but the garden belongs to the block, and today it stands as a gathering place, a habitat and a living classroom for the next generation of stewards.

The Foundation shows up in the city’s shared spaces, too. Along the riverfront, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy opened Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, inclusive of the DTE Foundation Summit, a place that brings people together and inspires pride in Detroit. “We are deeply grateful to the DTE Foundation for their generous support of public spaces in Detroit,” said Ryan Sullivan, CEO of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. It shows up in a free Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert, and in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ exhibition honoring Native American creativity through the work of Great Lakes artists.

That is what community activation looks like: partners on the ground, and the Foundation helping carry what they start. It is the story the Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report tells across the city, a year defined not by dollars handed down, but by presence, by showing up alongside organizations that know their neighbors’ needs. When families faced hunger, food partners like Gleaners and Forgotten Harvest moved millions of meals to neighbors, backed by the Foundation’s support. When home fires threatened

The Foundation invested $15.1 million in 445 nonprofit organizations in 2025, but those dollars are only as meaningful as the partners who put them to work. That is how the DTE Foundation understands its place: not in front of its partners, but beside them, in the communities where we live and serve.

Save up to $150 on a furnace tune-up with DTE Energy As summer winds down and cooler temperatures begin to move into Southeast Michigan, now is the perfect time to make sure your home’s heating system is ready for the months ahead. A furnace tune-up can help ensure your system is operating efficiently and reliably before you need it most. From Sept. 1 through Nov. 15, DTE natural gas customers can receive up to $150 back – double the standard $75 rebate – when they schedule a qualifying furnace diagnostic tune-up with a participating contractor. During the tune-up, a participating contractor will use advanced diagnostic tools to inspect your system, identify potential issues and make adjustments that can help improve performance and reliability. If your furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, you can receive up to $400 in rebates when you upgrade to a qualifying high-efficiency furnace. While preparing your furnace for the season, check your filters, too. A dirty filter can block airflow and force your furnace or central air conditioner to work harder to keep your home comfortable. Clean or replace your furnace and air filters at least every three months to improve airflow throughout your home. Another simple step is to make sure your heating registers and vents are clear and unobstructed. Blocked vents can restrict airflow, forcing your heating system to work harder. Keeping registers clear can help warm air circulate throughout your home, improving comfort and efficiency. Take a few simple steps now to help keep your home comfortable, avoid unexpected heating problems and save money this winter.

Page A-4 | September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Young Detroit Musicians Find Their Sound on the Jazz Festival Stage By Jasmine West Detroit’s jazz legacy has long been built by musicians who learned the craft in the city, found their sound here and, in many cases, returned to teach the next generation. That cycle is continuing inside Detroit Public Schools Community District classrooms, where students are learning from professional musicians through the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation’s New Jazz Infusion program and getting opportunities to perform on some of the same stages as the artists mentoring them. The program, supported by the Barbara and Erb Foundation, pairs students with working musicians while giving young artists a closer look at what a career in music can actually require. For students at Detroit School of Arts, that connection comes with history. Under former DSA Director of Bands Ed Quick, the school’s jazz program built a reputation that extended well beyond the classroom. The late Aaliyah, a DSA alumna who became an R&B singer and actress, once performed alongside students in the school’s jazz program. The ensemble also worked with artists including Aretha Franklin. Today, DSA Director of Bands Victoria Fernholz said that legacy matters, but so does giving students access to the musicians working in jazz right now. “The partnership with the Detroit Jazz Festival is really important because a lot of our students are looking to be part of that scene. They want to be professional jazz musicians,” Fernholz said. “It gives them an opportunity to connect with professionals who are already in the field.” That exposure includes seeing their own mentors perform professionally. “Even getting to see one of their mentor teachers, Allen Denard, performing on stage at the Detroit Jazz Festival is really special for them,” Fernholz said. Students also get their own chance to step onto the festival

stage through a showcase included in the Detroit Jazz Festival lineup. For DSA senior Toni Hobdy, music was not originally the plan. Hobdy entered DSA through visual arts before trying an instrument and discovering another creative ability. “I didn’t start off as an instrumental major. I was actually in visual arts, but once I tried playing an instrument for the first time, everybody was super welcoming,” Hobdy said. “The staff at DSA didn’t even have to try hard — they’re just naturally so nice, welcoming and helpful.” That support, she said, also comes with expectations. “They always push me to do better without making me feel bad,” Hobdy said. “I stress myself out about practicing, but I’d honestly rather be under a bunch of intentional, happy stress than to be lazy with my instrument, so

I practice daily.” Senior Nathan Bates found his instrument after arriving at DSA. Bates began with piano before picking up the tenor saxophone during his freshman year. Three years later, he said the decision changed the direction of his life. “I found a passion for piano and I was into it, but once I came to DSA, I decided to try a saxophone,” Bates said. “My passion for music really skyrocketed, and I knew music is what I wanted to do.” New Jazz Infusion reaches students beyond DSA. The program is also housed at Cass Technical, Northwestern, Cody, Martin Luther King and Renaissance high schools, as well as the Edward Duke Ellington Conservatory of Music and Art at Beckham Academy. For Pershing High School band teacher Kevin Moore, the value of

giving students access to instruments and instruction is personal. Moore was introduced to music in fourth grade by teacher Deborah Scales, who allowed him to experiment before settling on the saxophone. “She gave me a variety of instruments to choose from. I went with the saxophone, and from then on, when I went to high school at DSA, it just built my skills,” Moore said. “It took me all around the world. I wouldn’t be the musician I am today if it wasn’t for DPSCD.” His time as a student at Duke Ellington and DSA eventually brought him back to the district as a teacher. “Because I had so much influence from all of my band teachers, I knew that I wanted to teach again,” Moore said. “Coming back home just felt right.” Now, he is standing on the

other side of an experience that helped shape his own life. “I know the city and what comes with it — all the ups and downs,” Moore said. “I just wanted to get back to my community, really. It warms my heart that I’m able to give students the same opportunities that I had when I was in school.” For students considering music beyond high school, that kind of example makes the pathway less abstract. They can learn an instrument in a DPSCD classroom, work alongside musicians already making a living through their craft, and then step onto one of Detroit jazz’s biggest stages themselves. And for teachers like Moore, the opportunity comes full circle: Detroit students learning from Detroit musicians, with another generation preparing to carry the city’s sound forward.

Michigan Voter Information: Key Dates to Know Before Election Day

Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

All Michigan communities have a general election on November 3. Michigan voters will play a critical role in deciding control of Congress this November. The choice between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers could determine which political party leads the US Senate. For details on how to register and vote by mail or in person, click here. You can right now request an absentee ballot online or submit a paper application. You should request your ballot no later than Oct. 13 to ensure your city or township clerk receives your ballot by the deadline. On Sept. 24, you can start voting in person with an absentee ballot at your city or township clerk’s office. Some communities, including Detroit, will offer in-person early voting sites beginning Oct. 5. You can contact your clerk or visit mi.gov/vote to learn where you can vote early in person. The last day to register to vote online or by mail is Oct. 19. After that date, you’ll need to register in person at your city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency. Oct. 20 is the final day to return your ballot by mail to avoid postal delays. Starting Oct. 21, the state encourages voters to return ballots in person at the clerk’s office or in a secure drop box. Oct. 24 is the first day of statewide in-person early voting. All communities must offer in-person early voting at a designated early voting site starting on this day. The last day of statewide in-person early voting is Nov. 1. The deadline to vote in person with an absentee ballot is Nov. 2 at 4 pm. Election Day is Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 am to 8 pm. If you need to register to vote, you can register and then vote at your local clerk’s office until 8 pm. If you’re serving in the military or living overseas, your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day (Nov. 3) and re-

ceived by Monday, November 9, to count. If you wait until Election Day to register to vote, you must apply in person at the city or township clerk’s office that runs your local elections. Same-day registration can be completed up until polls close on an election day. In Detroit, same-day registration happens at the Department of Elections, at 2978 W. Grand Blvd. Same-day voting is a result of the passage of Proposal 2 by Michigan voters in November 2022. The citizens-led initiative brought numerous changes to local elections, and for the clerks who administer them and townships that fund them. Prop 2 enshrined numerous new voter rights in the state constitution: early in-person voting for statewide and federal elections; prepaid return postage for absent voter (AV) applications and ballots; a permanent AV list and required absent voter (AV) applications and ballots drop-boxes. Can I vote if… The only time you cannot register and vote is when you are serving a sentence in jail or prison. You can vote even if you are awaiting arraignment, trial, or sentencing – whether you are in jail or not. You can vote even if you have a felony or misdemeanor, or you are on

probation, parole, or tether. You can vote if you do not have a permanent address. Even if you don’t have a home or a stable address, you can register and vote using any of these as your address: Any other place where you usually stay; A street corner; a park; a shelter or outreach center; the home of someone who will accept your mail. What they’re saying: Local election officials are promising a free and fair election after President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice suggested Detroit elections required surveillance. The federal government sent a number of election monitors to observe the August primary election. Trump has long questioned the legitimacy of elections in Detroit, though he has never provided credible evidence to prove the claims. “Those kinds of tactics are tactics that they use when they want to discourage the vote,” Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey said in August. “When they don’t want people to show up and exercise their vote. Everyone knows by know… Detroit has been tested, and threatened. Every time we’re proven to have accurate, fair, clean elections. That’s what we do in the city of Detroit.” You can reach Sam at srobinson@michronicle.com

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A5 | September 16-22, 2026

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Property is Power!

The Best Time to Buy May Not Feel Like the Best Time to Buy By Dr. Anthony O. Kellum CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Some of the greatest opportunities in real estate arrive disguised as uncertainty. When mortgage rates are low, the economy feels strong, home prices are climbing, and everyone seems confident about buying, purchasing a home feels comfortable. But comfort often comes with competition. Buyers compete against multiple offers, waive contingencies, offer above asking price, and sometimes make decisions based more on fear of missing out than sound financial judgment. Today’s market feels different. Mortgage rates remain elevated compared with the historically low Anthony O. Kellum rates many consumers became accustomed to. Affordability is challenging economic uncertainty has caused some buyers to remain on the sidelines, and homes in many markets are sitting longer than they did during the frenzy of recent years. For many people, those conditions sound like reasons not to buy. But they may also represent something we have not seen consistently in several years, buyer leverage. A slower housing market can create opportunities to negotiate the purchase price, request seller-paid closing costs, obtain repairs, negotiate interest-rate buydowns, and simply have more time to evaluate a property before making one of the largest financial decisions of your life. That does not mean everyone should rush out and purchase a home. Real estate should never be purchased simply because someone says, “Now is the time to buy.” Your income, credit, savings, monthly payment, employment stability, and long-term goals all matter. But there is an important distinction between a bad market and an uncomfortable market. The two are not necessarily the same. History has repeatedly shown us that people often feel most comfortable investing when everyone else feels comfortable. Unfortunately, by the time confidence becomes universal, much of the opportunity may already be reflected in the price. Real estate investors understand this concept particularly well. Experienced investors do not simply ask, “What are interest rates?” They ask What is the property worth? What can I purchase it for? What will it rent for? What are my expenses? What is my cash flow? Where is the opportunity, and what is my exit strategy? Primary-home buyers should begin thinking with some of that same discipline. A home is certainly where we live, raise our families, celebrate holidays, and create memories. But it is also an asset. Over time, the mortgage balance can decline while equity grows. That equity can become part of a family’s net worth and, ultimately, part of what one generation passes to the next. For Black America, Ownership Has an Even Deeper Meaning For Black families, this conversation carries additional weight.

See BEST TIME TO BUY Page A-7

The Cost of Cosm

By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR

There is a particular kind of spectacle that happens when a new building opens in downtown Detroit. People immediately start asking what it cost. With Cosm Detroit, the question is more complicated than a construction budget. The 70,000-square-foot immersive sports and entertainment venue opened to the public on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 25 Cadillac Square, brought with it an 87-foot-diameter LED dome, wall-to-wall screens, reserved seating, food and beverage service, a rooftop deck, and the ability to transport an audience from downtown Detroit to a sporting event happening thousands of miles away. Its opening-night presentation took viewers to Melbourne, Australia, for an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams. The venue has a capacity of roughly 1,500 people across its three levels and outdoor spaces. It is difficult to put a price on that kind of novelty. It is equally difficult to ignore the prices attached to it. Cosm has not publicly disclosed a specific construction cost for the Detroit venue. (Online estimates range anywhere from $50 million to $120 million.) What is known is that the company raised more than $250 million in a 2024 funding round to expand its national network of venues, with Dan Gilbert’s ROCK among the investors. Detroit is the company’s fourth U.S. location, following venues in Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta. Sony Pictures announced a $100 million strategic investment in Cosm in June. That puts Detroit inside a very small club of cities with access to this technology. Cosm goes beyond another sports bar with a bigger television. Its Shared Reality platform is designed to put an audience inside the action, using an enormous curved LED display to create the sensation of sitting courtside, on the field, or inside another environment entirely. The innovation is real, and so is the potential economic value of having something in downtown Detroit that people cannot experience in many other places. But the history of the land makes the economics more complicated. For years, this was supposed to be the Monroe Blocks. In 2017, Bedrock announced an ambitious $830 million redevelopment of the site. The plan called for an 814,000-square-foot office tower, about 482 residential units, retail and restaurants, and 1.5 acres of public open space. The larger collection of Bedrock projects announced at

the time represented more than $2.1 billion in investment. Construction on Monroe Blocks began in December 2018. Then the project stalled. By 2019, construction had effectively stopped as Bedrock reassessed how to proceed with its collection of major downtown developments. COVID-19 changed the economics of downtown real estate even further. Office demand shifted. Development plans changed. Years passed. The site became something else in the meantime: a place where Detroiters could play. The Monroe Street Midway turned a large downtown development site into seasonal public entertainment. It featured Rollout Detroit, basketball courts, pickleball, minigolf, arcade-style attractions, swings, and other activities. Entry to the Midway was free, while roller skating cost $13 and included skate rental. The basketball courts and mini-golf were free. At one point, the Midway had attracted nearly 100,000 visitors in a single year, including more than 20,000 roller skaters. Bedrock later said the Midway had welcomed more than 240,000 guests over its three years before the site served as hosting grounds for the NFL draft in 2024. That history matters because it reveals something downtown Detroit had been missing. People could go downtown to work. They could go to restaurants. They could attend a Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, or Pistons game. They could visit Campus Martius. They could attend a concert or festival. The Midway provided something different: permission to simply play. That is the piece of the downtown entertainment ecosystem Cosm now occupies, at least in part. The city needed another destination built around entertainment, gathering, and spectacle, and Cosm fills that gap in a major way. It creates another reason to come downtown without requiring a traditional sporting ticket, a concert ticket, or a reservation at a restaurant. It also gives visitors another reason to stay downtown before and after an event. The question is who gets to participate. Cosm’s current pricing makes that question unavoidable. General admission for many sporting events starts at $11, granting access to first-come, first-served seating options at the bar or one of the general admission areas. Official listings also show Hall tickets beginning around $17 and reserved Dome tickets that can reach well into the hun-

See THE COST OF COSM Page A-6

From Blueprint to Breakthrough: Tackling Affordable Housing in Detroit Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation and Cove Investments and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods—and residents—thrive. Sponsored by JPMorganChase Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise. The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining, forcing people to devote more of their take home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S. and that rings true here in Detroit. To close that gap, it’s essential that all Detroit residents share in its growth, with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation and Cove Investments, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in homes for individuals who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area. For Detroit seniors living on fixed or limited incomes, Greystone Senior Living offers stability and an affordable place to age in their own community. Developed by Cass

Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation together with Cove Investments and financed with support from J.P. Morgan, the development brings 49 new affordable homes to seniors, meaning rents stay tied to what residents can actually afford rather than consuming an entire fixed-income budget. Daily life unfolds across the four-story building in ways designed for connection and ease. Residents can gather in the community center and activities room, browse the library, or relax in the picnic area, while an on-site building management office keeps support close at hand. “We’re proud of the far reaching impact this project will have. It reflects our mission to uplift our communities

and expands the supply of high quality, affordable homes,” said Diana Dyste, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters—and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.” A broader commitment to Detroit’s future While Greystone Senior Living is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Detroit, the firm provides banking services to more than 480,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic

See GREYSTONE SENIOR LIVING Page A-6

Page A-6 | September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

The Cost of Cosm

From page A-1

dreds depending on the event. At the high end, assigned seating can reach roughly $460 when demand is high. For a city where the median household income is $39,938 and 32.7% of residents live below the poverty line, $11 is accessible in a relative sense. A $460 ticket represents roughly 1.2% of the annual income of a household at Detroit’s median income before accounting for food, housing, transportation, child care, or anything else. And a ticket is rarely the entire cost of an outing. There’s parking, food, drinks, maybe merchandise. For a family, the economics multiply quickly. That does not mean Cosm has to be inexpensive. That’s an important distinction. A technologically sophisticated entertainment venue does not necessarily have an obligation to function as a public park. Building and operating a 70,000-squarefoot venue filled with expensive display technology, hospitality services, and premium seating costs real money. There is nothing inherently wrong with creating a premium experience in downtown Detroit. Cities need businesses that can attract visitors, generate tax revenue, employ people, and persuade people to spend time and money in their urban cores. But Detroit also has a particular history with accessibility. The Monroe Street Midway was explicitly built around that idea. It gave people a reason to come downtown without first asking whether they could afford a ticket, and its programming created opportunities for young people, families, and people who may not have considered downtown entertainment to be for them. Cosm can’t replace all of that, but it also doesn’t need to. What it can do is create a different kind of civic value. Imagine a teenager in Detroit seeing a Michigan football game projected across an 87-foot dome. Imagine a visitor coming downtown specifically because Cosm is something they cannot experience at home. Imagine a sports fan watching a championship game in a room designed to make thousands of people feel as though they are occupying the same physical space as the athletes. That is an economic asset, too. The value of downtown isn’t determined solely by square footage or property assessments. It’s also determined by whether people have reasons to be there. Cosm creates one. The development also continues the transformation of the Cadillac Square

site from an unfinished chapter into a piece of downtown’s entertainment infrastructure. The current development plan includes a 34,000-square-foot market hall and additional residential and retail development in a subsequent phase. So the cost of Cosm can’t be reduced to the price on the ticket. There is the cost of building it. There is the cost of giving up the original Monroe Blocks vision. There is the cost of losing the Monroe Street Midway and the free, informal play it provided. There is the cost of admission for a Detroit household trying to make a night downtown work. And there is the value on the other side of the ledger: innovation, jobs, visitors, spending, entertainment, and the simple fact that Detroit now has something almost no other American city has. The more important question may not be whether Cosm is worth the money. Perhaps it’s whether Detroit can make sure the growth of its entertainment economy creates enough doors for Detroiters to walk through. Cosm doesn’t have to be everything to everybody. It doesn’t have to be the new Midway, a public park, a sports bar and a cultural institution all at once. It can be what it was built to be: an extraordinary new entertainment experience. But a city as economically diverse as Detroit should keep asking who gets to experience extraordinary things. That’s the real cost of Cosm — and, potentially, its greatest opportunity.

Greystone Senior Living From page A-1

opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested $45 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 46,200 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth building tools. “As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Terrah Opferman, Region Manager, Commercial Banking and Chair, Michigan Market Leadership Team, JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.” The journey to close the affordable housing gap continues, with industry leaders like Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation and Cove Investments finding a path forward to bring real solutions to the Detroit community. You can also read more about what’s happening in Detroit at https://www.jpmorganchase.com/communities/detroit.

Best Time to Buy From page A-1 For generations, Black Americans faced very real barriers to acquiring property, obtaining mortgages, living in certain communities, and fully participating in the wealth-building opportunities that homeownership provided to others. Those barriers helped create a homeownership and wealth gap that did not disappear simply because the laws eventually changed. That history should not discourage us. It should motivate us. We cannot change the opportunities previous generations were denied, but we can be intentional about the opportunities available to us today. For Black families who are financially prepared, ownership should be viewed not simply as purchasing a house, but as establishing a foothold. One property can become equity. Equity can become capital. Capital can help finance another property, start a business, educate a child, strengthen retirement, or provide an inheritance. That is how ownership begins to change the trajectory of a family. We also have to become comfortable talking about ownership with our children. Teach them about credit, teach them about mortgages, teach them about equity, investing, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and the responsibility that accompanies owning an asset. Our children should grow up believing that ownership is normal and achievable. We do not have to become wealthy overnight. Sometimes generational wealth begins much more quietly with one family purchasing one property, keeping it, building equity, and making sure the next generation does not have to start from zero. That is why permanently waiting for the “perfect” market can have consequences. Every year spent waiting is another year in which someone else may be building equity in an asset you are paying to use. And we should stop measuring today’s opportunities against yesterday’s extraordinary mortgage rates.

The 2% and 3% mortgage environment was historically unusual. Building an entire homeownership strategy around waiting for those rates to return may cause prospective buyers to overlook opportunities that make financial sense today. The better question is not simply, “Are rates high?” The better question is, “Do the numbers work for me?” Can you comfortably afford the payment? Are you purchasing the property at a reasonable price? Can you negotiate concessions that improve the transaction? Do you plan to own the property long enough for ownership to make financial sense? And does buying move you closer to your longterm goals? If the answer to those questions is yes, an uncomfortable market may actually become an opportunity. Opportunity rarely announces itself by making everyone feel safe. Often, the greatest opportunities become obvious only after the uncertainty has passed. Real estate is no different. Do not allow headlines alone to determine your financial future. Do not buy because everyone else is buying, and do not automatically sit on the sidelines because everyone else is nervous. And particularly in Black communities, we cannot allow the difficulties of the market to convince another generation that ownership is beyond our reach. We have spent enough generations fighting for access to ownership. Now we must also develop the knowledge, preparation, and confidence to exercise it. Study the numbers. Understand your options. Negotiate aggressively but intelligently. Purchase when the property, payment, and strategy make sense for you. Because sometimes the best time to buy does not feel like the best time to buy. Property is Power Ownership creates options Equity creates opportunity, and what we own today can help determine what the next generation inherits tomorrow. Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.

raise hope & foster dreams become a foster parent Children in foster care need supportive adults to provide loving homes until they can be safely reunited with their family. A loving family can help a child cope with separation and make sure they have opportunities to be a kid. To learn more about foster care in Michigan, text “FOSTER” to 888-893-3619.

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michiganchronicle.com | September 16-22, 2026 | Page A-7

Money Matters:

You Worked a Lifetime to Build It. Make Sure You Protect It. By Mark S. Lee CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Most of us spend a lifetime building what we have — a home, retirement savings, investments, a business or simply a financial cushion we hope will make life easier for our families. But there is one important part of financial planning that too many people put off: deciding what happens to those assets when we are no longer here to make the decisions ourselves. That is where estate planning comes in. A will or trust may not be the most comfortable financial conversation to have, but it can be one of the most important. Estate planning isn’t just for wealthy people. It is about making your wishes clear, protecting the people you care Mark S. Lee about and reducing the possibility of confusion and conflict after you’re gone. And the numbers show that too many Americans are leaving this important financial task unfinished. According to Caring.com’s 2025 Wills & Estate Planning Survey, only 24% of Americans reported having a will, while 13% reported having a living trust. More than half of respondents had no will or trust. Perhaps most revealing, 43% of those without a will said they simply “haven’t gotten around to it.” That’s a lot of procrastination when we’re talking about protecting a lifetime of work. A will is the basic building block of an estate plan. It allows you to state who should receive your assets and who you want to handle your estate. For parents of minor children, it can also identify whom they would want to care for their children. Without a valid will, your wishes don’t necessarily determine who receives your property. In Michigan, when someone dies without a will, the estate is distributed according to the state’s laws of intestate succession. That doesn’t mean your family automatically loses everything. It means state law, rather than you, determines how certain assets are distributed. A Trust can provide another level of control. Depending on the type of trust and your circumstances, it can help determine how and when beneficiaries receive assets and can allow certain assets to pass outside of probate. For some families, a will may be sufficient. For others — particularly those with significant assets, a business, minor children, complicated family circumstances or specific wishes for how assets should be distributed — a trust may be an important part of the plan. Caring.com’s 2025 survey found that only 16% of Black respondents reported having a will, compared with 24% of respondents overall. Even more concerning, 62% of Black respondents reported having no estate-planning documents at all. That gap matters because estate planning is also about preserving wealth from one generation to the next. A will or trust can help families clearly establish ownership, determine who inherits assets and reduce the possibility that property becomes fragmented or caught up in complicated legal disputes. And estate planning involves more than a will or trust. Financial powers of attorney can identify someone you trust to make financial decisions if you’re unable to do so. Health care documents can communicate your wishes about medical care. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies should also be reviewed because those designations can determine who receives those assets. Life changes can happen at any age. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary, a new business, a significant change in your finances or the purchase of a home can all be reasons to create or update an estate plan. Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey found that only 32% of U.S. adults had created a will, meaning roughly two-thirds had not. Even among adults in their 60s, fewer than half had one. Start by making a list of your major assets, financial accounts and insurance policies. Identify the people you want to protect and the people you trust to make decisions on your behalf. Then talk with an estate-planning attorney about whether a will, trust or combination of tools makes sense for you. Estate planning isn’t really about death. It’s about responsibility. You’ve spent a lifetime building your financial house. A will and, when appropriate, a trust can help make sure someone else doesn’t have to figure out what to do with it after you’re gone. Don’t wait until you need an estate plan. By then, it may be too late. Money Matters. We invite readers, business owners, and future entrepreneurs to follow along, ask questions, and engage. If you have story ideas or questions, you can email Lee at mark@leegroupinnovation.com or visit leegroupinnovation.com.

Fixing the Literacy Crisis Early 5 Subtle Signs a Child is Falling Behind

All over social media, people are complaining about a “literacy crisis.” But does it really exist? In Detroit, a nearly 30-year-old study states that nearly half of Detroiters are functionally illiterate. Data Driven Detroit writes that the “data is extremely outdated and doesn’t take into account changes in the landscape over the past 30 years, it was also not very reliable even when it was published.” There are currently no reliable citywide adult literacy census or percentage available. They also write that “third-grade English language arts proficiency, the average SAT score in reading and writing, and college reading readiness are a few indicators that give a more precise indication of literacy levels.” In 2025, Chalkbeat celebrated that the percentage of third graders who met or exceeded proficiency in reading in the Detroit school district reached an 11-year high. “The school board has set ambitious student achievement goals through our updated 2027 strategic plan, and we look forward to continuing the process of problem solving with the superintendent on how to reach those goals while holding him accountable to their obtainment as well,” DPSCD School Board Member-At-Large told Chalkbeat. While the news is promising, it remains important for parents and educators to be able to determine the warning signs when a child may be averse to reading and how to support them. Five signs a student may be struggling with literacy and how adults can help:

1. They Avoid Reading Whenever Possible One of the earliest signs of literacy difficulties is avoidance. Students may hesitate to read aloud in class, show little interest in books, or become anxious when reading tasks are assigned. Experts say that schools can conduct literacy screenings and reading assessments, provide targeted small-group interventions, and offer reading materials that match the student’s ability level. Meanwhile, parents can ensure that they and their child read together regularly without putting pressure on performance, let children choose books based on their interests, and celebrate effort and progress rather than accuracy alone.

2. They Struggle to Recognize Familiar Words Students who struggle to recognize fa-

miliar words may read slowly, hesitate frequently, or rely heavily on sounding out each word. Schools can implement structured literacy or phonics-based interventions, monitor progress regularly, and work with reading specialists where additional support is needed. Parents can practice high-frequency words at home, encourage repeated reading of familiar books, and create opportunities for reading in everyday activities.

3. They Have Difficulty Understanding What They’ve Read Being able to read the words on a page does not always mean a student understands the text. Comprehension depends on multiple skills, including vocabulary development, background knowledge, and the ability to make connections between ideas. Schools are encouraged to teach comprehension strategies explicitly, use guided reading and discussion activities, and provide personalized support based on assessment data. Parents can encourage comprehension by asking questions about stories after reading together, encouraging children to summarize events in their own words, and discussing books, articles, and even TV shows to build comprehension skills.

4. Their Confidence Begins to Decline Students quickly become aware that reading is harder for them than it appears to be for their peers. Literacy difficulties can have a significant impact on confidence, which is why emotional support is just as important as academic support.

Schools can create supportive learning environments, set achievable literacy goals, and celebrate small successes to build confidence. Parents should focus on strengths as well as challenges, avoid comparing progress with siblings or peers, and reinforce that reading development looks different for every child.

5. Difficulties Start Affecting Other Subjects Because reading is fundamental to almost every area of learning, literacy challenges can have a ripple effect across the curriculum. Students may struggle to understand instructions, complete assignments independently, or engage with grade-level content. Reading is the gateway to learning in every subject. When students experience literacy challenges, those difficulties can impact everything from classroom participation to academic achievement. Educators should collaborate across teaching and specialist teams, identify whether additional evaluations or interventions are needed, and develop individualized support plans where appropriate. Parents can communicate regularly with teachers, monitor homework frustrations across subjects, and seek support early if concerns persist. “Consistent encouragement, effective instruction and early intervention can make a meaningful difference,” BlazerWorks writes. Or as Frederick Douglass said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Two Systems of Justice:

How Success Makes Leaders of Color Targets By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. NNPA PRESIDENT AND CEO

Unless you have lived through it, it is easy to dismiss as racial paranoia the wariness and discomfort felt by many successful business leaders of color who have reached the elite ranks of the business world. To outside observers, modern corporate America appears to be a meritocracy where performance dictates how far an individual can rise. Yet history reveals a far more sobering reality: No matter how much success an outsider of color accumulates, his or her place at the top is often accompanied by a question mark – by a lingering sense that acceptance is fleeting and the status earned over decades is more fragile than it appears. Nowhere is that more evident than in moments of crisis and failure. When an established company led by white American executives’ falters, media pundits, investors, business analysts, regulators and other stakeholders follow a predictable script. Their failure is framed as the result of harsh economic cycles, bad timing, changing consumer preferences, miscalculation or bad luck. Rarely is the white executive’s integrity put on trial. But African Americans and other people of color corporate leaders are rarely afforded the same benefit of the doubt when a damaging crisis erupts under their watch. Instead, people are often quick to assume that incompetence, poor work ethic, character flaws, dishonesty, or criminal intent was at the root of the problem. The 2008 mortgage crisis vividly illustrated this double standard. Wall Street banks made enormous profits from a housing boom built on risky mortgages. When Americans began defaulting in staggering numbers, millions lost their homes, trillions in household wealth vanished, and the global economy neared collapse. And how many of the overwhelmingly white Wall Street executives behind this scheme were criminally prosecuted? Virtually none. Instead, the financial system received billions in taxpayer bailouts while the institutions at the center of the crisis paid executives lavish bonuses. The double standard hardly ends there. A few years later, global banking giant HSBC avoided criminal prosecution after admitting that its lax controls allowed Mexican drug cartels to launder hundreds of millions of dollars. Instead, federal prosecutors levied financial penalties against the bank. In the world of high finance, global breakdowns seem to be routinely treated as the cost of doing business. Contrast this grace with the treatment

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. reserved for outsiders who aren’t in the club, usually African American executives or other business leaders of color whose organizations come under strain -- whether in municipal services, finance, or manufacturing. The institutional response is too often vilification, press leaks, and the immediate criminalization of business failure. Consider a case I wrote about a few years ago involving Jack Brown III, a visionary African American entrepreneur who built CORE Services Group into one of New York City’s most effective social services providers. Yet when CORE demanded tens of millions in overdue payments from the cashstrapped city for services delivered, city officials launched a campaign of press leaks and innuendo, suggesting that Brown’s executive compensation was corrupt. It was a classic example of how leaders of color can be character demonized in an instant. More recently, there’s a troubling case in the American heartland involving both the forced liquidation of First Brands Group, an auto parts manufacturer that anchored many communities with jobs, and the unfair aggressive prosecution of its founder, Patrick James. James, an immigrant entrepreneur of color who arrived in Ohio in the 1980s, chose a path modern Wall Street had largely abandoned. Rather than relocating operations and shipping jobs overseas, James entered the struggling world of Midwestern manufacturing and worked to turn it around. Over three decades, he acquired numerous iconic but fading American auto-parts brands -- like FRAM, Trico, and Raybestos -- bringing them under an industrial giant in a vitally important American industry. As an industry outsider with limited access to easy credit from giant mainstream banks, James funded this expansion through high-yield, high-risk private lenders that resemble the payday lenders found in urban neighborhoods. When the economy faltered -- driven by historic interest rate hikes, inflation, and pandemic-era shipping bottlenecks -- First Brands’ heavy debt burden became unsustainable.

In a fair system, staggering debt during an economic downturn triggers standard Chapter 11 protections: debt is reorganized, ancillary assets are sold, and the company continues to employ thousands. Instead, the private credit lenders who earned lucrative returns worsened the problem. To insulate themselves from their own bad bets, they ran to federal law enforcement, spinning a story of executive fraud out of a complex debt default they helped create. The response from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York was swift. Prosecutors dusted off the “Financial Kingpin” statute, a drug-cartel-era law carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life. Instead of stabilizing the business, court-appointed restructuring advisors collected large professional fees while liquidating plants, firing thousands of American workers, and selling off specialized manufacturing machinery. At the same time, they worked with the government to build an indictment against James, while prosecutors cut off his access to the corporate documents he needed to defend himself, according to court filings. In the end, China has been the real beneficiary of this debacle, quickly stepping in to absorb the domestic market share First Brands once held. In that sense, the destruction of First Brands represents another example of Wall Street undermining Main Street by dismantling an effort to rebuild America’s hollowed-out manufacturing base. Still, there is good reason to believe the ugly facts will finally be heard on the merits rather than through creditor-driven spin. The James case is before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres – a trailblazing Latina appointed by President Obama and veteran of the New York bench known for her impartiality, deep respect for working people and labor, and refusal to let institutional power tilt the scales. In a courtroom led by a judge who understands the challenges outsiders face, this corporate undoing may finally get the thorough scrutiny it deserves. American democracy can only be sustained when African Americans and other people of color are treated fairly, equality, justly, and equitably. The racial targeting of successful corporate leaders of color must be stopped. Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and Executive Producer of The Chavis Chronicles on PBS TV network across the nation, and can be reached at dr.chavis@nnpr.org

toyota michron connector 9/11/26 2:46 PM Page 1 Page A-8 | 091626.qxp_toyota September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

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VISIT YOUR LOCAL MICHIGAN TOYOTA DEALER TODAY! FOR ALL TOYOTA OFFERS AND TO FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU 1. New 2026 Toyota Crown (excludes Crown Signia), all-hybrid 2026 RAV4 (includes RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid – excludes GR Sport), and new 2026 Corolla Hatchback. 5.99% APR financing for 60 months with $19.33 per $1,000 and 6.99% APR financing for 72 months with $17.04 per $1,000 borrowed.** 2. Based on manufacturer estimates, CY 2025 sales. 3. All-hybrid 2026 RAV4 LE AWD Model #4435. Lease based on net cap cost of $32,216. Lease end purchase option $27,130.* 4. Toyota vehicles and components are built using U.S. and globally sourced parts. 5. Based on manufacturers’ sales data from CY 2002-2025. 6. New 2026 Camry LE FWD Model #2559. Lease based on net cap cost of $28,336. Lease end purchase option $22,200.* 7. New 2026 Camry and new 2026 Corolla (excludes Corolla Cross Gas/Hybrid & GR Corolla). 5.49% APR financing for 60 months with $19.10 per $1,000 and 6.49% APR financing for 72 months with $16.81 per $1,000 borrowed.** 8. Based on manufacturer estimates. Source: Toyota.com. 9. New 2026 Corolla LE Gas Model #1852. Lease based on net cap cost of $21,431. Lease end purchase option $16,816.* 10. New 2026 bZ XLE AWD Model #2872. Lease based on net cap cost of $35,903. Lease end purchase option $19,395. Includes $3,250 TFS Lease Subvention Cash.* 11. Allnew 2026 bZ (Excludes bZ Woodland). 1.99% APR financing for 72 months with $14.75.** 12. $250 TFS Standard APR Cash on new 2026 bZ (Excludes bzWoodland). Subject to approved credit when financed through Toyota Financial Services. APR Cash must be applied to deal. Not all customers will qualify – see dealer for details. 13. All-new 2026 bZ Woodland. 2.25% APR for 72 months with $14.86 per $1,000 borrowed.** 14. All-new 2026 C-HR. 2.75% APR financing for 72 months with $15.08 per $1,000 borrowed.** 15. Based on manufacturer’s data. Source: Toyota.com. 16. Qualified current, active-duty U. S. Military personnel, inactive reserves, veterans honorably discharged within two calendar years of their service discharge date, retired U. S. Military veteran regardless of date of separation from active service, and a spouse/surviving spouse and dependents of an eligible U. S. military personal (including Gold Star Family Members) are eligible for rebates in addition to all other incentives, depending on model, through Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., when leased or financed through Toyota Financial Services. Must take retail delivery from select new dealer stock (TCUV not eligible). The Toyota Military Rebate Program is not compatible with the Toyota College Rebate Program or Lease-End Refinancing Program. See participating dealer or visit toyota.com for complete details. 17. The Toyota College Rebate Program is not compatible with the Military Rebate Program. See participating dealer or visit toyota.com for complete details. Contract cost of $15,164/RAV4 LE AWD, $14,814/Camry LE, $11,664/Corolla LE & $20,064/bZ XLE AWD excludes all applicable taxes and government fees. Due at signing includes down payment of $2,031/RAV4 LE AWD, $2,041 Camry LE, $2,131/Corolla LE & $1,891/bZ XLE AWD; $750 acquisition fee & documentary service fee of up to $899 (documentary fees vary by state but MI, OH, KY & TN will not exceed $899). Price will vary based on accessories chosen. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. Subject to approved credit through Toyota Financial Services. Not all customers will qualify – Tier I PLUS customers ONLY. Other options and dealer charges extra. Your payment may vary depending on final price. Lessee may be charged for excessive wear based on Toyota Financial Services standards for normal use and for mileage in excess of 30,000 miles at the rate of $0.15 per mile (10K low mileage leases). A $350 Disposition Fee is due at lease termination. ** Subject to approved credit thru Toyota Financial Services. Tier 1+ & 1 only. See participating dealer for details. a Must take retail delivery from new 2026 models in dealer stock while supply lasts between 9/1/26 and 9/30/26. Offers may vary by region. Delays in new vehicle shipments not in the control of dealer may impact customer delivery date and offer eligibility. Supply limited. See participating dealer for complete details. Individual dealer prices and document fees may vary. VEHICLE IMAGES USED FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. Expiration for these offers is 9/30/26.

City ity.. Life ife.. Style. B1 | September 16-22, 2026

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

The Inner Architecture:

Divine Feminine vs. Hyper-Independence By Miss AJ Williams You know this language now. Maybe you have built an altar, or at least thought about it. You have spent time around conversations about softness, receptivity, rest, and what it means to be held by life instead of constantly managing it. For a lot of women, those ideas land because the exhaustion was already there. You were used to being the capable one, the dependable one, the person who figured things out, and after a while that can start to feel less like strength and more like being responsible for too much. That is part of why the divine feminine can feel like relief. It offers another way to think about power. You do not have to become Miss AJ Williams less ambitious or less capable. You may simply be ready to stop measuring strength by how much you can carry alone. So you start making changes. You rest more, set better boundaries, try to let people help, and question the idea that your value comes from always being useful. The harder part begins when receiving stops being an idea and becomes something you actually have to do. Someone offers to take something off your plate and you say, “I’m good,” before they can help. Someone does something generous for you and your mind immediately jumps to how you will return the favor. You want support, but you still feel more comfortable when you are the one in control of how everything gets handled. That is often where hyper-independence shows itself. It does not always look like struggle. Sometimes it looks like competence. You handle everything, rarely ask for much, and make your needs small enough that no one has to rearrange anything for you. There is usually a reason for that. Maybe asking did not always lead to receiving. Maybe care came with strings. Maybe relying on people felt more stressful than doing things yourself. Eventually, self-sufficiency can stop feeling like protection and simply feel like who you are. The problem is that knowing you deserve support and being able to receive it are not the same thing. You can believe in softness and still feel uncomfortable being seen in need. You can want care and still make it hard for anyone to give it. You can say you are open to receiving while quietly making sure you never owe anyone anything. That is the part worth paying attention to. When someone cares for you, can you let the moment be what it is, or does your mind immediately start keeping score? Can someone help without you minimizing what you need? Can you let another person carry something for you without stepping in to manage the process? Your body may answer before your mind does. You might feel tense, awkward, suspicious, or overly grateful. You may hear yourself say, “You really don’t have to,” even when you want them to. That does not necessarily

See DIVINE FEMININE Page B-2

Cosm Detroit

Photo credit: COSM Detroit

Brings Immersive Sports Experience to the Heart of Downtown

By Miss AJ Williams Detroiters are passionate about watching sports, but Cosm hopes to change the way they experience the action. The immersive sports and entertainment company celebrated the opening of Cosm Detroit Wednesday night, Sept. 9, with an opening-night party that gave guests their first full taste of the new downtown venue — from its bars, cocktails, and food to the centerpiece of the experience: watching the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks across Cosm’s massive dome screen. Located at 25 Cadillac Square next to Campus Martius Park, the 70,000-square-foot, three-level venue is Cosm’s fourth location, following Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta. At its center is an 87-foot-diameter, 12K-plus LED dome that powers what the company calls “Shared Reality,” technology designed to make viewers feel closer to a live event than a traditional screen can offer. For Cosm President and CEO Jeb Terry, bringing that concept to Detroit was about more than finding another market for the company’s technology. “When you think about this city, it’s a city of builders, innovators, entrepreneurs, risk-takers,” Terry said. “It’s a city that means something. It knows what it takes to work. It knows what it takes to fight.”

Terry also pointed to Detroit’s sports culture and civic pride as part of the draw. “The fandom here is unmatched,” he said. “It’s a city that has an immense pride, an immense passion, and it cares about Detroit. Detroiters aren’t fake. They’re authentic.” That makes Detroit a natural fit for a concept built around communal viewing. Rather than replacing the in-stadium experience, Cosm is creating another place for fans to gather around it — somewhere between watching from home and holding a ticket to the game. The company plans to use the Detroit venue for NFL, NBA, UFC and Premier League events, along with University of Michigan and Detroit Lions games. Its Shared Reality platform will also feature cinematic experiences tied to films including “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “The Matrix” and “IT.” Thursday, Sept. 10, marked the venue’s public grand opening, with Cosm presenting the San Francisco 49ers-Los Angeles Rams game live from Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. Cosm is not simply selling a bigger screen. It is selling the feeling of being part of something — the game, the crowd, the moment. In a city where sports fandom has always been communal, that may be the part Detroit understands best.

Detroit Celebrates Jazz Great John Coltrane with

COLTRANE 100

Following 47th Annual Detroit Jazz Fest By Biba Adams STAFF REPORTER

A week of music, performance, and community honors jazz master John William Coltrane’s centennial The 1965 release of A Love Supreme was a watershed moment in jazz history. Composed of a suite in four parts, it is widely considered one of the greatest and most spiritual achievements in jazz history and is one of the highest-ranking jazz records on all-genre greatest albums. And on Sunday, you can experience it as a sacred jazz mass with Ali Jackson as music director, plus special guest musicians in concert. The event is part of a week of events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the jazz legend’s birth. Detroit Celebrates Coltrane 100, September 17th - 23rd, brings history into the present in exciting programs featuring Detroit musical favorites and national guests performing and interpreting Coltrane classics alongside new compositions and contemporary beats. The week also weaves in

dance, drama, spoken word, DJ’s, visual art installations, and screenings of vintage video footage — all in tribute to the musician who changed what jazz could be. Coltrane has a deep connection to Detroit. In 1963, he married Detroit native and fellow jazz musician Alice McLeod Coltrane. The couple toured and performed together from 1966-1967. John Coltrane frequently performed in Detroit throughout his career. He frequented local jazz clubs and often collaborated with other Detroit musicians. According to the jazz history website, AllAboutJazz, “Coltrane’s last appearance in Detroit was on January 22, 1967, as part of a George Wein organized tour that also featured Thelonious Monk. The performance took place at Ford Auditorium, then the home of the Detroit Symphony. Coltrane sat in with Monk’s band, reviving a relationship that was prominent during Monk’s famed residency at the Five Spot in New York in 1957.” They note that, “Ironically, the Ford was demolished in 2011 for Detroit water-

front re-design. It stood where the current Hart Plaza is located—the site of the Detroit Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival in the world.” Njia Kai, co-founder and senior producer of NKSK Events + Production, is also the founder of The Temple of John Coltrane, a recurring cultural and musical celebration in Detroit curated by Queen Njia Kai that honors the life, spiritual jazz legacy, and birthdays of jazz legends John and Alice Coltrane. Kai has engaged Detroit’s families, youth, and visitors through public events, cultural arts programming, and community-driven creative projects — including downtown parks programming, citywide arts festivals, and special events throughout downtown, Midtown, and Detroit’s neighborhoods.

She shared how her love for Coltrane developed: “At age 9, babysitting at my next-door neighbor’s house, the dad changed the stereo to WJLB because they was playing a jazz record; he said I would not understand.” She jokingly says, “Them was fighting words cuz I was sure I was as mature as most adults, just not “old” yet. When he left, I put the stereo back on and restarted the LP.” She notes, “Of course I recognized the song from the Sound of Music, (My Favorite Things.) And I just kept re-starting the album when the sax started spacing out. After several many re-starts, I found my way, at least enough of my way to hold the basic frame of the music until Trane returned to the familiar melody.”

See COLTRANE 100 Page B-2

Page B-2 | September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Divine Feminine

have to manage. Maybe the point was never to need less. Maybe it was to let care reach you without turning it into work, and to stop being afraid of what it means to need at all. AJ Williams is a Spiritual Wellness Architect and Educator and the Managing Editor of the Michigan Chronicle. A thought leader at the intersection of spirituality, astrology, psychology, and identity evolution, she is the founder of Sunday Communion, a quarterly live transformation experience held in Detroit. The Inner Architecture is her editorial column on the work of becoming.

From page B-1 mean you do not want support. It may just mean receiving still feels unfamiliar. The deeper work is not becoming better at talking about softness. It is becoming more comfortable with the parts of softness that require you to stop being in control. Sometimes receiving is not graceful. Sometimes it is simply letting someone help without turning their care into a debt, a transaction, or another thing you now

IT’S TIME TO DO REUNIONS RIGHT

COLTRANE 100

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 9 A.M.—1 P.M. Vibe Credit Union Showplace 46100 Grand River Ave. Novi, MI 48374

From page B-1

“I had the privilege in high school of being introduced to jazz music and musicians — like Harold McKinney and Marcus Belgrave — and befriending jazz students like Kevin Toney and Kamau Kenyatta. It was natural for me, it seems. Immersing myself in the rhythms and tones and beats brings my Spirit joy!” If you want to bring your spirit of joy, join veteran jazz musicians, emerging artists, and young players from Detroit high schools and colleges, alongside photographs, recordings, memorabilia, and video documentation of Coltrane’s life and work. Here’s the schedule for the week. All Events are admission-free.

Free Planning Kit & Prize Raffles

Don’t Miss Out. Register Today.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 * Kick-Off! — Eastern Market After Dark 6:00–11 p.m. The week opens at Eastern Market with live music and an interactive installation. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 * Happy Jazzy Hour — Griot Music Lounge 4:30–10 p.m. Cocktails, DJs, music, trivia, and prizes set the tone for Friday night, in partnership with Urban Organic. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 * A Jazzy Cypher — The Wright Museum 5:30–7:30 p.m. All aboard the “A Trane” for a night of rhythm, poetry, storytelling, dance, and installation art. SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 * A Love Supreme — Detroit Unity Temple 5:00–6:30 p.m. A sacred jazz mass presenting Coltrane’s four-movement masterpiece “A Love Supreme”. Ali Jackson, music director, plus special guest musicians in concert.

2026

New Beginnings New Directions

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 * Homie Hangz — Trumbullplex 7:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. Professional DJs’ guide hands-on workshops for all ages and levels. Demonstrations led by Maurice “Pirahnahead” Herd, Detroit music producer and DJ. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 * DJ Spin-Off Block Party — CHROMA Detroit 4:00–11 p.m. 4 p.m.–7 p.m. Month of Design panel/social mixer presented by Progressive Companies. 7p–11p Detroit’s hottest DJs go back-to-back-to-back: DJ Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, DJ Mike “Agent X” Clark, DJ Invisible, DJ Drake Phifer, DJ Scotty Rocker+more, hosted by NKSK. Food Trucks, Cash Bar, Live Art, Creative Vendors, and Games. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23 * The Temple of John Coltrane — Campus Martius Park 6:30–9 p.m. The Centennial Celebration Concert features DeSean Jones & Urban Art Orchestra, special guest artists and outstanding emerging performers — plus classic performance videos, a Coltrane album exhibition with photographs and memorabilia. Food and drink sales. You can reach Biba at biba.adams@michronicle.com.

Look For The QUAD 9.23.26 The Quad presents information to help you along this path of making decisions about your future.

3cols x 5.25 inches

Think beyond the sink. Your home’s drinking water is essential to your family’s health. That’s why knowing where your water comes from and how it gets to your home is important. Tap into the facts to learn how you can maintain your home’s water quality to protect your family’s health.

Start at

Michigan.gov/CareforMIDrinkingWater

michiganchronicle.com | September 16-22, 2026 | Page B-3

From the Written Word to the Spoken Word:

Giving Grief a Voice By Dr. Portia Lockett

Detroit People Mover Station to Receive Upgrades By Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

The Detroit People Mover stop that once took Red Wings fans to Joe Louis Arena is undergoing a major update. Over the course of six months, crews will make improvements to enhance the functionality of the rail line. Detroit Transportation Corporation CEO Melia Howard said in a statement that the former Joe Louis Arena station, now known as the Water Square station, was previously designed in 1987 for a “very different downtown environment.” The surrounding riverfront area has been watching another new development, the JW Marriott hotel expected to open in 2027 near Huntington Place. The hotel is on track for a February 2027 opening, which will bring more than 600 hotel rooms and hundreds of new jobs to the area. “Today, the surrounding area is evolving into a neighborhood where people live, work, visit the riverfront and connect to the rest of downtown,” said Howard, a former deputy mayor under former Mayor Mike Duggan. “We’ve heard that the community wanted upgrades, and the renovation provides an opportunity to demonstrate how existing in public transportation infrastructure can evolve alongside private development.” During planned, two-day shutdowns, crews will work on interior and exterior lighting, resurfacing, and painting. The DTC says it will provide the public with updated information as the process continues. Access will be maintained for the public and residents of The Residences Water Square and nearby Riverfront Towers and Condos, the transportation corporation said. Signs will be posted to show passengers which station amenities and entrances are available during construction. The agency says it will host public meetings during the construction period to provide information about timelines and access changes. Howard said the updates are an effort to adapt existing transit infrastructure to a part of a changing downtown. “Rather than abandoning or relocating a legacy transit asset, DTC is reinvesting in it as part of the district’s next chapter,” Howard said. Howard’s Detroit Transportation Corporation is currently leading the development of a transit hub at the Michigan Central campus in Corktown. Public polling shows Metro Detroiters are hungry for improved public transit in the city and across the region. An estimated one in five Detroit households don’t have a vehicle. For those who do, they pay more for car insurance than customers in any other city in the United States. Metro Detroit voters during the primary election passed a transit millage supporters say will better connect the region. The vote marked the shifting attitudes toward public transportation. More than a dozen Metro Detroit communities previously opted out of SMART. You can reach Sam at srobinson@michronicle.com

For quite some time, I have been blessed with the opportunity to share my heart, experiences, and professional insight with Michigan Chronicle readers through articles centered around something that touches every single one of us in one way or another: GRIEF. And if you have journeyed with me through these articles, then you already know that I have worked intentionally to expand the conversation beyond death. Because grief is not just about who died. Sometimes grief is about what died. A relationship. A marriage. A friendship. A career. A dream. Your health. Your independence. Your financial security. The version of yourself you thought you would always be. Sometimes we are grieving people who are still living. And sometimes, if we are willing to tell the truth, we are grieving a version of ourselves that no longer exists. Through our time together, we have explored the many phases, layers, triggers, and unexpected faces of grief. We have talked about giving ourselves permission to feel, permission to heal, permission to stop pretending, permission to celebrate again, and even permission to experience joy without feeling guilty. But now…I believe it is time for us to do something different. The Words Are Coming Off the Page For the remainder of 2026, I am transitioning from simply writing about grief to giving grief a voice. Welcome to the next chapter: the spoken word. There is something powerful that happens when words are no longer simply read but heard. You can hear the pause. You can hear the pain. You can hear the laughter that somehow found its way back after the tears. You can hear the questions we sometimes don’t have the courage to ask out loud. And most importantly, you can hear the hope. My upcoming segments will invite you to experience grief conversations differently. Through spoken-word reflections, storytelling, poetry, personal experiences, practical grief tools, spiritual en-

couragement, and those transparent conversations that sometimes make us say, “Whew…were you talking directly to me?” Maybe I am. Because one thing this journey has taught me is that while our stories may be different, many of our emotions speak the same language. What Can You Expect? As we move through the final months of 2026, we will continue peeling back the layers of grief, but we are going deeper. We will explore what it means to grieve during the holidays when everyone expects you to be joyful. We will talk about those unexpected triggers that can show up through a song, a smell, a location, an anniversary, or simply an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. We will talk about the grief of transition in retirement, aging, empty nests, changing relationships, changing bodies, and changing identities. We will have conversations about grieving while still showing up especially for caregivers, healthcare professionals, clergy, leaders, and those who are constantly standing guard for everyone else. We will explore what happens when grief and gratitude occupy the same space. And yes, we are going to talk about living again. Not forgetting. Not “getting over it.” Not pretending that what happened didn’t matter. But learning how to carry our stories differently. Because healing doesn’t always mean the pain disappears. Sometimes healing means the pain no longer gets to make every decision. Your Voice Belongs in This Conversation Too This next chapter isn’t only about my voice. It’s about yours. As you listen to these upcoming spoken-word segments, I want you to ask yourself: What am I grieving that I have never given myself permission to acknowledge? Maybe you’ve been so busy surviving that you never stopped long enough to name the loss. Maybe you’ve been the strong one for so long that people have forgotten to ask how you are doing. Or maybe you have done the work, cried the tears, survived what you thought would break you, and now you’re finally ready to say: “I still miss what I lost…but

Dr. Portia Lockett

I’m ready to live.” There is room for that too. From Mourning to Morning Grief has taught me that life can be both bitter and sweet. I know what it means to sit with loss. But I also know what it means to discover purpose in places I never would have chosen to visit. That is why I remain committed to helping people Heal, offering them Hope, and Holding their Hearts as they maneuver through their own grief journeys. So, Michigan Chronicle family, thank you for reading. Thank you for reflecting. Thank you for sharing these articles with someone who needed them. And most importantly, thank you for trusting me with the sacred space of your grief. But don’t put your seatbelt on just yet we’re not finished. We’re simply changing how we travel. The words are coming off the page and into the atmosphere. For the remainder of 2026, expect more transparency. More conversation. More permission. More healing. More hope. And perhaps even a little more laughter, because we are learning that grief and joy are allowed to live in the same house. I’m Dr. Portia Lockett, and I am still giving you permission to grieve. But now… I want you to hear it. Peace over pain. Dr. Portia Lockett Chaplain | Spiritual Advisor | Grief Recovery Method Specialist Founder, Azal Benne Lockett Foundation

Michigan Families Face Sept. 30 Deadline for Heating Credit as Energy Bills Keep Climbing By Jasmine West For Michigan households already stretching paychecks across rent, groceries, medicine and utility bills, the approaching heating season brings another expense that cannot simply be skipped. Low-income renters and homeowners have until Sept. 30 to apply for Michigan’s Home Heating Credit, a state tax credit intended to offset some of the cost of keeping a home warm. Unlike many tax credits, residents do not necessarily have to owe income taxes or even be required to file a traditional state income tax return to apply. The deadline comes as energy affordability has become a larger issue across Michigan. About one-quarter of Michigan households spend more than 6% of their income on electricity and natural gas, according to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Among lower-income households, that share of income can climb considerably higher. That means even what may appear to be a routine monthly utility increase can carry a different weight for someone living on $20,000 or $30,000 a year. Last year, Michigan households that qualified for the Home Heating Credit received an average of $171, according to the state. The money is often sent directly to a household’s utility provider and credited toward the customer’s account. The credit may not erase a winter heating bill, but for families already deciding which expenses get paid first, it can create some room in a monthly budget. “No one should have to choose between keeping the heat on and affording their basic needs,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Tuesday in announcing the filing deadline. “This credit helps families save on their heating bills, putting more money in their pocket for the essentials like food, medicine, and rent.” Michigan’s struggle with energy affordability extends beyond the price of natural gas used for heating. Electric bills have also increased this year for customers of the state’s two largest utilities. In February, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved a $242.4 million electric-rate increase for DTE Energy. A typical residential customer using 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month saw an estimated $4.93 increase in the monthly bill beginning March 5, a 4.6% increase. DTE had originally sought approximately $574 million. Then in March, regulators approved a $276.6 million increase for Consumers Energy. Residential electric rates increased 8.9% under that decision beginning May 1. Those increases are not necessarily the end of the debate over what customers will pay. DTE returned to regulators this spring seeking another approximately $474 million annual electric-rate increase. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office said the proposal would amount to roughly a 10% residential in-

crease and has asked regulators to approve only a fraction of the request. Consumers Energy also filed another electric-rate case this summer seeking about $456 million annually, including a requested residential increase of nearly 10%. Both cases remain part of a broader fight over affordability, reliability and how much customers should be required to pay for utility investments. The pressure has pushed state regulators to rethink how Michigan measures whether energy is actually affordable. In June, the Public Service Commission established a statewide goal that income-constrained households should spend no more than 6% of their income on electricity and natural gas combined. The benchmark divides that target into roughly 4% for electricity and 2% for natural gas. Regulators are also moving toward payment programs designed around household income rather than primarily responding after customers fall behind. The problem is especially pronounced among households with the least room in their budgets. A 2026 study examining 57 mostly low-to-moderate-income Detroit households found that the lowest-income households in the study had a median electric energy burden of 6.4% of household income. The highest-income households studied spent a median 1.6%. The study looked only at electricity, meaning other home-energy costs could add to that burden. Put another way, two households may receive similar utility bills while experiencing those bills completely differently. A $150 monthly energy cost represents 1.8% of income for someone earning $100,000 a year. For a household surviving on $25,000, that same $150 every month consumes more than 7% of annual income before rent, food, transportation, child care or medical expenses are considered. Michigan’s Home Heating Credit is aimed at households near the bottom of that income scale. Eligibility generally requires residents to own their Michigan home or be responsible for rent under a lease and meet household-income requirements. The Michigan Public

Service Commission lists the program as generally serving households at or below 110% of the federal poverty level, though the actual credit is calculated using household resources, household size and heating costs. The credit is claimed through Michigan Form MI1040CR-7. People who are required to file a Michigan income tax return can submit the form with their return. Residents who are not otherwise required to file an income tax return may submit the Home Heating Credit form by itself. There is one important catch: Sept. 30 is a hard deadline. The credit cannot be claimed retroactively after the deadline, meaning an eligible household that does not file this month loses access to this year’s benefit. “Many families qualify for support but never receive it simply because they do not file,” Ben Dowd, acting executive director of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, said in the state’s announcement. Some recipients may receive additional help beyond the initial credit. Certain utility companies automatically provide qualifying customers with additional income-based bill credits that can be worth as much as $20 per month. Seniors, people with disabilities and veterans who receive food assistance and a Home Heating Credit exceeding $20 may also qualify for increased food benefits, according to the state. For households whose utility debt extends beyond what the heating credit can cover, other programs are available. Michigan’s State Emergency Relief program can help eligible residents whose heating or electric service has been shut off or is in danger of disconnection. The Michigan Energy Assistance Program can also help qualifying low-income households pay electricity, natural gas, propane, heating oil and other home-energy costs. That assistance system is expanding. Changes approved by the state are expected eventually to increase the number of Michigan households receiving assistance through the Michigan Energy Assistance Program from roughly 55,000 annually to more than 150,000, according to the Public Service Commission. Beginning with September bills, customers of participating electric utilities will also see a $1.50 monthly Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund charge per residential meter. The money finances the state’s energy-assistance program for eligible households. Residents who want help applying for the Home Heating Credit can call 211, text 898211 or use Michigan’s free tax preparation network. Forms are also available through the Michigan Department of Treasury, libraries, MDHHS offices and participating community agencies. As another Michigan winter approaches, the Sept. 30 deadline is ultimately about more than filing another tax form. For households already carrying utility balances or watching energy consume a growing share of their income, missing the deadline means leaving available help on the table at the exact time heating costs are preparing to return.

Page B-4 | September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Congressional Black Caucus PAC Endorses El-Sayed as Some Detroit Voters Hesitate

Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed received another endorsement from a group that endorsed his opponent in the primary election. The Congressional Black Caucus PAC announced its endorsement of El-Sayed for U.S. Senate on Wednesday. CBCPAC collectively represents the interests of Black members of Congress by supporting candidates who advocate for issues key to Black communities across the country. The endorsement is notable because the PAC had endorsed ElSayed’s primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham. The PAC had also endorsed more moderate candidates in races, such as David Crowley in Wisconsin and Wesley Bell in Missouri. There are still elected Democrats who have yet to commit to supporting El-Sayed in his general election matchup, such as West Michigan Congresswoman Hillary Scholten and Detroit City Council member Mary Waters. Stevens won Wayne County by 51% of the vote compared to ElSayed’s 45%. Stevens won the city of Detroit by 62%, to El-Sayed’s 34%. El-Sayed faces former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the Nov. 3 general election. “As head of the Detroit and Wayne County health departments, Dr. El-Sayed helped increase healthcare access and outcomes for thousands of Black Michiganders,” Congressional Black Caucus PAC Chair Congressman Gregory Meeks said in a statement. “He’s running to take on corruption and make life more affordable while his opponent Mike Rogers will be nothing but a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s price hikes that are hurting Black communities across the nation. CBCPAC will fight alongside Abdul to build a coalition to beat Mike Rogers and get a majority in the United States Senate that can bring down costs for all Michiganders.” There are deep questions facing El-Sayed’s campaign about whether it is truly breaking through in Michigan’s urban communities that heavily supported Stevens in the August primary. “I’m fearful because I’m seeing more John James signs, more

Mike Rogers signs in the hood,” said state Rep. candidate Kimberly Fisher, a small business owner who says the relationship between Black and Arab neighbors is strained. “The poor race relations is evident, everyday we’re hearing about horrible conversations and altercations and shootouts and racism coming from Arab small business owners,” Fisher said, adding she’s reached out to the Arab American Chamber of Commerce about the rift. Fisher is running to represent a part of Northeast Detroit where Black and Muslim residents live side-by-side. She asked El-Sayed to partner with her directly to repair the relationship between the communities, which she called “tumultuous.” Fisher’s comments were made at a Sept. 2 roundtable featuring Black politicians from Metro Detroit, including former House Speaker Rep. Joe Tate; state Sen. Stephanie Young; Southwest Detroit state Rep. Tyrone Carter; Inkster Mayor Byron Nolen; Pleasant Ridge Mayor Bret Scott and Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald. Tate, Nolen, McDonald and Carter endorsed Stevens during

the primary. Nolen told El-Sayed that he is hoping ideology doesn’t get in the way of providing resources for constituents. “People have their own ideology, I don’t care... I just want partners to be able to work with people who understand community,” Nolen said. Tate said he appreciates the sentiment around El-Sayed’s major pitches, but asked that he consider how to work across the aisle. El-Sayed responded to Tate, saying he believes what’s coming after the MAGA movement for Republicans is the same economic populism message he’s currently running on. “If you can win the argument, what you watch is even your opponent starts to take up your own argument,” El-Sayed said. El-Sayed highlighted his experience working for Wayne County and the city of Detroit as health director during the hour-long conversation with more conservative Black Democrats. “Aside from our mayor colleague from Pleasant Ridge, I have literally served with each of you,” El-Sayed said. “Every single on of you have been on a call with me. Most of the time on that call you

don’t hear me being like, ‘Well let me tell you about my ideology.’ Most of the time I’m asking ‘What do y’all need and how can I get it to you?’ I run clean shops, always have.” Scott, the mayor of Oakland County’s Pleasant Ridge, asked ElSayed to take into consideration Michigan’s smaller communities that struggle to find money for infrastructure upgrades. “Michigan’s Black communities have shaped our state’s history and powered progress on economic justice, democracy, and health. But too often Black Michiganders have not received the investment they deserve,” El-Sayed said in a statement. “Serving Detroit and Wayne County taught me that public service requires showing up and listening and then doing what you said you would do, a commitment I’ll carry with me to the US Senate. It is an honor to earn the endorsement of the CBCPAC, whose members have led the fight to protect voting rights and expand economic opportunity. I look forward to working with members to ensure every community has the resources needed to thrive.” CBCPAC’s endorsement adds to the Democratic coalition already

backing El-Sayed ahead of the November midterms elections. El-Sayed’s public backers include former Vice President Kamala Harris, Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Haley Stevens and State Senator Mallory McMorrow. He’s also supported by labor unions, including the UAW, Michigan AFL-CIO, Indivisible, the Working Families Party, and National Nurses United. Rogers’ campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Senators John Thune, Tim Scott, John Barrasso, Tom Cotton, Roger Wicker, Steve Daines, and others. Rogers on Wednesday held a press conference outside of Cody High School on the west side of Detroit before traveling to Pontiac to deliver the same message related to education. Detroit City Council member Mary Waters met with Rogers last month and has been offering positive comments about his campaign in TV and news reports. Waters credited Rogers for focusing on literacy issues, housing costs, and skilled-trades programs in an interview with MS NOW. You can reach Sam at srobinson@michronicle.com

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Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

michiganchronicle.com | September 16-22, 2026 | Page B-5 ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is seeking contracting firms to demolish, remove, and dispose of former school buildings in its entirety, site improvements and debris. Following demolition, the site is to be restored to a level, grass and tree covered vacant property suitable for future redevelopment under RFP 27-0037. There will be an optional pre-bid conference for this solicitation hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams at 10:00 a.m. on September 23, 2026. The pre-bid conference can be accessed using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/3xsj7h5k Call-In #: (313) 462-2305 Conference ID: 334 137 101# There will be a mandatory walk through for this solicitation on September 24 and September 25, 2026. Please find the walkthrough locations and schedule below.

Invitation for Bid The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting IFB Control No. 27-4370 – for one-time purchase of Four (4) Dual-Fuel Forklifts. IFB forms may be obtained beginning September 18, 2026, from http://www.mitn.info. Quotes are due by 3:00 PM ET, October 16, 2026

Classifieds

michiganchronicle.com | October 19-25, 2022 | Page B-5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

September 24, 2026 Former Murphy Elementary-Middle School 23901 Fenkell Ave, Detroit, MI 48223 9:00am Former Pulaski Elementary-Middle School 19725 Strasburg St, Detroit, MI 48205

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQ Control No. 27-4562 Office Furniture – Hein Building at Macomb Terminal. RFQ forms may be obtained beginning September 16, 2026, from http://www.mitn.info. Proposals are due by 3:00 PM ET, Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

12:00pm

September 25, 2026 Former Stewart Performance Academy 13120 Wildemere Street, Detroit, MI 48238

9:00am

Former Post Middle School 8200 Midland St, Detroit, MI 48238

12:00pm

The due date for proposals is 12:00 p.m. on October 7, 2026. Late proposals will not be accepted. A virtual Public Opening will occur at 12:00 p.m. on October 7, 2026, and can be accessed using the below link. https://tinyurl.com/2fabprsd Call-In #: (313) 462-2305 Conference ID: 396 146 842# This project is subject to Michigan State Prevailing Wage Laws (Michigan Public Act 10 of 2023) and the contractor must pay prevailing wages and fringe benefits to all its contractors, subcontractors, and construction mechanics working on the project in accordance with Michigan Public Act 10 of 2023. All bids must be accompanied by a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationship that exists between the submitting company and any employee of DPSCD. DPSCD shall not accept a bid that does not include this sworn and notarized disclosure statement. If you have questions, please contact the Procurement Department at (313) 873-6531.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS–(RFP) Advanced Engineering CONSULTANT – CUSTOMER SERVICE AND Cloud Software Development Lead SECRET SHOPPER SURVEY BorgWarner, Inc. seeks an Advanced DEVELOPMENT, DISTRIBUTION AND ANALYSIS Engineering - Cloud Software Development October 2022 Lead based outLocal of Initiatives our office 3850 Hamlin Detroit Supportat Corporation (LISC) is seeking proposals for a qualified consultantNote, to work with Detroit Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326. this is LISC a to create, distribute and analyze customer service surveys to gather hybrid position whereby the employee will One Stop information about the services of the Detroit at Work findings from the surveys will be analyzed and put work both System. from The home and from the into interim and final reports to be submitted to LISC. aforementioned office address. Hence, the Specifically, Detroit LISC is seeking those with proven experience employee inmust live areas: within a reasonable the following Evaluation ✓ Analysis commuting✓ distance of the aforementioned ✓ Report Development ✓ SurveyNote, Creation,this position office address. does not Distribution and Collection ✓ Program Design require travel. Serve as a key player in https://www.lisc.org/detroit/about-us/careers/ to downdevelopingVisit cloud-based software solutions for load full RFP. Responses to this RFP are due Friday, October 21 should be emailed to kgallick@lisc.org. LISC is committed to our AI/ML and and E-Mobility projects; among working with Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Minority-Owned other duties. Apply to job(MBEs), reference numberBusiness Business Enterprises and Women-Owned Enterprises (WBEs). LISC encourages submissions from SBEs, R2026-3464 at borgwarner.com/careers MBEs, and WBEs.

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

Detroit People Mover/Detroit Transportation Corporation 535 Griswold St Ste # 400 Detroit, MI 48226

Fall Home Maintenance Checklist

Please visitPlease ourvisit our website website for more for more classified ads. classified ads.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is seeking proposals for Architecture and Engineering Services for Facility Master Plan Series 1 under RFP 23-0111.

PUBLIC NOTICE: RTA OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN PROPOSED DBE GOALS For FY 2023 – FY2025

BID # 07-01-2022 REBID

The Detroit Transportation Corporation Office of Contracting and Procurement requests proposals from qualified firms to provide CCTV and network upgrades. This includes modernization efforts for the CCTV system, Public Address (PA) system, Variable Message Signs (VMS), and Wired Backbone Network system, at the MCF, at each DPM station, and at substations described herein.

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) has established a goal of 8.20% for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program for fiscal years 2023 through FY 2025. This goal will be attained through 5.31% from race neutral participation and 2.89% from race-conscious measures which reflects the relative availability of DBEs to participate in contracts and procurements projected by the RTA.

All bids must be received by the Detroit Transportation Corporation via Bidnet/MITN on or before 5:00 p.m. (EST) November 7, 2022. A pre-bid site visit will be determined at a later date, if necessary.

The proposed goal and its methodology have been developed in accordance with the Federal Transit Administration’s regulations 49 CFR Part 26.

Proposals can be accessed on the Bidnet Direct www.bidnetdirect.com//detroit-transportation-corporation

The goal and the methodology used to develop it are available for inspection from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at RTA’s offices located at 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400, Detroit, Michigan. These materials will be available for 30 days following the date of this notice.

Mike Anderson Procurement Manager mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com

Detroit People Mover/Detroit Transportation Corporation 535 Griswold St Ste # 400 Detroit, MI 48226

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQs for Pre-Employment, Drug, and Alcohol Screenings Control No. 23-3659. RFQ forms may be obtained beginning October 19, 2022, from http://www.mitn.info. RFQs are due by 3:00 PM ET, November 11, 2022

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The RTA will accept comments on the goal for 45 days from the date of this notice. Inquiries may be directed to the following: RTA of Southeast Michigan 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400 Detroit, Michigan 48226 Or e-mail to: info@rtamichigan.org

PUBLIC NOTICE ACCURACY TEST OF VOTING EQUIPMENT

8 Steps to Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

BID # 08-8-2022 REBID The Detroit Transportation Corporation Office of Contracting and Procurement requests proposals from qualified Contractor/Firm(s) to provide annual geometry measurements of the LIM rail height, power rail tolerances, running rail height and track gauge. The initial information and subsequent trending information on the rate of change of the measured parameters of the Detroit People Mover (DPM) track will be reviewed and utilized as part of the existing detailed maintenance plan to ensure long term safety and availability to the riding public. FEATURE All bids must beIMPACT received by the Detroit Transportation Corporation via Bidnet/MITN on or before 5:00 p.m. (EST) November 7, 2022. A pre-bid site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST). Proposals can be accessed on the Bidnet Direct www.bidnetdirect.com//detroit-transportation-corporation

To the qualified electors of the City of Highland Park, Wayne County, State of Michigan: Notice is hereby given, that a Public Accuracy Test for the electronic equipment that will be used for the General Election being held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.n. in the City Clerk’s training room (lower level) located:

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

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

s temperatures cool, now is an ideal time to prepare your home for winter. Taking care of seasonal maintenance BRENDA GREEN before the cold weather CITY CLERK arrives can help protect you andCITY your walletPARK from unexpected and OF HIGHLAND Mike Anderson The due date for Proposals is costly repairs. Procurement Manager November 10, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. www.michiganchronicle. com mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com If you have questions, please contact the From clearing gutters to scheduling an HVAC tune-up, tackling a few projects Procurement Department at (313) 873-6531. now can help setHELP your home up for a safe and comfortable winter. Consider this PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED WANTED your ultimate fallEXPERIENCED home maintenance checklist from the experts at Carrier. A virtual Pre-Proposal Conference will occur at 10:00 a.m. October 21, 2022. Call-In#: 1 313-462-2305 Conference ID: 944 369 237# https://tinyurl.com/yfm35pw5

www.michiganchronicle.com

BSW Engineering Manager

Meritor Electric Vehicles LLC seeks a BSW Engineering Manager in Troy, Michigan. Note, this position does not require travel. Duties include: Lead a team of SW engineers to develop base software; MCAL, service layers, AUTOSAR interfaces, and complex device drivers in new ECU’s for electrified drivetrain systems; Develop software requirements specification (SRS) and design verification plans; among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Embedded Systems, or Computer Engineering and seven years of experience in the job offered or related. Apply to job reference number 220000KW at: meritor.jobs.net/search

Senior Digital Sculptor Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan &perform advanced surfacing concepts &development of Class A surface of full vehicle exterior syss. Interpret &define design intent of designer while collaborating w/ engineering, packaging, human factors, &tooling teams. Design &develop 3D Class A surfaces of ICE, diesel, BEV &AV full vehicle psgr car, truck &SUV exterior cmpnts incl. front &rear fascias, grills, head/taillamps, doors, fenders, ABCD pillars, skid plates, liftgates, truck beds &detailed exterior cmpnts incl. door handles, mirrors, lamp internals &exhaust tips, using Autodesk Alias AutoStudio, Autodesk Maya, NX &VRED tools, for U.S., global &emerging markets. Interpret, define, conceptualize &execute unique solutions to technical challenges &provide creative proposals to capture design intent from initial concept thru mass production achieved in various stages according to GVDP, while collaborating with engrg, packaging, human factors, &tooling teams to assure minimum radii/draft, tooling &safety reqrmnts in compliance w/ U.S., European &China standards. Bachelor, Transportation or Industrial Design. 60 mos exp as Digital Sculptor, Digital Modeler, or related, designing or developing 3D Class A surfaces of full vehicle psgr vehicle exterior cmpnts incl. fascias, grills, head/taillamps, doors, fenders, ABCD pillars, &liftgates, using Alias AutoStudio, NX &VRED tools, for U.S., global &emerging markets, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1827-201, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Vehicle Validation Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Perform &execute electrical validation of BEVs in GVDP for Vehicle Motion Embedded Controls (VMEC), Body Electronics, Active Safety (AS), telematics, &infotainment. Review, analyze &coordinate the testing &modification of BEV system &cmpnt level SW for electrical validation of VMEC &AS syss incl. Long/Short Range Radars, Rear Vision/360/Driver monitoring cameras, antennas, Body & Vehicle Integration Control Modules, &features incl. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Autonomous Driving Features, Emergency Braking, Collision Mitigation, Alerts, &related module &feature validation status plans for vehicle prgrms, using PQMS, NX, vSpy, Teamcenter (Tc), &ECM tools. Perform on time SW &HW validation of embedded module ECUs, thru design/production/SW iteration validations. Bachelor, Electrical, Computer, Mechatronics, or Mechanical Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, testing or verifying embedded telematics &infotainment embedded ECUs, using Tc &vSpy tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#407-1175, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Staff Design Release Engineer - Wiring

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engineer, design, develop, &release conventional ICE, BEV &AV psngr vehicles electrical wire routing &packaging syss, &multi-branch wiring harnesses, incl. wire, terminals, connectors, coverings &attachments, using Tc Vismockup, ECM, ECR, &Auros tools. Design &release electrical wire routing &packaging syss to ensure proper functioning of electrical modules such as OnStar, LRR, cybersecurity syss, &other required vehicle electrical syss for AV. Ensure that electrical harness routings meet U.S. FMVSS. Apply GD&T, CAE, DFM/A, DFMEA, DRBTR, Red X, DFSS processes to design &validate wiring harness branch points for multi-branch harnesses, pin level, cavities, size, &thermal resistance specs &rqrmnts. Bachelor, Electrical or Automotive Engineering, or related. 60 mos exp as Engineer, engineering, releasing for production, &continuously improving conventional psngr vehicle &BEV electrical wire routing &packaging syss, &multi-branch wiring harnesses, using Tc VisMockup tool, or related. Mail resume to Ref#3882, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HAIR STYLIST NEEDED

1. Clean Gutters

Part-time position

Must be able to style all hair textures but, preferably Black Hair textures.

Rania’s Hair Salon

inside Royal Oak Manor Co-op Apts., Leaves and debris collect quickly in home gutters and downspouts. Make sure A Senior apartment building located at 606 Williams St., Royal Oak, MI 48067. they are clear so water drain properly and away from your home’s foundation. Applications are availablecan in the Royal Oak Manor office Mon-Fri from 9:00-12:00 pm. Call (586) 610-9203 If you wait until after temperatures drop, you run the risk of ice dams and water with questions and to schedule interview. Please bring examples of your work. damage. We are hoping to fill the position soon.

2. Inspect Your Outdoor HVAC EquipmentCan PROCLAMATION How Technology

PROCLAMATION Remove leaves, grass andHelp debrisYou that may have accumulated around DECLARATION OFclippings NON-CITIZEN Age in Place your outdoor Section unit.302NATIONALITY Maintaining proper clearance can help support airflow and of Public Law 94-241 (StatePoint) By 2030, almost a quarter of the American population will be over the age of 65, up from 16% in 2020, I DeIamond Carprethroughout Henson, being duly the system performance season. creating a situation that’s going to drive greater demand and affirmed [sworn], hereby declare my

Senior Design Release Engineer – Fuel Systems (FS) & Evaporative Emission Control (EEC) System

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engineer, design, &develop FS &EEC syss, incl. fuel tanks/lines/ vapor transfer lines, emission control canisters, &filler pipes for psgr vehicles incl. Premium Luxury/Mid-Size Cars &Large psgr &Cargo Vans, &Incomplete truck) prgrms, according to vehicle program timing rqrmnts, from concept to production, &aligned to meet performance, safety (U.S. FMVSS), &strict technical &regional rqrmnts &standards, using NX, Tc, Tc Vismockup, ETAS INCA, &ECM tools. Conceptualize, design, validate &release engine FS &EEC sys cmpnts to meet SSTS of propulsion system projects. Benchmark critical emission control technologies &recommend fuel injection HW to meet emission EPA &UNECE regs. Master, Mechanical or Automotive Engrg. 36 mos exp as Engineer, developing &releasing evaporative emission canisters for OEM prgrms, from concept to production, &aligned to meet performance, safety (incl. U.S. FMVSS), &strict technical &regional rqrmnts &standards, using NX, Tc, &Tc Vismockup tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#201, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

intention to be a national but not a citizen of the United States. Notice: all executive and judicial officers both of the United States and of the several States Section 1091 of Title 18, United States Code, prohibits genocide whether committed in time of peace or time of war. Genocide is defined in section 1091 and includes violent attacks with the specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. There is Federal jurisdiction if the offense is committed within the United States. There is also Federal extraterritorial jurisdiction when the offender is a national of the United States FORM: LPN #RE345528665US

3. Replace HVAC Filters

A dirty filter can restrict airflowchine and force system to work harder, Learning (ML) areyour already among the key components of new technologies providing improved quality of life for potentially increasing energy usethoseand reducing A simple filter who want to continue livingcomfort. independently at home. “While AI and ML have transformed other industries, check can also help prepare youradaptation heating system for increased use. Check has been slow in the care industry, but we’re to change heating that,” explains Chia-Lin Simmons,and chief continue your HVAC filter before turningworking on your system executive officer of LogicMark, (NASDAQ: LGMK), which manufactures personal maintain emergency response systems airflow, Carrier inspecting it throughout the winter. To help proper (PERS), health communications devices and remote care monitoringevery technologies to create a Connecttypically recommends replacing and airactivity filters 1-3 months. ed Care Platform, and recently incorporated two-way voice

michiganchronicle.com DQE

According to experts, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ma-

communication technology into its medical alert pendant.

4. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

To help you live safely and comfortably in your home in the years to come, Simmons offers a few strategies for using the newest technology to your advantage:

• PERS, also known as Medical Response SysWhen changing clocks, test your smoke alarms andEmergency carbon monoxide detectors. tems, allow you to call for help in an emergency by pushReplace batteries as needed. Working monoxide alarms ing acarbon button. Wearable pendants – along with water-re-are especially sistant wall-mounted devices and mobile solutions – can important as temperatures fall and home heating systems begin keep you protected in every room of your home by help-running more ing you instantly connect with loved ones and emergency frequently. personnel. Those offered by LogicMark use AI and ML for pattern recognition and fall detection, for an added layer of security. To learn more, visit logicmark.com.

Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure As You Age Senior Design Sculptor

Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan &perform advanced surfacing concepts &development of Class A surfaces of full vehicle exterior sys. Interpret &define design intent of designer while directly collaborating w/ engineering, packaging, human factors, &tooling teams. Design &develop 3D Class A surfaces of conventional ICE, diesel, BEV &AV full vehicle psngr car, truck &SUV exterior cmpnts incl. front &rear fascias, grills, headlamps, taillamps, doors, fenders, A,B,C &D pillars, skid plates, liftgates, truck beds &detailed exterior cmpnts incl. door handles, mirrors, lamp internals &exhaust tips, using Alias AutoStudio, Maya, NX &VRED tools, for U.S., global &emerging markets. Interpret, develop, &perform physical sculptures, &evaluate physical surfaces &digital sculptures in Alias (surfaces to mill), interpret sketches &drawings, &develop interior &exterior clay models of full vehicles (full-sized models) &cmpnts (and cmpnts in steel, carbon fiber, wax, low density foam (Renboard), rubber &wood) &scale models, working on 1-3 new concept psngr vehicles, facelifts &show cars at any one time. 36 mos exp as Sculptor or Designer, designing &developing 3D Class A surfaces of conventional &BEV full vehicle psngr vehicle exterior cmpnts incl. fascias, grills, lamps, doors, fenders, pillars, &liftgates, using AutoStudio, Maya, &VRED tools, for U.S., global &emerging markets, or related. Mail resume to Ref#455, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

greater pressure on the care industry. In addition to a larger workforce and more financial resources, new technologies also have the potential to help solve the problems created by this seismic demographic shift.

Please visit our website for more classified ads.

• Automatic pill dispensers can help ensure you never miss a dose or take too much medication. Depending on your needs, you may need to look for a solution offering both visual and audio notifications, or one suited for those with limited dexterity. • Motion-sensing lighting can make nocturnal trips to the bathroom – common in one’s golden years – much safer, helping to reduce the risk of dangerous trips and falls. Many lighting options plug directly into outlets, while others are battery-operated and can be installed anywhere. Be sure to include these fixtures in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms. “True independence must be accompanied by peace of mind for you, your family and your caregivers,” says Simmons. “By adopting new technologies, you can help create a virtual safety net, enabling you to stay at home while living in a safe environment and providing piece of mind to your loved ones.”

(StatePoint) As you age, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll eventually develop high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. In fact, according to one study, about 60% of people get hypertension by the time they reach age 60. Fortunately, high blood pressure is highly treatable and manageable through a combination of lifestyle changes and, when necessary, medication. Unfortunately, it often appears without symptoms, putting people at risk of stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and death, without them even knowing it. www.michiganchronicle.com “High blood pressure is sometimes called the silent killer,” said Dr. Jennifer Ziemianin, chief medical officer for HealthSpring. “But we’re not going to be quiet about it. We want older adults to know about the risks and take action to manage hypertension.” The first step is to get your blood pressure checked. The American Heart Association recommends adults get their blood pressure checked at least once a year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high blood pressure is an upper reading of 130 or above or a lower reading of 80 or above. If your blood pressure is high, you should check it regularly using an automatic, upper arm cuff-style monitor. These monitors are widely available, affordable and easy to use. You can ask your doctor for tips if needed. Although hypertension generally can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed through a variety of measures, Ziemianin said, including the following: 5. Schedule Your HVAC Tune-Up Before Winter Arrives Exercise. Moderate activity, such as brisk walking or swimming, can lower high blood Don’t wait until the first cold day of the season to find out your heating system isn’t pressure. Always talk with your doctor before starting an exercise plan. If you belong to a ready for winter. Annual maintenance can help improve efficiency, extend equipment Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you may have access to a fitness program at no extra cost life and identify potential issues before the heating season begins. Experts often to you. recommend having an HVAC professional perform annual furnace maintenance in the fall before heating season begins. Routine maintenance can help keep a system operating Eat a heart-healthy diet. Having a higher body mass index is a risk factor for hypertenin tip-top shape and allow a technician to identify smaller issues before they become sion. That’s why it’s important to eat a balanced diet, including vegetables, fruits, grains, costly repairs. protein, dairy and oils. Howevr, if replacement is recommended, the upfront price doesn’t necessarily have to stand between you and a more comfortable home. Consider options from Cut down on salt. As you get older, the body becomes more sensitive to salt. Too much Carrier, which offers flexible financing options through participating dealers. salt can increase your blood pressure. Limit the amount of salt in your diet by choosing Depending on the financing plan you qualify for and your home’s heating and low-sodium seasonings when preparing meals. cooling needs, a new system could cost less than you think. Homeowners can also Drink less alcohol. Even moderate alcohol use can increase your blood pressure. The explore utility rebates on qualifying equipment. American Health Associations recommends no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women. 6. Test Your Thermostat Quit smoking or don’t start. Smoking increases your risk for high blood pressure, heart Testing your thermostat early helps ensure your heating system is communicating disease, stroke, and other health problems. It’s never too late to quit. If you have a Medicare properly before temperatures drop. Switch to heating mode early to make sure plan, you have access to counseling services to help you quit. Additionally, a Medicare Part your system responds properly (just don’t forget to turn it back off). Replace D plan may cover medications to help you stop smoking. batteries, if necessary, and consider whether a smart thermostat could provide additional comfort and control over your home’s heating schedule. Manage stress. Stress can increase your blood pressure. Medicare and MA plans cover counseling services, including telehealth in some cases, to help you cope with stress. 7. Seal Air Leaks Around Doors and Windows Talk to your doctor about medication. There are several medications available to help Drafts can make a home feel colder and allow warm air inside your house to lower your blood pressure. You may need to try several types or combinations before you escape. Inspect weatherstripping around doors and windows and replace it where find a plan that works for you. Once you find the right plan, always take your medication as needed. Caulk visible gaps to help keep conditioned air inside and improve your prescribed. If cost is an issue, an MA plan with drug coverage, or a standalone drug plan, family’s comfort. helps pay for most blood pressure medications. For more information about Medicare and MA benefits that can help you lower your blood 8. Check Your Home’s Insulation pressure, visit https://www.healthspring.com. Finally, look at insulation in areas such as the attic, crawl spaces and basement. “Lowering blood pressure, even a small amount, can make a big difference,” Ziemianin Doing so can help keep heated air where it belongs and reduce the workload on said. “That’s why it’s so critical for you to identify high blood pressure early and then work your heating system all winter long. very closely with your primary care physician to develop a plan for managing your hyperTo learn more about preparing your heating or cooling system for the season, tension so you can live a longer, healthier life.” exploring financing and rebates or finding a local expert, visit Carrier.com.

Page B-6 | September 16-22, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com