MC Digital Edition - 10.6.21

‘Don’t Rest on Your Freedom’

Echoed in Return of Detroit Branch NAACP Dinner Roots. A3

Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 85 – No. 5 | October 6-12, 2021

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COMMENTARY

Secure Michigan Vote…

A Trick Or Treat!

By Rev. Wendell Anthony President of the Detroit Branch NAACP

Halloween is coming early this year. The State Board of Canvassers have granted Secure MI Vote a bogus approval for a misleading petition drive. This petition basically restricts Michiganders right to vote. The approval to get 340,047 signatures would ban election officials from mailing absentee ballots to every voter of Michigan unless requested. It would result in more harsh restrictions of voter ID laws. This is no more than a Republican trick designed to steal the treat of the citizens right to exercise their vote. In case after case across the nation no evidence of mass voter fraud, abuse, or corruption by the electorate has ever been produced. Courts have thrown out over 60 lawsuits based on fraud and frivolous claims of voter Rev. Wendell irregularities.

Anthony Right here in Michigan a Special Senate Oversight Committee led by Republican Senator Ed McBroom said, ‘no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud.” It pulled the cover off several die-hard losers of the last administration who are hell bent on changing the way elections are conducted if they can’t win. Led by the pied piper of big lies Donald Trump. He continues to mislead a crowd of vulnerable and consciences enablers seeking to turn back our democracy.

They have not learned that you win on ideas, policies, inclusion, and integrity.

Halloween is about masquerading as something that you are not and frightening individuals into giving you a treat. This petition is about masquerading as something that it is not. It is not securing the vote when the vote is already secure. It is designed to frighten the electorate into believing that somehow our democracy is not working, not secure, and is run by corrupt people. The Michigan committee even observed that the so-called Voter-Integrity Project found ‘no proof’, that 289,866 illegal votes had been cast based on a supposed sample list of 1,500 voters. They called claims made by the court jester of the legal system Rudy Giuliani ‘ludicrous.’ They called for Attorney General Dana Nessel to open investigations into the folks who have made money from these false claims. Giuliani has been disbarred in a few states.

His accomplices Sydney Powell

See VOTE page A2

General Motors Chair and CEO Mary Barra announces GM will invest $50 million into Detroit-based nonprofit programs that expand access to education and employment opportunities and strengthen city neighborhoods, during a fireside chat with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and WJR-AM’s Lloyd Jackson. (Photo Courtesy of General Motors)

General Motors Continues Commitment to Detroit with $50 Million Investment

By Donald James

Pamela Good, Beyond Basics’ co-founder and CEO, said GM’s $750,000 investment will help her organization better serve youngsters (K-12) through Beyond Basics’ impactful one-on-one reading tutoring and literacy enrichment programs implemented while students are attending school. Most of the students served, according to Good, are students from eleven high schools in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).

And through Beyond Basics’ Family Literacy Center, located in the Durfee Innovation Society, literacy education programs for adults have been established.

Special to the Chronicle

It’s a given that General Motors (GM) is in the business of making and selling automobiles for a profit, something the giant automaker has done since its inception in 1908. Yet, for GM, the business and longevity of manufacturing cars are not enough, as the company has historically made and kept commitments to empower underserved people and communities, especially in Detroit.

In keeping with its vow to create a smarter, safer and more sustainable future for all, GM announced in mid-September 2021 that it was investing $50 million into Detroit-based nonprofit programs focusing on expanding access to education and employment opportunities while strengthening Detroit communities.

“GM has been a fabulous partner with us,” said Good. “The company has supported us for many years. They started out funding some of our work at grade schools, and when we communicated a need for a family literacy center and additional high school support, GM funded that as well. Our mission is to spark a movement for literacy by working with children in public schools and vulnerable communities, especially in Detroit.”

“As the home of our world headquarters for more than a century, Detroit has always been a priority for General Motors,” Mary Barra, GM’s chair and CEO, said at a press conference held at Durfee Innovation Society on the city’s west side. “Our new commitment will help break down barriers and promote growth through education and economic success.”

Megan Thibos, director of economic mobility, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, feels the same way about GM being a fabulous partner. GM’s $1 million investment will help fund United Way’s Ride United, a program designed to help Detroiters overcome transportation barriers to stay on the job. Thibos said the program’s participants can request Uber or Lyft rides to get to job interviews and critical pre-employment appointments like drug tests or physicals. And there’s backup transportation offered during the first six months of an individual starting a new job.

GM’s funding initiative, in collaboration with the City of Detroit, includes four local organizations named at the news event: $1.25 million to Human-I-T, $1 million to Detroit at Work (People Plan and Community Health Corps), $1 million to United Way for Southeastern Michigan (Ride United), and $750,000 to Beyond Basics’ literacy education programs.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Since its October 2019 launch, Ride

United has provided more than 3,000 rides for more than 500 people. While the program has been focused on Detroiters, the new investment from GM, said Thibos, will substantially expand services to help participants with transportation needs who live in all three counties: Wayne, Oakland and Macomb. The new investment will also help United Way develop additional components to Ride United to address more complex underlying transportation barriers.

“GM was one of our earlier supporters when we launched Ride United, so it’s sort of their investment in helping us expand the scale of the program,” Thibos said. “We are super grateful to have the additional investment from GM that will help make sure that transportation is not standing in the way of people getting to work.”

General Motors’ million-dollar investment in Detroit at Work’s “People Plan” and “Community Health Corps” has been well-received. According to Nicole Sherard-Freeman, the City of Detroit’s Executive of Jobs, Economy, and Detroit At Work, the contribution from GM supports two programs: Get Paid to Learn a Trade! and Learn to Earn.

“Get Paid to Learn a Trade! is the City’s initiative that pays Detroiters $10 per hour up to 20 hours a week to earn a credential that will put them in a position to get a job that pays $15 an hour or more,” said Sherard-Freeman. “There were ninety Detroiters supported through Get Paid to Learn a Trade!, specifically paid from GM’s investment.”

Sherard-Freeman

See GM

said

DTE’s

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INVESTMENT page A2

Pandemic Scarcity

How Shortages Are Affecting Consumers

By Megan Kirk The effects of product shortages have hit big business where it hurts. Financially, big businesses are losing money as demands for various consumer goods continue to rise, while supplies worldwide plummet.

At U.S. ports, ships are docked and are backing up. Due to the employee shortage caused by the pandemic, warehouses are empty and it is trickling down to consumers.

Opulence Wine Pours Out the Luxury Locally

City.Life.Style. B1

$1.00

Alexcia Davis

The ripple effects of the coronavirus pandemic are being felt worldwide hitting consumers hard. With domestic and international imports and exports at a virtual standstill, shoppers are facing inconveniences in their

everyday lives. What began as shortages in toilet paper, paper towels and disinfectants in 2020 has grown to Items like computer chips and are causing a backlog in cars and computers. Other items on shortage include paper bags, couches, appliances and school supplies.

Restaurants continue to be one of the hardest hit markets after the pandemic. Facing a massive labor shortage, restaurants are unable to fill orders and have been forced to modify menus and business hours while straining to keep doors open. For fast food restaurants, long lines and wait times have become the norm because of an employee shortage. Now, fast food restaurants are facing another battle in

retaining customers -- a shortage in condiments.

Ketchup packets were one of the first reported condiment shortages restaurants reported and customers are growing increasingly inconvenienced. Now, specialty sauces for some fastfood favorites are next on the shortage list.

“Just recently I visited Taco Bell. After ordering, I learned they had no sauce. The manager had already rang me up and took my payment; without sharing they had no condiments.

I felt so offended that he didn’t inform me of this before placing my order,” says Delana Hall. “I kindly asked for my money back

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GM Investment Trimming Academy, which opened in the spring of 2021, is one of the initiatives that Detroit at Work is supporting with Get Paid to Learn a Trade! Of the individuals who have completed the academy, job offers were tendered to 100 percent of the graduates.

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“GM’s investment is also helping to sponsor 25 Detroiters who are going through our Learn to Earn program,” said Sherard-Freeman about the Detroit at Work partnership with DPSCD. “The program pays Detroiters a stipend to quickly earn their high school diploma or GED, which will prepare them to move into training, jobs and career opportunities.”

GM’s $1.25 million investment funding to Human-I-T, a nonprofit social enterprise, will significantly assist Detroiters.

“We’re focused on creating equitable opportunities for people who are experiencing a digital divide,” said Padric Gleason, Human-I-T’s communications manager. “Our mission is to shrink the digital divide and allow Detroiters to stay connected to a digital support system, including internet connectivity, devices, tech support and digital literacy skills to create greater access to education and employment.”

Gleason said in 2020, Human-I-T, thanks to GM’s funding, partnered with DPSCD to provide tech support that resolved just over 17,700 tech support issues DPSCD students, remote and in-person, faced during learning challenges in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vote

From page A-1 and Lin Wood have been sanctioned in Michigan.

They have been forced to pay defendants attorney fees, take voter education classes, and referred to disciplinary boards for investigation, suspension, or disbarment. The tricks go on.

Halloween is in October, but we are now getting a tour of a haunted political house in September.

We must Decline To Sign but that is not enough.

In Michigan, Joe Biden won by 154,000 votes and still folks want an audit.

Audits have produced even more critical results for the former president.

He suffered a greater loss in Arizona after the result of their most recent audit.

Biden beat Trump in targeted Maricopa County by 10,000 votes. Biden beat Trump in Georgia by over 12,000 votes. Audits confirmed this reality. Michigan’s audit of the 2020 election produced the same results. Joe Biden won. No election fraud or dead folks rising up to vote en masse. The tricks persist. They persist in calling for a new election when you lost the old one.

They persist in the possibility of reducing the ability of certain minorities to have their congressional districts redrawn to reduce the impact of their

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Shortages Gleason explained that his organization is about achieving digital inclusion, digital equity and providing digital opportunities.

General Motors’ investment, said Gleason, has been tremendous.

“GM supported us in 2020, our first year in Detroit,” said Gleason.

“We opened a warehouse and hired 30 people to work on our team.

This year, we’re aiming to take that to the next level. Our three-year vision is to create up to 155 new tech jobs and really make Detroit a national model and leader in digital inclusion.”

GM has an elite leadership program that Jennifer Jambor, HumanI-T’s manager of special projects in Detroit, feels can assist Human-I-T in becoming such a leader.

“Some senior managers have been lent to us by GM,” said Jambor, “and they have come into our warehouse and evaluated our operations and logistics so that we

Pure Michigan has been polluted by the pouring into the Great Lakes state this toxic waste from a mean-spirited Republican party that is corroding our democracy day by day. Last November 12th in a joint statement, members of the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council, and Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, both under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, along with the national Secretaries of State and others called the 2020 election ‘the most secure in American history. There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised’. How long will we allow these tricks to be played on the people?

Halloween is for children. Voting is for adults.

The people of Michigan

For GM, its $50 million round of funding is the latest example of the automaker’s commitment to Detroit. In 2020, the company announced a $2.2 billion investment to retool, upgrade and expand its Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant, now called Factory ZERO. The plant, dedicated to manufacturing electric vehicles, will eventually employ more than 2,200 team members, a substantial number of which will be Detroiters.

“General Motors has been a part of this community for the last century, providing good-paying, middle-class jobs for Detroiters,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. “GM’s commitment solidifies the company’s investment in the people of Detroit, ensuring Detroiters have the skills they need to access these kinds of opportunities for years to come.”

Government must support equitable access to the ballot to ensure that all eligible voters can exercise their right.

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adults, racial minorities, and low-income voters.

Well, the chickens have now come home to roost. Corporate and business communities must stand with us in this very critical hour. We all must stand strong against the attack on voting rights.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., proclaims from the corners of our national conscience, ‘our lives end the day we become silent about things that matter’.

Voting matters. Freedom matters. Democracy matters. As a child on Halloween, we were not interested in the tricks.

We wanted the treats.

We came home, opened our bag filled with treats and counted them on the table to see who had the most. We didn’t steal the candy from each other.

We accepted what each one had and ate the candy that we were given. Well today we need to accept the votes when they are counted and eat the victory or defeat we have been given. Secure MI Vote ain’t nothing but a bag of tricks. Voters in Michigan really deserve a table filled with treats.

From page A-1

and he obliged.”

This consumer was met with a similar issue at another fast-food restaurant. This time, the problem extended to additional items in the restaurant.

“The exact same thing happened at White Castle; they had no ketchup, ranch or napkins,” says Hall.

Chain stores and restaurants are also suffering the effects of product shortages. Consumer stores have bare shelves and restaurants both big and small are being forced to eliminate popular menu items to supplement the failing supply.

“J Alexander’s has been out of crab cakes for about eight months now.

Plastic flatware is almost impossible to find in major chains like Target and Meijer. Top shelf liquor is sparse in some restaurants; Sedona Taphouse didn’t have Patron for months,” says consumer Taylour Baskin.

Brides and grooms have faced mounting pressure preparing for their special day. Venue closures, dress delays and limited capacities have all threatened to reshape wedding plans.

Brides are getting a jump on planning in hopes of avoiding product outages.

“As it pertains to my wedding, I haven’t experienced any shortages. I have experienced delays just with production of my bridesmaids’ dresses and production with my dress. Which is partially why I started so early because I knew COVID would put a delay on things,” says Alexcia Davis, who is set to wed February 2022.

Though not experiencing personal wedding woes for products, Davis, who is a social worker professionally, also services clientele with floral arrangements.

Flowers have been hard to obtain

as shortages spread across various markets.

“Shopping, specifically for flowers or in general, has been kind of frustrating because there are certain things that I need to dye flowers or design flowers -- they haven’t been available at all. They say they’re on back order, but they have not been available at all,” says Davis. “That’s frustrating because it forces you to be creative in other ways just so clients can still get what they want.”

America is still struggling with getting a grasp on the coronavirus. Countries known for production and shipment of American goods are facing soaring COVID cases making warehouse and factory jobs a breeding ground for spreading the virus.

“I believe a lot of shipping and logistics companies are short staffed. If you don’t have people to deliver, chains can’t get their regular orders fulfilled,” says Baskin.

As the weather cools, shoppers are looking to get prepared for the colder months by purchasing winter apparel.

Stores, online as well as brick-and-mortar, are unable to fulfill orders and this is adding to the growing problem.

“I recently placed an order for sweatshirts. The advertisement read ‘order now get free shipping and 45 percent off.’ I placed a $200 order and after inquiring about the status after a week or so, they replied that my order is on backorder and it won’t be processed for at least two to four weeks,” says Hall.

The pandemic is not yet over and its tight hold on the economy seems to be strengthening. Prices are rising as products become scarce further upsetting the supply and demand scales.

“I don’t think the hard part is over yet. We could still be months in,” says Hall.

Government must avoid actions that reduce participation in elections, particularly among historically disenfranchised communities, persons with disabilities, older

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are able to do an excellent job in narrowing the digital divide for Detroiters.”

must not be bamboozled or hoodwinked by this ball of confusion. We must not only Decline To Sign, but perhaps there needs to be a counter petition to give the people an avenue to preserve their right to vote.

It would be educational along the way towards a referendum on this law if it makes it through the legislative process. This is a slick petition drive to get around a Governor who believes in the right to vote for all Michiganders. They want to eliminate a long-standing constitutional right to veto or not sign a bogus bill into law by the current Governor of this state. We must stand strong against this attack on voting rights.

In a joint statement published April 13th of this year, 33 major Michigan corporations and businesses made a commitment to protect voting rights against voter suppression tactics attempted by state legislators.

Among the eight principles they adopted were these two:

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vote. Let no one be under any illusion. This petition is also a political trick targeted at women, youth, the disabled, seniors, and the poor. It further is a trick when over 18 states have introduced 400 voter suppression bills to take voting back 50 years. If you can’t beat them trick them into believing the system is rigged and the votes are Illegal. Shame on those who propagate and peddle this poison to the people.

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From page A-1

Sherard-Freeman also points to GM’s investment, which is helping 50 low-income families through the City of Detroit’s Community Health Corps (CHC). According to Sherard-Freeman, CHC has revolutionized how the city helps its most vulnerable residents connect to vital services for basic necessities, employment, education, help with their homes and health programs.

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| October 6-12, 2021

How to Make an Impact This National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Roots.

michiganchronicle.com

(StatePoint) October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to spend your dollars on products and services that benefit breast cancer advocacy, research and patient care services. However, experts say that the clutter of pink products on store shelves and online can make savvy shopping a challenge.

“Determining if a given product sold during October actually benefits a breast cancer charity, is not always easy,” says Sarah Rosales, vice president of Corporate Partnerships at Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization.

One way to ensure that your purchases are making the impact you think they will is by shopping with Komen’s Annual Live Pink program.

This year, Komen has partnered with more than 25 companies, and the lineup of products and services available includes everything from

From left to right: President–Detroit Branch NAACP, Marcia Fudge – U.S HUD Secretary and Kamilia Landrum - Executive Director–Detroit Branch NAACP

‘Don’t Rest on Your Freedom’ Echoed in Return of Detroit Branch NAACP Dinner

By Andre Ash

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) LightFieldStudios / iStock via Getty Images Plus

specially designed clothing and skin care products, to bagels and bikes. By shopping with the brands in the Live Pink portfolio during October, you can help fund research and care services that support people through their breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Program details are transparent on the Live Pink site. To learn more and to shop, visit, komen.org/livepink.

For other purchases you make this National Breast Cancer Awareness Month that make charitable claims, Susan G. Komen recommends asking the following questions: 1. What charity is the program supporting? Do promotional materials about the product or service clearly and conspicuously state this information?

2. How will the benefitting charity use the donation? You should be made aware where your money is going and what charitable programs your purchase will support. Funds raised to benefit Komen, for example, go to support the organization’s advocacy for breast cancer patients, investments in research and a number of direct patient care services.

3. H ow is the program structured? What percentage or exact amount of the proceeds will go to the charity? Will the company be making a minimum or maximum donation to the charity?

Shop only with companies that offer transparency with regards to program details and how donations are structured.

By shopping savvy this October, you can support the fight against breast cancer and ensure your purchases are making the biggest impact possible.

The Detroit Branch NAACP held its 66th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner last Sunday. Governor Whitmer announced she would veto the voter reform bills brought by republicans in the legislature. She deemed the bills as an act of voter suppression. The annual conference featured community leaders, dinner chairpersons, and other dignitaries.

During a pre-dinner press conference, Rev. Wendell Anthony, President Detroit NAACP, expressed the need to continue the fight against voter suppression.

“We can not rest. Right here in Michigan, we have the Blind 39, a set of bogus bills introduced by folks who know there is no voter fraud. It is shameful.”

The dinner, which touts itself as the largest sit-down gathering in the world, scaled back its annual event date and size due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Freedom Fund Dinner, which usually seats nearly 10,000 guests in spring, held its conference Sunday evening in an intimate setting of the Grand Ballroom of TCF Center.

“From $100 million in small business aid, with resources directed toward women and minority owned businesses,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The racial disparities taskforce that tackled health disparities that was chaired by Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, saved thousands of lives. It made lasting structural change.”

The Governor expressed before hundreds of people in a primarily Black audience the need for voting reform and to oppose laws that make it difficult to vote.

She stressed the importance of becoming a state that is “more inclusive and more just.”

The Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner launched in April 1956 under NAACP Branch President Edward M. Turner, Arthur L. Johnson, and Dr. Lionel F. Swan.

The Freedom Fund Dinner was founded in a period of renewed national hope and determination among Black Americans, even in the face of continuing racial violence and tragedy.

The financial support for the annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner ensures that the long-storied civil rights organization remains on the front lines.

The annual event also honored com-

From left to right: President–Detroit Branch NAACP, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Mayor Mike Duggan munity giants making a difference in big and small ways.

Receiving the Ida B. Wells Lifetime Achievement Award was Joyce Beatty, Congresswoman from Ohio. Arian Simon, the co-founder of fearless Fund, took home the Great Expectation Award.

For his years of legal service to the City of Detroit and Detroit Branch NAACP, Attorney John Johnson Jr., Executive Director for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, was honored with the W.E.B. Dubois Freedom & Justice Award.

One of the honorees who stole the night was Bryant George. His work to bridge the gap in community relations between police and youth through mobile gaming received applause. “This morning on my three-mile run, I just really thought about it, why set expectations?” George said as he took a moment on stage to talk about the importance of self-responsibility, goal-setting, and being a positive example to young people who look up to him as a role model. “I take on the pleasure and responsibility of being a mentor to provide support to Black male students in Detroit and to help see a person like me and my profession in a different lens.”

George, a four-year police officer for the Detroit Police Department and Founder of Game Game Mobile, received the Great Expectations Award.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a baby,” said Lt. Garlin Gilchrest.” My grandma was the first person to bring me here, so it brings, back memories.

I’m just proud that this always happens in Detroit and to be here about these important issues related to what we need to do to expand voting rights and to end voter suppression. That’s what we’re all about.”

The highlight of the night was the event’s special keynote speaker. Marcia Fudge, Secretary for the federal government’s Housing and Urban Development, echoed the calls for the continued fight and activism for civil rights causes and the importance of equity. “Freedom.

Freedom. I can’t move. Freedom, cut me loose.” said Fudge, borrowing a quote for the popular Beyonce hit song, Freedom. “I charge you to raise your voices, to raise your voice for voting rights and civil rights, for jobs and health care.”

Fudge has championed equity and the importance of affordable housing in her work and says under the Biden administration, the fight will always continue for the dignity of people to receive the needed resources despite the politics of Washington D.C. “Many of these challenges feel all too familiar. Too many of us live in crumbling

See FREEDOM FUND page B-2

Duggan Unveils $30M ‘Renew Detroit’ Home Repair Program

By Sherri Kolade Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivered some good news, especially to homeowners in the city of Detroit.

At a press conference held Thursday, September 30, Duggan announced a brand new $30 million grant program to help homeowners like low-income senior citizens and residents with disabilities make vital repairs to their home.

The Renew Detroit program is a first-of-its-kind initiative funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which has given Detroit over $400 million to invest in programs to improve Detroit neighborhoods and improve safety and quality of life.

The program will effectively triple the amount of city-funded owner-occupied home repairs each year.

Historically, the city has funded between 200 to 250 annual home repairs through its Community Development Block Grant-funded senior emergency home repair program at a cost of up to $6 million per year.

Renew Detroit will spend up to $17 million to repair approximately 500 additional homes per year, bringing the total to up to 750 per year, Duggan said.

“We have not tried anything of this magnitude before,” Duggan said during the press conference.

In addition to crediting Biden, Duggan credited oth-

ers in the city who helped push the program through including Detroit City Councilman Roy McCallister who he said gave their “complete support.”

Duggan added that the program comes at a critical time because many city homeowners have sought his help for getting needed repairs done in their homes. “[This] is going to raise the housing stock and neighborhood values all across the city,” he said of the program that officially kicks off on Friday, October 1.

“The most important thing we can do as a city is to make sure that long-time Detroiters are able to remain in their home, and a lot of times that depends on their ability to make major repairs,” Duggan said. “Thanks to President’s Biden’s rescue plan and City Council’s commitment to this program, we are going to be able to reach triple the number of homeowners in need of help.”

Phase One of Renew Detroit will focus on replacing 1,000 roofs. Eighty percent of Senior Home Repair requests involve new roofs, by far the most urgent need.

Additionally, 50 percent of Detroiters are turned down for home weatherization grants because of bad roofs, which can lead to major internal home deterioration.

Roof repairs have been, by far, the most requested single home repair residents have asked for in the past.

Phase Two of Renew Detroit, expected to launch a year from now, is expected to provide a major repair to another 500 homes, according to a release.

In order to be eligible, homeowners must meet the following criteria: • Age 62 or older or be a homeowner of any age with a disability • Approved for a property tax exemption through the

See HOME REPAIR PROGRAM page A-4

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com •

October 6-12, 2021

Freedom Fund

Home Repair Program

homes, poisoned by the paint on our walls or the water in our pipes,” Fudge said.

“Our children are born behind, playing catch-up from the beginning,” she continued, “We cannot, we must not, rest on our freedom.”

Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program (HPTAP) recently re-named the Homeowner Property Exemption (HOPE). The program is designed to provide property tax relief to eligible lower-income homeowners. For eligibility requirements and to apply for the HPTAP program, visit detroitmi. gov/hptap • Have not received a home repair grant from the city of $10,000 or more in the past 10 years.

After meeting these initial criteria, homeowners will be selected based on a point system that includes the length of ownership, the number of people in the home, level of their HOPE tax exemption (25 percent, 50 percent, or 100 percent), and whether they already are on a list for similar repairs with Wayne Metro or the city’s Senior Emergency Home Repair (SEHR) program.

The Rocket Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of Rocket Companies, is donating the costs of a call center and hotline for the Renew Detroit program. The hotline, operated

by Rocket Companies subsidiary Rock Connections, will provide residents the opportunity to speak with a representative to determine their eligibility and participate in the new initiative.

The Rocket Community Fund is also

From page A-3

For the past 44 years, the Detroit Branch NAACP has held its major fundraiser, the “Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.” In 1999, the dinner was attended by 10,000 guests, including Vice Marcia Fudge – U.S President Al Gore as the key- HUD Secretary note speaker. The event’s 1999 theme, “Leveling the Playing Field for the 21st Century, “called for the continued focus to fight for equality and opportunity for all citizens of the United States.

This year’s theme called for the fight to continue civil rights and many issues, but more importantly, not to “Rest on Your Freedom.”

From page A-3

conducting a Renew Detroit awareness campaign.

“As we continue to support Detroiters across the city to build stable homeownership, we have seen the magnitude of need for robust repair programs that address critical issues and provide peace of mind for homeowners,” said Laura Grannemann, vice president of the Rocket Community Fund. “We are excited to support Renew Detroit and applaud the City of Detroit’s ongoing commitment to helping residents repair their homes and build equity in their neighborhoods.”

One of the goals of the Renew Detroit program is to reduce the size of the waitlist for the SEHR program, which can be years long. Currently, there are nearly 2,000 residents on that waitlist. Residents on the waitlist are encouraged to apply for the Renew Detroit Program. Residents who apply for Renew Detroit will keep their place in line under the old list. If they are selected for a Renew Detroit repair, the homeowner can decide which program is best for them.

Not only will Renew Detroit assist Detroit homeowners, but another goal of the program is also to provide an opportunity to Detroit-based contractors to perform the $30 million in repairs.

In the coming weeks, the city will announce a series of outreach events to engage local contractors to perform the

repairs. This will include opportunities as prime contractors, sub-contractors and joint ventures. Contractors are encouraged to get their business certified as a Detroit-based or minority-owned company at www.detroitmi.gov/crio.

To receive updates of upcoming bid opportunities, contractors can go to www.detroitmi.gov/citynews and select “Contractor Outreach.”

Program Timeline • Applications for Renew Detroit open October 1 and close October 31 • HPTAP/HOPE applications must be submitted by November 12 and must be approved by December 14, 2021, to ensure eligibility for Renew Detroit • Approved applicants will be selected and notified by February 1, 2022 • Bids for roof repairs will go out in Fall 2021 • Repairs to 1,000 homes begin in Spring of 2022 and are completed within two years • Phase Two applications open October 2022 (tentative) For anyone wanting to start training to do construction work as part of Renew Detroit, call 313-962-WORK or visit www.detroitatwork.com.

Full details and applications are available at www.detroitmi.gov/RenewDetroit. Applications can be filled out online or completed over the phone by calling 313-244-0274 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday.

We’re here for you.

Through events like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, we raise critical funds for dementia care, support and research for Michigan residents.

Join us in the fight against this devastating disease. Visit act.alz.org/detroit to register for the Detroit Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 30 at the Detroit Zoo.

For support and services 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 alz.org/gmc

Good health requires nourishment for your body and your mind.

We’re here for it all.

Confidence comes with every card.®

At Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, we’re here for you with access to care for both your physical and mental health wherever and whenever you need it. Including online visits from the privacy of your own home. Because we know that good health is whole health.

Learn more at HereForItAll.com Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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Money.

michiganchronicle.com

NBA Hall of Famer

Chris Webber Breaks Ground on $50 Million Cannabis Facility in Detroit

By Andre Ash Chris Webber, entrepreneur, NBA Hall-of-Famer and Co-Founder of Webber Wild Impact Fund, today launched Players Only Holdings, a new $50 million cannabis operations and training facility in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Players Only is a Black-owned business co-founded with entrepreneur Lavetta Willis focused on four strategic business areas: real estate development, cannabis cultivation, brand partnerships and creative content development and management.

The state of the art 180,000 square-foot Players Only Facility will feature a 60,000 squarefoot cultivation, an 8,000 square-foot dispensary, and a private cannabis consumption lounge. The business is expected to create hundreds of new jobs in the Detroit metro area over the next three years.

During the groundbreaking, Webber also announced the expansion of Cookies U into Detroit and an exclusive distribution partnership with leading Michigan operator, Gage Growth Corp., for Players Only branded cannabis products.

“This will be the shining jewel of Michigan. Everything great in Michigan starts in Detroit, and I am excited to collaborate with Gage to bring our premium line of Players Only products to this community,” said Webber.

“Gage is the HOF of cannabis operations. With Fabian Monaco as a teammate, this relationship is a winner on every level.”

“Chris shares our vision of creating an inclusive and world class cannabis business community in Michigan,” said Fabian Monaco, CEO of Gage Growth Corp. “We are proud to work hand in hand with the Players Only team to not only facilitate attractive consumer experiences but also provide future entrepreneurs of color with the tools to create generational wealth.”

“This Detroit training and operations facility is only the first step in bringing tangible opportunities to the people of this city – one that means so much to me – while eliminating barriers to an industry with unlimited economic potential,” added Webber. “We will create, foster and provide a cannabis ecosystem that celebrates diversity, creates jobs and benefits this community – focusing intensely on those who are being left behind. As social equity programs struggle in many states, we are here to support

legacy operators who created the foundation for this industry so that they are included in future iterations of it while we wait on the politics to catch up.”

The Cookies U training program is a high-impact, handson educational experience that will recruit students from minority and underrepresented communities. The comprehensive “no fee” educational curriculum is aimed at job training and job placement in the cannabis industry. A recent partnership will also bring access

to a virtual GED program with a financial literacy component.

The Cookies U concept was announced in May as a partnership between Cookies and The WebberWildWillis Foundation.

“Not only is Michigan one of the most important markets in the cannabis industry, Detroit is the first city we opened a flagship store in, outside of California. I have to salute Chris Webber, Jason Wild, and Lavetta Willis for supporting our vision to build out Cookies U in Humboldt, California, and extending the program to Detroit, which happens to be Chris’s hometown,” said Berner, Co-Founder and CEO of Cookies. “Michigan has always been an advanced and educated market and we couldn’t be more excited to offer underrepresented people an opportunity to learn the industry from seed to sale.”

The Webber Wellness Compound will be located at 2599 22nd Street, near Michigan Avenue and the Fisher Service Drive in Detroit’s Corktown and Southwest Detroit neighborhoods. It will encompass nine acres including properties along Michigan Avenue. Webber has been personally interviewing Black-owned architectural firms and general contractors to be named. Construction is slated to begin this Fall with first phase completion expected in March 2022.

Rivertown Market is Opens!

Rivertown Market, the new neighborhood market by Meijer and one of the few grocery stores in downtown Detroit, is slated to open Wednesday, October 6 in the city’s East Jefferson Corridor.

The market is focused on bringing a mix of local, fresh food and value to customers in the region. “I grew up in this town and am very proud to be back with a great team in place to ensure Rivertown Market provides a unique shopping experience to customers in the city of Detroit,” said Store Director Marcus Reliford, who joined Meijer in September 2020 with 15 years of retail experience. “We are excited to open our doors, be a good neighbor and work every day to have the best products on our shelves.”

Marcus Reliford

The 42,000-square-foot market will feature a vast assortment of fresh and prepared foods, including bakery items, fresh meat and deli offerings; and Meijer and national brand products at low prices; and an estimated 2,000 local, artisan items, including Pizzaman Pizza, Washington G.L.A.M Body Scrubs, MexiBake Bakery, Crystal Eikcaj Skincare and Crown of a Woman.

It will boast a Great Lakes Coffee that specializes in nitro brews and low/ medium roasts, and an extensive beer,

wine and liquor counter.

Rivertown Market will feature openair elements, a design inspired by local culture in the city’s East Jefferson Corridor, and three garage-style doors that open to an outdoor fresh produce and floral area in warmer months. Additionally, local artists Desiree Kelly and Cameron Jenkins both painted their own murals full of vibrant colors on both the Jefferson (Kelly) and Larned (Jenkins) sides of the market.

Rivertown Market will also feature: • A flower shop, featuring local Avanti Greeting Cards • Expansive 4,700-square-foot produce department complete with a 52-foot wet wall • Fresh and prepared foods, including bakery items, fresh meat and deli offerings • An expansive alcohol assortment, featuring a 24-foot wide by 14-foot tall liquor wall with rolling ladder • Basic cleaning items and health and beauty care products from local, black women-owned businesses • 23-foot ceilings with open air elements and a pedestrian-friendly design Meijer also announced that Detroit

native Marcus Reliford will lead Rivertown Market.

“I grew up on the west side of Detroit as a kid, and came back recently to help give back and contribute to my community and city,” said Reliford, who lives three blocks from the retailer’s fourth small format store. “This is our first store in downtown Detroit. There’s no one who wanted this job more than me.

It feels good to be home.”

Reliford joined Meijer in September 2020 with 15 years of retail experience under his belt, working his way up from various hourly roles to store manager at retailers in Georgia and Michigan.

Reliford will lead Rivertown Market for Meijer, which will focus on offering customers a unique grocery shopping experience similar to the retailer’s three other small format stores: Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids, Woodward Corner Market in Royal Oak, and Capital City Market in Lansing.

At 42,000 square feet, Rivertown Market will feature a vast assortment of fresh food; artisan groceries; and Meijer and national brand products at low prices. Reliford previously set a goal of 2,000 local products to feature on the market’s shelves and is pleased to have received more than1,000 item submissions so far for consideration.

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com • October 6-12, 2021

RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANT TO HELP FIGHT DISEASE TOGETHER.

Now more than ever, diversity and inclusion are vital to clinical research. And with more volunteers, medical advancements can become even better. Visit medicalheroes.org to learn more.

A sincere thank you to all medical heroes from the following organizations:

RESEARCH

24253 CISCRP 2021 Diversity Ad_Michigan Chronicle

ACC E L E R AT E D

October 6-12, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-7

BE REPRESENTED Participating in clinical trials helps make medical breakthroughs possible for people of all backgrounds.

Learn how you can get involved at PfizerClinicalTrials.com/berepresented1.

Page A-8 • michiganchronicle.com •

October 6-12, 2021

Making a difference to underserved populations There are many things that can interrupt a college education: limited income, family obligations, lack of academic resources and even homelessness. At Macomb, faculty and staff are committed to helping students clear any hurdle that stands between them and their future.

2021

Just ask Lady-Marqui Sholar.

For six months, Sholar, her husband and infant daughter lived in their car. The Detroit house they were renting was unexpectedly sold by the landlord and their wages did not provide the means to immediately rent another. Once the couple secured better-paying jobs at Fiat Chrysler and a real home, Sholar was ready to head back to the classroom. But she wanted a college where she would feel at home, unlike the last one she attended.

“A friend recommended Macomb,” said Sholar, who graduated in May with an associate degree, “and I was welcomed with open arms and friendly people.”

Now attending Colorado Technical University online, her ultimate goals are a law degree and a judgeship with Detroit Circuit Court.

Lisa Nieves, Dental Assisting faculty, is committed to matching underserved populations with dental health care and employment opportunities.

“I am so thankful I transferred to Macomb, where they nurtured me and gave me an opportunity to grow,” said Sholar, a first-generation college student who appreciated the free

resources available at the Learning Centers and Reading and Writing Studios and the accessibility of counselors and professors.

“They gave me help and hope.”

Sholar’s experience wasn’t unique. Macomb professors are often credited by students as sources of both knowledge and encouragement. And that will likely be the case with Lisa Nieves, who teaches in Macomb’s new Dental Assisting program.

“Macomb is one of the best community colleges,” says Nieves, “and I wanted to be a part of helping its students achieve their goals.”

Nieves holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. She has taught for more than 20 years in the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit Mercy schools of dentistry. Her professional memberships include the Wolverine Dental Hygienists’ Society (WDHS), an organization of minority dental practitioners who promote dentistry occupations to minorities and seek to improve underserved populations’ access to dental health care.

“Dentistry has always been an underserved area,” said Nieves, “and I wanted to make a difference.”

Your student’s start to anywhere is here We’ll help your student discover their talents and a career path that’s right for them!

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Winter semester starts January 10.

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Learn more at macomb.edu/parents or contact Admissions: 586.445.7999, select Admissions

Early detection can save your life.

Make time for your mammogram.

Mammograms are the most effective form of early detection of breast cancer, but “early” is key. We’re making it easy to get your annual screening mammogram with walk-in appointments Mondays through Fridays from 6:45 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m.-1:20 p.m. throughout October, without a physician referral. Same-day results are often available.

DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital Breast Imaging Center Professional Office Building 6001 W Outer Dr., Ste. 206, Detroit, MI 48235 Please visit DMC.org/walkin for mammogram screening criteria.

If you have a current doctor’s order and prefer to call to schedule an appointment, please call 313-966-6060, option two.

“All of my credits transferred, which made it an easy transition between schools.”

–Erica, alumna pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy at Oakland University

City ity.. Life ife.. Style.

B1 | October 6-12, 2021

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

Evrod Cassimy To Donate More than $30,000 to Detroit Students and Announces New Album Evrod Cassimy, Morning News Anchor for WDIV-TV Local 4 in Detroit announces the release of his new album “E3.”

“E3” is the follow-up to his 2019 sophomore album “Just Evrod” and 2020 Christmas EP “A Cassimy Kinda Christmas” and includes a charitable initiative to help support Detroit area students with educational needs.

Cassimy said, “E3 is the culmination of everything I’ve been through in the past year and a half. From surviving COVID, to having a new baby girl, celebrating 12 years of marriage and trying to find happiness in a crazy mixed up world. This new album takes you on quite the ride while having some fun along the way.”

By Sherri Kolade

With songs like “U Know, U Know” and “Mama,” “E3” features incredibly personal songs about his life beyond the anchor desk. “This is my third full length album and I wrote every song.

Writing is my passion and I get to do every day for television. “E3” takes that passion a step further by setting it to music.”, Cassimy added.

The wine industry has a long history of being male-dominated with women making up only 28 percent of winemakers in the U.S. but they are responsible for up to 57 percent of wine sales, according to local statistics. Black-owned wineries pale in comparison accounting for just one percent of U.S. wineries.

She loves the finer things of life.

That’s what motivated Dr. LaToya Thompson, to become the first black woman in Detroit to own a luxury wine brand, Opulence Wine. She created her beverage business and launched her new line of high-brow drinks for people who like to drink with their pinkies up.

Thompson, who is a physical therapist by trade and “a woman of luxury by choice,” told the Michigan Chronicle about how her enjoyment of the finer things of life, wanting to up her self-care and desire to shift the narrative of luxury for Black and Brown communities in the food and beverage industry gave way to, Opulence Wine.

“I started the brand because, one, I love wine and it’s pretty simple for me [and] I saw that there was a disconnect,” she said, adding that although there are a lot of Black brands coming out, she sees, especially in Michigan, that there are not “many of us.” “As far as the Black female there is not one. I saw this would be a great opportunity for me to start this brand and put our face on it and let people know we can be involved in something not considered for us -- especially when it comes to luxury.”

To celebrate the release of “E3,” Cassimy will be performing live with his band, playing songs from his new album at his album release party presented by Triumph Church and Greektown Casino hosted by Radio personality, Kirby Gwen. Cassimy will be donating more than $30,000 to Detroit students. The money was raised

by Cassimy himself through generous donations from a variety of sponsors in Metro Detroit who wanted to join in in his initiative to support Cass Tech students through the non-profit The Triangle Society.

She said another kind of disconnect comes between Black culture and is associated with luxury and how luxurious things, including wine, can be a normal daily part of Black life, deservingly.

“I enjoy luxury items because I enjoy luxury items,” Thompson said, adding that she wanted to enjoy wine that is premium, and the experience runs deep with her white and red wines. “[It] should be an experience that goes from not just tasting the wine but being able to learn and educate yourself on how that grape got to that glass.”

The Triangle Society is an organization that provides funding resources to support the education initiatives for Cass Tech Students in the critical areas of need including academics, athletics, and fine arts. A special check presentation will follow the live performances. Guests will also have a chance to purchase merchandise and a portion of the proceeds will also benefit the organization and students.

Dr. LaToya Thompson was the first black woman in Detroit to own a luxury wine brand, Opulence Wine.

Photo credit Rebecca Simonov

Thompson said that with her background as a physical therapist with science and sports she is always thinking about the end game and “how we got to this point,” she said, adding that her inquisitive mind wants to know why and how the grapes she uses get from one point to the very glass of wine.

The event is free and open to the public and everyone is invited to attend. To attend, guests must register in advance online at www.EvrodCassimy.com. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. Tickets will not be available at the door.

“[I’m] very intrigued by the wine experience in Detroit and I want to put it on the map,” she said. “We are a wine destination, at least northern Michigan, but I want to put Detroit on the map to let people know we have people in Detroit, southeastern Michigan that love wine and [we’re] making room for us in this industry to grow.”

Thompson, who lived in Miami after school, started working in the collegiate athletes’ field and she spent a lot of time with the coaches’ wives – who networked and attended wine tastings. With her interest in the wine industry, and her own wind down with a glass a day, she took her love of the crushed grapes and made two flavors for others to enjoy. Both of her wines come from grapes grown in California.

E3: Album Release Party & Concert Fundraiser is being held on Saturday, October 30th from 6-8 pm at Emagine Theatre 200 N. Main Street Royal Oak, MI. The event is free and open to the public. To attend, guests must register in advance online at www.EvrodCassimy.com. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis and while supplies last. Tickets will not be available at the door.

Her 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet is a red wine that she describes as bold and full-bodied that “gives you a firm taste.”

“It has persistent flavors of plum, a hint of herb and finished with firm tannin.”

Her white wine is a 2019 pinot grigio (Lodi) is described as not super sweet or dry; it has faint notes of honey and floral aromas along with tastes of pear and nectarine.

“I wanted to have only have two wines to make sure I have something for everybody,” she said.

“E3” is available for pre-order on iTunes for $6.99 ($9.99 after) and pre-saves on Apple Music and Spotify starting on Friday, September 17th. It will be available everywhere on Friday, October 29th.

A launch event for Opulence Wine is set for 6:30 p.m. on October 7 at House of Pure Vin. For more information visit Opulencewine.com.

Cuisine & Black Culture: Caribbean Flare

By Megan Kirk The Black community and its ties to food run deep into culture and DNA. Providing a common meeting space, food is often the one force that can draw crowds from different backgrounds and ethnicities across the African diaspora. As rich and diverse as the people, the food is a direct representation of each individual country and its take on the flavors of the Caribbean.

Caribbean food is becoming increasingly popular to all those who sample its earthy yet festive flavors.

Composed of more than 7000 islands and 25 island nations, the Caribbean possesses some of the most culturally diverse cuisine around. Flavors like ginger, turmeric, paprika and cinnamon all help to give Caribbean foods its signature flavor. Fruit profiles like mango, jackfruit, passion

fruit, coconut and pineapple help comprise the sweet flavors of the islands.

Toi Roberts, owner of Rolais’ Caribbean Baking Company, uses island flavors to create vegan donuts.

The online company has a kitchen in Livonia, but is featured at the Eastern Market on Saturdays. It is there the owner showcases a unique spin on traditional flavors.

“I started about three and a half years ago with the donuts. I was looking for a donut that would last 36 hours, most donuts go stale,” says Roberts. “As far as the Caribbean goes, I had this grand idea that I would make baked goods that had a Caribbean flair to it. I met a friend and he introduced me to all of these Caribbean flavors because he was from Haiti.”

The self-taught baker then began to experiment with different flavor

combinations perfecting each recipe.

Offering choices like guava cheesecake, dragon berry, Caribbean spice blueberry and brown butter jerk bacon, each donut is made from scratch and contains no dairy or nuts.

“I do a lot of research and most of the donuts have a Caribbean flair to them and I stayed with that because people began to really like it,” says Roberts.

Opened just before COVID, John’s Jamaica Jamaica on Detroit’s west side, has a history of bringing authentic Jamaican food to the neighborhood. Originally operated for more than 35 years, the restaurant undertook new management, but kept the same look and taste of the Caribbean.

“We acquired the business before [COVID] but we shut down for renovations and then we moved forward

See CUISINE Page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • October 6-12, 2021

Cuisine From page B-1

Mural created by Désirée Kelly.

No Kid Hungry and Local Artist Team Up to Fight Childhood Hunger

By Megan Kirk Since the pandemic, the conversation around food security has intensified and has become one of the many underlying issues COVID has helped to uncover. Largely affecting youth, it is estimated that 13 million children across the country are living in homes that are considered “food insecure.” A national organization has been working to shift the narrative around food security and has recently partnered with five different artists from five of America’s largest cities, including Detroit.

No Kid Hungry has launched a campaign to end childhood hunger. Together with artists from Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, Washington D.C. and Detroit, the No Kid Hungry, as a part of their ‘Rebuilding’ initiative, will showcase murals of the artists’ take on childhood hunger. For Detroit, artist Désirée Kelly drew inspiration from her daughter and her personal experience to help spark her creative expression and display Detroit’s grit.

“As an artist, creating beautiful work is something that is your escape from the environment. What Detroit added to my work is that edgy grittiness to it. It can be a portrait about somebody, but then there’s these textures and unexpected things are in the piece,” says Kelly.

Award-winning artist and premiere

portraitist Kelly was hand chosen by No Kid Hungry to design a mural representative of Detroit. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, Kelly has a decorated career including works for Pepsi, Converse, Kroger, City of Royal Oak and most recently a commissioned mural of Aretha Franklin completed for the film “Respect” that left the film’s star, Jennifer Hudson, praising the work.

“I was really proud to be a part of this project. All the details were hidden forever. Finally, we talked about it and they came up with ‘rebuild’ and I thought it was perfect. From the conversation with the kids, I was inspired and just coming from my own perspective as a kid growing up in Detroit and not seeing any art around, it was my first instinct to ask what I wanted to see on a wall,” says Kelly.

According to the No Kid Hungry organization, one in four kids could face hunger this year just in Wayne County.

Children who relied on school meals as a source of nourishment were met with no options with the close of schools.

The organization hopes the lasting effects of food scarcity for American families can be cut with the help of meal programs.

“The pandemic has been devastating for American kids and families, and too many will feel the impact of this crisis well into the future. This crisis revealed how critical strong meals programs are for kids and families. That

work must continue,” says Diana Hovey, senior vice president of corporate partnerships at Share Our Strength, the organization behind the No Kid Hungry campaign. “As we look ahead, rebuilding starts when every kid in every community has access to the food they need. We all have a part to play, and our hope is to make it as simple as possible to contribute, like when you donate to No Kid Hungry, or dine or shop with brands that support our work, you can help make that a reality.”

Kelly’s mural will also be a part of a micro-documentary showing what the past year has been like for hungry children and families in the metro Detroit area. The micro-documentary details how local schools and community leaders rallied together to feed their neighborhood during the pandemic and beyond.

“I’m really happy to be a representative of the community in this partnership and I really think it’s authentic.

Learning about the different cities they had participate, they are all products of their area and it’s really great to have that very strong connection,” says Kelly. “They really let me take creative direction.”

The mural can be viewed at 1009 Cass Avenue and was made possible through a partnership with No Kid Hungry, Checkers and Rally’s and Hickory Farms.

with opening, staffing and bringing back the island flavor,” says Alethea Walls, manager of John’s Jamaica Jamaica.

With their most popular dishes being curry goat and oxtails, John’s Jamaica Jamaica has several menu options that feature traditional tastes and flavors and items that are geared towards more common American tastes.

“Our menu is authentic Jamaican food, however, some of our dishes do cater to the American palette. Some of our dishes are not as spicy as they would be if we were still on the island. We try to stay authentic to Jamaican food,” says Walls. “All of our chefs are from the Caribbean islands.”

Many ethnic groups help to create Detroit’s thriving neighborhoods and a large part of that is its food scene. With a population of Caribbean natives, Detroit’s food scene is starting to keep up with international flavors.

“Detroit is becoming very, very diverse, almost similar to a small New York if you will. When you think of a city or state that’s surrounded by water, you naturally draw people from islands and different parts of the world. Seeing that, it caters to the pallet of everybody,” says Walls.

To recreate an authentic Caribbean dish at home, ingredients will be a game changer. Shopping at markets which carry true items from the islands will provide staple flavors in at-home dishes.

“We use authentic ingredients, we shop at reputable markets, we make a lot of our things from scratch. We’re not buying Americanized jerk sauces, we make our own with our habanero peppers; we’re using spices, we’re using fresh garlic. We use things they typically use at home,” says Walls.

A base in many dishes, Jamaica Browning is a seasoning mixture used to add flavor to meats, stews and gravies.

John’s Jamaica Jamaica makes their own Browning which helps to create the flavor profiles the community has known for three decades.

“You can buy Browning at the store, but it’s better when it’s made at home,” says Walls. “If they were in a restaurant in Jamaica or Barbados they would make their own Browning. We try to stick to those ingredients that are native to each island.”

Cuisines around Black culture cross lines as African Americans continue to travel to various Black nations. Bringing pieces of these places to cities like Detroit, allows cultures and communities to grow and become inclusive of all Black cultures. Through food, clothing and other influences, Detroit’s Caribbean culture is on the upswing.

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Five perience as a medical assistant or in years progressively responsible office in experience, includingfield direct experience a experience, directly related with experience experience including direct office coordination, i.e., prioritizing work ininmedical office clerical functions.

Exoffice coordination, prioritizing work assignments, maintaining work flow to meet perience in venipuncture and obtainassignments and maintaining work deadlines. is adeadlines. full time, clerical-technical ing basic patient information including flow toThis meet Experience blood pressure, electrocardiograph position.

Salary is $43,718.00 in group leading with abilityannually. to instruct measurements and urine non-exempt specimens. and direct lower level See online posting for additional position This is a part-time clerical-technical poemployees and student assistants in be requirements. First consideration will sition, working and Monday-Friday, work methods procedures. 10:00 This given those who30apply March is ato time,p.m., clerical-technical position. a.m.

–full5:00 hoursbyper week.23, 2020.

Salary isis $30,973.00 $47,391.00 annually.

Salary annually. See See online posting position Must apply posting online to:for https://jobs.oakland.edu online foradditional additional posirequirements.

FirstMust consideration tion requirements. apply online be given to those who apply by to:will https://jobs.oakland.edu October 15, 2021. Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

2col. x 4.75

Serve as a subject matter technical expert, provide a roadmap to the development team and make architectural decisions in consultation with the project technical architect; collaborate with developers and project managers to deliver high quality and successful software implementations that meet the business goals of the customer; among other duties. BS+36 mos experience; up to 40% domestic and international travel.

Send resume to L. Baker, TGW Systems, 3001 Orchard Vista Dr., Ste. 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546; Ref. SE-GRMI. No phone calls please. EOE.

Engineering Group Manager - Additive Manufacturing (AM) Product Applications Warren, MI, General Motors. Perform &manage team of Product Application Engrs &Supplier Dvlpmt Spec. in the identification, engrg, design, dvlpmt, qualification, mfg, business case anlys, &commercialization of psgr vehicle body, electrical, chassis &active thermal mgmt, interior &thermal cabin comfort, electrified propulsion, &engine/transmission powertrain parts, subsyss, &assemblies, using composite, high performance metal &high temperature polymer AM, incldg Binder Jetting, Directed Energy Deposition, Powder Bed Fusion, Sheet Lamination, Material Extrusion, Material Jetting &Vat Photo Polymerization processes. Perform &lead creation of roadmaps to document corporate AM strategies. Coordinate activities of cross functional teams to dvlp strategies, &present strategies w/ sr leadership incldg Directors &VPs to secure executive support. Determine &set AM dept strategy &mission, &determine appropriate dept. business goals &AM KPIs incldg reduced cost &product dvlpmt lead time, on time, on budget completion of dvlpmt projects, timing of training of engrs, from adoption &use of AM technology over conventional, incumbent mfg methods. Master, Mechanical, Mfg, or Electrical Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, engrg, dvlpg, &qualifying mfg &commercialization of psgr vehicle body, chassis, interior, electrified propulsion, or powertrain parts using composite, high performance metal &high temperature polymer AM, or related. Mail resume to Ref#3592, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

BorgWarner PDS (USA) seeks a Senior CAE Development Engineer in Auburn Hills, MI to support new and current product design through Hybrid Analyses of transfer cases, gearboxes and electric drive modules, among other duties.

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering and four years of experience in the job offered or related.

Mail resumes to: Catherine Wood, Resume Processing/JO#12242641, BorgWarner, 3800 Automation Ave., Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

Senior Process Engineer - Crankshafts Warren, MI, General Motors. Define, set, using UG NX, CETC Tool Kit, Vismockup, &AutoCAD tools, &implement Bills of Process (BOP) &Equipment (BOE) reqmts collaborating w/ ME team incldg Lean, Agile, Flexible (LAF) guidelines, for current &future psgr vehicle gasoline &diesel engines crankshafts &engine rotating &reciprocating cmpnt machining processes incldg drilling, milling, turn milling, thread-tapping, fine boring, reaming, threadforming, heat treatment, hot &cold press, fastening, roll forming thread-tapping, roll &straightening, polishing, balancing, deburring, gaging &grinding. Engr, validate, analyze, evaluate, improve, troubleshoot, &implement CSS Engine crankshaft program launch, machining process in Silao Engine Plant in MEX using AutoCAD CAD tool, &statistical tools incldg GD&T, PFMEA, Red X, &SPC using Q-das SW. Engr parameters, define engrg criteria &fine tune Artis &Digital Way tool monitoring sys. Required travel to GM Silao (MEX) Engine Plant to troubleshoot crankshaft machining process problems, metal cutting tool performance issues, &attend launches, up to 26 wks P/A. Bachelor, Mechanical or Automotive Engrg, or related. 24 mos exp as Engineer, defining, setting, using UG NX, Vismockup, &AutoCAD tools, &implementing BOP &BOE reqmts, for psgr vehicle engine crankshaft &engine rotating &reciprocating cmpnt machining processes incldg drilling, milling, heat treatment, roll &straightening, balancing, &grinding, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1700, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HELP WANTED

Department: Community and Economic Development Location: Ferndale City Hall Salary Range: $53,155 to $66,387 FLSA: Exempt / Non-union Employment Type: Full-time

The City of Ferndale’s Community and Economic Development team shapes the future of Ferndale by working with community members, elected officials, project leaders, and others to bring to life their collective vision for the community. We are now hiring a Planner II to be an integral part of that team. If you have a Bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field, two years of professional planning experience, and a passion for planning, come to Ferndale.

Salary Range is $53,155 to $66,387 commensurate with experience.

Excellent benefits and culture. Visit https://www.ferndalemi.gov/jobs for more information and to apply.

Join Our Team

Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring!

Web Developer - Detroit, MI Human Resources Manager - Detroit, MI Outreach Specialist - Grand Rapids, MI IT System Administrator - Detroit, MI Energy Specialist - Detroit, MI Proposal Manager - Detroit, MI Recruiter - Detroit, MI Contract Recruiter – Detroit, MI Program Design Strategist – Detroit, MI Environmental Health & Safety Manager - Detroit, MI Energy Engineer - Detroit, MI To apply please visit wmenergy.com/careers-2/

Michigan Chronicle

DIGITAL DAILY

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

Come join our team!

The United Community Housing Coalition is looking to fill several positions to continue our work to improve housing conditions for low-income Detroiters.

Located in Cass Park, the nonprofit UCHC has been helping low-income Detroiters stay in their homes since 1973. We believe that having a place to live is a basic human right, and we’re passionate about preserving that right in our communities.

UCHC is a great place to work with a dedicated team of passionate housing advocates. Our services are provided to income-eligible families and individuals free of charge.

Keeping You Informed At All Times Of The Day michiganchronicle.com | DQE

UCHC is looking to hire:

• Finance director • Staff attorneys (experienced attorneys and recent law school graduates) • Paralegals/legal assistants • Housing placement counselors •Tenant organizing outreach and placement specialists •Accounting clerk • Data analyst Detroit residents encouraged to apply. All positions come with competitive salaries/wages and full benefits. For more info, visit uchcdetroit.org/careers.

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Call (313) 963-5522

6 Special Ways to Celebrate Grandparents

(Family Features) Ask anyone to recall their most treasured childhood memories, and you’re likely to hear tales about time spent with loved ones, grandparents in particular. As an adult, you may find yourself wondering how to help your kids create those magical moments with their grandparents.

However, strengthening their bond with a beloved grandparent may be easier than you think.

Take a trip back in time. Asking your grandparents about the good ol’ days may seem cliche, but it’s a wonderful way to discover new reasons to appreciate your elders as unique individuals with intriguing perspectives. Encourage your kids to ask their grandparents what life was like during their youth or how they imagined life in the 2020s would be. They can compare notes on their bucket lists; they might even find something to cross off the list together. If you share a love of history, talk through the family tree and capture all the stories that define your family through the years.

Share a meal or dessert. It may seem like a small gesture but making a point to share a meal or dessert with a grandparent, especially one who lives alone, can have a marked impact. In a comfortable, family setting like Cracker Barrel, you can gather together over authentic homestyle cooking while using the time for your kids to catch up with their grandparents and share stories.

End the night with a classic, kid-friendly favorite like a Dirt Cup Dessert. Spar with spoons and hunt for all the gummy worms hiding in the delicious cup of cookie crumble “dirt.”

Hit the road together. It’s often said that there’s no better way to get to know a person than to travel together. Pick a new place and make it an adventure to remember for your kids and their grandparents. Map out the route together as a family, choosing the landmarks, activities and pitstops you want to make along the way. Be sure to document the journey as a precious keepsake for yourself and your kids, and package those memories in a photobook or scrapbook as a gift for the next birthday or holiday.

Create a care package. If distance keeps you apart, you can still find creative ways for your children to spend time with their grandparents. Assemble a package with some of their favorite treats, mementos, activities or games from your local old country store and plan to open the package together virtually on a phone call or video chat.

Relax in a rocker. Settling into a comfy seat and rocking your cares away only gets better when you share the moment with someone dear to your heart. Gather your kids to sit back, relax and enjoy a thoughtful conversation with their grandparents while soaking up the time and simply unwinding together.

Engage in a little friendly contest. Tap into your children’s playful side and competitive spirit with some good-natured game time. Help them choose an easy but engaging game, like the beloved peg game found on tables at Cracker Barrel, to share with their grandparents.

Play best of five or create a tournament and play rounds against other family members, too.

Find more ideas for celebrating warm memories of the past and encouraging your kids to spend wholesome quality time with their grandparents at crackerbarrel. com.

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• michiganchronicle.com • October 6-12, 2021

October 9-10, 2021 • 11am–8pm Dequindre Cut From Wilkins (Eastern Market) to Woodbridge (Riverfront)!

Admission is $5 • FREE for 17 and Under!

• 50+ Food Trucks • 6 Live Music Stages including a family stage • Beer Garden • 12 Trick or Treating Stations (11-4pm) • Halloween Costume Contests • Plus, Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Decorating, Inflatable Fun Park, and more fun for the family!

More info at detroitharvestfest.com

Helping Detroiters Own In Detroit Detroit Home Loan+ by Rocket Mortgage® is partnering with MoCaFi to help Detroiters become homeowners. MoCaFi is an African American-owned business serving the unbanked by providing its clients with the necessary tools to build their own wealth and prepare for financial milestones, including getting a mortgage.

With Detroit Home Loan+ and MoCaFi, your path to owning in Detroit starts here.

Call (800) 369-1504 or visit RocketMortgage.com/Detroit to get started today.

Rocket Mortgage, LLC; NMLS #3030; www.NMLSConsumerAccess.org. Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in 50 states. AR, TX: 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226-1906, (888) 474-0404; AZ: 1 N. Central Ave., Ste. 2000, Phoenix, AZ 85004, Mortgage Banker License #BK-0902939; CA: Licensed by Dept. of Business Oversight, under the CA Residential Mortgage Lending Act and Finance Lenders Law; CO: Regulated by the Division of Real Estate; GA: Residential Mortgage Licensee #11704; IL: Residential Mortgage Licensee #4127 – Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation; KS: Licensed Mortgage Company MC.0025309; MA: Mortgage Lender License #ML 3030; ME: Supervised Lender License; MN: Not an offer for a rate lock agreement; MS: Licensed by the MS Dept. of Banking and Consumer Finance; NH: Licensed by the NH Banking Dept., #6743MB; NV: License #626; NJ: New Jersey – Rocket Mortgage, LLC, 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226, (888) 474-0404, Licensed by the N.J. Department of Banking and Insurance.; NY: Licensed Mortgage Banker – NYS Banking Dept.; OH: MB 850076; OR: License #ML-1387; PA: Licensed by the Dept. of Banking – License #21430; RI: Licensed Lender; WA: Consumer Loan Company License CL-3030. Conditions may apply. ©2000-2021 Rocket Mortgage, LLC. All rights reserved. Lending services provided by Rocket Mortgage, LLC, a subsidiary of Rocket Companies, Inc. (NYSE: RKT). “Quicken Loans” is a registered service mark of Intuit Inc., used under license.

Rocket Mortgage, 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 4226-1906

DTW October 6-12, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com •

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DETROIT. TRAVEL THE WORLD. NONSTOP.

Reconnecting you to the world.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is here to help you reconnect to the world. With more than 120 nonstop destinations on three continents, DTW is the gateway to your next journey. Enjoy our convenient parking options, unique shops and popular restaurants. Our team is known for delivering an award-winning customer experience and we’re ready to welcome you to DTW.

#DTWnonstop

www.metroairport.com

WHY DID WE GET VACCINATED?

FRAZIER & CINDITA C. OF CANTON, MICHIGAN

The COVID-19 vaccine will help us get beyond this pandemic.

There are so many things Cindita and Frazier missed in the last year: celebrating big holidays, going to movies, being with friends and family. They hunkered down in the house, life just stopped. They saw firsthand how COVID took away strong, vibrant lives. Which is why they believed it was so important to get vaccinated to get back to normal.

The vaccines have been tested for safety and are trusted by doctors.

Find your vaccine at Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. Call 211, or text your zip code to 438829.

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• michiganchronicle.com • October 6-12, 2021

Shift for the better.

Life is full of shifts and surprises, but we’ve got you covered. We see every shift as an opportunity for a better SE Michigan, with better access to affordable, quality health care coverage and clear costs for prescriptions and procedures. Because together, we can build a healthier community. That’s our priority.

Find out what’s better at priorityhealth.com/better

088182 Priority Health-THC ad for Michigan Chronicle Newspaper 10”x21”