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Vol. 85 – No. 45 | July 13-19, 2022

Inflation Nation: The Wealth Gap Isn’t a Game for Black America By Hiram E. Jackson The lower net worth of Black households is the underlying reason inflation is so much more of a burden in Black communities. Fresh off of the Juneteenth and the Fourth of July independence celebrations, most Americans are getting back to business and addressing the sometimes arduous challenges of everyday life. In particular, financial challenges are a fact that is becoming more difficult and even taxing for many Americans, particularly Black Americans. Historically, Blacks have suffered severe economic and wealth disparities coupled with the educational and social inequities that have been an ongoing reality for centuries in our daily living. True, these issues were exacerbated by the pandemic, but even before the pandemic, we were still living in a world of limited financial advanceHiram E. Jackson ments and declining employment opportunities. The wealth gap between Black and white households is as high as $800,000. Case in point: During the pandemic, 10% of Black women remained unemployed, but post-pandemic, in May of 2022, the unemployment rate among Black women reached 16.5%, according to a Bloomberg analysis. And in the wake of the rising cost of goods and services and crippling inflation rates, we’re all feeling the pain from the gas pump to the grocery store. But the underlying reason inflation is so much more of a burden in Black communities is the widening racial wealth gap, with white households having many times more net worth than Black households. Duke University public policy professor William Darity Jr. estimates that the wealth gap between Black and white households is as high as $800,000. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, inflation reached 8.5% in March — the highest since 1981. And like most economic spirals, Black communities are disproportionately impacted as they spend a greater percentage of their incomes on necessities like food and gas. So, since this concept or idea of fairness in economies continues to elude Black Americans, our only real redress to impact the racial wealth gap is at the intersection of political power and economic strength in the Black community. To defeat these astonishing wealth gaps, we’ll (like everything else) do it by using the power of our votes. But first, we’ll have to work to salvage what’s left of the democracy and shore up those candidates and legislators who hold fast to the principles of fairness and ideals of shared wealth, particularly

See WEALTH

GAP page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Michigan Chronicle Endorses Janice Winfrey for Congress in the 12th Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board Since elected in 2005, Janice Winfrey – now in her fifth term as Detroit City Clerk – has worked tirelessly to increase voter turnout and oversee elections with integrity and transparency. A native Detroiter, Winfrey has embraced with honor the three charter-mandated responsibilities of her position: City Clerk, Official Record Keeper, and Chief Elections Officer. Her accomplishments have included establishing the Detroit Archives and Records Management Division, which ensures that all citizens and other parties have access to archived and current city records. She additionally introduced five new voting systems in Detroit, and BallotTrax, created to track absentee ballots while notifying voters where their ballots are in the election process. The Michigan Chronicle views Winfrey as a proven leader who has worked with diverse groups in her tenure as City Clerk to reach common goals and objectives on behalf of Detroiters. As a congresswoman representing the 12th Congressional District, we believe her ability and willingness to work with diverse people and entities will bode well on Capitol Hill to bring home much-needed dollars and resources. While “all elected officials” have critics and faultfinders - and Winfrey is not an exception – she is not distracted from doing the job she was elected to do - serve and empower the people. Winfrey is not accustomed to doing the same thing if it’s not working; she finds better and more innovative ways to press forward to meet goals effectively, efficiently, and professionally. Winfrey will use the same philosophy, drive, and actionable platforms in congress to better address infrastructure initiatives, protect women’s rights, advocate for clean drinking water,

improve public safety, and work with colleagues to ensure that all American children have the opportunity to receive a quality education in a safe learning environment. As a former Detroit school teacher, Winfrey knows the enormous disadvantages and inequalities Black and Brown children face in educational settings and will work to eliminate such barriers. In an era when laws by Republicans have been passed to infringe on the voting rights of Black and Brown voters, we believe Winfrey will be laser-focused in protecting democracy and expanding voting rights to underserved people. And at a time when Michigan and the nation are still in the clutch of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chronicle feels that Winfrey will be a fierce advocate in eradicating health care disparities in Black and Brown communities. Winfrey will be a valuable ally to the Biden-Harris Administration in its quest to spur the economy and address other critical issues facing America. The Mayor of Detroit and Governor of Michigan have already formed tremendous relationships with the administration, which have been positive for the city, county, and state through ample federal funding. Winfrey, as the next congresswoman in the 12th, will work diligently to move the administration’s agenda forward for the people. And Winfrey supports Israel, calling it “America’s only ally in the Middle East.” One of her opponents, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian-American, has spoken out against Israel on many occasions since elected to Congress. Tlaib – first elected to serve the 13th Congressional District in 2018 following Rep. Conyers’ resignation in 2017 - chose earlier this year to run

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While the 12th District needs a fighter, there are times in Congress when the “art of the fight” must transition to include the “art of the compromise” to benefit constituents. Tlaib was criticized by many people for her “no” vote on President Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law last November. The bill has been hailed as a “once in a generation investment in America’s Infrastructure.” Yet, Tlaib was the only Democrat from Michigan to vote “no.” Tlaib told the Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board that her “no” vote was based on a broken promise to move both bills – Infrastructure and Build Back Better – together. Build Back Better was scrapped – for now - and leverage has been weakened for the transformative investments in climate and social initiatives. “When you represent one of the poorest communities in the nation and turn your back on the voters with a ‘no’ vote on President Biden’s infrastructure because you can’t get the whole deal, that’s not serving the people - that’s being stubborn. Her ‘no’ vote made me run for Congress,” Winfrey told the Chronicle Editorial Board. The other candidates in the 12th Congressional race are Shanelle Jackson and Kelly Garrett; both have strengths. Jackson has a portfolio of accomplishments in the public and private sectors. She served as a member of the Michigan House of Representa-

See ENDORSEMENT page A2

How to Effectively Fight for Michigan’s Reproductive Rights Protections By Rasha Almulaiki/ Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board

Black Men Give Back Through Adopting, Mentorship

in the new 12th. Tlaib is known as a fighter for the people and someone who won’t back down. She has been a strong proponent of environmental justice, punctuated by the importance of clean drinking water.

bilized tens of millions of people across the United States, organizing strategic actions to fight the rescission of nearly 50 years of progress protecting a woman’s unmitigated right to her own body.

The national fight for women’s reproductive health wages on as concerned citizens and public officials take to the streets and courtroom in concerted protest. The 2022 Michigan primary election is less than a month away and Detroit’s registered voters play a crucial role in safeguarding local women’s agency to make critical health care decisions for themselves. While many concerned residents are still processing the Supreme Court’s devastating decision to strip federal protections of women’s reproductive rights, its important to understand the full impact of the fallout and ongoing response. On June 24, history was made by the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization 6-3 ruling delivered by the Supreme Court, controversially overturning the seminal 1973 Roe v. Wade decision granting abortion as a federally protected right. Women’s rights coalitions and health

On Friday, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to protest abortion care and contraceptives, patient privacy and to called to establish an interagency taskforce to use “every federal tool available to protect access to reproductive health care.” Status of Abortion Battle in Michigan

care organizations across the country have been steadily rallying against SCOTUS’s decision to eliminate the constitutional right to obtain an abortion. In a hegemonic shift back toward conservative precedent, the “Dobbs decision” granted deferential power to individual states. The resounding fear and outrage has mo-

On the home front, Michiganders’ protection of abortion rights precariously hangs in the balance. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and hundreds of thousands of residents continue mobilizing against a 1931 statue that can be enforced to criminalize abortion without exception for rape or incest. In April, Gov. Whitmer used her executive authority to protection legal abortion by filing a lawsuit urging the Michigan Supreme Court to immediately resolve the state’s anti-

See REPRODUCTIVE

RIGHTS page A2

Page A-2 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Michigan Chronicle A Real Times Media Newspaper

SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

PICKS 209 214 610 912 857 WEEK’S BEST LOTTERY

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997 LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher | AJ WILLIAMS Managing Editor

Wealth Gap From page A-1 regarding taxation or welfare economics. More specifically, we will have to insist our political leaders address and promote economic equality for all citizens — fair and equal income, financial products, and an increased commitment to a redistribution of wealth in all communities. In short, we will all have to work to support an economy that works for all, regardless of race or ethnicity, gender, or where they live. Primary among those strategies to close the wealth gap is asset ownership and our leaders in Washington must do a deep dive into the lack of asset ownership because it gives citizens a stake in the economy at a time when the country is

polarized economically as well as politically. The current financial system has revealed its financial fragility and lack of a fair, comprehensive economic policy But far from broadening for larger segments of the population, asset ownership has been concentrating for the past 30 years. As a result, stocks, bonds, real estate (commercial and residential), commodities, and even cryptocurrencies are owned and controlled by fewer and fewer players. In an effort to break the cycle of policymaking that continues to negatively impact communities of color, some financial analysts and economic experts have proposed measures — from compelling the U.S. government to bring their full weight to bear on lending institutions and require fairness to creating a wealth fund that is funded with bond issuance that invests in diversified portfolios of global risk

Reproductive Rights From page A-1 quated trigger law against abortion. The move was made in anticipation of the Supreme Court decision, leveraging an uncommon gubernatorial privilege afforded in the state’s constitutional to take legal action against a perceived violation of civil rights. On Thursday, the governor advocated further by asking the federal government to protect Michigan residents who might seek reproductive health care in Canada. Several other states are simultaneously contesting pre-Roe laws criminalizing abortion, including Arizona, West Virginia, Wisconsin. Last Friday, Texas’ law was temporarily blocked by a lower court until the state Supreme Court allowed the ban to take effect. In May, Elizabeth L. Gleicher, Chief Judge on Michigan’s Court of Appeals, enacted a preliminary injunction suspending enforcement of the previously dormant 1931 law. Michiganders are still protected by several defenses in place against legal indictment as of July 8. In a statement, Attorney General Dana Nessel reaffirmed her office’s commitment to not defend the statue that criminalizing abortion. Although there is an de facto stay from prosecution, the Michigan Republican budget plan “would set aside $750,000 to enforce it, while placing restrictions on health care providers who provide abortions.” On the ground, close to 800,000 people signed a petition urgently circulated by statewide campaign, Reproductive Freedom for All. The petition garnered nearly double the requisite number of eligible signatures and currently awaits review by the Board of Elections and certification by the Board of State Canvassers. If the petition qualifies, voters will have the power to decide whether the measure should be passed in November. Days after the SCOTUS decision, Michigan pharmacies placed a limit on the number of emergency contraceptive purchases, such as Plan B, after an overwhelming surge in demand. Currently, abortion continues to be performed in 27 clinics in 13 counties in Michigan. Maternal Black and Brown Women Face Unduly Hardships Due to Discrimination In order to fully digest the harmful implications of the restriction on women’s health care, residents must conceptualize the increased risks at stake for marginalized Black and Brown communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are more than four times as likely to have

had abortions as White women. On a national average, Black women are also more likely to miscarry or have stillbirths than White women. The statistic mirror’s an investigative report presented to Detroit’s Public Health and Safety Committee on the city’s problem with Black maternal mortality rates. Citing Mother Infant Health & Equity Improvement Plan (MIHELP) 2022-2023 reports, the study found that “Michigan women, infants, and their families continue to face deeply embedded systemic inequity, social biases, and related stressors that are closely associated with adverse health outcomes. More often, African American women and infants are experiencing disparate outcomes. These systemic inequities result in disparities in both maternal and infant outcomes.” How to Make Sure Detroit Voices Counts The Supreme Court’s decision was unequivocally archaic and lacks compassionate foresight to the collateral damage already unraveling before us. Too many of us are understandably still reeling

assets. Ideally, Congress would adopt a “fidelity for the people” approach, expanding and providing opportunities for business ownership, increasing access to financial opportunities, and removing obstacles to fair lending practices. Black folks will continue to soldier on and manage in the face of inflation and increased financial adversity as we always have — with grit and resilience. But the current financial system has revealed its financial fragility and lack of a fair, comprehensive economic policy that extends to the most vulnerable members of our society. That’s a slippery slope, and it cannot continue if we are to earnestly work toward unification in our fractured democracy and failing economies. Hiram E. Jackson is the CEO of Real Times Media & Publisher of Michigan Chronicle, a partner in the Word In Black collaborative

from the catastrophic attacks on abortion rights today and for generation to come. It’s easy to feel helpless by decisions made without popular consent by politicians that should have no business regulating birthing bodies and family planning advocates to their detriment. Keep faith and the strength of community in mind, all is not lost. There are several avenues Detroit residents can take part in to meaningfully exercise their right to defend the right for responsible reproductive health care. Education and awareness of the issue and process at hand is a vital first step toward being an informed advocate. Residents should stay abreast of the ongoing battles supported by key public officials and make sure their concerns are heard by elected legislators. Contact your local state representatives to continue advocating for your best interests. The November ballot is anticipated to include a referendum for registered voters to take their fight to the polls and directly consider the decision of everyday residents. While the Democratic Party currently controls the office of governor, the Republican Party controls both

chambers of the state legislature with a 56 to 53 majority. Vacancies in every congressional district are up for grabs and will decidedly affect the political allyship needed as Michigan currently. Get informed on the candidates in your district and their platform stance on abortion rights and cast your vote accordingly. In addition, strongly consider supporting local organizations fighting to provide indispensable services to protect fundamental reproductive health care by donating to Planned Parenthood and other local clinics. The Michigan Chronicle proudly stands with the unalienable right to reproductive health care for tens of millions of residents. We will continue to inform readers on the ways to make sure the hard-fought integrity of this protection is once again on the right side of history.

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Endorsement From page A-1 tives for six years, beginning in 2006. After the House, Jackson served as a Director at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) before entering the private sector as Director of State Government Relations at a financial tech firm doing business in 46 states. As a forward-thinker, Jackson is on the cutting-edge of the upside impact that cryptocurrency is having in African American communities. MyKale (Kelly) Garrett is currently the Mayor of Lathrup Village. She is the first African American to be elected to Lathrup Village’s top elected office. Garrett was Mayor Pro Tem from 2013 to 2017. Her leadership endeavors have included chairing and serving as president of the Southfield Lathrup Democratic Club, and she sits on nu-

merous boards that address children, families, and health care. Nevertheless, the Chronicle believes that Janice Winfrey is the best candidate to serve the new 12th District - with its substantial population of Detroiters – and bring back needed dollars and resources. This will be Winfrey’s second run at Congress. In the 2016 primary election, Winfrey ran against and lost to the legendary U.S. Rep. John Conyers in the 13th Congressional District. Yet, her run in the 13th which included some of the cities now in the new 12th - was impressive as she garnered almost 40 percent of the votes. Many election watchers believe that Winfrey’s 2016 showing against Conyers may translate into voters in the 12th voting for her in the Aug. 2 primary election.

FANNIE LOU HAMER

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

PRIMARY ELECTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 2022

Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony

Yvette McElroy Anderson Field Director

“I’m just sick and tired of being sick and tired!” – Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977)

Founder

Janice Winfrey

U.S. Representative 12th District

Adam Hollier

U.S. Representative 13th District

Warren C. Evans* Raphael Washington* Wayne County Executive

Wayne County Sheriff

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - 12TH DISTRICT

JANICE WINFREY U.S. REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS - 13TH DISTRICT

ADAM HOLLIER WAYNE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

WARREN C. EVANS* WAYNE COUNTY SHERIFF

RAPHAEL WASHINGTON* WAYNE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT

BRIAN BANKS JONATHAN KINLOCH* MARTHA SCOTT* LISA CARTER IRMA CLARK-COLEMAN*

1 2 3 4 5 6

MONIQUE BAKER-MCCORMICK* STATE SENATE

DISTRICT 6 DISTRICT 8

DARRYL BROWN MARSHALL BULLOCK II* STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT

1 5 7 16

* Denotes Incumbent

TYRONE CARTER* STEELE HUGHES HELENA SCOTT* STEPHANIE YOUNG* Remember to just fill in the ovals on the ballot.

ABOUT FANNIE LOU HAMER

Fannie Lou Hamer 1917-1977

Fannie Lou Hamer worked tirelessly and yielded up her life to support social, economic and political issues that impacted African Americans from Mississippi to Michigan. This Political Action Committee maintains that same tradition of activism and dedication. We are committed to supporting candidates for federal, state and local offices who have evidenced a constructive progressive position on key issues. These issues impact our community without regard to race, religion, sex or creed.

Paid for by the Fannie Lou Hamer Political Action Committee • P.O. Box 21940 • Detroit, MI 48221-0940 • www.flhpac.org Veronica Smith, Treasurer • Yvette McElroy Anderson, Field Director.

| July 13-19, 2022

Roots.

michiganchronicle.com

Black Men Give Back Through Adopting, Mentorship By Sherri Kolade

Thousands of babies, children and teens are left waiting for a loving family to go home to. And their call is heard -- every year 50,000 children are adopted in the United States. Twenty-eight percent of adoptions in the country are transracial adoptions (or having a parent and adopted child of a different race), according to https://www.lifelongadoptions. com/. Married couples make up 73 percent of total adoptions while single females are adopting at a rate of 20.5 percent and single male parents total 6.5 percent, according to statistics. According to https://creatingafamily.org/, about 40 percent of adoptions are interracial or transracial adoptions (with white parents/ Black or Brown adoptee) varying by type of adoption. Black men are also making up part of these statistics and not just in the United States.

Gary Brown, director of Detroit Water and Sewage Department.

Detroit Launches ‘Lifeline’ Water Affordability Plan

By Rasha Almulaiki

• Low-income-eligible households.

Eight years ago, water advocates took to the streets to protest water shut offs, and now the Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) opened applications on July 1 for the first citywide comprehensive water affordability plan, Detroit Lifeline. The five-year plan for an income-based program is intended to help thousands of low-income Detroiters access water at a fixed monthly rate as low as $18 a month.

Horace Shefield III talks adoption and mentorship in Detroit. Photo courtesy of DABO According to a bbc.com, article, Transracial Adoption: I’ve Been Accused of Kidnapping my White Child,’ one man, Peter Mutabazi of Charlotte, NC, adopted two white children and was walking with one of them who happened to have a tantrum one day. As he carried his disgruntled son, Anthony, to his car, the pair drew the attention of curious onlookers who took things a step too far. One woman called the police on him accusing him of kidnapping a “little white kid.” Another time, Mutabazi was stopped by guards who tried to prevent him and his son from leaving with each other.

“I challenge anyone to go somewhere and try to find a low income-based water plan,” said Gary Brown, director of DWSD, “One point eight percent of average [Detroit] household income will be the water bill. This is what the community has been asking for and impacts 80 percent of our Detroiters.” The plan is implemented in partnership with the community service organization, Wayne Metro. As of July 5, DWSD reported Wayne Metro received more than 1,600 calls inquiring about the Lifeline Plan. As of right now, 215 residents have begun the enrollment process. This does not include the 2,500 households currently enrolled in the city’s Water Residential Assistance Program (WRAP) who will be auto enrolled in the Lifeline Plan. Funding for this pilot program is made possible through an influx of temporary federal funding for a Low-Income Household Water Affordability Program (LIWHAP), an increase in funding for WRAP and implemented upgrades to DWSD’s billing system. What are the eligibility benefits Detroiters can expect from the Lifeline Plan?

“I’m your dad and I love you, but people who look like me, we aren’t always treated well,” he told his son. “Your job is not to get angry at the people who treat me this way, your job is to make sure you treat people who look like me with [honor].”

Detroiters can sign up to receive Lifeline benefits based on an income eligibility assessment in threetiered subsidized rates:

According to Ohio-based Specialized Alternatives for Families & Youth (SAFY), more than one-third of Americans have considered adoption, although only two percent have actually adopted a child. Presently, according to SAFY, there are over 400,000 children in foster care in the United States. Another 135,000 children are adopted annually in the country. According to SAFY statistics for those in the child welfare system include:

• If you are a low-income household (non-SNAP/FAP) you pay $43 a month for your total DWSD bill.

• Males far outnumber females

• The 2,500 households currently enrolled in WRAP will be immediately auto-enrolled in the new plan.

• Black children are disproportionately represented • Over half are six years or older

Tiana Starks, communications director, We the People of Detroit.

• If you receive SNAP/FAP benefits you pay $18 a month for water, sewer and drainage services.

• If you are a moderate-income household (non-SNAP/ FAP) you pay $56 a month for your total DWSD bill. • If a household goes over 4,500 gallons of water, then they will be charged for the additional usage but will not be removed from the plan, said Brown. The city of Detroit says income-eligible households include:

• The 19,000-plus households who were previously in WRAP can immediately qualify and will be contacted by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency.

See ADOPTION page A-4

• Households receiving SNAP/FAP benefits. Brown said the plan was developed after several studies were conducted assessing Detroit’s water affordability, including a cost-of-service study. Also, a survey of program by ARPRISE Incorporated was influential in a5 from them if they don’t have water. So, there’s fear and shame and they don’t know where to turn. And so, people call us as a trusted community organization. We partnered with food pantries, like Brightmoor [Connection Food Pantry], for emergency water deliveries to more than 1,000 family homes.” Last year, the University of Michigan Water Center, a program of the Graham Sustainability Institute, released a report on the growing statewide water affordability crisis. Among the findings, the assessment found, “In the Midwest, water bills for households in the lowest 20th percentile of income have risen 433 percent on average since 1986, while household income for these residents has only risen 241 percent.” The study also warned, “When a household is unable to pay its water bills (i.e., the water is shut off), there are impacts to the household (damage to health, family and dignity), the water utility (operational costs and unreliable revenue) and society (public health and collective well-being.)” One of the public health risks revealed a correlation to higher Covid mortality rates. A team at Cornell University “found that states with shutoff moratoria between April and December 2020 had significantly reduced growth rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths than did those without them, estimating that as many as 480,000+ infections and over 9,000 deaths nationwide would have been avoided with a national moratorium on water shutoffs.” We the People (Detroit chapter) is one of several community nonprofits and organizations that are part of a coalition led by DWSD to educate Detroiters on the Lifeline plan and help them enroll. DWSD, in partnership with Wayne Metro, will invest $10million per year for the next five years to help low-income residential customers repair leaks in their homes and keep their water usage to 4,500 gallons per month to maintain the DWSD Lifeline rate. This water usage rate is based on the estimate of the average Detroit household (three people) uses between 2,300 and 3,000 gallons per month. Water advocates “very much concerned” about lack of community engagement in Lifeline planning Community advocates express concern over Lifeline Plan’s lack of immediate transparency and active en-

See WATER AFFORDABILITY PLAN page A-4

Detroit Talks Flood Mitigation on Canals, Jefferson Chalmers Residents Demand Alternative Input By Rasha Almulaiki As residents enjoy the high temperatures of the mid-summer season in southeastern Michigan, Detroit city officials and residents remember the devastation of flooding from recent years. Discussions put forth included mitigation strategies, including a contentious option to close off the canals for the construction of higher sea walls. The city’s suggestion was met with strong opposition from waterfront residents on Detroit’s east side. Longtime resident John Meyer bought his eastside home on Scripps Street in 1994 and has experienced periodic flooding complications ever since. “Three years after I bought my home,” said Meyer, “We had high water and my 1920s wood seawall, or what was left of it, had water running both sides of my driveway, my house, the street. I went ahead and replaced my seawall, but I was naïve about things being completely fixed.” Meyer said the sea walls did not deter rising flooding and other issues with sewage back up in his home but created more issues. “I don’t keep anything valuable in my basement,” said Meyer. “I’ve replaced the boiler, built walls around it. I do what I can and it’s still not enough.”

Latisha Johnson, Detroit Hakim Berry, City of Detroit, Jay C. Juergensen, ConCity Council person, Dis- Chief Operating Officer sultant trict 4 Flood Damage Assessment of Jefferson-Chalmers Neighborhood On May 25, the City of Detroit Department of Neighborhoods led a team of city administrators in a virtual meeting to discuss updates on the Jefferson Chalmers flooding risk reduction measures, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods due to waterfront proximity to the Detroit River. “As you know, it started for us in 2019,” said Hakim Berry, city of Detroit’s chief operating officer, “Where the river levels were so high that we had compromised properties and it was about one out of every five that was breached and not only flooded and the streets, but it also put our wastewater treatment

plants in a precarious situation because our pumps were then running 24 hours a day and it wasn’t raining.” Due to this exceptionally heavy rainfall, the city worked to engineer contingency measures to protect properties from flooding. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducted the Lake St Clair Flood Risk Reduction Study for the Jefferson- Chalmers neighborhood, which is home to approximately 8,000 residents. The study recommended structural and nonstructural flood risk measures in the area which “consists of more than 160 acres of waterfront parks,

boat launches, fishing access points and other outdoor recreation opportunities. As part of the spring 2019 flood fighting efforts, flood barrier structures were created using sandbags and were employed to mitigate flood damages at roughly 94 of these parcels.” Critical properties were identified along the streets of Ashland, Klenk, and Harbor Islands. Dozens of properties have shoreline elevations at or below 2022 forecasted water levels, noted as falling below the 577.50 value, based on observed 2019 elevations. The Tiger Dam update presentation went over areas of improvement, including old, deteriorating sandbags and damaged or removed Tiger Dams. In addition, on June 15, the Detroit Water and Sewage (DWSD) governing body, Board of Water Commissioners (BOWC), held a meeting and discussed city infrastructure damage caused by repeated flooding. Michael Einheuser, Chairman of BOWC, asked how many streets are caving as a result of the flooding. A few commissioners said they see a lot of them around the city. In response, Samuel Smalley, P.E., assistant director of Wastewater Operations for DWSD, said there are 300 sinkholes, but after the historic flooding last

See FLOOD MITIGATION page A-4

Page A-4 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Flood Mitigation From page A-3 summer over 300 appeared between June 26 and July 15th. City Discusses Closing Off Canals, Waterfront Residents Pushback City officials, in conjunction with the Flood Management Services Program (FPMSP) presented three alternatives to mitigating flooding, including an open format with extensive floodwalls and closing the canal, levees and floodwalls outside (or within) of the wave run up zone. The justification for closing of the associated six canals is the finding that they are the primary source for inland flooding and these measures would “result in flood risk reduction by preventing storm/wave run-up from overtopping the canal walls, which resulted in inland surface flooding that has historically overwhelmed storm and sanitary drainage systems.” Jefferson-Chalmers residents are organizing a resistance to the public closure option of the canals. “A lot of people did sea walls to fix their problem and still have flooding,” said Meyer. “What they (the city) are proposing is to help with high water, they would close off the canals. Even with all the fixes on the canal, it’s not going to take some people outside of the flood zone, many live further toward the river without flood insurance. There have been many bad decisions on this for 100 years. The biggest issue is actually infrastructure, the municipal water sewer system.” “This is definitely something that is now on our radar,” said Council person Latisha Johnson of District 4, covering the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. She told Michigan Chronicle that listening to residents’ input is vital to ongoing conversations concerning alternatives to closing off the canals to public access.

“We’ll have conversation with the mayor about it to get his understanding and thoughts to make sure that I am articulating the requests of the community on how we can solve this issue because there have been people who have come up with a plan to say these things can be done without have to go that (sea wall) route.” One such plan presented to the city is by Jay C. Juergensen, a consultant with 30 years of experience providing program and project design, real estate development, construction, and property management services, including water and sewage city planning. “Examining how water moves through the community will be critical in considering green alternatives to traditional gray infrastructure,” said Juergensen. “Solutions will need to take into account and involve upstream neighbors making it also multi-jurisdictional and no ONE agency - be it DWSD, BSEED, GLWA, EGLE, the Army Corps, etc. will be responsible - making it multi-departmental at every level of government across municipal boundaries. Juergensen presented his analysis to Detroit City Council Green Taskforce and other city entities. His research is part of the Jefferson-Chalmers Water Access, Tech, Education and Recreation (WATER) Project. The White Paper report seeks to identify dynamic solutions that will address the interconnected water resource management challenges in the Jefferson-Chalmers community. The proposal includes using Fox Creek Gates and other assets to mitigate flooding and end sewage discharges, reviewing flood Insurance Rate maps and take actions to reduce insurance costs, extensively examining the hydrology of Conner Creek and Fox Creek Watersheds, modifying and increasing floodplain and stormwater capacity, researching Alter Road Flood Prevention Project, and revisiting new Floodplains Standards and acquire Fox Creek’s western edge.

Water Affordability Plan From page A-3

gagement with grassroots organizations that have been calling for water rights for years. “This program we’re very much concerned about because of the rollout of the program,” said Cecily McClellan, WTPD co-founder and water hotline coordinator. “We became aware of the program in the middle of May when Wayne Metro held a zoom meeting to share DWSD’s plan on Detroit Lifeline program. But they didn’t have a lot of information. And it wasn’t until June 17, like everyone else, when we had the opportunity to see a sketch of the program.”

McClellan said although WTPD agrees with the city’s conservation of water rationing, family size and affordability are deciding factors on responsible income-based billings. “We’ve heard them say that over 80 percent of families of three use 6 CCFs,” said McClellan. “What about a family of four or five? Well, we would like to see data that supports that -- it was not forthcoming.” The CCF is often listed on a water bill and stands for “centum cubic feet,” which means 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons of water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The City Concerns

Responds

Adoption

Resident

“The City of Detroit is still in the process of determining the best course of action for reducing the risk of flooding for Jefferson-Chalmers residents while still maintaining canal and river access,” said to Hakim Berry, City of Detroit chief operating officer. Seawalls are only one of several options we will be exploring in the months ahead, and we will continue to engage residents in order to determine the best and most cost-effective solution. To be clear, we are only at the beginning of the process and will be working with the community to determine the ideal course of action. We will be reaching out to residents for ways they can play a role as we continue the decision-making process.” “My system is meant to manage rain, not the river,” Gary Brown, Director of DWSD and Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) board member said, “The city is only responsible for Right of Way (ROW) sewers. We keep the sewers clean and treat the rainwater in our facilities as the main assets we manage. When it comes to addressing long term flooding, it comes down to dollars. We need federal and state intervention.” During the Tiger Dam update, the city responded to inquiries regarding the municipal responsibility to find a permanent solution to the flooding issue. City officials said, “We are working on a multifaceted project with the goal of permanently removing the LES from the floodplain, eliminating the need for flood insurance and keeping the water in the canals. Property owners are still responsible for repairing failing seawalls along their canal frontage.” For tips on safety measures during incidents of flooding, residents can access more information provided by the city of Detroit here. Other resources include basement backup protection, water assistance programs and financial assistance for costly private sewer lines repairs. WTDP said although the city is promoting a plan that says it would not be more than 1.8 percent of monthly income, which is better than the EPA’s recommended guidelines of 3 percent, the plan’s messaging is misleading since the tiered system allows for a person to pay a higher percentage depending on where they fall on the spectrum. “We’ve been in this game for a long time,” said McClellan. “We need to know this is a true effort in the right direction to provide water assistance so everybody in the city can survive and thrive and have safe, clean, affordable water.” Residents can contact Wayne Metro today to ask about Lifeline Plan enrollment or call (313) 386-3727.

From page A-3

• The average age of a child waiting for adoption is eight years old • 29 percent of adopted children will spend at least three years in the foster care system Some Black children are never given a first chance, according to a 2019 article from pri.org. Social workers are often called upon to “assess” a newborn’s skin color, because skin color can be a deciding factor in potential for placement, according to the article, which also revealed from an NPR investigation that dark-skinned Black children cost less to adopt than lightskinned white children. They are, oftentimes, ranked by social workers and the public as less preferred, the article stated. “In the adoption market, race and color combine to create another preference hierarchy: white children are preferred over nonwhite,” Washington University law school professor Kimberly Jade Norwood said in the article. “When African American children are considered, the data suggest there is a preference for light skin and biracial children over dark-skinned children.” Horace Sheffield III, pastor and media personality, told the Michigan Chronicle that while the topic of adoption is important, he also stresses the importance of Black fathers being there for their biological children, also – even if they might not be with the mother of their child(ren.) “The child suffers whether you are good with the mom or not,” Sheffield said. “Your responsibility is still there.” Sheffield said that he has seen the impact of how Black men mentor children and youth and how it has made a significant impact. “Black men take up the slack for fathers who are missing in the lives of other young men,” he said. “My grandfather mentored a young boy out of Brewster projects when I was a child. I knew that man for my life You don’t have a lot of that … we got to do more.” Sheffield added that Black men in Detroit who value mentoring and even emotionally adopting children as their own through mentorship and the like, are on the right track as he’s learned over the years. “I’ve had alternative schools -run all kinds of programs for older youth,” Sheffield said. “I’ve been very involved in the years in this kind of regard mentoring young men and being available to them … and trying to help them overcome some of the things that tend to be cumbersome or a hardship.”

DO YOU CHECK ALL THE BOXES? Vaxxed

Boosted

Second Ebenezer 14601 Dequindre Rd. Detroit, MI 48212

Greater Grace Temple 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd. Detroit, MI 48219

New Destiny Christian Fellowship

The Detroit Association of Black Organization (DABO)

12000 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48204

Greater Pentecostal Temple 15932 East Warren Ave. Detroit, MI 48224

Historic King Solomon (Son of David Ministries) 6100 14th St., Detroit, MI 48208

Greater St. Mark Baptist 15015 Meyers Rd. Detroit, MI 48227

Saunders Memorial AME 3542 Pennsylvania St. Detroit, MI 48214

Fellowship Chapel 7707 W. Outer Dr. Detroit, MI 48235

Visit ChooseHealthyLife.org to ﬁnd a vaccine site near you. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call 313-635-5978.

| July 13-19, 2022

Money.

michiganchronicle.com

Anthony O. Kellum

Property Is Power

Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs It’s amazing that in a year with rising interest rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer. Understanding Third-Party Closing Costs When closing on a mortgage the borrower will notice a long list of additional fees that they are expected to pay for. These can range from insignificant into the thousands of dollars depending on the state and the deal. When looking at these fees you will notice that some are third-party fees. This is not out of the ordinary and you are not being taken advantage of. These costs are for services rendered by outside companies at the request of the mortgage lender to make sure everything is in order with the property. Closing Costs, You Can Expect to Pay Anybody going through the mortgage process for the first time should expect to see several odd sounding terms on the loan estimate. The first is ‘origination’ or ‘processing’ which is the primary fee the lender charges for creating the mortgage. Other fees include discount points, flood certification, title insurance, credit report and appraisal. These are all necessary for buying a home and should be expected to appear when closing. The Trick Behind Zero-Closing Cost Mortgages With closing fees adding up it may seem like a good idea to opt for a mortgage that has absolutely no closing costs if it’s offered. While no money will be required up front, it adds up in the long run. This is because the lender is making a deal. They agree to pay all the closing costs for the borrower in exchange for a slightly higher interest rate, which will pay out for them over the course of the mortgage. The amount you can expect to pay really depends on the cost of living and real estate market where you’re buying. A mortgage specialist will be able to talk to you in advance of applying for your mortgage to give you a better idea of what you are looking at paying for closing costs. Contact one today for more information on why you have to pay closing fees and the amount you should be budgeting for.

Hard Truths About Inflation in

Black America and How to Face Them

By Sherri Kolade

According to reports, an average Black family has less than one-tenth of the household wealth of their white counterparts. The racial wealth gap is evident throughout all walks of life, in a continuous racial economic divide. Other factors also show that Black households have saved fewer than seven cents on the dollar compared to white households, according to data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (2014). A white household living near the poverty line typically has about $18,000 in wealth, while Black households in similar economic situations typically have a median wealth near zero. How does this bode for Black America and Black Detroiters looking to weather these financial storms? With a lack of intergenerational wealth to other COVID-related setbacks, the current inflation problems can be compounded with other factors that don’t help Black households looking to stretch their dollars. Native Detroiter Omari Hall, a learning experience designer at Farmington Hills-based GreenPath Financial Wellness, told the Michigan Chronicle previously that it starts with smart saving (even during a pandemic and inflation woes) while addressing historical inequities, along with debt management and more. “Centuries of racism and structural inequalities in the U.S. have contributed to this wealth gap,” he said, adding that “there is essential work that needs to be done to empower Black families, overcome systemic barriers and gain access to the knowledge needed to change this trend.” Why the inflation? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, from May 2021 to May 2022 the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 8.6 percent -- the largest 12-month hike since December 1981 or 40 years ago.

Dimitrius Hutcherson, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief technology officer at First Independence Bank. NBC News reported that financial experts note that inflation is caused by three main factors: quickly rising labor costs, high energy prices and interest rates. “Each one pushes the cost of everyday consumer goods higher, and it will take a complex set of forces to return to pre-pandemic normal,” according to the article, which adds that with many leaving their jobs, many from lower-wage fields, the increasing cost of labor is a notable result, Jayson Lusk, a professor and the head of agricultural economics at Purdue University, said in the article. “Sanctions on Russia and other actions contributed to falling oil production in Russia and created significant market uncertainties about the potential for further oil supply disruptions,” the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) said in the article, adding that this was taking place with “already low oil inventories and higher demand” in the background. “Actual price outcomes will depend on the degree to which existing sanctions imposed on Russia, any potential future sanctions and independent

Native Detroiter Omari Hall, learning experience designer at GreenPath Financial Wellness. corporate actions affect Russia’s oil production or the sale of Russia’s oil in the global market,” the EIA noted in the article. Even though everyone in the nation is being affected by inflation costs, those most overwhelmed by it are lowand fixed-income earners, according to the article. The Washington Post noted that Standard & Poor’s, a leading company index provider and data source of independent credit ratings, noted that there is a possibility of a recession. “The risk of a self-fulfilling recession—and one that can happen as soon as early next year—is higher than before. Even though household and business balance sheets are strong, worries about the future could cause consumers to pull back, which in turn would lead businesses to hire and invest less,” according to the article. Richard Curtin, director of the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment surveys, said in the article that his data shows that the “pain” of inflation has tapped every area of the U.S. economy.

See INFLATION page A6

Female-Led Development Initiative Brings Equity to the Table By Sherri Kolade

Karen A.D. Burton, president; Jill Ferrari, vice president; Lisa Berden, board member; Brinda Devine, treasurer, and Rachele Downs, secretary.

In a male-dominated industry of real estate developers, the numbers speak for themselves – and it’s where women don’t always get their fair share.

With the nascent non-profit organization’s focus on breaking down barriers to capital and building a supportive ecosystem of industry experts, WSDI hopes to bring more women and donors on board during the process.

According to nationwide statistics, women make up 36.7 percent of the commercial real estate industry, figures that have stayed about the same since 2005. Also, the women in this industry make typically less on average than their male counterparts. Founding members of the Michigan-based Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative, WSDI, which helps empower women commercial real estate developers, don’t only see the numbers – they feel them, too and they’re hoping to bring some change to this old boys’ club. WSDI, a Michigan-based non-profit organization is dedicated to supporting emerging women commercial real estate developers who incorporate environmental, social and governance components into their projects in low-income communities. Also, the initiative’s pri-

WSDI spoke to the Michigan Chronicle about its efforts to change the development ecosystem with one woman in mind at a time.

A group photo of the Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative (WSDI) Board of Directors (left to right): Jill Ferrari, vice president; Lisa Berden, board member; Karen A.D. Burton, president; Brinda Devine, treasurer, and Rachele Downs, secretary. Photo courtesy of the WSDI ority focus is on women who are Black, Indigenous, or persons of color. Five Detroit women in the commercial real estate game with 150 years of

collective experience joined forces to provide capital, educational resources and networking connections. WSDI Board of Directors include

Burton said that she and the other board members noticed a consistent pattern of inequities in the commercial real estate field with many levels of overlap among one another. “[We created this] so we could support each other and talk out issues during the COVID pandemic,” Burton said. “We realized we had a lot in common and a lot of the same issues in commercial real estate – no matter what fields we chose.”

See REAL

ESTATE INDUSTRY page A6

Page A-6 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Inflation From page A-5 “You have to eat, you have to drive to work and take the kids to school, and you have to live somewhere. These aren’t discretionary areas,” Curtin said in the article, and consumers are searching for other areas to decrease or remove their expenses. “It’s painful,” he said in the article. Detroit resident and business owner Kenya Jones of Rubin’s Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc., told the Michigan Chronicle previously that being financially prudent while running his decades-old company (that he received 13 years ago) is more important now than ever. “When I started this company, I didn’t have a nest egg of $100,000,” he said. “I lost $14,000 at a time when I couldn’t afford it.” Jones said that as a Black business owner, the biggest issue Black people run into is not having the financial backing and resources that his counterparts have. “And most plumbers, they all start off as working class,” he said, adding that when he took over the business he had to rebuild and start anew. COVID-19 hasn’t helped his finances either. But he’s pushing ahead. “We are struggling right now. I know that I won’t struggle forever.” Hall said that long-term and shortterm financial freedom comes from reducing debt as a start. Some ways to manage your debt include: • Know how much you owe. Write down the total amount of all your debts, monthly payments, interest rates and due dates. • Pay bills on time. Schedule your bill payments following when you get paid. Pay as much above your minimums as you can. • Take a hard look at your spending. Track your expenses to ensure you spend less than you earn. Limit credit card use and reduce discretionary spending like eating out, cable/streaming, subscriptions and memberships until you lower debt levels. • Build an emergency fund so that you don’t go into debt to cover an emergency expense. • Choose a debt payoff strategy that works for your situation. Consider the Snowball method (paying off the smallest debts first) or the Avalanche

method (paying more on debt with the highest interest rate). Or consider a Debt Management Plan which helps you pay off unsecured debt in 3 to 5 years. • Set SMART goals. You may want to save $5,000 for a down payment on a home, pay off $5,000 of credit card debt this year or save 10 percent of your income. Determine how much additional income (or reduced spending) you will need to attain that goal. • Start (or revisit) your budget as a family. Think of a budget as a financial roadmap. Write down your monthly income (what’s coming in) and all your expenses (what’s going out). Supplement your income with “gig” work or a side hustle. Actively monitoring your budget helps you know where you’re going financially, keeps you honest and reduces stress. • Know your credit score. Check your credit report regularly. Improve credit with on-time payments, keep credit card balances low (below 30 percent of your credit limit), maintain a good mix of credit and not have too many inquiries. • Pay yourself first. Automatically direct funds from your paycheck to savings. Set it and forget it. “Some economists fear that if lawmakers don’t act soon to combat inflation, Black families may be forced to go without necessities as the threat of another recession looms,” William Darity Jr., professor of public policy, African American studies and economics at Duke University told CNN according to Black Information Network. “It’s going to be extremely devastating [for Black families].” He added, “People will have to make very, very hard decisions about whether or not to purchase medicines or buy food or forgo payment of their utilities. It will have harsh effects on people’s well-being.” Dimitrius Hutcherson, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and chief technology officer at Blackowned First Independence Bank in Detroit, told the Michigan Chronicle that inflation is a real financial stumbling block but it’s not the end all be all. “The Black community is keenly aware that spending on necessities such as groceries and gasoline has increased; however, because of that, they are diligent in trying to identify places where necessities can be purchased for less whether it be shopping at the discount stores or bulk stores. Spending less and saving more is the overall goal right now for so many people,” said Hutcherson.

Real Estate Industry From page A-5 Downs told the Michigan Chronicle that Devine was one of her very first clients when she got into real estate brokerage and they have an over 25-year history together It made sense to reconnect in this new way with an intentionality behind their synergy. “The five of us shared a history together both personally and professionally,” Downs said. “That allowed us to go deep quickly and recognizing the barriers to entry for women in commercial real estate and barriers higher and harder to knock down for women of color. We recognized that we have collective power, and we could leverage our experience.” From providing financial support and education to giving more access to decision-makers for emerging women commercial real estate developers around the U.S. – this organization is poised to help their target market but they need capital to move intensive projects forward. Women and minority founders historically have not received investment capital for startups, according to statistics. According to Crunchbase, in 2019, 2.8 per-

cent of funding went to women-led startups. That number fell to 2.3 percent in 2020 – the 2.8 percent figure was an all-time high. In commercial real estate, these investment numbers are even worse. In addition, a 2017 study by the Bella Research Group and the Knight Foundation reports that fewer than 1 percent of senior executives in commercial real estate are women. Devine knows all too well the struggles. She told the Michigan Chronicle that she is hoping to develop a store in the NW Goldberg neighborhood in Detroit (with a tentative launch date in the fall) through her P8 Real Estate Solutions company, which she founded. Aptly named the Kornr Store, 6224 16th St., the neighborhood marketplace would help bridge the gap for grocery stores while reigniting neighboring communities. The only problem is that she is lacking the capital to help get the ball rolling. “You have to be creative about stacking capital,” Devine said adding that she doesn’t “have the luxury” to mess up. Over the last eight months, WSDI has convened focus group con-

versations among women in similar situations as Devine -- targeted participants -- to learn about the obstacles they encounter as they navigate the commercial development space. That conversation continues. “We will assist experienced women from across the spectrum of commercial real estate – contractors, attorneys, architects, those who have government experience, and others – who have solid ideas for development projects. Whether they are working to secure a site, assembling their professional team or putting together their capital stack, WSDI will help them get their project built,” Burton, also a co-owner of SpaceLab Detroit and a partner in A/E Collaborative, LLC, said. “Finding equity investors that believe in women developers is very difficult,” Ferrari said. “Investors don’t often equate women with commercial real estate development. WSDI will help women build their existing toolbox of skills and resources to be successful commercial real estate developers. Because women don’t just build buildings – they build communities.” More information about the Women’s Sustainable Development Initiative can be found at www.womendevelop.org.

Michigan Chronicle

DIGITAL DAILY

Keeping You Informed At All Times Of The Day

michiganchronicle.com | DQE

michiganchronicle.com | July 13-19, 2022 | Page A-7

Introducing Detroit’s FIRST-EVER water affordability plan Introducing Detroit’s FIRST-EVER water affordability plan Your water bill could be $18 a month and your past-due debt wiped out for good Your water bill could be $18 a month and your past-due debt wiped out for good

Income-eligible enrolled Detroiters receive 4,500 gallons waterevery everymonth monthat ataafixed fixedrate rate under under the new Income-eligible enrolled Detroiters cancan receive upup to to 4,500 gallons ofof water new DWSD Lifeline Plan. This income-based water affordability plan offers qualifying customers a fixed monthly rate that DWSD Lifeline Plan. This income-based water affordability plan offers qualifying customers a fixed monthly that will will significantly reduce their monthly bill – anderase erasepast pastdebt. debt. significantly reduce their monthly bill – and

Here’s how works: Here’s how it it works:

$18 $18 Your monthly

Your monthly water, sewer & water, sewer & drainage bill if you drainage billSNAP/FAP if you receive receive SNAP/FAP beneﬁts. beneﬁts.

$43 $43

Your monthly water, Your monthly water, sewer & drainage bill if sewer & drainage bill if you are a low-income youhousehold are a low-income and don’t household don’t receiveand SNAP/FAP receive SNAP/FAP beneﬁts. beneﬁts.

$56 $56

Your monthly Your monthly water, sewer & drainage water, sewer bill if you are&adrainage moderatebillincome if you are a moderatehousehold and income household and don’t receive SNAP/FAP don’t receive SNAP/FAP beneﬁts. beneﬁts.

The program is funded by regional, state and federal dollars, program is funded state and federal andThe offers an income tier setby byregional, community advocates anddollars, water experts. and offers an income tier set by community advocates and water experts.

Enroll now at waynemetro.org or by calling 313-386-9727 Enroll now at waynemetro.org or by calling 313-386-9727

TAKE PART: Tap Into the Lifeline Plan TAKE PART: Tap Into the Lifeline Plan

Page A-8 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

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4/26/22 11:40 AM

City ity.. Life ife.. Style. Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

B1 | July 13-19, 2022

michiganchronicle.com

Does It Hurt to Toke? By Megan Kirk Is it harmful? Can it be addictive? Is it possible to overdose? Though cannabis has existed for centuries, there remains much to be discovered and debunked about the high-inducing plant. As advocates, cannabis professionals and users work towards decriminalization and legalization, while also working to break miseducation and create new fact-based knowledge around cannabis. Misconceptions abound around its consumption and effects on the body and the brain, but how much of it is fact? One such myth that continues to plague cannabis rhetoric is addiction and dependency. The National Institute on Drug Abuse labels it as marijuana use disorder. Categorized as the continued use of marijuana needed for every day function, this disorder can cause users to form an addiction in the most severe cases. Research shows up to 30 percent of users have a marijuana use disorder ranging in degree. This dependency creates a larger opportunity for abuse in users 18 years and younger. As marijuana use affects the brain, younger users fall victim to dependency as their brains are underdeveloped.

Get Petty:

Petty Cash opened on Thursday, July 7 with local dignitaries and officials who joined in the celebration in person at the Avenue of Fashion location.

Mary Pryor, co-founder of Cannaclusive. “Screening adolescents for drug use is extremely important for early intervention and prevention of the development of substance use disorder,” said Nora Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “This is critical especially as the transition from adolescence to adulthood, when brain development is still in progress, appears to be a period of high risk for drug use initiation.” Though similar, addiction and dependency are different in the way they impact the body and its functions. Addiction is categorized as compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences and an inability to stop usage while dependence is the body’s reaction to its use, marked by withdrawal systems or building a mounting tolerance for a specific substance. “I think that our understanding of addiction is hyper-sensitive given what we’ve seen it do to our communities, but a lot of people try to utilize that as the driver to try to say that this is bad, but this is no more as addictive as someone who’s unregulated with their use of sugar, unregulated with their use of salt, unregulated with their use of so many things that set off these triggers,” said Mary Pryor, native Detroiter and co-founder of Cannaclusive. Following nicotine and alco-

See CANNABIS Page B-2

New Dining Spot, Petty Cash, Opens on Avenue of Fashion in Detroit

escribed as moody, elevated and soulful, an eagerly awaited new restaurant in Detroit is being welcomed on the Avenue of Fashion as the latest dining spot with an upscale vibe and feel.

ers can feel comfortable wearing a blazer or jeans and a white T-shirt.

Petty Cash, 20050 Livernois, is a Black-owned establishment under the collective partnership of Art Hicks, Kelly McBride, Ron Bartell Jr., and Rufus Bartell.

Vegan and vegetarian options, smoked meats, unique seafood, and pasture plates are also available.

Petty Cash officially opened its doors to the public on Thursday, July 7 with an intimate ribbon-cutting ceremony and is currently accepting reservation-only dining, according to a press release. Executive Chef, Dominic McCord curated the menu to blend his culinary artistic vision with soulful upscale and “approachable swag” that fits Detroit’s north side vibe, along with an accompanying craft cocktail menu by Bar Manager, Lani Ingersoll. Kelly McBride, co-owner told the Michigan Chronicle in an interview that the group came up with the Petty Cash name to back their upscale-casual dining spot. “We brainstormed and threw some ideas back and forth,” McBride said. “To me when you think petty cash (it’s) like your extra money; your loose money you take to spend.” McBride added that restaurant-go-

From lamb ribs and charbroiled oysters to a grilled caesar salad and tiramisu – gastronomical delights are set to tantalize the taste buds without hurting the pocket.

McBride, a chef by trade, said that he and McCord collaborated on food ideas for the top-tier menu, which he knows will be a hit. “He executed what I wanted and ... he put his touch on everything I threw at him,” he said adding that a recently-held preview event of the restaurant “went very well” where attendees tasted their menu. The execution and maintenance of Petty Cash cannot be done without staff, who McBride described as a young group of roughly 30 talented Detroiters, which he described as “amazing.” “We make everything in-house,” he said adding that he loves everything on the menu including the duck. “One thing we want people walking away with is we made quite a few of our dishes sharable. If you come in to dine and have guests our dish is sharable enough for two to have.”

signed by Urban Alterscape and developed by R&J Development, pays homage to Black excellence, according to the press release, which will feature seasonal and eclectic foods that are locally sourced. Located across from the Pembroke Plaza, the walkway leading up to Petty Cash is inviting with greenery intentionally placed throughout the spacious path. During the event, attendees enjoyed the décor and camaraderie outside (and inside) the sleek black-and-gold themed space complemented with earthy and rustic elements dispersed throughout. Ron Bartell Jr. Told the Michigan Chronicle during the event that bringing something upscale to the neighborhood was important. “For something like this … a lot of times you have to go downtown... midtown,” he said of fine eating. “The neighborhood deserves (this). We deserve it, particularly as Black Detroiters. So that’s important for us.” When it comes to catching the spirit of entrepreneurship, Ron Bartell Jr. said that it’s important to “don’t take no for an answer.”

The 2,800 square foot space de-

See PETTY CASH Page B-2

Local Reporter Paula Tutman Invents Bust-Supporting Bra in Female-led Company By Sherri Kolade When it comes to developing a positive body image, reporter Paula Tutman, an Emmy-winning broadcast journalist for WDIVTV Local 4 News, knows a thing or two about staying true to herself. Tutman, known for her upbeat personality, wit and knack for news, now has another title under her belt as an entrepreneur. As the creator of a new tape product, the Bra-Less Bra, Instant Cleavage Sculpting Solution, Tutman hopes that other women will overcome body issues she faced herself over the years.

Paula Elle Tutman, Emmy-winning broadcast journalist for Local 4 News, holds one of her new breast-lifting solutions for women.

“I developed early, was teased often, and hated the way I looked because I had breasts at age 12 and other girls didn’t,” she said in a press release. “In college while preparing for a dance… I grabbed a roll of Scotch tape and lifted my breasts to

fit into a dress. I graduated to plastic postage tape and then duct tape and masking tape and finally — many years later after landing in Detroit, I discovered surgical tape, which became my magic bullet.” Bra-less Bra, Instant Cleavage Sculpting Solution is a translucent, customizable breast tape that lifts, supports, and boosts confidence for women of all sizes. Tutman, who invented the made-in-the-USA product (and assembled an all-women team to design, manufacture and market it) told the Michigan Chronicle that sculpting the cleavage line in a “way you want it” to look is a game changer, especially for women facing chronic body image struggles. “Because of my own pain points … I could not wear what the other girls wore,”

See BRA-LESS BRA Page B-2

Page B-2 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com

Bra-Less Bra

From page B-1

Tutman said, adding that she had a roller coaster of self-esteem image issues.

“In cocktails and conversation we trust.” “Put your money where your mouth is.” These quotes on their menu item highlights their love of food, drinks and fun. Menu options range from salads to burgers, seafood and sweets.

Petty Cash From page B-1 “Be steadfast in your beliefs,” he said adding that making money is great but making an impact is even better by being an “influence.” And what an influence this new spot is already having on others. Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman (Dist. 5) said while presenting the co-owners with a plaque that she plans to bring her associates, friends, and business partners out to eat at Petty Cash.

Canabis From page B-1 hol, cannabis is the third most consumed psychoactive substance in the world, yet some feel the comparison is unwarranted. Often compared with other drugs, cannabis is lumped into a class where many canna-professionals believe myths about the plant originated. “Common misconceptions come from a lot of different levels of where people are and lack of access. I think the misconceptions we fight the most as a Black person, for me who grew up in Detroit, is that it’s like the same as crack, the same as cocaine, the same as heroin, the same as synthetic marijuana and it’s not,” said Pryor. “I think that a lot of that propaganda behind the War on Drugs is beating our behind as melanated people. So, having to remind people that this plant was used as a health aid at first, then it was used as a target towards Black and Brown people and a part of a textile war is something that people don’t really talk about often.” Myths surrounding its medicinal properties continue to impact the narrative surrounding cannabis. Though the plant’s history began as an herbal medicine, decades of strategic storytelling have created a new narrative for cannabis. As research around cannabis and its medicinal properties increases, some patients express concerns that cannabis is a gateway drug that leads to use of harsher substances, killing brain cells and dying from overconsumption. Extensive research has been done in an attempt to dispel these myths. “I think that sugar is the biggest addictive thing that we still legally rock with. I think that alcohol as an item isn’t noticed for its addictive qualities. I think everything out of moderation is addictive. I find that my regimen with cannabis is mostly based on the fact that I need it for my medicinal everyday life as a Crohn’s patient. It’s done wonders for me in the way of just being able to like decrease my pain, my ability to keep down food, my ability to just like not have certain pain triggers that go off in my digestive system, which allows my condition to be worse,” said Pryor. In addition, myths around cannabis also include its impact on general behaviors such as work ethic and the ideology that cannabis consumption makes one lazy. Comparisons to tobacco and the effects on the lungs have also plagued cannabis communities. However, studies show that marijuana smoke is

“I’m so proud to represent this district,” Clark-Coleman said as she congratulated the group and welcomed them to the neighborhood. Operation hours are from 5 to 11 p.m. Wednesday - Thursday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.; bar open until 11 p.m. Also, they are open from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.; bar open until midnight) The restaurant is also open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday with dinner from 5 to 9 p.m.

Those issues grew to a major breaking point in her life after she went in for a medical examination and her doctor thought she was being abused because of bruises, scars, cuts and scrapes around her bra line, where she would put surgical tape and it painfully tore her skin. “When I took it off it would rip my skin -I didn’t care because I looked great,” Tutman said adding that she realized that day “something had to change.” “I know I’m not the only one facing that problem,” Tutman said adding that there are a “million women” with stories similar to her who simply want to look great in their clothes. Tutman started the company several years ago after mulling over the idea with encouragement from others and she built her all-female empire from the ground up in 2018.

For more information visit pettycashdetroit. com.

“They knew what I didn’t know -- they knew how to reach manufactur-

not more damaging than tobacco smoke. No matter the user’s reasons for consumption, education remains the key component in changing the cannabis narrative.

becoming addictive or actually will kill us because a lot of the studies and a lot of the things that have come out to go anti-plant are really poorly monitored and are just really trying to start up an anti-cannabis voice more so [than] actual educational learnings,” said Pryor.

“I think that use is use. We need to get further away from thinking that this is something that is

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF SECOND HEARING FOR THE GAS CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-21064

ers … where to find initial funding,” Tutman said. “Together we built the product.” Lola Aré, CEO of ZukeiT, the maker of Bra-Less Bra, told the Michigan Chronicle that as the CEO of Tutman’s company, the journey was worth it despite numerous challenges of “making the founder’s vision a reality” and getting to market. “Today, it’s all falling in place due to the strength of our all-female leadership team and the various skill sets and years of experience each team member brings to the table,” Aré said. “And what keeps me going each day is the bigger picture of bringing to market a product that makes women feel great about themselves. This venture has been single-handedly about collaboration and working with other women to get to the finish line.”

PARTICIPATION: Any interested person may participate. Persons needing any assistance to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 2848090, or by email at mpscedockets@michigan.gov in advance of the hearing. The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a second pre-hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) May 31, 2022, amended application requesting the Commission to: 1) approve a Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) plan and a maximum base gas cost recovery factor of $5.07 per Mcf that can be adjusted to a new maximum GCR rate by the monthly NYMEX-based contingency factor matrix, to be reflected in DTE Gas’s monthly gas customer billings beginning September 1, 2022, and continuing through March 31, 2023; 2) approve a SOLR Reservation Charge of an additional $0.45 per Mcf that is billed to GCR customers while the Reservation Charge billed to Gas Customer Choice customers will be $0.30 per Mcf; 3) determine that DTE Gas’s 5-Year (April 2022March 2027) forecast of gas requirements, supplies and costs, and Gas Supply Plan does not include any cost items that the Commission would be unlikely to permit DTE Gas to recover in the future; and 4) grant DTE Gas other and further relief. All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets. Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to: mpscedockets@ michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 284-8090 or by email at: mpscedockets@ michigan.gov. Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by July 26, 2022. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas Company’s attorney, Carlton D. Watson, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226. The prehearing is scheduled to be held remotely by video conference or teleconference. Persons filing a petition to intervene will be advised of the process to participate in the hearing. Any person wishing to participate without intervention under Mich Admin Code, R 792.10413 (Rule 413), or file a public comment, may do so by filing a written statement in this docket. The written statement may be mailed or emailed and should reference Case No. U-21064. Statements may be emailed to: mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Statements may be mailed to: Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, 7109 West Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information, thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090. Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules R 792.10422 and R 792.10432. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 284-8130. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090. The Utility Consumer Representation Fund has been created for the purpose of aiding in the representation of residential utility customers in various Commission proceedings. Contact the Chairperson, Utility Consumer Participation Board, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, Michigan 48909, for more information. Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; 1982 PA 304, as amended, MCL 460.6h et seq.; and Parts 1 & 4 of the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, Mich. Admin Code, R 792.10106 and R 792.10401 through R 792.10448.

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Bra-less Bra is priced at $49.99 per roll and is available for purchase online at bralessbra.com. One roll of Bra-less Bra can be used up to five times, depending on cup size. The starter pack contains a 10-foot roll of breast tape, reusable nipple covers and a reusable cotton pouch.

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• You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226, (800) 477-4747 for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the documents at the offices of DTE Gas Company or on the Commission’s website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets.

LOCATION:

Tutman had the idea for a translucent, customizable breast tape that could lift and support but didn’t know how to get it

“I’m proud that we stood firmly in our decision to manufacture in the USA,” she adds. “I have personally shaken every single hand that touches my invention on the assembly line. I have been able to look every worker in the eye and thank them for their work.”

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• The information below describes how a person may participate in this case.

BEFORE:

“The journey to get our product to market has been long, difficult and chaotic,” Tutman said. “I had no idea how to get from point A to the finish-line. Our team has helped to fill in the blanks and together we are navigating the challenges of securing funding, surviving the pandemic and withstanding unseen forces that seem to be unique to female entrepreneurship.”

designed, manufactured and sold, according to a press release. So, she built a diverse, all-woman team to guide her through research and development, design and manufacturing.

IT’S THAT “I WANT A NEW HOME” FACE.

• DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval of its revised gas cost recovery plan (GCR), 5-year forecast and monthly GCR factor for the September 2022 through March 2023 portion of the April 2022 – March 2023 operational year.

DATE/TIME:

Bra-less Bra is powered by Zuke-iT, a 100 percent minority women-owned and operated company. Its mission is to seek solutions that literally support women. Ninety percent of the vendors it works with are female owned and/or operated enterprises. ZukeiT was recently awarded a first place, $10,000 grant from Michigan Women Forward.

Second Ebenezer 14601 Dequindre Rd., Detroit, MI 48212 New Destiny Christian Fellowship

The Detroit Association of Black Organization (DABO)

12000 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48204

Historic King Solomon (Son of David Ministries) 6100 14th St., Detroit, MI 48208 Saunders Memorial AME 3542 Pennsylvania St., Detroit, MI 48214 Greater Grace Temple 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, MI 48219 Greater Pentecostal Temple 15932 East Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48224 Greater St. Mark Baptist 15015 Meyers Rd., Detroit, MI 48227 Fellowship Chapel 7707 W. Outer Dr., Detroit, MI 48235 Visit ChooseHealthyLife.org to ﬁnd a vaccine site near you. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call 313-635-5978.

DTE1673 | 2022 Print Ad Customization/NOHs/NOH U-21064 July

michiganchronicle.com | July 13-19, 2022 | Page B-3

Maldives

5 Dreamy Honeymoon

Boasting more than 1,200 islands, the Maldives features a plethora of luxurious all-inclusive properties, most of which are on their own private islands. All the resorts offer aquatic experiences ranging from beginner snorkeling and sea turtle searching to world-class diving with hammerhead sharks as well as spas with everything from over-the-water treatment rooms with glass-bottom floors to private couples’ pavilions and romantic rose petal-filled soaking tubs.

Destinations (Family Features) Wedding season is in full swing as many lovebirds resume their wedding and honeymoon plans coming out of two years of pandemic restrictions. With an estimated 4.7 million weddings expected to take place in 2022 and 2023, according to The Wedding Report, newlyweds are eager to celebrate their special nuptials with once-in-a-lifetime trips. In fact, according to a survey of 1,500 couples by travel giant Expedia, 53% of couples plan to spend more on their honeymoons than originally budgeted, and 59% are interested in visiting a bucket-list destination. Plus, 65% are more likely to add a honeymoon fund to their wedding registry, prompted by the pandemic to prioritize a once-in-a-lifetime trip over traditional registry items. For travelers planning an unforgettable escape, consider these popular international destinations and find the full list along with itineraries – complete with couple-friendly hotels and activities for two – at Expedia.com.

Dubai Straddling the line of beach and big city, Dubai, which is situated along the Persian Gulf within the Arabian Desert, offers a luxurious recipe for romance. As the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, there is much to see and do, including spending days on the beach, shopping, going on a camel safari in the Red Dune Desert or exploring nearby Abu Dhabi and must-sees like Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Emirates Palace.

Paris Located on the River Seine, Paris is one of the most romantic places in the world to honeymoon. If food is part of your love language, head to where the locals eat like Du Pain et des Idees for bread and pastries or Chez Imogene for crepes. Plus, no honeymoon is complete without a kiss in front of the Eiffel Tower – or views of the iconic landmark from Le Meurice, an Expedia VIP hotel located in the heart of historic Paris – and a visit to one of the many museums such as Musee du Louvre or Musee d’Orsay.

St. Lucia Dramatic volcanoes, lush jungles, pristine beaches and a wide assortment of boutique-style luxury hotels come together on one of the easiest islands in the Caribbean to reach. A nature-lover’s paradise, days can be spent basking on Sugar Beach or on the water. Aboard the Tout Bagay catamaran cruise and tour, you can explore the coast and historical town of Soufriere, take a mud bath in the only drive-in volcano in the Caribbean, snorkel, swim and see Margot Bay and the twin peaks of the Petit and Gros Pitons.

Iceland With otherworldly, dramatic landscapes full of glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and fjords as well as city action, outdoor activities and spa experiences, the “Land of Fire and Ice” offers a perfect honeymoon smorgasbord. Celebrate your nuptials Icelandic-style with the seven-step ritual for two at Sky Lagoon, located just south of the capital city of Reykjavik, which is also home to Hotel Borg, a 99-room hotel with a full-service spa centrally located near additional attractions. Or maximize your time with a drive around the Golden Circle, a 186-mile route with views of Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area and the Gullfoss waterfall, three of southwest Iceland’s top natural wonders. SOURCE:Expedia

Put More You into Your Wedding Day (Family Features) A wedding day is filled with symbolic tradition, from varied religious customs to the never-ending circle reflected in the rings and the types of flowers accentuating the celebration. Even with all the traditional rituals to consider, nearly every bride and groom can find ways to give their special day some unique touches that reflect their personality and love.

slide show set to music. Make favors meaningful. Forgo more common items like bubbles and chocolate, and instead send a little of yourself home with your guests. Maybe it’s a memento from a place with special meaning to you both, or a bottle opener shaped like a bicycle to represent the way you met. Just think about the moments and things that define you as a couple and do some searching online. You’ll probably be surprised by how quickly the options pile up.

Music sets the mood for every wedding, and it’s an easy place to put your own spin on the celebration. Whether you forgo the traditional bridal march entirely or simply look for an arrangement that gives an updated twist to the classic version, let guests know this isn’t your average wedding by setting the festivities against a soundtrack that lets your true character shine. The wedding party is intended to be a collection of those nearest and dearest to the bride and groom, who help ensure the day goes off without a hitch and who lead fellow revelers in celebrating the start of the new couple’s life together. That being said, there’s no reason this group must be limited to women on her side and guys on his, or even that it’s limited to humans – a beloved pooch can make

for an adorable ring-bearer, after all. Photography is an essential element of your big day, but think beyond the images you’ll capture throughout the wedding and reception. Photos lend a personal touch, no matter what your color scheme or theme. Integrate pho-

Serve up a menu that shows guests more about your life together. Your loved ones can order basic beef or chicken anywhere. Instead, give them a glimpse into you. Make your main course the same food you enjoyed on your first date or during another monumental moment in your courtship. Or Photo courtesy of Getty Images plan the entire menu around a retos of the two of you at various stages gion that you hold close to your heart. of life, together as a couple and with Weddings are filled with traditions, loved ones (perhaps even some you’re but that doesn’t mean you can’t put honoring in memoriam). You can dis- your own touches on the day for a play these at a table with the guest special event filled with memories book, as part of the table centerpieces, that are uniquely your own. Find more or even on the gift table. Or take things advice for life’s special moments at digital and load all your images into a elivingtoday.com.

Page B-4 | July 13-19, 2022 | michiganchronicle.com Please Vote for me Absentee after June 23 or on August 2

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Budd Steel Company - 3rd generation union factory worker Teaching K-12 and at U of M / Graduate Employees’ Union PriceWaterhouseCoopers - IT consultant Toinu Reeve endorsed by Laescient.org - founder, managing director Socivisus.org - founder, managing director The H on Alberta Tinsley-Talabi Elect me, Toinu Reeves, State Senator in District 3, I will work tirelessly to

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Secure money for Economic Development, Jobs,and Job Training. Reduce Gun Violence, toinu4statesenate Support Veterans and First Responders Expand Healthcare Coverage Including Mental Health Contact: Ensure Equitable Funding for Education (313) 217-1089 Return Belle Isle to Detroit info@toinu4statesenate.org Return $600 Million in Excess Property Taxes to Detroit Residents Establish Environmental Justice

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CENTERS

All Vote Centers have Drop Boxes WCCCD Northwest Campus 8200 W. Outer Dr. (at Southfield Fwy.) - 48219

Greater Grace Temple 23500 W. 7 Mile Rd. (at Shiawassee) - 48219

5901 Conner St. (at I-94) - 48213

Butzel Family Recreation Center 7737 Kercheval (at Van Dyke) - 48214

Department of Elections

Northwest Activities Center 18100 Meyers Rd. (at Curtis) - 48235

Tindal Activity Center 10301 W. 7 Mile Rd. (at Meyers) - 48221

Farwell Recreation Center 2711 E. Outer Dr. (at Ryan Rd) - 48234

2978 W. Grand Blvd. (at Third) - 48202

City Clerk’s Office

Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC) **Not open on weekends 2 Woodward Ave., Suite 200 (at Jefferson) - 48226

Clark Park

1130 Clark St. (Scotten & Vernor) - 48209

Kemeny Recreation Center

Heilmann Community Center 19601 Crusade St. Detroit, MI 48025

WCCCD Eastern Campus

2260 S. Fort St. (at Schaefer) - 48217

Adams Butzel Recreation Complex 10500 Lyndon St. (at Meyers) - 48238

ADDITIONAL FREE STANDING DROP BOXES Rouge Park Golf Course 11701 Burt Rd. (Outer Dr. & Plymouth) - 48228 Detroit Pistons Performance Center 690 Amsterdam St. (at Second Ave.) - 48202 WCCCD Downtown Campus 1001 W. Fort St. (at Lafayette) - 48226 North Rosedale Park Community House 18445 Scarsdale (near Puritan) – 48223 Messiah Baptist Church 8100 W. 7 Mile R. - 48221 Renaissance Baptist Church 1045 E. Grand Blvd. - 48207 Liberty Temple Baptist Church 17188 Greenfield Rd. (Near 6 Mile-McNichols Rd) - 48235

HOURS OF OPERATION Department of Elections: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM

All Other Locations: Monday - Friday 9 AM - 4 PM

Special Note: ON MONDAY AUGUST 1, 2022, PER MICHIGAN ELECTION LAW, ABSENTEE VOTING CEASES AT 4:00 PM AT ALL LOCATIONS

Additional Hours of Operations: Saturday, July 30 & Sunday, July 31, 2022 9 AM - 4 PM (No weekend voting available at CAYMC)

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED

REQUEST FOR Pursuant QUOTES

of Michigan Open Meetings Act, Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, PUBLIC NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING being Sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The Suburban Mobility Authority for Pursuant of Michigan Open Meetings Act, Act No. 267

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the Public Acts of 1976, being Sections Board 15.261 The Highland Park Public ofSchools Academy System of Directors (HPPSAS) to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQs for Fire Extinguishers & Maintenance, Control No. 23-3648. RFQ forms may be obtained beginning July 6, 2022, from http://www.mitn.info. RFQs are due by 3:00 PM ET, July 25, 2022.

Authorized by ThePark School System of the City ofSystem Highland Park The Highland Public Schools Academy Board of Directors (HPPSAS) Join Our Team DATE: Authorized by The School System of the City of Highland Park Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring!

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 DATE:

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFPs for The Wayne Terminal Lighting Upgrade Project Control No. 22-3646. RFP forms may be obtained beginning July 13, 2022, from http://www.mitn.info. RFPs are due by 3:00 PM ET, August 12, 2022.

Barber Preparatory

Energy Specialist/Field Technician – Detroit, MI

Energy Engineer – Detroit, MI Tuesday, 6:00PM July 26, 2022(EST) TIME: Graphic Design/Digital Content Creator – Detroit, MI TIME: 6:00PM (EST) Research Consultant – Detroit, MI LOCATION: LOCATION: Program Manager – Detroit, MI Barber Preparatory Academy - 45 E. Buena Vista St. Financial Analysis & Planning Manager – Detroit, MI AcademyHighland - 45 E.Park, Buena Vista St. Highland Park, MI 48203 MI 48203 Energy Advisor – Detroit, MI

Financial Analyst – Detroit, MI To apply please visit wmenergy.com/careers-2/

Virtual Option Option (ZOOM) – for–Guests and Public: Virtual (ZOOM) for Guests and Public: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84713354057 PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTEDJoin Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84713354057 Meeting ID: 847 1335 4057 Password: Meeting ID: 847 1335 4057 Password: 527633 527633 Senior Engineer, Technical Programming

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Website: www.BarberPrep.com A copy of the meeting minutes are available for public inspection at the Academy within 8 business days for proposed minutes and 5for business daysinspection for approved minutes. A copy of the meeting minutes are available public at the Academy within 8 business days for A copy of the proposed budget is available at Barber proposed minutes and 5 business days for approved minutes. Preparatory Academy Main Office. Meetings are open to the public under the State of Michigan’s A copy of the proposed budget is available at Barber Preparatory Academy Main Office. Open Meetings Act. Individuals requiring specific accommodations contact the Academy Administrative Office at 313-957-3005 than 4:00PM, three (3)Meetings days prior to Act. Individuals requiring specific Meetings are open to the public under the Statenooflater Michigan’s Open the meeting.

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC seeks a Senior Engineer, Technical Programming, in Troy, MI to manage large computer programs that predict reliability, product life, efficiency, NVH performance, and design goals for drivetrain components used in commercial, military, off-road, and specialty vehicles; among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study and four years of experience in the job offered or related. Apply to job reference number 220000CD at: meritor.jobs.net/search

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accommodations contact the Academy Administrative Office at 313-957-3005 no later than 4:00PM, three (3) daysHELP priorWANTED to the meeting. PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Account/Commercial Manager – Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement BorgWarner Emissions Systems of Michigan, Inc. seeks an Account/Commercial Manager – Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement in Auburn Hills, MI responsible for the daily maintenance of the accounts and to work with engineering and manufacturing operations to create and implement strategies for maximizing current business and obtaining new business, among other duties. Bachelor's degree Business Administration, Mechanics, Electronics or Industrial Engineering and ten years of experience in the job offered or related. International and domestic travel required, up to 20%, as needed. Apply to job reference number R2022-3702 at borgwarner.com/careers

Thermal Systems Simulation Integration Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Set technical objectives &tasks for virtual engrg, dvlp &integrate full vehicle cross functional co-simulation packages integrating conventional ICE gasoline psgr vehicle, HEV, BEV models incldg Battery models, Driveline models, Vehicle Dynamics models, HVAC/cabin models, &Electric DU models into single model, using MATLAB/Simulink tool. Perform vehicle level virtual simulation for powertrain cooling, HVAC cooling, Battery pack cooling, Electric motor, High voltage power electronics cmpt &thermal protection. Work on BEV programs w/ a focus on process efficiency &innovation. Dvlp &perform 1D &thermal control simulations for new programs based on vehicle content &functional objectives. Perform vehicle level energy consumption simulation &implement suitable energy &thermal control strategy to meet vehicle performance attribute &vehicle range EPA &other fuel economy drive cycle using MATLAB/Simulink. Ensure Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD/1D) model validity &correlation on a continuous basis. Perform simulation using 1D &CFD tools, incldg MATLAB/Simulink, AMEsim Kuli, GT-SUITE, &AVLCRUISE. Ensure delivery of integrated co-simulation packages to enable virtual thermal syss design, dvlpmt, &validation. Master, Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, performing vehicle level CFD simulations to support thermal dvlpmt &assessment, incldg powertrain cooling, HVAC cooling, &thermal protection, or related. Mail resume to Ref#4617, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265. Software Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Work within GM Connected Customer &Mobility Solutions (CCMS) to dvlp &test technologies enabling a new generation of connected vehicles. Gather technical reqmts &apply Pivotal Cloud Foundry (PCF) cloud-native platform to deploy Spring Boot to dvlp REST API &microsvces architecture &estimate delivery of SW, following Agile &SAFe methodologies. Work on Java based automation framework for web, API, &mobile apps automation &enable execution of mobile automation scripts on mobile devices/platforms hosted over cloud. Dvlp REST APIs in backend svce using Spring Boot to interact w/ applications deployed in PCF &dvlp front-end of apps using Angular &Bootstrap. Design microsvces architectures &dvlp frameworks for automation using Java 8, Selenium, Appium, JUnit 5, Perfecto, Apache Maven, JavaFX, Angular, &Spring Boot. Work w/ Structured Query Language (SQL), Hibernate, &web svces such as REST &SOAP. Conduct dvlpmt &testing using Java, Oracle, &web technologies incldg HTML 5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Level 3 (CSS3), jQuery, JavaScript, Spring Boot, Spring Data JPA, Angular, &Bootstrap. Bachelor, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical Engrg, or related. 60 mos exp as Engineer, Developer, Consultant, Lead, or related, designing or dvlpg Java based framework for mobile apps automation which can be executed on mobile devices hosted over cloud, or related. Mail resume to Ref#44161-3, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Treasury Associate General Motors, Detroit, MI. Monitor FX &commodities markets. Develop &operate Monte Carlo value-at-risk models to measure &quantify risk from FX &commodities. Buy &sell futures &complex derivative low-delta options to hedge &commodity risk exposure. Evaluate global risks, purchase &sell foreign currencies in the capital markets. Analyze balance sheet, income &cash flow statements, &net monetary position of GM &subs. Work w/ global supply chain dept analyzing commodity global demand, &recommend commodity hedging. Execute purchase of derivatives (options &forwards) in capital markets to hedge foreign currency &commodity positions. Build monthly Capital Markets P&L, &analyze impacts of foreign currencies, commodities, derivatives, &swaps on global financial results. Coordinate relationship w/ FX &Commodities desks of all banks in the U.S. Analyze corporate hedging policy &recommend changes. Evaluate financing alternatives in global markets based on expected interest rate &FX movements (e.g. EUR, GBP, USD, CAD, MXN, JPY, &RMB), &develop best in class hedging policies &practices. Master, Bus. Admin or Finance. 12 mos exp as Treasury or Financial Analyst, Financial Coordinator, or related, analyzing corporate hedging policy &recommending changes, &evaluating financing alternatives in global markets based on interest rate &FX movements (EUR, GBP, USD, &CAD), &developing hedging policies, or related. Mail resume to Ref#442-201, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

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Java Developer Java Developer, Warren, MI, General Motors. Gather business reqmts, dvlp, validate, deploy, &support full SW Dvlpmt Lifecycle of mobile &web-based Connected Customer &Mobility Solutions (CCMS) apps incldg functionality of vehicle modules such as Vehicle Display Unit, Integration Gateway, &Global Advisor Application (GAA), &features such as Sending Crash Notifications via emer-partnerstreamer, Roadside Assistance, OnStar Insurance, &Theft Alarm Notification on GM psgr vehicles, using Java, J2EE, JavaScript, Unix, &Angular programming languages, Tomcat web apps, Ubuntu &Windows NT operating syss, ReactJS framework, AJAX technologies, Oracle10g/11 relational database, &MySQL, Tomcat, &Weblogic tools, following SAFe methodology. Dvlp, perform &support CCMS &GAA features incldg Roadside Assistance &Subscription Changes, to OnStar customers, using Microservice Architecture &message driven architectures. Dvlp &provide user features incldg data collection, internal data publication, &SW remote reflash apps, in main &all subsys modules in psgr vehicles using Java &J2EE languages, &Spring Boot, Jenkins, ActiveMQ, Kafka &Maven tools, &Oracle database. Bachelor, Cptr Science, Cptr Engrg, Electrical Engrg, or related. 60 mos exp as Developer, Engineer, Programmer Analyst, IT Analyst, or related, working on or supporting application features, using Java, J2EE, &Angular programming languages, Ubuntu &Windows NT operating syss, &MySQL &Weblogic tools, following Agile or SAFe methodology, or related. Mail resume to Ref#58862, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Senior Process Engineer - Transmission &Drive Unit Assembly Senior Process Engineer - Transmission &Drive Unit Assembly, Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, design, define mechanical drawings, assy processes, tooling, eqpt &machinery build reqmts &processes, &tooling alternatives, &integrate &assure plant installation, launch &continuous improvement of conventional ICE psgr vehicle 10 speed (RWD) transmission &BEV Electric Drive Unit (DU) assy &machining eqpt &tools to produce GM transmissions/DUs in high volume transmission &DU mfg plant environment. Define transmission/Electric DU plant layouts &assy (tooling, eqpt, machinery, hand tools, &gauges) processes &implement gap closures in Statements of Requirements (SORs), Bills of Equipment (BOEs), Bills of Process (BOPs), Bills of Material (BOMs), &Bills of Operation (BOOs). Support assy process engrg at Romulus (MI), Toledo (OH) &Silao (MEX) 10 speed transmission plants from product design through to Start of Regular Production (SORP). Define &implement corrective actions required in all Transmission Assembly areas (carriers, case assemblies, valve body assemblies, Main Line &Bottom up). Required travel to GM transmission plants in U.S. &MEX to evaluate &improve mfg processes &facilities layouts, &support launches, up to 10 wks P/A (equal to ~18% annual travel). Master, Mechanical Engrg; Industrial Engrg; Engrg w/ Specialization in Qlty Syss &Productivity; or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, defining transmission or Electric Drive Unit plant layouts &assy (tooling, equipment, machinery) processes &implementing gap closures in SORs, BOEs, BOPs, BOMs, &BOOs, or related. Mail resume to Ref#12928, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Researcher Warren, MI or Remote (Anywhere USA), General Motors. Research &develop solution techniques for efficiency improvement &optimization in electric vertical take-off &landing (eVTOL) aircraft or air taxis bus. ops. Abstract &formulate mathematical models for facility location, network optimization, vehicle routing, &sys ops in air taxi ops using continuous, integer, mixed integer programming, combinatorial optimization, &machine learning (ML) models. Design solution algorithms for formulated math problems using combination of methods in ML &Ops Research (OR), incl. clustering methods, neural networks, genetic/ant colony/simulated annealing algorithms, gradient or non-gradient based algorithm, dynamic &stochastic programming. Construct mixed integer linear &potentially nonlinear programming models using math modeling software or programming language in Python, Julia, C++, Java, CPLEX, AMPL &GAMS. Implement complex algorithms &integrate developed algorithms w/ functional modules developed w/ different programming languages, open sourced or proprietary SW incl. R, Julia, SAS &SQL. Prototype stochastic system w/ queuing models &simulation models using Simpy, AnyLogic, &Simio. PhD, Industrial or Civil Engineering, Math, ML, or related. 1 mo. exp as Engineer, Researcher, Graduate Research Asst, or related, aggregating data for simulation input in Python &constructing simulation model using Simio, or related. Remote: This option does not require employee to be on-site full-time to perform most effectively. The employee’s role enables them to work off-site on a permanent basis. Mail resume to Ref#886-112, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Researcher Researcher, Warren, MI or Remote (Anywhere USA), General Motors. Use statistical choice models trained on customer survey data by Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods, &simulation-optimization algorithms to run bundling &pricing scenarios for subscription services &inform strategic marketing decisions on new products through extensive data anlys, visualization, &processing in Python. Dvlp large-scale dynamic real-time stochastic optimization models to solve production, supply chain, logistics &marketing problems. Use approximate model-based &approximate simulation-based heuristics to solve problems &implement solution methods in Python. Present results of anlyss &insights to business stakeholders. Identify high-impact business problems &translate them into machine learning &optimization modeling tasks. Collect data required to solve problems. Formulate &solve problems. Implement solutions in Python. Evaluate performance of proposed solutions &communicate results &insights to business stakeholders. Doctorate (PhD), Industrial Engrg, Data Analytics Engrg, Civil Engrg, Applied Mathematics, Machine Learning, or related. 6 mos exp as Engineer, Researcher, Graduate Research Assistant or Associate, or related, dvlpg large-scale, dynamic real-time stochastic optimization models to solve problems, &using approximate model-based or simulation-based heuristics to solve problems &implement models &solution methods in Python, or related. Remote: This option does not require employee to be on-site full-time to perform most effectively. The employee’s role enables them to work off-site on a permanent basis. Mail resume to Ref#200-413, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Researcher Warren, MI or Remote (Anywhere USA), General Motors. Identify market opportunities &quantify tradeoffs btw. market share, profit, &engrg complexity throughout global vehicle dev process. Utilize Discrete Choice Models &Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods to enable to convert market research data, historical dealer sales, &inventory data into quantitative predictions of market share &profit. Solve Combinatorial Optztn probs via developing Nonlinear Integer Prgrms to perform order guide optimization &find efficient frontiers of optimal order guides for future vehicles, using combo of SW &programming languages including C, Python, CPLEX &AMPL. Develop robust solution frameworks for modeling problems, based on AI, dimensionality reduction, statistical hypothesis testing, &nonlinear Machine Learning (ML) models including Gradient Boosting (GB), Bagging, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), Autoencoders (AE), &Deep Learning (DL), manipulating problem-specific information to tailor the algorithms via customized regularization, model architecture &objective function. Implement the proposed methods in parallelized &modular Python programs. Utilize Monte Carlo sim techniques for stochastic problems. Master, Industrial or Civil Engrg, ML, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, Researcher, Grad. Research Asst/Associate, Graduate Services Asst, or related, developing solution framework for modeling problem, based on AI, dimensionality reduction, &nonlinear ML model including GB, RNN, &DL, to tailor algorithm, or related. Remote: This option does not require employee to be on-site fulltime to perform most effectively. The employee’s role enables them to work off-site on a permanent basis. Mail resume to Ref#151-309, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HELP WANTED

Seeking OFFICE ASSISTANT III at Oakland University Graduate School To provide specialized office assistance, coordinating procedural business or service activities for a complex program area involving processing, implementing, advising on, and reporting specialized subject matter. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Four years progressively responsible office experience, including direct experience in office coordination, i.e., prioritizing work assignments, maintaining work flow to meet deadlines. This is a full time, clerical-technical position. Salary is $44,592.00 annually. See online posting for additional position requirements. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

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4 Steps to Prep Your Room for Clean Paint Lines (StatePoint) A home painting project can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a beginner. However, if you do the right prep work, the painting process doesn’t have to be so intimidating. By following these steps, you’ll set yourself up for clean paint lines and amazing results, no matter your skill level. 1. Purchase Proper Supplies. Before the prep work can even begin, it’s vital to purchase the proper supplies. Create your list by considering the steps you’ll take to complete your project: cleaning the wall surface, taping off edges and then of course, applying paint. As you shop, remember that affordability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality tools. Use new sandpaper and sponges so the surface is smooth and clean to start. Fresh brushes and rollers will lead to professional-looking results, and a high-quality, cost-effective painter’s tape, like Duck Brand Clean Release, will help with achieving clean paint lines. Despite what many DIYers believe, using a primer is a necessary step, and shouldn’t be considered optional. Primer acts as a barrier and prevents old paint from showing through, so it really can make all the difference. In most cases, you’ll only need one coat of new paint if the surface is properly primed. Once you’ve chosen your primer, don’t forget the paint! Select the color and finish you prefer; then, purchase a sample and paint a small area to ensure it meets your expectations. 2. Declutter the Space. Once you’ve grabbed your supplies and decided on the paint color and finish, remove as much out of the room as possible to avoid any damage during painting. Small, easy-to-move furniture should be temporarily relocated to another space. Heavy, hard-to-move furniture can at least be pushed away from the wall and protected with covers. Switch plate covers, window treatments and light fixtures can be removed and stored until your paint has dried. 3. Make the Surface Smooth and Clean. For the perfect smooth finish, start by lightly sanding your walls to eliminate any existing imperfections. This will likely cause dust and debris to fall throughout the room, so vacuum and wipe down walls after you’re finished sanding, as the paint will apply more evenly if the surface is clean. The walls can be wiped with a sponge and a mixture of dish soap and warm water. 4. Tape and Protect. The final step to prepare your room for paint is to tape the walls and protect the floors and any other areas you want to keep paintfree. When applying Duck Brand Clean Release or other painter’s tapes, keep the pieces one to two feet in length for the easiest application and securest seal. For an extra-tight hold, use a tool such as a putty knife to smooth down the edges and help prevent paint bleed. As for the floor, cover the surface with an old sheet or protective film to catch any paint drips or spills, taping down the edges if needed to make sure no paint leaks through the edges. Once you’ve followed these steps, you’re set up for success and prepared to begin painting! Time to pick up your brush and start that room transformation.

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