MC Digital Edition 11.30.22

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Michigan Chronicle

Water Shutoff Moratorium in Detroit Is Closing

By Donald James Senior Writer, Real Times Media

The moratorium implement ed almost three years ago to stop water shutoffs for Detroit households during the COVID19 pandemic is scheduled to lift at midnight on Jan. 1, 2023. However, according to Gary Brown, Director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Depart ment (DWSD), shutoffs can be prevented by customers enroll ing in DWSD Lifeline Plan, De troit’s first water affordability program.

Developed in partnership with community advocates and water affordability experts, DWSD Lifeline Plan is an in come-based water affordability program. It offers qualifying customers a fixed monthly rate that will significantly reduce their monthly bill – and erase any past debt.

Ranked Choice Voting: Is a New Voting System the Future for Elections in Michigan?

By Donald James Senior Writer, Real Times Media

“When customers are en rolled in the Lifeline Plan, whatever the arrears are at that point, we pay them off,” Brown said. “And we do a home audit to fix plumbing issues so cus tomers can maintain a low usage of water.”

Based on a PowerPoint chart sent by Brown to the Michigan Chronicle, Lifeline offers qual ifying customers three tiers of affordable water payments. Tier 1 is $18 per month if household income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Tier 2 is $43 per month if household income is above 135% of FPL but at or below 150% of the FPL. Tier 3 is $56 per month if household income is above $150 of the FPL but at or below 200% of the FPL.

Brown’s goal is to enroll 20,000 customers into the plan. There are now approximately 10,000 customers signed up. Brown and his team are proac tively working to enroll more customers in Lifeline, which he calls “the best and most afford able water payment program in the country.” DWSD represen tatives are going door-to-door to sign customers on the spot. Brown’s team is also actively networking with community

Could Ranked-Choice Voting (RCV) ultimately replace the current voting system in Michigan? If Democratic State Sen. Adam Hollier (District 2) has his way, Michigan lawmakers will pass legis lation to do so and send to Gov. Gretch en Whitmer to sign into law. Before that happens – if it happens at all - Hollier knows there’s a lot of work to do to ed ucate people on the worth of the system that he hopes would go into effect begin ning Jan. 1, 2024.

On Sept. 28, Hollier introduced Michi gan Senate Bill 1187 in the State Senate, and it was referred to the Elections Com mittee for review. In the meantime, in quiring minds need to know more about Ranked-Choice Voting.

“It’s a voting system based on voters ranking their choice of candidates in a race,” Hollier said. “It is ranking who is your first choice, second choice, third choice, and fourth choice. You may like one candidate the most, but still like two or three other candidates.”

According to political sources familiar with RCV, if a candidate outright wins the majority of first-preference votes – 50% or higher - he or she is the declared winner.

If no candidate wins the outright majori ty of first -preference votes, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated. All first-preference votes for the failed candidate are eliminated, lifting the next-preference choices indicated on those ballots. A new tally is conducted to determine whether any candidate has won an outright majority of the adjusted votes. The process is repeated until a candidate wins the majority of votes cast. Confusing? Perhaps!

However, if Ranked-Choice Voting is

Sen. Adam Hollier

adopted

Hollier believes that RCV is the way to go, especially when political races have many candidates running. He feels that the system will cut down on some nega tive campaigning.

“It decreases the chance that people will campaign negatively about other can didates because it benefits the person to speak about himself or herself versus campaigning negatively about others,” Hollier said. “And the beauty of RCV is that it is an automatic runoff until a can didate gets the majority of votes of 50%plus.”

Yet, everybody is not on board with RCV. And many politically savvy politi cians admit that they don’t know much about the system. Some do, but don’t

The Unknown Face of Homelessness

By Rasha Almulaiki

Advancing Black Pathways Invests in Growing Black Wealth

As part of November’s Nation al Homeless Youth Awareness Month, we took a closer look at what was the scope of youth ex periencing homelessness in De troit, the factors that contribute to housing instability for young people and the community or ganizations providing a stable environment for those without a sustainable living environment.

“There are many reasons why a young person is experiencing homelessness,” said Courtney Smith, founder and CEO of De troit Phoenix Center. “We just came out of the greatest public health crisis in our country and so some young people may be experiencing homelessness alongside their parents due to the chronic disinvestment in our community’s low housing stock.”

Founded in 2017, Detroit

Phoenix Center is a high impact nonprofit organization that serves 150 youth year round, providing resources and sup port to young people who are at risk or currently experiencing homelessness. The organization includes a drop-in center where youth can take a shower and wash their clothes, a food pantry and wrap-around support includ ing mental health services and after-school programming.

Additionally, the Center pro vides emergency housing inter vention through providing rooms at hotels and offering the first month’s rent and security depos its for young people in the com munity. Their community out reach and programming reach up to 1,200 youth per year.

“Other reasons young people can find themselves homeless include employment or finan cial reasons,” said Smith. “Many

appear interested in changing to a new voting system.

“I’m not in favor of Ranked-Choice Voting. We already have finality in our elections,” said Jonathan Kinloch, chair of the 13th Congressional District Demo cratic Party and 3rd Vice Chair of the Mich igan Democratic Party. “We don’t need other systems of voting that will add more confusion to the voting process. Let’s just focus on getting people out to vote in mass numbers, and if a candidate has the right vision and buildout the right cam paign, he or she will have the opportunity to win the election.”

Nevertheless, some states and their respective cities are considering RVC or have already made the switch.

Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, and several other California cities have adopt ed RVC. In New York City, RCV generat ed a mayoral win for African American Eric Adams in 2021. Utah is currently in a pilot program mode which started in 2019 and will run to 2025 to determine if RCV will be the state’s voting system mainstay. Alaska uses RCV in federal and state-level races.

If RCV is passed, it won’t be exactly new in Michigan. In 2019, the City of East pointe held its citywide election using the unique voting system as part of a U.S. Justice Department consent decree. And the City of Ferndale approved a Charter change more than a decade ago to switch to RCV, but the suburban city just north of Detroit has not implemented the new system.

Many Democratic lawmakers feel that now is the right time to pass RCV since the recent Midterm Elections gave Democrats control of the State House and Senate. Republicans, by-and-large, have not been

young people have also been impacted by the juvenile legal system or the foster care system where they have nowhere else to turn. They get pushed out of those systems without many other resources.”

According to the McKin ney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, homelessness is defined as lacking a fixed, regu

lar and adequate nighttime resi dence.

Homeless living situations can include sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative ad

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in Michigan after going through the legislative process, it would allow voters to use the new system to vote in political races for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Michigan State Senate, and Michigan State House.

Monica Lewis-Patrick, president & CEO of We the People of Detroit

DTE connects customers to multimillion-dollar home heating programs

As Michigan braces for another cold winter and higher energy usage, DTE Energy is helping those facing financial hardships pay their bills. In the past 12 months, the company has helped connect its cus tomers to nearly $200 million in aid – more than ever before – and is gearing up with its partners now to continue this support in winter’s coldest months, when many will need it most.

Help is available for those having trouble paying their energy bills through many payment assistance options:

• For customers who need help paying their energy bill, there are several payment assistance pro grams. Contact DTE at 800.477.4747 as soon as you know you may have a challenge paying your bill.

• Customers may also dial 211 to reach a service agency for help in identifying all the assistance available.

• Customers may also be eligible for protection from disconnects based on income and other fac tors. Learn more at dteenergy.com/help

Across the country, and here in Michigan, power companies – like DTE Energy - are retir ing old coal-fired power plants for cleaner, more efficient, and newer sources of energy like wind, solar, and natural gas. And while this transfor mation will result in a cleaner and healthier environment for the communities DTE serves, our company must not lose sight of affordabili ty and reliability. DTE is doing everything in its power to keep customers’ energy bills as low as possible while keeping their lights on through a modern electric grid that is reliable.

DTE secures financial help for customers through its partner programs such as State Emer gency Relief (SER), the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP), as well as DTE’s own Low-In come Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP). Additionally, the company has donated $60 million in recent years to The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), United Way, Salvation Army and TrueNorth to help ensure Michigan homes remain safe and warm.

As a leader of this coalition, DTE serves as a conduit for the customer funding, a one-stop shop for financial help. “We want every in-need custom er to know that the help is here for you,” said Joi Harris, president and COO of DTE Gas. “You just have to reach out.”

While DTE is working with its coalition part ners to determine exactly how much money will be available in the next 12 months, Harris said it will once again amount to tens of millions of dollars. In addition, Harris announced that DTE will sup port THAW’s fundraising efforts during their annual Week of Warmth the first week in November. “We know these are challenging times for many across the state, so our goal is to provide direct assistance to those in need,” she said.

DTE’s approach to securing natural gas – buying gas over the course of 24 months before delivering it to customers – has traditionally protected cus tomers from recent energy price volatility. While natural gas prices have continued to rise across the country, DTE assures customers it is committed to keeping bills as affordable as possible and has mul tiple forms of help available for those who may be struggling.

DTE’s energy efficiency programs can also help customers see savings on their bills:

• Home Energy Consultations provide free, energy efficient products as well as money-saving tips for a single-family home, duplex or condominium. Customers can call 866.796.0512 to schedule a consultation.

• Customers who have a limited income may ex plore DTE’s Energy Efficiency Assistance (EEA) program, where qualifying customers can receive additional energy efficient products to help reduce their monthly bills.

And while no plan is perfect, DTE’s new CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) was developed to strike the right balance between reliability and affordability, while finding signifi cant cost savings for the company’s 2.3 million customers. The new CleanVision plan projects $1.4 billion in new, future savings for DTE Elec tric customers.

Other benefits from DTE’s CleanVision plan include:

• Generating reliable electricity through a bal anced and diverse mix of cleaner energy.

• Surpassing previously announced carbon emis sion (CO2) reduction goals by targeting 65% in 2028, 85% in 2035, 90% by 2040 and net zero by 2050.

• Developing more than 15,000 MW of wind and solar energy to power customers’ homes

Keep Energy Costs Down This Winter

Winter is coming and DTE has some tips to keep costs down as Michiganders begin to turn on their natural gas furnaces.

• Replace your thermostat with a programma ble model. Save up to $180 annually by pro gramming it for the season. Although thermo stats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by re turning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.

■ Consider setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.

• Save up to $200 a year by sealing air leaks around your home to keep heat in and cold air outside and adding proper insulation. Add caulk or weather stripping as necessary to seal leaks around windows and doors.

• Inspect and replace your furnace filter at the start of the season and at least every 3 months to ensure your furnace can work at peak efficiency.

and businesses. This renewable energy gener ation is equivalent to the electricity needed to power approximately 4 million homes.

• Repurposing the existing Belle River power plant to run on natural gas instead of coal, which will significantly reduce emissions while providing energy as needed to meet periods of high customer demand. This will also support electric reliability and affordability.

• Starting the phased retirement approach of the Monroe Power Plant with two units retiring in

2028, nearly 12 years ahead of plan. The last two units will retire in 2035, nearly five years earlier than planned.

• Investing $9 billion into Michigan’s economy over the next 10 years and supporting more than 25,000 jobs.

This is an exciting time for DTE and its customers as the company accelerates its clean energy journey. You can learn more about DTE’s CleanVision plan by visiting www.dtecleanenergy.com.

ters or baseboard heaters.

Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. If you do use the fireplace, you can install tempered glass doors and a heatair exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.

Ensure the roof has adequate ventilation to avoid ice blockages.

Replace your screens with storm windows to provide an extra barrier to the cold outside winter air.

• Use a humidifier with an adjustable humidi stat to maintain desired humidity and set it so the appliance does not run continuously. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help you feel comfortable when your thermostat is set at a lower tem perature.

• Keep draperies and blinds open on your south-facing windows during winter days to have sunlight help warm your home. Keep curtains closed at night to reduce chill and drafts.

• Make sure that rugs, drapes or furniture are not blocking airflow to heating/cooling regis

Change the blade direction of your ceiling fan and operate it at low speed in a clockwise direction. This produces a gentle updraft, which forces warm air near the ceiling down into the occupied space.

■ ENERGY STAR-certified ceiling fans with lights are 60% more efficient than conven tional fan/light units, saving you $180 in energy costs over the fan's 10-year life time. They also use improved motors and blade designs.

For customers who need help paying their energy bills, DTE offers several payment as sistance programs and can be reached at 800.477.4747.

Detroit Police Athletic League, (PAL) Inc. – $10,000

Local organizations committed to promoting economic prosperity and transforming communities in Detroit recently received $1.26 million in grant support from the DTE Energy Foundation. Recipients include ACCESS, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Downtown Detroit Partnership and seven other southeast Michigan nonprofit entities.

“Economic vitality driven by innovation and inclusive opportunities makes communities more desir able places to live, work and prosper,” said Lynette Dowler, president, DTE Foundation. “We selected these organizations because they support families in need, attract people and businesses to our state, and promote events that connect each of us to our neighbors.

The DTE Foundation is dedicated to cultivating diverse, inclusive and equitable communities and supports nonprofit organizations focused on education and employment, the environment, human needs, arts and culture, community transformation and economic progress.

“Driving economic prosperity and helping communities transform during challenging times requires passion, energy and resources,” added Dowler. “The DTE Foundation is grateful to the organizations that perform this important work each day and we’re proud to support their efforts to create equity, opportunity, community vitality and sustainability across southeast Michigan.”

From growing local entrepreneurship to bringing residents together for beloved events like the Detroit Tree Lighting, these grants will help reinforce Detroit as a top city to live, work and visit.

ACCESS – $300,000

ACCESS offers 120 programs at 10 sites throughout southeast Michigan, primarily serving immigrants, minorities and economically challenged residents and families. The organization was founded in 1971 and is the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the United States.

Belle Isle Conservancy – $30,000

This support will advance the Belle Isle Conservancy's mission to protect, preserve, restore, and en hance the natural environment, historic structures, and unique character of Belle Isle as a public park for the enjoyment of all – now and forever.

Detroit Crime Commission (DCC) – $30,000

The Detroit Crime Commission (DCC) will use the grant to reduce the impact of blight in Detroit neighborhoods. Particular emphasis will be placed on blighted buildings that pose a threat to the safe passage of children on the way to Detroit Public Schools

Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) – $200,000

This grant will assist the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, an economic catalyst for the City of Detroit, in its daily work to generate new jobs, grow neighborhood small businesses and reduce com mercial vacancy as well as develop vacant commercial land.

For over 53 years, Detroit PAL has been providing constructive sports and youth enrichment activities for Detroit area youth. Through our G.R.E.A.T model, we aim to instill five fundamental lessons for our youth: Goal Setting, Resilience, Embracing a Healthy & Active Lifestyle, Accountability and Teamwork. Through focused activities, we are able to connect our participants to valuable resources such as men toring, STEM programs, college and career exposures and more. This grant will help to support our mission in helping youth find their GREATness!

Downtown Detroit Partnership – Detroit’s Tree Lighting Ceremony ($450,000) and Detroit Homecoming IX ($50,000)

As the official kickoff of the holiday season, the Downtown Detroit Partnership hosts the annual De troit Tree Lighting Ceremony, which attracts 100,000 attendees throughout the Downtown. The grant will assist the DDP with critical resources to produce this family-friendly, festive event for the next three years.

Detroit Homecoming IX serves to engage expats in Detroit’s economic and social renaissance. For three days, expats connect with locals to learn, network and explore, discovering new ways to support their hometown. The funds also ensure legacy Detroiters and people of color are included in the city’s future.

Michigan Municipal League – $60,000

This grant will help fund the MMLF Bridge Builders Microgrants program, which brings communities together through creative projects. These projects are intentionally collaborative, bringing together neighbors, artists, business owners, and more to transform main street spaces. Microgrants draw cli ents to downtown businesses and unite people in diverse groups in the community who may not otherwise meet.

TechTown Detroit – $40,000

TechTown Detroit serves as Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub, and this support will be directed toward minority-owned small business support in Southwest Detroit, accelerating an inclusive and equitable economy for our region.

United Community Housing Coalition – $60,000

The Housing Coalition will use this grant to help thousands of Detroit residents with tax foreclosure prevention assistance. And, through its Make it Home project, the organization will also help hundreds of tenants purchase the tax-foreclosed homes they occupy, creating hundreds of new homeowners.

Vanguard Community Development Corporation – $30,000

This grant help fund the North End transformation initiative and support community engagement pro grams such as safety education, beautification projects, community organizing, community roundtables, seminars and newsletters.

Metro Detroit nonprofits receive $1.26 million in grants from DTE Energy Foundation to support economic progress and community transformation

Black Women Are Changing the Narrative of Lupus

By Sherri Kolade

One tear fell from her eye after the un thinkable became a deafening reality for metro Detroit resident Sharron Harris after receiving a biopsy result over 10 years ago.

Harris, 43, was tested for the auto immune disorder lupus and within just one month of her college graduation in 2011 from Florida A&M University, her whole world changed after the official diagnosis.

“It looked like I had vitiligo and … I went to the dermatologist and when she was looking at me, she said, ‘You have lupus.’ I never heard of that in my entire life.”

Harris quickly learned what that meant, and the bubbly broadcast jour nalism graduate faced a long road paved with gastrointestinal problems, like Chron’s disease, fatigue and more, which led her to be off work.

About 1.5 million Americans have some form of lupus with about 90 per cent of those diagnoses belonging to women, according to lupus.org.

More statistics reveal that as many as one in 250 African American women like Harris will develop the autoimmune dis order in their lifetime.

The somewhat misunderstood disor der attacks the body’s immune system and can put healthy cells and tissues at risk.

This disorder can affect many body parts, including the joints, skin, kid neys, heart, blood vessels, lungs and brain. Lupus patients can experience pe riods of wellness (remissions) and peri ods of active disease or flares, according to lupus.org.

What causes lupus is unknown, though some scientists believe that it is genetic, or is triggered by certain medi cations, infection or stress. While there is no cure for lupus, certain medications can help ease symptoms along with some healthy practices.

Individuals living with lupus should:

• Protect themselves from the sun, espe cially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

• Eat a well-balanced diet.

• Exercise regularly .

• Get plenty of rest.

• Reach out to your support system. While people of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus and it is three times more common in African Ameri

can women than in Caucasian women. It is also more common, occurs at a younger age and is more severe in Afri can Americans.

“It is not known why lupus is more common in African Americans,” accord ing to lupus.org. “Some scientists think that it is related to genes, but we know that hormones and environmental fac tors play a role in who develops lupus. There is a lot of research being done in this area, so contact the LFA for the most up-to-date research information, or to volunteer for some of these import ant research studies.”

“What keeps me going is because we need more resources,” Harris said, adding that fatigue, kidney problems and other issues arise. “[It] can affect any organ in the body.… Your joints hurt...and it is hard for you to sleep.”

Harris, the executive director of Lupus Detroit (the only nonprofit that caters to Lupus Warriors in the city) said that Lupus Detroit raises money for Lupus “warriors” who need assistance with medication, rent and the like. It also awards educational grants.

Harris began the organization to help others who have faced similar issues.

“I was like, ‘I can do this myself,’” she said, adding that it was “scary” to start the organization but once she did it began to take shape. “Lupus Detroit has a big community and I’m very proud.... We’re a six-figure organization because the people believe in our mission.”

Harris said that medical intervention is key when combatting lupus because the disease can sometimes mimic other diseases and continued care is critical.

“Many lupus warriors have problems with their lungs, or have neuropathy,” Harris said of the chronic invisible ill ness.

Others in Michigan are interested in helping lupus warriors, too.

The University of Michigan Lupus Program provides care to patients with lupus. Its center is designed to provide expert care for a patient with lupus, with access to the latest treatments and clin ical trials.

UM’s team of rheumatologists, ne phrologists, pulmonologists, hematolo gists, dermatologists and high-risk ob stetricians and gynecologists, all with a special interest in lupus, provide com prehensive care for all lupus patients.

Patients can schedule an appoint ment by calling 888-229-3065 or visiting milupus.org for more information.

Money.

Tis the season to save

Seven tips to stretch your money this holiday shopping season

Consumer purchasing power is more di verse than ever, with Black consumers as central drivers of seasonal spending. As you prepare your holiday shopping list – and your budget – remember, a little bit of plan ning can go a long way to achieving a finan cially healthy holiday season.

With the holiday shopping season upon us, here are seven essential money-saving tips for consumers ahead of the busy spend ing season

Build a holiday budget – and stick to it. There’s so much pressure during the holiday season to buy and it’s easy to spend more money than you planned. Consider using tools like Budget, or another budgeting app, to help you stay on track and prevent over spending.

Open a dedicated savings account. You might consider opening a holiday-specific savings account to put money aside each week. Saving for later will help make a dif ference when it’s time to buy gifts for your loved ones.

Stakeholders Weigh in as Major Redevelopment Proposed in The District Detroit

By Sherri Kolade

With just 50 blocks, six theaters, five neighborhoods, and four sports teams, District Detroit, nestled be tween downtown and Midtown, is an ever-evolving and expanding land scape that stakeholders can’t’ help but get behind to benefit impacted residents and businesses alike in a new multimillion development on tap.

more public spaces across 10 prop erties in The District, according to a press release. The housing would en tail 695 mixed-income residential units – 20 percent of which are reserved as affordable housing at 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) and be low, according to The District’s web site, districtdetroit.com.

to neighborhoods beyond the initial development investment.

The City of Detroit has mailed in vitations to a series of community meetings with Related and Olympia Development to 6500 households in the four-census tract impact area. The City intentionally expanded the size of the impact zone for this project to maximize the opportunities for com munity participation.

might ap peal to someone on your list.

Use credit responsibly. Credit cards are handy financial tools, as long as they’re used responsibly. Make sure you pay the balance each month by the due date to avoid interest charges or pay at least the minimum pay ment to avoid late fees. Resist the tempta tion to spend more than you can pay in any given month.

Take advantage of coupons and discounts. Retailers have already started holiday sales and, of course, all of the popular discount days – Black Friday, Small Business Satur day and Cyber Monday – present opportuni ties to save. You can also use money-saving apps like RetailMeNot, Honey and Rakuten to get cash-back deals and discounts auto matically when you shop online.

Cut back on other expenses. The holiday season is a good time to cut back on impulse shopping or frivolous spending. Cutting out those unnecessary expenditures will al low you to account for the season’s natural surge in discretionary spending.

Sign up for credit monitoring. The holi day season is a particularly vulnerable time for credit card fraud. Millions of people fall victim to fraudulent activity every year, and scams are more frequent than ever. Make sure you monitor your credit score and iden tity with confidence and sign up to receive alerts from Chase’s Credit Journey.

content from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Bordered by Martin Luther King Boulevard, Brush Street, E. Jefferson, and Trumbull -- to the south of Cass Corridor – in the city, The District is at it again as the entertainment and sports district is looking to expand its offerings through a $1.5 billion multi-building development through Related Companies and Olympia De velopment of Michigan (ODM) and the City of Detroit.

Related Companies is a global real estate and lifestyle company.

The entities recently announced plans underway starting with a Com munity Benefits Ordinance (CBO) process for the proposed mixed-use development entailing plans to build new spaces housing retail, affordable residential housing, an office, and

“Detroit’s future is incredibly promising and Related is committed to harnessing the potential of the DCI to drive inclusive economic growth,” said Andrew Cantor, president of Related Michigan in a press release.

“These projects are important piec es of the puzzle that will help create world-class spaces for the people of this city and we look forward to con tinuing to work hand in hand with members of the community to realize this shared vision.”

Detroit is the only major city to have a community benefits ordinance that gives residents living in the area impacted by a development a say in the project and the ability to negotiate certain benefits. To date, 12 complet ed CBO processes have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in benefits

The CBO process marks the next phase of plans geared to attract and retain talent and inclusive economic development in Detroit and through out the state.

The first meeting for residents in the areas surrounding the develop ment will take place at 6 p.m. on Tues day, November 29 at Cass Technical High School, 2501 2nd Ave.

“These projects will build on the successful progress such as Little Caesars world headquarters, 2715 Woodward, the Eddystone residenc es, and the multiple historic resi dential developments open or under way,” said Keith Bradford, President of Olympia Development of Michigan

Advancing Black Pathways Invests in Growing Black Wealth

30%

unique

By Rasha Almulaiki

For more than 85 years, JPMor gan Chase & Co. has maintained a dedicated presence in Detroit’s financial and business sectors. In 2019, JP Morgan Chase launched the Advancing Black Pathways (ABP)initiative to address racial eq uity gaps in Black and Brown com munities.

As part of 15 cities selected for the firm’s Advancing Cities im pact-strategy, Detroit was highlight ed to tackle the city’s burgeoning issues of housing, employment, and Black talent-cultivation.

“We created a city strategies out look to explore the needs of commu nities of color,” Byna Elliott, global head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase. “In Detroit, we hosted a lot of listening sessions with partners to talk about where we could be an added value.

Detroit is really unique and in a

The firm’s latest racial equity strategy is an upcoming launch of the Advancing Black Pathway’s Fel lowship Program specifically tai lored for college sophomores and juniors and seniors to prepare for corporate work.

Each college student will engage in a six-week paid summer pre-in ternship focused on exposure to the firm, learning to acclimate to corpo rate American, building soft skills, three-week trainings with local line of business, and a cumulative cap stone project.

In Wayne County, the firm has 41 Chase branches, with more than

Over the next five years, the firm’s ABP framework committed $30 billion to a multi-pronged ap proach to addressing disparities in communities of color focusing on education, wealth, and career path ways.

Detroit-based, Black-led Business Bootcamp

In August, as part of the Advanc ing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative, JPMorgan Chase unveiled their B3 Elevation: Branding and Building Black entrepreneurship program in Detroit. The bootcamp is geared to ward providing Detroit-based Black entrepreneurs branding, coaching,

Explore your credit card offers. Many credit cards have special offers based on your previous purchases that can help save money on holiday gifts, while others give special cash back deals for online purchas es. Take advantage of those discounts and be flexible. If you can’t find a good deal on the gift you originally planned to buy, see if any of the special offers you qualify for

Sponsored

The District Detroit is expanding with a multi-million development with a proposed mixed-income, mixed-use development in the city of Detroit.

The District Detroit has plans to build out a local development in the city through a public-private partnership aimed to create an even better future for The District Detroit.

position because the firm had been in Detroit with Advancing Cities. Detroit was really our fer tile ground for a lot of things taken place in other places. We already had a commitment of over $100 mil lion in resources and we are work ing to continue anchoring and grow ing our impact here.”

of branches in low-to-moderate income areas. Since 2014, JP Mor gan Chase & Co. has invested $200 million in capital and philanthrop ic investments to support the city during difficult times through re covering from municipal bankrupt cy and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Byna Elliott is the head of JPMorgan Chase’s Advanc ing Black Pathways.

Photo courtesy of JP Morgan Chase & Co.

and The District Detroit. “The construc tion and operations of each project will help our state and region attract the world’s leading companies and top talent to Detroit while maximizing economic op portunity for those who are already here. We look forward to working with the City and community partners to garner input while creating places and spaces all De troiters can enjoy.”

The proposed development includes the construction of six new buildings and the renovation and adaptive reuse of four historic buildings. The mix and type of proposed projects reflect significant ini tial feedback from the developers’ contin ued community engagement, including more than 250 community engagement meetings to date, which will continue through the city-led community benefits process.

Building upon Related Companies’ and ODM’s previously announced shared vision for The District Detroit and the De troit Center for Innovation (DCI), a worldclass research, education, and entrepre neurship center.

Several parts of this phase of the pro posed mixed-use projects in The District Detroit include:

Two new construction residential buildings:

• 2250 Woodward Avenue. A proposed mixed-use development that includes residential space with ground-floor re tail.

• 2205 Cass Avenue. A proposed residen tial building will be part of the mixeduse campus of the DCI.

Two historic preservation residential buildings:

• 408 Temple Street. Proposed renovation into a mixed-use building with firstfloor retail and residential space.

• 2210 Park Avenue. Proposed renovation into a mixed-use facility with first-floor retail and residential space.

Four commercial office buildings: 2200 Woodward Avenue. A proposed mixed-use development that includes first-floor retail and office space.

2305 Woodward Avenue or 2300 Cass Avenue. A proposed mixed-use develop ment that includes first-floor retail with office space above.

Two different locations are under con sideration for this structure depending on prospective tenant feedback – either: (a) 2305 Woodward Avenue, west of Wood ward Avenue, East of Park Avenue, south of I-75 and north of Montcalm Street, or (b) 2300 Cass, east of Cass Avenue, west of Clifford Street, south of I-75 and north

of Montcalm Street.

“We are excited about this next phase of development for The District Detroit and the benefits it will bring to the city. Our conversations with community mem bers and leaders through our ongoing community engagement have been criti cal in helping to inform our plans, and we are looking forward to building on those conversations through the CBO process,” said Rian English Barnhill, vice president of Government & Community Affairs at Olympia Development of Michigan.

This proposal for a package of trans formative real estate development proj ects in The District Detroit is in addition to retail, entertainment, office, and resi dential development underway or recent ly completed by Olympia Development. The list includes Cass & Henry, a propos al to restore six residential buildings and community space on a single historically designated block in The District Detroit, the recent restoration of the historic Ed dystone residences, and the Residenc es@150 Bagley led by Bagley Develop ment Group. These projects together represent 410 new homes in Detroit, 131 of which are reserved as affordable hous ing for residents earning 30-80 percent of the area median income rate.

The first two meetings will be held on November 29 and December 6. These ini tial meetings will allow members of the surrounding community to learn more about the proposed development plans and share their feedback and to select community representatives on the Neigh borhood Advisory Council (NAC) that will negotiate the community benefits agree ment.

The City’s community benefits or dinance requires a minimum of seven meetings. Members of the NAC, who

must live in the impacted area and be at least 18 years of age, negotiate various community benefits specific to the proj ects to address anticipated impacts, such as programs to help residents participate in the economic opportunities created by the development. Once the NAC and developers agree on a series of benefits and timelines, the NAC votes to endorse the community benefits agreement. That agreement is then forwarded to City Council for final approval.

“Developments of this quality and scale provide an incredible opportuni ty for Detroiters to directly benefit from them, whether that means job training in the construction trades, employment in the developments, affordable housing, or being part of the process to negotiate a community benefits package,” said Ni cole Sherard Freeman, who serves as the City’s Group Executive for Jobs, Econo my & Detroit at Work. “Residents who en gage in this process will have the ability to help shape the transformational possi bilities this development will have on this district for years to come.”

“This is an exciting announcement for Detroit and an incredible opportunity for District 6 residents in the impact area to be at the table for discussions about the future of their neighborhood. I encourage local residents to be actively engaged in the upcoming CBO process and to share their vision and hopes with the develop ers,” said Gabriela Santiago-Romero, De troit City Council Member for District 6. “Residents are also welcome to contact my office if they have any questions.”

Learn more at OlympiaDevelopment Mi.com and districtdetroit.com.

and a $5,000 grant award.

Organized by DP Marketing Strategies, Inc, a Black-owned advertising agency founded in Detroit, the 10-week program includes branding training, rev enue-generating marketing ser vices, and grant money to help small businesses scale long term.

“B3 Elevation is truly a passion project for me, that I know helps to enable Black-owned businesses to build capacity, operate efficient ly and compete effectively in the marketplace,” said Diane Palmer, CEO of DP Marketing Strategies and Founder of B3 Elevation said in a statement.

“JPMorgan Chase’s commit ment to accelerating financial outcomes for Black entrepreneurs through Advancing Black Path ways made the firm an ideal part ner for this bootcamp”.

The cohort is selected from lo cal businesses that meet eligibili ty criteria of being locally based in Detroit, 51% or more Black-owned, three years in business, and a gross annual income of $100K or higher, and a minimum of two W4 employees or 1099 independent contractors.

The 25 select Black entrepre neurs will further advance their knowledge in four areas: cred itworthiness, digital presence (web, social media, and public relations), business certificates, and protection from legal fallout. Each participant recently graduat ed from 10 training and coaching sessions from September 7 to No vember 9, 2022.

The B3 Elevation opportunity is supported by local communi ty partners, including First Inde pendence Bank, Michigan Small Business Development CenterSoutheast Region, Detroit Urban League, Black United Fund of Michigan, and more.

“We want to be intentional about how to serve our custom ers and community,” said Elliott. “Our commitment is ensuring our presence is valuable in places where there is a high concentra tion of Black families, individu als, consumers, and businesses, and talent. With the right care and investment, we can work togeth er to break the racial wealth gap barriers and provide the resources needed to succeed and grow.”

The District Detroit is looking to build a proposed mixed-income, mixed-use develop ment in Detroit.

East Side nonprofit's big plans include community hub and housing project

By David Sands

Bishop Daryl Harris has fond mem ories of his formative years in the area now known as Detroit's Osborn neighborhood. A long time resident whose Total Life Christian Ministries church is headquartered there, he remembers when it was full of com merce and activity.

"Back in the '70s and '80s, there was nothing but plush housing and a lot of businesses up and down Gratiot and along the corridors of Six Mille, Seven Mile, and Eight Mile," says Harris. "The Detroit city airport was open for business, so it became a thriving area."

Unfortunately, Osborn has experienced a decline in fortunes over the last few de cades. Blight has crept in, the crime rate spiked. And, according to Data Driven De troit, the population dropped a staggering 27.3 percent between 2000 and 2010.

For the last decade, however, Harris has been working with the Osborn Busi ness Association (OBA) — a group he now chairs — to support local businesses and business development. He's particularly excited about a project being spearhead ed by OBA's parent nonprofit, the Osborn Neighborhood Alliance (ONA) to bring a new space called the Osborn Community Hub to the neighborhood.

Located at the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Hazelridge Street, the three-story building ONA hopes to rehab for the proj ect once served as home to a dance club called the Beehive. The nonprofit is intent on converting the facility into a combined business and community space that will also serve as its new headquarters.

"It's going to be something that helps the people, bringing business back to the area again and raising the pride of the neighborhood," says Harris. "I think it's going to be a wonderful thing."

Learning gardens and housing ONA's plans for the Osborn Communi ty Hub may be one of the more ambitious development projects the nonprofit has taken on. But it builds on earlier efforts. About six years ago, Wells Fargo awarded the organization a $50,000 grant to help clean up an area on Mapleridge Street.

"When we cleaned up, the board was really impressed and said, 'Let's adopt this area and just try to develop it,'" says Quincy Jones, ONA's executive director.

With federal funding, the nonprofit was able to take down several derelict build ings on the block. Then collaborating with the Greening of Detroit, Bank of America, and American Forests it established an outdoor learning garden, a 44-squarefoot green space featuring benches, a mini-playground, and a variety of plants intended to attract butterflies. ONA also rehabbed a home at 13770 Mapleridge

Street, which was later sold to a local res ident.

"That was kind of a beta testing to see if this is an area that people want to live in and get a mortgage," says Jones. "And we found out, when you clean up and make green space and renovate a home, there are people that want to live in the neigh borhood and stay in the city."

The nonprofit is now focusing its ener gies there on what it calls the Mapleridge Housing Project. The $1.1 million effort will involve establishing around 18 new homes on Mapleridge street through a combi nation of renovation and new home con struction. It plans to break ground on the project in October and expects construc tion to wrap up in late 2023.

A 'premier hub' for the East Side

The Osborn Community Hub began as

a

Work has continued, however. In fact, the nonprofit recently completed render ings for the 7,000-square-foot facility. They show a facility brimming with possi bilities. For businesses or residents looking for work or meeting space, there's plenty of room. There's also a gallery, computer tech studio, fabrication lab, mechanical equipment and storage space, rooms that can be used for focus group testing, and a roof deck and outdoor courtyard that can be rented for events.

"We really want to be this premier hub for the East Side," says Jones. "We want to

The ONA director feels the hub will serve as a great spot for different business es to collaborate, as well as a place where community members, including local youth to meet, hold events and activities, and get access to computers and WiFi. He also believes the building will be a boon to existing local businesses by increasing foot traffic and interest in the area.

The new project has certainly piqued the interest of Arnthera Reynolds, an Osborn resident who serves as ONA's board chair.

"I can't wait 'til that's up and running, so I can be a part of it. The neighborhood needs a hub where people can come and mingle and work on projects together," she says.

Right now, the ONA is focused on rais ing capital to see the project. Once that's done, the nonprofit hopes to break ground before the end of the year, if possible, and have renovations completed in 2023.

Harris, who participated in the facility's planning, hopes the new facility will func tion as a true hub, drawing people and in terest to the area

"I'm really looking forward to this hub continuing to add to the fellowship of the neighborhood," he says. "Just like we have downtown, we're hoping we can have an uptown, where people can come and just bring that pride back to the businesses that are there and attract more businesses that can remain and help the community."

Resilient Neighborhoods is a reporting and engagement series that examines how Detroit residents and community development organizations are working together to strengthen local neighborhoods. This story was originally produced and published by Model D Media and is reprinted in New Michigan Media newspapers through a partnership supported by the Kresge Foundation.

PHOTO CREDITS: STEVE KOSS

joint effort with TechTown Detroit. The two organizations held numerous meet ings, surveyed local businesses, and even selected a site at 13334 Gratiot Ave. Then COVID hit and ONA found they would have to continue with the project on their own.

support local entrepreneurs that want to have space, people that may want to rent out the building for local events, and also emerging tech companies that want to test out their products."

These houses are located on the future site of the Mapleridge Housing Project.

Future site of the Osborn Community Hub.

Bishop Daryl Harris walks through Osborn

ity. L ife

Tips for Planning Winter Getaways

(Family Features) Winter occasions and celebrations equate to increased travel opportunities for many families to see destinations around the globe. Whether you’re planning a trip far from home or taking advantage of nearby at tractions during a staycation, you can get more out of your adventures when you plan ahead.

Consider these facts, figures and tips from the travel experts at Go City, a top attractions and experiences pass for city travelers.

Planning

Overall, Americans spend an average of 14 hours planning their getaway, the majority of which happens online or with the help of apps that provide book ing information, directions, localized tips and more. In addition to deciding where to go and what to do once you get there, you may find planning ahead and checking restaurant reviews is espe cially helpful for those first hours after you arrive. Upon arrival, the first order of business for travelers is often refuel ing with a good meal, typically based on reviews they read before reaching their destination. Also research attractions and create a plan of things you’d like to do each day, even if you don’t follow it to the letter.

Remember, while many attractions and entertainment options provide flex ibility, some should be booked in ad vance. Check individual websites for events, attractions and more to find details about booking and tickets, if re quired.

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

By Sherri Kolade

Holiday shopping is a festive experi ence all in itself.

Winter-wonderland-themed stores bring nostalgia, memo ries, and a hope-fueled holi day season to mind as con sumers bustle and shop for friends and family.

Buying Black, however, during the holidays, is a completely different vibe that harkens back to days of old when Black-owned shopkeepers lined main streets and one didn’t have to look too far to find the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick makers good when purposing to fill their cupboards and some one else’s stockings, especially during the holidays.

Destination

If you’re like many Americans, you may favor traveling to a place where the temperatures soar and you can soak up some sunshine. However, taking advan tage of some of those typically warmer destinations outside of peak season can actually provide a way to avoid lines and enjoy a break from the heat. For exam ple, locals in Orlando prefer to visit the area’s popular theme parks in the win ter. Using an option like Go City can help you save and experience more to make your in- or offseason trip even bet ter with access to Legoland Florida, Fun Spot America and Boggy Creek Airboat Tours.

The experience passes provide ac cess to popular attractions in 30 major cities around the world such as New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando, London, Bangkok, Barcelona, Dubai and more. Cancun is another hot spot; using the All-Inclusive Pass during the cooler months allows you to take advantage of one of the best times of the year to enjoy Xcaret at Night, along with the Cancun Scenic Tower. Other favorites among vis

What’s old is new again as giving back to one of your own while shopping Black – es pecially during Christmastime – is made easier than ever now as a myriad of Black businesses are bringing hol

“The biggest thing I can say ... is when you buy Black you sup port a family,” a past vendor told the Michigan Chronicle.

Now in its sixth year, the Downtown Detroit Markets have supported small busi nesses that generated mil lions in overall sales. The Downtown Detroit Markets have seen dozens of small businesses return for multi ple seasons, and many have used the opportunity as a launching pad toward a brickand-mortar storefront.

partner

Managed

K. Walker Collective Opens Doors to Its US Flagship Store

presented at New York

concept,

Week and most recently created unique jer seys for the Detroit Pistons’ G League club, the Motor City Cruises.

“I want every guest and future customer to feel welcomed, inspired and impressed with our industrial, Avant-garde and craftsmanship beyond our sales floor but down to the pri vate label garments we create and offer.” Said Walker, founder of K. Walker Collective.

The 1,700 square-foot retail space will fo cus on industrial craftsmanship, while serv

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

The doors to the K. Walker Collective’s U.S. flagship store is open.

On Saturday, November 26, K. Walker Col lective officially opened its US flagship store at 4161 Cass Ave. in Detroit.

K. Walker Collective, founded in 2018 by Detroit-native Ken Walker, offers essential clothing and accessories aimed at the fashion icon and change-maker. The private label tai lors’ apparel for the professional who discov ers alignment in their dress that speaks vol ume when one steps into any room.

Ken Walker, a passionate believer in his

has

Fashion

iday cheer home as part of the Bedrock and the Gilbert Family Foundation’s return of the Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge as well as other winter activi

in

ship with Bedrock and the Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Down town Detroit Markets will feature primarily 18 BIPOC or female-owned pop-up vendors. New

Think twice about going to a big-box store for holiday shopping and check out offerings at Bedrock’s Downtown Detroit Markets holiday shopping experience.

Vendor Janna Kay Charcuterie promises to offer up

and sweet treats during this holiday market season.

K.Walker Collective

From page B-1

ing as Midtown Detroit’s first private label brand to have its own flagship store. The K. Walker Collective brand embodies the lifestyle and deserved expectations of the audacious professional.

“I aim for K. Walker Col lective to be completely po sitioned as a trailblazing lifestyle brand, not just a clothing brand. I want my store to be a beacon of hope and to be creative inspiration for the youth.” Said Walker.

The store is nestled in the heart of midtown, a few steps away from his alma mater, Detroit School of Arts (DSA) bridging a full circle moment for the founder as his dreams are coming true.

“Community is at the core and our store will show the world that Detroit is an unde niable fashion-forward city.” Said Walker.

K. Walker Collective is lo cated at 4161 Cass Ave. in Detroit. Follow on social @ kwalkerco

Winter Getaways

From page B-1

itors include the Sky Wheel and parasailing adventures.

Packing

Smart packing is an of ten-overlooked secret to suc cessful travel. Not only do you need enough attire for each day, you may also need ex tras to accommodate special activities or adjust to chang ing temperatures throughout the day and evening hours.

The majority of Americans (63%) pack the night before a big trip but starting soon er can help ensure you don’t forget anything important. Starting a list well ahead of time can help you get a jump on your packing while sav ing the physical act of fitting everything into your luggage until closer to departure.

Excursions

Taking advantage of the unique activities and ex cursions is a smart way to immerse yourself and more fully experience the cities you visit. On average, Amer icans participate in five activ

ities and excursions during a single trip; most of the time, those outings are planned from home as much as four weeks ahead of time, rath er than upon arriving in the destination city.

If you’re planning to schedule excursions on your trip, explore resources like Go City, which can help you save up to 60% over gate ad mission prices. Passes can unlock the best a city has to offer, from bucket list at tractions and top tours in the United States, such as Uni versal Studios, Sea World, Shedd Aquarium, Long Beach Aquarium and the Statue of Liberty, or abroad like the Vatican, the Eiffel Tower and more. There are also plenty of hidden gems and exclusive experiences such as a tour of Fenway Park, Texas Ranger Museum, Museum of Us, Cor al Crater Adventure Park and even wine and cheese-mak ing classes.

Start planning your win ter travel adventure at gocity. com.

From page B-1

this year, TechTown partnership to enhance the vendor experi ence, providing business and mentorship opportunities.

The Gilbert Family Founda tion and Bedrock are also an nouncing the return of the Ca dillac Lodge. A welcome, winter fixture Downtown, the Lodge offers a warm, family-friendly environment for all Detroit res idents and visitors, which has treats and drinks available for the whole family.

In addition to providing space for local entrepreneurs, the Gilbert Family Foundation and Bedrock have partnered with TechTown, Detroit’s entre preneurship hub, to support the Market vendors with workshops and one-on-one business men torship.

“The Gilbert Family Foun dation believes in the pow er of entrepreneurship and public space,” said Laura Grannemann, executive direc tor of the Gilbert Family Foun dation in a press release. “The Downtown Detroit Markets are an important opportunity for Detroit entrepreneurs to test new products, gain exposure to new customers, and grow their brands in a beautiful public space that brings everyone to gether.”

The Downtown Detroit Mar kets, managed with support from Bedrock and the Down town Detroit Partnership, will be open through the end of 2022.

Now in its fifth year, the Downtown Detroit Markets have offered a launchpad to more than 130 small businesses that have generated nearly $6 mil lion in overall sales. Over the years, nineteen small business es have taken part in the Mar kets more than once, and some have gone on to open brick-andmortar storefronts.

“Throughout the years, we have been fortunate to help fos ter the growth of a mix of local businesses at the Markets, and this makes the program truly special. There will be some thing for everyone to enjoy this season and we are ready for this next round of entrepre neurs to flourish,” Ivy Greaner, Bedrock’s chief operating offi cer, said.

Some Downtown Detroit

Why It’s Time to Let go of the Regret

By Sherri Kolade

What do you regret most in 2022?

That heartbreak? Remaining stuck in the past? Or fear of failure?

While these feelings and rumina tions are all valid, it may be time to let bygones be bygones and break forth into a new calling or destiny -- espe cially come 2023.

A new year brings not only opti mism – especially for those tired of being in the throes of after-holiday blues – but a renewed sense of pur pose and passion that can be a cure for regret and feelings of missing out.

As much as regret can feel like a lonesome experience, it is not uncom mon. Research suggests that most people (72 percent) feel some of regret according to American business mag azine, Inc.

What are people most regretting?

According to the magazine, they have regret with their ideal self and what that could be.

Statistics note that the single big gest life regret for 76 percent of par ticipants in the magazine’s report is that have yet to to action not taken that would have helped them realize their ideal self.

“It makes sense that we regret not doing the things we think we are sup posed to do: Working harder at our professions, working harder to be healthier...it’s natural to regret not working harder on things we ought to accomplish,” according to the article.

“When we evaluate our lives, we think about whether we’re heading toward our ideal selves, becoming the person we’d like to be. Those are the regrets that are going to stick with you, because they are what you look at through the windshield of life,: ac cording to the article.

It’s time to take back those feelings of regret by making tangible progress in a few steps.

1. Ensure one’s goal is tangible and specific in measurable ways.

2. Make one’s goal important to the individual and not for others.

3. Always make your goal a positive goal.

4. Set the goal, and then forget about it.

“That’s why almost all incredibly

successful people set a goal and then focus all their attention on the pro cess necessary to achieve that goal. Sure, the goal is still out there,” ac cording to the article. But what they care about most is what they need to do today--and when they accomplish that, they feel happy about today. They feel good about today.”

This time of the year, a lot of feel ings of regret can resurface because of holiday regret, sorrows, loss and more.

In 2023, there is more of an oppor tunity to turn things around.

“Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew,” the late Cicely Tyson said.

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way,” Essayist Henry David Thoreau said.

Renowned poet and performer Jes sica Care Moore told the Michigan Chronicle that this time of the year is especially tough for her as she lost her father decades earlier but it still is a fresh reminder during this holiday season.

“This time of the year I understand it can be that way,” she said adding that her father passed in 1994 just two days after the New Years. “Right after every new year I am introspective and I can find myself in space not just sad but more … of feeling solace and wanting to meditate.”

Moore said that for those feeling a bit down whether it be through grief, regret or something else there is still time to move forward.

“Tap into that space ...so that you can be still and to know that you got to push through and that everybody feels sad sometimes. And it’s OK to not be OK,” Moore said adding that there’s a solution to everything. “It’s the beautiful struggle to be in a space of happiness. I stay in that space of gratitude. Remembering what you have is a good thing to do.”

She adds that “wallowing” in what hasn’t happened yet should not be.

The quickest antidote to regret? Let your light shine, she says.

“Truly tap into what you need in your life,” she said adding that cutting toxic people out of your life is not a bad idea either. “I try to stay around people with a light around them and … stay away from light dimmers.”

Market Vendors include: 3 Dogs 1 Cat– An urban pet shoppe that carries an assort ment of quality items for both furry friends and their humans.

Estella’s Vegan Dessert Bou tique– An all-vegan bakery serv ing flavorful cookies, cakes, donuts, bread, and a mission to spread a plant-based lifestyle with its many health benefits to all.

Janna Kay– Luxurious char cuterie boxes filled with excep tional ingredients intended to engage with the senses – the collection also includes glass ware, loungewear, and other home accessories.

Not Sorry Goods– A sustain able and inclusive retailer that specializes in upcycled cloth ing and accessories, vintage, unique goods, and gifts from small-batch artists.

Young Socialites Clothier–With confidence-building fash ion for all ages, each piece of clothing is designed and man ufactured exclusively in-house.

Zapenda– An African-inspired apparel brand with the mission to connect the African diaspora through fashion – clothing, and accessories are made-to-order by expert tailors in the Demo cratic Republic of Congo using high-quality African wax fab rics.

Naima Melonson, owner and designer at Young Socialites (YS) Clothier, is looking forward to taking part in the holiday marketplace.

Over the last 25 years, Mel onson has been a well-respect ed designer, business owner, and more.

YS Clothier is the first and only African-American Female owned children’s brand in De troit.

“I am thrilled to be able to pave new paths and give others a road to success,” she said on her website.

Melonson told the Michigan Chronicle that this is her first year participating in the holi day market and the synergy is already there.

“It’s kind of neat that each vendor they sort of are com plementary (to each other),” she said of the goods and ser vices being sold. “I love the cohesive lineup.”

Melonson, a native Detroiter, added that she loves the festive

holiday season atmosphere in the city, especially downtown, and the stores only add to that magical element.

“I think it’s a good look (for) the brand,” she said adding that people should come out and show support and have a good time in the process. “

For more information visit ysclothier.com.

Detroit-based Janica Smith, owner of Janna Kay Charcuterie, told the Michigan Chronicle that another entrepreneur told her company about it and en couraged her to apply and she among 17 others were accepted out of 300 different businesses in the metro Detroit area.

“This was such a blessing,” she said adding that her seminew business launched just two years ago during the pandemic.

What began as a girl’s so cially-distanced night out (where she prepped individual ized charcuterie boxes) for her friends became a business that quickly caught traction by word of mouth.

“My girlfriend posted pic tures on social media and one of her girlfriends ended up in boxing me,” she said adding that her degree in merchandis ing and having a “well-trained palate” helped her in the suc cessful business. “I took all of my past experiences and the love of noshing and created it.”

Smith added that she is most excited about being with other vendors.

“Bedrock did a great job cu rating this market,” she said adding that it’s not competition but a community. “Every busi ness has their own target client … but you are also able to open up your product line and market (to another segment of the pop ulation) that is complementary to one another. “It is like a little family. … everybody is looking out for each other and putting on a great shopping experience for the public.”

For more information visit www.jannakay.com.

For additional details in cluding dates and hours of operation, please visit DeckedOutDetroit.com, follow @DeckedOutDetroit.

The Doctor is in: Mental Health Check-In With Dr. Corey Yeager

By Sherri Kolade

Who knows you best?

Think about it, we’ll give you a second.

Out of everyone in your life, your family, friends, coworker besties and even your mentors – who is your main confidant and person that knows you in and out?

Dr. Corey Yeager, a Black doctor and mental health ad vocate who wrote a recently published book, “How Am I Do ing?,” said that the answer is you.

The Pistons’ wellness coach and well-known doctor who talks about Black people get ting in touch with their minds, said that we are our own big gest fans and individuals who know themselves best – and that it’s time to start getting to know yourself better.

“The only person who really knows all the pieces of you is you,” Yeager said. “This realiza tion leads to a question: do you trust yourself? The answer is pretty simple. If you don’t, it’s likely because you don’t have experience.”

Mental health matters and knowing how to set proper things in order during Novem ber, the month dedicated to In ternational Stress Awareness Week, International Stress Awareness Day; World Kind ness Day and International Survivors of Suicide Day, is all about starting with you.

Yeager, who primarily serves the African American commu nity, works hard to facilitate the progress of meaningful di alogue surrounding the subject of race and racism across the country, which led him from the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) to NYU and on to Detroit working within organizational systems to assess and address the climate and culture of these large systemic spaces.

A couple of years into the pandemic, fatigue and burnout have become all-too-common terms that people have used to describe their seemingly challenging mental state when trauma, overwhelming stress, death, illness and everyday troubles have been taking a toll on their minds.

abuse are also on the rise.

According to HelpGuide.org, having a decline in one’s men tal health can affect more than just the mind. Finances are also on the chopping block because having mental health-related is sues can make it harder to get a handle on one’s money.

“You may find it harder to concentrate or lack the ener gy to tackle a mounting pile of bills,” HelpGuide noted. “Or you may lose income by taking time off work due to anxiety or depression.”

Yeager told the Michigan Chronicle that his book is a vital tool to assist others and create conversations around mental health-related prompts.

Yeager’s book guides peo ple through a series of reflec tive questions to help readers gain the self-compassion, per sonal awareness and healing they seek. It also helps readers discover their purpose, hon or their story and explore who they want to be.

Yeager said that his book originated from his doctor al journey at the University of Minnesota where he wrote his dissertation on how to support African Americans therapeuti cally.

“[This is] knowing we have a stigma on engaging therapy,” he said.

His new book details 40 questions he uses with his cli ents to help:

• Raise awareness of thoughts and emotions.

• Build trust in yourself.

• Consider how past traumas affect your life today.

• Grow a practice of positive self-talk.

• Let go of stigma and guilt from the past.

• Develop mental health strate gies for what to do in low or anxious moments.

• Increase confidence and em brace emotions.

Each of the 40 questions is paired with a short, thoughtful reflection from Yeager, along with prompts and self-care strategies to help readers look in the mirror and come into alignment with their purpose and who they want to be to achieve a more honest and har monious way of living.

Yeager said the book’s ba sis of getting to the root of who a person is can go a long way in each person’s own mental health journey.

“The book is actually for anyone,” he said. “Each of us in our own journey.… The book is focused on better self-under standing, better engagement and looking yourself in the mirror, and being curious with yourself.”

For more information or to purchase the book visit doc torcoreyyeager.com or visit amazon.com and search for the book “How Am I Doing?: 40 Conversations to Have with Yourself.”

Keeping You Informed At All Times Of The Day

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Statistics reveal that sui cide rates are up, violence is up among youth and other trou bling news as mental health cri ses and solutions to soothe the mind are growing increasingly popular.

With one in five adults in the

United States diagnosed with a clinical mental disorder -- anx iety being the most common -it’s no wonder that people are begging for a solution.

People with mental health conditions like depression, bipolar disorder or substance

Dr. Corey Yeager

CITY OF EASTPOINTE ATTENTION REGISTERED VOTERS

NOTICE OF FUTURE CITY COUNCIL VACANCY

A vacancy is expected to exist on the Eastpointe City Council as of January 2023. The remaining Council Members are requesting that interested persons submit a Letter of Interest and Resume for consideration for appointment to the City Council. According to City Charter, said appointment would be until “…the next regular Municipal Election or any special election…” Any resident who is a United States Citizen and a registered voter in the City of Eastpointe may apply for the appointment to this vacancy by submitting a letter of interest, resume and any additional information which the candidate feels will help the City Council in making its appointment to: City Manager’s Office, 23200 Gratiot, Eastpointe, MI 48021 mwalton@eastpointecity.org

Letters of Interest and resumes will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 5, 2023. It is the intention of the City Council to perform interviews beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

SERVICES FOR JOAN ROBINSON-CHEEKS

Joan Robinson-Cheeks, a committed political activist who served as a Democratic precinct delegate in Detroit for more than half a century, died on November 22, 2022. She was 86.

Born on October 9, 1936 in Detroit to Della and Celestia Jhons, she graduated from Miller High School, Wayne County Community College and the Detroit Institute of Technology.

She married Marvel Cheeks in 1983, creating a blended family of 15 with Mr. Cheeks’ five children and her own eight. Mrs. Robinson-Cheeks enjoyed an active social life that included card games with friends and providing her famous banana pudding and candied yams for family gatherings.

Mrs. Robinson-Cheeks spent much of her career in Detroit city government. She was also deeply involved in Democratic Party politics, serving as an active volunteer for the party’s congressional district organizations in Detroit.

Left to celebrate Joan Robinson-Cheeks’ memory are her children, Deirdre “Dee” Green, Tadara “Lynn” Robinson, Martinus “Marty” Robinson (Abrideia), Anita “Nita” Alvin (Raymond), Terence Robinson (Lisa), Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Marsha Cheeks and Madelyn Cheeks; six siblings: Barbara, Vivian, Cecil, Laverne (Claudia), Ronald and Kenny, Twenty-seven grandchildren, fifty-four great grandchildren and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and special friends that she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, five siblings and six children.

There will be a viewing for Mrs. Robinson-Cheeks on December 2 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the James H. Cole Home for Funerals, 2624 West Grand Blvd. in Detroit. A family hour and funeral for Mrs. Robinson-Cheeks will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, at Shrine of the Black Madonna, 7625 Linwood Street in Detroit.

4 Things You Need to Know About Open Enrollment

(StatePoint) Open enrollment season is upon us. Whether you’re choosing benefits for the first time, adding cover age for a new family member or facing a passive enrollment, it’s likely your ben efits decisions will look a little different this year.

According to a June 2022 Consumer Sentiment Study by Lincoln Financial Group, 45% of employees expect infla tion will impact their benefits decisions this year. In today’s constantly changing economic climate, people are looking for stability and protection — for their family, their finances and their health — with more than 85% of those surveyed indicating they would like to better un derstand what they can do to protect against the impact of inflation.

“Benefits offered at the workplace can help provide financial stability when it comes to the unexpected,” said James Reid, executive vice president, presi dent of Workplace Solutions at Lincoln Financial Group. “It’s important to take a holistic look at your options and the resources available, and then make the elections that will help protect your to day and help secure your tomorrow.”

Lincoln Financial Group offers four tips to keep in mind during open enroll ment:

1. Life changes — make sure the bene fits you enroll in are changing too. Just like your personal situation can change from year to year, the benefits you enroll

in should change with you. Maybe you had a new baby or are thinking about buying a house – now is the time to en sure you are protected for the future and that the benefits you choose make sense for your current situation.

2. Take a complete look at your bene fits — including supplemental coverage. Lincoln’s June 2022 Consumer Sen timent Study also showed that Ameri cans’ interest in supplemental coverage offered by an employer has increased over the past year: 89% of consumers reported being interested in Critical Ill ness insurance, and 86% would be in terested in Hospital Indemnity and Ac cident insurance. Accident insurance can help pay for expenses that aren’t covered by health insurance, like high deductibles. And critical illness insur ance provides funds to cover day-to-day

expenses while someone is recovering from an illness, including mortgage pay ments, childcare, food and more. Check to see if these coverages are offered by your employer and if they make sense for you and your family.

3. Education is essential. Choosing the right benefits during open enrollment can be a complicated process — having access to digital enrollment guides and pamphlets can make the process much easier and give you the time needed to fully review and select coverage. Reach out to your employer for information on the coverages and tools they have avail able; digital calculators can help esti mate life insurance and disability cover age needs, and tell you the impact each coverage will have on your paycheck.

4. Focus on financial wellness. To plan for the future, it is important to have an accurate picture of where you are today. A good place to start is with financial wellness tools, which many employ ers offer their employees. With these tools, you can create a personalized action plan and improve your financial wellbeing, whether that’s a plan to pay down debt or create an emergency sav ings fund. And for those struggling with competing financial priorities, Lincoln Financial’s debt calculator can help, available at lincolnfinancial.com under Planning.

This open enrollment period, take time to make decisions that will help protect your financial future.

What You Need to Know About Cholesterol

Stay in control to help prevent heart disease, heart attack and stroke

their cholesterol and other risk factors assessed more often.

FAMILY

nderstanding and improving cholesterol is important for people of all ages, including children and teens. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels can help keep your heart healthy and lower your chances of getting heart disease or having a stroke.

Managing Cholesterol

or having a stroke.

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. In fact, about 38% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Understanding what cholesterol is, the role it plays, when to get screened and how to manage it are important aspects of protecting your overall health and prevent a heart attack or stroke.

If you have high cholesterol, understanding your risk for heart disease and stroke is one of the most important things you can do, along with taking steps to lower your cholesterol.

Understanding Cholesterol

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. In fact, about 38% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with high cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Understanding what cholesterol is, the role it plays, when to get screened and how to manage it are important aspects of protecting your overall health and prevent a heart attack or stroke.

Understanding Cholesterol

A waxy, fat-like substance created by the liver and consumed from meat, poultry and dairy products, cholesterol isn’t inherently bad for you. In fact, your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. However, too much cholesterol circulating in the blood can pose a problem.

A waxy, fat-like substance created by the liver and consumed from meat, poultry and dairy products, cholesterol isn’t inherently bad for you. In fact, your body needs it to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. However, too much cholesterol circulating in the blood can pose a problem. The two types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is considered “bad,” and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which can be thought of as “good” cholesterol. Too much of the “bad” kind, or not enough of the “good,” increases the risk of cholesterol slowly building up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.

Cholesterol can join with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit on the inside of the arteries called plaque. This can narrow the arteries and make them less flexible – a condition known as atherosclerosis. If a blood clot forms, it may be more likely to get stuck in one of these narrowed arteries, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

Understanding Risk

The two types of cholesterol are low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is considered “bad,” and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which can be thought of as “good” cholesterol. Too much of the “bad” kind, or not enough of the “good,” increases the risk of cholesterol slowly building up in the inner walls of the arteries that feed the heart and brain.

arteries and make them less flexiblea condition known as atherosclerosis. If a blood clot forms, it may be more likely to get stuck in one of these narrowed arteries, resulting in a heart attack or stroke.

Your body naturally produces all the LDL it needs. An unhealthy lifestyle can make your body produce more LDL than required. Behaviors that may negatively affect your cholesterol levels include lack of physical activity, obesity, eating an unhealthy diet and smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke.

Understanding Risk

In addition to unhealthy habits, which are the cause of high LDL cholesterol for most people, some people inherit genes from their parents or grandparents – called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) – that cause them to have too much cholesterol and can lead to premature atherosclerotic heart disease. If you have a family history of FH or problems related to high cholesterol, it’s important to get your levels checked.

Managing Cholesterol

Your body naturally produces all the LDL it needs. An unhealthy lifestyle can make your body produce more LDL than required. Behaviors that may negatively affect your cholesterol levels include lack of physical activity, obesity, eating an unhealthy diet and smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke.

If you have high cholesterol, understanding your risk for heart disease and stroke is one of the most important things you can do, along with taking steps to lower your cholesterol. Often, simply changing certain behaviors can help bring your numbers into line. Eating a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean or plant-based protein, fish and nuts while limiting red and processed meats, sodium and sugar-sweetened foods and beverages is one of the best ways to lower your cholesterol. While grocery shop ping, look for the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark to help identify foods that can be part of an overall healthy eating pattern.

people inherit genes from their parents or grandparents - called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) - that cause them to have too much cholesterol and can lead to premature atherosclerotic heart disease. If you have a family history of FH or problems related to high cholesterol, it’s important to get your levels checked.

Getting Cholesterol Checked

Often, simply changing certain behaviors can help bring your numbers into line. Eating a heart-healthy diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean or plant-based protein, fish and nuts while limiting red and processed meats, sodium and sugar-sweetened foods and beverages is one of the best ways to lower your cholesterol. While grocery shopping, look for the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check mark to help identify foods that can be part of an overall healthy eating pattern.

Other lifestyle changes include losing weight, quitting smoking and becoming more physically active, as a sedentary lifestyle can lower HDL. To help lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure, experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic exercise a week, such as walking, biking or swimming.

For some people, lifestyle changes may prevent or manage unhealthy cholesterol levels. For others, medication may also be needed. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. If medication is required, be sure to take it as prescribed.

Checked

Getting Cholesterol

Cholesterol can join with other substances to form a thick, hard deposit on the inside of the arteries called plaque. This can narrow the

Adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every 4-6 years as long as their risk remains low. After age 40, your health care professional will use an equation to calculate your 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke. People with cardiovascular disease, and those at elevated risk, may need their cholesterol and other risk factors assessed more often.

In addition to unhealthy habits, which are the cause of high LDL cholesterol for most people, some

Other lifestyle changes include losing weight, quitting smoking and becoming more physically active, as a sedentary lifestyle can lower HDL. To help lower both cholesterol and high blood pressure, experts recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week, such as walking, biking or swimming.

Adults age 20 and older should have their cholesterol and other traditional risk factors checked every 4-6 years as long as their risk remains low. After age 40, your health care professional will use an equation to calculate your 10-year risk of heart attack or stroke. People with cardiovascular disease, and those at elevated risk, may need

For some people, lifestyle changes may prevent or manage unhealthy cholesterol levels. For others, medication may also be needed. Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that’s right for you. If medication is required, be sure to take it as prescribed.

Controlling your cholesterol may be easier than you think. Learn more about managing your cholesterol at heart.org/cholesterol.

Controlling your cholesterol may be easier than you think. Learn more about managing your cholesterol at heart.org/cholesterol.

Julia

(Family Features)

Photos courtesy of Getty Images