MC Digital Edition 1.25.23

Michigan Chronicle

Former Congressional Candidates Pass On Stabenow’s Seat

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow recently announced she will not seek re-election when her term comes to an end in two years. One of the early potential candidates mulling a decision to run for the seat is Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist. He spoke about what this soon-to-be open seat could mean during an interview session recently held at the Detroit Policy Conference.

“I didn’t expect the senator to announce that she wasn’t going to seek reelection,” Gilchrist said. “So, this is something certainly that my wife and I are thinking about.”

Stabenow’s announcement came as a surprise to many political insiders and elected officials. So, what does her retirement mean for the greater Detroit area and constituents who see an opportunity for Michigan to be served by Black representation in Congress?

The Race Is On!

This

Congressional district last year.

“I applaud the senator and her leadership,” said Gay-Dagnogo. “It was quite surprising. She spoke about making sure she opens up the pathway for youth,” during an event in Lansing before she made her official announcement.

Hollier says Stabenow’s commitment to Michigan in the U.S. Senate will be missed. He recounts working with her as she chaired the agriculture committee as they acted to provide SNAP benefits to constituents during his tenure in the state’s legislature.

“She was one of the very early members talking about the removal of the Lewis Cass statue from the Capitol,” said Hollier. “She’s always been an advocate and a believer in making a way for other people to move up.”

Both former elected officials are thankful Stabenow’s announcement came early, therefore creating an open field of potential candidates, instead of waiting late and causing “some degree of chaos.”

By

Kolade

The United Auto Workers (UAW) President Ray Curry and reform presidential candidate Shawn Fain will compete in a run-off election as neither they or none of five other candidates received a majority of the vote.

The candidates for the other races include Tim Bressler and Chuck Browning running for vice president and Lauren Farrell and Daniel Vicente for Region 9 director. Region 9 covers parts of western and central New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The 2023 UAW International Officer Run-Off Election is following the results of the UAW Referendum held in the fall of 2021. The 2022 Election concluded on Friday, December 2.

Curry, a native of North Carolina and president of the UAW since June 28, 2021, ran for reelection after serving in that position for little under two years.

Since taking the office from thenUAW President Rory L. Gamble last year after his retirement, Curry told the Michigan Chronicle that his leadership is being defined by both massive change and the vital need of above-board improvements.

“It’s been an exciting time and a challenging time,” Curry previously said. “We’re excited about being able to keep a cutting edge of institutional knowledge that’s out there along with new marketplace knowledge…

By Rasha Almulaiki

In the first Detroit Tenants Association (DTA) general assembly meeting of the year an estimated 70 people gathered at the Laborers’ International Union building to organize a citywide organization to fight against housing insecurity and slumlords for renters’ rights.

DTA is campaigning for several issues, including drafting a “Right to Renew” city ordinance, mobilizing to repeal Michigan’s ban on rent control, and coordinating defense actions for residents vulnerable to evictions.

“The fundamental principle is simple. Renters deserve the right to remain stabl[ly] housed. Today, renters in Detroit who are Who Pays the Price of AI Technology? Money. A5 Ed Trust-Midwest Outlines Strategies to Address Michigan’s Education Crisis

that will be beneficial as we continue to grow.”

He added that it’s time to bring the race “home” and conclude the process of the runoff election.

“We actually thought it would have been over with in November but unfortunately that did not happen,” Curry said, adding that it’s “very concerning” that the election overlapped the federal midterm elections. “As a result, we believe that there was a lot of information that got probably confused with candidate emailing, for midterms, and that distribution was occurring at the same time as our ballots were mailed to members. That impacted…that process.”

With the federal elections on November 8 and the UAW election on November 28, Curry said the “very low turnout” includes just 10 percent of votes returning.

The UAW has about 375,000 U.S. members.

“The other piece that we believe [was the cause of the low turnout] is we’re not overlapping the holiday season,” he said. “We believe that there will be greater turnout, as a result, this time.”

Reuters reported that previously, delegates used to elect UAW officers. In a 2021 vote that was necessary as a condition of a 2020 U.S. Justice Department deal to conclude a corruption investigation, members endorsed direct elections.

All UAW officers have come from a

As UAW president, Curry continues his commitment to transparency and reform within the UAW. “Restoring member confidence in our union is a high priority. We will continue to work with the monitor to develop and implement more checks and balances for our union,” he previously said.

Curry became a UAW member in July 1992, when he was hired as a truck assembler at Freightliner Trucks in Mount Holly, NC, (now Daimler Trucks, NA) after serving in the U.S. Army for three years on active duty and five years in the U.S. Army Reserve. Shortly after joining UAW Local 5285, he became active in the local’s civil rights standing committee. “I have always believed that it is a duty to make change happen.

“My years on that standing committee gave me both a deep understanding of our great union as well as the awareness of what can happen when we work together,” according to his biography.

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) president and CEO previously told the Michigan Chronicle that he supports Curry who he’s known for several decades. The NNPA is the national trade association that represents African American newspapers and media companies.

“Ray Curry’s leadership at the United Auto Workers has been trans-

of

being suddenly displaced by eviction at

was recently discussed with former State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo and former State Sen. Adam Hollier during a Michigan Chronicle online segment. Both previously ran campaigns for the re-drawn 13th

Debbie Stabenow

Adam Hollier Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

Sherri

slate of administrative candidates for more than three decades.

United Auto Workers President Ray Curry.

first general assembly at the Laborers’ International

Redrawn congressional districts across the state have been a contested issue for voters and elected officials in the last two years. It was ever more evident particularly for Democrats who argued the likelihood of having no Black representation in Congress following the retirement last year of U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence.

The case was true for the Democratic party following the 13th Congressional district race in 2022 which saw several Black candidates run unsuccessful campaigns, including Hollier and Gay-Dagnogo, falling short to former state legislator Shri Thanedar. He became the first Indian American to represent Michigan in Congress.

compensation for relocation.”

The general assembly held a panel led by Rimmer with other housing advocates, legal experts and tenants, including Joe McGuire, staff attorney and legal hosing justice activist at Detroit Justice Center; Deborah Patrick, founding member of the Sherwood-Heights Tenants Association; Evan Villeneuve, member of the Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition; and Mike Shane, organizer of Moratorium Now!

Patrick said the Sherwood Heights Tenants Association began six months ago after several conversations with a neighbor about the myriad of issues affecting other tenants. The new management company, based in New York and Tel Aviv, made a list of promises to fix the deteriorating conditions to no avail.

“To many of us, these spaces are our homes,” said Patrick. “We didn’t want to go anywhere. This is where we lived. This was our home and we loved it, but we know it could be a whole lot better.”

The forming of the DTA builds on a trend of new tenant organizations springing up across the country amid a nationwide housing crisis. In Detroit, organizing around housing justice continues to escalate since the beginning of the pandemic, exposing multiple systemic issues within a largely renters’ economy in the city.

According to extensive research on the Detroit housing crisis by University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions Center, a 2022 report found eviction filings rose to 60 percent of the pre-pandemic levels and continued to rise to an estimated 75 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

In 2022, led by the Right to Counsel Coalition, residents succeeded in getting an ordinance passed for low-income tenants and homeowners to allow access to counsel in legal proceedings. However, city officials are still undecided on how to sustainably fund the new policy.

The city has invested in several housing projects that require some units to be reserved for people who earn up to 80 percent of the average median income (AMI). For a one-person household, 80 percent AMI is a renter that earns $44,000 a year and for a five-person household it’s $81,813 a year.

According to the U.S. Census data collected between 2017 and 2021, most Detroiters live in a twoto three-person household with an average annual income of $34,762.

Mike Shane is a local activist and community organizer of Moratorium Now!, a Detroit-based grassroots organization working to prevent mortgage foreclosures and utility shutoffs. He called for “real, low income affordable housing” as there is a glaring disparity in the cost of affordable housing units

“Certainly not having African American representation on the Democratic side is something that is challenging,” said Gay-Dagnogo.

Having a united coalition to support a Black candidate to send to Congress was on the mind of Wayne County Executive Warren Evans when he formed a committee to select a “consensus” candidate in Adam Hollier last year for the 13TH Congressional district.

Last year’s race certainly split the Black vote and Hollier believes there should be lessons learned moving forward. “Our goal should be to elect a Black senator from the state of Michigan if we can do so,” he said. “The opportunity to do that is to rally around the strongest candidate that we can get.”

“It is not missed on me that true consensus was not really a part of that process,” said Gay-Dagnogo. “Based on polling, I was in the best

position if all forces were aligned.” She says there was a male-dominated table which tried to force a consensus when “voters saw otherwise.”

Gay-Dagnogo believes in order to have true Black representation in Congress, the party needs to have real conversations on what everyone brings to the table.

There will be a lot of money thrown into this race, and in the meantime, both Hollier and Gay-Dagnogo have thrown their support behind Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and have no interest in jumping into this race.

“It’s unlikely that that is a good fit for me right now,” said Hollier. “I’m really happy in my role in the Veteran Affairs agency. Garlin is by far the most qualified and most capable candidate at this point.”

formational and very uplifting for the cause of labor rights and civil rights,” the lifetime NAACP member said, adding that there is a strong tie between the NAACP and the labor union. “Historically, the UAW was one of the leading forces in labor that supported the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.”

Whoever will be the next president has their work cut out for them as a number of issues have cropped up as of late with talks of recession, current inflation woes and other elements creating a complex financial space for workers looking for a break somewhere.

Curry said that this year there are multiple sectors of bargaining and he recognizes something has to change.

“[There are] a number of things that are out

there: cost of living allowances,” he said. “Our members cannot rely on base wages that were actually developed during 2019 to 2023 agreements.… So that is a concerning piece as we move forward because the pandemic that we faced in 2020...brought a number of challenges that had never been dealt with in any workspace, and also never dealt with in our collective bargaining agreements.”

Curry added that the UAW’s overarching goal is to be more transparent.

“As we always have been and we want to be able to advocate for members and we want our members to be able to have true trust in the organization and believe that we are moving forward,” he said.

Ballots must be submitted before the end of February with an announcement made around early March.

•

and residents’ average income.

Shane said the organization will stand in solidarity with DTA’s mission of housing justice for Detroiters. Shane emphasized the need to connect on other interrelated issues of water shut offs and connect with local homeowners facing the ongoing eviction crisis.

For over 20 years, property tax foreclosure has exacerbated housing insecurity and blighted neighborhoods for thousands of Detroit residents. According to Rocket Community Fund’s Neighbor to Neighbor study, from 2002 to 2016 an estimated one in three Detroit properties ended up on the auction block due to tax foreclosure.

The study found that since 2005 135,000 Detroit properties have been tax foreclosed and 86,000 of those properties have yet to be sold at auction and remain owned by the Detroit Land Bank Authority.

“We’ve encountered just the most despicable conditions this past year in the city of Detroit,” said Shane.

“Slumlords control the city, and they control the housing market. And I am really frustrated because without a broader political movement, and one with programmat-

ic demands on the system, we’re going to be floundering and going from one crisis to another. I would really like to see us as we grow this tenants’ movement, that we make demands on the city, state and federal government that has been wasted on other activities.”

DTA is working with Detroit Eviction Defense and other advocacy organizations on intervention tactics to protect tenants currently facing eviction. The group encouraged attendees to take part in a call to action to band together in support of residents currently facing eviction.

“I think we’ve got something to fight for as a group,” said Rimmer in closing, followed by applause. “Because we have the power in numbers and I’m sure ya’ll know how to get things done in this city and that’s public pressure.”

Organizers say DTA will continue to meet on the second Tuesday of every month and build on various efforts to secure renters’ rights in Detroit.

To learn more about the Detroit Renters Association, follow them on Facebook or send an email to detroittenantsassociation@gmail. com.

•

michigan.gov/mpscedockets

• A pre-hearing will be held:

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 9:30 AM BEFORE: Administrative Law Judge Katherine Talbot LOCATION: Video/Teleconferencing

PARTICIPATION: Any interested person may participate.

Persons needing any assistance to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 284-8096, or by email at mpscedockets@ michigan.gov in advance of the hearing.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a prehearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) December 16, 2022 application requesting the Commission to: 1) approve a maximum base Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) factor of $4.21 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 April 1, 2023, and continuing through March 31, 2024, and further approve a Supplier of Last Resort (SOLR) Reservation Charge of an additional $0.40 per Mcf that is billed to GCR customers while the Reservation Charge billed to Gas Customer Choice customers will be $0.27 per Mcf; 2) determine that DTE Gas’s 5-Year (April 2023–March 2028) 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; 3) 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 February 7, 2023. (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-21271. 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.

African Americans and Food Allergens Inequality

By Rasha Almulaiki

In recent years, discussions about systemic inequality have become commonplace as a lens to review the reforms needed in gaining equitable access to basic needs. When it comes to food, health care researchers and social justice advocates are shining a light on what on what “food justice” looks like and the racial disparities prevalent in Black and Brown communities.

Recent studies have raised the startling racial lines of discrepancies found in Black community when it comes to allergic diseases.

“As we see in a combination of studies, there’s a number of food allergens that kind of pop up in our communities,” said Javier Evelyn, CEO of Alerje, Inc. “There is soy and egg and other ones as well. I think it’s happening for two main reasons. First, we are not educated in this space and its not a matter of ability but availability of information to know what we are consuming and what to do when a reaction happens.”

Alerje Inc, a food allergy management innovation company located in Detroit, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for millions of people who suffer from potentially fatal food allergies. With the increased accessibility of epinephrine injection (or “Epipen”), managing food allergies is made simpler, which relieves caregivers’ stress as they work to avert potentially fatal anaphylaxis attacks.

Alerje is developing a tiny epinephrine auto-injector that fits within an IoT-enabled smartphone cover. Emergency 911 dispatchers, parents and spouses are alerted of allergy incidents along with the location information when the device is withdrawn to be utilized in emergencies.

Millions of American children suffer from food allergies, which place a heavy emotional and financial strain on the families who are impacted.

“Most of what is on the market for Epipens is not affordable to people except the affluent,” said Evelyn. “Some lifesaving treatments on the market to help desensitize kids to allergies over time can be valued between $40,000$60,000 per year, which is far from affordable to an average community member. I am excited to say we are in phase one of getting FDA approved for our accessible Epipen this year and next to get ready to serve 5 percent of the population with allergies, especially in Black and Brown communities.”

In a 2022 study conducted by researchers at Northwestern University’s Medical School of 1,000 participants found a higher likelihood of sensitivity to certain foods in Black children than in white children. The analysis was conducted on a cohort of Black and white children as part of the Food Allergy Outcomes to White and African American Racial Differences (FORWARD) across four urban U.S. cities.

Caregivers filled out a questionnaire regarding allergen-free foods. The report showed that white caregivers were 88 percent more likely to report access to allergen-free foods than Black caregivers at 59 percent.

Black children in the FORWARD cohort had less access to allergen-free meals than White children, although a large portion of the discrepancy can be

The New Year in the North End Means Development and Renovation

The fourth in a Monthly Series of Feature Stories About the Community Sponsored by the Knight Foundation

By Donald James Senior Writer, Real Times Media

Detroiters and anyone else passing through Detroit’s North End in 2023 will ultimately see multiple new development and renovation projects in the storied community bordered by E. Grand Blvd. to the South, Woodland St.(just before the Highland Park City Limits) to the North, I-75 to the East, and Woodward Ave. to the West.

Before the year ends, the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) is expected to open its new administrative office building on Woodward Ave., between Alger and King streets. DWIHN is renovating the building that once was the Henry M. Utley Branch Library. Originally built 100 years ago, the North End library closed in the 1970s but was repurposed to serve as the Family Place Day Care Center years later. DWIHN is Michigan’s largest community mental health agency, offering services to 75,000-plus children and adults.

“The folks on the North End have been just tremendous in their support of this project,” DWIHN President and CEO Eric Doeh told the Michigan Chronicle. “When we saw this opportunity to build our administrative office on Woodward, it was a no-brainer. The old Utley Library has such a significant presence, so we wanted to keep that integrity and aesthetic architectural design of the building in place.”

Doeh said DWIHN wants to create a space to better serve the community and for the community to use the space for a variety of empowering activities and events.

“We really want to be a part of that North End community and not just come in and build something and

have people report there for work,” said Doeh. “As an organization that caters to the needs of our community, we hope to continue to add value to the neighborhood as well as continue our mission of caring for people with mental health and substance use disorder needs throughout Wayne County.”

A few blocks south of the future administrative office of DWIHN is the future North End home of the Detroit People’s Food Co-op. The facility, located on Woodward Ave. and Euclid, is slated to open in the latter months of 2023 under the directorship of Malik Yakini, executive director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network. The construction project is also in partnership with chief builder Sonya Mays, president and CEO of Develop Detroit. Mays’ company fingerprints are on numerous development and renovation projects across the North End.

When the People’s Food Co-op

opens, the two-story, 8,000-square feet building will be home to a cooperatively-owned grocery store, which will improve the North End’s accessibility to fresh and healthy food while educating the community about the importance of nutrition and sustainability.

On the opposite side of the North End in the Oakland Ave. area, 2023 is expected to bring new and renovated development projects to life.

According to Jerry Ann Hebron, director of the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, several projects will see the light of day in 2023. Expected to open in the fall is a library and resource center funded by the Knight Foundation but will be operated by the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm. A residential house at 9245 Goodwin St. is being designed and renovated through the vision of the College of Creative Studies on the footprints of the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm.

“We started it last year and will finish it this year,” Hebron told the Michigan Chronicle. “It will be a space for the community to access needed information. People can come in and do their resumes, conduct job searches, access emails, and use computers. Of course, there will be books to read and check out.”

When the library opens this year, it will be the first to operate in the North End in decades.

Hebron’s organization is also building a bed & breakfast on one of its properties at 9185 Goodwin. In addition to the bed & breakfast, Hebron said there would be an art gallery and studio setup and operated by a well-known artist. Hebron believes the completion date will be in the summer of 2023.

Hebron is also excited by the construction of a greenhouse at 9148 Oakland Ave. When completed, it will be the home of the Black Bottom Garden

Ed Trust-Midwest Outlines Strategies to Address Michigan’s Education Crisis

Michigan is now ranked in the bottom 10 states nationally for 4th grade reading and is projected to remain stagnant at that level by 2030 unless dramatic, research-backed changes are made to address the state’s growing education crisis and worsening opportunity gaps for underserved students, according to new analyses of national assessment data released today by The Education Trust-Midwest.

Though many states – even those that were among the top-performing before the pandemic – lost ground since 2019, students in Michigan, a state that was not systemically well-positioned dropped farther and faster amid COVID-19 on key subjects, according to research highlighted in The Education Trust-Midwest’s new 2023 State of Michigan Education Report, Beyond the Pandemic.

Additionally, while the effects of pandemic learning disruption touched classrooms everywhere – suburban,

urban and rural — the impact was far greater for students and communities that have long been underserved, especially students of color and children from low-income backgrounds, accord-

Among other highlights from the report:

Michigan fell from 32nd in 2019 to 43rd in 4th grade reading – an important predictor of a child’s future academic success and life outcomes – on the 2022 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP).

For students from low-income backgrounds, Michigan ranked as the 11th worst state in 4th grade reading, falling far below the national average. Michigan students from low-income backgrounds saw a substantial decrease of almost 8 points while higher income students saw a decrease of fewer than 2 points over the same period. That’s especially significant as 10 points on the NAEP represents roughly one year of instruction, according to research.

For Black student performance, Michigan dropped into the bottom 5 for 4th grade reading in 2022, down from previously being ranked in the bottom 10 in 2019.

Javier Evelyn

ing to national assessment data, further worsening longstanding inequities for underserved students.

DWIHN president and CEO Eric Doeh Detroit’s North End

Education Crisis

Students in Lansing Public Schools and Saginaw School District lost an entire year or more of math and reading knowledge, while students in Birmingham lost the equivalent of 20% of a school year, according to a recent study by Harvard and Stanford researchers. Detroit Public Schools Community District lost approximately a year of instruction in both math and reading.

The state also again lagged behind leading states for 8th grade math in 2022, ranked 26th nationally on the NAEP.

Michigan ranked in the bottom 5 states for 8th grade math performance among Black students in 2022.

“Every Michigan student deserves opportunity and access to the educational resources and support to realize a bright future, but that’s not the reality for many of our state’s students,” said Amber Arellano, executive director of The Education Trust-Midwest. “We have to act urgently to change that. Michigan’s students deserve the same opportunity for success as students in leading education states, where real transformation and real improvement in student performance are happening.”

The report comes amid growing concerns about Michigan students’ collegeand career-readiness and what their outcomes mean for the state’s talent force.

The Education Trust-Midwest today called on state leaders to implement 10 research-based strategies, including urgently investing in educational recovery, transforming early education, implementing a new weighted system of school funding, and creating a strong system of fiscal transparency, as well as other strategies that have shown to be impactful for students, especially the most underserved, in leading education states.

“By implementing research-based strategies for learning starting in early childhood and creating a fair system of

Food Allergens

attributed to participant socioeconomic position and other factors.

In an earlier study the researchers in 2011 “pegged food allergy in children at 8 percent, a higher rate than previously known. It also found much higher incidence of African American children having food allergies and reactions, but a lower chance of having been diagnosed.”

Asthma and food allergies are substantially more common among African Americans than in white Americans, according to studies and statistics from the previous 10 years, especially in youngsters. Anaphylaxis can be brought on by food allergies, and asthmatics are susceptible to severe episodes.

school funding so all students have the resources and support they need to succeed, we can change the trajectory for our students, support educational recovery and acceleration for all Michigan students and truly make Michigan a Top 10 state for education,” Arellano said.

The report also delves deeply into strategies to strengthen preschool to grade 3 outcomes. It highlights Michigan’s progress and commitment to improving Pre-K-3 education transitions while also identifying challenges and opportunities in quality, access, affordability, and the early childhood funding structure.

Importantly, The Education Trust-Midwest’s report reiterates a call for a research-based weighted school funding formula that truly addresses the needs and advances the opportunities of students living in poverty. In December, The Education Trust-Midwest joined the Michigan Partnership for Equity and Opportunity, a statewide coalition, calling for weights of 35% to 100% spread across twelve bands determined by concentration of poverty, as well as additional funding weights for English Learners ranging from 80% to 100%, depending on each student’s language proficiency, to provide them with the additional resources and instructional supports necessary for language acquisition.

The proposed funding system includes increased weights and reimbursements to fully fund students with individualized education programs (IEP), including funding for special education expenses and specialized transportation costs and additional investments in rural education transportation costs, particularly for high-needs school districts.

The Education Trust-Midwest’s full slate of recommendations outlined in the report – called the Opportunity 10 –include other research-based strategies, such as extended and expanded learning time and full access to rigorous coursework and preparation for all Michigan students.

These are significant conditions that call for ongoing treatment and medical supervision, supports that, according to studies, are not uniformly accessible to the Black population.

Evelyn said it’s important to keep in mind the lifesaving steps to take if an allergic reaction does occur.

“If you feel a reaction coming on, that is to say hives break out or trouble breathing, the first thing you should do is inject yourself with an Epipen,” said Evelyn.

If one is not available, get in front of someone ASAP to help you to either dial 911 or depending on where you live and police response time, get to urgent care or the ER. Even if you use an Epipen, depending on the severity of your reaction, you might need a second or third dose. Then, learn to be mindful of what you eat and protect yourself.”

Center. The greenhouse will serve as a growing and retail space for the North End. The greenhouse project is made possible through funding and support by the National Football League, the Detroit Lions, and Ford Motor Company.

Hebron said she is looking forward to the return of the Farmers Market, which opens the second week in June on Oakland Ave.

“We are just looking forward to launching our many projects and having a very productive year for the people in the community,” said Hebron.

Another high-profile organization in the North End is Vanguard Community Development Corporation, an entity strongly involved in leading and partnering in development and renovation projects in the community for close to three decades.

Pamela Martin-Turner, Vanguard’s president and CEO, is looking forward to community initiatives her organization will unveil in 2023, including the East Grand Boulevard Transformation Project. When completed, East Grand Boulevard between Woodward Ave. and I-75, will be transformed into a cohesive, attractive, and pedestrian-friendly corridor.

“Our East Grand Boulevard Trans formation Project with funding from the Knight Foundation will include eye-catching benches and swings, cre ative crosswalks, the planting of trees and flowers, erecting exterior displays of public art, banners, and wayfinding signage,” said Martin-Turner. “We hope to begin when the weather breaks in April and be completed by the end of the year.”

Martin-Turner is also excited by her organization’s North End Landing Proj ect. In partnership with California-based Avanath Development, headed by Detroit native Daryl J. Carter and RMC Develop ment, a Black-owned real estate compa ny based in Maryland and led by native Detroiter Ron McDonald, Martin-Turner expects to break ground this summer to build approximately 170 units of mix housing development – some for rental and others for purchase. The North End Landing development, with a price tag of approximately $50 million, will be built on a scattered site located on North End’s Smith St. between John R and Beaubien streets, with some units on Bethune St.

Ascension Michigan doctor shares three steps to a better and healthier you

You’re not alone in setting your health goals for the year. You can start a conversation with Dr. Bryanne Standifer-Barrett and other primary care doctors at Ascension Michigan to discuss your health goals and create a care plan that’s right for you. Like her patients, Dr. Standifer-Barrett has set her own goals of becoming healthier and working on her self-care routine. “I had a baby last year, and I gained weight, so I’m practicing what I advise my patients.” She shares three ways to start the year with health goals that will help you in the long term.

1. Take control of your health

Keeping up with your health needs to happen at home. If you manage diabetes or high blood pressure, taking your medicine as prescribed and having a blood pressure monitor at home can help you stay on top of your health and know when you need to contact your doctor.

2.

Don’t skip your appointments

In another quest to build more affordable housing in the North End, construction is going strong on Woodward Ave. across the street from the Historic Little Rock Baptist Church. The $18 million Reverend Dr. Jim Holley Residences Complex is slated to open in the latter months of 2023. The senior complex will consist of 60 one-bedroom units with ground-floor retail. Each unit will be offered at or below 50% area median income, meaning seniors will not pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

“This new housing for seniors is something that I’m really proud of,” said Holley, who served 50 years as senior pastor of Historic Little Rock before retiring from the North End church effective January 1, 2022. “I’m just glad that I’m able to do something to help our seniors. When you spend over 40 years in a community, you want to be able to leave something to help others when you leave here. People should know that you were here and made a positive difference to empower others.”

There will be other new development and renovation projects that will launch in the North End in 2023. As the Michigan Chronicle continues its monthly stories about the North End, when such new development and renovation projects break ground and ultimately open, we will capture the details and how they will impact this historic community.

Checking in with your primary care doctor regularly can help you stay ahead of concerns, they are also there to help you get better faster when you’re sick. A primary care doctor can make sure you’re staying on top of screenings based on age or family history, medication or to help manage a chronic condition. A primary care doctor should be the first call you make when you have a new symptom, concern or when you’re nont feeling well — and scheduling online is easy.

3. Make your mental health a priority

Reach out to your primary care doctor when you need help or someone to listen, even if it’s for just one visit. It’s important to be able to talk things through that are weighing on your mind. Sometimes a concern such as anxiety or something else can also signal a larger health concern. Don’t delay in having a conversation with a doctor.

Start a conversation with a doctor who listens Whether you need preventive care, are concerned about new symptoms, want to check on an ongoing condition or just aren’t feeling well, it’s important not to delay care. Ascension Michigan doctors and care teams listen to understand you and your current health concerns and connect the dots for care when you need additional care including heart, brain and spine, orthopedic care and more.

Visit ascension.org or call 248-985-7080 to schedule an appointment.

Bryanne N. Standifer-Barrett, MD Internal Medicine

DE&I at Work in Energy

Carla Walker-Miller Founder and CEO, Walker-Miller Energy Services

When I founded Walker-Miller Energy Services, I was determined to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of our operations, long before DE&I were corporate buzz words.

Today, nearly twenty-three years later, I am both honored and humbled by the progress we have made, and impatient with how much more there is to do. With over two hundred team members across the United States, our corporate workforce represents the diversity of communities we serve. In an industry where Black women are underrepresented, our senior leadership team is comprised of majority Black women and women of color, and we are one of few energy industry companies led by a Black woman. As a certified B Corp, we are one of less than 8000 companies in the world certified as a force for good. We are a recognized go-to subject matter expert for energy equity. With ISO 27001 and SOC2 Type 2 accreditations, our commitments to cybersecurity and quality are clear.

Having intentionally recruited a team that reflects the rich diversity of this country, we design inclusive energy efficiency programs, train inclusive workforces, develop outreach strategies, and provide innovative research and development, successfully engaging communities who have historically been underrepresented as both practitioners and participants in energy efficiency. We act as a bridge between the traditional energy industry and clean energy equity as this country transitions from the traditional utility to a new low carbon reality. Our efforts help decrease energy burdens on families, drive equitable access to clean energy careers, invite diverse businesses into the clean energy economy, and serve the needs of asset limited income constrained communities with compassion. At Walker-Miller, we don’t just serve the community; we are the community.

One such example of the true impact of our work is our partnership with DTE Energy in the newly launched Energy Efficiency Academy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy jobs in the United States continue to grow faster than overall employment in the total domestic economy. Energy efficiency is the fastest growing segment of the energy industry. The Academy intentionally recruits legacy Detroiters to be new entrants in the rapidly growing clean energy economy. These students receive a marketable credential and placement for well-paying careers. Armed with a BPI Building Professional Analyst certification, certified Detroiters are positioned to be instrumental in serving Detroit communities by helping to make local homes more energy efficient, decreasing the energy burdens, and creating safer and healthier home environments.

Detroit continues to have a labor participation rate of around 62%. It

Who Pays the Price of

By Sherri Kolade

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a multibillion enterprise with so many new sectors coming online in various industries, businesses and even in people’s homes – not to mention in the palm of their hands with their smart phones.

From robotic chefs and smart homes to facial recognition technology and digital voice assistants – seemingly no stone has been left unturned with AI bringing innovative ideas to drastically bring companies to the forefront of technology 2.0.

The ABCs of AI

At what cost, though? While the AI industry is expected to grow (by the billions) in the coming years, will many jobs be lost in the process and who loses first? Also, what gains will be felt?

Waymark CEO Alex Persky-Stern told the Michigan Chronicle that his company, like many others, is on the cusp of a “new wave” of creative production.

“Generative AI is going to dramatically lower barriers to entry in media and creative fields; this would democratize creativity in a way we’ve never seen before,” Persky-Stern said.

Harvard Business Review reports that Generative AI can produce text and images, like blog posts, program code, poetry, artwork and more.

“In the modern creative world, we’ve been moving in this direction for a while. I like to think about the preceding trend as the shift from ‘Adobe’ era to the ‘Canva’ era,” he said.

In the “Adobe” era, powerful tools with steep price tags and steeper learning curves dominated.

“You needed a lot of time and money to invest in training or outsourcing,” Persky-Stern said. Without them, you were locked out of any serious production. Then, products like Canva came into play a few years ago. These lighter weight, more approachable tools offered the capabilities that the vast majority needed. And they were a lot cheaper and easier to learn.”

The size of the worldwide artificial intelligence industry, estimated at USD 93.5 billion in 2021, is expected to rise at a compound annual growth rate of

38.1% from 2022 to 2030, according to a market analysis report, Artificial Intelligence Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Solution, By Technology. The adoption of cutting-edge technology is being fueled by ongoing research and innovation carried out under the direction of the tech giants in sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and finance.

Persky-Stern said that presently, AI is ushering into a third stage.

“In this one, humans come up with the ideas and the vision, and the production is done for us,” he said, adding that businesses remain in the lead. “You still need to have the idea - but you’ll be able to do a lot more without all the technical training and money. It’s hard to know exactly what that will look like — the beauty of creative tools is how creative people can be with them! — but it’s going to be a major shift for the industry.”

Why the AI Shift?

The COVID pandemic has had a profound effect on society and industries. As numerous tech juggernauts and start-ups try to avoid, mitigate, and (still) contain the virus, the pandemic has presented an opportunity for AI-en-

abled computer systems to combat the outbreak.

The COVID outbreak is already stimulating the market growth of next-generation tech domains, including artificial intelligence, owing to the work-fromhome policies that forced technological creativity due to this pandemic working constraints, according to the report. For instance, in April 2020, Google LLC launched an AI-enabled chatbot called Rapid Response Virtual Agent for call centers.

Kwabena “Q” Johnson, CEO of PlugZen, a Detroit start-up electric vehicle manufacturer, told the Michigan Chronicle that he uses AI technology for content creation for the work he does.

“It helps out a lot with the company,” he said, adding that his company is developing an NFT campaign as well, which they will be launching pretty soon among other new ventures, which are fueled by AI. “Some of the graphic content that we are using are being developed by AI. We are spit balling and putting our thoughts on paper and having AI come up with different models for us. That is working really well.”

Bitcoins, cryptocurrencies, and non-fungible tokens, commonly referred to as NFTs, are expanding digital assets used for electronic financial transactions that are changing the game for those hoping to make significant gains both online and offline.

Many Black Americans and other people of color are participating in the new gold rush, which is turning into a virtual boom.

Discrimination by Another Name

While there are many benefits to AI, there are big drawbacks, too.

The non-profit organization American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) notes that from housing discrimination (including AI-based tenant selection and mortgage qualifications) to hiring and financial lending discrimination – AI is not all that it is cracked up to be.

“For example, AI systems used to evaluate potential tenants rely on court records and other datasets that have their own built-in biases that reflect systemic racism, sexism, and ableism,

MEDC Continues Growth of Economic Impact Across Michigan

Quentin L. Messer, Jr. to continue as CEO of MEDC for a new, four-year term

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee today sent a strong signal on the continued momentum of economic development statewide and continued support for MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. approving a new, four-year contract for Messer. Today’s action follows a year with more than $13 billion in EV and battery manufacturing investments in the state, as well as the elevation of small business, regional relevancy, and community development and placemaking within MEDC’s strategic plan.

“Director Messer brings an incredible dedication to delivering impact and opportunity to people across Michigan through the economic development ef-

forts of MEDC and Team Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “He’s used our powerful, bipartisan economic development tools to bring home over $13 billion in investment and secure nearly 13,000 jobs. Together, we will continue to stay laser-focused on growing our economy, competing for every good-paying job, and making sure businesses and people alike know Michigan is a place that welcomes them all. Let’s keep delivering on the issues that matter, support businesses of all sizes, spur innovation, and move Michigan forward.”

As MEDC CEO and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund, Messer is charged with implementing and executing MEDC’s core mission of business development and attraction, community development, providing access to capital and enhancing Michigan’s image and brand with a focus on building a strong and equitable

Quentin L. Messer, Jr.

economy for all Michiganders. His responsibilities include managing the administration of all programs, funds, personnel, contracts and other administrative functions of MEDC.

“Over nearly two years, Quentin has brought tremendous passion, energy, expertise, and a Team Michigan men-

tality to economic development here in our state,” said Awenate Cobbina, Chair of the MEDC Executive Committee. “He has worked tirelessly to drive results around building a strong and vibrant economic recovery to help our state’s businesses retain, grow and create more good-paying jobs for Michigan’s working families. Today’s action is a recognition of the results he has delivered, and will continue to deliver, while providing certainty and consistency to MEDC, our customers, and our partners across the state of Michigan.”

In addition to serving as a member of Governor Whitmer’s cabinet, Messer serves on the boards of the American Center for Mobility, Michigan Israel Business Accelerator, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute (OU EDI) and is a member of the Michigan Coun-

cil on Climate Solutions.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve Michigan in the best job and on the best team in economic development alongside my colleagues here at the MEDC,” Messer said. “Working alongside our partners in the Whitmer administration, the MEDC Executive Committee, the bipartisan legislature, our local and regional partners, and in labor and talent development and education we will continue to out-hustle and out-compete to get the job done – from bringing new investment to the state and revitalizing communities on both peninsulas to strengthening the business environment for our Michigan-grown companies – in order to secure economic opportunity for today, and future generations here in Michigan. We have made a lot of progress and we embrace the challenge

Carla Walker-Miller

Kwabena “Q” Johnson, CEO of Plug-Zen, a Detroit start-up electric vehicle manufacturer, told the Michigan Chronicle that he uses AI technology for content creation for the work he does.

Detroit Service Industry Workers Need More Protections

By Rasha Almulaiki

Although they are everywhere, restaurant workers are a class of a community’s economy that often doesn’t get the protections and benefits entitled to employees in other industries. From a lack of steady, livable wages, health insurance, and strict regulations to safeguard against harassment, the service industry and growing gig economy leaves tens of thousands of workers in Detroit without these critical safeguards to live a dignified life.

It is in this vein that last month, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (M13) introduced House Resolution 1528, the Restaurant Workers Bill of Rights in partnership with worker members of the Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United. The proposed policy seeks to legally recognize restaurant workers’ rights to “thriving wages, healing, rest, a safe and dignified working environment, universal health care, bodily autonomy, and democracy in their workplace.”

“No one should have to worry about paying rent at the end of the month or making ends meet because they can’t rely on consistent tips and lack paid sick leave,” said Tlaib in a press release.

“Our restaurant workers simply want an opportunity to thrive—not just survive—and deserve a safe, dignified working environment. No worker should be exploited, retaliated against, or denied benefits, especially for organizing for better working conditions and a better quality of life. Access to health care should not be a privilege tied to your employment, but a basic human right.”

According to a ROC United survey of more than 1,000 restaurant workers, one in 10 workers were compelled to report to work while COVID-positive due to pressure from their employer or the lack of paid sick leave. Of those who experienced wage loss, 91 percent did not receive hazard pay or increased pay for working during the pandemic. As a result, 60 percent said they are seeking employment outside the service sector.

In addition to these issues, restaurant and gig economy workers are currently dealing with the complications of alleged overpay in their unemployment filings they relied on during the pandemic.

In Michigan, the standard maximum unemployment payout amount is $362.00 per week.

AI Technology

From page A-5

and are notoriously full of errors,” ACLU noted. “People are regularly denied housing, despite their ability to pay rent, because tenant screening algorithms deem them ineligible or unworthy.”

ACLU and other entities called on The Biden administration to take “concrete steps” to bring civil rights and equity to the forefront of its AI and technology policies, and to actively work to address the systemic harms of these technologies.

Last fall, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy responded with a release of its “Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” guidance document.

In order to safeguard the civil rights of the American public from AI bias and other potential harms, the document consists of a set of principles and practices. It is intended to help guide the design, use, and deployment of artificial in-

During the pandemic, a new federal program added temporary additional funds to the state unemployment benefit of $600 per week.

An audit of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) reported an estimated $3.9 billion to 347,437 residents in COVID-19 related aid and financial assistance was overpaid to ineligible claimants since March 15, 2020.

“We have a broken unemployment system in Michigan,” said Paris, lead attorney at Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice. “When Rashida was here, we fought tooth and nail with federal lawsuits….and now you take this broken system and you put out an unprecedented amount of unemployment filers on it because of the pandemic and it’s been a perfect storm of a nightmare.

“Hundreds of thousands of people were paid out initially on their pandemic unemployment. The feds came in too late to Michigan and said you were being too loose with their rules. Not so long after, hundreds of thousands of people were told they had to pay it all back. Too many service industry workers, musicians, artists and gig workers were out of work and relied on this. This was the first time in American history that you could get unemployment with not having a W2, you could be a 1099 contractor and qualify.”

Last year, Paris said he attended 110 hearings for residents appealing UIA claims of overpay. The average client was cited to have between $5,000-$50,000 in unemployment overpay.

Since 1991 the Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice, a Detroit-based nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to providing political advocacy and legal support to low-income, working-class people to ensure equitable conditions of employment.

Last year, the law center’s most common cases included unemployment overpayment appeals and cases of tip theft and sexual harassment of restaurant workers, which Paris said was “rampant in the industry”.

The Economic Policy Institute estimates that wage theft costs employees $50 billion annually. Millions of dollars in salaries are withheld from servers, bussers, hosts, bartenders and other restaurant employees each year by restaurant businesses.

telligence systems and technology across public and private sectors, from housing and employment to health care and others.

The Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights addresses all automated systems and AI-driven technology that may have an influence on Americans’ civil freedoms, equality of opportunity, or access to essential resources or services. AI algorithms, for instance, are currently used to decide who gets hired, who qualifies for student loans or mortgages, and to forecast how patients will be treated. This application of AI frequently worsens already-existing imbalances and creates access barriers for already marginalized populations. The goal of the Blueprint for an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights is to outline the fundamental safeguards we have against these negative effects.

ReNika Moore, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Racial Justice Program, said in a statement online that while the country’s Constitution’s Bill of Rights protects people’s most basic

Millions of dollars in salaries are lost by restaurant workers because their employers improperly deduct tips, withhold wages or underpay their staff. Restaurant employees are protected by employment regulations from lost income as a result of wage theft. Employees who work for a restaurant whose owner violates these regulations may be entitled to back pay, damages and penalties.

“These workers rely heavily on the tipping for their wages, which is an unreliable income in most cases but also leaves you vulnerable to that type of harassment or discrimination because you rely on tips so you feel pressure to remain polite,” said Paris.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the restaurant industry receives the most sexual harassment accusations than any other. According to a 2014 study, 80 percent of women and 70 percent of men working in the restaurant business experienced sexual harassment by coworkers, with 66 percent of female and more than 50 percent of male restaurant employees reporting sexual harassment by supervisors.

Paris said there have been cases when Sugar Law Center represented workers advocating for their rights, such as Polonia Village in Hamtramck. A lawsuit was filed in 2021 alleging that female employees were sexually harassed, faced racial and homophobic discrimination, as well as being robbed of their tips by a manager.

“They had huge tips stolen and were subjected to constant sexual harassment,” said Paris. “We wanted not just back pay, but are fighting to make substantive policy changed in these places, the rules need to be enforced. These are major labor violations and too often restaurant workers are afraid to speak out because they depend on these jobs or don’t know their rights.”

When asked if Congresswoman Tlaib’s bill promoting a restaurant worker’s bill of rights will effect policy reform, Paris said, “I think there is no one-size bill that can change an industry that has been operating this way for a long time, but it is certainly an organizing tool that can be used to put these really terrible issues on blast. Change needs to come local. We need ordinances and protections in our city where employees have a voice on what they need.”

civil rights and liberties from the government, in the 21st century, there need to be more.

“We need a ‘bill of rights’ to protect us against the use of faulty and discriminatory artificial intelligence that infringes upon our core rights and freedoms. We commend the Biden administration on this step toward ensuring that AI systems don’t erode our rights,” she said. “Unchecked, artificial intelligence exacerbates existing disparities and creates new roadblocks for already-marginalized groups, including communities of color and people with disabilities.

When AI is developed or used in ways that don’t adequately take into account existing inequities or is used to make decisions for which it is inappropriate, we see real-life harms such as biased, harmful predictions leading to the wrongful arrest of Black people, jobs unfairly denied to women, and disparate targeting of children of color for removal from their families. The Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights is an important step in addressing the harms of AI.”

From page A-5

is up to local entrepreneurs and business leaders to drive an equitable and inclusive vision that fights climate change and grows the clean energy industry. That vision must include effective onramps to a thriving clean energy ecosystem that pays livable wages to those who have traditionally been left behind. DTE Energy Efficiency Academy is a direct response to the growing demand for energy efficient home repairs and retrofits in Detroit, and a necessity in building a thriving local workforce that will benefit the community for years to come. We are creating jobs for Detroiters and building a talent pipeline for a Michigan industry on the rise. When this partnership is scaled, Detroit residents will be leaders in the growing clean energy economy, and recipients of all its important benefits.

According to the Home Builders Institute, 2.2M additional skilled trade hires nationwide are needed now through 2024 to help keep up with labor demand, mitigate weakened housing supply and improve affordability. In Detroit, nearly 40,000 owner- and renter- occupied households suffer from inadequate housing conditions, according to the University of Michigan’s Detroit Metro Area Community Study (DMACS).

Key benefits of the Energy Efficiency Academy include paid training for participants, and both classroom training and field training – working in Detroit homes to implement energy-saving upgrades and installs.

Participants earn Building Analyst and Healthy Home Evaluator certifications through the Building Performance Institute (BPI), as well as professional guidance and connections to recruitment networks for entry-level clean energy jobs with competitive starting wages. Career pathways in electrical, HVAC, insulation, and home performance skilled trades will be accessible for participants who complete the program.

Workforce development as a means of eco-

MEDC

From page A-5

of completing the remaining work. Let’s get it!”

Since Messer started as CEO of MEDC in July 2021, the state has seen significant momentum in bipartisan economic development efforts including Governor Whitmer signing legislation establishing the SOAR fund, a renewed emphasis on site readiness in the state, the creation of an EV/mobility and semiconductor Talent Action Teams to fill in-demand jobs in key industries, the creation of the Small Business Services & Support Team at MEDC to strengthen the ecosystem of support for entrepreneurs and

nomic empowerment will live up to its full potential only when programs are centered in equity. Together, with partners such as DTE Energy, Walker-Miller is leading that charge. We eagerly look forward to expanding our efforts in the new year.

Carla Walker-Miller is the Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy Services (Walker-Miller), a values-driven company that changes lives through energy. Known as a visionary who leads with both empathy and tenacity, Carla is a tireless advocate for the representation of Black people and people of color, women, and historically excluded communities. Led by her belief that the inclusion of all voices elevates business, drives sustainable policies, and creates equitable opportunities for all, she is a highly sought-after speaker on issues relating to entrepreneurship, diversity, equity and inclusion, the clean energy economy, workforce development, utility affordability and sustainability. Carla received her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University. She resides in Detroit, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Oak Grove AME Church.

ABOUT WALKER-MILLER ENERGY SERVICES

Walker-Miller Energy Services (Walker-Miller) is one of the largest African American and woman owned clean energy companies in the United States. Walker-Miller’s commitment to Empower People and Enrich Communities is the bedrock of a unique, people-centered culture that values all people and normalizes diversity, equity, and inclusion as a strength. A Certified B Corporation, Walker-Miller is a trusted partner with deep roots in the energy industry, providing thought leadership around Energy Efficiency as Equitable Economic Development; Advanced Energy Products & Services; Equitable Mobility Consulting & Installation; and Medium and High Voltage Equipment Sales to utilities, municipalities, businesses, and communities to drive the benefits of clean energy to all.

the deployment of nearly $100 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to enhance community vitality while addressing impacts of the pandemic on public gathering places and office buildings.

Messer was named by Financial Times as a member of the 2021 Agenda Diversity 100, Crain’s Detroit Business, 50 Names to Know in Government (2021), Biz New Orleans CEO of the Year (2020), Biz New Orleans Businessperson of the Year (2019), by Consultants Connect as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers (2020, 2019) and by Ebony Magazine for its Ebony Power 100 as a Power Player (2018).

In 2021, workers at Hamtramck’s iconic Polonia restaurant filed a lawsuit alleging wage theft, sexual harassment and discrimination by a manager. The photo shows a protest in support of the lawsuit. Photo courtesy of Maurice & Jane Sugar Law Center for Economic and Social Justice.

q 50 years of age or older

Cancer q Chronic kidney disease

Chronic liver disease

Chronic lung diseases

Cystic fibrosis

Dementia or other neurological conditions

Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)

Disabilities

Heart conditions

HIV infection

Immunocompromised condition or weakened immune system

Mental health conditions

Overweight and obesity

Physical inactivity

Pregnancy

Sickle cell disease or thalassemia

Smoker, current or former

Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant

Stroke or cerebrovascular disease

Substance use disorders

The list above does not include all possible conditions that put you at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Learn more at CDC.gov.

When it comes to severe illness from COVID-19,

If it’s on the list, it means high risk.

These risk factors can increase your chances of severe illness from COVID-19 If it’s been at least 2 months since you completed primary series vaccination or received an original booster, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting an updated booster designed for recent Omicron variants. Available to eligible people 5 years and older.

Updated boosters are currently available at no cost to you.

Scan or visit vaccines.gov to check eligibility and schedule an appointment.

© 2022 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. PP-CVV-USA-2090

Explore What’s Influencing Travel Trends in 2023

(Family Features) Immediately following the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States, outdoor and drivable destinations were in big demand for domestic travelers. As the country has reopened, Americans embraced the idea of getting back to normal and began traveling much as they did prior to the pandemic.

However, travel trends on the horizon for 2023 suggest there is no normal when it comes to travel planning. Instead, individual interests are driving decisions about where to go and what to do.

“We see a detailed and robust picture of travel into 2023,” Expedia Brands President Jon Gieselman said. “We’re seeing a surge in trips to culture capitals, a new wave of interest in wellness retreats and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond just beaches and mountains. It’s not a new normal so much as people branching out to unexpected trends in what we’re calling the ‘no normal.’”

A close look at these trends suggests there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to travel in 2023. Insights sourced from the company’s first-party data, and from custom research of thousands of travelers and industry professionals across 17 countries, show personal interests and pop culture are heavily influencing travel choices.

Consider these conclusions from the experts at Expedia: Set-Jetters

Booking a trip after bingeing a popular series will become serious business in 2023. Research confirms streamed movies and TV shows are now the top sources of travel inspiration (40%), outpacing the influence of social media (31%). Furthermore, the small screen is now considered on par with recommendations from friends and family when it comes to travel inspiration.

In the U.S., more than two-thirds (68%) of travelers considered visiting a destination after seeing it in a show or movie on a streaming platform, and a whopping 61% went ahead and booked a trip. Top set-jetter destinations include New Zealand, with its landscapes featured in one of this year’s most epic series, followed by the United Kingdom, Paris, New York and the beach resorts of Hawaii.

Culture Capitals

National parks and rural retreats had big moments the past couple of years. Now, cities are seeing a comeback. Based on traveler demand, most of the destinations seeing the largest increases are culture-rich cities where art and culture festivities are back in full swing. Examples include the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, WorldPride in Sydney and the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. Culture capitals that are calling

By Andre Ash

An entrepreneur with style and a dip of pageantry, helping shape childhood development in today’s Detroit youth is Pageant Atterberry, the owner of Atterberry Academy Beginnings Childcare which she began 2008. You can say the inspiration to head her own business and take an interest in the nourishing foundation of the city’s young people didn’t come from a place too far. As one of eight children, Atterberry grew up in a house of mostly male siblings and woke up every morning at 5 a.m. to help open up her mom’s childcare center.

“It was the start of this journey that I didn’t realize at the time. I was witnessing something great that was going to come from it later,” she said. “I went to school for something that had nothing to do with childcare, and then you come back full circle to where you first began and realize that is what you’re good at.”

We Still Out Here This Cuffing Season

By Sherri Kolade

Cuffing season is here. How will you explore your options while there is still time left?

Whether you’re looking for a longterm romance or something else, cuffing season might be your best bet to finding love while entering the sometimes choppy waters of the dating field.

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, cuffing season is the time of year when single people rejoice and begin looking for short-term partnerships to help them get through the drier months of the year. Typically, cuffing season starts in October and lasts until soon after Valentine’s Day.

Cuffing season became a term in Urban Dictionary in 2011.

While people can date any time, cuffing season is seemingly a more socially acceptable time to date with more openness and relaxed dating rules.

During cuffing season though, research shows that men cuff more, which is one of the biggest surprises. This might be because cuffing ro-

mances tend to be more hurried and promiscuous, according to nationwide dating trends.

With COVID, isolation and ever-changing relationship rules, the dating scene has changed in unforeseen ways, to say the least during the past several years. Singles across the nation have been forced to adapt and adjust to cultural nuances that impact their dating lives. Even economically, things have shifted the dating world – hello inflation and goodbye expensive nights out? Not so fast. Love and romance still win in the end, regardless of obstacles because new trends mean new ways to shake things up and find someone to be with.

To prepare daters for 2023, Jonathan Kirkland from Match Group’s BLK has put together his predictions for the dating trends people will be seeing in 2023, and says that entrepreneurship is on the rise, especially amongst Black Americans. Additionally, of the new BLK profile stickers “Black Business Owner” was one of the most commonly used on the dating app.

In 2023, the nation will see a rise of

The entrepreneurial bug clearly rubbed off on her at an early age.

“In middle school I would come to class with candy and sell it to students and my friends.” Her inventory of candy and snacks was supplied by grocery shopping trips to the store with her mother and asking, “Hey mom, can you buy this big jug of candy for me?”

With great demand and little money spent on supply thanks to mom, little Atterberry gained a nice profit. So, in high school she decided to take it up a notch. “I started selling shoes and purses.”

This entrepreneurial bug continued after graduating high school when she would utilize some of her financial savvy to rent event space for her new start up business, PBA Royal. “I wanted to teach girls modeling, dancing, acting and pageantry. At this time

what Kirkland is calling “entre-dating” or dating someone who has similar business interests and entrepreneurial passions, with hopes of going into business together.

Also, this year more Black singles will use dating apps to make connections ahead of and during major music festivals and events like AfroPunk, Essence Festival and Made in America. According to Kirkland, people will also see more festivals and event organizations partnering with dating apps to increase connectivity amongst festival-goers.

There also is a complex relationship between Black women and their beauty routines and practices. The debate around “wearing wigs vs. showcasing natural hair” or “how much makeup is too much makeup” will always be a topic of conversation.

“However, in 2023, we will see women embracing their natural beauty and showcasing this on their dating app profile photos,” according to BLK.

Dr. Eddie Connor, a best-selling author, international speaker and college

Pageant Atterberry

Tinisha D. Brugnone, author of “Pimpette

Chronicles: A Modern Black Woman’s Guide to Dating Safely and Navigating These Mean Streets,” says she is slowing down with dating during cuffing season.

Atterberry Academy

From page B-1

in my life, everything was about flipping what I loved to do, knew how to do, did well, and turning it into money.”

Evident in her first name, Pageant, contests are something she frequently signed up for as a preteen and did well.

“It was something pushed by my mother. My mom had six boys at the time and I was her first girl and it was she highly encouraged [pageantry shows].”

Highlighting beauty, elegance and her intelligence through pageantry was extracurricular for Atterberry, but in a household of boys she was a true athlete like the boys and wanted to play sports. Growing up, she ran track and even played football.

Yet, cultivating the development of young girls from her upbringing and family business or becoming a professional sports athlete weren’t her career desires.

Before college she joined a summer program at Wayne State University where she met a group of students studying journalism and discovered the cool factor of watching them broadcast television news. She mentioned to an instructor this would be a potential career path she would love to learn.

“Oh, you want to work behind the camera,” said the instructor. “No, I want to talk in front of the camera,” Atterberry replied. “Oh, well once you clear your acne, then you can

get in front of the camera, but not right now,” the instructor replied.

Atterberry said she was so hurt by the comment, but she used that blunt response and reality as motivation to pursue a career in this field.

She would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in communications, Broadcast Journalism, from University of Detroit Mercy. She eventually left Detroit for Washington, D.C., where she earned her Master’s degree from Harvard University. She would become a correspondent for a news agency covering D.C. politics.

She ultimately returned to Detroit to focus on being a new mother to her son, Porter.

Working as a radio station producer and reporter back home allowed her to meet the late Wayne County Sherriff Benny Napoleon.

Napoleon’s passion to host talent shows for youth and Pageant’s background in youth and performing arts were a match. An opportunity followed to work in his department as Director of Communications. The position allowed her to network and meet people across every sector of government, business and youth organizations.

After her time in the Sherriff’s office, the relationships she built helped foster her growth and expansion of her daycare operations and other business endeavors. It was a full circle return to entrepreneurship just as she had known life

(Family Features) Growing your own produce is an allaround smart practice, from the money you’ll save at the grocery store to the contributions you can make toward a cleaner planet.

Maintaining a garden takes some effort, but it’s a project even a beginner can tackle with ease. Consider these tips to start growing your at-home garden: Select a perfect spot. You’ll want to place your garden in an area where you see it often so you’re reminded to weed and care for it regularly. Find a flat area you can access easily, where erosion and other pitfalls (including hungry wildlife) won’t be a problem.

Choose between ground and containers. There are pros and cons to gardening in containers vs. the ground, and there’s no universal right choice. Rather, the best garden depends on your goals and preferences. A ground garden usually offers more space and may provide a better growth environment for roots. However, a container garden is often easier to maintain and may be all you need if you wish to grow just a few plants.

Understand the importance of quality soil. You may think any dirt will do, but keep in mind the soil you plant in will be the primary source of nutrients for your produce. Not only that, but quality soil provides stability so plants can root firmly and grow healthy and sturdy to support their bounty. Quality soil also allows for ample drainage. Organic matter like compost, leaf mold or aged manure all help improve soil quality.

Keep water close. Lugging water can quickly eliminate the pleasure of tending your garden, so be sure you’re situated near a hose. You’ll know it’s time to water when the soil is dry about an inch below the surface.

Plan for plenty of sun. A bright, sunny spot is a must, since most vegetables, herbs and fruits depend on six or more hours of sun every day. Remember the sun’s path changes throughout the year, and as trees and foliage grow, they may produce more shade with each growing season.

Consider what you’ll grow. Starting with veggies you know you like is a smart starting point since you’ll be pouring sweat equity into making them grow. Over time, you might add new varieties, but early on, keep your focus on foods you know you like so you can see a meaningful return and avoid waste. You’ll also need to consider what you can grow to maturity within your area’s growing season. If necessary, you might want to start transplants you can nurture indoors before moving them outside when the temperatures allow.

Plant according to a calendar. Knowing how long it takes different foods to mature will help you create a planting calendar. You don’t want to harvest everything at once, and if you stagger planting and replant what you can, you’ll have a garden that produces food for your family for a longer period of time.

Find more helpful tips for managing your home and garden at eLivingtoday.com

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

Cuffing Season

From page B-1

professor, said that cuffing season happens after the hot boy/hot girl summer season goes away.

“Oftentimes, it can be a short-term entanglement that ends when springtime rolls around because it became a relation-slip or situation-ship,” he said, adding that the caveat though is everybody that has a heart doesn’t have a heart.

to be while growing up and being inspired by her mother.

“I knew that I could be the best at what I provide, and I am,” she said. “All of my students wear uniforms; all of my teachers are qualified. We have performing arts; we help parents who can’t read and with jobs and other resources for the household; we are more than just childcare.”

“We’ve realized you can’t just pour all this love and knowledge into the kid, we pour into the parents as well, so the child has a healthy environment.”

Atterberry has situated PBA Royal as the umbrella company in her portfolio of growing companies, from childcare to janitorial services, and traffic management supplies.

Despite an active business lifestyle, she remains humble and does so in style. “My dad was the fashionista in the family. He was who inspired me,” she said. “As a little girl, I would ask my mother to buy me shinning pants because I always wanted to dress like my dad and not wear jeans.”

Atterberry said you’ll probably catch her wearing jeans once in an entire year. Fashion became a way of self-expression, a contrast of being shy and being able to verbally express herself well as a girl. It was something she would grow out of by becoming a college communications major and something she helps students pursue every day – their ability to find and express themselves through the care her centers provide for children across Detroit.

“There’s nothing worse than doing permanent things with temporary people. What is it to have a warm body, if the person you’re connected to has a cold heart?

“As you are waiting begin working by pouring into your purpose, practicing self-discipline and personal development,” he said, adding that a lady with a sweet personality who knows her purpose is attractive.

Tinisha D. Brugnone, author of “Pimpette Chronicles: A Modern Black Woman’s Guide to Dating Safely and Navigating These Mean Streets,” writes relatable cautionary tales and shares data and statistics while taking her readers on a journey of self-analysis, selflove and empowerment.

Brugnone told the Michigan Chronicle that dating and relationships are a trending topic but “dating safely” is too often left out of the conver-

sation among other elements of cuffing season like dating long-term.

“Cuffing season could definitely turn into something meaningful, but I also… really feel like a lot of people kind of just settle down with one person just because the [bad] weather season, which is why we call it cuffing season,” Brugnone, who is single, said. “You know, it’s so for me personally, I actually decided to kind of like take a step back from dating… this season just for that specific reason.”

Brugnone, who dated someone earlier last year for six months said that the relationship ended in September when she decided to hold off on dating and focus on her priorities.

Brugnone encourages women and men when dating this season to be intentional, safe, and deliberate with their time.

“Some of the problems that we’re running into now [are] because people are just dating anyone who’s available, they’re just going out on dates with stuff. I do not believe in it at all.… If you’re over a certain age and you’re serious about being with someone you really need to try to only concentrate or give your time to those types of people and not people that are not aligned with your vision or your needs.”

Travel Trends

From page B-1

loudest include:

• Edinburgh, Scotland?

• Lisbon, Portugal?

• Tokyo

• Dublin

• New York

• Sydney • Dubai, United Arab Emirates?

• Montreal

• Munich

• Bangkok

Gather more ideas and inspiration to help plan an adventure that’s uniquely your own at Expedia.com or by downloading the app.

Source: Expedia

This

Trending Colors

Selecting the right colors for your home project is often influenced by both your personal preferences and the latest design trends. Some contemporary options to consider include:

• Earth Tones: Warmer, natural-looking earth tones are versatile, working seamlessly with just about any design or architectural style of home. Some trending hues include muted terracotta, green, yellow and plum.

• Warm Neutrals: Although they’re not typically used as statement colors, warm neutrals bring a sense of comfort while also offering an inviting, blank canvas to let individuality flow freely. On-trend options include shades of dark brown, caramel, tan or off-white.

• Rich, Dark Colors: These deep, saturated hues can make a house stand out and look more modern while still offering a nod to warmer hues. Chocolate brown, brick red or dark jade are popular choices for those who prefer rich hues.

• Pink and Blush Shades: Various shades of pink, rose and blush will be increasingly popular choices for homeowners exuding a greater sense of self-expression. In home design, look for these colors to appear in coral, pink, red-orange, raspberry or blush tones.

• Sweet Pastels: There are signs homeowners are ready to bring colors back into their homes. Expect to see sweet pastel shades like soft pink, mint green and light purple in furniture, decor and accessories.

Materials with Texture

With warm neutrals and earth tones dominating the color palette, both interior and exterior design will depend heavily on texture to add defi-

Brick and stone give designers options for adding depth and dimension, integrating a play on light and shadows with a variety of textural elements.

Brick carries a sense of tradition, character and timelessness while also serving as a popular choice for homeowners due to its design flexibility. Qualities such as low-maintenance, resilience, durability, sustainability and beauty make brick an option that allows homeowners to balance function with appearance.

Homeowners can find more than 600 brick and stone products with Glen-Gery’s extensive product line that offers endless design possibilities and timeless beauty. From handmade to glazed bricks and everything in between, these building products come in a diverse array of colors, textures and sizes, making it easy to personalize living spaces with the latest design and color trends.

Try a virtual design tool like Picture Perfect, which can help you visualize projects, or find other style inspiration at glengery.com.Bring Color with Brick

Brick is often selected for its functional benefits, but it’s also an appealing building product due to its versatile color, texture and size combinations. Color can evoke a certain mood and assist in achieving a desired outcome. Often, architects and designers even incorporate multiple colors or create custom looks by using multiple brick colors and styles.

To help homeowners hone in on the perfect look to match their vision for contemporary design and align with anticipated 2023 color trends, Glen-Gery will introduce its inaugural Brick Color of the Year, a program that showcases trending hues that lend well to trending aesthetics.

Reflecting contemporary earthy, nature-inspired color trends, the Pitt Cafe Series consists of four soft, neutral-toned, versatile bricks, ranging from creamy white to earthtone and brown-gray with highly pronounced textural features. What’s more, the series can be used for both interior and exterior applications for modern or contemporary designs.

Source: Glen-Gery

(Family Features) Over the past year, architectural design saw a surge in nature-inspired, earth tones, such as calming shades of blue and green. Homeowners can expect this trend to continue into the coming months, but with warmer, richer colors.

ongoing interest in warm neutrals with earthy undertones and pink and blush shades is likely to be increasingly popular in 2023 as homeowners become more adventurous with their color choices as a form of creative expression.

nition. More design choices will move away from faux finishes and instead focus on natural and authentic looks, many of which can be achieved through brick and stone.

FAMILY FEATURES

Red or white, sweet or dry, wine lovers are often entertainers at heart. When inviting guests to share your personal favorites, nothing enhances a tasting get-together quite like complementary snack and wine pairings.

The next time you find a wine party on your schedule, consider these simple yet delicious recommendations from sommelier and founder of “The Lush Life,” Sarah Tracey, who partnered with Fresh Cravings to create “Dips and Sips.” Aimed at reinventing wine and cheese parties, the movement focuses on simplistic recipes, easy dip pairings and suggested wines.

“When I entertain at home, I’m always looking for ways to impress my friends with fresh, creative bites I can pair with wine,” Tracey said. “My favorite hack is finding great products with high-quality ingredients then creating simple, elevated ways to serve them. The less time I spend in the kitchen, the more time I get to spend with my guests.”

Tracey relies on the versatility of Fresh Cravings’ array of dip options and crowdpleasing, bold flavors worth celebrating. With authentic-tasting chilled salsas offering a vibrant alternative to soft, dull blends of jarred salsa and flavor-filled hummus made with premium ingredients like Chilean Virgin Olive Oil, these dips elevate both traditional and reinvented recipes.

For example, Tracey’s recipes for Polenta Rounds with Pico de Gallo Salsa and Crab, Spiced Butternut Squash Naan Flatbreads, Cheesy Tortilla Cutouts with Salsa and Hummus-Stuffed Mushrooms offer flavorful, easy-to-make appetizers that can make

entertaining easy and effortless. Plus, these crave-worthy morsels are just as tasty and approachable for guests choosing to skip the wine.

Find more recipe and pairing ideas perfect for enhancing your next party at FreshCravings.com.

Polenta Rounds with Pico de Gallo Salsa and Crab

Recipe courtesy of Sarah Tracey

Total time: 30 minutes

Servings: 6

1 tube (16 ounces) prepared polenta nonstick cooking spray salt, to taste 8 ounces jumbo lump crabmeat 1 container Fresh Cravings Pico de Gallo Salsa, Mild 1 bunch fresh mint, finely chopped Mateus Rosé

Heat oven to 400 F.

Slice polenta into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Arrange on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Sprinkle with salt, to taste, and let cool.

Combine jumbo lump crabmeat with salsa.

Top each polenta round with crab salsa mixture.

Garnish with finely chopped fresh mint and pair with vibrant, fruity rosé.

teaspoon chili powder salt, to taste pepper, to taste

package mini naan dippers

bunch fresh rosemary, minced La Veielle Ferme Rosé

Preheat oven to 425 F.

Chop butternut

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place large flour tortilla on sheet pan. Top with handful of grated cheese. Sprinkle chiles on top of cheese layer. Add chopped cilantro. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Top with another tortilla. Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Work in batches to make three sets of cheese-filled tortillas. Cut out desired shapes with

Flatbreads

FAMILY FEATURES

No matter your motivations, it’s never too late or too early to start focusing on your heart health, and taking steps now can make a big difference. Small changes, like following a healthier eating plan, can help you start down a path toward improved heart health.

One step you can take is following the DASH eating plan, which is a flexible and balanced way of eating that stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and was developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Requiring no special foods, DASH provides daily and weekly nutritional goals to help lower two major risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure and high LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Being more physically active, managing stress, getting quality sleep and not smoking combined with DASH can put you on a path toward a healthy heart for life.

Encouraging others to join you on your heart-health journey can also be rewarding. Research shows social support and personal networks make it more likely you’ll stick to healthy habits like eating healthy.

Sharing heart-healthy recipes with family and friends is an added bonus, and these DASH-friendly meals can help you take the guesswork out of putting nutritious dinners on the table. Greek-Style Flank Steaks with Tangy Yogurt Sauce offer the bold flavors of the Mediterranean while Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon with Stir-Fried Vegetables is as easy to make as it is colorful. For a complementary combination of pork and sweet fruit flavor, these Baked Pork Chops with Apple Cranberry Sauce are perfect to serve alongside brown rice or steamed broccoli. Learn more about heart health and find DASH-friendly recipes at nhlbi.nih.gov/ DASH.

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: 4

Marinade: 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 teaspoons fresh oregano, rinsed, dried and chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves) 1 beef flank steak (12 ounces)

Yogurt Sauce: 1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 tablespoon fresh dill, rinsed, dried and chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (2-3 cloves) 1/2 teaspoon salt

To make marinade: In large bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, oregano and garlic.

Lay steak in flat container with sides and pour marinade over steak. Marinate at least 20 minutes, or up to 24 hours, turning several times.

To make yogurt sauce: Combine cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, dill, garlic and salt. Set yogurt sauce aside at least 15 minutes to blend flavors. Sauce can be prepared up to 1 hour in advance and refrigerated.

Preheat broiler to high with rack 3 inches from heat source.

Broil steak about 10 minutes on each side to minimum internal temperature of 145 F. Let cool 5 minutes before carving.

Slice thinly across grain into 12 slices.

Serve three slices with 1/2 cup yogurt sauce.

Tip: Serve in sandwich with pita bread, lettuce and tomato.

In small saucepan over medium heat, cook grated apples, cinnamon stick and bay leaf until apples begin to soften.

Add cranberries, orange juice and reserved broth. Bring to boil then lower heat to gentle simmer. Simmer 10 minutes, or until cranberries are plump and apples are tender. Remove cinnamon stick.

Peel orange and cut into eight sections.

Serve one pork chop with 1/4 cup sauce and two orange segments.

Photos courtesy of Getty Images

Greek-Style

Greek-Style Flank Steak with Tangy Yogurt Sauce

Recipe courtesy of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Dorothy Alfreda Bailey Gilchrist

Mrs. Dorothy Alfreda Bailey Gilchrist, departed this life peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 21, 2023. She was the third of 5 children, born July 4, 1947 in Palatka, FL to the late Mr. Jasper Edward Bailey Sr. and Mrs. Ruth Johnson Bailey. Assisted in her development were maternal Grandparents the late Mr. Charlie Young Sr. and Mrs. Mary Broker Young.

Dorothy grew up in Green Cove Springs, FL. She attended Dunbar High School in Green Cove Springs, FL. and graduated in the class of 1965. She continued her education at Volusia County Community College in Daytona Beach, FL and graduated in 1967.

While attending college she met and married her loving husband Calvin William Gilchrist, with whom she shared 55 years of marriage until her transitioning. From their union came two children: Benita Farley and Zaneta Brown.

Dorothy and Calvin lived and raised their family in Detroit, MI. There she had 30 years of tenure with General Motors Corporation, retiring in 2000. After both retired they moved to Florida. She enjoyed serving her church community where she held memberships at True Love Missionary Baptist Church while in Detroit, MI and Greater Union First Baptist Church in DeLand, FL. She was dedicated to supporting, teaching strong values, and being an exemplary example of a wife and mother to her family. She was also known for her excellent cooking and baking skills. She loved trying new recipes, many of which have become staples throughout her extended family.

Dorothy is survived by her husband: Calvin Gilchrist, Children: Benita Gilchrist Farley (Rodney), Zaneta Brown (Derek), Grandchildren: Jasmine Adams (Lawrence), Adrianna Farley, Zoriah Brown, Zorinah Brown, Great-grandson: Lawrence Adams III , and Siblings: Lawrence C Mims (Doris), Barbara Bailey-Castro, Emily Bailey-Mason, Jasper Edward Bailey, Jr. (Josephine), and Fern Bates (Larry) and several nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at 1 PM at Greater Union First Baptist Church, 240 S. Clara Ave., DeLand, FL. Mrs. Gilchrist’ remains will rest for visitation of family and friends on Saturday, January 28, 2023 from 12-1PM at the church.

Arrangements entrusted to J. E. Cusack Mortuary 727 South Stone Street DeLand, FL, 32720 Phone: (386) 734-3831.

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

DETROIT PEOPLE MOVER/ DETROIT TRANSPORTATION CORPORATION

535 Griswold St Ste # 400 Detroit, MI 48226

LIVE STREAM DAY OF SERVICE AT GREATER UNION FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/ greaterunionfirstbaptist/live

BID # 1-19-23

BID # 07-01-2022 REBID

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

The Detroit Transportation Corporation (DTC) Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) requests proposals from qualified Contractors to provide specialized track work services for the DTC-owned Detroit People Mover (DPM). This includes the replacement of specified sections of worn rail (curve and tangent), and the replacement and reinstallation of anchor bolts and special track turnout components. DTC is seeking to award a two-year firm-fixed price contract.

All bids must be received by the Detroit Transportation Corporation via Bidnet/MITN on or before 5:00 p.m. (EST) November 7, 2022.

A pre-bid site visit will be determined at a later date, if necessary.

All proposals must be received electronically by Bidnet Direct on or before 5:00 PM EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) February 23, 2023.

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

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

Mike Anderson

Procurement Manager mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com

Procurement Manager mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com

3cols x 4 inches

How to Deepen Children’s Civic Engagement

(StatePoint) Increasingly, parents of young children are placing a larger focus on civic engagement and giving back. Not sure where to get started or how to strengthen your involvement?

The following actions draw upon Points of Light’s Civic Circle, a framework that helps people understand the many facets of civic engagement and provides an opportunity to show children the variety of ways they can support causes they care about. Combine these ideas to engage your whole family, strengthen your community and amplify your efforts:

1. Volunteer. Hands-on action is always an amazing way to get involved. Whether you find time to volunteer at a local organization or use one of Points of Light’s DIY project guides, there are plenty of options for families of all ages and abilities. Consider projects that focus on issue areas that children can easily understand and get involved with, such as food insecurity, animal welfare and climate change.

2. Donate. Most organizations need financial support to continue their operations and deliver on their missions. Having a family fundraiser can be a great way to support an organization or cause. Whether you run a lemonade stand, plan a virtual fundraiser, sell friendship bracelets or do something else creative, activities like these help youth learn planning skills and the value of supporting organizations financially.

3. Purchase Power. Consider shopping at small local businesses or BIPOC- or women-owned businesses. You can also find and support companies that give back – either with a percentage of proceeds or by working sustainably.

4. Listen and Learn. A critical element of civic engagement is listening to and learning from the community you hope to serve. Before taking action, learn about what’s really needed. If you can’t talk to those directly impacted, ask a local nonprofit organization if they have suggestions or more information. You can also read books, listen to podcasts or watch documentaries about the causes you wish to support.

5. Use Your Voice. Helping kids find their voice is important because they can use it to harness their power in bringing awareness to important causes. Kids can share information by telling friends and family what they learned over a dinner, sharing a report at school, or providing information for others with an action item to take.

If you’re looking for tactical ideas, Points of Light’s website has family-friendly toolkits for youth of all ages that incorporates some of these elements. Visit www.pointsoflight.org to find a project that’s right for you.

Let your initial efforts be just a starting point. Taking action and understanding the impact of your work can lead to a lifetime of civic engagement and service.

6 Ways to Build Lasting Healthy Habits

(Family Features) Starting on a path toward healthy habits is often easier than maintaining them long term. This year, you can avoid a major pitfall of healthy resolutions and build healthy habits that stick by working small, positive steps into your daily life.

In fact, healthy habits are the first suggested treatment strategy for people whose blood pressure and cholesterol levels are creeping higher than normal, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement.

“The current guidelines for managing high blood pressure and cholesterol recognize that otherwise healthy individuals with mildly or moderately elevated levels of these cardiovascular risk factors should actively attempt to reduce these risks, and increasing physical activity is a great place to start,” said Bethany Barone Gibbs, Ph.D., chair of the statement writing group and chair of the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at West Virginia University School of Public Health.

These six ideas from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Habit Coach can help.

Bust Common Habit-Building Myths

You may be surprised to learn the truth about creating and sticking to healthy habits. One myth is getting healthy means doing things you don’t like. Research shows positive emotions make habits stick, so set your intentions on something you enjoy. Another misconception is big results require big changes, which may lead to overly ambitious habits. However, the simpler the routine is, the more likely it is to become habit.

Work with Your “Brain Loops”

Your brain creates “loops” for habits made up of three things: a cue, a routine and a reward. Each time the loop is repeated, it becomes more routine and may become automatic. Knowing this, you can design cues for developing new, healthy habits, such as setting walking shoes by the bed to start a walking habit. The routine is putting on the shoes and walking around the block, and the reward is the pleasant sensations and brighter mood from a morning stroll.

Create Cues That Work for You

Most successful health habits begin with a cue.

The cue can be external in your environment or internal in terms of your mindset. The more consistent the cue, the more likely it is to trigger the habit. Hacking your brain’s reminder system can help you remember your cue. Some examples of visual cues are placing a sticky note where you’ll see it often, keeping a water bottle on your desk or refrigerating fresh veggies at eye level.

Build a Routine That Supports Your Goals

Positive and consistent habits are important to achieve your personal goals. Small habits done consistently can add up to big results. To create a new healthy habit, think through the steps that could lead to your desired outcome. Ask yourself whether you want to do it, if it’s easy and if it’s high impact. It’s important to choose habits that make a difference and move you closer to your goals.

For example, if one of your goals is improving your heart health, a meaningful habit might be to move more. Increasing physical activity can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol along with many other health benefits, Gibbs said.

“Every little bit of activity is better than none,” she said. “Even small initial increases of 5-10 minutes a day can yield health benefits.”

Use Rewards to Make Habits Stick

Start by choosing a habit you enjoy that’s rewarding by itself. If you’re more of a dancer than runner, increase your physical activity with an upbeat dance class. You might also look for a more enjoyable version of a new habit, such as getting more fruits and veggies by sipping on a delicious smoothie.

Understand Resets are Part of the Process

New habits are experiments. If they don’t stick, you haven’t failed. Instead, you’ve learned what doesn’t work, which is useful. Get curious and ask yourself which part of the habit didn’t work for you. Maybe the cue was ineffective. Maybe the steps of the routine were too ambitious and you need to split them into smaller, easier steps. If you realize you don’t enjoy the habit, stop doing it and try something else.

Find more inspiration and ideas to jumpstart healthy habits this year at heart.org/habits

ANNOUNCEMENT

James Williams and Mavis Loving are the proud parents of a baby girl, Danisha Lynn Williams born February 17, 1973 at 6:30 PM in Detroit, Michigan Wayne County.

Mike Anderson

Design, Development &

Engineer -

PHOTO: iStock via Getty Images Plus