Women Of Excellence

who are champions of economic empowerment and diversity, the backbone of religious and educational organizations, and driving forces in politics and community service into the exclusive society of 750-plus professional women who have previously received the distinction of Women of Excellence.

The 16th annual Women of Excellence Award ceremony in Detroit, a bevy of upstanding women in the community, is the epitome of such leadership.

The ceremony honors women who balance their many roles as community organizers, executives, business owners, and caretakers – always professionally personifying poise and grace and setting the standard for what success looks like. The ceremony this year will be the third in-return ceremony since COVID-19.

“There’s a (lot of) very, very, very powerful women in this room and you all need to meet each other. I’m sure it will help you in your journey,” Cathy Nedd, president of the Real Times Media News Group, said during the event. We are so glad to have you.”

Former WOE honorees nominate the current class, which is then selected at a later date.

Denise Williams, vice president, HR Business Partner Sr. Huntington National Bank, told the Michigan Chronicle that she was “very surprised” because she simply goes about her business doing the work.

“I don’t see myself in that light. … I just do my job,” the longtime leader said. “You know, you look at all these amazing women and what they’ve done and their backgrounds. ... But what was more humbling though, is somebody else saw that light.”

Williams said that she works with a servant’s heart.

“I believe that is what I was put on this earth for. I believe that’s

Highway from Woodmere to 15th Street; Springwells Street from West Vernor to the West Fisher Service Drive; Junction from Michigan Avenue to Konkel Street; and Bagley Avenue from the West Fisher Service Drive to 25th Street.

Anticipated rental rates for apartments are $780-$1,250, making them affordable to residents earning between 50 percent and 80 percent of area median income. More information can be found at southwestdetroit.com.

HRD is exploring ways to possibly expand the program into other areas of the city.

For more information about the Second-Floor Residential Program, contact SDBA Real Estate Advocate Greg Mangan at 313-283-6533.

Other city-led initiatives include even more affordable housing opportunities downtown including a mid-January announcement of a new Downtown Development Authority fund.

The decision comes as demand for multi-family housing downtown remains strong, as evidenced by a low vacancy rate of 5.9 percent, down from 12.1 percent in 2020. If approved, the loan program would be the first time the DDA has targeted financial support for downtown affordable housing since the DDA was established in 1976 at Mayor Coleman Young’s request.

“We have a clear vision to create a city, including our downtown, where Detroiters of all income levels can afford to live side by side in the same buildings as people of much higher income,” said Mayor Duggan, who Chairs the DDA and appoints board members. “This new fund gives us the ability to make downtown living accessible to Detroiters of all income levels.”

Even at the federal government level plans are also in place to help residents looking for a place to live while addressing a housing crisis at the local level.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow said previously to the Michigan Chronicle that assistance from the federal government looks like using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, which is significantly assisting cities like Detroit that benefit from the distribution of these funds.

The $1.9 trillion federal stim- ulus bill was signed into law in March 2021 to help alleviate the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The payments were broken up into two payments of $413 million.

Detroiters have already identified increasing neighborhood rebuilding, tackling poverty and improving public safety as top priorities for the ARPA funds, according to a press release.

Sen. Gary Peters agreed and said that “there is no question” that building community within the community means acknowledging the areas that have been underserved for years, but luckily the Biden-Harris Administration’s understanding of “urban areas” goes a long way.

“We have a crisis across the country,” he said ,adding that FEMA is expanding its equity footprint to ensure that unequally disadvantaged communities need resources that wealthier ones already have.

Tasha Gray, executive director of Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), told the Michigan Chronicle recently that while HAND does not provide any direct services to people experiencing homelessness, they are a network of organizations that work with nonprofit service providers, government entities and beyond.

“What we do is really coordinate system-wide response to homelessness in Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck,” she said, adding that HAND also helps obtain needed funding for organizations that help provide housing options for area residents in the established geographic zones HAND covers.

From her view, she sees the scale of homelessness and said that one of the biggest things that HAND tries to do working with partners like those at the City of Detroit is as an advocate for resources to be dedicated to people who have a lower AMI.

“Oftentimes when you hear about affordable housing, many times it is dedicated to people who may be at like 80 percent AMI or even like, you know, 60 percent AMI or higher,” she said, adding that most people that HAND encounter who are experiencing homelessness are typically at a 30 percent AMI. “So, our advocacy to the city has been to target developments that are going to cater to those who are at 30 percent AMI or lower. You know, pair [them] with other opportunities.”

From page A-1 City what his intentions are, and we will go from there.”

The successful completion of the new church appeared to be a foregone conclusion when on Sept. 3, 2003, amid excitement and anticipation, Bishop Winans convened a press conference announcing grand plans to construct a massive Perfecting Church edifice on 15 acres of land on Woodward Ave. and Seven Mile Rd. In addition to a new church accommodating 4,000-plus people, condominiums, an office building and a parking structure would be built. The overall price tag in 2003 was announced at $60 million, with a completion timeline of three to four years.

While movements to build the structure over the ensuing years have occurred, there have also been prolonged periods of delays and work stoppages. Yet, some feel that If anyone can persevere through difficulties to finish the new church - even after two decadesit’s Bishop Winans.

“You can look at the structure from the outside and see that it will be absolutely beautiful when completed. I have faith that Bishop Winans can and will complete the church, perhaps in 2024,” said Francis M, who lives near the future church.

“I pray that God will grant the necessary resources to Bishop Winans, the wise builder, to see his vision come to fruition. His longtime track record what God has called me to do,” she said adding that being authentic goes a long way. “Be bold, be confident. And no matter what everybody else is saying what everybody else is doing. Be yourself. Make sure that you’re honoring yourself (while) you’re serving others.”

Michelle White, senior managing director of Educator Development & Strategic Initiatives for Teach for America Detroit told the Michigan Chronicle during the event that as a 25-year-plus educator, most of her career has been spent here in the city of Detroit, after getting her start in Brooklyn, New York.

White, a previous principal, teacher, and “all things education” said that she too aspires to improve the lives of others.

“Something I’ve done in my entire career is ensuring that I’m helping other particularly young Black women go into leadership,” White said. “It’s really important to me to empower young people to be an example for them. “

White defines a woman of excellence as someone persistent in doing all that can to improve herself and the conditions for others.

“And just always having a spirit of gratitude for the opportunity,” she said.

Tati Amare, co-host, LIVE In The D, WDIV-Local 4, knows about gratitude. During the event she spoke about how being recognized means the world to her.

“To say that I’m honored is an understatement. It really is. It really is. I was just overwhelmed thinking of the history and legacy of the Michigan Chronicle to be recognized by such an esteemed publication as a Black woman that just feels incredible,” Amare said.

Amare added that getting to where she is today took “tremendous perseverance” and “scratching” her way out to get to where she is now.

“A lot of sacrifices, hard work,” she said. “When I look back, that entire journey … nothing was wasted.” for growing Perfecting is impressive.”

According to the church’s documented history, then-Pastor Winans started Perfecting with eight members in his basement. The first service was held on May 27, 1989. After moving to multiple sites in Detroit to accommodate the growing congregation, Perfecting moved to its current east side location -- 7616 E. Nevada at Van Dyke -- in March 1996. The current membership is believed to be north of 5,000.

With the steady growth of the congregation, Bishop Winans, in the early 2000s, visualized building a new Perfecting on Woodward with amenities to empower the community.

“I don’t know anyone rooting against Bishop Winans completing the new Perfecting Church,” Mallett said. “I want to see him succeed. However, the City has been patient and respectful toward the Bishop, but it’s time for answers as to when, how or if the new edifice can be completed.”

“I’m believing God that soon and very soon, we will have services in a finished sanctuary, and we will begin the ministry where the world will be invited,” the Bishop said in a Dec. 2021 Prayer Building Campaign message on Facebook. “People will come to hear the word of God preached, the sick will be healed and the city will be the better for it.”

DTE, Walker-Miller Energy Services partner to launch Energy Efficiency Academy

Creating opportunities and implementing inclusive programs to help enrich communities is what drives DTE Energy. Many homes across Michigan are in dire need of energy-efficient upgrades to help withstand weather ailments and lower energy bills. In Detroit, nearly 40,000 owner and renter-occupied households suffer from inadequate housing conditions according to a study released by the University of Michigan.

To address this growing demand, DTE partnered with Walker-Miller Energy Services to launch the Energy Efficiency Academy. The eight-week paid training program will include both classroom and on-the-job experience, allowing participants to earn Building Analyst and Home Evaluator certifications through the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Participants will also receive professional guidance in energy career development and be placed into a recruitment network for entry-level clean energy jobs with starting wages at or above $18 per hour, including benefits, driven by today’s competitive job market. Career pathways in electric, HVAC, insulation, and home performance skilled trades will be accessible for participants who complete the program.