The Nonprofit Brilliant Detroit has Launched

By: Ebony JJ Curry

SENIOR WRITER

Brilliant Detroit, the pioneering organization committed to fostering childhood success in Detroit neighborhoods, has unveiled an ambitious citywide initiative called Detroit Reads! The campaign, in collaboration with its 18 community hubs and partner organizations, aims to combat summer learning loss and provide more than 5,000 Detroit children and families with enriching summer learning and literacy opportunities.

Cindy Eggleton, the co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit, emphasized the significance of this campaign in addressing the annual challenge faced by children in their literacy growth during the summer break.

“We founded Brilliant Detroit in 2016 on the premise that when it comes to addressing literacy issues Detroit children face, the focus needs to be on creating neighborhoods where children, families and neighbors have everything they need so they can succeed in life and school. The most important part of this is that families and communities have the agency,” said Eggleton.

“It is for this reason that Kid Success Neighborhoods were created. In each of our hubs, families can easily walk, feel safe, grow to trust, and establish very important bonds with staff and families. Collectively with partners, we believe we can fundamentally improve not only literacy, but the lives of children in our Kid Success Neighborhoods.”

The Detroit Reads! Kid Success Summer Sessions take place at Brilliant Detroit hubs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, followed by Family Engagement activities after 4 p.m. until August 25. Each hub offers a wide array of activities, including Book Fairs, Meet Your Library Walks, Author’s Days, Mini Medical Schools, Men’s Read Days, Black Storyteller Days, Art Therapy, Neighborhood Storytelling, and more. Moreover, Family Engagement programs focus on equipping parents with the skills needed to promote their children’s literacy at home while fostering a joyful reading experience for the entire family.

Kuru Masomere, a Detroit mother of second and fourth graders, expressed her relief and excitement about Detroit Reads!.

“When our neighbor told me about the Detroit Reads! activities happening through Brilliant Detroit, I felt relieved to know my boys would have a place to not just learn, but to also meet other children all summer long,” said Masomere.

To demonstrate how reading and language development can be seamlessly integrated into everyday summer activities, Brilliant Detroit partners with national and local community organizations to provide books, learning tools, and local resources, ensuring access to neighborhood literacy programs for children up to 8 years old.

Eggleton reiterated the importance of fostering strong reading habits in Detroit’s young learners.

“The importance of family literacy is clear, studies repeatedly show that kids do better when literacy habits like reading, storytelling and encouragement are a family affair,” she said.

“It also builds important bonds. For us, we help provide ways families can be involved together in reading, assure that families have culturally relevant books and provide tutoring so that families thrive together.”

The initiative has garnered support from national partners, including Raising a Reader, Read in Color, Reading Is Fundamental, and Springboard. Several community partners have also joined the cause, such as Alpha Kappas, Arts & Scraps, Birdie’s Books, Black Family Development, Center for Success, Connect 313, Detroit PAL, Great Start Wayne, Michigan Learning Channel, SOAR, and University of Detroit School DCDC.

The Detroit Reads! campaign by Brilliant Detroit holds immense significance for Black students in Detroit, as it aims to address the educational disparities and systemic challenges that disproportionately affect this community. Historically, Black students in Detroit have faced barriers to accessing quality education and resources, contributing to the persistent achievement gap.

Combating Summer Learning Loss: The summer learning loss is a pervasive issue that impacts students, particularly those from low-income and marginalized backgrounds. Black students often experience a greater loss in academic skills during the summer break, exacerbating the achievement gap. By providing targeted literacy support and engaging activities through Detroit Reads!, Brilliant Detroit seeks to minimize this learning loss and help Black students return to school better prepared academically.

Access to Resources: Black communities in Detroit have, for years, struggled with limited access to educational resources and learning opportunities.

The 18 community hubs of Brilliant Detroit are strategically located in neighborhoods with higher concentrations of Black families, ensuring that these communities have improved access to literacy programs, books, and learning materials that promote educational growth.

Detroit Reads!

ming: Detroit Reads! acknowledges the importance of culturally relevant programming for Black students. By incorporating Black Storytellers, Black-authored books, and other culturally diverse content, the campaign creates an inclusive learning environment that celebrates the rich heritage of Black students and fosters a sense of belonging.

Empowerment Through Literacy: Literacy is a foundational skill that opens doors to opportunity and empowers individuals. For Black students in Detroit, who may face unique challenges and systemic barriers, a strong foundation in literacy can be transformative. By bolstering their reading abilities and confidence through Detroit Reads!, Brilliant Detroit helps Black students develop critical skills that can positively impact their educational journey and future prospects.

Family and Community Engagement: The Detroit Reads! campaign emphasizes family involvement and community engagement in supporting children’s learning. For Black students, the involvement of parents and caregivers can be particularly influential in fostering a positive attitude towards education and academic success. By equipping parents with the tools and resources to promote literacy at home, the campaign reinforces the importance of education within Black households.

Representation and Visibility: Representation matters. Detroit Reads! showcases the value of diverse voices and perspectives in literature and learning materials. By featuring Black authors, Black protagonists, and culturally relevant content, the campaign validates the experiences and identities of Black students, reinforcing that their stories and contributions are vital and worthy of celebration.

In summary, Detroit Reads! has the potential to make a significant impact on Black students in Detroit by providing them with equitable access to educational resources, addressing summer learning loss, promoting family engagement, and empowering them with the skills and confidence needed to excel academically. Through this initiative, Brilliant Detroit demonstrates its commitment to bridging the educational divide and fostering a brighter future for all children in Detroit, including those from Black communities.

As Detroit Reads! takes flight, families, volunteers, and organizations are encouraged to participate in Brilliant Detroit hubs and partner-based programs and events, contributing to the collective effort of fostering early childhood summer learning. Together, they are making a profound difference in the lives of Detroit’s children and forging a brighter future for the city.

• DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval for a Gas Cost Recovery Reconciliation proceeding for the 12 months ending March 31, 2023.

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

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

• A pre-hearing will be held:

DATE/TIME: Thursday, August 24, 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 pre-hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) June 28, 2023 application requesting the Commission to approve: 1) the reconciliation of DTE Gas’s Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) plan for the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2023; 2) DTE Gas’s GCR customers’ revenues of $638.2 million inclusive of Reservation Charge revenues, its Net Recoverable Costs of $642.9 million inclusive of approximately $49.9 million underrecovery related to 2021-2022 GCR and expenses, combined with $1.4 million of interest from 2022-2023 GCR, to result in a net under-recovery of $ 6.1 million for GCR customers that was incurred through reasonable and prudent actions; 2) DTE Gas’s Gas Cost Choice (GCC) customers Reservation Charge revenues of $3.26 million for the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2023, GCC customers’ $4.8 million in reservation expense, the roll-in of approximately $1.8 million related to the GCC customers’ 2021-2022 reconciliation, plus $0.06 million of interest expense combine to result in a net GCC customer over-recovery of $0.3 million; 3) that the calculated amount of DTE Gas’s under- recoveries, together with interest, is correct, and that the disposition of that amount is consistent with the intent and in accordance with the guidelines established by the Commission in its Orders; and 4) DTE Gas such other relief as deemed necessary.

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 August 17, 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-21065. 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