Meet the Four Black Women from Detroit Named 2023 Fellows of W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network

60th anniversary of his seminal “I Have A Dream” speech. A version of this speech was first delivered by Dr. King on June 23, 1963, at what was then known as Cobo Hall before leading the significant 1963 Freedom Walk march down Woodward Avenue. The event served as a precursor to the recitation of the speech in Washington, D.C., a few months later.

Following their August recess, the council is expected to vote on the proposed change after Labor Day.

In retrospect, like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Senator Phillip Hart, known as a “conscience of the Senate,” stands out as a significant champion of civil rights. So much so that his name graces Detroit’s central gathering spot, Hart Plaza, a testament to his immense contributions to the city and its heart.

Serving from 1959 until his death in 1976, Hart was renowned for his integrity and dedication to civil rights and antitrust laws. He was instrumental in pushing for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His tireless work for social justice earned him the respect of his peers and the moniker “the civil rights senator.”

In Tuesday’s council session, Sam Riddle, the political director of the Michigan Chapter of the National Action Network, expressed opposition to the proposed name change.

“I personally knew Phil Hart. I personally do feel Hart was a good man. Without Sen. Hart, there would have been no Voting Rights Act of 1965. There is no American city better

See HART PLAZA page A4

By Andre Ash DIGITAL ANCHOR

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) announced their latest round of class fellows of the WKKF Community Leadership Network, which runs for 18 months and unites 80 leaders from diverse backgrounds from the foundation’s priority locations across the nation, including Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, and New Orleans.

Four members of the 2023 cohort are Black women from Detroit whose works span the fields of mental health advocacy, racial equity, community health advocacy, and change-making through leadership and empowerment.

The Network is a model program to strengthen leadership in local communities striving to create transformational change for children and families.

According to a release, the fellows will grow their skills in leadership and work to advance equity at local, state, and national levels through workshops, resource building, and shared learning.

“These leaders are all deeply committed to making positive changes in communities,” said Paul Martinez, WKKF’s chief leadership and human capital strategist. “Our founder, Will Keith Kellogg, would be inspired to meet this new class and see how his vision of investing in local leaders is being realized.”

“The heart of this fellowship is the leaders and the relationships they build across different cultures, sectors and geographies to work in solidarity for authentic change,” said Shera Clark, program director at CCL.

The entire class features leaders from varied backgrounds – from educators, youth mentors, and health practitioners to businesspeople and social entrepreneurs to tribal leaders and elected officials. Meet the Detroit women who were selected:

RACIAL EQUITY PROMOTER

Nkechi O. Mbanu

Throughout her career, Nkechi O. Mbanu has focused on equipping companies with the right tools to be engines of positive transformation for their workforces. Nkechi is currently the Detroit CARE (Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity) city leader for Cummins, Inc., where she specializes in public policy, corporate responsibility, communications, and stakeholder engagement. In this role, she applies her skills toward her passions of racial justice, economic empowerment, and the enfranchisement of communities marginalized by society.

She received her bachelor’s in economics from the University of Michigan, a master’s in dispute resolution from Wayne State University, and a master’s in international affairs from Columbia University. When she is not working, Nkechi is an avid reader, loves traveling the world, and visits art galleries and museums.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVOCATE

Bennett Thomas

Detroit, Michigan

A global public health practitioner, Bennetta Thomas loves serving in the trenches with the community and is dedicated to bridging health inequities through education, advocacy, service, and partnership. She has worked in public health for over ten years and is experienced in HIV prevention, medical case management, and parent education. Bennetta is currently a public health consultant with the Michigan Public Health Institute and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Sec-

See 2023 FELLOWS Page A-6

A $12 Million Catalyst: Reimagining Detroit’s Midtown Cultural Center Museum District

By Ebony JJ Curry

SENIOR WRITER

In the city once known as the heartbeat of the industrial world, a revitalization of an entirely different sort is taking shape. Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) and its 12 partners are leading the charge in transforming the cultural center of Detroit, blending the city’s rich history with an ambitious urban design and cultural infrastructure plan.

A testament to the city’s resilience and determination, the Cultural Center Planning Initiative (CCPI) will serve as a beacon of hope, marking Detroit’s evolution from a hub of industry to a vibrant bastion of arts, culture, and education.

The CCPI, a project five years in the making, unites 12 of the city’s most cherished institutions, including the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American His- tory, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Wayne State University. Over the past year, these institutions have drawn more than 2.1 million visitors from across the country and the world, adding vibrancy to Detroit’s bustling streets. A new era is dawning in Detroit, where urban space serves as functional zones and living, breathing entities that inspire and connect.

With $12 million in recent funding from the State of Michigan, the CCPI is set to transform the city’s Cultural Center into an 83-acre interconnected district. The goal is to create a seamless public experience adorned with lush landscaping, diverse public art, and many amenities, including free Wi-Fi and EV charging stations.

Susan Mosey, Executive Director of Midtown Detroit, Inc., expressed her gratitude for the State of Michigan’s generous support.

“This $12 million appropriation will empower us to further invest in the vital infrastructure and stormwater management systems necessary to preserve and enhance the Cultural Center,” she said. “We are deeply grateful to the State of Michigan and our legislative leaders for recognizing the importance of this initiative and for their unwavering commitment to the cultural vibrancy of Detroit.”

Beyond simply revitalizing physical spaces, the CCPI addresses one of Detroit’s most pressing issues: climate change. The initiative is set to overhaul the city’s stormwater infrastructure, transforming 16 acres of paved surface into permeable landscapes that will absorb and treat 15.6 million gallons of stormwater annually. The enhanced tree canopy and reduced heat island effect will help

From page A-5 tion, where she is responsible for contract monitoring, technical assistance, educational training, and treatment services using innovative, culturally centered approaches.

Bennett is also a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member and community outreach chair for the Liberian Association of Michigan. She enjoys traveling, partaking in international mission trips, dancing, and listening to Afrobeats in her spare time.

Mental Health Supporter

Kamilah Henderson

Detroit, Michigan

Kamilah Henderson is a social worker specializing in infant and early childhood mental health, both as director of PEDALS Michigan and as a clinical therapist in private practice. She is curious about the transformation that can happen when Black children and families come into a relationship with liberation-centered mental health supports.

Kamilah works with children, parents, and teachers from birth through age eight to strengthen attachment relationships and build social-emotional learning skills. She is committed to serving, comforting, and healing her community. She serves on the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health Centering Equity Committee and co-founded the Detroit Waldorf School Black Families Collective. Kamilah lives on the northwest side of Detroit with her husband and beautiful daughter.

This new WKKF Community Leadership Network class will kick off with a virtual session in September 2023 and an in-person gathering in October 2023, where the fellows will have a chance to meet each other and begin their journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Change Orchestrator

Lisa Leverette

Detroit, Michigan

A provocateur for radical change, Lisa Leverette serves communities, leaders, and organizations that develop and practice alternative, transformative approaches to liberating groups marginalized by society. She generates awareness of how oppressive thoughts and actions can unwittingly disrupt progressive change work and embraces democratic participation to identify equitable paths forward. Lisa is the executive director of the Community Connections Grant Program, which centers participatory grantmaking as an equity-driven approach to philanthropy, civic engagement, and leadership development.

Lisa is currently on the board of the Leadership Learning Community. She previously served on the boards of Grassroots Grantmakers and on the Self Development of People, where she led grantmaking efforts in Belize.

When Sadness Doesn’t Subside: The Top 3 Common Types of Grief

By Dr. Portia Lockett, PhDH

There is no right way or wrong way to grieve. Because grieving is extremely personalized and individualized, it is possible some may not even recognize they are grieving. You may also find that coping with a loss of someone or something you love may feel like one of your life’s biggest challenges. Even subtle losses can trigger a sense of grief. Nonetheless, the important aspect of grieving is to ensure you are pursuing healthy ways to deal with the grieving process. While everyone mourns differently, identifying the type of grief is a great help towards pursuing healthy ways to adapt, heal, and recover. Everyone has an idea of what grief looks like, when, in actuality, grief is different for everyone. However, what we can identify are the top three various types of grief.

3 Common Types of Grief

1. Normal Grief. Normal grief is a con- tradiction. There is no normalcy when it comes to grieving. Nonetheless, what has been defined as ‘normal grief” is the ability to move forward emotionally towards acceptance of the loss. An indicator of normal grief is that there is a gradual decrease in the intensity of emotions. This occurs because of processing and talking about your internal emotional thoughts. This segment of mourners makes continued progress towards healing and recovery.

2. Chronic Grief. Unlike normal grief, indicators of chronic grief are prolonged feelings of hopelessness, a sense of disbelief that the loss is real, and continued avoidance of any situation that may remind them of the loss. This grief could possibly last for years. If left untreated, chronic grief can develop into severe clinical depression, suicidal thoughts, or possible substance abuse.

3. Traumatic Grief. This type of grief that usually occurs when the death of a loved one is sudden. It is an intense type of grief with ongoing difficulties interfering with everyday life. This type of grief often shakes one’s security. Coping is two-fold, first the death and second, the traumatized loss. If left untreated, this type of grief can impact one’s mental health and result in a post-traumatic stress disorder.

You Can Recover

Mourning the loss of a loved one is perhaps one of the biggest challenges you will face in life. With no right or wrong way or a scheduled timetable for recovery, the important thing is to pursue a healthy process towards recovery. Recognize your life will never be the same for you will always remember the loss. However, recovery is possible. Rest assured your mourning is only temporary for we can hold fast to the Bible reference at Revelation 21:4, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” So, while there is no timetable on overcoming grief, we have the confidence in God’s word that grief and grieving is only temporary.

During the grieving process, it is important to not self-isolate. Always seek support by way of friends, family, spiritual advisor, or a professional therapist. For additional support, visit: Azalbennelockettfoundation.org

Drportialockett.com

The Grieving Journey Podcast IG; Portia Lockett FB; Portia Lockett FB: azalbennelockettfoundation

Hart Plaza

From page A-5 than Detroit to have and maintain Hart Plaza as a name,” Riddle said. “No compromise on that.”

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield countered that this resolution is not currently up for voting but is simply a referral. “It will be referred for further discussion and action will be taken after the council members return from their recess (during the month of August),” said Sheffield.

From page A-5 temper the city’s summer heat, making public spaces more enjoyable and helping Detroit adapt to changing climate realities.

The significance of the CCPI extends beyond the physical transformation of Detroit’s landscape. The Cultural Center delivers profound social and economic benefits to the city. Arts and culture are potent drivers of prosperity, stimulating local businesses, from restaurants and bars to retail establishments. More than this, they are catalysts for unity, bringing together people and communities of all backgrounds and inspiring new perspectives, ideas, and values.

At the heart of the CCPI’s mission is the activation of street life, aiming to create a bustling hub of cultural activity. The plan will narrow streets to promote walkability and develop green spaces for recreational and arts programming. This vision transcends the physical, creating a social infrastructure that fosters a sense of community and creativity. This endeavor is far from a solo act. In addition to the State of Michigan, numerous foundations have stepped in to support the CCPI. Among them are the Knight Foundation, the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. This support network underlines the initiative’s wide-reaching implications for the city’s social and economic future. This comprehensive vision for Detroit’s Cultural Center is not a quick fix but a longterm investment in the city’s future. The initiative is being implemented in phases over the next 10-20 years, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and enduring change.

A5 | August 2-8, 2023