MC Digital Edition 10.19.22

Over $10 million in Scholarships

Handed Out at Black College Expo

One-on-One with Wayne State’s M. Roy Wilson in his last year as President

By Donald James Senior Writer, Real Times Media

Since becoming the 12th pres ident of Wayne State University (WSU) on Aug. 1, 2013, Dr. M. Roy Wilson has been on a successful mission to elevate the urban insti tution to take its rightful place as a local, national, and internation al leader across the broad sec tors of higher education. How ever, in early Aug. 2022, Wilson announced that he was stepping down from his top university po sition when his contract expired on July 31, 2023.

“I feel that the time is right for a transition in leadership at the University,” Wilson told the Michigan Chronicle. “I had numerous conversations with family, friends, and colleagues before making my decision not to renew my contract.

While there’s more that I can do as president, I realized that after almost ten years, I’ve accomplished most of the goals that are important to the University and its growth.”

Among the many accomplish ments credited to Wilson include guiding Wayne State to achieve the nation’s “most-improved graduation rate” – a 21-point im provement - between the years 2012 to 2018. In the Fall of 2020, the University admitted its largest incoming class ever, a four per cent increase over the prior year. Among Black students, the grad uation rate at WSU has risen from 7% when Wilson came aboard as president to a current 40% - and is climbing.

In addition, Wilson is the ar chitect that created the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge Program, a pioneering initiative at Wayne that offers free tuition to students graduating from Detroit high schools or Detroit residents earn ing a high school diploma.

“The Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge is our commitment that swings our campus doors wide open to the community we call home,” Wilson said when the pro gram launched in the fall of 2020. “It is one of many programs that cements our status as a universi ty committed to providing access to excellence. We will never forget about our own, where our roots are deepest, right here in the city of Detroit.”

Wilson is also the driving force behind “Warrior Way Back,” a program designed to help former

How

Protect Women’s Bodies!

Michigan Chronicle Endorses Voting “Yes” on Proposal 3

By Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board

The Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board emphatically endorses voting “yes” on Michigan Proposal 3, the “Reproduction Freedom for All” constitution-amending proposition, which will be on the November 8 General Elec tion ballot. The Chronicle believes it is a “con stitutional right” for women to have and exercise reproductive freedom and rights in Michigan.

If passed, Proposal 3 will give women the fundamental right to make decisions about “all matters” relating to pregnancy, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contracep tion, sterilization, abortion care, miscarriage management, and infertility care. The passage of Proposal 3 would allow the state to regulate abortions in some cases but prohibit the pros ecution of individuals – medical or non-medical - for helping a pregnant woman exercise her law fully established rights that an amended State Constitution would provide if Proposal 3 is suc cessfully passed in November.

In addition, the passing of Proposal 3 with a majority of “yes” votes will strike down and do away with the archaic and out-of-touch 1931 abortion ban that has threatened to become law again after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned Roe v Wade almost four months ago.

Since 1973, Roe v Wade was the definitive landmark decision made by the nation’s Highest Court that gave and protected women’s constitu

Are Using Community Land Trusts to Slow Gentrification

• Preserve affordable housing

(Part

By Rasha Almulaiki

This story is part one of two series covering the different community land trusts develop ing in Detroit as alternatives to traditional home and land own ership.

As many Detroiters find them selves at a crossroads when it comes to affordable housing and the looming threats of outside spectators spurring gentrifica tion, some neighborhoods have decided to pursue a collective model of community land trust.

A community land trust (CLT) is a community-owned nonprofit that acquires, holds, and some times manages land, leasing it to others for residential, commer cial, or agricultural uses.

“Keep in mind that commu nity land trusts emerged from the Southern Rural Civil Rights Movement,” sad Eric Williams, staff attorney for economic equity at Detroit Justice Center.

“Initially, it was a way for farmers to band together, but at its essence, it was a way for people to ameliorate some of the pernicious aspects of the tradi tional model of land ownership and the large ends of some of the greater financial, economic, and social systems that were in place in Detroit.”

Detroit Justice Center offers technical and legal support in for

residents and community devel opment organizations (CDO) as they explore a community-led alternative to development of individually owned buildings on a community-owned land in a trust.

As part of the consideration, DJC offers community groups a look at the CLT’s incentives:

• Creating economically diverse communities

• Prevent displacement, specula tion, and unwanted land uses

• Discourage predatory lending and reduce foreclosures

• Create a source of income to support local needs

• Promote local entrepreneur ship Williams said the growing gentrification of Detroit has left many residents being priced out of communities by virtue of speculators, increased property taxes, and displaced by develop ers that don’t consider the longterm residents already living in the neighborhood.

Community land trusts are one avenue residents can use to protect themselves by removing the land from capitalistic market so that a community can be sta bilized and grown according to what is important based on a shared equity model. Simply put, a residential-use

Dr. M. Roy Wilson

Roots.

COMERICA HOMEFRONT

Over $10 million in Scholarships Handed Out at Black College Expo

On Saturday, Sept. 24, Comerica Bank and the Na tional College Resources Foundation (NCRF) partnered to host the second annual Detroit Black College Expo at the Wayne State University Student Center.

The one-day, in-person event provided opportunities for approximately 4,500 high school students to have their college application fees waived as well as chances to earn acceptance and receive scholarships to colleges on the spot. At this year’s expo, 2,500 students were accepted into colleges, more than $10 million worth of scholarships were handed out and 10 scholarships were presented on behalf of Comerica Bank.

“The impact the National College Resources Foun dation is having on our youth and college students is transformational,” said Linda Nosegbe, Comerica Bank vice president and national community impact manager. “The Black College Expo™ in Detroit last year opened access and connected participants to post-secondary institutions and critical financial resources. We are hon ored to once again partner with the NCRF and enrich this year’s expo and the seminar’s expansive work shops.”

The day was also filled with energy, interaction and informative seminars and workshops for K-12 students and their families, including “How to Find Money for College,” “Why Attend an HBCU,” “The 411 for the Student Athlete,” “Real Talk–College vs High School,” and “How to Get A’s in English moderated by NCRF Celebrity Ambassador Hip Hop Legend Yo-Yo.”

Comerica volunteers delivered three of the work shops: “Boomin’ Careers” was presented by Shaelese King, Wilma Babb, Raquel Martens and Wendy Holmes, and “Think and Grow Rich” as well as “How to Start a Business” was presented by Michael Cheatham.

“We are excited to partner with Comerica Bank,” said Dr. Theresa Price, Founder and CEO of NCRF. “It’s so refreshing to work with corporations that share the same values and beliefs as NCRF. Together we are working together to close the gap in educational achievement, workforce and economic disparities. Ed ucation changes everything. It changes trajectories, it changes outcomes, generational wealth, and we know that events like the Detroit Black College Expo™ bring hope and opportunities to our community.”

NCRF connects students to positive post-secondary pursuits – providing resources and services to help stu dents prepare for, enroll in and graduate from a degree and/or certificate program. The nonprofit hosted the first Black College Expo™ in 2000 in California with more than 35,000 people in attendance. NCRF’s mis sion is to curtail the high school dropout rate and in crease degree and/or certificate enrollment among underserved, underrepresented, at-risk, low resource, homeless and foster students.

Comerica Bank Serves

Cooley Community through Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project

Comerica Bank illustrates its commit ment and dedication to the communities it serves in several ways – namely, through its volunteerism and support of organiza tions that prioritize local communities and the people in them.

As an expansion of this commitment, Comerica is partnered with Life Remod eled, a neighborhood revitalization or ganization that harnesses the power of volunteerism and philanthropy to rejuve nate communities in significant need. Since 2010, the organization has been improving metro Detroit communities by repairing homes and renovating vacant school build ings.

One of the largest corporate volun teer opportunities in the state of Michigan is Life Remodeled’s Six Day Project – six days of revitalizing a community or neigh borhood in need by mobilizing thousands of volunteers to beautify the four-square miles surrounding its current opportunity hub.

This year’s project took place from Oct. 3-8 and focused on the community that surrounds Cooley High School, locat ed at the intersection of Hubbell Avenue and Chalfonte Street.

From 12-5 p.m. each day, more than 100 companies and 1,000 volunteers came together to serve the Cooley community and its residents. One of these companies was Comerica Bank. On Friday, Oct. 7, Comerica had a group of approximately 20 volunteers dedicate their day to this

project and the Cooley community.

The bank also contributed $5,000 to support the organization’s efforts.

Among those coordinating Comerica’s involvement was Patricia McCann, vice president of social impact and national employee volun teer program manager.

“It was an amazing day watching so many volunteers come together to make a difference in the commu nity,” said McCann. “I was proud to be a member of such a great team. As Comerica colleagues we have a deep commitment to being a force for good.”

On properties near the inter sections of Compass and Little field streets, volunteers mowed and trimmed overgrown brush and weeds on vacant properties, pro vided free lawn care services for community residents and upgraded the exterior appeal of several homes which included potted plants, remov ing unwanted bushes and painting house numbers on curbs.

Vanessa Alexa, Comerica Bank vice president, enterprise technol

ogy and operations initiatives man ager, was also one of the many Co mericans who volunteered her time to participate in this year’s Six Day Project.

“The opportunity to serve the community in this way was so meaningful to the team,” said Alexa.

“Seeing the immediate impact we were making on the neighborhoods was humbling. It was amazing to see Cooley High School alumni and other community members dedicated to

the cause, as well. The Comerica team is already planning a bigger team for next year.”

Since 2014, Life Remodeled has invested $38.5 million into four De troit neighborhoods, beautified 1,810 blocks, repaired 194 homes, boarded up 2,062 houses and engaged 72,276 volunteers and these numbers only continue to increase.

For more information about Life Remodeled and the Six Day Project, visit liferemodeled.org.

Comerica Bank’s partnership with NCRF is the latest among the bank’s extensive alliances with Black and minority-owned businesses and nonprofits nation wide, to provide financial education, small business sup port, pandemic relief and more.

Approximately 4,500 students attended the Black College Expo at Wayne State and over $10 million in scholarships were awarded during the event.

Ciera Green was among the 10 students who received direct scholarships from Comerica Bank at the National College Resources Foundation Detroit Black College Expo. Presenting the check (L-R): Comerica leaders Shae lese King, Linda Nosegbe, Ryan Anderson and NCRF founder Dr. Theresa Price.

The second annual Detroit Black College Expo was hosted at the Wayne State University Student Center on Saturday, Sept. 24.

Comerica Bank colleagues volunteering their time to clean up the Cooley community as a part of Life Remodeled Six Day Project.

Comerica Bank colleagues at Life Remodeled Six Day Project on Friday, Oct. 7.

Comerica Bank colleagues volunteering head out for their four-hour shift where they would trim and clean up lots in Detroit’s Cooley community.

Comerica Bank colleague Vanessa Reed picks up trash as part of the Six Day Project.

Backpacks and School Supplies Donated to Harms Elementary

Led by the Michigan Hispanic Business Resource Group, Comerica Bank col leagues recently donated approximately 250 new backpacks filled with over 6,000 brand new pens, erasers, notebooks, pencil bags, highlighters, folders and scis sors for kindergarten through fifth grade students at Harms Elementary in Detroit.

By providing those critical core supplies to the most vulnerable students, learning

can continue without placing the financial burden on teachers to furnish their class room needs.

In April, Comerica Bank provided stu dents at Harms Elementary a special field trip to the Detroit Institute of Art in part nership with the Latino Press in celebra tion of “El Día del Niño”. The day included a tour of the historic museum, lunch and financial education trivia games.

For the past five decades, SER Metro-Detroit has passionately served the community by providing skills training, workforce develop ment, and employment assistance. SER, during this time, has also launched a great number of adult and youth programs and as well as the YouthBuild Learning Academy.

Located at seven different loca tions in and around Detroit, includ ing its main office at 9301 Michigan Avenue, SER Metro-Detroit offers diverse programming that includes literacy and education, job readiness skills training, occupational skills training, vocational skills training, job seeker and employer services, welfare reform programming, eco nomic and community development, employment, and extensive youth programming.

Through the years, SER Met ro-Detroit, which is led by President and CEO Eva Garza Dewaelsche, has consistently delivered results, which is a key driver in the relationship Co merica Bank has formed through the years with the community nonprofit.

“One of the many reasons we cultivated our relationship with SER Metro-Detroit can be seen in the simplicity of SER’s name: Service. Employment. Redevelopment,” said Curt Farmer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Comerica Bank and Comerica Incorporated at this year’s Amigos de SER Business Rec ognition luncheon. “These three words are life changing when put into practice. At Comerica we want to help and support others and make our communities better for future generations. Comerica is committed to SER Metro, committed to De troit, committed to Michigan, and committed to our communities.

In September, SER Metro-De troit celebrated its past, present, and future at its annual business rec ognition luncheon, which highlights its long-traditional of working with outstanding community, govern mental, and corporate stakeholders. SER also honored some outstand

ing achievements that has occurred across its extensive line of services, including individual honorees from both its adult and youth programs.

The Amigos de SER Business Recognition raised critical funds to support workforce development and education programs including SER’s alternative high school which provides a unique combination of academics and vocational training in the skilled trades, our financial lit eracy program, and apprenticeship readiness training.

“For the past 50 years, SER Metro has given great meaning and purpose to those it serves,” said Farmer, who provided the keynote address at the annual recognition

event. “Providing opportunities, resources and support, SER has worked diligently to remove barri ers and increase accessibility.

The results and impact have been truly immeasurable.

“Each year, thousands of people walk through SER’s doors to receive services. But it’s impossible to truly quantify those numbers. When you help someone get back on their feet or train them with the skills they need for the workforce, you are helping everyone around them. I’m certain that SER Metro’s impact is multiplied beyond our imagination and the effects of that work will be seen and felt for generations to come.”

Comerica Bilingual Business Bootcamps Assists Small Businesses

In partnership with Puente Cul tural Integration and long-time community partner the Latino Press Foundation, Comerica Bank hosted the Bilingual Business $ense Boot camp, which included a Spanish lan guage workshop and bilingual panel both sessions focused on the impor tance and complexity of commercial credit.

Led by members of Comer ica’s Michigan Hispanic Business Resource Group, Yolanda Serra, Araceli Hernandez-Galvan and Saul Hernandez volunteered to support the bank’s outreach.

During the workshop the team explained the different types of products and services that are available for small business owners. They also shared the importance of building and maintaining a relation ship with the businesses’ bank and steps business owners can take to establish business credit and good relationship with their banking insti tutions.

Each honoree received a $1,000

On October 1, Comerica Bank proudly served as a sponsor of ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) Michigan Chapter’s 8th Annual Student Conference.

Each year, the conference provides Latino/ALPFA students with an oppor tunity to learn from and network with Michigan professionals. Students will have an opportunity to talk with ALPFA Michigan recruiters.

Comerica colleagues and members of our Michigan Hispanic Business Re source Group joined together to inter act and engage with over 100 students from colleges and universities across Michigan. The day included a workshops and panel discussions covering various topics including human-centered design, vision boards and career planning in ad dition to interviews at the career fair.

The ALPFA Michigan chapter con sists of volunteers who assist current professionals and the next generation

that

to

Puente Cultural Integration provides and advocates for equita ble resources and opportunities to

Araceli Hernandez-Galvan (right) participates on panel to discuss financial mat ters affecting small businesses. immigrant and minority-owned busi nesses through inclusive program development, bilingual and culturally appropriate marketing strategies, Spanish-language services, work shops, individualized small business coaching, and cross-cultural consult ing. The Latino Press Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, re moves barriers that limit the diverse community in southwest Detroit and empowers people to integrate into society and gain the means for con fidence, communication, education and prosperity.

Comerica Sponsors Mexican Independence Day Celebration

Comerica kicked off this month-long celebration and support by proudly serving as a sponsor of the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit and Mexicantown Community De velopment Corporation’s Mexican Independence Day Celebration. Comerica colleagues participated in the celebration that featured traditional foods, dancing and art that show cased the vibrant culture and rich traditions of Mexican and Mexican American culture.

Mexicans and Mexican Americans around the globe celebrate the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain.

Celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day was a family event on Bagley Street in southwest Detroit that featured traditional live music, dancing and art.

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Comerica Bank, along with its Hispanic Business Resource Groups across the bank’s entire footprint, supported community and business events and programs that recognize the significant impact that Hispanic culture has played in shaping the cultural landscape of the United States.

Comerica Bank and SER Metro-Detroit executive leaders at Youth Career Center in Detroit. SER Metro-Detroit Celebrates 50 Years of Service

SER Metro-Detroit presents Comerica Bank with 2022 Amigo of the Year Award. Pictured (L-R): Ignacio Salazar (SER Nation al), Curt Farmer (Comerica Bank), Eva Garza Dewaelsche (SER Metro-Detroit), and Raymond Lozano (Mexicantown Community Development Corporation). Photo credit: Jose Juarez.

YouthBuild Learning Academy instructor Mark Gardner (far right) provides Comerica leadership an overview of the skills-training program impacting high school and young adults.

Members of Comerica’s Michigan Hispanic Business Resource Group prepare backpacks at Harms Elementary in Detroit.

Comerica colleagues distribute backpacks and supplies to Harms Ele mentary students.

Hispanic Heritage Month Game Changers Unveiled

As part of the ongoing partnership between Comerica Bank, the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Tigers, four community leaders who are making a positive impact by working to create an inclusive environment for all in the areas of youth education, youth wellness or hockey participation have been recognized in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

dedicated to the charity of their choice from the Red Wings and Tigers.

students.

and more insightful experiences at work and

school, the organization’s goal is to serve as platform for Latino professionals and students to expand their network, share experiences, and grow.

Comerica colleagues Jorge Lopez-Hernandez (left) and Shaelese King (middle) and meet with connect with attended at the ALPFA Michi gan’s Student Conference.

Comerica Supports ALPFA Michigan’s Student Conference

L-R: Saul Hernandez, Araceli Hernan dez-Galvan, and Yolanda Serra at the Bilingual Business $ense Bootcamp in partnership with Puente Cultural Integration.

Money.

Hack Your Finances With This Fall Money-Saving Guide

By Sherri Kolade

The beginning of Fall, which official ly started on Thursday, September 22, marks new sepia-tinged memories in the making where hay rides, caramel ap ples and a looming winter greet soon-tobe-bundled-up Michiganders who have recently tucked away their shorts and swimsuits, and said goodbye to summer.

This cherished, wind-swept season of new beginnings also represents a new opportunity for year-end budgets to be reviewed, realigned and remade as the holiday season approaches along with new bills and a dwindling number of pay checks left until the end of the year.

A LinkedIn article, Six Tips for Finan cial Fitness This Fall, hones in on the im portance of staying financially fit:

• Splurge a bit and schedule some cele bratory days to spend a certain amount of money on things you cherish.

• Take a fresh look at that budget and prioritize what should be saved and spent for a more realistic financial fu ture. Also look for minor, unexplained charges, fees and more – remove what’s not needed.

• Maintain that credit for a better credit score that is determined by you. From knowing credit limits to canceling cred it cards – find financial help when need ed and don’t be afraid to ask for it.

• Pay down high interest credit.

• Spend time; look at spending time more than money. Spend time with loved ones, which can be free and fulfilling!

• Work on giving back to those less for tunate, especially around the holidays, within one’s budget. Think about giving to charities, or spending at small shops, restaurants, and other places that could use those wisely-spent funds.

Steele previously added that the fall season is an important time to re-evalu ate one’s finances during this time.

“Several Michigan counties experi enced flooding this year. Homeowners may not realize the extent of those dam ages until they need their furnaces in a few weeks. The fall is a great time to complete delayed car repairs and mainte nance. Replacing car tires isn’t cheap but it keeps all of us safer,” she said.

From flood protection for homes to buying homes – smart Fall finances are always a good idea.

GreenPath Financial Wellness, a na tional 60-year-old nonprofit financial counseling organization, stresses the need for home buyers to have a plan, which GreenPath CEO Kristen Holt stated to the Michigan Chronicle.

Interest rates have hit a 14-year high, and economists expect a continued climb. These factors, plus record-high home prices and limited inventory, create the perfect storm for home buyers this season who feel they have the short end of the stick.

The Exchange Building Brings High-Rise Condos to Detroit

By Sherri Kolade

Things are looking up at the 16-sto ry-tower Exchange building, quite lit erally.

The luxury high-rise condominium, located at 338 Gratiot Ave. in Detroit, is being built from the top down and is already making a buzz for its unique appearance during the early stages of construction.

Located in Greektown, the building aims to bring “home a connection from Detroit in a location that fuses Greek town, the Central Business District and District Detroit’s entertainment venues into one central location,” ac cording to its website.

With their motto, “Live Connected,” they aspire to live in a sustainable, green and clean, tech-enabled, touchfree environment. Live Connected means building on innovative design and build processes.

Exchange has worked collaborative ly with the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership to ensure that its plans align with its vision. Within Greek town’s vision for the future, their neighboring site, the Randolph Plaza, is going to receive a facelift, too.

David Alexander, senior superinten dent for LIFTbuild, told the Michigan Chronicle that the building is the first construction of its kind in America.

“We are big on proving that our con cept works and the benefits of it,” Al exandar said. “We’re finally starting to reap the benefits.”

Alexander added that with the build ing location being downtown there were some underground infrastruc ture challenges that the construction crew members overcame.

“It’s a tight site and … it wasn’t the easiest site to work with,” he said of getting storm and sanitary systems online.

The project has received support

from the City of Detroit, the Greek town Neighborhood Partnership and the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

The building is projected to save over 63 million gallons of water and 18,256 metric tons of CO2. That’s the equivalent of eliminating the energy use of 2,107 homes for each of the 25 years of the project.

Twenty percent of the apartments will be available for households earn ing no more than 80 percent of the area median income. Prospects/appli cants will be qualified on a first-comefirst-served basis.

The LIFTbuild technology being uti lized at Exchange is drawing media at tention from across the country. With the two condo floors and two apart ment floors lifted and locked in place, the construction team is readying for the next lift. The project is expected to be completed in late Spring 2023.

WXYZ reported that the building, de scribed as “the first of its kind across North America,” is 207 feet tall and using the prototype for the LIFTbuild technology, described as a system that makes a construction site become a manufacturing plant.

“We’re not putting people on beams 100 feet in the air that need to be tied off. We’re trying to eliminate all the fall hazards. That is our number one ob jective, get rid of the hazards, get rid of the inefficiencies on the site,” said Joe Benvenuto of LIFTbuild said in the article.

Benvenuto added that the $64 mil lion tower is held up by two concrete structures described as the spine.

“It’s a fully cantilever design and there are no columns in the way of the exterior glazing, so if we go up to the floors, you will see a wide-open floor space, that’s great for the residents but also assembled in a way that’s very ef ficient for the workers,” he said in the article.

Every floor is built on the ground using more than 150,000 pounds of steel and 110 cubic yards of concrete, according to the article, which adds when it is complete, it’s raised at an average speed of 25 feet per hour.

“If you look up now, you can see all the ductwork, and plumbing, and fire protection, and fireproofing, that was all done right here,” said Benvenuto said in the article.

“Land is at a premium and the de velopment of the city needs to happen in a much denser environment, this type of technology helps us accom plish that as well as reduced labor de mands and hopefully faster schedule times and more economical budgets,” he added in the story.

Nicole Bentley, a regional property supervisor, told the Michigan Chroni cle that on behalf of management for the property, the building will offer a “distinctive experience” to the neigh borhood.

“They’re going to feature a wide range of resident amenities,” Bentley said of a techno gym, fitness room, lounge, outdoor deck area, plus “amaz ing views.”

“It’s also going to be pet friendly,” she said of the high-rise living environ ment that encompasses a “very dis tinctive experience unlike any other in Detroit.”

“It’s amazing,” Bentley said of the top-down building technology. “Watch ing it take shape is definitely an amaz ing project to be involved in.”

When finished, Exchange will main ly be a residential tower with several commercial locations on the first floor with a completion date tapped for late spring 2023.

For more information, visit ex changedetroit.com.

Beverly Watts Launches Consulting Firm For Minority-Owned Business

By Rasha Almulaiki

After 19 years of dedicat ed service in Michigan’s infra structure leadership, Beverly Watts recently launched a con sulting firm to advise others in public and private sectors on organizational goal setting.

As the president of De troit-based BME Consulting, LLC, Watts is dedicated to serv ing minority-run, infrastruc ture-based businesses and startups in strategic goal set ting, budget management and marketing plans.

BME stands for Watts’ mis sion to guide developing com panies on avenues to Build, Manage, Exceed.

“I wanted to launch this company with my great experi ence in improving the 43 com munities in our county,” said Watts.

“The narrow of my focus is to our minority organizations and companies. I established BME to address the current gaps and challenges, mostly

faced by minority-owned firms in their interest in the industry. My goal is to assist them with what they are usually lacking: sustainable and equitable solu tions.”

Watt’s consulting firm pro vides a host of services for oth er companies to navigate crisis and asset management, gov ernment relations, executive advisement, speaking engage ments, budget assessment, la bor negotiations, and strategic planning.

Last November, the biparti san Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law by President Biden, authorizing an estimated $550 billion in new federal invest ment in America’s roads and bridges, water infrastructure, resilience, internet, and more. Since then, the government has funded over 5,000 projects and released around $113 billion, of which Michigan has received $3 billion in climate/energy and transportation funding.

In an August 2021 press

release statement, Governor Whitmer said, “The bill in cludes $110 billion for roads and bridges, and $66 billion in new spending on our U.S. rail network. MDOT has estimated that the bill would bring an es timated $7.26 billion in these funds for Michigan - that’s $1.7 billion more coming to Mich

igan over the next five years than over the past five.

This funding includes over an estimated $3.9 billion through the National Highway Performance Program, $1.9 bil lion through the Surface Trans portation Block Grant Program, and $413 million through the Highway Safety Improvement Program”.

The conception of her con sulting firm grew out of a need to help improve our quality of life by locally leveraging the growing investment of signifi cant federal dollars in improv ing infrastructure, recreational opportunities and connecting communities.

“Here we have billions of dollars coming our way,” said Watts. “I want to see how it’s going to translate to smaller companies. I’m here to support them on how we can access the money and what is needed to get it. I have been engaged with these organizations and have relationships, so this is really where I have the exper

tise because I have been there and now know how to get this championed for them.”

As a consultant, Watts is focused on strengthening the work of Disadvantaged Busi ness Enterprises (DBE), which are firms owned and controlled by minorities, women, and so cially and economically disad vantaged persons.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) offers applications for the federally funded program to uplift DBEs toward self-sufficiency.

BME Consulting, LLC’s cur rent clients include Carla Walk er- Miller, Founder and CEO of Walker-Miller Energy; Mark Wallace, CEO of the Detroit Riv erfront Conservatory; and Lead ing Edge Business Solutions.

Empowering A Legacy of Public Service

During her over a decade tenure of public service, Watts has been recognized as a stri dent leader in Michigan’s infra

The Exchange Building in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood is being built from the top down, and will house residential and commercial spaces.

Beverly Watts is the president of BME Consulting, LLC after dedicating 19 years in service of Michigan’s infrastructure devel opments.

Sherise Steele Kristen Holt

Beverly Watts

structure development.

Prior to launching her firm, she served Wayne County as an influen tial leader since being appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm as the first female Director of the Parks Division.

From 2016-2022, Watts previously served as the first female director of the Public Services in Wayne County, overseeing the County’s largest depart ment, which is comprised of six divisions. She was responsible for aligning the department’s vision and mission with the goals set forth by County Executive.

As Director, she was responsible for managing the annual budget, devel oping a capital improve ment plan. She steward ed the development of strategic goals and cre ating a communication/ marketing plan for each of the department’s (6) di visions, totaling over 600 employees with an annu al budget exceeding $300 million dollars and total assets estimated at $1 billion dollars.

In January 2022, Watts was appointed to the Michigan Infrastruc ture Council by Governor Whitmer, due to her pas sion, leadership and com mitment to assist with creating a plan for Michi gan’s infrastructure.

She has served as a

member of NOBCO (Na tional Organization of Black County Officials), SEMCOG (Southeast MI. Council of Governments), APWA (American Public Works Association), and NRPA (National Recre ation and Parks Associ ation), Friends of Wayne County Parks Board, Wayne County Economic Development and Brown field Council.

Watts is a proud member of the Michigan Chapter of COMTO (Con ference of Minority Trans portation Officials), where she was awarded the 2019 “Pioneer Award for Public Agency Executive of the Year,” for improvements to the department’s infra structure.

“My main focus is Southeastern Michigan,” said Watts. “Anyone who is dealing in infrastruc ture planning and design, that means construction, electric charging sta tions, solar panels, proj ect-based initiatives in community development such as the Riverfront Conservatory.

Michigan minori ty-firms are at the crux of a vital position to get a seat at the time. I’m here to help inform them to ward achieving that excel lence. “

To learn more about BME Consulting, LLC, and schedule a consul tion, check out Beverly Watts’ website at bmecon sultingllc.com.

Finances

“While the interest rate increase is intended to help combat overall inflation, home buyers will undoubtedly feel the strain. Buyers should take a holistic look at their finances and explore all financing options be fore making a commit ment,” Holt said, adding that typically when in terest rates rise, home prices fall, as demand de creases with higher mort gage rates. “Unfortunate ly, that is not yet the case with the current housing market, which has seen record-high prices and re cord-low inventory since the start of the pandem ic. With higher interest rates, the cost of borrow ing money is increasing and these days, you will pay more to finance your home purchase.”

For example, according to Bankrate, the month ly principal and interest payment on a $300,000 home with 20 percent down and a loan term of 30 years at 5 percent interest is $1552. That same home with the same down payment and mort gage term at 3 percent in terest (where rates were about a year ago) would be $1275. That is $277 increase in the month ly payment. Consumers need to consider what is affordable in their month ly budget.

Holt added that under standing one’s credit his tory and learning ways to improve their credit score goes a long way.

“A good credit score is part of a path to get a favorable loan or line of credit,” she said, adding that websites like annu alcreditreport.com can help a person obtain their score from all three re porting bureaus. “If you already have access to your credit report, pay at tention to your payment history, which is the big gest single factor used to calculate your credit score.”

Also learning different types of available financ ing helps.

“Your financing op tions through different lenders may differ, de pending on your credit score, employment histo ry and debt-to-income ra tio. Research online and shop current rates and of fers from lenders. Credit unions tend to have lower fees and better interest rates on loans,” she said.

Understanding your own budget affordability with monthly payments and seeing if it’s possible to increase the size of the down payment on a home is critical too, along with borrowing less.

“To offset the higher cost, consider financing a less expensive home or reducing the amount of your home equity loan to make sure the month ly payment fits into the budget, Holt said, adding that GreenPath is there to

help as seasons change. “At

we don’t look at debt in a vacuum. If a person has mortgage concerns, they may also have concerns with man aging day-to-day expens es, credit cards, or other debt. We look at the per son’s entire financial pic ture and help identify the best path forward,” said Holt.

Steele said that it is never too late to get fi nances back together, es pecially in this season.

“If you feel like you’re off track, begin tracking what you’re spending. I won’t say the ‘budget’ word because it’s like the word diet. Let’s define what on track means — spending less than you earn,” Steele said. “Most

of us do not want to work forever. ... It takes about 30 years of savings to re tire. Working for 30 years isn’t the same as sav ing while working for 30 years. I’ve been a finan cial advisor for over two decades. I’ve seen good retirements and some re grets.”

Consumers contem plating home financing should contact GreenPath at (866-648-8122 or www. greenpath.org) or the 995HOPE hotline (888995-4673, www.995hope. org) for help navigating all phases of homeown ership. GreenPath can revisit one’s budget, help clients understand their credit and the full costs of homeownership, make a plan and more.

HOMEOWNERSHIP IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

Health insurance

YOU CAN FEEL GOOD ABOUT.

Ranked #1 in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in Michigan

Beverly Watts has worked alongside Governor Whitmer as the Director of Public Services of Wayne County.

Keeping

Discover Loretta’s story, and find your inner-Henry at henryford.com/IAmHenry

ComericaLendsHelpingHandsSupportingCommunity

COLLEAGUE

Lykesha Shelton

In a newly created role, Lykesha Shelton is the driving force behind Comerica’s small business development initiatives across its fivestate footprint.

Hired in March as the first vice president, national community development program manager of Comerica’s community devel opment lending, Shelton supports the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act initiatives in Texas, Michigan, Arizona, California and Flori da. The act was enacted in 1977 to encourage banks to meet the credit needs of the commu nities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income communities.

“My role is to strategically promote com munity and economic development objectives by driving a multi-fac eted strategy includ ing product devel opment, technology, credit, relationship management and community develop ment,” Shelton said. “Whether that’s creating programs to promote access to capital or determin ing investment strat egies to promote affordable housing, we’re really here to work collaboratively to make an impact on the lives of individuals and connect them with the resources to thrive economically.”

Each year, Comerica Bank employees commit time and resources to the communities the bank serves through its National Days of Service ini tiative. In 2021, Comerica colleagues in Michigan volunteered over 40,000 hours to assist commu nity organizations.

All throughout the month of September, Na tional Days of Service includes nearly 35 commu nity projects across the enterprise. This is just a partial glimpse into the impact and scale of Co merica Bank’s community engagement through out the state of Michigan as well as the bank’s commitment to public service.

“National Days of Service is one of my fa

vorite times of the year as Comerica colleagues come together to impact our communities,” said Patricia McCann, vice president of social impact practices and corporate social responsibility at Comerica Bank. “We understand that it is only through collective action that we can make a pos itive difference in the lives of those in our com munities where we live and work.”

During the National Days of Service, Co merica colleagues donate their time, energy and talents to many organizations the company sup ports.

“I am so proud to be a part of a company that

has involvement as one of its core values and a firm belief in raising expectations of what a bank can be,” said McCann.

As an illustration of Comerica Bank’s commit ment to serving the community, Comerica vol unteers lent their time and volunteerism to the following organizations and communities: Forgot ten Harvest; Focus Hope; The Parade Company; Kalamazoo/Battle Creek – South Michigan Food Bank ; Forgotten Harvest; Ronald McDonald House of Detroit.

For more information on Comerica’s contin ued commitment and involvement in the commu nities it serves, visit www.comerica.com.

Comerica helps “Light the Night” and raises more than $20,000 in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Comerica Bank employees vol unteered at Hart Plaza in Detroit to participate in Light the Night held Oct. 29, the premier fundraising event for The Leukemia & Lympho ma Society (LLS).

LLS is a global leader in the fight against cancer, with a mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hod gkin’s disease and myeloma, and im prove the quality of life of patients and their families.

The philanthropic society funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free in formation and support services and is the voice for all blood cancer pa tients seeking access to quality and affordable coordinated care.

The Light The Night fundrais er serves as a communal event to bring light to the darkness of cancer by funding research and support for individuals battling cancer. People of all different circumstances gather to celebrate, honor or remember those touched by cancer by lighting thousands of lanterns in colors des ignating survivors, family members and lost loved ones. The fundraising event is filled with inspirational ex periences including music, fireworks and empowering ceremonies hon oring survivors and remembering those lost to cancer.

Nearly 100 Comerica colleagues participated in Light the Night, rais ing more than $20,000 in support of patients, their families and LLS research. Amongst the colleagues walking to raise money for LLS were Steve Davis, Michigan market president, Patricia McCann, vice president - social impact practices/ corporate social responsibility, Dan ielle Maddox, internal audit manager & vice president and Mike Lawson, executive vice president and direc

tor of lending and trade services, who serves as the statewide exec utive champion for Light the Night.

“When you meet people who have survived as a result of being supported by LLS and Light the Night fundraising, it’s pretty inspir ing,” said Lawson. “Donations from Light the Night not only help fund patient support but also directly benefit the development of research and treatments that drive up surviv al rates.”

A record setting year for the fundraiser, Light the Night brought in roughly 500 attendees and is expected to have raised around $600,000 in total after donation counting is complete.

To donate to LLS and learn more about Light the night fundraising, visit www.lightthenight.org. For more in formation on Comerica’s continued commitment and philanthropic involve ment in the communities it serves, visit www.comerica.com.

Light the Night participants in Detroit’s Hart Plaza hold thousands of glowing lanterns in support of survivors, families and loved ones lost to blood cancers.

Currently, Shelton is focused on building community partnerships and determining what programs relating to access to capital can make a sustainable positive impact on the communi ties that the bank serves.

Her team has also partnered with the De troit chapter of Project REACh, a program that brings together leaders from banking, business, technology and national civil rights organiza tions to reduce barriers that prevent full, equal and fair participation in the nation’s economy. It is part of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, an independent branch of the U.S. Department of the Treasury that charters, regulates and supervises all national banks and federal savings associations. Through the part nership, Comerica is working with a variety of financial institutions that have come together to help small business owners meet their goals.

“We partner with various community or ganizations,” Shelton said. “We are looking to create an ecosystem where business owners can leverage the different resources available from the bank or, if we are able to, refer them to different services in the community.”

While her role focuses access to capital to foster community development, including homeownership, affordable lending and busi ness technology, current programming could go in any number of directions.

“It’s a newly created role this year, so it’s still evolving,” Shelton said. “I have the oppor tunity to establish a foundation to be able to provide these services to the community and to the small business owners in an innovative way.”

Outside of her day-to-day, Shelton has par ticipated in financial education programs, help ing youth and young adults learn financial liter acy. Some of the initiatives she volunteers with are specifically geared toward at-risk youth.

Shelton has worked in retail banking for 27 years and most recently worked at Fifth Third Bank for 14 years. Before that, she worked at Comerica for eight years. While at Fifth Third, Shelton served on the board of the 8 Mile Bou levard Association, which works to facilitate collaboration among stakeholders toward the revitalization of Eight Mile Road. The organiza tion focuses on the corridor from I-94 east to I-275 west, a span of 27 miles.

“All of my career, I have been able to con nect with people on an individual level,” Shel ton said. “I’m definitely very passionate about making a positive impact on people’s lives, not only helping them with their banking goals and their needs, but really making a difference in how I provide knowledge and resources to them and inspiring them to prepare them selves for the future and to help address cur rent needs.”

For more information on how Comerica colleagues are giving back to our community, visit www.facebook.com/Comerica.

Comerica Bank makes strides in the fight against breast cancer

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer (MSABC) is more than just a walk, it’s a movement. A movement that raises lifesaving funds to support breast cancer patients, survivors, thrivers and caregivers through every step of the journey. Comerica Bank is demonstrating its continued commit ment to the communities it serves by joining this movement.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, friends, fam ilies and Comerica colleagues came together to not only walk, but to raise much-needed funds and to honor sur vivors and thrivers of breast cancer as well as those who we have lost.

As a presenting sponsor, the bank fund-raised nearly $40,000 to help raise awareness of early detection, American Cancer Society funded research and available resources for those in treatment and those navigat ing their breast cancer journey. They are also supporting the Real Men Wear Pink initiative.

Comerica Bank has been part nered with the American Cancer So ciety and has been participating in this event for 19 years. Within almost two decades, the bank has raised close to $800,000, not including this year’s re

sults which will become available by the end of 2022.

Vanessa Alexa, Comerica Bank vice president, enterprise technolo gy and operations initiatives manag er, and Roxsand Dobson, Comerica Bank vice president, corporate re sponsibility risk and senior compli ance risk manager, are co-captains and leaders of this event. These two women are the backbone of orga nizing and recruiting colleague par ticipants, spreading awareness of the

event, partnership relations with the American Cancer Society as well as day-of participation.

Alexa’s involvement with MSABC goes back several years, even before she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015.

“Events and campaigns like this work,” Alexa said. “The opportunity to remember those we’ve lost and honor those who continue the fight is so impactful. It created awareness to me and stressed the importance

of regular checks. Our ongoing in volvement continues to fund research that results in new treatments and resources for patients and their fam ilies.”

The Making Strides movement has enhanced its digital offerings available to anyone across the nation, includ ing one-on-one breast cancer patient support services and the use of video chat to safely connect patients, care givers and family members to valuable services and resources.

Lykesha Shelton

Comerica colleagues decked out in pink to support the ACS’s Making Strides fundraiser and event walk.

Comerica Bank joins the American Cancer Society at this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk.

Comerica colleagues participate in Light the Night, raising awareness and donations for LLS.

C ity. L ife

How to Work Out Without Excuses

(StatePoint) It’s all-too-common for those embarking on a regular exercise routine to skip a planned workout for one reason or another. Here are some of the most common excuses that people make not to exercise, along with some solutions to overcome these challeng es:

“I need low-impact exercises.” Many traditional workouts are tough on joints, which over time, can cause over use injuries or exacerbate existing con ditions. To achieve your fitness goals pain-free, consider low-impact exercis es such as yoga, swimming and ellipti cal machines.

“I don’t have the space to work out at home.” Whether you live in a small apartment or just can’t dedicate too much space to a home gym, there’s good news. Certain manufacturers of exercise equipment have your back and are developing versatile, sleek fitness equipment to address your needs. At less than 23 pounds, the Cubii Total Body+ (available now for pre-order) is a good example of a compact machine offering a low-impact, approachable and achievable workout that targets every thing from abs and arms to quads and calves. With a low-impact motion, you can hit eight key muscle groups us ing one machine. Its elliptical compo nent features 12 resistance levels that can be adjusted from your phone, and its resistance bands range from 2 to 7 pounds, allowing you, to tone, sculpt and strengthen your upper body, no matter what your fitness level is.

“I’m not seeing results.” If you’ve been working out for a little while and haven’t seen immediate results, don’t get discouraged. Whether your fitness goal centers around weight loss or get ting toned, it’s important to remember that little changes add up over time.

“I’m just not motivated.” If keeping the exercise spark alive is difficult, con sider turning to tech. New apps that connect to your equipment via Blue tooth, like the Cubii App, can send you reminders to get moving, as well as help you track your goals. They can also help you stay accountable by allowing you to connect with a fitness communi ty and compete with friends, or join live and on-demand classes.

“I don’t have any time.” Between work, family and other commitments, finding the time to hit the gym for an hour or more isn’t always possible. But practicing self-care and prioritizing your own health and wellness is essen tial. What you may not realize is that a high-quality workout doesn’t need to happen in a specific place or require a lot of time. In fact, some forms of exer cise can occur while you’re working or watching TV. What’s more, even a short burst of activity is very beneficial to get ting you strong, boosting your metab olism and energy, and improving your mood. That’s where a great versatile piece of equipment for the home or of fice can come into play.

For example, unlike a traditional standalone piece of fitness equipment, the Cubii Total Body+ is a 2-in-1 system that combines cardio with upper body strength training for a full-body work out you can do anytime, anywhere. To learn more about how to get active to day, visit cubii.com.

Creating a new exercise habit can be an uphill struggle, especially if you are short on time, space or motivation. Luckily, new tools are emerging that can help you work out without excuses.

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

The Beat Lounge: Detroit MUA’s New Lounge Keeps You Slayed

By Sherri Kolade

It doesn’t take long to figure out where Mori ah Mierre Martin’s passions lie.

As a 32-year-old Detroit owner and CEO of The Beat Lounge in Ferndale, Martin is a selftaught makeup aficionado who carved her own path in this sometimes-murky industry that she later owned and succeeded in.

“I taught myself how to do makeup in college … I would basically practice for hours,” Martin told the Michigan Chronicle recently. “I would watch YouTube tutorials and take the time to learn — that is literally all I would do. All day, every day— on top of school and work.”

Martin said that when she began to get bet ter with her slay skills, others would notice how well her makeup artistry was becoming and she would practice on them.

“It grew from there,” she said of her work, adding that she began to take models and prac tice, and people started to recommend her. “A lot of word of mouth helped me grow and be con sistent with my work.”

Described as “meticulous” with attention to detail, Martin is consistently booked and busy with appointments from new customers and longtime ones.

The makeup artist loves to create beauty, ex pression, and emotion and has been for the past nine years, according to her website.

Martin, who has worked with many celebri ties (including Cardi B, Big Sean, Keke Palmer, Keyshia Cole, Ryan Destiny, and Cicely Tyson), has done numerous video shoots, TV commer cials, print, and high-fashion models. Her work was also featured on VH1, BET, CNN, Fox 2 News, and many more outlets.

The Beat Lounge services include a full makeup application; natural glam; soft glam; full glam; in-studio bridal; on-site/travel bridal and more.

The Ann Arbor native told the Michigan Chronicle that her passion for makeup goes be yond the finished product – but the in-between process of getting dressed that leads up to the final look.

“I watched my mom. She used to do her makeup. I used to be so intrigued, so mesmer ized with how beautiful she looked after put ting on makeup, which would emphasize her beauty even more,” Martin said, adding that she was equally impressed with seeing her aunts

Duke & Dame: Black-Owned Whiskey Brand Makes Splash into Market

By Andre Ash

A Black-owned whiskey business is taking shape and growth across the country. Duke & Dame is the same of the newly minted company where its vision early-on was to change the way people consumed their experience of drinking whiskey. It aimed to succeed in its goal by creating a premium flavored whiskey that would “stimulate the senses at each stage of the drinking process, with incredible aroma, remarkable taste, and an extremely smooth finish.”

In an interview with Michigan Chronicle, one of Duke & Dame’s co-founders talked about how out of the company’s early vision birthed its salted caramel flavored whiskey and how its business is standing to differentiate itself from other whiskey brands.

“We really wanted to create something that rede fined the whiskey drinking experience,” said Amani Macaulay, co-founder, Duke & Dame. “For consum ers, they thought a lot of our competitors were overly syrupy, overly sweet, some had an artificial element to the after taste. So we thought, why can’t one have a quality flavored whiskey?”

The thinking was why would one have to give up quality just because one wants some flavor in their drink.

The attitude about finding this solution was know ing the drink must be a whiskey first, 100% natural, with no artificial additives, and just the right about amount of sweetness.

This approach to finding the perfect flavored bal ance has already been award-winning for Duke & Dame.

“Right before we launched in 2018, we really wanted to get on the shelves having a medal,” said Macaulay. “It gives you validation. When you’re this

new brand that nobody knows, you buy it on the shelf, people think of the award and think, maybe it’s good.”

A “good” taste is probably an understatement as result of the award accolades this Black-owned whis key brand has collected in just a short time. Duke & Dame submitted its whiskey to four of the larg est international spirit competitions. After hoping to place in just one of the competitions, their product placed in all four – with notable wins from each as their whiskey entered the market.

Not bad for someone like Macaulay who made a huge career jump from working on Wall St. to pursu ing an entrepreneurship journey and his passion in

The Beat Lounge specializes in all-occasion makeup looks including bridal makeovers and more.

Moriah Mierre Martin, owner, and CEO of The Beat Lounge

The Beat Lounge

and grandmother do the same thing. “I was always intrigued by the aspect of dressing up. ... I loved that aspect of getting dressed up. People don’t realize how the fun is in getting ready.”

Martin added that she gets to be on the other side of the makeup indus try, and she is glad to help be a part of the process that brings out the best in other women.

One client raves about Martin’s work and said that “Moriah is the best makeup artist in Detroit.”

“She has done my birthday makeup and now I’m booking her for my wedding. She’s very professional, timely, and pleasant. Additionally, she is very accommodat ing with makeup looks and is willing to work with you want,” the cus tomer said. “I can’t say better words about her.”

“I see it every single day when I do their make up -- that part to me is so fun,” Martin said adding that many of her custom ers leave her chair a “to tally new woman.”

“Some people tell me, ‘I needed to feel like my self,’” she said of her cli ents who craved a boost in their looks. “… It’s re ally empowering. … If you

Duke & Dame

From page B-1

the whiskey industry.

Macaulay’s business partner Chima Burey, co-founder of Duke & Dame, years before he mentioned this idea to Macaulay, attended with friends and asked him about what flavor of whis key he would create he had the opportunity.

Years later after Ma caulay would retire from his career in finance, he and Burey were hanging out on a night in Miami. A conversation on what Macaulay would do next in his career sparked a discussion on potentially being business partners in the whiskey industry, reuniting an idea Burey had with friends some years earlier.

“He said we should go make a whiskey that taste like caramel, …we share a love for spirits and at the time I was still figur ing things out so I was in terested in exploring this idea.”

Two friends out for a night of drinks, lead to an idea and in short-time they began researching, visited a distillery, and learning the process. Af ter a while, they figured this idea may not be as impossible as they would have first imagined.

Macauley returned to New York and began pro totyping flavors, Burey would do the same in Florida. The responses from their taste-testing with friends were topnotch.

“When we set out to create the whiskey, we really wanted to create something for everyone. We wanted to bring in your hardcore whiskey enthusiast and then folks who might say whey hate whiskey and have them know, they’re going to love this!”

Duke & Dame, the salt ed caramel whiskey of fers only 1g of sugar per serving, the least amount amongst its competitors. It’s currently offered in select bars, restaurants and retailers throughout New York, Florida, and Michigan, including at Meijer Rivertown Market on Jefferson in Detroit.

Duke & Dame is also perfect for the fall season such as caramel pumpkin pie, caramel apple mules, or coconut cream espres so martinis.

The entrepreneurial spirit in Macauley and Burey is setting an exam ple as one of the few inde pendent Black-owned and operated liquor brands as Duke & Dame begins to stand out, achieving over 150% growth in cases sold this year.

can help somebody make them feel better, why not?”

Martin’s also a mentor and brings others along with her and she grows and expands her busi ness.

“I want to pour into the next generation of art ists,” she said.

Martin did just that with Deja Wharton, a makeup artist at The Beat Lounge, who has over three years’ worth of ex perience in the make-up industry and job shad owed Martin for months.

“It’s more than just making people look good and feel good,” according to Wharton’s bio, whose ultimate goal is to en hance her client’s beauty.

Kayla Owens, the new est member of The Beat Lounge, brings five years of experience in the beau ty industry specializing in luxury soft, and sultry glam, according to The Beat Lounge’s website.

“I am happy with my team... I just plan to grow and develop more art ists – that is definitely a passion of mine,” Martin said, adding that bringing others along is the name of the game. “I know when I was coming up in the beginning of my career I really wanted a mentor and it wasn’t available to me … I remember telling myself if I get in a position to help others I’m going to do it. That’s what it’s all about. … God doesn’t bless us with these gifts and talents to keep it to ourselves. Use it in every capacity. When you en vision it, God will meet you.”

Make your voice heard in the Nov. 8, 2022 election!

Helpful information from the Department of State

Register to vote

✓ Online by Oct. 24 visit Michigan.gov/Vote

✓ By mail by Oct. 24 - get the form (translations available) at Michigan.gov/VoterInfo

✓ In person anytime - stop by your city or township clerk’s office

After Monday, Oct. 24, you must register in person at your clerk’s office.

Vote by absentee ballot

✓ Voters with a MI driver’s license or ID may apply online for an absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote

✓ All MI voters can stop by their clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot.

✓ Complete and return your ballot to your clerk’s office as soon as possible. Mail your ballot by Oct. 24 to ensure it arrives on time or hand-deliver your ballot to your clerk’s office or drop box if one is available.

Vote in person

✓ Vote in person at your polling place on Election Day, Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

✓ Early, in-person voting with an absentee ballot is available in your clerk’s office until Nov. 7. Go to your clerk’s office, ask for your absentee ballot, vote and submit it in one trip.

Get all the voting information you need, including translated forms, at

Keeping You Informed at All Times of the Day.

Appointments available –schedule a mammogram with Ascension Michigan today

You’ve been meaning to do it for a while, but you’ve been overwhelmed, busy or you’ve been putting others’ needs before your own. Now it’s been two years or more since you’ve had a breast cancer screening. And you’re not alone.

Mammograms don’t take a lot of time. And they don’t just benefit you. Staying healthy also benefits your family, your friends and others. Schedule a mammogram today — for you and them.

Dr. Simisola “Simi” Caxton-Idowu, an OB-GYN with Ascension Michigan in Southfield, says it’s especially important for women to take care of their health because, “Women are the pillars of the community. When women are sick, they’re not able to care for their families, or go to work or school.”

Statistics show that fewer cancers in Black women are diagnosed at an early stage, so there are many good reasons to schedule a mammogram today.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States and 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer over the course of their lives,” said Dr. Caxton. “Studies show that women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have their breast cancer discovered earlier — which means they are less likely to need more aggressive treatments. If you are a woman over 40, I encourage you to talk to your doctor about scheduling an annual mammogram.”

Ascension Michigan makes it easy to schedule a mammogram. Doctors and care teams at Ascension Michigan sites of care deliver advanced digital and 3D mammograms, so you get the latest in breast cancer detection.

Schedule your mammogram today at: ascension.org/MichiganMammogram

It’s time to take care of yourself, so you can take care of those you love

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Simisola M. Caxton-Idowu, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

A

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) CONSULTANT – CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SECRET SHOPPER SURVEY DEVELOPMENT, DISTRIBUTION AND ANALYSIS October 2022

Work One Stop System. The findings from the surveys will be analyzed and put into interim and final reports to be submitted to LISC. Specifically, Detroit LISC is seeking those with proven experience in the following areas:

Visit https://www.lisc.org/detroit/about-us/careers/ to down load full RFP. Responses to this RFP are due Friday, October 21 and should be emailed to kgallick@lisc.org. LISC is committed to working with Small Business Enterprises (SBEs), Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs). LISC encourages submissions from SBEs, MBEs, and WBEs.

REQUEST FOR QUOTES

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

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.

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.

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

Mike Anderson Procurement Manager mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com

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

BID # 08-8-2022 REBID

The Detroit Transportation Corporation Office of Contracting and Procurement requests proposals from qualified Contrac tor/Firm(s) to provide annual geometry measurements of the LIM rail height, power rail tolerances, running rail height and track gauge.

The initial information and subsequent trending information on the rate of change of the measured parameters of the Detroit People Mover (DPM) track will be reviewed and utilized as part of the existing detailed maintenance plan to ensure long term safety and availability to the riding public.

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 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (EST).

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

Mike Anderson Procurement Manager mandersonjr@thepeoplemover.com

PROCLAMATION DECLARATION OF NON-CITIZEN NATIONALITY

Section 302 of Public Law 94-241

I DeIamond Carpre Henson, being duly affirmed [sworn], hereby declare my intention to be a national but not a citizen of the United States.

Notice: all executive and judicial officers both of the United States and of the several States Section 1091 of Title 18, United States Code, prohibits genocide whether committed in time of peace or time of war. Genocide is defined in section 1091 and includes violent attacks with the specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. There is Federal jurisdiction if the offense is committed within the United States. There is also Federal extraterritorial jurisdiction when the offender is a national of the United States

FORM: LPN #RE345528665US

PUBLIC NOTICE: RTA OF SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN PROPOSED DBE GOALS

For FY 2023 – FY2025

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) has established a goal of 8.20% for its Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) Program for fiscal years 2023 through FY 2025. This goal will be attained through 5.31% from race neutral participation and 2.89% from race-conscious measures which reflects the relative availability of DBEs to participate in contracts and procurements projected by the RTA.

The proposed goal and its methodology have been developed in accordance with the Federal Transit Administration’s regulations 49 CFR Part 26.

The goal and the methodology used to develop it are available for inspection from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at RTA’s offices located at 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400, Detroit, Michigan. These materials will be available for 30 days following the date of this notice.

The RTA will accept comments on the goal for 45 days from the date of this notice. Inquiries may be directed to the following:

RTA of Southeast Michigan 1001 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1400 Detroit, Michigan 48226 Or e-mail to: info@rtamichigan.org

PUBLIC NOTICE ACCURACY TEST OF VOTING EQUIPMENT

To the qualified electors of the City of Highland Park, Wayne County, State of Michigan: Notice is hereby given, that a Public Accuracy Test for the electronic equipment that will be used for the General Election being held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 is scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at 2:00 p.n. in the City Clerk’s training room (lower level) located:

Robert B. Blackwell Municipal Complex 12050 Woodward Ave. Highland Park, MI 48203

The Public Accuracy Test is conducted to demonstrate that the computer program used to tabulate the votes cast at the election meets the requirements of Michigan election law.

BRENDA GREEN CITY CLERK CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK

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How Technology Can Help You Age in Place

(StatePoint) By 2030, almost a quarter of the American population will be over the age of 65, up from 16% in 2020, creating a situation that’s going to drive greater demand and greater pressure on the care industry. In addition to a larger workforce and more financial resources, new technologies also have the potential to help solve the problems created by this seismic demographic shift.

According to experts, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Ma chine Learning (ML) are already among the key components of new technologies providing improved quality of life for those who want to continue living independently at home.

“While AI and ML have transformed other industries, adaptation has been slow in the care industry, but we’re working to change that,” explains Chia-Lin Simmons, chief executive officer of LogicMark, (NASDAQ: LGMK), which manufactures personal emergency response systems (PERS), health communications devices and remote care and activity monitoring technologies to create a Connect ed Care Platform, and recently incorporated two-way voice communication technology into its medical alert pendant.

To help you live safely and comfortably in your home in the years to come, Simmons offers a few strategies for using the newest technology to your advantage:

• PERS, also known as Medical Emergency Response Sys tems, allow you to call for help in an emergency by push ing a button. Wearable pendants – along with water-re sistant wall-mounted devices and mobile solutions – can keep you protected in every room of your home by help ing you instantly connect with loved ones and emergency personnel. Those offered by LogicMark use AI and ML for pattern recognition and fall detection, for an added layer of security. To learn more, visit logicmark.com.

• Automatic pill dispensers can help ensure you never miss a dose or take too much medication. Depending on your needs, you may need to look for a solution offering both visual and audio notifications, or one suited for those with limited dexterity.

• Motion-sensing lighting can make nocturnal trips to the bathroom – common in one’s golden years – much safer, helping to reduce the risk of dangerous trips and falls. Many lighting options plug directly into outlets, while oth ers are battery-operated and can be installed anywhere. Be sure to include these fixtures in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms.

“True independence must be accompanied by peace of mind for you, your family and your caregivers,” says Sim mons. “By adopting new technologies, you can help create a virtual safety net, enabling you to stay at home while living in a safe environment and providing piece of mind to your loved ones.”