women been premoment of the final. a law1931 law effect, asked the affirm that constitucontain abortion. Our Planned Advocates of founding coalition ReproducAll, a affirm abortion and freedom in constitution,” Giroux. is that everything in aborMichigan, makes we will we can patients care they
to have representalegislacollection and criminal jusrecomcollection analywith the AttorMichigan Law Standards Association Prosecutors stakeholders collect and strategically. warHouse Operations hearand other would ban of noknock urging the pass reform and Whitmer to the leg-
embraces. transforleadership as a approach that change the syscircumstancoperating Ivory “Transformationdoesn’t just do certhem view of and exdrive that because what create everyentire because
cine and healthcare, may be adversely impacted by the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
By Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER
Seniors Bolster Detroit Primary Election Turnout
Elected officials are also working to keep Roe v. Wade intact thus holding off Michigan’s 1931 trigger ban. Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying, in part:
Detroit election worker Mary Perry, who lives across from the David Whitney building downtown, has been helping seniors in Capitol Park get to the polls for years.
Perry works Precinct 145, which saw just 45 voters by 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, the day of Detroit’s primary municipal election. That precinct, and Precinct 157, is inside the United Methodist Church downtown. Precinct 157 saw 72 voters on Tuesday.
“The words ‘Roe overturned’ are no longer theoretical. I want every Michigander to know— no matter what happens in D.C., I’m going to fight like hell to protect access to safe, legal abortion in Michigan…”
Only 1% of the city’s population lives downtown Detroit, but the people who live there represent the changing fabric of the city. Longtime seniors living near young, wealthy newcomers all came to the precincts inside the church to cast their vote for Detroit’s next mayor.
will impact those com munities most, forcing people to become parents
what the Supreme Court will rule in the upcoming days. Despite the decision, advocates on both sides of the argument are willing to continue their pursuits.
“Anything for the betterment of life and our people,” Perry said. “I think young people don’t vote because they have it too good. People have lost respect, honor and dignity. Us seasoned voters, we’ve lived our lives and know what’s important.”
Perry said keeping seniors in comfortable living situations is the top priority. She and others at the polling location Tuesday told Michigan Chronicle they feel like rising rents are pushing middle income residents away from downtown.
Faith Carpenter and Therese White live in the same building as Perry and credited her for getting their neighbors out to the polls each year.
More than legal implications, overturning Roe v. Wade would impact several systems across the spectrum. With the potential to drive both foster and adoption numbers upward, a ban on abortions could leave many women to choose a less safe route restoring ‘back alley’ and illegal abortion practices, including self-abortions. Moreover, African American women and women of color, who already have a long-storied history with access and inclusion in medi-
islature adopts it.
life, the fight for repro ductive choice is one of freedom. As Michigan officials work to ensure each woman who finds herself in the position to choose has access to care without the threat of legal action, many wonder
Wade would be a terrible break with nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and – more importantly – a blow against individual freedom. It is my hope that the majority of jus tices will reject the find ings of this draft. If that is not the case, we need to stand with Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Gov. Whitmer in support of their efforts to preserve the right to reproductive freedom,” said Chair Alisha Bell, on behalf of the Wayne County Commission.
are often a second thought, since they aren’t the ones deciding elections.
In the last primary, 4,432 votes came from people under 30 compared to 43,895 votes from people over 60. Turnout was 4% for voters under 30 and 31% for voters over 60.
Zachary Polselli and his wife Kirsten Polselli, both 30, represent a new generation of Detroit voters. They moved to Detroit in 2021 and have lived downtown since. Kirsten voted Perkins and Polselli, who currently works in the mayor’s office, voted for Saunteel Jenkins.
Voter Apathy
For each voter under 30 who cast a ballot in the 2021 primary race, there were 10 voters over 60 years old, according to a report from BridgeDetroit. Detroit Department of Elections data shows residents over the age of 60 cast 62% of votes in the previous primary while representing only 28% of all registered voters.
While poll worker Tom Choske saw a mix of young and older voters come to the United Methodist Church near Comerica Park Tuesday, he said he noticed at the downtown precinct there wasn’t many people part of Generation X. He also said he saw police chief Todd Bettison at the polling location Tuesday.
“I’ve been voting each election since the 70s, since I was 18,” White told Michigan Chronicle. “I’m not sure why it’s so hard to get young people out to vote. It’s easy for me because my neighbor and one of the ladies I used to live down the street from were always poll workers.”
Voter Engagement
Increase school funding: Statutory changes to increase the School Aid Fund revenue by at least $3.6 billion and establish a permanent weighted funding formula based on student and community needs and universal preschool (0-3).
mobilizing from within existing community relationships. His leadership role has placed him in regular contact with working families, seniors, business owners, and faith-based organizers. That proximity has created a campaign structure grounded in trust, consistency, and direct access. He has relied on personal engagement and organizational discipline more than public spectacle.
Reject censorship in history instruction: Encouraging Gov. Whitmer to ensure the goal for Michigan schools should be history instruction that is presented by professionals with the subject matter expertise, pedagogical skills, and judgment necessary to present complex information to students that are grounded in provable facts and add to the understanding of modern-day America.
Pastor Kinloch drew one of the most influential endorsements in the field—the UAW’s endorsement, including Region 1 and 1A, representing more than 300,000 union members across metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan. UAW President Shawn Fain and Region 1 Directors LaShawn English and Laura Dickerson publicly endorsed Kinloch, citing his lifelong advocacy for working-class families and solidarity on strike lines. Kinloch has leveraged church-based organizing infrastructure, union mobilization, and faith-labor alignment to power his base. He campaigned inside congregational networks, UAW-supported phone banks, and community outreach rooted in personal engagement, not mass media.
Increase mental health supports for the Black community: Recommending Michigan set a goal of increasing the number of Black mental health service providers by 20% each year over five years.
people believe that they need to for themselves and others to live better lives.”
Todd Perkins, a longtime criminal defense and civil litigation attorney, began the race with a ground-level focus. His campaign started with door knocking, voter registration conversations, and person-to-person engagement. His direct outreach was consistent across neighborhoods, especially in areas that often receive late attention from citywide campaigns. After this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference brought new visibility to the mayoral race, Perkins expanded his communication strategy. His team added more frequent messaging on social media, including policy statements, public safety priorities, and campaign mile-
Mayoral
him as a pragmatic option for voters looking for continuity with business and economic frameworks, though he ultimately placed fifth in the primary.
“Chancellor Ivery is a true transformational leader and an outstanding CEO, who is more than worthy of the CEO of the Year Award he just received, “ said Prof. James C. Mays, who teaches entrepreneurship and supply chain management at WCCCD’s Corporate College. “In his 27 years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery has elevated WCCCD to become nationally recognized for excellence and innovation and preparing our students professionally and personally to do great things in the world.”
While Sheffield has consistently led in polling and political endorsements, Kinloch’s second-place finish ensures that November will feature a highstakes match-up between two distinct visions for Detroit’s future — both shaped by Black leadership and local legacy. The city’s voter base will determine whether it leans toward institutional experience or pastoral stewardship as its next guiding force.
This year’s election also brings renewed focus to voter turnout and civic participation. Although Tuesday’s primary drew moderate engagement, Detroit officials and community leaders have stressed that the stakes in November require a broader base of voters — especially younger residents, renters, and working-class families — to participate in reshaping City
The health committee recommends reviewing state licensure policies to address the barriers that Black psychologists face in obtaining licensure in Michigan.
This means when candidates run for office, the needs of young people
tribution of state health funds: gan communities with a significant Black popu lation receive adequate funds to address mental health issues.
stones. Perkins has linked his legal background to the city’s ongoing challenges around justice reform and municipal accountability. His legal career has included high-profile civil rights cases and advocacy for residents navigating Detroit’s court systems. That experience has helped shape his campaign themes and connect with voters interested in structural reform.
Protecting Black voting rights: Urge state officials to remain vigilant in the fight against schemes to disenfranchise Michiganders of color.
“BLAC members have worked hard to identify the needs of the Black community and we feel these recommendations will provide a solid first step towards breaking down barriers in education, community safety, health and business,” said BLAC Co-Chair Dr. Donna L. Bell.
Saunteel Jenkins, former Detroit City Councilmember and CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), has built her campaign around policy experience and institutional credibility. Her work in both government and nonprofit sectors has created a base of support among civic leaders, education advocates, and healthcare partners. Jenkins has maintained a lower public profile during the campaign compared to others, but her relationships have remained active. She has engaged with stakeholders through meetings, forums, and working groups focused on city services and resource distribution. Her campaign has received backing from individuals and organizations that have partnered with her through THAW, particularly those engaged in housing assistance, energy equity, and utility support programs. Jenkins’ campaign has emphasized her history of navigating Detroit’s legislative processes and administering direct aid programs that affect residents in real time.
BLAC will hold a virtual town hall meeting to discuss its policy recommendations on Thursday, May 12 at 4 p.m. Join BLAC and a virtual audience in discussing the recommendations to support the Black community.
Jenkins received endorsements from The Detroit News and Michigan Chronicle—two major legacy Black press voices in this election. Jenkins also drew backing from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan for
Hall’s direction.
BLAC is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Members represent many professional backgrounds, including economics, law, public safety, health and wellness, arts and culture and media. They leverage their experiences and expertise to make recommendations to the governor on critical issues affecting the Black community.
As of press time on Tuesday, August 5, the Michigan Chronicle reported that Mary Sheffield was leading the pack with Kinloch in second, Jenkins in third, followed by James Craig in fourth and Todd Perkins rounding out the top five. The Associated Press declared Sheffield as one of the two advancing candidates after results confirmed her decisive lead.
To learn more about BLAC and this upcoming event, visit www.michigan.gov/BLAC.
Whether or not Detroit will elect its first Black woman mayor remains to be seen. But Sheffield’s advancement signals a serious possibility — one that reflects decades of community organizing, shifts in gender and racial politics, and the rising power of women of color in municipal leadership.
The path to November is clear. What remains uncertain is how Detroit will respond to this moment. Either way, the weight of history now rests with the people.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com.
“You get folks in their 30s, some in their 20s and then most folks in their 70s is what you kind of get around here,” Choske said. “I’m just happy to see people out exercising their rights.”
her policy record and experience in nonprofit leadership. Her campaign is built on institutional organizing. Relationships with civic leaders, healthcare advocates, nonprofit coalitions, and philanthropic partners underpin her outreach. She has held private forums focusing on utility assistance, housing equity, and service delivery, choosing direct policy discussions over public campaign events.
Fred Durhal III, Detroit City Council Member representing District 7, has structured his mayoral campaign around economic development, governance experience, and business alignment. He serves as Chair of the Budget, Finance & Audit Standing Committee and Vice-Chair of the Planning & Economic Development Standing Committee on council.
Durhal served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 for the 5th District, succeeding his father Fred Durhal Jr. The legislature appointed him to the House Appropriations Committee, where he rose to Minority Vice-Chair of the General Government Subcommittee and also served on the Corrections subcommittee. He was named Assistant House Democratic Leader, making him a liaison between leadership and rank-andfile members. Durhal has approached the race with a clear emphasis on business alignment and economic development.
His campaign secured a key endorsement from the Detroit Regional Chamber, signaling direct engagement with Detroit’s business community. The Chamber’s support placed Durhal within a coalition of developers, employers, and institutional funders focused on long-term investment and urban growth. Durhal has focused his messaging on fiscal management, workforce readiness, and large-scale infrastructure partnerships. His legislative experience in Lansing and his family’s deep political legacy have been consistent points of reference throughout the campaign. Durhal’s campaign materials and public appearances have highlighted his relationships within both the public and private sectors, positioning him as a candidate with experience negotiating across government and enterprise boundaries.
Each candidate’s strategy reflects their existing networks, leadership style, and understanding of how Detroit voters move. While each candidate reached different voter segments, the approaches also reflect how they would govern. Voters saw five campaigns operating through five different strategies— none interchangeable. The question for Detroit is whose strategy reflects the kind of leadership residents are ready to elect?
The top two candidates will advance to the November primary. At the time Michigan Chronicle went to print on Tues Aug 5, Mary Sheffield was leading the pack with Kinloch in second, Saunteel in third, with Todd Perkins in fourth, and Fred Durhal rounding out the five.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com
reform, and economic recovery remained stubbornly unsolved. They saw gentrification creeping into once-vibrant neighborhoods, pushing out long-term residents who could no longer afford to stay. In the face of such enduring problems, it’s easy to understand why so many didn’t feel compelled to cast a vote. The Free Press’ series on Detroit’s declining voter turnout highlighted the systemic failure that lies beneath those numbers. As they pointed out, Detroit’s low turnout rate was among the lowest in the nation for major cities. And while low turnout in urban areas is not unique, the situation in Detroit is particularly dire. Many voters felt that their voices had been drowned out by the noise of political elites and media pundits who often ignore or misunderstand the everyday struggles of people in neighborhoods like Brightmoor, the Lower East Side, or Southwest Detroit.
But the apathy runs deeper than disenchantment with politics. It’s rooted in a broader mistrust of local government. For too long, Detroiters have been promised change, only to see little meaningful action outside of downtown and Midtown once the elections were over. How can a person continue to engage in a system that doesn’t deliver the outcomes they’ve been promised? How can someone continue to vote when the city’s leadership seems more focused on revitalizing downtown and attracting tourists than on addressing the dire needs of its own residents?
After years of political disillusionment, it’s no wonder that so many voters felt like their participation wouldn’t make a difference.
As the 2025 mayoral primary came and went, it became painfully clear that Detroit’s leadership is at a crossroads. The election results – while still to be determined – were secondary to the broader message sent by those who stayed home. Detroiters, particularly Black voters, have long been a political powerhouse, but this power has only been effective when it has been exercised. Without voter participation, the city’s power is merely a shadow of what it could be. Many of the voters who sat out the election aren’t just choosing not to vote. They’re choosing not to demand change. And that is the real tragedy.
For Detroit to thrive, it needs active, engaged citizens who understand the importance of local elections. But that truly happens in the months leading up to it, through community engagement, through dialogue, and through candidates who speak to the real issues that matter to residents. It’s about showing up in the neighborhoods, listening to the concerns of everyday people, and responding with concrete plans for action.
However, the problem extends beyond just the candidates. Detroiters must also take ownership of their civic responsibility. We’ve all seen the effects of low turnout. It’s broken promises, underfunded schools, neglected infrastructure, and rising inequality. Yet for too many, the thought of engaging in the system feels like a futile act. But if we refuse to participate, if we let ourselves become disillusioned to the point of disengagement, we’re giving up more than just our votes. We’re giving up our collective power. And in a city that has historically been a beacon of activism and resistance, that’s a dangerous path to walk.
One of the central tragedies of the 2025 mayoral primary election was how little it seemed to matter to those who didn’t vote. When candidates only speak to a small, politically connected group, when they fail to address the most pressing issues facing the city’s poor and working-class neighborhoods, they are contributing to a cycle of disenfranchisement. It’s a failure to connect with people on a human level. Apathy thrives in that void. When you don’t feel seen or heard, you don’t show up to vote. In the aftermath of the election, it’s important to ask yourself what kind of Detroit you want? Do you want a city where the voice of the people is heard and respected, or a city where the same small group of leaders holds all the power, regardless of what the residents actually need? The answer to that question will ultimately determine the future of Detroit, and it will depend on whether you choose to actively participate in the system or let it continue to drift further out of your hands.
Detroit’s history is one of resilience and hope. But history can only carry us so far. If we don’t take ownership of our future, if we don’t insist on accountability from our leaders, we risk becoming a city defined not by its promise, but by its missed opportunities. Detroit can’t afford to let its future be decided by those who choose not to vote. You (kind of) have a chance to redeem yourself on Nov. 4, 2025 during the general election, but if fewer than 100,000 Detroiters turn out to vote when it’s time to choose the city’s next leader, well, good luck.
From page A-1
From page A-1
Mary Perry
Therese White
Zachary Polselli and his wife Kirsten Polselli
Tiffany J. Gunter Takes Over for Dwight Ferrell as New SMART General Manager
By Jeremy Allen
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Southeast Michigan’s regional transit system is ushering in a new era of leadership.
Tiffany J. Gunter, a veteran transportation leader with over two decades of experience in public planning and mobility policy, has been named the new General Manager of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation). The decision was made official during the agency’s recent board meeting, following the resignation of Dwight A. Ferrell, who officially stepped down on Aug. 1, 2025, after four years at the helm.
Ferrell, a seasoned transit executive, cited a desire to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with family. His departure marks the end of a tenure defined by expansion, modernization, and a sharpened focus on rider satisfaction.
“We thank Dwight Ferrell for his leadership and unwavering commitment to public transit,” said SMART Board Chair John Paul Rea. “The organization has a new set of goals and priorities that will further improve transit in Southeast Michigan because of Mr. Ferrell.”
Ferrell, who was named a 2024 Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence honoree, leaves behind a notable legacy, including the expansion of service routes and modernization of infrastructure—critical steps in making SMART more responsive and equitable across Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
Stepping into the role is Gunter, who currently serves as Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. She becomes the first woman to lead the regional transit agency and brings with her a robust background in public transportation, economic development, and policy implementation.
“We are thrilled to elevate Tiffany J. Gunter to her new executive leadership role at SMART,” Rea added. “Her strong ties to the communities we serve and extensive knowledge of the mobility landscape in Southeast Michigan provides her with an exceptional foundation to lead SMART.”
Gunter’s appointment is not only historic, but personal for many across the
Roots.
Jared Fleisher Replaces Retiring Kofi Bonner as the Top Man at Dan Gilbert’s Real Estate Firm Bedrock
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
Kofi Bonner’s time at the helm of Bedrock, one of Detroit’s most powerful real estate development firms, is coming to a close. After five years as CEO, Bonner will retire at the end of 2025, closing a chapter that reshaped Detroit’s economic and cultural landscape during a period marked by both disruption and resurgence.
Bedrock confirmed the leadership transition on Friday, Aug. 1, in a companywide email and a press release. Jared Fleisher, currently Vice President at ROCK—the Gilbert family office—will join Bedrock immediately as President and is slated to assume the role of CEO after Bonner’s departure.
Bonner took on the CEO role in August 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was paralyzing cities nationwide. Downtown Detroit had emptied. Development momentum had slowed. Small businesses were in survival mode. Bonner was tasked with steering one of the city’s most visible corporate entities through economic uncertainty. In that time, he oversaw a slate of high-impact commercial developments and cultural investments that helped reanimate the core of the city.
“It has been an honor to lead Bedrock through such an important time in its history,” Bonner said in a statement. “Bedrock is no ordinary real estate company. Rather, it is the embodiment of Dan Gilbert’s extraordinary commitment to uplift two great American cities.”
That vision, backed by scale and capital, translated into more than construction projects. Bonner’s leadership was visible across Detroit’s downtown and Midtown footprint—from the Hudson’s Building and Book Tower to the events, installations, and partnerships that filled public spaces and brought national attention back to the city.
During Bonner’s tenure, Bedrock became a key player in the successful effort to bring the NFL Draft to Detroit -- the
Michigan Schools Reclaim
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
The path to equity has never been lined with clarity or consistency. For Michigan’s public schools, the latest example came cloaked in silence and delay from the federal government.
Just weeks before the start of the school year, $171 million in Title funding designated for Michigan classrooms was abruptly withheld by the Trump administration, casting uncertainty over summer learning, enrichment programs, and adult education statewide. Now, under growing pressure and litigation from more than 20 states, including Michigan, the Department of Education says it will begin releasing the funds this week. But the damage from the freeze and the deeper message it sends still lingers.
Dr. Michael F. Rice, State Superintendent, confirmed the development in a statement Friday afternoon. “We have received notification this afternoon from the U.S. Department of Education that Title dollars previously withheld by the Trump Administration will be released beginning the week of July 28.” He acknowledged the potential relief it brings but challenged the rationale behind the delay: “If this indeed proves true, it will be welcome news for students and schools. It prompts the question: why was it necessary for half the states in the country to file a lawsuit to get a congressionally approved appropriation released by the administration?”
This is not just an issue of delayed checks. It’s a warning shot fired at public education—especially the students and families whose lives are most directly impacted
largest sporting event to land in the city in recent years. The event brought a measurable spike in hotel bookings, retail sales, and national media exposure. It was one of several economic wins under Bonner’s watch that combined city branding with commercial benefit.
His impact also extended to shaping culture. Bonner helped Bedrock support events like Afro Nation and AfroFuture, signaling a deliberate shift toward centering Black cultural programming in Detroit’s downtown narrative. These events drew international audiences and elevated Detroit’s reputation as a city with a global Black identity—not just a backdrop for business deals.
Bonner’s tenure also included the installation of Monroe Street Midway, a reimagined public space activated with roller skating, murals, food trucks, and local vendors. It turned an otherwise static stretch of downtown into a walkable, usable space for residents and visitors alike. Projects like this reflected an evolving understanding that community use must be part of development strategy—not an afterthought.
Dan Gilbert, Founder and Chairman of Bedrock, said Bonner stepped into the CEO role at a critical time.
“When Kofi arrived, we were in the midst of the COVID pandemic. Residents were staying home, the streets were empty, and the future was anything but certain,” Gilbert said. “Today, Detroit and Cleveland’s urban cores are models of revitalization. Detroit is consistently being ranked a top place to visit. Book Tower has been named one of the world’s most beautiful repurposed buildings. Hudson’s Detroit has redefined the skyline. Cleveland’s riverfront is actively being transformed.”
Since 2011, Bedrock has invested and committed more than $7.5 billion across Detroit and Cleveland. That includes development and restoration of over 140 properties—totaling more than 21 million square feet of office, retail, residential, hospitality, industrial, and data center space. In 2024,
Fast Company named Bedrock one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.
The scale of that portfolio makes Bedrock one of the most influential urban real estate developers in the country. Bonner’s role, as CEO, was not just operational—it was strategic. He was responsible for guiding how that influence was used in the context of Detroit’s long-standing economic and racial disparities. Whether Bedrock succeeded in balancing private development with public benefit remains a live conversation among residents, many of whom continue to push for deeper inclusion and accountability.
Still, Bonner’s tenure marked a shift toward cultural visibility. Events, installations, and restored landmarks reflected an understanding that Detroit’s growth narrative had to acknowledge its people and its history—not just its skyline. Projects like Book Tower, which reopened as a mixed-use hub with hospitality, retail, and residential space, were celebrated for both design and for signaling a return of investment to architectural icons once left behind.
Bonner stated that his intention was to stabilize and reposition Bedrock through the pandemic and into its next phase.
“My goal in joining Bedrock was to usher the company through a period of great disruption and lay the foundation for its next frontiers—from the entertainment district at Cadillac Square, to the innovation district on the Gratiot Site, and of course, along the Detroit and Cleveland riverfronts,” he said. “Because of the talent and dedication of Bedrock’s team members, we have accomplished more than I could have imagined.”
Jared Fleisher, who will assume the role of CEO at the end of the year, is already familiar with Gilbert’s broader portfolio. In his role at ROCK, he served as senior advisor to Gilbert on commercial real estate
Education Funds, But at What Cost?
by funding cuts. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was among the coalition of state leaders who took the matter to court. The federal freeze, estimated at $6 billion nationally, had halted programs that were already underway. Summer initiatives that targeted learning loss, tutoring for English language learners, before- and after-school care, and community enrichment were either delayed or completely defunded just as students were showing up. According to the suit, the Department of Education notified states on June 30— by email and without prior warning—that the funds were being held “for a review” of whether they aligned with the “President’s priorities.” That vague language became a bureaucratic stand-in for policy sabotage. What began as confusion escalated
into full-blown institutional panic. School districts had already planned staff assignments, student services, and curriculum around the approved federal support. Then, without explanation, it disappeared.
The programs targeted by the freeze are not generic line items. They fund Michigan’s essential education equity scaffolding: support for students learning English, assistance for children from migrant families, and adult education that often uplifts entire households, not just individuals. As Rice previously said in a press release, “The withholding of federal Title funding negatively and disproportionately affects students who are economically disadvantaged, are migrants or English learners, or need extra help with academics before-school, after-school, or during the summer.”
These programs don’t just operate in
numbers. They reflect the lived realities of many Black, Brown, immigrant, and low-income families across Michigan who rely on consistent access to resources—not the threat of political disruption.
Susan Corbin, Director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), emphasized the broader reach of the cut. Her department oversees adult education programs that were caught in the freeze. “LEO planned to use these funds to support nearly 100 adult education providers across the state who were estimated to serve more than 20,000 adult learners.”
These are not theoretical plans; these are teachers, classrooms, and struggling residents trying to complete high school, learn English, or secure a GED to improve their family’s trajectory. That all sat in limbo while political actors debated which lives qualified as priorities.
The Trump administration’s decision drew criticism not just from progressive leadership but also from voices within the president’s own party. Republican senators signed a public letter urging the funds’ release. Earlier this month, the White House announced it would unfreeze $1 billion in afterschool funding—an acknowledgment that the initial move had crossed a line, though it stopped short of explaining why the freeze happened in the first place.
There’s a pattern worth noting: federal decisions that destabilize public education often begin without warning and end without accountability.
In a state like Michigan, where urban and rural districts alike wrestle with en-
(Left) New Bedrock President Jared Replaces Bedrock CEO Kofi Bonner
Poll Downplays Racism, Project 2025 Doesn’t
By Stacy M. Brown Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent
A new poll from the Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows growing public skepticism toward the effectiveness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Conducted July 10–14, 2025, the survey of 1,437 U.S. adults revealed that only about one-third believe DEI efforts reduce discrimination against women, Hispanic people, or Asian Americans. Four in 10 say DEI initiatives help address bias against Black people. Yet nearly 30 percent believe these initiatives increase discrimination, including against white people.
The AP-NORC poll also noted a sharp drop in the number of Americans who acknowledge racial discrimination against Black and Asian people. In 2021, 61% said Black Americans faced a great deal or quite a bit of discrimination. That figure now stands at 40%. For Asian Americans, it dropped from 46% to 30%. Despite this decline in perception, 74% of Black respondents say their communities continue to experience significant discrimination. The polling results come amid escalating concerns about Project 2025, a sweeping 900-page policy blueprint published by the Heritage Foundation and widely viewed as a roadmap for a second Trump administration. According to the Legal Defense Fund’s Thurgood Marshall Institute, Project 2025 poses a direct threat to Black communities by proposing to dismantle civil rights protections, privatize education, and expand executive power with minimal oversight.
Education Funds
trenched inequities, stability in federal funding isn’t just desirable, it’s non-negotiable. Detroit, Flint, Benton Harbor, and countless others rely on these resources not just to supplement learning, but to sustain it. And for Black families whose children attend chronically underfunded schools, these cuts aren’t political gamesmanship— they’re structural setbacks.
The deeper concern is what this kind of abrupt federal overreach signals for the future. If legally allocated funds—approved by Congress—can be paused at the whim of presidential priorities, the door remains open for future attempts to weaponize education access.
recovering what was lost. But this moment should also shift the conversation toward proactive safeguards. Michigan educators, policymakers, and community leaders must now ask how they can ensure this doesn’t happen again. There must be federal protections against abrupt freezes of funds that touch the most vulnerable children. There must be transparency in decision-making, and consequences when that process is subverted.
The impact of this delay will echo well beyond the summer. Families will remember the scramble. Teachers will recall how plans had to shift without notice. Superintendents will continue tracking budget gaps caused by the pause. Most importantly, the students—many of whom were denied critical hours of learning and support—deserve acknowledgment that their education cannot be treated as collateral.
As the state resumes disbursement and schools begin another academic year, it’s clear that the path forward must center both accountability and equity.
Leadership Transition
and economic development strategy. Fleisher has worked with Gilbert’s companies for over 15 years and brings continuity in mission, though it remains to be seen whether his leadership will maintain the same cultural fluency that Bonner brought to the role.
Kofi Bonner’s career has long reflected a vision for building thriving urban centers through transformational development, strategic public-private partnerships, and intentional support for small businesses at the local level. Before leading Bedrock, Bonner brought that commitment to cities across the globe, from real estate ventures in the San Francisco Bay Area to tech-driven development initiatives in Ghana. He invested in fintech platforms like BC Pay and Techgulf, with the latter focused on expanding technology infrastructure and services in West Africa. Bonner made history as the first African American to serve as executive vice president and chief administrative officer for the Cleveland Browns, a groundbreaking role in the NFL’s executive ranks. His early public service roles in California—including chief economic advisor to San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, redevelopment director for Emeryville, and affordable housing developer in Oakland— laid the foundation for a career shaped by economic inclusion and city planning. He holds master’s degrees in both City Planning and Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. As Bonner prepares to step down, Bedrock’s incoming CEO, Jared Fleisher, brings deep policy experience
Tiffany J. Gunter
region who have watched her career develop through various leadership positions. Her blend of technical knowledge, strategic vision, and community-focused planning has earned her widespread respect. Earlier this year, she was recognized as a 2025 Michigan Chronicle Woman of Excellence honoree.
Since joining SMART in 2022, Gunter has played a critical role in the agency’s operations and strategy, helping to navigate the complex post-pandemic transit landscape while laying the groundwork for innovation and inclusion in regional mobility.
“I’m honored to continue serving in a new administrative leadership function with SMART and look forward to working with the talented team to continue enhancing mobility, quality service, efficiency, and user experiences for the Tri-County area,” Gunter said. “SMART’s bus drivers, mechanics, and frontline staff are the heart of our organization, and we deeply value the work they do to connect residents to jobs, healthcare, and community resources.”
Under her watch, SMART is expected to
In a February 2025 Newsweek opinion piece, Dr. Stephanie R. Toliver of the University of Illinois cited former North Carolina Justice I. Beverly Lake’s 1954 warning that inferior education was preferable to racial integration. Toliver drew a chilling parallel to the present: “Just as Justice Lake once saw inferior education as an acceptable price to pay for preserving racial purity, today’s rhetoric proposes that a substandard education is a small cost for maintaining racism, homophobia, trans violence, and antiblackness”. Human Rights Watch also issued a 2025 statement linking the rollback of DEI initiatives to the broader global assault on anti-racism efforts. The organization called the Trump-era movement against DEI a “clear example” of mainstreamed racism, urging governments to reckon with the legacies of slavery, colonialism, and apartheid by adopting reparations and structural reforms. As perceptions of discrimination wane and support for DEI programs declines, civil rights advocates warn that these attitudes reflect not progress, but apathy, denial, and a dangerous rewriting of history.
“Our democracy stands at a crossroads,” Nelson said. “A path of infinite promise towards a more inclusive, equitable, and durable democracy on the one hand, and one of immeasurable and, potentially, irretrievable demise on the other”
The LDF’s report, Attack on Our Power and Dignity: What Project 2025 Means for Black Communities, warns that the agenda would eliminate racial data collection in federal agencies, weaken anti-discrimination laws, and roll back protections for workers, students, and voters. “The assault on Black communities envisioned by Project 2025 will almost certainly condemn us to demise,” said LDF President Janai Nelson. Education is a central battleground. Project 2025 calls for eliminating the Department of Education and replacing federal oversight with state control, even in states with a documented history of racial discrimination. It also seeks to defund school programs that address systemic racism or acknowledge white privilege. These efforts echo past segregationist rhetoric.
at both the state and federal levels. Fleisher has helped shape nearly every major economic development bill in Michigan over the past decade, including the Strategic Site Readiness Program. He also brings legal and infrastructure expertise from his time in Washington, D.C., and holds degrees from Harvard College and Harvard Law School. A Los Angeles native now based in Detroit, Fleisher represents a continuation of Bedrock’s national reach with a focus on local impact.
As Detroit continues to navigate population loss, housing equity, and small business growth, Bedrock’s next phase will be tested on its ability to operate as more than a private development firm. Residents, particularly in neighborhoods adjacent to downtown, continue to voice concerns about gentrification, displacement, and access. They want clarity on how revitalization is defined and who stands to benefit.
As 2025 winds down, Detroit’s development conversation enters another pivotal phase. With the Hudson’s Building nearing completion, the Cadillac Square entertainment district moving forward, and the riverfront innovation corridor in early stages, the next wave of leadership will be responsible for proving that revitalization can mean shared prosperity.
Bonner’s departure marks the end of a five-year period defined by both high-stakes recovery and accelerated growth. What follows will determine whether Detroit’s future continues to be shaped by those invested in its people—not just its property lines.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@ michronicle.com.
continue prioritizing equitable service expansion, improved efficiency, and dynamic public-private partnerships to serve a rapidly changing region.
“Her leadership style is collaborative and strategic, and she understands both the policy framework and the lived experiences of our riders,” Rea said. “The board looks forward to supporting Tiffany and ensuring SMART remains a powerful connector for our communities.”
SMART, founded in 1967, is Southeast Michigan’s only regional public transportation provider. The system provides fixedroute and on-demand service to millions annually, with a mission rooted in mobility, accessibility, and regional connectivity. Its services are critical to working families, seniors, and people with disabilities across metro Detroit.
As Gunter assumes her new post on August 1, community members and transportation advocates alike will be watching closely—hopeful that SMART, under her leadership, will continue its transformation into a more inclusive, modern, and impactful mobility agency.
For more information about SMART services, routes, or rider programs, visit www. smartbus.org.
Public schools already face compounded challenges. From teacher shortages to chronic absenteeism, post-pandemic instability to cultural curriculum fights, the pressure to meet children’s needs has only intensified. Yet just as state leaders begin rebuilding and reimagining education systems, they are forced to defend basic access to funding that was already promised.
For districts with high concentrations of Black, Brown, and immigrant students, the stakes are especially high. A disruption in enrichment programs doesn’t just mean fewer after-school activities. It can mean fewer hours of supervised care for working parents. It can mean the difference between passing and failing grades. It can mean food insecurity for children who rely on school meal programs that operate through summer and evening hours. That’s not ideology. That’s real life.
There’s a reason this lawsuit gained the support of over 20 states. The action wasn’t just reactive—it was protective. It recognized the potential ripple effect of undermining education funding under the guise of review. It asserted that transparency, consistency, and legality still matter in how schools receive support. And it sent a message that students deserve more than political chess moves.
Now that the funding is reportedly being released, the urgent work of trust repair begins.
Districts will attempt to revive shelved programs. Nonprofits and local partners will race to rehire staff, reopen community centers, and reconnect with students who may have already felt left behind. The struggle won’t end just because the dollars arrive. Resources must still be allocated, delivered, and implemented—and the students who were impacted must still be supported in
Because education funding doesn’t live in spreadsheets, it lives in classrooms. It lives in households struggling to access opportunity. It lives in communities where children are taught not only how to read and write—but also how to navigate a system that hasn’t always prioritized them.
Michigan may have won this round in court. But the larger battle remains: defending the right of every student to a public education that is funded, stable, and shielded from political whim.
And for those of us in the community, that battle is not theoretical. It’s personal. Every child deserves to walk into a classroom that was prepared to receive them— without apology, without delay, and without exception.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@ michronicle.com.
From page A-3
From page A-3
A5 | August 6-12, 2025
Money.
Magic Johnson’s Wife Cookie, Samuel L. Jackson Among L.A. Celebs Contributing Big to Sheffield
By Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER
Detroit City Council president Mary Sheffield, the lead fundraiser in the city’s mayor race, received a $5,000 campaign donation from Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson.
Sheffield came out on top of the field of candidates in the fundraising battle, posting more than $700,000, campaign finance records submitted last week show. Triumph Church pastor Solomon Kinloch and nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins raised just over $400,000 for their campaigns.
The $5,000 from “Samuel Jackson” wasn’t the only donation Sheffield received from Hollywood actors.
Erika Alexander, who played Maxine Shaw in the sitcom Living Single, donated $250 to Sheffield’s campaign.
Black women leaders like Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams have acknowledged the impact Maxine Shaw’s role in the ‘90s show had on them and other Black women pursuing careers in male-dominated spaces. In the show, Alexander’s character played an attorney.
Earleatha “Cookie” Johnson donated $8,000 to Sheffield’s campaign. Johnson is the wife of Ervin “Magic” Johnson, the Lansing native and NBA legend. Cookie Johnson’s family moved to Detroit when she was 6 years old and graduated from Detroit’s Chadsey High School. She was a cheerleader for the school’s Explorers team and graduated in 1977.
Detroit native Judge Greg Mathis and his wife, Linda Reese Mathis, gave a combined $3,100.
More Sheffield donors from Los Angeles, California, include Pistons chairman Arn Tellem and his wife, Nancy Tellem; Bernadette Leonard, the wife of retired boxer Sugar Ray Leonard; and film producer Bryan Smiley.
Jackson also listed the address of his home in Beverly Hills. The 11,968 square foot single-family home is a six-bedroom, eight-bathroom property.
Sheffield raked in $36,250 from people with addresses listed in and around Los Angeles, California, according to a review of campaign finance records.
Sheffield has raised over $1.2 million since forming her campaign committee more than a year ago. She led all candidates in the most recent campaign finance reporting period that ended July 20, raising $737,176 since Jan. 1.
See CAMPAIGN DONATION Page A-6
The Fed Holds Rates
Steady What It Means for Black Homeownership and the Ongoing Wealth Gap
By Dr. Anthony Kellum
In a highly anticipated decision, the Federal Reserve has chosen to leave interest rates unchanged, maintaining a cautious stance amid persistent inflationary pressures and an unpredictable economic outlook. While some in the financial sector were hoping for rate cuts to spur economic activity, the Fed’s decision sends a clear message: stability over stimulation for now.
But beneath the surface of macroeconomic policy lies a deeper and more urgent question: What does this decision mean for
Sheffield, Kinloch Led the Field in Detroit Mayoral Candidates’ Fundraising Efforts
By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER
The public got its best glimpse inside candidates’ finances just before heading to the polls for the Aug. 5 primary election that determined the two candidates who will face each other in the Nov. 4 general election.
While many candidates formed their campaign committees prior to the reporting period from Jan. 1 through July 20, several who announced after the latest filing period in April revealed for the first time who donated to their campaign.
Most of the donations to Detroit mayoral candidates came from outside the city limits. The top three candidates raised $526,560 from Detroit addresses, while $1.5 million of donations came from non-residents, according to a story from BrideDetroit.
BridgeDetroit’s Malachi Barrett put together an interactive virtual map showing where mayoral donations are coming from using campaign disclosures published to the Wayne County campaign finance website.
You can search through the disclosures by going to the county’s elections website, clicking the orange “campaign finance website” button, and then clicking “view filed reports” on the left-hand side of the screen. Once you’ve reached this page, type the name of a candidate into the “Committee Name” bar.
Detroit City Council member Mary Sheffield raised $737,176, which led the nine-candidate field, campaign finance records show. Her campaign ended the latest reporting period with $451,478 on
the Black community, particularly when it comes to the already staggering gap in homeownership between Black and white Americans? The answer is layered, complex, and, for many, deeply personal.
The Cost of Waiting: Affordability and Access
When the Fed keeps rates elevated, mortgage rates tend to follow suit. For prospective homebuyers, this translates into higher monthly payments, more stringent lending conditions, and increased overall costs to access the American Dream. For Black Americans who continue to face systemic barriers to wealth accumulation these rate decisions are not merely economic indicators; they are gatekeepers to ownership, stability, and generational legacy.
The typical Black household earns significantly less income and holds far less wealth than the typical white household. This disparity magnifies the impact of even modest increases in mortgage rates. A higher interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage doesn’t just mean a few extra dollars, it can mean the difference between qualifying for a home and being priced out altogether.
Refinancing: A Missed Opportunity for Financial Mobility
Historically, refinancing has served as a powerful tool for homeowners to reduce monthly payments, tap into equity, and
hand, spending funds on mailers, consulting fees, staff wages, and travel to Chicago for a fundraiser earlier this month hosted by local leaders.
Sheffield received major support from individuals from around Metro Detroit and across the country. She received $30,000 from the Deldin Law PAC; $20,000 from SEIU Local 1; $20,000 from the MI Regional Council of Carpenters PAC; $10,000 from Miller Canfield PAC; $10,000 from Rock Holdings Inc. State PAC; $8,325 from the Unite Here Tip Campaign Committee; and $1,500 from the Teamsters Local 283 Political Action Committee.
Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. raised $407,548, ending the reporting period with $55,976. Kinloch spent more than $350,000 on campaign consulting, website development, and a co-working office space at Chroma in New Center.
Kinloch’s top donations came from medical physicians, business owners, and members of his church. His wife, Robin Kinloch, and Dora Brown, Triumph Church’s chief financial officer, both gave the maximum amount allowed by individuals, $8,325. Sherrie Lynn Farrell, chief diversity officer at the Detroit Regional Chamber, Angelique Strong Marks, the chief legal officer for Cars.com, Stellantis executive Marvin Washington, and Renee Hall, founder of a law enforcement consulting firm, all gave the maximum amount. He also received $1,000 from former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield.
Comcast Corporation & NBC Universal PAC also donated $1,000 to Kinloch’s campaign.
manage financial burdens. But with interest rates remaining elevated, the refinancing window is effectively closed for many, especially Black homeowners who were already underserved by the lending system.
Locked into older loans with higher rates and unfavorable terms, these homeowners are denied access to the financial breathing room that refinancing might otherwise offer. This stalls progress, impedes wealth accumulation, and reinforces a pattern of financial inequity that persists across generations.
Beyond Interest Rates: The Weight of History
To fully understand how today’s interest rate environment affects Black homeownership, one must also account for the weight of historical injustice. The decision to leave rates unchanged may be rooted in economic theory, but its implications are magnified by generations of systemic discrimination.
• Redlining and Racism: For decades, Black neighborhoods were intentionally denied access to credit through redlining and exclusionary lending practices. The scars of that era remain, etched into everything from property values to lending patterns today.
• Inequities in Approval and Pricing: Even when Black Americans have comparable credit profiles and incomes, they are
Nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins raised $400,961 in the most recent reporting period, ending with $49,949 in her war chest. She’s raised a total of $517,670 since her December filing, spending $467,721 of that amount in the months since she formed her campaign committee. She also loaned herself an additional $71,500.
Jenkins’ top donors include Rudah Saghir, the president of Fairlane Construction, Louay Hussein of J and T Nationwide Recovery, a towing service, and Ann Nicholson of Grosse Pointe Woods, who is married to James Nicholson, co-chairman of PVS Chemicals. Nicholson also gave Jenkins $1,000. Joyce Hace Giles, a former vice president of public affairs at DTE, donated $5,000. Tricia Keith, CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan, gave Jenkins $2,500.
City councilman Fred Durhal raised $252,744, bringing in $140,966 in the reporting period from Jan. 1 to July 20. He has $52,66 in his war chest.
The Detroit Regional Chamber PAC donated $5,000 to Durhal’s campaign after endorsing him earlier this month. Business and real estate leaders made up much of his contributions. Tellem of the Pisons donated $8,000, and Roger Basmajian, the CEO of real estate firm Basco, donated $5,000. HUD employee Esther Haugabook, a city council candidate in District 5, gave Durhal $250. Attorney Todd Perkins raised $219,425, ending the reporting period with $38,721. A previous version of his
more likely to be denied mortgage loans or offered higher interest rates and less favorable terms.
• Cost Disparities: Black homeowners often face inflated property taxes, higher mortgage insurance premiums, and increased maintenance costs due to neglected infrastructure in predominantly Black neighborhoods.
The Homeownership Gap: A National Crisis
As of 2024, the Black homeownership rate remains nearly 30 percentage points lower than that of white Americans a gap wider today than it was in 1968 when the Fair Housing Act was passed. This gap is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of lost opportunity, blocked dreams, and economic injustice on a generational scale. By choosing not to lower interest rates, the Fed is not directly opposing Black homeownership but the ripple effects of that choice disproportionately harm those already struggling to gain a foothold in the market. Without access to affordable credit, down payment assistance, or fair lending practices, Black Americans continue to face an uphill battle toward ownership.
Equity Must Be Engineered If property is indeed power as we be-
Anthony O. Kellum
Fundraising Efforts
From page A-5
filing showed Perkins’ ending balance at $82.
Perkins’ donors include Gasper Fiore, a towing consultant who in 2018 was sentenced to prison for bribery, donated $500; Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a former state representative and school board member, donated $750; Colling Goree, the owner of Colling Homes, the owner of an assisted living community.
Perkins also loaned his campaign $56,723 in loans, with $31,723 coming from Perkins himself and the rest from Michele Bryant. Bryant’s relationship with Per-
Interest Rates
From page A-5
lieve it is then access to that property must be protected, expanded, and democratized. That will not happen through monetary policy alone. Closing the racial homeownership gap requires coordinated action across the public and private sectors:
• Policy Reform: Expand targeted down payment assistance, reform credit scoring systems, and strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws.
• Lending Innovation: Develop underwriting models that reflect the true financial picture of historically marginalized borrowers.
• Community Investment: Support infrastructure, education, and job creation in underserved communities to increase readiness for homeownership.
• Financial Literacy: Equip potential buyers with tools to navigate credit, lending, and the real estate process confidently and effectively.
Final Thoughts: Stability for Whom?
kins is not clear.
Former police chief James Craig has raised $23,060, with a remaining balance of $2,928. He spent most of the money on administrative expenses, printing campaign literature, and media consulting. Former GOP chair Ron Weiser was Craig’s top donor, giving his campaign $8,325, the max amount for individual donors.
Longshot candidates Jonathan Barlow and Joel Haashiim both raised less than $2,500.
You can reach Sam Robinson at srobinson@michronicle.com.
Campaign Donation
From page A-5
“I am deeply humbled by the widespread and growing support our campaign continues to receive. Every day, a broad cross-section of Detroiters — longtime residents, new neighbors, small businesses, major employers and people who simply love this city — are choosing to invest in our vision for a Detroit where we all can rise together,” Sheffield said in a statement. “This campaign has always been rooted in the belief that we can go further and achieve more when we do it together — and together, we will.”
Sam Robinson can be reached at srobinson@ michronicle.com.
The Fed’s choice to hold rates steady may be prudent for financial markets, but for Black America, it’s yet another reminder that stability for some often means stagnation for others. The struggle for homeownership in the Black community is not just about interest rates, it’s about erasing a legacy of exclusion and finally creating pathways to equity, ownership, and generational wealth. Because Property is Power! Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.
By Jennifer Porter Gore
This story was first published in Word In Black.
Black communities facing a spiraling opioid crisis are now in the crosshairs of drastic federal cuts to a life-saving initiative to combat drug overdoses.
Last week, President Donald Trump delayed funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) critical Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program — a $140 million initiative proven to combat drug deaths. This move, part of sweeping cuts to over 2,600 federal programs, comes via executive order and targets drug harm reduction and safety services vital to saving lives.
RELATED: The State of Black America’s Drug Overdose Epidemic
The timing couldn’t be more devastating for Black America. While recent CDC data offered a glimmer of hope — showing the first significant national drop in overdose deaths since 2019, with a nearly 27% reduction in opioid fatalities in 2024 — Black death rates are still higher than whites.
Opioid overdoses among Black Americans exploded 44% from 2019 to 2020 alone. That year, for the first time ever, more Black Americans died from opioid overdoses than white Americans. The crisis is worst among Black youth ages 15-24, who saw overdose deaths surge by a horrifying 86% in 2020.
Now, public health experts are sounding the alarm over the Trump administration’s decision to jeopardize the OD2A program, which launched in 2019 during Trump’s first term. Freezing the initiative, which helps distribute anti-overdose drugs like naloxone and provides funds for harm-reduction and treatment outreach, could trigger a deadly reversal of progress in the fight against opioid-related deaths.
“This deadly executive order threatens the safety
By Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, running as an independent, has raised more than any other candidate running for Michigan governor in 2026.
The Detroit mayor surprised everyone last December when he announced he would run for governor with a twist — he abandoned the Democratic Party. His political rivals have speculated whether Duggan left the party because of his values or because he felt he couldn’t defeat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic primary election next year in August.
His decision to leave the Democratic Party hasn’t hurt his ability to raise money for his campaign. He leads all candidates, raising $3.2 million since announcing his bid last winter.
“Michiganders are not willing to fund politics as usual. Night after night, I’ve attended fundraisers packed with supporters who are ignoring conventional wisdom,” Duggan said in a statement. “I’ve met huge numbers of generous Michiganders who are fed up with the way Lansing’s toxic politics are damaging our public school system, our economic climate, and even our basic civility to each other. I can’t thank each and every one of them enough for their support for a new approach.”
A Metro Times report pointed to a number of donors with ties to conservative causes. Among them are a billionaire megadonor to Trump, former leaders of the Michigan Republican Party, and an aide to former Gov. Rick Snyder who was charged with his role in the Flint water crisis. Grassroots Republican leaders are warning their base that Duggan’s independent campaign could split party donors, according to a report from the conservative online news website, The Midwesterner.
He also received $2,500 from former Democratic candidate for president Andrew Yang, who is also Independent. Benson led the pack of Democratic can-
Black OD Death Rates Are High. They Just Might Get Worse
and civil rights of millions of people with mental health and/or substance use disorders and other people who use drugs, as well as unhoused folks who already face many dangers,” says Laura Guzman, executive director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition. “What we need to save lives, improve public health, and make entire communities safer is [to] focus on and invest in evidence-based solutions, including housing and health care — not handcuffs and budget cuts.”
An Unclear Future
Public health officials nationwide say that many programs have been paused ahead of the Sept. 1 deadline when current program funding runs out. CDC staff says it’s unclear how local public health and addiction programs will continue operating when roughly half their funding is up in the air.
“The announcement [of delays] alone could trigger layoffs and program shutdowns,” one CDC staffer told NPR. “It could really start a chain reaction that’s hard to come back from.”
40% of Americans have lost someone to an overdose.
More than 320 scientists, drug policy experts, and academics raised that point in a letter sent to House and Senate leaders in May, when rumors circulated that Trump was about to take action that would affect the program.
“Overdose has touched every corner of the country; more than 40% of Americans have lost someone to a drug overdose,” the scientists wrote, stressing that, despite the declines, substance use disorder still grips millions of Americans.
“In 2023, 48.5 million teenagers and adults struggled with SUD, and 58.7 million adults experienced a mental health condition,” the experts wrote. “Now is not the time to reduce these investments in effective SUD and mental health care.”
Counselors who work directly with substance use disorder patients also point out that cutting these programs will harm those who need them most.
“The biggest thing about [treating] addiction is being able to admit it and having a safe space within the treatment facility, with a trusted professional, to make the admission is imperative,” says Chardé Hollins, an Ohio-based licensed clinical social worker. “If you cut the funding that allows for those relationships to be established and nurtured, then it will undoubtedly impact those who seek, and ultimately go into, treatment.”
The Impact of Medicaid Cuts
The administration says it will continue funding the OD2A program, for now. But NPR reports that payment will be made “in increments” instead of the usual single annual payment, according to a White House statement. NPR reports it received a separate statement from the Department of Health and Human Services saying the CDC “remains committed” to OD2A funding because it “directly aligns with administration priorities.”
But the tax and spending plan Trump signed into law earlier this month — the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes deep cuts to Medicaid and other government programs that provide drug treatment — is expected to cause even more harm. In 2021, 2% of Medicaid enrollees were being treated for opioid use disorder, which equals just over 1 million adults.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a panel of addiction specialists at the Boston University School of Medicine wrote that the bill “will cause approximately 156,000 people to lose access to treatment for opioid use disorder.” They also projected that approximately 1,000 additional overdose deaths could occur each year because of the cuts to Medicaid.
didates, raising $3.53 million, campaign finance records show. At least $592,000 of that total came from Benson’s secretary of state campaign fund, meaning Duggan raised more from direct contributions in the most recent reporting period that ended July 20. Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt narrowly beat out U.S. Rep. John James. Nesbitt reported $2.29 million, and James reported $2.27 million. Both candidates transferred funds from their current offices. James’s total includes $750,000 from his congressional campaign account, while Nesbitt’s includes $363,000 from Senate and leadership campaign committees.
“Today’s fundraising reports make clear that Jocelyn Benson is the strongest candidate to win the Democratic primary for Governor and take on any candidate — Republican or Independent — in November 2026. I’m proud this campaign is fueled by the people – over 27,000 individuals from every one of Michigan’s 83 counties – who believe in Jocelyn’s vision for making Mich-
igan a place where everyone can afford to live and thrive – not by wealthy corporate executives and special interest groups. We enter this next phase of the election cycle with more funds raised and more cash on hand than any other candidate for governor. And we are just getting warmed up.” Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist announced that he raised more than $750,000 since launching his campaign in March. Gilchrist has $312,000 cash on hand.
“I am honored to have the support and confidence from people across Michigan. Too many Michiganders are tired of feeling like they are running in place while their costs outrun their paychecks. They want leaders who can deliver results by showing up, fighting for them, and taking on big problems and the people who created them. We know something better is possible and worth fighting for. We can build upon our foundation to make Michigan a place everyone can afford to stay and succeed and access their dream of health and wealth. Together, we will deliver opportunities for working people in every corner of both pen-
insulas. Thank you for believing in a future big enough to include everyone.”
The other Democrat vying for their party’s nomination next year is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Swanson reported $1.06 million in contributions, with $468,000 in his war chest. More than $180,000 came from his campaign fund when he ran for sheriff.
“I
gan,”
of
and unify the
said in a
“Over the last 165 days, I’ve met with people across the state and talked about their hope for the future and their hunger for optimistic leadership. The amazing support our campaign has received from small business owners, community leaders, educators, health care workers and so many more has reinforced my belief that together, we can build a better future for everyone here in Michigan. This is what I have done as
C ity . L ife . Style .
Ghost Ninja Raccoon Brings Humor, Horror, and Black Culture to Spotify
By Miss AJ Williams
Crystal Gray is not your typical horror podcaster. With a sharp wit, a love for the genre’s quirks, and a voice that feels like a late-night chat with your funniest friend, she brings something fresh to the world of horror commentary. Her podcast, “Ghost Ninja Raccoon”, is a space where Black culture meets horror fandom, blending humor, authenticity, and just the right amount of creepiness to keep listeners coming back for more.
Gray launched
“Ghost Ninja Raccoon” after growing weary of horror podcasts that missed the mark. “I’d hear hosts miss key plot points, talk over each other, or ramble about their dogs and bosses,” she said. “I figured I could do this better. Accurate, funny, and focused on the movie.” What she created is part horror review, part sharp storytelling, all filtered through her unapologetically blunt, slightly crass humor.
Her podcast, “Ghost Ninja Raccoon”, is as bold and offbeat as its name suggests. Born from a conversation about a raccoon that scaled a skyscraper in Minnesota, Gray spun the moment into a wild tale of a ninja spirit transferring into the animal mid-battle. For her, it is more than just a quirky name. It represents rebirth and courage, a reminder to shed old skins and be brave enough to climb new heights, or at least buildings.
Her episodes are built to be “weird, kooky and a little creepy,” the kind of 45minute escape perfect for anyone stressed, anxious, or simply needing a laugh. She outlines the essentials, plot points, characters, and setting, but delivers them as if chatting with a friend over drinks.
As a Black woman in horror, Gray is intentional about highlighting Black films monthly, not just in February. “This podcast is for us,” she said, comparing it to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show. “If you like it, welcome. If not, there are literally a bajillion other options.”
Looking ahead, she envisions live shows, movie screenings, and even Black-themed horror merch. “I want a T-shirt with Sanaa
See GHOST NINJA RACCOON Page B-2
Detroit
Detroit Pistons, Kalasho Education, Huntington Bank Deliver Hope and Gear to Wayne County Youth
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Youth leaving the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility will now walk out with new athletic shoes and Detroit Pistons jerseys, thanks to a donation from Kalasho Education and Youth Services, Huntington Bank, and the Detroit Pistons.
The gifts, presented on July 29, are far more than just fashionable gear. For many of these youth, they represent recognition, dignity, and the possibility of a brighter road ahead.
The donation included 150 pairs of Jordan brand athletic shoes and 40 Detroit Pistons jerseys. As these youth prepare to step out of the facility and re-enter their neighborhoods, they’ll do so with symbols of support in hand and new gear that lets them know that they are not forgotten.
Wayne County officials were quick to emphasize the deeper meaning behind the donation. County Executive Warren C. Evans highlighted the challenge of re-entry for justice-involved youth and why gestures of belief and belonging can be transformative.
“Oftentimes for these young people, returning to the outside world can be as difficult and challenging as the time spent on the inside,” Evans said.
“That’s why it’s so important to let them know we believe in their ability to rise above their circumstances and to leave the Juvenile Detention Center stronger, better equipped and
more ready for the world than when they came in. Motivation is central to rehabilitation.”
For the young people at Wayne County JDF, whose time inside often includes rigorous efforts toward personal growth, education, and behavioral change, stepping out into the community can feel like starting over. Many return to unstable environments, limited resources, or fractured support systems. A new pair of shoes or a jersey bearing the name of a Detroit sports team may seem simple—but in the right context, they’re messages: you matter, and your community is
rooting for you.
The project was led by Kalasho Education and Youth Services, a nonprofit organization with a mission to empower underserved youth through education, advocacy, and enrichment. Executive Director Sumaiya Ahmed Sheikh said the donation reflects their belief that small gestures can carry meaning beyond the threads used to stitch them together, particularly for youth navigating difficult transitions.
“We believe every young person deserves a chance to feel valued and seen, especially during moments of transition,”
Sheikh said. “These jerseys and shoes are more than just gear—they’re symbols of hope and perseverance. Our goal is to remind these youth that their future is not defined by where they’ve been, but by the strength they carry forward.”
Kalasho’s involvement is part of a broader approach to youth engagement, one that merges sports, mentorship, and learning to help young people build identity, agency, and confidence. The group has long maintained that visible community support can spark meaningful change, especially when that support comes from prominent institutions like the Detroit Pistons and Huntington Bank.
Both partners have deep ties to community service and youth programming in Michigan. For the Pistons, it’s part of their continued commitment to using sports as a vehicle for positive social impact. For Huntington Bank, the donation aligns with its broader focus on inclusive economic opportunity and youth development.
The hope, organizers say, is that these kinds of collaborative efforts can create ripple effects and help to make the reintegration process less daunting and even empowering.
At its core, the donation is a nod to resilience. For every youth walking out of the detention facility, it’s a reminder that they are not alone and that the city around them, its leaders, its teams, and its institutions, see their worth and want them to succeed.
Raises Curfew Fines for Parents, Sparking Debate on Accountability and Safety
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
Detroit City Council has voted to increase fines on parents whose children violate the city’s long-standing juvenile curfew law — a move described by officials as a necessary step toward safety and accountability. The ordinance update, passed this week, marks the first change to the city’s curfew penalties in decades. But as the city intensifies efforts to reduce youth violence, the decision has stirred questions among community members about whether economic punishment will drive the outcomes city officials say they want.
First-time curfew violations will now result in a $250 fine, while second-time offenses will carry a $500 penalty. The council also eliminated jail time as a sentencing option for parents of repeat offenders. That change was welcomed by Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, who had urged the council to adopt the revised ordinance.
“This is a step as far as accountability,” Bettison said during the meeting. “But it’s not about penalizing anyone. I just need to change behavior.” He emphasized that the updated ordinance is designed to send a message that community safety requires involvement from both law enforcement and families.
“We’re going to hold individuals accountable,” he said. “And we’re doing this out of love to ensure that our most valuable, precious individuals in the city of Detroit are safe.”
Crystal Gray
Ghost Ninja Raccoon
From page B-1
Lathan from ‘Alien vs. Predator’, a Black woman who was not a victim but kicked butt.”
For Gray, horror is joy and community. “I love finding small films with passion and talent behind them,” she said. “If lis-
Curfew Fines
From page B-1
response to growing concerns about youth gun violence.
Bettison linked the move to several recent incidents involving teens and firearms, including cases where children were either victims or alleged perpetrators. “This is about getting ahead of the violence,” he said. “Curfew is one of several tools we have to stop something before it happens.”
Still, questions remain about whether these fines will truly result in safer outcomes. There is longstanding debate around the effectiveness of curfews in reducing youth crime. Several national studies have concluded that juvenile curfews have little to no consistent impact on violence or victimization rates. Critics of curfew enforcement have cited this research, arguing that policies built around fines may not create behavioral change — but may create financial instability.
Some fear that the cost could be especially burdensome for families already facing economic hardship. A $250 fine can mean the difference between a paid utility bill and a week’s worth of groceries. The second offense — at $500 — brings even greater strain, particularly for caregivers already navigating housing costs, child care, and limited job flexibility.
Bettison responded to those concerns by emphasizing that the courts will provide alternate pathways. His intent, he said, is not to punish families but to change habits and prevent future harm.
“Parents have a choice to make,” he repeated. “Pay the penalty, the fine, or take an option and get some resources.”
That decision — between penalty and support — now sits at the heart of the city’s revised approach. Bettison’s message to
teners leave every episode feeling like they had fun, I have done my job.” “Ghost Ninja Raccoon” might be spooky by design, but at its heart, it is Gray’s love letter to horror and a reminder that even in the creepiest stories, there is room to laugh. New episodes can be heard on Spotify.
parents was clear: know where your children are, and make sure they’re home before curfew.
“This is a step as far as accountability,” he said. “But it’s not about penalizing anyone.”
The ordinance’s removal of jail time was seen by some as a shift toward fairness. Fines, however, still represent a serious consequence, and whether or not they’ll work as intended remains uncertain.
Bettison made his position clear. The department, he said, is using every resource available to prevent more youth-involved tragedies. “We’re doing this out of love,” he said, “to ensure that our most valuable, precious individuals in the city of Detroit are safe.”
Whether the updated curfew ordinance will lead to meaningful change is a question that remains unanswered. What’s certain is that Detroit families will feel its impact most directly. Parents and guardians — already holding together households through inflation, job demands, and safety concerns — will now carry added responsibility if their children are found violating curfew.
The city’s intention is safety.
The mechanism is enforcement. But real transformation requires more than rules. It requires a city willing to invest in its young people, understand its working-class families, and listen to the voices that have carried Detroit through every era of change.
As summer stretches on and enforcement tightens, Detroit will see what this policy delivers. Whether it prevents violence or adds another layer of difficulty for parents doing their best — that will be seen in how the courts apply it, how the community responds, and whether city leaders remain committed to walking with families instead of simply issuing warnings.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com.
DTE Energy Donates $800K to United Way to Help Vulnerable Michiganders Weather Historic Heat
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
As Michigan continues to swelter under a record-breaking heat dome, DTE Energy is stepping in to offer relief for residents struggling to stay cool and safe. The utility company announced this week an $800,000 donation to the United Way for Southeastern Michigan to help thousands of low-income residents, seniors, and people with disabilities cover rising energy costs.
The funding comes at a critical time. According to United Way, demand for energy assistance has jumped by 72 percent from last year, driven in large part by extreme summer temperatures and increased pressure on household budgets.
“This donation will help us support Michiganders accessing the help they need to pay their energy bills,” said Jeff Miles, vice president of Community Impact at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “While MEAP recently expanded assistance amounts and eligibility requirements, this donation helps address current gaps and keep families enrolled now.”
Still Her: Honoring the Woman in the Mirror!
By Dr. Portia Lockett CONTRIBUTING WRITER
I remember vividly — back in high school, I was the shortest and the least physically developed of all my friends.
Just 5’2” and 115 pounds, and nowhere near the socalled “ideal” 3624-36 figure or that coveted Coca-Cola bottle shape.
To be honest, I had a bit of a complex. Society had a way of telling us what beautiful should look like — and I did not see it in the mirror.
Evette Griffie, vice president of Customer and Community Engagement at DTE, said the company’s decades-long partnership with United Way has become even more crucial as Michigan faces new climate realities.
“This donation isn’t just about meeting the needs of today,” said Griffie. “It connects families to the right programs that can prevent these crises in the future.”
Last year alone, more than 5,000 residents across the state were enrolled in DTE’s Low-Income Self-Sufficiency Plan (LSP), a program that offers affordable payment plans and energy education to help customers avoid shutoffs. With the added pressure of this summer’s heat and rising utility bills, DTE expects to support more than 6,400 customers this program year through its new donation.
The financial support will go directly to customers who are already enrolled in energy assistance programs, many of whom are elderly, disabled, underemployed, or facing other financial hardships.
“DTE’s strong partnership with United Way of more than 40 years continues to be a lifeline for Michigan families – especially in the summer, when rising tem-
The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) was recently expanded by the state legislature, increasing funding and widening eligibility for low-income families. That expansion goes into effect on October 1. But with summer in full swing, thousands of residents need help now. DTE’s donation aims to bridge that gap.
peratures can lead to unexpected energy costs,” Griffie added.
The United Way will use the donation to continue providing immediate assistance while preparing to deploy additional state resources in the fall.
“We’re grateful for this critical support from our partners at DTE, which will allow us to help families not just get through tough times, but stay on solid ground,” said Miles.
Over the past five years, DTE says it has helped connect customers to more than $660 million in energy assistance, working with federal, state, and nonprofit partners to make support more accessible. The utility also played a key role in advocating for the new legislation signed into law last year, which expands energy assistance funding and eases eligibility requirements for struggling households.
“DTE works every day to connect customers to energy assistance – we are doing everything in our power to ensure customers are never without the energy they need,” Griffie said. “Our work doesn’t end here. We will continue to advocate for the most vulnerable so they can receive the support and resources they deserve.”
Residents who are struggling to pay their energy bills or want to learn more about eligibility for assistance can visit unitedwaysem.org/utility-assistance or dteenergy.com/help.
Black-Owned Rideshare Quik Carry Launches in Detroit
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
Quik Carry, a 100% Black-owned rideshare platform, has officially launched in Detroit, expanding its operations beyond Atlanta and South Florida. The company enters the city with a model designed to create safer rides for passengers, stronger earnings for drivers, and a visible presence within the community.
“We didn’t build Quik Carry just to be different— we built it to make a difference,” said Darryl Jacobs, CEO of Quik Carry. “Detroit deserves more than just another app. You’ll see us at community events, meet us in person, and be part of a platform that gives back while moving you forward.”
Quik Carry sets itself apart from larger rideshare companies by giving drivers a larger share of the profit. More than 50% of each fare goes directly to drivers, with payouts reaching up to 80% on longer trips. Drivers also see their earnings upfront before accepting a ride, avoiding hidden fees or last-minute changes.
Riders gain a range of options that focus on both safety and convenience. Through the app, customers can select the gender of their driver, a feature that has already been praised by users in other markets for adding an extra layer of security, particularly for women and solo travelers. Luxury vehicle options, including Sprinters and black trucks, are also available for riders seeking higher-end transportation.
The company’s redesigned app is earning positive feedback for its user-friendly layout and added features that prioritize both drivers and riders. One of its standout elements is in-app advertising, which provides drivers with an additional income stream while helping local businesses connect with customers. This approach ensures that the financial benefits of the platform circulate within the city’s economy rather than being pulled out by national corporations.
Quik Carry has partnered with insurance providers to support its drivers, ensuring they have access to coverage and resources to stay safe on the road. “We want drivers to feel valued and protect-
ed,” Jacobs explained. “Our goal is to build a network where both riders and drivers know they’re supported by a company that’s part of their community.”
For those interested in joining as drivers, Quik Carry offers a simple sign-up process through its website, www.quikcarry.com, or by downloading the Quik Carry Driver App on iOS or Android. The application process includes local insurance options and provides access to competitive payouts and bonuses once approved.
Riders can download the Quik Carry Rider App from the App Store or Google Play to experience the platform. The app provides clear pricing, flexible booking, and the option to select preferred driver preferences for a more personalized ride experience.
Quik Carry is not just another tech startup entering the market—it is the only Black-owned rideshare platform with national expansion, recognized by publications like Black Enterprise and Essence Magazine for its commitment to equity and community investment. The company is actively visible in Detroit, attending local events and partnering with businesses to ensure its growth reflects the needs of the people it serves.
“Detroit is a city that understands resilience and value,” Jacobs said. “Quik Carry is here to create opportunities, offer safe and reliable rides, and show that ownership matters.”
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com
However, despite all that, I was her — vibrant, active, and full of life.
More Than a Body
I was the captain of the cheer team (Go Northern Eskies!), ran track, played hockey, and on top of that — I played clarinet, saxophone, and piano. I was involved, committed, and full of energy. My body may not have matched the images I saw in magazines, but it carried me through everything I loved.
Now, over 40 years later, I have not grown an inch taller. My weight has fluctuated slightly — from 118 to 127 pounds, except during pregnancy. But oh, how I’ve grown in wisdom, resilience, and joy.
I am still me — just wiser and far more rooted. Honestly, If I wasn’t Portia, I’d want to be her sister-friend.
Goodbye, Comparison. Hello, Confidence. Those comparison days? They are gone. I have learned to accept and appreciate the woman in the mirror — not because she fits a mold, but because she is mine. She has lived, loved, embraced joy and sorrow, and kept moving forward.
That part… definitely deserves to be celebrated.
The Hushed Grief We Don’t Talk About Let’s keep it real for a moment.
Have you ever looked at an old photo and said:
“Who took that picture? UGHHH, In reality, you were all that and a bag of chips! You didn’t know it at the time and definitely didn’t celebrate it. Now, you would do anything to look like that again. That longing? That’s grief! Body grief is real — the ache for a version of yourself you didn’t even appreciate when she was present. It sneaks in quietly and, if left unchecked, can evolve into self-criticism and disdain.
Nevertheless, here is the truth: the woman in that old photo deserves your love! So does the one in the mirror. Don’t fall into the same trap — only seeing your beauty in retrospect.
See you in the present!
Treasure who you were.
Be grateful who you are.
Celebrate who you’re evolving into.
The woman in the mirror today is just as solid, glowgeous and valuable as she’s ever been — maybe even more so.
A Gentle Reminder, your body may not look like it once did, but it has carried you through each moment of your life and has prepared you for where you are today.
It is the temple of your strength, courage and wisdom.
So today, as you stand in front of the mirror:
Say: Sister, in the mirror, what do you see?
Response: I see a ___________________ (choose your own affirming adjectives) staring back at me!
Detroit School Board Names Rev. Dr. Bland to Fill Vacancy and Advance Blueprint 2027
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
On July 28, during a special meeting of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board of Education, the well-sought-after vacant seat was officially filled. A seven-member board is more than symbolic when a city has spent years fighting to govern its own schools. This vote, following days of interviews with 14 candidates, led to the appointment and swearing-in of Reverend Dr. Steve Bland, Jr.—a longtime faith leader, public education supporter, and Detroit resident.
His selection comes at a critical moment, not just for the board, but for a district still reclaiming itself from years of state oversight, school closures, and broken trust. The board, now complete again, is continuing to push forward its strategic plan, Blueprint 2027, with a sharper focus and a louder call for accountability that starts with leadership grounded in the community.
Rev. Dr. Bland’s name may be new to the board table, but his voice is not new to the fight.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this notable appointment as the next school board member of the Detroit Public School Community District,” Bland said after taking the oath. “I look forward to working collaboratively with a gifted and awesome group of current school board members that I can support and work alongside in fulfilling DPSCD’s mission, students and families across Detroit.”
His addition comes as the board works to deliver on the vision laid out when local control was restored in 2017. That return wasn’t ceremonial—it was fought for by Detroiters who demanded an end to state-appointed emergency managers that gutted resources, stripped the city of educational decision-making, and left students in schools with leaky ceilings and broken heat.
At the center of that restoration was a newly elected board. Seven seats. No guarantees. But what followed was one of the most significant shifts in Detroit education in decades. Within a year, the board
hired Dr. Nikolai Vitti as superintendent and engaged Detroiters citywide to build a plan from the ground up—Blueprint 2020, now Blueprint 2027. The foundation: restore trust, elevate instruction, stop the bleeding from years of dysfunction, and protect every school on the brink of closure.
“We have been intentional about student-centered leadership,” said Board President Bishop Corletta Vaughn, Ph.D. “Namely appointing Dr. Vitti, adopting a bold strategic vision, preventing school closures, and regaining full operational independence.”
That work is real. In 2017, the newly elected board was still under financial oversight from the state. Every dollar spent had to be reported. Every decision was second-guessed. By 2020, DPSCD exited that oversight—becoming fully independent for the first time in years. But independence doesn’t mean the work is finished. It means the responsibility now lives squarely with the board, the administration, and the community to hold one another to the vision they set together.
Rev. Dr. Bland steps into a board that has shown what’s possible when Detroit governs Detroit. The selection process itself reflected that. Transparent. Public. Deliberate. No rushed rubber stamp. Just 14 candidates are showing up, putting their names and commitments on the line, and facing the community.
“Our Board remains steadfast in its mission to make DPSCD the best public education option for all children in metro Detroit,” said Vaughn. “We believe Rev. Dr. Bland shares our commitment to that mission and will be a valuable partner as we continue advancing Blueprint 2027 and improving outcomes for all students across Detroit.”
That mission goes deeper than academics. It’s about infrastructure, cultural relevance, discipline reform, and making sure no child in Detroit feels like an afterthought in their own city. It’s about confronting years of redlining and disinvestment that still show up in the walls of old buildings and the gaps in special educa-
tion funding. DPSCD can’t afford leaders who are disconnected. The people on this board have to know the cost of silence, the weight of advocacy, and the importance of showing up even when the cameras aren’t.
Board Vice President LaTrice McClendon spoke about what it meant for so many to step up.
“We appreciate every candidate who stepped forward in service to our students and families,” she said. “We had some exceptional candidates who went through this process and look forward to continuing to work with them moving forward. This process affirmed the deep civic commitment within our community.”
The seat Rev. Dr. Bland now fills was left open by Angelique Peterson Mayberry. It won’t come up again until the next general election in November 2026. That gives him time—not to ease in, but to get to work. The board has made it clear that this isn’t about maintaining power. It’s about distributing it, listening to community input, and turning public meetings into spaces where real change is built out loud.
His background brings a bridge between spiritual leadership and educational advocacy—something Detroit knows well. Faith leaders have long stood in the gap when systems fell short. Whether it was fighting for fair enrollment policies, supporting students navigating under-resourced schools, or showing up to defend youth
targeted by police presence in schools, Black clergy have been on the frontlines. Dr. Bland joins that lineage with his appointment, not as an outsider, but as someone already doing the work.
The appointment also comes with urgency. As the city wrestles with youth mental health, pandemic learning loss, staff shortages, and racialized curriculum policies across the country, DPSCD is being watched closely. The board’s recent progress report points to measurable improvements—but it doesn’t paint over the gaps that remain.
This is the same board that fought off the closure of more than 39 schools after working in partnership with the Michigan Department of Education. It’s the same district that rebuilt early childhood programs, launched culturally responsive initiatives, and pushed for more Black educators in every building. But these wins don’t exist without continued pressure. They require board members who know what it means when a child doesn’t have
a counselor, when an IEP goes ignored, or when a parent’s voice is dismissed because they didn’t go to the right meeting.
Rev. Dr. Bland’s appointment was never about filling a seat. It was about anchoring a vision in someone rooted enough to understand the weight of the role, and ready enough to match that weight with clarity and care.
Detroit’s public schools are no longer in the hands of emergency managers. They’re in the hands of Detroiters. That alone is something to protect—and something to push further. With this full board now in place, the district has a chance to not only sustain local control but to reimagine what accountability, equity, and excellence look like when the community stays at the center.
This isn’t just a new chapter for one board member. It’s another step in a larger story—one Detroit has been writing for years, together.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com.
Detroit Michigan: Wayne County Community College District will host a site visit for continuing accreditation of its Associate of Applied Science Nursing Program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at the 8200 West Outer Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48219. Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at public-comments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office:
Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326
The ACEN should receive all written comments by August 26, 2025 For information, contact Unbreen Amir at uamir1@wcccd.edu
