what the Supreme Court will rule in the upcomingsion, advocates on both sides of the argument are willing to continue their
“Overturning Roe v. 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-
ings of this draft. If that is not the case, we need toity Leader Schumer and Gov. Whitmer in support of their efforts to preservetive freedom,” said Chair Alisha Bell, on behalf of -
that impossible, we will do everything we can to ensure our patients can access the care they need.” and women of color, who already have a long-storied history with access and inclusion in medi-
From page A-1
held in February, not in July,” McCann said.
islature adopts it.
corporate boards to have more diverse representation and pass the legislation.
School districts are already operating in the dark. Without final numbers, some may be forced to lay off staff or hold off on investments they’d otherwise make in classrooms and support services. That’s especially critical for low-income and rural districts that rely heavily on state funding and can’t fall back on local tax bases to fill in the gaps.
Detroit students rely on school meals as their most consistent source of nutrition. Stripping out dedicated funding for those programs places an unfair burden on districts already operating with limited resources, forcing them to choose between basic needs and classroom priorities. In communities where systemic inequities already shape educational outcomes, flexibility without safeguards can mean losing the very programs that keep students fed, supported, and safe.
herself in the position to choose has access to care without the threat of legal action, many wonder
ing continues to draw resistance from advocates who insist education needs to remain a standalone priority.
ant principles—neither bowing at the altar of potential federal funding cuts nor perceived political propriety. Efforts to promote programs that support diversity and inclusion seek to expand opportunities, not limit them, and therefore do not discriminate.”
The health committee recommends reviewing state licensure policies to address the barriers that Black psychologists face in obtaining licensure in Michigan.
Legislative leaders have yet to provide a clear timeline for when a deal could come together. Without a final budget, districts are stuck in a holding pattern—unable to confirm staffing, purchase materials, or commit to student programming.
Chief Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sue Carnell echoed that urgency. “Broadening students’ perspectives helps them to think critically and understand issues from a variety of perspectives. These skills are useful as students move into adulthood and are critical in the world of work.”
Better collection and analysis of criminal justice data: BLAC recommends data collection and professional analysis be initiated with the assistance of our Attorney General, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), Association of Michigan Prosecutors and other stakeholders to collaborate, collect and analyze data strategically.
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).
The budget delay has now crossed into July, with students scheduled to return to school in just a few weeks. The longer negotiations drag on, the more likely it becomes that districts will have to revise or cut budgets midyear—something that puts students at the highest risk further behind.
“We can’t be opening our doors to students over the summer and into the fall and radically re-shape how funding works,” McCann said. “That would send countless districts into deficit.”
Ensure equitable distribution of state health funds: Ensure all Michigan communities with a significant Black population receive adequate funds to address mental health issues.
For communities across Michigan, especially those with a history of underfunding and disinvestment, the cost of delay grows heavier by the day. What’s at stake isn’t just dollars, but the ability for schools to prepare, serve, and support children in the ways they deserve.
Dr. Rice emphasized that teaching comprehensive history includes confronting painful truths, not avoiding them. “Some people want to teach about the soaring moments of our nation’s and world’s history, but they don’t want to teach about the searing moments. We must do both,” he said. “As members of a diverse state, nation, and world, students and school staff need to know our rich, complex history.”
Ban no-knock warrants: Urging the House Government Operations Committee to hold hearings on HB 5013 and other legislation that would ban or limit the use of noknock or quick knock warrants, and urging the state legislature to pass meaningful reform and advise Gov. Whitmer to sign the bill after the leg-
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.
The conversation has also grown more complex over how that school funding should be structured. House Republicans have proposed increasing general per-pupil allocations while stripping out dedicated funding for key programs like free school meals or mental health support. Their argument centers on flexibility, giving local districts control over how they use state funds. Senate Democrats support higher per-pupil spending as well, but want targeted investments maintained to ensure every child has access to basic supports, regardless of zip code.
Meanwhile, road funding remains a political bargaining chip. Some leaders are hoping to put up to $3 billion toward infrastructure improvements, whether through the House-backed plan or a separate strategy proposed by Governor Whitmer. But any attempt to tie that effort to school fund-
Protecting Black voting rights: Urge state officials to remain vigilant in the fight against schemes to disenfranchise Michiganders of color.
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.
The Legislature’s return to budget talks this week offers an opportunity to end the stalemate, but whether lawmakers will center students and communities in those decisions remains to be seen.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com.
“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.
He also pointed to the Michigan Department of Education’s actions: launching Diversity in Literature Symposia, supporting diverse classroom libraries, and creating webinars centered on comprehensive history instruction. He noted that the number of teachers of color in Michigan has jumped by 34% over the past eight years, with 2,272 additional teachers of color joining classrooms. In a recent public meeting, Dr. Rice made it plain: “William Shakespeare and Robert Frost are important literary lions and so too are Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison.”
For Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), this debate holds serious weight. Free lunch and other wraparound programs are not optional add-ons—they’re vital. Many
Glenda McDonald; Cadillac Mayor Tiyi Schippers; Barrien County Commissioner Chokwe Pitchford; St. Joseph City Councilor Michael Fernandez; Westland City Council president Mike McDermott; Westland City Councilor Melissa Sampey; Warren City Council president Angela Rogensues; and former Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga.
Garlin Gilchrist. Duggan, who is running as an independent, has been endorsed by the Detroit Regional Chamber, a number of workers’ unions, and more than 150 Black faith leaders.
Gilchrist has been endorsed by Southeast Michigan state lawmakers, including state Reps. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia; Amos O’Neal, D-Saginaw; Mai Xiong, D-Warren; Donovan McKinney, D-Detroit; Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, Morgan Foreman, D-Ann Arbor, Cynthia Neeley, D-Flint, among several others.
Michigan’s artistic excellence makes that clear. The state’s last two Poet Laureates—Nandi Comer and Dr. Melba Joyce Boyd—have been Black women from Detroit. And today, Detroit’s current Poet Laureate, Jessica Care Moore, continues to embody that tradition. Her work, like that of her predecessors, speaks to generations of Black Detroiters, honoring both struggle and celebration, truth and transformation.
the chancellor embraces.
Two other Detroiters are vying to become Michigan’s next governor: Mayor Mike Duggan and Lt. Gov.
“Chancellor Ivery is a true transformational leader and an outstand ing CEO, who is more than worthy of the CEO of the Year Award he just re ceived, “ said Prof. James C. Mays, who teaches entrepreneurship and supply chain manage ment at WCCCD’s Corpo rate College. “In his 27 years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery has elevated WCCCD to become nationally recog nized for excellence and innovation and preparing our students profession ally and personally to do great things in the world.”
“I think of transformational leadership as a thoughtful approach that causes people to change but also causes the sys tems and circumstanc es they are operating in to change too,” Ivory said. “Transformation al change doesn’t just ask people to do cer tain things; it asks them to change their view of what’s possible and ex cites them to drive that change together because they believe that what they’re doing will create positive change for every one. That’s how entire systems change because people believe that they need to for themselves and others to live better lives.”
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.
You can reach Sam Robinson at srobinson@michronicle.com.
BLAC is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Op Members rep resent many professional backgrounds, including economics, law, public safety, health and well ness, arts and culture and media. They leverage their experiences and expertise to make recommenda tions to the governor on critical issues affecting the Black community.
To learn more about BLAC and this upcoming event, visit www.michigan.gov/BLAC.
But developing a truly diverse K-12 education isn’t only about adding Black faces to outdated lesson plans. It means rethinking the entire structure of how knowledge is valued. An Afrocentric curriculum does not isolate—it globalizes. It positions African history, philosophy, science, and art as essential to understanding the world. It centers agency rather than oppression. It gives students the tools to see themselves as innovators, not footnotes.
In a globalized society, this matters.
From West African empires to Haitian revolutions to Black scientists shaping modern medicine, the African diaspora has never been confined to struggle. A well-rounded curriculum reflects that. It helps students connect the dots between where they come from and where they can go. It opens doors to critical thinking, international awareness, and deep empathy.
That’s not indoctrination. That’s education.
Still, the political rhetoric paints a different picture. Trump’s revived education platform frames DEI as discriminatory. He promises to cut ties with any school or district that “supports race-based equity ideology.” In doing so, he seeks to equate the affirmation of Black identity with divisiveness, without ever acknowledging the historical reality that made these equity programs necessary in the first place.
This isn’t about guilt. It’s about truth.
Meanwhile, Black leaders, artists, and thinkers appear only in February—if at all. Refusing to teach America’s full story does not protect students—it handicaps them. It teaches them that racism was a moment, not a system. It teaches them that Black brilliance is an exception, not a legacy. It strips them of the ability to name what they see—and it strips white students of the opportunity to be honest allies.
For districts resisting this erasure, the work must be bold and public. Curriculum audits must become the norm. Partnerships with Black historians, community elders, and local artists must be funded and expanded. Textbooks need to evolve beyond Lincoln and Kennedy. They need to include Audre Lorde, Fannie Lou Hamer, Octavia Butler, and Mansa Musa.
The most dangerous lie we teach Black children is that they were not there. That they did not lead, shape, build, fight, and create. But history tells a different story. And the curriculum must rise to meet it.
This is not about one city. This is about a nation.
It’s about every classroom where a Black student asks why their textbook starts with Columbus. It’s about every teacher who feels pressure to skip over Tulsa or gloss past Emmett Till. It’s about who gets to be seen as a subject in history, and who is relegated to a sidebar. This moment demands more than a reaction. It demands policy. It demands advocacy. It demands that communities hold school boards, state departments, and federal agencies accountable for telling the truth.
Because when truth is political, silence becomes complicit.
This story is part of a three-part series examining Black children and white curricula in K–12 education. This was Part 1. Part 2 will focus on the local angle here in Detroit. Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle. com.
use on your electric bill. That means DTE needs to read meters and calculate bills, which causes bill cycles to vary. Some cycles have as little as 26 days while others have as many as 35. Check how many days were on this bill - the more days you have on your billing cycle, the higher your bill will be.
Now that you know what can cause your bill to change from month to month, here are some tips for how to manage your energy use and your bill! Take advantage of off-peak rates: Don’t spend more on chores! Appliances like your washing machine and your dishwasher can be some of the biggest energy users in your home. Do your laundry or your dishes during off-peak hours to save! You can also save when you pre-cool your home before 3 p.m. in the summer, staying comfortable while keeping costs down. Make your electric rate work for you: Are you at work most of the day? Do you charge an EV overnight? Do you work from home? These variables and more could mean a different rate might work best for you. Try out our Personalized Rate Finder at dteenergy.com/ratefinder or look at the explore rate types tool in the bill simulator of our Bill Analyzer to make sure you’re on the rate that works best for your household! Seal and insulate your home: Keeping your home comfortable can use a lot of energy. Make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed to keep your air conditioner from working too hard – saving you money!
Increase your home’s IQ: A smart thermostat can make sure your AC is keeping you comfortable when you’re home and not running while you’re away. Install a smart power strip to help manage your energy use by better regulating devices – like TVs, computers and phone chargers –that draw power when not in use.
You can always stay informed about your usage and your bill with the DTE Insight App so you’re not caught off guard and manage your use all month long. Learn more at dteenergy.com/insight.
We encourage customers to reach out to us as soon as you think you may not be able to pay an upcoming bill. The sooner you reach out for help, the better we will be able to assist with available support. For more information on energy assistance options, visit dteenergy.com/help.
Don’t let an injury dampen your summer fun. Whether you’re cooling off at Belle Isle Park or enjoying the Detroit Riverwalk’s scenic pathway, following these tips can help you stay cool when the weather outside is “hotter than hot.”
1. Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial. Avoid sugary drinks and caffeine, which can lead to dehydration.
2. Dress appropriately: Dress in lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing. Hats and sunglasses can provide additional protection from the sun. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on any exposed skin to prevent sunburn.
3. Limit outdoor activities: Schedule outdoor activities or chores for early morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler. Avoid strenuous activities during peak heat hours.
4. Cool down: Use fans, air conditioning, or cool baths to help cool down. Create shaded areas in your yard or use umbrellas to provide relief from direct sunlight.
5. Fun out of the sun: Outings to the movies, your local library and other air-conditioned spaces can provide you with entertainment while helping you stay cool.
What to do if a summer storm causes the power to go out When summer weather turns stormy, consider preparing an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and a first aid kit, and make sure your mobile phone is fully charged.
If the power does go out, rest assured that DTE will be working to restore your service as quickly as it is safe for us to do so. While crews are working to get the lights back on, follow these tips to stay safe around any downed power lines.
1. Look up to know what’s down. After a storm, make sure to look up at nearby poles to see if a line has fallen to the ground.
2. Assume all downed lines are energized. Downed power lines can still be energized even if they don’t spark, smoke or buzz.
DTE ’s REACH (Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage) energy group holds an award ceremony every year for their Trailblazers –employees recognized for their exceptional leadership and mentorship, who establish pathways of success for others to follow. This year, with the theme “Lifelong REACH from Ambition to Legacy,” REACH members and Trailblazers celebrated with the first awardees of the DTE Foundation REACH Skilled Trades & STEM Scholarship.
“The REACH Scholarship is a powerful way for our energy group to give back to the community and build a lasting legacy within the company,” says Denise Sampson, manager, Electric Field Operations and chair of the Scholarship Awardee Committee. “This inspiring initiative was driven by Cornelia Butler, our Scholarship Chair, and brought to life with the support of REACH members, the company, and the DTE Foundation.”
Denise says that the committee, including Maria Christian, Will Morris, Deonte Howell, and Andre Diaz, individually reviewed 74 completed applications and spent long hours calibrating to select the top 10 candidates for interviews. After the interviews, they recalibrated as a team to identify the top 5.
“Calling each student to share the news was an emotional highlight,” says Denise. “Their excitement and gratitude were overwhelming, and for me, personally, it brought tears to my eyes as I know how challenging it can be to worry about funding your education, and this scholarship is a meaningful step toward easing that burden.” Congratulations to the scholarship recipients, including four gradu-
ating seniors and one college freshman, all pursuing STEM careers.
• Milton Jennings, a Cass Tech senior, will attend Stanford University in the fall majoring in Psychology with a steadfast plan to become a neurosurgeon.
• Antwan McMullan, a senior at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School, will be attending Morehouse College this fall with a major in Computer Science.
• Madison Reeves, a senior at University Liggett School, is attending Alabama A&M University this fall with a major in Kinesiology or Sports Management.
• Madison Wilson is a senior at Cass Tech and will be attending Michigan State University in the fall with a major in Human Biology and Pre-Dental.
• Destiny Wright is a college freshman at Norfolk State University majoring in Chemistry, Pre-Med. Destiny graduated from Denby High School.
This year’s Trailblazers are Demetrio Dockery, Gas Operations supervisor; Yvette Johnson, vice president of Electric Sales & Marketing; and Trevor Lauer, vice chairman and group president, DTE Energy.
“The Gala exemplified excellence in a multitude of ways through Trailblazers and Scholarship Recipients,” says Denise. “I look forward to many more years of REACH continuing to uplift and invest in the communities in which we serve.”
Every spring and summer, nesting birds are a welcome sign of warmer weather. But in some cases, bird nests can be bad news.
Osprey, a large bird of prey that feeds mostly on fish and lives near coastal areas, are picky when it comes to their nests. They love high spots near water that gives them good vantage points and power poles are often exactly what these birds are looking for when seeking a place to set up a nest. While they might be magnificent to watch, these nests can be dangerous for the birds and for the power lines they build on.
When more and more of these birds started nesting on DTE Energy’s lines, the environmental team knew they had to find a solution.
“Osprey tend to drop sticks on our power poles to build their nests and raise their fledglings,” said DTE principle environmental specialist Thom Snyder. “Some of that nesting material can fall onto our energized equipment, causing power outages, electrocution of the birds and even fires.”
To protect the birds and electric equipment, DTE’s environmental and distribution operations teams worked together to find a solution: nesting platforms over powerlines. The solution is one that’s tried and true at coastal utilities across the United States, who have been dealing with protecting osprey and operation lines for years. These platforms can hold up to 750 pounds – a necessity when the birds and the nest can be upwards of 300 pounds – and are designed to keep nesting materials in place during high winds, protecting the birds and the lines alike.
“Michigan is very unique,” said Todd Baker, DTE environmental manager. “We’re surrounded by the Great Lakes, so we have these challenges that a lot of states don’t have with the birds. These platforms are a huge benefit for the birds and for our customers because it protects our lines and prevents outages. Plus, you can enjoy the view of the birds as well.”
Several platforms have already been installed – all of which are occupied – and more are on the way, each one bound for a pole that has a nest on it now. These platforms are installed in about two hours and often have birds nesting in them immediately after crews leave the site.
“They can make their nests within 24 hours,” said Vivian Reid, DTE environmental supervisor. “So we have to get on them right away. We will locate the nest, put up the platforms and if there is part of a nest that we can put back on the platform, we will. Usually within a day, we’ll see birds in the nest again.”
It’s a project that the team is passionate about, especially as it continues to grow and protect even more birds.
“We get to protect these birds and provide habitat, but we also get to protect our grid reliability,” said Reid. “A lot of customers love watching the Osprey and it’s important for us to maintain that aspect as well. It’s not just about making sure that we are complying with regulations. We love to go above and beyond with environmental stewardship in projects like this.”
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Detroit firefighters are getting much-needed rest upgrades as the city follows through on a promise to improve conditions inside local fire stations. On Tuesday, new mattresses were delivered to Engine 54/Ladder 26 on Detroit’s west side, part of a full-scale replacement of all bedding units across the Detroit Fire Department.
By Jeremy Allen
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Harry Hairston Jr., a Korean War veteran, longtime Pittsburgh resident, and proud patriarch of a family deeply rooted in service and storytelling, passed away peacefully on his 95th birthday, July 11, 2025. Born in 1930 in Nuriva, West Virginia, he came of age in a small Appalachian coal town during an era of segregation and hardship, but his life would stretch across nearly a century of extraordinary personal and social transformation.
Hairston was the son of Harry and Bertha Hairston Sr., and from a young age, he was known for his quiet strength, sharp mind, and love of sports. At Kimball High School in southern West Virginia, he excelled in athletics, particularly football and baseball. Among friends and classmates, he earned the nickname “Chip,” while his mother affectionately called him “June-bug,” since he was a Jr. to his father Harry Hairston Sr. That nickname would stick with him throughout his life and become a term of endearment among his many nieces and nephews, who knew him as “Uncle June.”
After high school, Hairston pursued higher education at Bluefield State University, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that provided critical pathways for Black students in the segregated South. His education was interrupted by the call to service during the Korean War, when he left to join the U.S. Army. Like many of his generation, he served with humility and without fanfare, returning home with a renewed sense of purpose.
Shortly after his military service, he married Betty Jean Hairston, his partner for nearly seven decades. The couple settled in Pittsburgh in the mid-1950s, becoming part of the growing Black middle class that helped reshape the city’s neighborhoods, churches, and civic life. Together they raised two sons in a home defined by love, discipline, and the values of hard work and integrity.
“He would do anything for anyone, and he would always tell me, as young as when I was 12 years old, ‘Whoever you meet in life, you give them 100 percent respect. They’ll show you what they don’t want, but you give them 100 percent respect,’” said his son, Harry Hairston III.
“The only time he would get angry was if he thought someone was disrespecting him and his family, and but he was the kind of guy who would just call you and tell you ‘No. I’m not going to have that. That’s not right.’ And I never heard my father use foul language. The only way you could tell if he was really mad was if he said ‘Good day.’ That was his equivalent of the f-bomb.”
Hairston began a career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Highland Park, where he worked for more than 30 years. Over the course of his service, he rose to the position of supervisor, overseeing staff and supporting the health needs of fellow veterans. He was known by colleagues for his even temper, his attention to detail, and his deep commitment to both patients and staff.
After retiring, Hairston took full advantage of the opportunity to travel, visiting Spain, England, France,
and Italy – a first-class experience provided to him by Harry Hairston III and his wife. Those trips reflected his lifelong curiosity and love of learning—traits he passed on to his children and grandchildren. But even in retirement, he remained deeply rooted in his Pittsburgh community, often tending his garden, reading voraciously, and hosting spirited card games and Monopoly matches with friends and family.
“His legacy is defined by him being a very straight, stand-up father and husband, dedicated to service. He instilled in us that throughout life that there are no shortcuts. At a very young age, he guided us away from him some of the pitfalls that you may run into as a kid,” Hairston III said.
“And he made sure that we stayed on the straightand-narrow path, and he made sure that we were involved in activities that kept us from getting into bad company – getting with the wrong crowd where there’s a possibility of drugs and mischief that turns into a crime that puts you into a system. He was that kind of man where he just laid that out for us to make sure that we knew right and we knew what to do. And it wasn’t just because he said so, but so that we would understand and choose the right thing to do.”
His life of steady service and moral clarity was mirrored, in many ways, by the professional path of his son, Harry Hairston III. The elder of the Hairston sons became an award-winning investigative television journalist, with a career spanning more than 40 years in Erie, PA; Tampa, FL; and extensive stints in both Detroit and Philadelphia. Known for his probing reports on government accountability, consumer protection, and civil rights, he carried forward the values instilled in him by his father—fairness, courage, and a relentless pursuit of truth— which led to win multiple Emmy Awards, and a national Edward R. Murrow award among dozens of other journalistic accomplishments. Glenn Hairston, the other son of Harry and Betty Hairston, has built a distinguished career in law enforcement, national security, and public service with decades of experience spanning federal and local agencies. Through his company, Specialist Defensive Training LLC, he provides lectures, consultations, training videos, and customized programs for corporations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and military organizations. Hairston’s extensive background includes roles in federal and local law enforcement, executive protection, corporate and aircraft security, and over 20 years as an undercover narcotics detective. With over 50 years of martial arts training across Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Okinawan disciplines, his skill set is both broad and deeply rooted. Hairston has trained personnel from law enforcement academies, the U.S. military, and pri-
vate security institutions nationwide. Beyond his work in security, he also lends his expertise to the film industry as a consultant and actor, with appearances in productions such as The Silence of the Lambs, Blood and Bone, The Ministry, and Another Lonely Road. Glenn’s work reflects the values instilled in him by his father—integrity, service, and a steadfast belief in doing what’s right.
Although he never sought the spotlight, Harry Hairston Jr. was the kind of man who made a lasting impact through consistency, care, and community. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and a steady presence in the lives of those fortunate enough to know him.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Betty, his parents, his brother James Hairston, and his sister Leona Boyd. He leaves behind two sons: Harry (Ruth) Hairston III and Glenn (Maria) Hairston; four grandchildren—Indea E. Herndon, Alexzandra K. Hairston, Chantal Whitehead-Scott, and Matthew Herndon; two great-grandchildren; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Visitation took place on Thursday, July 17, at John A. Freyvogel Sons, while a Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, July 18, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh.
Memorial contributions or the planting of trees in his honor can be arranged through the funeral home.
“I hope they take away the legacy of hard worker. Whatever he needed to do, he just quietly did it. He never complained about it. He never bragged or boasted about it,” Harry Hairston III said.
“I remember when my dad said all that glitters is not gold, and he gave the analogy of one of our neighbors who had a nice-looking car with whitewall tires and a shiny, custom paint job, but the engine was bad. Then he showed us another car that wasn’t in the best shape, but it had solid tires, a good engine, and good brakes. He said that looking good for the sake of good look wasn’t a good thing. So, I never let success define me. That’s what he taught me.”
The effort, led by Detroit City Council Member At-Large Mary Waters, marks a major step in addressing long-standing concerns over firefighter wellness and workplace conditions. During Tuesday morning’s delivery at 16825 Trinity Street, Waters said the mattress replacements were not only long overdue but essential to the health and performance of the city’s first responders.
“I applauded the staff of the Detroit Fire Department for recommending that 60 bedding units should be replaced. But the reality is that all 200 bedding units needed to be replaced due to aging causing discomfort thus hindering firefighting effectiveness,” Waters said.
The $92,000 cost for the mattresses was approved by City Council and included in Detroit’s $3 billion budget, a move that Waters described as one of the most cost-effective expenditures the city could make.
“Our Detroit firefighters are on the frontlines protecting lives 24 hours a day every day. The bedding cost will be one of the most cost beneficial expenditures in city government,” she said.
Waters, who sponsored the measure, emphasized that the city had both the funds and the moral obligation to act immediately.
“Detroit firefighters deserved better bedding right now. Those dollars were budgeted and appropriated,” Waters added.
The new mattresses follow another comfort-focused initiative earlier this year.
On March 13, the Detroit Fire Department received recliners for all eight battalion headquarters from Gardner White in celebration of “313 Day,” a citywide occasion honoring Detroit’s culture and community spirit.
The furniture retailer donated 16 triple power Celeste Recliners by Southern Motion—two to each of the eight battalions—to help provide firefighters with comfort and relaxation during long shifts.
“In recognition of 313 Day, we are honored to provide a gift of comfort to the brave men and women of the Detroit Fire Department, whose dedication ensures the safety of our city,” said Rachel Stewart, CEO of Gardner White. “Our hope is that these recliners offer a well-deserved
moment of comfort and relaxation to the first responders who tirelessly protect and serve the community.”
Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms said at the time that the donation meant more than just new furniture—it symbolized community support for the people who do some of the city’s most demanding work.
“Our first responders work long and demanding shifts, and having a comfortable place to rest between calls makes a real difference,” said Simms. “This gift is a testament to Gardner White’s commitment to supporting our team and the neighborhoods they serve. As they prepare to open their new store in Detroit, we look forward to their continued partnership in strengthening our city.”
Now, with both recliners and mattresses in place, the focus on firefighter wellness has gained significant traction in a city where firehouse infrastructure has historically lagged behind other municipal improvements. Detroit has made major strides in recent years to modernize its fire department, from new equipment and technology to upgrades in facilities. But many stations still carry the weight of deferred maintenance, making basic necessities like comfortable bedding a noteworthy milestone.
Firefighters in Detroit typically work 24-hour shifts, during which sleep and rest are crucial. Studies have shown that chronic sleep deprivation among first responders contributes to mental and physical health risks, decreased job performance, and even safety hazards.
That makes this bedding investment about more than creature comfort—it’s about operational readiness and long-term wellness for the people who put their lives on the line for Detroiters.
The issue of sleep accommodations may seem small in a city with so many challenges, but as Council Member Waters pointed out, it’s a matter of values. With the city budget in the billions, $92,000 was a relatively minor cost that delivered a major message.
“Taking care of those who take care of us shouldn’t be up for debate,” said Waters.
The new mattresses are being rolled out across the department, with each firehouse scheduled to receive replacements in the coming weeks. For firefighters at Engine 54/Ladder 26 and others across the city, the difference will be immediate—and, according to many, long overdue.
As the fire department continues to evolve, initiatives like these are redefining what it means to support first responders—not just with applause or ceremony, but with real, tangible investments. And for Detroit’s firefighters, that means finally getting the rest they need to rise to every call.
Federal Public Law 98-435 requires that polling places be accessible to disabled voters.
If a polling location is not disabled accessible, this law allows the assignment of an alternate polling place. However, several polling places which were previously inaccessible are now accessible to disabled voters.
Disabled voters are entitled to vote at the polls within the precinct where possible. Pollworkers are obligated to provide whatever assistance is needed to facilitate the voting process.
Disabled voters with an inaccessible polling place are eligible to vote without notice at the:
Department of Elections
2978 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202 until the close of voting at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
If additional information is needed, or to confirm disabled accessibility, please contact the Department of Elections office at (313) 876-0190.
Janice M. Winfrey City Clerk & Chairperson Detroit Election Commission
4 cols x 6 inches
A5 | July 23-29, 2025
By Dr. Anthony Kellum
In the world of real estate investing whether you’re flipping homes, rehabbing rental properties, or renovating your personal residence there’s one constant that can make or break your experience: contractors.
Let’s be honest. We’ve all heard the horror stories. Many of us have lived them. The job that never got finished. The craftsmanship that crumbled before inspection. The budget that exploded with mysterious charges. And the most devastating of all the contractor who vanished with your deposit and left nothing but dust and broken promises behind.
I say this not as an outsider, but as someone who’s been in this game for decades flipping properties, managing large-scale projects, and financing thousands of rehab loans. And yet, recently, I made a mistake I should’ve known better than to make. I ignored my gut. I didn’t follow process… I followed emotion. And I paid for it.
It started with a price that seemed too good to be true. And of course, it was. Like many of us, I wanted to save money. That’s human nature. But in real estate and construction, trying to save money the wrong way will almost always cost you more. That lowball quote came from someone who presented well at first, but when I pressed him with basic questions like when he could start, how many crew members he had, whether he worked alone he got defensive and aggressive.
That was my cue to walk away. But I didn’t. I rationalized it. I “gave grace.” And what followed was exactly what you’d expect: incomplete work, missed deadlines, constant trade-switching, and endless excuses. In the end, I had to pay twice once for the job done wrong, and again for it to be done right.
Now, I’m not telling this story to vent. I’m telling it because too many of us are making the same mistake. We don’t follow a clear vetting process. We hire based on word-of-mouth or emotion. We don’t ask enough questions. We don’t demand documentation. And when it falls apart, we blame the contractor without acknowledging our role in skipping the basics. But there’s something even deeper at play here and we need to talk about it.
The Dangerous Narrative About Black Contractors
Within our community, we’ve inherited a toxic mindset when it comes to doing business with each other. You’ve heard it. I’ve heard it. That casual but corrosive statement
“You can’t hire Black ” That narrative is not only hurtful it’s dangerous. It plants a seed of distrust within our own ecosystem. It reinforces the false idea that professionalism, skill, and integrity are only found outside our community. And it gives cover to a much larger issue the lack of process, accountability, and structure on both sides of the relationship.
Let’s be clear some of this criticism is rooted
See BLACK CONTRACTORS Page A-6
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
The lines that define Detroit’s access to opportunity have long been drawn by geography. In neighborhoods like 48209 and 48216, families have seen what it means to live on the disconnected side of digital growth. For too long, internet access in these areas has lagged behind, tied closely to lower median incomes and higher rates of rental housing. This isn’t a theory. It’s a documented reality backed by the numbers.
In 2015, more than one-third of Detroit households lacked broadband access. That amounted to over 95,000 homes across the city. In lower-income areas—including many blocks in Southwest Detroit—entire families depended on mobile phones or school-issued hotspots as their only line to education, job applications, and virtual healthcare. Households earning under $20,000 a year were more than eight times as likely to have no internet at all compared to households making over $75,000.
That is the landscape the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) and Michigan Central are working to reshape.
Their newly launched Southwest Equitable Internet Initiative at Michigan Central is focused specifically on the 48216 and 48209 ZIP codes—home to thousands of families who’ve experienced these gaps firsthand. The initiative offers affordable, high-speed wireless internet to local residents for $10 per month. But this isn’t just about flipping a switch or installing equipment. It’s about how the work is being done—and who’s doing it.
Rather than hiring outside contractors or relying on private internet companies, this model puts the power directly into the hands of community members. EII trains and employs residents as Digital Stewards—technologists who are building the system from the ground up. They’ll install equipment, support neighbors, troubleshoot problems, and help maintain the system’s long-term reliability.
Cornetta Lane-Smith, Director of Community Engagement at Michigan Central, says this is part of a larger mission.
“Michigan Central is deeply committed to fostering an inclusive innovation ecosystem that benefits everyone in our community,” Lane-Smith said. “Access to the internet is a fundamental need in today’s economy, and through our partnership with EII, we’re ensuring that Southwest Detroit residents have the tools they need to thrive.”
That access will come from equipment mounted on the rooftop of The Station, the tallest building in Corktown. This
location provides an unobstructed signal that can now reach more than 4,500 homes in the surrounding neighborhoods. This is a clear effort to physically and structurally prioritize households that have previously been overlooked.
And there’s no catch. No contracts. No fine print. No promotional pricing that disappears after three months. Just reliable service at $10 a month.
That’s possible because of a $300,000 Congressional Community Project Grant and additional support from partners and future subscriber revenue. Residents can apply now by calling or texting 313444-2018 or emailing EII@graceinactiondetroit.org. Enrollment is ongoing, with new households added on a rolling basis.
The plan is to connect 200 homes each year for five years, ultimately reaching 675 households across the designated ZIP codes. That number reflects real intention, not just to build access, but to maintain it.
Aldo Medina, a Digital Technician with EII, underscores how this model works because it centers people, not institutions.
“We believe the internet should be a public good that uplifts communities, not leave them behind,” Medina said. “Partnering with Michigan Central allows us, the Southwest Equitable Internet Initiative team, to expand our reach and deepen our impact in Southwest Detroit, empowering residents with the connectivity they need to access education, employment, healthcare, and civic engagement opportunities.”
That impact starts with the workforce. The Digital Steward program provides technical training and employment opportunities to residents. The goal is to make the people of Southwest Detroit experts in building and running their own digital infrastructure, eliminating dependency on providers that never made them a priority.
This also gives the program staying power. When issues arise, neighbors don’t have to call a 1-800 number and wait hours for a solution. They can call someone they know. Someone who understands the urgency of getting back online because they’ve been there too.
The network’s infrastructure also includes a layer of disaster resilience, meaning the connection can remain stable even during power outages or citywide emergencies. That’s critical in a community where gaps in public response often widen during crises.
Beyond the immediate benefits of affordable internet, this initiative creates the foundation for digital equity that goes beyond household use. It opens doors for
small businesses, artists, youth creators, and community organizations that need reliable access to function and grow.
Southwest Detroit has long been home to culture-shapers and movement-builders. But the tools to scale that impact—to host livestreams, build online businesses, launch podcasts, or access health records—have been out of reach for too many. By expanding high-speed internet from within the neighborhood, this initiative returns agency to the people who’ve kept this part of the city moving through every stage of change.
It also challenges a decades-old reality: that broadband deployment in Detroit has never been neutral. Higher-income neighborhoods with larger shares of homeowners and consistent tax bases have been prioritized in broadband rollouts. That leaves places like Southwest Detroit—where renters outnumber homeowners and income levels fall well below the state median—at a technological disadvantage.
According to census data, Detroit’s median household income is just under $33,000, significantly below Michigan’s overall average. These financial differences often correlate with whether a household has access to stable broadband service. In fact, across the state, more than a third of households making less than $20,000 per year have no internet access at all.
This program addresses that disparity head-on, not by offering discounted services that expire, but by embedding access into the neighborhood’s own infrastructure and labor.
And it does something more. It sends a clear message that Southwest Detroit is not waiting on promises. Residents are building the future themselves.
EII has already shown this approach works. Since its creation in 2015, the initiative has expanded to multiple Detroit neighborhoods, combining internet access with digital literacy and community governance. Their track record makes this partnership more than a trial. It’s a proven model now rooted deeper in Detroit’s west side.
The fact that this is happening now, in 2025, points to how long overdue this investment has been. But it also shows what’s possible when priorities shift.
There’s no need to overstate the meaning. The numbers speak for themselves. High-speed internet access at $10 per month, installed and maintained by trained residents, available without contracts, in a community that has historically faced the highest barriers to digital connection. That’s the work.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com.
By JPMorganChase
The smell of fresh paint and sound of clanking buckets filled the Pope Francis Center’s Day Center in downtown Detroit.
Armed with paintbrushes and cleaning supplies, 27 volunteers from JPMorganChase went room-toroom around the building, helping spruce up the kitchen, dining room and bathrooms.
These are spaces that welcome more than 200 guests each day.
The Pope Francis Center has served Detroit’s most vulnerable citizens since 1990, with the mission of eradicating homelessness. Annually, the Center provides more than 110,000 nutritious meals, 2,550 loads of laundry and 6,000 warm showers to those in need. This is in addition to medical, dental and legal support.
“For many people living on the streets of Detroit, Pope Francis Center is a beacon of help and hope,” said Fr, Tim McCabe, SJ, President and CEO. “We believe everyone is worthy of dignity and respect, regardless of their station in life. That’s why we are committed to creating a Detroit without homelessness, where every person has the resources for sustained stability.”
The Center relies on community partners to
advance its mission. For the past decade, JPMorganChase has provided not only banking services for the organization, but also an extra set of hands.
“We’re proud of our longstanding banking relationship with the Pope Francis Center,” said Mary McCoy, Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking, who has organized these volunteer events since 2023. “We’re proud to support this organization in another meaningful way as they work to provide our neighbors with critical care, whether it’s a warm shower, a medical exam or a hot meal.”
Volunteers are essential to the success of local nonprofits, helping supplement the work of their daily, dedicated staff and strengthening ties to the surrounding community. Collaboration between companies and nonprofits can also help maximize the organization’s impact. In just over three hours, JPMorganChase volunteers cleaned areas that would typically take staff a week. This has a direct impact on the community, allowing the Center to remain open to guests as much as possible.
“Service is one of JPMorganChase’s core values and one of the most important ways we can impact the communities where we live and work,” said Terrah Opferman, Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking and chair of the firm’s Michigan Market Leadership Team. “There’s nothing more rewarding than supporting local organizations like Pope Francis Center that are truly invested in the future of our city.”
As Detroit continues to face challenges related to homelessness, the Pope Francis Center is focused on increasing its impact through the Bridge Housing Campus, which opened to residents last September. Located in the Core City neighborhood, the 60,000 square-foot campus provides transitional housing and comprehensive, individualized supportive services under one roof to help people move off the streets and into permanent affordable housing,
making it the first of its kind in Michigan.
A steady stream of volunteers will ensure that their operations continue to run smoothly.
“We have a saying at the Pope Francis Center –‘When we work together, miracles happen.’ We are so grateful to partners like JPMorganChase and their volunteers for contributing the time, treasure and elbow grease that helps us help those in need,” said McCabe.
If you would like to get involved with the Pope Francis Center, visit https://popefranciscenter.org/ volunteer/.
From page A-5
in real pain. Some of us have had bad experiences with Black contractors. But guess what? People of every race and culture have hired the wrong person. And yet, we don’t write off entire communities when someone outside of our own drops the ball. But when it’s one of us… That mistake gets passed from neighbor to neighbor like folklore. No forgiveness, No context, just judgment.
The Economics of Circulation: Why This Matters
Here’s the hard truth we can’t talk about Black homeownership, community development, or generational wealth without talking about the Black dollar. We spend over $1.6 trillion annually that’s more than the GDP of most nations. And yet, that dollar only circulates for 6 hours in our community before it leaves. Contrast that with 17 days in the white community, 20 days in the Jewish community, or 30 days in Asian communities. We are hemorrhaging economic power. You want to change our neighborhoods? Improve schools? Reduce crime? Create jobs? Build ownership? Then we have to start spending with each other and investing in Black excellence.
Supporting Black contractors, lenders, realtors, inspectors, appraisers, and developers isn’t just about business. It’s about strategy. It’s about liberation. Every dollar you redirect inward is a seed planted in the soil of collective power.
Truth, Standards & Love: A New Way Forward
Let me say this plainly: we can’t support each other without also holding each other accountable. We don’t build power by lowering standards. We build power by raising expectations and walking alongside each other to meet them. That means:
• Stop hiring people because they’re your cousin, your barber, or your friend from church unless they’re qualified.
• Stop asking for “hook-ups” and favors from our own people when you’d never do that with someone outside our race.
• Stop punishing every Blackowned business for the failure of one. Instead, let’s build a culture of excellence with love. Here’s how: Do Your Due Diligence
• Verify skills – If they’re an electrician, don’t let them “try” to do your HVAC.
• Hire specialists – Don’t give someone a whole house if they’ve never even tiled a bathroom.
• Check past work – Ask for photos, addresses, and referrals.
• Confirm licenses and insurance – No exceptions. Period.
Ask These 10 Questions Before You Sign Anything:
1. Are you licensed and insured?
2. How many projects like this have you completed?
3. Can I see photos or addresses of your recent work?
4. Will you be doing the work yourself or subcontracting it?
5. What’s your timeline and how do you manage your projects?
6. How many people are on your team?
7. How do you handle delays or change orders?
8. Do you provide written, itemized estimates and contracts?
9. Can I speak to at least two recent clients?
10. What’s your communication style?
Set the Right Structure
• Start small – Test a contractor before handing them a major job.
• Use contracts – Always in writing. With clear scope, deadlines, and payment terms.
• Pay in phases – Tied to completed work.
• Document everything – Emails. Texts. Photos. Receipts. Keep a record.
Final Thought This is a two-way street. If you’re hiring someone, be a responsible client. Communicate clearly. Pay on time. Respect the schedule. Don’t micromanage or ghost them. Don’t ask for $10,000 of work for $2,000. To every hardworking Black contractor reading this we see you. Keep growing your business. Keep mastering your craft. Keep showing up with integrity. We need you. And to every homeowner, investor, or developer your money is power. Where you spend it matters. Who you trust it with matters. If we want stronger communities, better infrastructure, more equity, and more legacy we need to start circulating our capital with intention. Black excellence isn’t the exception. It’s the expectation. And together, we build. 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 Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
A major injection of venture capital is now moving through Michigan’s startup economy.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the rollout of the Michigan Innovation Fund—a $60 million investment designed to boost Michigan-based venture capital and seed new business growth across the state. Five established investment organizations are set to receive the bulk of the funding, with smaller shares allocated toward emerging funds and support programming for entrepreneurs.
It’s the largest single commitment to the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem since the creation of the 21st Century Jobs Fund in 2005. The fund also marks Michigan’s first step into evergreen structured investment, which allows profits from successful startups to be reinvested rather than redistributed to investors. But as this milestone takes shape, a critical question rises: will this funding reach the Black founders and organizations who have historically operated on the margins of Michigan’s venture economy?
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, $48 million will be invested into five existing evergreen funds: ID Ventures (Invest Detroit), Ann Arbor Spark, University of Michigan’s Accelerate Blue Fund, the Michigan State University Research Foundation, and Western Michigan University’s Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center. Each will receive $10.6 million, with the exception of WMU, which receives $5.3 million. Another $4.8 million will go toward three emerging funds based in Northern and Western Michigan— InvestUP, 20Fathoms, and Grand Valley Research Corp. The remaining $7.2 million is earmarked for entrepreneurial support and a statewide pitch competition.
Within that $7.2 million, $3 million is being directed to universities or nonprofits that offer high-quality entrepreneurial programming with statewide economic impact. Another $4.2 million is open for Michigan-based nonprofit organizations that provide qualified startup support services, specifically those running programs like startup accelerators, innovation convenings, and founder training.
This breakdown creates an opening for deeper reflection. Across the state, several Black-led and Black-serving nonprofits already provide these kinds of services. Their work spans startup education, capital readiness, culturally competent mentorship, and access to community-based networks often
absent in traditional VC spaces. Will those organizations be prioritized? Will those closest to the ground, and to the communities that have lacked institutional backing for generations, be directly resourced?
Venture capital has never been neutral in its distribution. A 2022 Brookings Institution report found that Black-founded startups receive less than 1% of venture capital in the United States. Black women, who represent one of the fastest-growing segments of new business owners nationwide, receive only 0.34% of annual VC funding. These disparities aren’t anecdotal. They are data-driven, persistent, and structural.
Michigan’s innovation ecosystem ranks 32nd in growth funding nationally, 36th in seed funding, 23rd in early-stage funding, and 35th in late-stage funding, according to a recent Business Leaders for Michigan report. The Innovation Fund was designed to change those rankings. But how will progress be measured beyond financial return? What benchmarks will be used to track equitable access? And how will the state ensure that founders from historically underrepresented backgrounds are not simply invited to apply, but equipped to succeed?
Craig Wesley of 20Fathoms, one of the emerging funds receiving $1.6 million, noted that “access to capital is a particular challenge for entrepreneurs and startups here in the Traverse City region.” That challenge echoes across neighborhoods in Detroit, Flint, and Benton Harbor—cities where Black entrepreneurs often operate without formal investment, relying instead on family support, crowdfunding, and sheer resilience.
The fund is structured to be evergreen, meaning it can continue to reinvest in Michigan startups over time. According to the Michigan Innovation Fund’s guidelines, any return on investment exceeding $8 million within 15 years will be shared—10% going
to the state, and no less than 85% being reinvested into the fund. Proceeds come from the Venture Michigan Fund, formed under the 2003 Michigan Early Stage Venture Investment Act. Though the state initially expected to receive returns by 2030, Governor Whitmer advanced $100 million early, designating $60 million to the Innovation Fund and the remaining $40 million to the general fund.
Patti Glaza of Invest Detroit, one of the recipients of the fund and a central advocate for its creation, was recently recognized in Crain’s Women of Influence for her role in leading this initiative. Her organization’s investment arm, ID Ventures, is no stranger to the Detroit landscape, but the broader question remains: how will this opportunity reshape the capital landscape for those whose innovations exist outside of university labs and tech corridors?
There is no shortage of innovation in Detroit’s Black community. From biobased beauty products developed on the Eastside to app developers working out of co-working spaces on the Avenue of Fashion, the creativity exists. The commitment to growth exists. What’s been missing is sustained, accessible capital, and trust in grassroots leadership.
Multiple nonprofit organizations across Michigan, particularly in Detroit, already run startup accelerators, founder fellowships, and pitch labs aimed at equipping Black and Brown entrepreneurs with business acumen, technical support, and network access. Many of these programs operate without the security of multi-year funding. They compete for short-term grants. They mentor dozens of founders with minimal administrative capacity. The Innovation Fund’s $4.2 million nonprofit investment pool presents a potential game-changer—if deployed with intention. Yet intention alone cannot solve decades of exclusion. If the application process
favors groups already connected to state agencies or major universities, grassroots organizations may again be shut out. If pitch competitions reward polished presentations over community-rooted innovation, transformative ideas will remain unfunded. Equity cannot be performative. It must be operationalized.
The fund arrives at a time of shifting federal priorities. Many COVID-era programs that supported Black businesses and community development initiatives are ending. At the same time, national philanthropic support for racial equity is seeing slower follow-through than initial commitments suggested. The result: community-based organizations are being asked to do more with less, just as state investment is finally expanding.
Michigan’s Innovation Fund holds real potential. It could close long-standing capital gaps, seed generational wealth through business ownership, and increase the diversity of the state’s investment portfolio. But that will depend on more than who gets the money—it will depend on who sets the terms.
Which communities are consulted? Which founders are mentored through the process? Which data is collected to ensure that race, geography, gender, and business sector are not just noted but meaningfully considered?
And for Detroit—the largest majority-Black city in the state—how will accountability be built into every level of this fund’s design and deployment?
This moment asks more than celebration. It calls for scrutiny, strategy, and solidarity.
The Michigan Innovation Fund is here. It is real. But its legacy will be defined by whether it can move the dial for those long shut out of the room. Whether it can reach into ZIP codes beyond the usual startup hubs. Whether it can back ideas not because they mirror what’s worked before, but because they reimagine what’s possible.
Applications are now open. Michigan-based nonprofit organizations that provide qualified startup support services—especially those leading accelerators, founder bootcamps, and innovation convenings—are encouraged to apply. Those ready to build, expand, and lead the future of Michigan’s entrepreneurial landscape can find more information and submit proposals through the Michigan Innovation Fund website. That is the challenge. And that is the opportunity.
Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@ michronicle.com.
By Sam Robinson SENIOR REPORTER
The Democratic primary for Michigan’s 13th District U.S. House seat is more than 12 months away, but campaign fundraising reports are painting an early picture of how the next year could play out.
Former state Sen. Adam Hollier, D-Detroit, reported raising nearly $300,000 in his first 11 weeks in the race for Detroit’s House seat, outpacing all other candidates, including self-funded incumbent Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, during the reporting period. He raised $277,300 with $358,300 in his campaign war chest, records show.
The latest Federal Election Commission reporting period ended July 15.
State Rep. Donavan McKinney, who is also challenging Thanedar, reported a total just behind Hollier, bringing in $272,141, spending $55,462. McKinney reported a total of $216,678, campaign finance records show.
Thanedar reported $7.8 million on hand but didn’t report how much he raised in the reporting period.
“This gives us the power to communicate with voters across every neighborhood in the district,” Thanedar said in a statement. “We’re making sure people know we’re fighting for them whether it’s standing up to Trump or solving problems right here at home.”
Thanedar ended the last period with $6.1 million cash on hand, with a net loss of $730K because his campaign funds are invested in cryptocurrency. He reported $1.7 million in investment income, with just $32,000 of that coming from non-crypto sources. Campaign records show more than $11 million in debts owed by his campaign. Which means he loaned personal money to his campaign
“While people are struggling to pay the bills, Rep. Thanedar has spent his time in Congress spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars on billboards promoting himself across the district,” Hollier said in a statement. “It’s no wonder the people of this district had no interest in kicking in more of their hard earned money to support Shri’s ongoing vanity project.”
Hollier earned the support of Detroit and Wayne County establishment during his unsuccessful run for the same seat in 2022, including endorsements from well-known faith leaders, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. His campaign was ended by the Wayne County Elections Department after it was found that Hollier’s campaign submitted forged and invalid signatures in his petition sheets.
McKinney, who has earned the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders for his progressive values, has accused Thanedar of having more in common with President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk than his own constituents. A claim that Thanedar has denied.
Much has been made by political insiders about how Thanedar successfully ended Detroit’s 70-year stretch of Black representation in Congress. Many felt like the long list of Black candidates during Thanedar’s first run split the votes.
“I think what Detroit’s Black political establishment or Democratic Party has to grapple with, is that you have to ask why is Shri Thanedar able to exist and take up the space he does? This is not a slight to him… But his presence begs a question of how and why?” John Conyers III told the Michigan Chronicle on Wednesday. Conyers was among the Black candidates who ran for the seat that was long held by his late father.
He’s currently on tour promoting his new book, My Father’s House: An Ode to America’s Longest-Serving Black Congressman.
“It can’t just be about money that he’s winning. There’s a value proposition — simply saying Detroit deserves Black representation is insufficient.”
Detroit City Council member Mary Waters came the closest to unseating Thanedar. In 2024, Thanedar received 55% of the vote, with Waters taking 34%. It was reported later on by Bridge Michigan that AIPAC-connected dark money groups spent millions on attack ad mailers against Waters.
The same groups will be paying close attention to next year’s Democratic primary, as McKinney has been a vocal critic of the indiscriminate killing of children and civilians in Gaza.
“Centering community not only means standing up to corporate donors and lobbyists but also means fighting to address community needs through robust community services and responsive representation,” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, said in her endorsement of McKinney. “This type of leadership is missing for residents in the 13th and I know Donavan will bring it… I know when it comes to real representation, Michigan’s 13th District deserves better.”
Sam Robinson can be reached at srobinson@ chronicle.com.
By Victor L. Walker
If you look at me, you wouldn’t be able to see my illnesses. At least, that’s what several people have told me. They say, “You don’t look sick,” as if they expect me to cough up blood, look gaunt, or fragile. They don’t seem to know it’s not a compliment to tell someone they don’t look sick. It’s an invitation to be invisible in their world where illness needs to be visible to be validated.
My kidneys have failed me. I also struggle with diabetes, high blood pressure, and survived a stroke in 2022. I’ve known for several years that I would eventually need dialysis and a kidney transplant. I dreaded the thought because, though I had heard of dialysis, I didn’t really understand what it was. Most people don’t. Thus, they don’t understand what I go through just to make it through a day.
Dialysis is a ritual of borrowed time. It’s a process that filters toxins from my blood because my kidneys no longer can. Three times a week, for four hours at a time, I sit tethered to a machine that keeps me alive, for now. If I miss a treatment, toxins build up quickly, and I risk heart failure, coma, or death. Without a kidney transplant, this routine will continue indefinitely, each session buying me just enough time to make it to the next. Dialysis isn’t a cure. It’s survival on a strict schedule.
Even with a kidney transplant, the challenges are not over. A transplant isn’t a finish line. It’s another beginning.
The body doesn’t always accept a new organ willingly. I would have to take antirejection medications daily to prevent my immune system from attacking the new kidney, and those medications come with their own risks.
There is increased vulnerability to infections, higher chances of developing certain cancers, and side effects that can affect everything from my mood to my metabolism. There are frequent lab tests, more doctor visits, and the anxiety that the new kidney might fail too. Not to mention the guilt that could arise from knowing the possibility that someone might have to die for me to get their kidney. A transplant offers freedom from the dialysis machine, but not freedom from illness.
I began dialysis in November 2024. I’ve also been active on the kidney transplant list for roughly a year. Though I’m grateful for the life-saving treatment, I’m tired of dialysis interrupting my life. Tired of the cold chairs, painful needles, blood spilling everywhere, and a system where Black people die waiting to procure an organ donation.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black Americans develop end-stage kidney disease at rates nearly four times higher than white Americans, largely due to higher prevalence of diabetes and hypertension, the leading causes of kidney failure. Although Black people make up about 13% of the U.S. population but represent approximately 35% of those receiving dialysis treatment.
Additionally, the United States Renal Data System and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, report that Black patients often face significantly longer wait times for kidney transplants compared to white patients, reflecting systemic inequities in access to care and organ donation. These disparities highlight a persistent crisis in both healthcare and social justice. I experience this firsthand every time I get in the dialysis chair.
Sometimes, when I’m sitting there, I stare at the ceiling and try not to feel anything. The machine beeps every
few minutes and pulsates like a second heartbeat. I’ve learned to tell time by the rhythm of the machine. Cold saline enters my arm as warm blood leaves it. The technician tapes the needles in place with the same casual firmness you’d use to tie a shoelace. I try not to watch, but the writer in me wants to document the whole process. However, watching doesn’t make it less terrifying.
There’s a moment, just after the machine starts, when I feel like a part of me disappears. It feels like I’m no longer entirely human, like in the film The Matrix, where the humans are in the pods connected to the power plant. Dialysis zaps my energy and leaves me depleted and it takes everything within me to not cry or scream. Something in me breaks every time I have to go for treatment. Then, I think about the people in my life that need me to be strong and endure. Through dialysis, I’ve learned that strength isn’t always what people think it is. It’s not smiling through the pain, so others feel more comfortable. Some days, strength is just getting in the car and showing up. Some days, it’s letting myself feel the weight of it all without going home and burying my head under my blankets. I don’t always tell people how much it hurts, or how there are mornings when I sit on the edge of my bed, trying to convince myself to go to treatment. I go anyway because I want to be brave, and I feel I have no other choice. That, too, is a kind of strength. The hours I spend in the chair each week are exhausting, but they’ve also become a type of classroom. Instead of watching my blood go through the tubes, I’ve used the time to learn more about dialysis itself. Not only have I learned what dialysis does to my body, I’ve learned how the system is structured. I’ve learned about the racial disparities that shape who gets sick, who gets treated, and who gets saved.
Black people are disproportionately affected by kidney failure and overrepresented among those on dialysis. When
it comes to organ procurement, registering as donors, or being prioritized for transplants, we are underrepresented and underserved. That contradiction isn’t simply unjust, it’s deadly. It means Black people are more likely to wait longer, suffer more, and die sooner in a system that wasn’t designed with us in mind.
Add to that, Black people seem afraid to be living donors. When the nurse from my transplant team asked me if there was anyone in my family or friend group who would sign up to donate a kidney to me, I wanted to laugh and tell her, “Black people don’t do that.” Despite the humor in that, it seemed to me that some Black people would be more willing to donate their organs after they died, than to be a living donor. It speaks to a deeper history of mistrust, of scarcity, of always needing to hold on to what little we have, our bodies included. I keep showing up to be tethered to machines, as I try to outlive statistics. I fight, I educate myself, and I encourage because no one else is going to do it for me. Survival isn’t passive. It’s daily labor, laced with fear, frustration, and the quiet hope that maybe, someday, something might shift. I’ve lost time, strength, and parts of myself in this process, but I’ve also gained clarity. This isn’t just about me. It’s about all the Black and brown bodies filtered through a machine while the system refuses to change the conditions that put us here. However, I still believe in possibility. I believe in science, in policy, in people who are willing to act, to care, to see us. I believe in the idea that one day, we won’t have to fight so hard just to stay alive. Until then, I will keep showing up, tired, aching, and human, because I am more than a list of illnesses and I don’t want to die! I will be 50 years old in September. With all of my conditions, I was certain I wouldn’t make it to be 50. If you’re reading this and you’re Black, please consider becoming a living donor. Get on the donor registry. Get tested early. Take care of your kidneys. Know the risks and the signs, and most of all, talk about this with your family and friends. Start the conversation that too many avoid. Our survival depends on it.
Living donation matters because it can dramatically reduce wait times and improve transplant success, offering hope where dialysis offers only survival on borrowed time. I understand the hesitation due to centuries of medical neglect. Exploitation has harvested mistrust that runs deep in our communities. This history is real and painful, but so is the urgent need to protect our health right now.
Early testing and managing conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure are critical steps we can take to prevent kidney failure. Beyond personal care, we must also raise our voices and advocate for equitable healthcare policies, supporting Black-led health organizations, and sharing our stories to reshape how the system sees and serves us. Our survival depends not just on medicine, but on collective care and action.
Despite many not seeing my illnesses, or expecting me to look a particular way, I’m here, visible, and resilient. I claim my story beyond the shadows of what’s unseen, and I ask each of you to do what you can to make sure people like me can continue living.
A Detroit native, Victor L. Walker is a singer, poet, and self-published writer whose work addresses issues related to race and equality, men and masculinity, and queer experiences.
By Jehan Crump-Gibson
The power is in your hands
A common misconception is that estate planning only applies to death. This could not be further from the truth. A proper estate plan determines what will happen with your assets if you pass away and who will be responsible for carrying out those wishes. It also puts measures in place to determine who will manage your affairs if you are unable, whether it is on a temporary or permanent basis. This is done through Healthcare Powers of Attorney and Financial Powers of Attorney. If done properly, these legal documents can help avoid probate court for Guardianship and Conservatorship proceedings.
“Guardianship” is a court-ordered arrangement that gives a person (the guardian) the authority to manage the personal activities or affairs of someone the court has determined unable to make or communicate informed decisions (e.g. healthcare decisions, placement decisions, etc.). “Conservatorship” is a court-ordered arrangement that gives a person (the conservator) the authority to manage the financial affairs of someone the court has determined is unable to do so for themselves. These court proceedings are public and can be lengthy and stressful. In most cases, these proceedings are started because a person does not have Powers of Attorney. This means that most Guardianships and Conservatorships can be avoided.
So, who needs Powers of Attorney? My rule of thumb is that any adult age 18 and up needs them. Unless the proper legal documentation is signed, no one is entitled to access or manage another adult’s private health or financial information. There is no exception for a spouse, parent, sibling, or the first-born or favorite child. In the absence of a medical situation where urgent life-saving procedures need to be taken, spouses, parents and adult children often find themselves applying for Guardianship to make healthcare decisions for their loved one when there is no valid Healthcare Power of Attorney. In situations where financial accounts are in a person’s name alone and they become unable to handle their affairs, a loved one will not be allowed access, in the absence of a valid Financial Power of Attorney or proof of Conservatorship from a probate court. Let’s take 23-year-old Tamara. Tamara has a good job with an insurance company and is by all accounts healthy. She is not married and has not thought twice about Powers of Attorney. Tamara is driving home one day when a reckless driver runs a red light and hits her car. She is rushed to the hospital and placed on a ventilator. Her mother Gloria rushes to her side and prays without ceasing. Thankfully, after a couple of weeks, Tamara slowly begins to improve and is taken off the ventilator but due to the catastrophic injuries she sustained, she must be transferred to a rehabilitation facility to continue recovery. There is a long road ahead. After she identifies a rehabilitation facility that will take Tamara’s insurance, Gloria is asked for a Healthcare Power of Attorney or Letter of Guardianship to process the placement. She is floored. This is her child, and Mama Bear should be able to make these decisions with no questions asked! Unfortunately, the law does not agree—which the facility knows. They want reassurance that they are legally protected if they allow Gloria to sign all the paperwork.
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
While elite universities and accelerator programs continue to overlook grassroots founders, three local entrepreneurs have stepped up to create what mainstream institutions never prioritized: culturally grounded, community-owned business schools designed specifically for Detroiters. Racheal Allen, Ebony Cochran, and Jessie Hayes are not in the business of waiting for permission to educate, train, and empower. They’re building infrastructure—on their terms—for the entrepreneurs this city has long ignored.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the country. In Detroit, they lead one of the highest concentrations of Black women–owned businesses in the U.S., yet most operate without formal business training or access to sustainable capital. The majority of Black-owned small businesses in Michigan are sole proprietorships, which are often under-resourced and overburdened. Less than 1% of venture capital nationally reaches Black women entrepreneurs. That systemic neglect has never been about talent. It’s been about access. And Detroit women are no longer asking for it—they’re building it.
This June, Ebony Cochran launched the Detroit Wealth Club inside a newly opened 7,300-square-foot headquarters at 11145 Morang Drive on the city’s east side. The nonprofit community business school is built to close the racial wealth gap by giving Black Detroiters real tools for wealth generation through entrepreneurship, financial planning, credit literacy, and real estate ownership.
The investment behind the space is both personal and powerful: $155,000 of Cochran’s own funds, a $50,000 Motor City Match grant, and $10,000 from Build Institute. The funding reflects not just community belief in her vision, but the urgency behind it.
“We’ve waited long enough to be invited to spaces that weren’t built with us in mind,” Cochran said. “This is about rewriting the narrative of what wealth looks like in Detroit—on our terms.”
The Detroit Wealth Club is designed as a full-service hub: educational programming, curated mentorship, peer accountability, and access to a network of financial and legal experts. Whether members are learning to budget or building investment portfolios, Cochran’s ap-
proach is rooted in both tactical skill and mindset development.
“I found early in my entrepreneurial career that my mindset made me believe I didn’t deserve certain things,” Cochran said. “Once my mindset changed, I worked harder to get the things I knew I did deserve.”
Cochran calls the Club a movement. “We’re teaching entrepreneurship that leads to ownership, and ownership that leads to freedom. It’s a platform for people to shift from survival mode to wealth-building—and to do it in community.”
Two decades ago, Cochran started her first business just blocks away from Detroit Wealth Club, and three years ago, she became the first Black woman to own a Little Caesars Pizza franchise in the state of Michigan. Today, her work is about creating what she never had access to: a place where wealth isn’t gatekept, and where Black business success is normalized, not exceptionalized.
On the other side of metro Detroit, Racheal Allen is reshaping the landscape from her nonprofit, Operations School (OSchool), located inside Centric Place in Farmington Hills. Since 2019, OSchool has served nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders through its flagship “Get Your Business Legit” program, which walks founders through legal registration, operations, marketing, and long-term planning—free of charge.
Allen, like Cochran, began with no external funding. She invested over $200,000 of her own money before securing a $2.8 million Small Business Support Hubs Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, becoming the only Black woman recipient among 27 grantees statewide.
“I started this with no funding, which isn’t something a lot of people can say,” Allen said. “It’s given me a greater sense of responsibility to keep this program going and to keep building what is possible.”
OSchool’s work is deeply structural. It meets entrepreneurs where they are— hustling without systems, operating without access, navigating burnout and bureaucracy. The school provides practical tools, community coaching, and capacity-building—all housed inside a hub for Black arts, culture, and innovation.
Earlier this year, Allen announced that she would be stepping away from daily leadership to expand the school’s national vision. Her successor, Dr. Stacie Hunter, brings experience in banking, nonprofit leadership, and racial equity
advocacy. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to carry forward the mission of OSchool,” Hunter said.
Dr. Hunter has led operational strategy at OSchool since 2024 and previously served as VP, Community Manager for Chase Bank in Detroit. She holds an MBA and a doctorate in nonprofit leadership and sits on the boards of the Rhonda Walker Foundation and Fostering Leadership Academy.
The leadership transition signals growth, not retreat. OSchool is expanding through new partnerships with the Apple Developer Academy, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, and the Michigan Black Business Alliance. The demand is there, and so is the community power.
Detroit’s legacy of Black women building institutions continues through Jessie Hayes, founder of The Hayes Institute of Esthetics & Entrepreneurship— Michigan’s first business school focused on multicultural skincare and ownership in the beauty industry. After opening Detroit’s first facial bar and turning it into a franchise, Hayes saw the glaring gap in both access and cultural representation within esthetics education. That gap became the blueprint for her next move: a business school designed not just to certify estheticians, but to shape beauty CEOs. Located in Corktown, the Institute merges state-approved esthetics licensing with hands-on entrepreneurial training that equips graduates to lead and scale in a global industry that has often excluded their perspective.
What sets the Hayes Institute apart is its dual commitment to craft and commerce. The school offers a 750-hour esthetics curriculum with a specialized focus on multicultural skincare, acne treatment, and product development— an essential shift in a market where most training centers promote Eurocentric beauty standards. But Hayes didn’t stop at technique. Through the School of Entrepreneurship and the School of Business for Executives, the Institute delivers a full suite of business education, from startup playbooks to grant acquisition, executive presence, and crisis management. This isn’t about creating service providers. It’s about building business owners, decision-makers, and visionary leaders within an industry that generates billions from Black culture but rarely invests back into it.
“Opening The Hayes Institute is more
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Tracy L. Gray is an emerging voice in children’s literature whose debut book, Mommy, Where Is My Daddy?, is already striking a powerful chord. Blending imagination with emotional truth, the story follows a young girl named SeQuoya Leigh as she seeks to understand her father’s absence — and finds strength in love, family, and community along the way.
A longtime educator and founder of the Sankofa Global Project, Gray has dedicated her life to centering Black children’s voices, stories, and creativity. Her new book — now available on Amazon and Kindle — is both a tender children’s story and a vital resource for families navigating difficult conversations.
Michigan Chronicle: Your book explores a child’s journey to understand a parent’s absence— what inspired you to tell this story, and why now?
Tracy Gray: This story was inspired by my own experience as a mother navigating my daughter’s questions about her father’s absence. From the moment my daughter, SeQuoya Leigh, could speak in full sentences, she would ask me, “Mommy, where is my daddy?” The truth was, I didn’t know — her father and I had lost contact when I was seven months pregnant.
other parents feel less alone and reminds children that they are deeply loved, even when parts of their lives may feel incomplete.
MC: How did your experience as an educator and founder of the Sankofa Global Project shape the way you approached writing this book?
The Michigan Chronicle recently interviewed Gray to talk about her inspiration, her daughter’s real-life journey, and the role of storytelling in healing and representation.
I began writing this book as part of my master’s thesis while pursuing a dual master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and General Education. Over the years, this story became more than just an academic project — it became a testament to the power of giving children honest, loving answers, even when we don’t have all the pieces ourselves.
I feel that now is the right time to share this book because so many families face similar questions in silence. I hope it helps
TG: My experience as an educator and founder of the Sankofa Global Project deeply shaped the way I approached writing Mommy, Where Is My Daddy? As an educator, I’ve spent years listening to the unspoken questions children carry — their curiosity, confusion, and courage when they don’t have easy answers. I’ve learned that children deserve truth delivered with care.
Sankofa Global Project advocates for creating spaces where historically excluded communities can explore creativity and innovation, reclaim their narratives, and honor their curiosity. This book is an extension of that mission. It’s about embracing difficult conversations with love and honesty, showing families that we can hold space for our children’s questions, even when the answers are complex.
My work in education and community building consistently teaches me that storytelling is a powerful bridge for connection, healing, and transformation.
MC: The book blends imagination and emotional truth—how did you strike that balance between fantasy and reality to make it accessible and healing for children?
TG: Children magically dance between what’s real and what’s possible — and I want this book to dance right alongside them. I am walking a tightrope and striking the balance between fantasy and reality to provide a soft place to land when the truth feels too big.
I knew I couldn’t answer SeQuoya Leigh’s questions and tie them up in a shiny bow. I could wrap her questions in wonder. Imagination is like a cozy blanket — it keeps the heart warm while the truth settles in. So, I sprinkled little sparks of whimsy throughout the story to help children dream, ask, and feel safe, all at once.
A good story doesn’t require
picking between dreams and truth — it’s about letting children carry both like treasures in their pockets.
MC: What role does community — and especially the Black family structure — play in SeQuoya’s journey, and why was that important for you to highlight?
TG: Community — and the strength of the Black family in all its beautiful, evolving forms — is at the very heart of SeQuoya Leigh’s journey. In my community, family is so much more than who lives under one roof; it’s the grandparents, the aunties, the cousins, the neighbors, and the chosen family who step in to love and nurture our children.
When SeQuoya would ask, “Mommy, where is my daddy?” I didn’t have all the answers, and
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Gloria also recognizes that Tamara’s bills still need to be paid, even though she is unable to handle them herself. Gloria goes to Tamara’s credit union to access funds to pay her rent and utilities. The manager immediately shuts her down and tells her to come back with a Financial Power of Attorney or proof of Conservatorship. Tamara is in no condition to sign any Powers of Attorney. She has not improved that much to have sound mind to do so. This means that Gloria is taking a trip to probate court before she can finish processing Tamara’s placement and access her accounts to pay bills. Can you imagine the unnecessary stress on top of everything else that is going on? Additionally, Gloria has no clue what she is doing and is too overwhelmed to figure the process out on her own, so now she must pay a lawyer to assist her.
As you can see, age is nothing but a number when it comes to these situations. This is why every adult needs Powers of Attorney. Even more, every adult needs to have these done while they are still of sound mind. Sound mind is an everyday term for capacity. If you do not have the capacity to make out these documents, it is too late. This is when someone must go to probate court to be appointed over your affairs. Having capacity means that you understand and appreciate that the documents you sign give another person the power to make decisions for you, what kinds of decisions they will be able to make and how this can impact you and your property. Certain illnesses, injuries and sometimes age can have a direct impact on capacity.
Powers of Attorney not only help avoid probate court but also ensure that the person you want to handle your affairs will be able to do so. You can cancel or change these documents at any time if you have capacity. No one can make out a Power of Attorney for you, no matter how badly you need help. This is why so many people wind up in probate court after it is too late. The power is only yours to give, and it is in your hands. Don’t leave things to chance. Act today!
Attorney Jehan Crump-Gibson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Great Lakes Legal Group PLLC, where she concentrates her practice in probate and estate planning, business and real estate matters. Great Lakes Legal Group is a growing black-owned law firm serving clients throughout the state of Michigan and in federal courts across the country. Jehan has served as Faculty for the National Business Institute and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education concerning business, probate and estate planning matters. She is a legal analyst with Fox2 Detroit’s The Noon and the author of the book A Matter of Life and Death.
From page B-1
than launching a school,” Hayes said. “It’s about creating a space where legacy meets purpose and filling a gap within the beauty industry. As someone raised in a family of entrepreneurs, CEOs and leaders, this institution is my way of giving back, building up, and ensuring that our community of beauty entrepreneurs are profitable, empowered, and have economic opportunity.” For Hayes, the work is generational. “This is personal for me,” she said. “The Hayes Institute stands on the shoulders of my family’s entrepreneurial and leadership spirit—a legacy of builders, dreamers, and most importantly doers. My goal is to leave a mark
that outlives me, one that opens doors for the next generation of beauty and business leaders who look like us and dream like us.”
Between Cochran’s east side headquarters and Allen’s west side institutional framework and Hayes’s push for entrepreneurial excellence in the beauty industry, Detroit is witnessing something far deeper than business training. These are ecosystems designed for Detroiters, led by Black women, and rooted in cultural clarity. They reject the idea that success must be defined by elite institutions, coastal investors, or academic jargon.
“We’re not teaching business for performance,” Cochran said. “We’re creating a space where people can understand their power, own it, and grow it.”
Detroit’s business future doesn’t have
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she always had love all around her. My dad — her grandpa — would pick her up from school when I had meetings or late classes. Their little tradition was stopping for flavored sparkling water — just a small thing, but to them, it felt special every time. He would take her with him to the public access television station where he recorded his show. She would sit there watching her grandpa work.
Family is defined by those who show up, day after day, to wrap our children in love. By highlighting that in this book, I hope other families see that even when one piece is missing, our children are whole — because our community, our village, holds them close.
MC: You include a real-life epilogue about healing and reunion. How personal is this story for you, and what message do you hope readers — both children and adults — take from that?
TG: This story is woven directly from our real life. There’s a moment in the book — and it happened just like this in real life — when SeQuoya looked at me and said, “Mommy, I know you keep making these connections between nature and family and my daddy, but I want to know where is my daddy?” I had to pause and say the hardest truth: “You have a lot of questions I can’t answer right now, but maybe one day you’ll get to meet your dad and ask him yourself.”
She would draw pictures for
him and pray for him at night, even though she had never met him. And then, in 2010, when Facebook was becoming a thing, I thought, “Let me look for this man.” And there he was. I reached out and reminded him of what I’d said years ago: “You’re not ready to be a parent, but one day you will be, and I’ll find you.” His very first question was, “What did we have?” When I told him, “It’s a girl,” he immediately wanted to meet her.
I told him, “I can’t introduce you if you’re not going to be committed to being in her life.” He promised he would be. So at 23, SeQuoya finally got to meet her father. I still remember telling her, “Remember, I told you I would find your dad? Well, I found him.” She fell right out of her chair — she couldn’t believe it. Over the next 13 years, they built a relationship. She visited him in North Carolina, he walked her down the aisle at her wedding, met his grandchildren, and stayed a part of her life until he passed away in 2023.
MC: Representation in children’s literature continues to be a challenge. How do you see your book contributing to more inclusive storytelling, particularly for young Black readers?
TG: Representation in children’s literature is still catching up to the beauty, complexity, and diversity of our real lives, especially for young Black readers. I wrote Mommy, Where Is My Daddy? Because I wanted children like my daughter, SeQuoya Leigh, to see themselves and their families reflected with
honesty and love.
to look like someone else’s model. It can look like a neighborhood storefront turned financial education hub. It can look like a nonprofit building out from lived experience instead of legacy endowments. It can look like Black women saying, we’re not waiting on anyone to save us—we’re building systems that serve us.
What Allen, Hayes, and Cochran prove is that business education, when done right, isn’t just about profit margins. It’s about economic justice. It’s about passing down knowledge, not just assets. It’s about building infrastructure that lasts beyond grant cycles and headlines. Their work is not only relevant. It’s necessary. And it’s Detroit-born. Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@ michronicle.com.
I want this book to say: Your stories and your questions deserve space on the page, and deserve to be told!
MC: Can you talk about how your work with S.T.E.A.M. education and global learning ties into your mission as a children’s author?
TG: My work in S.T.E.A.M. education and global learning is expanding what’s possible for young people, encouraging them to see that their ideas, cultures, and questions matter. I carry that ideology into every story I write.
In S.T.E.A.M., we teach children to wonder, experiment, and solve problems. Storytelling does the same — it gives everyone permission to use their imaginations, invest in research, ask brave questions, and see the connections between themselves and the wider world. Throughout my work as an educator, entrepreneur, author, and nonprofit founder, I’ve witnessed the power that children realize: their voices and stories belong everywhere — in classrooms, labs, makerspaces, and bookshelves.
MC: What advice do you have for parents or guardians who may need to have similar difficult conversations with their children about family and absence?
TG: My biggest advice to parents or guardians facing these tender, difficult questions is this: it’s okay not to have all the answers. Our children don’t expect perfection — they need our honesty, our love, and our presence.
I learned this with my daughter, SeQuoya Leigh, who
would look at me with her big, searching eyes and ask, “Mommy, where is my daddy?” I didn’t know where he was then, and I had to sit with the discomfort of telling her the truth. But what mattered was that she knew she was never alone in her wondering.
Through faith, patience, and a bit of courage, we found him — and she got her answers, her reunion, and her healing in her own time. Not every story ends this way. There are many children who may never have the chance to know their mom or dad, and that is simply how life unfolds sometimes, not because they didn’t wish, hope, or pray hard enough, but because some questions don’t get answered in the ways we want.
So, I’d tell other parents: listen closely, answer gently, and don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Remind your child they are loved by a whole village — grandparents, aunties, cousins, chosen family — who will show up when others can’t. Just like my father, who picked SeQuoya up from school when I had meetings, sipping flavored sparkling water together, and visiting his public access TV show — those small moments made her feel whole, even when a piece was missing.
Hold space for their questions and their imagination. Let them dream, wonder, and believe in possibility. Sometimes our stories circle back — and when they do, our children will know they were always loved enough to keep asking.
Gray’s book “Mommy, Where is My Daddy?” is available on Amazon and other platforms where books are sold.
Fueling Michigan today and tomorrow. Every day, Michiganders depend on secure, reliable energy to heat their homes, fuel businesses, and power industries. Enbridge proudly delivers 55% of the propane used in Michigan.
We continue to modernize our energy infrastructure and further protect the Straits of Mackinac crossing by investing in the Great Lakes Tunnel.
As a North American integrated energy company, we’ve been delivering the energy the state needs for decades and we’re investing in Michigan communities and infrastructure. It’s how we’re building toward a better tomorrow.
Discover more at enbridge.com/Michigan.
position should send a resume to nauinvoicing@ngk-detroit. com and reference the above job title. Applicants who fail to provide a resume and pre-screening question responses will not be considered.
3 cols x 2 inches
Employment Opportunities CITY OF EASTPOINTE
Firefighter/Paramedic (Full-Time)
Reference/Programming Librarian (Full-Time)
To view details and qualifications, and to apply, please visit our Employment Opportunities web page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/eastpointemi/
JobBoard/6ea71e1c-667f-4ddc-90245966baaa3256/OpportunityDetail?opportunity Id=9579f4d0-f5f0-4951-96d5-480d54b8cab7
(StatePoint) Buying a home might be the most significant financial decision you ever make. By understanding these eight key steps in the process, you can move forward with confidence, clarity and long-term success:
1. Understand what you can afford. Understanding your finances may not be as fun as house hunting, but it’s necessary for determining how much you can afford. Most lenders suggest spending no more than 30% of your monthly income (before taxes are taken out) on mortgage payments, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance. Your credit, current interest rates and closing costs also impact what you can afford, so take these factors into consideration. Freddie Mac’s Homebuying Budget Calculator is a useful resource during this step in the process.
2. Explore down payment options. Today’s down payment options are expanding homeownership accessibility. For example, certain mortgage products allow you to put down as little as 3%. However, if you make a down payment of less than 20%, you may have to pay for private mortgage insurance until you reach 20% equity in your home. Knowing the possibilities for funding your down payment, beyond personal savings, is also helpful. These may include governmental assistance or gifts and loans from relatives. Use Freddie Mac’s Down Payment and PMI Calculators to see what’s possible.
3. Find your team. Having the right people by your side makes homebuying more enjoyable and less stressful. This team may include a housing counselor, real estate agent and lender. Who you select matters, so look for experienced, trusted professionals.
(StatePoint) Interested in launching a financial planning career but not sure if it’s right for you? With its many different career tracks and specialties, financial planning suits a range of personalities, goals and skill sets. Contrary to popular belief, financial planning involves much more than crunching numbers!
CFP Board breaks down some common paths you can take in the financial planning profession:
Advisory/Wealth Management: Working directly with clients to guide them through the creation and management of a financial plan is the most well-known function of financial planners. Many large firms start new employees in support positions to help them gain a broad understanding of the client service process. However, opportunities exist — such as at virtual advice centers — to assume a wealth management role more quickly.
Operations: Those who work in operations support financial planners by handling advisor and client files, generating reports, scheduling meetings and troubleshooting processes. This is a common entry point at many firms; however, some firms view this as a separate career track with its own growth potential.
Business Development: Some firms offer business development as a specialized career path for experienced advisors with a significant client base and a strong reputation for competency and ethics. This role is ideal for outgoing people, as client outreach and retention require strong marketing and networking skills.
Technical Support: Technical support specialists use advanced tools to process complex information and navigate decisions. Responsibilities might include data gathering, modeling, case design and financial plan development, making this a good path if you love data and analytics.
Your ideal path will depend on many factors, including firm size, compensation structure, culture, pro bono opportunities and how well the role aligns with your longterm goals. Regardless of the path you choose, having the right credentials is critical. Earning CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification demonstrates that you’ve met rigorous training and experience requirements. For a leg up in the job market, download CFP Board’s “Guide to Careers in Financial Planning” at cfp.net.
Financial planning is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Understanding its many facets can help you find the path that suits your talents and interests.
How to make the most of summer family vacations
FEATURES
s the days stretch longer, summer has a way of calling families to pack up and go, whether it’s for a weekend getaway, family reunion, road trip or one more beach escape.
To make the most of every moment, your accommodations matter. From convenient locations to family-friendly amenities, the right setup can ease the stress of travel. These tips can make your adventures more enjoyable, whether you’re hitting the road or catching a cross-country flight.
Pick a Place Where You Can Spread Out
Accommodations with spacious sleeping and living areas give everyone the room they need to recharge.
4. Find the right home. To find the right home, assess the property based on factors like its proximity to certain school districts, public transportation and your job. Then consider what type of home you want to live in. From single-family homes to condominiums, each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the right one for you will depend on your finances, lifestyle and stage of life. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the possibilities, so consider creating a wish list to narrow down your choices. Include your must-haves and deal breakers, and reflect on how your needs may evolve.
5. Apply for a loan. Finding the right loan may make a big difference in your monthly payments and overall loan cost. Shop around and check out Freddie Mac’s Loan Comparison Calculator to determine which loan is best for your housing goals. Then, work with your lender to apply for and complete the application process. The process takes roughly 45 days and will include providing proof of employment, banking statements and other documentation.
6. Make your offer. Through this phase, you’ll work closely with your real estate agent who will help determine a fair offer price while making sure you stay within range of what you can afford. They’ll also handle all contract negotiations with the seller’s agent.
7. Get an inspection and appraisal. Once your offer is final, your lender will order an appraisal. This is a necessary step in securing financing, and protects you and the bank by ensuring the home’s value matches the agreed upon sale price. Companies like Freddie Mac may offer appraisal waivers in certain instances, so be sure to ask your lender if one is possible. For peace of mind, you may also wish to pay for a home inspection. If the inspector finds issues, you can work with the seller to determine if they need to pay for repairs. Or, if you have a home inspection contingency, you could renegotiate the sales price, require the seller make repairs or back out.
8. Close on your home. Closing, also called settlement, is a meeting where you sign final documents, pay closing costs, and ownership is officially transferred to you. To prepare, secure your closing funds. Freddie Mac’s Closing Costs Calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll pay at settlement. You should also do a formal walkthrough of the property to check that it’s in the agreed upon condition and read all the closing documents — don’t be afraid to ask your attorney or closing agent questions.
With educational resources like My Home by Freddie Mac, you can make informed, empowered decisions every step of the way. In fact, 7 out of 10 My Home users feel better prepared to buy a home. Visit https://myhome.freddiemac.com/buying to access
■ Beds for Everyone: Look for hotels that offer generous family suites, some with over 700 square feet or those that feature clever configurations like bunk beds, giving everyone dedicated space to unwind. If you’re bringing the dog, ensure your accommodations are pet-friendly, too.
■ Road Trip Ready: For families planning a road trip with multiple destinations, consider staying at hotels strategically located along popular routes for comfort and consistency. Some may offer distinct family accommodations, like the casitas unique to Hyatt Place Moab in Utah, featuring multiple beds, a living area, kitchenette, patio and more. The outdoor pool is also perfect for cooling down after a day of hiking.
Hotels with Amenities Parents Actually Need
Family travel can be full of unforgettable moments, but it also comes with a lot of logistics. From hungry kids to forgotten toothbrushes, choosing a hotel with practical amenities can make all the difference.
■ Rooms with Kitchens: Guestrooms with in-room kitchenettes are ideal for prepping lunches or reheating leftovers, which can help save money. Even on an international adventure, hotels like Hyatt House Kanazawa in Japan offers fully equipped kitchens, including a refrigerator, microwave, stovetop, sink and dishwasher, making it easy to enjoy a little home-cooked convenience abroad.
■ Family-Friendly Amenities: Whether taking a weekend trip or exploring a new country, look for hotels that make it easier to entertain. Consider amenities such as outdoor pools and hotels situated by popular attractions to keep the family engaged, like Hyatt Place Los Cabos. For longer stays, guest laundry facilities can help families pack lighter and stay fresh. Travelers can also consider dual-branded developments that combine the best of both worlds, like Hyatt Place LAX/Century Blvd and Hyatt House LAX/Century Blvd, offering flexible room options for multigenerational families and shared amenities under one roof.
■ The Essentials: Packing for the family often means something gets left behind. Find hotels that offer programs that help fill in the gaps, whether it’s a phone charger, toothbrush or other necessities, available to buy, borrow or enjoy for free.
■ Dining Options: Dining out can be costly and time-consuming. For families wanting to enjoy local flavors while keeping things simple, find hotels that offer daily breakfast and grab-and-go markets, like Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotels. Many also feature lobby bars, and select locations offer signature restaurants
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5,
For the purpose of voting for the following offices:
• Mayor • City Council At-Large
• City Council Districts 2, 5, and 7
If you have any questions regarding your polling location on Election Day, please contact the Detroit Department of Elections at (313) 876-0190. MICHIGAN LAW MANDATES ALL VOTERS TO PRESENT VALID PHOTO ID AT THE POLLS OR COMPLETE AN AFFIDAVIT OF VOTER NOT IN POSSESSION OF PICTURE IDENTIFICATION. Acceptable forms of photo IDs: Michigan Driver’s License or a Michigan Personal ID: Driver’s License or Personal ID by another state; Federal or State Government photo ID; U.S. Passport; Military ID with photo; current Student ID with photo or Tribal ID with photo.
Absentee Ballots are available for all elections. Registered voters may obtain a ballot at the office of the Detroit Department of Elections, the office of the Detroit City Clerk or at any of our Early Voting Centers listed below.
WCCCD Northwest Campus 8200 W. Outer Drive Detroit, MI 48219
Northwest Activities Center 18100 Meyers Rd. Detroit, MI 48235
Farwell Recreation Center 2711 E. Outer Drive Detroit, MI 48234
WCCCD Eastern Campus 5901 Conner St. Detroit, MI 48213
HOURS OF OPERATION:
• Early Vote Centers open on Saturday, July 26, 2025
Department of Elections 2978 W. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48202
City Clerk’s Office (Coleman A. Young Municipal Ctr.) 2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 106 Detroit, MI 48226
Clark Park 1130 Clark St. Detroit, MI 48209
Adams Butzel Recreation Complex 10500 Lyndon Detroit, MI 48238
• Regular business hours: Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
• Monday, August 4th – voting ceases at 4:00 P.M.
• Election Day, Tuesday, August 5th from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
Voters may also submit their ballots by dropping it into any of our additional drop boxes (24 hours, 7 days a week) listed below.
Crowell Community Center 16630 Lasher Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
Rouge Park Golf Course 11701 Burt Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
North Rosedale Park Community House 18445 Scarsdale Detroit, MI 48223
Greater Grace Temple 23500 W. Seven Mile Rd. Detroit, MI 48219
Liberty Temple Baptist Church 17188 Greenfield Rd. Detroit, MI 48235
Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC 19190 Schaefer Hwy. Detroit, MI 48235
Tindal Recreation Center 10301 W. Seven Mile Rd. Detroit, MI 48221
Palmer Park Community Center 1121 Merrill Plaisance St. Detroit, MI 48203
Perfecting Church 7616 E. Nevada Detroit, MI 48234
Faith Temple 19000 Conant Detroit, MI 48234
Greater St. Paul 15325 Gratiot Ave. Detroit, MI 48205
Heilmann Recreation Center 19601 Crusade Detroit, MI 48205
Balduck Park 5271 Canyon Detroit, MI 48236
Considine Center 8904 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48202
Greater Christ Baptist Church 3544 Iroquois Ave. Detroit, MI 48214
Horatio Williams Foundation 1010 Antietam Ave. Detroit, MI 48207
Renaissance Baptist Church 1045 E. Grand Blvd. Detroit, MI 48207
Butzel Family Center 7737 Kercheval Detroit, MI 48214
Detroit Pistons Performance Center 690 Amsterdam St. Detroit, MI 48202
WCCCD Downtown Campus 1001 W. Fort St. Detroit, MI 48226
Unity Baptist Church 7500 Tireman Detroit, MI 48204
Kemeny Recreation Center 2260 S. Fort St. Detroit, MI 48217
Davison Service Yard 8221 W. Davison Detroit, MI 48238
William S. Ford Memorial Church 16400 W. Warren Detroit, MI 48228
Christ Temple Baptist Church 10628 Plymouth Rd. Detroit, MI 48204
Edison Library 18400 Joy Rd. Detroit, MI 48228
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