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Lifetime Achievement Award Black Tech Ecosystem
From page A-1
livered to Milestone Growth Capital Institute, the Detroit-based nonprofit led by Batts. MGCI, co-founded with Dr. Anne Maghas, used this report to spotlight urgent gaps in funding, infrastructure, and mentorship. The report now serves as both reflection and roadmap—offering solutions drawn directly from the voices within the community.
islature adopts it.
grow something sustainable.”
pro-choice versus prolife, the fight for reproductive choice is one of freedom. As Michigan officials work to ensure each woman who finds herself in the position to choose has access to care without the threat of legal action, many wonder
for our local officials to understand what we’re up against. We’ve done the groundwork. Now they need to pave the way.”
That way forward requires taking risks. Batts didn’t shy away from the truth—tech is always a risk. But risk aversion keeps communities from innovating.
steady hand. He loved his family deeply and carried that same sense of loyalty and commitment into every aspect of his work.
This report is about more than metrics. It’s about people. Fifty-five interviews formed the foundation of the study. Nearly half were Black founders. Others included funders, university leaders, state and local officials, and people from entrepreneur service organizations. What emerged was a candid, layered portrait of a community that builds differently—and needs to be supported differently.
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).
Dr. Anne Maghas, COO and co-founder of Milestone, echoed the reality for Detroit’s builders. “Our founders are as innovative as any around the country,” she said. “The difference is they don’t have the systems others have. They didn’t grow up with generational wealth or access. So they need an ecosystem that shows up like family. Government, funders, institutions—that support needs to be present, not performative.”
and relentless community reporting, Mr. Logan helped shape the way Detroit’s Black residents understood their power, their challenges, and their potential.
“Innovation costs,” she said. “And sometimes, we get too cautious, too prescriptive. That limits what’s possible. We have to stop minimizing innovation.”
That caution shows up in where people build—and where they don’t.
One recurring theme stood out: Black Tech Saturdays. What started as a gathering has grown into a cornerstone. “I love what Johnny and Alexa are doing,” Batts shared, speaking of the BTS founders. “They made tech feel normal and accessible. That’s critical because when most people think tech, they picture a white guy in his garage dropping out of school to build a billion-dollar company.”
Detroit doesn’t come from generational capital. So it builds community first.
“There’s a difference between community and network,” Batts emphasized. “Community holds you. There’s trust. Networks can be transactional, but community builds long-term equity.”
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.
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 report didn’t romanticize. It acknowledged systemic barriers. Some were expected, others illuminating.
“What we heard from founders was, ‘we need to see how to do this,’” said Batts. “A lot of folks talk about being a founder, but we need examples. We need mentors. People asked: how do I move from hustling to becoming a CEO?”
That transition is layered. “Hustling can serve us—but it can also stunt us,” Batts said. “Detroit prides itself on hustle, but sometimes we get stuck in that mindset. The challenge is shifting from doing everything ourselves to learning how to delegate, lead, and
people believe that they need to for themselves and others to live better lives.”
From page A-1
That ecosystem needs money. Real money. Early-stage money. And it needs patience.
The health committee recommends reviewing state licensure policies to address the barriers that Black psychologists face in obtaining licensure in Michigan.
“We need patient capital and culturally competent capital,” Batts explained. “Right now, we do have more money in the ecosystem than before— but we don’t have enough for pre-seed founders. And the money that is available? The hoops people have to jump through to get it are exhausting.”
Ensure equitable distribution of state health funds: Ensure all Michigan communities with a significant Black population receive adequate funds to address mental health issues.
Founders in the report spoke about going from program to program, trying to stack small amounts of capital. The grind takes its toll.
“Some folks can’t build here. They run into too many walls,” Batts added. “We need more pathways. More direct funding. More support that isn’t tied up in red tape.”
The research revealed that Detroit’s tech momentum is real, but fragile. What’s needed now is intentional infrastructure—not just hype.
Mr. Logan’s work extended beyond the newsroom. He was deeply involved in civic life, offering his time and wisdom to community leaders, elected officials, business owners, and young people looking to make a difference.
The late Rev. JoAnn Watson, a longtime friend and colleague, once called him “a drum major for truth in Detroit—steady, fair, but never afraid.” He wasn’t loud, but his presence was always felt. He spoke softly but carried a sharp sense of purpose.
Mr. Logan passed away in 2011, but his legacy remains deeply woven into the spirit of the Michigan Chronicle. It lives on in every byline that tells the truth, in every editorial that demands justice, and in every reader who turns to the paper for guidance and clarity.
As his daughters accepted this Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, they carried forward not just his name, but the mission he held so dearly: to uplift Black voices, to inform and empower, and to never lose sight of the truth.
Protecting Black voting rights: Urge state officials to remain vigilant in the fight against schemes to disenfranchise Michiganders of color.
“You’re doing all this work just to access a little,” Batts said. “And then you still don’t have enough to get real traction.”
Access to capital gets talked about often, but Batts stressed that access isn’t just about introductions.
Maghas put it plainly. “Our young founders don’t carry that baggage about Detroit being forgotten. They come in fresh, ready to build. But they need a system that supports them, the way other founders might have had support in their parents’ garage. We didn’t have that. So now the city has to show up as that back button.”
That vision is as bold as it is necessary.
Business and civic leader Frank Venegas described Mr. Logan as “a rock in our neighborhood. If you wanted to understand the heartbeat of Black Detroit, you read the Chronicle— and Mr. Logan made sure it kept beating.”
Today at the Michigan Chronicle, we continue to walk the path Mr. Logan helped pave. We remain committed to fearless reporting, to elevating the stories that matter, and to serving the people of Detroit with the same passion and integrity that Mr. Logan brought to the newsroom every day.
“When we say ‘access to capital,’ we have to unpack that. It’s not just putting people in a room with funders.
Founders need to understand: Where am I building? How am I building? Who do I talk to about capital, and what do I actually need it for?”
That shift in mindset is at the core of what Batts and Maghas are pushing for—moving from hustle to structure, from idea to institution.
“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.
“Our goal,” said Batts, “is to walk founders through the mindset of a hustler and into the mindset of a CEO. That means understanding not just the grind, but the activities it takes to run a company. Delegating. Building systems. Knowing what capital is for and how to use it wisely.”
This isn’t a story about Detroit catching up. It’s a story about Detroit redefining the standard—again. It’s about reclaiming tech as a space for Black excellence. Not an afterthought. Not a diversity quota. A thriving, self-determined ecosystem.
As this report enters national academic circles, it carries not only data but legacy. It tells the truth about the roots, the reach, and the responsibility. It shows what happens when community builds together—and demands that systems respond with respect, resources, and room to grow.
Mr. Logan was also a mentor to generations of young journalists and media professionals. He believed in investing in the next generation, giving people opportunities even when their résumés weren’t perfect— because he understood potential, and he understood people.
While Mr. Logan’s professional life was remarkable, those closest to him knew another side—the father, the friend, the
His recognition by the Society of Professional Journalists is not just a tribute to a man—it’s a recognition of the legacy of Black journalism in this city and beyond.
We are proud to stand on Mr. Logan’s shoulders. And with this award, so does the field of journalism.
Thank you, Mr. Logan, for everything.
The emergence of a Black tech ecosystem in Detroit isn’t just happening. It’s being led, lived, and loved into existence.
The research is already sparking change, and Batts sees it as a call to action for policymakers.
“With hope comes mishaps and disadvantages. That’s why it’s critical
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.
And as Batts reminds us, “We have momentum. But momentum needs money. It needs infrastructure. It needs people to take a chance.”
That chance is now. That blueprint is here. And Detroit is proving, again, that it never needed saving—it just needed to be seen.
2025 Primary Candidates
decisions on the nine pending appeals are expected to come from the Department of State.
The implications of these unresolved appeals go beyond the ballot. They touch on broader community concerns about fairness, access, and integrity. The rejection of multiple candidates, some of whom represent emerging voices in Detroit’s political space, raises questions about how accessible and navigable the city’s electoral system really is. And when sitting candidates also hold oversight roles in the election process, the public demands clarity and accountability.
BLAC is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Members represent many professional backgrounds, including economics, law, public safety, health and wellness, arts and culture and media. They leverage their experiences and expertise to make recommendations to the governor on critical issues affecting the Black community.
Detroit voters are watching closely. As the city prepares to select its next leader-
“Chancellor Ivery is a true transformational leader and an outstanding CEO, who is more than worthy of the CEO of the Year Award he just received, “ said Prof. James C. Mays, who teaches entrepreneurship and supply chain management at WCCCD’s Corporate College. “In his 27 years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery has elevated WCCCD to become nationally recognized for excellence and innovation and preparing our students professionally and personally to do great things in the world.”
ship — from mayor to council to police oversight — the structure and administration of the process is under scrutiny. While the Election Commission moves forward with certifications, the conversation continues across neighborhoods, community centers, and households about who gets to run, who makes the rules, and how decisions are made.
With deadlines approaching, the Department of Elections is expected to make final updates once the Michigan Department of State resolves pending appeals. Any certified write-in candidates will also be added if affidavits are received on time.
To learn more about BLAC and this upcoming event, visit www.michigan.gov/BLAC.
The August 5 primary will determine which candidates advance to the November general election, shaping the leadership and priorities of Detroit for years to come.
Scan the QR Code to Watch the Detroit Mayoral Candidate Interviews with the Michigan Chronicle!
A3 | May 14-20, 2025
Soul Care Over Self-Care:
Roots.
Holistic Mental Health Practices Rooted in Black Traditions
By Amber Ogden STAFF WRITER
As Mental Health Awareness Month unfolds, so do the countless ads urging people to buy candles, book facials, and indulge in bubble baths under the banner of “self-care.” But for many in the Black community, the commodification of wellness misses the mark. True healing doesn’t come in a jar of body scrub or subscription box; it comes from the spirit, the ancestors, and our community collective.
Across the country, Black therapists, healers, and community leaders are calling for a shift from selfcare to soul care, a holistic, culturally grounded approach to mental health rooted in ancestral wisdom, spiritual connection, and communal support.
Soul care isn’t a modern invention. It’s a reawakening of longstanding cultural traditions. It centers practices that have always been part of Black life, prayer, storytelling, plant medicine, music, and shared spaces of emotional support.
This approach goes beyond surface-level relaxation. Soul care is about tending to the whole self, mind, body, and spirit in ways that are deeply informed by heritage, resistance, and identity. It values rest as a form of resistance and honors rituals passed down through generations.
Credit: Isaac Gyamfi A.
Rather than treating wellness as an individual pursuit, soul care understands healing as collective and cultural. It reframes emotional well-being as a communal and spiritual responsibility, not just a personal one.
Common wellness tools like journaling, breathwork, and herbal remedies take on deeper meaning within a soul care framework. Journaling becomes a spiritual practice, an offering, a reflection, a conversation with one’s inner truth and ancestral guidance. Herbal medicine connects back to African traditions of rootwork and natural healing, often carried forward through generations of Black midwives and healers.
Sound healing, whether through singing bowls, ancestral drums, or humming spirituals, helps regulate the nervous system and create energetic harmony. Breathwork and meditation are practiced as sacred rituals, not simply techniques, allowing space for divine connection and personal grounding.
Spirituality is central to soul care. Practices like prayer, lighting candles, or reading scripture are woven into daily life not only for comfort but for alignment and clarity. These are not merely coping tools but foundational expressions of Black spiritual identity.
In contrast to the often focus on just self of commercial self-care, soul care draws its strength from community. For generations, Black people have relied on communal spaces, like kitchen tables, front porches, beauty salons, and church pews, for emotional support and collective healing.
These gatherings, while informal, have functioned as lifelines: safe spaces to grieve, vent, laugh, and process life’s challenges. They have also served as conduits for cultural transmission, where wisdom, values, and survival strategies are passed down through storytelling and shared experience.
Today, healing circles, sisterhood gatherings, and
See SOUL CARE OVER SELF-CARE Page A-4
Healing in the D:
How Black Therapists in Detroit Are Reclaiming Mental Health for the Culture
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
The trauma sat quiet for years—behind the matriarch’s laughter, under the praise-dance shouts, next to the family Bible. It showed up through restless nights, stress that never seemed to quit, and boys labeled “bad” instead of broken. In homes from Dexter to Jefferson, the wounds were inherited, silenced, and worn like armor. But in Detroit, a shift is tangible.
Black therapists in Detroit are doing more than offering services—they’re transforming what healing looks like for a community that’s been overlooked, overburdened, and too often unheard. The therapists, social workers, and mental health advocates leading this movement aren’t just practicing—they’re showing up with lived experience and cultural fluency, making therapy not only accessible, but affirming.
Detroit carries one of the nation’s highest poverty rates. Data from the Detroit Health Department reveals that nearly 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line, and within that number, Black Detroiters bear the brunt of systemic gaps—housing instability, job loss, neighborhood violence, and long-term grief. These factors aren’t just social—they’re psychological, and they show up every day in the waiting rooms and walk-ins of Detroit’s mental health offices or through a video call via telehealth therapy.
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) is one of the state’s largest providers of behavioral health services, reaching over 75,000 individuals annually. They’ve helped expand access to community-based care and wraparound support. But even with a network that wide, culturally competent care isn’t always guaranteed. Too many Black residents still face barriers—providers unfamiliar with Black grief, therapists unable to navigate cultural nuance, and systems that treat symptoms without understanding their roots.
Gwendolyn West knows what that disconnect looks like. She’s an 18-year Licensed Master Social Worker who has worked every corner of Detroit’s social service landscape. “When Black families walk into therapy, they’re not just bringing anxiety or depression. They’re carrying the legacy of being silenced, dismissed, and told to pray it away,” she said. “Our job is to validate, not diagnose culture as a problem.”
Her career spans critical intersections—drug recovery, family crisis response, foster care, marriage counseling, pregnant teens, school-based interventions, and most recently, hospice. “Each chapter of life reveals another layer of mental health,” West explained. “From a teen girl navigating abandonment to a mother saying goodbye to her
Rest as Revolution:
Life Coach Monica Marie Jones Is Helping Black Women Reclaim Their Time and Their Joy
By Miss AJ Williams
In a world that tells Black women to grind until they break, Monica Marie Jones offers a radical counternarrative: rest, joy, and alignment are not luxuries— they are necessities.
The Detroit-based life coach, author, and speaker has built a career around helping people, particularly Black women in leadership, transform overwhelm into intentional, soul-nourishing alignment. And she walks it like she talks it.
“We talk and read about the importance of boundaries, rest, and wellbeing, but we rarely see it in practice,” Jones said. “I make sure to show that rest is possible in my own life, and my clients do the same.” From hosting immersive retreats to leading workshops centered on real-time restoration, Jones models the
wellness she teaches.
One of her most resonant coaching tools is deceptively simple: Know your
child, our community deserves care that sees their full humanity.”
The legacy of stigma around therapy in Black communities is deep. Many Detroiters grew up in households where vulnerability was seen as weakness, and therapy was something “white folks did.” That narrative is slowly crumbling. In its place, Black professionals across Detroit are building safe spaces that reflect culture, community, and deep care.
“We’ve come a long way,” West said. “But we still have to fight against the idea that needing help means something’s wrong with you. It doesn’t. It means you’re human.”
One of the spaces helping to bridge that gap is the BLOOM Transformation Center. Founded by Dr. Rose Moten, a Detroit native and licensed clinical psychologist, BLOOM is a full-service wellness space designed specifically with Black women in mind. Located in the city, BLOOM blends traditional therapy with holistic healing—gong sound therapy, mindfulness, and ancestral practices that speak to the soul of the community.
Centers like BLOOM are pushing past textbook models and instead building clinics that mirror Black resilience and joy. Clients are encouraged to show up whole—natural hair, slang, spirituality, and all. Because healing isn’t about assimilation, it’s about acknowledgment.
COVID-19 deepened the urgency. Detroiters lost jobs, elders, routines, and community all at once. The grief was layered and relentless. Emergency rooms across the city reported a rise in mental health crises, especially in Black neighborhoods where resources were already scarce. Mental health professionals—many of them Black women—carried the weight not only of their clients but also of their communities and themselves.
“We had to be therapists at work and caretakers at home. Some days, it felt like we were grieving right alongside our clients,” West shared.
The demand for culturally competent providers is rising, but the supply remains limited. Nationally, Black therapists make up less than 4 percent of the profession. In Detroit, the need for representation is felt deeply.
“Representation is everything,” said West. “If you walk into a clinic and don’t see anyone who looks like you, how can you truly feel seen?”
West’s work with Detroit Public Schools exposed her to how early these challenges show up. Children facing suspension or labeled as disruptive were often experiencing unaddressed trauma. “That little boy with anger issues? He might just be hungry. That girl with behavior problems?
See HEALING IN THE D Page A-4
indicators. “It could be cold coffee, a cluttered space, or—my personal one—ashy ankles. “That’s how I know it’s time to slow down and make more space for myself.” She pairs that with helping clients identify their core values, giving them a compass to make aligned decisions in all areas of life.
Jones doesn’t just talk strategy; she shows receipts. She recounted working with a high-powered CEO who had lost all connection with herself under the weight of caregiving, career demands, and societal expectations. With Jones as her “rest partner,” they explored yoga, nature walks, art, and communion—tools that transformed her emotional state and her physical health. “Now she uses those practices in her daily life, and says, ‘I’m using the tools you taught me.’”
Her “Meaning over money” mantra captures the shift that changed everything. “When I chase money, it runs,” she said. “When I focus on meaningful work, abundance flows.”
That ethos is front and center in her retreats, like this year’s Restoration for Leaders in Marrakesh, Morocco. Hosted at the Mwasi Healing and Restoration
Center, the gathering creates space for Black leaders to rest, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and each other. “Most of my Black participants had never traveled to Africa before,” she said. “That’s something I’m deeply proud of.”
However, Jones knows not everyone can travel worldwide, so she hosts local and national retreats to make rest more accessible. Whether in Detroit or Morocco, she curates spaces filled with art, movement, music, and community—soul medicine for those used to carrying the world on their shoulders.
Her resistance to hustle culture is rooted in realignment. “I was deep in that world after a business coaching program that centered on making money,” she said. “But it didn’t feel good. It wasn’t me.” Now, she’s stepped back from social media and the noise, relying on word-ofmouth and authentic connection to grow her practice.
Jones doesn’t just help her clients rediscover themselves. She offers a blueprint for leading, living, and loving from a place of wholeness.
Because when Black women rest, the world shifts.
Monica Marie Jones
Daria Burke Unpacks Trauma, Triumph, and Truth in Of My Own Making
By Miss AJ Williams
Daria Burke once believed survival was the story—until healing taught her to stay with it. In her memoir Of My Own Making, she excavates the jagged truths of her upbringing—not to romanticize her resilience, but to dissect it. Born in Detroit to a father who vanished and a mother caught in addiction’s grip, Burke clawed her way to the top of fashion’s C-suite. But success, as she tells it, wasn’t healing. It was camouflage.
we are not fixed,” she said. “What we learn, we can unlearn.” For Black women especially, her message lands like a balm. “If epigenetics tells us trauma can be passed down, so can resilience.”
Her concept of “reparenting” the inner child isn’t some Instagram platitude. It’s a call to reckon with the parts of ourselves that didn’t get what they needed. And Burke knows what that kind of reckoning costs. She admits that ambition, once her lifeline, eventually became her armor. “Achieve ment became my way of hiding,” she said. “The question that unraveled me was: Who am I without the title, the salary, the applause?”
The answer is still unfolding, but Of My Own Making offers a glimpse. It’s not a prescription, Burke insists. It’s an invitation. To feel what you’ve buried. To choose again. To write a new ending—not despite the past, but with it.
In the end, Burke doesn’t sell redemption. She shows us the work. And that, perhaps, is the most radical offering of all.
Of My Own Making is avail able now in hardcover ($30), ebook ($14.99), and audiobook ($24.99) formats at major retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org.
Soul Care Over Self-Care
From page A-3
group meditation sessions continue that tradition. They affirm that wellness doesn’t have to happen in solitude. In fact, it often thrives in connection.
Healing in the D
She might be surviving trauma. When you look beyond the surface, healing becomes possible.”
Her counseling with pregnant teens pulled back another curtain. “Those girls were blamed before they were ever supported,” she said. “We need systems that uplift them, not punish them. Therapy should be one of those systems.”
Now, as a leader in hospice social work, West helps families navigate one of the hardest moments of their lives—death. “There’s a sacredness in being able to help someone take their last breath in peace,” she said. “That’s mental health work too—helping people find closure, not chaos.”
Her reflections come with a weight of lived experience and professional insight that few can match. “I always tell families, your story doesn’t end with death. There’s a legacy in healing too.”
Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network has begun expanding partnerships with Black providers and is working toward embedding trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices across its network. But advocates say it can’t stop there. Investment must match intention. Long-term funding,
Modern-day storytelling, through poetry slams, spoken word, and oral history projects, keeps the legacy of ancestral storytelling alive. These spaces give voice to the lived Black experience and affirm emotional truths that are often unacknowledged in mainstream mental health narratives.
A new generation of Black mental health practitioners is bridging the gap between traditional Western psychology and ancestral practices. These healers often blend talk therapy with rituals, spiritual reflection, somatic practices, and ancestral honoring.
This decolonized approach affirms that therapy can look and feel different for different communities. For Black clients, it might include lighting candles during a session, invoking ancestors for guidance, or incorporating breath and body awareness alongside cognitive tools.
Such integrative methods not only validate cultural identity but also reflect a more expansive view of healing, one that includes spirit, legacy, and collective resilience.
These practitioners are challenging the idea that wellness must fit into a Western mold. Instead, they are creating spaces where cultural memory, emotional safety, and sacred practice coexist.
Soul care can be woven into everyday life through small, intentional rituals that require perfection, money, or elaborate planning, only presence, and purpose. This might look like taking a few minutes each morning to sit in silence, breathe deeply, or express gratitude. It can involve keeping a joy journal to track moments of delight and divine connection, preparing herbal teas or spiritual baths as acts of nourishment and release, or setting up a home altar with photos, candles, or symbolic items to stay grounded in ancestral energy. Soul care also means reaching out regularly to trusted friends, elders, or community members as part of ongoing emotional maintenance.
Setting boundaries and being intentional about rest are also powerful forms of soul care. Saying no, stepping away from overwork, and protecting one’s peace are not luxuries; they are essential for long-term well-being.
In a world that often overlooks Black pain and pathologizes Black expression, soul care is a radical affirmation of worth and wholeness. It honors the depth, dignity, and complexity of Black emotional
By looking to cultural traditions for guidance, soul care reclaims the narrative around mental health. It offers a model of wellness that is inclusive, affirming, and rooted in legacy. Rather than outsourcing healing, it reminds Black communities that the tools for restoration have always been present, in the stories, the songs, the prayers, and the people. This Mental Health Month and beyond, soul care invites a deeper kind of wellness, one that nourishes not just the self but the soul.
pipeline programs for Black therapists, and community-based clinics rooted in trust are key to real progress.
West believes the next step starts at the kitchen table. “We need to normalize mental health conversations in our homes. At dinner. In churches. In barbershops. That’s where stigma breaks—at home.”
The work isn’t easy. Therapists and social workers in Detroit often take on roles beyond their training—mediators, mentors, sometimes even emergency responders. But despite the exhaustion, there’s also power.
“We’ve survived so much. But survival alone shouldn’t be the goal,” West said. “Thriving means being able to feel, to rest, to be vulnerable—and to do so without shame.”
From the Eastside to the Northwest neighborhoods, Black Detroiters are reclaiming healing as their birthright. Not something they need to earn. Not something they have to explain. The city’s therapists are making room for all of it—grief, joy, uncertainty, and renewal.
Their offices aren’t just treatment centers. They are places of restoration, where Black stories are honored, and Black futures are affirmed. Where trauma doesn’t get the final say. Where the culture isn’t questioned, it’s central.
This is what healing looks like in the D.
From page A-3
Back to Paradise
From page A-5
The episode underscores that development is not just about aesthetics. It’s about access, ownership, and long-term impact.
Together, Episodes 3 and 4 offer a full-circle view of what’s happening across Paradise Valley. They do not pretend that revival happens without tension. They acknowledge the complexities of ownership, authenticity, and legacy. But they also highlight what’s being done by real people, with real stakes, to restore a district that once defined Black excellence in Detroit.
By spotlighting La Casa and Marvin Beatty’s development work, the series captures two distinct facets of the same movement: one cultural, one infrastructural. Each plays a role in how Detroiters gather, how they invest, and how they remember.
The Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District continues to evolve. City plans include pedestrian improvements, public art installations, and expanded cultural venues. But it’s efforts like Beatty’s and institutions like La Casa that keep the conversation rooted in the community’s voice—not just in concept, but in tangible ways.
This documentary series is significant not just because of what it shows, but because of who is telling the story. The Michigan Chronicle, as Detroit’s historic Black newspaper, understands that legacy isn’t something to archive. It’s something to activate. Through Back to Paradise, the Chronicle is doing exactly that—educating Detroiters on their own history, honoring the culture that never left, and making space for the next chapter to be written.
As Paradise Valley rises again, these episodes serve as evidence that Detroit isn’t waiting to be saved. It’s building itself—story by story, block by block.
Watch Episodes 3 and 4 of Back to Paradise: Detroit’s Historic District Reborn at michiganchronicle.com/ backtoparadise and on YouTube at @ MichiganChronicle.
Help Renters Build Credit
From page A-5 decisions. It turns complicated data into digestible insight— and when people are informed, they’re empowered.
institutions chase buzzwords like “equity” and “inclusion” without shifting the infrastructure. But Esusu and OneUnited are doing the opposite. They are anchoring their work in AI-powered tools that educate and provide measurable gains for real people, not just shareholders.
This is especially critical as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts across the nation face rollbacks. Public commitments are waning. Corporate pledges are expiring. But inside this moment of retrenchment, Black-owned businesses are finding each other, building together, and deciding to move differently.
The collaboration between OneUnited and Esusu is more than partnership—it’s strategy. A strategy rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose, and a relentless focus on community outcomes.
Williams added: “Recognizing rent payments as a valid form of credit building can truly change lives.” And she’s right.
When rent payments begin to matter for credit scores, the game changes. More renters will qualify for mortgages. Families will be able to transition from renting to owning. Home equity—one of the key avenues for intergenerational wealth— will become more accessible to people who have long been locked out.
The partnership is also pushing AI technology to do more than automate. It’s being used to amplify. The AI-powered solutions from OneUnited help people understand financial patterns, identify savings opportunities, and make informed
RECESS25
Resilience and Equity in the Clean Energy Sector Summit
The Esusu app’s ability to link users directly to these tools creates a seamless bridge between credit building and financial planning. No gimmicks. No jargon. Just real steps toward ownership and legacy.
This isn’t charity work. It’s infrastructure work. It’s movement-building with receipts.
And let’s be clear—this isn’t just about those renting today. This is about future homeowners who will pass down keys, not just rental histories. This is about kids growing up in stable homes owned by their fami-
lies. This is about grandparents being able to retire in the homes they paid into for decades. It’s about dignity. It’s about agency. At a time when Black wealth is still trailing due to centuries of systemic exclusion, partnerships like this one provide oxygen. They give communities space to dream, plan, and execute with tools built specifically for them. Esusu’s track record alone tells the story: over $50 billion in credit activity unlocked. That means better access, stronger profiles, and an expanding circle of financial possibility. Pair that with OneUnited’s history of banking Black and investing in underserved communities, and what you get is a redefinition of what banking and credit can look like when rooted in equity and innovation.
Black Homeownership
mortgages and appraisals.
Policy Advocacy: Support legislative efforts aimed at providing down payment assistance, credit-building programs, and financial incentives targeting historically underserved communities.
Community Empowerment: Encourage local investment, mentorship, and community-building initiatives that directly support homeownership.
Property is Power:
The essence of the “Property is Power” movement lies in recognizing property as more than a physical asset, it’s a powerful tool for economic liberation and generational growth. Homeownership grants individuals and family’s autonomy, security, and influence in their communities.
“If you don’t own property, you are property. But when you own, you have power.”
Let’s recommit to bridging the homeownership gap, recognizing that when we uplift one community, we uplift our entire nation.
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
Driving Health & Wealth Through the Clean Energy Transition
This collaboration is a call to action for other institutions. It’s proof that mission-aligned partnerships can create ripple effects that go far beyond press announcements. The future of financial empowerment doesn’t belong to those with the most money—it belongs to those with the most vision.
That vision is clear here. It’s about rewriting the rules. It’s about owning our impact. And it’s about ensuring that when we talk about building wealth in Black communities, it’s not a hypothetical. It’s a living, breathing reality backed by strategy, data, and community-centered commitment.
What Esusu and OneUnited are building isn’t temporary. It’s foundational. And foundations, when built with intention, hold the weight of generations.
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From page A-5
Why Black Catholics Have Hope for Pope Leo XIV
By Joseph Williams
This story originally appeared in Word In Black
.As a plume of white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, Rev. Stephen Thorne, priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, was in the middle of a board meeting with the Catholic Mobilizing Network in Washington, D.C. The meeting quickly came to a standstill, though, as people soaked in the news: the College of Cardinals had chosen a successor to the late Pope Francis.
And in a historic first, the new Bishop of Rome, Robert Prevost, is an American.
Thorne was elated, and not just because Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, is the first U.S.-born pope in the Catholic church’s 2,000-year history, and had attended college in Philadelphia — Thorne’s hometown. Leo’s election is exciting, Thorne says, because he believes the new pope “understands the needs of people like myself — African American, Catholic.”
Leo’s résumé reads like a moderate Catholic’s wishlist: “He has been a pastor, he’s worked with the poor,” Thorne, a Black Catholic activist, educator, and special consultant to the National Black Catholic Congress, tells Word In Black. “I think he’s going to be somewhat
sensitive to those in the church who’ve been forgotten. I’m very excited, very hopeful about his pontificate.”
Chicago Celebrates
As the world begins to learn about Pope Leo XIV, facts about his background are emerging that seem to support Thorne’s optimism. Experts say the new pontiff’s views are closely aligned with those of his predecessor, Pope Francis — a leader who spoke out forcefully against racism, pushed back against President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies, and always kept the poor and downtrodden in mind.
“Peace be with you all!”
Leo told a large, joyous crowd in St. Peter’s Square, just outside the Vatican, about an hour after the announcement of the results of the papal election. In his first appearance from the balcony overlooking the square, Leo said he “would like this greeting of peace to enter your hearts, to reach your families and all people, wherever they are; and all the peoples, and all the earth.”
The congratulations to Leo from world leaders included a social media post from former President Barack Obama, who congratulated Leo as “a fellow Chicagoan.”
Obama called Leo’s election “a historic day for the
United States,” adding that he and former First Lady Michelle Obama “will pray for him as he begins the sacred work of leading the Catholic Church and setting an example for so many, regardless of faith.”
Defender of Labor, Immigrants
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also celebrated Leo’s election.
“This is truly the great-
Detroit Opera Stages Pulitzer-Winning The Central Park Five in Groundbreaking Production
By Amber Ogden STAFF WRITER
In an emotionally charged Opera, the Detroit Opera is bringing Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Anthony Davis’s The Central Park Five to its stage this May, marking a landmark cultural moment for Detroit and American opera alike. With performances on May 10, 16, and 18, this searing operatic work confronts systemic racism headon, telling the true story of five Black and Latino teenagers wrongly accused and convicted of a brutal 1989 assault in New York’s Central Park.
Directed by acclaimed theater visionary Nataki Garrett, the production features a newly expanded orchestration by Davis himself, commissioned by Detroit Opera. The company, known for pushing the boundaries of traditional opera, continues its commitment to contemporary, socially urgent storytelling following its acclaimed 2022 staging of Davis’s X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X.
“The Opera House is everybody’s house,” Garret said. “Black people have been performing opera, writing opera for centuries.”
At its core, The Central Park Five is a reckoning, a cry for justice that resonates far beyond the confines of the stage. The opera traces the ordeal of Yusef Salaam, Kevin Richardson, Korey Wise, Antron McCray, and Raymond Santana, who were vilified by the media, prosecuted without credible evidence, and imprisoned for years before DNA evidence exonerated them. Their story, brought into popular consciousness by Ken Burns’s 2012 documentary and Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us (2019), remains painfully relevant amid ongoing wrongful convictions nationwide.
Detroit Opera’s production emphasizes that this is not just a New York story, but a Detroit one, too.
“The story may not be easy, but it is one we all must attend,” said Yuval Sharon, Detroit Opera’s artistic director. “Anthony Davis’s work challenges the opera world to grow, and Detroit audiences have shown they’re ready.”
Productions like The Central Park Five underscore the urgent importance of telling Black stories through opera and theater, mediums long dominated by Eurocentric narratives. As noted in The Michigan Chronicle’s coverage of the stage play Ruby, which tells the story of Ruby Bridges and her courageous stand as a young girl desegregating a New Orleans school, there is a rising movement to ensure that Black experiences are seen, heard, and remembered. Just as Ruby honors civil rights through narrative, The Central Park Five confronts the enduring legacy of racial injustice and the resilience of those who endure it. These stories aren’t just history; they are fuel for dialogue, em-
pathy, and social change.
The cast is anchored by both new and returning performers, including Freddie Ballentine as Kevin Richardson and Markel Reed as Yusef Salaam. Familiar faces to Detroit Opera audiences include Babatunde Akinboboye and Catherine Martin, while Brianna J. Robinson, a Detroit Opera Resident Artist, takes on the dual role of Antron’s and Kevin’s mother.
At the podium is Anthony Parnther, in his Detroit Opera debut. A versatile conductor whose credits span Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to The Mandalorian, Parnther brings a cinematic and contemporary energy to Davis’s hybrid score, which fuses classical opera with blues, funk, and hip-hop rhythms. Davis even samples Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing”, a nod to the teens’ wrongful association with the term “wilding” used in their prosecution.
“The prosecution and conviction of the Central Park Five reflects the anxiety of white America as hip-hop became part of mainstream American culture,” Davis says. “Central Park was the battleground between Harlem to the North and the affluent East Side and Upper West Side of Manhattan.”
Detroit Opera’s production arrives as Michigan itself reckons with its legacy of wrongful convictions. Between 1974 and 1993, at least 24 individuals in Wayne County were wrongfully imprisoned. With 169 known exonerations since 1989, Michigan ranks fifth in the nation, underscoring the opera’s timely relevance.
Justin Hopkins, who plays Antron McCray, highlighted the tremendous sense of responsibility involved in portraying men who are alive, who are very real, very present, and so important in our modern history.
“We want to make sure that we are sending the right message. We’re honoring the exonerated five, the Central Park Five,” Hopkins said. “We’re not only entertaining, but we are educating, we’re uplifting, and we’re motivating people to leave the theater fuller than when they came in.”
As part of its community engagement, Detroit Opera has partnered with the Wright Museum of African American History, the University of Michigan School of Social Work, and Restorative Justice Detroit for a series of discussions and events. In March, Dr. Yusef Salaam, now a poet, activist, and New York City councilmember, spoke at the Wright Museum, offering a powerful firsthand account of survival and transformation.
“I hope that there are people who come into the room to witness what other people’s lives are like and it allows them to access a deeper part of their own empathy,” Garret said. “In that room, we become those boys, we get to see our experiences reflected.”
elevation” of a pope from Chicago, he said.
Of course, in true Chicago fashion, Johnson also wanted to know if Leo roots for the North Side baseball team, the Chicago Cubs or the South Side favorites, the Chicago White Sox.
Decades Serving in Peru
A 69-year-old dual citizen of the U.S. and Peru, Leo, 69, grew up on the far South Side of Chicago and was an altar boy in grade school. He graduated from Villanova University, a Catholic school in Philadelphia, with a math degree in 1977 and was ordained five years later at age 27. Though he began his career in this country, Leo spent the bulk of his career in Peru as a missionary, parish priest, teacher, and bishop.
The pope is an Augustinian — a Catholic order scholars say values humility, scholarship, unity, truth, love, and public service.
est moment in the history of the greatest city in the world: the city of Chicago,” Johnson said in an interview with ABC7 Chicago. The mayor said it was no coincidence that the new pontiff’s name references Pope Leo XIII, “who worked on workers rights.”
“Chicago has been at the center of the labor rights movement;” Johnson said, “making this a “true sign that the rights of workers will be prioritized” by the Catholic church.
Brandon also noted that the new pope speaks Spanish and is a defender of immigrant communities and rights. “This is a true testament that our commitment to immigration is being fortified with this incredible
In the analysis of his election, some experts considered Leo to be a compromise pontiff, bridging the gap between more conservative and progressive wings of the church. Some Black Catholics on social media, however, lamented the church passed on a more radical choice: electing one of two Black African cardinals who were considered serious contenders for the papacy.
While the symbolism would have been astonishing, Thorne says that may not have worked out so well for Black Catholics in the U.S.
Continuing Francis’s Legacy
“The word ‘Catholic’ means universal. The church is growing at its quickest
and fastest among Black and Brown people,” Thorne says, adding that Francis also had that realization and picked a number of cardinals of color. “I do think we will continue seeing a browning of the church, because that’s where the growth is.”
But for right now, “this is a good thing for America,” Thorne says. “I believe that Pope Leo XIV may be more aligned with [African American] concerns than perhaps a pope who was from Africa.”
Ultimately, “I think Pope Leo is going to be a continuation of a lot of the initiatives that Pope Francis did” in helping the church reconcile its past and grapple with racism, Thorne says. “I think they realized wisely that that’s where the church needs to go. I think Pope Francis was having [those] conversations” when discussing his possible successors.
During his tenure, Francis issued several papal encyclicals decrying racism as a “sin” and called for its eradication from humanity. Whether Pope Leo will be as vocal remains to be seen, but his social media activity shows he supported the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd’s murder, and he reposted messages against racism and condemnations of President Donald Trump’s draconian immigration policies.
The late pope “was being bold and courageous and addressing issues in the church that have not been addressed,” Thorne says. “And I think they were wise to realize that if they had stopped that and gone a different direction, it would not have gone well.”
Detroit Chamber of Commerce Chooses Participants for Detroit Mayoral Debate at Mackinac
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
On May 1, the Detroit Chamber of Commerce announced that it would be hosting a debate at this month’s Mackinac Policy Conference featuring candidates running in Detroit’s pending mayoral race. But the announcement didn’t include a list of candidates who would be participating.
On May 9, the chamber said in a statement that the debate would feature five of the top polling candidates: City Council President Mary Sheffield, City Councilman Fred Durhal III, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, former Detroit City Council President Saunteel Jenkins, and Triumph Church Pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr.
Entrepreneur Joel Haashiim, attorney Todd Perkins, entrepreneur Jonathan Barlow, and criminal justice advocate Dean Evans – all of whom have successfully turned in their petitions to appear on the Aug. 5 primary ballot – were not invited to participate in the debate.
“The Mackinac Policy Conference is a unique opportunity for the candidates for mayor of Michigan’s largest city to present their
vision to our state’s premier leaders in the business, philanthropy, education, and civic sectors,” the Chamber said in a statement.
“Due to time and space constraints, the Chamber is not able to include all candidates in this event. To narrow the participant field, the Detroit Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC), comprising senior business leaders affiliated with the Chamber, met to evaluate the candidates for consideration.
Given the early stage of the campaign, the PAC relied upon a number of factors to determine which candidates to invite. These factors included fundraising, available polling, endorsements, leadership experience, and PAC members’ perspectives of the candidates. There was no singular overriding criterion. Ultimately, the Chamber PAC unanimously
selected the (chosen) candidates to invite.” Over the past few weeks, at least eight of the candidates have participated in various forums hosted by different groups across the city, the first of which was hosted at the Riverside Marina by the African American Leadership Institute.
Invitations to participate in the debate do not imply an endorsement by the Chamber. The Chamber appreciates all candidates’ willingness to put their name forward for public service. The Chamber will announce its plans regarding an endorsement process later this year.
This year’s Mackinac Policy Conference will be hosted from May 27-May 30, but no additional details about the mayoral debate have been made available.
Cast in Portland, credit: Christine Dong, Portland Opera
C ity . L ife . Style .
Enomah 1895 Marks a Cultural Homecoming in Detroit’s Paradise Valley
By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER
Down the stairs of Detroit’s historic Harmonie Building, a familiar vibration rises—one that speaks of legacy, flavor, and resilience. Velvet drapes, curated cocktails, and the slow groove of a Saturday set the mood. But this isn’t just a trendy new dinner spot serving blueberry lamb chops and hand-rolled sushi. This is LaDonna Reynolds making another intentional mark on Black Detroit’s food culture. From Livernois to downtown, Reynolds is not chasing clout—she’s cultivating community, venue by venue, plate by plate.
The name Enomah 1895 carries weight. It honors Reynolds’ great-grandmother, a quiet matriarch whose influence flows through the artistry of each dish and the energy of the space. Nestled beneath the city’s aging yet iconic Harmonie Building in Paradise Valley, Enomah 1895 brings a bold, unapologetic fusion of Asian American and Caribbean-inspired soul cuisine to a neighborhood layered with Black entrepreneurial history. This isn’t a nostalgic nod. This is a revival—purposeful, precise, and personal.
Reynolds
LaDonna Reynolds doesn’t move without intention. Back in 2019, she opened Good Times on the Ave, a neighborhood favorite on the city’s historic Avenue of Fashion. That venture was seeded with support from Motor City Match, Detroit’s cornerstone grant program that connects local entrepreneurs with the resources needed to open or expand. Her concept quickly became more than a restaurant. It became a spot where Detroiters could celebrate birthdays, break bread after funerals, or wind down after work in an environment that felt like theirs.
Reynolds has now done it again. With Enomah 1895, she secured a second Motor City Match award—this time a $65,000 grant used to purchase the fixtures and furniture that shape the intimate, moody vibe of the Harmonie Building’s basement. This new spot becomes the 183rd Motor City Match-funded business to open a physical location in Detroit.
See ENOMAH 1895 Page B-2
By Amber Ogden STAFF WRITER
A chilly spring breeze swept through the Holcomb neighborhood Saturday morning, but it didn’t stop a determined group of residents from rolling up their sleeves. Armed with shovels, paint scrapers, and a shared sense of purpose, the Triple C block club, led by longtime resident Lowe Fischer, kicked off a community clean-up aimed at restoring pride, one flower bed at a time.
“We’re digging out three concrete flower beds and repairing one,” Fischer said.
“I brought the concrete yesterday along with screws and wood for the bench. We need to scrape off the old paint on the bench and sand it down so we’re ready for flowers and paint after I pick them up on Flower Day.”
Block clubs, hyper-local groups formed by residents of a single street or neighborhood, are not new to Detroit. But in the wake of growing food insecurity, surging housing instability, and lingering pandemic aftershocks, these grassroots organizations are taking on larger roles organizing food distribution, maintaining vacant lots, fighting blight, and creating a sense of safety where city resources fall short.
“I always say this: we don’t wait for someone else to do what we can do ourselves,” said Doris Glenn, 68, a resident of the Puritan on Detroit’s northwest side.
“If someone needs food, we know who to call. If a house is broken into, we check on
Claressa Shields Returns to Detroit
for Title Defense Against Lani Daniels at Little Caesars Arena
By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Claressa Shields, widely regarded as one of the most dominant forces in boxing—male or female—will once again step into the spotlight in front of a hometown crowd when she returns to Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena on Saturday, July 26. The undefeated and undisputed heavyweight world champion is set to defend her titles against reigning light heavyweight champion Lani Daniels of New Zealand in what promises to be a historic showdown. The main event will be broadcast live on DAZN.
Shields (16-0, 3 KOs), the Flint native who has been rewriting boxing’s history books since her professional debut, has become a transcendent figure in the sport. From her Olympic gold medal triumphs to her domination across multiple weight classes, Shields has consistently pushed the boundaries of possibility in women’s boxing. She is the first boxer (male or female) to achieve undisputed status in three weight divisions and now holds the inaugural women’s undisputed heavyweight championship, a feat she secured earlier this year in Flint.
“Women’s boxing has grown by leaps and bounds since Claressa Shields headlined the very first women’s main event on a nationally televised card,” said Dmitriy Salita, President of Salita Promotions. “Now, she stands atop the mountain, defending the undisputed women’s heavyweight world title for the first time.”
That first defense will take place at a familiar venue. Shields previously fought and successfully defended her titles at Little Caesars Arena, a place where her local fanbase has turned out in force to support her. July’s bout marks her sev-
enth professional appearance in Detroit, a city steeped in boxing tradition and known for producing legends such as Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and James “Lights Out” Toney.
“I am so excited to be defending my Undisputed Heavyweight World Championship in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena,” said Shields. “My fights continue to get bigger and better. My opponent, Lani from New Zealand, is coming to bring all the smoke, or so she says! This fight will be a sellout of 19,000 so get your tickets and be there to witness herstory on July 26 with the GWOAT.”
That “herstory” Shields references has been building steadily since February, when she dismantled the towering and dangerous Danielle Perkins at the Dort Financial Center in Flint. That dominant performance not only made Shields the first-ever undisputed women’s heavyweight champion but also added another highlight to her already iconic resume.
Her upcoming opponent, Lani Daniels (11-2-2, 1 KO), brings her own impressive story to the ring. Known as “The Smiling Assassin,” Daniels is the reigning IBF light heavyweight world champion and a former heavyweight champion in her own right. With seven straight victories, Daniels has established herself as a formidable contender in multiple divisions. She now seeks to dethrone Shields and unify the heavyweight belts.
“To be the best you have to fight the best,” Daniels said. She also offered words in her native Māori: “I te pō pouri rawa, ka ara te marama, ā, ka kitea te pono, ”which translates to “On the darkest nights the full moon will rise and the
truth will be revealed.”
Daniels made history in 2023 by becoming the first New Zealand-born fighter to win world titles in two different divisions, capturing the IBF light heavyweight belt after a gritty victory over Desley Robinson. Her accomplishments inside the ring are matched by her impact outside of it. After losing her younger brother to leukemia at the age of 14, Daniels battled personal struggles that included drug use and suicidal thoughts. She has since emerged as an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to inspire others around the world.
With both fighters carrying the weight of legacy and purpose, the July 26 clash promises to be a defining moment in women’s boxing and a celebration of resilience and excellence.
“Over a century ago, Jack Johnson traveled to Australia to become the first African American heavyweight champion of the world,” said Salita. “On July 26, Claressa Shields writes her own chapter in that on-going legacy—bringing the fight home to Detroit and facing a significant challenge in the reigning light heavyweight world champion, Lani Daniels. This is more than a fight. It is a defining moment in the evolution of boxing and women’s sport.”
Tickets for Shields vs. Daniels go on sale Friday, May 9 and can be purchased online at 313Presents.com and Ticketmaster.com, or in person at The XFINITY Box Office at Little Caesars Arena.
Backed by Salita Promotions, the event will also showcase several Michigan-grown fighters who are helping to carry the state’s proud boxing tradition
See CLARESSA SHIELDS RETURNS TO DETROIT Page B-2
signing city staffers to work directly with block clubs and neighborhood associations.
The goal: keep residents informed and empower them to shape city priorities from the ground up.
our neighbors. That’s what we do and have been doing over here.”
Like many community residents across the city, Glenn operates less like a traditional organizer and more like a community first responder. She keeps a list of in-mobility seniors who may not have family visits and can recall which child in the neighborhood belongs to which house and which local school.
The resurgence of Detroit’s block clubs comes at a time when public services remain inconsistent. While revitalization efforts have transformed some parts of the city, many neighborhoods still lack reliable street lighting, timely trash collection, and police responsiveness.
That’s where block clubs step in. Some
act as neighborhood watch groups; others maintain small community gardens, clear storm drains, or team up with nonprofits to offer hot meals and winter coats.
One such example is the local neighborhood associations, which have recently partnered with a local church and a mobile food pantry to distribute groceries to local households.
According to the Department of Neighborhoods, Detroit has more than 700 active block clubs. While some are newly formed, others have been staples for decades, passed down through generations like family heirlooms.
City officials recognize the role these groups play. In 2015, Mayor Mike Duggan created the District Managers system, as-
That collaboration has paid off. In recent years, block clubs have spearheaded traffic calming initiatives, organized streetlight repairs, and even secured grants for beautification projects.
Beyond service delivery, block clubs provide something less tangible but just as crucial, a sense of belonging.
“After my husband died, I didn’t leave the house much,” said Margaret Henry, 72, a longtime westside resident.
“But when I heard about John and Doris getting folks together, it gave me a reason to get up, get dressed, and be part of something again. I don’t always make it down the street but when I feel up to it, I go to the meetings to know what’s happening or comnig.”
In neighborhoods where social isolation is a real expereince for elder residents, especially for seniors or single parents , block clubs create intentional space for connection. They host cookouts, clean-up days, and holiday gatherings, offering a counterpoint to the narrative of urban decay.
Block clubs aren’t without challenges. Leadership burnout is real, especially among aging organizers. Funding is often sparse, and younger residents don’t always step up to carry the torch. Still, new tools and partnerships are emerging. The Detroit Block Club Directory, launched by the nonprofit Urban Neighborhood Initiatives, helps clubs coordinate efforts and access city resources. Mini-grants
LaDonna
Enomah 1895
Her decision to expand into Paradise Valley carries deep significance. Once home to a bustling concentration of Black-owned businesses, hotels, nightclubs, and shops, Paradise Valley was gutted by mid-century urban renewal and freeway construction. What was lost wasn’t just geography—it was autonomy. It was rhythm. It was ownership. For a Black woman entrepreneur to return to this space with a restaurant rooted in legacy and innovation feels less like a coincidence and more like alignment.
“Paradise Valley’s legacy as a center for Black business inspired my downtown expansion,” Reynolds said.
That reverence is felt the moment you enter the space. The menu at Enomah 1895 isn’t typical. The blueberry lamb chops pull together sweet and savory in ways that respect tradition while breaking expectation. The sushi—meticulously hand-rolled—is both a culinary risk and a cultural invitation. By weaving soul flavors with Asian technique, Reynolds isn’t catering to novelty. She’s broadening the narrative of what soul food can be, who it can be for, and how it can be served.
This food isn’t fusion for the sake of flair. It’s a living archive of flavor that connects diasporic traditions—Black Southern roots and Caribbean spice—with global textures. And the craft cocktails? They speak to more than just taste—they speak to care. Reynolds curates every detail, making sure the glassware, the music, and the lighting all work together to say: this is our space.
Weekend entertainment adds to that curation, bringing a mix of live performances, DJs, and gatherings that reflect the rhythm of the city. The venue isn’t large, but that’s intentional. It allows for warmth. It allows for real connection. In a city where so many spaces have been rebranded or repurposed for audiences unfamiliar with the culture, Enomah 1895 offers Detroiters a place that doesn’t require translation.
This is leadership in hospitality that isn’t seeking a spotlight but is impossible to ignore. Reynolds’ work stands on the shoulders of those who built Detroit’s restaurant scene when they weren’t allowed downtown—those who cooked from their homes, ran small kitchens, or operated banquet halls that doubled as neighborhood sanctuaries.
Now, Reynolds is one of the few who have not only returned to downtown but have done so on their own terms. Her impact can’t be measured solely in dishes served or drinks poured. It’s seen in the way people show up for her spaces. It’s felt in the way people talk about Good Times on the Ave—with warmth, with pride, with ownership.
Both venues are anchored in joy but grounded in strategy. That second Motor
City Match award is not an accident. It reflects both a proof of concept and a trust in Reynolds’ vision. With a program that has faced its share of criticism regarding access and follow-through, Reynolds’ continued success underlines what it looks like when the program works—when a local Black woman entrepreneur receives tangible support, reinvests it into culture-forward business, and delivers.
Enomah 1895 expands that success from the Avenue of Fashion to Paradise Valley— two areas with long histories of Black culture, commerce, and complexity. That kind of movement matters. It says something about legacy. It says something about mobility. It says something about reclaiming geography—not through gentrification, but through cultural return.
Too often, Black Detroiters are left reacting to what happens around them. LaDonna Reynolds is deciding what happens next. She isn’t waiting for an invitation to create beauty or memory. She’s doing it daily, downstairs at the Harmonie Building, with a plate of lamb chops, a chilled glass, and a playlist that understands your Friday mood before you even sit down.
Her restaurants reflect more than just a dining experience—they reflect a community blueprint. They become cultural markers of where Black Detroit gathers, where it heals, and where it gets free. They show what can happen when vision meets backing, when history is respected, and when flavor is paired with fierce intention.
Reynolds’ journey across neighborhoods, through kitchens and grants and historic buildings, isn’t only a business story. It’s a mirror of Detroit’s own journey—how the city builds, loses, and builds again. How culture doesn’t vanish—it relocates. How legacy isn’t something we visit—it’s something we create.
Motor City Match may have helped with the fixtures and tables, but it’s Reynolds who brings the purpose. Whether on Liv-
or
What Reynolds is building at Enomah 1895 is not a side project or an experiment. It’s a chapter in Detroit’s evolving food economy led by a Black woman who understands not just what people want to eat—but what they need to feel.
ernois
now off East Grand River, she’s curating more than menus. She’s curating space for belonging. Space for return. Space for us.
2025 Honorees
Michael Aaron, Business Manager Chief Executive Officer, Local 1191
Charles Bailey, President General Manager Lake Star Construction Services
Neil A. Barclay, President CEO The Wright Museum of African American History
Jody A. Connally, Vice President of Human Resources, Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network
Dwan Dandridge CEO Founder Black Leaders Detoit
Ma adou Diallo CEO Piston Grou
Andre Ebron Chief of Staff City Year
Lazar Favors CEO Detroit Black Film Festival and Black S irits Legacy
De ond Fernandez Anchor/Re orter
WDIV Local 4 Detroit
Cedric Flowers VP of Gas O erations DTE Gas
Ricky Fountain Executive Director Community Education Commission
Darryl Gardner Ph.D., Vice Provost of Student Success, Su ort Engagement Wayne State University
Rev. Ralph L. Godbee, Jr Chief of Staff Trium h Church
Col. Ja es F. Grady, II Director Michigan State Police
Saul Green Former US Attorney, Eastern District of Michigan/Owner CEO, Michigan Bar er School
Antonio Green Director
James H. Cole Funeral Home
Michael Everett Hall, Es Attorney/Engineer Ford Motor Com any
Ja es Harris, Chief City of Detroit Fire De artment
Derrick Headd, Sr VP, Pu lic Policy O erations Detroit Economic Growth Cor oration
Michael Jackson, II, Es ., Sr. VP of Planning Construction, Economic Develo ment Environmental Srvs, Wayne County Air ort Authority
Labrit Jackson, PEM Chief of Police
DPSCD De artment of Pu lic Safety
Jerlando F.L. Jackson, PhD Dean of Education and MSU Research Foundation Professor, Michigan State
Rod Liggons Director, Government Relations Detroit Regional Cham er
Derrick Jones Lopez, Ph.D., JD Assistant Su erintendent for High School Trans ortation, DPSCD
Jay Love Vice President, Facilities MGM Grand Detroit
Gregory Hines Co-Founder Co-Owner Amada Senior Care
Razzaa McConner Chief Purchasing Officer
Adient
Jason McGuire CEO Riverside Marina
Ray Moulden CEO Moulden Allstate Agency
Tanathan Nelson Restaurant O erations
Director/Consultant, TLN Consulting
Phares A. Noel, II President CEO
Diversified Engineering Conce ts Hon. Byron Nolen Mayor City of Inkster, Michigan
Gerald Parker President CEO Ex uise Fire Safety
Wayne E. Phillips, Financial Advisor/Owner Ameri rise Financial
Dr. Michael Pieh, Physician Sierra Medical Clinic
Dr. Norris Polk, Physician
PEDS Urgent Care
Rodney Prater, CEO Prater Commercial
Clarence Rose Senior Sales Executive Arrow Strategies
Ray ond A. Scott, MPH De uty Director, Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental, City of Detroit
Andre S ith Photo ournalist/Professor Wayne County Community College District
Diallo Robert S ith President CEO Life Remodeled
David L. Stone President Co-Founder Trion Solutions
Everett Stone CFO and Senior Vice President Vanguard CDC
Lorenzo Suter President CEO McLaren Oakland
Khali Sweeny Founder CEO Detroit Boxing Gym
Edwin Tate , P.E Senior Vice President WSP Engineering
Calvin Toone Vice President of Business Develo ment, MCL Jasco
