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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 84 – No. 45 | July 14-20, 2021

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Life Post COVID-19: What Did the Pandemic Teach Us?

By Megan Kirk

T

he year 2020 will go down in infamy. Now, coming out of a national health crisis, where the coronavirus helped expose imperfections in several American systems including health, education and economics we are just peeking over the horizon as a sense of normalcy is being re-established. As cases continue to fall globally, more Americans are feeling optimistic about summer plans and life beyond the pandemic.

The pandemic forced a new way of life.

Restructuring the education system, hybrid and virtual learning moved students to an alternative learning style.

While some students thrived, others faced difficulties in access to viable internet connections as a result of the digital gap, inability to understand material and navigate browsers and other roadblocks. Nevertheless, students used the pandemic as an opportunity to become innovative with learning and it gave parents an inside look into their child’s education.

Although the traditional school year was shaken up, when students, teachers and faculty return to the buildings this fall, the upcoming school year will be sure to carry the lessons learned from the pandemic. For Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), deciding to return to face-to-face learning in March came with the option of offering virtual learning as a hybrid tool.

“The decision for Detroit Public Schools Community District to have face-to-face learning as an option was a decision made based upon the current data available,” says Terrence Martin, President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers. “We continue to stand by operating in the best interest of the teachers, faculty, students and their families.

Teachers and families still have the option to continue virtually or participate in face-to-face. We will continue to monitor this situation and make sure the best decisions and practices are in place.”

For working adults, the pandemic caused a great halt to the “normal” workday. While social distancing measures were put into place, employees were forced to pivot to working from home or were ousted and relied on unemployment assistance. Now, Michigan’s economy is on the uptick with hopes of returning better than ever.

“Michigan is poised for an economic jumpstart as we emerge from the pandemic together and put Michiganders back to work,” says Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The latest GDP numbers show that while we still have work to do, our laser focus on building back better is working. Michigan’s econo-

See LIFE

POST COVID-19 page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a vaccine mobilization event at the TCF Center Monday, July 12 in Detroit.

Photo by Shaleena Cole, LeoSage Images

Vaccines and Voting Rights: Vice President Harris Applauds’ Michigan’s Work But It Must Continue

By Sherri Kolade Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Detroit on Monday, July 12, with a plan in hand to discuss critical topics in the Mitten State, like urging more residents to get the COVID-19 vaccine and voting rights at the TCF Center in Detroit.

The event at TCF Center is Harris’ first visit to Michigan as the vice president; she was last in Detroit on Election Day last November. Harris, initially slated to arrive in late June, rescheduled her visit due to flooding.

Harris’ trip comes on the heels of slowing COVID-19 positivity rates in the state. According to data from https://www. michigan.gov/coronavirus/, as of Friday, July 9, the state of Michigan has 896,067 total confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19,801 COVID-19 deaths. There were also 672 daily confirmed cases and 26 deaths between last Wednesday and Friday.

According to USA Today, the visit also comes after significant moves were made with an announcement from Harris last week regarding a $25 million Democratic Party investment that involves voting education and access.

According to the article, Harris called the current national debate over voting rights “the fight of our lifetime,” linking it to past issues, adding there was a “continuum” between the efforts of people during the civil rights movement of yesterday and now.

Today, during an initial private listening session at the TCF Center with state and city leaders, including Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Harris spoke on voting rights. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and Rev. Wendell Anthony, Detroit Branch NAACP president, were also at the event.

Harris is helping put the White House administration’s efforts on voting rights at the forefront. Harris is focused on protecting the right to vote by:

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According to White House reports, Harris is also focused on building a broad, national coalition that includes national and state voting rights groups, business leaders, the faith community, and more - to advocate, educate, and organize to protect the right to vote.

Harris made a statement about Texas lawmakers who met with Harris recently in Washington when they sought federal involvement on protecting voting rights, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

According to the article, her meeting with the legislators in the Lone Star state came after they walked out to stop an election bill condemned for its voter suppression legislation.

Harris described the legislators as “showing courage and commitment.”

“I applaud their standing for the rights of all Americans and all of Texans to express their voice and their vote unencumbered,” she said at the TCF Center inside a meeting room. “I will say that they are leaders who are marching in the path that so many others before them (did).”

The Vice President continues to travel the country engaging voting rights advocates and American voters about what’s at stake, including while on her recent trips to Greenville, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Harris said during the event that she and President Joe Biden are partnering with “so many others” to ensure that “we fight every day to make sure that all Americans are unencumbered are able to express their voice through the ballot and through vote.”

During a vaccine mobilization event, the Detroit Youth

See VACCINES

AND VOTING RIGHTS page A2

Cosby Speaks Out Against His Detractors — Implores Fans and Others to ‘Read the Court Papers’

By Stacy M. Brown

Black Business Registrations See Boost Despite Pandemic

• Advancing pro-voter federal legislation • Combatting anti-voter state legislation • Mobilizing so that Americans vote

Freshly released from prison after having his conviction overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Bill Cosby has opened up like never before.

In conversations with the Black Press of America, and his only extensive comments since his June 30 release after nearly three years, Cosby took his detractors — and others — to task.

Using terms like Nazis and fascists to describe those who mocked or criticized him, Cosby unloaded.

“When will we ever see the practical in all of this?” he asked.

He described the reaction naysayers have to his famous “Pound Cake” speech and the Supreme Court’s ruling over-

turning his conviction. so I want to please my mother. Today, “You’re sitting in a you don’t raise your room trying to explain children to have a something, and there responsibility when is a knock on the door. they grow up.

You say, ‘who is it?’

[The response is], ‘It is “There’s no rethe truth.’ So, people sponsibility, and start jumping out of that’s why there is the window.” such an upheaval about a simple story “The court’s decithat told people that sion was not a tech- Bill Cosby you need to have a nicality,” said Cosby.

“These people sound like they conscience. You want to steal, haven’t read what the judges and you want to break into have written. It’s not a techni- something. What will my mother cality. These [detractors] don’t think? We raised [his late son] want to know anything. It’s like Ennis with the same principles the woman who said she knows and our daughters, and we’ve five women that I drugged and taught our grandchildren the same way.” raped. Well, where are they?”

In his now-infamous civil He continued: “They didn’t want to under- deposition whose unsealing led stand the ‘poundcake’ speech. to the overturned criminal trial I want a piece of pound cake, verdict, Cosby was criticized

and often misquoted as saying he drugged women to rape them.

Cosby was never charged or convicted of rape.

He responded “yes” in the deposition to a question of whether he had ever provided a Quaalude to a woman that he was interested in having sex with.

That, he said, is a far cry from surreptitiously slipping someone a drug and, without their consent, engaging in sex.

Cosby said those with such strong opinions should educate themselves, read the deposition and court transcripts for themselves without having mainstream media dictate falsehoods to them.

He suggested that the seven-page ruling by the Supreme

See COSBY SPEAKS page A2

Page A-2 • michiganchronicle.com • July 14-20, 2021

Vaccines and Voting Rights

From page A-1

Choir energized the crowd of fewer than 100 people who gathered to hear Harris speak about the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

She said that when she found out Harris was coming to Detroit, she had to be here.

“I want to support her; I want to support Detroit,” Love told the roused crowd, adding that she has been vaccinated.

“I am still living … please if you have been vaccinated, people, tell someone else to get vaccinated. Because we are trying to get (back) to life y’all.”

Love added that she is not to be underestimated, and if someone would have told her that a girl from the Brewster projects in Detroit would be on stage introducing the first lady Vice President she would have said not how but “when?”

“Because I’m from Detroit,” she said.

Mayor Mike Duggan told the crowd that Detroit and Michigan were “devastated” by COVID19.

“We were losing 50 Detroiters a day -- it was hard and we had no help from the White House,” he said of the previous administration. “But Detroit led the way. We set up our testing sites -- we committed to social distancing, and we had great leadership in the state of Michigan with Gov. Whitmer who fought back every step of the way.”

Duggan added that later on, despite the backing of the Biden-Harris administration in the White House, Detroit slowed down.

“We’ve fallen behind,” he said of the less-than-40 percent current vaccination rate in the city.

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Vice President Kamala Harris posing for a picture with Detroit Youth Choir Lt. Governor Gilchrist delivered similar remarks and encouraged attendees to get vaccinated and tell others to do so, too.

Gilchrist, who has lost 27 people to COVID-19, said that “we have work to do to live up to those legacies. ...When we come together, we can do anything.”

Resident Tamara Blue and a longtime healthcare worker said that last April, when she was diagnosed with COVID-19, she feared that she would lose her life, and vaccination is key.

“It is time for us to (show) how much we care by being vaccinated,” she said. (It is) necessary to get our power back.”

Harris said that Michigan is a bellwether state that reflects the concerns and priorities of the country.

She said in the “moments of crisis,” Detroiters showed “grace” and “dignity.”

“These are the things I think about,” she said.

“As schools went virtual Detroit teachers went the extra miles to educate.”

Harris added that the TCF Center was not only a place to vote but a place to get vaccinated, too.

“Today I am joined by healthcare workers who administered vaccines,” she said. “Thank you all.

Thank you on behalf of the country.”

Harris added that the

Life Post COVID-19

From page A-1

my grew 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2021, the best in the Midwest, higher than the national average, and among the top 10 states nationwide.

Because of the decisive actions we took early on to combat COVID led by science and data, we saved lives and helped our economy recover more quickly. Our focus now is continuing Michigan’s economic jumpstart by taking advantage of the unprecedented opportunity we have thanks to the billions in federal aid we have received under the American Rescue Plan and our $3.5 billion budget surplus. Together, we can put more people back to work, ensure small businesses thrive and make lasting, transformative investments in our people.”

To further help, Michigan Works! is providing enhanced services for claimants to get back into the workforce. The Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment Program, or RESEA for short, is providing a boost to the state’s economy. Gov. Whitmer, together with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, have announced an approximate $3.8 million investment to the Michigan Works! network to provide re-employment services and help eligible unemployed Michiganders return to work.

“RESEA services provide increased career support and guidance to unemployment insurance claimants, resulting in quicker transitions back to employment,” says Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!. “Many

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Native Detroiter Loni Love also warmed up the hype crowd and said that she represents her city and “Cass Tech all day.”

“I said, ‘I’m going to go,’” Love said, adding that Harris has been on her talk show, The Real “many times” to support her, and she wants to return the favor.

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RESEA customers also choose to enroll in postsecondary education with financial support from Michigan Works!.”

While getting back to traditional work days is the goal, the pandemic has proven some jobs can be done just as efficiently from a remote location.

Allowing parents additional mobility in day-today tasks, working from home has helped to alleviate the cost of childcare while bringing down daily stressors. However, for some, the stress of home and work have piled up on each other.

“Stress levels are a bit elevated. Now, work stress mixes in with home stress and really has no way to separate the two to break from one,” says Kyle Howard, who is currently working from home in the mortgage industry.

Amid the pandemic, businesses and companies were able to display their compassion. Extending the once-rarely offered opportunity to work from home, employers have shown its workers coming to the office is not always necessary.

Maintaining viable options to work a split schedule of home and office is something many employees are hoping remains post-pandemic.

“COVID has taught me that the workforce can give an inch, if they want to. All of this opportunity to work from home that initially wasn’t there before is crazy,” says Howard. “I hope that honestly 100 percent remote positions become more common as people return to work knowing that it can be done without negatively impacting the company’s success.”

great work has to continue when it comes to voting rights and encouraging COVID-19 vaccines.

“Because of your work and resilience … here we are today,” Harris said of the 160 million Americans fully vaccinated and COVID-related death rates and hospitaliza-

tions down.

“This is incredible progress,” Harris said, adding that there are still a lot of Detroiters not vaccinated. “We need to build on that progress, and we need to build on that progress now. ... We have a whole lot more work to do.”

Cosby Speaks From page A-1

Court should be required reading, particularly for those reporting on the case.

“There’s a big smile on my face,” Cosby insisted. “A big smile on my face because I was there.

“I know what happened, and I’m watching and hearing these fascists and Nazis, and I watched them really come out of the woodworks as termites. The infestation of when [former President] Donald Trump came through, and they just let it all hang out. That’s who they are. That’s who their ancestors are.

They want their ancestors to be people who came here for religious freedoms after being persecuted – but by whom? Things weren’t right in dear old England. They got on these ships, but you were criminals, and people signed on to look after wealthy people’s findings.

Christopher Columbus got as lost as a White man can get, but got off the boat, took a flag, and said he would name this and so forth and so on.”

Cosby also lashed out at comedians he paved the way for who went along with false reports about him or otherwise remained silent.

He laughed at the idea that Netflix gave a combined $200 million to Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Arsenio Hall, who were championed on Saturday Night Live as “The Four bosses of Comedy.”

“Where was Kevin Hart? Where was Sinbad?” Cosby remarked.

“And poor Robert Townsend – he just disappeared.”

Cosby and his wife of nearly 60 years, Camille, have donated an estimated more than $200 million to various colleges and universities.

That includes Howard University in Washington, where Cosby Show star Phylicia Rashad serves as a dean in the College of Fine Arts.

Dozens of colleges and universities gave Cosby honorary degrees based on the unprecedented support from Cosby and his wife, but many rescinded those honors before Cosby’s 2017 and 2018 trials.

After the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional Cosby’s trial, conviction, and sentence, Rashad tweeted that justice had finally occurred.

Quickly, however, social media and some at the historically Black university scolded Rashad, forcing her to issue a second statement that included her empathy toward sexual assault victims.

Cosby took issue with the treatment of Rashad.

“They didn’t like what she was doing before,” Cosby noted, regarding Rashad’s early public support of him.

“The power of money, the power of money supporting things that people cannot find the money to support themselves,” Cosby explained further.

“They have to listen to donors.

The donors command your directions. Surely, somebody, some writers — male and female — at BlackPressUSA, can respond to this because it has got to wake people up.”

During Cosby’s first trial, a jury selected from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, failed to reach a verdict despite Cosby’s attorney Brian McMonagle declining to call defense witnesses.

The jury in that trial reportedly took an initial 12-0 not guilty vote but was instructed by Judge Steven O’Neill to continue deliberating.

For the 2018 retrial, Cosby auditioned and hired famed attorney

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Tom Mesereau who successfully defended Michael Jackson and Robert Blake.

Cosby told the Black Press that he remains skeptical about whether he received maximum effort from his lead attorney.

“I remember Tom telling me on his cellphone that a woman working in his building came down and told him that I was guilty,” Cosby recalled. “He never said, ‘we will see about that.’”

Cosby offered that he disagreed with Mesereau’s decision to select a jury from Montgomery County and called the jurors “imposters of his peers.”

“One guy when they picked him, the judge asked him something, and he made a statement about another Black comedian, Dave Chappelle,” Cosby remembered.

“He said Dave Chappelle was his favorite comedian, but just before that on his shows, Chappelle was putting me down.”

During jury selection, another juror famously said, “we can all go home; he’s guilty.”

District Attorney Kevin Steele successfully argued to keep the juror on the panel despite another potential juror complaining that she heard the statement.

Cosby said that move proved the setup was real.

“The report came from a Black woman. Then there was a private meeting with the judge, the Black woman, and her lawyer,” Cosby stated.

“And when they came out, she was smiling. We can only assume that the judge and Mr. Steele said something along the lines of, ‘your cousin Mike who is doing time … these parking tickets will cost this much… How do you walk out smiling after reporting something like that unless they are tampering with your family?”

For many commentators, the elephant in the room remains the 60women who have made claims that Cosby assaulted them.

Cosby attributed that high number to Gloria Allred, who demanded and advertised that $100 million be put in an account for any alleged victims.

He opined that her scheme ultimately backfired.

“The seven pages by the Supreme Court justices makes too much sense,” Cosby declared.

“How about if these 60 women are lying and they’ve been taken care of?

“It has been proven that Gloria Allred darkened the skin of some of them, braided their hairs to try and show this wasn’t racist with all white women. People know this.

What about the woman who lied about Emmet Till?

“How about all the stories that haven’t been out there where men have spent time in jail, and finally, their accuser admits they are lying?

“There was a young man who went all the way into court, and what happened? Turns out, the woman in the courtroom who accused the young man said she was only angry because he didn’t call her back.”

Cosby next aimed at his accusers, explicitly naming Janice Baker-Kinney and former supermodel Janice Dickinson.

“But I had taken a Quaalude before when I had lived in Colorado, so that’s why I think in my memory I remember him saying it was a Quaalude because I kind of knew what it was,” Baker-Kinney said on direct examination by prosecutors.

Her testimony continued: “I had no indication ever in my life to think that he would want me to take two for any other reason than to have fun, kind of a little

mood-enhancing party thing. So, I figured, if Bill Cosby, at the time, thinking I don’t know if that was when he was doing pudding commercials or whatever and he seemed like a – his appearance was that of a happy, nice comedian kind of thing, that I never would expect anyone to say, ‘here, take two.’ Even though I didn’t know him, I trusted him. And I know that maybe taking two was not a good idea.”

Cosby said that testimony alone showed he was dealing with “bad actors.”

“One woman says it was a hot day, and she was sweating. Go back and look, it was cold and 40 degrees,” he exclaimed.

“Now, Allred gives you her sloppiness. If Allred were not so sloppy, you could say I’m in trouble with these lies.”

Cosby pointed out that Dickinson testified that “in 1982, Dr. Huxtable is on top of me. America’s Dad.” “It’s ridiculous,” Cosby said, pointing out that ‘The Cosby Show’ didn’t debut until 1984, so there was no “Dr. Huxtable.”

And Cosby did not receive the “America’s Dad” moniker until 1986.

Further, in a book some 20 years after the alleged assault, Dickinson wrote that Cosby was a “gentleman” and painted him as a great guy. Her autobiography never hints at any problems with Cosby.

That many choose to believe the groundbreaking entertainer is guilty is a result of a destructive media who “has always been at war with justice,” Cosby declared.

“I know whether or not I drugged so and so and went inside her rectum. There were so many things unvetted. They fly up in the air and fly away. I was there, and I know what happened.

“All these women who hate, with all the tentacles of jealousy, and the jealous men … to say that you are drinking beer and a man offers you a Quaalude. You take it and get into trouble, and now later you claim he had a white box or something, and you say, ‘I think he put his penis in my mouth.’ You are not making any sense.”

Throughout the trial, Cosby said he sat as if he were directing a bad show.

He said the comedian and entertainer in him found a lot of the testimony amusing at best, scripted at worst.

“It was the worst acting ever,” he said. “None of them would have made it in a role anywhere, even playing themselves.”

When asked how he could get through the trials without showing much emotion, Cosby said he thought about many others who were falsely accused.

“The people who have come before me are all I kept seeing regardless of race, color, or creed,” he offered.

“Those who were looking for justice before me. Those looking at the laughing white boys who did whatever they did and the jury sitting there winking and smiling.

“I’ve seen this before in a kind of sick, sad way. It is my honor to sit here and watch this become personal. It is personal, and as a humorist, I’ve heard so many times people say, ‘that was you, but now they’re doing this to me.’”

Finally, Cosby exclaimed the joy of reuniting with his wife in New York after nearly three years in prison.

“They can say all they want and do all they want,” Cosby stated.

“I have a wife who is a fighter. It doesn’t make any difference to her, and she is coming at you straight ahead.”

A3

Roots.

| July 14-20, 2021

michiganchronicle.com

Reconciling With Your Adult Children If your adult child does not like the way you parented them, what do you do?

Sulk, ignore, reprimand or reject? It’s not an easy path for parents to walk on, but compassion on both ends can go a long way toward healing.

“Even when they do their best, parents fall short, regardless, and there will be memories and experiences that children find hurtful,” says Lauren Cook, MMFT, a doctoral candidate in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. “There is no such thing as a perfect parent.”

Here are some tips from NBC News to help start difficult conversations on building better relationships with adult children.

Step 1: Listen without interruption “Most importantly your children want to be seen and heard, so even though it may be difficult to hear them out without interrupting or finding counter arguments, it is the first step in the right direction,” says Dr. Viola Drancoli, PsyD, a clinical psychologist as quoted in the article. “It often takes clients a long time to confront parents with those resentments, either because they don’t expect to be understood or because they don’t want to hurt their parents. Either way, the more open and non-defensive you can listen, the better.”

Step 2: Don’t correct your child’s story “When you listen to your child’s experience it can be tempting to want to let them in on what was really going on with you, or to want to correct them if their perception or experience wasn’t 100 percent correct [in your opinion],” says Dea Dean, LMFT. “When you lead with correction over connection, you miss an opportunity to have your child feel truly heard.

When you acknowledge their feelings first, they will be more likely to naturally want to listen to your side of things and be open to learning what it was like to be you in the moment being discussed.”

Step 3: Be compassionate if your child is slightly upset “Even though your child is now an adult, they’re still your child and when you’re working through issues of the past, you’re likely interacting with a younger part of them that can be emotionally reactive,” says Dean in the article. “It’s important to have empathy for your adult child if they’re struggling to understand your side of things in a past interaction that hurt them. When we accrue emotional wounds, they occur on the right hemisphere of the brain, where we store experiential memories, and when those stored memories are walked through again, the right hemisphere of your child’s brain will likely become engaged, reigniting those old feelings of ‘fight or flight,’ that they might have felt in the moment from the past. This is why their emotional reaction may seem incongruent with the intensity of the actual interaction. They’re not the adult sitting in front of you during the present discussion, they are experiencing the feelings and using the logic of the child they were when the incident occurred.

Have compassion for that younger part of them and practice nonjudgmental acceptance for their experience.”

Step 4: Apologize in a way that is meaningful “We get the desire to explain why we may have done something, usually with good intent because we don’t want our people to hurt, and therefore we try to explain why they shouldn’t,” says Nicole Herrera, MFTC. “This has the opposite effect through. The adult child will feel as though they need to do one of two things: one, explain their feelings further — which usually causes escalation — or

See PARENTING page A-4

Elon Geffrard is a member of the non-profit organization, Khalifah Green is a full spectrum doula through Womb Metro Detroit Midwives of Color. Photo provided by Elon Geffrard Wise Co. Photo provided by Khalifah Green

The Doula Difference:

Local Women Mind Their (Birthing) Business in Detroit They might as well wear capes.

That’s because doulas are one of many superheroes in the birthing world -- rolling up their sleeves and getting to work every time an expectant mother calls on them for support and more.

They provide practically everything (except for delivering babies) a new mother needs emotionally, physically, and even sometimes spiritually.

Recently in March, doulas were celebrated during World Doula Week -- and the annual Black Maternal Health Week will be recognized from April 11 –17.

Several local doulas shared why they help the mothers (who love them) and champion for doulas to up their coins when it comes to being reimbursed for their services, which they sometimes give away for free.

Their First Breath Khalifah Green, 33, of Detroit, is a full spectrum doula through Womb Wise Co., who says her job is oftentimes “hard to put into words.”

“It has allowed me to witness the most beautiful things, and watching first breaths or hearing first cries is always wondrous,” she said, adding that she began her work about 12 years ago.

Green doesn’t know if her passion came from watching her mother care for the community, feeding or clothing them, or “even catching a baby in an impromptu home birth,” but holistic care always came naturally to her.

“Being invited into the sacred space of birth repeatedly made me feel so honored,” she said, adding that people trust her in their “most vulnerable times.” She added that her career can be lucrative because babies are born daily and there is no “shortage of work.”

“For me, it’s about empowering birthing people. Most importantly it’s about lowering the mother and infant mortality rates,” she said, adding that she is also concerned about the inhumane treatment of Black birthing bodies.

“I knew sitting by wasn’t an option. I received more training over time, including placenta encapsulation. I then launched my business Womb Wise Co. because nobody would know you’re here to help if you don’t make your presence known.”

Green added that people should know that doulas are not midwives and vice versa.

“I get the question a lot, and want to be clear we operate in a non-medical capacity. We educate, advocate,

offer physical and emotional support and create lifelong bonds,” she said. “To become a doula, you should train with a trusted source, have continuous education, know care standards, medical terminology and practices, as well as laws/rights of where you work. Most don’t just wake up and do this, often you’re called to birth work.”

When being called to birth work, it can be difficult to turn expectant mothers away when money is a barrier to receiving doula-related services, especially when soon-tobe mothers are unaware that they can have a doula at no cost.

The National Health Law Program’s Doula Medicaid Project is hoping to make that more of a reality by seeking to improve health outcomes for pregnant Medicaid enrollees by making sure that all pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid who want access to a doula will have one, according to its website https://healthlaw.org/doulamedicaidproject/.

The Doula Medicaid Project sees that low-income women are at the highest risk of poor birth outcomes in the United States, and women of color, especially Black women, who are described as “vulnerable.”

Women receiving doula care were found to have improved health outcomes for both themselves and their infants, including higher breastfeeding initiation rates, fewer low-birth-weight babies, and lower rates of cesarean sections. Doulas can also provide patient advocacy.

The project’s goal of Medicaid coverage of doula care includes: • Working with doulas and other stakeholders to identify and overcome barriers to creating a sustainable and equitable Medicaid coverage of doula care program.

• Educating legislators and other stakeholders about the importance of expanding full-spectrum Medicaid coverage of doula care, including doula support for prenatal care, labor/delivery, postpartum care, miscarriage management and abortion.

• Information gathering and sharing with states around the country who have proposed legislation relating to Medicaid coverage of doula care.

• Advocating for state legislation creating a Medicaid coverage of doula care program, initially in California and then promoted as a model strategy in other states.

Even locally, many doulas are engaged in supporting

See THE DOULA DIFFERENCE page A-4

The Doctor is in: Why Black Men are Desperately Needed in the Medical Field

By Sherri Kolade “It’s hard to be what you can’t see.”

Black American author Jason Reynolds shared his thoughts in this quote about growing up and becoming a writer during a time he didn’t have any role models that he could look to for his career profession. The writer overcame the challenge of not reading a book until he was 17 years old.

In the last 40 years or so the needle hasn’t moved much when it comes to seeing more Black men in the medical field.

The number of Black male doctors there are in America is extremely low: roughly 3 percent, according to nationwide statistics.

The Michigan Chronicle interviewed three Black male doctors (ranging in career fields and experience in metro Detroit) to get their take on why these statistics are the way they are, what can be done and what might the future hold.

Dr. Jason Denny is a senior staff surgeon and director at the Center for Living Donation at the Henry Ford Transplant Institute and chair of the Detroit Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) Foundation. Photo provided by Henry Ford

Dr. Denny is In Dr. Jason Denny, 51, a senior staff surgeon and director at the Center for Living Donation at the Henry Ford Trans-

Dr. James J. Jeffries II, a senior staff internist with the Division of Hospital Medicine, primarily operates out of Henry Ford West Bloomfield. Photo provided

Dr. Anthony Stallion, chief of Pediatric Surgery at Beaumont Children’s, specializes in pediatric general and thoracic surgery. Photo provided by Beaumont

by Henry Ford West Bloomfield

Children’s

plant Institute and chair of the Detroit Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) Foundation spoke about his lengthy career in medicine.

Denny, who grew up in New York, said that his brother is also a transplant surgeon,

“which is a little weird.”

“My brother is five years older than me, and I knew I wanted to go into transplant a little earlier than him. He obviously did it before me,” Denny said, adding that the history of Black surgeons in the country has racist roots.

Denny quotes a 1987 book, “A Century of Black Surgeons: The U.S.A. Experience” by Claude H. Organ Jr. and how Black surgeons were initially not allowed to practice in the United States.

Even in the modern times, Denny said that he followed Black medical pioneers decades earlier and saw how they overcame bias and more.

“I met a lot of these guys, their stories [were filled with] a lot of adversity,” he said adding that they helped motivate him.

“It was really inspiring to me and set me on a path. Once you know what legacy is and where you fit in it is a lot easier to pursue the dream.”

Denny joined student organizations in school and Black medical student organizations around the country and he met other Black medical students who shared their stories.

“You can see yourself in their shoes,” he said.

See DOCTORS page A-4

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com •

Doctors From page A-3

Dr. Jeffries is In Dr. James J. Jeffries II, a senior staff internist with the Division of Hospital Medicine, primarily operates out of Henry Ford West Bloomfield. He also works with the residency program teaching the second- and third-year Internal Medicine residents about hospitalist level of care.

Jeffries said that his interest in medicine started early in life when he was possibly an elementary school student.

“I found that science was definitely one of the drivers that I always enjoyed,” Jeffries, 59, said of biology and chemistry classes, in particular.

He added that the loss of his brother to acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was a teenager was “one of the biggest inspirations” for him to pursue a career in medicine.

“I had no one else in the family in medicine,” he said, adding that his father did obtain a nursing degree, but he had no exposure to physicians of color in his formative years. A portion of his adulthood was much of the same.

Jeffries said that he was in his late 20’s when he met for the first time a Black physician in internal medicine who was one of two internists where he did his training at St. Joe’s in Ann Arbor.

“I came to Henry Ford in 1991 and was hired by a gentleman who is from Malawi -- that was my first [Black] mentor when I became a senior staff at Henry Ford.”

He added that it “would be nice” to see great representation and have more Black men in the medical field.

“I talk about this constantly ... how we don’t see the numbers -- we need to start at an early age … to get to hopefully 10 percent or more of the physician workforce,” he said adding that this starts early in el-

July 14-20, 2021

ementary school and middle school. “Identifying those that have the talent and the potential for matriculating into healthcare careers, especially medicine.”

Dr. Stallion is In Anthony Stallion, chief of Pediatric Surgery at Beaumont Children’s, specializes in pediatric general and thoracic surgery, and hails from St. Louis, Mo., originally. The 60-year-old’s medical career began locally after he graduated from college in Michigan and started his pediatric surgery training at Children’s Hospital.

He was a general surgery resident in 1994 and completed pediatric surgery in 1996. Out of the 225 students graduating in his University of Michigan Medical School class in 1983, seven or eight were Black men.

“That wasn’t a lot then,” he said, adding that the numbers have gotten more than likely worse now.

Stallion said that the lack of Black men in this field boils down to “the lack of opportunity and the lack of chance to pursue careers.”

He added that the issue is not a lack of interest but “how we treat our African American males from the very beginning.”

He said it’s important to work with students, especially Black boys, and help cultivate their interest each step of the way.

“When you talk about the percentage who go into medicine … the vast majority of the people of color who were going into medicine are women,” he said. “The males have been left behind in a sense ...not getting support and the mentorship and so forth that is necessary.”

Stallion said that having role models can be hard when they are not readily in front of Black boys.

“You don’t know that is a possibility for you and it’s hard for your eyes to be opened to something that you don’t know even exists,” he said.

The Doula Difference From page A-3

themselves and other doulas so that in addition to expectant mothers receiving care, doulas can be reimbursed through Medicaid.

Green, who is a part of the Michigan Doula Coalition, said that many others are doing great work with local legislation to “move this forward.”

“They recognize the great need for our services.

Many of us offer sliding scales, payment plans or even end up working for free because most often than not money or lack of insurance coverage for birth work is a barrier for those most in need of our support,” she said.

A Birthing Experience to Call Your Own Metro Detroit resident Elon Geffrard, 37, is a member of the non-profit organization, Metro Detroit Midwives of Color. A certified doula for the past five years, she teaches childbirth education to Medicaid-eligible families who are primarily Black and of African descent.

Geffrard said that she used to work in Lansing and worked hard to bring community-based doula training to a local county health department with one of the reasons being to bring diverse representation to the doula field, especially for Black families.

She added that there is current legislation being developed and policies being worked on to support the reimbursement of doulas who work with families on Medicaid.

“Just by eligibility they typically cannot afford the costs of a doula -- on average it can be about $1,000,” Geffrard said. “It is a worthy $1,000 but most families cannot always reach that.”

Geffrard is a doula who works with clients regardless of their ability to pay her, too.

“There are some cases and clients I accept regardless of their ability to pay me,” Geffrard said, adding that people should own their own birth stories and

Parenting From page A-3

two, start to shut down again and create greater resentment. For the parent, if they can focus on the feelings their kid is having rather than the content they are bringing up, they have a better chance of validation and apology.”

Step 5: Be accountable for your actions and words “Take accountability for how your words or actions were absorbed by them without condemning yourself or shifting into ‘all or nothing’ thinking,” says Dean. “You can be a good parent and have unintentionally caused hurt in your child. One reason it can be difficult for parents to acknowledge the hurt they caused is because they feel they’re acknowledging their failure as a parent. If you can separate your identity as a parent from your behavior as a parent, you will be more success-

doulas can help.

“If you are a person of color or African descent -- you want a person who looks like you, is culturally relevant, and can understand your family support and journey and support [you],” she said.

For the Black Mamas Robena Hill, 36, of Detroit, is one of two doulas at the Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) in Detroit.

Hill was at a community baby shower when a BMBFA representative asked her if she needed doula resources during her pregnancy in 2017. “I didn’t know what that was,” Hill, a mother of three boys, said, adding that the woman wound up becoming her doula and helping her through her birth and 10 months postpartum.

Now, the community advocate is a doula herself and loves to provide other mothers, and their support systems, with resources.

“Never would have I thought in a million years I would be a doula,” she said. “I thank God for BMBFA and my doula -- if it wasn’t for BMBFA I wouldn’t have breastfed for two-and-a-half years.”

She added that she can work from home and helps coach expectant mothers in the delivery room virtually -- she recently helped a mother during labor on a Zoom call while her family cheered her on. “[I] figure out how to meet them where they need to meet,” she said, adding that she typically has a caseload of two to three births per month or up to nearly 30 births a year.

BMBFA services Black mothers in Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park.

“Doulas are very important for African American mothers -- any mothers because of the death rate in mothers and babies,” she said. “I want to see our mothers and families have better outcomes.”

For more information go to www.birthdetroit.com, https://mdmoc.org, or https://blackmothersbreastfeeding.org/.

ful at listening to and acknowledging your child. Remind yourself that you were and are a loving parent and at the same time you made missteps that wounded your kid.”

Step 6: Don’t tolerate abuse “Forgive your child for not expressing his or her feelings perfectly, but don’t accept abuse,” says Nance L. Schick, Esq., a conflict resolution coach and author of “DIY Conflict Resolution: Seven Choices and Five Actions of a Master”. “Sometimes we need to love each other from afar for a while, and if that seems likely here, do what you feel is necessary for your emotional or physical safety.”

Step 7: Forgive yourself “Perhaps the toughest [step] is working on forgiving yourself for not being the parent that you had hoped to be,” says Judith Belmont, MS, a psychotherapist and the author of “Embrace Your Greatness: Fifty Ways to Build Unshakable

Self-Esteem.” “In my 40 years as a psychotherapist, I have never met a parent who meant to inflict harm on their children, but many of them did despite using the best skills they had at the time. Parenting does not come with a manual.

Many well-intentioned parents, particularly ones who have their own issues of low self-esteem, are depressed, experience marital discord, and have problems managing stress, do not react well to situations. But you cannot change the past and rework history. Parents need to be reminded that they did the best with the mental health and abilities they had at the time.

Some parents remain a prisoner of their past and take too much responsibility for their kids’ problems. The saying I have for this that has provided comfort to my clients is, ‘Forgive yourself for not having the foresight to know what is now so obvious in hindsight.’”

Content provided by https:// www.nbcnews.com/.

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Nailah Ellis Spills the Tea on Landing in the Beverage Business

By Sherri Kolade Her Jamaican, immigrant great grandfather paved the way for her over 100 years ago, and the tenacious businesswoman, Nailah Ellis, is keeping things moving at her more than decade-old tea company.

Ellis Island Tea “has been on the scene since 2008” according to the well-known company, and Ellis spoke in mid-June to The Michigan Chronicle’s Digital Anchor Andre Ash at Studio 1452 about her booming company, how comedian Kevin Hart got in the mix and what’s the real tea behind her success.

“She is doing the thing -- I love this Detroit story, about her journey, and where it is taking her,” Ash said of Ellis.

“I was reading somewhere she described herself as the largest Black female beverage manufacturer in the United States … it is a big deal.”

“That is correct,” Ellis said, adding that establishing her company is still “somewhat unreal.”

“I still have my moments where I don’t believe it’s happening,” she said. “[It is a] very exciting time.”

Ash said that starting the business in 2008 was a “journey” in itself, and asked Ellis to discuss everything from her humble beginnings to meeting comedic powerhouse Hart.

“My great grandfather … came to

Nailah Ellis

America through Ellis Island in the early 1900s and he was a chef from Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line (a shipping line incorporated by Marcus Garvey),” she said, adding that he would make a tea recipe aboard the ships. “The last thing he said was, ‘This recipe was to be sold and not told,’ which means to put it on the market.”

Ellis said that it “feels really good” to be able to carry on the family legacy.

“I literally started by selling tea from a cooler out of the trunk of my car,” she added. “I would brew tea every night and wake up in the morning and load up my cooler; put some ice on it and drive around the city of Detroit. Wherever I would see people I would sell it. I made most of my money in a Home Depot parking lot on Seven Mile and Meyers.”

The tea company sells the flavorful drink using real, natural hibiscus, rosehips, honey and mint, according to its website, https://www.ellisislandtea.com, “Just like Pop Ellis would.”

The three tea flavors include Ellis Isle Original, unsweet, and Wet Shuga (the O.G.).

When Ellis’s great grandfather re-

See NAILAH

ELLIS page A6

Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), Pierre B ­ atton, vice president, Small Business Services, at the DEGC and Detroit Means Business (DMB) president and Michigan Chronicle’s Digital Anchor Andre Ash.

“We Have a Lot of Might and Muscle”

Small Business Leaders in Detroit Get to Work

By Sherri Kolade

munity and “recapture” some of that lost revenue from the pandemic, too.

When you think of the city of Detroit more than likely it’s the people -determined, brilliant, resilient individuals -- who might come to mind.

Johnson said that the pandemic aligned priorities and focuses in the business community, and from those supporting the business community.

Thoughts that probably follow immediately afterward are the city’s businesses and its sprawling economic landscape – and what could be in terms of leveling the playing field, especially for small businesses catching up as the pandemic subsides in Michigan.

“There was a firm commitment by the administration, and tools we had available from the DEGC to bring all of those things together for the outcome that we desire, which was to open as many small businesses in commercial corridors and neighborhoods as we could,” he said, adding that small businesses are “neighborhood stabilizers.”

Michigan Chronicle’s Digital Anchor Andre Ash sat down in mid-June with Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), the city’s leading inclusive economic development driver, and Pierre Batton, vice president, Small Business Services, at the DEGC and Detroit Means Business (DMB) president.

DMB was formed in response to COVID-19 and it carved out a plan through the business disruption providing much-needed guidance for the local establishments in desperate need of assistance. Housed under the DEGC, DMB was developed in partnership with a wide range of government, business, nonprofit and philanthropic partners to help small businesses in Detroit safely and successfully reopen last year.

Ash said that with small businesses being the “heartbeat of Detroit’s economy” and defining communities, creating jobs and providing needed services, they also reduce poverty and more.

“There is also an unmet demand for goods and services in the city of Detroit and as a result Detroiters cross the border and spend billions of dollars in suburban communities,” Ash said. The DEGC and DMB are working together to rebuild Detroit’s small business com-

“When those types of small business services are … disrupted, it has this cascading effect.”

Johnson added that right now the two entities are trying to get businesses stabilized and help them recoup their losses, even if it is just a percentage. “[It is] better than nothing at all,” he said.

Ash asked Batton what is the ultimate goal for the business ecosystem as “we try to climb out of COVID?” Batton said that COVID-19 impacted Detroit, the state, nation and world on all fronts, especially from a health perspective in addition to the personal, physical, emotional and mental tolls it took.

“Small businesses last year had been extremely impacted in the city of Detroit,” Batton said, adding that oftentimes small businesses, sole proprietors had it the hardest. “Barbershops and hair salons were the last to open last June.”

He also said that when DMB came together as a coalition they ensured that the small business community had its needs met.

“The world came to a halt; we wanted to make sure our businesses were there when everything reopened so we all banded together,” Batton said.

“We have a lot of might and muscle at the table including organizations that helmed Kevin here in terms of the DEGC, in terms of other partners, Invest Detroit, Tech Town, DTE Energy.”

The coalition talked the talk and walked the walk last year giving $15 million in cash grants to over 2,200 businesses in the city of Detroit. They continue to make strides today, too.

On Tuesday, June 29, the Detroit City Council approved a plan to appropriate $826 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Detroit will receive the fifth-largest amount of any city in America. The total $1.9 trillion federal stimulus bill was signed into law in March 2021 to help alleviate the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

There will be two payments, with $413 million distributed this June 2021, with the second equal disbursement in May 2022. On June 7, the City Council gathered to ask community members how they feel the money should be spent.

Johnson said that some of those dollars will go to the small business community.

“Dollars will be directed and Detroit Means Business and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and other entities in the city that actually touch small businesses will be the receiver of some of those allocations not just to stand our organization,” Johnson said.

“Our organization is designed to get money out … there is a target for small businesses to be benefitting [from] those … dollars.”

Black Business Registrations See Boost Despite Pandemic

By Sherri Kolade

Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties faced storms even before the pandemic.

Black businesses are showing no signs of slowing down just yet.

The MDBBA came on the scene to boost Black-owned businesses and champion their causes.

In fact, some states have seen an uptick in registered businesses double according to a New York Times analysis.

According to an article from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), shortly after the CARES Act was passed by Congress in March 2020, business registrations increased by 60 percent. This comes at a cost, however, because the pandemic-related economic hardships are “likely to damage entrepreneurship and put many small businesses in a financial hole” the article stated, adding that “there are signs that many have turned to creating businesses after losing employment elsewhere.”

That concept is not lost on Charity Dean, president and CEO of Metro-Detroit Black Business Alliance Bishop J. Richard Evans Sr. and his wife, Pas- (MDBBA).

tor Tenisia Evans, in front of his new store, “The Look,” in Clinton Township.

The MDBBA was unveiled in March

“We are a Black chamber of commerce,” Dean told The Michigan Chronicle recently.

Dean added that there is now a lot more resources and support aligned where there is more opportunity for Black businesses to shine because before inequities existed with access to capital.

Charity Dean, president and CEO of Metro-Detroit Black Business ­Alliance, stands in Paradise Valley in the city of Detroit. earlier this year with the COVID-19 pandemic still raging in Southeast Michigan (and the rest of the world) with, then, seemingly no resolution.

Black, and often small, businesses in

Dean added that “it is not necessarily a surprise” that Black people are on their grind and pivoting and launching businesses at a high speed.

“Black people hustle, it’s what we do,” she said. “We’ve always done it even in a pandemic … it is in our system. It’s not new for Black people and not new for Black entrepreneurs... it is not surprising to me that there is a

See BLACK

BUSINESSES page A6

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com • July 14-20, 2021

Black Businesses From page A-5

surge or increase in Black businesses.”

This boom in business is not isolated to southeast Michigan. According to the NNPA article, Google Trends data reported an “uptick in searches related to Black-owned businesses” in June of last year. Per Google Trends data, searches for “How to find Black-owned businesses in your area” had a 300 percent increase and searches for “Black-owned restaurants near me” tripled.

The article added that numerous people think that these searches were spurred by the activism after the murder of George Floyd in addition to the pandemic and led many toward economic activism and supporting Black-owned businesses.

Dean said that Black business owners and entrepreneurs show “resilience” and ingenuity when it comes to amassing wealth.

“In the Black community, the increase of new businesses is just another way that Black people and Black families are saying, ‘We’re not going to wait for someone to save us. But we’re going to be self-determined to create that generational wealth for ourselves and our families.’”

Bishop J. Richard Evans Sr., founder and senior pastor of Divine Restoration Ministries in Detroit, is one of those people.

Evans told The Michigan Chronicle that in June he opened clothing and shoe store The Look inside The Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township

Nailah Ellis From page A-5

vealed the tea recipe to her, she turned a family favorite into a marketable company that has grown in Detroit and across the country.

Ellis Isle now operates a full-scale, state-of-theart production facility and ships orders to retailers and customers nationwide, according to her company website.

She has also received a few industry honors and entrepreneurial awards during her journey.

Her journey also includes connecting with Hart, who she said was someone whose “hustle” she admired.

“That man works harder than anyone I know –

Bishop J. Richard Evans Sr. stands inside his new store, “The Look,” in Clinton Township. as part of a plan to expand in the Macomb County area and meet customer demand.

“Customers’ weight fluctuates between 10 to 20 pounds on average, and after quarantine there would be a need for new clothes,” Evans, who owns multiple stores along with his wife Tenisia Evans, said. “In addition to that, I believe that we must create jobs to help the economy.” “[My wife] Lady Evans and I have a beauty salon/ boutique on the east side of Detroit, GirlBoss Fashions in downtown Detroit, Macomb Mall, Lakeside Mall, Partridge Creek Mall and The Look Clothing Company in Lakeside Mall and Partridge Creek Mall. We also have both commercial and residential real estate, along with various other business ven-

outside of myself,” she said, adding that she wanted to get in front of him and tell him her story because she thought it would resonate, and it did.

“I got my elevator pitch -- my 15-minute shot,” she said of speaking with Hart. “I told my story ... it was an opportunity. ... He tried my product, loved it … he has been nothing short of supportive during this journey.”

“How did you get a chance to get in front of him?” Ash asked Ellis.

“I’ve been one to never take ‘no’ for an answer,” she said, adding that she went to decision-makers and she was determined to get in front of him.

She added that Hart’s influence and connection with her company have

helped her open doors.

“It makes it a lot easier to get into doors I would not have necessarily been able to get into,” she said, adding that her product also speaks for itself. “It feels good; it tastes good.

It is healthy all around.”

Ellis also said that her business has been impacted by the pandemic because though she has been “very lucky” to maintain her staff, there have still been challenges with onboarding.

“Entrepreneurship is no easy task and it’s got to be passion. It’s got to be like all of my decisions I try to make out of love,” she said.

tures,” he said, adding that wealth begins at home. “I would encourage my African American brothers and sisters to network and support each other. When I was planning to open the first men’s store, I consulted with other African American retailers who helped me make connections within the clothing industry, and as a result I saved time and resources that I then used in other areas.

When we support Black businesses, we strengthen Black families who in turn, strengthen the Black community.”

Jeffrey Gisstennar, 55, owner of Good Cookies in Detroit, opened his tasty establishment in late June. He told The Michigan Chronicle that his business concept, thought of in 2013, started out of his kitchen home.

“I am a real estate broker,” Gisstennar said, adding that he was, and still is, in this fluctuating market, and around 2010 things were a bit unpredictable after the 2008 housing crisis.

“In 2010 around that time … I would bake to relax and let off steam and my wife would take cookies to work for people to try and people would love them,” he said, adding that his business took off from there.

He added that purchasing a building was “never a thought in my head” but he wound up buying one for his business at 19007 W McNichols Road. “[I] purchased in the neighborhood I grew up [in],” Gisstennar said, adding that it’s a community that is “sound and stable.”

He added that “it’s such an honor” when older people come in and tell him that his cookies remind him of their mother’s cookies.

“It blows me away -- it’s a real compliment when they come because I use real ingredients, real butter, real good vanilla and sugar,” he said. “I try to use the best stuff.”

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Migraine is a Health Disparity for People of Color

By Jaime M. Sanders The Migraine Diva, Co-Lead of the Disparities in Headache Advisory Council

Migraine is a neurological disease that affects 60 million Americans and is the 2nd leading cause of disability worldwide. It is an underestimated, underdiagnosed, and undertreated disease despite its heavy burden. However, communities of color, which have been historically, socially, and economically disenfranchised from research studies and treatment are bearing the brunt of this burden. The American healthcare system is riddled with flaws, and headache medicine is no different.

Expanded Child Tax Credit

By Congressman James E. Clyburn

it Non-filer Sign-up Tool to sign up today.

(D-SC), House Majority Whip

Eligible families who get their refunds from the IRS through direct deposit will see these payments in their bank account; those who don’t use direct deposit will receive their payments by mail.

Persistent poverty is a scourge on our nation. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed the struggle those living in poverty face every day, and their plight was exacerbated by the economic impacts of the virus.

The challenge we face with this life-changing benefit is that it is set to expire after one year. It was It has been my mission since coming to Congress a temporary fix to immediately address the economto do everything I can to address persistent poverty. ic impacts of the pandemic. We know, however, that Those efforts often feel a little like the Greek myth of persistent poverty existed well before Covid-19, and Sisyphus, who kept rolling the rock up the mountain it will continue well beyond the recovery if we don’t only to have it roll back down when he approached take permanent action. the top.

To keep this huge rock from falling back down the This month, we are again making progress on one mountain and plunge millions of American children significant front in the fight against poverty. Ameri- back into poverty, Congress must make the expanded can families will begin receiving monthly Child Tax Child Tax Credit permanent. Doing so would be a draCredit checks on July 15; thanks to an expansion of matic, positive change in the life of American families the popular program in the American Rescue Plan and a real solution to addressing persistent poverty.

(ARP), that was signed into law by President Biden Unfortunately, just as Republicans opposed the in March with only Democratic support. The Center American Rescue Plan, they also oppose extending for Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University this key provision. They don’t seem to understand projects that this provision will cut the child poverty that stronger families produce a stronger, more prorate in half this year. ductive nation. Whether or not they are persuaded Previously the Child Tax Credit was capped at to join the effort to address persistent poverty and strengthen American families, Democrats are work$2,000 and not fully available to the lowest-income ing hard to make the expansion of the Child Tax Credfamilies. Thanks to the ARP, the full amount of the it permanent. expanded credit—now available for all households Now is the time to break out of this Sisyphean filing jointly with incomes up to $150,000 and single parents with incomes up to $112,500—is $3,600 struggle and sustain and build on the progress we for every child under 6 years old and $3,000 for ev- have made lifting a significant number of families out ery child ages 6-17. Starting July 15 and continuing of poverty. The public supports these efforts. through the end of the year, these households will In addition to the expanded Child Tax Credit, we receive $300 for every child or $250 every month for must permanently extend other economic lifelines in each child in those respective age ranges. The re- the American Rescue Plan like the expanded Earned mainder of the credit can be claimed when filing 2021 Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Tax tax returns early next year.

Credit, and nutrition assistance for children.

Families who filed tax returns for 2019 or 2020, We must also provide the benefits of the Affordor who filled out the IRS Non-filers tool last year to able Care Act’s Medicaid expansion to those in the receive an Economic Impact Payment, will get this tax 12 states, including my home state of South Carolirelief automatically. Families who neither filed a tax na, that have refused to participate. Democrats won’t return for 2019 or 2020 nor used the IRS Non-Filers stop moving this boulder until we reach the top—and tool should go online and use the IRS Child Tax Cred- stay there.

State Senator Hopes to Bring Film Back to Michigan

By Megan Kirk Detroit is known for many things; cars, music, fashion. However, film is rarely mentioned as notable for the city. The state was proactive In April 2008, when it signed into law the Michigan Film and Digital Media Incentive credit. Meant to attract film productions to the state while also creating jobs and helping to develop Michigan’s film industry the bill did its job. But the once buzzing film scene has since been silenced.

Since its end in 2015, Detroit’s movie scene and film incentives have been all but non-existent.

Some new changes could bring a once-thriving industry back.

Sen. Adam Hollier who represents the 2nd district is looking to help bring the film industry back to Michigan. During its reign, Michigan’s film incentive Adam Hollier was one of the best in the country. Offering production companies a 30-42 percent tax credit for all qualifying production expenses gained during any phase of production for films and television projects produced in Michigan, the film industry helped to employ more than 5,300 residents in 2009 and more than 5,600 the following year. With positions available for actors, producers, crew members and others, more than $42.8 million dollars in wages were paid out in 2009 alone.

“I do have a love for film, but more pushing in that, I have a love for economic development. I want people to be able to work and I want people to be able to do the thing that they love and for that to make sense,” says Sen. Hollier. “When we talk about a film incentive, 40 of the 50 states have film incentives because that’s what it takes to make this business work and Michigan is a great state [in which] to make films.”

Detroit has been the set for many major box office hits. Movies such as “8 Mile,” “Dreamgirls,” “Gran

Torino” and most recently the 2017 film based on the 1967 riots called “Detroit,” have all been set and filmed in the Motor City.

“For a few years Michigan was the Hollywood of the Midwest, and during that time many Michiganders were able to see some legendary films created in their own backyard,” says Sen. Hollier. “Not only are movies great marketing opportunities for promoting our state, but they also bring a lot of revenue to our small businesses and create jobs.”

The Michigan Film Industry Association, together with a work group Sen. Hollier helped to establish, have begun having conversations with key stakeholders like local chambers of commerce and small business owners in an effort to test the waters. The group is looking to see what potential credits would be supported and fresh ideas on how to bring Hollywood back to the mitten.

“I’m proud to lead a bipartisan work group as we talk to key stakeholders to get the film industry back into our state,” says Sen. Hollier. “We have a chance to generate a lot of tax revenue, so I hope my legislative colleagues will be supportive of this effort and listen to our recommendations.”

In 2020, State Rep. Robert Wittenber introduced House Bills that would help create and establish new tax credits for media production in the state. Affecting commercials, film, television and streaming productions produced in Michigan, the House Bills include items such as a 30 percent tax credit for production companies who hire Michigan residents and 20 percent for non-residents, a base credit of 25 percent with room to grow, and various time and financial commitments on behalf of the production company.

The new legislation would also allow for transferable tax credits rather than rebates with hopes of encouraging investors and businesses to choose local hires, rentals and facilities.

For those interested in participating or providing feedback to the work group, contact the senator’s office via email at senahollier@senate.michigan.gov or call (517) 373-7748 for more information.

The racial inequities in headache diagnosis and patient care have been brought to light by the recent increased focus on systematic racism that impacts health equity.

Numerous studies have shown that the rates of mi- Jaime M. Sanders graine diagnosis and treatment vary significantly between Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites. Although prevalence of migraine is similar (14.5%, 14.5%, and 15.5% respectively), Blacks and Hispanics utilize healthcare at a disproportionate rate compared to Whites.

When seeking treatment, Hispanics had a lower total number of visits that result in a migraine diagnosis. Blacks with severe headaches are more likely to get a diagnosis of probable migraine, while Whites get a more definitive diagnosis. Because of disparities in the U.S. health care system, migraine is more severe and more likely to become chronic among Blacks and African Americans. This chronification is unfortunately linked with increased depression and disability, and a lower quality of life.

Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) experience stress and adverse health outcomes due to the exposure to racism and racial trauma. A theory, known as race-based traumatic stress, indicates that some individuals experience racial prejudice as psychological trauma. This PTSD-like reaction leads to increased severe headaches and migraine attacks. Research confirms all of these inequities – but an ongoing lack of quality research on BIPOC with migraine means there is still much that is unknown or poorly understood.

The Coalition for Headache and Migraine Patients (CHAMP) and its partners realized that meaningful change was required. They created the Disparities in Headache Advisory Council that has held numerous training sessions and provided seed-funding for new initiatives that promote diversity and equality in headache medicine.

Page A-8 • michiganchronicle.com •

July 14-20, 2021

Isn’t the best time to continue building your legacy right now?

Owning a home isn’t just about finances—it’s about building a future. Our Community Homeownership Commitment1 can help new homebuyers with: Down payment help up to $10,000 or 3% of the purchase price, whichever is less. Product availability and income restrictions apply.2 Closing cost help up to $7,500 as a lender credit.3 Down payments as low as 3% down. Income limits apply.4 Learn more: bankofamerica.com/homeowner

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE POWER TO DO? You are invited to apply. Your receipt of this material does not mean you have been prequalified or pre-approved for any product or service we offer. This is not a commitment to lend; you must submit additional information for review and approval.

1. Down Payment program and America’s Home Grant program: Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements such as being owner-occupants and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Minimum combined loan-to-value must be greater than or equal to 80%. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. Bank of America may change or discontinue the Bank of America Down Payment Grant program or America’s Home Grant program or any portion of either without notice. Not available with all loan products, please ask for details.

2. Additional information about the Down Payment program: Down Payment program is currently limited to two specific mortgage products. Program funds can be applied toward down payment only. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back in excess of earnest money deposits. Down Payment Grant program may be considered taxable income, a 1099-MISC will be issued, consult with your tax advisor. May be combined with other offers. The Bank of America Down Payment Grant program may only be applied once to an eligible mortgage/property, regardless of the number of applicants. Homebuyer education is required.

3. Additional information about the America’s Home Grant program: The America’s Home Grant program is a lender credit. Program funds can only be used for nonrecurring closing costs including title insurance, recording fees, and in certain situations, discount points may be used to lower the interest rate. The grant cannot be applied toward down payment, prepaid items or recurring costs, such as property taxes and insurance. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back.

4. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Fixed-rate mortgages (no cash out refinances), primary residences only. Certain property types are ineligible. Maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) is 97%, and maximum combined LTV is 105%. For LTV >95%, any secondary financing must be from an approved Community Second Program. Homebuyer education may be required. Other restrictions apply.

Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2021 Bank of America Corporation. America’s Home Grant, Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment, Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. MAP3623794 | AD-BAAM8431000 | 06/2021

City ity.. Life ife.. Style.

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

B1 | July 14-20, 2021

michiganchronicle.com

Urban Recreation: Detroit and Beyond

By Megan Kirk After more than a year indoors, nature and the great outdoors are calling. Michigan is home to some of the most serene lakes, best hiking trails and natural landscapes, and the push to get outside has become a top priority after the pandemic.

With continued urban recreation developments, a city’s economy can grow as tourists and recreationalists merge together to take advantage of social opportunities and accommodations brought on by developers and urbanists.

As the warmer weather begins to settle in, vacations are ramping up across the country. In Michigan, with over 11,000 inland lakes, 650 public golf courses and 100 public beaches, there is something for everyone to do this summer. While Michiganders are aware of what makes the state special, others are getting a first-hand look into what makes Michigan a top contender for travel plans.

Urban recreation is not a new concept, but it’s becoming more known as urban areas are beginning to expand in development. Combining the love of outdoors with an urban landscape causes the creation of leisure activities in metropolitan cities across the country.

Overtime, urbanization has affected metropolitan cities across the country. For Detroiters, the continual development of downtown’s landscape allows its residents to not only live and work in the space, but dine, shop and play within its limits -- creating a tourism hub and encouraging citizens near and far to partake. For Detroit, one of the most urbanized cities in the state, it’s automobile history helped to create an identity for the city. Recent developments are adding to the city’s vision and upward growth.

“Detroit was a city built on cars and it had to transition with the world’s economy,” says David Lorenz, vice president for Travel Michigan. “People believe in Detroit again and, most importantly, Detroiters believe in Detroit again.”

Although the city suffered a crushing economic blow during the 2008 housing crisis, the city has since risen like a Phoenix. With millions of dollars thrown into reimagining Detroit’s infrastructure, the city has seen continuous improvement both economically and through development.

One of the major urban recreational developments that has hit Detroit is its Riverwalk. Voted the Best Riverwalk in the country in the 2021 USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, the Detroit International Riverwalk is sprawled over five miles of the scenic Detroit River. Equipped for fishing, leisure bike rides or a ride on the Detroit Princess, the Riverwalk is one of the city’s most prized gems for peace within the city’s limits.

“Recreation is not always 1,000 miles per hour,” says Lorenz.

Undergoing renovations slated to be complete in 2022, the Riverwalk will see additional attractions and space to bring even more people to its turf. With more than three million annual visitors it was one of the few places Detroiters sought reprieve from the pandemic as it was open during stay-at-home restrictions. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy is the responsible arm for the Riverwalk and recently

Sly Stone performs

Questlove Brings Harlem Cultural Festival to Life in New Documentary

See URBAN RECREATION Page B-2

By Megan Kirk In the summer of 1969, a music festival would become one of the most famous events in American popular culture history. The Woodstock Music and Art Fair, or simply Woodstock, created and nurtured a love for rock music and set a stage for legends including Jimi Hendrix, Sly and The Family Stone and Janis Joplin. With more than 400,000 attendees, Woodstock became synonymous with hippie culture and music festivals.

Though less popular, another music festival was occurring at the same time just 100 miles away. The Harlem Cultural Festival gave Black people in Harlem the opportunity to celebrate Blackness and music.

Now, more than five decades later, musician Ahmir Thompson, better known as Questlove of The Roots, is bringing Harlem to the main stage and showing the world the first and only Harlem Cultural Festival.

“Summer of Soul” is a documentary that dives deep into the Harlem Cultural Festival and its impact on not only Harlemites, but Blackness as a whole.

Questlove takes music lovers and history buffs on a journey through Black music history during a time when the revolution was front and center. Sponsored by major labels like Maxwell House Coffee and General Foods, the festival even featured the Black Panther Party to secure the premises as no white Harlem officers would.

Originally filmed in 1969, the rarely-seen footage sat in a basement for more than 50 years. Occurring at the same time as Woodstock, the Harlem Cultural Festival footage was lost to the times and overshadowed by the more popular event. With more than 40 hours of footage, it is now being unearthed and presented to the world, ready to take its place in history.

Purposeful in keeping himself and his artistry out of the film, the production partner on the film encouraged The Roots drummer to be more involved in the actual film and not just its technical creation.

“I was really trying to not insert myself into the film. In the very beginning, when I was showing drafts to people a lot of the complaints I got were ‘well wait, you’re not in it,’ so I begrudgingly put my voice in

See NEW DOCUMENTARY Page B-2

“ D

By Megan Kirk

etroit continues to shift and create new avenues of creativity in the midst of a pandemic. As a true staple in the fashion industry with iconic identifiers like Cartier Buffalo eyewear, alligator shoes and one of the city’s newest and fastest-growing brands, Haus of Sy, the city’s fashion front is growing and making room for luxury handbags.

Launched in November of 2020, Haus of Sy has always been a dream for owner Angel Reeves. Since childhood a career in the fashion industry was the goal. Becoming a brand owner and a household name, Haus of Sy has reached fashion heights in

See IN HER BAG Page B-2

The idea of branding a luxury purse brand has been on my list of goals since I was about 13 years old.

I’ve always had this desire and dream to have my own fashion brand.

”

Angel Reeves, owner of Haus of Sy

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • July 14-20, 2021

Urban Recreation From page B-1

broke ground on the final leg of the extension that will connect the Riverwalk to Belle Isle.

“When we started transforming the riverfront 20 years ago, we had an ambitious vision and our promise was to connect the entire East Riverfront,” said Matt Cullen, chairman of Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “We are proud to break ground and deliver on that promise. Our community came together around this project — and I am pleased to say that the founding partners -- the City, The Kresge Foundation and General Motors -- are still with us supporting the project today. This final piece along the East Riverfront is a lasting gift to the generations who live, work and visit Detroit and critical to our long-term vision of revitalization from bridge to bridge.”

Urban recreation is not limited to riv-

A work of art: owner Angel Reeves shows off the classic Logo bag and introduces the new Mini bag.

In Her Bag From page B-1

just a short amount of time and causes a social media stampede with each launch of a new collection. Now, for the little girl who had dreams of New York Fashion Week, with sacrifice and dedication it is becoming a reality.

“The idea of branding a luxury purse brand has been on my list of goals since I was about 13 years old. I’ve always had this desire and dream to have my own fashion brand. I have dreamt of showcasing at New York Fashion Week since about that time as well. It just felt like now was the perfect time for me to go ahead and turn those dreams into my reality,” says Angel Reeves, owner of Haus of Sy. Despite not being classically trained in fashion, the self-starter took matters into her own hands and learned the skills needed to execute her vision.

“As far as my fashion background, I pretty much just had a love for it. I never went to school but I did teach myself how to sew. I worked as a stylist on sets, a personal shopper, and I would reconstruct old clothing into new clothes. I would literally buy every Essence, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar magazine to find my favorite looks and recreate them,” says Reeves.

A Black woman-owned female luxury brand, Haus of Sy carries a collection of bags with unique designs. Known to sell out within minutes of each purse drop, the brand has been active less than a year and has a loyal legion of self-titled HausWives standing behind it. The brand’s name pays homage and helps to create a legacy for the owner’s young son.

“Sy is actually my son’s name, Cameron Sy, so I wanted to incorporate the most important person in my life into my brand. I want to have a full-blown fashion house so I came up with Haus of Sy,” says Reeves.

Operating fully online, Haus of Sy’s social media outlets help to provide marketing and branding for the line. With no immediate plans to open a storefront and hoping to keep demand high and the designs exclusive, Reeves hopes to continue her current business model while expanding her fan base.

“At this moment, I have no desire to open a storefront. Right now, the process that I have is working for me. Maybe in the future, just maybe. But I can’t say that is on the list right now,” Reeves added.

During a time when small businesses

New Documentary From page B-1

the very beginning of the film asking the first question,” says Questlove.

At a time when a Black man’s ability and acceptance in the business world was doubted and all but eliminated, one businessman had the vision to affect Harlem’s music scene. Tony Lawrence, though inexperienced, took a risk and produced and directed the festival.

Bringing in acts like Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and The Pips, B.B. King, Mahalia Jackson and other A-list performers, the festival took place for six consecutive Sundays starting in July of 1969 and brought out massive crowds of Black bodies swaying in the summer breeze.

“There’s a lot of primal musical expression or primitive exotic expression -- in layman’s terms, people acting wild.

I wanted people to know that was more of a therapeutic thing than anything else. I wanted people to know this isn’t

are facing unpredictable and unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic, this owner is pushing through to bring customers luxury handbags at a cost-effective price. Although the brand exclusively carries handbags, the collection will soon grow to include men’s and children’s items.

“Haus of Sy is currently working on women’s shoes, more handbag designs and clothing which even includes men’s and children’s. So, I’m going to keep working and putting out these products until I can’t anymore,” says Reeves.

Like most entrepreneurs, opening a new business venture is met with its share of hurdles to overcome. However, continuing to keep her dream alive, the fashionista takes hardship in stride.

“I feel like I experience the same challenges as all entrepreneurs. It’s not a walk in the park at all. I pretty much do every single thing alone from managing emails, social media, packing and shipping, with the help of a friend, and inventory and marketing,” says Reeves.

“Some people are understanding and others aren’t. I can’t let any of the challenges defeat me one bit. I know that things happen so it’s important to keep pushing forward no matter what.

Now, with the city cheering her on, the Haus of Sy visionary is taking in the fruits of her labors and enjoying watching a life-long dream come true. As word continues to spread about the luxury brand, fans are supporting Black-owned business and in turn, getting quality merchandise made with the city in mind.

“I am so thankful and grateful for the support -- wholeheartedly. From the beginning people noticed my products and stuck with me on this journey. It hasn’t even been a full year yet for Haus of Sy and the audience grows day-by-day. I’m currently on a high right now and I’m enjoying every minute of it. I wanted to put out something for people to love so I’m going to continue to do that.

ers and bike trails. Detroiters with a passion for animals and the outdoors can visit the Buffalo Soldiers Detroit to not only pet, feed and ride the horses, but to learn the history of Buffalo Soldiers and their impact on American history.

Additionally, animal lovers are invited to take a quick drive outside of Detroit city limits and land at the Bowers School Farm. Located in Bloomfield Hills, a suburb of Detroit, the farm features 93 acres of land home to horses, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, cattle and llamas.

Despite an undeserved reputation as a desolate, crime-riddled city, visitors will find that Detroit is just the opposite.

The city is on the upswing and tourists and residents can help shift the narrative.

“People are going to want to visit these places and throw out old dated misconceptions about the area,” says Lorenz.

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Fans and newcomers can expect the latest line to drop on June 11. The collection will include Logo Round Bag options and colors, mini bags, the Grand $y bag, and backpacks for men and women.

“It will include all 14 Logo Round Bag colors, 10 Mini Bag colors, the Grand $y bag in 4 colors and the backpacks for both men and women. I’m very excited for Haus of Sy’s future and again I want to thank every single person that has supported me in any way that they could,” says Reeves.

To shop visit the brand’s social media or hausofsy.com.

just Black people acting wild and crazy,” says Questlove.

Questlove’s directorial debut is a powerful message of resilience, pride, rhythm and song -- all things synonymous with Black culture. Receiving high praise during its showing in the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, the film took home the Grand Jury prize and Audience award at the film fest. The documentary was sold for $12 million to Disney’s Searchlight and Hulu, breaking the record for the sale of a documentary at Sundance.

Keeping You Informed Away or at Home.

“Me being a DJ is exactly what informed me on how to tell this story. To start, for five months I just kept it on a 24-hour loop no matter where I was in the house or the world. If anything gave me goosebumps, then I took a note of it.

I felt like if there were at least 30 things that gave me goosebumps, we could have a foundation,” says Questlove on creating the film.

The “Summer of Soul” documentary is now available in theaters and streaming on Hulu.

michiganchronicle.comDQE

July 14-20, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com •

Page B-3

Games to Heat Up the Bedroom

By Megan Kirk “50 Shades of Grey” helped introduce the world to BDSM and kinky games in the bedroom. With the book series and subsequent movie trilogy, adult toy sales soared through the roof as more and more adults began to enter a world where pain meets pleasure. Whether dating for fun or for keeps, these games are fun ways to explore the raunchy side of intimacy.

Not all bedroom games require flogging, clamps or paddles. Games made for two can help add some spice to the bedroom mambo. For those who prefer board games or cards, here are a list of games to help boost the heat between the sheets.

A game created by sexologist Shamyra Howard allows players to get to know each other better while getting engines roaring. Use Your Mouth is 50 sex and relationship conversation starter cards featuring open-ended questions. This card game is geared towards dating singles or married couples who have skin in the game. This can also be played intimately or with a group of friends.

Monogamy is getting a new outlook with the creation of a game designated just for two. Monogamy- A Hot Affair with Your Partner is a board game where reaching the end will actually be the start to a night full of fun and passion. Players will roll the die to move through the game. Whatever square the player lands on, he or she must perform the corresponding action.

As players pass the starting point, rings will be collected signifying the increase in intimacy level. To make the game more interesting, there are blocks that determine the challenge. The Strip square asks players to take off an article of clothing. The Drink and Food squares allow players to sip or nibble foods from the body of the opposite player. Monogamy squares direct you to pick a card. Special squares like the Massage Parlor or Erotic Dancing challenge you to get physical.

Spreading Love Not Fear: Getting Tested for Your Hot Girl Summer

By Megan Kirk Grab your girlfriends and get ready for an epic summer. Rapper Megan Thee Stallion has coined the phrase “Hot Girl Summer” and many ladies are taking hold and making the summer months theirs. However, keeping the body healthy and safe is one of the main factors in having a successful Hot Girl Summer. Whether single, ready to mingle, situationship, entangled or otherwise, knowing the status of your sexual health can mean the difference between fun and danger.

The Centers for Disease Control reports more than 26 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections across the country in 2018 with almost half of cases steaming from ages 15-24.

Costing more than $16 billion in direct medical fees, the costs of an STI or STD can be more than just financial.

Based on data from the CDC released in 2021, for the sixth consecutive year, as of 2019, cases of STDs have reached an all-time high. Yet, sexual education and prevention are not topics of discussion.

Played one-on-one or with other couples, The Ultimate Game for Couples tests how well couples know each other. In addition to answering questions, players will also be asked to complete challenges for points and bragging rights.

Grab a bottle of your favorite spirit and let the good times roll. Introducing alcohol into game night will add an extra level of difficulty and transparency. Liquor courage also builds the kinkiness and the more, the better. Date nights that include alcohol and games will lower inhibitions and increase the imitate levels of fun. For some spirited good times, check these games out.

A rousing game of this or that may be just the trick to get the party going. This game is a new twist on a classic version and while the rules have not changed, the end result has. Kinky Confessions allows play for up to five friends or just oneon-one face off. Each card pulled shows a “would you rather” prompt. Players choosing to skip answering the question will have to forfeit and take a shot. For more heat, add another directive in lieu of drinking and see how quickly the game wraps up.

Truth or dare anyone? This classic game is being reimagined and taking form as a drinking game for adults. The rules are simple, answer truthfully or feel the wrath of a dare.

While games are a fun way to build anticipation, some choose a more direct form of before play. If getting to the business at hand is high on the to-do list, these games are meant for a little less play and a little more lay.

That old Jenga board that has been collecting dust since last game night needs a new look. Revamping the game, players can take turns adding risqué demands on each piece and the player who pulls it must perform it.

Nookii is a game that helps mount anticipation until it reaches a fever pitch!

A game designed for stimulation players can choose from three decks of cards depending on their intensity mood.

Equipped with extra gifts, Nookii also includes a scarf for blindfolding or binding and a Do Not Disturb sign. Stamina sold separately.

No matter the bedroom game, single or coupled, playing safely and working within limits can guarantee a pleasurable experience that will keep partners wanting more.

“The burden of STIs is staggering,” says Jonathan Mermin, M.D., M.P.H., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “At a time when STIs are at an all-time high, they have fallen out of the national conversation. Yet, STIs are a preventable and treatable national health threat with substantial personal and economic impact. There

is an urgent need to reverse the trend of increasing STIs, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected many STI prevention services.”

While most STIs and STDs are preventable, new positivity rates continue to climb. From 2015 to 2019, a nearly 30 percent hike in reported STDs occurred nationwide. The costs associated with sexual infections or diseases impact not only the healthcare industry, but overall quality of life. To gain a handle on increasing rates, it will take an all-hands-on-deck approach.

“Proven STI prevention – at all levels – is a cornerstone of protecting America’s health, economic security and wellness,” says Raul Romaguera, acting director for CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “There are significant human and financial costs associated with these infections, and we know from other studies that cuts in STI prevention efforts result in higher costs down the road. Preventing STIs could save billions in medical costs, but more importantly, prevention would improve the health and lives of millions of people.”

For the City of Detroit, working to improve the STD and STI rates across the city is paramount. The Detroit Health Department provides an HIV/ STD program which provides community outreach and education on help and various resources as well as referral linkages to testing and care ser-

vices. Catering exclusively to Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck residents, the program also allows users to order a free 12-pack of condoms.

Each year, more than 15,000 new cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis and over 200 new HIV cases are reported to the health department for Detroit alone. Though the poverty level has been on a gradual decline since 2015, with just about 30 percent of residents living below the poverty line or making less than 21,330 per year for a family of three according to the Census Bureau, sexual education is not at the forefront.

“Focusing on hard-hit populations is critical to reducing disparities,” says Jo Valentine, MSW, associate director of the Office of Health Equity in CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “To effectively reduce these disparities, the social, cultural and economic conditions that make it more difficult for some populations to stay healthy must be addressed. These include poverty, unstable housing, drug use, lack of medical insurance or regular medical providers and high burden of STDs in some communities.”

The city offers many options for privacy and comfort while testing. To get tested or find a nearby location, call 313-577-9100. Walk-ins are accepted and no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay. Personal information and results are kept strictly confidential.

Exclusivity: Dating Versus Talking

By Megan Kirk

confuse constantly doing it as a form of talking when that may not necessarily be the case for the guy,” says Brown. “In my past, it was times when a chick really thought we were progressively headed towards a relationship when she was really just my buddy.”

Dating for millennials is already hard enough. Navigating through careers, children and everyday tasks leaves very little time for a personal life. In the game of hearts, exclusivity is always the goal and playing for keeps wins the game. However, in courting, is there a difference between talking and dating? Who sets the tone for each stage? How do you know which level of the dating game you have entered?

The men versus women debate has been one topic of conversation that has spanned the test of time.

Both men’s and women’s differences in communication, thinking and logic have been the topic of books, daytime talk shows and comedy sketches. For men, keeping options plentiful is the norm, but in these instances are you talking or dating?

“Talking is when you’re interested in a person. Anybody can be admitted into the ‘talking stage.’ That can include texting, FaceTime, DMs, etc. Can include intimacy as well but, overall, you’re just showing your best characteristics,” says Rodney Brown, one of the creators of Your Aunties Favorite Nephews podcast.

Some believe there is no distinction between dating and talking. However, semantics is everything when

While women agree there is some confusion with the terms dating and talking, they do not believe the misinterpretation is solely at the hands of the female gender. it comes to defining the status of a relationship. It could mean the difference between a relationship and another night alone with Netflix.

“Dating and talking is interchangeable but it all depends on the context. It’s a difference if a person says ‘I’m dating someone’ and ‘I’m dating.’ The ‘I’m dating someone’ person is typically exclusive because they are talking about a specific person that they’re highly interested in. The ‘I’m dating’ person is just out here looking for whatever they can grab,” says Brown.

For women, the rules are a little more defined. Leaving nothing to chance, women are more likely to clearly state their intentions and make their wants known.

“I believe the difference between talking and dating

is the possible outcome.

Dating is usually with intent to date. Talking could be hit or miss, possibly even just to occupy someone’s time until someone better comes along,” says Tehya Sylvester. “No one person should dictate the pace or place of the relationship, it should be mutual [between] both parties and discussed whenever one person would like for either to change.”

Once the physical aspect of the relationship ramps up, assumptions settle in on the future of the courtship and if sex equates exclusivity. For some men, physical interactions with women are less significant than for women. As intimacy creates emotional bonds, it does not mean advancement in the relationship.

“Most of the time we’re just doing ‘it.’ Some women

“Men do it, too. Both confuse talking with dating and dating with a relationship.

Also, some people downplay these statuses and treat relationships like dating and dating like talking which in turn usually hurts the other party immensely,” says Sylvester.

When it comes to the aspect of dating, men and women are often working from a level playing field.

Each gender is able to dictate an aspect of courtship, men are seen as the gatekeepers of relationships.

“Men and women have different roles in general but in these two instances, we are relatively equal. The ladies must never forget that women control access to sex and men control access to relationships. So, it’s up to the guy whether we are taking it to the next level or not,” says Brown.

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July 14-20, 2021

Apple Avocado Toast

B

Apple Avocado Toast

FAMILY FEATURES

usy mornings, afternoons and evenings are the norm for many families with days full of work, school, extracurricular activities, social commitments and more.

Finding time to pause and share a meal is often a priority that may remain difficult to achieve.

With easy family-friendly recipes that call for Envy apples – named America’s No. 1 apple for taste, crispness, aroma and appearance, according to an independent sensory test by Forward Agency – you can bring your loved ones together for shared meals.

Crisp Apple Tacos put a fresh and sweet spin on a dinnertime classic by making tacos with pork medallions, homemade slaw and apple wedges. With plenty of easy prep work to be done, they’re a convenient way to call everyone to the kitchen; even little ones can

help by mixing the dressing, apple sticks and cabbage for the tasty slaw.

For a quick and easy dinner option on busy summer nights, fire up the grill and cook Grilled Apple Portobello Burgers. Distinctly sweet apple rounds are paired with savory, umami-rich portobello mushrooms for a flavor-packed, meatless take on traditional burgers.

Easily recognized by their large, sharable size, Envy apples boast bright red skin that sometimes features a golden blush. They are ideal for snacking, with their satisfying crunch and balanced sweetness, and can also be served as part of any meal of the day. For example, Apple Avocado Toast provides a simple way to fuel up on weekday mornings or can be enjoyed as part of a weekend brunch with the family.

Find these delicious apples at a grocer near you by visiting EnvyApple.com.

Grilled Apple Portobello Burgers

Crisp Apple Tacos

1/2 pound pork tenderloin 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 teaspoon pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided 2 Envy apples, divided 3 sprigs rosemary 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage 1 cup shredded green cabbage 4 tablespoons honey 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon mustard 1 tablespoon white vinegar 12 soft taco shells 2 tablespoons sour cream 1 lime, cut into wedges

Cut pork crosswise into 1-inch medallions.

Coat pork medallions with olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper then add to saucepan over medium heat.

Slice half of one apple into thick wedges and add to saucepan. Slice remaining half into thin wedges and set aside.

Add rosemary to saucepan and heat 2-3 minutes.

Flip pork and heat 2-3 minutes until pork is slightly golden and cooked through.

Let pork rest 3 minutes then slice into strips.

Thinly slice half of remaining apple into thin sticks around same size of shredded cabbage.

Reserve remaining half.

In serving bowl, toss apple sticks, carrots, red cabbage and green cabbage.

In bowl, mix honey, mayonnaise, mustard and vinegar into dressing. Add additional salt and pepper, to taste.

Mix dressing and cabbage; refrigerate at least 1 hour prior to serving.

Cut remaining apple half into thin wedges.

Top taco shells with pork, slaw, sour cream and squeeze of lime juice. Top with apple wedges.

Grilled Apple Portobello Burgers 2 Envy apples 4 portobello mushrooms 1/2 cup olive oil, divided 2 tablespoons lemon juice 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons oregano 2 teaspoons salt 1 cup herbed goat cheese 4 brioche buns 4 large butter lettuce leaves 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 eggs water

4 slices sourdough bread

1 ripe avocado, sliced

1 Envy apple

1 teaspoon lime juice 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons chia seeds

1 tablespoon minced chives

edible flowers, for garnish In pot, cover eggs with 1 inch cold water.

Boil 6-7 minutes then place in cool water bath.

Peel eggs, halve lengthwise and set aside.

Toast sourdough bread then mash avocado across bread with fork.

Cut apple into thin slices and place on top of avocado along with egg halves. Top with lime juice, Parmesan cheese, chia seeds and chives.

Garnish with edible flowers.

Heat grill to high heat.

Slice apple horizontally into thick round wedges and remove seeds using fork.

Remove portobello stems.

In small bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt. Using basting brush, coat mushrooms on both sides with olive oil mixture.

Grill mushrooms stem sides down 2 minutes then flip. Add goat cheese and grill 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.

Coat apple rounds with remaining olive oil and grill 1-2 minutes per side to lightly char.

Serve mushrooms with apple rounds on brioche buns with lettuce and mayonnaise.

Classifieds

July 14-20, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

REQUEST FOR QUOTE

Infotainment Software Verification Engineer

Virtual Performance Integration Manager

Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp, create, execute &monitor test plans for qlty control &improve UX incldg Center Stack Module (CSM) to identify, track &assign fixes for malfunctions, crashes, &poor performance, for MY22 &beyond psgr vehicle infotainment &telematics syss features incldg media playback, Bluetooth connectivity, phone projection, OnStar connectivity, &navigation, to improve HMI incldg app, service &sys levels, in Android OS, using Git, Gerrit, Jira, IBM RTC/DOORS/RQM, VSpy, Python, &Java tools, &neoVI FIRE, P-CAN, ValueCAN &Mongoose HW. Coordinate verification testing activities for vehicle HMI sys thru controlling overall test plan &execution for MY22 &beyond platforms. Coordinate sys level verification tests for platforms. Perform smoke, sanity, functional, integration &interaction, stress, &monkey tests. Master, Computer Science, Computer Engrg, Electrical Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg or executing test plans for qlty control &improving UX incldg CSM to identify fixes for poor performance, for psgr vehicle features incldg media playback, Bluetooth connectivity, or phone projection, to improve HMI in Android OS, using Git, Gerrit, IBM RTC, &VSpy tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#4906, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr &perform FEA &CFD, using CAE tools incldg ABAQUS, Star-CCM+, PumpLinx, GTPower, NASTRAN, Simulink, SimLab, Tosca, OptiStruct, HyperWorks &i-Sight for FEA &CFD sims &design optimizations, of conventional, hybrid, full electric &autonomous psgr car, truck &SUV automatic, manual, & continuously variable transmission (CVT) &drive units. Engr, create, plan, &facilitate static, implicit &explicit dynamic FEA of psgr vehicle automatic, manual, &CVT transmissions syss incldg cases, valve bodies, housings, pumps, sprockets, hubs, park syss, clutch packs, spring packs, pistons &dams, gears, shafts &electric drive units meeting structural, sealing, noise &vibration, thermal &performance (durability, sealing, thermal, manufacturing tolerance, stiffness, &mass) reqmts in Bills of Design at virtual design assessment gates using ABAQUS, Star-CCM+, PumpLinx, GTPower, NASTRAN, Simulink, SimLab, Tosca, OptiStruct, HyperWorks, FE Safe, i-Sight &UG tools. Master, Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer or related, performing FEA &CFD, using ABAQUS, Star-CCM+, GTPower, NASTRAN, OptiStruct, HyperWorks &iSight tools for FEA &CFD simulations &design optimization of psgr vehicle manual/CVT (transmissions) and drive units, or related.

Mail resume to Ref#1753-105, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Senior Process Engineer – GPS Manufacturing Engineering Warren, MI, General Motors. Create initial Manufacturing Technical Specification (MTS) &executive summary for new &major propulsion syss programs in N.A. Region, using tools such as benchmark calculator, ramp charts, jobs p/hr calculation &Planning data table sheets. Set up MTS, gathering data from stakeholders such as Product Integration Mgr, Process, Planning, Simulation &Container Engrs. Dvlp cycle times for engine assy process of current &future psgr vehicle gasoline &diesel engines, using Standard Time Data System (STDS) SW &process planning file in accordance w/ Engine Assy Drawings (EADs) &using TcVismockup &Mfg Process Planning tools. Establish KPIs for new, major engine &transmission prgrms incldg mfg cost per unit, plant &area efficiency, average weighted conveyor overspeed, &Harbour sourcing adjusted hrs p/unit (HPU). Dvlp HPU targets &no. of direct, indirect &salaried headcount for dual clutch transmission &3-4cylinder engines using benchmark calculator tool for depts such as Assy, Machining, Maintenance, Qlty &Material using total processing time from STDS, scheduled units P/day, shift structure, operating hrs, actual takt time &planned headcount. Required travel to U.S., CAN & MEX engine &transmission plants to attend assy &machining launches to achieve R@R &troubleshoot production issues, up to 8 wks P/A (equal to ~15% annual travel). Bachelor, Industrial, Mechanical, or Automotive Engrg. 24 mos exp as Engineer or related, dvlpg cycle times for engine assy process in accordance w/ EADs, &establishing KPI for engine &transmission programs incldg mfg cost per unit, plant efficiency, area efficiency, average weighted conveyor overspeed, &Harbour sourcing adjusted HPU, or related. Mail resume to Ref#2454-203, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

HELP WANTED

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting RFQs for Bus Stop Signs, Control No. 22-3390. RFQ forms may be obtained beginning July 14, 2021, from http://www.mitn.info.

RFQs are due by 3:00 PM ET, August 2, 2021.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Senior Applications Engineering Manager Opportunity in Romeo. One opening available.

Responsible for identifying and exploring new markets where L&L technology could potentially offer a compelling value proposition to solve customer problems. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in materials engineering or a related field (foreign equivalent accepted) and five (5) years multinational and multicultural sales/application engineering experience including 3 years of manufacturing and process management experience in the automotive, aerospace, filtration, white goods, building and construction industries and numerous skills/technology tools.

25%-30% travel time required. Applicants must send resumes, salary requirements and/or inquiries for further details to L & L Products, Inc., 160 McLean, Romeo, MI 48065 or (brooke.bierbusse@llproducts.com). No calls.

CAE Engineer Opportunity in Romeo. One opening available.

Responsible for developing CAE material models for composites and adhesives for linear, fatigue and crash applications and define CAE specific material test procedures and related duties.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or a related field (foreign equivalent accepted) and two (2) years’ experience in CAE in the automotive field and the following knowledge / skills / abilities: LS-Dyna, Nastran, Optistruct; Pre/post software like Altair Hyperworks, LS-Prepost etc.; Coupon, component, and system (e.g. full vehicle) level FEA analysis and correlation, including necessary pre- and post-processing; Understanding of manufacturing processes of composite materials such as injection molding, extrusion, pultrusion etc.; Design of experiments methods and CAE optimization tools and language; Microsoft office and Automotive crashworthiness practice, NVH, fatigue, and durability. Travel to customer locations throughout the world as needed is required. Applicants must send resumes, salary requirements and/or inquiries for further details to L & L Products, Inc., 160 McLean, Romeo, MI 48065 or (brooke.bierbusse@llproducts.com).

No calls.

IT Business Analyst Opportunity in Romeo. One opening available.

Responsible for identifying opportunities to use information systems and technologies to improve the company's business. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance, Business Administration or other related field and five (5) years’ experience in information technology in an Oracle ERP/CRM/HRMS/Financials environment across automotive OEM and/or supplier manufacturing and supply-chain focused industries and the following skills / technical tools: End-to-end business process flows per industry best practices in order-to-cash, procureto-pay, demand-to-build, financials and planning; Debugging and writing ad-hoc SQL queries and Oracle R12.2 upgrade and EBS application with a concentration in Oracle R12. No travel requirements. Applicants must send resumes, salary requirements and/or inquiries for further details to L & L Products, Inc., 160 McLean, Romeo, MI 48065 or (brooke.bierbusse @llproducts.com). No calls.

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 313 963-5522

Seeking Assistant II Seeking Seeking Medical OFFICE ASSISTANT III II OFFICE ASSISTANT at Oakland University AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY atGraham Oakland University Health Center

School of Medicine Mathematics & Statistics Coordinate the clinical processing in a To coordinate the clerical processing clinic by performing a variety Tomedical provide specialized office assistance, for a specialized function by performofing multi-step processes according to a coordinating a varietyprocedural of multi-stepbusiness processes or specified framework of procedures and service activities a complex program according to aforspecified framework regulations, to serve as an informationof procedures, regulations and precearea involving processing, implementing, al dents; source theasclinic in addition andwithin to serve an informational advising on, and reporting tosource. maintaining the Qualifications: role as a specialized medical Minimum High subject assistant in the Minimum clinic.

Qualschoolmatter. graduation or Minimum an Qualifications: equivalent combination of School education and equivalent experi-or ifications: High school High graduation orgraduation an Four general work anence. equivalent combination ofexperience. educacombination of years education andoffice including some experience inyears’ prioritiztion and experience.

Three exFouring years progressively responsibleThis office workas and perience a meeting medical deadlines assistant or in experience, including direct experience a full related time, clerical-technical posi- in a isdirectly field with experience Salary $42,123.00 annually. office coordination, i.e., prioritizing work intion. medical officeis clerical functions.

ExSee ­online posting for work additional posiassignments, flowobtainto meet perience inmaintaining venipuncture and tion requirements. First consideration deadlines. is a full time, clerical-technical ing basicThis patient information including will be given to those who apply by blood pressure, electrocardiograph position.

Salary July 21, 2021.is $43,718.00 Must apply annually. on line to: measurements urine specimens.

See online postingand for additional position https://jobs.oakland.edu This is a part-time clerical-technical porequirements. First consideration will be sition, working Monday-Friday, 10:00 given to thosep.m., who30apply byper March michiganchronicle.com DQE a.m.

– 5:00 hours| week.23, 2020.

Salary is $30,973.00 annually.

See HELP WANTED Must apply posting online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu online for additional position requirements. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

2col. x 4.75

Join Our Team Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring!

Sourcing Recruiter – Detroit, MI IT Helpdesk Technician II – Detroit, MI Network Administrator – Detroit, MI Microsoft Power Platform Developer – Detroit, MI Energy Advisor I – Grand Rapids, MI To apply please visit wmenergy.com/careers-2/

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8 Ways to Reach a Healthy Blood Pressure (Family Features) To take care of your heart, it’s important to know and track your blood pressure. Millions of Americans have high blood pressure, also called hypertension, but many don’t realize it or aren’t keeping it at a healthy level.

For most adults, healthy blood pressure is 120/80 millimeters of mercury or less. Blood pressure consistently above 130/80 millimeters of mercury increases your risk for heart disease, kidney disease, eye damage, dementia and stroke. Your doctor might recommend lowering your blood pressure if it’s between 120/80 and 130/80 and you have other risk factors for heart or blood vessel disease.

High blood pressure is often “silent,” meaning it doesn’t usually cause symptoms but can damage your body, especially your heart over time. Having poor heart health also increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. While you

can’t control everything that increases your risk for high blood pressure – it runs in families, often increases with age and varies by race and ethnicity –

1. Know Your Numbers. Everyone ages 3 and older should get their blood pressure checked by a health care provider at least once a year. Expert advice: 30 minutes before your test, don’t exercise, drink caffeine or smoke cigarettes. Right before, go to the bathroom. During the test, rest your arm on a table at the level of your heart and put your feet flat on the floor. Relax and don’t talk.

2. Eat Healthy. Follow a heart-healthy eating plan, such as NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH). For example, use herbs for flavor instead of salt and add one fruit or vegetable to every meal.

3. Move More. Get at least 2 1/2 hours of physical activity each week to help lower and control blood pressure.

To ensure you’re reducing your sitting throughout the day and getting active, try breaking your activity up.

Do 10 minutes of exercise, three times a day or one 30-minute session on five separate days each week.

Any amount of physical activity is better than none and all activity counts.

4. Aim for a Healthy Weight. If you’re overweight, losing just 3-5% of your weight can improve blood pressure. If you weigh 200 pounds, that’s a loss of 6-10 pounds. To lose weight, ask a friend or family member for help or to join a weight loss program with you. Social support can help keep you motivated.

5. Manage Stress. Stress can increase your blood pres-

there are things you can do. Consider these tips from experts with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) The Heart Truth program:

sure and make your body store more fat. Reduce stress with meditation, relaxing activities or support from a counselor or online group.

6. Have a Healthy Pregnancy. High blood pressure during pregnancy can harm the mother and baby. It also increases a woman’s risk of having high blood pressure later in life. Talk to your health care provider about high blood pressure. Ask if your blood pressure is normal and track it during and after pregnancy. If you’re planning to become pregnant, start monitoring it now.

7. Stop Smoking. The chemicals in tobacco smoke can harm your heart and blood vessels. Seek out resources, such as smoke free hotlines and text message programs, that offer free support and information.

8. Work with Your Doctor.

Get help setting your target blood pressure. Write down your numbers every time you get your blood pressure checked. Ask if you should monitor your blood Photos courtesy of Getty Images pressure from home. Take all prescribed medications as directed and keep up your healthy lifestyle. If seeing a doctor worries you, ask to have your blood pressure taken more than once during a visit to get an accurate reading.

To find more information about high blood pressure as well as resources for tracking your numbers, visit nhlbi. nih.gov/hypertension.





The Life and Legacy of

Edith Campbell Phelps Stovall Edith Stovall, 100, of Detroit, MI, died on December 30, 2020. She was born on August 17, 1920 in rural Milton, North Carolina. She was the tenth of the twelve children of Henry Glenn Phelps and Signora (Hughes) Phelps.

Edith Phelps was nurtured in the family’s Christian home, on the 93 acres of farm land that her parents owned.

Edith graduated from Yanceyville Training High School and was a member of High Street Baptist Church.

After graduating high school, Edith headed to Washington D.C. where she held her first job as a cashier at the United States Pentagon. After a few years, she decided to come to Detroit, MI and lived with her Aunt Cora Russell on Longfellow Street. She attended Fleming’s School of Cosmetology and became a hairstylist. Edith had a very good work ethic and later secured various jobs in Detroit during the 50’s in the night club business. She was a hostess at the Chesterfield Lounge, later a bar maid at Sunnie Wilson’s Lounge and the Hobby Bar, and then started a career at Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

During her 20 years at Michigan Bell, Edith was promoted throughout her employment from the Personnel and Support Services department to being one of the first African American women to drive a delivery truck and she also took pride in mentoring new employees.

Edith married Willard L. Stovall in 1957 and enjoyed the state of matrimony for two decades.

Edith Stovall was one of the first founding members of the Detroit Chapter of the March of Dimes in 1952 and was presented with a certificate and a plaque honoring and commemorating her years of serving as a volunteer.

Edith was the family historian. She often gave her testimony of overcoming challenging situations about employment, health, and financial investments. Although Edith Stovall did not have any children, her intention was to empower family and friends from her lessons learned.

Edith was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Signora Phelps; sisters and brothers, Grace Brincefield, Saul Phelps, John Phelps, Sterling Phelps, Mary Jackson, Florence Banks, Dorothy Lea, Lloyd Phelps, Minnie Gooden, and Signora Houghton.

Edith leaves to celebrate her life, her sister, Margaret Sherrill; her nephews, Thomas (Dianne) Houghton, William L. Sherrill III, and Will (Duke) Houghton; her nieces, Rohelia Mc Cain, Cynthia Garner, Lynn (Michael) Holt, Delores Gooden, Brenda Gooden, Deborah Jackson Butler, Beth Ann Lea and a host of great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, friends, and extended family.

A private ceremony was held at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, in Detroit, MI and an internment took place at Mt Hope Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Livonia MI.

 

In Loving Memory

James E. Webb

James Edward Webb was born on June 19, 1939, in ­ irmingham, AL, to the late Elliott Webb and Leola Kelly B Webb. After six years of military duty, he first settled in Detroit, MI, as a barber with his family. He was recruited by Equitable Life of New York and transferred to California in 1978 and started Webb’s Pest Control in 1979 serving the counties of San Francisco, Alameda, and Contra Costa. Being a strong spiritual leader, he served in many capacities in CA churches: Berkeley Church of Christ in Berkeley, Metropolitan Church of Christ in San Francisco, San Leandro Church of Christ in San Leandro, and his final home church was Hayward Church of Christ in Hayward.

He was also a 33o Mason in the Grand Lodge.

He passed peacefully in Pearland, TX, on July 6, 2021, with his wife, Mildred Harkless-Webb, by his side. He leaves behind his beloved wife, two siblings, a son, a daughter, seven grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

His funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2021, 11:00 a.m. CDT at North Wayside Church of Christ, 7015 North Wayside Dr., Houston, Texas 77028. Visitation will be prior to service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Service will be streamed and link is available on his profile at www.mabriemortuary.com Final Arrangements Entrusted to Mabrie Memorial Mortuary, 5000 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas 77004, 713-9427673

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Page B-6

• michiganchronicle.com • July 14-20, 2021

FAFS SA YOUR DEGREE IS WITHIN REACH.

Use this code — 002329 — to fill out your FAFSA, and we’ll help you find ways to pay for it.

Wherever you choose to go for your education, your first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It’s the doorway to grants and scholarships that can make a big difference when it comes to paying for your education.

A FAFSA form can be completed at fafsa.gov from a phone, tablet or laptop in under an hour — and the payoff could be huge. Some awards, including programs at Wayne State like Wayne Access and the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, cover the full cost of tuition, but you won’t know what aid you qualify for without a FAFSA. Not sure where you want to go to school? That’s OK — you can submit your FAFSA to as many as 10 institutions before you even complete your admissions applications.

Just enter the schools’ codes when prompted. Here’s Wayne State’s to get you started: 002329.

Still have questions? We’re here to help. Contact us today by calling 313-577-2100 or visiting go.wayne.edu/fafsaresources.

And when you’re ready to apply, visit wayne.edu/admissions. Your next step is waiting — you don’t have to do it alone.