Sept. 24 edition

Apple Store on Woodward Now Open Money.

Michigan Chronicle

Michigan Chronicle

Michigan Chronicle

UAW Triple Strike Against Detroit Automakers

Sheffield: Detroit Would Fight Back Against Trump’s Deployment of National Guard

All Black Everything:

A Night of Elegance and Excellence at the 10th Annual Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

Late Thursday night, Sept. 14, a historic moment unfolded in American labor relations as the United Auto Workers (UAW) union initiated a strike against Ford, General Motors (GM), and Stellantis. For the first time, the union took simultaneous action against all three major Detroit-based automakers. The action involves approximately 13,000 UAW members in assembly plants across Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, who walked off their jobs after existing labor contracts expired at 11:59 p.m.

Mary Sheffield talks to supporters at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Academy in Corktown on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.

Detroit City Council president and mayoral front-runner Mary Sheffield said Wednesday at a community forum for her mayoral campaign that as mayor, she would fight back against any overstepping of local authority by the Trump administration.

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Sheffield’s comments came the same day Vice President J.D. Vance jokingly told a crowd of supporters in Livingston County that all Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has to do is ask for the Trump administration to send National Guardsmen to walk the streets in an effort to decrease violent crime.

Itroiters. The symbolism of Black beekeepers revitalizing their city is a powerful testament to the resilience and ingenuity of our community.

While Republicans argue the presence of troops alone creates a deterrence effect, critics say there’s no evidence that using the military for civilian policing is effective as a long-term crime-fighting strategy.

n a breathtaking celebration of talent, determination, and the unyielding spirit of Black excellence, the Michigan Chronicle marked its 10th Annual 40 Under 40 event Thursday evening. This year’s soirée, drenched in the theme “All Black Everything with Gold Accents,” transcended expectations and essentially illuminated the golden gems within the true essence of Black excellence. Hosted by the charismatic duo of Andre Ash and Lynzee Mychael from Michigan Chronicle’s Finally Friday, the night was a triumph for the city of Detroit and its vibrant community of young Black professionals.

Could the National Guard be Headed to Detroit?

As the night unfolded, we had the privilege of honoring other outstanding individuals, each carving their own path to success. Clement “Fame” Brown, the creative mind behind Three Thirteen Detroit’s Brand Name, received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Brown’s commitment to empowering the city through fashion and entrepreneurship has left an indelible mark.

Shortly before midnight on Sept. 14, GM released a statement expressing disappointment with the strike action, despite offering what it termed an “unprecedented economic package” that included historic wage increases. Stellantis also expressed disappointment in a statement, saying the company immediately went into contingency mode to protect its operations.

JD Vance Says Yes, if Gov. Whitmer Asks

By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR

The evening sparkled with a golden promise as we celebrated remarkable individuals from various walks of life. Among the honorees were the brilliant and visionary co-founders of Detroit Hives, Nicole Lindsey and Timothy Paul Jackson. Their work has not only changed the landscape of beekeeping and urban farming in Detroit but also exemplified the transformative impact Black professionals can have on their communities.

Vice President JD Vance visited Howell, Mich., on Wednesday, Sept. 17, making a stop at a local manufacturing facility to address a crowd of supporters. His remarks, however, quickly turned to a familiar and controversial topic: crime in Detroit.

“Entrepreneur of the year – that’s a big deal,” said Brown. “It’s always an honor to be honored and it’s always a blessing to be in a room full of so many talented, accomplished, and popular people that look like me. I’m geeked. I started making and selling clothes as a kid and I always knew that I would have a business, but I never knew it would be Detroit’s brand name business, so I take a lot of pride in the fact that our business represents our city’s pride.”

Greektown Had 1.4 Million Visits This Summer and No Shootings

Can Reparative Investment Finally

Taking home the Corporate Excellence Award was Dannis Mitchell, Director of Community Engagement at Barton Malow.

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

“I’ve been very vocal in my opposition that the National Guard coming to Detroit does not address the issue of public safety,” Sheffield said in response to a question from the audience inside a Corktown school gymnasium.

“Together we have created a social, environmental, and financial impact through bees,” said Jackson. Lindsey followed that sentiment with, “It is through our local partnerships and collaborative efforts that we exist in over 28 plus locations managing the health of 4.5 million honeybees – humbly speaking our movement has inspired others locally, nationally, and even internationally to take on similar missions.”

The Vice President, speaking before several hundred in the heart of Livingston County, delivered a pointed message aimed squarely at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s handling of violence in Michigan’s largest city.

ness district that had been the lifeblood of the community.

in August 2025, ordered the deployment of federal troops to Washington, D.C. This decision, the White House says, was sparked by a dramatic uptick in violent protests and organized crime in the capital, marking the first such deployment since Trump’s controversial use of federal forces in the summer of 2020. While many had expected the D.C. deployment to remain an isolated incident, it quickly became clear that the administration was prepared to use the Guard in other cities – predominantly Black ones, most notably.

DPD Chief James White Says Increased Police Presence Culled Violence By Andre

Ash

DIGITAL ANCHOR

The UAW has branded the industrial action as the “Stand-Up Strike,” focusing on specific plants within each automaker. UAW President Shawn Fain stated, “This strategy will keep the companies guessing. It will give our national negotiators maximum leverage and flexibility in bargaining. And if we need to go all out, we will. Everything is on the table.” Union leaders have also indicated that additional plants could be targeted in future waves if negotiations remain stalled.

Sheffield says that addressing the issue requires having the amount of resources necessary to continue the city’s community violence intervention programs, proper investment in youth programming, education, mental health, and housing.

Detroit Hives, a pioneering organization founded by Lindsey and Jackson, harnesses the power of urban beekeeping to revitalize neighborhoods in the Motor City. Their initiative not only addresses critical issues like environmental conservation but also provides valuable education and employment opportunities to Black De-

For many Detroiters, Interstate 375, or I-375, has long been just another stretch of urban highway, a concrete artery connecting different parts of the city. To some, it’s a mere convenience; to others, it’s an unremarkable part of their daily commute. However, there’s a deeper, far more troubling story beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary freeway—a story of pain, displacement, and the lasting impact on Black Detroiters.

“My one message to Governor Whitmer is this: the city of Detroit, we know, has got some serious crime problems, and we know that it’s the people of Detroit who suffer the most when crime is allowed to run rampant all over city streets,” Vance said. “Gretchen, we are happy to send the National Guard to Detroit, Michigan. All you gotta do is ask.”

“It is so important to recognize that there are young leaders across the country, many that are born here in Detroit. I represent our city nationally and I tell people, ‘Yea I’m a D-girl I’m from the west-side of Detroit,’” Mitchell expressed. “But more importantly, I’ve been able to have experiences within an industry that not many of us, specifically women of color, have the opportunity to engage in and I’ve been the youngest person in the room, the only Black person in the room, and the only Sistah in the room, and I really had to articulate the importance of showing up, giving chances when others won’t, and being persistent.” As a trailblazing Black woman thriving in a predominantly male-dominated industry, her unwavering commitment to fortifying the connections between businesses and Detroit’s communities is unde-

It’s a history marred by pain, injustice, and economic devastation. More than 130,000 residents, primarily Black, were forcibly displaced. Families were uprooted, generational wealth was obliterated, and a thriving community was torn asunder. The wounds inflicted by I-375 run deep, transcending the physical barrier of a freeway to penetrate the very soul of Black Detroiters.

towards mending the wounds inflicted on Black Detroiters and restoring a sense of belonging that was so callously torn away in the past.

Critics have argued that the military’s presence in urban areas could lead to over-policing and disproportionately affect communities of color. Trump, however, defended the move, arguing that the increased presence of the Guard was necessary to restore peace and combat violent crime in the city.

A string of shootings in Greektown in mid-April left both visitors and residents of this bustling downtown destination in awe. One of these shootings tragically claimed the life of a popular and beloved security guard following a dispute with a patron.

The I-375 Boulevard Project is about more than just correcting historical injustices; it’s about redefining the future. It will connect downtown Detroit to surrounding neighborhoods, bridging the gap that was placed upon the city decades ago.

A Holistic

She pointed to the National Guard being deployed in Detroit during the 1967 Riots. Law enforcement personnel tasked with keeping the peace were involved in actions that led to civilian injuries and deaths, including that of a 4-year-old girl, Tanya Lynn Blanding, who was killed by either a police officer or a National Guardsman during the height of the chaos.

Fain clarified the union’s strategy: “I want to give a major shoutout to the thousands of members who are on the picket lines right now fighting for all of us. The Stand-Up Strike is a new approach to striking. Instead of striking all plants at once, select locals will be called on to stand up and walk out on strike. This is our generation’s answer to the movement that built our union – the sit-down strikes of 1937. We told the Big 3 that Sept. 14 was the deadline and we meant it. We gave the companies our economic demands eight weeks ago and it took more than a month to get to the table.”

The crowd in Howell, a city with a complex history –one that includes being the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan in Michigan – responded with resounding cheers and applause. The venue itself served as a reflection of Michigan’s political and historical landscape: a space where tensions around law enforcement, race, and crime intersect. Howell, in particular, has become an emblematic site for those who advocate for a tough-on-crime approach, with its population closely mirroring broader Republican sentiments in the state.

This painful legacy can be traced back to the nation’s interstate highway program of 1956—a program that aimed to connect the country but often did so at the expense of marginalized communities. In the case of I-375, it meant carving a path through the heart of Black Detroit, reinforcing segregation, and perpetuating inequality.

All Hands On Deck to Combat Homelessness

By Andre Ash DIGITAL ANCHOR

“If in fact that were to happen we would look at legal options to fight back against any type of overstepping of local government’s authority and power. And (would) ensure that we’re fighting back against it. We all know the history in Detroit of the 1967 Riots where the National Guard were here. It’s just a very dark memory and a lot of our recollection. And so, it is something I am against — I will always be vocal against that behavior.”

The tale begins in what is now Lafayette Park, once known as Black Bottom—a neighborhood rooted in African-American culture and history. Named after its dark, fertile soil, Black Bottom flourished during the mid1900s, nurturing the dreams and aspirations of prominent Detroiters like Coleman Young, Joe Louis, and numerous other Detroit legends. But in the name of urban renewal in the 1950s, this vibrant neighborhood was systematically dismantled, erased from the map, and replaced by a lifeless stretch of asphalt.

The male suspect allegedly shot the guard before fleeing the scene, while his female companion is accused of concealing the weapon in her bra.

Trump has threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Memphis, as part of a broader effort to quell protests and unrest related to racial justice issues. When he threatened to send the troops to Chicago and other cities in 2020, many mayors of these cities strongly opposed federal intervention, including then-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who pushed back against the idea of using the National Guard to police her city. She, along with other leaders, argued that it was unnecessary and counterproductive, emphasizing the need for local, community-based solutions to crime and unrest.

Approach to Providing Shelter and Support for Detroit’s Unhoused People

Homelessness continues to plague urban communities, with families and individuals grappling with the challenges of making ends meet in today’s economic climate. Whether it’s struggling to meet monthly mortgage payments or coping with soaring rental costs in a housing market marked by shockingly high prices, a variety of factors contribute to the growing issue of people becoming unhoused.

Vance’s comments were not a rallying cry for upcoming elections, such as those in 2024. Instead, they were part of the broader conversation surrounding crime, policing, and the National Guard under the current administration of President Donald Trump. Trump, now in his second stint as president, has leaned heavily on a law-and-order platform, advocating for more military intervention to combat crime, specifically in large cities with large Black populations. His rhetoric regarding Detroit echoes his approach to crime in other cities, which has sparked a vigorous debate over the role of the National Guard in managing civil unrest and violence.

While the residential areas bore the brunt of this demolition, the heart of Black Bottom, its thriving business center, remained largely untouched. Restaurants, theaters, clubs, and bars—the very places that brought Detroit’s Black community together—were concentrated around Hastings Street, the epicenter of African-American culture in the city.

Housing Resource Helpline in response to the challenges that residents face in navigating the complex system of housing services. The helpline provides a single point of contact for people seeking housing assistance and connects them with the resources they need.

The union is pushing for a comprehensive list of demands. This

Meagan DunnJulie Schneider

Historically, shelters have provided a temporary respite for those in need, often serving as the first or second option after exhausting alternatives like staying with friends or family. Shelters offer a place to rest one’s head and a warm meal, albeit sometimes for extended periods. For others, being unhoused means living in cars or makeshift outdoor settings.

Then, in a cruel twist of fate, Hastings Street, too, was obliterated a few years later, making way for the construction of I-375. This marked the final blow, sealing the fate of Black Bottom and signaling the beginning of the end for Paradise Valley, the Black busi-

By Lynzee Mychael MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST

The causes of homelessness are as diverse and complex as the individuals experiencing it. In response, the City of Detroit has adopted a holistic approach to combat this issue.

The mention of the National Guard comes as Trump,

These incidents unfolded during an unseasonably warm spring, leading to increased pedestrian traffic and heightened tensions in the densely populated downtown area.

For one to aptly recognize the harm caused by such projects, it is vital to note that some of the planners and politicians behind those projects built them directly through the heart of vibrant, populated communities—oftentimes to reinforce segregation and sometimes as part of a direct effort to replace or eliminate Black neighborhoods.

This year, Chicago’s current mayor, Brandon Johnson, has echoed those concerns in response to Vance’s comments and Trump’s overall approach to crime. Johnson, a progressive Democrat, has spent much of his time in office advocating for policies aimed at addressing the root causes of crime, such as economic inequality, job creation, and investment in community-based programs. Johnson’s administration has already taken steps to address public safety issues with a focus on restorative justice, alternatives to incarceration, and de-escalation training for police officers. In response to Trump’s threats, Johnson condemned the idea of sending the National Guard to Chicago, saying that such a move would be a “step backward” for the city.

Support for the helpline comes from the Gilbert Family Foundation, which has pledged $10 million over three years to fund the program. Wayne Metro Community Action Agency manages the helpline, making it accessible to all Detroit residents. This initiative simplifies access to the City’s various housing services, ensuring that residents in need can easily find assistance.

Today, the resurgence of Paradise Valley stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Black Detroiters and the enduring legacy of Black excellence. This historic district, once a vibrant hub for Black businesses and culture, is experiencing a renaissance that harkens back to its glory days. The destruction of Black Bottom may have torn apart a thriving community, but the resolute determination of a new generation of entrepreneurs and visionaries is reclaiming that lost legacy.

The surge in crime and the influx of visitors to Detroit’s downtown core garnered the attention of the Detroit Police Department (DPD), catching them somewhat off guard.

But now, after decades of enduring the scars of I-375, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Plans have been unveiled to transform this once-divisive freeway into a vision that seeks to right the wrongs of the past while heralding a new era of inclusivity and community revitalization.

“Chicago residents deserve more than just a military

By Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

“Providing services and high-quality housing to persons at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness is a key priority of the City of Detroit, said Julie Schneider, Director of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department.

What a Federal Government Shutdown Could Mean for Detroiters?

James White, Chief of Police for the Detroit Police Department, said: “We were caught somewhat flat-footed right out the gate. By design we went into the spring deployment, which is less than the mid-summer deployment, and saw we say an uptick in violence that first warm weekend.”

Chief White attributes the violence in Greektown to a combination of weather conditions and a surge in population.

produce, ground meat, and coffee. Tariffs are hitting our auto industry especially hard, and they are cutting jobs, raising prices, and seeing huge hits to their bottom line.

Fueled by more than $100 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other partners, this ambitious project aims to create jobs, remove barriers to economic growth, and reconnect the neighborhood with the rest of Detroit. It is a step

In the heart of Paradise Valley, Blackowned businesses are not just flourishing but thriving, offering diverse services, products, and experiences that pay homage to the past while paving the way for a prosperous future. From jazz clubs to soul food restaurants, the Black Press, and art galleries to fashion boutiques, this revival is breathing life into the very essence of what once made this neighborhood a vibrant cultural epicenter. It’s a resurgence that extends beyond brick and mortar; it represents the resurgence of a spirit that refuses to be subdued.

Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III, representing District 7, where Eastern Market resides, told the Michigan Chronicle,

He explained, “ We saw numbers downtown that we have not seen, ever. People are emerging from COVID and there’s a feeling that we’re in a post-COVID era… and with the venues downtown and the reasons to come down with all the activities that are going on, we saw hundreds of more people and, in particularly, young folks, teenagers that we hadn’t seen.”

Responding swiftly to the surge in violence, DPD adjusted its deployment plans. Rather than waiting for mid-summer, they deployed officers in the spring itself to address the situation.

“This means focusing on building the pipeline of supportive housing and coordinating with the Continuum of Care on the delivery of critical resources such as emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and diversion and prevention programs. It also means preserving and expanding affordable housing options for Detroiters of all incomes and improving housing stability though comprehensive service offerings available through the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine and Detroit Housing Services Division within HRD.”

“The city and its partners offer a lot of great services to help Detroiters with their housing needs, but they don’t mean much if people don’t know how to access them,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners and the generous support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, we now have a simple process to guide residents to the right housing resource and a growing number of programs to help them.”

Black Resilience Amidst Gentrification: Reclaiming

From the days of the Great Migration when thousands of Black families flocked to Detroit in search of jobs and a better life, to the pivotal role they played in the city’s cultural and musical heritage, Black Detroiters have left an indelible mark on the city. However, in recent years, Detroit has experienced significant gentrification, which has raised concerns about the displacement of long-standing Black residents. Similar to a setting sun, there’s a rising spirit, and Black Detroiters are reclaiming their place in the city, despite the challenges posed by gentrification.

Right now, Michigan families in every community are grappling with economic uncertainty and rising costs. They’re finding it harder to put food on the table and are worried about losing their jobs. Last week in Lansing, I delivered a speech on how we must work together to protect Michigan’s economy by addressing the two main drivers of this uncertainty: first, and most significantly, national tariff policies, and second, our state budget. I want to give you an update on both here.

In May 2023, the City of Detroit launched the Detroit

While I can’t control the national tariff rate, we can work together to provide certainty and save people money. Over the past couple of years, we’ve fashioned strong job-creating tools that have helped us win big projects and bring tens of thousands of jobs home to Michigan. Let’s build on that work and make it easier to build factories and facilities, create good-paying local jobs, and incentivize innovation. No tool is going to be perfect, but we have to act.

The Gilbert Family Foundation’s broader commitment involves pledging $500 million to support projects across Detroit over the next ten years, with housing initiatives being a significant part of their contribution.

Notably, Detroit has witnessed a consistent decrease in recent years, with the number of unhoused residents steadily declining. In 2019, approximately 7,847 people were unhoused and entered the City’s community response system. In 2021, about 5,687 people experienced homelessness.

Over the past nine months, the federal administration has slapped tariffs, or taxes on goods that cross our borders, on nearly every country, including our strongest allies—stoking massive uncertainty around the world. When used strategically, tariffs can help a place like Michigan, but when used without a clear strategy, businesses pass on their higher costs to consumers and struggle to make decisions.

According to the City of Detroit, since the start of the fiscal year 2019 to 2021, Detroit saw a 28% decrease in the

We’re already seeing rising costs in Michigan because of tariffs. Everything costs more, from clothes, furniture, and school supplies to fresh

The rise in visitors to the Greektown area is evident in data from Placer.ai, a location analytics company specializing in visit trends and demographic insights through geolocation-enabled mobile devices. From May 1-Aug. 27, 2022, there were 1.3 million visits and 655,000 visitors to Greektown, according to Placer.ai. In the same period this year, these numbers increased to 1.4 million visits and 670,000 visitors.

I’m also urging our state legislature to do their job and pass a balanced state budget. I introduced my budget recommendation earlier this year. To make progress on roads, education, and public safety, we need to get this done. Our current plan to fix our roads, Rebuilding Michigan, is expiring, meaning nearly 10,000 good-paying jobs could go away. We are also facing a literacy crisis. And we need to fund public safety to make sure local first responders have the resources they need to keep Michiganders safe.

During the Great Migration, thousands of Black families from the South came to Detroit in search of jobs in the booming automobile industry. Despite facing discrimination and segregation, they built vibrant communities on the city’s east and west sides. Over time, these neighborhoods became centers of Black culture and entrepreneurship. According to Historian Jamon Jordon Black

As Detroit’s downtown area continues to attract both residents and visitors, the police department has imple mented various enforcement measures to manage the increased population. Notably, metal detectors have been strategically placed throughout Greektown to deter the illegal carrying of firearms.

“We have strategically placed them at key points, “ Chief White explains. It has been a deterrent for some, and some have tested it. If you are legally carrying a weapon and carrying a CPL, have a great day. If you’re

If the legislature sends me a budget that includes these shared priorities, I will sign it. We can all compromise and both Republicans and Democrats can all win. We can protect Medicaid, feed kids at school, and support moms and babies. We can also cut spending, fix local roads, and increase transparency. Most importantly, we can model to the rest

“They were coming of course

DPD Chief James White

niably commendable.

Amidst the glitz and glamour, the event also showcased the diversity of talent within our community. From Paris T. Prichard, a forensic scientist pushing the boundaries of her field, to math wizards like Donna Laster, who

National Guard

the rights of all women are continued.

presence on our streets,” Johnson said in a statement. “What we need is investment in our communities—policing strategies that are rooted in public health and justice, not in tactics that alienate our residents and deepen divisions.”

“PPMI has been preparing for this moment since the results of the 2016 election were final. We recently filed a lawsuit to stop the 1931 law from going into effect, and we’ve also asked the state courts to affirm that the Michigan constitution does already contain a right to abortion. Our advocacy arm, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, is a founding member of the coalition that launched Reproductive Freedom for All, a ballot initiative to affirm the right to abortion and reproductive freedom in the state constitution,” said Vasquez Giroux.

Elected officials are also working to keep Roe v. Wade intact thus holding off Michigan’s 1931 trigger ban. Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement saying, in part:

“The words ‘Roe overturned’ are no longer theoretical. I want every Michigander to know— no matter what happens in D.C., I’m going to fight like hell to protect access to safe, legal abortion in Michigan…”

Johnson’s stance, which prioritizes public safety solutions grounded in equity and community trust, stands in stark contrast to Vance’s suggestion. The use of the National Guard in cities like Chicago or Detroit remains a divisive issue, as conservatives, including Vance, continue to push for more federal intervention in response to rising crime rates, while progressives like Johnson advocate for comprehensive reforms that aim to address the underlying factors contributing to crime.

“The bottom line is that we will do everything in our power to keep abor tion legal in Michigan, and if SCOTUS makes that impossible, we will do everything we can to ensure our patients can access the care they need.”

In Detroit, where violent crime rates remain high, Whitmer and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan have faced increasing pressure to address the situation. However, the governor has been cautious about the idea of deploying the National Guard, instead opting to focus on long-term solutions, including police reform, community violence intervention funding, and job creation programs aimed at reducing poverty in some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods.

cine and healthcare, may be adversely impacted by the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Whitmer didn’t immediately respond directly to Vance’s comments.

For Vance and other conservatives, the rise in violent crime in major urban centers presents a compelling case for a stronger, federalized law enforcement presence. But these remarks are part of a broader national debate about how to balance public safety with civil liberties, and how to ensure that interventions, whether by local police or the National Guard, do

More than legal implications, overturning Roe v. Wade would impact several systems across the spectrum. With the potential to drive both foster and adoption numbers upward, a ban on abor-

not disproportionately harm marginalized communities.

“What we are really concerned about is the impact on our patients. Access to abortion is already out of reach for far too many Michiganders, especially Black people and people of color who face additional barriers to care as a result of systemic inequalities and institutional racism. Losing access to legal abortion will impact those communities most, forcing people to become parents or expand their families against their will. Being able to decide and control if, when and how to become a parent is central to building and living a healthy, happy life,” said Vasquez Giroux. Beyond the scope of

what the Supreme Court will rule in the upcoming days. Despite the decision, advocates on both sides of the argument are willing to continue their pursuits.

As the debate continues in Washington and across the country, the role of the National Guard in addressing domestic issues remains a flashpoint in American politics. Trump’s policies in 2025 and the remarks by Vance in Howell serve as a stark reminder of the growing ideological divide in how the country addresses crime, policing, and public safety. While some see military intervention as a necessary tool to restore order, others, like Chicago’s Brandon Johnson and Detroit’s leaders, argue that these approaches will only exacerbate existing problems.

Whether federal intervention will become a standard response to crime in largely Black cities remains to be seen, but the White House’s continued push toward over-policing Black cities has become increasingly more pronounced.

“Overturning Roe v. Wade would be a terrible break with nearly 50 years of judicial precedent and – more importantly – a blow against individual freedom. It is my hope that the majority of justices will reject the findings of this draft. If that is not the case, we need to stand with Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Gov. Whitmer in support of their efforts to preserve the right to reproductive freedom,” said Chair Alisha Bell, on behalf of the Wayne County Commission.

stakeholders to collaborate, collect and analyze data strategically.

Fight Back

Vance in Howell said the city of Detroit has serious crime problems.

“My one message to Governor Whitmer is this: the city of Detroit, we know, has got some serious crime problems, and we know that it’s the people of Detroit who suffer the most when crime is allowed to run rampant all over city streets,” Vance said. “Gretchen, we are happy to send the National Guard to Detroit, Michigan. All you gotta do is ask.”

troit crime in recent years has come from the efforts of serious law enforcement professionals, not from non-serious politicians like Rogers.”

In 2023, Detroit reported 252 homicides 2023, marking the lowest number of killings since 1966. However, the homicide rate per capita is higher today than it was then.

Republican activists like 180 Church pastor Lorenzo Sewell and Ramone Jackson pointed to the homicide rate per capita stat last year at a campaign event for Rogers’ U.S. House campaign. U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, R-SC, sat at a roundtable with Rogers, Sewell, and Republican activists who questioned the legitimacy of the city’s crime stats.

to remain vigilant in the fight against schemes to disenfranchise Michiganders of color.

Bomb Threats Target Michigan Lawmakers

By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

Ban no-knock warrants: Urging the House Government Operations Committee to hold hearings on HB 5013 and other legislation that would ban or limit the use of noknock or quick knock warrants, and urging the state legislature to pass meaningful reform and advise Gov. Whitmer to sign the bill after the leg-

that is presented by pro fessionals with the subject matter expertise, pedagogical skills, and judgment necessary to present complex information to students that are grounded in provable facts and add to the understanding of modern-day America.

Law enforcement officials responded to bomb threats made against Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and State Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, last week.

The public was made aware of the threat against Gilchrist’s home on Thursday. The following morning, Moss said on social media that he had received a bomb threat on Thursday night as well.

Increase mental health supports for the Black community: Recommending Michigan set a goal of increasing the number of Black mental health service providers by 20% each year over five years.

got kids in Detroit Public Schools. We had to talk them through it, because they have friends who their parents see what’s happening, and we got to make sure that all of us can navigate a crazy moment like this,” Gilchrist said on WKAR’s Off the Record. “This is ridiculous that this is part of the life of public service, that this is where our system has gotten so broken to where these kinds of threats have happened to people across Michigan, have happened to people across America. It’s unacceptable.”

“BLAC members have worked hard to identify the needs of the Black community and we feel these recommendations will provide a solid first step towards breaking down barriers in education, community safety, health and business,” said BLAC Co-Chair Dr. Donna L. Bell.

in his statement, saying local and state police arrived with a bomb-sniffing dog to ensure there was no immediate danger.

Moss, who is gay, is one of three Jewish state lawmakers in Michigan.

Moss said in a statement announcing he had been targeted that in the days leading up to receiving the threat, he had received “a noticeable influx of bigoted, aggressive messages directed at my office and social media inboxes.”

President Donald Trump’s administration has targeted cities with Black mayors over a perception that violent crime is high, threatening to send the National Guard to Chicago, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Memphis.

All of those cities have experienced drops in crime since the pandemic.

A spokesperson for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan criticized U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers for calling on the Trump administration, calling the former Republican Congressman an “unserious politician.”

Duggan has pointed to the already existing relationship local law enforcement has with federal agencies, such as the DEA, ATF, and FBI.

the chancellor embraces.

Gilchrist said he and his family very much appreciate how the Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff, and Michigan State Police responded to clear the threat. He said the incident is being investigated by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

people believe that they need to for themselves and others to live better lives.”

“I think about this as a husband and a father first and foremost. I’ve

By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

“I think of transformational leadership as a thoughtful approach that causes people to change but also causes the systems and circumstances they are operating in to change too,” Ivory said. “Transformational change doesn’t just ask people to do certain things; it asks them to change their view of what’s possible and excites them to drive that change together because they believe that what they’re doing will create positive change for everyone.

Gilchrist said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro reached out to him over the phone, given that Shapiro had a similar threat made against his home last year.

BLAC will hold a virtual town hall meeting to discuss its policy recommendations on Thursday, May 12 at 4 p.m. Join BLAC and a virtual audience in discussing the recommendations to support the Black community.

“It’s hard to be grounded when that ground has been shaken,” Gilchrist said.

Moss also thanked law enforcement

“I think that bad actors are exploiting this moment to instill fear in our political environment. I don’t think this is coincidence that it happened a day after the Charlie Kirk assassination,” Moss told Michigan Chronicle. “It’s a very sad state of our politics, for sure.” You can reach Sam at srobinson@ michronicle.com.

Esther Haugabook, a housing advocate who finished third in Detroit’s municipal primary, launched a write-in campaign on Tuesday for the District 5 city council seat.

That’s how entire systems change because

“Chancellor Ivery is a true transformational leader and an outstanding CEO, who is more than worthy of the CEO of the Year Award he just received, “ said Prof. James C. Mays, who teaches entrepreneurship and supply chain management at WCCCD’s Corporate College. “In his 27 years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery has elevated WCCCD to become nationally recognized for excellence and innovation and preparing our students professionally and personally to do great things in the world.”

Haugabook, 61, says she’s running to give residents another choice, citing “a growing frustration and growing concern from both residents and the business community about the lack of meaningful options on this year’s ballot.”

“After the primary, I had a difficult time making a decision who to support,” Haugabook said in an interview on Tuesday. “As I spent time I couldn’t consciously ask people to vote for someone who I didn’t feel comfortable supporting. Quite a few people reached out to me to consider running as a write-in. It’s an uphill battle but the more I thought about it the residents of Detroit needed to have a real choice to represent them.”

She finished the primary election with 17.5% of the vote, finishing behind Board of Police Commissioner Willie Burton (19.42%) and UAW retiree Renata Miller (23.17%).

In a press release announcing her campaign, Haugabook touted more than 30 years of experience in community planning and development.

“My work has included guiding multimillion-dollar federal HUD investments, financing afford-

able housing through MSHDA, and serving on the Virginia Park Citizens District Council for three elected terms,” she said in a statement. “I’ve worked hand in hand with Detroiters to preserve historic homes, expand access to affordable housing, and attract new business investment in our neighborhoods.”

BLAC is housed in the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Members represent many professional backgrounds, including economics, law, public safety, health and wellness, arts and culture and media. They leverage their experiences and expertise to make recommenda tions to the governor on critical issues affecting the Black community.

“Rogers is proving himself just another uninformed, grandstanding politician,” city spokesperson John Roach said in a statement. “In 2013, the City of Detroit had more than 750 carjackings. In 2025, we had 57 as of yesterday, a 90% reduction. Our strong partnership with US Attorney Jerome Gorgon has just added several more federal prosecutors to drive the violence down even further. The historic drop in De-

The federal government has been a huge partner in this (reduction of crime),” Duggan said in an interview with CNN when asked why Trump has not mentioned Detroit like other cities. “The president appointed Jerome Gorgon, the new U.S. Attorney, who was a career prosecutor himself, and he dramatically ramped up the federal support for gun violence. So, we’ve got the U.S. Attorney, the ATF, the DEA working hand in glove with the Detroit Police Department. It really has been a partnership with the federal government that’s producing these results.”

You can reach Sam at srobinson@michronicle.com

‘Growing Concern’ Fuel Haugabook’s Write-in Campaign for Detroit’s District 5

To learn more about BLAC and this upcoming event, visit gan.gov/BLAC.

Miller, 57, has been endorsed by Detroit council members Mary Waters and Scott Benson, the UAW, The Black Slate, and the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights.

Miller said in a statement Tuesday after Haugabook announced her write-in effort that her labor-backed campaign is growing stronger.

“I understand how hard it can be to lose an election. Even so, the voters spoke loud and clear in the primary and selected Renata Miller for the Detroit City Council District 5 race as their #1 choice,” Miller told Michigan Chronicle in a text message. “The support for our campaign continues to grow and we are working hard every day to reach even more voters as they begin voting absentee in the next week or so.”

In an interview with Michigan Chronicle earlier this month, Benson said he is standing by his endorsement of Miller despite criticisms against her stemming from a legal battle with an Indian Village homeowners association.

Miller’s 21-year-old domestic violence charge and past social media posts about the LGBTQ+ community were the subject of

Esther Haugabook

a Detroit News report published last month. The report also scrutinized Burton’s eviction from Lafayette Towers and his arrest during a Board of Police Commissioners meeting in July 2019.

Burton, 46, has been criticized for missing meetings as a police commissioner.

Burton has worked for Wayne County Commissioner Martha Scott as her director of community relations and served as the Detroit field director for Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.

District 5 is one of the most active council districts, as the majority of the new development in the city happens there. The district contains most of downtown and Midtown, crossing both the east and west sides of the city.

The district covers Belle Isle to Dexter-Linwood, spanning across West Village, Indian Village, downtown, Brush Park, Boston Edison, New Center, and the North End.

The district is home to important landmarks, including the Renaissance Center, Eastern Market, Ford Field, Henry Ford Hospital, the DMC, the DIA, Charles H. Wright Museum, and the Dequindre Cut. Wayne State will move from District 6 to District 5 as a result of redistricting changes.

Council president Mary Sheffield became the youngest council member in the city’s history when she was elected in 2014 at 26. She was selected council president by fellow council members in 2022 after winning a third term in District 5. The council president said she’s spoken to several candidates who intend to run for her seat, but wouldn’t be endorsing a candidate.

You can reach Sam at srobinson@michronicle.com.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and State Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield.

Roots.

POWER

Mother Nature is bringing unpredictable weather and more powerful storms to Detroit. That’s why DTE

and strengthening the electric grid to withstand this extreme weather.

In Detroit, the company has created a program to specifically address and update the city’s aging infrastructure

customers’ lights on. Since 2018, DTE has inspected and upgraded more than 1,600 miles of electric equipment that

the city and plans to upgrade an additional 260 miles this year.

The work includes:

 Using drones to inspect electric equipment. The drones can view hard-to-reach locations, which helps speed up work. Plus, drones are less disruptive to customers because DTE workers don’t have to enter customers’ yards.

 Trimming trees away from power lines. Trimming allows crews to make repairs, while ensuring limbs and branches don’t fall onto lines or electric equipment and disrupt power.

 Inspecting and replacing poles and pole-top equipment, crossarms and other power delivery equipment with stronger materials.

 Removing old, unused wires and organizing the remaining wires to ensure they are safe and less likely to fall during storms or windy days.

When work is completed, customers served by the upgraded equipment are expected to experience up to an 80% improvement in electric reliability.

This upgrading work is part of DTE's plan to build the electric grid of the future, which also includes transitioning to a

rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. This work also helps DTE deliver on its commitment to reducing the number and length of power outages.

To learn more about work happening in your community, visit empoweringmichigan.com or the DTE

at dteenergy.com/powermap.

Twinna Moss, senior customer service analyst in Customer Service at DTE, was encouraged by her coworkers, Eternity Greene, senior customer service analyst, and Brianne Kimbrough, supervisor, Executive Customer Affairs in Customer Service, to go back to college and finish her degree. Twinna, a native Detroiter, single mom of two active boys and a DTE employee for 24 years, enrolled in the company’s Education Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) and went back to school about 10 years ago. Through the ETAP program, DTE partners with local colleges and universities to offer tuition assistance to employees who return to school to earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees. While working on her degree, raising her boys and working full time, Twinna faced a few additional life challengesthe COVID-19 Pandemic and the death of a beloved family member. That is when she decided to put her education on pause.

“When I told my coworkers Eternity and Brianne how close I was to earning my degree, they almost signed up for me,” said Twinna. “We often talk about our short- and long-term goals. Obtaining my degree is a top priority on my short-term goal list. My two friends held me accountable.”

Late last year, Twinna re-enrolled in DTE’s ETAP program and set a goal to complete her Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in personnel administration, at Central Michigan University by 2026.

“I did it for myself and for my two teenage sons,” said Twinna. “I wanted to be able to pursue new opportunities and advance my career at DTE.” Twinna says the experience of going back to school has helped her improve her time management, accountability and communication skills and is also setting a positive example for her sons who are learning to balance their school responsibilities with sports and other interests. She plans to complete her bachelor’s degree at the end of this year and wants to develop her leadership skills and explore new opportunities in other areas of the company.

“I am grateful DTE encourages us to take advantage of this awesome career advancement benefit,” said Twinna. “Going back to school is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

If you are interested in career opportunities at DTE, please visit dteenergy.com/careers.

Stock up on furnace filters

You’ll want to replace your furnace filter right before you start using heat in your home to make sure it’s working at peak efficiency. Remember to replace the filters at least every three months, or more often if you have pets or many people living in your home.

Turn off your A/C unit

Once we move into the milder temperatures of September and October, don’t forget to shut off power to your outdoor A/C unit. Cover the unit with a tarp or plywood to protect it from the winter weather.

Double check your refrigerator Although refrigerators are used year-round, this is a good reminder to make sure it’s working efficiently and not using unnecessary energy. Check door seals to ensure they are keeping the cool air in and not contributing to colder temperatures in your home. Vacuuming the refrigerator’s coils will also help it run more efficiently.

Busy as a bee for Pollinator Week

Sometimes, supporting the environment means supporting the very smallest – and most vital – among us. That’s why DTE Energy’s environmental team focused on bees, butterflies, beetles and more during Pollinator Week and spent time this summer looking after these important members of the animal kingdom.

Pollinator Week began in 2006 as a way to recognize the importance of pollinators in our world, share information and find new ways to support them throughout the week and all year long.

“Pollinators are essential to our daily life and to our economic system, providing ecological services like pollination that lead to one out of every three bites of food we eat being provided by pollinators,” Kristen LeForce senior environmental engineer with DTE, said. “But these important creatures are in peril, with an estimated 25% of bumble bees thought to be in serious decline.”

This year, environmental team’s efforts reached beyond DTE sites and employees. During Pollinator Week, a group of environmental experts visited the Boll Family YMCA summer camp in Detroit to spend the morning teaching children all about pollinators. Through

a Monarch Migration game and activities like making butterfly masks, learning through Adopt-a-Pollinator worksheets and a gratitude poster, where the campers were able to thank the bees for all they do for us.

“I wanted to be there to share the joy of pollinators, with kids who have way more stories about them than you’d think,” said Cassie Lutz, a student co-op with DTE who volunteered at the YMCA. “It’s important to teach kids about pollinators because it can open doors to accessibility for young scientists, widen our eyes to the cohesive relationships that exist in nature and inspire an incredible wonder and curiosity about life – even small life!”

Students had fun coloring, sharing what they knew about pollinators and working their way through the stations of Monarch Migration by flapping their “wings,” crawling through imagined obstacles and more.

It all added up to a week of education and support for pollinators across Michigan.

“It’s so important that DTE supports our pollinators, because of our voice and

our commitment to the environment around us,” said Lutz. “Caring for the environment protects our customers, but also our children and family members. There are many Michigan crops that depend on pollination, and so many more gardens with beautiful blooms thanks to our pollinators.”

DTE also supported these animals by installing bee boxes and bird houses at Warren Service Center, building a planter and adding new plants to the Grand Rapids Wealthy Station’s pollinator garden. The team also installed pollinator boxes at the Muskegon Service Center and planted flowers in front of the Allen Road Service Center.

They didn’t want to stop at plantings and installations, they wanted to share information about pollinators with colleagues and the community alike.

“I wanted to do something new and fun that would bring some attention to our wildlife habitat areas and help people learn about the role that pollinators play in our ecosystems,” said Kim Mobley, senior environmental engineer at DTE. Mobley organized a geocaching event at several DTE Gas sites across southeast Michigan, encouraging employees to spend some time engaging with the environment and learning about pollinators by going on a modern “treasure hunt” for the golden pollinator, with each cache one golden pollinator card, eight species cards for plants that support pollinators, an extra memento such as native plant seeds and a log. Successful hunters filled out the log, took a memento and added a memento/token for the next geocacher. The first person to find the cache could claim the Golden Pollinator to receive a custom engraved Wildlife Champion tumbler.

“I think that many people don’t understand how important pollinators are in our everyday lives,” said Mobley. “Even with my Environmental background, I learned a great deal while setting up everything. The geocache event made it fun to learn about pollinators and their essential roles.”

Pistons’ Tobias Harris Launches $4 Million Homeownership Initiative for Detroit Families

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Detroit has long been a battleground for housing. Generations of Black families built neighborhoods brick by brick, only to see them stripped through redlining, foreclosures, and speculative investment. What’s left is a city where renters often outnumber homeowners, mortgage denials remain disproportionately high, and the chance to own a home feels out of reach for many working people. The scars of the foreclosure crisis still show up on blocks across the city, where empty lots and boarded houses sit as reminders of broken systems. At the same time, Detroit’s real estate market is climbing. The median sale price topped $100,000 for the first time this summer and continues to rise, while incomes for many families remain flat. That collision — of rising costs and shrinking access — is what many Detroiters describe as an affordable housing crisis.

It is into that reality that Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris is stepping with his latest initiative. On Tuesday, the NBA veteran announced a $4 million partnership aimed at widening the path to homeownership in nine Detroit neighborhoods. The Tobias Harris Homeownership Initiative, built with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Guild Mortgage, and Homium, is designed to chip away at the biggest barrier many families face: the down payment. The program will cover up to 40 percent of a home’s purchase price in assistance, offering fractional ownership and shared appreciation. For a city that has seen decades of exclusion in lending, the model is both unconventional and urgent.

Harris has returned to Detroit for a second stint with the Pistons, but his roots in the city stretch beyond basketball. He has invested in literacy programs, provided school supplies for classrooms, and funded professional development for teachers. His foundation has also backed affordable housing projects and small businesses. Still, Harris said the housing market’s inequities stood out. He has seen families locked out despite steady incomes, leaving them with no option but to rent as prices climb. “Being here, being an athlete and somebody who has a platform that can make an impact, I wanted to combine all those things and figure out a way to do something meaningful, impactful and that can really change the trajectory of an individual’s life,” Harris said.

The initiative is targeted at working-class neighborhoods like Bagley, Grandmont, Core City, Rosedale, and Eastern Market, among others. Applicants must earn no more than 140 percent of the area median income, which translates to $113,120 for two people in Wayne County. These aren’t luxury buyers — they’re nurses, teachers, and city employees, people who hold up the city but often get pushed out of ownership opportunities. An example in the fact sheet lays it out clearly: an ER nurse

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

The Michigan Senate is weighing a decision that could reshape how the state responds when vulnerable adults go missing. Lawmakers met in committee Thursday to discuss creating a statewide “Silver Alert” system, a tool designed to quickly notify the public when older adults or those with conditions like dementia are at risk and unaccounted for. It is a conversation rooted in urgency, one that comes as families and advocates continue to raise alarms about the gaps in Michigan’s current response system.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, builds on an already familiar model. Much like the Amber Alert system for missing children, Silver Alerts would send out emergency notifications through mobile devices and other channels, mobilizing the public to help find seniors who wander or otherwise disappear. McMorrow reminded her colleagues that the state already has the infrastructure. “Every day that we delay this system, Michigan families face the nightmare of searching for missing loved ones without the tools that could bring them home. We have the technology, we have the framework, and we have proof that it works,” she said during testimony.

Advocates argue that this is not an abstract problem. Studies show that nearly 60 percent of older adults with dementia will wander at some point. For families, that moment is terrifying. Loved ones can vanish in a matter of minutes, and without a rapid public alert, searches often take too long. The stakes are life and death: exposure, accidents, or getting lost near roadways are all risks when vulnerable adults go missing. In those moments, minutes matter.

Jada Brown, a contracted CPA and caregiver who has spent five years working with Detroit’s seniors living with dementia, said she has seen the pattern up close. “I’ve witnessed on several occasions that these seniors will wander, sometimes in ways that families could never anticipate,” Brown said. “I’ve had clients step outside in the middle of the night thinking they were heading to work, or walk blocks away from home in freezing weather because their memory told them they needed to visit someone who had passed years ago. In those situations, every second counts. Families shouldn’t have to wait for hours hoping police can canvas fast enough. A Silver Alert could be the difference between bringing someone home safely and a tragedy that

in Detroit earning $77,000 annually could buy a $230,000 home with just three percent down and save more than $200 per month compared to a traditional mortgage. That monthly breathing room could be the difference between staying current on bills or falling behind, between building wealth or watching it drain away.

The design of the loan reflects shared appreciation. That means when the homeowner sells or refinances, a portion of the appreciation goes back to the lender. If the home loses value, the homeowner only owes the original principal. For some, it may feel like a tradeoff to give up part of future value, but for families boxed out of the market entirely, the model offers a door in. It shifts some of the risk away from families who have already carried too much of it in Detroit’s housing story.

Marcus Martin, CEO of Homium, described it as a fairer approach to lending in a city where too many have been excluded.

“The people of Detroit deserve a fair shot at building middle-class economic and housing security for their families,” Martin said. “Programs like the Tobias Harris Homeownership Initiative and partners like Guild are what make it possible for fair and transparent products like Homium to enter the market, and we’re just getting started.”

Detroit’s Black neighborhoods know this history well. Decades of redlining cut them out of fair lending. The 2008 foreclosure crisis hit Detroit harder than nearly anywhere else, with thousands losing homes in a matter of months. Even now, Black mortgage applicants in Detroit face denial rates that far exceed their white counterparts with similar incomes. Add to that speculative buying from investors who see Detroit property as profit rather than community,

and the crisis deepens. That is why Harris’ initiative has been met with attention not just for its celebrity backer, but because it speaks to a larger fight for equity.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority put $3 million toward the effort. Private partners followed — Pistons owner Tom Gores and former player Jon Leuer contributed through Realize Impact, the nonprofit impact investing partner. With just over $4 million raised, Harris estimates 100 to 130 Detroiters could become first-time homeowners in the near term. His goal is to grow that number, ultimately building to $10 million in commitments.

Harris said the design of the program came after studying other down payment assistance and shared appreciation models.

“A lot of them don’t actually benefit the person who’s becoming the first-time homebuyer,” he said. “This puts somebody in the position where the payment they’re paying is actually less than what they would be paying if they were renting.”

The neighborhoods chosen for the program were deliberate. A fact sheet notes: “The nine target ZIP codes were chosen as stable, working-class neighborhoods where families earn modest incomes but face high mortgage denial rates. They also align with areas prioritized by other nonprofits and city initiatives like the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund, ensuring buyers can purchase in communities positioned for growth. By focusing here, the initiative removes upfront barriers, helps renters become homeowners, and supports longterm value as new amenities, services, jobs, and businesses take root.”

That alignment means the initiative could do more than help individuals. It could stabilize entire blocks, adding weight

never should have happened.”

The cost of building out the system is not expected to be significant. Lawmakers and state officials cited estimates ranging from a “nominal fiscal impact” that could be absorbed into existing budgets to about $20,000 annually to cover subscription fees and software maintenance. Compared to the scope of the state’s $80 billion budget, supporters argued, the cost is minuscule. What cannot be measured, they said, is the relief for families and the lives potentially saved.

This debate comes at a moment when Detroit has already taken matters into its own hands. In August, the city rolled out its “Emerald Alert,” a local notification system designed to fill the gap for missing persons cases that don’t meet Amber Alert criteria. Emerald Alerts are issued for children under 10, individuals with special needs, and adults in cases where foul play or abductions outside domestic disputes are suspected. The program, operated through the Detroit Police Department, notifies residents via the city’s “Detroit Alerts 365” subscription system. Anyone can sign up by texting DetroitAlerts365 to 99411. In its first month, Detroit officials credited the system with rallying neighbors quickly when a vulnerable resident went missing, underscoring the community’s hunger for tools that make people safer.

On the state level, momentum for Silver Alerts has already taken shape. The Michigan House of Representatives passed a version of the legislation in September with overwhelming bipartisan support. Republican sponsors carried the bill in the House, demonstrating rare consensus on a public safety issue. For the families who testified,

partisan politics mattered less than knowing their loved ones would not vanish into a system without tools to help.

McMorrow’s legislation dovetails with that House bill and signals that the Senate is ready to consider bringing the system statewide. Lawmakers are also weighing how to prioritize funding in the upcoming budget cycle. For McMorrow, the urgency is tied directly to lived experience. Each day without a Silver Alert system, she noted, is another day when families are left on their own to scour neighborhoods, issue flyers, and rely on local police departments that do not have a coordinated way to broadcast missing adult cases across jurisdictions.

During Thursday’s committee hearing, lawmakers also took up another proposal that intersects with caregiving. A separate bill would exempt certain caretakers from jury duty, recognizing that many family members responsible for round-the-clock care cannot leave vulnerable loved ones unattended for long stretches of time. Public comment showed strong support for both measures, reflecting how often caregiving responsibilities collide with policies that were not designed with vulnerable families in mind.

Both bills remain in committee, a procedural step that leaves their futures uncertain. Advocates say that’s where community voices matter most. Legislation can stall in Lansing without consistent pressure, even when it enjoys bipartisan backing. The history of Amber Alerts shows how long it took states to agree on and fully implement the system. Families of missing seniors hope Michigan won’t repeat that delay.

The debate over Silver Alerts also illustrates how local and state policies can

to schools, small businesses, and local institutions that depend on stable populations. For a city like Detroit, where blight has long been a symptom of displacement, new homeowners can reshape the trajectory of neighborhoods.

Yet challenges remain. Shared appreciation mortgages are rare, and some potential buyers may hesitate at the idea of giving up part of their future value. Others may question whether $4 million is enough to make a dent in a city with such deep housing needs. Harris himself acknowledged the limitations but said the focus is on building a foundation. He studied other models and found that too many tilted in favor of institutions. This one, he believes, leaves families better off.

For Detroiters, the proof will be in the lived results. Will renters in Rosedale or Finney finally hold deeds in their names? Will children grow up in homes their parents own rather than moving from rental to rental? Those outcomes will measure the program’s success more than any announcement.

Detroit has seen housing promises before, many of them broken. Harris’ initiative arrives in that context — not as a fix for decades of systemic failure, but as a step toward something better. It is a recognition that building equity in this city requires more than platitudes. It requires putting real money behind solutions that meet families where they are. And in a city where owning a home has always symbolized more than property, this initiative may mean that more Detroiters finally get to hold their keys, plant their roots, and know that their city still has space for them.

Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@ michronicle.com

evolve in tandem. Detroit’s Emerald Alert has proven nimble, covering categories that even a statewide Silver Alert might not reach. It shows how a city can pilot solutions while the state deliberates. Yet it also underscores inequities: a missing senior in Detroit may benefit from Emerald Alerts, while a family in Flint, Grand Rapids, or Benton Harbor does not yet have access to the same level of rapid community mobilization. That uneven landscape is precisely what lawmakers hope to resolve with a statewide approach.

For communities of color in Michigan, the issue carries additional weight. Black elders are disproportionately impacted by health conditions like dementia, and Black families often shoulder heavier caregiving responsibilities with fewer resources. When elders go missing, the compounded stress of navigating limited support systems can deepen the trauma. A coordinated Silver Alert system could offer a rare point of equity: ensuring that, regardless of zip code or race, families can count on the same rapid response.

The conversation on Thursday was less about whether to act and more about how soon. The House has already acted, Detroit has moved ahead locally, and Senate lawmakers now face a choice. The question is whether they will prioritize the funding and infrastructure before another family faces the nightmare McMorrow described. Supporters insist the state cannot afford to wait until tragedy makes the need undeniable.

Policy debates often get tangled in numbers and projections, but behind this one are countless Michigan families living with the reality of caring for vulnerable adults. For them, Silver Alerts are not theoretical. They are a promise of help when it matters most. And in a political climate where consensus is rare, the near-unanimous support for the idea is striking. It suggests that safety, dignity, and family remain common ground, even in a divided statehouse.

At the end of the day, lawmakers will have to decide how much urgency they place on turning that consensus into law. Until then, Detroiters can look to the Emerald Alert as an example of what is possible. But families across the state are still waiting for a system that acknowledges their reality. For them, every day without Silver Alerts is another day at risk. And for legislators, every day without action is a test of whether they truly see those families and the lives that hang in the balance. Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@ michronicle.com

Money.

Apple Store on Woodward Now Open

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Apple will open its first downtown Detroit retail store this week at 1430 Woodward Ave. The store debuted Sept. 19 and continued with regular hours starting that weekend: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sept. 21, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday the following week. The opening date aligned with the launch of Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which were available in the store on its first day.

The new location covers about 11,200 square feet, with 6,500 square feet set aside for retail space and 4,500 square feet for operations. It sits within three storefronts north of the Shinola Hotel, which previously housed Detroit Is the New Black, Madewell, and Le Labo. The site has been under construction for more than a year and is part of Bedrock’s wider development push along Woodward Avenue.

Apple confirmed its plans for Detroit earlier this year, but the exact address had not been disclosed until now. Dan Gilbert’s Bedrock pursued Apple for more than a decade, with the brand considered by many

Property is Power!

What Unequal Access to Credit Means for Black Homeownership

By Dr. Anthony O. Kellum

Anthony O. Kellum

Homeownership has long been a cornerstone of building wealth in America, yet unequal access to credit continues to block too many African Americans from this path. Data consistently shows that Black applicants are denied mortgages at significantly higher rates than their white counterparts even when incomes are comparable. This gap doesn’t just impact individual dreams of owning a home; it limits the ability of the Black community to build intergenerational wealth, stability, and opportunity.

The Reality of Credit Disparities

Reports from the Urban Institute and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau consistently highlight that Black borrowers face higher denial rates compared to white borrowers. For example, even at comparable income levels, Black applicants are more likely to be told “no” due to credit score thresholds, debtto-income ratios, or lender overlays. In many cases, the difference comes down to the fact that Black households often have thinner credit histories, carry slightly higher debt loads, or lack intergenerational wealth to boost down payments.

Understanding the Challenge

• Higher Denial Rates: Research shows that Black applicants face more frequent loan denials despite similar financial qualifications.

• Wealth Gap: Denials limit access to affordable credit, pushing many toward renting rather than owning, which compounds the racial wealth gap.

• Systemic Barriers: Historic discrimination in lending, appraisal bias, and limited access to prime loan products continue to weigh heavily.

What This Means for Black Homeownership

When access to credit is unequal, the ripple effect is generational. Families who can’t buy homes miss out on years of equity growth, tax benefits, and stability. Instead of ownership, they remain renters often paying more per month than they would on a mortgage. Over decades, this erodes wealth-building opportunities and contributes to the racial wealth gap. Property is Power, but without fair access to credit, power is unevenly distributed.

What African Americans Can Do to Reverse the Trend

1. Build and Protect Credit Early

A strong credit score is one of the most powerful tools in the mortgage process. Paying bills on time, reducing credit card balances, and avoiding unnecessary debt are key. Adding rent and utility payments to your credit history (through programs that report alternative data) can also strengthen your profile.

2. Shop around for Lenders

One denial does not define your ability to buy a home. Different lenders have different overlays and risk appetites. Community-focused lenders, credit unions, and brokers often provide more flexible options and fight

to be the most significant retail addition still missing from the city’s core. A Detroit Economic Growth Corp. study in 2018 estimated residents were spending about $2.6 billion annually outside of the city for retail purchases. Apple’s arrival is expected to reduce some of that outflow while reinforcing downtown as a shopping destination.

Jennifer Skiba, Bedrock’s vice president of leasing, said Friday that Apple’s opening demonstrates confidence in Detroit’s retail market. She described the store as a sign of the city’s continued progress in attracting companies with global reach that can also connect locally.

Apple already operates stores in Somerset Collection in Troy, Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, and Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor, though the Ann Arbor store is relocating, and the Partridge Creek location in Clinton Township is scheduled to close. The downtown Detroit store will provide an option within city limits for the first time, cutting down travel for many residents who rely on Apple products for school, work, and business.

The timing of the opening highlights how retail and technology are increasingly

tied to Detroit’s economic story. The store arrives as other national brands have expanded downtown in recent years, including Nike, H&M, Lululemon, and Gucci.

Apple’s presence adds another layer to that growth, both symbolically and practically, by placing one of the world’s most recognized companies on Woodward Avenue at the same time a major development rises at the Hudson’s site just one block south.

For Detroiters, the opening is another marker in the ongoing effort to rebuild downtown as a center not only of business but also of everyday commerce. After years of negotiation and speculation, Apple’s doors are open in Detroit, giving residents a new level of access to the products and services many already depend on.

Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@michronicle.com

By Tiffany J. Gunter SMART CEO

It’s Monday morning, and thousands are gearing up to start their week by boarding their local bus — not only to get to work and school, but to get life-saving medical care. Dialysis at 6 a.m. Three-times-a week cancer treatments. Appointments that catch health problems before they become an emergency.

For these riders, public transit isn’t about mobility. It’s about survival.

I know this personally. My father suffered from kidney failure and needed dialysis three times a week. On good days, he drove himself. On bad days — when a snowstorm hit or when fatigue set in — he would skip treatments. There were services available to help, but he resisted them. He didn’t want to use public transit. He feared what it would look like. That stigma, that shame, cost him. He missed appointments. He died at 62. I carry that truth with me every day. And I think of the thousands across our region who still face that same choice. The care exists. But access — safe, reliable, respectful access — does not always follow.

At SMART, we provide about 1,000 paratransit rides a day. Roughly half are for nonemergency medical needs like dialysis, therapy and specialist visits. Last year alone, we delivered more than 200,000 paratransit rides and 7 million fixed-route rides. And it’s not just patients. Many of our riders are nurses, aides, technicians or caregivers who keep our hospitals and clinics running. When a bus doesn’t show up, patients and professionals don’t either.

Without these rides, people miss treatments. Hospitals see more no-shows and health care costs rise. Missed dialysis turns into a 911 call. Missed preventative care turns into a hospital admission. This isn’t just about transit. It’s about public health. For people who can’t drive, can’t afford a car or need extra support — whether because of age, ability, or income — public transit is a lifeline. It gives people independence and it gives communities a fighting chance at staying healthy and connected.

But today, Michigan is moving in the wrong direction. State funding for transit is falling behind, just as demand for reliable transportation is growing. If proposed cuts are implemented, routes will shrink. Our neighbors and our loved ones will fall through the cracks. Some already are.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

With the right investment, we can strengthen our system. We can provide safer shelters, more frequent routes, better technology and expanded door-to-door options. We can deliver service with the quality our riders deserve.

And when transit is delivered with quality, it is seen as quality. That shift in public perception matters because there is dignity in riding transit, and people should feel pride, not stigma, when they step onto a bus.

You may never have to take a bus to the doctor. But chances are, the person who greets you at the hospital, fills your prescription or hands you your smoothie on the way home may have. The ability to show up depends on transit.

Transit is health care infrastructure. And treating it as anything less puts lives at risk. Michigan cannot afford to cut that lifeline. State leaders must increase transit funding, not reduce it, to protect the health of our communities.

Let’s choose a future that respects people’s needs. Let’s fund transit like it matters. Because it does.

Tiffany J. Gunter is the general manager and CEO of the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), Southeast Michigan’s regional bus system, helping people connect to work, school, medical appointments, shopping centers, entertainment and cultural events.

Tiffany J. Gunter

Unequal Access to Credit

From page A-5

harder to get Black borrowers approved.

3. Use Government-Backed Loan Programs FHA, VA, and USDA loans often have lower credit thresholds and are designed to expand access. While these loans may come with additional costs like mortgage insurance, they provide an important gateway to ownership.

4. Leverage Down Payment Assistance

Many state and local programs offer grants or forgivable loans to help cover down payments and closing costs. These programs can make a critical difference when intergenerational wealth isn’t available to help with upfront expenses.

5. Document Everything

Unequal access often comes from lenders discounting or ignoring certain types of income (like self-employment or gig work). Keeping thorough records of business deposits, tax returns, and consistent income streams strengthens your case.

6. Work with Trusted Advisors

Partnering with realtors, brokers, and housing counselors who are invested in Black homeownership ensures you’re not

navigating the process alone. Advocacy matters.

7. Prepare for the Long Game

Sometimes the best move is to wait, strengthen your financial profile, and reapply. Improving your credit by even 20–40 points can shift your loan options dramatically. What feels like a “no” today can be a “yes” tomorrow with preparation and persistence.

The Bigger Picture

The fight against unequal access to credit is both systemic and personal. Systemic, because lenders and policymakers must address the structural inequities that have long disadvantaged Black families. Personal, because every Black household has the power to build credit, shop for options, and demand equitable treatment. By combining both, we can change outcomes not just for individuals, but for the community. Property is Power, and while unequal access to credit is a real barrier, it is not an immovable one.

Property is Power!  is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.

BUILD YOUR FUTURE IN DETROIT.

Whitmer Warns Michigan Faces Shutdown Risk Without Budget Deal

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer warned Tuesday that Michigan faces more instability if lawmakers cannot pass a budget by the Sept. 30 deadline. Speaking at the Capitol with Senate Democrats at her side, Whitmer tied the standoff to broader economic stress already hitting the state’s workforce and industries.

“Failing to get this done means more uncertainty, higher costs and less jobs,” Whitmer said in a 20-minute address. Her remarks came with just under two weeks to avoid the state’s first government shutdown since 2009.

Whitmer’s speech highlighted three priorities: road funding, education, and public safety. She also renewed calls for new economic development incentives to replace a business-attraction fund that will stop receiving automatic deposits in the new fiscal year. “No tool is perfect, but we have to do something to deliver more wins for Michigan because the competition is fierce,” she said.

The governor connected the urgency to national headwinds: higher unemployment, slower wage growth, rising debt, and the loss of more than 42,000 manufacturing jobs since April. For the first time in over four years, job seekers outnumber open

positions. With tariffs raising steel and aluminum costs, Whitmer said Michigan’s auto-driven economy is especially exposed.

“This is a man-made storm of uncertainty that hits Michigan hard,” she said.

At the center of the dispute is how to pay for roads. The House, controlled by Republicans, passed its budget three weeks ago — months after the Senate acted and well beyond the July 1 statutory deadline. That plan puts $3.4 billion toward road repairs without raising taxes, instead cutting or shifting funds from other areas. Thousands of state jobs would be eliminated, which

Teamsters Unions Backing Benson Blindsided by

By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

The race for governor is heating up as two candidates from Detroit announced endorsements from Teamsters this week.

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and independent Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan both announced endorsements from Michigan Teamsters on Tuesday.

While the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 endorsed Duggan for governor, an initial release from Duggan’s campaign on Tuesday incorrectly indicated that the endorsement was on behalf of its 10 local affiliate unions. The campaign issued a correction shortly afterward.

Benson announced early Wednesday morning that she had been endorsed by five of ten affiliated locals that represent a majority of Michigan Teamsters, including Teamster Locals 406, 243, 283, 1038, and 247.

Her campaign says the five Teamsters unions represent a majority of Teamsters members across the state.

Teamsters represent nurses, truck drivers, package deliverers, and other public employees.

“Teamsters aren’t messing around with the anti-worker, corporate-owned Mayor of Detroit,” Teamsters Local 1038 president Greg Nowak said in a statement. “We’re standing with Jocelyn Benson. She’s not backed by billionaires or dark money lobbyists like those who are backing her opponents, she’s backed by truck drivers, nurses, mechanics, teachers, warehouse workers, and first responders — the people who clock in every day and hold this state together. We’re the engine behind Michigan’s economy, and it’s about damn time we had someone in the governor’s office who understands that.”

Benson has picked up labor support from the Michigan Laborers Council, UFCW Local 951 and 876, West Michigan Plumbers, PipeFitters, and HVAC Service UA Local 174, and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

The Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 said its endorsement of Duggan was the first time in the organization’s history that it was backing an independent for governor. The Detroit-based union endorsed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, in 2018 and 2022.

Its president says Duggan would change the dynamics of the state’s politics as governor.

“Mike Duggan will work with any party or no party to get work done,” Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 president Kevin Moore said. “He wants to work for every single person in Michigan – and you can count on it. He has values and trust in his word. Mike Duggan has an honor code, and he will work great with labor and business.”

“I’ve known you 35 years, I’ve watched your whole career. We’re not only partners, we’re friends,” Moore said in a video posted to Duggan’s Instagram.

Also running for governor as a Democrat is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, who is also from Detroit.

the differences between us if there’s a willing partner there,” she told reporters. “At this point, there is not in the House. But it’s clear today that the Senate and the governor are interested in getting there and that there is a path.”

Whitmer has proposed new revenue streams, including taxes on corporations, marijuana, and digital advertising, along with targeted cuts, to avoid what she calls a “road funding cliff” once a 2020 borrowing program expires. “My budget team will continue to participate in all the conversations. But putting up the votes and actually passing the budget is the Legislature’s responsibility,” she said. “If we do this right, we can all win. We can govern, and governing means compromise.”

House Republicans say are mostly vacant.

House Speaker Matt Hall defended the approach, arguing Democrats have refused to confront waste. “We proved you can fix the roads with just the waste, fraud and abuse in government if you make it a real priority, but Democrats can’t even put a roads plan on the table,” Hall said. He added that with Whitmer back from her international trade trip, he believes the two can strike a deal.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks pushed back, saying her chamber had already acted responsibly. “We can work out

Retracted Duggan

Endorsement

Swanson was also endorsed by the Teamsters union, Teamsters Local 332.

Republican gubernatorial candidates include U.S. Rep. John James, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, State Sen. Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, and former Attorney General Mike Cox.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have so many of the Teamsters locals and a majority of the Michigan members standing with me in my campaign to be Michigan’s next governor,” Benson said in a statement. “This campaign is, and always has been, about the people. It’s about making sure the people who power our state’s economy and have built their families here, can afford to live in Michigan and thrive. Where you have access to high-paying jobs, can afford to raise your family, buy a home, and retire with dignity. And where you always have a seat at the table in a Benson administration. Teamsters are always ready to fight for workplace safety and fair wages and as Governor, I’ll always be ready to fight with them. Let’s go.”

These five Michigan Teamsters locals join a growing coalition of labor unions in support of Jocelyn Benson for Governor, including Michigan Laborers Council, UFCW Local 951 and 876, West Michigan Plumbers, PipeFitters, and HVAC Service UA Local 174, and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Duggan’s opponents used his campaign’s incorrect announcement as an opportunity to criticize him.

“Duggan is a liar and his narcissism is boundless,” state Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph said on social media. “He thought he could just say he had the support of the Teamsters statewide when he didn’t have it.”

Quenneville, who lives in Sterling Heights, says locals were blindsided by the Duggan announcement.

“No one knew anything — I never received word from the Joint Council. Never received a call to find out who we were endorsing,” Scott Quenneville of Teamsters Local 243 told Michigan Chronicle. “It was completely hidden on purpose because they knew we were with Benson all along. I don’t know what the reason is for Kevin, but my people were asking me why we would vote

for a person who battled against the Teamsters as the CEO of the hospital?”

As a mayoral candidate in 2013, Duggan’s campaign denied that he was resistant to DMC nurses’ efforts to organize as the CEO of the Detroit hospital. You can reach Sam at srobinson@ michronicle.com.

Agency leaders have begun detailing the consequences of a shutdown. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy said more than 150 employees could be laid off, delaying environmental permits and halting drinking water protection and cleanup projects. Michigan State Police Director Col. James F. Grady II said the agency would lack funds to run trooper recruit schools, cut overtime, and restrict operations, with layoffs possible for new officers. The Department of Health and Human Services warned of reductions in child protective services staff, public assistance workers, and disease experts.

The impact would ripple quickly: fewer protections for children, slower response to water safety, weakened public safety, and reduced public health capacity. Businesses and residents would be left to absorb the disruption.

The moment recalls Michigan’s 2009 shutdown, which left state workers furloughed and delayed services for families. The stakes now are compounded by national trade policies and economic strain. Whitmer’s framing is that Lansing must project stability at a time when global forces are already unsettling supply chains and markets.

Whether that message moves the House remains unclear. Republicans insist Michigan can fund roads without raising taxes, while Whitmer and Senate Democrats argue those cuts would come at the expense of schools, healthcare, and core services. With the deadline closing in, both sides face the reality that failure will carry immediate and visible costs for families, workers, and the state economy.

For residents, the debate is not an abstract policy fight but a question of whether schools open with support staff, whether health programs are fully staffed, and whether state troopers are trained and deployed. For Michigan’s broader economy, the question is whether the state shows stability or slides into another shutdown at a time when its industries can least afford it. Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@ michronicle.com

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B1 | September 24-30, 2025

Wayne County Partners with MDOS to Process IDs for Returning Citizens

By Samuel Robinson SENIOR REPORTER

The Michigan Department of State on Monday announced that a program for returning citizens to get IDs and register to vote will extend to Wayne County.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson came to the county’s new jail near New Center to announce the partnership with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office on Monday at a press conference inside the Wayne County Justice Center on E. Ferry Street.

The program, which has registered 20,000 returning citizens since 2020, aims to ensure eligible released individuals obtain their state ID or driver’s license.

Wayne County is the latest community to partner with the department for its initiative to serve Michigan’s returning citizens.

In 2020, MDOS and MDOC partnered to help returning citizens  with a successful reentry by providing a driver’s license or state ID upon parole. MDOS has launched similar partnerships with sheriff’s offices in Kent, Genesee, Ingham, and Washtenaw counties for returning citizens at county jails. Prior to the partnership in Wayne County, MDOS processed about 400 driver’s licenses or state IDs for returning citizens. More than 20,000 returning citizens have secured a driver’s license or state ID as of 2020, about 6,000 per year, Benson said.

The effort involves MDOS bringing its mobile office van to jails and prisons to process documents.

Benson and Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington stressed that Michigan’s returning citizens also have the right to vote once they exit prison.

Washington said about 60% of inmates do not have an ID.

Returning citizens who secure their driver’s license or state ID prior to their release are eligible to have their voter registration automatically activated or updated after MDOC verifies they have exited prison.

Inmates in jail can vote as long as they are not serving a sentence.

Benson said Michigan is a national leader in voter turnout. About 79% of

See RETURNING CITIZENS Page B-2

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

Michigan Chronicle Honors 2025 Class of 40 Under 40 Leaders in Detroit

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Detroit’s story has always been written by its people—those who build, heal, teach, innovate, and lead with conviction.

The Michigan Chronicle’s 13th annual 40 Under 40 Awards carries that same energy, reminding the city and all of Southeast Michigan that leadership does not only rest in boardrooms or at podiums, but in classrooms, hospitals, courtrooms, churches, union halls, and every corner where vision meets action. Now in its 13th year, the program continues to honor African American professionals whose work inspires, disrupts, and uplifts. They are selected not simply for professional success, but because they move with integrity, stand as examples, and give back to the communities that raised them.

The 2025 class reflects the breadth of Detroit’s brilliance, a cross-section of

leaders shaping the future while rooted in responsibility to the present. Each honoree stands as proof that progress does not come from one sector alone—it takes educators alongside entrepreneurs, physicians alongside public servants, creatives alongside corporate leaders. Together, they create the infrastructure that allows Black Detroit and Black Southeast Michigan to thrive, even against persistent systemic challenges.

Consider Addofio Addo, Director of Business Development at Bedrock, whose work has helped bring international cultural landmarks to Detroit: AfroFuture, Afro Nation, and even the NFL Draft. His portfolio reveals not only business savvy but an understanding of Detroit’s place on the global stage. Then there is Dez’arae Adams, Director of Early Childhood at Wayne RESA, who ensures the region’s youngest learners have the strong foundation they deserve. Or Judge Jeremy Bowie of the 50th District Court, who sits in a

position that carries immense weight for justice and accountability, especially for Black communities, who too often see imbalance in the system.

Healthcare excellence is represented by Dr. Lakisha Holifield, an anesthesiologist at Detroit Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine, who also serves as Medical Director of Obstetrics Anesthesia at Hutzel Hospital. Her expertise is not only technical but life-saving, reminding us how Black physicians remain essential to the fight for equitable healthcare. Alongside her is Dr. Olabola Awosika, dermatologist and clinical investigator, whose work represents both medical leadership and representation in a field where Black skin is too often overlooked in research and treatment.

Education is well represented by leaders like Patrina Caldwell, Assistant Princi-

By Allison Torres Burtka

To support small-business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) offers a social entrepreneurship program. It helps build resilience and intellectual capital in the community, says Lex Zavala, DHDC’s interim executive director.

“Part of our mission is to create generational wealth for our community and to make people empowered to be resilient and be able to stand on their own two feet. This is just another way that we’re equipping people with the skill set to be able to build themselves up,” Zavala says.

The program includes a six-week course called Side Hustle to CEO, which covers topics including marketing, budgeting, and finance. At the end of the course, participants come out with a finished business plan, Zavala says.

The course is both in person and online, and at the end of it, participants can go back and watch past sessions if they need a refresher.

Making a business startup a less daunting experience

DHDC’s social entrepreneurship program also includes one-on-one coaching on various aspects of being an entrepreneur, such as funding, strategy, and branding. People who take the Side Hustle to CEO course sometimes do one-

on-one coaching as well, if they want more assistance in a specific area, Zavala says. The course and the coaching are offered in English and Spanish, and they are provided free of charge.

“We are one of the only programs that take people from concept all the way through brick and mortar,” or e-commerce, Zavala says. “We walk people through the entire process of developing their businesses.”

Many challenges can get in the way of opening up or developing a business. “Entrepreneurs by nature are risk takers and generally go it alone, so being an owner is an isolating experience. Resources are challenging to find if you don’t know where to look, and navigating government regulations and procedures are challenging for the most experienced owners, even more so for those who are not native English speakers,” says Anita Zavala, DHDC’s deputy director.

Growing confidence and know-how

entrepreneurs

Alberto Ruiz

Photo: Cydni Elledge

40 Under 40

From page B-1

pal at The School @ Marygrove, and Veronica Kisor, a principal with National Heritage Academies. Their work ensures Black children in Detroit have role models and advocates shaping their classrooms. Monique Leaverson of Teach for America Detroit and Terrence West, also of Teach for America, drive fellowships and external affairs that push national talent pipelines toward equity in Detroit schools.

Entrepreneurship and ownership remain central. Marissa Thrower-Fisher, a second-generation McDonald’s franchisee, builds upon a legacy of Black business that feeds and employs Detroiters daily. Brittany Mobley, publicist and brand designer, lifts Detroit’s cultural and creative voices through Culturit Public Relations. Rod Sanders, Managing Partner at Bridgefund Capital, shapes pathways for financial empowerment and growth. These leaders prove that Detroit’s entrepreneurial spirit is not fading; it is expanding across industries and generations.

Labor and workforce organizing are equally critical in this class. Mikyia S., Secretary-Treasurer of LIUNA Local 1191, represents Black leadership in labor at a time when worker protections and benefits face national threats. Jordan Easley, National Organizing Director with the International Chemical Workers Union Council of the UFCW, brings strategy to collective bargaining and advocacy. Both stand in traditions of labor movements that have long included, but not always uplifted, Black leadership.

Media and storytelling are honored through figures like Kory Woods, sports reporter at MLive Media Group, and Zaria Phillips, news producer at CBS News Detroit. In a media climate where local coverage is shrinking, their roles carry weight. They inform, hold institutions accountable, and bring Detroit’s stories to audiences who might otherwise overlook them. Their work is essential for representation in narratives that shape public opinion and cultural memory.

Philanthropy and community service pulse through honorees like Rae Glenn of Alternatives for Girls, leading youth pre-

vention work, and Kelley Stokes-Samuel of the Detroit Institute of Arts, cultivating resources through major gifts to keep culture accessible. Their presence underscores how arts, youth, and community organizations are not luxuries but necessities for Detroit’s growth and healing.

Corporate leaders round out the class, bringing strategy and oversight to industries that influence global markets. Vance Fulton of Lear Corporation steers purchasing finance, while Leslie Savage at Rocket Mortgage manages client experience operations. Arius Harper of Ally Financial, Quendale Simmons of Butzel, and Brandon Gleason at Ballmer demonstrate how Black professionals remain critical in spaces where power is wielded and resources are distributed. Their presence ensures that Detroit’s corporate footprint reflects the communities that built its foundation.

The diversity of expertise in this 40 Under 40 class reveals a truth about Detroit: progress does not come from a single institution or leader but from many working in tandem. Whether shaping law, advancing medicine, leading unions, designing classrooms, producing the news, or building businesses, these honorees represent the interconnectedness of Black excellence. They remind us that leadership is not one-dimensional; it is collective, rooted in community, and accountable to history.

The Michigan Chronicle’s recognition of these 40 leaders is more than a ceremony. It is an acknowledgment that the fight for equity, empowerment, and inclusion remains ongoing. These honorees carry the responsibility of standing in a lineage of Detroit leaders who have faced obstacles and still built opportunities. Their stories connect to traditions of resilience that define the city itself.

The 13th year of the Michigan Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Awards is not just about celebrating professional milestones. It is about affirming a new generation of Black leadership that is bold, visionary, and grounded. This year’s honorees remind Detroit and Southeast Michigan that the future is not uncertain—it is being shaped right now by young leaders who know the stakes, embrace the responsibility, and continue to move the region forward.

Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via ecurry@ michronicle.com

Resilient Neighborhoods

Ruiz is grateful to his coaches, Anita Zavala and Rachael Hernandez, who helped make his dream a reality. They helped him understand health department requirements and fill out and file applications, among other assistance. But the most important benefit was their help in building his confidence to move forward, he says. “Especially when you’re a first-time business owner and really don’t know the in and outs, it can become very scary, very difficult, very discouraging.”

DHDC’s social entrepreneurship program took root during COVID in 2021, “when a lot of people were laid off and were doing side hustles as a way to make ends meet,” Lex Zavala explains. “We saw that there was a need for people to be able to build upon their skill set, so that way, they can take their concept to reality.”

Building business savvy through a pop-up market

DHDC started by creating a pop-up market called Fantazma Market & Café, where people could sell their merchandise and where artists could perform. Then the organization recognized that some of Fantazma’s vendors “needed that extra assistance to build their business savvy up,” so they figured out how to provide that assistance, Zavala says. DHDC started its coaching in 2022 and the course in 2023.

Now, Fantazma is a monthly event at DHDC. For Fantazma vendors, there’s a fee of $25, or $10 for DHDC members.

Between the market, the course, and the coaching, more than 700 businesses have participated in the program. This includes 132 businesses attending the classes and more than 220 people going through oneon-one coaching. They include a wide range of businesses: construction, landscaping, tequila producers, clothing designers, artists, entertainers, real estate investors, event planners, bakers, jewelry makers, app designers, and photographers.

“Most of our participants have already started their businesses when they attend the classes and coaching. I do have roughly 10 percent who are interested in business,

Returning Citizens

From page B-1

eligible voters in Michigan participated in the latest presidential election, which had the third-highest turnout rate in the nation. However, voter turnout in the city of Detroit remains low. The August 5 municipal primary election saw less than 20% of Detroiters voting.

“We see a lot of historically marginalized communities still not participating,” Benson said.

Washington said he’s constantly asking people to go out and vote.

“I don’t know why people are not getting out the vote,” Washington said. “I’m out on the street asking people to vote because if they vote, they win. If you don’t vote, than you don’t win.”

Benson said during her outreach efforts

in places across the state that see lower voter turnout, she kept hearing from voters who believed they were not eligible to vote because of their criminal history, who are actually eligible.

“Programs like this are key to helping us ensure that people know that they can vote after they’ve served their sentence, and that’s actually what led us to start involving ourselves in leading in these programs all across the state,” Benson said.

Benson said Warren Evans approached her to start the program in Wayne County. She asked for the help of sheriffs in Macomb and Oakland to partner with the state to bring the program to more counties across the state.

As of Monday afternoon, 10 inmates had signed up at the Wayne County jail, the sheriff’s office said.

You can reach Sam at srobinson@ michronicle.com.

September 25, 2025

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT MICHIGAN CONSOLIDATED ACTION PLAN EVALUATION REPORT

Prior to submission of the Michigan Consolidated Action Plan Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development, Michigan is required to publish the document for public review and comment. The Consolidated Plan proposes an action strategy by which those needs will be addressed, and the CAPER reflects activities undertaken between July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025. The annual action plans are funded by five formula programs covered in the Michigan Consolidated Plan (HOME, Community Development Block Grant, Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDs, the Emergency Solutions Grant, and the Housing Trust Fund). The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) is responsible for preparing the Michigan CAPER and soliciting comments from the public regarding the outcomes tied to the plan on an annual basis.

The comment period will commence on September 25, 2025 and end on October 9, 2025. The primary focus of the comment period is to receive comments regarding the draft CAPER report. Copies of the CAPER report may be downloaded free of charge from the MSHDA website at www.michigan.gov/mshda.

All interested parties are invited to submit written comments to the attention of Tonya Young, 735 East Michigan Avenue, P.O. Box 30044, Lansing, MI 48909. Written comments must be received no later than October 9, 2025. Comments can also be submitted electronically to mshda-ndd@michigan.gov attention MSHDA Consolidated Plan Coordinator.

Special Assistance: Feedback is encouraged from mobility challenged individuals. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation should contact the Housing Development Division at 517.335.2524 to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

but are not quite ready to commit or haven’t settled on a firm idea yet,” Anita Zavala says.

Learning surprises about business ownership

One of the things the entrepreneurs are surprised to learn is why LLCs are important, she says. “When I explain the liability protection they offer and by operating it independently from their personal finances, their personal assets are protected from litigation, the lightbulbs go on. They then understand why it is important to have a business bank account, why they need good bookkeeping practices and why they should never comingle business funds with their personal,” Zavala says.

Along with Ruiz, another success story is an undocumented immigrant who was cleaning residential homes for a few clients when she attended the course, Zavala says.

“Since then, she registered her company using her ITIN, won a contract to clean a fairly large surgery center, and now has five employees and is growing.” (An ITIN is a 9-digit number the IRS issues if a person needs a U.S. taxpayer identification number for federal tax purposes.)

Reaching goals and setting new ones

Like DHDC, Ruiz has his sights set on community. In opening El Amanecer, he says, “Our goal is to bring our Puerto Rican roots to the metro Detroit area” and show people what Puerto Rican culture is about. He aims to build community and economic growth through the food industry, he says.

El Amanecer has had great results so far.

“I’ve gotten so much love and support from the community. My clientele is growing daily, weekly,” and people enjoy the location, which has a view of the Detroit River and Canada, Ruiz says.

Ruiz would like more people to know about DHDC, and he’d like to see more organizations like it that can guide small businesses.

“Words cannot truly describe my appreciation,” he says. “When you’re on a hundred-mile journey, and a person assists you with directions or even a bottle of water on your journey, they need to be recognized for that.”

From page B-1

Jeezy Closes 20th Anniversary Tour in Detroit with Orchestra and Sold-Out Celebration

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Jeezy has always called Detroit his second home, and on Friday night he reminded the city

why. The Atlanta rapper, who once went by Young Jeezy, closed out his 20th anniversary tour for Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101 at the Fox Theatre with an 80-minute perfor-

mance that merged nostalgia, elegance, and sheer energy. Fans filled the sold-out venue in tuxedos and gowns, giving the night the feel of a formal celebration of both an era and the endurance of a career that shaped hip-hop’s mid-2000s soundtrack.

Jeezy walked out in a mint green tuxedo, backed by a full band and the 25-piece Color of Noize Orchestra, led by Derrick Hodge. The strings and brass elevated songs like “Thug Motivation 101” and “Standing Ovation,” adding a cinematic weight to tracks that once pulsed through car speakers across Detroit in the summer of 2005. The mix wasn’t always even—the band often overpowered the orchestra—but the presence of both showed the ambition of the staging and Jeezy’s determination to present his music in a grander frame.

The set pulled heavily from TM: 101, with Jeezy performing 12 of its 19 songs, before moving into other crowd favorites. He let the audience take the lead on anthems like “Go Crazy” and “And Then What,” breaking down choruses to acapella call-and-responses. Video interludes placed the music in the broader arc of his career, reflecting not only on his highs but also on the struggles that defined his story.

For Jeezy, this wasn’t just a tour stop. It was a bridge between past and present, streamed live for fans worldwide, but tailored for Detroit. At 48, with new music on the way—including a DJ Drama mixtape later this month—and plans for a Las Vegas residency, he closed his anniversary run by affirming what Detroit has long shown him: respect for the Snowman never melted. Ebony JJ Curry can be reached via email at ecurry@michronicle.com

Photos by: Aaron Thornton

Michigan Department of Health Urges Safe Sleep Practices to Protect Infants

By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR

In Michigan, an infant dies every two to three days due to sleep-related causes. These tragic deaths, which are often preventable, typically result from unsafe sleep environments that include blankets, pillows, or even the presence of pets or other people in the crib. As the state prepares for Safe Sleep Month in October, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is once again emphasizing the importance of safe sleep practices to help reduce these fatalities and keep babies safe.

Ahead of Safe Sleep Month, the MDHHS Office of Faith Engagement is hosting a virtual webinar for faith leaders on Sept. 30 at 10 a.m. The goal is to provide religious leaders with the knowledge and tools to educate families in their congregations about safe sleep practices. By partnering with faith communities, MDHHS hopes to extend its reach and help more families understand the critical steps they can take to protect their infants while they sleep.

To register for the webinar, visit: https:// ocfe-events.com/2025-sessions/. It will be hosted by Colleen Nelson, who is the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator at MDHHS. As the Infant Safe Sleep Program Coordinator, she is responsible for implementing the department’s state-wide strategy to pro-

mote infant safe sleep and developing and conducting training.

The MDHHS is working to educate parents, caregivers, and communities about the simple steps they can take to create safe sleep environments for their infants. Following these guidelines, they say, could help prevent the heartache of sleep-related deaths and ensure that babies rest safely each night.

The MDHHS recommends several key practices for safe sleep. First, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, both for naps and overnight rest. This position significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation. Additionally, babies should sleep in a

A Life Cut Short at Delta State:

We Deserve the Truth About Demartravion “Trey” Reed

By Dr. Duvalier J. Malone

CONTRIBUTOR

On September 15, 2025, the body of 21-year-old Demartravion “Trey” Reed was found hanging from a tree on the campus of Delta State University. Authorities quickly told the public that “no foul play is suspected.” For those of us who love Mississippi and have fought for its progress, the news landed like a gut punch. A Black college student – full of youth and promise – was discovered hanging in 2025? It’s a scenario that evokes the darkest chapters of our history, yet officials were quick to call it an apparent suicide with “no foul play” suspected. As a civil rights advocate and native son of Mississippi, I cannot accept that explanation at face value – not without transparency, not without evidence, and not without a fight for the truth.

For anyone who knows Mississippi’s history, that answer is not enough.

The Weight of History

A Black man found hanging from a tree in Mississippi calls to mind too many painful chapters. From the lynching of Emmett Till to the murder of Medgar Evers, racial violence has often been dismissed or ignored by authorities.

In recent decades, multiple Black men in Mississippi have been found hanging from trees, often ruled suicides, but their families remain unconvinced. In 2018, 21-year-old Willie Andrew Jones Jr. was found hanging in Scott County. Officials said it was suicide, but years later, a judge awarded his family $11.4 million in a wrongful-death suit, proof that official stories can be wrong.

A Distrust Made Worse

Trey’s family says they were first told he was found “unconscious in his bed.” Only later did they learn through news reports that he had been discovered hanging outside.

That kind of misinformation destroys trust. It also fuels rumors, including false claims online that Trey’s limbs were broken, which the coroner has refuted. Officials must understand that when communication fails, speculation fills the void.

The Bolivar County Coroner’s Office has said a preliminary exam showed no broken bones or signs of an assault, and that Trey’s body is at the Mississippi State Crime Lab for a full autopsy. But until the final results are released, the public deserves transparency.

Not the Only Case

Trey’s death is part of a troubling pattern.

• In 2022, Rasheem Carter went missing after telling his mother he was being targeted. A month later, his remains were found in a wooded area, his head severed. The medical examiner ruled the cause and manner of death undetermined. His family still has no closure.

• Just a day after Trey’s death, 36-year-old Corey Zukatis, a homeless man from Brandon, was found hanging near Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg. Authorities confirmed his death, but no cause or manner has been released.

From Rasheem Carter to Trey Reed to Corey Zukatis, families are left with grief, and communities are left with questions.

The Need for Federal Oversight

Trey’s family has hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has called for transparency. Congressman Bennie Thompson has also asked the U.S. Justice Department and the FBI to investigate.

If there is nothing to hide, no one should fear federal involvement. If something is hidden, federal oversight is the only way to uncover it.

Prayer Is Not Enough

Delta State canceled classes, postponed its centennial events, and opened its chapel for prayer. These gestures matter. But prayer without accountability is insufficient. Mourning without answers is not enough.

The university community deserves to know whether the campus is safe. Trey’s family deserves to know exactly what happened to their son.

A Call to Action

If these deaths are suicides, we must confront the mental health crisis crushing our young Black men. If they are not, then justice must be swift and undeniable. Either way, silence is not an option. Trey Reed was not just a name in a headline. He was a son, a student, a young man with a future waiting for him. His life mattered. And so did Rasheem Carter’s. And so does Corey Zukatis’s. Their families deserve more than excuses. Their communities deserve more than empty words. I refuse to sit quietly while history repeats itself in my home state. I am calling on every reader, every student, every parent, every leader: demand transparency, demand accountability, demand the truth. Because until we know exactly what happened to Trey Reed—and to every Black man whose death has been brushed aside—we cannot rest. I will not rest. And neither should you.

Dr. Duvalier J. Malone is a Mississippi native, civil rights advocate, and author of “Those Who Give A Damn: A Manual for Making a Difference.”

separate, safe sleep space such as a crib, bassinet, or pack-and-play. These spaces should have a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet, and parents should avoid using soft bedding, pillows, or toys, all of which can pose a suffocation risk.

It’s also critical that babies’ sleep areas are kept free of clutter. Items like blankets, stuffed animals, and bumper pads can increase the risk of suffocation or strangulation. Keeping the sleep environment simple and clear can provide babies with the safest possible space to rest.

To further reduce the risk of sleep-related fatalities, MDHHS advises parents to avoid overheating their babies or covering their heads while they sleep. Room temperatures

should be comfortable, and babies should be dressed in light, breathable clothing to prevent overheating. It’s also important to remember that babies should never be allowed to sleep on soft surfaces like couches, sofas, or in car seats or swings, which are not designed for safe, routine sleep.

While following these sleep practices is crucial, additional steps can further protect babies. For example, breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of sleep-related deaths, as is keeping babies in a smoke-free and nicotine-free environment. Exposure to smoke—whether from cigarettes, cigars, or secondhand smoke—greatly increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related fatalities.

“Faith leaders are trusted voices in Michigan’s communities, and by working with them, we can help spread awareness about infant safe sleep practices,” said MDHHS officials. “Together, we can help save lives by making sure every family has the information they need to create a safe sleep environment for their babies.”

For more information about safe sleep practices and resources, parents and caregivers are encouraged to visit Michigan. gov/SafeSleep. By learning and sharing these simple steps, families can help reduce the number of preventable deaths and make Michigan a safer place for infants.

Appeals Court Ruling Cuts Off Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, Leaving 14,000 Patients at Risk

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Thousands of Planned Parenthood of Michigan patients who rely on Medicaid now face an immediate change in their access to care. A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration can block Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood while a larger legal challenge plays out. The decision overturns a lower court ruling from July that had allowed funding to continue.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan confirmed Friday that about a quarter of its patients—nearly 14,000 people—depend on Medicaid for services like birth control, breast exams, pap smears, testing for sexually transmitted infections, and HPV vaccinations. None of those services is related to abortion, which Medicaid does not cover in Michigan. For those patients, the ruling means they must begin paying out-of-pocket or find another provider who accepts their insurance.

Planned Parenthood said it would cover the cost of already scheduled Medicaid appointments through September 22, 2025. A spokesperson said this decision was made to ensure “continuity of care” as patients adjust. Beyond that date, patients who call to make new appointments will be told they must either selfpay or seek services elsewhere.

The organization stressed the disruption this creates. Essential care, such as cancer screenings, family planning, and preventative medicine, is now cut off for thousands of people who relied on Planned Parenthood clinics as a primary health provider. For low-income patients, this shift will likely mean delayed or missed care. The change is especially significant in cities like Detroit and Flint, where many residents rely on Medicaid and access to affordable, comprehensive reproductive health care is already limited. Rural areas with fewer providers face similar risks, leaving women and families with few alternatives.

Health inequities that already exist in Michigan could be made worse by the court’s ruling. Black women in the state face higher rates of cervical cancer, maternal health complications, and infant mortality compared to their white counterparts. Preventative screenings and reliable access to birth control are proven ways to narrow those gaps. When Medicaid patients lose access to a trusted provider, the burden falls heaviest on those already living with the consequences of unequal care.

Planned Parenthood clinics in Michigan have historically filled in those gaps. They have provided low-cost preventative services in both urban and rural communities and have been a consistent source of reproductive health for patients who often do not have another affordable option. Without Medicaid reimbursements, clinics will lose a significant portion of their patient base, and thousands will be forced to navigate new and unfamiliar systems of care.

Abortion opponents framed the decision as a victory. Gracie O’Brien, spokesperson for Right to Life of Michigan, said the ruling marked “a significant step forward in defunding the nation’s number one abortion provider.” She argued that taxpayers should not be required to fund Planned Parenthood, pointing to its role in abortion care nationally, even though Medicaid dollars in Michigan have never covered that service. She called the ruling a safeguard for “women and the unborn” and urged that funds be redirected to “life-affirming care.”

For Planned Parenthood patients, however, the court’s decision centers not on abortion but on losing coverage for everyday medical care. Medicaid has long covered routine and preventative services that reduce the need for more costly interventions down the line.

Health experts note that blocking Medicaid reimbursement from Planned Parenthood doesn’t change the fact that patients still need those services. Instead, it shifts the financial burden to individuals least able to afford it.

The ruling also places a new strain on Michigan’s broader health system. Community health centers and federally qualified clinics already face long wait times and limited funding. They are unlikely to absorb thousands of additional patients without added resources. Hospital systems and urgent care centers may see more people seeking basic services like STI testing or contraceptive refills—care that is more cost-effective when provided in a community clinic setting.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for comment before the publication deadline. The agency oversees Medicaid and its enforcement of the Trump administration’s decision. Without additional guidance, state-level providers are left to manage the immediate fallout.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan said it will directly contact impacted patients and connect them to payment assistance programs where possible. But these programs are limited and cannot replace the reach of Medicaid. The organization acknowledged that thousands will likely lose access to affordable, regular care during the legal process.

The appeals court ruling does not end the legal battle over Medicaid funding. It allows the administration’s policy to go into effect while litigation continues. That means the outcome could still change, but it could take months or years before a final resolution is reached. In the meantime, patients are left without the coverage they relied on.

For Medicaid patients, the ruling reshapes immediate health decisions. A missed pap smear could mean a delayed cancer diagnosis. A skipped birth control prescription could result in an unintended pregnancy. An untreated infection could spread because testing was unaffordable. These are not distant hypotheticals but near-term outcomes when preventative care becomes inaccessible.

The decision also comes as Michigan continues to grapple with Medicaid enrollment changes tied to the end of pandemic-era coverage protections. Families across the state have already lost coverage because of paperwork lapses and eligibility reviews. The appeals court ruling adds another barrier on top of that instability, specifically targeting a provider network that many relied on to navigate the health system.

At its core, this ruling is about who can access care, where they can access it, and at what cost. The debate in Washington and in the courts often centers on ideology. But in Michigan, the consequences will be measured in appointments canceled, prescriptions left unfilled, and patients forced to choose between bills and basic health needs.

Planned Parenthood of Michigan said it would continue to fight in court. But as of now, Medicaid patients are already feeling the impact of the ruling. The organization will continue to provide services, but the question of affordability is now left with patients who relied on Medicaid to cover what are considered essential health services.

The broader implications of the decision will unfold in the months ahead. Whether community health centers can step in, whether additional state resources are directed to fill gaps, and whether the courts ultimately reinstate funding will all shape the outcome. For now, however, thousands of patients face an immediate and pressing reality: access to care that was once covered by Medicaid is no longer guaranteed.

Ebony JJ Curry can be reached at ecurry@michronicle.com

Dr. Duvalier J. Malone

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is seeking proposals for building envelope system assessments, roofing repair, and/or replacement design under RFP 26-0156.

There will be a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting for this RFP hosted virtually on September 29, 2025 at 10 a.m. The conference can be viewed using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2sjpnyjr

Call-In: +1 (313) 462-2305

Conference ID: 532 087 425#

Proposals are due electronically via DemandStar by 12 p.m. on October 13, 2025. Late bids will not be accepted.

All bids must be accompanied by a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationship that exists between the submitting company and any employee of DPSCD. DPSCD shall not accept a bid that does not include this sworn and notarized disclosure statement.

If you have questions, please contact the Procurement Department at (313) 873-6531.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is seeking proposals for subcontractors under RFP 26-0150 Coleman A. Young (CAY) and Foreign Language Immersion & Cultural Studies (FLICS) Building Upgrades Bid Package 2.

Architect/Engineer: DiClemente Siegel Design, Inc. 28105 Greenfield Road Southfield, MI 48076

Construction Manager: City Contracting Services 1414 N. Campbell Rd. Royal Oak, MI 48067

There will be a non-mandatory Pre-Bid conference for this RFP that will be held virtually on September 29, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. It can be viewed at the following link: https://bit.ly/3VeGMZC Meeting ID: 292 874 858 301 4 Passcode: Ww7V4c9M

There will be a mandatory walkthrough at each location held on September 29, 2025.

– CAY Mandatory Site Visit, at 9:00 a.m., 15771 Hubbell Street, Detroit, MI 48227

– FLICS Mandatory Site Visit, at 10:30 a.m., 6501 West Outer Drive, Detroit, MI 48235

The due date for Proposals is October 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Proposals must be submitted electronically via Building Connected by due date and time. Late bids will not be accepted.

The Public Opening will occur virtually at 12:00 p.m. on October 13, 2025 and can be viewed at the below link: https://bit.ly/4gmkSNz Meeting ID: 230 727 239 747 7 Passcode: Xf2sg9YJ

This Project is subject to Michigan State Prevailing Wage Laws (Michigan Public Act 10 of 2023) and the Contractor must pay prevailing wages and fringe benefits to all of Contractor’s, and is subcontractors’, construction mechanics working on the Project in accordance with Michigan Public Act 10 of 2023. All bids must be accompanied by a sworn and notarized statement disclosing any familial relationship that exists between the submitting company and any employee of DPSCD. DPSCD shall not accept a bid that does not include this sworn and notarized disclosure statement. A bid bond in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the base bid is also required.

(StatePoint) If you’re self-employed or own a business, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get a mortgage.

The short answer is yes, you can, but the process will look different. You’ll need to provide documentation verifying your employment and lenders will be analyzing your financial situation and the financial situation of your business to see how likely you are to pay back your loans in a timely manner

To help you put your best foot forward, Wells Fargo is offering guidance on navigating the home loan process. What does it mean to be self-employed? Typically, lenders consider an applicant self-employed if they meet any of the following:

• They own at least 25% of a business

• The ownership of a business is their major source of income

• They complete a 1099 tax form during tax filing instead of a W-2

• They ’re an entrepreneur or sole proprietor whose income is filed under Schedule C of their tax returns

• They ’re an independent contractor or service provider

If you fit into these categories, you’ll also need to show lenders verified employment records or proof of self-employment during the past two years. Lenders are ideally looking for your business to have been active for at least 12 consecutive months. They review the overall health of the business, looking at both net income and expenses. What employment documentation is needed?

When lenders review your application, they’re analyzing items like how stable your income is, if your business has strong finances, and what the future may look like for you and your business. Any of the following forms of documentation can help lenders show proof of your employee verification:

• Business licenses and/or DBA certificates

• Proof of correspondence with CPAs and/or clients

• Proof of business insurance

• Profit/loss statements or balance sheets reflecting your business’s performance

• Lenders’ requirements vary. Check with yours for what will be required for your situation. What tax return requirements are needed?

Personal tax returns under IRS Form 1040 include various schedules. Commonly used schedules are:

• Schedule B (Form 1040) – Interest and ordinary dividends

• Schedule C (Form 1040) – Profit or Loss from Business (Sole proprietorship)

Suite 1500, Reston, VA 20190. Ref. DSBL-MI. No phone calls please.

American Axle & Manufacturing has openings for Lead PLM Developers at its World Headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. Job duties include: 1. Defining solution proposals, specification documentation and custom solutions to address customer requirements and business process improvement opportunities using the Siemens Teamcenter PLM (Product Lifecycle management) product.

2. Utilizing Java/J2EE and C/C++ programming languages to build client and Web applications for Windows and Linux.

3. Use Siemens Teamcenter PLM ITK (Integrated Toolkit), SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) libraries and the Eclipse development framework to customize the Siemens Teamcenter Rich Client and approval workflows to address business requirements.

4. Modify the company data model in Siemens Teamcenter to support new business processes in support of product and manufacturing engineering and configure rules using the Siemens Teamcenter BMIDE (Integrated Development Environment) and administrator functions

5. Apply advanced features available in Siemens Teamcenter in the areas of engineering bills of material and change management to the engineering process to improve quality and productivity.

Position requires: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Information Technology, or a related field, or foreign equivalent education and 5 years’ post baccalaureate progressive experience working in the product lifecycle management field in the position of Assistant Consultant, Technical Leader, Software Engineer, Technical Specialist, Development Leader, PLM Software Engineer or other Software Engineering positions. 5 years’ experience is required in each of the following:

1. Design and development of software following software development process for Siemens Teamcenter products to address customer requirements.

2. Configuration and customization of Siemens Teamcenter using C/C++ and Java programming languages to address customer requirements.

3. Working with Siemens Teamcenter modules including Foundation, Structure Manager, Manufacturing Process Planner and Workflow to address the business needs for engineering bill of material, manufacturing engineering and configure rules. Experience may be obtained concurrently. Applicants should apply online at aam.com and reference Jreq-218291.

Helping Kids Make Money Lessons Real in

crumpled dollar bills for a purchase. Most transactions happen online or with a tap of a card, which can make money feel less tangible to the next generation. However, that shift doesn’t mean financial lessons have to get lost – it just means they should be taught differently.

From budgeting for a favorite purchase to learning about investing, the digital landscape provides ample opportunities to help kids build smart habits. Teach Real-World Money Management with Digital Tools

One way to start is with a kid-friendly debit card connected to an app. These accounts allow children to manage their own spending while parents monitor activity. Being able to check balances in real time – and seeing the impact of a purchase immediately – helps kids understand budgeting in a handson way. When the balance gets low, the lesson is clear.

Parents can also use digital purchases as teachable moments. A $10 virtual item in a game might sound appealing, but comparing it to something tangible, like a trip to the movies or a special snack, can help kids think about trade-offs and decide what’s worth the money. Use Saving Goals and Compound Interest to Encourage Smart Habits

Saving is another concept technology can make more tangible. Setting a goal such as a new bike, a sports jersey or a piece of tech becomes more engaging when children can track their progress visually. Some apps even offer interest on savings, giving kids a first glimpse of how money can grow over time.

As children grow into teens, their curiosity about money often expands into investing. This can be an ideal time to open a custodial brokerage account and explore concepts like diversification, risk and long-term strategy. Purchasing fractional shares of companies they recognize can make the learning process relatable.

Teach Credit, Debt and Security Early

It’s also important to cover topics like credit, debt and security before kids start managing money on their own. Teens should understand how borrowing works, why paying bills on time matters and how to protect themselves from identity theft. In some cases, freezing a minor’s credit until they are older can be a smart precaution.

Keep the Conversation Going

Above all, money lessons should be an ongoing conversation. Asking kids what they’re hearing from friends, teachers or online sources can lead to meaningful discussions and create teachable moments.

The tools may have changed, but the goal remains the same: helping kids develop the skills and confidence to manage money wisely. By meeting them where they are in the digital world, parents can make financial lessons real, relevant and lasting.

Visit schwabmoneywise.com for more ideas on how to help kids start saving, investing and more with videos, quizzes and articles designed especially for teens.

• Schedule D (Form

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