BLAC Detroit Magazine August 2021 by BLAC Magazine

The BLAC List Celebrating The Best of Detroit

BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 1

Welcome back to

YOU After a year of challenge and change, we’re excited to welcome everyone back to campus for face-to-face classes! If you’ve had to temporarily set aside your dreams, we’ll get your great going again.

WELCOME BACK. TO YOUR GOALS. TO A BETTER LIFE. TO YOU.

FALL REGISTRATION OPEN NOW Take advantage of scholarships, financial aid and CARES Act funding

CLASSES BEGIN AUGUST 30 home.schoolcraft.edu/hello | 734.462.4426 2 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 3

AUGUST 2021

INSIDE 6 Online at BLACdetroit.com 8 Letter from the Publisher 10 Contributors

FEATURES 28 THE BLAC LIST: BEST OF DETROIT Our favorite places to dine, shop, play and more across metro Detroit 44 CRITICAL RACE THEORY A look at how race and racism is taught – or not taught – in K-12 education. 50 BY TRADE Technical and vocational schools present viable options for students looking for alternatives to four-year college

DEPARTMENTS

COLLEGE

CITY

LIFE

Experience it all at

WAYNE STATE

14 DISCOVER Summer cocktails featuring Black-owned spirits, a new video game depicts a futuristic Detroit, SpotLite Detroit opens in Islandview, and more 20 APPRAISED Photographer Lamar Landers captures his subjects in their most natural form 24 IN STYLE Classic prints, colors and silhouettes to take us back to the office 53 ACCESS Summertime parties, concerts and festivals 54 SEEN Celebrating a Centennial of Fashion: Hot Sam’s turns 100 SPONSORED 12 DRIVING COMMUNITY: FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND Tyra Moore, Founder, A Girl Like Me Inc. 43 ASK THE EXPERT: HEALTH ADVICE FROM ASCENSION MICHIGAN Does darker skin need protection from the sun? ON THE COVER: Illustration by Mario Zucca

With more than 350 degree programs, we have something to suit every passion, every purpose, every goal — while offering the oneof-a-kind opportunity to live and learn in the heart of Detroit. Join us for a tour, and see the vibrancy of our diverse campus firsthand as you explore 200 acres of urban green space, walking trails and state-of-the-art facilities, surrounded by the best of the city’s arts, entertainment, dining, shopping and more. Schedule your visit at wayne.edu/tour.

SUBSCRIBE TO

TODAY!

50 4 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

Never miss an issue. Scan the QR code or visit BLACdetroit.com/subscribe to sign up for a one-year subscription of BLAC. To be taken off our mailing list, please email info@BLACdetroit.com.

BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 5

Online in August

BLACdetroit.com

JAZZ MAKERS Listen to our latest Summer Jazz series with Bebe Sewell & B Side

BEST OF DETROIT Come find out the best of what Detroit has to offer

Typical companies have mission statements. We have ISMs.

BLACK LIFE ARTS & CULTURE

WE’VE GOT SWAG Rock a BLAC T-shirt or hoodie and remind everyone everywhere that you honor Black Life, Arts and Culture.

6 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

ISMs are the beliefs we live by that drive our decision-making. SEEN GALLERIES

Check out the full digital gallery. Did we spot you?

GET BLAC FRIDAYS Sign up for our weekly newsletter at BLACdetroit.com Your inbox will thank you.

Fb.com/BLACdetroitMagazine

@BLACMagazine

Learn more about working here at MyRocketCareer.com/ISMs.

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BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 7

PUBLISHER'S LETTER

Things are getting real right now.

n the world and here at BLAC. Just over a year ago, we set out to evolve BLAC into something that was more immersive and more accessible to the community. People can get down with evolution. It’s slow and gradual. Evolution lets us ease into it, getting used to the changes in our lives and the world around us. Revolution? Revolution can be messy. It makes us nervous because it isn’t always on our timetable. It comes like a runaway freight train. It makes us take pause and we tend to dig our heels in and resist with everything we have. I’m here to tell you that revolution can beautiful if we let it be. Revolution opens the door to the unknown. It gives us permission to try something new. In the last year, we examined every piece and part, crease and fold of the magazine and are embracing the revolution happening right here, right now at BLAC Detroit. We are shedding the past and planning for the future. BLAC’s revolution is putting an end to misguided theories, while continuing to celebrate communities and shining a light on people, places and ideas that are long-past due. When you flip through the pages of BLAC this month, you are going to find all these things and more. We are continuing our BLAC List feature with our Best of Detroit round-up, chosen by you. These are your favorite places to dine, shop, play and more. We take a hard look at Critical Race Theory and how race and racism is taught – or not taught – in school. Speaking of school, our feature on technical and vocational schools may give you some ideas for excellent alternatives to four-year college. And before you settle in to dig in, flip to page 14 and make yourself a fantastic summer cocktail with recipes that feature Black-owned spirit brands. You’ll be glad you did. If you still aren’t getting enough, head over to blacdetroit.com for our list of Black-owned food trucks making their way around Detroit this summer. If you need some background music to set the mood, our latest BLAC Summer Jazz episode dropped, with Bebe Sewell & B Side. And finally, though you might have read the feature on Wayne County Executive, Warren Evans in last month’s issue, you can hear the whole story from the man himself on our new BLAC Podcast. Like Biggie said – when the revolution comes, it’s gonna be real.

CEO/Publisher: Billy Strawter Jr. Associate Publisher: Ann Duke EDITORIAL City Correspondent: Jasmine Graham Editorial Assistant: Savannah Strawter Contributors: Kaye Byrd, Norbert Daniels Jr., Paris Giles, Nick Pizaña, Arianna Smith, Stacey Winconek, Mario Zucca DESIGN Senior Art Director: Katie M. Howard

CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT MILO DETROIT, INC. Chief Creative Officer: Mark Simon Director of Content: Jeremy Smith Production/Advertising Operations: Christine LaSalle SALES Sales Directors: Samantha Alessandri, Gail Bindi PARTNERSHIPS Partnership/Events Coordinator: Ebony Jones CIRCULATION Distribution Coordinator: Jordan Winters ADMINISTRATION Director of Business Operations: Victoria Webb Accounting Associate: Judy Stewart PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROMOTIONS Bankable Marketing Strategies Chief Executive Officer: Sharon Banks VP, Marketing & Communications: Erica Banks PRINTER LSC Communications

6200 SECOND AVE., DETROIT, MI 48202 313-312-1611 PUBLISHER: publisher@BLACdetroit.com SALES: advertise@BLACdetroit.com DESIGN: design@BLACdetroit.com EDITORIAL: editor@BLACdetroit.com CALENDAR: calendar@BLACdetroit.com DISTRIBUTION: distribution@BLACdetroit.com BLAC Detroit magazine is published 12 times a year.

Billy Strawter Jr. Owner/Publisher

8 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

Meet Our Contributors

BLAC thanks our freelance writers and creative contributors. They help make each issue possible.

Kaye Byrd, writer Kay is a heart-centered writer focused on social justice and wellness issues. An advocate for mental health, she is passionate about facilitating meaningful conversations for women that normalize therapy and cultivate a healthy mindset as the basis for self-care. She shares the passion for her soul-nourishing, empathy-driven and life-giving work on her social media platforms. Born and raised in Detroit, she is a world traveler and avid reader, and welcomes opportunities to share her wisdom to uplift others. In this issue, Kay explores race and racism and how it’s taught – or not taught - in our schools. Find Kay’s work on page 42.

Norbert Daniels Jr., writer Norbert Daniels Jr. is a writer, born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's in English in 2018. He's especially interested in exploring how art and culture mix, and, in addition to this magazine, he's been published on Anime News Network, Nerdist and Channel Frederator Network. When he isn't writing, he spends his time working on his photography, having become very involved in Detroit's local analog photography community. In this issue, Norbert introduces us to a video game set in a futuristic Detroit. Find Norbert’s work on page 16

@heykayebyrd girlgrow.com

Arianna Smith, writer Arianna is a 22-year-old native Detroiter with a varied background and a love for cultural news. A graduate of Wayne State University’s journalism program and BLAC’s former intern, you can find her scoping out the latest restaurant, boutique, art project or gaming lounge in Detroit when she isn't glued to the screen watching a Marvel movie. A Black-owned business is the best kind of business, in her eyes, and Detroit stories are the best kind to tell. In this issue, Arianna rounds up technical and vocational alternatives to four-year colleges. Find Arianna’s work on Pages 16, 18 and 47. ariannasmithport.weebly.com

Mario Zucca, illustrator Mario is an award-winning artist, illustrator, and designer with nearly 20 years experience creating custom graphics for clients across a wide range of markets, including editorial publications, book publishers, and advertising agencies. His series of densely illustrated city maps, which started as a passion project to draw his hometown of Philadelphia, has gone on to explore other US cities, such as Pittsburgh, Portland, Buffalo, Kansas City, and, most recently, Detroit. Mario works out of his home studio in Philadelphia, where he lives with his wife Karen and his dog Pepper. Find Mario's work on the Cover and Pages 28 through 41. mariozuccamaps.com

WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TALENTED CONTRIBUTORS!

If you're an experienced writer, photographer or artist interested in working with BLAC, email your résumé and samples of your work to editor@BLACdetroit.com.

10 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

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A year-long series featuring Detroiters who are driving positive change in their communities.

Driving Community Sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund

regularly get out and engage the community, volunteering at shelters and visiting museums. Moore also makes sure her girls – and the occasional boy – have access to necessary resources like diapers, clothing, baby food, wipes and the like. These items are donated by the community or procured by Moore and her team. But you won’t find all the ways in which they assist listed on the website. Moore says she’s helped girls get hotel rooms or get to work when their transportation has fallen through, or just been a shoulder to lean on. “Some of my girls, they really didn’t talk at home, or had problems with their moms. I’ve gotten calls from parents like,

‘What are y’all doing? This is a whole new person.’” It helps that Moore doesn’t pretend to be perfect or have it all figured out. She says that approachability allows her girls to feel like they can talk to her about anything. “I’m like their big sister.” Social media friends who aren’t involved in the organization will also sometimes reach out to Moore for advice or resources because they see what she’s up to. The work can take a toll on her, but Moore leans on her own support system, which includes her husband, friends and family, in those tough moments. Looking ahead also helps. She wants to create a center that offers housing, employment support,

education assistance, day care, life coaching and a boutique for professional clothes needed for an interview – a one-stop shop of sorts. About these girls, particularly the young mothers, Moore wants people to remember that, “It’s not always their fault.” Many of them come from less-than-ideal circumstances and find themselves lacking support, education and options. She says, “Having a baby young is not the choice that we would want our girls to make, but keep going. You can finish high school, you can get a job, you can find reasonable child care for your baby.” A boost from the community can make all the difference.

“

Ford Fund believes that investing in the needs of our youth is an essential step toward empowering our communities for a promising future.

”

Tyra Moore, Founder, A Girl Like Me Inc. A mom at 15, she now heads an organization that’s dedicated to equipping girls and young women with the tools needed to thrive.

F ounded in 2020, Southfield-based nonprofit A Girl Like Me Inc. has quickly created a safe, nonjudgmental space for girls and women. By offering mentorship, resources and education, they support teenage mothers and other girls and young women, ages 11 to 25. “It’s been a great response,” says founder Tyra Moore, who became pregnant at just 14 years old. She kept it a secret for months. “When my mom found out, it was on Tuesday; I gave birth in the same week on a Friday. And, yeah, I didn’t have anything.”

Moore says the women in her life sprung to action. Family, friends, neighbors and her mom’s coworkers rallied around her, and, by the time she came home from the hospital two days later, her baby girl in her arms, they’d gotten her everything she would need. “They had the house filled. We couldn’t even walk in,” she says. It was that experience that solidified in her a determination to pay it forward when and where she could. When she was laid off from her job as a medical assistant during the pandemic, Moore

12 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

says she took that as a sign to really dig her heels in. “Once I got laid off, I was like, ‘I want to go strong with this,’” she says. “I made a Facebook page, started doing community events down the street in my neighborhood, and it just moved from there.” She says it was important to her that the organization included young women as well because she remembers that the difficulty that came with being a teen mom didn’t end when she turned 18. Now 30, Moore says from figuring out how to co-parent with her daughter’s

father to struggling with housing insecurity, she struggled in adulthood, too. “There are so many women and young girls in positions like me and still going through challenges with being homeless or things like that, or don’t have family to help them.” Though, A Girl Like Me does offer a tailored mentorship program specifically for girls 11 to 17. The group – comprised of moms and non-mothers – meets on weekends to discuss topics around home and school life, sexual wellness and safety, emotional health, hygiene and more. They also

– Pamela Alexander, director of community development for Ford Motor Company

A VILLAGE

A Girl Like Me Inc. is always in need of diapers and volunteers. To donate or get involved, visit agirllikemeinc.org. BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 13

DISCOVER By Paris Giles

OCKTAIL C S B L A C K

S P I R I T S

African American culture has a rich history when it comes to spirits — and we’re speaking about alcohol here. From the until recently untold story of Uncle Nearest, the man who taught Jack Daniel how to distill whiskey, to Saint Liberty Whiskey that celebrates African American Bertie (Berdie) Brown, a legendary female bootlegger, who in 1898 moved to Montana on her own to set up shop. We’ve been at this for a minute. This history has laid the foundation for black-owned upstarts such as Ten to One Rum, Detroit native Dennis McKinley’s NYAK, and Michigan-based Anteel Tequila. Join us as we celebrate black spirits with the BLAC Happy Hour. Learn how to make your favorite drinks while discovering new black-owned spirits to enjoy. In the words of Perfect10 Mixology's Jennifer Peeples, Cheers!

HEATWAVE

2 oz Anteel Reposado tequila ¾ oz Cointreau ½ oz lime juice ¼ oz simple syrup 1 oz pineapple juice Jalapeno slice (remove seeds for less heat) Red wine Chili-lime seasoning for rim Jalapeno slices and lime wheel for garnish

1. If desired, rub lime on the rim of the glass and dip into the chili-lime seasoning. Set aside. 2. In a cocktail shaker, muddle jalapeno slice with lime juice and simple syrup. 3. Add remaining ingredients (except wine) and ice, and shake well. 4. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and, using the back of the spoon, layer red wine to create a float. Garnish.

t t

ISLAND SPRING FLING

2 oz IslandJon vodka 1 oz guava nectar ½ oz lemon juice ½ oz simple syrup Butterfly pea flower tea

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients (except the tea) with ice and shake. 2. Strain into a coupe glass. 3. Using the back of a spoon, layer the tea on top and garnish with butterfly pea flower petals.

Recipes courtesy of Jennifer Peeples, Perfect10 Mixology 14 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

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1 2 0 2 , 2 1 T S U G AU

DISCOVER By Norbert Daniels Jr. and Arianna Smith

GAME ON

rom books to movies, there’s no shortage of stories that spotlight Detroit, but things have been relatively quiet on the video game front. A notable exception is 2018’s Detroit: Become Human by the French studio Quantic Dream. But the latest installment in Detroit’s gaming canon is homegrown. Developer Neil Jones’ Never Yield is a 3D side-scrolling game where the player runs, jumps and slides around a futuristic Detroit. Jones (aka Aerial_Knight) is a lifelong Detroiter who grew up right off of the Lodge and is a Mumford alum. One of Jones’ proudest Detroit references in the game is lead character Wally’s outfit, which is an homage to Axel Foley, the Detroit detective from Beverly Hills Cop. His goal was to weave as much of Detroit’s identity into the game as he could. Jones says he wanted to “bring those aspects into the game, and try to get as much of the feeling of the city as possible.” But don’t expect a one-to-one recreation of the city. Trying to capture the feel of Detroit was more important to Jones than a pure translation. “I didn't want to use any big landmarks or anything (too) in your face. It was more about getting a feeling of it as a backdrop then adding some other influences here and there to give it a bit more style.”

Hosted By Ryan Brown

ZIN A G A M B L AC

What’s next for Detroit video games after Never Yield? Jones has high hopes. “There are a lot of young people getting into development, and we are really starting to get noticed. If Detroit does more to keep these developers in the state then I think we are in for a boom.”

Never Yield is available digitally from Steam, Epic Games Store and on all major consoles. @aerial_knight aerialknight.com

Y D E M CsOhowcase Y PRESENTED B

Shops On Top

CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

h ental Healt medy for M o C r e lt e h yS y Doomsda Produced b

:45PM 7 O T 5 4 6: n Top Shop at Shops O

pot Lite Detroit celebrated its grand opening in May and plans to become a beacon for Detroit’s creative community. The multiuse venue was developed by 1xRUN, art print manufacturers and producers of Murals in the Market. “Ultimately, Spot Lite is a creative space, a place where creatives can come and congregate and really build community,” says owner Roula David. The space is a gallery, first, but also welcomes music lovers, boasting regular DJ-led and live events, and a record store. Spot Lite also has a full bar and is open all day. The spacious and lively atmosphere is a great setting for creatives. In the morning, guests can meet over a cup of coffee, or at night over a cocktail. The 1xRUN team renovated the once-warehouse in the Islandview neighborhood from the ground up with help from the Motor City Match grant program. Their new location is not far from their former Eastern Market home, but it’s much larger. David says the move and construction took a challenging two years to complete, further complicated by the pandemic. Since opening, however, they’ve been successful in drawing crowds for their evening events. “What we’ve noticed is that it’s a place Detroiters are really starting to see as home,” David says. Their programming has included everything from reggae- and techno-themed nights, to events for Juneteenth and Pride. “We’ve been building and making sure all of these different communities feel like this is a place for them.”

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Sip, Mingle &

TIME W O H S s 8PM ately 90 Minute Approxim

@aerial_knight aerialknight.com

Jay Hunter

Ann Duke

STA R R I NteGr

Mike Gee

0 2 $ S T E K TIC

Tam White

Jason Fylan-Mares BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 17

DISCOVER By Nick Pizaña and Arianna Smith

ML N8 presents

BLACK JOY

he 38th annual African World Festival will return to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit the weekend of Aug. 20-22. This free, family-friendly summertime staple celebrates the diversity of the African diaspora with food, live performances and crafts. This year’s event will invite over 125 different vendors displaying a variety of African and Caribbean offerings including art, clothes, jewelry and food. Crowds will gather at the festival’s several stages to be awed by live demonstrations of African dances and music. And kids are invited to check out the Watoto Village, a special children’s area featuring a book fair, games, crafts and special performances. The African World Festival is centered around the global histories and cultures of African descendants. It is a natural fit for the Wright, one of the largest museums dedicated to African American history in the world. The festival spans the museum’s interior and exterior, and parts of Peck Park. Previous years have boasted crowds of more than 100,000 visitors, and after last year’s event was postponed due to the pandemic, this celebration will be a return to form.

Requests for comment from an African World Festival representative were unsuccessful. @thewrightmuseum thewright.org

DETROITBLACKRESTAURANTWEEK.COM

HOMETOWN PRIDE

etroit’s one-of-a-kind community recognition day is back for its 15th year. After holding a slightly stifled event last year due to COVID restrictions, ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day returns Aug. 7, and everyone is again invited to participate with as much caution as is standard these days. “Last year we had to do things a little differently, and it slowed us down. But Neighborhoods Day and what it represents isn’t something that can or should be canceled completely,” says ARISE director and former journalist Luther Keith. Keith founded the nonprofit coalition in 2005 as an actionable organization after years of reporting on problems in the city that never seemed to get fixed. Indeed, their acronym stands for: Activating Resources and Inspiring Service and Empowerment. Neighborhoods Day is a day-long, city-wide festival that aims to bring residents closer to their communities and foster pride for each ZIP code in the 313, without having them leave their own streets. The beauty of it, Keith says, is that the individual neighborhoods are given the freedom to pick, plan and host their own fellowship events. On Neighborhoods Day, while a back-to-school health fair is happening in Delray, a lawn cleanup rally might be taking place on Jefferson, while a winter coat drive could be underway in Brightmoor. “People take pride in what they create, and that’s why, for the most part, ARISE takes a step back and says, ‘OK, we’re going to support you guys in whatever you choose to do, but this is your show, Detroit,’” Keith says. “At the end of the day, it’s the church groups, the neighborhood watch volunteers, the citizens who’ve taken their city into their own hands. That feeling doesn’t go away after the celebrations end.”

AUG 20-29 50+ RESTAURANTS | FOOD TRUCKS | SPECIAL EVENTS |GRAPE JAM |

Idlewild

@detroitblackrestaurantweek

@arisedetroit arisedetroit.org 18 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

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APPRAISED By Nick Pizaña

SHOOTING THE SOUL

hey say a picture is worth a thousand words, and the photos of Detroit-raised photographer Lamar Landers speak for themselves. Landers’ camera catches natural moments and the raw character of his subjects, who include artists and creatives, as well as everyday people. His entry into photography came when he was starting a clothing brand and taking his own pictures of the pieces. “I wanted to get something on Facebook. Instagram wasn’t even popping at the time,” he says. “People said that I had a ‘good eye.’ I didn’t know what that meant, but I kept shooting.” With his photographs, Landers strives to catch his subjects in their genuine state, honing in on the intimate moments between himself and his subjects. In his Theorematic series, he documents artists and creatives around the world. “I try to interview people who really invest their time in their art form,” Landers says. “Wherever the music and the art is, I’m there.” Although the series has taken him places like Amsterdam, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Los Angeles, to name a few locales, Landers still likes to focus his camera on local artists. His recent subjects include Detroit rappers Fatt Father, Bang Belushi and L.A.Z. of Clear Soul Forces. Right now, Landers is shooting a Summer of Portraits at the Handball Courts series. As the name suggests, he’s been spending the summer taking spontaneous portraits in the Palmer Park handball courts. “I’m shooting people in their most natural form – no glitz on it, no glamour.”

@lamarlanders lamarlanders.com

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PRESENTED BY

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER

2021 ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE HERBIE HANCOCK GREGORY PORTER THE SUMMIT: THE MANHATTAN TRANSFER MEETS TAKE 6

LABOR DAY WEEKEND TOTALLY JAZZ, TOTALLY FREE

Get the Detroit Jazz Fest LIVE! app.

Visit detroitjazzfest.org 22 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 23

IN STYLE Curated by Savannah Strawter

Christopher John Rogers

Brandon Blackwood Arlene Bag $195 • brandonblackwood.com

Topstitched Linen Blazer $1,325 (Net-a-Porter) christopherjohnrogers.com

t t

ʻ Werkingʼ It

Step back into the office with these classic prints, colors, and silhouettes.

All these fashion and beauty brands are Black-owned!

Mateo

Brother Vellies

Duality Pearl Drop Earrings $575 • mateonewyork.com

Ribbon Pump $615 • brothervellies.com

Thebe Magugu

All-Over Print Pleated Skirt $312 (Farfetch) • thebemagugu.com

Fe Noel

Rooted Slouch Trouser $328 • fenoel.com

Anima Iris

Vavvoune

Mishe Bag $495 • vavvoune.com

Morocco Zuri $995 • animairis.com

Autumn Adeigbo

Kimberly Goldson

Giada Dress $550 • autumnadeigbo.com

24 BLAC • AUGUST 2021 • BLACdetroit.com

Brandi Garden Print Jacket $498 • kimberlygoldson.com

BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 25

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michiganders and out-of-state visitors purchased a record 1.5 million state fishing licenses in 2020 – a jump from 1.3 million sold in 2019. More people are once again enjoying Michigan’s premier outdoor family-fun activity– especially young people, women and first-time anglers. The DNR reports that fishing license sales to adults ages 17-24 saw a 20% increase last year, and the number of women license holders jumped 22%. There were 68,000 more firsttime license purchasers than in 2019.

Family-Friendly Fishing Waters There’s a place where your family can cast away stress, get hooked on nature and reel in lifelong memories … and it’s closer than you may think!

Are you looking for a fun opportunity to spend time outdoors with family, help your children learn about nature and unplug from the stresses and demands of daily life? It’s time to stop looking and start planning a family fishing trip! Once a popular pastime for families, interest in fishing has dropped significantly in recent decades. Baby boomers are growing older, parents have less spare time and fewer young people have the inclination or opportunity to head out to a lake, river or stream. That was, until 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic brought an influx of people outdoors looking for socially distanced recreation. “Last year was a banner year for fishing in Michigan as tens of thousands of people were able to rediscover or learn the joys of fishing while making memories that will last a lifetime,” said Michigan Wildlife Council Chair Nick Buggia.

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Along with being a great activity to bring families closer together, fishing is important to the Michigan economy and plays a vital role in the state’s conservation efforts. Hunting and fishing have a combined $11.2 billion economic impact on Michigan and provide an estimated 171,000 jobs, according to a 2019 study released by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs in partnership with Michigan State University. Buggia says the more people get hooked on fishing, the more everyone in the state benefits because Michigan conservation activities are primarily funded through sales of hunting and fishing licenses and equipment, not taxpayers.

Conservation keeps animal populations in balance, protects Michigan waters from habitat degradation and invasive species and safeguards the state’s forests to provide habitats

The map is available at www.michigan.gov/fishing. Click on “Learn to Fish” and the Family Friendly Fishing map is located under “Resources To Help You Get Started.”

One of the first things those 17 years of age or older will need is a fishing license. Any adult actively assisting a minor must also be licensed. An annual license is $26, and daily licenses

Last year was a banner year for fishing in Michigan as tens of thousands of people were able to rediscover or learn the joys of fishing...” — Nick Buggia, Michigan Wildlife Council Chair for thousands of wildlife species and reduce the risk of wildfires and flooding. Licenses purchased by hunters and anglers generated an estimated $65.5 million for the Michigan Game and Fish Protection Fund in 2020. The fund is the DNR’s largest revenue source and is critical to its conservation work. Sales of hunting and fishing equipment raised an additional $29.4 million to support wildlife and natural resource management. Ready to plan your family fishing adventure and release your inner conservationist? Finding the perfect destination is easier than ever. The DNR offers an interactive Family Friendly Fishing Waters map that identifies the most accessible sites in all of Michigan’s 83 counties with a high likelihood of catching fish.

Each spot designated on the map has the seal of approval from DNR fisheries biologists. Metro Detroit is home to 17 Family Friendly Fishing Waters locations, all within a short drive from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

are $10. Fishing licenses can be purchased online or in person.

You can filter locations based on preferences like the type of fish you’d like to catch or if you want to fish from the shore, pier or boat. The map also shows park amenities like boat rentals, bait stores, swimming, concessions and restrooms and whether there is an entrance fee.

Michigan.gov/fishing also includes information on fishing rules and regulations and howto guides and videos, as well as upcoming fishing classes and clinics.

Now that you’ve scouted your destination, go to Michigan. gov/fishing to access all the resources your family will need.

New this year, anglers 16 or younger can purchase a youth all-species license for $2 as a way to chip in to support conservation in Michigan.

This summer, experience the joys of fishing and take an active role in helping to protect Michigan’s environment and natural resources. There’s a perfect place nearby waiting to welcome your family.

The Michigan Wildlife Council is entrusted with educating the public about the importance of wildlife conservation and its role in preserving Michigan’s great outdoor heritage for future generations. More information is available at www.HereForMiOutdoors.org. BLACdetroit.com • AUGUST 2021 • BLAC 27

The BLAC List: BEST OF DETROIT Our favorite places to dine, shop, play and more across metro Detroit. By Jasmine Graham

• BEST OF BLAC 2021

BLAC Detroit magazine is known for

expressing our love and appreciation

for Detroit’s Black life, arts and culture – and all the things that cater to that mission. We’ve dedicated a special

issue to highlighting some of the best that metro Detroit has to offer, from

nightlife to food. Some establishments

are new to the community while others have been around for over 100 years,

but you’ll get why each made the list.

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

& DRINK

FOOD

B Steve’s Soul Food

Best soul food

Steve’s Soul Food has etched its way into the go-to spot for African American cuisine in Detroit, offering oxtails, pork chops, corn muffins, peach cobbler, Kool-Aid and more. 1440 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.393.0018

Hudson Café Best Sunday Brunch The Hudson Cafe is home to an eclectic and modern twist on brunch. Guests enjoy hearty, sweet and savory options in the heart of downtown Detroit. Bring your appetite for dishes like chicken and waffles, salmon croquettes, Florentine benedict and more. 1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.237.1000 hudson-cafe.com

Steve's Soul Food

Dutch Girl Donuts BEST SWEET TREAT Since the day Dutch Girl Donuts was established in 1947 they have captivated the sweet tooth of Detroiters and beyond. The glazed, freshly powdered or iced donuts sink into your taste buds to cause you to come back again and again. 19000 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.368.3020

Narrow Way & Shop BEST COFFEE SHOP Narrow Way Cafe & Shop was created to meet the needs of the community, both spiritually and physically. With natural light illuminating the space, guests are welcomed into a stress-free environment to enjoy coffee, smoothies and baked goods. 19331 Livernois, Detroit • 313.397.7727 thenarrowwaycafe.com

Good Times on the Ave BEST COCKTAIL Good Times on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion is a full-service restaurant, bar and event space, perfect for a family hangout or date night. Signature dishes like the shrimp cake benedict and grouper po’ boy, plus cocktails including Bellinis and mimosas, keep guests coming back time and again. 19416 Livernois, Detroit • 313.739.6601 goodtimesontheave.com

Narrow Way & Shop

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

NIGHTLIFE ENTERTAINMENT

B Motor City Casino Hotel

El Club Best Neighborhood Joint Located in Southwest Detroit, El Club is home to the arts, showcasing everything from exhibitions to live music to DJ sets. Walk into the space and be transported. 4114 Vernor Hwy, Detroit • 313.279.7382 elclubdetroit.com

Best CASINO

The MotorCity Casino is equipped with all of Detroit’s favorite casino games. Guests can spend a full day at MotorCity enjoying dining and cocktail experiences, hotel and spa services and entertainment. 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 866.782.9622 motorcitycasino.com

Floods Bar & Grille BEST CLUB OR LOUNGE Flood’s Bar & Grille is for the grown and sexy and has been that way since 1987. It has graced Greektown in Detroit with happy hour specials, live entertainment, karaoke, soul food and more. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a good time. 731 St Antoine, Detroit • 313.963.1090 floodsdetroit.com

The Woodward BAR & GRILL BEST GAY BAR Dance, drink and mingle at this hub known to cater to the LGBTQ community. The Woodward offers the music and vibes you and your guests need to make it a night to remember. 6426 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.872.0166

Baker's Keyboard Lounge Best Live Music OR Open Mic Coined “the world’s oldest jazz club,” Baker’s Keyboard Lounge transports guests back to a time when dinner was served with live jazz. Let the music hit your soul while the food we love ignites your taste buds. 20510 Livernois, Detroit • 313.345.6300

ABOVE: Baker's Keyboard Lounge, RIGHT: El Club

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

B The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio

Best YOGA STUDIO

The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio guides you toward mental and physical flexibility. Using yoga, meditation, bodywork and massage, they help guests let go and enjoy the natural flow of life.

HEALTH

3179 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.980.8727 jamelrandall.com

WELLNESS

Bee's Beauty Bar BEST SPA Bee’s Beauty Bar specializes in luxurious spa treatments, from sugar waxing to massages and more. Their mission is to enhance natural beauty and create an experience that drives guests to come back for more. 18308 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.281.3044 beesbeautybarspa.com

Grindtime Gym Best Gym Grindtime Fitness has been dubbed by its patrons as “Resultsville.” Opened five years ago, they’ve created group and individual training programs designed to strengthen the body and provide results. 18451 Wyoming Ave, Detroit • 313.205.3107 grindtimefitnessllc.com

Moor Herbs Best Health Store Moor Herbs is Detroit’s marketplace dedicated to healing and enhancing your mind, body and soul, while helping Detroiters transition to a healthier lifestyle. Shop sea moss capsules, essential oils, alkaline water and more. 16140 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit • 313.583.9709 moorherbs.com

The Dequindre Cut Best Walking & Biking Trail Located on Detroit’s east side, the Dequindre Cut features greenery, beautiful and alluring murals, a music stage and more. Enjoy the miles of ambience as you skate, walk, run or just relax along the way. Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit detroitriverfront.org

ABOVE: The Dequindre Cut, CENTER: Moor Herbs

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

& FUN

FAMILY B Eastern Market

Best FARMERS MARKET

Eastern Market opened in 1891 has since grown into a must-see attraction in Detroit. After you’ve shopped the fresh fruits and veggies, stay for the local vendors, original artwork and events. 2934 Russell St, Detroit • 313.833.9300 easternmarket.org

Belle Isle PARK BEST PARK Belle Isle Park is a piece of heaven on earth. The 982-acre island park is filled with attractions including a beach, a nature conservatory, fishing spots, an aquarium and more. 99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit • 1-844-235-5375 belleisleconservancy.org

Charles H Wright Museum of African American History Best Educational OUTING The Charles H. Wright Museum explores African American history and culture through art. Their vision is to present and preserve the culture, inspire others, and create understanding, acceptance and unity. 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit • 313.494.5800 thewright.org

Ford-WYOMING Drive In Best Movie Theater The Ford-Wyoming Drive In has been serving up nostalgia, new releases and all of our favorite movie snacks since 1950. Catch a double feature for the price of one until the wee hours of the morning. 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn • 313.846.6910 forddrivein.com

Wayne County Family Aquatic Center Best Pool OR Splash Park Splish! Splash! Wayne County’s largest family water park sits on over 22,000 square feet. The space offers wave pools, water slides, splash pads, kayaking and more, great for the whole family. 12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit • 313.822.7665

Ford-Wyoming Drive In

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Wayne County Family Aquatic Center

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

B FASHION RETAIL

B The Peacock Room

Mama Coo’s Boutique

Best Thrift or Vintage ShoP

Burn Rubber is a staple in the sneaker and streetwear culture in Detroit and beyond. The boutique is dedicated to collaborating with different companies and creating alliances with the community that supports them. 1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit 313-404-2543

Burn Rubber

Best Street Wear

Best Womenswear

Inspired by the fashions of the 1920s through ‘50s, the Peacock Room offers women’s apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts and furniture. Both locations are chock-full of one-of-a-kind finds. 3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.315.3061 15 E Kirby St, Detroit • 313.559.5500

Thumbprint Artifacts

BEST Home Goods

Thumbprint Artifacts supports and showcases fair trade artisan companies from around the world. They offer hand-crafted unique and high-quality South African home decor. 800.957.1105 thumbprintartifacts.com

THE RESTAURANT Fashion Bistro Best Menswear The Fashion Bistro is a family-owned shop showcasing local and national streetwear brands. The husband-wife duo has been curating looks and serving the community for eight years. 18212 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.809.9370 therestaurantfashionbistro.com

HOT SAM'S DETROIT

Best MENSWEAR

Since 1921, Hot Sam’s has served as Detroit’s one-stop shop for classy men’s fashion. Located in downtown Detroit, they offer men of the city custom suits, tailored alterations, wedding and prom packages, and more. 127 Monroe St., Detroit • 313-961-6779 hotsamsdetroit.com

Burn Rubber

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Thumbprint Artifacts

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BEST OF BLAC 2021

B Norwest Gallery of Art

Best Gallery

The Norwest Gallery of Art is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art of the African diaspora. They promote work that invites conversation to move the culture forward. The gallery also provides a variety of client services.

ARTS

19556 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 313.293.7344 norwestgallery.com

COMMUNITY

Motown Museum (Hitsville USA) BEST Museum The Motown Museum and Hitsville U.S.A Museums gives the inside scoop as to what it was like to live in the Motor City during the time where Motown was on top and Berry Gordy was conditioning some of America’s greatest musicians of all time. 2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.875.2264 motownmuseum.org

Sydney G. James' Girl With the D Earring Best MURAL Located on the Chroma building in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction, Sydney G. James reimagines and puts a modern twist on the renowned painting by Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring. 2937 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit

Matrix Human Services Best NonprofIT Matrix Human Services has served the metro Detroit community for over 100 years, dedicated to assisting children, teens, adults and seniors toward self-sufficient lives. By offering essential lessons, they help defuse crises and prevent abuse and neglect. 1600 Woodbridge St., Detroit • 313-962-5255 matrixhumanservices.org

Coleman A. Young Community Center Best COMMUNITY CENTER The Coleman A. Young Community Center in Detroit is a one-stop shop for all things recreational. They offer a swimming pool, racquetball courts, boxing rooms, game rooms, meeting rooms, a weight room and more. 2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit • 313.628.0995 detroitmi.gov

ABOVE: Motown Museum (Hitsville USA) CENTER: Sydney G. James "Girl With The D Earing"

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Health Advice from Ascension Michigan

Does Darker Skin Need Protection from the Sun? Victoria Cohen, D.O.

Saturday, August 28, 2021 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 3 Convenient Locations Throughout Detroit - Randolph Career Technical Center - East English Village Preparatory Academy - Western International High School

• All schools will be in attendance - meet school

E xpo

• • •

leaders and learn about programs and offerings Onsite enrollment and exceptional student education support Family services, immunizations, and health screenings Free food, games, activities and giveaways while supplies last

Visit detroitk12.org/enroll for more information

ate July to early August is prime for hot, super sunny days in Michigan. Staying hydrated helps with the heat, but we should also be protecting our skin from the sun's rays, something that Ascension Medical Group family physician Dr. Victoria Cohen says melanin-rich people tend to forego due to myths around the power of melanin. "There's a misconception that darker, or Black, skin is somehow immune to sun and skin damage because melanin stops it. While melanin does protect cells to some degree, melanin-rich skin can be vulnerable to damage by ultraviolet rays over time – the same as everyone else's," Dr. Cohen says. Often, the melanin that we think is guarding us could be hiding evidence of harm. Precancerous and cancerous skin lesions may be missed due to darker pigmentation. The use of tanning beds isn’t popular in the Black community, but many of us love to sunbathe,

and the effect over time is similar. Dr. Cohen says that, yes, rates for skin cancer and other UV-related issues are lower, in general, for the African American community, but we aren’t exempt from the consequences of skin damage, and so, we need to wear sunscreen and take other precautions. "Sunburns do more than just sting for a few days. They hurt and peel like that because it's an indication of skin being harmed on a cellular level, and so it needs to rebuild and repair itself. When that happens, there can be a hitch in the DNA of the repair process, and you can develop extra or cancerous cells and other problems," says Dr. Cohen. The best protection on a sunny day is still sunscreen. Dr. Cohen says the sun protection factor, or SPF, is at its most effective when it's around 50. The lowest recommended is SPF 30. Higher numbers only offer a fractional amount of protection after that. "It's tempting to buy something like an SPF 80,

but it's not necessary. Getting the most out of your sunscreen is all about reapplying at the correct times. If you're a swimmer, it's going to be more often, but good brands will endure in water,” Dr. Cohen says. Sunscreen works with a combination of physical and chemical processes to absorb and scatter UV rays, creating a barrier from solar damage. The SPF number is a general measurement for how long the sun's rays would take to redden skin, relative to someone not wearing any sunscreen. Applying a sunscreen with an SPF 30, for instance, will allow you to stay in the sun 30 times longer than if your skin was unprotected. “Chemical sunscreens that contain zinc are great for babies.” Long clothes and floppy hats serve as a good substitute for sunscreen if you don't mind being covered up. Still, certain areas on the body are often neglected. "A lot of people don't consider places like the scalp, especially if you're bald,

or earlobes and the bottoms of your feet. Those places can get burned, too, sometimes more quickly than the rest of the body," says Dr. Cohen. She says people who spend a lot of time indoors or avoid lounging in direct sunlight should still take notice. “‘I don't go outside.’ Well, you still leave and go somewhere, and you're going to be exposed to the sun at some point. Protecting yourself and preparing your skin has no downside. It's not just a thing to do after a diagnosis," Dr. Cohen says. The sun isn't the only thing the skin needs defense from during outdoor festivities. Critters like mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies can turn a fun camping trip into a nightmare. If you plan to go into the wilderness, cover your arms and legs with bug spray and proper clothing – even if it's hot. "You don't need a parka, but I wouldn't recommend hiking wooded areas in shorts, particularly if you don't know the area. Itchy bites could be the least of your problems; disease could be the worst. Just be smart about it, and you and your skin will enjoy the fun you can have this summer," Dr. Cohen says.

Students Rise. We All Rise. DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, transgender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions? Concerns? Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator at (313) 240-4377 or dpscd.compliance@detroitk12.org or 3011 West Grand Boulevard, 14th Floor, Detroit MI 48202.

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GET MORE HEALTH INFORMATION AND FIND A DOCTOR NEAR YOU BY VISITING ASCENSION.ORG/MICHIGAN OR CALLING 866-501-DOCS (3627)

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FEATURES

RACE WAR

By Kaye Byrd

The nation is caught in a storm of impassioned debates around how race and racism is taught – or not taught – in K-12 education. The catalyst for this intense discussion is fueled by a disinformation campaign against critical race theory.

ritical race theory is an academic movement that has recently gained widespread attention because of its framing by some Republicans and conservative groups in restricting the teaching of America’s past and present. Though, the principles of critical race theory are not new. It was first explored in academia by the late professor Derrick Bell at Harvard University in the 1980s as a way of understanding the correlation between race and the United States legal system. It later evolved in response to critical legal studies. Over time, the movement grew among legal scholars, mostly of color, at law schools across the country. Kimberlé Crenshaw is a pioneering scholar and law professor at the UCLA School of Law and Columbia Law whose work has been foundational in critical race theory. During an interview with Jason Carroll, a CNN national correspondent, she explained it in simple terms. “Critical race theory just says ‘let’s pay attention to what has happened in this country and how what has happened in the country is continuing to create differential outcomes so we can become that country that we say we are.’ So critical race theory is not anti-patriotic. In fact, it is more patriotic than those who are opposed to it because we believe in the 13th, and the 14th and the 15th amendments. We believe in the promises of equality, and we know we can’t get there if we can’t confront and talk honestly about inequality.”

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Race War

Saida Grundy, assistant professor of sociology and African American studies at Boston University and author of the upcoming book, Respectable: Politics and Paradox in the Making of the Morehouse Man shared the sentiments evidenced in the survey. “Actual critical race theory, in the way that Derrick Bell and Kimberlé Crenshaw are teaching law students is not happening in anyone’s K-12 school,” she said. “But what we are really talking about is a way of talking about U.S. history and a way of talking about U.S. social problems in which the center of that narrative is not a whitedominate narrative. They really just don’t want a demythologizing of America.” Detroit educator Dr. Curtis Lewis is known for his dedication to building culturally relevant learning communities for students of color. He established the Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan to dismantle the institutional impediments to diversity with the educational profession and to improve the educational experiences of urban youth. Lewis says that this recent opposition to critical race theory is an example of people intentionally using scare tactics to demonize and deepen the racial divide, which couldn’t be further from the truth. “Teaching critical race theory in K-12 schools has never been the intention in the first place,” says Lewis. “Teaching students the accurate history of this country – its good, bad, and ugly, and engaging school leaders, teachers and students in culturally responsive and restorative practices that engage our students in deeper learning – leading to independent learners is what this country needs if we plan to be competitive at the global level.” Lewis asserts that politicians have inappropriately hijacked critical race theory and its purpose and are turning it into a cultural war, not because they really care what schools teach but because they are focused on feeding into the souls of misinformed citizens that would rather keep the nation racially divided. An important fact about critical race

theory, he notes, is that it “doesn’t teach folks to hate anyone, but instead understand the systems and policies that have marginalized, ostracized and excluded those from fully participating or reaping the full benefits of the intended policy or system.” He says, “Exposure to these things does not create hate. Instead it creates informed, empathetic folks who seek to dismantle those systems and policies that benefit a few, and create those

“Exposure to these things does not create hate. Instead it creates informed, empathetic folks” systems and policies that benefit everyone.” Grundy and Lewis agree that critical race theory is not what GOP leaders and the conservative groups are claiming it to be – it’s not a smokescreen to divisiveness. The true intent lies in the premise of providing an education that relays real and whole truths about our nation’s history, not one that has been romanticized by hiding facts. Grundy says, “Any inch of yardage gained by coming to a more accurate depiction of America’s founding and its 250 years of slavery is a great, great threat to (opponents) because the Neo-

confederacy – which is the modern-day Republican party – have always seen schools, education as a battle ground for its propaganda.” The 1619 Project, researched and curated by scholar Nikole Hannah-Jones for The New York Times Magazine in 2019, is an example of a full history lesson centered around the nation’s founding. It is a journalistic initiative aimed at reframing the country’s history by sharing stories of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans. She opens the initiative with an essay entitled, “Our Democracy’s Founding Ideals Were False When They Were Written. Black Americans Have Fought to Make Them True.” In “Why We Published The 1619 Project,” Jake Silverstein, editor-in-chief of The New York Times Magazine, writes, “There is gruesome material in these stories, material that readers will find disturbing. That is, unfortunately, as it must be. American history cannot be told truthfully without a clear vision of how inhumane and immoral the treatment of Black Americans has been. By acknowledging this shameful history, by trying hard to understand its powerful influence on the present, perhaps we can prepare ourselves for a more just future.” The 1619 Project has received stark criticism by the drivers behind controlling the lessons taught in K-12 education. Donald Trump, at the White House Conference, said, "The left has warped, distorted and defiled the American story with deceptions, falsehoods and lies. There is no better example than the New York Times’ totally discredited 1619 Project. This project rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom. Nothing could be further from the truth. America’s founding set in motion the unstoppable chain of events that abolished slavery, secured civil rights, defeated commOpponents of critical race theory are using it as a weapon, waging war against its tenets. K-12 classrooms across the nation are the unfortunate

battlegrounds. One of the early instigators for banning critical race theory was former President Donald Trump. During his speech at the White House Conference on American History in September 2020 he said, “Our mission is to defend the legacy of America’s founding, the virtue of America’s heroes and the nobility of the American character. We must clear away the twisted web of lies in our schools and classrooms and teach our children the magnificent truth about our country.” He continued: “Students in our universities are inundated with critical race theory. This is a Marxist doctrine holding that America is a wicked and racist nation, that even young children are complicit in oppression and that our entire society must be radically transformed. Critical race theory is being forced into our children’s schools, it’s being imposed into workplace trainings and it’s being deployed to rip apart friends, neighbors and families.” That same month, Trump signed an executive order restricting diversity training by government agencies, which was later rescinded by President Joe Biden. On the school front, GOP-led states began to roll out bills restricting how educators can discuss racism. In an Education Week analysis, 26 states have introduced bills on banning teachings rooted in critical race theory. Ten states, including Georgia, Rhode Island, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, West Virginia and New Hampshire, have enacted bans through legislation or other avenues. These efforts are misguided, and largely unfounded and unwarranted. While critical race theory is a worthy approach to examining the systems that create and sustain inequality and systemic racism, it is not, at its core, being taught in K-12 schools. NBC News shared a survey conducted by the Association of American Educators that “suggests that the panicked dialogue on critical race theory made by lawmakers and the media does not reflect the reality of American classrooms.” unism and fascism, and built the most fair, equal and prosperous nation in human history.”

In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis participated in the Florida Board of Education meeting where he said, “We have to do history that is factual, and if you look at the things that have grown out of critical race theory, it is much more about trying to craft narratives about history that are not grounded in facts.” He used The 1619 Project as an example of that narrative. That day, the Board of Education voted unanimously to prohibit the teaching of critical race theory and The 1619 Project. Also in June, President Joe Biden signed a proclamation making Juneteenth a national holiday. In it, he refers to June 19, now known as Juneteenth Day of Observance as “a day in which we remember the moral stain and terrible toll of slavery on our country – what I’ve long called America’s original sin.” With the divisiveness about what and how children are taught, how do we teach them about Juneteenth? How do we create space for Black and non-Black children to understand the nation’s past grievances and have empathy for the impact the continued legacy of systemic racism, disenfranchisement and marginalization – often intentional by way of policy and disinvestment – has on large communities of people? In the world of diversity, equity and inclusion, the backbone of work advancing is theability to understand one another, to see one another. Ultimately, it is our students who stand to lose the most; they are the true casualties in this controversy. They are our future leaders who will use the information they have learned in school to later make decisions that will affect people for generations to come. Lewis understands this in his work at the Black Male Educators Alliance of Michigan. He stresses that the work is too important. “We will not allow the current rhetoric to deter us from the work that we do,” he says. “We will spend time doing the work, liberating our schools and learners so that we can truly practice what it means to have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.”

“They are our future leaders who will use the information they have learned in school to later make decisions that will affect people for generations to come.”

KAYE BYRD IS A FREELANCE WRITER FOCUSED ON SOCIAL ISSUES

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GIVE YOUR INBOX SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

Get all the latest on Black life, arts & culture with the BLAC Fridays newsletter. ®

Enjoy exclusive content, weekly playlists and everything you need to get your weekend started.

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FEATURES

By Arianna Smith

e’ve romanticized four-year institutions, but that may not be the right move for every student. From carpentry to culinary arts, there are plenty of skills to be gained and lessons to be learned at a technical or vocational school.

Students across Detroit are looking ahead to another academic year. Some will go to a four-year college, but that’s not the path for everyone. And in the mid-to-post COVID world, where most vocational fields are experiencing a steep skills gap, that’s perfectly fine. “There’s a lot of jobs that are desperately understaffed and looking for workers. That’s a ton of high-wage paying positions going unfilled,” says Omar Hasan, a workforce development expert for Detroit at Work, an employment agency that helps people enter the technical sector and develop a marketable trade. Hasan blames a societal bias toward vocational work. “Most of the vocational workforce is between 55 and 70 years old on average. Once they retire, we’re going to be staring at another huge shortage of plumbers and carpenters,” Hasan says. “Detroit at Work strives to not only fill that gap, but provide new generations of Detroiters with skills they can use to build and support their own communities.” Below is a brief explanation of just a few vocational routes that students (of all ages!) should look into if they’re interested in trade school.

CTE PROGRAMS

Something that most high school students can take advantage of is a career and technical education (CTE) program, which promotes locally-based middle school and high school trade education that provides a mixture of academic and technical skills. “Cass Technical (High School) was one of the schools that made a name for itself offering students another pathway in life,” says Jessica Sokolowski, apprenticeship success coordinator for the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. “Trade work has developed a bad rap among parents as sort of the inevitable ‘punishment’ for not getting good grades. Thankfully, that outlook is changing the more people see how much you can make and how relatively simple the process is.”

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Most CTE programs are either built into the curriculum at selected schools or offered beside traditional educational courses, sometimes taking place before or after school so students don’t fall behind. In partnership with Detroit Public Schools Community District, the city of Detroit and other partners have invested nearly $20 million in upgrades to three of the city’s main career technical schools: Randolph Career Technical Center, Breithaupt CTC and Golightly CTC. Find a list of programs offered at each at detroitatwork.com/youth.

VOCATIONAL COLLEGES

Much like traditional college, vocational college offers training and informational courses for hundreds of occupations. “Most trade college programs take half the time of a four-year education, cost a fraction of the tuition of a bachelor’s and can be used in a wider range of fields than a super-specific degree,” Sokolowski says. Graduates of vocational college often leave with a direct pathway into high-paying work. However, the pandemic highlighted a key disadvantage to vocational courses. While we saw many traditional colleges and universities switch to remote learning, trade programs are typically hands-on. “We did see a significant challenge in keeping people enrolled during the thick of the pandemic because it’s hard to train people when you have to socially distance. With things normalizing a bit, they’re moving back into the person-to-person instruction that produces the best experts,” Hasan says. Also, many trade schools require a high school degree or GED. “Thankfully, these programs are very background friendly. They can work with just about anyone’s situation. The military also helps tremendously with recruits and veterans who enlist and want to go to trade school,” Hasan says.

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ACCESS ]

DETROIT • AUGUST 2021

APPRENTICESHIPS AND WAGE TRAINING PROGRAMS

Apprenticeships and wage training programs are similar to CTE programs in that students gain onthe-job training. The difference is that apprentices get paid during their training. “It’s an earn and learn model that’s the best of both worlds for people supporting themselves or their families. You go to school and get paid for it,” Sokolowski says. According to the Michigan Department of Labor, workers who complete apprenticeship programs earn an average of $300,000 more over their careers compared to peers who don’t.

THE AJAMU GROUP, LLC.

PRESENTS ITS

ARIANNA SMITH IS A DETROIT-BASED FREELANCE WRITER.

ANNUAL

MULTICULTURAL MEDIA LUNCHEON

HONORING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Virtual Event and Small Live Audience During

JOURNEYMAN CERTIFICATION AND BEYOND

After completing an apprenticeship program, some may apply for a Journeyman certification. “Being a Journeyman is like a degree in the technical field, with lots more applications. It means that you’ve completed your training, you’re certified to work independently, and you can start considering things like starting your own business and mentoring others,” says DESC media specialist Robin Johnston. Because of the number of skilled trades like advanced machinery, robotics and health care maintenance, gaining a Journeyman certification is in most cases as good or better than a four-year degree. “Unfortunately, the stereotype of most trade and vocational fields is that they’re dirty, grungy jobs no one wants to do. That just isn’t the case, and we’re grateful more people see that,” Hasan says.

10TH

AT M1 CONCOURSE IN PONTIAC

Keynote Speaker:

Jemele Hill

• Spotify Host, Jemele Hill is Unbothered • Co-founder, Lodge Freeway Media • Former ESPN SportsCenter Co-host

The summertime parties, concerts and festivals are back and in full swing. [ WAYNE COUNTY FAIR ]

WAYNE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, BELLEVILLE The county fair is back for the 75th time, featuring magic shows, barnyard animals, carnival rides, food trucks and more. End the week with a demolition derby show. Aug. 2-7 • waynecountyfairgrounds.net

[ RIBS RNB MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND ] HART PLAZA, DETROIT

Spend the weekend enjoying over 30 musical acts, shopping and yummy barbecue. Tony! Toni! Toné!, Al B. Sure!, Miki Howard and others will take the stage while live DJs spin your favorite jams on a large outdoor dance floor. Aug. 13-15 • ribsrnbmusicfestival.com

[ 105.9 KISS BLOCK PARTY ]

MICHIGAN LOTTERY AMPHITHEATRE, STERLING HEIGHTS This star-studded group show will feature Dru Hill, Jagged Edge, 112 and Ginuwine. Spend the night singing your heart out to your favorite bops. Aug 22 • 313presents.com

Theme: “The Importance of Social Justice in Corporate America”

Thursday, September 23, 2021 • 11:00 am

[ NIGHT MARKET AT BEACON PARK ]

Garden Theatre 3929 Woodward Avenue, Detroit 48201

BEACON PARK, DETROIT

Bring your friends, family and a picnic blanket, and dance, drink and eat under the lights in Beacon Park. Shop local vendors and artists, enjoy live music and more. Each Saturday, through Aug. 28 • downtowndetroitparks.com

PURCHASE TICKETS at AjamuGroup.com on Upcoming Event tab A portion of the net proceeds benefit Project Medishare (Haiti) and Orchards Children’s Services (Michigan).