BLACK LIFE, ARTS & CULTURE
HOME DECOR
RUNNING TOWARD A
Healthier Detroit
U.S. SEPT/OCT ISSUE
$4.99 2021 2110
The Art of Presentation
Music Meets Fashion
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 1
Major in
GIVING BACK OCTOBER IS NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY MONTH
Brandon Bedinger grew up interested in sports and
physical fitness, enthusiastically embracing the challenge of increasing his strength and fitness. He also found it rewarding to help others, including a fire chief, reach their fitness goals.
Some words of encouragement from that fire chief, the
opportunity to help others and the desire to challenge himself led Brandon to become a firefighter.
He chose the Fire Academy at Schoolcraft College, well
respected by area departments, to help him reach his
dream. Now Brandon works for the Van Buren Township
Fire Department, trained and ready to help those in his community.
Email firetechnology@schoolcraft.edu for more information.
APPLY TODAY
schoolcraft.edu • 734-462-4426
2 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 3
PROVIDING
OPPORTUNITIES in the City of Detroit “When you invest in a small business, you invest in every person attached. We have been able to start up a mentor component because of the recognition we received from the contract with the City of Detroit. We are now able to offer a safe space for young people around the City of Detroit to be mentored."
n
Be a part of our mission to conserve wildlife, ensure animal welfare, and promote environmental sustainability and humane education
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Learn skills and knowledge found only at the Detroit Zoo
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Meet people who share your interests
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Experience the outdoors while making a positive impact in your community
With a variety of volunteer opportunities for individuals ages 18 and older, and flexible schedules including weekdays, weekends and evening events, we are sure you will find your place at the Zoo. Volunteer today and start making your impact at the Zoo.
T:10.875"
AS A ZOO VOLUNTEER, YOU WILL:
B:11.125"
S:10.625"
We Need YOU to Volunteer at the Detroit Zoo!
– Akil Alvin, Founder and CEO, Detroit Digital Media Downtown Detroit, District 2
The City of Detroit's Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) is currently seeking companies interested in an exciting opportunity for growth and success. If your company specializes in the following areas: Ground Services, Medical Supplies, Janitorial Services, and more. Please visit the link below for great Detroit Supply Schedule opportunities!
WWW.DETROITMI.GOV/SUPPLIER OR CALL (313) 378-8362
Business Spotlight Digital Detroit Media is a full service, content creation agency that empowers ambitious brands to thrive in contemporary culture, through unique mixes of storytelling, insights, and technology. DDMs multimedia services include: graphic design, marketing, brand development & activation, web development, photography& videography, social media management, and many more. With a dash of “Detroit Hustle,” they have been able to be awarded the Spirit of Detroit Award and work with Disney, Coca Cola, and Ford. Founder and CEO, Akil Alvin is a Detroit native, who has been working with and influenced by the city since the age of 10. With his initial exposure of the City of Detroit and the opportunities they had to offer, he wanted to create that same connection for other creatives. One of DDM's earliest projects with the City of Detroit was re-branding the board of ethics department by bringing them to the digital world. With this, the department was able to create a new website, develop a new use of social media, and train the whole city staff in media presence. Once the city saw the passion that the team had for authentically impacting culture, they were eager to work with Detroit Digital Media. Everyone from Boysie Jackson (CPO) to Michael Anderson (Procurement Specialist) welcomed their talent and helped out in the process. Since starting in 2017, they have been able to hire a team consisting of 85% Detroiters.
Learn more at dzoo.org/effect or contact us 336-5802.
4atBLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com volunteer@dzs.org or (248)
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 5
S EP T /OC T 2 0 2 1
INSIDE 8 Online at BLACdetroit.com 10 Letter from the Publisher 12 BLAC Detroit Contributors
FEATURES 28 FALL FASHION IN THE D Music meets fashion with a spotlight on 6 distinct black musical icons. 42 HOME DECOR Spotlighting Loretta Crenshaw, Detroit’s grande dame of interior design. 52 WE RUN 313 A discussion with the founders about building a happier, healthier and more connected Detroit through running.
DEPARTMENTS
COLLEGE
CITY
LIFE
Experience it all at
WAYNE STATE
16 DISCOVER Visiting “The Wall”, a short story by Detroiter Keith A. Owens. 22 APPRAISED A talk with local artist Doug Jones on how he builds community through creativity. 24 IN STYLE Soaking up summer’s golden hour with sunset hues 57 ACCESS A selection of October food, fun and festivals 58 SEEN Spotlighting Detroit’s most fashionable at the BLAC StyleMakers celebration at Neiman Marcus in Troy. SPONSORED 14 DRIVING COMMUNITY: FORD MOTOR COMPANY FUND The Eastside Community Network is bringing prosperity, equity, and voice to neighborhoods
With more than 350 degree programs, we have something to suit every passion, every purpose, every goal — while offering the one-of-a-kind opportunity to live and learn in the heart of Detroit.
21 ASK THE EXPERT: HEALTH ADVICE FROM ASCENSION MICHIGAN Dr. Samantha Wein: Truths about Hypertension in Our Community
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.
ON THE COVER: Model Ashley Jones as Aretha Franklin circa. 1968, photograph by J. Singleton
Schedule your visit at wayne.edu/tour.
SUBSCRIBE TO
TODAY!
Never miss an issue. Scan the QR code or visit BLACdetroit.com/subscribe to sign up for a one-year subscription of BLAC.
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Online in Sept/Oct
BLACdetroit.com
BEYOND THE GLAM LIFE Sheila E. talks to BLAC about her musical and spiritual DNA.
HONORING BLACK SITCOMS
G-STREAM
Finding positive role models for Black business success in an unlikely place.
BLAC’s Mike Monford gets soulful and funky with Gerald Albright.
BLACK LIFE ARTS & CULTURE
20
WE’VE GOT SWAG Rock a BLAC T-shirt or hoodie and remind everyone everywhere that you honor Black Life, Arts and Culture at shop.blac.media.
8 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
WHY BUY BLACK Buying Black should be a lifestyle, not just a hashtag. Here's how you can contribute to Black success this month and beyond.
Fb.com/BLACdetroitMagazine
GET BLAC FRIDAYS Sign up for our weekly newsletter at BLACdetroit.com Your inbox will thank you.
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BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 9
PUBLISHER'S LETTER
Detroit Month of Design
Space and Grace.
FASHION FUTURE EXHIBITION
CEO/Publisher: Billy Strawter Jr. Associate Publisher: Ann Duke
L
ast month, I talked about the beauty of revolution and change. Today, as we get the first year of our own revolution at BLAC under our belts, I’m reflecting on the scrapes and bumps along the way. Here, at the office, we often say, “We are not striving for perfection, we are striving for excellence.” Perfection isn’t just elusive, it’s a fond illusion. Even if we get to perfection, maintaining it isn’t sustainable. Our humanity keeps that in check. Excellence has quality and merit. It gives us something more distinct to work against. In striving for excellence, we follow the mantra “Space and Grace”. That is, giving people enough latitude or “head space” to grow and the grace of understanding what it will take for them to get there. Unlike perfection, excellence allows for hiccups and bumps along the way. If we’re honest with ourselves, we have all made mistakes and experienced defeat on our chase to excellence. Space and grace is a humane and a beautiful theory, but it’s hard to put into practice. For instance, one of our feature articles in the August issue, had a graphical error that made for some curious reading. It’s aggravating and embarrassing. Thank you for the space and grace. Deadlines cause tension, personalities come with attitudes, and sometimes for whatever reason, we can’t grow into the headspace or take the grace that has been given. Conversely, there are folks out there who are unwilling or just plain don’t want to give space or grace. We still love them where they are. This month’s issue is important to all of us at BLAC. It marks the one year anniversary since we introduced the physical and design changes to BLAC Detroit. The changes were seemingly a group of little things, but from what we hear from you, they have had a big impact. The size, the velvety-soft cover, the bolder, more engaging graphics – these are all things that came out of allowing ourselves space and grace. This month, in conjunction with the new movie, our cover story celebrates the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin and other female singers and fashion icons. As you flip through the pages, you will also catch our love for some of the greatest music venues in the world we are lucky enough to have here in Detroit. Our style team also takes a fresh look at home decor with Loretta Crenshaw, Detroit’s grande dame of interior design. We have a discussion with the founders of We Run 313 about building a happier, healthier and more connected Detroit through running. We close this month’s issue with pictures from our BLAC StyleMakers event, hosted by our partner Neiman Marcus. Everyone turned up and got their hustle on to celebrate Detroit’s most fashionable. Enjoy this month’s issue and remember what The Queen said: "You cannot define a person on just one thing. You can't just forget all these wonderful and good things that a person has done because one thing didn't come off the way you thought it should come off." – Aretha Franklin
EDITORIAL City Correspondent: Jasmine Graham Editorial Assistant: Savannah Strawter Contributors: Ashley Valentina Hosey, Sydney Kispert-Bostick, Bettie Jean Lutcher, Marv Neal, Keith A. Owens, Nick Pizana, J. Singleton, Arianna Smith
Open to the public September 6-30
DESIGN Senior Art Director: Katie M. Howard
Monday, Tuesday, Friday — 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday — 11 a.m.-7 p.m. CMU’s Detroit Center | 777 Woodward Ave., Suite 160
CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION SUPPORT MILO DETROIT, INC. Chief Creative Officer: Mark Simon Director of Content: Jeremy Smith Production/Advertising Operations: Christine LaSalle
No registration required.
SALES Sales Directors: Gail Bindi PARTNERSHIPS Partnership/Events Coordinator: Ebony Jones
Designer: Gabriela Salais, junior
FASHION, MERCHANDISING & DESIGN CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
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
CONTACT US
WHATEVER IS
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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
With gratitude,
CMU students, alumni and faculty design the future of fashion.
CALENDAR: calendar@BLACdetroit.com DISTRIBUTION: distribution@BLACdetroit.com BLAC Detroit magazine is published 12 times a year. ©2021 by BLAC INC. All rights reserved. Any reproduction in whole or part without the express written consent of
For Grand Valley students, next is opportunity and innovation. Next is global, connecting and uniting us. It’s local, shaping the spaces in which we work and live. It’s a commitment to progress. Next is where minds are free to imagine what could be. At GVSU, next is now. And whatever’s next for you, we will help you get there.
BLAC magazine is prohibited.
Billy Strawter Jr. Owner/Publisher
10 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
gvsu.edu/next BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 11
CONTRIBUTORS
Meet Our Contributors
BLAC thanks our freelance writers and creative contributors. They help make each issue possible.
The Fashion Dream Team
J. Singleton, photographer
BLAC’s Fashion/Beauty “Dream Team” reunited in this issue to salute Black Female Music Icons. Pictured left to right, Bettie Jean Lutcher, hair stylist. Bettie has worked on OWN Network’s Unfaithful, sent clients down the Grammys and BET Awards red carpets, and styled models for fashion shows in Detroit, Atlanta and New York City. As the owner of B’s Vanity Hair Salon in Ferndale, Bettie’s goal is to amaze every client. @bvainhaircollection Ashley Valentina Hosey, makeup artist. Ashley is one of Michigan’s most sought-after makeup artists for special effects or bridal makeup. Peers and clients seek her expertise knowing they will get honest advice and beautifully applied makeup that reflects and enhances the face’s natural beauty. @valentina.mua, valentinaartistry.com. Marv Neal, fashion stylist. Marv has over 20 years of combined retail and styling experience. He’s cultivated looks and events for brands including United Front, Thrift on the Ave, Elite Couture, Spoiled Forever, Versace, Dolce Moda and Henri Bendel. His work has been featured in Vogue Italia, Ambassador, Institute and Dark Beauty magazines. @marvneal marvneal.com.
J. Singleton’s passion for photography started as a young boy as he chronicled cross-country family vacations with a 35mm plastic camera gifted to him by his parents. In high school he shot photos for the yearbook and developed and interest in journalism. Throughout college and his early career, Singleton shot freelance for the Battle Creek Enquirer, Kalamazoo Gazette, Detroit News and Associated Press. He was able to hone his skills over the years through working at a photo studio in Battle Creek and later Norman Camera in Kalamazoo. Now based in Detroit, Singleton’s work ranges from portraits, fashion editorial, event coverage and still life. J has received awards from the Associated Press as well as from Parsons - The New School in NYC. For this issue, Singleton captured the essence of Black Female Music Icons in our Fall Fashion feature starting on page 24.
@bvainhaircollection @valentina.mua @marvneal marvneal.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.
@jsingletonphoto jsingletonphoto.com
12 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Powerball is getting even better. The addition of Monday draws means a third draw to light up your week. And the new Double Play feature gives players a 2nd set of winning numbers each night and a guaranteed sizzling top cash prize of $10 million. That’s double the chances to win, three dazzling nights a week.
Plug into Powerball today! DOUBLE PLAY - $1 MORE PER PLAY POWERBALL DRAW AT 10:59 PM, DOUBLE PLAY DRAW AT 11:40 PM Power Play increases non-jackpot prizes only and does not apply to Double Play prizes. Odds of winning Powerball/ Double Play: 0+1: 1 in 39; 1+1: 1 in 92; 2+1: 1 in 702; 3+0: 1 in 580; 3+1: 1 in 14,495; 4+0: 1 in 36,526; 4+1: 1 in 913,130; 5+0: 1 in 11,688,054; 5+1: 1 in 292,201,338. Overall odds of winning: 1 in 25. Knowing your limits is always the best bet. Call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline for confidential help at 1-800-270-7117.
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 13
A year-long series featuring Detroiters who are driving positive change in their communities.
Driving Community Sponsored by Ford Motor Company Fund
and Business Association (a multisector plan and business collective to reinvigorate Mack Avenue), The East Side Job Board and Climate Advisory Group, and The Vault Teen Center, to name just a few. “We aren’t segregated to only helping the East Side, but that is our primary area. Detroit’s ‘renaissance’ is slow to reach many areas and even slower to reach others. We want all of Detroit to have an equal voice and strength. All citizens deserve the same quality of life and input on their city’s issues regardless of zip code,” Givens-Davidson says. Givens-Davidson herself has a record of public service and positive nonprofit work that’s nothing to sneeze at. She obtained two degrees in quick succession, a Masters of Education Leadership from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Michigan, before launching a three
and a half decades long career as one of her city’s biggest and most efficient advocates. Before finding herself at ECN, she served in leadership positions at several other nonprofit organizations such as the Youth Development Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit and the Michigan College Access Network. In between running all the operations at ECN, she still finds time to co-host a weekly podcast, Authentically Detroit, with fellow Detroiter and media activist Orlando Bailey. “To me, doing this work feels like taking control of the narrative of not only history, but this city and how we allow ourselves to be seen and treated. It would be nice and ideal to be listened to and treated like a priority and we push for policy changes, but we as a people can do that ourselves in the meantime. We as Black Detroiters can support our businesses and make sure our children flourish,” she says.
This fall ECN is debuting a few new events and installations they’ve been planning and working on over the last long year. With the kickoff of their inaugural Eastside Homecoming Weekend which is set to last from Sept. 17-19, ECN will give the community a first look at the soon-to-open Stoudamire Wellness Hub, built and named in honor of community titan and beloved city businessman Marlowe Stoudamire who passed at age 43 from COVID complications. “The Stoudamire hub is something I’m really proud and excited for. It stands for what Marlowe stood for, providing four corners of support and connectivity for the community he loved. There will be some sorrow as we remember those we lost, including Marlowe, but those people never truly leave us or the community, and the memories keep us moving forward,” Givens-Davidson says.
"Ford Fund believes that investing in the needs of our youth is an essential step toward empowering our communities for a promising future."
East Side Community Network has been driving positive transformation on Detroit’s East Side for many years. Donna Givens- Davidson and her team work tirelessly on initiatives to benefit the heart of the neighborhood residences within the eastside community Ford Motor Company has long recognized the opportunity to enhance neighborhoods by investing in innovative programs and initiatives. Our Ford Resource and Engagement Center (FREC) located on the East Side of Detroit in Fisher Upper Elementary School, provides programming for students and their families that drive social and economic mobility. Services offered at the FREC range from basic needs to economic growth to quality of life and are designed to provide the community with the skills, resources, and knowledge they need to empower success.
Donna Givens-Davidson, President & CEO, East Side Community Network
Ford is proud to commend Donna GivensDavidson and East Side Community Network for embracing the east side of Detroit as a community of choice where residents can
This experienced, steadfast city servant leads a generous and efficient nonprofit that refuses to let Detroit’s East Side fall to the wayside.
I t often feels rare and special nowadays to encounter a group of people so committed to one goal that every action they undertake is dedicated to that outcome, whether the aim is to draw attention to a human rights crisis or uplift an entire sector of a community. East Side Community Network is an inspiring example of the latter, a powerhouse non-profit doing the work of three organizations to bring prosperity, equity and voice to Detroit’s East Side neighborhoods.
“I wasn’t the founder of ECN, they were doing great work long before I came along. But there’s never been any question that what ECN does, what I've done all my life, is what I was meant to do. I’ve always loved helping people. As a native raised Detroiter, helping my people is natural and easy to me,” says Donna Givens-Davidson, President and CEO of ECN. According to Givens-Davidson and the organization’s mission statement, ECN is guided by the four main principles
14 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
they’d like to see fostered on the East Side of the city in particular as well as Detroit at large- climate visibility, business and economic development, youth support and community engagement. “The main goals never change, but the ways we achieve them are as varied as the needs of the people we serve. Right now, we’re finishing up flood cleanup from the heavy rains, but also still incredibly focused on COVID vaccination efforts and easing the burden of cost and transport for families.
Those things might be in the forefront, but nothing takes a backseat in regards to anything,” Givens-Davidson says. If something community-wise needs to be addressed on the Jefferson and Chene side of the city and it’s within their power, ECN will be first in line to advocate for residents and businesses that call the East Side home. They’ve been active since 1984 and have made impressive strides in all areas of their focus. Credits to their efforts include the Mack Avenue Improvement Plan
live, work, play and thrive with pride.
– Pamela Alexander, director of community development for Ford Motor Company
EAST SIDE COMMUNITY NETWORK For more information on East Side Community Network, or if you would like to contribute, visit ecn-detroit.org. BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 15
DISCOVER
THE Wall
By Keith A. Owens
Detroit Stories Matter I
Keith Owens is the current Deputy Director of Communications, Office of the Wayne County Executive. Keith is an awardwinning journalist and columnist, the past senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle and well-known local cultural critic. He describes himself as a steam punk(ish) fantasy writer and is the author of Detroit Stories Quarterly.
16 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
n 1941 the Birwood Wall was built in Detroit. The purpose of that wall, which was built by white Detroiters, was to keep the Black neighborhoods separate from the white neighborhoods. So segregation. But the wall was also built because it was hard to sell those nice homes to nice white families if Black folks were living as neighbors, because nice white families didn’t want Black folks as neighbors. So economics. The Wall is a story that came about when I let my mind wander and I started to think about ‘what if…?’ As in, what if the Birwood wall had been built around the entire city of Detroit? And what if the Black people inside over time started to tell themselves that they had been the ones to build the wall, and then began to rewrite their own history to make their plight easier to swallow? Science fiction, fantasy, horror, and alternative fiction almost uniformly spring from the question created by those two little words; what if? Detroit Stories Quarterly (DSQ), which first began publishing in 2018, was created to explore alternative ideas and visions of Detroit not tethered exclusively to reality. It was the question of ‘What if?’ that launched our magazine, and that keeps it going to this day. Because sometimes the best way to see what’s right in front of you is to view your world through another lens. Here. Try these on.
“You think Granma’s crazy when she says that, don’t you? Don’t lie. I can see it all in your face, the way it’s screwed up tight like a rat. So if you’re gonna say it, just go ahead and say it, Marlon. Won’t change a thing, ‘cause truth don’t change. But you gonna believe what you gonna believe, no matter.” I could feel my stomach starting to squeeze, just like it always did whenever my grandmother and I had this conversation. Which is why I wished she would drop it because we both knew she didn’t have much time left, and I didn’t want us spending our last days, weeks or months together arguing about whether or not there was some long lost race of white people on the other side of the wall. I don’t even care, to be honest. But Granma swears it’s the truth, and that she saw them - lots of them - when she was a kid growing up in pre-dawn Detroit before the wall got built. She even says that it was the white people who built the wall, not us. But that didn’t make sense, because…how? The last recorded sighting of a white person in Michigan was in 2245 way up north somewhere, and that may have been the last white sighting anywhere in the country. We were in touch with other walled communities, and none of them had any evidence of white people appearing anywhere after 2245. White folks built the wall? Yeah, right. Granma was old for sure (one hundred years old and eight months to be exact, and she was tiny and reminded me of an almond) but I knew that the wall had been around for way longer than that. According to the municipal history ledgers the wall has been here for close to 500 years, and was built by the original Detroiters in 2350 to protect against ‘encroaching environmental dangers’ is what it says. Even if white people had wanted to build a wall and there had been enough of them around at the time, they simply wouldn’t have had the technology or even the energy to pull something like that off. Not if the ledgers were correct about the bare survival condition they were in during the last hundred years or so of their existence. And since the founding historians were my ancestors on my mother’s side (Granma was on Dad’s side) then I preferred to take it as gospel. Granma did not take it as gospel. Not even close. “Y’all need to know we ain’t the only ones here! You think it’s always been like this because this is all you’ve ever known. But I am telling you there are white people out there, and I am also telling you this damned wall ain’t as old as everybody says! It’s those implants got your heads all screwed up. I swear I don’t know why you let the Council get away with that.” We were sitting outside in the common area on a small cushioned bench beneath a large red umbrella
behind the senior facility where she had been staying for the past couple years. There were several tall trees, and the grass was a lush, dark green and was always cut close. Multi-colored arrangements of all sorts of sweet-smelling flowers were scattered about the yard in a random design, and there was even a bubbling brook that meandered its way through the postcard beauty. The sky looked almost too blue, as if it had been imagined. Trail Winds was the most expensive senior home in the state, and it showed. Nevertheless, I felt guilty nearly every day for having had to put the woman who raised me into this facility, even if I didn’t have a choice. And hearing her rants about the return of white people didn’t make me feel any better. Not only did Granma insist that there were white people on the other side of the wall, she also said that the final recorded sighting is a false record. But as old as she is means you can’t always believe what she says, or at least that’s what I tell myself. After all, she was one of those who chose not to get the implant once they were made available. Unlike those of us who either chose the implant or were implanted at birth (the implants were offered voluntarily by the Council not forced on us like Granma seems to think), her memories would sometimes get infected and cloudy. That meant there was no way for her to check her memories for one hundred percent accuracy like the rest of us. Which is why most citizens from Granma’s generation chose the implants. She was one of a bare handful who resisted. Everyone else was excited to get them because not only would you develop perfect recall with exact detail, you would also experience overall wellbeing 24-7. Who wouldn’t want that? Folks who didn’t trust feeling good all the time like my grandmother, that’s who. Those from my generation were all given the implant at birth so we didn’t have anything to compare it to. But we had nothing to complain about either because we always felt content - for the most part. Anyway, there are no records anywhere that give credence to what Granma says about there being white people still in existence outside the wall. The city has been sending out exploratory crews twice a year for as long as I have been alive, which is 34 years, and not once have they ever some back with evidence of any form of life beyond the wall aside from some weird-looking plants and animals that never seem to last more than a few days once brought inside the wall. But she’s also my grandmother, so what the hell am I supposed to say? “I never said you were crazy, Granma. And that’s
By Keith A. Owens
because I’m not crazy. You and I both know if I was fool enough to call you crazy you would hop out that bed like you were 50 years younger and beat my ass like a rented stepchild.” I was trying to make her laugh, and normally that line would have worked. But instead, her eyes flashed as if there was lightning inside as she reached over to grab my forearm and squeeze harder than any century-old woman should have been able to do. “When was the last time you could think for yourself?” “Granma, come on now, why do we have to…” “Because you don’t even know. Think about that. I’m the last surviving citizen didn’t take that implant. The last one who had a choice. Every single member of your generation got that damned implant at birth. And where are those implants made, huh? Who makes them?” “It doesn’t really matter, does it? They were a pproved by the Council, and the Council would never approve of anything that would hurt us. You know that. You used to be a member of the Council!” “Yes I did, baby. And then they kicked me off. And do you want to know why?” I really didn’t, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. Might as well play along. “No, Granma. Why?” “For asking that same question. And because when no one would tell me, I found out for myself. I found out by sneaking outside the wall.” I could feel my heart starting to race. “But you can’t do that, Granma,” I said, my voice sounding weak. “It’s not safe! We need to stay inside…” “For our own protection? That’s what I thought too, Marlon. Even though I didn’t have the implant, I still believed what they told me. Until I saw the city on the other side of that wall. Where the implants are made. ‘You’re a brave one,’ is what they said. ‘The first to see and know. And you will be the last. Because no one inside will believe you.’ And then they laughed. I never felt so scared in all my life.” She leaned closer and started to whisper. “This wall isn’t for our protection, it’s for their comfort. And this isn’t Detroit. We lost Detroit generations ago. Where we are now ain’t nothing but a zoo. Detroit is outside those walls.” As I left the facility for the last time, I felt a tear trickle down my cheek. It wasn’t what I wanted, but the law was clear. And I guess I had always known that this day would come, sooner or later, when I would have to sign the papers. The facility administrator assured me I was doing the right thing, but that didn’t make it any easier. She was still my grandmother, and I will miss her terribly. BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 17
DISCOVER By Jasmine Graham
DETROIT'S FIRST BLKOUT MURAL FESTIVAL
T
his past summer, the week-long BLKOUT Walls Mural Festival transformed Detroit's NorthEnd with bright, bold, and memorable works of art. Founders Sydney G. James of Detroit, MI, Thomas Evans of Denver, Colorado and Max Sansing of Chicago, Illinois joined forces to create a mural space where Black art and artists were celebrated. In 2019, James and her co-founders were together at a mural festival in Denver. While they enjoyed themselves in a Black-owned art gallery, they discussed how they were some of few Black people participating at mural festivals time and time again. James says, “Mural festival culture and street art is whitewashed. The picture that paints is that Black people don't do this.” The three of them decided to create a space that was geared toward, in favor of and in thought of Black people. The space is not exclusively Black but it's for the love of Black people. When deciding on the location, James proposed that Detroit would be “the perfect place.” She says she chose the NorthEnd because it has a special place in Detroit’s Black History. It's where Black culture thrived in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Detroit's Black Bottom and Paradise Valley were the ethnic cores of the NorthEnd community. Music legends like Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross all hail from the area. James received a grant from the Knight Foundation and together with partners like Vans, The Kresge Foundation, The Detroit Pistons, LifeWtr and more, the festival was able to pay their artists a fee, lodging, meals, and transportation. It was important for the team to take care of the artists to continue to grow the creative economy in Detroit. BLKOUT Walls is currently featuring over 20 visual artists from Detroit and beyond like Ijania Cortez, Tylonn J. Sawyer, Phil Simpson, Problak, Dred Ske and more! The artists created over 30 murals along the streets of the NorthEnd. James says, “The building owners of Oakland Avenue say the streets haven't been that alive in 15 or 20 years. We did whatever we sat out to do.” “Black Muralists and street artists are weapons of gentrification,” says James.
18 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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DISCOVER By Savannah Strawter
HEALTHY SOLUTIONS FOR WOMEN
B
ody Complete Rx (BCRX), founded by Samia Gore in 2017, was the result of an ambitious woman who wanted to better herself physically and mentally. After watching many of her family members pass away from health-related illnesses, Gore knew she needed to find a simple and complete solution for herself and for others who were in the same place. What was once a weight management company was then turned into a multi-million dollar brand focused on overall holistic health and wellness by women, for women. However, being an African American woman in a male-dominated industry wasn’t easy for Gore. Though there were challenges, Gore said that they only empowered her to become a better entrepreneur. “Owning a business is a journey, and you have to stay on for the ride,” says Gore. Gore has broken many grounds in the supplement industry. Not only has she shattered the status quo in a white, male-dominated industry, but she has founded the first Black female-owned wellness brand to launch at The Vitamin Shoppe in their weight management category. Since August 1st of 2021, Body Complete RX has been available for purchase at The Vitamin Shoppe in 700 of their retail stores across the country. Credited as helping thousands of customers worldwide, BCRX offers simple, complete solutions for health and beauty. A few products include Control Appetite Suppressant Capsules, Renew Energy Drops, Boost Metabolism Drops, and Nourish Protein. Gore recognized that women need products made by other women. “When making formulas for nutritional supplements, the person creating the formula should understand the make of the person that’s using them,” says Gore. BCRX is unique in the intentionality of their products and the process in which the products are formulated, making them different then its competitors. The lifestyle brand specifically made for Black women offers a wide range of vegan, plant-based supplements to assist customers in discovering their best selves. Gore sees the future of Body Complete Rx developing into a global brand for health and wellness, primarily meant for women of color. With this goal, Body Complete Rx is well on its way. Gore says “We are making our products accessible nationwide and they support women on their journey to health, which is how we play a part in helping women grow and better themselves.”
Body Complete Rx is available online at bodycompleterx.com and at The Vitamin Shoppe (select stores). @BodyCompleteRX bodycompleterx.com
Health Advice from Ascension Michigan
What Do I Need To Know About My Risk For Hypertension?
C
ontrary to what the name might imply, “hypertension” isn’t defined by overly tense muscles. It’s a measurement of how quickly blood is being pumped into your heart and out to your arteries and organs, and the pressure needed to achieve that. Too high or too low of a pressure gradient can lead very quickly to heart failure and other fatal complications. If you’re Black, the prevalence of hypertension in our demographic means there’s a good chance an older relative and their struggles with the condition made you familiar with some of the symptoms and pitfalls. If you’re a Black man, read on and be informed- according to the Center for Disease Control, hypertension affects 1 in 3 American adults and over half of them are Black or African American. Affliction rates hover at around 54% for Black women and a troubling 59% for our men. “There’s a multitude of factorsgenetic, lifestyle and possibly systemicthat contribute to hypertension in the Black community,” says Dr. Samantha Wein, M.D. with Ascension Medical Group. We start screening for blood pressure at around age 3 at your child’s yearly well child check. Most common causes of
hypertension in kids under 12 years of age include congenital, heart and kidney conditions, over age 12 we look more at lifestyle habits, obesity and family history of hypertension”. When medical rapport is scarce in a community, even common and treatable conditions like hypertension are subject to misinformation and misconceptions that might keep people from coming in to seek treatment. Hypertension is by no means a death sentence, but understanding a few things about the condition early-on can make a big difference in managing symptoms and maintaining balance with your blood pressure. Dr. Wein says that there are quite a few misconceptions about the cause of hypertension. For instance, high salt intake is not the only cause of hypertension. “When people think of high blood pressure and related conditions they typically think of salty foods as the culprit, but hypertension isn’t always about salt content. Certain hormone imbalances, anxiety, kidney issues or medications that are treating other conditions could also be at fault. Alcohol and tobacco are high on the list of things to avoid if you’re trying to avoid high blood pressure. Cutting or decreasing salt from your diet will
Samantha Wein, M.D. definitely help with the treatment of hypertension, but that is not always enough,” Dr. Wein says. Weight loss and exercise are also great contributors to the management and treatment of hypertension, especially if hypertension runs in your family and you are trying to be proactive in reducing your risk of acquiring out of control blood pressure. Dr. Wein says she always tells her patients to exercise at least 30 minutes a day as recommended by the American Heart Association and aim for possibly losing 1 pound a week. Along with a combination of diet and exercise, hypertension can be managed with a regimen of medicine. According to the CDC, the most effective treatments on the market today work by causing the body to get rid of water and salt, relaxing blood vessels, making the heart beat with less force and blocking nerve activity that restricts veins and arteries. This lowers the systolic and diastolic (active heartbeats versus the pauses in between them) numbers that make up blood pressure readings and reduces wear and tear on the cardiovascular system. Dr. Wein says people often delay getting help with hypertension due to being afraid of having to take “a
multitude of pills every day for the rest of their lives” and this is another misgiving that should be dispelled. “Unless the situation is critical, it doesn’t take that much or very long to bring everything back into balance. Following instructions from your doctor is tantamount to success, so having an honest relationship with your physician is key. Hiding symptoms or downplaying the severity because they’re afraid of more pills only hurts the patient in the long run,” Dr. Wein says. Dr. Wein also says she’s seen an increase in COVID-related hypertension, but again cautions people not to panic. “I have seen a few cases where COVID caused a weird fluctuation in a patient's blood pressure, but it was relatively easy to rectify.” The American Heart Association published a scale to compare readings, raging from normal to elevated to hypertensive crisis. For people who might be experiencing symptoms of hypertension- dizziness, chest and limb pain, palpitations, headaches, etc.blood pressure can be measured easily at home with a cuff, and Dr. Wein allows that some natural methods and diets can be helpful in combating hypertension. But as always, the best advice is going to come from a doctor, especially when it comes to something as important as your heart.
GET MORE HEALTH INFORMATION AND FIND A DOCTOR NEAR YOU BY VISITING ASCENSION.ORG/MICHIGAN OR CALLING 866-501-DOCS (3627) 20 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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APPRAISED By Nick Pizaña
GROWING COMMUNITY THROUGH CREATIVITY
D
oug Jones is a multifaceted artist from Jackson, MI whose practice encompasses everything from paintings and murals to video and garden architecture. Although his creative output manifests itself in different ways, it all stems from the same place – his dauntless creativity, and love for community. Jones is a graduate of University of Michigan and currently is studying Print Media at Cranbrook Academy of Art. He works in a style he refers to as “Contemporary pointillism,” which takes classic style of pointillism, creating images using a collection of dots, and applies them to technology. These dot images can include Ben-Day dots, like those found in comics, or pixels in a computer screen. One example can be found in his mural titled “14,000 Dots’ at 427 W. Seven Mile in Detroit, in which Jones collaborated with local residents to paint a gradient of dots across an entire building façade. Jones is currently working on a new public art project with Design Core Detroit and the City of Detroit, to design his first public garden. Jones recalls early memories working in his grandmother’s garden, but it was after seeing the work of Piet Oudolf, the Dutch designer of the High Line Garden in New York City, that it clicked for Jones to make one of his own. Coincidentally, another Oudolf-designed, naturalistic public garden is opening in late August on Belle Isle. “It made me think of garden design in a whole other way. The designs felt more accessible to me.” In Oudolf’s garden, Jones saw the flowers coming together to build a larger whole, just like the dots in his paintings. He plans to start work this month on the site, after being delayed more than a year due to the pandemic. “It’s going to take our garden three years before it reaches maturity—it’s going to look like a whole lot of nothing the first and second year. It’s about getting these plants established and watching them grow as well.” Jones says. “I’m really geeked over the next three months to walk through as many gardens as I can.” @douglasjonesartdesign dougjones.art
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IN STYLE Curated by Savannah Strawter
Fe Noel
Golen Hour Button Up $488 • fenoel.com
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Fe Noel
Flamingo Pink Silk Slip Dress $744 • fenoel.com
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t t
Golden Hour
Soak up the last moments of summer with these brilliant sunset hues.
Brandon Blackwood
Mateo
t
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Keui Bag $150 • brandonblackwood.com
Gold Pearl Hoop Earrings $750 (Net-a-Porter) mateonewyork.com
All of these fashion and beauty brands are Black-owned!
Coco and Breezy Christopher John Rogers
ZEN-105 $285 • cocoandbreezy.com
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Topstitched Cotton-Twill Maxi Dress $2,295 (Net-a-Porter) christopherjohnrogers.com
t Kimberly Goldson Ayva Boyfriend Jacket $249 • kimberlygoldson.com
Brandon Blackwood The Lip Bar
Playmate Matte Lipstick $13 • thelipbar.com
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Kendrick Trunk $185 • brandonblackwood.com
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t Off White
Allen Bow Mules $955 • cettire.com
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24 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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October is Depression can effect anyone, anytime, anywhere. Recognizing the symptoms of depression is the first step in getting help. Did you know about 1 in 4 adults suffer from some type of diagnosable mental condition in any given year? And did you also know that depression is treatable? In observance of National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, Reach Us Detroit is an ally and resource in diagnosing depression.
National Depression Mental Health
&
26 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
For more information on screenings please visit screening.mhnational.org/screening-tools 313.488.HOPE
Screening Month BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 27
FEATURES
Feature Editor: Ann Duke Photographer: J. Singleton Fashion Stylist: Marv Neal
W
ith the current release of Respect, the biopic
depicting the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin,
there’s never been a better time to salute Black female music icons. This season’s fall
fashions lend themselves perfectly to the spirit of these goddesses that we adore. Starting with the white sheath dress reminiscent of Aretha’s ethereal late-sixties look,
followed by the edgy, yet elegant and flowy style of Alicia Keys. We love Tina Turner’s sexy mid-eighties comeback
look and salute Beyoncé in a Single Ladies-era inspired dress. Rounding out the group is the Diva herself, Diana Ross in a gorgeous fitted gown indicative of her style. Lastly, we pay homage to animal prints in the fierce way
that only Rihanna could. Join us in our nod to these legends and their iconic looks.
28 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Dress: Carolina Herrera, Neiman Marcus • $4,690 Jeans: Jeanous Denim • $60 Shoes: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $50 Earrings: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $30 Tank: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $20
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Dress: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $129 Shoes: Azzedine Aalaia, Neiman Marcus • $1,200 Gloves: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $15 Bracelet: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $32
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Dress: Jovani, Neiman Marcus • $650 Jacket: La Marque, Neiman Marcus • $275 Ring: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $30
32 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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Coat: Dolce & Gabbana, Neiman Marcus • $3,945 Bag: Saint Laurent YSL, Neiman Marcus • $2,250 Shoes: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $60 Gloves: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $15
34 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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Dress: Lovely’s Boutique • $160 Shoes: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $60 Earrings: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $60
Dress: Herve Leger, Neiman Marcus • $1,490 Glasses: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $20 Boots: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $60 Bracelet: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $32 Ring: PJazz Collections Boutique II • $20
Feature Editor: Ann Duke, ann@blacdetroit.com Photographer: J. Singleton, jsingletonphoto.com Fashion Stylist: Marv Neal, @marvneal, marvneal.com Hair Stylist: Bettie Lutcher, @bvainhaircollection Makeup Artist: Ashley Valentina, @valentina.mua, valentinaartistry.com Models: Ashley Jones and Savannah Strawter, provided by BLAC Starling Agency
36 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
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T:7.875" S:7.375"
Wherever you go, we go too.
We’re here for it all.
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Confidence comes with every card.®
Whether at home or on the go, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is with you every step of the way. With the largest network of the highest-quality doctors and hospitals in Michigan, Blue Cross gives you access to the care you need however, wherever and whenever you need it. Including our 24-Hour Nurse Line, online visits, mental health support, urgent care and more. So, you’re covered anytime, anywhere. We’re here for it all and always will be. Learn more at HereForItAll.com Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
BCB144260_DivPrint_Access_Wherever_Blac_Mag_9-23-21_Ins_F1.indd 1
1
8/31/21 9:51 AM
BCB144260_DivPrint_Access_Wherever_Blac_Mag_9-23-21_Ins_F1.indd 8-31-2021 9:20 AM
Saved at Job Info
from Initials
Job # Client Media Type
143645 BCBSM None
Live Trim Bleed Pubs Line Screen
7.375" x 4.22" 7.875" x 4.72" 7.875" x 4.72" None None
by
C02FQ9NGMD6RDP2021 Approvals Assoc Project Mgr Project Mgr
Date
Printed At
None
Rex Gustafson / Brian Niedbala
Fonts & Images Fonts Montserrat (Light, Semi Bold, Bold), Konya (Regular), Helvetica (Bold), Greycliff CF (Light), Minion Pro (Regular)
Proofreader Copywriter Art Director Brand Expert Creative Director
Ship Date Project Mgr Assoc Proj Mgr Art Director Copywriter Account
Jonathan Schuler None None None None
Inks Cyan,
Magenta,
Yellow,
Black
Images shutterstock_705000295_200p_Stripe.psd (CMYK; 1935 ppi; 15.5%)
Studio Manager Account Manager URL RISK
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9/13/21 3:52 PM
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w
MAKING EVERY DAY
JOIN
BETTER
Commit to a healthier life! » Fall 2021 From cradle-to-career through your retirement years, the YMCA is here for you! Register your entire family for fall programs: Girls on the Run, After School, Swim lessons, Group Exercise and Family Camp. Coming this fall: Youth in Government, Youth Sports Sampling, Teen Achievers and Arts Classes. Check website weekly for updates.
GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH’S MEMBERSHIP WITH THIS AD
GIVE
Help us make every day better!
An immigrant from Venezuela, Diaz came here with her now ex-husband and they settled in metro Detroit to raise their family. “I was a mom at home and noticed a new Y opened near where I was living, so I joined the Y,” Diaz says, adding that her degree in physical therapy demonstrates her love for exercise and physical fitness. It turned out to be a great fit.
DONATE ONLINE TODAY AT YMCADETROIT.ORG/GIVE
Immediate, seasonal full-or-part time positions. Our local YMCAs are recruiting: Y Learning Center assistants, Welcome Center associates (ages 18+), Lifeguards (ages 16+) and more! All employees get free Y memberships. We train. Lifeguards receive $300 hiring bonuses!
EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES AT YMCADETROIT.ORG/CAREERS
SCAN FOR MORE INFO
ymcadetroit.org
Serving you and your family at locations throughout Metro Detroit! BIRMINGHAM FAMILY YMCA 400 E. Lincoln St, Birmingham (248) 644-9036
CARLS FAMILY YMCA 300 Family Drive, Milford (248) 685-3020
FARMINGTON FAMILY YMCA 28100 Farmington Rd, Farm. Hls (248) 553-4020
PLYMOUTH FAMILY YMCA 650 Church St, Plymouth (734) 453-2904
BOLL FAMILY YMCA 1401 Broadway, Detroit (313) 309-9622
DOWNRIVER FAMILY YMCA 16777 Northline Rd, Southgate (734) 282-9622
MACOMB FAMILY YMCA 10 North River Rd, Mt Clemens (586) 468-1411
SOUTH OAKLAND FAMILY YMCA 1016 W. 11 Mile Road, Royal Oak (248) 547-0030
40 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Diaz was looking for a job that would maximize her skills, so she applied at the Downriver Y, hoping to work in fitness. “One employee said she really liked me and asked me if I wanted to work in the summer camp program and it was really amazing, but I felt bad because my kids were home while I was having fun with the kids at summer camp,” Diaz says.
We are hiring, join our team!
YMCA OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT
The YMCA is more than a place for exercise for Maria Diaz. It’s a second home where she and her children have grown and thrived. Here’s their family’s story: Over the past 24 years, Maria Diaz’s kids have grown up at the Downriver Family YMCA. And, in a way, so has she.
Did you know: Thousands of children receive scholarship to attend YMCA programs? Help the YMCA: help Metro Detroit children thrive with donations to support free swim lessons, afterschool and summer programs, high school completion, healthy meals, and so much more!
SERVE
THE Y IN FAMILY
CAMPING SERVICES » ymcadetroit.org/camp COMMUNITY INITIATIVES Detroit Swims, Girls on the Run, Healthy Living, Metro Youth YMCA, Y Arts, Y Positive Play Initiative » bit.ly/3lPmsup
The Y offered to provide scholarships so Diaz’s children, Hanzo, Maria and Daisuke, could attend camp, and Diaz says she was thrilled to accept. “It was great because my kids could come to camp and be part of the Y,” Diaz says. “I worked and my kids were there, too, for two summers in a row.”
“When I became group exercise coordinator, that’s when the growth really started,” Diaz says. “I really invested my time and the Y invested in me.” She soon became wellness director, which means she ran the wellness floor and the fitness department, overseeing personal training, too.
University and joined the Marine Corps, stationed in California. Maria attends college in Arizona (“She wanted a change of weather,”Diaz says), and Daisuke, who loved to wrestle in high school, graduated from GVSU. Now that her kids are grown, Diaz considers the YMCA to be her family.
Today, Diaz’s title at the Downriver Y also includes Membership Experience Director.
“I have no family in the U.S. It’s always been me and my kids, and now they do their own stuff,” she says. “The YMCA became my family from day one, when they decided that my kids could go to summer camp.”
“We make members’ experiences so great they want to stay with the Y. The Y has always treated me like family and that’s what I do for our members. I treat them like family,” she says. “When we keep our members, we keep the Ys open and the employees busy and their families fed. It’s an important cycle.”
After 15 years employed by the Y, Diaz looks forward to the next 15.
Family way of life
Healthy habits
Pretty soon, Diaz was offered a job as a personal trainer, and all the while, her kids participated in activities at the Y. “They swam and took lessons and played in the splash park,” she says. Diaz also became a group exercise instructor and taught Zumba.
Throughout the years, the Y has become the Diaz family’s second home, providing a place to connect with community, make friends and stay healthy.
“People ask me why I’m still there because I could make more money somewhere else,” she says. “Money is important, but the Y gave me more than money. The Y made me feel safe. I want to be able to do more for the whole community. When you have a membership in the Y, you are helping the community.
Hanzo was a state champion in gymnastics for three years in a row, graduated from Grand Valley State
You’re not just paying for a gym membership but helping the community, too. We are here for everyone.” BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 41
FEATURES
QA Lady &
Crenshaw By Ann Duke with Jasmine Graham
L
oretta Crenshaw or “Lady Crenshaw” as her clients lovingly refer to her began her interior design career almost 30 years ago. Over the years she has worked with countless clients across metro Detroit. She makes every client feel special as she curates the finest furnishings, unique accessories and collectibles in an effort to reflect their personal tastes. Her attention to detail is unmatched and her clients rave about her passion and the words of wisdom she shares with them. Together with her team of design associates she transforms spaces into artfilled interiors fit for entertaining. She quotes the words of one of her design heroes, Mario Buatta, “To be a great designer, you need to be a mind reader, psychologist, marriage counselor and bill collector”. Crenshaw has mastered each skill. In her early years Crenshaw had a natural love for presentation, not only in home decor but also in fashion. She was and still is a very visual person. As a child she regularly moved the furniture around in her bedroom. She would take everything off of her bed and dye it purple so she could have a purple room. It took time for Loretta to come to terms with the art of presentation being her natural talent. She enrolled at Wayne State University as a business major but after talking to a counselor about her goals was advised to switch to the school of Interior Design and she never looked back. We sat down with Crenshaw to discuss her career and love for interior design.
BLAC: You’ve spent your career focusing on residential projects vs commercial design. What made you decide to focus in that area?
LC: I’ve done a few commercial projects but I love residential, it's more personal. I have developed 10-15 year relationships with many of my clients. I like seeing the evolution of their homes over time. BLAC: At one time you and a partner had a home decor shop in Indian Village, how did that help you grow your business? LC: It was the late 90s and potential customers could come in and browse in a relaxed retail environment. The shop featured room vignettes that allowed customers to envision how the furnishings and accessories would look in their home. BLAC: What is your process when you start to work with a new client? LC: Each client is different. I start by going to their home and get to know them by asking lots of questions. I observe the way they live. Every project is different depending on their lifestyle. Sometimes I just sit in the house for hours and eventually the house will tell me what to do. BLAC: When I look at your portfolio I see so much variety. You specialize in procuring fine furnishings and antiques. Are you willing to share any tips or tricks with our readers? LC: There are a few antique dealers I have formed relationships with over the years. I especially like Marvin Nash at Marketplace Antiques, Scott Juzswik at Oddfellows Antiques, and Joe DelGiudice at DelGiudice Antiques. I have purchased many items from Continued on page 46
42 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Opposite: Crenshaw Designs team, pictured left to right: Michael Kennedy, Loretta Crenshaw, Connie Taylor. Not pictured Joel Baird. Photo credit: John D’Angelo Above: The living room of the Swearing/White residence in Palmer Woods features items from the couple’s extensive travel along with thoughtfully curatedon furnishings continued page 40 and accessories sourced by Crenshaw Designs. Photo Credit: Mitty Carter
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 43
Lady Crenshaw
Swearing, Crenshaw and White photographed at the Detroit Opera House.
ClientTime
E
verton Swearing and Arthur White have been working with Ms. Crenshaw for the last 8 years. Swearing who is Sales Director for Vitesco Technologies and White, the Director of External Affairs at the Michigan Opera Theater, moved to Detroit from Chicago in 2010. While in Chicago they lived in a 940 square foot apartment on Lake Michigan that they loved. When they moved to Detroit they settled in Palmer Park and were instantly tasked with decorating a large stately home. When the newcomers were asked to be a part of the traditional Palmer Woods Holiday Home Tour they agreed. Once they realized what they had gotten themselves into their neighbor advised them, “you must call Loretta! BLAC: What was your experience first meeting Loretta? AW: We only had a couple of months to get things together for the holiday show. Loretta would come to the house and she would sit for hours. It was interesting on the first day, but this went on for weeks. ES: It registered as somewhat strange behavior. Why does this woman keep sitting in the room just looking around and doing nothing? Later she told us she was studying. She says, “the house will talk to you and tell you what to do. When we saw the finished product we were thrilled. BLAC: What are some of your favorite items that Loretta sourced for your home?
The music room features a stunning chandelier and vintage Victrola. Photo Credit: Mitty Carter
44 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
ES: I love the Baker dining table. Many of the items that she chose were pieces I never would have considered. That’s the advantage of working with a professional. AW: Loretta immediately noticed that our home didn’t really reflect our extensive travels. We began to collect things. When we spent 3 years in Shanghai, we were able to bring back some great items.
BLAC: Was there ever a time the team made a recommendation that you weren't sure of but eventually came to love? ES: One thing we were at odds with was the chandelier in the music room that we loved. She thought that it was too big and too shiny and didn’t rise to the level of the house. I disagreed and so we would go back & forth. One day we were in an antique store together and when we found the perfect replacement it felt as if the planets aligned. I finally had to let go. BLAC: What advice can you give someone seeking an interior designer? AW: When you are searching for a designer and you find the right one, at some point you're going to have to turn over the process and let them do their work. ES: My advice is you don't know what you don't know. I’ve learned to stay in my lane through this process”. Friends of ours saw Loretta as she was leaving the house after our initial interview with her. When we told them she was our new interior decorator they said, “that little old black lady? oh hell no your house is going to look like grandma's house.” Then after they saw our place they ended up hiring Loretta to design their homes. They apologized and expressed that they were not worthy. They dubbed her a new name, Lady Crenshaw.
Inset: A bronze sculpture by Thomas Holland entitled “The Wrestlers” adorns a passageway on the first floor. Above: The elegant dining room sets the perfect stage for elaborate dinner parties hosted by the couple. Photo Credit: Mitty Carter
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 45
Show House
Highlights Continued from page 42 DuMouchelles Auction House throughout my career. The Michigan Design Center has also been a great resource for furnishings, fabrics and accessories. You need more than one resource to make the house interesting. BLAC: You also provide fine entertaining consulting. Tell us about how that got started? LC: Many of my clients love to entertain and that is a passion of mine. How one entertains is a representation of who they are and if my clients are interested I help them elevate those skills. I want to see my clients using fine china, linens and glassware. I also love floral arranging and have taught that skill to some of my homeowners. BLAC: You have participated in many Junior League Show houses. How does that differ from working one-on-one with clients? LC: When working on a Show house you are your own client. I create a narrative for each room. In the last Show house that I participated in, I imagined a guest room created for Jackie Kennedy and her sister Lee Radziwill as if they were coming to the Fisher Mansion for a sleepover. BLAC: Can you tell us about the team that helps you make the magic happen? LC: They are a dream team! Oftentimes they have a better idea than me or they think of something I didn't. The team consists of Connie Taylor, Michael Kennedy and Joel Baird. We collaborate on everything. Joel says it takes 3 brains to come up with one good idea! BLAC: What's your favorite design trend at the moment?
Top: Guest bedroom designed for the 2020 Junior League Show House. Photo Credit: Mitty Carter Bottom: Ballroom designed for the 2018 Junior League Show House. Photo Credit: Mitty Carter
46 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
LC: I'm liking small spaces with dark paint. I love the drama that creates. I love that people are doing more entertaining at home. There was a time when if you wanted to promote your career and have a business deal go well, you met with clients in the intimate space of your home.
Living Room designed for the 2014 Junior League Show House. Photo Credit: Joel Baird Below: Master bedroom designed for the 2016 Junior League Show House. Photo credit: Mitty Carter
BLAC: How has the last year changed your interaction with your clients? LC: Many people have focused on making their home warmer and more comfortable while creating livable outdoor spaces. During the pandemic I was able to go, visit clients and sit outside. BLAC: What advice do you give to young designers? LC: Study what you do, visit antique shops, go to the market and learn everything you can about your craft. You won't find a lawyer who doesn't have law books or who doesn't know the law. I have 200-300 art and design books in my library and every night I look through one for inspiration. BLAC: What do you feel is your legacy? LC: My legacy is my passion and how I can help my clients to elevate their personal style. If they express interest in a certain type of art or collectible I like helping them to curate a collection. Often I become good friends with my clients and they become like family. To learn more about Crenshaw Designs, visit crenshawdesigns.com BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 47
ADVENTURE AWAKENS AVAILABLE AT NEIMAN MARCUS
48 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 49
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FEATURES Billy Strawter Jr.
is building a happier, healthier and more connected community. BLAC Magazine: The organization was founded May 4th 2019. What was the inspiration for WeRun313?
BLAC Magazine: Your slogan is Connect, Run, Build. How would you explain that to someone who is just discovering you for the first time?
JOE: WeRun313 started as two guys on the opposite ends of town, who didn’t know each other, but were doing the same thing at the same time. It was divine alignment because Detroit is divided, East and West. I’m from the Eastside, Lance is from the West. That thing was - being found by running. He was being found by running, I was being found by running. Lance said that running found him. I like that. Running found us at the same time. We were also learning and growing and trying to share what we got out of running with other people. On opposite ends of town trying to get our cousins, close friends, women, whatever, just anybody who would come out and run with us. And we were just getting these small groups of five to 10, maybe 15 people at a time. And we were doing that simultaneously without knowing each other.
LANCE: Connect, Run, and Build. Our mission is to connect like minded individuals through running to build a healthier and happier community. Connecting and building is the premise for what we are doing. Running is in the middle because it is the glue between connecting and building people. That's developing healthier and happier lives through running. It's hard to retain large groups of people if you're not connecting and building with one another. Running is that thing that we first discovered within ourselves that was helping us. I was going through some very dark times in my life. Running was that space that I was able to connect deeply with myself to continuously remind myself to keep going, no matter what I'm dealing with. And Joe can say the same thing where he was experiencing different things. Running was able to move us through those dark spaces and we wanted to share that with other people.
LANCE: Like Joe was saying, we were both on opposite sides of town. People were starting to see each of us post similar stories separately on social. I would be participating in half marathon races in D.C. or one time we both were in Miami in January of 2019 at the same time but we didn’t know each other. It was mutual friends, Ashley and Everett, that connected us in January of 2019. We started running together because neither of us saw Black people running like we were in Detroit. We were both putting together group runs but I never tried to take it to more of a macro level. Once we started to get together, we challenged each other to get better and faster with running and from there we started putting our ideas together to combine our run clubs. I received inspiration from being out in Miami and then connecting with another run club out in D.C. After my connection with the run club in D.C., I was like, man, this is crazy. And from there I understood the possibility of what could be created in Detroit. .
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BLAC Magazine: You’ve touched on both mental and physical health and how it has affected you personally, how are you trying to solve these problems within the AfricanAmerican community when it comes to health? JOE: People look at African-Americans and talk about our health conditions and talk about it like it's all up to us, or it's just all choices that we've been making every day. When you grow up with a coney island across the street, a liquor store next door, and they all sell sugary drinks with refined sugars in our community, we're going to have high blood pressure. We're going to have obesity. We're going to have higher chances of diabetes and heart disease. WeRun313 indirectly took on a fight against those things. When we started planning these runs, we weren’t planning a crusade. When we started running, we started to see people come up to us and say, man, I was pre-diabetic. Now I'm no longer pre-diabetic. Or my blood pressure went down, or I lost 60 pounds. We inherited that battle and we're proud to be on the front lines of it for our people.
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WeRun313
BLAC Magazine: What’s next for you? JOE: What’s next is this BLAC Magazine publication coming out and both of our mothers being proud that it is in a print magazine for the first time. That’s what’s next immediately. So many different things. Next year we want to answer the ultimate question that everyone asks us - are you doing different area codes? Yes, yes we are. Going into next year we will be working on that. We have incredible new merchandise that just came in. You can pick that up exclusively at Two Mile Tuesday at our pop-up shop. We just did a collaboration with the Detroit Pistons in July. Working more with Lululemon. WeRun313 also has a membership program with over 70 paid members. The more that grows, the more we are able to do as a growing small business and enhance this experience for everyone involved.
BLAC Magazine: What are the different types of runs available for beginners and advanced runners? JOE: We run 3 times a week. We have a Two-Mile Tuesday. That’s our introductory run for runners of all levels. My son, who is six, has run with us. We’ve had a math teacher in her mid sixties join us. We have people around that age and older who come out frequently. We also run on Thursday. That's our 5k and 10k Thursday. The 5k is 3.1 miles, the 10 K is 6.2 miles. Tuesday is our run for all ages, shapes, and sizes. Thursday is more intermediate. Finally, we run on Sundays with Gazelle Sports for those of us that are training for half and full marathons. LANCE: What advice would I give? I say this all the time - in order to start, you must start. You’ve got to jump out there. The way that we have set up our Two-Mile Tuesday run is for you to succeed. It’s a run/walk type of thing. We’ve created it for runners of all levels. It doesn't matter where you are in your fitness journey. You will have the capacity to be able to make it through the run because we have pace leaders. People that are going to encourage you through the run. It’s that sense of 54 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com
Connecting and building is the premise for what we are doing. We are building community, running is the tool to do so. community. There is no one left behind. At the one mile benchmark, we stand there and wait until the last person comes in. And then we do our ritual. We make sure everybody's good. Then we take back off to finish out the run. So there's a ton of motivation and encouragement with people out
there supporting you. I haven't found anywhere in Detroit that you receive that type of love, that type of support, that type of authentic motivation. It’s a space for people to connect with one another and become happier, and healthier.
LANCE: Long term we have always had this vision of having a brick and mortar. A place that we can call home. It will look like a space that we run from but also come back to connect. The opportunities are endless and we just want to continue building and doing what we can for the community.
BLAC Magazine: What is the single thing that has surprised you along the way? JOE: Probably the friendships. We’ve got this running joke, bro, we go on Instagram and we see people at brunch, linking up, and we’re like where is the invite for me and Lance? Some even went to Mexico, they’ll be reading this interview and they know who they are. The most surprising thing has got to be the friendships. LANCE: The type of press we are receiving. It’s crazy because Joe and I didn't start this with any intention of getting on the news. We recently did a Zoom call with Al Roker for the NBC Today Show, like what? That's crazy. I had to sit down and sit still for a minute and process what's going on. People are seeing what we're doing for Detroit, not just locally, but nationally as well. That’s surprising to me because all we wanted to do was bring people together to run. BLACdetroit.com • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLAC 55
ACCESS ]
DETROIT • OCTOBER 2021
We’re ready for fall, fun and festive things to do in October! [ CITY OF DESIGN CHALLENGE OUTDOOR CINEMA SHOWCASE ] THE CONGREGATION, DETROIT
An outdoor cinema-style event to showcase the teams and projects participating in the 2021 City of Design Challenge. Over the summer the challenge explored a particular topic or issue through the lens of inclusive design and proposed projects that improve life for Detroiters. Come witness who the community jurors will choose to receive additional funding for their projects. October 7th • eventbrite.com
[ CIDER IN THE CITY ] BEACON PARK, DETROIT
Bring the whole family to the city to enjoy donuts and cider, seasonal crafts, take a horse-drawn hayride around the park, dance to live music, pick out the best pumpkin and take pictures to last a lifetime in front of a fall flower wall. They will also have a plus fall food truck fare! Oct 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th • downtowndetroitparks.com
WANDER. WONDER. EXPLORE.
[ THE MILLENNIUM TOUR 2021 ] LITTLE CAESARS ARENA, DETROIT
Break out your light up name belts and spray painted t-shirts to go back in time with your favorite artists from the early 2000s because the Millennium Tour is back for more! The concert will feature Omarion, Bow Wow, Ashanti, Pretty Ricky, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, Sammie and Soulja Boy. October 10th • 313presents.com
[ OFFICIAL HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL ] GREEKTOWN, DETROIT
Our gates open up to amazing experiences. TOUR the Fords’ historic home, grounds and gardens. DINE at The Continental, our lakeside restaurant. SOMETHING NEW awaits you in our programs and events. Visit www.fordhouse.org for tickets and information. GROSSE P OINTE SHORES, MI | W W W.FORDHOUSE .ORG
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Grab your best costume and your friends! The Halloween bash ticket includes access to Exodos Rooftop, Level Two Bar, Mix Nightclub, Ready Player One, Three Legged Goat. At each venue they will offer 50% off well drinks, food, spooky themed drinks, a costume contest and more! October 23-31st • barcrawllive.com
[ YOUMACON 2021 ] TCF CENTER, DETROIT
Youmacon is back in Detroit for its 17th year. This year the Anime (Japanese animation) conference will include a large video game and table-top gaming rooms, a charity masquerade Ball, national bands, DJs and a massive 150,000 sq. foot dealer’s room for shopping Anime, artwork, figures and other collectibles. October 28-31st • Youmacon.com
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SEEN Photos by Billy Strawter Jr.
Spotlighting Detroit's Most Fashionable
On July 23rd, Neiman Marcus Troy hosted the 2021 BLAC StyleMakers party, for an evening of cocktails, dancing, and fun in celebration of Detroit’s fashion scene.
Deron Woodson, Eric Thomas, Palencia Mobley, Kenneth Jamil Woodson, Sabrina Nelson, Rhonda Walker, Antonio Hardrick, Latrice Delgado-Macon, Kenneth E. Harris with BLAC CEO and Publisher, Billy Strawter, Jr. (not pictured BLAC StyleMakers Priscilla Perkins, Michael Anthony, Roslyn Karamoko)
Eric Thomas, Palencia Mobley, Kenneth Jamil Woodson and Rhonda Walker
Jerome Bindi, Gail Bindi, Sola Oluborode, Antonio Hardrick
Latrice Delgado Macon and Antonio Hardrick
India Charde, Jasmine Graham
Deron Washington, Tina Washington
Xavier Gillon
The BLAC Detroit team Claire Bowman, Savannah Strawter
Palencia Mobley
Kenneth Jamil Woodson and Aziza Woodson
Lashone Bedford, Katora Cole, Camille Jamerson, Elizabeth Rogers, Carina Jackson, Kimberly Faison
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DJ Tombi Stewart
Marv Neal
Boswell Hardwick, Rhonda Walker, Ann Duke
BLAC Detroit CEO and Publisher, Billy Strawter, Jr
Billy Strawter, Sr., Lee Anna Strawter
Sabrina Nelson and Antonio Hardrick
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Kwame Brathwaite, Self-Portrait, African Jazz-Art Studios (AJAS), Harlem, ca. 1964. Courtesy of the artist and Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles.
60 BLAC • SEPT/OCT 2021 • BLACdetroit.com