3/27/24 C & G Special Edition — Oakland

Page 1

NEWSPAPERS Special Edition

Group ranks Southfield as best U.S. city for Black women

WOMEN IN COMMUNITY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES

SOUTHFIELD — The city of Southfield was ranked the top U.S. city for Black women to flourish financially by MoneyGeek.

The article, “The Best Cities for Black Women to Flourish Financially,” by Erin C. Perkins, analyzed 164 cities across the U.S. based on income, cost of crime, homeownership and poverty levels. Southfield ranked No. 1 among the 25 Best Cities for Black Women.

“As long as I can remember, I’ve always thought of Southfield as an economic hub in the county of Oakland, knowing that Oakland was an economic hub in terms of the state of Michigan and also the whole country. I always kind of carried that as a mark of ours, just like a point of pride,” stated Southfield-grown Oakland County Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles. “We had economic abilities in this town. Families owning homes and raising families. I also can think back and know that education is really important in the Black community in general.”

Smith Charles said she is a cheerleader for Southfield — she even has the pom poms from her time as an actual cheerleader at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Hampton University, Smith

NOVI SCHOOLS MAKE WISHES OF CHRONICALLY ILL CHILDREN COME TRUE

NOVI — The Novi Community School District came together during Wish Week at the schools March 12-15 to help make the wishes of two chronically ill children come true.

The money raised during Wish Week, often through the purchase of $1 paper stars, will fund an all-expenses-paid trip for each child and their family to go to Walt Disney World through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“They’ve granted a wish of a lifetime, basically, for him to get to go to Disney and have the ultimate Disney experience,” said Heather Trammell, whose son, Charlie, is one of the recipients.

Six-year-old Charlie Trammell, of Livo-

Charlie Trammell sits in the bleachers during the students vs. staff basketball game at Novi High School March 15. He will go to Disney World in May thanks to the efforts of the Novi Community School District and the Make-AWish Foundation.

candgnews.com MARCH 27, 2024 Oakland County papers
Photo provided by Heather Trammell Novi High School math teacher Jamie Allcorn takes a pie in the face as part of the school’s Wish Week activities March 14.
See WISH on page 7A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes ABOVE: For Monique Carter, her career in real estate is a “God-given assignment” put on her life. Photo provided by Monique Carter LEFT: Oakland County Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles is a proud product of Southfield. She hopes to continue to see her community grow and thrive.
See BLACK WOMEN on page 10A
Photo provided by Yolanda Smith Charles
C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 2A 0113-2410 Saturday, April 6, 2024 3770 S Rochester Rd , Rochester Hills 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lumber & Design invites you to preview our exclusive line of outdoor living materials from leading decking manufacturer - Timbertech by AZEK and AZEK Exteriors www.bolyardlumber.com (248) 852-8004 Meet the Pros • Get Estimates • Take Home Samples
Bolyard

FREEZING FOR A CAUSE

CLAWSON STUDENTS TAKE PLUNGE TO RAISE MONEY FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

CLAWSON — Clawson middle and high school students jumped into their second year of the Polar Plunge fundraising event for Special Olympics Feb. 29.

Over 100 students and staff participated in the Polar Plunge, which raised over $10,000 for the cause. The official title for the event is the “Cool School Polar Plunge.”

Being a Special Olympics Unified Champion School, Clawson is dedicated to inclusion and acceptance for all students with and without intellectual disabilities, according to special education teacher Cait O’Meara.

“It’s a program where we are able to meaningfully include students with disabilities in

See PLUNGE on page 6A

Troy taekwondo students shine on the world stage

TROY — Four Everest Taekwondo students were recently recognized by the Troy City Council for their recent and upcoming achievements, including at the national and international levels.

“I started taekwondo when I was 4 years old at a different school,” said taekwondo student Halo Canezo,

who is a freshman at Troy High School. “Around COVID, I went to Everest. It was very different, so it was different to spar. I was scared of sparring at first and wasn’t confident in myself, but once we started, my coach and teammates helped show me I had potential in this sport. … It feels good to train, and this is a place where I can show that I am good at something.”

“Halo had a huge year. She made the National Team for the second year,” added her coach, Amul Gorkhali.

“She won several competitions, won the National Athlete of the Year for Amateur Athletic Union for taekwondo and Michigan Athlete of the Year for taekwondo. She also will be going to Mexico to represent the national team. She got to go to the Pan Am Championship last year, which is the biggest competition she can go to at her age, and she won bronze there. She competed in the under 41 kg category.”

See TAEKWONDO on page 5A

SECOND FRONT PAGE 3A/ C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 facebook.com/candgnews @candgnews instagram.com/candgnews candgnews.com • (586) 498-8000 0307-2325 www.armitagemi.com WE WORK WITH ALL INSURANCE COMPANIES
ABOVE: Lana Wilder, left, and Ellie Maurer, right, jump into the ice cold Plungester at the Cool School Polar Plunge event Feb. 29 in Clawson. LEFT: Clawson Public Schools staff members Amy Hatto, left, and Amanda Schwark, right, dressed up as the “Frozen Fries,” jump into the 45-degree water. Photos provided by Clawson Public Schools

Cranbrook robotics advances to World Championships

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Cranbrook robotics teams recently competed in the state championships, where four out of eight Cranbrook Upper School robotics teams qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas in April. Only 16 teens were awarded world-qualifying spots.

In the state competition, Cranbrook’sTeam 39Y won the Gold Divisions Championship and earned the Tournament Finalists Award; Team 39K advanced to the finals of the Blue Division and earned the Tournament Semi-Finalists Award; Team 39H advanced to the finals of the Blue Division, earned the Tournament Semi-Finalists Award and won the Build Award; Team 39Z came in fifth in the robot skills competition and earned a qualifying spot to worlds from another team’s double qualification.

The Cranbrook robotics program includes students in grades 1-12, and program-

ming for each age group varies. Students in grades 8-12 have the opportunity to participate in the Vex Robotics Competition, or VRC Robotics Program.

“Here at Cranbrook, we focus on encouraging kids to try different areas of interest and develop confidence in that area,” Head of Upper School Noël Dougherty said.

The Upper School has around 100 students participating in robotics. Within the program, students break into smaller groups of about six-eight members. Eleven out of 14 Cranbrook teams made it to the state championships this year, four of which are moving on to worlds.

“We are very proud of our students for all of their very hard work and dedication to this program,” Robotics program manager Katherine Bis said.

Cranbrook students have access to a lab that is open seven days a week, and Bis said it is filled with students seven days a week.

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 4A 905 Orchard Lake Rd. (Just E. of Telegraph, Across from Home Depot) ASK US ABOUT THE AVAILABLE REBATES! FREE ESTIMATES • FINANCING AVAILABLE Voted Your Friendly Neighborhood Dealer Serving SE Michigan for Over 50 Years www.lizut-hvac.com MECHANICAL INC. 248.858.7730 586.939.0780 An energy-efficient infinity air conditioner by Carrier can save you up to 56% on cooling costs, while also lessering your impact on the environment. 0016-2412 FREE ESTIMATES • FINANCING AVAILABLE • SPRING SAVINGS! Reduce Your Environmental Impact SAVE ON YOUR HEATING COSTS HOT WATER HEATER CALL US FOR THE BEST PRICE IN TOWN! ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Cranbrook students prepare to compete at the World Championships. The Cranbrook robotics program provides an outlet for students interested in STEM to compete against other teams using a robot that they designed and built. Photos provided by Clayton Matthews See ROBOTICS on page
7A

Taekwondo

from page 3A

Viktoria Chernolutsky, a junior at International Academy, was another of Everest’s recent champions.

“Viktoria has possibly the biggest accomplishment,” said Gorkhali. “She won the team trial in January, so she will represent the United States in Korea at the Junior World Championship in October. She is the first high school junior to do so from the state of Michigan. She competed in under 49 kg.”

“My parents introduced me to taekwondo. When I started, I didn’t even know what it was. When I started competing, I got really into it. When I got to Everest, it became part of my life. It’s not just a sport, it’s a big part of my life. It’s brought my family closer, and I have made so many friends,” said Chernolutsky. “I think the key is finding your motivation. You need to find what drives you. Taekwondo was the sport I found that I connected with the most. Nothing else pushed me as hard, but I found the passion to keep going and achieve.”

Kyle Winnie, a sixth grader at Parkway Christian Middle School, and Sophia Derocha, an eighth grader at Larson Middle School, were also recently recognized.

“Sophia won nationals last year as a 12to 14-year-old. She won the 2024 Michigan state championship individually in her division, which was junior under 49 kg, which is her weight category,” said Gorkhali. “Kyle is currently almost 12 years old, and he won nationals last year and won team trials, so he won a spot to become a national team member. He is the first 10- to 11-year-old

from Michigan to earn a spot on the national team, and at the end of this month he will go to Mexico to compete with the national team. … We had Michigan Athlete of the Year at the state competition March 9. He competed in under 41 kg. … These four students are ranked as some of the top athletes in taekwondo in the country.”

Gorkhali believes that his students have achieved because Everest started with a strong foundation and then reinforces it with strong bonds between students.

“Our background has started with our dad,” he explained. “He is one of the top coaches in Nepal. He has had students go to the Olympics (and) win gold medals at the Asian Games, so we had his guidance and learned from him. … My brother, Anmol Gorkhali, is our other coach (at Everest) and

won Coach of the Year from the (Amateur Athletic Union). We compete a lot more than most other schools, and while most schools have one or two students competing at that world-class level, we have 13 able to compete at that international level. That helps them push each other, teach each other and grow together. We travel together, we see each other like a family. We love to stay together in a big Airbnb or something. We love doing things together outside of taekwondo. It’s more than just a team.”

“My favorite moment is from the big tournaments when we are traveling as a team. Afterward, whether there are good or bad results, I love sharing those moments as a team,” said Canezo. “We’re going to the President’s Cup this week in Costa Rica, which lets us possibly qualify to the Pan Am

competition. It’s a huge competition, and I feel like we have a chance to make it.”

Chernolutsky said that the aspect of a strong team also has helped her maintain confidence and push herself to new heights.

“My favorite moment was at a competition either right before or right after, and I hear the crowd, and my family is waving at me and my team is cheering for me,” she said. “Getting to stare back out … it is so amazing. It shows me I have a huge family and a great team who is helping me accomplish my dreams.”

Both Canezo and Chernolutsky said that taekwondo has taught them valuable lessons like determination, courage and the value of hard work.

“In the fall I’m competing in Korea on the world stage,” said Chernolutsky. “I am proud to represent Everest, Michigan and the United States. Taekwondo has changed my life. I fought last year with a broken finger. This sport has taught me determination. I received skills like time management, treating others well and discipline.”

“A lot of people don’t have confidence in themselves, but you can ask teammates or those helping you to back you up or give you support,” said Canezo. “When you’re in the ring, there’s a lot of pressure. In those moments, knowing that you have people behind you and you’ve practiced, can mean so much.”

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 5A Dr. Bergeron has comprehensive education, training, and experience in hospital and clinic-based patient care. She excels in all areas of foot and ankle care with specific training and interest in wound care and foot and ankle surgery (including cutting-edge minimally invasive techniques designed to minimize surgical trauma and help patients recover faster). DR. MEGAN BERGERON, DPM Now Accepting New Patients HOSEYPODIATRY.COM 0399-2410 Specializing In: WOUND CARE•DIABETIC FOOT CARE•HEEL PAIN•FOOT AND ANKLE DEFORMITIES•ANKLE SURGERY CLINTON TOWNSHIP 42550 Garfield Road, Suite 103 Just south of 19 Mile Rd. 586.263.4411 STERLING HEIGHTS 44344 Dequindre Road, Suite 420 Just south of M-59 586.275.3000 CLINTON TOWNSHIP 21510 Harrington St., Suite 302 (586) 4685445 Please call me to set up an appointment! Dr. Megan Bergeron, DPM
Photo provided by Amul Gorkhali Halo Canezo of Troy stands atop the podium at the Dominican Open Taekwondo competition after receiving her gold medal at the event.
candgnews.com

school activities,” O’Meara said. “We played basketball this year, so we had a Special Olympics basketball team where the team consisted of special education students and general education students playing together.”

Each year as a part of the Special Olympics Unified Championship program, the schools are required to hold a school engagement activity to help raise money for the cause. O’Meara and her colleague, Amy Hatto, worked together to spearhead this fundraiser.

“We thought it was something that was fun and interactive for all students to get involved and do something different, rather than just sitting and listening to a guest speaker or something like that,” she said.

According to O’Meara, the Special Olympics team provided “The Plungester,” a 46-foot-long, 8-foot-wide and 10-foot-tall portable tank of 2,100 gallons of 45-degree water for participants to jump in as a part of the Cool School event.

The Plungester is brought to schools, businesses and other locations that do not have access to a larger body of water, according to the Polar Plunge website.

To help with donations, local businesses and organizations in Clawson provided sponsorship. The Clawson Fire Department, Biggby Coffee in Clawson, Old Detroit Burger Bar, and American Flag and Banner Co. were among those who donated.

The Special Olympics team chose the Cool School Polar Plunge because of its ability to bring people together, according to Unified Champion Schools Coordinator Jamie Cotter.

“The whole school can participate even if they aren’t plunging. It starts a conversation about Unified Champion Schools and what we are all about,” she said. “Students

have a blast jumping into cold water and get some pretty awesome bragging rights!”

Hatto said that jumping in the water was a shock and a feeling she has never felt before.

“They count you down, and then you jump in,” she said. “You feel the ice cold water just hit you and then an arm pulling you out.”

Hatto said that there were assistants in the water with dive suits on to help the jumpers safely get out of the cold pool.

“After talking with the high school kids, they all reported the same thing — that you are kind of shocked by the temperature,” she said.

Although this is the second year of doing a polar plunge, the first year was very different, according to Hatto. The first time around, the schools did not get The Plungester; instead, they had kiddie pools and some water slides.

“We had our own version last year because we did not get our name in first,” she said. “Cait O’Meara and I did the paperwork this year in the fall to make sure that we could get on the list to get the actual Plungester.”

The kids and staff picked teams to jump in with, according to Hatto, and each wore different costumes in relation to their team names.

“Based on your team, you could pick a theme. Some people dressed up in Christmas costumes, one team was dressed as Super Mario and Luigi, so based on the team, they decided what they wanted to dress up as,” she said.

Hatto said the kids and adults had a great time jumping into freezing water, and the school is looking forward to the event next year.

“All the kids that were watching — you could tell — are interested in doing it next year,” she said. “Nobody really knew exactly what to expect, but I think we are going to have even more kids participating next year.”

C & G Newspapers publishes 21 papers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties:

For retail ad rates:

Editors: Brian Louwers | (586) 498-1089 | brianlouwers@candgnews.com

Annie Bates | (586) 498-1071 | abates@candgnews.com

David Wallace | (586) 498-1053 | dwallace@candgnews.com

Sports:

Jonathan Szczepaniak | (586) 498-1090 | sports@candgnews.com

Artroom: (586) 498-1036 | ads@candgnews.com

Classifieds: For ad rates (586) 498-8100

Main Office: 13650 E. 11 Mile Road Warren, MI 48089 • (586) 498-8000 facebook.com/candgnews @candgnews candgnews.com

Karen Bozimowski | (586) 498-1032 | kboz@candgnews.com

Legals and Obits: (586) 498-1099

Automotive Advertising:

Louise Millar | (586) 498-1054 | lmillar@candgnews.com

Real Estate Advertising:

Paula Kaspor | (586) 498-1055 | pkaspor@candgnews.com

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 6A DR. HEATHER ORKWIS 0084-2412 Dr. Orkwis specializes in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. She has a particular interest in skincare and cosmetics and is a certified expert injector by Allergan. Midwest Center for Dermatology is rated as one of the Top 3 Dermatology Practices for Cosmetics in the state of Michigan and has been awarded the Diamond Award by Allergen. 52873 Schoenherr Road | Shelby Township | 586.286.0997 DR. ORKWIS PRACTICES AT THE SHELBY TOWNSHIP OFFICE ON TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY, LOCATED AT ACKERMAN’S MITER SINGLE SEAM CORNER ACKERMAN’S MITER SINGLE SEAM CORNER COMPETITOR’S 3 SEAM CORNER COMPETITOR’S SEAM CORNER Family Owned & Operated • Residential & Commercial AckermanGutters.com CALL TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE LEAKING GUTTERS? Financing Available ForgetDON’T the GutterGuards 248.609.1467 Some Restrictions apply. Price May Vary Expires: 5/1/24 Some Restrictions apply. Price May Vary Expires: 5/1/24 Some Restrictions apply. Price May Vary Expires: 5/1/24 Sealing - Realignment - Downspout Inspection Minor Repairs - Hardware Checks - Complimentary Cleaning (Includes, Cleaning Debris out of Gutters, Resealing Corners & Installation) NEW 5” OR 6” SEAMLESS GUTTERS 40% OFF GUTTER TUNE UP/REPAIR 30% OFF LEAF GUARDS 20% OFF 0299-2412
Plunge from
Opinions expressed in this newspaper are the opinions of the individual sources and advertisers and do not necessarily reflect the views of C & G Publishing Inc., its ownership or management. Copyright © 2024 C & G Publishing Inc. All rights reserved.
page 3A
Birmingham-Bloomfield Eagle • Farmington Press • Fraser-Clinton Township Chronicle • Grosse Pointe Times • Macomb Township Chronicle Madison-Park News • Mount Clemens-Clinton-Harrison Township Journal • Novi Note • Rochester Post Roseville-Eastpointe Eastsider Royal Oak Review • Shelby-Utica News • Southfield Sun • St. Clair Shores Sentinel • Sterling Heights Sentry Troy Times • Warren Weekly West Bloomfield Beacon • Woodward Talk • C & G Special Edition (Grosse Pointe/Macomb Co.) • C & G Special Edition (Oakland Co.)

Wish

from page 1A

nia, has cystic fibrosis, which is a genetic disorder that affects breathing and digestion. As a result of the disease, he has been hospitalized many times during his six years.

He spent eight weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit when he was born, and he underwent major surgery at 2 days old. As a result of cystic fibrosis, he is also pancreatic insufficient, so he has to take enzymes when he eats, and he also does breathing treatments twice a day, or four times, if he is sick. In January, he celebrated his birthday in the hospital with a lung infection that turned into pneumonia due to CF.

“He’s resilient, though. CF is tough. It’s not an easy disease. It’s an invisible disease. When you look at him, you’d never know he has it, but CF is cruel. It takes away a lot of the freedoms of being a kid,” Heather Trammell said. “He’s strapped to a vest twice a day. It’s an hour of breathing treatments twice a day at 6 years old.”

Despite the challenges, Charlie doesn’t let CF get him down.

“It takes a lot of his time, but he looks at it like it’s a badge of honor. He’s proud to have it. He never lets it slow him down. He never uses it as an excuse. My husband and I say it doesn’t define him. It’s what he has. It’s not who he is, but it defines us as parents, if that makes any sense,” Heather Trammell said. “But he’s amazing. He’s resilient. He’s pure joy, so in spite of having a disease that’s evil at its core, he’s pretty incredible.”

Like many children, Charlie, a kindergartener at Roosevelt Elementary School in Livonia, has an obsession with Disney. His mother said that he has loved Disney since

Robotics

from page 4A

Dougherty described the lab as “a wonderful, supportive environment, and a safe space for kids.”

“We as a school have provided this opportunity that has fueled the passion for these students to be able to explore robotics and STEM, and then on top of that, have the opportunity to compete at the state, national and world levels,” Bis said.

Bis described the preparation for the contest as an “iterative design process.” Each year’s competition consists of a different game, which is announced at the World Championships the year before. Once it’s revealed, students start thinking about their

he was “itty-bitty” and his room has “Mickey vibes.” Now that he is slightly older, he is into watching YouTube videos about Walt Disney World and the rides.

In order to fund the Trammell family’s trip to Disney and that of one other family whose child is chronically ill, students in the Novi Community School District held various fundraising activities over the course of a week to raise $20,000, as each trip is estimated to cost $10,000. The weeklong trips include everything from airfare, hotel accommodations and park entry fees to Park Hopper passes to allow them to go between the various Disney theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

“I think that it’s incredible,” Heather Trammell said of the gesture by Novi Community School District. “I think that it’s a bunch of young kids and teachers giving back to a really worthy cause, and I think that at that age doing fundraising or charity work like that is commendable. It’s noble.”

The school has been working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for at least five or six years. However, this is the first year the district has sponsored two students, and it was also the first year that the entire district was involved in some way, from the high school all the way down to the elementary schools.

Leading up to Wish Week, the students started their campaign by selling T-shirts. Then, for Wish Week, the students could participate in different activities each day for a nominal fee to go toward the cause. Activities at Novi High School during the week included skipping first hour March 12 to have a pancake breakfast and a concert during third hour March 13 featuring the NHS dance team and the Major VI a cap-

design so that by the next school year, they are ready to start developing their robot.

Bis said her background in engineering has helped her lead the teams at Cranbrook. She received a degree in mechanical engineering and child psychology at the University of Michigan and went on to work for Lionel Trains.

“We’re able to incorporate real-life engineering practices into our engineering process in high school, which really helps the kids to be more prepared as they go out and start looking at careers of their own,” Bis said.

After their success at the local and state levels, the teams from Cranbrook plan to bring a year’s worth of work to compete in the World Championships in April, which can be viewed at www.vexworlds.tv/#/chan nels/all.

pella choir.

They also had “coin stalls” during their longest class period — fourth hour — March 13. Most classes are 45 minutes, but the fourth hour occurs while other kids are having their lunch, so it is a full 60 minutes. During coin stalls, students were able to bring in change for the teacher to count. The class couldn’t begin until the teacher had finished counting the change, which all went to the cause.

“I had one teacher call me during fifth period and say, ‘Can I stop counting now?’

as they had so much change,” recalled Katie James, one of the instructors who oversees the student council, which is in charge of the Make-A-Wish campaign.

They held a students vs. staff basketball game Friday, March 15, in which Charlie

was the guest of honor. James said the game was a real nail-biter, but the staff won by a score of 46-44, with a basket made in the last four seconds of the game.

“It teaches them about a community beyond the walls of the building,” said James. “They get really into it. We always feed into the competitive nature of students by making some of the events, like the Wish Week stars, competitive. Then on Friday when Charlie came and spoke, they were so supportive and sweet to him, and it was really, really nice to see all of them see the direct impact that they will have.”

The Trammell family will be going to Disney in May, and Charlie is super excited for the trip, according to his mom. The name of the other child was not made public.

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 7A 40% OFF Any One Item Store Wide With ad on qualifying products , new orders only. 1765 W. Maple Rd. • Troy • (248) 398-4560 www.heraldwholesale.com Mon. – Fri. 9am – 5pm • Sat. 9am – 4pm 0169-2306

DCC HOCKEY CONTINUES DYNASTY IN D1, WINS FIFTH-STRAIGHT STATE TITLE

NOVI — For the thirdstraight season, Brighton High School attempted to stop Detroit Catholic Central’s reign in Division 1 hockey, but for the thirdstraight time, Brighton learned that the well-oiled machine of DCC just plays a different type of hockey.

Looking to win its fifthconsecutive Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state championship, DCC blanked Brighton 2-0 March 9 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth behind goals from senior captain Joseph Curtin and senior Cael Rogowski.

Curtin opened up the scoring with a power-play goal in the first period, while Rogowski capitalized on a Brighton turnover near its own net before burying his own rebound to give DCC some breathing room.

Shamrocks senior goaltender Mathieu Chernauckas was stellar in net, stopping all 25 shots he faced in the win.

With the win, Detroit Catholic Central tied its longest consecutive title reign; DCC also won five-straight championships from 1999 to 2003.

DCC has now won 30-consecutive MHSAA tournament matchups, suffering its last loss to Brighton in the 2018 semifinals, while compiling 54-straight wins against in-state opponents.

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 8A 0161-2412 midasdetroit.com Clinton Township 41300 Garfield 586-263-0080 Troy 2995 E. Big Beaver Rd. 248-524-2090 Always a Touch Better FREE ALIGNMENT CHECK! Be Safe With Midas! Family Owned & Operated for Over 30 Years! WE DO IT ALL! MIDAS TIRE AND AUTO CARE CENTER Expires 4/30/24. OIL CHANGE SPECIAL
LEFT: Detroit Catholic Central celebrates its fifth-consecutive Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 state championship win after a 2-0 victory over Brighton March 9 at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. ABOVE: Senior Cael Rogowski celebrates by giving the glass a shoulder drop. ABOVE: Rogowski gets fired up after giving the Shamrocks a 2-0 lead in the third period. LEFT: Senior captain Joseph Curtin celebrates after a goal in the first period. Photos by Patricia O’Blenes
0009-2412

Black women

from page 1A

Charles decided to return home to Southfield.

“I decided to come back to the metro Detroit area, Southfield in particular, because I felt like I had a better springboard here, like my network of people with my church, my alumni and just all of the relationships that my family had made over the years. I believe that the best place for me to start my young career was here in Southfield.”

Smith Charles obtained a master’s degree in instructional technology from American InterContinental University. Upon returning to Southfield, she was a trustee for Southfield Public Schools.

Smith Charles’ family has deep roots in Southfield. She said her grandparents were among the first African American families to move to the city in the early 1970s. She said that her grandparents slowing down was another reason she returned to her hometown, and that during that time, she was able to utilize local health resources, such as Ascension Providence Hospital and Corewell Health, to help care for them.

In addition to her role as an elected official, Smith Charles also works in real estate, which she said helps give her a deeper under-

standing of the neighborhoods.

Jacquie Lewis-Kemp is the CFO of Kemp Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Southfield, which she co-owns with her husband, Stephen, the president and CEO of the business. Their son, Stephen II, also works with them as a funeral director. The Kemps opened the funeral home in 2017 after her husband had prior experience managing another local funeral home.

“The beauty of Southfield is that it is so diverse — not just the ethnicities, but the ages, the religions. It’s diverse all the way around,” Lewis-Kemp stated. “And so we are always learning things. I think with the younger people, they are making some change with some of the religions. And what used to be, ‘Hey, this is the way we do it and do it this way only.’ We’ve had people come and say, ‘The church won’t recognize us. And we need services, and we’re hoping you can help us.’ And that we do.”

Lewis-Kemp started her career after graduating from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science and a master’s degree in public policy. She stepped into her father’s shoes after he passed away as an automotive supplier running a metal stamping business. Drawing from this experience, she said she applied her knowledge to her position at the funeral home, because “financ-

ing is still the same.”

“I love the balance of what I do. The numbers don’t talk back, but then they can become very cold and I can step out and make arrangements with the family, and that’s a little more warm and fuzzy,” she said.

Lewis-Kemp said that the heart of the funeral industry is meeting people where they are and learning that you can never predict anything.

“There are lots of different ways to grieve, and therefore, the look of grief and hurt is very different from person to person, and you can’t always expect the same emotion or what looks like the same emotion.”

Monique Carter has a “God assignment,” as she calls it, for her life and career as a real estate agent in the Southfield community, where she has resided for 43 years. Carter left her corporate career at McDonald’s after 18 years.

“I feel it was the Lord that had spoken to me, and it was his guidance that helped me to leave. I was in a place in my life of resetting and reviewing things because I had loss in my life and was hurt.” During this time of transition, seven people approached Carter and asked her if she was a Realtor. She decided that was her sign to pursue a career in real estate. However, early on, she found herself “distracted” and “easily influenced” at a company she was working at. She ended up

leaving this company after nine months and starting over somewhere else.

“The entire trajectory of my life changed. I went from making $13,000 the first year to making over six figures. It happened all within a year’s time,” Carter said. “During the journey of coming into real estate, I started to understand that, at first, I thought I was getting into real estate for wealth, abundance and financial freedom. But what I clearly understood, it wasn’t about all of that. It was about me going into homes and bringing hope to people, bringing education to people, bringing real guidance to people; I started finding out that the purpose of real estate was for me to bring the Lord to the people.”

She began asking clients the “why” behind the reason that they were led to move. By praying with and encouraging clients, Carter takes her career personally. In addition to real estate, she appeared on Christian radio shows for over 15 years, leading her to speak at conferences and other programs.

Nearing 30 years in the industry, Carter owns Carter and Associates Realty with the mission of not being afraid to get personal with her clients. “I am on the belief system that when you do the right things by people, God will bless.”

To learn more about MoneyGeek’s rankings, visit www.moneygeek.com and search “Best Cities for Black Women.”

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 10A 0237-2412

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. “We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said. “Compared to other home improvements,

“It’s the cheapest home to get.”

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365 Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888. siding repairs and much-needed

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 11A 0058-2410

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

Call or go online today for more information

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Trusted Protection During Unpredictable Weather

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home.

Call or go online today for more information

Call or go online today for

The frequency in severe weather has led to an increase in power outages. More than ever, you need to be prepared. Without power, your everyday modern essentials are rendered useless. Think about it, you’ll have no lights, heating or cooling, or refrigeration. You can’t even charge your cell phone. But when you have a Generac home standby generator, you will have power when you need it the most. It’s time to get serious about preparing your home. Make

more information

Call or go online today for more information

C & G NEWSPAPERS OAKLAND COUNTY SPECIAL EDITION • MARCH 27, 2024 12A
a thing of the past with
a home standby generator.
0299-2408
power outages a thing of the past with a home standby generator.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.