

WHAT: First Presbyterian Church of Lansing will present $100,000 to the Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan in reparation for the sins of slavery, the aftermath of gross human rights violations and complicity in the misbelief of white supremacy. The Justice League is building an endowed reparations fund to address the racial wealth inequity in Greater Lansing. The fund will provide scholarships and grants to support home ownership, education and entrepreneurship.
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 4; check
presentation during service, 10-11 a.m. Media is invited for interviews following the service, 11:15-11:45 a.m.
WHO: Willye Bryan, founder, Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan
Prince Solace, president, Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan
Stan Jenkins, pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Lansing
WHERE: 510 W Ottawa St, Lansing; enter via back of building
WHY: From Pastor Jenkins:“Church members have long studied topics of white privilege and fragility, and have intentionally nurtured a relationship with another church that has a predominately Black congregation. But it was the death of George Floyd that acted as an immediate galvanizing force. We could not turn away or hide our heads in the sand. We took steps to do more: We publicly confessed our complicity and actively sought, and continue to seek, to repair what has been broken
Lansing Community College will host its Job and Internship Fair on Wednesday, March 20 from 2-5 p.m. at the Downtown Campus. The annual event is open to LCC students, alumni and the general public as employers from more than 67 companies – including Auto
Owners Insurance Company, Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, the Board of Water and Light and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing –will be on site to meet and engage with job seekers.
This year, the Job and Internship Fair will take place in conjunction with LCC’s annual Transfer Fair. Also open to LCC students,
alumni and the community at large, the Transfer Fair will feature more than 20 colleges and universities, including Michigan State University (MSU), Central Michigan University, Olivet College, Lawrence Tech University and more.
Turn to Page 11
February is Black History Month in the US. It's a time to celebrate the achievements of AfricanAmericans, as well as recognize their contributions to the country and the world. Throughout history, they have made a significant impact on society.
Black History Month is a time to recognize the various injustices and struggles faced by African-Americans in the US. Although progress has been made in fighting for civil rights, discrimination and racial inequality sadly still remain a major issue in the country. By shining a light on these issues, we can help raise awareness and improve the lives of all people.
Through Black History Month, we can celebrate the contributions of African-Americans to the development
of our nation's cultural identity. From art and music to literature and cuisine, their contributions have made a significant impact on society. It is also a time to recognize the contributions of
all individuals to the common culture. Throughout Black History Month, it is important that children and adults learn about the significant contributions African-Americans have made to the
development of the US. By learning about their struggles and triumphs, we can make a better understanding of the country's complex history. This knowledge can also help promote empathy and compassion for everyone.
Throughout history, AfricanAmericans have excelled in various fields. Black individuals have contributed to the development of culture and human knowledge, and we should celebrate their achievements to inspire the next generation. Doing so can help create a more inclusive society.
As a community, we should celebrate and honor the achievements of African-Americans. Throughout Black History Month, we can participate in various activities and events to promote awareness and appreciation of Black culture and history.
Ida Wells was born as a slave in Mississippi on July 16, 1862. After the Civil War, her family was able to secure their freedom. She later became a teacher, but she was fired after speaking out against the mistreatment of African-American students. This incident motivated her to become a journalist.
During the 1880s, journalist Alice Wells exposed the South's
lynching in her articles, which put her at risk. She was forced to flee her home in Tennessee after her newspaper's office was destroyed by a mob. Despite her ordeal, she continued to fight against lynching and established the anti-lynching crusade. She also helped found the NAACP and advocated for women's rights.
Throughout her life, Wells has been active in fighting against
segregation and discrimination. She also published numerous books about politics and race. Her legacy has had a significant impact on the civil rights situation in the country.
Her courage and dedication to reporting the truth continue to inspire people. Wells passed away on March 25, 1931. Her legacy continues to motivate people due to her determination and fight against adversity.
Every sports record book should have asterisks riddled throughout the pages. How can we compare the game’s legendary names to the players in the sport today when athletes from yesteryear didn’t go against the top competition? Who knows how long it would have continued if it wasn’t for these Black athletes that broke the color barrier in sports?
William O’Ree (NHL)
The NHL is a diverse sport when it comes to its international appeal. You could throw a dart on a map and find an NHL player from there. However, the game is predominantly white, with nearly 97 percent of its active players Caucasian. Shockingly, there are only 26 Black players in the NHL, which should displease William O’Ree, the first Black professional hockey player.
O’Ree’s first stint in the league only lasted two games, but fortunately, his second go around three years later saw him in 43 games for the Boston Bruins, scoring four goals and adding 10 assists. It took 13 years for another Black player to hit the ice.
Woody Strode & Kenny Washington (NFL)
Even though the NFL had a few Black players in the early 1920s, they didn’t have another for 20 years until
World War II threw a massive wrench in the professional sports world. Many of the game’s best players hung up their cleats to fight for the U.S. overseas, leaving sports leagues short on players.
The NFL responded by opening its doors for all, which was good news for Kenny Washington and Woody Strode.
Washington and Strode were teammates at UCLA before they entered the NFL, so their transition to the Los Angeles Rams wasn’t too much of a culture shock. The back of their football card may lack the statistics of a legendary player, but their impact on the NFL paved the road for legends like Jim Brown to dominate the sport.
Chuck Cooper, Nat Clifton, & Earl Lloyd (NBA)
The trio played a critical role in changing the NBA in 1950. Although the Boston Red Sox were the last team to have a Black player (Pumpsie Green) on their roster, the city did right with O’Ree in the NHL and when the Celtics drafted Chuck Cooper. The Duquesne star played for the C’s for four years before finishing his career with the Fort Wayne Pistons two years later.
Clifton was the first African American player to sign an NBA contract, leading the New York Knicks to the NBA Finals. Lloyd was the first to step foot on the court as a member of
the Washington Capitols on Halloween.
Jackie Robinson & Larry Doby (MLB)
Before football took control of the country, baseball was the most popular in the history of American team sports. The Brooklyn Dodgers were looking for a player to change the game and found that with Jackie Robinson. On April 15, 1947, Robinson battled the Boston Braves, with Robinson playing first base and hitting second. Robinson, who was a teammate of Strode and Washington on the UCLA football team, went 0-3 with one run scored.
Less than three months after Robinson integrated the game, Larry Doby joined Cleveland to become the first African American player in the American League. Both players are rightfully in the Hall of Fame, even if it took too long for Doby (1998) to get the nod.
Remember, these Black athletes that broke the color barrier in sports put into perspective how vital and brave it was for these men to play in the country’s four major professional sports leagues. While things have improved since then, there is still plenty of work to do.
The Detroit Lions recognized Khali Sweeney, founder, and CEO of Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG), as the 2023 Inspire Change Changemaker Award recipient for going above and beyond in the pursuit of social justice at the annual Inspire Change game on December 16 for their victory against the Denver Broncos.
The Changemaker Award
recognizes individuals in each NFL team market making a difference in their community across Inspire Change's four focus areas: education, economic advancement, policecommunity relations, and criminal justice reform.
Since 2007, DBG has been providing free academic and athletic programs to students in the community ranging from ages 8-18,
with continuing mentorship and care through age 25. Students stay with DBG for consecutive years to provide a long-term, personal, and all-inclusive support system with the ability to make a lifelong impact.
Sweeney was inspired to start DBG by his own challenging academic and life experiences and has been honored as a CNN Hero Top 10 Finalist in 2017 as well as the Governor's Service
Award for Mentor of the Year in 2018.
In addition to the special recognition at the Inspire Change game and the surprise of Super Bowl LVIII tickets, Sweeney received a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation for DBG.
For more information on the 2023 Changemaker recipients, visit NFL.com/causes/inspire-change/ changemakers.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- A season-high 23 points from junior guard Jaden Akins boosted Michigan State men's basketball to an 81-62 victory over Michigan Tuesday night at the Breslin Center for Spartan head coach Tom Izzo's 700th career win. MSU posted its fourth win in the last five games in moving to 13-8 overall and leveling its Big Ten ledger at 5-5. Michigan lost its fourth in a row in sliding to 7-14 overall and 2-8 in B1G play. Izzo becomes the first Big Ten head coach to reach the 700-win milestone at one school. Coach Izzo is also the 38th Division I men's basketball head coach to reach 700 wins. The legendary Spartan head coach is now 700-288 in his 29th season at the helm of MSU.
Michigan State has won the last six games played in the Breslin Center against the Wolverines, having won eight of the last 12 meetings overall.
Tuesday night was the 193rd all-time meeting between MSU and UM, with the Spartans cutting the Wolverines' series lead to 104-89. Akins netted a careerhigh seven 3-pointers on the way to his career-scoring night. He led four Spartans in double-figures, followed by senior guard A.J. Hoggard with 15 points, while graduate guard Tyson Walker and graduate forward Malik Hall tallied 12 points each.
Hoggard netted his 15th point of the night with 40 seconds left for his 1,000th career point. The Spartan guard not only becomes the 56th all-time MSU player
to score 1,000 career points, but he’s also the third this season, joining Hall who reached the 1,000-career point plateau vs. Minnesota on Jan. 18, 2024, and Walker who reached 1,000 points
in his MSU career vs. Oakland on Dec. 18, 2023. Michigan was led by 18 points from Jaelin Llewellyn who tallied four baskets from beyond the arc.
LANSING, Mich. - Mayor Andy Schor today announced that he has hired Crystal Thomas as Lansing’s new City Treasurer. Thomas currently works in the City of Lansing Finance Department as the City’s Investment Manager. Desiree A. Kirkland has been serving as both the City Treasurer and Finance Director. She will remain as the City’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing the City’s overall finances.
“I’m excited to welcome Crystal to my administration. Her years of experience in government finances, including income and property tax, will be a real asset to the City and our residents,” said Mayor Schor.
“Working closely with Finance and Assessing, our financial experts will continue to play a pivotal role guiding the City’s income, investments, assessments, and financial management. I thank Desiree Kirkland for her work doing two jobs, and am excited to welcome Crystal Thomas and see how she can do even more at Treasury.”
Crystal Thomas is a senior executive with more than 15 years of experience in tax administration, finance and accounting. Previous positions include Assistant Deputy Treasurer for the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Tax Administration and Revenue Services Bureau, Accountant Manager
for the Michigan Bureau of State and Authority Finance, and Budget Chief for the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division.
Thomas obtained her bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwood University. She is certified in change and transition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is also certified as a financial literacy instructor. Crystal is married to Edward Thomas, a professor of criminal justice and former City of Lansing police officer. They have two children and five grandchildren.
Thomas officially starts in her new role as city treasurer on Monday, February 5.
EAST LANSING, MI – Grab the sticky geckos, break out the duck cakes, and alert the grannies! It’s time to meet the much-loved Heeler family, who will be coming to Wharton Center on Tuesday, May 28, and Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at 6PM with the Bluey live show, Bluey’s Big Play: The Stage Show! The Emmy Award-winning animated preschool series, which airs on Disney Junior, Disney Channel, and Disney+, will be “taking the show on the road” to Wharton Center. Tickets are on sale now through the official Wharton Center Ticket Office, online at whartoncenter.com, or by calling 517.432.2000 or 1.800.WHARTON.
Fans of all ages will get to see Bluey, Bingo, Bandit, and Chilli as they’ve never seen them before, as the Heelers embark on their very first live theater show in the U.S. featuring puppetry,
live actors, and iconic sets. Based on an original new story written by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, Bluey’s Big Play:
The Stage Show also contains new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush.
“After seeing the amazing reaction,
the show received during its Australia run, we are delighted to bring this standout live theater show to U.S. audiences,” said director Rosemary Myers of Windmill Theatre Co.
The series follows Bluey, a sixyear-old Blue Heeler dog who loves to play and turn everyday family life into extraordinary adventures that unfold in unpredictable and hilarious ways, bringing her family, friends, and community into her world of fun.
Bluey has won the hearts of kids and parents around the world since it first launched in Australia in
At McLaren Greater Lansing’s Heart & Vascular Institute, our cardiologists perform complex heart procedures through a minimally invasive approach. This means you have access to the latest advances in heart care closer to home, so you can get better faster.
Find a cardiologist at mclaren.org/lansingcardiology.
Turning 40 is a milestone birthday that is often associated with transformation and reflection, as many consider this to be a life-changing birthday. It’s also the time most health care professionals recommend that women begin screening for breast cancer with a mammo-
gram.
“My recommendation is the earlier the better, so I advocate for my patients to begin their mammogram screening at the age of 40,” said Aubrey Chartier, DO, resident at McLaren Greater Lansing Family Medicine. “However, you can wait until age 45.”
That recommended age for your first mammogram may vary if you have a family history of breast cancer or if you have tested positive for a specific gene mutation that indicates you may be at a higher risk for breast cancer, such as BRCA.
“If you are genetically test-
ing positive, your doctor will give you a recommendation on when to begin your mammograms,” said Dr. Chartier. “If you have a family history of breast cancer, typically your doctor will recommend you begin getting mammogram screenings 5-10 years before when your family member was
diagnosed with breast cancer.” According to the American Cancer Society, women ages 45-54 should receive
Start growing your savings today! Learn more at msufcu.org/savingsbuilder Learn more at msufcu.org/taxrefund
as well as MSUFCU board members and their immediate family members, are not eligible. For full sweepstakes details, go to msufcu.org/taxrefund. You may also enter by sending a 3-inch by 5-inch card with your name, address, phone number, and email address to: MSU Federal Credit Union, Marketing, Your Refund Plus Some, 3777 West Road, East Lansing, MI 48823.
LANSING, Mich. [February 1, 2024]— LCC’s Jazz Band is collaborating with local dance company, Happendance to present a unique concert combining live jazz with original choreography. Happendance’s professional dance company, Velocity, will accompany four of the eight pieces being performed.
This free concert will take place in the newly renovated Dart Auditorium and will feature a variety of jazz styles from swing to Latin, blues to fusion, showcasing composers including Count Basie, Michael Philip Mossman and Eddie Harris. “Jazz music was created for dance, and I’m so excited to have the opportunity to showcase the dance element at our concert, especially with an institution like Happendance which has been a leader in dance education
in Lansing for over 30 years,” said Jonathon Gewirtz, jazz band instructor.
“We love working with and performing to live music,” said Rachel Miller, CEO of Happendance. “Whenever we get a chance to collaborate with a band leader as prestigious as Jonathon Gewirtz, we jump at the opportunity.” Guest choreographers Jim McEwan, Rachel Miller, Jennah Quinn Gray and others have created new choreography to Prime Time by Basie, Cold Duck Time by Harris, and two additional pieces.
Performance dates:
February 16 & 17 @ 7 p.m.
Location:
Dart Auditorium
500 N. Capitol Avenue
Admission: Free. Donations to benefit performing arts organizations are welcome.
Retirement is an inevitable phase that ushers in a new chapter in your life. It's a period that could span several decades, depending on how early you retire and your active lifespan. Therefore, it's vitally important to ensure you spend your golden years in comfort.
The key to achieving this lies in early and effective retirement planning. Contrary to common belief, retirement planning is not just about stowing away a part of your earnings in a bank account; it involves comprehensive financial planning, disciplined savings, and more. These five ways to ensure a successful retirement plan will help you achieve financial independence and personal fulfillment.
Beginning your retirement savings early has multiple advantages. The longer you save, the more you'll accumulate, thanks to the power of compound interest. Compounding works by each deposit generating earnings, which go through a reinvestment cycle to generate their
own earnings. Over time, even small contributions can add up to significant sums.
Diversification is a strategy that involves spreading investments across various financial instruments, industries, and other categories to avoid excessive exposure to any single asset. Investing in equities, fixed income, and commodities can help create a wellbalanced portfolio. Each asset has its own risk and return characteristics, and they often perform differently under different market conditions.
Regularly reviewing your retirement plan involves consistently checking your financial compass, ensuring you're still on the right path toward your goals. Life circumstances change, financial markets fluctuate, and your personal financial goals may evolve. You must constantly review your plan to navigate your approach to retirement successfully and achieve the best possible results without risking your future.
Planning for healthcare costs is a
critical component of any retirement plan to prevent unnecessary, superfluous worry. It's no secret that healthcare becomes a more powerful concern as you age. As such, it is essential to factor the cost of healthcare into your retirement plan. This includes potential costs for regular healthcare, long-term care, and unexpected health issues.
While it's perfectly possible to plan for retirement on your own, seeking the advice of a professional financial advisor can be highly beneficial. These professionals have the expertise and experience to guide you through the complexities of financial planning. They can provide personalized advice tailored to your unique financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.
Successful retirement planning is not an overnight task. It requires thoughtful planning, disciplined saving, and strategic investing. Following these five strategies can guide you toward a successful and comfortable retirement. Start today—every step you take now will lead toward a more secure tomorrow.
(Gary, IND) –The youth of the NAACP Gary ACT-SO program will host their annual Talent Extravaganza Junior Image Awards on Saturday, February 17, 2024. The free event will be held at Indiana University Northwest, Savannah Center, located at 3400 Broadway in Gary. The private reception starts at 3:00 p.m., and doors open to the general public at 4:00 p.m.
“I am inspired by the support that the Northwest Indiana community
offers our youth," said Jeana Payne, NAACP Gary Branch ACT-SO Chairperson. "When we show up for them, they are motivated to do their best and work even harder to advance to regional and national competitions.”
The Junior Image Awards is a celebration of excellence and achievement, showcasing the accomplishments of young scholars in various categories. The community can expect an evening filled with recognition, unique performances,
and a display of diverse talent.
The ACT-SO program is also designed to be a learning experience for participants complete with a mentorship component. Students work with ACT-SO mentors who help them develop their projects throughout the year virtually and in person. Local ACT-SO programs also provide students with enrichment opportunities such as workshops, tutorials and field trips.
"The NAACP Gary ACT-SO program is dedicated to empowering and uplifting the next generation of leaders," said Steve Mays, NAACP Gary Branch President. “We are honored to once again collaborate with Indiana University Northwest to host the awards event on campus. It represents an opportunity for our youth to be exposed to an environment that emphasizes excellence in higher learning."
Afew months ago, she became the youngest black person in U.S. history to get admitted into medical school at the age of 13. The Fort Worth, Texas area girl has been accepted into the University of Alabama's Medical School. Reportedly, she will start her medical training in the fall of 2024.
The teenager also holds two other records in addition to this major accomplishment.
She holds a second record for being the second youngest person ever (among all races) to get accepted into medical school. Alena also holds a third record for being the youngest person ever to work as an intern at NASA.
As a child prodigy, Alena reportedly began reading chapter books when she was three years old and took high school courses at age 11. She also enrolled in two colleges at age 12 to earn two separate degrees.
Some folks have taken to calling her "Doogie Howser, M.D. -- 2.0" in honor of the ABC sitcom that ran from 1989 to 1993 about a teenage physician (played by Neil Patrick Harris) and how he juggled the practice of medicine with the everyday challenges of being a teenager.
Alena was a college junior at Arizona State University and at Alabama's Oakwood University when she decided to apply for early acceptance into medical school at the University of Alabama. She was accepted in May of this year.
Alena has her own Instagram account called "thebrownstemgirl." As a minor celebrity, she has partnered with a Barbie YouTube channel and is now hoping that she will have a chance to go to space.
confessed our complicity and actively sought, and continue to seek, to repair what has been broken through slavery and its legacy.
HOW: About a year ago, the church’s governing body voted unanimously to present $100,000 in reparations to the Justice League. Next, the church established a three-pronged plan to obtain the money: 1. Use funds left over from a capital expenditure.2. Invite members to submit reparations that would defray the church’s pledge. (This raised $80,000)3. Subsidize the total raised with earned income from the church’s endowment for a period of up to 10 years.
The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization was founded in 2021 to repair the breach in Greater Lansing caused by the nation’s historical damage of slavery. Reparations are in the spirit
of repentance for the sins of slavery, its aftermath of gross human rights violations — including genocide, violence, land theft, incarceration and police violence — and complicity in the misbelief of white supremacy. The solution is a faith-based model
of reparations. The Justice League builds relationships and facilitates reparations between houses of worship, collaborative partners and individuals to close the racial wealth gap that exists between Black and white residents. This specifically
means increasing wealth equity for descendants of enslaved African Americans. Financial reparations will support home ownership, education and entrepreneurship. More information is at www.JusticeLeagueGLM.org.
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) today in announcing approval of $87.5 million in grant funding for 18 projects across the state of Michigan through the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP) to support the state’s efforts to compete for and win transformative projects.
Through this funding for strategic site readiness and collaboration with local, regional and energy partners, communities across Michigan will experience increased economic development opportunities to support in their business development efforts.
“These grants will fund 18 projects across Michigan, preparing us to win more manufacturing projects creating thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, with a strong, bipartisan economic development toolkit, we are competing with other states and nations to bring home supply chains of cars, chips, and clean energy. We will get it done while making communities across Michigan—from big cities to small towns—better places to live, work, and invest. Let’s move some dirt!”
Applications for the grants were accepted from September 18 to October 30, 2023. The MEDC received over 70 applications totaling $420 million
in requested funding – more than four times the SSRP allocation – further demonstrating the significant need for advancing site readiness in the state of Michigan. Funding was awarded in nine of the state’s 10 prosperity regions, representing at least one grant for every region that submitted applications.
Of the 18 awardees, 10 are brownfield sites that will be receiving 49 percent of the award funding; the remaining awardees are greenfield sites throughout the state. Creating a robust inventory of investment-ready sites of all sizes will provide Michigan with increased opportunities for business
attraction and expansion projects across the state.
The remaining funds of the full $100 million SSRP allocation will support applications requiring more time and evaluation, additional needs that may come up later in the year and to have funds available to support sites that enter the site readiness certification program, which is scheduled to be launched this fiscal year.
Due to high demand on the limited funds, the MEDC has submitted a list of applications
that self-identified as brownfields to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to review for potential assistance.
“With a resetting of the industrial landscape currently underway in the U.S., the communities and economic development agencies that are proactively preparing industrial sites and training the workforce of tomorrow will be the winners in this race – the outcome of which will determine which states and regions will lead in economic and equitable prosperity over the next 20-30 years,” said Maureen Krauss, President and CEO of Detroit Regional Partnership. “The approval by the MSF Board in the Strategic Site Readiness Program is paramount to Michigan’s success, and the Detroit Regional Partnership is aligned with the MEDC through our Verified Industrial Properties Program (VIP by DRP) to support our region’s commitment to ready more sites, to help Michigan win its share of the critical job creation projects.”
Representatives from attending schools will be available to answer questions, help with the application process, provide information about available grants, scholarships or other financial aid, and otherwise assist attendees in making an informed decision about which opportunity is right for them.
Rebecca Sowa, internship
development manager for LCC, manages the Job and Internship Fair, and sees the annual event as a stepladder to progress for LCC students and the community at large.
“Participating in the Job and Internship Fair provides the opportunity for LCC students, alumni and the community to engage with employers offering part-time, full-time, and internship
positions within the greater Lansing region,” Sowa said. “This event can also serve as a platform for students to build their professional networks, explore career paths and discover workbased learning opportunities in the Lansing area.”
This year, MSU representatives will be highlighting Envision Green. Recently, LCC and MSU
together created the Envision Green Pathway, which provides LCC students stepby-step instructions to ensure a smooth transfer from LCC to MSU. With Envision Green, students have the opportunity to meet with MSU advisers and admissions counselors to create an individualized roadmap to MSU year-round.
At the Transfer Fair, MSU advisors will be available to
answer individual questions in person.
Those interested in attending the 2024 LCC Job, Internship and Transfer fair should RSVP at lcc. edu/jobfair. For answers to questions about the event, contact LCC Career and Employment Services at 517 483-9706, or by email at cesjoblink@lcc.edu.