MC Digital Edition 3.3.21

Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 84 – No. 26 | March 3-9, 2021

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Poised with Purpose:

Black Female Local Leaders Make Moves with Their Communities Top of Mind

By Sherri Kolade We already know that Black women are bosses -- at the helm of wherever they choose to go. And they carry with them all the determination, grit and grace that it takes to get the job done.

At the municipal level, Black women are continuing to break barriers and their leadership skills have been tested and tried-- and they’re passing with flying colors because they stay fly, even under pressure.

For Eastpointe Mayor Monique Owens, elected in 2019, leading means thriving daily in her role as the city’s first Black female mayor.

“My first year was as a mayor, a woman and African American ... then the pandemic came,” Owens, 36 and mother to high school-age twin daughters, said.

She added that being a mayor can be difficult on multiple levels regardless of age, gender or tenure -- not to speak of leading during a worldwide health crisis. “At that time, surviving the pandemic… it Eastpointe Mayor was challenging.”

Owens, a former Monique Owens leads with com- member of Depassion and em- troit’s Police Depathy above all. partment and an 11-year Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy who also served on Eastpointe’s City Council, said that she led during a time of significant civil unrest last year.

Photo provided by Monique Owens

That is when she met the pandemic and social justice movements head on thinking of ways to help her community and those hungry and hurting.

“I was trying to find the resources in being a new mayor and help people with food and assistance,” she said, adding that she partnered with different organizations to make sure those in need received help. Also, that protestors were kept safe and had food from nearby restaurants. “(I was) able to do things that most mayors are not able to do in many terms that I was able to do in a year.”

Owens said looking ahead she hopes to bring new opportunities to the city of about 32,000 residents, of which about 40 percent are Black.

This includes looking to create a scholarship for local high schoolers, bring in a Boys and Girls Club and develop a transportation hub on Eight Mile Road and Gratiot through federal partnerships to help residents travel with ease and safety.

“A lot of people have problems getting back and forth to work … and getting their kids to school,” she said, adding that she is also working on bringing more businesses, especially minority- and women-owned, to the

See POISED

WITH PURPOSE page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Woman Over Demolition:

LaJuan Counts Makes Her Work Count in Detroit Money. A5

$1.00

Women’s History and the Evolution of

The Black Woman

By Megan Kirk

O

ver the course of the next several weeks, we will take our readers on a journey of exploration – one that will uncover the evolution of Black women and all the different roles they have embodied over time. This four-part series, part of the celebration of Women’s History Month, will explore the various, multiple layers that eventually pay homage to the strongest women we know -- Black women. While often overlooked, misjudged, marginalized and/or underestimated, this series will finally give them their rightful place, and pay tribute to the person who always has and will continue to save the day.

From the outside looking in, Black women haven’t always been viewed as a source of inspiration. But, from fashion to family, from community to business, Black women have taken center stage.

They have come into their own power and own it while continuing to evolve.

countants.”

Bruce, who identifies with some ideals of feminism and is openly proBlack, believes feminism, in particular when it comes to Black women, is not as simple as one may believe. With several levels of being, Black women have had a different journey, historically.

“Being a woman, being a Black woman when there are so many facets of you; Black feminism looks different than for white women,” Bruce says.

During the women’s suffrage, women fought for the right to vote and play a key part in their town’s political future.

While the fight consisted of all women, both Black and white, only white women reaped the benefits of the movement, thus ousting Black women from having a stake in the voting process. Despite laws giving Black women the right to vote, including the 19th amendment which outlawed gender as a basis for voting, race continued to play a major role in not being able to vote.

Historically, Black women have been the strength and backbone of, not only the community, but many movements and political shifts. Often overlooked and under considered, Black women continually show up and show out in large numbers. With strength in numbers, Black women have always taken a stand in society, no longer accepting the status quo, and demanding a seat at the table.

“That Black woman in today’s society carries much more of that weight due to so many racial differences that we face. We are strength. We are the incubator to today’s society and what we birth, dictates our futures,” says Marcia Shropshire, founder of the Genuine Ladies of Worth Movement, an organization that looks to inspire young Black girls.

During slavery, Black women were tasked with cooking, tending to the homes of masters, nursing their babies as well as the slave owner’s children all alongside their everyday chores. The resilience of Black women and their strong family ties are rooted in servitude. Mammy soon became a popular embodiment for slave women who took honor in being the anchor of home life.

However, as Black women’s role and place in society began to evolve, the ideal of Black womanhood also began to shift.

“We’re finally being appreciated for all we bring to the table now. As strong people, from being slaves, obviously we were physically strong and we had to be strong mentally to go through slavery,” says RaShada Bruce. “Not only are we mentally and physically strong, but we’re intellectuals. We’re CEO’s and ac-

the tradition today, Black women are not only the caregivers, but are sometimes the breadwinners as well. The duality of her shows Black women are equipped to handle and hurdle obstacles.

“We are generally the backbone. We figure it out and get it done. We are the caregivers for parents, mothers for children and everything else in between.

People often describe us as the strong Black woman which holds us to a standard we do not like to fail at, so we will do anything to not be a failure in that role,” says Pelzer.

Outside the home, Black women endure racial and social challenges that would exhaust the masses. Sometimes seen as angry, aggressive or confrontational, the stereotype of the ‘angry Black woman,’ lives on. While the stereotype is rooted in fear, it is misinterpreted -- Black women carry the burdens of ancestors, generations of emotional, physical, sexual and mental abuse and discrimination on the basis of race and gender all while maintaining a smile.

“Black women come with a lot of obstacles that we face. From racial injustice, to being the ultimate bread winner of our homes, I can say throughout all the obstacles that we face we are some of the most resilient women on the planet! We literally take those lemons and make lemonade,” says Shropshire.

It wasn’t until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson that Black people, particularly women, were able to outwardly vote and take part in the democratic process. Now, just over 50 years later, Black women have shaken politics to its core and are no longer just voting, but holding game-changing office positions and pulling other Black women up along the way.

“We are at the seats of tables we never would have been able to sit at before.

CEO’s, entrepreneurs, chemists, doctors, etc. Not to mention, in the White House. We shop in the better stores and eat at the finer restaurants while still receiving the side eyes from those that think we don’t deserve to be there,” says Tanisha Pelzer, who works in finance. “We are socialites, world travelers and risk takers. We create what isn’t given to us and demand respect while doing so all while being great mothers, spouses, partners and friends.”

Viewed as the pillar of the family, Black women have always been seen as domestics. In early times, Black women held the home together while the men were put to grueling labor. Continuing

As Black women continue to shift the dynamics on truly understanding Black women, their sexuality is another facet being reimagined. No longer apologetic, Black women are taking up space and giving gratitude to their bodies in a way that was previously shunned. No longer choosing the traditional way of life with a husband and children, more and more Black women are diving head first into dating and playing the field. Living outside of sexual stereotypes and limitations, Black women are reclaiming their time in all aspects of modern life.

“I think the main thing that makes Black women proud is our creativity.

We create a soulful nature that aligns everything back to inner healing, purpose and that urban drive to pursue our purposes,” says Shropshire.

While this is a sweeping landscape of the historical evolution of Black women, this series will take a deeper dive in all the ways Black women have endured, persevered and transformed over time. In politics, business and personal evolvement, the series will explore Black women’s ongoing contributions and embrace the multifaceted roles Black women have played in America.

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March 3-9, 2021

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Poised with Purpose From page A-1

city. “(I am) letting them know they have the support of the mayor and residents -- whatever they need here to make it happen.”

Owens said even in her work she still has to fend off naysayers. Some come in the forms of people who follow her around and attack her work and character, which she described as a “witch hunt.” Owens shrugs it off and says there’s work to be done and she’s above it all. “(This is the) first time there is a mayor who is a woman of color,” she said, adding that she credits God for helping her through challenging moments. “(I am) coming into that space and making change. Of course, I’m going to deal with adversity and push back.”

She said that at the end of the day people elected her to “turn this city around” and with their help, they can continue to use their voice and actions and tune in by watching City Council meetings, paying attention to local politics and policies and help push the city forward.

“See what is going on and see where your tax money is going,” she said. “Understand how the government Westland City Councilwoman Tasha Green manages with works.”

Owens added that strength and dignity despite when she meets res- the obstacles. Photo provided idents, some are by Tasha Green amazed to know that the city has a Black mayor because they stopped being involved in local elections a long time ago. “(They then) get interested when they see someone of color in power,” she said. “I am working and doing the best I can do to be a voice of the people -- not just African American but all people, all races. How do I do that? One day at a time.”

Westland Councilwoman Tasha Green takes it a day at a time, too, by digging deep and using positive affirmations along her political journey.

Some of those can be found on her Facebook page, such as “Know that your voice matters and that you are in the right room.” Or “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”

-Proverbs 21:15 Green, a long-time Westland resident, was elected to City Council on November 7, 2017. She was the first Black woman elected in the city.

Green wears a lot of hats as a certified small business owner, internationally accredited property manager, licensed real estate broker, licensed abatement contractor and more. She is also a Wayne County Reserve Sheriff’s deputy.

Green said that currently she is gearing up for her run for re-election this year.

“My first term ends in 2021 and I look forward to continuing to work for my community,” she said, adding that since being elected she is passionate about making diverse changes in the city.

“The city of Westland has never had much racial diversity as it relates to positions of authority or influence. (Since elected) I have been very vocal about the need for inclusion and equality in our government and city operations,” Green said.

Currently, Westland has less than 5 percent racial diversity in its police and fire departments. Green added that of the mayor’s current 19-member administration there are no Blacks, while the city population of about over 80,000 people has on average a minority population of 25 to 30 percent.

But Green is on the move to help fix that, and she made strides as of last year. One of her proudest moments as a city councilwoman happened last year. A resolution she put forward which declares racism a public health crisis was passed, which required implementation of the city’s very first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission (DEI).

“Although there was little to no representation for people of color before I was elected, I’m happy that my contribution thus far has ensured that this will no longer be the case in Westland,” she said, adding that residents keep her going.

“The best part of the job for me is getting random phone calls and emails from Westland residents who offer words of appreciation and encouragement for the job I’m doing on their behalf. My path has not been one that I would say is easy by any means, so it means a lot to know that my constituents believe in me and want me to keep on keeping on,” Green said, adding that she has encountered lows, too, from local leaders who try to silence her, especially during City Council meetings.

“What’s most important is that change has never come easily and being the first Black person in any seat will come with its challenges. Knowing this, I con-

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tinue to hold my head up and press on realizing that being in this position is bigger than me and all involved parties,” Green said. “I’m pretty confident that the imprint I will leave on my city is one of fearless courage and the importance to stand up for what you believe in and what you know to be just, even if you have to stand alone.”

Green said that developing thick skin is important on this journey. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t or won’t accomplish something, and … work your butt off. What is for you, is for you,” she said. “Don’t get distracted by people who don’t support you because, in the end, they will have the privilege of watching you rise.”

And oh, how she rose. Green told The Michigan Chronicle how she had her first and only child at 19 years old and she experienced periods of living in “lack.”

“I knew that wasn’t where I was meant to be long term,” she said, adding that she was also on public assistance at one point in her life. “I remember what it was like to need help but be viewed as lazy when that couldn’t be further from the truth. I remember working full time during the day, with a baby on my hip, and taking college classes at night.”

On February 3, Green was busy helping pass out food to those in need.

“When people say they need a helping hand I identify with what that is because I lived it,” she said. “You can’t truly identify with the needs of the people if you’ve never been in need. I was able to rise due to my relationship with God, the village I was blessed to have, and a determination to be successful by any means necessary. That was a powerful recipe for success.”

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Elizabeth Keckley, Thirty Years a Slave, Four Years in the White House A Black woman’s memoir published 153 years ago still tops Amazon’s books sales chart.

“Behind the Scenes or Thirty Years a Slave, and Four Years in the White House,” by Elizabeth Keckley, currently stands as the 24th most popular book in Amazon’s category of U.S. Civil War Women’s History.

The historical work was perhaps the bluntest and most controversial of its era. Keckley detailed her life as a slave who purchased her freedom and then worked in the White House for two U.S. first ladies – Mary Todd Lincoln, the wife of President Abraham Lincoln, and Varina Davis, the wife of President Jefferson Davis.

A seamstress to both Davis and Lincoln, Keckley practically lived in the White House during the Civil War. Because Keckley made her close relationships with the Lincolns so public, the reaction nearly ruined the Lincolns’ reputation and almost destroyed Keckley’s life.

In the 166-page memoir, Keckley recalls an intimate scene between President and Mrs. Lincoln after learning their son, Willie, had died in 1862.

“I assisted in washing him and dressing him, and then laid him on the bed when Mr. Lincoln came in.

I never saw a man so bowed down with grief,” Keckley wrote.

“He came to the bed, lifted the cover from the face of his child, gazed at it long and earnestly, murmuring, ‘My poor boy, he was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so. It is hard, hard to have him die.’”

Immediately after President Lincoln’s 1865 assassination, Mary Todd Lincoln sent for Keckley.

According to WhiteHouseHistory.org, when Mrs. Lincoln was later “drowning in debt,” she reached out to Keckley to assist in selling off her wardrobe and other items to raise money.

Because the auctions failed to solicit any funds for Lincoln, Keckley reached out to prominent African Americans for assistance, including asking leaders in the Black church to take up offerings for her

former boss.

“She even asked Frederick Douglass to take part in a lecture to raise money, although the lecture ultimately did not come to fruition,” the White House historians wrote.

The book was not well received

by Lincoln or the American public.

Whites turned on Keckley for disclosing conversations and her relationship with Mrs. Lincoln.

Mostly, they claimed it violated social norms of privacy, race, class, and gender.

“Her choice to publish correspondence between herself and Mary Lincoln was seen as an infringement on the former first lady’s privacy,” historians wrote.

Keckley addressed her critics in the preface to her memoir: “If I have betrayed confidence in anything I have published, it has been to place Mrs. Lincoln in a better light before the world. A breach of trust – if breach it can be called – of this kind is always excusable,” Keckley penned.

“My own character, as well as the character of Mrs. Lincoln, is at stake since I have been intimately associated with that lady in the most eventful periods of her life.

I have been her confidante, and if evil charges are laid at her door, they also must be laid at mine, since I have been a party to all her movements,” she added.

Keckley continued:

“To defend myself, I must defend the lady that I have served. The world has judged Mrs. Lincoln by the facts which float upon the surface, and through her have partially judged me, and the only way to convince them that wrong was not meditated is to explain the motives that actuated us.”

Born in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, in 1818, Keckley endured years of beatings and sexual assault as a slave. She bore her slave master’s child, George, and was then given away to her owner’s daughter, who moved her to St. Louis.

Keckley learned the art of dressmaking and, in 1852, married James Keckley, whom she believed was free.

Before her marriage, she negotiated a $1,200 price to buy her freedom but discovered she couldn’t raise the money for herself, her son, and her husband.

However, customers to her small seamstress shop loaned Keckley the money to purchase freedom for her and her son, and in 1860, she moved to Washington, D.C. “She left Washington in 1892 to teach domestic skills at Wilberforce University, but ill health forced her to return and spend her final years in the Home for Destitute Women and Children, which she had helped to establish,” historians wrote.

Elizabeth Keckley died in 1907 after suffering a stroke.

We believe in the power of Standing United.

FOR OUR

families. OUR community. OUR future.

At United Way for Southeastern Michigan, we fight for equity, we create change, and we work toward a better future — one where all households are stable and every child thrives.

Learn more at UnitedWaySEM.org/StandUnited.

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| March 3-9, 2021

Black Women for Wellness Program Supports the Souls of Black Women

Roots.

michiganchronicle.com

By Sherri Kolade Their love for all things wellness and about the health of Black women is overwhelmingly beautiful. And their appreciation of the beauty behind supporting the melanated female community is just as breathtaking.

The California-based non-profit organization, Black Women for Wellness (BWW), is dedicated to the health and well-being of Black women and girls through health education, empowerment and advocacy, according to their website, https://www.bwwla.org/.

With countless resources available from healthy eating to community advocacy, the group shows their care and concern in a number of ways that we all can get behind.

They most recently released a winter health guide. Their post on winter encourages reflection and while hibernating, focus on actions that promote good energy for the mind, body and soul.

“Our friends and family feed us more than food, they affirm, support, love on us and fuel us up to survive the winter. Though we are/ were not able to touch our people, the winter days are coming fast.

It is time to look inward. Black Women for Wellness is sharing information, recipes, tools, and techniques with this publication to assist you on your wellness journey as you reflect and nourish yourself for this Winter” according to their post.

They also noted that sometimes self-care looks like: • Exercising & eating healthy • Taking a nap or lounging around • Spending 10 minutes outside • Going to bed early • Saying affirmations • Reading feel-good poetry ... whatever soothes your soul!

Black Women for Wellness also believes in the strength and wisdom of our community and allies.

“We believe that we have the solutions, resources and responsibility to create the shifts and change needed to impact our health status. Each of us must develop our personal power, hold accountable and support acknowledged leadership and…contribute to our survival and growth as a community.”

Started by a group of women who were concerned with the health and well-being of Black babies, they teamed up with the Birthing Project to implement the Shangazi Program.

Their grassroots program matched pregnant women to mentors who coached parents from pregnancy until the child was at least one year old.

Within 4 years of implementation, BWW began moving upstream to address systems and

See WELLNESS page A-4

Michele Lewis Watts and Sommer Woods

In Full Effect: Woods and Watts Effect to Combat Equity and Inclusion Issues

By Megan Kirk Two women are leading the charge in helping businesses realize and strengthen their commitment to diversity, inclusion and social equity. The Woods and Watts Effect, a consultation firm founded by Michele Lewis Watts and Sommer Woods, is designed to provide solutions for companies looking to shift their mindset on systemic racism and navigate towards a more inclusive model.

Launched in January 2021, the Woods and Watts Effect takes a bold and unapologetic approach to break systems meant to keep minorities and underrepresented groups from having a piece of the American Dream. Working alongside individuals within organizations, Woods and Watts are able to get deep into the structure of a business and shift it for the better.

“Our goal is to make sure that in different organizations, projects, companies, that these particular entities are operating with an inclusive lens. The perspective of those that are involved internally and externally are definitely being incorporated into the process itself,” says Woods, chief inclusion officer.

Through a set action plan, the self-proclaimed “system dismantlers” work to diagnose specific problems companies

face in diversity and inclusion, corporate bias and equity and then execute plans to introduce environmental changes for lasting results.

“In the business world, disrupters are highly celebrated. So, the same concept applies to the work that we’re doing,” says Watts, chief equity officer. “To dismantle a system also means to disrupt it.

This is not your business as usual and on the other side of that is greatness, is success.”

A professor at Madonna University, Watts focuses on the content and curriculum of the program. With a background in sports, Watts has been able to explore the racial, social and economic disparities of not only athletes, but clients as well. The Ph.D. graduate has been able to see what lack of inclusion looks like for many across different avenues and help individuals to see the total picture.

“My favorite part is the transformation that people go through. You don’t always necessarily see it when they’re in the journey, but on the other side of that, when people have those ‘aha moments’ when people are on the other side of that and they realize they are better for it, that’s where I get the enjoyment,” Watts says.

Like her partner, Woods, also owner of Solution Architects, has experience

in athletics. For over a decade, Woods has worked with and mentored inner city youth through the Midnight Golf program and has helped to implement golf clinics for youth for the PGA. With over 20 years of experience doing work around diversity and inclusion, the equity advocate has always been immersed in creating a seat at the table for everyone.

“My entire career has always been in the fabric. For both of us, it’s been in the fabric of what we do. It hasn’t been separate. For me, the enjoyment is the legacy, when you’re able to walk away and see the fruits of your labor,” Woods says.

With over 50 years collectively, the duo’s individual experience in both public and private sectors help to provide a unique set of tools and knowledge for clients. Meeting 15 years ago during their work on a Superbowl host committee, the pair would form a bond that translates both personally and professionally.

“We’ve been having conversations for several months, doing the really intentional work around the business, but we’ve been working in and around these spaces for several years since we met each other,” Watts says.

Priding themselves on an engaging, direct and non-traditional approach, these

See CONSULTATION FIRM page A-4

Detroit Flower Company has a Budding Future

By Megan Kirk A local flower shop is budding in the city of Detroit. What started off as a hobby has quickly grown into a lucrative business supplying floral arrangements for everything from birthdays to weddings. With its roots firmly planted in Detroit, this flower shop is becoming the city’s go-to for unique floral designs and custom orders.

Detroit Flower Company, launched in 2018 as a means of earning extra income, soon took off quicker than founder Ja’Nye Hampton could have ever imagined. Working on floral arrangements part-time, Hampton began working at a flower shop in high school. Offered the opportunity to learn more about floral arrangements and design, customers soon helped the growing artist to see a future in bloom.

“It came to a point where I was good at it and customers would come in and ask for me and they would come in and see me. I saw I was creative and that I wanted to take it up a notch,” Hampton says.

Still using flowers as a side

job, Hampton began working as a personal trainer. Soon, there would be no denying flowers would become a more permanent avenue.

“Detroit Flower Company started off as a hobby and it’s turned into something so magical,” Hampton says.

Gaining popularity on social media, in under a year the flower company grew from 700 followers to just over 18,000 on Instagram. With Twitter be-

ing one of the main forces behind the brand’s notoriety, fans quickly began shopping with the floral depot for its colorful and bold arrangements. Becoming the premier spot amongst the city’s millennials, Detroit Flower Company is more than its name, its spreading positivity throughout the city.

“I feel like I’m bringing a lot of what

See DETROIT FLOWER COMPANY page A-4

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com •

March 3-9, 2021

Consultation Firm From page A-3

changemakers start at the ground level with their clients and move them through a series of self-reflective conversations and assessments to begin the process.

“You can’t do any work until you understand what the challenges are,” Woods says. “You can’t do any work unless you know how people think, their procurement process, their hiring process, how they interview people. You have to first understand what is your beginning delta in order for us to do the work moving forward.”

Next, through implementation and execution, the plan to move companies towards a more inclusive environment is hatched. This work, not for the faint of heart, is designed for companies who genuinely want to propel their employees and business to the next level and help foster a more cohesive institution.

Wellness From page A-3

political policy and became a non-profit in 1997.

Black Women for Wellness will continue to implement education, outreach and engagement programs including: • Community • Kitchen Divas Healthy Cooking Program • National Diabetes Prevention Program • Get Smart B4U Get Sexy • Outreach and education • Sisters with Options • EPICCS • Policy work • Sisters in Control Reproductive Justice • Community research • Environmental Justice and Healthy Hair Initiative • Dialog, forums, workshops, institutes, conferences • Sisters @ Eight Kitchen Divas helps individuals of all ages increase

“We want to work with companies that are intentional about this work,” Watts says. “They really, genuinely want to make a change because they want the organization to be better, they want their employees to have a better experience, they want to relate to their customers better, they want to grow their company.”

In recent years, police brutality and social justice have been thrust into focus shedding more light on systemic racism and providing a continuous narrative about exclusion and privilege. Through the works of organizations like Woods and Watts Effect, marginalized communities can start to breathe as new life is birthed.

“We’ve been the only person of color at the table.

We’ve been the only woman at the table. We’ve been the only woman of color at the table,” says Watts. “We’ve been in the trenches. That translates to our work.” their health and well-being through nutritional knowledge, healthy dietary habits, and preventive lifestyle practices.

The program enhances knowledge, attitudes and behavior about cardiovascular, heart, and breast health and cancer risk reduction.

Participants share healthful food preparation knowledge and provide education in nutritional food purchase and cooking practices. Overall, the goal is to improve nutrition by increasing fruits, vegetable and fiber and decreasing fats and preserved meats in diets.

The Sisters in Motion program hosts healthy cooking classes that include professionally guided, educational discussions and peer support. The program works to reduce the occurrence of nutrition-related health risks and increase well-being through instruction on healthy cooking, preventive lifestyle practices, eating habits and physical activity.

For more information visit https://www.bwwla.org/.

Detroit Flower Company From page A-3

is needed in Detroit right now and that’s a lot of love, a lot of genuine love,” Hampton says.

The 22-year-old entrepreneur and graduate of Cass Technical High School wakes up each morning at 5:30 a.m. to prep for the day. Working until late in the evening alongside employees, the flower founder was dedicating her all to the business in 2020.

“Flowers make me feel stable.

It makes me feel like people love me for this,” Hampton explains.

“It’s a healing property. It’s an experience.”

Now, with a growing empire, Detroit Flower Company has a warehouse, employees and a sprouting future. Opening a store location in February 2021, the floral team was able to fulfill hundreds of orders for one of the biggest flower days of the year, Valentine’s Day. “Our very first Valentine’s Day we made about $1,000, which is pretty good for a business that I didn’t put my all into. Last year, we made about $5,000 and I was a full-time personal trainer work-

ing at two restaurants and two gyms. This year, we had to stop our Valentine’s Day orders. It was constant orders all day,” Hampton says.

Despite the highs of the flower shop, balancing professional and personal can prove challenging for any business owner. However, this may especially be the case when the business owner has just celebrated their 22nd birthday. Age aside, continuing to build the empire and expanding the brand’s name in Detroit and beyond is the goal.

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“I try to keep it as raw and as real as possible because most entrepreneurs don’t. I like to show the struggle [along with] the good,” Hampton shares.

Being a young business owner comes with its own set of challenges. However, for this owner, with the love of her city to guide her, providing quality customer service and fresh flowers is the name of the game.

“We are working. We are working so hard behind the scenes to get quick, easy, accessible Detroit Flower bouquets to everybody,” Hampton says.

“I’m regrouping and trying to restructure everything and build the business from the ground up.

Every penny went back into the business. I’m just trying to figure out how to move forward,” Hampton says.

Wanting customers to gain an inside track into the everyday workings of the business, Hampton is sure to post the highs and lows of running a flourishing small business. Creating transparency between the brand and consumers through social media posts, she is able to show a behind-the-scenes look of the cre-

This home belongs to we.

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A5

| March 3-9, 2021

UpNext:

Money.

michiganchronicle.com

Joni Thrower Davis Extends Golden Opportunities UpNext is an editorial series highlighting eight burgeoning business and real estate developers who are impacting the economic mobility of Detroit. Presented by the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the series highlights Detroit professionals who are leaders, innovators, and influencers in their industry and community. This week’s UpNext profile is Joni Thrower Davis, CEO of Jamjomar III LLC. Davis owns four McDonald’s restaurants, employing more than 150 people.

The golden arches are in Davis’s blood. Her parents acquired the McDonald’s on Mack and I-75 in 1989. Davis can easily recall wiping down tables after completing homework as a kid and interacting with customers.

“My siblings and I grew up in the business. My parents drilled in us the importance of entrepreneurship. I knew that I did want to go into the family business,” said Davis.

Yet initially, Davis chose law.

For almost a decade, she was a banking lawyer and, despite being the second oldest, was the last of her four siblings to become a McDonald’s owner.

The Woman Over Demolition:

LaJuan Counts Makes Her Work Count in Detroit

By Sherri Kolade Joni Thrower Davis “I always knew that’s what I wanted to do. I just wanted to make sure I was a valued add to the family,” said Davis.

Davis has since indeed proved her worth. She has received the Ray Kroc Award, which recognizes McDonald’s top general managers.

The annual performance-based award honors the top one percent of McDonald’s restaurant managers in the country.

She is a firm believer in the golden opportunities her locations are able to provide the community.

“Our biggest asset is our people. We believe we are America’s first best job. For kids, if we are able to give them a good experience and foundation, then I feel like I’m doing my part,” said Davis.

“We have opportunities available for people from all walks of life.

From folks that are retired and want to do something every week to folks that are looking for a new job or something in between.”

Davis considers it her duty to continue the tradition of her parents of setting others up for success. She recalls how many of her classmates turned coworkers have since gone on to impact metro Detroit in a variety of fields.

“When I think about all of my friends who got their first start through our organization, they’ve gone on to become judges, health care, and school administrators.

When you think about how McDonald’s touches the community, it has a very long reach in that people can feel comfortable knowing that when they spend their money in one of our restaurants, we’re going to put that money back into our community.”

As far as bettering the region, Davis looks to elected officials to lead the way.

“It would be up to our legislators being able to provide citizens with not only everything they need to survive but including businesses as well,” said Davis. “As long as there is a healthy balance between the business community and the local community, we can definitely work together.”

Whether it be impacting her community through the organizations she serves, like the Charles H. Wright Museum, or continuing her family’s entrepreneurship legacy, Davis’s mission is simple.

“I want to leave whatever I touch better than when I came.”

LaJuan Counts has been at the helm of the city’s new demolition department for the past year -- and what a year it’s been.

From Counts being the first Black female at the city’s Demolition Director to Proposal N passing, Counts spoke to The Michigan Chronicle about how things are shaping up for her and what’s next.

Counts, who has been with the city for 23 years in various roles has experience in construction management and contractor management. Her prior role was the director of the General Services Department.

Counts said that while she’s a trailblazer in her own right she prefers “flying under the radar.”

“I am from Detroit -- born and raised here -- and I came to the city [government] with the intent of working hard, keeping my head down, and staying focused,” she said, adding that when the opportunity came up, she took it.

Counts said that when the city increased opportunities for minority contractors, she wanted to grow the visibility of African American faces in the field she described as “dying” as far as the participation of Black people.

“I took the opportunity to let it be known … you can be an African American and woman and run a demolition program -- anything is possible,” Counts said, adding that the construction industry is not just blue-collar. “It can start out

that way and if that is what you can enjoy it can be that for you -- you can become project managers and project executives.

So, you run a series of projects.”

Counts added that she paved her own way to get into the construction industry and her supportive parents saw her vision down the line.

She added that with the passage of Proposal N, further strides are being made to tear down blight in Detroit. Recently Mayor Mike Duggan announced that the majority of the work to remove dilapidated homes and areas of blight in Detroit would be done by Detroit companies. That discussion came to fruition earlier in January with the first $30 million in demolition bid contracts recently awarded to seven companies. All of the companies are small ones headquartered in Detroit; five are Black-owned and one is Black woman-owned.

“I really feel like it is an opportunity, especially with work focused in the city -- it is an opportunity for kids to see work around their homes and an opportunity for them to see people who look just like them do the work,” she said, adding that when people typically go on construction sites they see “only a few faces of color in the group … (This is an) opportunity for our youth to see the culture here, to see it in action.”

She added that detractors who might not want blight removed have to see the bigger picture.

“In order for the improvements to happen sometimes demolition is just a natural process,” she said, adding that

buildings worthy of being saved can be saved. “The blight is not telling the story for us.”

Donald Rencher, director of Housing and Revitalization for the city of Detroit, told The Michigan Chronicle that he is looking forward to having a continued partnership with Counts, who he has worked with on projects before.

“We are looking forward to ensuring that we are doing a lot of blight elimination in the city of Detroit. Not only is it for safety precautions in neighborhoods, it also helps increase the value of ownership,” Rencher said. “Housing in the city of Detroit is probably one of the most important initiatives we have.”

In a city that housed 1.5 to 2 million people, it’s time to remove the dilapidated houses that remain abandoned relics in a city now with nearly 675,000 residents, Rencher said. Around the 1950s, Detroit peaked with nearly 2 million residents according to reports.

“We don’t have that (population) but the houses are still here,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to Counts working on the next phase of “how we get it down.”

“I think anybody who knows LaJuan knows that she is amazing and completely dedicated to … delivering on her promise to do these demolitions and improving neighborhoods in the city of Detroit,” he said. “And they couldn’t have picked a better person to lead that activity. … I’m looking forward to seeing how she carries out the initiative.”

Taking Care of the Last Mile:

Local Amazon Delivery Service Partner Ensures Packages Make It Home

By Sherri Kolade

support, infrastructure, technology and a host of exclusive services. In the two years since its inception, these entrepreneurs have experienced remarkable growth, with more than 1,300 DSPs operating across the U.S., Canada, UK, Spain and Germany and nearly 85,000 jobs created.

Annis Brown, 39, CEO of Stubb Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner based out of the Wixom delivery station, wants to make sure your packages get to your house safely.

Employing nearly 100 delivery drivers, Annis and her husband, who also works for Stubb Logistics, are passionate about doing so by hiring and growing local people within their company and community.

“I want people to have a job that they’re proud of,” she explains of her teamwork spirit.

Ten years ago, Annis was profiled as one of Crain’s “20 in their Twenties,” having returned from New York to lead the Teach for America program in Detroit. Today, her passion

Annis Brown, 39, is the CEO of Stubb Logistics, an Amazon Delivery Service Partner based out of the Wixom delivery station. Photo provided by Annis Brown for people and business is exemplified by how she gives back to metro Detroiters.

logistics with aspiring entrepreneurs, according to the company.

In 2018, Amazon launched the Delivery Service Partner (DSP) program to share its experience in operations and

The program helps entrepreneurs build their own lastmile delivery companies from the ground up with Amazon’s

Owners include military veterans, former sellers on Amazon.com, educators, city council members and others from a variety of backgrounds.

They are great coaches and mentors who have built customer-obsessed teams that have delivered more than 1.8 billion packages worldwide, using more than 40,000 Prime-branded last-mile vehicles—from electric to step vans—generating more than $4.5 billion in revenue for

See DELIVERY page A6

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com • March 3-9, 2021

DTE Energy appoints Monique Wells as director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Digital Vision. / iStock via Getty Images Plus

3 Tips to Own Your Financial Outcome in 2021

(StatePoint) 2020 was more than just a health crisis, it had ripple effects on nearly every aspect of our lives, including our long-term financial plans.

Research from Lincoln Financial Group shows that personal finance concerns have intensified over the past year. Nearly half of Americans say they are preparing for the 2020 election’s impact on their investments and retirement accounts, and a vast majority have expressed a need for financial education to help them be better prepared for the future. As uncertainty continues amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Americans’ hopes of a comfortable retirement are at risk.

“If you are nearing your retirement years, the events of this past year may have been especially concerning, and if you are rethinking your retirement plans altogether in light of 2020, you’re not alone,” says John Kennedy, head of Retirement Solutions Distribution at Lincoln Financial Group. “The good news is that with some smart steps and proper planning, you can set yourself up to feel more in control of your finances in the year ahead and for years to come.”

Kennedy offers the following tips to pandemic-proof and own your financial outcome in 2021: 1.

Talk with a financial professional. If you’re not already, consider talking to a financial professional about your goals, roadblocks and concerns, especially given today’s circumstances. Lincoln’s research shows that nearly a third of Americans agree that now is a good time

to talk with one. They are well-positioned to help you consider a broad range of solutions that best address your individual needs and situation.

2.

Protect your income. Your advisor may suggest diversifying your portfolio to include an annuity, which is a financial product that can provide you with protected income in retirement. Solutions like an annuity can help you feel better prepared to navigate volatility, protect the retirement savings you’ve worked hard for, as well as provide a legacy for loved ones.

“With annuities, you have options for both protected growth and income that can help you feel more secure that you can maintain your lifestyle in a down market,” added Kennedy.

3.

Stay the course. New research shows that an unpredictable market concerns more people than actual investment losses. But while market twists and turns may take you for a ride, it’s important to resist the temptation to jump off altogether.

By proofing your portfolio to weather market ups and downs, you can guard against market losses, while keeping your money invested for growth.

For more resources and tips, visit www.lfg.com.

As you look ahead to a new year, it can be empowering to shift focus onto matters within your control. Proper financial planning, along with strategies that offer protection and opportunities for growth, can help you feel more secure as you work toward your investment goals.

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) announced the appointment of Monique Wells as its director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), effective immediately. Wells will be responsible for accelerating DTE’s progress in building a workplace where everyone feels valued and able to contribute their best energy toward serving our customers, communities and each other.

and Technical Education, and graduated from Michigan Technological University with her Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She has experience as a production engineer at Dow and an instructor at Toledo Technology Academy.

Delivery

gets to see firsthand some of the most “incredible” people working for her and her husband.

Wells serves on Spring Arbor University’s Engineering Advisory Board, as well as Michigan Tech University College of Engineering’s Advisory Board. She “This is a critical time was also a member of CE in history for us to work Women’s Engineering Nettogether toward unity work (WEN) Steering Comand equity,” Wells said. mittee.

“I’m excited to be part of a team at DTE who are so “We are pleased Monique will be a key leader passionate about the comin furthering our DEI roadpany’s shared core values map and cultural journey, and about celebrating peoworking beside leaders, ple’s diverse voices, perteam members and comspectives and ideas.” munity partners, all comWells was previously mitted to creating a workthe Diversity, Equity and place and environment Inclusion Project Managwelcoming for all,” said er at Consumers Energy. Monique Wells Diane Antishin, vice presIn that role, Wells was reident, Human Resources sponsible for supporting the strategic Operations and Chief Diversity and Inefforts of the inclusion and strategic clusion Officer, DTE Energy. sourcing department, including the de“Monique’s deep knowledge of divervelopment and deployment of the diversity, equity and inclusion, along with her sity, equity, and inclusion company-wide engineering and teaching experience, strategy, and leading cross-functional will build on our progress within our teams in the design, implementation, and company and in our communities,” said execution of DEI goals, metrics, and conJerry Norcia, president and CEO, DTE tinuous improvement plans. Throughout Energy. “She will be a great resource for her career, Monique has built inclusive our company and the communities we and thriving teams. serve, and I look forward to supporting Wells graduated from the University of Monique’s leadership and seeing the colToledo with her Master’s degree in Career lective impact our efforts will make.”

From page A-5

their small businesses.

Last August, Amazon announced a new diversity grant to help reduce the barriers to entry for Black, Latinx, and Native American entrepreneurs interested in starting a DSP. With the launch of this grant program, Amazon is investing in building a future for diverse business owners to serve their communities. The $1 million commitment funds start-up costs, offering $10,000 for each qualified candidate to build their DSP businesses in the U.S. Those interested in applying can visit logistics.amazon.com.

Brown said that she and her husband grew up in Detroit and it’s “been a real gift” to have time to work together where before they were both running around in corporations.

She added that in her line of work she

“Most of them are Detroiters,” she said. “It is a pleasure to see so many of my employees grow and have an opportunity to make a living wage.”

Jessica Pawl, an Amazon spokesperson, said that not a lot of news has been released on Amazon’s delivery service partner program with local business owners.

“Annis is one of the first folks who we’re trying to do some sharing of her story and of the program in general,” she said, adding that Brown is rocking in her role for her “passion for people” as a front-lines, local, small business owner.

“Giving back is in my bones,” she’s told Pawl in the past.

“They’re devoted to delivering smiles to Amazon customers but also to empowering and growing their team,” Pawl told The Michigan Chronicle.

Once you get your dose of hope, mask up while others get theirs.

One day in the future, we won’t need to wear masks. But for right now, we all need to keep wearing masks. Even after you get vaccinated. The virus is still out there. Help protect your friends, family and neighbors.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine

BLACK WOMEN

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

A Real Times Media Newspaper

March 3-9, 2021 | Page A-7

First Black Woman to Earn a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from University of Michigan Shows ‘Em How it’s Done

By Sherri Kolade

search. And while she can’t talk too much about her work, she said she and her team e see them. They’re leading the way are looking at radiation and how it affects as influencers in their own right. things. This goes along the lines of radiation Black millennials who are ahead of imaging, like x-rays. the curve and serving in a lane, and league, “That is nuclear engineering at a basic levall their own. This four-part series delves into el,” she said, adding that she mentors young who they are and what’s next for them. This boys and girls and wants to teach them that is Part 2. people who look like them can make it. She She’s very much in a league of her own. even made a cartoon about it through https:// She forgot that she applied to the prestigious goldieblox.com/.

“That was important to me,” she said of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ranked the #1 university in the world and showing children representations of herself particularly known for its high-ranking engi- in cartoon form. Her cartoon self has an afro.

“Kids will start to see themselves in these neering program.

“I was accepted into MIT -- I was sur- different areas.”

Sivels’ work led her to help develop a prised,” Ciara Sivels, a Virginia native, said.

“I forgot I applied to MIT. I didn’t know what unique detection system for radioxenon, a MIT was when I applied. … It was kind of like, gas linked to explosions from nuclear weapons testing, according to the MIT website.

‘Wow. Now what do I do?’”

She also worked in experimental studies to Sivels, born in detect the release 1990, now works of radioxenon as senior progas from underfessional staff at ground nuclear the Johns Hopweapons testing, kins University an effort driven Applied Physics by the CompreLaboratory. Behensive Nuclear fore that, she Test Ban Treaty, went to MIT and the website addmajored in nued. This research clear science expanded to beand engineering come the foundawith a focus on tion of her gradnuclear nonprouate studies at liferation and a the University of concentration in Michigan. middle school ed“I helped deucation. velop a novel deShe graduated vice to improve from MIT in 2013 and then earned The doctor is in the house. Dr. Ciara Sivels in all her monitoring staa Master’s Degree humble glory is paving the way for the next woman, tions all over the from the Univer- or man, of color to achieve their dreams in the nucle- world, where desity of Michigan ar engineering field. Photo provided by Ciara Sivels tectors run 24/7,” she says on the in nuclear engiwebsite. “We fabneering and radiological sciences in 2015. ricated something that could plug and play in Afterward, she received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan graduating in 2018, existing technology at these stations.”

Crystal A. Green, of the University of Michthe first African American woman to graduigan, said that the duo supported each other ate from this program.

“Never in a million years would I have pre- in finishing their Ph.D. programs.

“What I admired about Ciara, was her tedicted that I’d be working as a nuclear engineer in a major research laboratory,” Sivels nacity and her caring spirit that allowed said in an MIT post. “My original dream was her to reach back as she excelled further,” Green said. “Whenever I was having a diffito be a pastry chef.”

During a Zoom interview with Sivels, she cult time in the program, she was always told The Michigan Chronicle how she evolved there for me and offered me unbiased advice her life plans and changed the face of nuclear on how to move forward. When I asked her engineering. During the discussion, Sivels, to work alongside me as an instructor in the wearing leopard print hoop earrings with a NERS-sponsored DAPCEP outreach program, natural hairstyle and beaming smile, came ‘Glow Blue,’ Ciara did not hesitate and she across as very unassuming, which she says specifically taught on the global impacts of she gets a lot. She even chooses to not tell nuclear non-proliferation.”

Green added that in this outreach propeople her trailblazing achievements to avoid gram the two taught other young Black, attention. But she still shines brightly.

“If you ask any of my friends, I’m very un- Brown, and minority middle and high school assuming,” she said, smiling and laughing students about nuclear engineering. throughout the interview, adding that it is “Seeing black women Ph.D. students repnot her personality to tell people who she is resented showed our students that their fuat first. “You will get a shift and immediately tures were bright and possibilities were end(people will) expect you to be a certain way.” less,” she said. “Even though I finished my Sivels said that things like her accom- Ph.D. a short while after Ciara, Ciara blazed plishments are milestones but also stepping a trail that made things a little easier for me, stones to get to where she is in the next other Black students, and women that came after. ... I am excited to see what the future phase of her life.

Currently, she is working on nuclear en- has in store for her and grateful to have her gineering endeavors to help with cancer re- as a friend and colleague.”

W

AJ WILLIAMS Managing Editor

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997

LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

CONTACT US 1452 Randolph • Detroit, MI 48226 • (313) 963-8100 e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com

Detroit Medical Center Names First Black Female Chair of Adult Neurosurgical Department

By Megan Kirk

‘mommy does your head hurt?’

She said, ‘yes’ and I told her I A local Detroit doctor has re- would fix her and make her better. turned home from her time in Ka- I went to the kitchen and got utenlamazoo to take on a new role, that sils from the kitchen and came of the Chair of the Detroit Medical back and said, ‘mommy close your Center’s Adult Neurosurgical De- eyes I’m going to do brain surgery partment, and she’s breaking bar- on you,’” Eden says. riers in the process.

At one point considering a fuDr. Sonia Eden always knew ture in veterinary medicine, the she wanted to practice medicine. doctor’s interests were solidified As a child, excelling in S.T.E.M after being able to witness a live courses in school, Dr. Eden gradu- surgery. Knowing the brain interated from Yale University pre-med ested her, she was asked if she with a Mechanical Engineering de- would like to see the brain up gree. Going on to complete medi- close and personal. cal school at the Uni“Near the end of versity of Michigan high school, I had a and a residency at the chance to see a brain University of Michisurgery at Henry gan Medical Center in Ford Hospital during Neurological Surgery, a summer program the doctor spent the there for research… last 12 years practicit was brain related ing neurosurgery in research and they Kalamazoo and held knew I was fascinatan academic affilied by the brain and ation with Western asked if I wanted to Michigan University. see a brain surgery,” Dr. Eden says. “It was “The whole time, at that point I knew my path was towards neurosurgery was it neurosurgery. I did for me.” engineering, just in case. I’ve always had After a career rootthis fear that I would ed in helping, the docbe afraid of human Dr. Sonia Eden tor admires creating blood and things of lasting connections that nature, so I did mechanical and establishing trust with her paengineering as a backup in case tients. While also enjoying the opthat happened, but I never had to erating room, Dr. Eden’s expertise use it,” Dr. Eden says. and skill fall in line with building Now, leading the charge as the true ties with those in her care. first African American woman “My favorite thing about being to chair the adult neurosurgical a doctor is [really] two things. The department for the Detroit Med- first thing is operating. I love beical Center, Dr. Eden is also the ing in surgery and doing surgeries Interim Chair of Neurosurgery at and having the instant gratificaWayne State University School of tion and the technical skills and Medicine. the ability to do something to a paAs a child, trips to the family tient and see them improve,” Dr. doctor were exciting as it meant Eden says. “The second thing that the future doctor would have a I like about medicine is the human chance to interact with someone connection. We connect with, not who would serve as an inspira- only our patients, but colleagues tion. At a young age, Dr. Eden and that means a lot to me.” knew medicine would be her path Paving the way for others, this and it was in large part because of doctor is not focused on accomthose trips to see the doctor. plishments, but the true work of “It was early on when I decid- being a doctor. Often the only Afried I wanted to be a doctor,” Eden can American female at the table, says. “When I was a little girl, we finding other mentors in her field used to go to the doctor, our fam- of work can prove difficult. ily doctor, Dr. Coon. Dr. Coon had “Over the years, I’ve grown used a really big impact on me,” Eden to being the only one in the room says. doing what I do,” Dr. Eden says. “I The young physician began to think that sometimes it has been show signs of being interested in, a little bit of an adversity when not just medicine, but the brain. it comes to me reaching out and Detailing a memory from child- finding mentors and connections hood, Dr. Eden shares her mother in my field or people to support may have had insight into the fu- me who look like me.” ture. A sufferer of migraines, Dr. Now, back in the city, the docEden’s mother could be seen as tor is stepping into her new roles the doctor’s very first patient as and looking forward to assisting she recounts the memory. the residents of Detroit.

“One day, I was about four or “I’m back. I’m happy to be back five and my mom was lying down. home and serving the communiAnd I came up to her and asked, ty,” Dr. Eden says.

Millennial Moment: Local Attorney Monique Eubanks Inspires Other Black Women Looking at Law

By Sherri Kolade We see them. They’re leading the way as influencers in their own right. Black millennials who are ahead of the curve and serving in a lane, and league, all their own. This four-part series delves into who they are and what’s next for them. This is the final installment.

Livonia resident Monique Eubanks, 34, is a legal force to be reckoned with.

As a newly licensed attorney specializing in business litigation, the petite powerhouse holds her own court and is creating a lane for herself and other sisters also looking at a career in law.

“Currently, I enjoy the variation and diversification that business litigation can bring,” she told The Michigan Chronicle. “It is never boring. Whether it is a product liability claim regarding the failure of a product to perform safely or dissolution of a business.”

Eubanks, who has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business from Wayne State University (WSU), said that she feels like a trailblazer because Black women only make up about 2 percent of the legal field (according to the ABA (American Bar Association) Journal. And the good Lord knows that more Black women need to have a seat at the table in that space.

To put it in perspective, according to https://law. marquette.edu/, in 2017 minority women represented 2.8 percent of equity partners in Big Law, compared to 20.6 percent of all women.

Also, according to the National Association for Law Placement’s 2018 Report on Diversity in U.S. Law Firms “minority women continue to be the most dramatically underrepresented group at the partnership level, a pattern that holds across all firm sizes and most jurisdictions.”

Eubanks is continuing to clear a path for others -even amid challenges of her own. At the end of her first year of law school her mother suffered an aneurysm -- six months later, on her birthday, her father passed away.

“Fortunately, after spending a year and a half in the hospital, my mother is home recovering. All of this was difficult to deal with especially while in law school.

However, despite these challenging circumstances, it forced me to focus on my goals even more,” she said.

“Life is going to be full of ups and downs, it’s important to have a support system that you can lean on and to push you forward.”

Local attorney Monique Eubanks is a legal trail blazer. Photo provided by Monique Eubanks She counts L. Alisyn Crawford, a local attorney, as one of those in her corner. Crawford, now practicing for seven years, is the first attorney in their family and she has served as a pseudo-mentor to her cousin since she started law school.

“When Monique made the decision to go to law school, I knew it was the perfect fit for her personality, drive and intelligence,” she said. “It has been remarkable watching Monique cultivate her skills as a mentee to now supporting others as a mentor.”

Eubanks, who champions making connections and mentorship, saw how important that support was, especially as the president of the Black Law Student Association (BLSA) at Wayne State Law School during her second year. The goal of BLSA is to increase Black representation in the legal field, she said.

“A lot of the Black law students were the first in their families to go to law school,” she said, adding that about 5 percent of the legal field is made up of Black people according to a 2019 ABA Journal report.

“Some minority students do not have the same luxuries of asking our family what to expect during the first year of law school. ... Therefore, we depend on each other for guidance and encouragement. BLSA did that for me. After being a recipient of support, I wanted to do the same for other students.”

Eubanks, who has a 14-year-old son, also received the Damon J. Keith Scholarship when she began law school in the fall of 2017, which made it financially possible for her to go to school when she was working full-time as a single mother.

“Taking on another six figures in student loan debt

was not something that I could have done,” she said.

“However, the Damon J. Keith Scholarship is aimed at providing opportunity for minorities to gain a law degree because we are severely underrepresented in the legal field. This scholarship is another reminder for me to pay it forward. Damon J. Keith blazed a trail so I could walk through and also help others make it through, too.”

Eubanks said that her ultimate goal 10 to 15 years from now is to “effect change” in her community. She’s off to a good start.

She started her professional career at Chase Bank as a licensed banker after graduating from WSU. In less than 18 months, she went from a banker to an assistant manager to a branch manager, all while completing her MBA degree. During her seven years at Chase Bank, a good portion of her time was spent working in the city of Detroit.

“I was able to work in the branch, in the neighborhood I grew up in,” she said, adding that ensuring small business owners in the city knew of grants and resources that were available became a big focus for herself and her team.

Once she decided to go to law school, she left Chase to work in the Treasury Department for the City of Detroit.

Eubanks said that her goal is to do her part so that the legal field begins to adequately represent people “who look like me.”

“Whether this will be done with me being a partner at a law firm in which Black women representation is sorely needed … or a judge,” she said, adding that Detroit still has yet to have its first Black female mayor.

There’s also never been a Black woman on the Michigan Supreme Court.

“We have to show up and fill these seats,” she said.

Rejanae Brooks, a third-year law student interning at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Conviction Integrity Unit, said that Eubanks is everything she aspires to be as a lawyer and a mentor.

“Monique was one of the first people I met in 2018 when I moved to Michigan to attend Wayne State Law School. … If I needed a study buddy, a friend, a teacher, it didn’t matter because I could count on her. I admire how gracefully she handles all of life’s adversities and uses them as motivation to work even harder. … I am proud to know Monique and excited to continue to watch her trail blaze.”

Page A-8 • michiganchronicle.com •

March 3-9, 2021

This shouldn’t be how we say hello...or goodbye.

It’s our reality right now. But it won’t be if we do what it takes to beat COVID-19. Vaccines are coming, but until enough of us are vaccinated, we all still need to wear our masks, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid indoor social gatherings. The more we slow the spread, the faster we’ll return to normal hellos … and fewer goodbyes.

Learn more about vaccines and slowing the spread at cdc.gov/coronavirus

Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

City ity.. Life ife.. Style.

B1 | March 3-9, 2021

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

michiganchronicle.com

An Easy Pill to Swallow:

Birth Control Options for Women Over 30

By Sherri Kolade Birth control has come a long way and Black women are taking advantage of the latest and greatest (and tried and true methods) to keep babies at bay for now, later or forever.

Danielle D. Hughes

Female Authors

From 16th century BCE Egyptian and Mesopotamian women mixing unripe acacia fruit with honey and ground dates to use as a spermicide to the pill becoming approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1960 – women have many choices today. But which one is the right one?

Local doctors share what’s what. But, not so fast.

By: Megan Kirk

Detroit is a land of opportunity. From a city where hustling was born, entrepreneurs are steadily finding their way to make their own mark on the city. For those talented with words, sharing stories of success and triumph while helping others along the way is their form of entrepreneurship.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly two-thirds of U.S. women use contraception; Detroit resident Tikoya Lanier-Nwabuisi, 39, is one of those women.

Author Kimberly Mallory was born in Detroit into a family where her mother passed away early on in her life and she, along with her sister, were sent by their father to live with relatives in Florida. Forced into a life of abuse as a young child, Mallory would soon find herself on the other end of addiction. During the height of the 1980s crack epidemic, Mallory suffered the effects of the Ronald Reagan Kimberly Mallory era.

Lanier-Nwabuisi wants kids in the future but recently became a new bonus mom to a five-year-old and an eight-yearold.

She said that she’s used oral birth control in the past and it didn’t work for her; now an IUD is more to her liking.

“Birth control is used to treat reproductive health issues as well as preventing pregnancy and even with this you have options,” she said, adding that when she was first given oral birth control it made her sick and caused her to have blackouts and fainting spells.

Lanier-Nwabuisi said that she’s learned through the years how to be an advocate for her own health and to “speak up when something doesn’t feel or seem right.”

“Personal research and talking to doctors directly have been the modes that have worked best for me,” Lanier-Nwabuisi said. “I ask questions until I feel satisfied with the answers then I pray about the rest and make a decision.”

Dr. Earlexia M. Norwood, service chief of Family Medicine at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, said that there are multiple forms of contraceptives available so women “actually have a choice.”

“Historically, women have had only limited choices for options … the first place to start for women 30 or over, or younger, is to think about what they want long-term,” Norwood said, adding that the primary question is, are the women searching for birth control options interested in having more children, or not.

Detroit’s Inspirational

“I knew that I had a testimony. I need to share, and that inspired me to know who my book could help,” Mallory says.

Christen Rochon

Released September 11, 2020, the autobiographical work outlines the road this author traveled to sobriety.

“There’s No Sound in My Scream” is an in-depth look into addiction, family, faith and survival.\

See FEMALE AUTHORS Page B-2

Kelly Brown

She added that she provides women with long-term and short-term contraception choices, and discusses the health risks associated with them.

Some permanent birth control procedures include getting a tubal ligation where a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked.

“This little tube is inserted on both sides of the fallopian tubes to cause scarring so eggs are not released,” she said.

She added that this surgery is more costly than a vasectomy, which is cheaper and less invasive and can be done in an out-patient procedure.

“Most men don’t want to do that,” she said, adding that birth control, no matter the route, is not 100 percent effective.

For women over 30 who are healthy, looking to have more children and want something long-term, they can consider taking a birth control pill.

“If you are over 30 and you are a smoker, birth control pills are no longer recommended,” she said. “We know that it increases your risks of heart attacks or strokes.”

Norwood said IUDs (used by mothers and grandmothers generations ago) are placed in the uterus and are a bit different today. There is still a copper IUD also for emergency contraception for women who

See BIRTH CONTROL Page B-2

MUA Brandi Taylor Launches Xquisitelooks Beauty Brand Move over there is a new cosmetics brand in town and Xquisitelooks is bringing fresh brows and full lashes to a beat near you.

After working as a makeup artist for several years, Brandi Taylor, founder of the beauty brand, was looking to expand her business beyond artistry.

Using the name as a makeup artist, the entrepreneur set sights on shifting focus from handson service to offering a line of products for beauty enthusiasts. Already having buzz around the name, Xquisitelooks laid the foundation for the brand’s beauty mark.

“I had been a makeup artist for 14 years. I’ve worked in print, editorial, bridal and film,” Taylor says. “I’ve always wanted to launch a cosmetics line, being a makeup artist and a makeup lover. I actually thought it would be a

See BRANDI TAYLOY Page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • March 3-9, 2021

Black Women Wellness Influencers You Need to Know

Dr. Earlexia M. Norwood of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, wants women to learn what birth control options work best for their bodies. Photo provided by the Henry Ford Health System

Birth Control From page B-1

have sex without protection but don’t want to get pregnant.

“The copper IUD … has changed a bit and lasts for 10 years and there are no hormones in it,” she said of the IUD she described as “one of the great saving graces” that can give women longer contraception if they don’t know if they want to have kids or not, but don’t want to take something every day.

Norwood added that the one of the most popular birth control forms is the Mirena IUD which lasts for about five years. It is a hormonal IUD that women like because it can help decrease the likelihood of them getting their cycle.

IUDs are placed by the physician during an office procedure and are checked occasionally during a pap smear to ensure the IUD is still in place.

“I think the IUDs are a great way to have long-term contraception for women who are looking to not conceive because they’re trying to finish their career, school,” and the like she said. “I think we’re seeing a lot more women using that form of contraception as opposed to taking birth control pills every day.”

From injections every three months (certain ones can increase weight) to tiny arm implants and vaginal rings (inserted into the vaginal canal) and kept in for about three weeks and removed during menstruation and replaced with a new one, Norwood added that hormonal birth controls continue to be popular. Non-hormonal barrier methods are popular, too.

Some include male and female condoms, a diaphragm, a cervical cap, vaginal sponges, and the rhythm method, which she said is not reliable.

“If you are looking for contraception and protection against an STD use a barrier method,” Norwood said.

“I don’t care what you’re using, if you are not in a committed one-on-one relationship use a barrier method to decrease your risk.”

Beaumont Dr. Shari Maxwell, program director of the Obstetrics & Gy-

Brandi Taylor From page B-1

lot harder than it actually really was.”

Originally launched in November 2020 with Black women in mind, Xquisitelooks, the cosmetics brand, developed at a rapid rate. After just three months of planning, researching and picking a manufacturing company to create the product, the cosmetics line debuted.

“It can take longer just depending. I knew exactly what I wanted and so I didn’t test a whole lot of companies. I started with companies that allow you to order smaller batches,” Taylor explains.

With the onset of the pandemic and face mask mandates, full-face looks have become less popular. Still, wanting to offer access to quality products, Taylor focused on producing what is in the most use.

“I decided to carry brow and lash products because, let’s face it, right now a lot of people are wearing masks. I had done some research and in cosmetics sales, lipstick sales are down, but people are still buying lashes, mascara and brow products,” Taylor explains. “I decided to start with what’s trending and what people are buying right now.”

Offering a full arsenal for brows and lashes, the beauty brand has no plans of stopping. With more products launching within the year, Xquisitelooks will soon introduce another staple product to enhance beauty bags everywhere.

“I’m looking to launch my lipstick line in Spring 2021. So, I will plan on adding some lipstick colors and we will see how it goes to expand the line after that,” Taylor says.

Beaumont’s Dr. Shari Maxwell helps women with birth control options.

Photo provided by Beaumont Health necology Residency Program, helps women with birth control options, and said that some patients have very strong desires to not have hormonal birth control options, while other patients don’t mind either way.

“When I’m trying to counsel patients or educate them [I] let them know the two types of birth control: some are associated with hormones and some that are not.”

Maxwell added that she gets a feel for where they are on their journey and see what possible concerns and hesitations they might have.

She added that she knows the disparity in care Black women have received from doctors who might have given them limited birth control options instead of the full spectrum.

“It is really important for the physician to make sure that the patient understands what their options are and get a feel for how involved the patient wants to be in taking or using a particular form of birth control,” she said.

“If a person is forgetful, pills may not be the best method,” she said, adding that abstinence is the best contraception, but if that is not in the game plan, choosing the best birth control is the next best thing. “I have to find out what your goals are.”

Maxwell has young and older patients who come to her Dearborn office in different phases of their lives and birth control journey. She said some patients come to her with planned pregnancies and a lot of unplanned pregnancies, especially for her older patients.

“Older women come in saying, ‘I wasn’t expecting to get pregnant again,” she said adding that some of her patients who don’t use birth control (only the rhythm method) never get pregnant. “I say they’re more lucky than not.

“Certainly, as an African American female patient make sure your doctor is taking the time to discuss those options with you and not just pushing something on you because it is the easy thing to do,” she said. “I even tell my patients when I put them on pills if this doesn’t work for you, I’ve got all kinds of pills because everything doesn’t work for everybody.”

Beyond lip shades, the next musthave has yet to be released, however fans may have a clue. Through research, Taylor is letting customers decide what is next for the line.

“I’m starting to see now what people are gravitating to the most. As I’m paying attention to the data, I’m able to tailor it to my next launch and really see what my customers are asking for and what they want,” Taylor says.

Currently, the self-funded brand is sold exclusively online with hopes of growing into a big box beauty brand.

“I would just like to eventually see Xquisitelooks in Sephora or Ulta or something like that. I would love to see it in stores one day,” Taylor says.

Starting off with smaller orders allowed this owner to perfect the brand’s products.

For beauty buffs looking to launch a cosmetics line in the future, Taylor offers these words of advice: “Don’t order too much product when you’re starting out. Start off with a few products and the minimum you can do. You don’t know how it will sell and you don’t want to be left with a bunch of products.”

Small businesses across the city have faced unforeseen financial challenges this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to Taylor, buying a product from Xquisitelooks means having the opportunity to support a small Black female-owned business.

“When I’m thinking of buying something, I’m thinking of is there a small business that I can buy something from,” Taylor says, “If you’re thinking of buying brow products or thinking of buying some lashes, think of, not even just my brand, but just think of a small brand you can support and help support someone’s dream.”

They’re the women of wellness – Black women from all over that we stan for their brilliance and devotion for a better life one breath and action at a time.

These women mean business and we can’t wait to follow them along on their meaningful journeys.

Jessamyn Stanley is a body-positive promoter and the founder of Underbelly Yoga. She shows her followers how to perfect their practice at any stage, and encourages everyone to reject the outdated, backward stereotypes of the fitness industry. She spreads her messages through her Instagram, her podcast (Dear Jessamyn), and her book, “Every Body Yoga: Let Go of Fear, Get On the Mat, Love Your Body.”

Phyllicia Bonanno is a yoga teacher and sound bath practitioner who also holds a certificate in Reiki (an alternative form of energy healing). She always shares her life experiences and encourages others to practice self-care, whether through activities like yoga and meditation or simply through sitting with their ideas and feelings. On her web page Bonanno shares virtual sound bath healing sessions and dates of her yoga classes.

Crystal Jones uses her platform, Black Women in Wellness, to engage Black women to embrace their wholeness and divinity through thought-provoking questions and statements that guide them inward. “As Black women, often, we outsource our power and question our inner knowing. My platforms shift consciousness and cultivate brave spaces to travel within,” she said online for her brand Lauren Ash is the founder of Black Girl in Om, an online community that offers easily accessible mediation classes to Black women and women of all races. Her guided meditations are relaxing and uplifting as her soothing voice guides people through their meditation

and helps them center themselves while thinking about their role in the world overall. Black Girl in Om is a page that provides both resources and introspective captions.

Christyna Johnson shows how to confront the diet culture and “rules” about food and fitness in a good way. Johnson, a registered dietitian nutritionist, shows followers how to do exactly that.

Her knowledge on weight, eating disorder recovery, body shaming and more encourages her followers to have a better relationship with food.

Lalah Deliah is an author and wellness educator whose purpose is to help others ascend to a higher vibration. Her most recent book, “Vibrate Higher Daily: Live Your Power,” champions her readers on how to be aware of life’s vibrations and how to let go of negative energy bringing them down. On her Instagram page, she often shares quotes and excerpts from her book, and they are all motivating.

Kelley Green doesn’t play when it comes to wellness. She breathes and eats it every day. “Wellness is important to me because I’m familiar with how desperate my life can feel without it. I’ve learned that in order to maximize our quality of life, our happiness and our success, we have to implement a wellness practice.

If not, we risk being drowned by stress, illnesses, anxiety and more,” she said on her Instagram page. “When wellness wasn’t a priority for me, my life reflected it in a poor way—mentally, physically and spiritually, I was struggling. This is why, as an Empowerment Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, I’m using my platform to introduce women to different mental and physical exercises in order to help them step out of their struggles and step into lives that they love.”

Information provided by https://hellogiggles.com, https://www.huffpost.com/, https://www.thegoodtrade.com/.

Female Authors

get out of their own way and make traction towards their goals and dreams and projects,” Rochon explains.

From page B-1 “God told me to write this book two years ago and I listened to haters asking why would I write about my family and my addiction,” Mallory explains. “I took my book and I wrote a little at a time. God would wake me up at the same time every night, 3 a.m., and I would just write.”

Wanting to give readers hope and strength to overcome, the book is available on Amazon and was listed as one of the Top Selling New Books on the site. Looking to continue to build on the book’s success, an audiobook and e-book are in the works to be released.

The author also looks to pen a journal to accompany the book to allow readers to also journal their thoughts and work on their own plan of overcoming.

“I want to give them a chance to hope again. Your past doesn’t have to determine your future,” Mallory says. “I know it sounds cliché, but it’s very true. It’s about changing your mindset.”

Detroit native and entrepreneur Kelly Brown released a book geared to encouraging and empowering others to graduate to the next level in life. “Everybody Can’t Go” is an 82-page inspirational quote journal with a firm message -- leveling up requires separation.

The author was raised on Detroit’s west side by an aunt who Brown credits for her solid upbringing. Through family, valuable lessons were taught and would help shape the book’s narration.

“Growing up, I had a beautiful childhood. My aunt raised me. Growing up in that household I saw nothing but love. It was my safe haven,” Brown says.

Seeing a lack in her community, Brown went to work to transform it.

Buying four properties, including three rental properties, and employing neighborhood students from her alma mater, Cody High School, for demolition projects, Brown knew inspiring her community would help show there are other avenues to success. However, no matter the path, perseverance and hard work will ultimately lead to achievement.

Coming from my neighborhood, a lot of people didn’t make it out. I’m just showing them I made it out and they can, too. You just have to have a plan,” Brown says.

“Everybody Can’t Go” is a part of the author’s brand, I Make My Moves in Silence, a movement that encourages discipline, freethinking and not following the crowd. The self-published author believes in steering clear from naysayers and allowing the finished product to speak for itself. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal.

“I wasn’t going to let nobody stop me,” Brown says. “I looked crazy to others, but I understood my journey.”

Two-time Michigan State University graduate Christen Rochon spent 10 years being a full-time influencer. With an undergrad degree in advertising and public relations and a graduate degree in strategic communication, this media maven has years of vast knowledge and knows what it takes to create a successful brand.

Her book, “The Creative Discipline Project” is for anyone looking to jumpstart their creative business. Providing readers with a guide to executing their tasks, the book shares valuable advice and a blueprint for creating a step-bystep plan for businesses and entrepreneurs. “’The Creative Discipline Project’ is a culmination of tools, prompts [and] examples really dedicated to help creatives

After spending some time in the advertising realm, the author branched out and started working with top brands creating partnerships and content. Although the author never intended on writing a book, after continually sharing her business savvy penning a helpful guide seemed to be the natural next step.

“I realized that I was giving so many different people advice, and I realized one of the biggest challenges for Influencers is not the creative part, but really the business part,” Rochon says. “That’s really why I created this book; to be an inspiration but also a self-development guide to help those creatives get from point A to point B.” Officially published this year in January, the book took less than six months to complete. In the book Rochon outlines the steps she used to establish herself in her career.

“The tools that I wrote about in the book is what helped me write the book,” Rochon says. “I knew I wanted to write a book that was a guide, but I also had to reverse engineer it.”

“The Creative Discipline Project” is now available on Amazon, Target and Barnes and Nobel.

Author Danielle D. Hughes is looking to show readers success starts with habit. “Always Make Your Bed: 7 Principles to Dream It, Do It and Get What You Want Out of Life” is a book that offers actionable steps to succeed in business and in life.

“I take mentorship very seriously and I feel this book is rooted in mentorship,” Hughes says.

After a speaking engagement at Western Michigan University and multiple requests to act as a mentor, Hughes was looked for a way to provide mentorship to the masses. Her thoughts, starting with something as simple as making the bed each morning, can help create the discipline needed for success.

“I really drive home the point of making your bed. I never had a routine growing up. I asked ‘what do successful people do every single day? What is one thing they have in common?’ And they all had a routine,” Hughes says.

Published in June 2019, the book is designed to help readers stay encouraged on their path to success. By starting small with one habitual daily task, entrepreneurs can grow and elevate to new heights.

“It’s for anyone who’s struggling to stay motivated. Anyone who knows they were created for more out of life, but don’t really necessarily know the steps that they need to take to get there,” Hughes says.

Sharing a personal story in the book, Hughes highlights her high school career as a graduate with a 1.9 grade point average as motivation to never stop dreaming big. Through continued work, this author has been able to supersede anyone’s wildest dreams; including her own.

“I was the least likely to succeed out of everyone I graduated with, anybody I knew. I don’t think anyone expected me to achieve much out of life,” Hughes says. “To have gone on and made the Forbes list twice and done some other notable things since then, I feel like is a true coming of age story. It does not matter how you start; it matters how you finish.”

“Always Make Your Bed: 7 Principles to Dream It, Do It and Get What You Want Out of Life” is available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel.

March 3-9, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com •

Married Millennial Women Offer Advice to Singles on Snagging that Man

By Megan Kirk For most women, marriage is the ultimate goal to dating. However, it takes two to jump a broom and some men need an extra nudge to make it up the aisle. Married women are offering advice to single women on the real deal behind marriage, what to prepare for and how to encourage their mate to seal the deal.

Married for just over three years, Nicole Thirkield began dating her husband in 2015.

In just one year, the couple got engaged and officially tied the knot in 2017. Followed by a whirlwind of events including becoming homeowners and parents, the road to nuptial bliss was paved with lessons each had to learn before becoming one unit.

“It’s a couple of different things and it depends on your marriage. For me, it’s being a bonus mom. We’re a blended family. Having to become a mom before having a baby was hard for me,” Thirkield says.

Navigating the course of their relationship, the Thirkields have been able to keep marriage in the forefront by focusing on their family. According to this wife, being sure to maintain peace and steer clear from unwarranted advice is one of the keys to a successful courtship and union.

“You have to make sure you put those boundaries in place because the house you’re trying to grow can be affected by outside opinions,” Thirkield says.

After just over a year of dating, Grace Hall became a wife and knew soon into dating they would go the distance. Married for just one year and welcoming a new baby girl to the family, the Halls decided it was time to meet at the altar.

“My husband and I dated about a year and a half before we were married. I knew about six or seven months in (that he was the one),” Grace Hall says.

As women, marriage is ingrained from early on in life. For some men, marriage does not hold the same value as for women.

Men, the protectors and providers, do not easily display feelings of love. Appealing to their sensitive side or forming bonds with his family may be the break needed to inch him closer to the altar.

Page B-3

No Kids? No Husband? No Problem: Single Ladies Dish The Tea On Choosing To Stay Solo

By Megan Kirk Grammy-award winning artist Beyonce made being single popular again. Played at weddings and girl’s nights abroad, Singles Ladies glorifies and praises single women and chastised men for not putting a ring on it. However, for some women, the ring and a perfectly planned ceremony are not in the cards. What some may consider unorthodox, a growing number of single ladies are remaining just that, single.

For some, being single has lofty serious advantages: there is no sharing food, binging an entire Netflix series without waiting for a sleeping partner, and there is no one to sneak bags past after a massive shopping spree. A growing number of women are making the unconventional choice of staying single. With ladies like actress Tracee Ellis Ross leading the charge, women are becoming more and more unapologetic about not wanting marriage and parenthood.

In a 2020 interview with Marie Claire, the Blackish star and daughter of Motown legend Diana Ross had this to say about singleness: “I am happily single, though that doesn’t mean I am not open to and don’t want a relationship,” Ross shared. “But in my wonderful and robust experience of being single, I have learned to have a productive relationship with loneliness and an intensely juicy relationship with my joyful solitude — I really enjoy my company.”

While it may be easier for Ellis Ross to lavish in singlehood thanks to her celebrity, for everyday women, choosing to remain single and not have children, or opting to have one and not the other, is taboo.

Women looking to assume a less traditional role are forcing others rethink ideas around femininity and preconceived notions of happiness being rooted in marriage and children.

“I think it says that the idea of happiness is shifting.

The goal back in the day was to marry and have kids.

Now people have their individual goals that we want to meet and sometimes, kids do not fit into that model,” says Elita Holloway, a Detroit educator.

The importance of marriage and family is a concept learned very early for many little girls. While some cling to the idea, others shy away from the notion of living a life of dinner for two reservations and the run-of-the-mill marital interactions.

“I’ve honestly never aspired to marry or have children. I never saw a family anytime I thought about my future, it’s always just me,” says LaShana Beamon, entrepreneur and founder of Beamon Solutions L3C.

Having the autonomy to enjoy singlehood means dating a little or dating a lot. Prolonged singleness gives the liberty of choice. The fluidity created by remaining single means individuals have as many options as preferred leading to a life of spontaneity.

“One of the most enjoyable benefits of living a solo life is the freedom to go and come as I please. Being able to do things randomly like hop on a flight to go out of town without thinking twice about it,” Beamon says.

With most couples following the love, marriage and baby carriage blueprint, relationships fall comfortably into the throws of societal standards. Often laced with labels and assumption, single women are subjected to undo scrutiny, but are taking a stand against the status quo.

“Women who choose not to marry or have kids are looked at differently because of society,” Beamon says. “Society and social media tend to create false personas and have people feeling like they’re wrong for choosing to do things outside of the norm.”

Focusing more on careers, travel or continued education, women are blazing a trail that is solely self-focused. Finding enjoyment in children, or child-based careers, helps cure even the largest dose of baby fever.

“I do not presently desire to have children. I feel like my work allows me to experience the joys of nurturing and caring without the full commitment,” Holloway says.

While pressure from society is a factor, the heaviest opinions come from direct sources. In Black communities, life choices can find themselves at the center of a public forum. For some, accepting a woman’s truth will ultimately result in happier and mentally sound women.

“A lot of people, especially parents, try and convince others that kids are for them. The reality is that kids are not for everyone,” Holloway says. “The more people learn to accept that the more women will feel comfortable living in their reality.”

Despite influence, remaining steadfast in the decision to live life for themselves help these women live life in a different light. These trailblazers are sounding the alarm for single woman and showing others living life on your own terms is a life worth living.

“We can reach our full potential and carry out the plan and purpose for our lives without feeling guilty about it,” Beamon says. “We only get one life to live so why not live one where you’re able to do the things that makes you happy.”

“Really get to know his family outside of him so you can have a relationship that is not dependent on him,” Thirkield says.

If time has dragged on with no proposal, getting back into the dating scene may be just the boost needed. For singles actively dating and interested in marriage, one wife suggests creating time for self-reflection and taking a hands-off approach to dating can help place you on a path towards your forever romance.

“I would say talk to God about what you want. Speak it, write it down and go live your life. Don’t wait until you are married,” Hall says.

Married to her high school sweetheart, Jalessa McKinney has been living in matrimonial bliss for almost ten years. Dating throughout high school and college, the couple wed at just 21 years old, Now, with three children, careers and personal ambitions, this wife is giving her take on getting and staying married.

“You have to reinvent your relationship because people change over time, so, it’s like dating and getting to know a new person,” McKinney says.

Hitting the ten-year mark in any marriage is a milestone, but it is not to say navigating through relationships and growing into adulthood presented a unique set of hurdles for the young couple to jump. Remembering lessons from their courtship helped the couple to have open conversations about their marriage.

“Have open and honest communication with one another and actually listen to each other’s wants and needs,” McKinney says.

Although cliché, most married couples believe you will know you have found your person when you know. For these wives, finding your person becomes more pronounced as trust builds. Finding the comfort zone with your mate can help both parties know when the time is right to make an official commitment.

“When I was able to be my authentic self and tell him my deepest darkest secrets, I knew. Like the stuff you don’t tell your mom or best friends. The stuff you take to the grave,” Thirkield says.

Warning single ladies about limits and self-love, McKinney hopes more women learn to appreciate themselves before adding a partner to their lives.

“My advice is to love yourself, know your worth and set boundaries. It’s not really up to you to lock a man down, and as long as you know that it will be easier to weed out all the crap. Also, remember there is no one like you on this planet,” McKinney says.

Does Size Matter in Dating?

By Megan Kirk Men: This one may be for you. Old wives’ tales mention a direct correlation between a man’s shoe size and that of a his…best friend. For ladies, the debate of size versus performance has been the topic of many girls’ nights and it may be time for men to face the facts.

Dating deal-breakers can include everything from bad breath to cheating. Satisfaction in the bedroom is important to maintaining a healthy relationship, but when it comes down to the horizontal mambo, does a man’s ship make or break his chances of securing a potential bae?

“I need to be entertained. I need to be aroused. I need to be able to enjoy my moment with you,” says Sydney Bowden, a Detroit entrepreneur and influencer. “Size definitely matters.”

For others, restrictions on erection sizes are a nonfactor. Some singles are willing to offer men the chance to reach moments of euphoria, despite their shortcomings in the bedroom.

However, knowing some additional plays on the field may be a must.

“It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker if it’s small, but you better know how to work it and make up for that lack of [size],” says Lashanda Rucker, a 34-year-old single. “And if it’s big, I’m sure he’ll know and try to kill me.”

According to a study conducted by the British Journal of Urology, the average man stacks up around five inches when attempting to ride the rollercoasters. While some women may

be on the fence about height requirements, other singles make preference to average rides.

“Size does not matter. In my experience. The best I’ve had was from average-sized men. It’s all about technique,” says Chelsey McClain.

Men who are gifted and running in the Olympics of love do not always guarantee a win for the ladies on the team. Singles are turned off from the idea of men who are well-endowed.

“It’s a bad thing. It can be painful or uncomfortable,” McClain says.

What is the definition of too small?

While all cookie jars are not one size fits all, ladies have varying ranges of height requirements. However, no one wants to be disappointed.

“Too small is very slender, very skinny. If I had to put an inch to it, I would say five,” Bowden says.

For men who are gifted, what is considered too much? Many factors contribute to a man’s abundance including length and width but solving this equation may not be too hard.

Equipped with its own capacity limits, the cookie jar can only hold so many of your favorite treats. Men who are busting at the seams can sometimes cause the party to fade.

In addition to the size of a man’s boat, bad chemistry can also be to blame for single not getting the gold in the adult Olympics. All systems could be a go, but soon after takeoff, there are announcements to Houston reporting a problem.

“As we’re growing, we want to get

to that moment where we want to reproduce, and we have a good time, but if there’s bad bedroom chemistry between us, we can’t have that good time,” Bowden says.

Men have become masters of masking their little friends. In the age of grey sweatpants, women can accurately assess the growers and showers of the dating pool and give opportunities based on personal preference. According to these singles, the technique of a skilled athlete can help erase the thoughts of every game ever lost.

“If they have the motion in the ocean, it can be okay,” says Ivory Clark.

Ultimately, connections that last are not solely built on physical attraction, but it can help in leading two singles on a path of mutual satisfaction.

While physical intimacy can make or break a relationship, being willing to be taught will ultimately lead to terms all parties can agree on.

“Sex does not equal love. We can figure out things that can help us in the bedroom if the love is there,” Rucker says.

Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com • March 3-9, 2021

AM Perfected:

Develop a Better Morning Routine to Boost Mental Health

By Sherri Kolade Many of us know that it takes 30 days to form a habit. And many others know how important it is to have a morning routine, but sometimes due to the busyness of the day, sticking to that routine can be a no-go based upon how many times we hit the snooze button and choose five extra minutes or so in bed.

So, let’s choose in 2021 to get out of bed early (or at least on time) and start the day off right and ready with a practical morning routine to get good vibes that can last from the morning well into the PM hours.

These ideas, provided by www.GoodTherapy.org, shine a light on healthy morning habits that can improve your mood and help you flourish.

Unwind Outside!

Get a Mental Health Break and Bring Out Your Inner Child with These Five Winter Activities “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” Greek philosopher Aristotle once said those wise words and we’re taking his advice this winter season and stepping outside to play. Yes, play, no matter your age.

Just because the temperatures are low with snow on the ground and a chill in the air doesn’t mean you get to hibernate indoors.

Countless experts and studies reveal that taking the needed time to relax and unwind is better for everyone. Combine that with the importance of having a healthy dose of fresh air and everyone wins. So, get ahead of your health this winter and spend some time in the great outdoors. You deserve it.

Set aside some time daily, or several times per week, to get outdoors -- your mental health will thank

you. So, dress warm and once outside take a brisk walk, shovel some snow or have a snowball fight with your family or friends (safely).

Take a trip downtown to The Rink at Campus Martius Park for ice skating fun. Let your inner child come alive and skate this winter as a fun weekend activity by yourself or with family or friends. And if you can’t skate, just enjoy the beautiful downtown view and take in the sights and sounds.

MSU Extension encourages Michiganders to consider taking outdoor photography during the winter which could include breathtaking scenery, animals, city life and more as a way to get a creative mental health break. And you don’t need a fancy camera, a cell phone works just fine in capturing the beauty in and around metro Detroit.

MSU Extension also says snow tubing down hills as a fun winter activity can be done anywhere with a safe and accessible hill and using an old inner tube. Snow tubing is a popular activity and if you don’t have a hill, a safe incline to slide down should do.

Sledding down hills or down driveways (using different types of sleds) is also a popular winter activity that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Use a sled with a steering piece, or a round saucer, and then get in and slide down, according to MSU Extension. This is also a fun way to sneak in exercise and not even know it. Though your body might feel it the next day.

For more tips on outdoor winter play, ideas and more visit https:// msu.edu/ and search “winter activities.”

No Purchase Necessary: Use Items Around the House as Gym Equipment

By Sherri Kolade You don’t need a Peloton to be fit -- especially if you’re on a budget. For many working at home, or heck, even weekend warriors who live to get fit on Saturday and Sunday, use these tips before you think about purchasing a pricey piece of home gym equipment.

Here are five innovative ways to use items found at home to keep your body looking lean and your pockets fat and green.

1.

Don’t have dumbbells? Use jugs of water, soup cans or other safe, liftable items around your house to work out those arms and get to working out around the house. Use these makeshift exercise tools as you follow along with videos that require the use of dumbbells and more. Increase or decrease the weight limit according to your comfort level. Once you have a good grip keep it going and find even more innovative dumbbells around your home as long as your body can keep up.

2. Go from being a couch potato to using the couch! Throw the blanket off and cut off the television (unless you’re using it to follow along with exercise videos) and use the couch for glute bridges. Simply lie faceup on the floor and place your heels on the edge of the couch -- use this as your starting point. Squeeze your glutes, raise your hips, and create a

straight line from your shoulders to your knees. Then lower back to start for the first rep and repeat.

3.

Use your wall (preferably basement walls made with concrete) for wall walks. To start, get in a high plank position with feet up against the wall.

Then engage your core and begin walking up the wall until your face is close to the wall and your body is vertical. Carefully go back to the start for 1 rep and continue the reps a few more times -- if you can handle the burn.

4. After using the bathroom, don’t leave just yet! The toilet is a nice height to do box squats. To do this easy exercise, stand facing away from the toilet with the lid closed. Put the hips back to a lower position until your glutes touch the toilet lid. Then go back to the starting position and rinse and repeat.

5. Have a bunch of dirty clothes? Don’t put them in the wash just yet. Grab the full laundry basket and practice deadlifts. To start, stand with a micro bend in the knees. Lower the hips back down to then grab the basket.

Utilize hamstrings and glutes to then press hips forward back to start. Try to do three sets of 20 basket deadlifts. Then feel free to wash the load -- or not.

Information sourced from https:// www.bicycling.com/.

When creating a morning routine, ask how much time, realistically, you have each morning. If you have a minimal amount of time, try to identify your biggest stressors as you go through the morning instead of trying to push different activities and tasks into a small time frame.

After the timing is settled, think about developing a habit could help in the long run. For example, someone who is unable to have a hearty breakfast might consider preparing their meal well ahead of time so that a healthy breakfast is ready to eat as you head out the door.

Also, let your morning routine work for you. Compare notes and see what other people are doing (YouTube is a helpful resource) for their morning routines.

Then incorporate what routine steps you want to take in your own life and use them -- for everything else that doesn’t fit right for you, feel free to discard. The website states that morning routines are based upon personal preference and what might work for one person would not work for another. And don’t feel bad.

A morning routine is not about who is getting out of the house the fastest, but developing a routine with elements that can help set you up for a great mental health start to your day. It’s just not about that breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon.

And regardless if you have several minutes or multiple hours each morning before you get your day going, really think about what routine works best for you to help you be in a better mental health mood throughout the day. And as a reminder, choose morning activities that allow you to work with rather than against yourself. And if you find you’re struggling with mental health symptoms that disrupt your well-being and daily activities, contact a licensed and mental health professional.

Find more information at www.GoodTherapy.org.

Help is Available for Young People Struggling with Addiction During the Pandemic – Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN)

In the midst of a pandemic, the drug epidemic persists as health experts say fentanyl is still the leading cause of drug overdoses in Wayne County while the number one drug of choice for teens is marijuana, followed by alcohol, and heroin.

As most of us know, substance use is still very prevalent among young people in the country and right here in Wayne County but help is available such as treatment, prevention and recovery services offered by the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN). The organization manages over 400 Providers in its network of care and many of them offer substance use prevention as a way to help people who are addicted, get the help they need. DWHN Provider Taylor Teen Health Center is one of those providers who is trying to reach as many young people it can considering the circumstances of the pandemic. It would typically offer in-person prevention services however, now all of its in-school presentations have been virtual. One particular program is called Botvin’s Life Skills Training Program. It’s an evidence based curriculum proven to reduce the risks of alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse, and violence by targeting the major social and psychological factors that promote the initiation of substance use and other risky behaviors. This program provides adolescents and teens with the confidence and skills necessary to successfully handle challenging situations.

“We continuously touch base with our youth asking for feedback on how we can meet their needs during this time of great stress and uncertainty,” said Jeff Cook, Director.

Another DWIHN Prevention Provider that has been around for many years is “Livonia Save Our Youth Coalition (LSOY).” Its purpose is to educate and empower the community regarding the health and safety of youth, focusing on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This is accomplished by connecting substance use disorder prevention specialists and mental health resources with community partners.

“LSOY is a small coalition but our reach is wide,” said Executive Director Karen Bonnano. “Our community partners include students, parents, educators, law enforcement, health care and mental health professionals, hospitals, elected officials, and local businesses. Over the past year, we have organized several SUD and mental health prevention activities that have reached many people in the Livonia area.”

The organization has held prevention events such as Narcan trainings and Run 2 Save Our Youth, a local family event sponsored by the Livonia Police Department in addition to a successful educational series, Addiction: What You Need to Know and What You Can Do, in partnership with St. Mary Mercy hospital. Since then, about 1,000 have participated and about 100 people have asked for information or a referral for treatment.

In these unprecedented times where, young people are also struggling with their mental health, it’s good to know help is available. DWIHN is also part of a Detroit COVID-19 Virtual Therapy Collaborative where youth can receive up to 12 free counseling sessions with trained clinicians regardless of insurance.

You can call or text, 313-488-HOPE or visit ReachUsDetroit.org for more information.

As always you can call the 24/7 Access Helpline at 800-241-2929.

As always, DWIHN is Here to Talk, Here to Help.

Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

March 3-9, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5 HELP WANTED

OPEN ENROLLMENT DETROIT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Detroit Leadership Academy is now enrolling for the 2021-2022 school year (March 15, 2021 – June 14, 2022) for grades K-12. A lottery will be held at each DLA campus on June 14, at 1:30 p.m., If necessary.

Detroit Leadership Academy (grades K-12) is located at: Detroit Leadership Academy Elementary/Middle 13550 Virgil St Detroit, MI 48223 (313)242-1500 Detroit Leadership Academy High School – 5845 Auburn St Detroit, MI 48228 (313)769-2015 Please call 313-766-5537 or visit www.detroitleadership.org for more information.

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to build two 40-foot pole Communications Towers at the approx. vicinity of 4866 3rd Street, Detroit, MI 48202 and 295 Adelaide Street, Detroit, MI 48201. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, [Edward Reynolds, e.reynolds@trileaf.com], [1515 Des Peres Road, Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, 314-997-6111].

Cellco Partnership

and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to build four (4) Communications Towers. A 40-foot Utility Pole Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 608 Elliot Street, Detroit, Wayne County, MI 48201. A 40-foot Utility Pole Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of Tarter Drive, Detroit, Wayne County, MI 48208. A 40-foot Utility Pole Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 6042 3rd Street, Detroit, Wayne County, MI 48202. A 40-foot Utility Pole Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 194 Edmund Place, Detroit, Wayne County, MI 48201. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Alisia Hassler, a.hassler @trileaf.com, 1515 Des Peres Rd., Suite 200, St. Louis, MO 63131, 314-997-6111.

HELP WANTED

Join Our Team Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring!

Several Positions Are Ready to be filled by Extraordinary Individuals!

Energy Advisor I – Jackson, MI Energy Specialist II – Detroit, MI Executive Assistant – Detroit, MI IT Manager – Detroit, MI IT Helpdesk Technician II – Detroit, MI Business Development Manager – Detroit, MI Marketing Manager - Detroit, MI For a full list of qualifications please visit https://wmenergy.com/careers-2/ **Please note the location of the position when applying.**

INTERNATIONAL PROCESS ENGINEER Employer: Knight Industries and Associates, Inc. (DBA Knight Global) Location: Auburn Hills, MI Status: Full Time, Employee Job Category: Engineering Responsibilities: • Represent Knight Global through its existing international distributors and future overseas clients.

• Attend meetings with U.S. and overseas clients during their visit to Knight Global headquarters.

• Explain how Knight Global equipment meets the customer’s needs.

• Will be involved during Knight Global’s training sessions to its customers.

• Responsible to communicate with Knight Global’s International Master Distributor in Italy (candidate must be fluent in Italian).

• Interface with outside sales arm to support Knight Global products and services for the Customer and potential Customer base, including but not limited to development to optimize Customer processes and productivity, take measurements, interpret data, evaluate existing or potential production problems that may arise.

• Assist Engineering and Manufacturing Departments with the preparation of Knight product and service presentations for existing and potential Customers.

• Will work with Knight Global Engineering Mechanical and Controls Teams including attendance at design review meetings, obtaining and supplying Customer specifications and tracking milestones of project progress.

• Will be the liaison between Customer Manufacturing Departments and Knight Global Management and Engineering Teams.

• Will support Knight Global Management and Knight Global Customer base with project timing and cost constraints.

• Will work with Knight Global Technical Support Team and its Customers during the install, debug and start-up phases of new product launches, including communications of contacts, timing, Customer specifications and final Customer approval follow-up.

• Will complete documentation to show and ensure compliance with both internal and external regulations and protocols.

Minimum Requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree with major and/or field of study in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing.

• 36 months of experience in Process, Mechanical and Project Engineering.

• 2 years’ experience in the field of Ergonomic Material Handling Equipment.

SeekingAssistant SeekingMedical Office Seeking AssistantIIIII OFFICE ASSISTANT III at Oakland University at Oakland University

ATGraham OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Financial Aid Health Center

of Medicine assistance, To provide School specialized Coordinate the clinicaloffice processing in a coordinating procedural business or clinic by performing a variety Tomedical provide specialized office assistance, service activities for a complex program ofarea multi-step processes according to a or coordinating procedural business involving processing, implementspecified framework procedures and ing, advising on,forandaofreporting specialservice activities complex program regulations, to matter. serve as an informationized subject Minimum Qualifiarea involving processing, implementing, al cations: source High within the clinic in addition school graduation or an advising on, and reporting toequivalent maintaining the roleof education as a specialized medical combination and subject matter.

Qualifications: experience.

FourMinimum years progressively reassistant in the clinic.

Minimum Qualsponsible officeSchool experience, ifications: or High school High graduation orgraduation anincluding equivalent experience in office coordination, andirect equivalent combination ofexperience. educacombination of education and i.e.,and prioritizing work assignments, maintion experience.

Three years’ exFour yearswork progressively office taining to meetresponsible deadlines. or This perience as aflow medical assistant in experience, including direct experience is a full time, clerical-technical position. in a Salary directlyis related field with experience $44,592.00 See onoffice coordination, i.e.,annually. prioritizing work inline medical office functions.

Exposting forclerical additional position assignments, maintaining work flow to meet perience in venipuncture and obtainrequirements.

First consideration deadlines. is atofull time,who clerical-technical ing basic patient information including will beThis given those apply by blood pressure, electrocardiograph MarchSalary 16, 2021.

Must applyannually. on line to: position. is $43,718.00 measurements urine specimens. https://jobs.oakland.edu See online postingand for additional position This is a part-time clerical-technical porequirements. First consideration will be sition, working Monday-Friday, 10:00 FORby SALE given thoseESTATE who30apply March a.m. to –REAL 5:00 p.m., hours per week.23, 2020.

Salary is $30,973.00 annually. See Must apply posting online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu online for additional position requirements. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

2col. x 4.75 9560 Auburn Street home, Detroit, MI

DIFFERENTLY ABLE HOME BUYER OR HOME HEALTH CARE BIZ OWNER NEXT LOCATION Ideal home for individuals requiring customized AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) features in their next home. Ideal for individuals requiring one level layout with customized updates such as porch ramp and walk in, wheelchair accessible shower. 3 bedrooms and bathroom on the same level. All appliances stay! 1 YEAR HOME WARRANTY INCLUDED. $59K. Down Payment Assistance Programs available. Contact 61 Houses Real Estate Brokerage @ 248.747.1096.

• Fluent in Italian.

• Availability to travel: 4 per year min. incl. (1) Intl. trip

Compensation/Benefits: • $111,966/yr. – 40 hrs./week •Full benefits package including: Medical, Dental, paid vacation.

This ad is posted as a result of the filing of an application for permanent alien labor certification for the position of International Process Engineer and is open to any U.S. worker.

Send resumes with reference KGJG/AD to: jgrosjean@knightglobal.com or Fax: (248) 377-2135

4 Ways to Uplift Small Businesses in Your Community (StatePoint) With nearly half of all Americans employed by a small business, these establishments need our support more than ever.

According to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index, 46 percent of business owners surveyed have seen a drop in revenue over the past 12 months, with some entrepreneurs seeing even more severe impact.

“Small businesses are at the heart of our communities and the key to millions of jobs,” says Steve Troutner, head of Small Business, Wells Fargo. “Keeping spending dollars in local communities is an impactful way to rally around small business owners.”

Wells Fargo is sharing four ways to uplift small businesses near you: 1. Shop local. While one-stop shopping on leading e-commerce sites can be tempting, the simple act of purchasing something from your favorite local retailer can go a long way in keeping business afloat and money in your community. Returning or exchanging gifts? Ask for store credit instead of cash.

It helps keep money with a small business and makes their cash flow more stable.

Many shops have safety measures in place, such as limiting occupancy or offering contactless pick-up.

2. Eat local. Support your neighbors by dining at locally-owned establishments. Getting takeout or having food delivered? Order directly from the restaurant rather than through third-party sites that take a cut. When it comes to food shopping, opt for neighborhood grocers, which often carry produce from small family-owned farms and other locally-sourced goods. Many offer the same curbside pickup and delivery options as major chains.

3. Uplift diverse-owned businesses. Keep in mind that minority- and women-owned businesses have been hard hit by COVID-19.

Many are counting on your patronage to survive.

To help entrepreneurs stay open and support local jobs, Wells Fargo is deploying approximately $400 million from its Open for Business Fund to nonprofits serving small businesses. The initiative focuses on increasing access to training and flexible capital that businesses can use for rent, utilities, payroll and other business needs. If you are a business owner looking for assistance and resources, visit wellsfargo.com/shoplocal to learn more.

4. Shine a light on your favorite business. Whether it’s expanding outdoor patios and installing heat lamps or updating tech to facilitate contactless checkout, small businesses have had to get creative to stay relevant. One simple way of supporting businesses as they make these changes is to follow them on social media and give positive reviews on websites like Yelp.

As part of its “Many hearts. One community” campaign, Wells Fargo is highlighting the determination, resilience and creativity that so many small business have shown this past year.

“Community has meant everything to me,” says Kadijatu Ahene, owner of Dija’s Touch Designs, which benefitted from Wells Fargo and Local Initiatives Support Corporation working together. “The challenges we’re dealing with have brought us closer. Whether its friends and neighbors checking on me and my girls, delivering food and more, COVID has reminded us that we need each other to move forward in unity.”

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Technical Specialist FEV North America, Inc. seeks a Technical Specialist in Auburn Hills, MI to maintain efficient test field operations for engine, transmission, and electric machine development; among other duties. Min. bachelor in Engineering (any) or Computer Science and five years of exp. in job offered or related. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet. Apply to job reference number 21-00008 at: www.fev.com Wireless Test & Validation Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, perform &execute core Cellular Wireless features validation of Infotainment &Telematics devices, wireless features validation such as functional, nonfunctional, new feature, end to end, reliability &stability testing of core cellular wireless technologies such as 5G NR, 4G LTE &3G UMTS. Design, review, integrate, test &verify test procedures for wireless functionalities such as User Equipment Attach, LTE Carrier Aggregation, Modem Configuration &cellular mobility scenarios incldg Hand Over, Single Radio Voice Call Continuity &Cell Reselections. Execute sys level validation on embedded telematics &infotainment ECUs incldg OnStar Core Module (telematics modem), Transmission Control Protocol, Vehicle Communication Platform, Control Gateway &Center Stack Modules for ICE &BEV psgr vehicles for future model year vehicle programs & global markets (N.A./S.A., China &RoW).

Bachelor, Electrical, Electronics Electronics &Communication Engrg, or related. 36 mos exp as Engineer, Software or Testing Qlty Assurance Analyst, or related, executing core Cellular Wireless features validation of wireless features validation such as functional, nonfunctional, new feature, &end to end, &stability testing of core cellular wireless technologies such as 4G LTE &3G UMTS, or related. Ref#34319, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Voice of the Community at your fingertips.

Connected Ecosystem Integration (CEI) Validation Test Lead

Please visit our website for more classified ads. www.michiganchronicle.com

Warren, MI, General Motors. Participate in data integration validation &user experience validation.

Validate psgr vehicle infotainment features sync to back end servers &backend to vehicle infotainment sys. Capture complex log files generated by vehicle modules incldg Central Gateway Module (CGM), Telecommunication Processor (TCP), &Center Stack Module (CSM), &app &web servers to isolate, identify &evaluate root causes. Validate infotainment related features such as personalization, Appshop, &Connected Navi. Update psgr vehicle HW incldg CSMs w/ latest validation builds. Validate Back Office apps incldg Global Service Portal, Global Advisor Application, Mobile Number Mgmt Sys, Vehicle Communication Sys, Vehicle Data Upload, GM Owner Center, Vehicle Notification Mgr, Server Push Notifications using DBeaver, Cassandra, ADB, &VSpy tools. Validate Personalization features for infotainment vehicles incldg personalized profile sync to cloud &contacts, navigation route preferences, radio favorites, &volume settings. Master, Software Engrg, IT, Mechanical or Computer Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, Programmer Analyst, Test or Validation Lead, validating infotainment features sync to back end servers &backend to vehicle infotainment sys, &capturing log files generated by CGM, TCP, &CSM to evaluate root causes, or related. Ref#2346-103, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

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• michiganchronicle.com • March 3-9, 2021