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Volume 79 – Number 38

June 1-7 2016

Greatness of Detroit Youth highlighted at S.W.A.G.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings

Congressman Elijah Cummings comes to Fellowship Michigan Chronicle Reports

Fellowship Chapel United Church of Christ, pastored by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary Jubilee year.

The church, located on Detroit’s west side at 7707 W. Outer Drive, was built in 2005 on land once occupied by drug houses, burned garages, abandoned cars, weeds and drug paraphernalia. It now stands as a monument to neighborhood development.

According to Rev. Anthony, who has served as pastor of Fellowship Chapel for the past 29 years, “Where my pulpit now sits, used to sit a dope house. Now it has been transformed from a house of dope to a house of hope.”

The Jubilee year marks a series of special anniversary celebrations to be sponsored by the church and its 40 ministries.

From left are Gary Torgow, chairman, Talmer Bank; Jay'la Logan, honoree; and Hiram Jackson, publisher, the Michigan Chronicle, and CEO, Real Times Media.

By Keith A. Owens

Currently, Fellowship Chapel, through the Amandla Community Development Corporation, is in the process of building 160 new housing units for senior living, called the Fellowship Estates.

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, from Baltimore’s 7th District, is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the ranking member on the Committee of Oversight and Government Reform. Among his most notable contributions are as the past chair for the Congressional Black Caucus, during the 108th Congress, and the ranking member on the Select Committee on Benghazi. He has recently been a most notable critic against and a vocal advocate on behalf of the citizens of Flint, Michigan, who are victims of poisoned water identified in recently held congressional hearings.

See CUMMINGSpage A-4

WHAT’S INSIDE

Senior Editor

Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness.

S.W.A.G. In the face of so much criticism that has been said about Detroit and Detroit’s young people, the truth of Detroit’s young promise was on full display last week when 25 high school seniors from the Detroit area were chosen from among hundreds of applicants to receive a scholarship award recognizing nothing short of their remarkable potential.

It is too often said that “children are our future,” but what is left unsaid is that it is up to the adults to ensure the quality of that future by believing in them and actively demonstrating that belief.

The first annual S.W.A.G. Awards, Shawn Blanchard, S.W.A.G. keynote speaksponsored by the Michigan Chronier, author and motivational speaker.

cle and Talmer Bank, was all about demonstrating our belief in the children of Detroit, not simply talking about it. “Many scholarship programs are awarded based solely on academic performance. However, the S.W.A.G. Awards were specifically created to ensure that more Detroit students that demonstrate leadership in multiple areas, other than grades, have access to scholarships.” Michigan Chronicle Publisher and Real Times Media CEO Hiram E. Jackson made the point that these awards are about giving back to the community in the tradition that the Chronicle has worked to maintain over the past 80 years.

“I think that the role of the Michigan Chronicle over the last 80 years has been telling great stories about the African American experience.

So it’s important for us to create new stories with new people. So the

See S.W.A.G page A-4

Wayne County gives $700,000 grant for 1,000 Detroit Youth Michigan Chronicle Reports

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans’ administration has announced a $700,000 grant, secured from the Michigan Child Care Fund, to boost the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program.

The grant will fund summer jobs for as many as 1,000 Detroit youth, ages 14-17, who receive assistance through Wayne County’s juvenile prevention services.

This effort will enable at-risk youth to gain employment, build positive relationships with adult mentors and supportive peers, and empower them to make value-based life choices.

SPOTLIGHT

NIA LONG Actress Nia Long has maintained a consistent presence on television and in movies since the early ’90s. Among her latest projects are a new TV series and film.

See page D-1

Participants will be placed with employers through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, a sixweek summer youth employment program established by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan that aims to provide 8,000 Detroit youth this year with work readiness training and on-the-job experience.

“These funds directly support the youth in our community who stand to benefit significant-

ly from the training and career exploration provided by Grow Detroit’s Young Talent,” said Deputy County Executive Richard Kaufman. “When we provide resources like this, we clear a path for these youth to take an important step in the right direc-

tion. This investment will pay it forward for future generations and as a result, our communities become stronger.”

Wayne County’s Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness leveraged its relationship with the Michigan De-

partment of Health and Human Services to secure the County’s $700,000 contribution from the Child Care Fund. In addition, the Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) raised the

See DETROIT

YOUTH page A-4

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE June 1 -7, 2016 Page A-2 news Sisters Network brings National African American Breast Cancer Conference to Detroit Michigan Chronicle Reports

take ownership of their health and be a part of the movement for change, Breast Health Matters,” said Karen E. Jackson, founder/CEO, Sisters Network Inc. “The goal of our national conference in Detroit is to not only be informative, but to also serve as call to action for African American women from around the nation to put their health first.”

Celebrity guests, nationally recognized medical experts, survivors, and the general public will attend a breast cancer conference in Detroit.

Sisters Network Inc. is heading to Detroit, to host the 15th Annual National African American Breast Cancer Conference. The three-day conference, themed “Awareness to Change,” will be held Oct. 21-23 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Sisters Network is the only national African American breast cancer survivor-run organization in the United States.

Honorary Conference chairs are Lisa A. Newman, M.D., MPH, FACS, FASCO, director, Breast Oncology Program, Henry Ford Health System, and Vernice Davis-Anthony, BSN, MPH, CEO, VDA Health Connect.

Conference chair is Karen E. Jackson, founder/ CEO, Sisters Network Inc. and co-chair, Mary Waters, president, Sisters Network Greater Metropolitan Detroit Chapter.

Conference title sponsor is Henry Ford Health System.

The three-day national conference hosted during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off with a surprise celebrity guest and a special presentation on why breast health matters.

Plenary sessions, workshops focusing on triple negative and metastatic

Karen E. Jackson, Founder/CEO, Sisters Network Inc. cians, and the community may register at www. sistersnetworkinc.org or call 1-866-781-1808.

Members of Sisters Network national team headed to Detroit for a series of strategy planning meetings May 24-25 with Detroit medical and community leaders.

“It’s time for black women to wake up and

World Sickle Cell Day is June 19, 2016 to advocate, educate and heighten awareness about sickle cell disease, its effect on those living with it and the impact on families.

The Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Michigan Chapter (SCDAAMI) headquartered in Detroit, Michigan is commemorating World Sickle Cell Day with the “High 5 for Sickle Cell” awareness campaign providing education on the five important facts and myths about sickle cell disease conditions in our communities as listed on the attached page. With several programs and activities, the SCDAAMI will host an open house at its location on June 18th from 3-6 PM and the culmination event is on Sept. 10, when SCDAAMI will host the High 5 for Sickle Cell Walk at the Museum of African American History in Detroit.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the most common genetic disorder in the United States. The effects of SCD can be devastating with complications including severe pain, anemia, infection and stroke. It is particularly common among those whose ancestors came from sub-Saharan Africa, Spanish speaking regions in the Western Hemisphere, Saudi Arabia, India and Mediterranean countries. In the United States approximately 2,000 infants are born with SCD each year.

Infants are tested at birth for this condition so that lifesaving treatment can be initiated.

In Michigan approximately 50 babies are born with SCD each year, frequently to unsuspecting parents who were unaware of their trait status.

Approximately 8 percent of African Americans have sickle cell trait. Outreach efforts are designed to reach as many people as possible to test for sickle cell disease.

The SCDAAMI serves the entire state of Michigan with patient advocates strategically placed to cover 95% of affected individuals. The mission of the SCDAAMI is to: • maximize the life-span potential of persons living with the disease • enable individuals at risk for having a child

“As a breast cancer survivor and former Michigan legislator, I know firsthand that Detroit, one of America’s poorest cities, is ground zero in our fight to stop the silent suffering and deaths of African American women from breast cancer,” said Waters, president, Sisters Network Greater Metropolitan Detroit Chapter.

Sisters Network Inc., founded in 1994 by twotime breast cancer survivor Karen E. Jackson, is a leading voice in the battle against breast cancer and the only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization in the United States.

Sisters Network is governed by an elected Board of Directors and assisted by an appointed medical advisory committee. Membership includes over 40 survivor-run affiliate chapters in 22 states nationwide. The organization’s purpose is to save lives and provide a broader scope of knowledge that addresses the breast cancer survivorship crisis affecting African American women around the country.

Register now at www. sistersnetworkinc.org or call 1-866-781-1808.

Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence: Lisa A. Newman

Vernice Davis-Anthony

breast cancer, breast reconstruction, treatment, clinical trials, and life after breast cancer are just

a few offered. Registration is $150 and on-site registration is $200. Breast cancer survivors, clini-

World Sickle Cell Day will heighten awareness about disease Michigan Chronicle Reports

Black women have the highest breast cancer death rate of any racial/ ethnic group. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among African American women according to the latest data from the American Cancer Society. The incidence of breast cancer among women under 45 is higher for African American women compared to white women.

“Poverty and systemic issues are roadblocks to early detection that saves lives which is why I am elated that Detroit was selected as the host city for Sisters Network Annual National African American Conference.”

5

Leading Myths and Facts About Sickle Cell Disease

PAIN

Myth: All patients are drug addicts.

having a baby with sickle cell disease.

TREATMENT

Fact: The hallmark of SCD is severe unpredictable pain requiring high doses of narcotics.

Myth: Hydroxyurea is the only available disease modifying medication and it is underutilized.

LIFESPAN

Fact: Stem Cell Transplant is a universal cure.

Myth: Patients don’t live past the age of 21.

RACE

Fact: Patients are living longer and must focus on quality of life.

Myth: Sickle cell disease only affects black people

TRAIT

Fact: Sickle cell disease affects about 1 in 600 African Americans, but is also seen in people from South America, Central America, India, Turkey and the Mediterranean.

Myth: Sickle cell trait is a mild form of sickle cell disease Fact: If both parents have sickle cell trait there is a chance of

with SCD to make informed decisions that they feel are in their best interest with respect to family planning • provide education, testing and awareness to the general public • serve as the coordinating center for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s newborn sickle cell screening program.

Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney serves is the CEO and Medical Director of the SCDAAMI and has spent 28 years providing compassionate care for children living with sickle cell disease in the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Clinic at Children’s Hos-

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pital of Michigan. She serves on the Legislative Committee for the reauthorization of the Sickle Cell Treatment Act and the Medical and Research Advisory Committee for the National SCDAA which was co-founded by her late father, Dr. Charles Whitten, a leader in sickle cell research and medical practitioner.

Dr. Shurney was the driving force in establishing the Sickle Cell Donor Program for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Michigan and was recently appointed to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute’s Advisory Committee for Sickle Cell Disease.

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We must boldly and insistently combat opioid use

By Brenda Lawrence

diction or overdose. In my district, I know this image is far too often the reality for parents, grandparents, friends and families.

While legislation could never bring back a loved one, it is my hope that begin to shield others from such grave loss.

Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (MI-14) wrote the following article featured by The Hill regarding the opioid epidemic sweeping the nation.

“Prescribe until patients achieve pain relief.” A mantra that has destroyed lives and torn apart so many American families. The opioid epidemic has hit our country in a major way. Every 12 minutes, someone in the United States dies of a drug overdose. In Michigan, we have been hit especially hard by this crisis. From 1999 to 2014, Michigan’s drug death rate has grown faster than the national average.

While Congress has been criticized for its lack of action and gridlock. On May 11, 2016, we came together to overwhelmingly to support H.R. 5046, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Reduction Act, or the “OPEN” Act. In an almost 100 percent bipartisan effort, Congress sought to bring relief to the millions of American families affected by this painful epidemic.

The passage of the OPEN Act provides over 100 million dollars a year for the Comprehensive

Brenda Lawrence Opioid Abuse Grant Program that will address the opioid abuse epidemic.

The program will provide assistance and services related to opioid abuse epidemic.

While there is no one - stop shop piece of legislation to stop this crisis, I am pleased by my colleagues’ commitment to address this fatal epidemic. In recent days, we have passed more than a dozen bills designed to address the opioid epidemic infiltrating parts of my district such as Oakland County where heroin-related deaths have increased dramatically and have expanded at an alarming rate community-wide.

As a mother, I can only imagine the pain and grief faced by parents of a child lost as a result of an ad-

Inspiringly, the most recent pieces of legislation have received tremendous bipartisan support and are slated to be signed into law by President Obama. I seek to support all legislation that endeavors to address issues associated with the opioid epidemic, including prescription limits, Good Samaritan laws that protect individuals who attempt to save overdose victims, and support for addicted pregnant women.

I will continue to support the bipartisan effort to combat opioid addiction and abuse. We must continue to produce innovative ideas that provide all those affected by this epidemic with the relief they need and deserve. Again, there is no easy cure to solving this epidemic, but I believe by boldly and insistently combatting opioid abuse we will turn the tide and save lives in the state of Michigan and across the country!

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page A-3

Henry Ford Health System recognized as leader in LGBT healthcare Michigan Chronicle Reports

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has recognized four acute-care hospitals in the Henry Ford Health System as leaders in healthcare equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, as well as Henry Ford’s community hospitals in Macomb, West Bloomfield and Wyandotte, were named leaders for their “commitment to equitable, inclusive care for LGBT patients and their families who can face significant challenges in securing the quality health care and respect they deserve,” according to the HRC Foundation.

Henry Ford’s LGBT-supportive policies are numerous and include: • Informing patients of the right to designate a same sex spouse or partner as a medical decision-maker • Organizing employee resource group, PRIDE, for LGBT employees and families • Offering gender-neutral bathrooms • Extending some employee benefits to same sex spouses and partners.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization. Each year it conducts a unique annual survey that is the basis for the Healthcare Equality Index.

It evaluates and categorizes policies and practices that support equal and respectful treatment of LGBT patients, employees and visitors – and LGBT Americans in general.

The 2016 index recognized 496 health care facilities as LGBT leaders. Henry Ford hospitals have made the leaders’ index each year since 2013.

To be deemed LGBT-friendly, facilities must meet key criteria, including patient and employee non-discrimination policies that specifically mention sexual orientation and gender identity, a guarantee of equal visitation for same-sex partners and parents and LGBT health education for key staff members.

Policies and practices at Henry Ford hospitals speak to those criteria and go beyond, including: • Employee training addresses the needs of LGBT patients, families and employees • Health system representatives maintain relationships with LGBT organizations • Hospital job postings are shared specifically with LGBT organizations • Transgender medicine is a major focus of research and practice “We strive to treat every individual who interacts with Henry Ford Health System with respect, compassion and an understanding that the quality of care should never vary based on personal characteristics such as ethnicity, race, gender, geographic location, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation,” says Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Senior Vice President of Community Health & Equity and Chief Wellness Officer for Henry Ford Health System.

“Being recognized as a leader in healthcare equality for the LGBT community goes to the core of the diversity principles that guide us, principles that aren’t just on paper in the form of policies but that are very much of a part what we do every day, whether it’s with patients and families in the hospital or with employees through human resources,” Wisdom says.

While a select group of health care facilities are rising to the top as health care models for treating the LGBT community, situations of unequal care and treatment are yet to be addressed, says Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign.

“Despite all the progress we’ve made, far too many LGBT people still lack inclusive and affirming healthcare. Leaders in LGBT Healthcare Equality are helping to change that, and, in the process, making the lives of LGBT patients and their families better each and every day,” Griffin says.

“LGBT people have a right to be treated equally in all aspects of our lives, and HRC celebrates those at Henry Ford for their work to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all patients.”

Working to ensure equal care and respect is standard operating procedure at Henry Ford, says Kathy Oswald, Vice President and Chief Human Resources officer for Henry Ford.

“We realize that until equality is the way of the world, we must do everything we can to bring it to the workplace,” Oswald says. “Training our employees to recognize the needs of the LGBT community and supporting LGBT employees are just some of the many ways we work to understand and honor diversity.”

Touch-A-Truck Day teaches youth about service vehicles

By Vershay Burks Special to the Michigan Chronicle

On Saturday, May 21, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy had its second annual free Touch-A-Truck event at the West Riverfront Park.

Kids of all ages got the chance to be hands-pon with 25 trucks and other work vehicles that serve the metro Detroit community.

According to, Marc Pasco, the communications director of the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy had been planning this event for a year.

Pasco says the Touch-A-Truck idea came from a colleague at a brainstorming session last year at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

“We started working on it right away and there's a fair amount of work that goes into it. You have to reach out to all of the companies and coordinate their schedules and make sure you don’t have any duplicate trucks. It’s really a year-long process.”

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended Touch-A-Truck, and even more showed up for this year’s event.

“It's great for the community, the community really came out in full force. There were a lot of people from the metrp Detroit community, as well as people who live in the city who came out,” said Pasco.

Hart Medical EMS medic Tom Barnes says his ambulance is among the kids’ favorite trucks to touch.

“If you look at all the other trucks, they’re not really flocking to those like they are to this one. We have the lights on, and the sirens going, let the kids play with it. We obviously took all of our medicines and needles out so they could just touch everything,” said Barnes.

Barnes feels the event is especially great for children in the community.

“It's a great community outreach.

The kids are not scared when they see someone coming up in uniform.

That's an awesome part of this place and to just get them outside. They are out here having fun, no drugs, no fights here, just good family fun,” said Barnes.

Detroit mother Domitian Williams brought her family to the event for the first time.

“It was pretty great. They got to see a dumpster truck, an ambulance and Mac truck, and my son really loves trucks so it was a great experience,” said Williams.

Williams says she is glad that there are events like Touch-A-Truck in Detroit, because it shows a good side of the city.

“It's a good family event, it was really safe, they got to see everything up close, and we definitely plan to come back next year,”

said Williams.Detroit Riverfront volunteer Latonya Thomas said she loves volunteering for events that bring the community together and represent the city of Detroit well.

“I love being an ambassador for my city, I love working for my community, I just love being a Detroiter born and raised,” said Thomas.

Pasco says there are a lot of activities and free programming on the riverfront.

“Coming up we have fishing fest, that’s a free event where we invite kids to come out and learn how to fish. We have GM River Days, which is our big three-day summer festival that's in June.

“Last year we had 165,000 people come out for that. We also have a literacy program that we have coming up in July and August, where we have kids come out and have celebrities read to them,” said Pasco.

Detroit auction professioanl earns industry’s top recognition Michigan Chronicle Reports

David Brooks III recently completed a three-year executive development program focused on business management, ethics, strategic planning and marketing.

Brooks of LASTBIDrealestate.com recently completed his training at the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI). CAI is the industry’s premier training program developed by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) for auction professionals.

Brooks joins an exclusive group as there were approximately 900 current CAI designation holders in the world as of February 2016.

The three-year CAI designation program provides auction professionals the opportunity to earn the industry’s most respected professional designation. CAI is an intensive, executive development pro-

gram offering professional auctioneers with instruction and coursework in business management, ethics, finance, communication, strategic planning and marketing.

The NAA conducts CAI every March at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Brooks has taken his 25+ years real estate experience a step further by becoming a certified auctioneer and specializing in selling commercial, residential, industrial, and vacant land by using the auction method.

A Grand Rapids native, Brooks learned about the real estate business from his father. After graduating from high school in 1987, during his first full year selling real estate, he sold more than $1 million in properties in the Grand Rapids area. Buying his first house at age 19, Brooks promptly sold it on a land contract and never looked back since! By age 24 he

David Brooks III was an independent real estate broker. Re/Max recruited him as a franchisee in 1998. Three years later in 2001 he had about 40 agents, but another opportunity beckoned—an epiphany to specialize in the foreclosure real-estate market.

In 2001, Brooks made the shift from recruiting agents to

selling foreclosures for all the major banks in the US. By the time in 2008, about the time the housing “bubble” burst, he founded Brooks Real Estate Group as an independent broker. The foreclosure market spiked and he was averaged 400-500 closings annually.

Brooks opened a second office in Novi in 2010 and by 2012 he moved to southeastern Michigan where he now resides, in downtown Detroit in David Whitney Building.

Brooks is a proponent of both the real estate and the auction industry. He encourages other professionals or young aspiring entrepreneurs to contact him regarding scholarship opportunities offered through the National Auctioneers Association and other national auction schools.

Since moving to the Detroit region, Brooks has become a an active member in the community. In 2013, he became a member of the Detroit Athletic Club. Through the club he has made many important contacts and connections. In the morning, you will often find him in the pool with the Masters Swim Program swimming between 10,000 to 12,000 yards per week as well as running the Dequindre cut about two or more times per week.

To learn more about David Brooks III, please call 248-3207741, email dbrooks@1800lastbid.com or view his profile at www.linkedin.com/in/davidbrooksiii

Currently, Brooks is aware of four scholarships available in 2016 for auctioneering training. Please contact him about these opportunities.

For more information on CAI, its history and its standing as the premiere training program for auction professionals, contact the NAA at (913) 5418084 or visit www.auctioneers. org.

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page A-4

Cummings From page A-1

Congressman Cummings will keynote the Jubilee Banquet at the MGM Grand Hotel, speaking on “The Importance of the Black Church in Community Development, Social Justice, and Economic Opportunity.” He will also be recognized for his advocacy for the children and families of Flint at this most crucial time. The banquet begins at 6 pm on Friday, June 3.

Saturday will also mark a special Community Golf Outing to be held at the Copper Ridge Golf & Banquet Center in Davison, Michigan, for the benefit of the James E. Wadsworth Jr., Community Center, founded by Rev. Anthony in 1987.

S.W.A.G.

From page A-1

fact that we’re hosting the S.W.A.G. Awards and making college possible for some of these children is what we’re really all about. They will go on to tell great stories and to create great stories,” he said. “The S.W.A.G. Awards was created really through a brainstorming session with the Talmer Bank executives. Talmer was looking for a way to impact the community in a positive way. One of their pillars is education, and they really wanted Detroit families to know that they were serious about making a commitment to the city of Detroit.”

On Jubilee Sunday, June 3 at 9:30 am, a special guest preacher, Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins, president of the Progressive Baptist Convention USA and pastor of Greater Christ Baptist Church, will bring a historic message.

The worship will also include music from the Fellowship Chapel Mass Choir and a special presentation of the Xpressions of Praize Mime Ministry of Fellowship Chapel.

Fellowship Chapel was founded June 5, 1966 by Rev. James E. Wadsworth, Jr., who was also president of the Detroit Branch NAACP from 1967 to 1969. Rev. Anthony has served as president for the past 23 years.

Gary Torgow, chairman of Talmer Bank, emphasized his commitment.

“Our goal with the S.W.A.G. Awards was to find that well-rounded student who could take all of the wonderful qualities they’ve developed in their young lives and use those qualities — educational qualities, service to the community qualities, the ability to get along with other folks, the ability to lead, the ability to see what the future can provide. That doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s going to be a 4.0 average. It is very important for every student to understand, as I understood it, that you can become the chairman of a bank and have a 2.6 grade point average in high school. And still rise to the opportunity, and rise to the occasion to do great things in your community. To do great things in your lives.”

In total, 25 students received scholarships ranging from $500 up to $10,000. Jay’la Logan, a senior at Old Redford Academy in Detroit, was awarded the Grand Prize of $10,000.

Logan is planning to attend Western Michigan University in the fall to study politcal science with aspirations to attend law school. Papia

The Wadsworth Center sponsors programs such as the Rites of Passage Institutes, known as Isuthu and Intonjane for boys and girls ages 6 to 18 (youth mentoring), family counseling, job referrals, tutorial services, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcohol Anonymous, health screenings, and financial literacy and planning.

Fellowship Chapel has an international outreach ministry which serves an indigenous population in the West African nation of Ghana through its health care clinic, built in 1996, for children and families.

Located in Cape Coast, the clinic has served thousands of people over the past 20 years providing medical supplies, food and clothing, along with nurses and a doctor for the central region.

Members of Mosaic Youth Theatre perform.

Aziz, a senior at Detroit International Academy for Young Women, received the second largest scholarship in the amount of $5000. She is planning to attend University of Detroit to study biological sciences.

The S.W.A.G Awards’ goal is to build confidence and ensure a better future for Detroit teens, provide a village of support for parents and educators and together build strong future community and business leaders. We salute the future leaders being awarded scholarships but also celebrate the hard work and dedication to success conveyed by all that applied for our inaugural award. To these students, thank you for sharing your stories of aspiration, community service and academic success.

Fellowship Chapel has also awarded over $500,000 in scholarships for students in and outside of the church over the past 20 years.

Faith leaders, union officials, business persons, and elected officials from across the country have been sending their congratulations and support for the work of the church.

The banquet will conclude with an evening of dancing, music, and fellowship. Entertainment will be provided by Detroit’s own 313, a band noted for its high energy and contemporary music across the nation.

Anniversary co-chairs are attorney John E. Johnson Jr., Esq. and Judge Izetta F. Bright.

The banquet chair is Heaster L. Wheeler. All events are open to the general public.

Paula Tutman, WDIV reporter, was mistress of ceremonies.

For more information on tickets and special events, please call (313) 347-2820 or go to www.fellowshipchapel.org.

Detroit youth From page A-1

necessary $700,000 match from the philanthropic community to bring the total contribution to $1.4 million. This is but another example of Detroit and Wayne County working together to improve our community.

Grow Detroit’s Young Talent’s mission to provide youth with work-readiness training and on-the-job experiences are aligned with a priority of the Evans Administration to provide youth, in particular those who are atrisk, with workforce opportunities.

“We are excited to work with Wayne County on bringing more life-changing opportunities and work experiences to young people in our city,” Mayor Duggan said. “This is about giving young people the life and work skills that will put them on the path to bright futures and careers.

“Summer jobs are such an important part of a young person’s life, and we need to make sure that as many young people in Detroit as possible have the same opportunity.”

Pastor Ovella Davis addresses the crowd.

Detroiters in search of peace

By Paul Warner

Special to the Michigan Chronicle

Normally any anti-gun violence rally or gathering is peppered with victims of street violence or those mourning the victims of that violence giving testimonies about how they have been impacted by said violence.

Roston, a member of the Church of the Messiah, went to the church as a 17 year old on probation looking to fulfill his community service obliga-

Last year, the City of Detroit provided jobs to 5,600 youths in the city, so this year, Mayor Duggan set the goal of expanding it to 8,000. More than 11,000 youth ages 14-24 from across the city of Detroit applied for GDYT in five weeks this year, and more than 200 employers have signed on to participate so far, nearly twice the number last year. Businesses can still join by registering at www.gdyt.org by May 30.

The youth start work July 6. Teens 14 to 18 years of age are paid $8 an hour, and those 18-24 receive $9.50 an hour. Most participants work 20 hours a week for six weeks.

They will also receive 12 hours of work readiness training and another 24 hours of training, such as financial literacy education.

On May 20, at a press conference held by the United Communities of America at the Church of the Messiah to introduce the God Said “Thou Shall Not Kill” Motorcade and Rally on Sunday the 22nd as part of No Violence Day, that script was flipped.

Along with pastors such as United Communities of America leader Ovella Adams and Church of the Messiah pastor Barry Randolph, representatives of several Detroit funeral homes including Carla Cole from Cole Funeral Home and Stinson Funeral Home CEO Curtis Williams, and government representatives such as U.S. Department of Justice attorney Barbara McQuade and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Chief Robert Dunlap, there was a 21-year-old Detroit success story named Dwight Roston.

News of the partnership with Wayne County comes on the heels of the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program receiving a $2 million federal grant awarded over two years.

Attorney Barbara McQuade from the US Department of Justice tion via the church. As introduced by Pastor Randolph, “He is an example of what it is to be in the city of Detroit, be on the other side of the tracks and then turn his life around and is doing some incredible things. When he came here he was stealing cars, he was on probation, but now he's a rapper, he’s a model, he’s a entertainer, he’s a father and he's a dynamic, outstanding citizen.

“He is the face of the young people who have been at the bottom but given the right opportunity he's taken ad-

vantage of it, and he has changed his life.”

In introducing Roston, Pastor Randolph introduced an example of how to change the culture of violence in the city of Detroit. Randolph's church, which offers job training in numerous professions, a housing employment and housing office and has a congregation consisting mostly of African-American males under the age of 30, was instrumental in Roston's life transformation.

See SEARCH

FOR PEACE page A-5

Wayne County has partnered with 23 youth service agencies to nominate and screen youth who are eligible to participate in the program. The youth selected will undergo an assessment to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and that they have a genuine interest in achieving success in the program.

United Way of Southeastern Michigan will administer the contribution and work with DESC and the youth service agencies to place youth with employers.

This collaboration builds upon the Evans Administration’s ongoing commitment to help transform the lives of at-risk youth. Earlier this year, Executive Evans announced a partnership with Detroit-based Black Family Development to provide job training for atrisk youth and those released from Wayne County’s Juvenile Detention Facility. The program is slated to launch in late summer of 2016.

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page A-5

Michigan, will it become another case for Brown v. the Board?

Statement from the NAACP, Branch Chapter Sixty-two years ago, there were those who asserted that the system of racial separation, masquerading as providing separate but equal treatment of both white and black Americans, instead was one that perpetuated inferior accommodations, services, financing, and treatment for black Americans. The infamous case of Brown v. the Board of Education found that separate but equal was indeed separate and unequal. It determined that separating public schools for black and white students, along racial lines, to be unconstitutional. Have we not learned anything in the last sixty-two years here in the state of Michigan? Is Michigan the new home of Topeka, Kansas, South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, or Washington, DC? The lack of urgency to resolve the educational crisis in the city of Detroit, by some in the Michigan State Legislature, who along with governors of this state, have led us to inferior schools, inadequate financing, insufficient supplies, with a possible launching of a cadre of uncertified educators to teach in intolerable working conditions, takes us in a backwards direction, rather than towards a forward movement.

Is Michigan becoming the new Mississippi or better yet, the old Topeka, Kansas?

There appears to be a great lack of concern for our children and the extreme political ideology around race and class, when it comes to the city of Detroit, our “states largest school district.” Shall Michigan force another third grader like Linda Brown, who lived in Topeka, Kansas 62 years ago, to walk six blocks to her school bus stop, just to catch a ride to Monroe Elementary, her segregated black school, one mile away? She was forced to walk this distance, while Sumner Elementary, a white school, was seven blocks from her home. Will Detroit school children, in 2016, be forced once again to either walk, or be bused, or driven to suburban communities to get a decent education, while just down their block are local schools which could provide for such an education but who suffer from the mean-spiritedness of some elected officials who have turned their backs on their progress? The state of Michigan must be better than that.

The current proposals offered by the Michigan House of Representatives are unsupportable, inadequate, offensive, and a stench in the nostril of all people who believe in justice, fair play, and equality for all children and for all communities. Detroiters should not be forced to seek alternative educational facilities when the state has a constitutional responsibility and a moral duty to provide education for all of its children. The so called deal between the Michigan House and the Michigan Senate is in reality no deal at all. For us, it is simply a steal from the opportunities of our children to have a quality education in the city of Detroit. We support the Bipartisan Senate Bill 710. We call upon all responsible legislators to vote on it now.

Grade Lead and Civics and Economics Teacher, University YES Academy. “The program has inspired them to have discussions at home with their parents, and bring questions to class; both of which have resulted in very rich discussions. The best part of the program is that it’s online. I think the use of media has helped them retain more of the information.”

“John Hancock has made a truly significant investment in Michigan schools aimed at helping students develop a foundation of financial understanding and capability which is absolutely essential,” said EverFi founder and CEO Tom Davidson. “This program helps to prepare thousands of students across the state with the financial management skills needed to advance their own futures.”

John Hancock is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world. The company has partnered with EverFi to bring John Hancock Michigan Scholars to local students at no cost to schools or taxpayers. The program began in 13 Michigan schools in 2014 and now is offered in 35 schools, reaching over 1,500 students. The web-based program uses the latest in simulation and gaming technologies to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation.

“John Hancock is proud to partner with EverFi to help Michigan students enhance their financial capabilities,” said Linda Watters, vice president, John Hancock. “It is vitally important for young people to understand how the financial decisions they make today can have a long term impact on their lives. We believe the John Hancock Michigan Scholars program will help prepare these students for a brighter financial future.”

While more states are implementing standards in personal finance, only 17 states require high school students to take a course in personal finance, according to the Council for Economic Education (CEE). John Hancock partners with EverFi to implement John Hancock Michigan Scholars in a co-curricular basis, providing students with the opportunity to develop healthy financial attitudes and behaviors in a classroom setting.

Dwight Roston speaks to the crowd.

Search for peace

From page A-4

In describing how the church reaches out to the young population he said, “There are things we do to make God tangible. I’ll make it Detroit plain, we deal with ‘Ray Ray’ and ‘Pookie.’”

When Roston addressed the media at the press conference he had a message for the adults in the Detroit community.

“Most young people look at themselves as by themselves, that's why they don't go to older people for help,” he said. “That's why we don't necessarily show the respect as we should, because we haven't been shown the respect that we should.

As the elders, it’s you guys’ job to guide us, even if you don't like us, even if you don’t want to spend time with us, because we are your future and we look up to you guys.”

Later, Roston went into further detail about on how to change the culture of violence on a long-term basis.

“I’m the same person I was before I came to the church, nothing has changed,” Roston said in between receiving congratulatory statements from several members of law enforcement and clergy.

“The only thing that has changed is they introduced opportunity to me. As a young person one of the most frustrating things that we deal with is the lack of opportunity, the lack of employment. I told Pastor the other day, imagine if every young person was at work, there would be no violence. I really feel like violence, aggression and things like that are a side effect of people not being able to live to their best abil-

Hearses from the caravan motive. So I was really defensive until I really figured out that they were genuine people, that they really cared.”

Roston showed up at the church's doorstep at the age of 17. He just turned 22 and is a new person. The organizations involved with the nonviolence day hope the outreach efforts will create more people like Dwight Roston.

Two days later, members of Detroit clergy, community organizations, car clubs and various Detroit funeral homes participated in a motor caravan and rally as part of No Violence Day in the city. The No Violence Day initiative has been officially proclaimed by the City of Detroit as a day of peace and healing by asking that no violence happens on the 22nd of each month.

According to the official proclamation, “Honoring the 22nd day means the elimination of all negative emotions and allowing peace to flow through each individual for one day. Those engaged in violence are asked to stop and honor the code for at least that one day with the goal of no violence across America.”

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan did “hereby proclaim the 22nd of each month a day of ‘Thou Members of the Motor City Heat perform.

Shall Not Kill,’ a day for peace, ity. Not being able to have the best healing and rest,” according to the things. Not being able to give their proclamation. The proclamation kids the best education. The anger also applauded the efforts of the we have as young people comes United Communities of America, a from the stuff we have been through faith based community service or— not having parents, from growing ganization founded by Pastor Ovella up and being left out and not having Davis, which sponsored the caravan what you would call a normal life. I and rally. grew up with my grandmother. My mom had died and my dad was not The caravan started at Grand River and Livernois and ended at there.”

King High School where the rally “When I came here I was skeptiwas held. It included custom autocal at first. I really seriously asked mobiles and motorcycles as well as them, ‘What do you want from me?’ hearses from the funeral homes.

I've never had, as a young person, somebody talk to me and be inter- The rally included speeches by ested in me and not have a ulterior Davis and other members of the De-

troit clergy as well as performances by the King High School Dance Company and musical performances. The caravan was met by the sounds of the Church of the Messiah's marching band, named Motor City Heat, performing Cameo's “Shake Your Pants.”

Davis told the crowd about her motivation for organizing the events.

“Some people have asked me why I’m campaigning against violence. Have I been a victim of violence or have I had a family member who was a victim of violence? And I said no. Violence and crime is a spiritual war and it’s birthed in sin,” she explained.

The faith-based rally included a explanation of the Crime Stoppers of Michigan’s Anonymous Tip program by Bishop A.J. Williams, which cleared up some of the misguided impressions of what the process is all about.

“Crime Stoppers is not synonymous with the police department.

We are not a adjunct of the police department. Chief Craig is not my boss,” Williams told the crowd. “We give information to the police department because they are the ones who have to apprehend criminals.

We are not one in the same. I have great respect for our chief and for the work that our officers are doing.

We need to commend every officer we can. They are underpaid and overworked and understaffed, but we are not the police.”

He also explained the process of keeping information anonymous: “Since 1993, has anyone given a tip, and the anonymity of that tip been violated in any way by Crime Stoppers Michigan.

We have a system in place (a pin system) that makes it full proof that your tip will be anonymous.”

If you attempt to give your name to Crime Stoppers they will not take your name and hang up. All tipsters are given a pin number after giving their information. When you call back to see if your info was used in apprehending a criminal, you are only identified by your pin number.

The encryption system will not give out your phone number.

University YES Academy students improve financial literacy knowledge through innovative statewide program Michigan Chronicle Reports

Recently, 34 high school students from University YES Academy showed program officials the critical skills they’ve learned to help them manage their money in the future. In total, 108 students at YES are taking part in this year’s John Hancock Michigan Scholars, a unique digital financial literacy learning initiative currently running in 35 Michigan Schools.

Administered by teachers in a classroom setting, the webbased course offers over eight hours of programming on a variety of financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans,

mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401(k)s and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards.

The platform uniquely tracks the progress and performance of every student.

“Using EverFi has really opened my students’ eyes about the importance of financial literacy,” said Zuqueta Brown, 10th Grade Lead and Civics and Economics Teacher, University YES Academy. “The program has inspired them to have discussions at home with their parents, and bring questions to class; both of which have resulted in very rich discussions.

The best part of the program is that it’s online. I think the use of media has helped them re-

tain more of the information.”

“John Hancock has made a truly significant investment in Michigan schools aimed at helping students develop a foundation of financial understanding and capability which is absolutely essential,” said EverFi Founder and CEO Tom Davidson. “This program helps to prepare thousands of students across the state with the financial management skills needed to advance their own futures.”

John Hancock is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully navigate the increasingly complex financial world. The company has

partnered with EverFi to bring John Hancock Michigan Scholars to local students at no cost to schools or taxpayers. The program began in 13 Michigan schools in 2014 and now is offered in 35 schools, reaching over 1,500 students. The webbased program uses the latest in simulation and gaming technologies to bring complex financial concepts to life for today’s digital generation.

“John Hancock is proud to partner with EverFi to help Michigan students enhance their financial capabilities,” said Linda Watters, vice president, John Hancock. “It is vitally important for young people to understand how the financial decisions they make today

can have a long-term impact on their lives. We believe the John Hancock Michigan Scholars program will help prepare these students for a brighter financial future.”

While more states are implementing standards in personal finance, only 17 states require high school students to take a course in personal finance, according to the Council for Economic Education (CEE). John Hancock partners with EverFi to implement John Hancock Michigan Scholars in a co-curricular basis, providing students with the opportunity to develop healthy financial attitudes and behaviors in a classroom setting.

Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 1-7, 2016

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June 1-7, 2016

University Prep Schools students take trip of a lifetime Michigan Chronicle Reports

The University Prep Schools Study Abroad Program is taking 16 curious middle school and high school students outside of the classroom to explore the world for the “Exploration of China” trip. U Prep students depart for a weeklong trip to China beginning Thursday, June 2 to Monday, June 13.

In its eighth year, the U Prep Study Abroad Program has helped Detroit students expand their worldly knowledge through travel. The upcoming “Exploration of China” trip will be filled with stops to some of the country’s most historic sites such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Shanghai Museum and the People’s Square, where students will be taken on a walking tour of the French Concession.

Atlanta transplant brings her own spin to event planning

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

Past trips have included Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Costa Rica, China, Peru, and Greece. Next year, students will once again travel to Italy and be one of the first schools in the area to travel to Cuba, guided by U Prep Study Abroad Coordinator Joshua Lopez.

“At U Prep Schools, we pride ourselves on giving students the access and opportunity to explore what is possible for their future,” said Mark Ornstein, CEO of University Prep Schools and Detroit 90/90.

“The U Prep Study Abroad Program helps us take students out of the classroom to get a hands-on learning experience and this global perspective has an incredible impact on our students’ education and lives.”

Parents and students have planned fundraisers yearround to help defer the cost of travel; in addition to the annual Silent Auction Dinner and Golf Outing fundraisers hosted by U Prep. Those interested in sponsoring a student for the Study Abroad Program may contact Josephine Cook, U Prep Schools at josephine. cook@uprepschools.com or 313.549.5563.

Known as one of Detroit’s longest-standing tuition-free and non-profit public charter school systems, University Prep Schools encompasses two districts and seven campuses serving K-12 students from all corners of the city and beyond with the 90/90 Promise, which guarantees that 90 percent or more graduate and 90 percent or more are accepted to college. U Prep’s campuses were built by the Thompson Educational Foundation whose initiatives are focused on creating educational opportunities for Detroit youth.

First of all, a lot of people aren’t quite sure what an event planner does. Among those who think they do, there is a mistaken tendency to associate ‘events’ with ‘parties’ which, by guilty association, suggests that all an event planner really does is put on some really good parties. That’s if the event planner is any good. If the planner isn’t so hot, then the result is a sorry excuse for a party that’s talked about in far less than complimentary terms for days, weeks, and maybe even months after the failed event.

And of course that’s too bad, because nobody likes to go to a messed up party. But if there’s one thing that Detroit newcomer (six months and counting) Gabrielle Jones wants Detroiters to know about what she does for a living, it’s that event planners do much, much more than just put parties together.

Not that there’s anything wrong with a party, but there are certainly other events going on in Detroit that require a specific type and amount of planning.

Which is where Rielle Events comes in. Founded by Jones over a year ago in her hometown of Atlanta, she has since moved to Detroit and is looking to expand her services to the Motor City. Specifically, Jones says her focus is on the non-profit community and social causes.

Even more specifically, Jones says she likes bringing groups of people together in a perfect setting that she herself has created, designed to inspire them to interact and discuss critical issues. Which makes sense when you consider that she graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in International Relations and Sociology.

“We’re known for Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, a lot of political people. And that’s why I went to Wellesley. I knew I wanted to be a diplomat.

Hopefully one day that’s in my future,” she said.

What changed, and why she put the diplomat path on hold, was when she realized

ferent response when I go in there and I say, ‘I’m an event planner’. They think I’m from Detroit. When I say ‘I’m from Atlanta and I’m expanding my services here’, I’m received very differently. Better. They give me the time. They show me the faces.”

she could make a career out of bringing people together.

“I love events, I love people coming together, sharing stories,” she said. “I like to create the right setting for people to have those breakthroughs, to make way for the future.

You have to have that meeting space. …It’s a multibillion dollar industry.”

Which is something she’s not sure many people are aware of in Detroit. And they should be.

“Here you don’t see a lot of black women doing these kinds of events.”

An odd twist to that phenomenon is the reception Jones gets from potential customers once they realize she’s not from Detroit. It’s a response that both intrigues and troubles her at the same time, because it sheds a light on lingering perceptions among some that if it’s made in Detroit then it must be somehow defective.

An obviously twisted perception, but one that remains nevertheless.

“I go to venues all the time because I am new, so I spend most of my days looking at different sites. I get a very dif-

Jones said her route to Detroit began with a relationship that had her going back and forth between here and Atlanta. At first she was somewhat skeptical of the city, but over time she came to love Detroit to the point where she now describes herself as a walking, talking billboard promoting the city’s virtues to her friends back in Atlanta and elsewhere, most of whom have no idea what Detroit is all about, or what it offers.

“I’m not coming to Detroit to save Detroit, or anything like that. I’m coming here to create settings to talk about whatever y’all want to talk about. Create the perfect setting, the perfect backdrop to that.”

For more information on Rielle Events, and the woman who founded the company, go to rielleevents.com.

Commonwealth Academy celebrates 20 years of success

By Nicholas Smith Commonwealth Community Development Academy, a K-8 elementary school, charted by Eastern Michigan University, is celebrating 20 years (1996 – 2016) of helping students succeed at his/her maximum potential, and providing consistent support to the community! Friday, June 3, 2016, during the promotional exercises of its 20th Eighth Grade Class, Commonwealth will also honor the founder and executive administrator, Dr. Cullian W. Hill, at a Cotillion themed ball. The event will be held at the American Serbian Memorial Hall, 19940 Van Dyke, Detroit, Michigan.

There will be a red carpet arrival from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Dinner will be served at 7:15 PM. Not only will the Ball celebrate the class of 2016,Commonwealth will also celebrate Dr. Hill for the hard work and dedication he has given these past

20 years… providing a of 187 students, grades stimulating learning envisixth through eighth. In ronment to attract those 1998, the elementary families in search of alterschool opened at 13477 native approaches to pubEureka Road in Detroit, lic education. His mission Michigan 48212 servicing was and continues to be: grades K-5. In 2000, CCDA building champions who began using Step Up to can compete globally, by Writing, a model designed providing a solid academto teach writing across ic foundation. Academic the curriculum.

During and social excellence is enthe 2001-2002 school year couraged through effective Commonwealth formally instruction and cooperacontracted with Success tion between faculty, par- Dr. Cullian W. Hill for All (SFA) to implement ents and students. their research-based reading reform model, which extends across Because Dr. Cullian W. Hill has a vithe entire curriculum. sion and passion to educate kids and motivate them to achieve excellence, Commonwealth Community Development Academy was established in June 1996. The first campus was located at 8735 Schoolcraft in Detroit, Michigan, 48238. The first enrollment consisted

In 2006, Commonwealth re-organized and merged grades K-6 on the Eureka campus to focus on the intensity of their programs in the lower elementary grades. Grades 7 and 8 were re-added in 2007, once the school established

consistency in maintaining adequate progress as measured by State and standardized assessments. The school continues to make academic progress and close the achievement gap.

In 2012 a brand new state-of-the-art modular was constructed to house a professional dance studio and science laboratory with additional lecture space.

The elementary campus still offers an on-site library, a state of the art computer laboratory, physical education classes, hot meals cooked on site, and can accommodate up to 400 students in an air-conditioned building. Commonwealth is currently implementing technology for classroom learning through netbooks, iPads, and interactive boards.

Students are learning to complete assignments in digital workbooks and monitor their own performance/progress.

See COMMONWEALTH page B-2

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page B-2

Wall of 100 Makers features beauty and unity in Detroit

By Romina Hausmann and Rachael Carson The Wall of 100 Makers, an interactive art installation mirroring the city of Detroit, premiered last week at Detroit’s iconic Masonic Temple during Start-Up week powered by Chase Bank. The high impact project is a product of Civilla, a human-centered design studio based in Detroit.

The organization focuses on the biggest social challenges facing our communities today, whether they fall in the realms of education, public health, equitable transit or the humanization of social services.Project organizers, Romina Hausmann and Rachael Carson created the Wall of 100 Makers to support Civilla’s mission to make a measurable impact where it matters most.

The Wall of 100 Makers represents Detroit’s makers from American Indian, African, Arab, Armenian and Latino American communities, among others. The presenters vary from world-renowned artists and craftspeople to local builders and designers giving the viewer a visual window into the distinct cultures, ethnicities and neighborhoods of Detroit.

Materials range from wood, metal, pottery, textile, neon lighting, 3D printing, sound, sculpture, photography, poetry, bamboo and even a sensory piece and works are designed to mimic the industrial factories of Detroit.

Wall of 100 Makers strips the barrier between viewers and the artists through the interactive component of opening and closing each window.

Each window is a lens into a new community through the eyes and art of the maker. Interacting with the craft, viewers open windows on the wall, see the artists’ faces, and read their quotes.

The exhibit supports, accentuates, and elevates the distinct cultures, ethnicities and neighborhoods in Detroit. The Wall of 100 Makers seeks to attract community centric creators interested in gaining exposure and exploring collaboration in a new and radical way.

Encouraging viewer engagement with the artist, the exhibit organizers, hope to break barriers between viewers and art, and to bridge disparate communities together with a common purpose.

DAPCEP Hosted over 700 Students at 2016 STEMM Day With Top Corporations On Tuesday, May 24, 2016, nearly 700 students from 15 Detroit and metro-Detroit high schools attended Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program’s (DAPCEP) 2016 STEMM Day at the Michigan Science Center, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m..

Support for this day-long event was provided by Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, (MI GEAR-UP) and the King, Chavez, Parks, (KCP) Initiative.

Students participated in interactive science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) workshops hosted by corporations, colleges, and universities and attended college and career panel discussions. This event engaged students from historically underserved populations in hands-on STEMM activities and educational experiences and introduced them to the in-demand STEMM careers that fuel this state’s economy.

“STEMM Day 2016 is an opportunity for participating students to spend time with corporate leaders and educators currently working in STEMM occupations. These students engaged in hands-on DAPCEP designed activities developed to capture their interest in high-demand STEMM careers and also guide them towards educational pursuits that will help them qualify for the jobs of tomorrow” said Jason D. Lee, DAPCEP Executive Director.

DTE Energy Gas Company President & COO Mark Stiers said, “DTE Energy leadership volunteered at STEMM Day to help illuminate the educational pathways students should follow to fill the

Commonwealth Commonwealth’s staff is committed to effectively educating and nurturing each student by providing the resources needed to be productive in society.

Commonwealth’s educational goals will adequately prepare students for successful achievement in the 21st Century. In accordance with Common Core Academic Standards, Commonwealth’s curriculum has transformed into Project-based Learning (PBL) for students to explore and experience life skills.

Partnerships with various corporations are currently under establishment to provide PBL in financial literacy, technology uses, family development and career exploration. Commonwealth’s curriculum includes: Everyday Mathematics, Success for All Reading, Step Up to Writing, English, Science, Social Studies, Special Education, Physical Education and Health. Elective classes include: Dance, Computer Applications and Music/Drama. Bus transportation

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jobs that will help power Michigan’s economy. There are financially rewarding and reliable skilled trade jobs available in the energy sector and the need for skilled workers to fill those jobs will continue to increase. By 2020, roughly 50% of current Michigan energy workers are slated to retire. We’re committed to preparing Detroit area students to fill those jobs.”

“Strong math skills are a key component in nearly all STEMM careers and Comerica Bank has a long history of community involvement geared towards helping students improve their math-based computational skills,” said Michael Cheatham, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Manager at Comerica Bank. “I look forward to helping this next generation of entrepreneurs and technical leaders reach their financial goals through our Money Matters seminars. And I know that my colleagues are equally excited about serving on the job readiness panels, and helping the students meet their career goals. We’re proud to support STEMM Day and DAPCEP’s commitment to the students of Detroit and the surrounding communities.”

DAPCEP programs are generously supported by General Motors Corporation, Comerica Bank, Denso, DTE Energy, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Nissan, Consumers Energy, Ford Motor Company, Aerotek, Detroit Zoo, Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), and the University of Michigan Dearborn among many others.

From page B-1 is also provided. Students are encouraged to excel beyond their actual grade level requirements to become prepared to meet the goals of competitive exams such as the high school entrance exam, M-STEP, ACT Explore, Smarter Balance and Scantron. Commonwealth Academy is home of the Panthers!

As Dr. Hill officially retires from Commonwealth Academy, he passes the educational leadership torch of his legacy to Mrs. Angela Moore for continued success. Mrs. Moore has been with CCDA since its inception and gladly accepts the challenge.

Commonwealth would like to invite you to attend the 20th Anniversary Cotillion Ball, honoring Dr. Cullian W. Hill, Friday, June 3, 2016 at the American Serbian Memorial Hall, 19940 Van Dyke, Detroit, MI. Tickets are available at the school office, 13477 Eureka, Detroit, MI 48212, (313) 366-9470. For more information login to: www.cwdacademy.com.

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June 1-7, 2016

Page B-3

GAO report: Segregation increasing at some U.S. schools

By Lauren Victoria Burke

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), House Education and Workforce ranking Democrat Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and House Judiciary ranking member Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) along with Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) spoke on the issue.

NNPA

A recent report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the segregation of African American and Hispanic students nationwide is getting worse.

Reps. Conyers, Butterfield and Scott will author a bill that would require schools to “designate at least one employee” to work on complying with diversity requirements.

In particular, a notable increase in segregation among K-12 public schools was pointed out in the study. The study also found that charter schools may often take students from public schools and enroll them into less diverse schools.

The study also found that Hispanic students were “triple segregated” by economics, race and language barriers.

The report was released on the 62nd anniversary of the landmark decision in the 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, which declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional.

On May 16, a judge in Cleveland, Miss., found that schools in the town were just as segregated as they were a half-century ago.

“The delay in desegregation has deprived generations of students of the constitutionally guaranteed right of

“The percentage of schools where 75 percent of students are both low-income and Hispanic or African American has increased from 9 percent in 2001 to 16 percent in 2014,” Conyers said.

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) discussed the GAO report on racial discrimination in schools at a recent press conference. This photo was taken during the 2013 Annual Legislative Conference for the Congressional Black Caucus.

(Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA photo)

an integrated education,” U.S. District Judge Debra Brown wrote.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill,

The report also found that schools that were segregated offered fewer courses in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields and college preparatory classes.

“Segregation in public K-12 schools isn’t getting better. It’s getting worse, and getting worse quickly,” Scott said.

Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted that, “There are 6,727 highly-segregated schools in our nation, where one percent or less of the school population is white. #BrownVBoard.”

In a statement about the report, National Urban League President Marc Morial said the findings in the GAO report confirm “that the promise of Brown remains a promise that has gone largely unfulfilled.”

Morial continued, “In too many communities, students of color are now more segregated with less access to equitable educational opportunities than in decades prior.”

NAACP Legal Defense Fund Director Sherrilyn Ifill said that the report shines a light on worsening education inequities that that cannot be divorced from our nation’s legacy of racial discrimination that has perpetuated racial and socioeconomic isolation.

Ifill said: “It is our imperative on the 62nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Brown v. Board of Education to ask, ‘How will we act to address current disparities like resource inequities and discriminatory discipline practices?’”

Lauren Victoria Burke is a political analyst who speaks on politics and African American leadership. She can be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke.

Dingell, Walberg Introduce VA Transparency Enhancement Act Legislation improves awareness of infections, cancelled surgeries at VA hospitals

Michigan Chronicle Reports

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-12) and Tim Walberg (MI-07) recently introduced legislation that would enhance transparency requirements at VA hospitals. Hospitals that receive reimbursement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) must report a variety of quality measures to the National Healthcare Safety Network, including surgical infections. The VA Transparency Enhancement Act will help improve VA reporting requirements by bringing them more in line with other hospitals. It would also require them to report on surgical cancellations and the impact on patients for the first time.

“Patients have a right to see infection rates and other issues impacting quality of care at VA hospitals,” said Dingell.

“Improving transparency at the VA will help ensure we are meeting the quality standards we owe our veterans. It will also help Congress understand when, where, and why infections are happening or surgeries are cancelled so we can respond to changing conditions. Should infection or cancellation rates rise, Congress and the public need to know about

it. We also need to understand whether cancelled surgeries are affecting the health of a veteran. Ensuring our veterans have timely, quality healthcare is a critical responsibility of the Congress, and this is one more very important step to ensure they do.”

“Keeping the faith with America’s veterans is a sacred responsibility and one we must be unwavering in upholding.

This bipartisan bill will enhance transparency and reporting requirements at VA hospitals — similar to those already followed by public and private hospitals — to ensure we are doing right by our nation’s veterans. When barriers to timely, high quality care arise, we must work together with urgency to get to the bottom of and solve them,” said Walberg.

The VA Transparency Enhancement Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to report quarterly to Congress on the number of patients who contracted an infection as a result of a surgery and the number of surgeries cancelled or transferred by the VA. While the VA currently provides completed and pending appointment data from local VA medical facilities to the

public monthly, the VA does not publically release data on rates of infection or cancelled or transferred surgeries.

Since late 2015, an ongoing contamination issue at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System has led to surgeries for veterans being intermittently cancelled or moved to different hospitals because particulate matter was observed on sterile surgical equipment. In November, Dingell wrote a letter to then-director of the Ann Arbor VA Robert P. McDivitt questioning the cancellations. When surgeries resumed, she and Rep. Walberg again wrote the VA seeking assurances that surgeries were not being conducted in unsafe conditions.

Since being alerted that the problem continues to persist, Dingell and Walberg have been in constant communication with Ann Arbor VA leadership. They met with acting director Eric Young and members of the senior leadership team over the weekend, and in the process, learned that VA hospitals are not required to report on surgical infection and cancellation rates, and other reporting requirements can be improved as well. Dingell and Walberg are committed

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell to ensuring the VA has the resources needed to find the source of the contamination and fix the problem.

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“America is the most violent country in the history of the world, and we’re all affected by it.”

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America must renew its infrastructure or face decline

By Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.

America is literally falling apart.

In Flint, children were poisoned by the lead contamination of the water.

In Washington, the subway system is plagued by fires and delays.

Arlington Memorial Bridge — which connects the North to the South, the Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery — may have to be closed Jesse Jackson soon.

Kennedy’s eternal flame may burn forever, but the bridge is on its last legs.

The American Society of Civil Engineers released a report last week once more warning the country of a massive investment deficit — an estimated $1.4 trillion shortfall over the next ten years — coming on top of years of underfunding and neglect.

This isn’t a matter of money. The Obama administration has announced it plans to spend over $1 trillion to build a new generation of nuclear weapons and the planes, missiles and submarines that deliver them.

These are weapons that can never be used.

We have spent over $2 trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to date, with the final costs estimated at $4 to $6 trillion. The war in Afghanistan — an impoverished country where we have no strategic interest — is already the longest in our history and continuing.

We have the money. U.S. corporations stash trillions abroad to avoid paying taxes. If they paid what they owe — now estimated to be $700 billion — it would provide a down payment on rebuilding America. The federal tax on gasoline — dedicated to paying for infrastructure — has not been raised since 1993, even though gas prices have plummeted.

Interest rates on U.S. bonds are now so low that the Treasury could issue Rebuild America bonds, put people to work to rebuild the country — and the growth

and increased productivity that results would generate revenues to repay the bonds. Even establishment economists like Lawrence Summers argue that the program would literally pay for itself.

And it would respond to the pleas of the bastion of economic conservatism — the International Monetary Fund — that is pleading with the U.S. and other advanced countries to expand public investment to forestall a return to recession.

The American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that the U.S. will suffer a stunning $4 trillion in lost GDP by 2025 from the costs of decaying tunnels, railways, waterways and other basic infrastructure. It will cost us more to decay than it would to rebuild.

But Washington is frozen. The Republican Congress rejects President Obama’s modest plans for infrastructure investment, though they are supported by a massive coalition that includes the conservative Chamber of Commerce as well as the AFL-CIO. All three presidential candidates call for expanding investment in infrastructure (although only Bernie Sanders comes close to meeting the shortfall that the civil engineers warn about).

But it will require a wave election — a sweeping rebuke to the obstructionist Republican Congress — for anything to happen.

This is how great nations decline.

Investments that are essential to any modern civilized nation — from schools and bridges to electric grids and clean water systems — are neglected. Money is squandered on foreign adventures or lost to the tax evasions of corporations and the rich. Private speculators profit from privatizing public services. We build the most modern and powerful military in the world, but are ever more crippled by decaying services that we depend on every day.

Politics as usual won’t change this.

It will change only if people rise up and hold their politicians accountable.

How many bridges must collapse or children must be poisoned or businesses must be shuttered before that happens?

President Obama deserves a ‘high five’ for his speech at Howard graduation

By Julianne Malveaux NNPA News Wire Columnist

I was apprehensive when I learned that President Obama would give the commencement speech at Howard University this year. I feared a repeat of his Morehouse speech, his yammering and scolding of African Americans in a manner so objectionable as to repulse.

The Morehouse speech was, charitably speaking, a misstep. Would Howard be a reset? I was reminded that Ivory Toldson, a Howard Julianne Malveaux University professor, leads the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and understood that Dr. Toldson might have had an opportunity to review the President’s speech. I desperately wanted President Obama to knock his speech out of the park. Guess what? He did.

He hit all the right notes. He told students to celebrate their blackness their way. He offered sage, but not scolding advice and seemed nowhere as condescending as he did at Morehouse. I didn’t have the privilege of attending Howard’s commencement, but I had the opportunity to watch the President on television. This was one of the times when I wish I could give him a high five.

Perhaps President Obama’s last year will be his best year. Perhaps the work he is doing on offering clemency for nonviolent drug offenders will expand.

While he has embraced the principle of pardons, he has offered fewer than 400 so far, even though more than 9000 may be eligible.

The Justice Department says it is “red tape” and “bureaucracy” that hampers the process, but Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe managed to cut through a lot of red tape by restoring voting rights to more than 200,000 felons in his state. Let’s see if President Obama can be as creative as the Virginia governor in issuing a blanket order to pardon nonviolent drug offenders. That would be historic.

There have been several historic and transformative moments in these last months of the Obama Presidency. Executive Order 13658 provided a mini-

— Spike Lee

mum wage of $10.10 for federal contract workers, an important initiative given that federal contractors earn millions of dollars in profits but often pay their lowest-level workers little more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

When they bid on contracts, the contracts are often awarded based on minimum bid, but minimum bid means minimum wage. Absent an executive order setting a wage floor, the most exploitative employer is the one who gets the contract.

Similarly, Executive Order 13706 provides paid sick leave for those who work for federal contractors. Again, these contractors would not provide such leave unless they were mandated to do so by executive order.

President Obama has pushed the envelope in determining that an employer or contractor has the right to include terms and conditions of work in a contract. A low-bid contract must now include adequate pay, not minimum pay. It is a step forward.

A recalcitrant Congress made it impossible for President Obama to change the terms and conditions of work for more workers, but the Executive Orders he issued set a tone for what one could consider an ideal workplace. Workers should have fair wages, sick leave, and other benefits that federal contractors are not likely to offer without incentives.

All workers should have these benefits, but they cannot be mandated without the concurrence of Congress. In the same way that President Obama has spoke from his heart to Howard University students, he seems to have spoken from his principles to some workers.

Kudos.

Still, it is challenging for me to be satisfied by actions that come so late in this administration, a speech that comes after President Obama’s team has slashed the money available to HBCUs. The soaring rhetoric of the Howard University commencement speech must be balanced by the gritty reality that too many students are leaving school because they cannot afford to pay tuition, and that even as students were walking across the state during graduation, some fraction of them would not receive diplomas because of their unpaid bills.

President Obama recovered from his Morehouse misstep with a Howard reset, and he still has half a year to do more.

Harriet Tubman’s face on the new $20 bill is priceless

By Walter Rhett

NNPA News Wire Contributor

President Obama said in his recent remarks that Harriet Tubman would likely greet the news she was on the $20 with little fanfare. In fact she might question how that would buy freedom.

Still, while the change “on the money” is significant it has already become a political football for the presumed Republican frontrunner.

When Donald Trump calls Harriet Tubman’s selection as the face on the $20 Walter Rhett bill “politically correct,” it is just another flag-wrapped slur. Let’s face it, his record shows he befriends blacks, but he cannot accept black achievement on merit. Nor can he accept a shift of power and image that results in a historic African American replacing the legacy of a tarnished figure of the past or present. If you can’t keep them down, keep them out. Many in the country agree with him.

It’s one reason why today’s slurs come flag-wrapped. Affirmative action/ politically correct/grievance politics are labels of blame that imply bias trumps merit. Its underlying principle appears in curious places. Found in the decision of Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney regarding Dred Scott, in a floor speech by South Carolina Senator Ben Tillman, in editorials by respected journalist James J. Kilpatrick after the Brown school desegregation decision, it says opportunity by merit for some is un-American and dangerous.

Kilpatrick’s blunt editorials demanded school children be separated by race as the constitution makes no claim of “racial equality.” For him, the limits race put on opportunity were “unchanged by the Civil War, not altered in any way since the Constitution was created in 1787.”

The flag-wrapped principle of the new racism is the same as the old: opportunity has a freedom cost; it denies someone else a fair choice. Opportunity and freedom are mutually exclusive in this old American formula; equality is really a battle about winners and losers, losers who want to mar and taint our history.

Few people in history understood this battle better than Harriet Tubman, on whose life the system and its stakeholders once put a $40,000 bounty. In fact, her entire life was anything but politically correct. More than today’s conservatives, she understood balance sheet politics and its customs.

Another tactic of the new racism em-

ploys equality to challenge black merit; its deflection offers alternatives. Why not Susan B. Anthony? Why not create a new denomination–the new racism’s version of separate but equal.

Because before Anthony, a woman who couldn’t rest without freedom slept on the cold, damp ground, hidden from the tracking hounds, outwitting her pursuers by risking her life for the simple action of bringing America’s freedom to others, an opportunity often more baffling than the bondage they had left, but one worth the ultimate, prayed for prize–worth every penny the price put on her head.

Her legendary work with the Underground Railroad help galvanize the women’s movement. It inspired many to defy the system and make change. In an act of self-definition, born Araminta Ross, “Minty” took her mother’s name, Harriet.

So let us honor the politically incorrect Harriet Tubman. In the arc of her life she drew strength from grief and pain. Denied her full pension after her Civil War army service, a healer during her work with Union soldiers in Port Royal, SC at Camp Saxton (she saved many lives from dysentery through her knowledge of folk medicine, passed to her by the enslaved and from Native American traditions), she taught many of the camp’s contraband (the enslaved in Union camps who were without status during the war) how to earn their first income by cooking and working for the soldiers.

She was the first woman to lead U.S. troops in wartime. Appointed to lead the sweep of mines from the local rivers, she accepted the assignment and its dangers, and asked to handpick her men.

Doing that mission, she freed 900 slaves, the largest single emancipation event of the Civil War. On shore, word outpaced the ships: “Moses is coming.

Moses is coming,” the words repeated as the enslaved gathered children and belongings (accounts say a pig or two) to crowd the decks of the ships bound back to Camp Randall.

She married a soldier from South Carolina that she met in Hilton Head and they returned together to Auburn, New York. In her fight for freedom during the war, in her service as a scout, spy, and nurse, she never fired a shot!

But she knew violence. At age 13, her skull was “broken,” smashed when a 2 pound scale weight thrown by the property holder left her in a coma for months and with a lifetime of pain, hypersomnolence, dizziness, and severe migraines.

On the day of emancipation, its first celebration at Camp Saxton at midnight (where a tree remains), her first words were, “There’s a glory over everything.”

My jaw didn’t drop

By Bill Fletcher, Jr. NNPA News Wire Columnist

If you are like me, you sometimes find yourself surfing the Web when you are supposed to be doing something more important. You may notice “click bait” that poses questions like, “What has happened to these childhood stars?” or offers, “Secrets of the Mayans revealed.”

Well, the other day I noticed one that concerned a list with dozens of allegedly, gorgeous news anchors titled “News Anchors Who Will Bill Fletcher, Jr. Make Your Jaw Drop.” Out of curiosity, I decided to take a look. Let me tell you what I found.

The list was all women. I mention that because my wife’s first comment was that there are many male news anchors and that some of them are good looking. For some reason I did not assume that there would be any men, but that may be my own blindness.

The second thing was that they were reasonably attractive, they tended to be on the younger side, and there was not one identifiable Black woman among them, and the story does not

stop there. The list included Europeans, Euro-Americans (whites), Latinas and Asians. Yet the characteristics of all of the women were European. The Latinas were all light-skinned, not one looking Afro-Latina or, for that matter, indigenous.

The Asians were all quite light, with Western looks, and with not one of them looking like the browner Asians one might find in Guam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia or South Asia.

I kept assuming that I would come across at least one identifiably black news anchor. There were a couple that looked like they might have a little African in them somewhere, but I felt that I was reaching.

Despite periodic initiatives towards black pride and defeating efforts to erase blackness from the mainstream, white supremacist bias always finds a way to raise its ugly head. Beauty remains a category defined largely in European terms with a dismissal of the very notion that beauty can take myriad forms.

This situation is not remedied by the selection of one identifiably black person to fill a quota. It really goes to the very basic question of how one defines beauty and breaking with the assumption that the closer we are to the purer European — whatever that means — the more beautiful we become.

I will leave it at that.

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June 1-7, 2016

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Detroit native serving in Japan aboard Navy’s only Forward Deployed Amphibious Assault Ship

By James Green Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

A 2013 Marvell High School graduate and Detroit native is serving in Japan in the U.S. Navy aboard the only forward deployed amphibious assault ship, USS Bonhomme Richard.

Seaman Sharice Jonesfields is a sailor aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan.

A Navy seaman is responsible for ship preservation, standing ship watches, and maintenance throughout the ship.

Opening Weekend for the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center at Chandler Park Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans welcomed citizens and visitors to the opening weekend of the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center on Saturday, May 28. The park was open during the Memorial Day weekend, Saturday-Monday.

The Wayne County Aquatic Center will be open Saturdays and Sundays starting June 4. The Aquatic Center will be open daily starting Saturday, June 18, and will remain open through Labor Day. Wayne County’s largest family water park sits on more than 22,000 square feet of beautifully

landscaped grounds on Detroit’s eastside. The facility also features a wave pool, two super-sized water slides, a children’s pool play land, a sundeck/picnic area and much more.

amenities that the park has to offer from great food to waterslides to our kiddie pool. We have something for the entire family to enjoy.

The Wayne County Family Aquatic Center is located at 12600 Chandler Park Drive, Detroit. The entrance fee for Wayne County residents is $2 for children under 2 years old, $5 for children ages 3-12 and $7 for adults.

“The Wayne County Aquatic Center provides families and friends with a clean and safe environment to enjoy on those warm summer days” said Beverly J. Watts, director of the Department of Public Services.

For more information about the Wayne County Family Aquatic Center, call (313) 822-7665 or visit www.waynecountyaquatic.com.

“We encourage families to come out and experience all of the great

Hundreds of Black Men & Boys from around the country go to Washington, D.C. for Black Youth Vote Hill Day More than 400 black men and boys attended the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP)’s program, Black Youth Vote 2016 BYV! Day on Capitol Hill under the theme,”Moving From Protest to Policy to the Polls!”

With a crew of more than 1,000, Bonhomme Richard is 884 feet long and weighs approximately 40,000 tons. Resembling a small aircraft carrier, Bonhomme Richard is one of the largest of all amphibious warfare ships.

According to Navy officials, Bonhomme Richard sailors work rigorous hours filled with drills and training to assure that the ship is always mission ready.

“Since we are forward deployed it means we have to always be ready, so there isn’t any room for error,” said Jonesfields. “I like the added pressure that it brings to everything we do.”

Navy officials explained that the unit is highly motivated, and quickly adapts to changing conditions including a busy life of specialized work, watches and drills.

“I feel that serving in the Navy is a great accomplishment,” added Jonesfields. “I am grateful for all of the things the Navy has given me.”

sues of importance including jobs, education, criminal justice reform, fatherhood and voting rights.

The organization also emphasizes the importance of increasing incentives and support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities to attract more black male teachers and educators.

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With more than 50 percent of the world’s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’s crude oil passing through the region, the United States has historic and enduring interests in this part of the world. The Navy’s presence in Sasebo is part of that long-standing commitment.

“The sailors in my crew never cease to amaze me with the effort they put into their daily work,” said Capt. Jeffrey A. Ward, commanding officer of USS Bonhomme Richard. “Their dedication and hard work make me proud to be in command of Bonhomme Richard and this crew.”

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They then paid visits to several members of Congress to discuss is-

“The best part about my job is the hard work,” said Jonesfields. “Each day is a challenge, which makes each day that much more rewarding.”

Bonhomme Richard is equipped with a mix of helicopters and attack aircraft, launchers and machine guns and an extensive medical facility with 600 hospital beds.

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One Detroit Credit Union to expand auto bailout refinance program Michigan Chronicle Reports

One Detroit Credit Union plans to expand an Auto Bailout Program that refinances existing high-interest auto loans and already has saved more than $2 million for its members.

In the current round, which started just over a year ago, the credit union refinanced more than 300 loans with an original average annual percentage rate (APR) of 14.1 percent. The average new rate at One Detroit Credit Union was 6.46 percent.

That round alone saved members a total of $1 million.

The Auto Bailout Program initially was available to One Detroit Credit Union members, their friends and family.

The credit union now wants to open the program to all qualified local borrowers, specifically those with Hank Hubbard, extraordinariOne Detroit ly high rates.

Credit Union This initiapresident and tive is part of the credit CEO union’s longterm plan to be the primary financial institution for Detroit’s neighborhoods.

One Detroit Credit Union has invested $10.3 million in the program and has helped nearly 600 people reduce their auto loan rates at least 50 percent since the Auto Bailout Program launched in 2012.

“To put that in perspective, nearly two-thirds of the loans we’ve refinanced had rates of more than 10 percent,” said Hank Hubbard, One Detroit Credit Union president and CEO. “About a third had original rates of more than 18 percent and 10 loans had rates higher than 24 percent. There were cases where we cut someone’s rate from more than 20 percent to lower than 5 percent.”

In the last year the program reduced monthly payments an average of $54.16, or $3,476.43 over the life of the loan.

“Without us, more than $2 million would have gone to often predatory, lenders outside of the community,” said Hubbard. “It is better to keep those dollars in the community for residents to use at the local grocery store, to pay utility bills, buy the medicines they need and for other major items that will help improve their lives.”

The program helped many borrowers with high interest rates keep their vehicles. For many Detroiters, vehicle ownership is essential to finding and keeping a job as well as getting to stores that offer healthy food options.

“Public transportation in the neighborhoods is almost non-existent,” Hubbard said.

“The need for access to a reliable car is critical to bridge all of the most basic market gaps we see — unemployment, healthy food, education, affordable financial services and more.”

When the interest rate is high, paying that bill takes more of a borrower’s household income. In some cases, people will pay the auto loan instead of their mortgage, utility bills and other debts because they need their car or truck to get to work. That negatively impacts their ability to reshape their personal situation as well as their neighborhoods.

“We are committed to our city’s transformation, which must include empowering Detroiters to improve their quality of life,” said Hubbard. “This program does just that. It has not only saved our borrowers thousands of dollars, it has helped them improve their credit scores, reduce their debt-to-income ratio and increase their net worth.

“We are ­Detroit.”

altogether.

One

Russell Simmons repays RushCard holders, pushes for credit reform

By Stacy M. Brown

reached a more than $20 million settlement from a class action lawsuit filed against RushCard because of the glitch.

NNPA News Wire Cntributing Writer

Russell Simmons is just starting to regain a little normalcy in his life.

He’s back at yoga and the hip-hop and business mogul is even able to run some errands without worrying about whether a disgruntled RushCard holder might verbally attack him or worse.

Simmons never hung his head despite mounting – if unfair – criticism that rocked the music impresario when his innovative pre-paid RushCard experienced a computer glitch last fall that prevented hundreds of thousands of cardholders from accessing their money.

“I took full responsibility. It’s my card and I made sure to reach out to card holders personally and I reached into my own pocket to help people with their rent, their medicine or whatever emergency that may have come up,” Simmons said.

“All I knew how to do was to make good on it and try to make the people that were damaged whole again.”

Simmons has done even more and he continues his push to have the underbanked and the underserved benefit.

“My mission is to eventually see that when someone pays their rent on time, pays their light bill on time, that these things go on their credit reports,” Simmons said. “It should be and if I can’t get regulators and the credit bureaus to do it, then I will have to start my own credit bureau.”

If that sounds like a bit of a stretch, Simmons points to his starting the RushCard as proof that real change can happen. “I was first, no one else did this until I came out with my card,” he said, noting that he’s not only the face of RushCard, but along with his American Express and other items in his wallet is his own RushCard that he regularly uses.

“Look, we were the ones who invented this and what I don’t like is when people refer to us as a celebrity company,” Simmons said. “All of what American Express is doing, all of what Chase Manhattan did, we did first. We’re a virtual bank.

The other thing is that we didn’t build this company to make money when we started and, really, I didn’t think it would become a business, but it did and I go to work every day to try to improve the service we provide.”

Simmons said his fight for credit building is an uphill battle, but it’s a battle that can be won. It’s as much part of his life as yoga, he said.

“You pay rent every month for eight years on a RushCard, why can’t you get a mortgage? I think that’s a travesty. I think a lot of the big companies like MasterCard, the Visas, the others that do the processing and infrastructure work, a lot of us could come together and force them to accept this information on credit reports of the world,” Simmons said.

As Simmons pushes for changes in policies in the credit industry, he’s leaving the door open for starting his own credit reporting agency.

In the aftermath of the much-publicized computer glitch – which Simmons still refers to as “a tsunami” – the business leader provided free service to cardholders for five months, sacrificing all of his company’s profits to do so. He also

“I’m glad to do it. I had put aside $25 million,” Simmons said, noting that the card isn’t just for communities that have been forgotten and underserved by banks. “There’s no reason why small businesses can’t use a Rush Business Card. We just added a feature, just now where if you lose your card, you can turn your card off instantly through an app.

Then you can turn it back on.”

Simmons continued, “This card should be for affluent people as well as underserved community members and it should be the wave of the future for millennials. This is the bank for millennials and the growth rate for our company is 70 percent millennials, when it used to be single mothers. Millennials who don’t like banks are coming in our direction and we haven’t even begun the branding exercise to speak to them.”

Simmons reiterated that he didn’t mind paying the $20 million settlement.

“I don’t mind paying the $20 million.

I don’t mind that that was our cost. I am going to spend a lot more money than that in the community, in my peacekeeping programs, in RUSH and art education,” he said.

Simmons said so much more will soon be announced and he’s confident that RushCard holders and others will be pleased.

“We are going to be in the community in a way that we’ve never been,” he said.

Simmons added that he’s going to spend a lot more money in the black community, in peacekeeping programs, and on art education, following the settlement his company reached over the class action lawsuit over the well-publicized computer glitch that affected thousands of RushCard users.

Flex-N-Gate to build $100M Detroit facility, create 650 jobs Michigan Chronicle Staff Report

the Michigan comeback. Companies around the world recognize that our state is the global leader in automotive, and with good reason. We have a talented workforce that is passionate about keeping our state at the center of the industry for generations to come.”

An expansive and strategically located parcel of vacant land on Detroit’s east side – primed and promoted as among the centerpieces of the state’s automotive industry resurgence – will gain a major new tenant in the ongoing campaign to attract manufacturing jobs to the city, Gov. Rick Snyder and Mayor Mike Duggan announced.

Flex-N-Gate owner Shahid Khan said his company will invest $95 million in construction and capital costs for a facility that will supply parts to Ford Motor Company. Potential additional investment in the project could push the project to at least $100 million. Khan said the project will create at least 400 and up to 650 new jobs in Detroit over the next three years; at full capacity, up to 750 total jobs could be added.

Flex-N-Gate has committed to meeting Detroit-based hiring and contracting thresholds outlined in Executive Orders 4 and 5 (2014) and to develop a comprehensive hiring plan

Mayor Duggan said this investment was made possible because of a strong partnership between the state and city to attract the project. He also praised Flex-N-Gate for its commitment to local hiring. in conjunction with the city’s Human Rights Department and Detroit Employment Solutions, Corp., to help ensure jobs for Detroiters.

Flex-N-Gate, is a top global auto supplier of exterior trim components, aluminum and steel modular stamped body in white and chassis assemblies, lighting and other OEM automotive products.

The project received two critical approvals. The Michigan Strategic Fund board approved a $3.5-million Business Development Program grant

to incentivize the Urbana, Illinois-based auto supplier to expand its Michigan operations. Also the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Detroit (EDC) approved the sale of 30 acres in the industrial park to Flex-N-Gate.

The sale is the initial step in building the automotive parts manufacturing plant on the site.

“We’re proud that Flex-NGate is investing in Detroit, and in the people of Detroit,” Snyder said. “Detroit’s resurgence is an important part of

“Nothing is more important to our city than creating jobs for Detroiters,” said Duggan.

“The fact that Flex-N-Gate has committed to such a strong local hiring and contracting plan shows the company’s deep level of commitment to being a partner with the community.”

Khan also praised the new partnership.

“Our news today from Detroit is further evidence that the United States auto industry is strong, promising and experiencing exceptional growth,” See Flex-N-Gate Page C-2

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page C-2

Scarab Club gets a makeover New board revitalizing one of Detroit’s cultural icons while respecting its rich history

Michigan Chroncle Reports

There are many people who walk by the Scarab Club, a historic Arts & Craft gem located at the corner of Farnsworth St. and John R St. and across from the Detroit Institute of Arts in midtown Detroit, who likely wonder what secrets can be found inside.

5, 1928. Harbored inside are meeting and gallery spaces, a brick-walled courtyard and carefully maintained flower garden, second floor member’s lounge with fireplace, and third floor artist’s studios. The construction and décor includes generous use of natural materials like maple, limestone and mica.

The Arts & Crafts design second floor lounge is famous for its massive ceiling beams signed by more than 250 artists and lovers of the art, including local legends Gilda Snowden and Tyree Guyton; poet Vachel Lindsay; Walt Kuhn, who helped introduce modern European art to the United States in the early 1900s; influential painter and critic Marcel Duchamp; Norman Rockwell; Rockwell Kent; George Grosz, biting critic in paint of life in Weimar Germany; and, of course, Diego Rivera, creator of the famed Detroit Industry murals at the DIA. “The Scarab Club is a long-standing institution in the City of Detroit for people who love and create the arts,” said Scarab Club Board President Duncan Campbell, who assumed his position in 2014.

Designed by Detroit architect Lancelot Sukert and opened in 1928, the Club is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and beautifully adorned with mosaic tiles and a ceramic scarab over the front entrance.

A feast for the eyes and so much more.

Formed in 1907 as an informal club and named after its founder, marine painter Robert Hopkin, members met “to promote the mutual acquaintance of art lovers and art workers; to stimulate and guide toward practical expression the artistic sense of the people of Detroit.”

In 1913, the Club was renamed the Scarab Club after the Egyptian symbol of rebirth. The group grew steadily and was able to fund and build the current clubhouse, which opened its doors on October

“We have proudly served in this capacity for the past 109 years and now have our sights set on the future with the goal of introducing the Club and its many programs and services to a wider audience.”

Campbell has aggressively worked to grow the Club’s membership, enhance the skill set of its board, streamline fundraising, marketing and exhibition reach as well as make infrastructure improvements to the building.

Founder and vice president of sales at Mapping Solutions, a geographic software and consulting firm, Campbell has a BA in History and Art History from the University of Colorado, in addition to studying for a year at the American University of Rome.

He also received a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University. His “free time” pursuits include being a docent at the Detroit Institute of Arts and studying for a master’s degree in Art History at Wayne State University.

A wealth of arts and activities. A registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization since 1937, today’s Scarab Club proudly

serves as Detroit’s hub of creativity, innovation and inspiration. It is a place where artists can interact, practice their trade and proudly display their work. According to Duncan, what really gives the Scarab Club life is the immense range of programs and activities that are offered to its membership and the community at-large.

The Club’s activities and programs include: • Hosting as many as nine openings and gallery exhibitions each year on its main floor and additional exhibitions on its second floor lounge, featuring works by Club members and emerging artists; • The Gold Medal Exhibition, an annual exhibition that is more than a century in existence, showcasing the work of Club members; • Providing an intimate, oneof-a-kind concert venue for chamber music, blues, jazz and other music genres; • Gallery talks, book signings and poetry events; • Four weekly sketch sessions with live models for artists and art lovers of any skill level; • The Club’s intimate and ex-

quisite spaces for weddings, special occasions or corporate meetings; and • Serving as an informal place for impromptu social gatherings, “pop-up” cocktail events as well as tradition rich “calendar” events that include the annual black tie Boar’s Head Dinner; a masquerade ball; June garden party; and yearend holiday celebrations.

Campbell and the Scarab Club board have spent considerable effort in recent years on the maintenance and preservation of their historic building.

The physical improvements include an upcoming new roof, reconstruction of a garden wall and new garden gates, new lighting in sketch area and refinishing of second level flooring. The original 1928 frescoes that had been painted over during the 1940s have been “liberated” and restored.

In league with membership and the board as well as dedicated staff and volunteers, Campbell has further worked to modernize aspects of the Club’s internal operations, while welcoming a wider audience with respect to all ages, life experiences and geographic region.

Flex-N-Gate said Shahid Khan. “Building a new plant from the ground up within the Detroit city limits will be a milestone moment for Flex-N-Gate, made possible thanks to our partnership and collaboration with Ford, the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan.

“We couldn’t do this alone,” said Khan. “Their collective support and vision to convert a neglected urban area into a manufacturing center that will create hundreds of new, sustainable and well-paying jobs here in Detroit has been nothing short of spectacular. We are grateful and looking forward to seeing this project become a reality.”

“We are proud to work with Flex-N-Gate, the City of Detroit

From page C-1

T U

boost to the I-94 Industrial Park, and is the culmination of a collaborative effort among the city of Detroit, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which administers incentives and programs on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

MEDC also serves as the state’s chief business attraction and marketing agency along with directing the Pure Michigan campaign.

“The expansion of Flex-NGate’s presence in Michigan demonstrates the broad range of productive possibilities for private investors and job creators when local and state economic development teams work with one of the state’s

bedrock automotive companies and a privately owned auto supplier,” said MEDC CEO Steve Arwood, who noted Flex-N-Gate is among 81 of the top global auto suppliers that have North American headquarters or tech centers in the state.

“Michigan’s automotive industry is driving the standards of manufacturing, research and in preparing for the challenges of the exciting path leading to the future of transportation in the 21st century,” he said.

From 2009 through the second quarter of 2015, automakers and auto suppliers have made $16 billion investments into Michigan, accounting for about 20 percent of auto-industry investment in North America. Since 2009 through

the end of last year, 175,000 manufacturing jobs have been created in Michigan, according to the Center for Automotive Research.

Designation of a Renaissance Zone for Flex-N-Gate is expected to be addressed at the August meeting of the Michigan Strategic Fund board.

“I’m excited to have this project and these jobs come to the east side of Detroit and I’m looking forward to working with Flex-N-Gate and the community to make sure this project is successful,” said Detroit City Councilmember Scott Benson, who represents Council District 3, where the new facility will be located.

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and State of Michigan, to bring good paying jobs to the city. We value our relationships with suppliers, and appreciate the commitment Flex-N-Gate has made to Ford Motor Company and the local area,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford group vice president, global purchasing.

The 189-acre I-94 Industrial Park is under control of EDC. Since 2000, EDC has overseen the property acquisition, clean up and development of the land. The park’s first major new tenant, LINC Logistics, opened a new $30-million, $500,000-square-foot facility immediately adjacent to the Flex-N-Gate site earlier this year.

This new multi-layered investment provides a major

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page C-3

June is National Homeowership Month

By Donald James Special to the Chronicle

June is National Homeownership Month and Ken L. Scott, owner and principal real estate broker of Detroit-based Candler, Scott & Wallace (CSW) Real Estate, is interested in helping people learn more about purchasing homes. With new and innovative home Ken L. Scott buying programs and incentives available for individuals to purchase homes in Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Dearborn and Livonia, Scott said, “2016 is the best time to buy a home in a long time.”

Therefore, in recognition of National Homeownership Month, Scott and his associates at CSW Real Estate will host a series of free open houses, created to educate and better inform individuals interested in purchasing homes. The open houses will be held each Monday and Tuesday in June, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at CSW’s office, located at 18975 Livernois Ave., just south of W. Seven Mile Rd. “We will be available to answer any questions and provide valuable information to individuals as it relates to buying and selling homes,” Scott said. “We will discuss various home buying programs and inform individuals how to get pre-approved and receive up to $15,000 in a down payment assistance pro-

CSW Real Estate hosts open houses

gram. People who stop in will learn exactly what is needed to buy a home.”

Scott said there are tax incentive programs available for current and new homeowners through the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) Act that renders a significant reduction in property taxes. He touted other programs such as the Detroit Home Mortgage, which is designed to help renovate the infrastructure (heating, plumbing, electrical) of homes on the market. Additionally, there are special programs for seniors and veterans wanting to purchase homes.

“Homeownership is an important part of the American Dream,” said then-President George W. Bush when he proclaimed June National Homeownership Month in 2002. “A home provides shelter and a safe place where families can prosper and children can thrive. For many Americans, their home is an important financial investment, and it can be a source of great personal pride and an important part of community stability.”

Scott, who grew up in the stable community of Green Acres on Detroit’s west side, agrees. However, he has seen the Detroit home buying market take a roller-coaster ride since the late 1990s.

“I’ve seen the changes in the real estate market for better and for worse,” said Scott, who has been in real estate sales for almost two decades, housing counseling for 13 years, and principal real estate broker with CSW Real Estate for 10 years. “Somewhere around

2002, we (Detroit) slowly started going into decline with the foreclosure market. Detroit was hit incredibly harder than other cities. Our property values were devastated.”

While CSW Real Estate also serves individuals looking to buy or sell homes throughout Wayne and Oakland counties, the company takes special pride in helping Detroit’s residential areas return to the days when people were buying homes and investing in the neighborhoods with fervor.

“We’d rather create neighbors and vibrant neighborhoods with homeowners than see vacant houses,” said Scott, who remembers when Detroit had the best housing stock

in America. “CSW Real Estate wants to help decrease vacant rates within our communities, while increasing the housing values in our communities.

With the help of community leaders and the onslaught of so many programs to help people purchase homes, I think our residential areas in Detroit can make a turnaround.”

Although June is National Homeownership Month, Scott and his team at CSW Real Estate have worked in the past to help people learn more about programs that put people into homes.

Scott vows to continue the efforts when June is over. He said that his company will continue to sponsor homeowner-

ship workshops that involve credit counseling, pre-homeownership, rehab and property maintenance, and more.

“We are available to help individuals year-round,” explained Scott. “We want to continue to live up to CSW Real Estate’s motto of ‘preserving, strengthening and promoting communities through home ownership.”

For more information on CSW Real Estate’s services, and/or its series of free open houses each Monday and Tuesday in June from 3:00 pm to 7:00 p.m., call 313.863.5555.

You can also log on to www.cswrealestate.com for more information

First-time homebuyers want to skip the starter home, shop for the long-term As peak home buying season begins, first-time homebuyers are prioritizing their long-term residential needs, according to the inaugural Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, released today. Seventy-five percent of first-time buyers would prefer to bypass the starter home and purchase a place that will meet their future needs, even if that means waiting to save more, and 35 percent plan to retire there.

Millennial homebuyers expect support from their parents While first-time millennial homebuyers largely associate homeownership with adulthood (58 percent) and success (54 percent), the majority (66 percent) still expect some type of help, financial or otherwise, from their parents when buying a home.

Thirty-one percent expect financial support from their parents or partner’s parents in buying their first home, including help with the down payment (19 percent) or monthly mortgage payments (15 percent). Nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of millennial homebuyers said their parents offered financial help and 10 percent asked for it. When parents offer to help, it is more common for millennial homebuyers to accept (65 percent) than to decline (35 percent).

In reality, three-quarters (76 percent) of experienced buyers said they sacrificed something the last time they bought a home, including travel (46 percent) or a new car (37 percent), and 32 percent said they sacrificed some of the features they would have liked in their dream home.

Additionally, buyers who have a plan in place for purchasing a home are more willing to consider a starter home than “someday” buyers who know they want to buy a home in the future, but don’t have a plan for doing so (41 percent vs. 23 percent). Seventy-seven percent of “someday” buyers would prefer to wait and move into a nicer home in the future.

“Every day, we talk to clients who are motivated to purchase a home for many reasons, including the pride of ownership and desire to establish roots in a community,” said D. Steve Boland, consumer lending executive for Bank of America. “Today’s aspiring homebuyers want to be selective and believe they should wait until they can afford to buy a home they’ll live in for years to come. They’re also realistic about the need to save for a down payment. In the end, we look holistically at our client’s life priorities so they can fully understand the personal ramifications of what is perhaps the most significant financial transaction they will ever make.”

The Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report explores the attitudes, behaviors and preferences of the modern homebuyer. Based on a national survey of more than 1,000 adults 18+ who want to buy a home in the future, the report reveals what homebuyers want in a home, their catalysts for making the home purchase and the unique preferences of first-time and millennial buyers, defined as those between ages 18 and 34.

Highlights from the report include: • Aspirational and emotional factors motivate more than three-quarters (76 percent) of first-time homebuyers.

• The same number of home-

Many millennial first-time homebuyers are also counting on non-financial support. More than one in three (36 percent) expect their parents to help them physically move in, and 25 percent will rely on their parents to help them choose the right home to buy.

buyers consider saving for or paying off a home (92 percent) as important as saving for retirement (91 percent).

• Two-thirds (66 percent) of first-time millennial homebuyers expect some kind of assistance from their parents when buying a home, ranging from financial support to assistance moving in.

money on a mortgage than rent, 36 percent said they want more space, 17 percent plan to have a child and 14 percent are getting married.

• Experienced homebuyers are similarly motivated by a desire for more space (35 percent), but another 22 percent are buying a new home because of a geographic move.

• More than half (52 percent) of first-time buyers are looking for a home in the suburbs.

• Aspiring homeowners want to save more, pay off debt before they buy

• Eighty-five percent of firsttime homebuyers would use a tool that automatically withdrew money from their paycheck to save up for a home purchase.

• Half (50 percent) of the surveyed “someday” first-time buyers said they are waiting until they can save more money to buy their desired home or find a home in the neighborhood they want. Forty-seven percent are waiting because they do not think they can currently afford a home or the type of home they would like to buy.

• First-time buyers are driven by aspiration and emotion • First-time homebuyers are highly motivated by aspirational and emotional factors when making the decision to buy a home. For instance, 52 percent would like a place to call their own, 43 percent said owning a home is something they have always wanted to do, 31 percent are ready to put down roots and 28 percent want a place to make memories.

• Practical considerations also come into play. Thirty-seven percent of first-time buyers said they would rather spend

“Instead of concluding they can’t own today, we encourage potential homebuyers to talk to a professional, rather than making assumptions about what type of home or neighborhood they can afford,” said Boland. “We also have tools, such as our Down Payment Resource Center, to help homebuyers develop a plan for saving and making their dream of homeownership a reality.”

Another common reason for putting off a first-time home purchase was the desire to pay down debt. The report found Gen-Xers were more likely than millennials to cite debt as a reason for waiting to buy a home (43 percent vs.

32 percent). While many of the millennials surveyed have student debt (43 percent), Gen X homebuyers are balancing multiple financial priorities, such as credit card debt (40 percent), retirement savings (52 percent) and saving for their child’s college education (31 percent).

Saving for a home as important as saving for retirement More than nine in 10 buyers (92 percent) consider saving for or paying off a home to be important, the same number who said that saving for retirement is important (91 percent).

Nearly six in 10 (59 percent) first-time homebuyers plan to make a down payment with savings they’ve set aside specifically for a home. Understanding the importance of saving for a home, many firsttime buyers said they would appreciate help doing it: 85 percent would use a tool that withdraws money from their paycheck to save for a home purchase.

Some of this assistance comes with strings attached.

Seventy percent of millennials said their parents’ help means they will have a say in the buying process, mainly how much to spend on the home (41 percent), as well as where (33 percent) and which home to buy (28 percent).

A single-family home in the suburbs remains the most common goal When shopping around, today’s buyers consider these four factors above everything else in evaluating a prospective home: cost (82 percent), neighborhood (71 percent), floor plan (60 percent) and square footage (47 percent).

In terms of space, a vast majority (75 percent) of first-time homebuyers are interested in buying a single-family home.

Eleven percent of first-time buyers said they would like to purchase a townhome, and 6 percent are interested in a condo.

As for where they are looking to live, more than half (52 percent) of first-time homebuyers are seeking a home in the suburbs, while 26 percent are interested in an urban property and 22 percent in a rural area.

For additional information about the Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/homebuyersreport.

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

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6th annual Construction Science Expo at

Michigan Science Center Michigan Chronicle Reports

The Michigan Construction and Design Coalition and The Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan hosted their annual Construction Science Expo at the Michigan Science Center on Tuesday, May 17 for students in grades 6 through 12. This collaborative effort involving the Black Caucus Foundation, Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Science Center, American Society of Civil Engineers, Michigan Concrete Association, Utility Services of America, Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan to name a few; provided 500+ students with interactive activities, entertainment, goodie bags, and job and career exploration opportunities in skilled trades and engineering. The Navigation To Success Program celebrates and awards students from participating middle schools and high schools that pledged to live a drug free lifestyle and completed a 16-week Life Skills training program within the school year.

Student were lined up, to get a close look at state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, construction and electrician tools, with questions about; engineer-

ing, construction pay scales, opportunities for women in the field of construction and how are light poles designed.

“Leaders of the industry realize Detroit youth have such a limited exposure to the infrastructure construction trades that it ultimately hurts the workforce and Michigan’s economy. If we are going to turn Michigan’s economy around, we have to start encouraging our kids to prepare for where the jobs are. Whether it is M-1 Rail, the U.S. Canadian Bridge Crossing, or high speed rail; the President is banking on infrastructure investments being part of the economic solution, and we are very fortunate that the industry wants to reward the Detroit Wayne County Mental Health Drug Free Youth in obtaining an opportunity to participate in these high wage jobs.” said Professor Nicole T. Stallworth, executive director of the Black Caucus Foundation of Michigan.

For more information about the Construction Science Expo, youth co-op opportunities and additional youth services, visit our website at www. michiganblackcaucus.org, or contact Executive Director Professor Nicole Stallworth at (313) 285-9234.

Detroit Metro Airport restaurants and retail recognized for excellence The new restaurant and retail redevelopment program at Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s (DTW’s) McNamara Terminal is wooing travelers and earning top honors from airport industry trade associations and customers alike.

favorite, Andiamo, near Gate A-30, was also recently named Best New Food & Beverage Concept in its class, in the Airport Revenue News - 2016 Best Airport Concession Awards. Andiamo is operated by Midfield Concession Enterprises.

The airport’s new P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, across from Gate A-36, was recently recognized as Best New National Brand Concept, in the 2016 Excellence in Airport Concession awards presented by Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA). P.F. Chang’s is operated by Hojeij Branded Foods & Joint Venture Partner, AP United LLC.

“Our new airport concessions are some of the best in the business,” said Airport Authority CEO Thomas Naughton.

“Our mix of local, national and even international brands appeal to the broad spectrum of passengers we serve. We are honored by the awards, and are proud of the successful work by our team and partners that went into developing winning-concepts our travelers enjoy.”

Detroit’s Italian restaurant

“Many of our new concession spaces really enhance the customer’s experience at our airport,” said Joseph Nardone. Airport Authority vice president of business development. “Our new food courts have expanded into the surrounding gate areas, offer self-ordering from tablets, and personal delivery while you wait for your flights. One of our operators has also brought live music into their spaces.

We are also trying to offer more variety and healthy choices our travelers are demanding. All of these little touches make a difference, and have an impact on how travelers feel about our airport and their travel experience.”

Other unique amenities offered in the airport’s new program include locally-sourced food and produce from Detroit’s historic Eastern Market, live green walls, contemporary lounge seating and new digital directory displays in the terminal.

The airport has also been successful in creating opportunities for small, minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the program’s success. The new restaurant and retail program boasts a combined 42 percent participation rate for Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBEs) – more than double the program’s original goal.

In addition to the best-in class awards above, DTW’s new Plum Market/Zingerman’s concept, located near Gate A-34, also operated by HBF-APU, received a 2nd place finish for Best New Food & Beverage Quick-Service Concept, and the McNamara Terminal was named 2nd Best New Large Airport Retail Program in the ACI-NA 2016 Excellence in Airport Concession Contest.

The transformative concession redevelopment program at the McNamara Terminal began in late 2012. More than 50 new restaurant and retail venues, and investment of nearly $50 million has been incorporated into the award-winning program.

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

June 1-7, 2016

Page C-5

Standard & Poor’s gives good marks to Great Lakes Water Authority Michigan Chronicle reports

This week Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) announced that it has assigned water and sewer system ratings for the Great Lakes Water Authority’s (GLWA) senior and second lien debt at A- and BBB+, respectively, and also assigned a “Stable” outlook. This is the first official rating action by S&P on GLWA debt.

“This inaugural rating from Standard & Poor’s confirms that the GLWA has met what was promised to the stakeholders and rating agencies since its inception,” said Sue McCormick, CEO, GLWA. In its November 2015 report, S&P had already incorporated the credit positive effect of the GLWA stand-up in its rating of the DWSD bond refunding transaction. S&P continues to provide a stable outlook for the GLWA. In the report, the S&P stated, “We view the numerous oversight and control functions that the GLWA has over Detroit’s retail system as supportive of both the overall legal framework and the ability of the GLWA regional system to help make the net revenues originating from Detroit’s local system more predictable.”

S&P expects the GLWA’s financial performance will meet or exceed projections because of the specific management initiatives aimed at improving collections, stabilization of the operating revenue stream, and controlling costs.

“We are confident because of the progress that we have made since the standup of the Authority, but there is still more work to be done,” said Nicolette Bateson, CFO, GLWA. “Our goal is continuous improvement in our financial performance to improve the ratings of the Authority. S&P’s rating affirmation tells us that we are on the right track.”

The GLWA assumed all outstanding debt from DWSD when the Authority began operations on January 1, 2016. For more information on the GLWA, please visit www.glwater.org.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) joined Congressional Black Caucus Chair G.K. Butterfield and minority media executives to announce a new Congressional Caucus on Multicultural Media at a recent press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA photo)

TV One CEO Al Liggins said that any new FCC rules about set top boxes must protect all the of the existing rights and the license agreements involving paid TV providers. (Freddie Allen/ AMG/NNPA photo)

CBC members worry proposed FCC rule could hurt black media companies

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA

In an unpredictable, disruptive media environment featuring new ways for consumers to receive video content over Wi-Fi, apps and live streaming, established media companies are bracing for a future driven by big tech and consumer choice with new profit models.

It happened in the newspaper industry. It happened in the music industry. It happened in the book publishing industry.

And now it’s happening slowly, but surely in broadcasting as a host of new entrepreneurs are set to arrive on an increasingly competitive scene.

In February, Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), moved to free consumers, who are now collectively paying $20 billion every year, from buying or renting a settop box for cable TV. The FCC wants to “unlock the box” and allow others to provide video content such as Google and Apple.

The move would be a shakeup of the status quo. The technology around video-on-demand is clearly changing as seen in companies such as YouTube, Hulu, TiVo, Kweli.tv, Netflix and Ustream. On April 15, President Obama signed an executive order backing Wheeler’s efforts to open the cable set top box.

“The cost of cable set-top boxes has risen 185 percent while the cost of computers, televisions and mobile phones has dropped by 90 percent,” FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said on the issue.

Last week on Capitol Hill, Congressional Black Caucus Chair G.K. Butterfield and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) announced a new Congressional Caucus on Multicultural Media that will “focus on the state of diversity and inclusion in the media and in the telecommunications industry.”

Clarke said that the potential harm that the proposed FCC rule could do to multicultural media companies is very real.

She suggested delaying action on the proposed rule, “until the Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) complete their prospective studies on the impact on multicultural media under this proposed rule.”

Clarke and Butterfield were joined by TV One CEO Al Liggins and BET Networks Executive Debra Lee at the press event announcing the new caucus. Both Clarke and Butterfield serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“While we must be open to the rising cultural expectations to make programs avail-

able on-demand or through streaming services, we also have to balance these interests with the assurance that we are not pitting the few diverse programmers out there against each other or allowing some to pick winners and losers,” Butterfield said.

The phrase, “few diverse programmers” is an understatement. African Americans own less than 1 percent of all TV properties and less than 2 percent of radio as reported by Pew Research.

“We think that the marketplace is robust enough as it is and [the proposed FCC rule] is unnecessary,” said Liggins. “We believe competition should be there, but we believe it should happen in an app form which protects all the rights and the license agreements that we’ve made with the existing paid TV providers.”

Butterfield expressed concerns that the FCC’s plan to “unlock the box” might risk the progress in diverse programming that television audiences have seen in recent years.

Despite that progress, minority-owned media companies represent a minuscule portion of all broadcast media and many black media company owners are pushing for the FCC change, saying that the status quo has done little to affect the ownership disparity.

On a conference call an hour after Reps. Clarke and Butterfield announced the new caucus, Peggy Dodson, the CEO of the Urban Broadcasting Company offered an alternative view and supported the FCC “unlocking the box.”

“We’re about creating a producing urban content, but that content has to be searchable, it has to be found and it has to be monetized,” Dodson said. “The genie is out of the box. The hourglass has been turned over. I think what is being missed between Comcast and Time Warner fighting with Google and thinking that Google is going to take over, is the minority-owned producers and content creators. We’re being swept under the rug. We need diversity. We do not own anything.”

Dodson continued, “Opening the box is inevitable. It is the answer. It’s happening. We can’t stop it. People are choosing what platforms they want to see programing on and how they want to see it and when they want to see it. Everyone can make money.”

Dodson said that she’s not trying to put TV One or anyone else out of business.

“That is not my goal. My goal is to have the opportunity to monetize and have people see the content on a platform that is searchable and that can be monetized,” Dodson added.

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We are in Macomb and Wayne counties.

1-866-404-4296 (TTY 711)

7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

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June 1-7, 2016

Page C-6

Ford Freedom Awards honor Dave Bing, business leaders and activists

By Lee Claire On Tuesday, May 17, the much-anticipated 18th annual Ford Freedom Award program took place in at Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall. The theme for this year's event was Men of Courage: Advancing the Narrative of African American Men. Former Detroit mayor Dave Bing received an award for his many accomplishments from basketball to City Hall. The former Detroit mayor is the founder of the Bing Youth Institute, which provides support program to young men of color.

Following Grammy award-winning artist Usher’s special appearance, performances by Angie Stone, Dough E. Fresh, Avery Wilson and Syncopated Ladies brought Ford Freedom award guests to their feet. NFL greats Jerome Bettis and Andre Drummond Renowned businessman Reginald F. Lewis, the first black man to establish a billion-dollar company, Beatrice Foods, was recognized posthumously for his accomplishments.

Athletes reunited for a great cause. Pictured seated from left: Dave Bing, Ford Freedom Scholar; and Lem Barney, NFL Hall of Famer. Pictured standing (from left): Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons player; Lomas Brown, former Detroit Lions player; Kerlin Blaise, former Detroit Lions and Ford Courage Award honoree; and Jerome Bettis, NFL Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst. — Monica Morgan photo

Ford Courage honoree Shaka Senghor with son, Sekou. — Monica Morgan photo

Other honorees included award-winning author and criminal justice reform advocate Shaka Senghor, former NFL player turned businessman Kerlin Blaise, and University of Missouri graduate student and

From left: Grammy award-winning singer Usher, Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond, former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Ford Motor Company group vice president of government and community relations, Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, government and community relations, Ford Motor Company were among more than 1,500 people at the 2016 Ford Freedom Award in Detroit on May 17.

Bing, an NBA Hall of Famer and founder of The Bing Institute, was honored with the Ford Freedom Scholar award. — Andrea Stinson photo

Yvette Bing seated alongside husband and Ford Freedom Scholar Dave Bing. — Andrea Stinson photo

Jimmy Settles, left, UAW vice president, National Ford Department; and Lomas Brown (right) with the 2016 Ford Freedom Award student essay contest winners, from left, Carrington Wash (third place), Louisa Karoub (second place), Lillian Deering (second place) and Damond Dixon (first place). — Andrea Stinson photo

Juanita Moore, CEO, the Wright Museum, addressing the audience during the Ford Freedom. — Andrea Stinson photo

civil rights activist Jonathan Butlerwho led a hunger strike to protest racism at the university.

The event was made possible thanks to a grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund, Ford Motor Company's charitable arm, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

Shawn Wilson, manager, multicultural community engagement, Ford Motor Company Fund and Usher, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and actor. — Monica Morgan photo

Carolyn Fugett, the mother of the late Reginald F. Lewis, 2016 Ford Freedom honoree (posthumous), who accepted the award on behalf of her son. — Andrea Stinson photo

From left: Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, government and community relations, Ford Motor Company; Juanita Moore, president and CEO, the Wright Museum; and Burt Jordan, Ford vice president of Global Vehicle and Powertrain Purchasing & Supplier Diversity — Andrea Stinson photo

Pictured from left: Andre Drummond, The Detroit Pistons; Kerlin Blaise, Ford Courage honoree; Jonathan Butler, Ford Courage honoree; Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, government and community relations, Ford Motor Company; Juanita Moore, CEO, the Wright Museum; Lomas Brown, former Detroit Lions player and president, Lomas Brown, Jr. Foundation; Carolyn Fugett, mother of the late Reginald F. Lewis, 2016 Ford Freedom Honoree (posthumously honored); Dave Bing, 2016 Ford Freedom Scholar; Shawn Wilson, manager, Multicultural Community Engagement, Ford Motor Company Fund; Sean Garrett, producer; and Calvin Butler, CEO, Baltimore Gas and Electric.

Hip-hop star Doug E. Fresh closed the show and rocked the crowd with some of his biggest hits. — Monica Morgan photo

Jerome Bettis, Ford Freedom Award presenter with his mother, Gladys Bettis. — Andrea Stinson photo

Grammy-nominated songstress Angie Stone set the tone by opening the program with her hit song “Brotha” at the 18th Annual Ford Freedom Award. — Monica Morgan photo

A Ford Freedom Award attendee and Wright Museum supporter Alma Greer enjoying the program. — Monica Morgan photo

From left: Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, government and community relations, Ford Motor Company; Damond Dixon (first place); Lillian Deering (second place); Usher, Grammy award-winning artist and activist; Carrington Wash (third place); Louisa Karoub (second place); Dan Brown (honorable mention); and Shawn Wilson, Shawn Wilson, manager, multicultural community engagement, Ford Motor Company Fund. — Monica Morgan photo

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SPOTLIGHT

Reflections

By Steve Holsey

Better late than never It is always impressive when highly successful people make it their business to get something they recognize as important later in life — like a high school diploma — that they regret having forfeited.

Comedian-actor Mike Epps inspired a lot of people by recently getting a diploma at the age of 45 in his native Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mike Epps with his mom, Mary Reed.

“I have always been insecure about not having a diploma,” he said, and superstar rapper/actor Drake can relate because he earned his high school diploma a few years ago at the age of 25 and called it “one of the greatest feelings in my entire life.”

Ironically, Drake dropped out of high to portray a high school student in the Canadian TV series “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”

But, on the other hand, there are those who dropped out of high school and apparently never looked back, Drake such as Whoopi Goldberg, Eminem, Chris Rock, Damon Wayans, John Travolta, Rihanna, Johnny Depp, Christina Aguilera, Jay Z, Tom Cruise, Romeo Miller and Cameron Diaz.

MADONNA singing “Nothing Compares 2 U” during her Prince tribute during the Billboard Music Awards brought to mind a group that seldom gets acknowledged today — the Family, who recorded the song first, written and produced for them by Prince.

It was on their only album, “The Family,” in 1985, featuring the Top 10 single “The Screams of Passion.”

NIA LONG

By Steve Holsey

As a famous actress once said, the acting profession is one to avoid if you are oversensitive or inclined to give up when the going gets tough, often for prolonged periods of time.

That’s because the nature of the business is that there will be far more “no’s” than “yes’s.” And truth be told, most actresses and actors spend more time not working than working. Belief in self and being able to visualize the goal are essential.

Nia Long knows all about maintaining self-confidence and always being fully prepared as evidenced by the fact that the talented and beautiful actress has had a regular presence in movies and television since the early ’90s.

NIA LONG landed her first major role on television in 1991 as Katherine (“Kat”) Speakes on the daytime drama (soap opera) “Guiding Light.” That job concluded in 1993. After that, she was seen on an array of popular TV shows, among them “Living Single,” “ER,” “Third Watch” (45 episodes), “Judging Amy,” “Moesha,” “Boston Legal” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (15 episodes).

(“The Best Man,” also starring Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard and Morris Chestnut).

Long has been the recipient of three NAACP Image Awards: 2005, Outstanding Actress in a Television Drama (“Third Watch”); 2004, Outstanding Actress in a Television Drama (“Third Watch”); 2000, Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

To say no for such a major project took guts.

Her latest projects include the ABC series “Uncle Buck” starring Mike Epps, a reboot of the 1989 John Candy film, and the movie “Keanu” starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key.

AS TOUGH as the business can be and usually is, Long vividly recalls once turning down a plum role. The part of Alex Munday in the movie version of “Charlie’s Angels” was offered to her, but she declined. The part was later landed by Lucy Liu, formerly of “Ally McBeal.”

See NIA LONG Page D-2 The cast of “Uncle Buck,” a new TV series.

“WHEN I have auditions for big movies, I can depend on myself because I’ve been working consistently,” Long said.

No small feat considering the preponderance of black actresses and the far fewer number of available roles.

Often adding to the situation is that this is an industry where taking chances is not generally the modus operandi. Or as Long put it, “The studios don’t really want to take risks right off the bat. They’ll take the risk after they’ve seen the finished product and then say, ‘Oh yeah, we want that.’”

The Family The Family evolved from the Time, who had disbanded (later, of course, they re-formed). Jerome Benton and Jellybean Johnson from the Time were members of the Family. The lead singer was Paul Peterson, given the name “St. Paul” by Prince.

It is interesting that Long’s name, Nia, is one of the seven days of Kwanzaa, meaning “purpose.” It is a Swahili word. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Long, whose full name is Nitara Carlynn Long, is of Bajan, Trinidadian and Grenadian descent. Her half-sister is comedienne-actress Sommore (Lori Ann Rambough).

However, by far the best version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” remains the intriguing worldwide smash by Sinéad O’Connor.

JUST AS he was forthright in his autobiography, “Smokey: Inside My Life,” Smokey Robinson was equally candid at the recent MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert in Los Angeles.

“I was an addict for two and a half years,” he told the mesmer- Smokey Robinson ized audience. “Those years were the darkest part of my life.”

In the book, Robinson said he was able to kick cold turkey after hitting rock bottom and asking God for direct intervention.

Praise for Beyoncé seems to come from everywhere, none more effusive than that from presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton who said, “You see her on TV, it’s impressive.

You see her in person, you’re just stunned. How does she do that? She is just amazing.”

BUT IN Minnesota, a lot of people are upset over May 23 having been officially declared “Beyoncé Day” in that

See Reflections Page D-2

rides ‘On a Cloud’ to success

By Tatiana Simone As Detroit is known as Motown, it should not be a surprise that an increasing number of artists from the Motor City are coming to the forefront.

Neisha Neshae, born Daneisha Turnbull, has a new new single, “On a Cloud,” produced by Helluva, that is being heard in over 25 markets across the nation.

An EP (extended play), “What the Streets Been Missing,” has been released and it includes “On a Cloud” as well as her next single, “White Sticks.”

At the age of 19, Neshae has

broken through multiple personal barriers to accomplish her goals and live her dream. As a toddler, she was removed from her mother’s care and placed in foster care where she stayed for two years before being moved in with her father and his abusive girlfriend.

“I come from where if you want something, you have to go get it, you can’t just have it, you have to work for it,” said Neshae.

Working a 9 to 5 wasn’t in the cards for Neshae, something she learned early on.

See NEISHA NESHAE Page D-2

entertainment

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Neisha Neshae

From page D-1

As she has progressed in the field of music, she has performed with the likes of Diggy Simmons, Young Dolph and did two shows at the request of Grammy Award-winning producer Timbaland.

From page D-1

Long had key roles in a number of films over the years, including “Soul Food,” “Love Jones,” “Made in America,” “Boyz n the Hood,” “Big Momma’s House” and “Are We There Yet?” as well as “The Best Man” and “The Best Man Holiday.”

GOOD IN PRINT positive impact her music has on her audience.

“It’s something that motivates people and inspires them,” said Neshae.

The T and B Group artist became very close to her mother as she entered high school. Their relationship blossomed into a love she had never experienced, which was tragically cut short in her junior year.

“We were best friends.

I’ve never had a relationship with anyone like that before,” said Naeshe.

Mourning her mother’s passing adversely affected her ability to finish school. However, she has not given up on her pursuit of education.

“When kids drop out of school, I don’t want them to think they cannot finish, there’s always a way to finish strong. I am definitely going back,” she said.

Although Neshae is just now moving into adulthood, she offers sound advice to other young ladies facing adversity.

Place your classified or display ad in the

“Love yourself and know yourself internally,” she said.

“It takes time. Get to know yourself. The best thing about knowing who you are is that you may not know yourself completely, but you’ll always be in touch.”

Neisha Neshae’s sound is such that she can go from a serenade to a “trap” anthem almost effortlessly.

Call (313) 963-5522

She also has an appreciation for and a willingness to collaborate with other Detroiters. She feels the opportunity to work with other people and to “vibe” with them is added creativity and insight.

Also, surprisingly, she served as director of a video for gospel superstar Yolanda Adams. The song was “This Too Shall Pass.”

Nia Long is optimistically resolute about her life and career, and hopeful for the future.

“I think you grow through your experiences, you get better as you grow,” she once said. “I’m not nearly where I think I’m going to be eventually, where I aspire to be, and hopefully the opportunities will continue to come.”

PICKS 183 720 286 129 415

LOOKS

She continued, “I strongly believe in knowing yourself. It took me being introduced to new people, experiences, making new music and going through the things I went through to love myself.

Take time with yourself, don’t be in a rush to love somebody else if you feel that you can’t love yourself.”

Nia Long

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“On a Cloud” represents the euphoric feeling of self-love and acceptance. Neshae describes the video as “something I endured, like the way she (her dad’s girlfriend) looked at me, how it gave me that feeling of not being wanted, my self-esteem, it just all adds up.”

Neshae and her #bossbaes have created a musical movement reaching over 200k viewers on YouTube and Worldstar Hip Hop in less than a month and was recently added to Vevo. She is enjoying the

June 1-7, 2016 Page D-2

Detroit symposium Michael Strahan, former NFL star, currently on “Good Morning America” and formerly of “Live With Kelly and Michael,” was a guest speaker at Fuel: Detroit, a one-day leadership and business networking symposium that took place at the Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel. (Editor's Note: This picture, taken by Barbara Orto, is being reprinted because there was an error in the cutline last week.)

Neshae’s next project is “Five,” the title chosen because the EP will feature five songs.

Cinetopia International Film Festival announces 2016 films and events Cinetopia Festival, recently again named as the best Detroit area film festival, announced the 2016 schedule of films and events taking place June 3-12. Spanning 10 days, Cinetopia brings more than 50 films to the Detroit, Dearborn and Ann Arbor area, representing the best feature-length dramas, comedies and documentaries from the world’s best festivals, including Sundance, Cannes, Venice, Toronto, Berlin, SXSW and Tribeca. Visit cinetopiafestival.org for full film descriptions, trailers and dates/times/locations of all screenings and events.

In addition to the impressive array of films, curated specifically for Cinetopia by a dedicated team of programmers led

by Michigan Theater CEO and Cinetopia founder Russ Collins and Elliot Wilhelm, director of the Detroit Film Theatre series at the DIA, a majority of the screenings will include special post-film events, including presentations, discussion panels and Q&A sessions with directors, writers and stars of the films

being presented.

The festival will feature more than 100 screenings of 50+ films, in an expanded array of venues throughout Detroit and Ann Arbor. Besides the Detroit Film Theatre, additional Detroit venues include the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, College for Creative Studies, Cinema Detroit, The Redford Theatre, and The Maple Theater.

In addition to the Arab American National Museum, this year the festival welcomes the Henry Ford Museum and their Giant Screen Experience as a Dearborn venue partner.

The Ann Arbor portion of the festival will take place in the Michigan Theater and State Theater, as well as an outdoor event on Maynard Street in front of the Michigan Theater.

Cinetopia will open on the evening of Friday, June 3, with a free outdoor screening for the whole family on the DIA’s north lawn.

Reflections state, in conjunction with a concert she was doing there. The upset was because no such day has ever been declared for Prince, who lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota for the entirety of his life.

Justin Bieber raised more than a few eyebrows when he bluntly stated, “I don’t know about these award shows.

They seem so hollow. I don’t feel good when I’m there nor after. A lot of people in the audience seem to be worried about how much camera time they will get or who they can network with.”

Nyle DiMarco deserved to win the Mirror Ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars,” his professional partner being the outstanding Peta Murgatroyd. All of the finalists were excellent, but the fact that DiMarco could dance that Nyle DiMarco well even though he is deaf is nothing short of amazing.

Raven-Symone says she feels “lighter” now that she has stopped being in denial about her sexual orientation.

From page D-1 Good for her.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that in the early to mid-1960s, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson recorded as Valerie & Nick. Some people remember “I’ll Find You” from 1964.

MEMORIES: “Holding On (When Love is Gone)” (L.T.D.), “Lovin’ is Really My Game” (Brainstorm), “All the Man That I Need” (Whitney Houston), “The Love I Lost” (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes), “Locking Up My Heart” (the Marvelettes), “Fake” (Alexander O’Neal), “Disco Lady” (Johnnie Taylor), “Baby Sitter” (Betty Wright), “Love Makes the World Go Round” (Deon Jackson), “You’re the First, the Last, My Everything” (Barry White).

BLESSINGS to Lori Euseary, Wade Briggs, Ann Jamerson, Kevin McCord, Leni Sinclair, Brian Spears, Henry Tyler, Rian Barnhill, Andrew Humphrey and Mario Morrow.

WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Peter McWilliams: “Don’t worship the god of other people’s opinions.”

LEGENDARY PICTURES AND UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENT A LEGENDARY PICTURES/BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT/ATLAS ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION “WARCRAFT” TRAVIS FI M MEL PAULA PATTONCO-BEN FOSTER DOMINIC COOPER TOBY KEBBELL BEN SCHNETZER ROB KAZINSKY AND DANIEL WU EXECUTIVE MUSIC

BY RAMIN DJAWADI PRODUCERS CHRIS METZEN NICK CARPENTER ROB PARDO PRODUCERS JILLIAN SHARE BRENT O’CONNOR MIKE MORHAIMBASED E PAULON BLIZZARD SAMS PRODUCEDBY CHARLES ROVEN p.g.a. THOMAS TULL p.g.a. JON JASHNI p.g.a. DIRECTED ALEX GARTNER p.g.a. STUART FENEGAN p.g.a.

WRITTEN ENTERTAINMENT’S “WARCRAFT”

BY CHARLES LEAVITT AND DUNCAN JONES

BY DUNCAN JONES VISUAL EFFECTS AND ANIMATION

BY INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC A UNIVERSAL RELEASE SOUNDTRACK ON BACK LOT MUSIC

© 2015 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IMAX® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION.

Let the music play!

Steve Holsey can be reached at svh517@aol.com and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.

LOCAL LISTINGS FOR STARTS FRIDAY, JUNE 10 CHECK THEATERS AND SHOWTIMES

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June 1-7, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Great Father’s Day Gift Ideas (StatePoint) Historically wisecracked as one of the most difficult people to buy for, Dad still generates $12.7 billion in Father’s Day sales, according to the National Retail Federation’s “Father’s Day Spending Survey” conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“Every year, we showcase a variety of gifts for Dad because we know every Dad is different and difficult to buy for,” says Nelson Tejeda, senior VP and chief merchandising officer at Things Remembered, a leading retailer of personalized gifts. “After 50 years in the personalization and gifting business, there are a few things we know score well with most Dads.”

Dad clichés that hit home Most Dads love a good burger, whether going out for a smoky BBQ bacon burger at the local joint or grilling the perfect piece of grass-fed beef at home. Dads who are convinced they make the world’s best burger would appreciate a personalized grill set or apron that declares him the master. Have a Dad who takes grilling even more seriously?

A monogrammed chef ’s coat is ideal.

Page D-3

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Or consider monogramming a personal item Dad uses every day. A sentimental saying tucked in a wallet or on the back of a watch will be appreciated.

Or customize a shaving set to give Dad a boost of confidence every morning when he gets ready for the day.

City of Detroit THE OFFICE OF CONTRACTING AND PROCUREMENT

NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY

One interest of Dad’s you can’t go wrong on is you. Consider getting sentimental with a personalized frame that features pictures of you and Dad together, customized with a special message.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS #60000

2016-2017 Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program

Still considering a tie for Father’s Day? “If you insist on getting Dad a tie,” says Tejeda, “get him a monogrammed tie bar to go with it. You can engrave a special message on the back.”

ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF DETROIT Housing and Revitalization Department Mike Duggan, Mayor Arthur Jemison, Director

More ideas for personalized Father’s Day gifts can be found at thingsremembered. com.

PROPOSAL DUE DATE/TIME July 15, 2016, 4:00pm

With a bit of effort, you can give your dad a Father’s Day gift that will be both useful and meaningful.

RFP#60000, 2016-2017, ESG Questions Submission due date is 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2016 RFP#60000, 2016-2017 ESG Questions must be submitted online www.BidSync.com and Answers will be posted on RFP#60000, Q&A Section, at www.bidsync.com

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

Beer pairs incredibly well with burgers and a monthly subscription to a club that specializes in microbrews is certainly in good taste with any beer lover.

A personalized beer cap collector can help Dad visually document his greatest sipping memories and add some flair to his home bar while engraved pint glasses or tankards can help him better taste the subtle nuances of his craft brew while watching the game.

TUESDAY, JUNE 21st, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.—location to be determined RFP#60000 2016-2017 ESG Questions and Answers will be conveyed at the Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference. For further information about RFP#60000, contact: Elizabeth C. Ayana Johnson, Office of Contracting and Procurement, Office of the Chief Financial Officer at section3compliance@detroitmi.gov EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT OVERVIEW The City of Detroit, through the Department of Housing and Revitalization (HRD), received a Federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) award for from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) in the amount of $2,838,335.00 most of which the City will subgrant to qualified nonprofit organizations. Of this amount, the City will retain $212,875.13 for its administrative costs, $100,000.00 to support the diversion pilot program, and $200,000 to support Southwest Solution’s Coordinated Assessment Model, or CAM. The City of Detroit seeks to award a total of $2,325,460 through this RFP competition. Of the $2,325,460, available for this competition, the City will require each applicant organization to designate not more than 2% of individual awards for data collection under Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Speaking of games, season tickets to cheer his favorite team on to victory makes for a fantastic gift.

If you have a limited budget, select one or two games against the biggest rivals. Dad’s favorite team showcased on a pair of cuff links is a fun way to show team spirit while still looking professional at the office. Or, get him ready for tailgating on a cold morning with an NFL throw.

If golf ’s his game, make sure his buddies never again snag his marker and declare it their own by personalizing a multi-function golf accessory (which also features a divot tool he surely won’t need).

The City of Detroit anticipates to award ESG funds to qualified applicant organizations with prior experience providing any of the following ESG eligible activities: “Street Outreach”, “Emergency Shelter” (including warming center services), “Rapid Rehousing”, and “Homelessness Prevention”, for at least two (2) years. All proposals must demonstrate 100% match requirement, with verifiable source(s) to meet the threshold. The City will not accept proposals for shelter renovations, rehabilitation, or conversion under this competition.

College-Bound Students: How to Get Ready for the Next 4 Years

The City of Detroit also anticipates making awards not less than • $75,000.00 for Street Outreach, • $100,000.00 for Emergency Shelter (including warming center services), • $250,000.00 for Rapid-Re-housing • $100,000.00 for Homelessness Prevention services The City of Detroit will review each applicant’s performance record annually, and reserves the right to de-obligate and re-allocate funds throughout the grant term. Administrative costs are not eligible for non-shelter applicants, and all grants will be program-based awards for eligible homeless services, (For more details see “Eligible Activities” & “Proposal Selection & Evaluation Criteria”). Only proposals meeting the minimum ESG application threshold requirements will be considered for funding.

ESG RFP#60000 will be available online at www.BidSync.com via the City of Detroit’s website: http://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/Do-Business-with-the-City

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Organizations submitting proposals must be registered in BID SYNC. City of Detroit Bid Sync supplier registration is free of charge.

Proposal Applications must be received by the Office of Contracting and Procurement via RFP#60000, 2016-2017 ESG online at www.BidSync.com by 4:00 p.m., Friday, July 15th, 2016 In-person or late submissions will not be accepted.

SUBMITTED PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS MUST BE ORGANIZED IN THE ORDER SPECIFIED IN RFP#60000, 2016-2017 ESG. Updates or changes to RFP#60000, 2016-2017 ESG will be posted on www.bidsync.com via the City’s website at: http://www.detroitmi.gov/How-Do-I/Do-Business-with-the-City Notice of Non-Discrimination: The City of Detroit does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, age, handicap, sex, or sexual orientation.

Complaints may be filed with the City of Detroit Human Rights Department, 2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 1240 Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Detroit, Michigan 48226

among US banks. “After making careful comparisons, they should borrow only what they need.”

A handful of private student lenders defer loan repayments until after students leave school. In the case of Wells Fargo, this date (StatePoint) Many college-bound students and begins a full six months later -- and if new graduates their families underestimate the cost of college. need time to find a job -- the bank can extend the Indeed, 31 percent of students who left school repayment start date up to a year. without completing a degree reported they did so Cost-saving opportunities exist whereby students due to financial reasons, according to recent National can consolidate loans or refinance into loans with a Center for Education statistics. lower interest rate. These actions can help students Beyond rising tuition rates, there are many significantly reduce costs associated with their debt. expenses to consider -- books, class materials, room With all funding sources, it’s critical to be aware and board, cell phone plans, and incidentals -- to of application deadlines and the terms associated name a few. with assistance, whether it’s GPA maintenance for With nationwide student debt at $1.3 trillion and scholarship eligibility or an interest rate. growing, according to the National Student Loan Debt Clock, the importance of financial planning and Managing Money establishing good money habits can’t be overstated.

For many students, college is an opportunity Students can more confidently take on college and to manage money for the first time. Fortunately, beyond with these helpful tips from the “Get College students today have financial planning tools that Ready” experts at Wells Fargo: previous generations did not enjoy.

Young people can leverage their technology confidence to manage money by signing up for mobile The first step all students should take toward banking and then setting up account alerts to avoid funding college is to complete the Free Application over-drafting. Online budgeting and expenditurefor Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). tracking tools can help students form sound financial Then, use free resources to investigate other habits and monitor savings. funding. Some of the best scholarships can be found on sites like tuitionfundingsources.com, the largest Building Credit database of scholarships in the US. Good credit gives you more financial freedom and It’s also helpful to know how much money you’ll choices down the road. Start building good credit need. Most school websites offer a net price calculator while you’re still in school. Pay bills on time, don’t open too many lines of credit and keep balances low. that can help you arrive at a realistic estimate.

Whenever possible, pay more than the minimum If necessary, look into Federal Direct PLUS loans, each month. Check your credit history often. which can cover up to 100 percent of remaining Free resources that can help you plan for college education-related costs. can be found at wellsfargo.com/getcollegeready.

“College-bound students and their families Are you ready for college? Preparation is about should review grants, scholarships, and loans from a wide variety of sources,” says John Rasmussen, head more than test-taking and achieving solid grades -of Wells Fargo’s Personal Lending Group, which is it also means preparing financially for the next four also the nation’s second largest private student lender years and beyond.

Paying for College

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Detroit woma showers De n infants with troit love

Volume 79

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L.A. Reid

Famed prod ucer-writer tells all See page

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Assisting urban scho ols (Page A-3)

om March 23-29 , 2016

U.S. Confere of Mayors stance nds with Flint Mayor Weave r

Michigan citizens are surprisingly of using statesupportive resources to support Detroit Schools. Demo Public crats tend to be more supportive that Repub licans — which is not surpris ing.

Michigan Chronicle Reports

Wayne Health Cent er (Page B-1)

Wayne Count y Executive Warren C. Evans partners with health care providers to open new Wayne Health Center

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Small busine big clout in ss equals Detroit

By Keith A.

Senior Editor

Owens

U.S. Confer ence and Execu tive Direct of Mayors CEO and former or Tom Cochr Atlanta an Franklin stood in Mayor Shirley Flint Mayor solida Karen Weaverity with a recent r during press confer City Hall ence at where she al and state called for Flint the Confer assistance. As federalso releas ence’s support, part of Cochran to Congr ed a new bipartisan ess and the White letter from more the countr than 150 mayor House s aroun y urging d Flint in the afterm resources for crisis. ath of the water As the democratical mayor of Flint, Karen ly elected the full faith and confid Weaver has colleagues ence try. On theirfrom around the of her counsecon Cochran, Franklin, d visit to Flint, perts are providing and a team of exsupport to Mayor

10,000 black The narrat in the dining businesses,” ive for comes to room of one he said, while local Detroit is quite some time sitting of many to be had, that there when it tively establishments, of his and that are very that are few jobs and new black-ownedThe Crab House favorite truly succesthe majority of , a relaEvergreen restaurant businesses are not that opene those ownedsful in this city d in 2009. near 7 Mile And when right now Indeed,

by Africa n Ameri nearly two a Huffington Post concerning you look at the cans. dominant years is overwh Detroit’s revital headlines the same thing, ago in July of story published elmingly ization, 2014 said focusing what’s wonde the focus tually black on Detroi much on the t’s busine rful downt ering in sses in Detroifact that it is acis exactl the revital y recogn Midtown — neithe own and t that are ization ized as the a more than r of which know it by most of the , even though you’d powrestaurants, 80 percent black blackest parts news covera never of “Stori es that ge. to be conce the hottest nightstown. The latest ing, Flint Mayor revitalizing claim entrepreneur pots, graphical ntrated in one and even s are – Andre SmithKaren Weaver relatively all seem primarily on area. Black cally sidelin small white profes saving Detroi buildphoto folks t focus ed in a rigged are being systemgeo- er and new sionals, Black design Weaver as guys get often ati- thats palpab transplants to game while to to recove she implements the city, youngsigned by play first string fashion from er reinvents le and frustra her plan r Flint’s on an openthe white journalists them for a trend frames to ting for public health and them. infrastructur fur. field de- leavin That’s , and econo g blacks readers criticized locals. When e, the my. paper’s public out of its City Councthe more popula The Flint Corktown Times for r editor addres versity in top priorit water crisis has story, the ingberry, il President Pro narrative, anywa y. sed a however, been a Tem of Mayor y for The U.S. Confer not that begs to differ. George Cush- regretted not follow-up, and the the lack of dis since there aren’t ence including writer said Strongly.

(A more Janua businesses enough a ry Winter the Conference’s blackrecent Times It’s owned busineshe in Detroi successful Meeting ington, seems to t, but rather story takes black ing view.) in ss.

DC, care. a wider-rangthat nobod Flint Mayor where newly Washelecte “It’s not y “Conservativ Karen d about the difficult ely in owner to challenges Weaver spoke Detroit speak with,to find a black in her city. we have business Immediately though over than 32,000 in the This year’s city, accord . There are more Winter Meetin following the first Panca ing to U.S. g in Janua USCM ference & Politics See SMALL Census ry, Conof forum quicklykes BUSINESS page Baltimore Mayors Presid evolved into ent and A-4 ings-Blake Mayor Stephanie and hones a direct t ta Mayor asked that former Rawlof what is assessment Shirley Frank Atlanprecis al expert lin, a nation problem with ely the USCM CEOon water investmen, Public Schoo Detroit and Tom Cochr and Executive Direct can and must ls and what Flint in earlyan co-led a missio or be done n to February. about it.

The Confer ence supported of Mayor WeaveMayors also tified before r Congress, as she tesWeaver and recent Mayor Winter Leade ly attended rship Meetin USCM’s nearly 45 g where mayor s of her efforts stood in support to solve health crisis a seriou He is one that has s term and of both stars of rap, the greatest Flint reside long-term impac shortbut has since ts for nts. become The U.S. From left: is the officiaConference of better Crab Mayors l nonpa zation of and V. Lonnie House co-ow known as cities with rtisan organiners Eric Peek.

30,000 or and Damo populations a highly n English, of 1400 such more. There are Chronicle nearly skilled Senior Editor today, and cities in the countr each Keith actor y city is repres Owens, in the Confer ented ence by and a ed officia l, the mayor its chief electpolished, .

C. Grangston Bullard (Page C-1)

Pancakes & Politics straight talk (Page C-6)

LL Cool J raps again (Page D-1)

NORTHER

genial awards shows host of . Can LL Cool J find renewed acceptance He believe as a rapper? s at age 48, he can and, is new album working on a .

$1.00

N HIGH SCHO OL STUDENT Historic ev REVO TUR ent led to se NS 50 ismic chanLTge at DPS

By Ken Colem an

As resolu te as he Charles Coldin was in his Medic g leans forwar 50 springs ago, d from al Center me in the -area apartm the couch eyes and ent, stares declares: “We had fascist on to get rid of Art he had no wheels. He was a Carty. He was a nasty person was our firstrespect for the and students. objective, we did get So rid of him.” to get rid of him that — and His hair is bount eyes are shielded iful with gray strand by has aged and he's bifocal lenses. His s. His presents somewhat body a that are as stack of daily newspweary. Colding aper clippin with great thick as the Holy gs Bible and recalls that touchedetail his herois m, a set of events helped to d off a student walkout. marshal One administrati in drama tic academ that ve chang district, one of the e at the 295,00 ic and 0-school largest in the nation “It was pretty . bad,” Coldin See DPS page g recalled in a

A-4

Charles Coldin g

at the forme r Northern

High Schoo l in Detroi t.

Published Every Wednesday

Classified PERSONAL SERVICES MRS. LINN

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

CANCELED The Legal Notice that ran in the May 18, 2016 edition of the Michigan Chronicle to upgrade the lighting fixtures to LED energy efficient lighting has been cancelled. The George Washington Carver Academy will not be accepting bids as previously stated.

The Academy apologizes for any inconvenience.

Notice of Budget Hearing The Detroit Achievement Academy (MI PSA) shall hold a public budget hearing for its 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 annual operating budgets on June 14th at 6:00pm at 7000 W Outer Dr. Detroit, MI 48214.

A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at: www.detroitachievement.org/budget

Notice of Budget Hearing Detroit Prep (MIPSA) shall hold a public budget hearing for its 2016-2017 annual operating budget on June 14th at 7:00pm at 7000 W Outer Dr. Detroit, MI 48214.

A copy of the budget is available for public inspection at: www.detroitachievement.org/budget

INVITATION FOR BID (SMART) is soliciting an Invitation For Bid (IFB) for the Purchase of Gillig Bus Parts Control No. 16-2166. IFB documents may be obtained beginning June 1, 2016 on www.mitn.info IFB’s are due by 3:00PM EST, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at the Buhl Bldg. 535 Griswold, Ste 600 Detroit, MI 48226 PUBLIC NOTICE of BUDGET HEARING – In Compliance with the OPEN MEETINGS ACT (MCLA 15.261 et seq Public Act No. 267 of 1976) the ANNUAL BUDGET HEARING of the BOARD of DIRECTORS of Detroit Delta Preparatory Academy for Social Justice, a Charter School formed pursuant to the Revised School Code of 1976, will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at 6 pm.

The budget will be available for public inspection at the offices of EQUITY Education, 13600 Virgil Street, Detroit, MI 48223. The public meeting will be held at 3550 John C. Lodge Frwy, Detroit, MI 48201.

PROCLAMATION I, WILLIAMS BEY, whose address is 18 Church St., Detroit, Michigan 48203 proclaim my Free National Name as MOORISH SCIENCE TEMPLE OF AMERICA according to the rules and usages of such MOORISH SCIENCE TEMPLE OF AMERICA. The Moorish Science Temple of America deriving its power and authority from the Great Koran of Mohammed to propagate the faith and extend the learning and truth of the Great Prophet of Alli in America. To anoint, appoint and consecrate missionaries of the prophet and to establish the faith of Mohammed in America.

PROCLAMATION I, HOYE BEY, whose address is 18 Church St., Detroit, Michigan 48203 proclaim my Free National Name as MOORISH SCIENCE TEMPLE OF AMERICA according to the rules and usages of such MOORISH SCIENCE TEMPLE OF AMERICA. The Moorish Science Temple of America deriving its power and authority from the Great Koran of Mohammed to propagate the faith and extend the learning and truth of the Great Prophet of Alli in America. To anoint, appoint and consecrate missionaries of the prophet and to establish the faith of Mohammed in America.

You are invited to O’Brien Construction’s Subcontractor Education Series event at the Michigan DNR Outdoor Adventure Center 1801 Atwater Street Detroit, MI 48207 in the Forest Room on Thursday, June 9th 2016 from 3 to 5pm.

The focus of this event will be Project Administration and Compliance. Topics will include Davis Bacon and Certified Payroll requirements, Section 3 Outsourcing and Hiring, and Municipal Requirements (Executive Orders). Speakers will include Steve Williams, President of EctoHR; and Guy Stockard, Section 3 Coordinator for MSHDA. We hope you can attend this informative event. There is no cost to attend and refreshments will be provided.

Please RSVP to obrieneducation@obriencc.com or Andrea Kal at 248-334-2470 by Monday June 6th, 2016.

June 1-7, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Page D-4

TRAINING & EDUCATION

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

The Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 80 Joint Apprenticeship Committee will accept applications for the Sheet Metal Apprentice Entrance Exam on June 8th & July 13th, between the hours of 9:00 A.M. & 1:00 P.M.

LOCAL BOARD OF FEMA/FOOD SHELTER PROGRAM Seeks 501(c)3 agencies in the City of Detroit, Wayne, Oakland, Macomb counties providing food, shelter, rent, and mortgage assistance. Inquiries due June 13, 2016.

Special interest in serving unemployed, children, veterans, seniors, disabled, Native Americans, and mentally ill.

Call 313.266.9353 or email EFSP@LiveUnitedSEM.org

Exec. Director for MI Branch Office

June 1-July 4 Fireworks Safety Month

Applications are available online at http://www.smw80jac.org/exam.html or at the Training Center 32700 Dequindre Rd. Warren, MI 48092.

The Entrance Exam will take place on Wednesday July 27, 2016.

ADOPTION

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, citizen of the United Sates or a legally emigrated alien and at the time of application show proof of high school graduation or G.E.D., valid Drivers’ License and provide a $40 cash nonrefundable examination fee.

ADOPTION: WARM, FUN

Mom and Dad eager to cherish and provide your baby love and happiness forever.

We are your perfect choice.

Expenses Paid.

The Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 80 Joint Apprenticeship Committee is an equal opportunity organization admitting qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age or national origin.

Christina and Michael

For more information please visit http://www.smw80jac.org

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Seeking

PSYCHOLOGIST AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Seeking

size: 2business (2.16”)services x 3” to comprehensive childcare providers incl. training, mgmt. issue: 06-01 assistance, business planning, and financing.

Contact Info: Send resume to Laura Riley at fcfaccounting@firstchildrensfinance.org For full job description: http://www.firstchildrensfinance.org/

Outreach

Michigan State University Infrastructure Planning and Facilities is hiring for the following positions: Elevator Mechanic I – Posting #3388

SITE MANAGER, OU ANTON/FRANKEL CENTER AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY This position coordinates and manages the dayto-day operations of the Anton/Frankel Center, including course scheduling, facility usage and maintenance. Perform duties requiring independent and responsible judgment and planning. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Three years of progressively responsible administrative experience. This is a full time, administrative professional position, with a salary up to the high $40s. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. Compensation commensurate with education and experience.

First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 9, 2016.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Counseling Center

This position will provide assessment, counseling, and outreach to students and university staff.

Coordinate and provide leadership for the diagnostic testing services program.

Supervise graduate assistants/interns in areas of psychological assessment, diagnostic report writing, psychotherapy and outreach. Minimum qualifications require a Ph.D Degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology, licensed or license eligible as a Psychologist in the State of Michigan (must obtain license within one year of hire) and a minimum of three years clinical experience.

Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. Salary up to the mid $50s annually, commensurate with education and experience.

See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 8, 2016.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

Seeking

JAVA DEVELOPER ANALYST AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

UTS Database Applications

This position will work on a variety of application systems and solutions in support of the university mission. The core applications systems are Banner, uPortal, uMobile, LDAP and CAS. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

One year experience in enterprise system support and application development.

Knowledge of IT problem solving and analytical skills. Salary is up to the low $60s annually, compensation commensurate with education and experience.

Refer to online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 7, 2016.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

!

Component & Subsystem Validation Engineer-Displays !

Warren, MI. General Motors Company.

Lead component &subsystems validation engrg &exercise responsibility for up to 15 vehicle Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) programs. Engr, dvlp &improve test plans, assure soft (using Vehicle Spy &related soft) functionality, hardwr durability, &validate supplier electronic control unit (ECU) soft &hardwr (board &plastic trim) in vehicle IPCs to support accurate &robust graphics &display of speedometer, odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, coolant temperature, related safety functions, &infotainment functions such as phone &media connectivity. Perform soft testing &monitor hardwr test status, reporting issues to Design Release Engrs (DREs) &vehicle level validation engineers. Master, Electrical Engineering. 6 mos exp as Engineer dvlping &improving test plans, assure soft functionality, using Vehicle Spy, hardwr durability, &validating supplier ECU soft/hardwr in vehicle IPCs. Mail resume to Alicia Scott-Wears, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, Mail Code 482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265, Ref#2929.

Seeking

CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Facilities Management

This position will oversee renovation and remodeling projects on campus, estimating, budgeting, doing takeoffs, scheduling and coordinating skilled trades. Minimum Qualifications: Associate’s Degree relevant to maintenance, electrical or building systems or a related area or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience. Journeyman’s license in carpentry, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and/or related field. Three years documented work experience.

This is a full time, administrative professional position, with a salary up to the high $60s. Refer to online posting for additional qualifications and requirements. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. Must be able to work alternative shifts/days of the week to perform the work so construction does not negatively impact building occupants. First consideration will be given to those who apply by June 9, 2016.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

HELP WANTED

WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

Financial and Compliance Manager Position Description

MISC.

The Detroit Building Authority manages the largest Demolition Program in the nation. The Demolition Program is a cornerstone in Mayor Duggan’s effort to revitalize Detroit.

This position is responsible for (a) tracking financial transactions for the City of Detroit Demolition Program and (b) enforcing violations of the Demolition Scope of Services.

Responsibilities • Serve as initial point of contact/intake for all invoices related to the City of Detroit Demolition Program; • Record and maintain data associated with invoices; • Work with City of Detroit Departments to track and facilitate payment of vendors; • Work with DBA Field Supervisor and DBA field liaisons to review and document any potential violations of the Demolition Scope of Services; • Prepare, distribute, and file written Citations or Health & Safety Violations • Track and maintain data on contractor discipline; • Review and evaluate appeals to Citations or Health & Safety Violations; • Create and modify, as necessary, policies and processes related to contractor discipline; • Coordinate/prepare all documents needed to respond to any violation notices from the State of Michigan • Work with Project Management and Procurement staff to ensure enforcement of policies related to contractor discipline; • Ensure DBA operations comply with all internal protocols or policies • Assist DBA Deputy Director with other tasks, as assigned.

Required Experience/Skills/Credentials • Professional experience in a compliance or quality assurance role; • Advanced communication (oral & written) skills; • Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; • Basic knowledge of database management tools/systems; • Valid State of Michigan Driver’s License; • Ability to conduct field investigations, as necessary Please submit resumes to Tim Palazzolo at mailto: tpalazzolo@detroitbuildingauthority.org for consideration.

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Elevator Mechanic I – Posting #3389 View complete job description and apply online at www.jobs.msu.edu.

Refer to the posting numbers. The closing date for these positions is Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities.

MSU is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer.

Seeking

CUSTODIAN I/ FACILITIES AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Campus Cleaning Department

Two Positions Available – 2nd Shift & 3rd Shift. Minimum Qualifications: Perform cleaning activities and maintain assigned areas in various campus classroom and office buildings and on an emergency basis, perform Grounds related tasks. High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience, ability to use and/or mix various cleaning chemicals, perform physically active work, requires frequent lifting of up to 60 lbs., may work in various weather conditions with extremes heat & cold, also may require a MI driver’s license acceptable to the University’s insurance carrier. Salary is $10.57 per hour probationary, $10.82 per hour after 90 days. 2nd Shift - Full time position working: Monday-Thursday: 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 3rd Shift – Full time position working: MondayThursday: 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. - Friday: 6:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. See online postings for additional position requirements.

Must apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu Senior'Software'Test'Engineer' General!Motors!Company,!Detroit,!MI.!

Review,!provide!engrg!feedback,!&improve!

Service!Oriented!Architecture!(SOA)! designs!&business!narratives,!&perform! endFtoFend!(E2E)!integration!testing!of!In! Vehicle!Infotainment!Systems!&OnStar! telematics!soft!&company!website,! collaborating!with!Cyber!Security!Team!to! identify!&create!security!test!scenarios! &find!cyber!security!defects,!formulating! &planning!test!strategies,!performing! manual!&automated!testing!in!accordance! with!industry!standards!&Agile!

Methodology,!using!UFT!/QTP,!Selenium,! &Java,!of!back!office!systems!such!as!

Global!Advisor,!OnStar!RemoteLink! (mobile!app),!&CloudFbased!infotainment! systems!using!Sales!Force!cloud!platform.!

Validate!Network!security!for!Remote!

Access!/!VPN!&Intrusion!Detection!/!

Prevention!using!Wire!Shark.!Validate!

TCP/IP!protocol!ste!&Operating!Sys! (Android).!Perform!Cross!Browser!testing! of!websites!&APIs!using!protocols!such!as!

JSON!&REST.!Master,!Computer!Science! &Engineering!or!Electrical!Engineering.!36! mos!exp!as!Engr.,!Lead!Engr!or!Sr.!

Software!Engr.!Will!accept!bachelor!or! foreign!equivalent,!in!Computer!Science! &Engineering!or!Electrical!Engineering,! followed!by!at!least!5!yrs!progressive!exp! in!specialty.!Will!accept!any!equally! suitable!combination!of!education,!training,! &/or!experience!which!would!qualify! applicant!to!perform!job!offered.!Required! exp!must!include!reviewing!&improving!

SOA!designs!&business!narratives,! &performing!E2E!integration!testing!of! systems!soft!&company!website,! collaborating!with!Cyber!Security!Team,!to! identify!&create!security!test!scenarios! &find!cyber!security!defects,!&perform! automated!testing!using!HP!UFT!/!QTP! &Selenium!of!back!office!systems,!mobile! apps!&cloud!platforms.!Mail!resume!to!

Alicia!ScottFWears,!GM!Global!Mobility,!

300!Renaissance!Center,!Mail!Code!482F C32FD44,!Detroit,!MI!48265,!Ref#1551. !

CITY OF DETROIT invites applications for the position of: Executive Director - Board of Ethics (APPOINTED) SALARY: $61,700.00 - $101,300.00 Annually OPENING DATE: 05/02/16 CLOSING DATE: 06/05/16 11:59 PM DESCRIPTION: Plans, manages, administers and conducts the activities of the City of Detroit Board of Ethics’ business office. Ensures Board of Ethics assignments are completed in an expedient, professional, and confidential manner including, but not limited to, investigating or participating in investigations regarding the ethical conduct of public servants, as defined by the Detroit City Code. Conducts research and compiles information necessary for the preparation of Board of Ethics advisory opinions. Prepares educational materials and conducts training programs for public servants regarding the Detroit Ethics Ordinance and the City of Detroit Charter. Responds to inquiries from members of the Board of Ethics, public servants, the media, and the public.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Juris Doctorate degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited Law School; State of Michigan Bar membership is desirable.

Work experience performed in public sector capacity with boards, council or other public officials is desirable.

-orMasters of Public Policy, Master of Public Administration or equivalent degree from an accredited degree program with a concentration in governmental policy. Work experience performed in public sector capacity with boards, council or other public officials.

-orExtensive work experience at the Director level or higher, in a public sector capacity for 10 years or more will be considered in place of the above educational requirements.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION: 1. Experience & Qualifications 2. Writing Sample 3. Interview APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE WITHOUT RESUME & WRITING SAMPLE Interested candidates should apply via the City of Detroit Employment website: www.detroitmi.gov/detroit-opportunities/find-a-job

praise connection

June 1-7, 2016

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Alma Rose George Services celebrating the life and career Dr. Alma Rose George were held recently with Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams officiating.

Alma Rose George was born to Dr. Philip Moise and Lucia George in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. While a medical student, she met fellow medical student Franklin R. Jackson and they were married the week before their graduation and were blessed with a son, Franklin George Jackson.

Gospel Explosion comes to Cobo The Church of God in Christ Department of Women will celebrate its 66th Annual Women’s International Convention/ Crusade, now through June 3 in Detroit.

by retaining values and principles of holiness.

Our Convention/Crusade will also recapture the determination of our predecessors whose focus was to:

This convention is led by the organization’s president and the sixth general supervisor of the Department of Women, Mother Willie Mae Rivers, who resides in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

She is the mother of twelve children; two sons (deceased) and ten daughters. She is a member of Calvary Church of God in Christ, where she has served as church mother for over 69 years. She is the president of the Community Christian Women/ Men Fellowship. Mother Rivers is a lover of people, a woman of wisdom, who walks with integrity and leads with diligence.

• Teach women to love their husbands, nurture and train their children.

The Women’s International Convention began 66 years ago in Los Angeles, California with 100 women in attendance. It has experienced tremendous growth. This convention is held annually in various cities across North America and now has nearly 10,000 people in attendance. Delegates from all over the world will journey across land and sea to attend these spirit-filled, over-packed, and life changing sessions. The convention is designed to promote women and men’s ministry through evangelism

It is the endeavor of the organization’s president to spiritually impact this great city by ministering to the incarcerated, those who do not know Christ as their personal Savior, to visit the extended medical facilities and to make a contribution to one or more charitable organizations, as we have done in previous years.

• Develop godly character through the Word of God. • Give qualifications and practical applications for leaders.

• Encourage women to be mentors in their homes, on their job, and in the community.

• Prepare future leaders.

Many workshops and services will provide women with a clear vision of their God-given purpose, destiny, and remain focused on their journey to greatness.

Come and enjoy the Lord with us in the beauty of holiness, with our hearts full of praise, and the women of God adorned in their “crowns of glory.”

Dr. Alma Rose George, a prominent Detroit surgeon, graduated from Fisk University and from Meharry Medical College. She eventually became president of the Detroit Medical Society, the Wolverine State Medical Society, and the National Medical Association.

At Detroit Receiving Hospital, she was the first African American woman to train in the surgery program.

Dr. George’s mantra was, “Always control your own life. Be independent. Learn as much as you can and always reach out to help others in need. We have to come up and move forward together.”

Cherishing the memory of Alma Rose George are her son, Franklin George Jackson; her husband, Frederick Finch; a sister, Violet George Bowers; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Michael Todd Ferguson Services for Michael Todd Ferguson were held on Monday, May 23, at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams officiating. Mr. Ferguson passed away on May 17, 2016.

Michael Todd Ferguson was born on July 7, 1968 to Pamela G. Ferguson and Michael F. Chavis.

He graduated from Cooley High School and then joined the U.S. Army where he received numerous honors.

After leaving the military, he earned an Associate of Arts degree in Computer Information Systems from Wayne County Community College District. After working for Detroit Diesel, he worked for the government at TSA. Left behind to cherish the memory of Michael Todd Ferguson are his mother, Pamela G. Latimore; a brother, Larry C. Latimore II; and many other relatives and friends.

Clinton Bryant Services for Clinton Bryant were held on Friday, May 27, at First Baptist World Changers International with Apostle Dr. Lennell D. Caldwell officiating. Mr. Bryant passed away on May 20, 2016.

Clinton Bryant was born in Detroit on Oct. 2, 1957 to the union of Calop and Bessie Bryant. He was educated in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Cooley High School. It was there that he met the love of his life, Debra Black.

They were blessed with a daughter, Nicole Shareece Black. He continued his education at Oakland Community College and later joined the U.S. Army.

Although he had been working at Chrysler Corporation, he desired to become an entrepreneur and subsequently opened Bryant’s Cleaners.

Mr. Bryant, who was known for his generosity, enjoyed cooking, fishing, bike riding and spending time with family and friends. He was especially close to his daughter, Nikki.

Cherishing the memory of Clinton Bryant are his daughter, Nicole Black Bryant; the love of his life, Debra Black; three sisters, Elaine Stroud, Lisa Bryant and Kimberly Bryant; a brother, Lawrence Taylor Bryant; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services for Velma Beatrice Bradford were held on Saturday, May 14, at Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Alan J. Jones officiating. Mrs. Bradford passed away on May 8, 2016.

Velma Tolbert was born in Bayou Meto, Arkansas on Feb. 4, 1932 to Lee and Cornelia Tolbert, their fifth child. She was educated in the Arkansas County School District.

She married Edward Bradford, Jr. in 1951 and they had a son, Edward Bradford III. She was employed at White Tower Laundry for nearly three decades. Her hobbies included sewing, cooking and watching wrestling on TV. She loved being a grandmother.

Cherishing the memory of Velma Beatrice Bradford are her husband, Edward Bradford, Jr.; a brother, Willie Tolbert; two sisters, Marie Hilson and Verbenia Tolbert; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Gethsemane Cemetery.

Willie Norwood

Interment took place at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

Services for Marie Powell were held on Friday, May 20, at Swanson Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Darryl Totty officiating. Mrs. Powell passed away on May 13, 2016.

Marie Williams was born on April 9, 1928 in Detroit to Emmett and Ora Williams, the oldest of three children. She was educated in the Detroit Public Schools and later studied at Lewis College of Business.

She married Willie Lee Traylor and they were blessed with two children, William and Patricia. Later, she married Raymond Powell and they had a daughter, Crystal Lynette.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Velma Beatrice Bradford

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Marie Powell

Services for Willie Norwood were held on Thursday, May 19, at New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Christopher D. Holly officiating. Mr. Norwood passed away on May 13, 2016.

Willie Norwood was born on Aug. 27, 1927 to Walter and Marie Norwood in Selma, Alabama.

He served in the U.S. Army for four years. He later worked at General Motors for 46 years. He enjoyed landscaping, gardening, driving and helping others.

Cherishing the memory of Willie Norwood are his wife, Sharlene; stepson, Louis McLean; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mrs. Powell worked for the Bendix Corporation and the U.S. Government. She enjoyed spending time with her family, reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Cherishing the memory of Marie Powell are her children, William Lee Traylor, Patricia Charleston and Crystal Powell, and many other relatives and friends.

Peace Baptist Church presents Spring Fash Bash

Peace Baptist Church Daughters of Promise Women’s Department presented a pre-Mother’s Day fashion show entitled Spring Fash Bash under the leadership of Angie Kelly. The event was held at the American Serbian Memorial Hall in Detroit. The Spring Fash Bash featured some of Detroit’s own enterprenuers and boutiques, giving the modern day woman a different view in fashion. Detroit own Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole’s clothing line, the DCC Rose Collection, was featured as well as Hot Sam’s, Angela’s Fashion, Offin River’s Boutique and hats by Pastor Ricky Cranford. The Spring Fash Bash started in the basement of Peace Baptist Church and has grown to more than 600 attendees.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Cleola Regina Davis-Cunningham

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Services for Cleola Regina Davis-Cunningham were held on Friday, May 20, at Oak Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church with Dr. Robert Brumfield officiating. Mrs. Davis-Cunningham passed away on May 10, 2016.

Cleola Regina Davis-Cunningham was born on June 17, 1923 in Chattahoochee, Florida to the union of George and Amanda Whitfield Davis, the eighth of 11 children. She was educated in the Oak Grove public school system.

In 1943, she married Andrew Lee Cunningham and they moved to Willow Run, Michigan and later Detroit.

They had five children, Andrew Lee, Theresa, Connie, Pamela and Deborah.

Mrs. Davis-Cunningham worked at the University of Michigan Hospital as a nurse’s aide and later at Lynn Hospital and Outer Drive Hospital as an obstetrics operating room technician.

Left to cherish the memory of Cleola Regina Davis-Cunningham are her children, Andrew Lee Cunningham, Sr., Theresa G. Cunningham, Connie R. Cunningham, Pamela W. Cunningham and Deborah J. Cunningham-Austin; a sister, Lillie Mae Scott; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

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Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • June 1-7, 2016