MC Digital Edition 11.11.2020 by Real Times Media

: Detroit’s First Black-Owned Cider Mill Launches on West Side

City.Life.Style. B1

Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 84 – No. 10 | November 11-17, 2020

2020 ELECTION ★

The Results Are In! See How Our Michigan Chronicle Endorsements Fared With This Election Recap

It’s been a long time coming, but change is going to come, and that change is happening now in the voting realm. During the course of election week week, there have been a number of high moments as presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris have ascended to higher heights as President-elect and Vice-President elect. Other numbers are already in from the Wayne County Clerk’s Office with the unofficial results of this year’s election. Here’s the recap on what issues and candidates you supported locally:

President of the United States: The Democrat Party beat out the Republican Party with nearly 270,000 votes. Biden garnered 412,596 or nearly 73% of the votes; while Trump received 143,979 or just over 25% of the votes. Vice-President of the United States In similar fashion to the presidential race, Harris received nearly 323,000 votes more votes than her Republican counterpart Vice President Mike Pence. Harris received 587,074 votes or nearly 70%. Pence received 264,149 votes or 30.59%. United States Senator Incumbent U.S. Sen. Gary Peters won 49.8% or 2,721,207 votes; his opponent, Republican challenger John James captured 48.3%, or 2,636,892 votes. United States Representative Congress (14th District) Incumbent Brenda Lawrence won reelection to the U.S. House in Michigan’s 14th Congressional District with 264,205 votes or 78.9%; toppling many of the other candidates by the sheer number of votes. Regent of The University of Michigan Mark Bernstein and Shauna Ryder Diggs were the top two candidates voted in for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, with terms lasting eight years. Bernstein received 535,297 or 34.17% of the votes; Ryder Diggs was a close second and received 521,994 or 33.32% of the votes at the time of print. Trustee of Michigan State University Rema Ella Vassar and Brian Mosallam were the top two vote-getters for the two open seats for the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Vassar received 519,573 or 33.45% of the votes; Mosallam was right behind Vassar with See RESULTS page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Next Four Years: What Biden-Harris Win Means For Black America

By Whitney Gresham In a speech soaring with lofty rhetoric promising to unite a badly fractured country, President-elect Joe Biden declared he would work tirelessly on behalf of all Americans, giving a special nod to African Americans and other people of color whose solid support helped him defeat an incumbent President for only the fourth time in U.S. History. During a speech Saturday night in his hometown of Wilmington, Del., following him formally being declared the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election, Biden promised to bring back civility and a sense of common purpose to the nation. “I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide but unify, who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States, and works with all my heart, with the confidence of the whole people, to win the confidence of all of you. For that is what America, I believe, is about. It is about people. And that’s what our administration will be all about,” he said. However, it was the soon-to-be 46th President of the United States’ explicit expression of gratitude to Black America, that stood out most starkly for many Americans seeking to break with the toxic racism and relentless assaults upon the citizenship and dignity of nonwhite Americans by the Trump Administration. “All those who supported us, I’m proud of the campaign we built and ran. I’m proud of the coalition we put to-

gether; the broadest and most diverse coalition in history,” he said. “Democrats, Republicans, independents, progressives, moderates, conservatives, young, old, urban, suburban, rural, gay, straight, transgender, white, Latino, Asian, Native American. I mean it, especially in those moments, and especially for those moments when this campaign was at its lowest ebb, the African American community stood up again for me. You’ve always had my back, and I’ll have yours.” After nearly four consecutive years of the non-stop menacing of the health, safety and welfare of Black Americans by arguably the most viciously racist presidential administration since Woodrow Wilson more than 100 years ago, an administration led by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris means we can finally exhale again. If only for a moment. Instead of spending nearly every waking moment expending energy on trying to hold on to the modest civil rights gains and social and economic progress we made over the past 75 years, Black Americans in general and Black leadership, in particular, will be able to focus on a specific policy agenda that will advance our communities. During the Trump Administration, African Americans were frozen out of the Oval Office with only a handful – if that - of low-level policy aides in the White House reporting to sub-cabinet officials. The only Black cabinet member during the entire term was Ben Carson who Trump appointed as the Secretary of

Housing and Urban Development. And he spent his entire tenure undermining the Fair Housing Act, the enforcement of fair housing laws, gutting programs to help the poor, and mocking the sacrifices of Black Americans who fought for racial equality and to end housing segregation and redlining. It was a bitter twist of fate for the Black community after enjoying eight consecutive years of having a Black President in Barak Obama. Although he faced staunch opposition from an obstinate and vehemently right-wing and racist Republican Party that controlled both houses of Congress during most of his two terms, Obama was a dignified, respectful, and moderately progressive, mainstream, Black politician who tried his best to protect African American interests. Even if he was not able to push through the kind of policies desired to make the kinds of structural changes needed to more rapidly advance the socio-economic interest of Black America. However, besides having a progressive Black woman as his vice president and whom he has promised will play a critical role in the development and implementation of his policy agenda, President-elect Biden has promised to have an administration that “looks like America” and among other things, place a Black woman on the U.S. Supreme Court if an opening should arise. “I said at the outset I wanted this campaign to represent and look like America. We have done that. Now that

See BIDEN-

HARRIS page A2

Detroit School Board Race Results

Voters in the Detroit community went to the polls Nov. 3 to vote to select their school board candidates to fill the three school board seats available [out of 15 candidates] in the Detroit Public Schools Community District [DPSCD].

From Army Veteran to Veteran Entrepreneur

Louis James

Parlays A Tour of Duty into Business Success

Money. A5

$1.00

Voters voted in Sonya S. Mays with 66,451, or 14.71% of the votes; Misha Stallworth with 63,801 14.12% of the votes; and Sherry Gay-Dagnogo with 50,973, or 11.28% of the votes. Re-elected were Stallworth and Mays after they were first elected in November 2016.

Sonya Mays

Misha Stallworth

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo

In a Nov. 6 Facebook post, Mays posted that, “We did it.”

fellow winning school board members.

ing the [DPSCD] school board team,” she said.

“Thanks to each of you that supported me by voting, donating, volunteering, sending encouraging texts, sharing excitement with others and liking my social media posts. All of that love added up - not just to re-elect me - but to do it as the top vote-getter,” she said in her post, also congratulating her

“This campaign was not at all easy, but my team, family, friends and supporters came through. I love ya’ll bigly,” she added in the post.

Stallworth shared in the jubilation and thanked everyone recently on Facebook, too, coupled with a #BornToServeDetroit hashtag.

Gay-Dagnogo also thanked her voters in a Facebook post Nov. 5.

“I couldn’t have done this without you,” Stallworth said in the post. “We doubled the number of votes from 2016! And

now we get to double down on our work for Detroit’s kids. This is a reflection of the fact that we’ve been going in the right direction these last four years, but there’s further to go and the next four years we do even more.”

“I’m looking forward to join-

The purpose of the locally elected board, according to

See SCHOOL

BOARD page A2

Page A-2 • michiganchronicle.com •

November 11-17, 2020

Michigan Chronicle A Real Times Media Newspaper HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher | AJ WILLIAMS Managing Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997

LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

Biden-Harris From page A-1

is what I want the administration to look like and act like,” he said during a speech. Indeed, during his campaign for the presidency, President-elect Biden issued a comprehensive plan for rebuilding America with a specific focus on helping urban communities and improving the socio-economic conditions of Black America. Unlike President Trump who insultingly bragged about “doing more for da Blacks” than any president in history, Biden acknowledges that the Trump recession has hit Black and Brown communities especially hard, with Black unemployment at 15.4 percent, Latino unemployment at 14.5 percent, and businesses owned by Black, Latino and Asian American people closing down at alarming rates. He promised to use the power of his office to combat poverty, unfair labor policies, job discrimination, and ruinous tax and budgetary policies that have been at the heart of Trump’s and the Republican Party’s economic agendas. This includes bold investments in infrastructure, innovation, manufacturing, education, housing, clean energy, federal procurement and small businesses. And directing many of those investments to advance racial equity as part of our nation’s economic recovery. According to his campaign’s “Build Back Better Plan for America” Biden will: • Spur Public-Private Investment through a New Small Business Opportunity Plan • Reform Opportunity Zones to Fulfill Their Promise • Make a Historic Commitment to Equalizing Federal Procurement • Ensure His Housing Plan Makes Bold Investments in Homeownership and Access to Affordable Housing for Black, Brown and Native Families • Achieve Equity in Management, Training and Higher Education Opportunities Connected to the Jobs of the Future

• Support Second Chances for Economic Success • Strengthen the Federal Reserve’s Focus on Racial Economic Gaps • Promote Diversity and Accountability in Leadership Across Key Positions in All Federal Agencies • Build a 21st Century Care Infrastructure • Address Longstanding Inequities in Agriculture Most urgently, however, he promised to take the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic seriously and not leave millions of Americans left to die on their own under Trump’s proposed cruel and inhumane policy of “herd immunity.” More than 10 million Americans have been infected with Covid-19 as of Sunday and almost 250,000 have died from the deadly disease in less than a year. According to the APM Research Lab, Black Americans experience the highest actual COVID19 mortality rates nationwide—two or more times as high as the rate for Whites and Asians, who have the lowest actual rates. With the disease having such a devastating impact on Black America, it has reverberated through the Black business community as well. The nation’s massive Covid-19induced economic recession has seen the Black unemployment rate triple and 40 percent of small Black businesses close. President-elect Biden has already begun to take action to combat the disease on all levels. This includes assembling a group of roughly two dozen health policy and technology experts to look at the development and delivery of a vaccine, improvement of health data and establishment of a Covid19 task force that he will reveal this week. According to the New York Times, he is expected to name three co-chairs of the 12-member panel: Vivek Murthy, a former surgeon general, David Kessler, a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, and Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, a Yale University professor. “The announcement of the task force would be part of a weeklong focus that Mr. Biden intends to

place on health care and the pandemic, as he begins the process of building his administration,” according to the Times. And, unlike Trump, he has also vowed to use the power of the presidency to invoke the Defense Production Act, a Korean Warera law, more aggressively than Mr. Trump to order businesses to build up stocks of necessary supplies and move quickly to confront the pandemic by appointing a national supply chain commander and establishing a pandemic testing board, ramp up production of Covid-19 tests and PPE, creation of a U.S. Public Health Jobs Corps to mobilize at least 100,000 unemployed Americans to fight the virus and another $25 billion for vaccine research and distribution to make sure everyone has access to it. President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris have a tough road ahead of them. As he has done all his life, Donald Trump has completely ruined the gift of a strong economy, a more advanced society and a more hopeful future he inherited from President Obama. And Americans of all races and ethnicities are far worse off for it. So, it will take time for the Biden Administration to bring back stability to our nation and for Black America to heal from four horrific years under Trump. But as Harris so eloquently noted in her speech Saturday, at least the American people know there will be a president and vice president working hard on their behalf in the White House; who are committed to building up and healing our country and not just pander to one’s own selfish and malevolent interests. “I will strive to be a vice president like Joe was to President Obama -- loyal, honest and prepared -- waking up every day thinking of you and your family because now is when the real work begins, the hard work, the necessary work, the good work, the essential work to save lives and beat this epidemic, to rebuild our economy so it works for working people, to root out systemic racism in our justice system and society, to combat the climate crisis, to unite our country and heal the soul of our nation. The road ahead will not be easy, but America is ready, and so are Joe and I.”

• Ensure Workers of Color Are Compensated Fairly and Treated with Dignity

From page A-1

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Results

From page A-1 518,861 or 33.41% of the votes at the time of print. Governor of Wayne State University Two top candidates, Shirley Stancato and Eva Garza Dewaelsche, were the top vote-getters for the governor of Wayne State University seats open. Stancato received 521,162 or 33.76% of the votes; Dewaelsche received 521,016 or 33.75% of the votes at the time of print. County Prosecuting Attorney Incumbent Wayne County Prosecuting Attorney Kym L. Worthy captured 600,059 or 81.71% of the votes for her landslide win. Wayne County Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon was re-elected to being the Wayne County sheriff with 657,580 votes or nearly 100%. Wayne County Clerk Incumbent Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garett won 576,595 votes or 70.94% of the wins.

Proposal N A total of 152,966 “yes” votes approved the city ballot initiative for a $250 million bond sale to renovate or demolish 16,000 vacant homes in Detroit.

The Michigan Chronicle recognizes our

Frontline and Essential Workers! From our heart to yours

Regional Enhancement Millage Renewal Proposal [Wayne RESA Proposal] Wayne County voted for the Wayne County Regional Enhancement Millage Renewal Proposal to provide operating funds to enhance other state and local funding for local school district operating purposes. Taxable property in the Wayne RESA area could be increased by 2 mills that would raise approximately $90.4 million when first levied in 2022. Voters approved the measure by 495,282 or 68% of the votes.

DIGITAL DAILY

Mays serves as the board’s treasurer and oversees the finance committee. Her term also ends on Dec. 31. For more information on the results visit https://www.waynecounty.com/elected/clerk/election-results.aspx.

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1452 Randolph • Detroit, MI 48226 • Phone: (313) 963-8100

Detroit Community School District Voters voted in Sonya S. Mays with 66,451, or 14.71% of the votes; Misha Stallworth with 63,801 14.12% of the votes; and Sherry Gay-Dagnogo with 50,973, or 11.28% of the votes to three open school board seats.

School Board

Taylor currently serves as school board president and her term ends on Dec. 3.

317 477 005 152 921 823 548 8125 5027 685 14 19 25 39 57 34

Register of Deeds Bernard J. Youngblood was voted in as the new official register of deeds in Wayne County with 564,402 or nearly 70% of the votes.

• Ensure Equity in Biden’s Bold Infrastructure and Clean Energy Investments

The three winners will begin their duties at the start of January 2021.

PICKS 068 907 318 240 717

Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree received 551,262 of the votes or 67.76% as the next Wayne County treasurer.

• Boost Retirement Security and Financial Wealth for Black, Brown and Native Families

its website, is to serve as the governing body of the District and to provide public education services to children residing within the geographic boundaries of the City of Detroit. The Board is fundamentally a policy-making or legislative body rather than an administrative body. It is the responsibility of the Board to see that schools are operated properly, and not to administer them directly.

WEEK’S BEST LOTTERY

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| November 11-17, 2020

Roots.

michiganchronicle.com

More than two dozen Grand Rapids and Detroit-area students will have an opportunity to participate in a new virtual technology challenge, thanks to a new partnership between ReBrand Cities and AT&T. The Dream Big Virtual Technology Challenge begins with a kickoff event featuring a panel of special guests featuring Greg Kelser and Herman Moore. Students will then participate in virtual mentoring sessions with AT&T team members, who will act as sounding boards to help students develop their ideas. Finally, on December 9 and 10, students from each school will be able to pitch their final videos to a panel of judges.

Pushing Metro Detroit and Grand Rapids Students to

“AT&T has hosted this event with ReBrand Cities for three years now and we are very excited to be able to participate again,” said David Lewis, president of AT&T Michigan. “Our Believe Detroit and Believe Grand Rapids initiatives are dedicated to providing educational opportunities for young people in these communities.”

I BIG

“The AT&T employees have been tremendous. Through partnerships with AT&T staff, we are able to give students the opportunity to interface with a professional, giving participants extra support over the course of the challenge,” said Hajj Flemings, Founder of Rebrand Cities. “It’s important to remember that kids are dealing with a lot right now, from virtual school to isolation, and the volunteer’s involvement is making a big difference.”

Dream AT&T and ReBrand Cities host virtual tech challenge

Around 25 students from both Innovation Central High School in Grand Rapids and Detroit Edison Public School Academy will be given the opportunity to participate. Students can expect to walk away from the event with a variety of new skills including problem solving, public speaking and presentation skills as well as digital competency.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on students of all ages. Many students are spending multiple hours a day online, even completing their schooling in entirely virtual formats. Special considerations were taken while designing this year’s Dream Big Challenge to ensure it wouldn’t be taxing for participants or interfere with other commitments they may have. Flemings continued, “In previous years this event has focused on students in Detroit, but this year we have expanded our reach to include a group of kids in Grand Rapids as well.” ReBrand Cities works with web developers, graphic designers and community stakeholders to assist small businesses in building their brand. ReBrand Cities will be able to take their skill set and use it to assist the high school students that are taking part in this year’s challenge. “We are proud to partner with ReBrand Cities to bring this virtual challenge to more students than ever before. This event gives us the ability to touch the lives of kids in our communities, regardless of the restrictions in place due to the pandemic,” said Lewis. AT&T, through its Believe Detroit and Believe Grand Rapids initiatives, in cooperation with ReBrand Cities, is excited to see how participants will dream big during the tech challenge and the impact these students will continue to have on their communities in the future.

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com • November 11-17, 2020

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Money.

| November 11-17, 2020

michiganchronicle.com

No Spend November:

A Foundation to Step into 2021 with Your Money Right Months into the pandemic, and we are all adapting to a landscape of masks, social distancing, modified school schedules, and uncertainty. While the priority is to keep safe and healthy, for most of us, COVID-19 has changed our day-to-day routines as well as our finances. Regardless of this uncertainty, there are some positive things you can do with your money. And November is the perfect time to shift your mindset and re-evaluate your financial situation. In the coming weeks, the Michigan Chronicle, in partnership with the national non-profit GreenPath Financial Wellness, is launching a powerful Millennial Money series. We all make the best choices when we understand the options available to us. That’s the thinking behind No Spend November. While geared toward those at the stage of life where parenting, firsttime homebuying, and wealth creation plans are just starting to take shape, the series will impart information, tips, and resources to create financial stability at every phase of life. Until then, use No Spend November as a time to pause and think about your finances so you can emerge from the pandemic financially healthy. Here are a few ways to get you started. Set an End-of-Year Goal A good way to get a handle on managing money is to create a specific goal. That goal may be to build a list of your monthly cable or streaming service fees so you can track them in one place, take the step to create a spending plan for November (see the next tip), or perhaps it is to create a grocery list for the next time you hit the store. Setting a goal is the best way to motivate yourself to take action. Start planning early for the holidays. Try creating a spending plan so that you know how much you can afford for the holiday season. Think about how you can break that number down for each person you’re planning to buy for. It may be helpful to set money aside in a savings account or put $10-$20 per paycheck in an envelope dedicated to holiday purchases. Stick to cash only. If you’re someone who usually makes holiday purchases with credit cards, challenge yourself to rely on cash for your holiday spend. If your credit cards are out of sight, they will be out of mind. Try hiding credit cards in an untouchable space like the freezer, in a locked safe, under your deck, in the attic – somewhere that deters you from easily using credit. Sell items that no longer bring joy. November is a fantastic time to declutter and sell those items you may no longer use. Check out Amazon/ Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, Let Go, Consignment Stores. That way, you can get some holiday cash and make someone else’s holiday merrier. Considering the magnitude of the COVID crisis, you may feel like you need to do more to get your finances in order but unsure of what that means. In that case, consider working with a financial counselor such as GreenPath to develop a plan towards a financially healthy life. Keep watching for upcoming Millennial Money tips and ideas. Take a deeper look at No Spend November tips from GreenPath Financial Wellness.

From Army Veteran to Veteran Entrepreneur

Louis James Parlays A Tour of Duty into Business Success

n this Veteran’s Day we should celebrate veterans, not only for their honorable military service, but also for their contributions in civilian life. Time in the armed services allows for the fostering of discipline and skill that translates into many different areas of the work force and public life. One such veteran, Mr. Louis E. James has been a hard worker from childhood. As one of nine children growing up in Mississippi, James was an entrepreneur from a young age. He performed landscaping work, cleaning services, painting, deliveries and more. This childhood work ethic would lead him through college where he managed the bookstore and served in the student union. After graduation, James entered military service in the United States Army. While on a tour of duty in Vietnam, James was a Specialist 5 Administrative Officer. His specialty was personnel administration. Anything in the area of human resources was handled by him, including the onboarding and offboarding of staff. He received an honorable

discharge and returned to the United States. Still a hardworking entrepreneur, James relocated to Chicago where he made professional partnerships and opened a successful chain of minimarts on the city’s South Side. This early success in civilian life would lead Mr. James to the city of Detroit. In the 1990’s, he founded supply chain management company, MCL JASCO. This venture began in the booming auto industry and has since expanded into four other companies – MCI, QIC, Jasco International and SEEL – that serve government contracting and energy efficiency. In 2009, Mr. James expanded the MCL JASCO family of companies to include SEEL (Solutions for Energy Efficient Logistics). Today SEEL is one of the largest minority owned, disabled-veteran owned energy efficiency program management companies in the United States. SEEL implements energy efficiency contracts in 5 states around the Midwest and Southeast.

Over the years, MCL JASCO has won many awards including Supplier of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. With 15 offices in 9 states, the company has been listed as one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s BE Top 100 Companies for nine years running. James is a consummate example of the hard-working veteran whose military service translated well in civilian life. As an entrepreneur, James has been a job creator and business leader for decades. The characteristics of discipline and service to the common good lead James into military service and later into business. His service mentality extends to philanthropy, leading James to volunteer and donate to causes in the local communities where he conducts business. On this Veteran’s Day, we salute Louis E. James and so many more like him, for their hard work and dedication to the community. Their service to our country deserves recognition as they continue to serve as role models for so many.

Local Entrepreneurs Awarded Grant Through Google’s Black Founders Fund Program By Megan Kirk Two local entrepreneurs, Javier Evelyn of Alerje and Isaac Lymon of Raxplay, are taking their businesses to the next level with the help of Google. The Black Founders Fund, presented by Google, awards grant money to Black startups to help propel their businesses forward. As the internet conglomerate looks to create equal economic opportunities for African American communities, Google provides winners $50,000 to $100,000 dollars in capital. With barriers to accessing capital, Google is leveling the playing field for Black-led startups. “It’s the next step in Google’s efforts to support the Black community. Racial equity is inextricably linked to economic opportunity,” Jewel Burks Solomon, head of Google for Startups in the U.S explains. “Google is uniquely positioned to support founders as they grow their businesses, and in turn, make an impact in their communities. We strongly believe when you fund Black founders, you support job creation and wealth generation for decades to come.”

Founded in 2016, Alerje, launched by CEO Javier Evelyn, targets sufferers of severe food allergies. The company is using technology to ease the fears and costs of epinephrine, the life-saving injection that counteracts severe reactions. Using a smartphone case and Javier Evelyn a paired app caregivers, parents, spouses or others are alerted in the pin is removed from the phone case. Emergency services will also be alerted. “I personally suffer from a number of severe food allergies; casein, the protein in milk, fish and cashews,” Evelyn shares. “I’ve had an early scare once or twice, but still wasn’t adhering.”

While the cost of the popular Epinephrine-pen, commonly referred to as an Epi-Pen, continues to rise, Evelyn is hoping to offer a more cost-effective alternative. “Historically, Epi-Pens started at about $100 dollars and now we’re up to about $600 dollars,” Evelyn says. Isaac Lymon “The actual cost of building an Epi-Pen is $25 dollars. We want to keep the price low.” As a part of the application process, Evelyn met with Google leaders and was able to outline the business, its importance and roadblocks. “I initially had a virtual interview with two Google team members. We mainly discussed our long term vision at Alerje

as well as the obstacles that I’ve overcome as an underestimated founder,” Evelyn says. Awarded a $50,000 grant, Evelyn plans to use the capital towards curving certain startup costs with the device and encourage downloads for the Alerje app. Slated to submit their device to the Federal Drug Administration in 2022, the grant will help to push the stages of development. “This exposure will help increase our mobile app downloads as well as give us the additional steam needed as we march towards regulatory submission of our upcoming flagship device,” Evelyn says. “We’re just excited to be in the forefront of this development.” Raxplay is bringing artists and fans together through the world of virtual reality. Isaac Lymon, is the co-founder Raxplay alongside his partner, merging two worlds together. “I met my co-founder [Norvell Robinson] in 2019. I was really focused on mu-

See BLACK

FOUNDERS FUND page A6

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com • November 11-17, 2020

How Young Professionals Should Save And Invest – No Matter The Pandemic’s Effects

By Albert Lalonde When starting a retirement savings and investment plan, the rule of thumb is the earlier, the better. For young professionals, that can be easier said than done. High rent, student loan payments, and modest junior-level salaries make saving a challenge. And now in this unprecedented year come the dynamics adding economic uncertainty – the coronavirus, a global recession, and the upcoming presidential election. Those young people whose 401(k) values were rising steadily before 2020 now are nervous and wondering how to plan for a retirement that’s a long way away. But while the seas are stormy, there are proven principles they can use to navigate and stay on a steady course toward retirement – no matter how distant it appears on their map. As many of us know, it gets here soon enough. These are some key points young savers should consider as they develop a financial plan for retirement: Become a disciplined saver. The optimal savings rate toward retirement is at least 20% of gross income. That may be too high for young savers, given their other financial obligations, but the important thing is to make savings a priority. Save at a consistent rate and increase it as soon as possible. The best way to stick with your savings plan is to develop automated savings strategies, such as to have contributions made directly to a 401(k). Another option that’s popular is splitting up direct deposits, with one going into a dedicated savings account. Keep contributing to your 401(k) – even if your employer stopped matching. Due to the pandemic, many companies suspended or reduced their 401(k)

important to save elsewhere. Remember, qualified retirement funds are functionally locked away until age 59 1/2, so they aren’t available in the event that a cash need arises. Moreover, 401(k) savings are taxed at the time of withdrawal.

matching contributions to save cash and avoid layoffs. While such a move slows one’s accumulation of retirement funds, the bigger long-term damage is done when an employee stops contributing to the 401(k) at the same time that the employer stops matching. At minimum, maintain your current retirement contributions or, if you can afford to, increase them to compensate for the temporary loss of your employer’s 401(k) match. Another alternative is redirecting a portion of your retirement contributions to a Roth Individual Retirement Account. Contributions to a Roth IRA are made with funds on which you’ve al-

Black Founders Fund

From page A-5

sic and he was really focused on virtual reality. We wondered what we could do with music in virtual reality,” Lymon says. Through the use of virtual reality headsets, users will be able to watch their favorite artists in real time. Much like a standard show, tickets are required. However, the artist will have the ability to choose the concert venue; anywhere from the Grand Canyon to Coachella and outer space.

“Our whole thing is bringing the artists’ creative ideas to life. Fans will be able to put in a headset and watch the artist perform in real time.” Lymon explains. “There’s no physical limitation to where the artist can perform.” Similar to holographic concerts of deceased music giants, Raxplay is creating a unique musical experience with the goal of incorporating all five senses. In addition to concerts, fans will have the ability to pur-

ready paid income tax, and in many cases offer more flexibility when it comes to investment choices. But whatever you do, keep contributing. By staying the course, either in your 401(k) or Roth IRA, you can continue to grow your nest egg and take advantage of a market recovery when it arrives. And if you can afford to increase your contributions, you’ll keep your retirement plan on track. Diversify savings and investment vehicles. 401(k) contributions accumulate on a tax-deferred basis, usually are withdrawn when investors are in a lower tax bracket, and often include some employer-matching funds to augment savings. While these are all positives, it’s

chase artists’ merchandise in virtual reality and have it delivered to their real homes. Artists will also be able to meet their fans face-to-face. “Music artists will be able to do meet and greets and we’re working on a feature where fans can take pictures with the artist through virtual reality” Lymon shares. To use Raxplay, a headset is required. Fans can use one they already own, or rent one from Raxplay with the cost included in the ticket price. Raxplay plans to go live with some artists already lined up for the

Young investors should consider balancing traditional 401(k)s with a Roth IRA – or Roth 401(k) if it’s offered – or a normal brokerage account. Roth contributions are made after tax, but they allow tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement. They also typically allow penalty-free withdrawals up to the amount contributed. This provides some liquidity as well as an excellent tax benefit for accounts that appreciate substantially. Regular brokerage accounts provide no tax advantages, but they are liquid and still offer growth. Having a growth mindset is central to building a good retirement plan while young. With many years until retirement, a young investor’s accounts should be weighted toward stocks, with enough diversification to protect against poor performing stocks or industries. Success in the stock market comes over the long haul, and young people have time to ride out cycles and downturns. With a long time horizon and relatively low income relative to their later career earnings, young investors are in a unique position to realize the benefits of these vehicles. Using a mixture of these different account types will diversify tax exposure and balance savings and earnings with accessibility. For young investors, it cannot be emphasized more: start saving early, be consistent, be diligent, be growth-minded. Start saving in a systematic way and diversify as you can. Whatever 2020 is throwing at you, it doesn’t have to stop you from having a good, disciplined plan that will pay off many years from now.

2021 concert season. “We’re looking to develop a lineup of major artists. In total we’re looking to do 16 concerts in 2021,” Lymon says. Also awarded $50,000 in capital, Lymon is planning to use the funds to develop a specialized studio. “We will be using the grant to invest in our hardware needs and mocap studio to bring quality and immersive concerts to virtual reality,” he says. Google’s commitment to growing and supporting Black founders through the pandem-

ic and launching budding businesses continues to set them apart. Google also hopes to continue the program. “We would love for this fund to continue if we can prove its success. The Black Founders Fund is a brand-new model and a way of supporting underrepresented founders so there will be a lot of learnings for us to look at over the next year,” Burks Solomon shares. “As with anything at Google, we’ll evaluate the progress and outcomes over time, making sure we can be most helpful to founders in the future.”

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MEDICARE

“WE SAVED ON PRESCRIPTION COSTS. IT PAYS TO COMPARE PLANS.” MEDICARE PLANS CHANGE EVERY YEAR. Use Medicare.gov to find plans and to more easily compare: • Part D prescription plans for cost, coverage, and convenience. • Medicare Advantage Plans for extra benefits, changes in network providers, co-pays, and more. New this year, historically low plan premiums and hundreds of plans offering insulin for $35/month. Find plans at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. TTY 1-877-486-2048.

PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS. GET YOUR FLU SHOT NOW. People with Medicare are at greater risk for serious complications from flu. A flu shot is your best protection from getting and spreading this virus, and it’s covered by Medicare at no cost to you.

LIMITED RESOURCES? PAID FOR BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

You may qualify for Extra Help to pay prescription drug costs. Go to ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/ prescriptionhelp/ to find out more.

November 11-17, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-7

Michigan, let’s face flu season together. Get a flu vaccine. Hit this virus head-on. As we continue to face COVID-19, we’re now facing flu season. Now more than ever, getting your flu vaccine is essential. The vaccine is proven to protect millions of people every year from flu. Protect yourself and your community today. To learn more, including where to find a flu vaccine, visit Michigan.gov/Flu.

CONTACT TRACING TRACING CONTACT CONTACT TRACING SAVES LIVES. SAVES LIVES. PROTECT US ALL, SAVES LIVES. PROTECT PROTECTTHE US CALL. ALL, ANSWER THE ANSWER CALL. ANSWER THE CALL.

If you test positive for COVID-19, someone from To learn more about contact tracing, visit If youthetest positive for COVID-19, fromto: To learn more about contact tracing, visit Health Department will callsomeone you privately the Health Department willCOVID-19, call you privately to:from MICHIGAN.GOV/CONTAINCOVID If you test positive for someone To learn more about contact tracing, visit Ask how you are feeling. or call the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at the you Health Ask how areDepartment feeling. will call you privately to: or call the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at Ask people you were in close contact with 888-535-6136. Askabout how you are feeling. or call the Michigan COVID-19 Hotline at recently. Ask about people you were in close contact with recently. Ask about people you were in close contact with Connect you to testing and helpful resources. recently. Connect you to testing and helpful resources. COVID-19 and call the people Stop the spread of COVID-19, Connect you to testing and helpful you have recently been around to let resources. them know to COVID-19 Stopget thetested spread of COVID-19, and call the people and watch for symptoms. COVID-19 Stoprecently the spread of around COVID-19, andthem call the people you have been to let know to you have been around to letwillthem know to get tested andrecently watch for symptoms. Your name and personal information not be get tested watch for symptoms. shared withand anyone.

MICHIGAN.GOV/CONTAINCOVID MICHIGAN.GOV/CONTAINCOVID 888-535-6136. 888-535-6136.

Your name and personal information will not be Your name and personal information will not be shared with anyone. shared with anyone.

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November 11-17, 2020

City ity.. Life ife.. Style. B1 | November 11-17, 2020

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

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COVID- 19 Changing the Learning Strategies for College Students By Jasmine Bridges This school semester, college students are facing difficulties in learning because of the new changes around COVID-19. The fall 2020 semester is not like any other regular school semester for college students; this has become one of the most challenging semesters for students because of virtual learning. Some colleges offer hybrid classes where students can still come in person on certain days and attend online on the other days. “Attending classes in person was a little scary for me because of the COIVD cases still rising from students moving in on campus early August. I chose to attended virtually which I recommend no student should do, it is hard to keep a schedule going but was more convenient in the sense that I do not have to leave my home. But because of that reason, I lacked motivation a little, before, leaving to go to lecture halls gave me the motivation to get up and be productive. Now I have to push myself a little more to stay on my schedule.” Travon Sterns, a student from the University of Michigan, said. When attending classes, some professors make students turn on their cameras for reinsurance that students are paying attention, and students are in a space where they can learn and focus on the material being taught. A virtual professor can still break students into groups and have class discussions. Professors are still trying to give students the same learning aspect they would receive if they were in person for class. For students attending Central Michigan University, when attending classes in-person, students must wear a mask at all times, temperatures are checked before coming on campus, and there are hand sanitizer stations by each exit door for students to use. Signs are placed on the ground where students should walk and stand to incorporate social distancing, and inside of the classrooms, desks are spread six feet apart. “I attended classes for the first three weeks of school in person because my classes were hands on classes that required a lab so it was mandatory we attend the lab in person. Most students wore their mask while in class but when they were switching classes to different classrooms in the same hall they would take their mask off, that made me feel uncomfortable. It was hard to do labs because of sanitizing all of the equipment before and after using and sometimes there were plastic bags over certain equipment so we could not be touch, but I still had to use that equipment for our lab.” Christine Caddell, a student at Central Michigan University, said.

Detroit’s First Black-Owned Cider Mill Launches on West Side By Megan Kirk Detroit residents are now able to enjoy the perks of a fall favorite in their own backyard as a new Black-owned cider mill and farm opens its doors on the city’s west side. Located just shy of the Lodge Freeway on Woodrow Wilson and Rosa Parks, the organic farm is bringing more than just cider and donuts to the community. Detroit Farm and Cider is the first of its kind in the city and looks to give citizens the chance to enjoy a classic fall experience while exploring farm animals, zip lining and climbing walls. Owner and Detroit native Leandra King launched just in time for the fall season with

plans to extend its reach. “Essentially we’re the first Black-owned cider mill and also the first in Wayne county,” King says. From humble beginnings, the now entrepreneur discovered her love of farming at a young age. Despite hardships, the local farmer discovered a way to find peace through gardening. “I was actually in the juvenile system at 10. I was taken away from my father. I spent a couple years in juvie and then I aged out of the system,” King says of her upbringing. “I realized my healing and the healing from my

See CIDER MILL Page B-2

Instead, students attended classes online, or in-person students were still faced with obstacles that hindered their learning; nothing is the same as when students attended classes last year. This new way of teaching and learning is something people will have to get used to because this is becoming the new normal in society, unaware of when COVID-19 will be over.

Alpha Stella Productions Wins Award in IndieFEST Film Award Chauncey Johnson, of Alpha Stella Productions, has won a prestigious “Award of Recognition” from the IndieFEST Film Awards. Johnson received the honor in recognition of his celebrated film, And Then There Was Damien, which was “made out of necessity” according to him. Chauncey who is affected by hearing loss, found that he was limited in the roles that he could audition for. This hard truth motivated Chauncey to take his career into his own hands and not only tell stories inclusive of actors with disabilities but even more, show that these actors are more than their disabilities- they’re talented. Chauncey wanted to tell a story where the actor with the disability plays a character whose detriment is not the focal point of the film’s narrative. And Then There Was Damien features a rather interesting take on mental health. The storyline involves a young woman

(played by Kimberly David) who is in debt to an evil entity, haunting her for what’s owed. Mystery heightens as events reveal what encounters are happening in real life versus experiences that are figments of the woman’s imagination. Paul Roberson who plays the role of Damien, makes it all too clear that the woman is truly living a nightmare. The cast also includes Alpha Stella Productions Co-Owner and fellow actor, Katherine Marie, who plays the role of the clinical advocate for the film’s lead. In addition to being Writer and Director of the film, Johnson stars as a skeptical, evidence-driven detective. The music in the film adds another element to its eerie visuals created by Jonathan Harris (Shinzou Productions), with creepy underscores produced by Sakar Brown (Sakar Brown Music), giving viewers an experience that appeals to all the senses. And Then There Was Damien was shot over the course of two weekends in and

See CHAUNCEY JOHNSON Page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • November 11-17, 2020

Cinder Mill From page B-1

trauma would come from the Earth.” Now, equipped with her love of farming, King is looking to do something unprecedented in the city of Detroit. The farm, which features over 100 organically treated fruit trees, also provides a space where Detroiters can unwind. “We also have music. We have different bands who come out and play,” King says. “We have a whole bunch of cherry trees.” Complete with a running water retention pond and a zipline that extends across 100 feet, the newest Detroit attraction is looking to service the community it serves. Detroit Farm and Cider also features several programs aimed at helping youth with mental wellness. “My goal is to tap into other arenas that are needed in the community. We have story time with a Black author who writes stories about self-esteem. Next summer, we’re going to feature camps where kids can learn about farming,” King says. As the pandemic has forced economic hardships on many inner-city residents, Detroit Farm and Cider is doing its part in making sure the community has access to fresh foods, weekly produce boxes and staples such as cider and donuts. With the use of their EBT cards, visitors will be able to purchase fresh produce along with cider and donuts. “As long as they’re not purchasing

Chauncey Johnson From page B-1

around New York and New Jersey. “Wow! In such unprecedented times, some light has finally shown itself at the end of the tunnel. Receiving this award was and will be a huge highlight for the Alpha Stella Productions team during this pandemic. Moreover, the film calls attention to the grievances of mental health while keeping the presence and experience of the character a priority. The film was inspired by a song from rapper DMX called “Damien.” Still, we wanted to explore the idea of how someone could not be in control of their own thoughts and suffering mentally at the hands of their own creation.” said Chauncey Johnson. Co-Owner of Alpha Stella Productions, Katherine Marie echos Johnson’s sentiments, “I am honored to receive this

hot food. Not only can they purchase cold cider and donuts, we have Zsa Zsa Soups and it’s healthy and organic,” King shares. Despite not being able to produce its own cider this season, Detroit Farm and Cider is keeping a fresh supply of donuts and cider for its customers and already has production plans for next year’s harvest. “This year we weren’t able to produce our own donuts and cider, but next year, we’re going to have vegan donuts and press our own cider. We’re now receiving cider and donuts from Miller Orchards. With no intention on slowing down, the farm is gearing up for Michigan’s cold winters. Doors will be open through the colder months, and operations on the farm will continue. “We have the heated greenhouses, so we do plan on staying open,” King shares.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE DETROIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Celebrate the season in downtown Detroit with shopping sprees, season’s eatings and familyfriendly festivities! Find great gifts for everyone on your list, and treat yourself to your favorite meal. Enjoy a variety of wintry activities, like ice skating on the rink at Campus Martius Park and taking fun photos by the bright decorations in Parker’s Alley. If you want to be happy in a million ways, experience the holidays in downtown Detroit! Get details on retailers, restaurants and free parking at OpenBusinessMap.BedrockDetroit.com.

Since officially launching in October, the cider mill has been met with support from the community. With a steady flow of visitors and increasing, Detroit Farm and Cider is planting its roots in the city it loves. “I’m so excited about the support we’re received. It’s been overwhelming,” King shares. “This is where my heart is. I connect to this neighborhood. I am not leaving Detroit.” Admission to the cider mill is free while attractions and food have their own charges. For more information, visit their website at www.detroitfarmandcider.com

“Award of Recognition” from such an influential film festival as IndieFEST. Alpha Stella is proud to be a part of the legacy of a film festival that has played a role in the careers of George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, and many other talents. During these times of immense trauma and struggle, Alpha Stella Productions is committed to telling stories that capture the full imagination of people of color. We strive to continue to create narratives of the black experience that are unfettered by stereotypes that fail to acknowledge the full humanity of black and brown people.” The IndieFEST Film Awards recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry.

Keeping You Informed Away or at Home.

THEY’RE YOUR METROPARKS. LOTS OF SPACE. EVEN MORE FUN. Annual Passes Now On Sale. Buy Yours Early And Save.

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Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com • November 11-17, 2020

IT’S TIME FOR YOUR NEXT STEP. LET’S TAKE IT TOGETHER.

The world has changed, but your drive to succeed has not. As you prepare for the next step in your academic journey, Wayne State University is committed to helping you excel. We’ve created a number of resources designed to support your degree goals. From online events that connect you with faculty and staff to a virtual tour that allows you to experience campus from anywhere, we’re excited to show you all that Wayne State has to offer. Our test-optional admission pathway allows you to apply without submitting an ACT or SAT score, and our numerous scholarship programs — like merit awards and the Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge — continue our commitment to making a college education affordable for all. Take a virtual tour at wayne.edu/tour and apply at wayne.edu/apply by Dec. 1 for priority scholarship consideration.

Classifieds

November 11-17, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-5 HELP WANTED

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Public Notice Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation Goal for FY2021 - 2023 The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) has established its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation Goal, for Federal Fiscal Years 2021 through 2023, to be 6.1% for projects funded by the Department of Transportation (DOT). A description of the goal methodology is available for public review for fourteen (14) days via appointment following publication of this notice. The methodology description will be available for review at SMART’s central office, located in the Buhl Building on the 6th floor. Due to the current global health crisis, and out of an abundance of safety, all interested members of the public must schedule an appointment to review SMART’s goal methodology. Appointments will be scheduled between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please email acolson@smartbus.org or call (313) 223-2188 for scheduling an appointment.

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation 535 Griswold Street, Suite 600 Detroit, MI 48226 Attn: Austin Colson, DBE Coordinator Email: acolson@smartbus.org

Join Our Team

Walker-Miler Energy Services is hiring! Several Positions Are Ready to be filled by Extraordinary Individuals!

Technical and Proposal Writer - Detroit, MI IT Help Desk Technician – Detroit, MI Recruiter – Detroit, MI Employee Relations Partner – Detroit, MI Associate Program Manager – Chicago, IL Project Specialist – Chicago, IL For a full list of qualifications please visit https://wmenergy.com/careers-2/ **Please note the location of the position when applying.**

Comments will be accepted concerning SMART’s DBE Goal methodology during the fourteen (14) day period following the publishing date of this notice. All public input relating to SMART’s DBE goal should be addressed to Mr. Austin Colson at the address stated above.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP WANTED

REQUEST FOR PORPOSAL

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS General Contractor: O’Brien Construction Project Name: La Joya Gardens Project Location: Corner of Hubbard and Vernor Hwy in Southwest Detroit Project Description: The project will include 53 apartment units with community and amenity spaces, and 3 commercial spaces on the first floor. Construction is a structural steel podium with wood framing on floors 2-4. Façade is a mix of brick and siding materials. Construction is expected to start 1st quarter 2021.

The Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) is soliciting proposals for Bus Wipe Down / Sanitizing. Solicitation forms for RFP Control No. 21-3301 may be obtained beginning November 9, 2020 from http://www.mitn.info. Responses to RFP 21-3301 are due November 16, 2020, 3:00 PM, EST.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

For details email Thomas Olmeda (tolmeda@obriencc.com)

Senior Software Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Analyze, design, test, &dvlp wireframe reqmts for Human Machine Interface (HMI) &User Interface (UI) enhancements to psgr vehicle infotainment syss &IP Cluster (IPC) in CAN bus signals on Android platform, using C/C++, Java &Kotlin languages, &Git, Bitbucket, Android Studio/Jetpack, AndroidX, CANape &CANoe tools. Assure full lifecycle of assigned domains, incldg reqmts, sys design, deployment, &maintenance of Infotainment SW embedded in vehicle cmpnts. Analyze HMI app reqmts to allow psgr vehicle driver to interact w/ real-time communication w/ vehicle sys without distraction &while driving the psgr vehicle. Create rapid prototypes to assist reqmts using UML based HMI design knowledge. Dvlp In Vehicle infotainment reqmts on Android platform using IntelliJ Integrated Develop Environment provided by Dalvik Debug Monitor Service GUI debugging tool, &Kotlin &Java programming languages. Master, Computer Science, Computer Apps, or Computer Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, Developer, or Technical Lead, testing, &dvlpg wireframe reqmts for HMI &UI enhancements to psgr vehicle infotainment syss &IPC in CAN bus signals on Android platform, using C/C++, Java &Kotlin, or related. Mail resume to Ref#3220-824, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 313 963-5522

Seeking Seeking Accounting Clerk IV ASSISTANT III atOFFICE Oakland University AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Accounts Payable

School of Medicine To maintain a variety of highly specialand centralized accounting records Toized provide specialized office assistance, and to coordinate the clerical account- or coordinating procedural business ing function of the Minimum program Qualservice activities for unit. a complex ifications: High school graduation or an area involving processing, implementing, equivalent combination of education and advising on, Four andyears reporting experience. clerical specialized accountsubject matter. Minimum ing/bookkeeping experience.Qualifications: Ability to workschool under graduation pressure. or Ability operHigh an to equivalent ate standard equipment. Ability combination of office education and experience. to effectively interact with the public, Four years progressively responsible office students, faculty, and staff. Salary is experience, experience $44,592.00including annually. direct See online post- in office coordination, prioritizing work ing for additionali.e., position requirements. First consideration willto be assignments, maintaining work flow meet given toThis those apply by Novemdeadlines. is awho full time, clerical-technical ber 24, 2020. Must apply on line to: position. Salary is $43,718.00 annually. https://jobs.oakland.edu

See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by March 23, 2020. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Michigan Chronicle

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HELP WANTED

Seeking Seeking Office Assistant III OFFICE ASSISTANT III at Oakland University

AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Payroll

School of Medicine To provide specialized office assistance, proceduraloffice business or Tocoordinating provide specialized assistance, service activities for a complex program or coordinating procedural business area involving processing, implementing, service activities for a complex program advising on, and reporting specialized area involving implementing, subject matter.processing, Minimum Qualifications: advising on, and reporting specialized High school graduation or an equivalent combination education Qualifications: and experisubject matter.of Minimum ence. Four years progressively responHigh school graduation or an equivalent sible office experience, including direct combination of education and experience. experience in office coordination, i.e., Four years progressively responsible office prioritizing work assignments, maintainexperience, including direct experience ing work flow to meet deadlines. This in is a full time, clerical-technical position. office coordination, i.e., prioritizing work Salary is maintaining $44,592.00 work annually. assignments, flow toSee meet online posting for additional position deadlines. This is a full time, clerical-technical requirements. First consideration position. Salary will be given isto$43,718.00 those whoannually. apply by See online posting for additional November 19, 2020. Must position apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu requirements. First consideration will be

given to those who apply by March 23, 2020. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Please visit our website for more classified ads.

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Five Reasons We Must Increase Diversity in Medical Research (StatePoint) For better or worse, the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the devastating impact health inequities have on people of color; especially members of the Black and Hispanic/Latino communities. Mentions of medical studies are at an all-time high, given the focus on the search for a COVID-19 vaccine; but it’s important to understand that research has existed since the advent of modern-day medicine. It is through research that we learn if a treatment is safe and works as it is supposed to. Participation in medical research is particularly important if you are from a racially and/or ethnically diverse background because these groups have been historically underrepresented. Here are five reasons why this matters and what you can do for yourself and others.

1. Shifts in Population. According to U.S. Census data, Black/African Americans represent 13% and Hispanics/Latinos make up 18% of the U.S. population. However, from a clinical research perspective, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that Blacks only represent 5-7% and Hispanic/Latinos 1-6% of the volunteers in medical research. Caucasians account for 67% of the population, but 83% of research participants. 2. Treatments proven to work for everyone. Medical research, and the people who volunteer for it, are essential to the development of ways to fight illnesses. Research has shown that certain populations can be at higher risk for different diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. That’s why it’s important for studies to include diverse volunteers who represent the population most likely to be treated with the medicines or devices being studied. 3. Equal access to care. Everyone deserves quality healthcare but, unfortunately, not everyone has equal access to it. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, members of the Black/African American community are 30% more likely to die from heart disease than Caucasians. Additionally, The Center for American Progress reports that one in five Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. don’t seek medical care due to language barriers. 4. Knowledge is power. Research shows that by putting your health first, you may fare better. As you learn more about your health risks, it’s important to consider learning about medical research that may benefit you. By volunteering, you might gain access to cutting-edge treatments and ensure your condition will be closely monitored. Talk to your doctor about the studies underway and search for clinical trials by visiting www.clinicaltrials.gov. 5. Safety for all study volunteers. It’s understood that there’s a level of mistrust in medical research based off historical abuses experienced by women and people of color. That does not happen in today’s research as it is closely monitored to ensure protection of all volunteers. When volunteering for a study, you will be given information explaining what will take place and before anything happens, you must give your approval to participate. If at any time you’re not comfortable, you have a voice to express your concerns with your physician.

michiganchronicle.com | DQE

One initiative working to improve inequities is the Boston Scientific Close the Gap program, which aims to help all patients understand their medical condition and different therapies available to help them live better lives. This includes broadening clinical trial participation. More information can be found at knowyourhealth.com.

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The State of Black Leadership in Detroit FORUM I

| 7:30 a.m. FORUM FORUM II FORUM I Detroit FORUM IAthletic Club , March 5, 2020 | 7:30 a.m. FORUM I 241 Madison Avenue, 48226 |MI | 7:30 |Detroit, Thursday, Thursday, March March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m.a.m. FORUM II5,2020 FORUM | etroitThursday, Athletic Club March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. | Panelist Thursday, March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. FORUM I Detroit Athletic Club FORUMThursday, I March 5, 2020

Detroit Detroit Athletic Athletic Club Club | Thursday, March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. | Thursday, March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. Detroit Athletic Club 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 241 241 Madison Madison Avenue, Avenue, Detroit, Detroit, MI MI 48226 48226 Detroit Athletic Club | 48226 Thursday, March 5, 2020 7:30 a.m. 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI Detroit Athletic Club Panelist Detroit Athletic Club 241 MadisonMike Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 Duggan PanelistPanelist Panelist 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Tonya Allen Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

Nicole Small

Rory Gamble

241Detroit Madison Avenue, Detroit,Club MI 48226 Athletic Panelist Friday, November 20, 2020 Mayor City of Detroit Panelist 241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226 Panelist

Mike Duggan OpeningMike remarks andDuggan Sponsor Introduction 7:50 am Mike Dugga Mike Mike Duggan Duggan Mayor City of D Mike Duggan Mayor City of Detroit Mayor City of Detroit Mike Duggan Warren C. Evans Mike Duggan Mayor Mayor City City of ofDetroit Detroit Mayor City of Detroit Mike Duggan Mayor City of Detroit Detroit Mike Duggan County Executive MayorWayne City of Mayor City of Detroit Warren C. Evans arren C. Evans Warren Warren C. C. Evans Evans Warren C.Executive Evans Wayne County Panelist

Panelist @ MichiganChronicle and on www.michiganchronicle.com Panelists

Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr of - Senior Pastor Triumph Church Mayor City Detroit TonyaFORUM Allen - President & CEO Presenting of The Skillman Foundation I Sponsor Wayne County Executive Wayne Wayne County County Executive Executive County Executive RoryWayne Gamble - President ofa.m. the United Auto Workers | 7:30 Thursday, March 5, 2020 Wayne County Executive Wayne County Executive Presenting Sponsor Nicole Athletic Small - Member of the Detroit Charter Commission Wayne County Executive Wayne County Executive Detroit Club

Warren C. Evans Warren Evans Warren Evans Warren C. C. Evans

Presenting Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor Sponsor Presenting Presenting Sponsor

241 Madison Avenue, Detroit,Presenting MI 48226 Presenting Sponsor Sponsor Panelist

Presenting Sponsor Presenting Sponsor

Mike Duggan

Platinum Sponsors

Mayor City of Detroit Platinum Sponsors

Mike Duggan Mayor City of Detroit

Platinum Sponsors Platinum SponsorsSponsors Platinum Platinum Platinum Sponsors Warren C. Evans Platinum Sponsors Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Wayne County Executive Platinum Sponsors Presenting Sponsor

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