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Local clergy with Detroit Water Equity Coalition speak out against new water drainage fee

March 1-7, 2017

Brenda Lawrence

By Donald James Special to the Chronicle

In the spirit of solidarity, nearly 200 local pastors and bishops with the Detroit Water Equity Coalition held a press conference on Tuesday morning, February 28, to voice their collective concerns over what they call “a new and unfair drainage fee” imposed on Detroit churches and citizens by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD).

Held at New St. Paul Tabernacle Church of God in Christ on the city’s west side, the press conference provided a platform for local clergy, community leaders, city residents and other stakeholders to hear Rev. Dr. Deedee Coleman pertinent information, as well as ask questions about the new water drainage fee.

“We have called this press conference to appeal to the mayor of Detroit to be our champion for water equality for all,” said Rev. Dr. Deedee Coleman, president, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. (The Council). “The citizens of Detroit’s water bills have already gone up. Effective January 2018, all churches, mosques, and other faith-based institutions in the city of Detroit are faced with a charge of $750 per acre per month water drainage fees. This is unjust, not only for faith-based institutions, but for businesses and for those who suffer the most, which are the citizens of Detroit.”

Coleman pointed out that such a fee would place a tremendous hardship on churches, forcing some to consider closing or moving out of the city, where a water drainage fee doesn’t exist. Coleman used the word “hardship,” but said the fee feels more like a heavy tax on local churches.

However, she assured attending clergy and other stakeholders that this challenge will be met through unity.

Joining Coleman on the dais were Bishop P.A. Brooks (Church of God in Christ), Rev. Dr. Lawrence Glass, Jr. (El Bethel Baptist Church) and Rev. James Curenton (United Church of Christ).

“We have been faced with this challenge that we did not create,” added Glass, former president of The Council. “We were asked in recent years to take on other parcels of land to help the city out, which many of the churches did, gladly. Upon taking on that charge, now we are finding out about this excess water drainage fee in Detroit, and in

See DRAINAGE

FEE page A-4

WHAT’S INSIDE

Trump’s anti-immigrant policies causing severe pain in Detroit

By Alisha Dixon and Keith A. Owens In Michigan, especially in metro Detroit, the issue of immigration has been a sensitive topic for years. Immigrants, and the children of immigrants, have long been a major force shaping the character and priorities of Southeast Michigan. And as a community that is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, it is no surprise that anxious attention is being paid to this issue here in recent months, because it is an issue that impacts us more directly and immediately than many other areas.

You might say it’s personal.

After President Donald Trump signed an executive order on immigration that banned entrance into the U.S. from people from specific Muslim countries, people living in the U.S. and abroad have developed growing concerns about the ban and how it will affect us all. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence of Michigan’s 14th Congressional District hosted a “Know Your Rights” immigration rally last week to discuss growing concerns surrounding the travel ban. To address these concerns and to offer guidance about immigration rights, a panel of experts from the ACLU of Michigan, Wayne State University Law

School, Michigan Immigration Rights Center, United Hispanic Workers of Detroit and Mayor Duggan’s Office of International Affairs were on hand to answer questions.

Lawrence made it clear where she stands.

“The United States of America is a country of immigrants. Our diversity is one of our country’s greatest strengths. We have a tradition of being a safe haven for those fleeing countries that do not have the same liberties and freedoms that we enjoy in the U.S.A. Mr. Trump’s executive order to halt visas from Muslim-majority countries and ban entrance of refugees does not represent the land of the free and home of the brave.”

This history of immigration is a significant part of the framework of this country and is a part of most of our own lineages. The ban does not reflect this legacy as it seeks to classify entire groups as terrorists and criminals. The criminalization of innocent people, Lawrence said, is simply not the answer. But for those who do commit violent crimes, they must be prosecuted and potentially deported. Lawrence warned that the ban is dangerous to U.S. relations and does not truly address the issues that exist within the decades-old U.S. immigration system.

“We must prioritize the safety and security of our nation, and I support a strong vetting system. We need to continue to ensure that refugees who enter our country will be contributing members of society,” she said to the more than 200 rally attendees. “I do not, and we cannot support stereotyping and discrimination based on religion. The current process for entrance of refugees and asylum seekers in not a wide open door. The vetting process is extensive and we cannot allow fear or falsehoods to get in the way of facts. Terrorists are extremists, and not a religion. America is great because we are inclusive and not exclusive. We must come together and oppose these kinds of acts to divide, wherever they come from.”

At last week’s State of the City address, Mayor Mike Duggan failed to call Detroit a “sanctuary city,” but promised not to participate in overly aggressive deportation efforts. This promise, however, can be trumped at the federal level, said Lawrence. While the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said it would not conduct immigration activities at schools, churches and hospitals, Ruby Robinson, supervising attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, said it is not 100% guaranteed.

Hamilton Anderson Associates helps design historic Woodward Avenue Hudson’s site Minority-owned firm to work on proposed ­development of Detroit’s tallest building

Madison Madison International A Detroit legacy of black business empowerment See page C-1

$1.00

See IMMIGRATION page A-4

parking spaces on the other two levels The plans for the new, 52story, 734-foot transformational development will make it the tallest building in the city. The nine-story podium and residential tower that rises from the podium will total 1.2 million gross square feet and will offer 700 parking spaces underneath the structure. The development will be among the largest construction projects in Detroit in decades and will anchor Woodward Avenue making it the economic engine of the city once again.

(Black PR Wire) Hamilton Anderson Associates, a multi-disciplinary Detroit-based design firm, will help design one of Detroit’s most historic sites, in partnership with New York Citybased SHoP Architects. The preliminary design and plans for the site of the former J.L. Hudson’s Department Store (Hudson’s Site) were presented by Bedrock to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), which approved a timeline for the groundbreaking of the development by December 1, 2017. (Black PR Wire) “In its heyday, Hudson’s was a premier destination in the heart of downtown. After the flagship store closed in 1983, the structure would bring back fond memories of a vibrant Detroit,” says Sandra Laux, Project Architect, HAA. “We now have the opportunity to be a part of creating unique, new architecture in one

of the few vacant sites downtown.”

Retail, residential, parking and an experiential destination focusing on technology, arts and culture will be among the amenities for residents and visitors alike. The proposed 52-story building is estimated to include: 250 residential units totaling

441,500 gross square feet A nine-story podium comprised of 733,823 gross square feet of mixed use, commercial, office, technology, arts and culture space Three stories below grade featuring additional commercial space on one level with 700

Transformational developments, like Hudson’s, often serve as catalysts for an entire city and region. They attract visitors; create thousands of jobs; are magnets for talent, business and investment; and create a positive ripple effect on the area around them resulting in significant economic impact for the city and its residents.

The firm’s diversity in background, education and profes-

See DEVELOPMENT page A-4

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Page A-2

NBFA Scholarship program now accepting applications

Up to $100,000 in scholarships will be awarded to students pursuing agricultural studies

Grosse Pointe extends hand to Detroit for cultural assistance Detroit artist Erik Nordin has been commissioned by Grosse Pointe city council to design a structure symbolizing unity between the communities and residents of Grosse Pointe and Detroit.

Nordin presented planes for the sculpture to be constructed at the controversial Kercheval and Wayburn turnaround, which has been considered by some on both sides of the border as a barrier between the upscale communities of Grosse Pointe and the distressed neighborhoods on Detroit’s lower eastside.

Nordin, with his brother, Israel, designed a sculpture symbolic of reaching across the border that separates Detroit and the Park. “We designed the piece with two sails that together represent unifying our two cities,” Erik Nordin told Grose Pointe City Council.

The fact that Detroit’s wealthy neighbors reached out to artists with roots in Detroit was significant in itself and symbolic of the spirit of cooperation between the two cities.

“We see this sculpture as a celebration of Detroit artists,” he told council. “We see it as another symbol of reaching out to Detroit.”

The work of the Nordin brothers, through their studio, Detroit Design Center, can be seen throughout the metropolitan Detroit area.

Several of their pieces are on display at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and their 25-foot glass and stainless steel “Detroit Menorah” is a part of the holiday display at Campus Martius every year.

The sculpture is expected to be in place by June and the cost of the

project is being underwritten by city Councilwoman Barbara Detwiler and her husband, Fred. Detwiler told council there is another component of this project.

“We are also doing a video about the process of designing and making the piece,” she said. “It starts with showing the work as a sketch on paper and follows the process from the very beginning to setting the piece in place.” Detwiler said the video will be shown at the Park theaters.

Both projects tie in with Israel Nordin’s concept of the project.

“Everyone is excited about this piece,” he said, “and we see it as a way of celebrating the unity of our two cities. It will become a story people can tell.”

Michigan Works! Association honors Magna International Inc. for its commitment to hiring Michigan Talent Global tier one supplier Magna International Inc. was recognized with a Michigan Works! Association Impact Award for its commitment to hiring Michigan talent for its $56 million assembly plant in Lyon Township.

The award was given to Magna International and its wholly owned subsidiary, Cosma Body Assembly of Michigan, by the Michigan Works!

Association during a luncheon held Wednesday in Lansing. They were nominated for the award by Oakland County Michigan Works!

Magna, which has its U.S. headquarters in Troy, has received more than $845,000 in Skilled Trade Training Funds from the state since 2014 to train existing and new workers for the Lyon Township and other facilities.

The company partnered with the Oakland County Michigan Works! to recruit employees using social media and shared postings with Pure Michigan Talent Connect and its regional partners including colleges, universities, nonprofit organizations and the Michigan Works! system.

“Magna is proud of its partnership with Oakland

Learn to make decisions about money, create and manage a spending plan, identify specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely goals, clean up credit, reduce debt, savings and investing strategies, and selecting financial professionals. The series will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 15 and 22 at MSU Extension, VerKuilen Build-

Funded by the FCA Foundation, the charitable arm of North American automaker FCA US LLC, the NBFA Scholarship Program will award up to $100,000 in scholarships this year.

“Higher education provides essential tools, knowledge and resources that allow people to pursue and achieve their goals,” said Lesley Slavitt, Head of Civic Engagement, FCA US LLC, and CEO of the FCA Foundation. “It is a privilege for the FCA Foundation to be a partner with the National Black Farmers Association and these remarkable students to ensure that the next generation of African-American farmers receive the training and skills that will enable

Apply for the 2017-18 NBFA Scholarship Program NBFA scholarships are awarded based upon several criteria, including academic performance, demonstrated leadership, participation in agricultural and community activities, and career goals and objectives. Applications will be accepted at https:// www.scholarsapply.org/ blackfarmersassociation through April 28, 2017, or until 100 applications have been received, whichever comes first.

“My father taught me very early on that land is the most important tool that a person can possess. And he taught me if I treat the land good, the land will take care of me,” said John Boyd, Jr., President of the National Black Farmers Association. “Educating aspiring African-American farmers provides an opportunity to increase and advance agricultural technology, which will be passed on as a vital part of our rich farming legacy to future generations.”

Since 2015, the NBFA Scholarship Program has made 40 scholarships and provided $187,500 in educational support to students participating in a diverse range of agricultural-related studies, including agribusiness, food sciences, biology, holistic nutrition, urban farming and veterinary science. Following is a list of the 2016 NBFA scholarship recipients.

STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-18206

County Michigan Works! and the entire Michigan Works! system,” said Paul Myles, Magna senior manager, government workforce development and training programs.

“We are working together to solve some of the most important workforce development challenges facing our industry.”

Magna engineer Michael Potempa was also honored with an Impact Award, as were Oakland County Michigan Works!, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. for the Lyon Township project.

MSU Extension offers free money management workshop MSU Extension is offering a free, three-week Money Management Workshop for people of all incomes who want to improve the way they handle money. The classes will focus on basic money-related activities.

AUBURN HILLS - The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for the 2017-18 academic year. In its third year, the NBFA Scholarship Program will award scholarships of up to $5,000 to African-American farmers or dependents of African-American farmers who plan to enroll or who are enrolled in agriculture-related study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school.

them to thrive.”

ing, 21885 Dunham Road, Clinton Township, 48036.

Individuals that attend all three classes within one series will receive a certificate of completion.

Registration is required.

To register, contact Mickie at (586) 469-7614.

Michigan State University Extension brings a variety of educational programs to residents, empowering them to improve their lives and community.

County-based MSUE staff, in concert with on-campus faculty members, serves residents with programming focused on agriculture, natural resources, children, youth, families, community and economic development.

Oakland County Michigan Works! has eight service centers in the county:

Ferndale, Highland, Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Southfield, Troy and Waterford.

Red Cross Community Blood Drive in Southfield Thursday, March 9 The City of Southfield and the American Red Cross will sponsor the 15th annual Southfield Community Blood Drive on Thursday, March 9, from 12-6 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road at 10½ Mile Road. The drive was rescheduled from March 7.

The need for blood donations continues to be greater than ever. Everyone who is able to donate blood is strongly encouraged to do so. In order to donate, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110

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• DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission approval for reconciliation of its Revenue Decoupling Mechanism (RDM) for the period November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016.

• The information below describes how a person may participate in this case.

• You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, 688 WCB, Detroit, Michigan 48226-1279, (800) 477-4747, for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the application at the offices of DTE Gas Company.

• A public hearing will be held:

DATE/TIME:

Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.

This hearing will be a prehearing conference to set future hearing dates and decide other procedural matters.

BEFORE:

Administrative Law Judge Mark D. Eyster

LOCATION:

Michigan Public Service Commission 7109 West Saginaw Highway Lansing, Michigan

PARTICIPATION: Any interested person may attend and participate.

The hearing site is accessible, including handicapped parking. Persons needing any accommodation to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 284-8090 in advance to request mobility, visual, hearing or other assistance.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a public hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) January 30, 2017 application requesting 1) authorization to reconcile the revenue decoupling mechanism for the period November 1, 2015 through October 31, 2016; 2) authorization to adjust its existing retail gas rates so as to refund a net amount of $3.72 million, plus interest; 3) authorization to include any residual balance resulting from an over- or under-collection, or over- or underrefund in subsequent RDM reconciliation filings; and 4) other relief.

All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets.

Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to: mpscedockets@ michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 284-8090 or by email at: mpscedockets@michigan.gov.

Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by March 14, 2017. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas’s attorney, David S. Maquera, One Energy Plaza, 688 WCB, Detroit, Michigan 48226-1279.

Any person wishing to appear at the hearing to make a statement of position without becoming a party to the case may participate by filing an appearance. To file an appearance, the individual must attend the hearing and advise the presiding administrative law judge of his or her wish to make a statement of position. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information, thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private.

Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules R 792.10422 and R 792.10432. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 284-8130.

A copy of DTE Gas’s request may be reviewed on the Commission’s website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets, and at the office of DTE Gas Company.

For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090.

Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; and the Michigan Administrative Hearing System’s Administrative Hearing Rules, 2015 AC, R 792.10401 et seq.

February 15, 2017

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March 1-7, 2017

Page A-3

Native Detroiter, Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison tapped as DNC’s deputy chairman

By Donald James Special to the Chronicle

Democrats, across America, have been discombobulated since taking a surprising and devastating beating during last November’s Presidential Election that saw Republican nominee Donald J. Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to become the nation’s 45th president. With the Democratic Party on the outside looking in at a Republican-controlled White House, U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as well as an overwhelming number of governorships around the country, the days of sunny politics haven’t been very bright for the party of Obama.

Yet, on Saturday, February 25, in Atlanta, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) made what they believe is a quantum leap to right the ship, when Tom Perez was voted to chair the DNC. His task is to return the Democratic Party to relevancy, and soon.

Within seconds of accepting the DNC’s chairmanship, Perez, the first Latino to hold the post, picked runKeith Ellison ner-up Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, the first Muslim voted to Congress, to be deputy chairman.

“I’m very proud of Chairman Perez,” Ellison told the packed room of Democrats. “I just want to say if you came here to support me for chairman, I am asking you to give everything you’ve got to supporting Chairman Perez, because we don’t have the luxury to walk out of this room divided.”

An energetic Perez, who once served as secretary of labor under former president Obama, moved back to the podium.

“We need to get back to basics with the American people,” said Perez, the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. “We need to move forward, because I am confident that when we lead with our values, lead with our actions, we succeed.

That’s what the Democratic Party has always been about. When we communicate our message of inclusion, we create opportunities for everyone.”

“Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement.

Ellison will be counted on to help Perez lay this national groundwork of which Obama speaks, and help rebrand the Democratic Party, which vows to empower all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, social and economic status, or sexual orientation. While Ellison will continue to serve his constituency in Minnesota, he will also be challenged to reach, unite and influence a national base of people to vote for Democratic candidates in future elections.

For Ellison, who was born and raised in Detroit, the challenges of uniting and empowering people are traits that took root while growing up in the West Seven Road- Livernois Avenue area of the Motor City. After graduating from University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Ellison attended Wayne State University, where he took on the challenges of addressing racism while seeking empowerment opportunities for oppressed people in America and South Africa. It was at Wayne State that Ellison converted to Islam.

“It made me have a sense of inspiration and wonder,” Ellison told this writer during an interview in 2015. “When I looked at my spiritual life, and I looked at what could impact social change and justice for society, I found Islam, and it has been working for me ever since.”

After graduating from Wayne State with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Ellison moved to Minnesota, where he attended and earned his juris doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School. Choosing to stay in Minnesota, because of employment opportunities to support a growing family, Ellison ultimately ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives, House District 58B. He was victorious, and served two consecutive two-year terms. While it was common knowledge that he was a Muslim, voters seemed more focused on his ability to make positive changes for the people he represented, rather than his religion.

Since January 4, 2007, Ellison has served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. The congressman’s district includes the city of Minneapolis and surrounding cities and towns, all of which are ethnically/culturally diverse.

Now Ellison’s focus, along with Perez and the DNC, is to make Trump a one-term president.

“The earnest work that we must do is to confront Trump,” said Ellison. “But even beyond that, we have to establish a country where everybody can aspire to have a good life. We have sincere work ahead of us, because people of all colors, all cultures0 and all faiths are in great need of help. The DNC, under the chairmanship of Tom Perez, will provide this help for the American people.”

Ken Snapp – Keith A. Owens photo

Ken Snapp, candidate for mayor of Detroit

By Keith A. Owens Senior Editor

At 21 years of age, Ken Snapp is guaranteed to be the youngest challenger to incumbent Mayor Mike Duggan in this year’s mayoral campaign, but that doesn’t mean he is not taking his challenge seriously — or that he should not be taken seriously. Snapp dropped by the Michigan Chronicle last week to talk about his campaign and answer a few questions.

What did you think about Mayor Duggan’s State of the City speech?

We know that he uses the media to promote things that are going on in the city. Traditionally, the State of the City is to deal with what’s going on in the city, where we’re at financially for this quarter, for this fiscal year. I would like to hear that. I want to hear what the budget would be. I also didn’t appreciate that people weren’t allowed to come in. It was invite-only. We pay your salary, so why weren’t the citizens allowed [in]? I think that he strategically had it there so he wouldn’t be subject to hecklers or whatever it may be, which is totally incorrect. You’re the mayor. It comes with the territory. You get heckled? So what. Fix it. It wasn’t representative of the 85 percent of the people living in Detroit. I looked around and I was one of the few black people in there besides the ones that are in his cabinet.

His main thing was, every neighborhood has a future. That is a fallacy. His tone was, there are great things happening downtown, but we have yet to see funds allocated to these neighborhoods.

But what about the $30 million the mayor said has been allocated to help the neighborhoods?

I think that was only because of the re-election. What happened to it when he first got in office? I think that $30 million easily should have been here the first year. So now the money’s coming in? That seems kind of backward to the plan you stated [when you were first elected]. Every neighborhood has a future is what he was elected on.

If you’re a city employee, you can have housing for 50 percent off from the Land Bank. It makes no sense. We have people struggling, people in foreclosure who have been displaced, but you can come in and rack up multiple properties at 50 percent off!

What about the mayor’s job proposal?

Well, we’ve waited four years to start talking about jobs. This is what I mean by track record. We need jobs that have maintainable living wages.

The average median income in the city of Detroit is $35,000 or less. That’s being decent and generous. Most people are making $600 biweekly.

(Snapp also discussed the implications of the city’s dramatically high rate of illiteracy, as well as the large number of those with debilitating criminal records.)

What about the schools?

We have enough people here to sign a petition to release state control of the schools [through the financial review board]. We have to take back control of the schools. There is a state supremacy clause, I understand that.

But there is also a federal supremacy

clause. So we have to take it to the federal level. We have to make it a national thing and a global thing, and it has to be led by our administration.

What in your background prepares you for the job of being mayor of Detroit?

Simply this: Being of the people, for the people and by the people, as our Founding Fathers created the government. They didn’t have the credentials, but they did things that met the people’s agenda. That is what it’s about.

My training within different political administrations, and different campaign administrations, and different things like that, has prepared me to understand how to properly appoint and move around and maneuver when inside my mayorship.

(Snapp added that he served a political internship with the Detroit City Council in District 4.)

Why not start at city council or school board first? Why go straight to mayor?

This mission is God-sent first of all.

I want people to understand that. When there’s corruption, there’s a problem.

Just as a snake, you wouldn’t cut it off by the tail or by the midsection, you cut it off at the head. So that’s what we’re doing. If you’re going to fix something in the system that is corrupted and not working, as we know it’s not, you must go for the head, the highest position, because it’s from there you can do a total restructuring of the infrastructure of that system.

Crowdfunding campaign launched for ‘America’s First Sustainable Urban Agrihood’ LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Urban Farming Initiative (MUFI) today announced a new crowdfunding campaign to transform a long-vacant building into a new community resource center to benefit residents in Detroit’s lower North End neighborhood. The project is part of the all-volunteer organization’s plans to create “America’s First Sustainable Urban Agrihood.”

Offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity, funds raised through this campaign will transform the three-story former apartment complex across from MUFI’s urban garden into a community center. The new building will serve as a community gathering space and offer educational, nutritional, and other programs. It will also contain a commercial kitchen.

“Thoughtful initiatives like this have a large impact in community revitalization,” said MEDC Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to partner with and provide resources for the creation of a space that will provide health benefits, training opportunities and a gathering space for the residents of this neighborhood.”

BorgWarner, a global leader in clean

and efficient technology solutions for combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles based in Auburn Hills, helped launch the crowdfunding campaign with a $10,000 donation today. If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by Sunday, April 2, the project will receive a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: http://www.patronicity.com/mufi.

In addition to MUFI’s Community Center, the nonprofit’s urban agrihood also includes a two-acre urban farm, 200-tree fruit orchard, children’s sensory garden, water harvesting cistern, and more.

The urban farm grows more than 300 produce varieties annually. The fresh vegetables are provided for free to about 2,000 households, churches, food pantries and others within twosquare miles of the farm. MUFI also has plans for a new healthy food cafe, which will be located next to the community center and will also contain a commercial kitchen.

“The Public Spaces, Community Places placemaking grant is a creative way for supporters of the Michigan Urban Farming Initiative to have

a hand in helping build America’s first sustainable urban agrihood located in Detroit’s lower North End community,” said Tyson Gersh, president and co-founder of MUFI. “Through the program, we can expand our agricultural campus with donations used to fund the restoration of a long-vacant building into the neighborhood’s most sustainable Community Center along with a new healthy food café.”

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, non-profits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan.

As of February 1, 2017, the MEDC has provided $3,228,500 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 99 projects have been completed successfully with more than $3.8 million raised from 17,463 individual donors.

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March 1-7, 2017

Page A-4

Development From page A-1

sional experience is blended with solid experience working on projects ranging from small scale city parks, to technologically sophisticated new arts high schools, regional master plans, and multi-billion dollar urban design plans. In addition to the Hudson’s Site, HAA is working on a number of projects to help rebuild and build Detroit’s neighborhoods. Current projects in development include the City Modern Brush Park, The District Detroit, Orleans Landing and HAA’s own neighborhood – Paradise Valley.

For more information and to keep up with the latest updates on the Hudson’s site development, visit hudsonssitedetroit.com. We are also inviting people to share their Hudson’s memories on the website.

Immigration “People are even more vulnerable than they have been in the past,” Robinson said. “When it comes to other areas, there has been some expansion.”

Robinson made it clear that these areas can include your home.

He said immigration officials do have the authority to enter your home only if they have a warrant.

Understanding your rights, ensuring the warrant is signed, do not sign documents unless you fully understand them and having a plan in place, he believes are essential.

At Detroit’s Freedom House, there has probably been more anxiety about the recently developing immigration emergency than anywhere else in Michigan. In danger of losing nearly half of all their funding due to a December announcement from HUD that their grant was being terminated at the end of this month, Freedom House provides the sort of vital support services to immigrants that they cannot access anywhere else in the state, at least not altogether.

Known literally throughout the world in troubled nations where fleeing is literally the only option in order to survive, the impact of such a haven being forced to close its doors would be devastating, says Freedom House program manager Thomas “TJ” Rogers. Freedom’s annual budget is $750,000, of which $391,000 comes from HUD. The remainder comes from Community Development Block Grant funds, Health and Human Services Emergency Shelter grant, money from the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, the HOPE fund, and other smaller foundations and some individual

From page A-1 donations.

authorization only.

“We’re the only organization in the country that provides shelter, legal aid, and the full scope of comprehensive services free of charge to asylum seekers,” he said. “There are other service providers around the country — not here in Detroit or even in the tri-County area — that provide housing, free legal aid.

In some states you can go to access some social services. But we’re the only one-stop-shop in the country where you get all the services you need free of charge.

And yet, despite all these challenges, “Our success record is 93 % in the last five years exiting into permanent stable housing without subsidies. Which is remarkable, quite frankly,” said Rogers.

“When you’re working with a survivor of torture, the survivor skills, the displacement, the history of trauma, the PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), the cultural differences, the language differences, and how to navigate all of that, is very difficult. Frankly, we’re experts at what we do, and if we were to close, there’s no other organization that could absorb our residents and meet their needs without potentially putting them at risk.”

Not to mention the fact that Freedom House residents don’t qualify for any mainstream benefits because their immigration status is still pending. This means they don’t qualify for any state or federal assistance, no food assistance.

“Not said.

Medicaid.

Nothing,”

he

Add to that the fact that there are federal laws preventing residents of Freedom House from earning an income until at least 14 or 15 months into their stay because that’s how long it takes “best case scenario” for an immigrant of their status to be granted a restricted Social Security number for work

But now, 35 years later, everything at Freedom House could come to a screeching halt after March 31 when they would be forced to scale back to a virtual bare bones operation incapable of providing the scope of services their clients need.

They are appealing HUD’s decision and awaiting a final decision, but given the current climate the likelihood of a successful appeal doesn’t appear hopeful.

As of two weeks ago when this interview was conducted, Freedom House was home to 42 residents.

Over the past fiscal year, Freedom House has helped 136 people from 26 different countries, 85 percent of whom were from Africa. The average length of stay was 217 days.

Additionally, there were 7 percent from the Middle East, 3 percent from Asia, and 1 percent from Central America.

Without the assistance of Freedom House, every one of them is vulnerable to profiling, which could result in being transported to a detention facility, “and in the detention center you’re five times less likely to win your claim for asylum.” And an application for asylum in the U.S. can take six months at best.

To learn more about your rights, contact the ACLU of Michigan at aclumich.org and the Michigan Immigration Resource Center at michiganimmigrant.org.

Hamilton Anderson Associates, founded in Detroit in 1994, is a multi-disciplinary design firm dedicated to improving the built environment through creative, contemporary design. As an Minority Business Enterprise, HAA’s diverse group of design professionals work collaboratively across multiple disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, urban design, strategic planning, interior design, and graphic design to create inspiring, contextually responsive solutions. HAA offers informed perspectives to create compelling, sustainable projects that provide a lasting and positive impact on our communities

Andrew Young talks about King’s legacy, Trump’s White House

By Stacy M. Brown

served two terms.

NNPA Newswire Contributor

He later spearheaded Atlanta’s successful bid for the 1996 Olympics.

It’s forever a burning question, particularly as many African-Americans soul search, reminisce and speculate during Black History Month.

“What would Martin Luther King Jr. say today?”

According to former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, one of the few still alive who knew the slain civil rights leader intimately, King answered the question himself—60 years ago and nearly a dozen years before his assassination in Memphis, Tenn.

“In 1957, when King was organizing, he said he was doing so to redeem the soul of America from the triple evil of racism, war and poverty,” Young said. “The problems I see now are not racism and I think we’re getting on top of war. It’s not that racism doesn’t exist, but what happened in Ferguson, for instance, was not a race problem, it was a job problem.”

Young continued: “You have an explosive situation that took on a racial connotation, because they’re not enough jobs.”

Young continues to seek solutions to Black unemployment and also promotes economic empowerment around the globe.

Through his Andrew Young Foundation, the man who helped draft both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 works to support, promote and develop global institutions and leaders.

Drainage fee Detroit only. It’s not fair.”

According to a document distributed at the press conference, the change in the drainage fee is a result of the City of Detroit’s bankruptcy. DWSD was owned and controlled by the City of Detroit before the bankruptcy. The city still owns DWSD, but does not control DWSD. DWSD reorganized into the Great Lakes Water Authority. However, Detroit is still responsible for the bond debts on the water infrastructure.

Drainage fees started in 1975, which were based on assessments from water meters. The “new” drainage fee is no longer from water meter readings, but assessed based on size of properties and buildings, including vacant lots, parking lots and roofs of buildings. In essence, the new fee is based on acreage, and is only aimed at properties in the city of Detroit, although other communities outside the city limits benefit from the water system.

Coleman announced that a letter of concern has been sent to Mayor Duggan, asking for his leadership to fairly address and rectify the water equity issue facing churches, communities and citizens. The letter also called for the mayor to use the strength of his voice and

From page A-1 the power of his office to create a fully transparent process, negotiate assertively for the inclusion of the combined sewer overflow costs to be placed within the “Common to All” charges under the Great Lakes Water Authority Agreement.

the jewel of this city, which is our water. We must take a stand. I believe by standing up together, it will make it easier for the mayor to take a stand. However, this is not political, and it’s not personal, it’s about the water, it’s about survival.”

Additionally, the letter asked Duggan to advocate at the state level for legislative and administrative relief, and capitalize a groundbreaking green infrastructure initiative that reduces storm water flows into DWSD system. According to Coleman, the letter was sent to Duggan on February 23, asking him to meet with representatives of clergy/Detroit Water Equity Coalition within 30 days. Thus far, there’s been no response from Duggan.

Rev. Dr. James Curenton added, “We are taking a stand on this outrageous water drainage fee, We are the only city in the United States where water drainage fees are not common to all who use the system.

This is unfair, it’s redlining on steroids.”

While Coleman expects to hear from the mayor, she told attending clergy and others that the Detroit Water Equity Coalition must press forward to find resolve.

“If we succumb to be charged this $750 per acre per month, we are locked down with that amount for the next 40 years,” Coleman said. “So, we are asking Mayor Duggan, in good faith, to work with us to resolve this issue.”

“It’s about water equity,” P.A. Brooks said. “We must protect

A call was placed to Gary Brown, director of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, after the press conference.

“We are dedicated to finding ways of assisting in what’s equitable for all customers,” said Brown, who has served as DWSD director since late 2015.

“We hear their concerns, and we look forward to sitting down with them to work out a solution as quickly as possible.

I want that, the mayor wants that, and everyone involved wants to sit down and work out a solution so churches are not adversely impacted. We are going to do everything that we can to make sure there is no burden placed on our churches.”

He then helps to infuse in those institutions and leaders’ knowledge to improve and enhance social and economic justice and human rights through nonviolent action, democratic institutions and social responsible for-profit corporations.

“We work to one day see a just and prosperous global society made whole through humanitarian service, civic participation, philanthropy and good works,” Young said.

Born in 1932 in New Orleans, La., Young attended Dillard University and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He also attended the Hartford Theological Seminary in Connecticut.

Young began working with voter registration and voter education projects as a staffer for the National Council of Churches, where he worked with King.

A former executive director of the SCLC, Young won a seat in Congress in 1972 and, four years later, President Jimmy Carter named him ambassador to the United Nations. In 1981, Young won election as mayor of Atlanta and

“I worked with Andy Young in the Freedom Movement in the United States and Africa,” said Dr. Benjamin Chavis, a civil rights leader, who worked closely with King, and the current president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)—a conglomerate of 211 African-American-owned newspapers and media companies in the United States. “We both are ordained ministers in the United Church of Christ and Andy Young was one of Dr. King’s most trusted co-workers in the Civil Rights Movement.”

Young said that he disagrees with Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) on the legitimacy of Donald Trump’s presidency.

“We lost. it wasn’t the Russians,” Young said.

“I’m not happy about it, but Trump understood the needs of the unemployed and the fears of people, who blamed all their problems on terrorism and the lack of jobs. People bought into his version because, we didn’t give them another version,” he said.

For instance, Young said there’s a myth that Korea stole all the steel industry jobs. However, he said a visit to Korea and the steel industry revealed that very few people work in the industry.

“Machines are what took the jobs,” Young said.

He also noted that White men, much more than Blacks, have been the biggest losers in the American economy and the U.S. Congress bears a lot of the blame.

“Black people are secure enough to hold their own now. I was at a football game in Alabama and they don’t even let the White players toss the coin anymore,” he said.

“White leadership hasn’t served White men too well. They’ve blamed their condition on Obama. He gave them healthcare, but they wouldn’t take it, because they wanted guns.

Guns aren’t helping them with their illnesses.”

Young praised Carter, Lyndon B. Johnson and John F. Kennedy as great presidents.

He said Carter refused to comprise the lives of Americans to go to war, even though it meant losing his re-election.

Johnson, he said, got what he wanted from King and others in the Civil Rights movement but gave what Black leaders needed while Kennedy also did his part.

As for Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, Young said time would eventually place Obama among the greats.

“Obama, virtually miraculous, changed the

news

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Page A-5

First black crew member to join International Space Station

By Shantella Y. Sherman (AFRO/NNPA Member)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected astronaut Jeanette Epps to join the crew of the International Space Station in 2018. Epps will become the first black crew member to represent the U.S. on the station.

The journey will mark the first time Epps has traveled to orbit, allowing her to follow in the footsteps of the women who, she said, inspired her to become an astronaut.

NASA astronaut Jeanette Epps will be the first black crewmember to live and work on the International Space Station for an extended ­ period of time. (NASA photo)

While other black astronauts have flown to the Space Station for brief stays during the outpost’s construction, Epps will be the first Black crewmember to live and work on the station for an extended period of time.

Her journey aboard the Soyuz spacecraft and stay at the station places her as the only American and female among a crew made up of mostly Russians and men.

“I’m a person just like they are. I do the same work as they do,” Epps told a group of STEM students at her

Syracuse alma mater, Danforth Middle School. “If something breaks, any one of us will have to be able to go out the door. We have to be jacks of all trades. It’s not a job that’s like any other.”

While working on her doctorate, Epps was a NASA graduate student Researchers Project fellow, authoring several journal and conference articles about her research. After completing her graduate studies, Epps worked in a research lab for more than two years, co-authoring multiple patents, before being recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). She was a CIA technical intelligence officer for about seven years before being selected as a member of the 2009 astronaut class.

“Anything you don’t know is going to be hard at first,” Epps said in a video statement about the launch. “But if you stay the course, put the time and effort in, it will become seamless eventually.”

Epps, in the NASA video interview, shared when she was first introduced to the idea that she could be an astronaut. “It was about 1980, I was nine

years old. My brother came home and he looked at my grades and my twin sisters’ grades and he said, ‘You know, you guys can probably become aerospace engineers or even astronauts,’” Epps said. “And this was at the time that Sally Ride [the first American woman to fly in space] and a group of women were selected to become astronauts — the first time in history.

So, he made that comment and I said, ‘Wow, that would be so cool.’”

Epps will join veteran NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel at the Space Station. On Feustel’s first long-duration mission, he served as a flight engineer on Expedition 55, and later as commander of Expedition 56.

“Each space station crew brings something different to the table, and Drew and Jeanette both have a lot to offer,” said Chris Cassidy, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, in a statement. “The space station will benefit from having them on board.”

The AFRO is a member publication of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Republican lawmakers attack Obama’s education law As educators work to improve ESSA, Republicans vote to weaken the law

By Stacy M. Brown

from unnecessary burdens, while opponents contend that overturning the rules could hurt vulnerable students and create turmoil in states and districts trying to finalize their transition to ESSA, the 2015 law that replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.

(NNPA Newswire Contributor)

Without hesitation, Jill Lauren said the most critical program that should be included under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is proper reading instruction beginning in kindergarten.

“We know that children learn to read by using either a whole language or phonics approach. Some kids seem to pick up reading, as if by magic, while others need every sound and syllable rule explicitly taught,” said Lauren, who holds a bachelor of science and master’s degree in learning disabilities from Northwestern University.

Known as an expert in reading and writing, Lauren has trained teachers around the country to utilize a variety of structured, multi-sensory approaches to the instruction of reading and written language.

“Teachers of pre-K to [third grade] need to know how to teach both methodologies of reading instruction,” said Lauren. “Every child entering third grade should be reading on grade level, meaning we have four years to properly teach

The House of Representatives recently approved a joint resolution that would overturn ESSA accountability rules issued by the Obama administration. In this photo, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) takes his oath of office following his election on October 29, 2015. (Wikimedia Commons photo) kids how to read.

“Without the essential skill of reading on grade level, the rest of a child’s school years will be troubled, and statistics show that most youth offenders, as well as adult inmates, struggle with literacy. This educational failing is a national tragedy.”

Lauren’s

concerns

come

as Education Week reported a push by Republicans in Congress to overturn accountability regulations for ESSA could have far-reaching consequences for how the law works in states, and the potential end of the much-contested rules is dividing the education community.

Groups supporting the move argue that it would free schools

The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), comprised of 211 African American-owned media companies and newspapers, recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support a threeyear, multi-media public awareness campaign focusing on the unique opportunities and challenges of ESSA. Bridging the academic achievement gap in education K-12 for African-American students and others from disadvantaged communities is of critical importance over the next several years, said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA. “The ESSA law was established to help increase the effectiveness of public education in every state,” said Chavis.

“Our task is to inform, inspire, and encourage parents, stu-

dents, teachers, and administrators to fulfill the intent and objectives of ESSA with special focus on those students and communities that have been marginalized and underserved by the education system across the nation.”

Under ESSA, states will adhere to more flexible federal regulations that provide for improved elementary and secondary education in the nation’s public schools.

ESSA, which also reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), received bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on December 10, 2015.

Last week, the House of Representatives approved a joint resolution that would overturn ESSA accountability rules issued by the Obama administration. Those rules, which became final in November, are intended to detail for states the timeline for addressing underperforming schools, how schools must be rated, the ways English-language learners must be considered in state accountability plans, and other policy issues.

Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 1-7, 2017

WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?

There are special numbers that we always look forward to.

We picked them. We own them. We love them. We play them.

They’re our Daily 3&4 numbers.

Try your luck on Michigan Lottery Daily 3&4 games. Daily 3 wagers are 50¢ and $1, and you can win up to $500; a $1 wager for Daily 4 has a top prize of $5,000.

Drawings are twice a day, seven days a week at 12:59 pm and 7:29 pm. So, visit your favorite Lottery retailer and play Daily 3&4.

Odds of winning: Daily 3: Straight: 1 in 1,000; 3-Way Box: 1 in 333; 6-Way Box: 1 in 167; 1-Off Straight: 1 in 1,000; 1-Off One Digit: 1 in 167. Daily 4: Straight: 1 in 10,000; 4-Way Box: 1 in 2,500; 6-Way Box: 1 in 1,666; 12-Way Box: 1 in 833; 24-Way Box: 1 in 416; 1-Off Straight: 1 in 10,000; 1-Off One Digit: 1 in 1,250. Knowing your limits is always the best bet. Call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline for confidential help at 1-800-270-7117.

SECTION B

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March 1-7, 2017

Detroit Health Department gets new leadership

By Alisha Dixon

Mayor Mike Duggan announced the appointment of Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun, MD, MPH as the new executive director and health officer of the Detroit Health Department. Under this appointment, Dr. Khaldun will oversee the delivery of care within DHD’s direct service programs and will be responsible for creating clinician engagement strategies. While leading the Detroit Health Department, Dr. Khaldun practices emergency medicine part-time at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

“Dr. Khaldun is an extraordinarily experienced medical professional and a talented administrator. Her passion for public health makes her the right person for this job.

I’m confident that under her leadership, we will take on some of Detroit’s most pressing health challenges and improve public health outcomes across our city,” said Mayor Duggan.

Khaldun believes a lack of education and access to care caused by poverDr. Joneigh S. Khaldun ty are the overarching copnditions that shape the state of health in cities like Detroit.

To fully explain why she is so committed to improving public health, the physician reflected on a pivotal point early on in her medical career when she realized healthcare must include services that provide more than just medical care, but also support and strategies to address symptoms of poverty, like violence.

“I’ll never forget on one particular night there were multiple young black men coming in shot in the chest. From a medical perspective, I got to do chest tubes and compressions and cool procedures, but I could not get the blood off of my shoes quick enough and zip them up in the body bags before the next one came in. You know that definitive squeal of a mother who’s just been told that her young child is dead. I know that squeal, but that’s when I decided I needed to do something about this. I thought this must be stopped,” she said.

“This is preventable.”

Prior to the appointment, Dr. Khaldun served as DHD’s medical director where she supervised the Communicable Disease Program and headed various special projects including a program to improve maternal healthcare and counter the growing rate of unintended teen pregnancy and the subsequent infant mortality rate in the city.

“It is such an honor to have been chosen

by Mayor Duggan to lead this department and serve a city that I credit for shaping who I am today. I look forward to changing the way health systems and public health work together, and listening to the community’s needs,” said Dr. Khaldun.

Dr. Khaldun comes to DHD with an illustrious career in medicine. She is not only an esteemed physician, but a well-respected medical researcher and educator. Khaldun earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Michigan, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of

See NEW LEADERSHIP page B-2

Judge Damon J. Keith, seated, is surrounded by, from left, Melvin Hollowell, corporation counsel, City of Detroit, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Judge Denise Page Hood and Judge Craig Strong. – Alisha Dixon photos

The Hon. Damon J. Keith hosts 30th annual Soul Food Luncheon

By Alisha Dixon

A who’s who list of politicians, celebrities, judges, entrepreneurs and more were in attendance Thursday, Feb. 23, as the Hon. Damon J. Keith hosted his 30th annual Soul Food Luncheon to commemorate 30 years of lifting up and celebrating local African Americans.

Judge Keith said this year’s event, held at the United States Sixth Circuit Appeals, had the largest turnout ever. Attendees convened in Judge Keith’s chamber to get a glimpse of his extensive collection of AfricanAmerican art and to take photos with him.

Luncheon guests included Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, among others. Also in attendance were at least two dozen of Judge Keith’s current and former law clerks who traveled from all over the country to honor him.

Mayor Duggan gave remarks at the luncheon and spoke of first meeting Keith while still a law student to being sworn in by the legendary judge.

“It’s hard for me to even believe I’m here. Damon Keith was my hero,” Duggan said. You can imagine the honor for me to have the man I grew up looking up to swear me in.”

For the past 30 years, the annual luncheon has honored many great leaders including civil rights icon Rosa Parks and Juanita Moore, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History president and CEO, and former Detroit mayor

­Coleman A. Young.

honored, people I deeply respect.”

This year, Judge Craig Strong of the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan was honored with the coveted Soul Food Humanitarian Award for his continuous work in the community.

His legacy of leadership and success in law he credits to the strong foundation laid by his parents. Before becoming a judge, Strong served in the United States Navy as commander and judge advocate general.

Early on in his career, Strong believed that practicing law was a part of a larger obligation.

“Judge Strong is an outstanding judge and has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, as well as serving as president of both the Wolverine Bar Association and the Association of Black Judges of Michigan,” Judge Keith said.

Strong, visibly emotional, said he was surprised and overjoyed by receiving this honor from his mentor, Judge Keith.

“It’s a great honor,” he said, “because I’ve attended these luncheons throughout the years, and probably know all the people Judge Keith’s

“When you think about black history, it’s the courts that shaped the African-American experience and corrected past wrongs. And in that way, they’ve shaped America,” Strong said.

“Most of the defendants who come before me are young, high school dropouts without skills or visions of what they could become. Their role models aren’t exactly the most positive. That’s one reason I think there’s so much recidivism.”

Detroit Regional Workforce Fund creates careers for Detroiters The Detroit Regional Workforce Fund was created in 2010 to connect unemployed and underemployed individuals with skills training that will connect them to a career path leading to secure, well-paying jobs that meet the workforce needs of employers and the larger community.

college and get a degree in project engineering. After graduating, he or she enjoys a lifetime career as a project engineer.

That person stepped onto and off of the career pathway in a different place than the small business owner. Or, perhaps, while training to become an electrician, a person develops an interest and expertise in community building projects that spur economic development, such as affordable housing, and makes that the focus of his or her work. These are but three instances of how one can step on and off the Access for All pathway in exploring a variety of exciting career opportunities.

The DRWF invests in demand-driven training initiatives and leads collaborative efforts with other organizations in a wide variety of industries. One of its outstanding initiatives is Access for All. Access for All is for residents of the city of Detroit. It offers free, nine-week training with a curriculum designed to prepare students for pre-apprenticeship in the construction trades, such as bricklayer, carpenter, electrician or cement mason.

The success of Access for All is due to the innovative partnership with the building and construction trades, labor unions, contractors, Michigan Resources Development, Inc. (HRDI), a training organization, and many other community-based partners and workforce development organizations, including the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund.

More than 80 percent of Access for All participants graduate from the program. Gradu-

ates gain certification and enter apprenticeship programs that lead to long-term careers. Best of all, at a time when Detroit is seeing significant growth in well-paying careers, Access for All puts it students on the path to securing and keeping one of those much-sought-after construction careers that offers family-sustaining wages.

As the term “career path-

way” implies, the training and learning opportunities offered through Access for All lead not just to jobs, but to careers.

Once someone steps onto the pathway to training in the construction trades, a whole new world of previously-unconsidered opportunities may open up.

For example, a person with a truck and a toolbox may

have a passion for electrical work. With the right training and experience, that person becomes a pre-apprentice, an apprentice, then a journey-level worker and, eventually, a small business owner.

That owner successfully has traveled one career pathway thanks to the initial pre-apprenticeship training. Another person, after training as an electrician, may decide he or she wants to go to

Eligibility for the next Access for All class, which begins on April 17, requires that an applicant be at least 18-years-old and an unemployed or underemployed resident of the city of Detroit with a valid Michigan driver’s license. To apply for the class starting on April 17, call 313.736.5290 or go to www.accessforalldetroit.com.

Access for All is funded by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund (DRWF). The DRWF is a public-private workforce funders’ collaborative and is housed at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, which is also one of its investors and serves as the fiscal agent.

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Detroit Mental Health Agency opens dental clinic in its headquarters

New leadership From page B-1 Medicine and completed an emergency medicine residency at Kings County Hospital Center/SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. There she served as a chief resident.

Dr. Khaldun also earned an MPH and fellowship in health policy from George Washington University.

What does a mental health agency in the city of Detroit and a mobile dental clinic have in common? Normally nothing, but New Center Community Services partnering with Dental Care Mobile has opened a dental clinic inside of the mental health agency located on the west side of the city for those they currently serve as well as individuals and families in neighboring communities. Opened on Feb. 6, NCCS began offering complete dental and referral services. Delta Dental and Medicaid Dental benefits are accepted.

Before working with the DHD, Khaldun served as the chief medical officer and assistant commissioner for clinical services for the Baltimore City Health Department where she was the senior advisor to the Baltimore City Health Commissioner. In that role, she created youth wellness initiatives, violence prevention programs and strategies to prevent opioid abuse and overdose. Dr. Khaldun was also responsible for leading the Office of Epidemiology, a complex laboratory and seven health department clinics.

Headquartered in the City of Detroit, New Center Community Services is a private non-profit community mental health center committed to providing and promoting quality behavioral health services in a caring and safe environment.

This commitment is reaffirmed daily by more than 150 employees, including psychiatrists, professional mental health workers, certified peer support specialists, and nurses.

Founded in 1979, NCCS has five locations and offers more than 5,400 children and adults a full-spectrum of mental health services ranging from highly intensive and complex therapeutic and medicinal interventions to low-intensity socialization and support programs. Accredited

by The Joint Commission since the 1987, New Center Community Services is also recognized by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services as a Certified Community Mental Health Center.

NCCS stands up for mental health by working to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and helping more individuals receive comprehensive treatments.

President and CEO, New Center Community Services Joy Calloway and Detroit city council woman, District , Mary Sheffield

Potential Detroit school closings to be discussed at NSO Female Empowerment Breakfast Youth leaders from Neighborhood Service Organization’s Youth Initiatives Project will host its annual Female Empowerment Breakfast, Thursday, March 9, at The Matrix Center in Detroit.

The purpose of the youth-driven event is to support the young females in overcoming challenges and to encourage them to make a difference in their communities.

Up to 120 YIP youth, ages 11 to 18, from Durfee Middle School and the Osborn University Campus are expected to attend.

This year, the focus and theme of the breakfast, as chosen by students, is “Finding Self Worth and Embracing Hidden Talents.” This topic will lead the

Page B-2

young ladies into discussions about how to measure self-worth and find their “hidden” talents, as well as becoming empowered to take a stronger stand on social justice issues, such as the current threat of school closings in Detroit and the need for quality, equitable education.

Leading the breakfast as master of ceremonies will be Arielle Johnson, founder of Female Icons Encouraging Real Concepts of Empowerment, a nonprofit providing females of all ages with the tools and resources that will encourage and empower them to reach their full potential as self-sufficient women. YIP youth also will hear from Detroit

City Councilmember Janeé L. Ayers, who will serve as keynote speaker.

The YIP consumers will be joined by approximately 20 female leaders from the local faith, business and civic community.

These women will serve as role models for the girls, listening to and supporting them with the goal of reinforcing the importance of education, preparing for the future and overcoming challenges such as peer pressure, mental illness and substance abuse issues.

NSO’s YIP program encourages youth activism and peer-topeer collaboration as a means of

improving the capacity of neighborhood and community organizations. YIP’s training provides youth leaders with the skills to plan and organize activities that promote wellbeing and success in life. YIP members plan and organize activities designed toward preventing gun violence and substance abuse in our communities. Many YIP-trained peer educators are emerging leaders in the community, making a positive impact on young lives.

Khaldun, an Ann Arbor native, credits her parents, both from Detroit, for creating an educational foundation and passion for the city of Detroit that she believes has been the key to her success and source of passion for the city.

“Even though, I can’t say I’m officially from Detroit, I’m a Detroiter at heart. I’m very connected to this city. My parents are from Detroit and they instilled in me a great sense of responsibility and commitment to my community,” she said.

YIP is funded by The Skillman Foundation, Wayne County Child Care Fund and The MGM Resorts Foundation.

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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Page B-3

Alliance awaits President’s Executive Order on HBCUs Loretta Parham, CEO and Director of the Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library, cautiously awaits President Donald Trump’s new executive order on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. According to media reports, Trump will issue an executive order soon making HBCUs a priority.

“HBCUs certainly deserve the recognition and attention of the White House,” says Parham. “I am encouraged that there is conversation surrounding our imprint in education. It’s also important to note that the mark of a great institution is the strength of its library. It is the nucleus to learning on campus, and we should be included in the dialogue.”

Black WOMEN Rock! REBEL WOMEN

Celebrating 13 Years of Incredible Performances and Conversations Detroit, MI--For the past 13 years, Black WOMEN Rock! has been an authentic musical, cultural and social event that brings together amazing rock and roll goddesses for one night of memorable performances. A multi-generational experience, the show is a beautiful and necessary response to the diminished presence of women in music concerts and music education.

“Black women are underrepresented in rock music and culture, yet our contributions are innumerable,” says founder jessica CARE moore.

This year, the theme is Black WOMEN Rock REBEL WOMEN. Timed perfectly for the current social climate, Black WOMEN Rock celebrates and challenges women to resist. “This year’s event is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion,” moore says, “The rebellion highlighted the social and economic conditions of the city and was a key moment in the civil rights movement.” After the election of a president who has demonstrated extremism, sexism, and racism the need for Rebel Women to stand up and lead is key.

Black WOMEN Rock REBEL WOMEN will again return to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History on Saturday, March 18 at 8pm. This year’s performers include Tamar-kali, Navasha Daya, Jessie Wagner, Steffanie Christ’ian, Zakiya Harris, jessica CARE moore, Divinity Roxx and many more.

After a night of rocking out, all Black WOMEN Rock REBEL WOMEN performers plus a sister fire circle of thinkers, artists, and healers will again gather for a discussion about radical healing,

Tickets for Black WOMEN Rock REBEL WOMEN are $40 and available at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. For more information, visit blackwomenrock.com.

A city-wide student vision care program, sponsored in part by the Detroit Pistons Foundation, celebrated providing its 1,000th pair of glasses today at Ronald Brown Academy. Pistons Community Ambassador Earl Cureton, Foundation Vice Chairman Arn Tellem, and City of Detroit Health Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun helped 49 students try on their glasses for the first time. Each student received a vision screening from the Detroit Health Department, then a free eye exam and glasses from Vision To Learn (VTL), a national non-profit devoted to providing access to vision care for children in low-income communities.

The project kicked off in October, with a goal of serving students city-wide over the next two years. Since then mobile vision clinics have visited thirty Detroit Public Schools Community District and charter elementary schools. All told, the program is expected to provide 5,000 students eyeglasses this year.

“I’m thrilled to see this program already making such a major impact,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun. “Through this partnership, we are eliminating a major educational hurdle for students all over the city. This program connects the dots so that kids who need glasses, get glasses. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn.”

Stanley Johnson appeared in an official Detroit Pistons PSA encouraging kids to wear and care for their new glasses. “I get an eye exam every year and wear my glasses,” said Mr. Johnson, “You should too.”

“HBCU Libraries play a critical role as the center of the academic experience, supporting the career aspirations of students in all fields,” says Parham, who was awarded the 2017 Academic/ Research Librarian of the Year. “We support the humanities which protect and preserve the history and legacy of individuals and institutions. We also contribute to the STEM fields by ensuring current materials are available in traditional formats and in open access, giving students and faculty ad-

Under Parham’s leadership the library was awarded the 2016 ACRL Excellence in Academic Libraries Award, the first time that a HBCU

Library received this national honor. “Receiving this award was a stamp of recognition that the programs we offer compete with what top ten universities and Ivy leagues are offering as well.”

Titans ready for Motor City Madness The University of Detroit Mercy men’s and women’s basketball teams are preparing for #MotorCityMadness this week. The men will be the seventh seed and open play against 10th-seeded Milwaukee on Friday, while the women will be the third seed and play sixth-seeded Cleveland State Vikings on Sunday at Noon, all at Joe Louis Arena.

Both games will see familiar ties in the coaching staff. The men’s game will pit two former Michigan assistants going at it in Bacari Alexander ‘99 and LaVall Jordan for bragging

rights in the two coaches first season at their respective institutions.

On the women’s side, the game features second-year head coach Bernard Scott going against the team he spent the previous five seasons coaching for in the Vikings and head coach Kate Peterson Abiad. The two sides also split this season, with each winning at home.

Wednesday – Women Off, Men 3-5:30 Thursday - Women 1-3, Men TBA (will practice at Calihan Hall and allotted 30-minute time at Joe Louis Arena.

We are looking for Team Players for Metro Detroit children

What about you?

Become a Team Member with the VIP Mentoring Program as we support our area youth.

Take the Challenge Today!

Are you at least 21 years of age? Do you have 1-2 hours a week to volunteer?

Become a Team Member to a young person between the ages of 7-18 years old.

For more information call the VIP Office At 313-964-1110 ext. 110 or Visit our website www.vipmentoring.org.

radical institution building, and radical art in a time of spiritual war. “This conversation is the foundation of our Black WOMEN Rock event,” moore explains, “We need to tell our stories, and share our collective wisdom now more than ever!” The Black WOMEN Rock REBEL WOMEN Sister Fire Circle will also take place at the Wright Museum on Sunday, March 19 at 1pm. This event is FREE.

Detroit Pistons’ Vision to Learn Program provides 1,000 pairs of glasses to students

“As a glasses-wearer myself, I know how important good vision is at school – and on the basketball court,” said Mr. Tellem. “It’s great to see all of these kids getting the help they need to be superstars at school.”

Parham is the co-founder of the HBCU Library Alliance, a consortium that provides resources to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their constituents.

She is also the CEO of the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library which serves more than 8,000 students and faculty for Atlanta’s four HBCUs; Clark Atlanta University, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

vanced access to critical research findings.”

Internet for just $10 a month The digital world is full of possibilities. AT&T is making it easier to connect to friends, family, and the things that matter most. If at least one person in your household is a SNAP* participant, you may qualify for 10Mbps home Internet service at our discounted $10 per month rate.** There’s NO commitment, NO deposit and NO installation fee.

Plus, get access to the entire national AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spot network – INCLUDED at no extra cost.†

Other eligibility requirements apply.

"Vision To Learn is proud to serve students in the City of Detroit, and delighted to partner with the Pistons Foundation," said Ann Hollister, Executive Director of Vision To Learn. “There’s nobody better than Pistons superstars to show our kids that wearing their glasses is cool."

Visit att.com/qualify for complete information and to apply.

Or call 1-877-751-0288

According to the Detroit Health Department, disadvantaged children are less likely to see an eye care professional as parents may have barriers to care and access to treat their child’s vision issues.

In Detroit, 17 percent of children screened by the Detroit Health Department's vision program fail the screening and need an eye-exam, but only 2 percent report follow-up for eye exams.

This effort is of great importance for Detroit students with vision problems because they tend to have lower academic performances, which can lead to lower life expectancy, worse health outcomes, and lower employment earnings.

For more information, please visit visiontolearn.org, e-mail mail@visiontolearn.org or call (800) 485-9196.

*Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. **Available only in the AT&T 21-state wireline footprint. Slower speeds (5Mbps for $10/month or 3Mbps or less for $5/month) may be provided depending on availability at your address. Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds. Actual customer speeds may vary based on factors including site traffic, content provider server capacity, internal network management factors and device capabilities, and are not guaranteed. Max speeds may not be realized if 2 or more HD shows viewed at same time. For more information, go to att.com/speed101. Pricing excludes taxes. Service will include a monthly data allowance of either 150GB, or 1TB of data/mo. depending on the type and speed of service you receive. If you exceed your monthly data plan allowance, you will be automatically charged $10 for each 50GB of data usage in excess of your data plan, even if less than 50 gigabytes is used. For more information, go to att.com/internet-usage. †Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. ©2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo, and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher

A Real Times Media Newspaper 479 Ledyard • Detroit, MI 48201

(313) 963-5522 e-mail: newsdesk@michronicle.com March 1-7, 2017

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CATHY NEDD Associate Publisher KEITH A. OWENS Senior Editor SAMUEL LOGAN Publisher 1933-2011

JOHN H. SENGSTACKE Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997 LONGWORTH M. QUINN Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

Congress must investigate Trump’s potential Russian ties

By Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.)

The endurance of our nation’s security, sovereignty, and democracy is not a partisan issue. This is a top concern for all Americans and should be a top priority for the leaders that we send to Washington, whether Democrat or Republican. As elected officials, my colleagues and I swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We, therefore, have a responsibility to do our due diligence in investigating Russian interference, and potential influRep. Bennie ence, into our Thompson democratic elections and the potential Russian ongoing connections within this current presidential administration.

Despite all of the evidence gathered thus far – evidence that has led all 17 of the U.S. intelligence agencies to conclude with confidence that the Russians had indeed interfered in the past election – the current administration seems unable or unwilling to put its full weight behind a full and proper investigation that seems necessary to the American people. In the face of evidence that campaign and administration officials seem to have had relationships with Russian officials, the president cannot simply move on from this issue. In fact, the resignation of National Security Advisor Michael Flynn this month seems to provide us with more questions than answers.

The potential conflicts between the Trump Administration and its apparent ties to Russia seem numerous. The president has refused to release his tax returns — a move not seen from any other modern major party candidate — leaving questions unanswered as to potential Russian business ties and conflicts of interest that President Trump was all too happy to gloat about in years past. The president is unable to criticize Russia and its dictator-like leader Vladimir Putin, but, instead, praises him and prefers him to President Obama. When confronted with the assertion that Putin has had journalists and political opponents killed, President Trump doubled down on his support of Putin by shock-

ingly asserting a moral equivalence between Russia and the United States.

The president’s ties to Russia don’t end with him, however, they trickle down into his administration. As in the campaign, President Trump continues to surround himself with advisers that have expansive and well-documented financial entanglements to Russia. Recently, “The New York Times” reported that phone records show Trump associates communicated with senior Russian intelligence officials throughout the campaign, including his former campaign chair Paul Manafort, who is known to have involvements in multimillion-dollar business deals with Putin allies in Ukraine. Additionally, Michael Flynn was forced to resign following information revealing that he had lied about privately discussing U.S sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office, a potentially illegal act. It has since been reported that White House officials were made aware of Flynn’s actions and made no effort to correct the record. It was only after leaks to the public that President Trump’s hand was forced, raising concerns regarding the ability of this White House to maintain honest and open communication with the American people.

This intricate web leaves us with critical questions that must be answered.

What did the President know and when?

Was the White House ignoring or covering up the truth and spreading misinformation? Did Flynn operate at the direction or the knowledge of the President and were others involved? The American people deserve to know the full extent of Russia’s financial, personal and political strings attached to President Trump and this administration.

Now more than ever, we need an independent, bipartisan commission to fully investigate Russia’s interference in the election and any potential Trump campaign ties to the Kremlin. ed national security experts that were not elected officials. Such a commission is not only necessary in order to ensure our security, but to restore trust in this administration and in the democratic process.

All Democratic members of the House of Representatives, along with one Republican, have co-sponsored this critical bipartisan legislation.

The American people deserve transparency and peace of mind when it comes to their elected leadership.

The art of the deal: President Trump loves confusion and chaos

By Roger Caldwell

(NNPA Newswire Columnist)

In politics, I have been told that you pick your battles, but President Donald Trump has a different theory. He has decided to fight everyone that does not agree with his opinion, and it’s probably the worst way that he could have started his administration.

There are over 600 administrative positions that must be filled, and staffers who have been hired are having meetings in the dark, because they don’t know how to turn on the lights.

There are leaks coming from aides Roger Caldwell who are questioning if the top staff understands the processes of the White House and/or the federal government.

“While the administration tries to exude confidence and sure-footedness in its opening weeks, it has made multiple embarrassing public stumbles,” wrote David Ferguson of “Raw Story,” who went on to quote an article from the New York Times: “The bungled rollout of his executive order barring immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries, a flurry of other miscues and embarrassments, and an approval rating lower than that of any comparable first-term president in the history of polling has Mr. Trump and his top staff rethinking an improvisational approach to governing that mirrors his chaotic presidential campaign, administration officials and Trump insiders said.”

At this point, Trump’s most significant political setback in his new administration is the 9th Circuit Court ruling against reinstating the president’s travel ban. The unanimous ruling from a three-judge panel means that citizens of seven majority-Muslim countries will be

Is Farrakhan still black people’s messenger?

To answer the question posed by Mr. Keith Owens in his article, yes, Farrakhan is still the messenger, not just for black people but for all people. God never sends a messenger just for a particular people. He sends a man to uplift those who have been put down by society but once that people are raised, they are to be the example and leaders for all people to come back to the path of God. We all can bear witness that this world has sunk so low that it appears as though there never was a prophet or Byron Muhammad messenger that appeared on this earth. Whenever God sends a man or woman he sends them with one message and one message only — to give good news and to give warning.

The contemporaries of their time were the ones who criticized the men of God in their midst. It was the same with Moses, Jesus and Muhammad.

The cry of all these great men was, come out of a behavior that has earned them the displeasure of God. Did the people of their time agree with those men? No, most did not and not only disagreed with them but ridiculed them.

They could not see that God had sent them a man for their own liberation from the hands of a wicked system that was in existence during their time. This wicked system was born out of wicked people. Those great prophets were not only ridiculed but were marked for death by those they were sent to save. We can’t imagine in our time that we would have been those who said to the authorities, “Crucify Jesus!”

What does this have to do with Min. Louis Farrakhan? Mr. Owens, in his article, raised the question, “Depending on one’s views of Farrakhan, consistency of message can either be the mark of divine seer or the flaw in a message — and

By Lauren Victoria Burke (NNPA Newswire Contributor)

There are two subjects in particular that the Trump administration lies about the most: crime and voting.

Trumps immediate response was an angry tweet: “See you in court, the security of our nation is at stake!”

During a recent interview on “This Week” with George Stephanopoulos, President Trump’s senior advisor, Stephen Miller, lied about voter fraud during the 2016 elections.

Instead of presenting evidence to explain the need for the executive order, Trump’s legal team came to the hearing unprepared. This is significant, because it raises questions about how his other executive orders will be defended in court, as lawyers across the nation begin to file lawsuits.

An environment of chaos is not new for Trump, and he appears to thrive on disorder. During the campaign, then- Republican presidential candidate promised that he would drain the swamp and now people are watching it happen every day.

Trump, the reality TV star, loves confusion, and believes chaos produces the sort of results he likes.

“Read any of those stories and the word ‘chaos’ jumps to mind. Or ‘turmoil.’

Or ‘dissension.’ All of them convey the same thing: “Less than three weeks into his presidency there is a knife fight happening daily among Trump’s top aides.” wrote Chris Cillizza for “The Fix,” a politics blog for “The Washington Post.”

Then National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign after it was reported that he had contact with Russian officials after the election.

Trump’s Labor Secretary pick Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration for the post amidst decades-old domestic abuse claims, which his wife later recanted, and shortage of support among Republican senators.

The West Wing is basically empty, and there are small cracks of disappointment and disapproval with the dysfunction of the administration.

Moses was sent to a people and his message was, come out of Egypt because God wanted to give them a land of their own. Muhammad was sent to a people who were steeped in sin. His message was come out of that behavior; however, eventually he had to go to a separate land. Jesus was sent to humanity and his promise was/is a separate place for the righteous called the kingdom of God. All people will not be accepted in that kingdom. Why? Because they refuse to evolve with the man named Jesus. God’s message never changes no matter the time or season. So, is God flawed? So, all of those great men had similar messages for the people of their time.

So, is Min. Farrakhan still the messenger for black people? Yes and no. He is the messenger for all people.

Trump and senior aide are lying about voter fraud

able to continue travel to and from the U.S., despite Trump’s executive order last month.

So, now Trump’s top staff will hold numerous meetings trying to determine how they can circumvent the Circuit Court’s decision and fall further behind in organizing the administration.

messenger — that has refused to evolve.”

He only elaborated on a flaw in the message and the messenger hypothesis. As a journalist, if you raise two views both views must be explored in your writings. This he did not accomplish. I believe that is a flaw in his message and a flaw in the messenger. We don’t say Min. Farrakhan is a seer, we say that he is a guided man, guided by the God of the universe. One only has to listen to Min. Farrakhan’s warning to this wicked government and to the people of America to see if what he warned them against has come to pass. I will give just recent proof but there is more. Min. Farrakhan has warned that the weather will start to get worse and worse if the warning was not heeded. He gave this recent warning in 2012. Since 2012, America has seen the worst year of natural disasters every year. Each year is worst than the previous year in regards to severity and cost.

The recent tornados that tore through the South have killed more people in that time span than all of 2016! This is no joke or laughing matter. The survival of an entire nation is at stake here and making mockery of Min. Farrakhan will not stop this. It will only get worse.

Miller said, “And you have 14 percent of non-citizens, according to academic research, at a minimum, are registered to vote, which is an astonishing statistic.”

That statement is simply false. Miller couldn’t Lauren Victoria Burke produce a single shred of evidence when Stephanopoulos pressed him on the subject.

But Miller was just repeating what his boss said shortly before the election.

At a rally in Cleveland on October 23, 2016, presidential candidate Donald Trump said, “Fourteen percent of non-citizens are registered to vote.”

President Trump entered office lying about voter fraud and threatening an investigation. Civil rights leaders have called for an investigation of voter suppression during the 2016 presidential election. More recently, the lying crossed over into the topic of an increased “crime wave” that doesn’t exist. Now, the lies about a vast American crime wave and record levels of illegal voting seem to be coming together.

On January 23, during a meeting with members of Congress and the White House, President Trump lied about voting again. Trump and Miller, who was sent out on all the Sunday morning talk shows on February 12, appear to be lying for two reasons. First, Trump can’t come to terms with the fact that Hillary Clinton received almost three million more votes than he did, and second, the

Trump administration would appear to be laying the groundwork to justify a new law that would make it harder for people to vote, particularly minorities.

Trump’s attorney general, former Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions had a history of prosecuting African Americans, who were registering too many other African Americans to vote as an assistant U.S. Attorney. Having provided no explanation or apology for his past prosecutions, particularly that of the late Albert Turner Sr., there’s no reason to believe that Sessions won’t pick up where he left off in Alabama in the 1970s.

Even though Sessions’ past statements and actions as a prosecutor in Alabama are clear, the public perception of Sessions the man is mixed.

Turner’s son, Albert Turner, Jr., issued a statement endorsing Sessions that said, “I believe that he is someone with whom I, and others in the civil rights community, can work if given the opportunity.”

Still, American history of the disenfranchisement of African American (and other minority) voters is also clear. In the late 1800s, it was a poll tax, literacy tests and other requirements that black voters were unlikely to meet. Today it’s voter ID, closing polling places, cutting Sunday voting and purging voting rolls.

The continued strategy used by present day Republicans is still the “Southern Strategy” — they’ve just added Hispanics to the list of targets. The Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids started only two days after Attorney General Sessions was sworn in.

“The crackdown on illegal criminals is merely the keeping of my campaign promise. Gang members, drug dealers and others are being removed!” Trump tweeted on February 12.

Republicans have lost the popular vote over two presidential elections since 2000. The demographics in the country are becoming more black and brown and researchers estimate that the share of white voters will fall a few percentage points every four years.

Donald Trump, Stephen Miller and many others in the Republican Party are well aware of the math.

community

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Page B-5

Breast cancer survivor writes book to help others cope with their diagnosis In 2010, Margin Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. The diagnosis inspired her to write her book, “It’s Not the End of the World: Life Lessons of a Breast Cancer Survivor,” with the purpose to encourage others who have experienced or are experiencing a similar illness. Wilson was inspired to write her book from the words she heard after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“I’m sorry, dear, you have cancer.”

“It felt like my world had ended,” Wilson explained. “I want to share my story of what I went through with others who might get that same diagnosis. I want others to know how I dealt with it.

Also, in going through that period in my life, it made me a better person.”

Wilson credits her faith in God for getting her through that devastating phone call at work from her nurse.

“From the onset, when I got the call at work, I needed his strength to

help me through that Monday morning. He sent coworkers to give me comfort and encouragement; He put scriptures in my heart, specifically Psalm 46:1, ‘God is my refuge and strength a very present help in trouble’; and my family sent up prayers, and also my church family.”

that maybe your experience could be a blessing to someone else.”

She met the woman who would become the publisher of her book by chance during a church ministry class.

The love and support of her family was a great source of strength that she needed to carry on.

“My family support was awesome. My husband and daughter were with me during two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation. My two sons would always give me support and encouragement, such as, ‘It’s going to be okay Mom’; my brothers and sisters threw me a surprise party to keep my spirits up during chemo,” Wilson said.

Her oldest son, Walter Wilson Jr., expressed what it was like to watch his mother go through recovery.

“I attended a few doctor appointments and a chemo session during her treatment. I just tried to

Margin Wilson keep the faith and believe that everything would work out. Seeing her deal with it wasn’t easy, but she was so strong, so it gave me a peace to go about my daily life.”

what I was feeling that day or what happened the week before. Before I knew it, I had written about my whole experience. God let me know

“I met my publisher, Christina Dixon, through a ministry called Scribes for Christ (for aspiring writers) held at my church, Greater Grace Temple. The ministry would meet the second Saturday of every month,” she said. “Christina happened to be one of our guest speakers one particular Saturday and introduced herself to us at that time.”

When it came to creating the title of her book, it was a creative process.

lisher came up with the title during a question and answer conversation. Christina asked me, ‘What’s one thing you would tell someone about your cancer experience?’ I told her I would tell them, ‘It’s not the end of the world.’ She said, “Stop right there, that’s your book title!”

Wilson has advice for others who are currently coming to terms with their illness. “1. Put God first 2. Have the support of family and friends. 3.

Get your annual mammogram. 4. Be a testimony to others. 5. Stay positive, always have hope.”

Margin Wilson’s book is priced at $10 and can be purchased at www.

MarginWilson.com.

“Myself and my pub-

It took her from March to December of 2010 to recover from the cancer.

Her book began as a journal. On the days that she felt great during her recovery, she would sit down with pen and paper in hand.

“I would write about

Karmanos Cancer Institute, WSU receive grant to conduct study of factors affecting African Americans with cancer The Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine will launch the nation’s largest study of African American cancer survivors to better understand disproportionately high incidence and mortality from cancer and its impact on this specific patient population.

The study is being funded with a five-year, $9 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Principal investigators Ann G. Schwartz, Ph.D., M.P.H., professor and deputy center director, and Terrance Albrecht, Ph.D., professor and associate director for population sciences

at Karmanos and Wayne State, will lead the research.

Drs. Schwartz and Albrecht say the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (Detroit ROCS) study will include 5,560 cancer survivors to better understand major factors affecting cancer progression, recurrence, mortality and quality of life in African-American cancer survivors.

African Americans continue to experience disproportionately higher cancer incidence rates than other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. They are also diagnosed with more ad-

vanced-stage disease and experience higher cancer mortality rates than other groups.

“Disparities in cancer survivorship that disproportionately burden African Americans are the product of the complex interactions occurring among genetic and biological factors and social, behavior and environmental factors,” Dr. Schwartz said. “It is crucial that we better understand why African Americans are often diagnosed with cancer at higher rates and why survival after that diagnosis is lower than in other populations.”

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Page B-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 1-7, 2017 w

2017 Women of Excellence Honorees Adrana Jones, Postmaster, United States Post Office - Southfield Alisa Berry Brown, Deputy Superintendence, River Rouge Public Schools Amanda Ward, Senior Associate, Plante Moran Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, Director of Community Initiatives, UAW Ford Anika Jackson, Jackson Asset Management Anquinette Mosley, Psychologist, Black Family Development Barbara J. Patton, Area Director, United Negro College Fund Bridget Leonard, Director of Nursing Office Operations, DMC Rehabilitation institute Brittany Merritt, Executive Director Metro Vice President, American Heart Association Cecelia Walker, Director, Butzel Family Center Celeste Williams, M.D., Medical Director, Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical, HFHS Cheryl Johnson, CEO, COTS Crystal Windham, Director of Design – Cadillac Interiors, General Motors Debra Napier, Campus College Chair, University of Phoenix Deirdre Young, Vice President for Health and Equity, United Way of SEM Dianne Cottle, Genanscot Services Donna L. Bell, Global Product Development Quality Manager, Ford Motor Company Dr. Tanya Martin, Clinical Psychologist, Apex Behavioral Health, PLLC Elect Lady Bonita Shelby First Lady, Burning Bush Int’l Ministries and SW5 Jurisdiction COGIC Erica Jordan, Senior Vice President, Comerica Bank Gina Smith-Gallant, Attorney, The Auto Club Group Grenae Dudley, President & CEO, The Youth Connection, Inc. Jackie Parker, Director, Global Corporate Giving, General Motors & President, GM Foundation Jennifer Wheeler, Founder & CEO, Michigan Training Center on the Abuse and Trauma of Children Kedra Ishop, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, University of Michigan Kelly Jones, Owner/CEO, Goodness Gracious Kendra Pack, CEO, Bloomfield Real Estate Group Kiko Davis, Major Stockholder, First Independence Bank Kimberly Gill, Co-Anchor, Local 4 News Lauren Clayborne, Director of Community Relations, Detroit Lions Lashanda Thomas, CEO, Clairmont Group Loretta Morman, First Lady/Church Administrator, Christian Tabernacle Lysa Davis, CEO, Compliance and Community Consultants Marilyn Horn, President & CEO, Van Dyke Horn Public Relations Agency Melanca Clark, President & CEO, Hudson-Webber Foundation Michelle Alexander, Diversity Marketing Manager, General Motors Michelle Reaves, Executive Director, DAPCEP Monica Briggins, Owner, Detroit Bailbondsmen Monique Parnell-Phifer, Regional Vice President, BriovaRx Specialty Pharmacy Pamela Farris, Chief Academic Officer, Cornerstone Schools Rian Barnhill, Director of Marketing, EAA Shaniece Bennett, Managing Principal, Owner, Accutrak Consulting and Accounting Services Sharon Robinson, Principal, Detroit Public Schools Sharon L. Harris, President/Founder, Lupus Detroit Silverenia Q. Kanoyton, Ed.D, Director, King-Chavez-Parks 45 and MICUP Initiatives, Co-Principal Wayne State University Sonya Mays, President & CEO, Develop Detroit Susan Gunn, Dean of the College of Urban Education, Davenport University Takisha Harper, Director Privacy & Security Risk Management, HFHS Tonia Williams, CEO, Universal Special Events, Inc. Velton Robinson, DDS, Owner, Smile Connections Wendy Turner Lewis, CEO, Law Offices of Wendy Turner Lewis MICHIGAN

CHRONICLE

Friday, March 24, 2017 • MGM Grand Detroit Hotel Tickets: $85 • Table: $850 • Corporate Table: $1,500 To purchase a table or for sponsorships please call 313-963-5522

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SECTION C

BUSINESS Powered by Real Times Media

michiganchronicle.com

March 1-7, 2017

Divas and Dorks: All things fashion, tech and entertainment

By Alisha Dixon Media Mogul and new media pioneer Christie Rochon is the creator and founder of DivasandDorks.com, a place for all things fashion, technology and entertainment. Rochon created DivasandDorks.com in 2009 while in her own quest to find a site that appealed to all of her interests. The site, she said, is a one-stop shop for people interested in fashion, technology and entertainment, a space that didn’t exist before Divas and Dorks.

“When I first decided to launch DivasandDorks.com, there were a lot of naysayers because at the time there were a lot of fashion blogs and celebrity blogs. Those were the type of blogs that were successful,” Rochon said.

“I created DivsandDorks.com because there were no other sites that shared that type of subjects that catered to the type of interests that I had.

Honestly, it just came out of if nobody else was doing it, well, I guess I have to.”

Madison Madison International A Detroit legacy of black business empowerment

By Pamela Hilliard Owens Special to the Chronicle

This week, our special Legacy Entrepreneur is Sharon Madison, owner of Madison Madison International, an architectural firm founded by her father and uncle, and the only woman to own her own building in downtown Detroit, the Julian L. Madison Building.

Pamela Hilliard Owens: Welcome Sharon, and thank you so much for joining us.

Sharon Madison: Hi, Pam. Thank you so much for inviting me.

James Madison was the first black engineer registered in the state of Ohio.

He graduated in that first class of engineers at Howard University back in 1922, and my grandfather was a very brilliant person.

Christie Rochon Creating this space allowed Rochon to build a platform to tap into a niche audience of like-minded people, especially people of color interested in technology, entertainment and fashion.

Rochon was one of the first women of color to create this kind of content.

“It came down to fulfilling a niche. It wasn’t because women of color weren’t interested in this kind of content. It was because there was no platform that spoke to directly to them,” Rochon said.

Rochon’s interest in technology began in her childhood through the support of family and educational programs like the Detroit Area Pre-Engineering Program. She credits her time at DAPCEP as her first introduction to STEM and it was this experience that laid the foundation for DivasandDorks. com.

“Even though, I realized early on that I wasn’t interested in a 9 to 5 behind a desk every day. I knew that whatever I did would involve STEM. DivasandDorks.com is the best of both worlds.”

This year, Rochon will officially launch StemSell, a mentorship program for girls 7-17 and 18-25 for professional young women working in their careers.

The program, Rochon said, “will cultivate young women interested in science, engineering, technology and math

See DIVAS AND DORKS Page C-2

Women’s History Month

However, that was before blacks were supposed to be engineers, so he couldn’t get a job as an engineer. He basically taught mathematics and coached football teams at black colleges around the country.

My father had four sons and my father was his second son. My father was also an engineer and he was born in Selma, Alabama when he was teaching at Selma University.

My grandfather moved his family eventually to Cleveland, Ohio where he took the civil service exam. Scored the highest score that anyone had ever scored on the exam. However again, black people weren’t supposed to be engineers, so they made him foreman of dirt streets. A lot of my motivation is really about my grandfather and the fact that he fought so hard to practice his chosen profession, but was not allowed to do so.

PO: Right, right. tell us about how Madison Madison International was first in Ohio and then moved to Detroit.

SM: As I said, my grandparents had four sons. The oldest son, Robert P. Madison, is an architect. My father, Julian, is an engineer. Their fourth and youngest son, Bernard, was also an architect and the third son, Stanley, was

Sharon Madison in the lobby of her downtown building in front of a picture of her father, the late Julian C. Madison, for whom the building is named. — Monica Morgan photos supposed to be a minister because my grandmother said they needed somebody to pray over all of these folks, but he became a physician, and so my father and my uncle started the firm in Cleveland, Ohio back in 1954.

Their first work was designing churches and they were members of the AME Church, so they designed a lot of AME Churches, including St. John’s here in Detroit, but later they moved around the country doing church design. Then expanded the company base and eventually did housing, air-

ports, all kinds of infrastructure, water and wastewater treatment, et cetera, and so that was really the model. Detroit, among other cities, at one time they were probably in about 12 cities around the country and had worked also in the Caribbean and West Africa.

PO: What were some of the challenges with starting the business, with getting involved? Not just only with your father, but with yourself in the beginning. I know we spoke about your being the only woman downtown to own a

See SHARON MADISON Page C-2

Youth Career Center helps connect Detroit youth with jobs and training Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, along with workforce development officials and other community stakeholders have announced a new initiative to support Detroit youth ages 16-24 who are not currently working or attending school.

The Youth Career Center in southwest Detroit will help reach thousands of these “Opportunity Youths” and help them develop a path to a career through education, training and paid work experiences.

Most youth in Detroit are on one of three tracks; they are in school, working or neither.

The Youth Career Center, made possible by a joint initiative of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation and SER Metro Detroit, will help assist many of the estimated 25,000 youth living in Detroit who are neither in school or employed.

“The assistance provided at this Youth Career Center is another layer our community-wide effort to make sure our youth have access to the opportunity that now exists in Detroit,” said Mayor Duggan. “These are young people who for one reason or another had been

disengaged from the process. This new centers is their chance to get back in.”

Over the past three years, the city of Detroit has increased the number of Detroit youth getting summer jobs from about 2,500 to 8,000 through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent. The Youth Career Center will assist some of the city’s estimated 25,000 youth who are most disconnected from school and employment opportunities, many of whom are dealing with emotional trauma stemming from homelessness, the effects of crime or other issues.

While the Youth Career Center was established to assist youth ages 16-24, those who are 18-24 can still receive support at any DESC One Stop.

The funding for the YCC comes from a $2 million grant from the Department of Labor the city was awarded last fall.

Those funds are paying for focused community outreach to help identify underserved youth – including through homeless shelters, social networds and other support agencies – as well as for hiring specially trained staff to serve them.

Once an Opportunity Youth is identi-

very grateful to the U.S. Department of Labor for their support, and for the partnership of SER Metro in making this vital resource a reality.”

At the Youth Career Center, dedicated staff have experience with the life challenges youth may be facing and can work with them to plan their next steps, whether toward a career or further education.

fied, they will be assessed at the center and will work with staff on a path best suited to their current level of education or experience, goals and interests.

The center will also help young people obtain the necessary credentials for work including a high school diploma or equivalent and post-secondary certificates and degrees.

“This new Youth Career Center provides a vital year-round support for Detroit youth who are at a crossroads in their lives and need help choosing the right path” said DESC President and CEO, Nicole Sherard-Freeman. “We are

The center will also partner with a dozen youth-serving organizations already working in the city to provide career and education support. These partnerships will help build better strategies to get Detroit youth to focus on the finish line and find the career path that works best for them. YCC partners include: YCC partners include Neighborhood Service Organization, YMCA, Wayne County Community College District, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, and others.

The Youth Career Center is located next door to the existing DESC One-Stop at 9301 Michigan Avenue, and is open Mondayto Friday, 9am-5pm. Anyone with questions can call the center on 313-945-5200, ext. 4200.

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017

Page C-2

Pancakes and Politics returns This year marks the 12th year of the Michigan Chronicle’s signature event, Pancakes & Politics speakers forum series. The first forum of the season, titled “The Transformation of a City,” will take place on Thursday, March 16, 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., at the Detroit Athletic Club in downtown Detroit.

Sharon Madison

From page C-1

building. By the way, has there ever been another black woman to own a building?

SM: Yes, yes, maybe about five years after I bought my building, Pat Cole bought a building downtown.

PO: But prior to that was there anybody?

SM: Not that I’m aware of.

PO: Getting the building, getting the business going, just move forward, what are some of the things that you look back on that were kind of hard to get through?

SM: Yes, so when we first came to Detroit, it was really through Nicholas Hood, Nicholas Hood, Sr., who passed away last year, you know, a tremendous individual, and his legacy goes on through his sons.

Rev. Hood and my father and my uncle met at a convention and they were all pretty radical back in their day in terms of the church and in terms of business and how the commitment to black people as a whole needed to be resolved and all of it, including contracting and other kinds of work.

So that’s how we got to Detroit through Rev. Nicholas Hood. My father and my uncle, their story is so unique because when they came along and started practicing, they did so because again, they could not get hired as engineers or architects. Then when they started getting work, my father was a civil engineer and my uncle was an architect, they could not get other engineers to work for them.

My father then went back to school and became registered as a structural, was a civil engineer and a structural and

mechanical engineer, and actually was certified as a nuclear analyst.

PO: Wow. SM: My uncle studied electrical engineering so they could complete their work. Not being able to be hired, so that’s one of the reasons why they started their own firm, secondly they couldn’t get people to work for them, so that could be discouraging to a lot of people.

They said, “Okay fine. We’ll do this ourselves,” which is one of the reasons why the movie Hidden Figures is so warm to me, particularly the character that Octavia Spencer plays. You know, when she saw the changes coming, she prepared herself and then prepared other people to do the same.

PO: Exactly.

SM: So we started out doing churches and then as work started to expand, and affirmative action became sort of the law of the land, then they were able to subcontract to other firms, but because of, I think, the explosion of African Americans being elected to public office, particularly as mayors, they started locating in the cities where there were black mayors. First in Gary, Indiana and of course here in Detroit, and Atlanta.

These mayors gave them those opportunities and so in Gary, in Atlanta, that’s where they first started getting their first prime work, as prime contractors directly, and they performed very, very well.

Then here in Detroit, Coleman Young gave us the opportunity.

Pamela Hilliard Owens is CEO of Writing It Right For You, and hosts YB2C Live, a weekly podcast for small businesses and entrepreneurs. This interview is a transcript from a recent YB2C Live podcast.

The Michigan Chronicle is excited to announce that Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans will be the special guests. Moderating the first two panel discussions will be well-respected broadcast journalist Vickie Thomas, City Beat reporter, WWJ CBS Radio, and Dennis Archer, Jr., president & chief executive officer of Ignition Media Group.

Created in 2006, Pancakes & Politics has es-

tablished itself as the premier forum for discussing the business and economic issues affecting the entire metro Detroit region. The series brings together leading newsmakers in the business and government sectors to address topics most relevant to those invested in the state’s success.

The Michigan Chronicle Pancakes & Politics events are attended by local, state and federal elected officials, and business and community leaders from across the region, as well as a host of others who influence policy.

“The past 11 years of Pancakes & Politics have been hugely successful.

This year’s series will look at new issues that are affecting the region today. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum into 2017,”

Divas and Dorks

and in entrepreneurship.”

The unique audience that DivasandDorks.com was able to tap into and garner the attention of major advertisers like AT&T, Verizon, Ford and General Motors. Before DivasandDorks.com, many major advertisers did not seek to appeal to people of color due to the belief that they weren’t interested in technology.

“Divas and Dorks is more than just your ordinary website. We’re a community of writers, tipsters, geeks, techs, fashionistas, entertainment reporters and more at your service for the latest news that is important to you. Finally a site for men and women that not only care about the latest technology news and prod-

said Hiram E. Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle.

The annual speakers series is a sold- out affair.

For more information please call (313) 963- 8100.

At Your Service

COMPUTERS

Sales & Service

Willie Brake

From page C-1

ucts, but how it affects different aspects of everyday life,” the founder said.

“Divas and Dorks readers are intelligent and glamorous, enlightening and entertaining, not to mention friendly, fabulous and fun. If you love everything that’s fashionably chic yet extraordinarily geek, if you have an obsession with gadgets and fashion and all things fabulous, then this is the website for you.”

In the eight years since DivasandDorks.com was created, Rochon has been featured in Black Enterprise, Essence, The Root and Rolling Out magazines, among others.

For more information about Christie Rochon and Divas and Dorks, visit Divasanddorks.com.

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The Transformation of a City

Mayor Mike Duggan City of Detroit

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Section C-3

March 1 - 7, 2017

The Future Project empowers Detroit youth today

Pat Murray still believes in the power of children’s thoughts and dreams

Creating a complete education in their own image: Regular school days, along with special occasions like Valentine’s Day and March Madness, take on new meaning for students at eight Detroit high schools that are participating in The Future Project.

By Scott Talley Special to the Michigan Chronicle As our nation kicks off Women’s History Month, the “Best of Young Detroit” is proud to highlight a local heroine who has dedicated much of her distinguished professional career to lifting up Detroit’s youth.

Her name is Patricia Murray and she is currently the chief dream director for The Future Project Detroit, which is directly helping students at eight Detroit schools unlock their potential and build the skills they need to change their lives and our world for the better.

Indeed, the goal of The Future Project is lofty, but Murray (a former classroom teacher, principal and school district administrator) is a firm believer in thinking big and her love for our community and genuine empathy for our youth makes her the ideal leader for such an important task.

“I was born and raised in Detroit and I am a product of Detroit Public Schools,” said Murray, a graduate of Cass Technical High School. “My parents were both teachers and administrators in DPS so I was taught the value of a good education at an early age.

From a young child in school, I found myself wanting to fit in with everyone and get along, but my style of dress was unique, my sense of humor was crazy and my interest in doing everything, learning about everything and going everywhere was strong.”

Just as Murray acknowledges her uniqueness as a youngster, The Future Project empowers Detroit youth by allowing students to embrace their own unique qualities and interests. For example, The Future Project teams at the participating Detroit schools each have their own unique name. The roster includes: The Detroit

International Academy for Young Women Dream Queens, Detroit School of the Arts Lucid Dreamers, Western International High School Vibe Team, Renaissance High School Senate, Cody Academy of Public Leadership Metro Dream Soarers, Cody Detroit Institute of Technology College Prep High School Legendary Dreamers, East English Village Preparatory Academy Dreamville Royalty, and the Frederick Douglas Academy for Young Men Dream Kings.

But more than the catchy names, the students that compose these teams are engaged in projects that have made a positive difference in the lives of others including painting inspiring murals on school walls, setting up healthy eating stations, and creating space for students to deal with grief and loss just to name a few. In fact, even before going to work for The Future Project, Murray witnessed the magic of the program firsthand, when she was the principal of East English Village Preparatory Academy.

“They placed an incredible youth advocate in my school that had the title of dream director,” Murray said. “Her name was Kayla Mason. She came on a daily basis, embedded herself into the community of our school, engaged with the students, and created a Dream Team of the boldest student minds in my school. She helped them create projects that captured their hopes and dreams. They enthusiastically delved into projects of school culture change, passion seeking, community perception, and selfawareness.

“I saw leadership skills emerging from all that were on this team. It was infectious

and my school was transforming, attendance was increasing, and academic skills were being enhanced in a way that students were passionate about. I knew that this was the way—tap into passion.”

As young minds are being engaged and positive change is occurring at the Detroit schools touched by The Future Project, Murray says our city as a whole also benefits.

“Detroit’s resurgence is all about authenticity, creativity, inclusion, diversity, variety and a fresh new look,” Murray said. “It’s about the many possibilities of this great city and The Future Project is just that. We believe that anything is possible. We are important to this resurgence because we believe in the talents and skills of our youth and we encourage them to go after their dreams and go out into the world and be great.”

Murray added: “It’s important that our youth know that their thoughts, opinions, and input are valued, necessary and important to the success of this city. We are important to the resurgence because we develop independent leaders who think out of the box and know that their contributions matter.”

The “Best of Young Detroit” learned from Murray that “out of the box” thinking from students touched by The Future Project has already led to innovative initiatives that are worthy of duplication by other schools and districts including a student-led workshop for teachers where teachers were given constructive advice on how to de-escalate conflict in the classroom; “Fly Day Friday,” where students leave the school uniforms at home and dress in professional attire on Friday as part of their ongoing commitment to presenting themselves in a professional manner; and the Lucas Project, a project initiated by an East English Village Prep student, which forged real friendships between students at East English Village Prep and students attending adjoining Diann Banks-Williamson Educational Center, which serves youth with special needs.

While serving as an outstanding ambassador and leader for The Future Project Detroit, Murray also reminds our community of what can be learned from all of our students, particularly when they are given an opportunity to have a level of ownership in their education.

“My students taught me how to be patient, how to really listen, and how to really give of myself unselfishly to others,” said Murray, who was a 16-year classroom teacher before

becoming an administrator. “How magical is it to go to work with the intent to impart knowledge and walk away each day having received a new awareness about learning styles, lifestyles, cultures, hopes and dreams of my students.”

To learn more about the “magic” being created by students across the country, including Detroit, through The Future Project, please visit the futureproject.org. In addition, Murray welcomes community feedback and questions about the program including how to volunteer and partner in city-wide programs.

Murray can be emailed at patricia.murray@ thefutureproject.org. Also, please come back to the “Best of Young Detroit,” for coverage of programs and individual students at the eight participating Detroit schools. The Future Project looks for creative students that want to positively change the world, and the “Best of Young Detroit” looks forward to sharing their stories.

UAW-Ford’s Best of Young Detroit

March 1 - 7, 2017

“Best of Young Detroit” remembers Eastern High School John “Frenchy” Fuqua

Page C-4

PSL great Jalen Rose is a finalist for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame

Bill Yearby

Today our community celebrates King High School, was located at Mack the many wonderful accomplishments and East Grand Boulevard. Eastern of students at Martin Luther King High moved to Mt. Elliott and East Lafayette School. Annually, King students receive in 1967 and was renamed Martin Luther numerous scholarships to colleges King Jr. Senior High School in 1969. across the country. And A tiny sampling of Eastern’s on the playing field, it is a distinguished alums given that the Crusaders includes Detroit’s will be competitive in every first African Amerisport as this school year can mayor Coleman has already demonstratYoung; Erma Hened with King winning a derson, the first AfriDivision 2 state champican American woman onship in football and the elected to Detroit’s City Lady Crusaders winning Council; Hall of Fame PSL championships in boxing trainer Emanucross-country, swimel Steward, who made ming and basketball. the Kronk Gym known The current King to the world; local busistaff, including prinness and civic leader cipal Dr. Deborah Ed Deeb, the founder of Jenkins and athletic Metro Detroit Youth Day; director and assistant Coleman A. Young and football standouts Bill principal Barry Cannon should be apYearby and John “Frenchy” plauded, along with the dedicated stu- Fuqua. Yearby was an All-American dedent body and the parents and commu- fensive tackle at the University of Michnity that supports them. igan and Fuqua, who attended Morgan However, it must also be remem- State University after Eastern, won two bered that King High School’s rich histo- Super Bowls as a member of the Pittsry goes all the way back to Eastern High burgh Steelers.

School in Detroit. From 1901 to 1966, As we encourage current King stuEastern High School, the forerunner of dents to continue to strive for greatness,

Emanuel Steward the “Best of Young Detroit” also encourages our community to never forget the greatness that was produced at Eastern High School.

Erma Henderson

The “Best of Young Detroit” congratulates Jalen Rose on being a finalist for the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame 2017 induction class.

Before becoming an ESPN studio analyst, before a 13-year NBA career, and before being an integral part of the University of Michigan’s celebrated “Fab Five” basketball teams of the early 1990s, Rose was a sterling performer for the Southwestern Prospectors guided by legendary coach Perry Watson.

During the Jalen Rose era at Southwestern, the Prospectors continued to be a dominant force in the PSL, and before he was done Southwestern was the best in the state with state Class A championship victories to cap Rose’s junior and senior seasons. Rose also finished second to his future “Fab Five” teammate Chris Webber in the 1991 Mr. Basketball voting.

Rose is one of 30 finalists on this year’s Michigan Sports Hall of Fame ballot. Last year the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inducted 10 new members. The 2017 induction ceremony will be Friday, Sept. 15, at the Max & Marjorie Fisher Music Center in Detroit.

Ed Deeb

Winning in the Game of Life Detroit Mercy-Cleveland State clash had strong local flavor

Cass Tech swimming coach provides wisdom beyond the pool The “Best of Young Detroit” takes pride in reporting on the outcomes of athletic events contested by Detroit PSL teams. But winning a sporting contest is never the primary objective.

The life lessons that PSL sports offer students-athletes are most precious and valuable, as Ja’Von Waters, a swimming coach at Cass Tech so poignantly said: “The Cass Tech boys swimming season was a success, not because

we won the PSL League Championships, but because we worked harder than ever before. We remained focused on our team goals, we grew as a family, and boys are learning to become young men. Congrats to the 2017 PSL league champions. Go CT!” And the “Best of Young Detroit” joins Waters in congratulating the Cass Tech swimmers and coaches for approaching athletics the right way.

Following are some of the top performers during recent varsity basketball games involving Detroit PSL teams:

BOYS Crossover and non-league games

Girls State Tournament District Opening Games (Winners advance to district semifinal) Class A Jayla Smith and C’Erra Maholmes, East English Village, each scored 22 points in a 56-55 victory against Grosse Pointe South on Feb. 27.

Jordan Lewis, King, registered 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 61-27 victory against Cass on Feb. 27.

Alicia Norman, King, contributed 10 points and eight steals against Cass.

Del’Janae Williams, King, scored 14 points against Cass.

Class B Sapphire Dawson, Detroit Collegiate Prep at Northwestern (DCP-NW) registered 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 blocks in a 53-38 victory against Detroit Voyageur on Feb. 27.

Kennedy Harris, DCP-NW, contributed 17 rebounds and 10 steals against Voyageur.

Ajanee Horton, DCP-NW, scored 14 points against Voyageur.

Mikiya Cordell, DCP-NW, scored 10 points against Voyageur.

Krissima Matthews, Henry Ford, registered 19 points and seven steals in a 43-13 victory against Livonia Clarenceville on Feb. 27.

Beyonce Campbell, Henry Ford, scored 13 points against Clarenceville.

Shanea Dinwiddie, Zamaria Polk and Tiaira Earnest, Mumford, each scored 14 points in a 82-16 victory against Henry Ford Academy on Feb. 27.

Class C

Roven Simpson, Western, scored 18 points in a 65-61 victory against Edison Academy on Feb. 25.

Trey Jackson, Western, scored 15 points in a 77-70 loss to Novi Detroit Catholic Central on Feb. 24.

Kyle Jones, Cody, scored 25 points in a 78-68 victory against Leadership Academy on Feb. 24.

Janard Smith Jr., Frederick Douglass, scored 16 points in a 90-47 loss against Detroit Cornerstone Prep. on Feb. 24.

William Palmer, Cody, scored 15 points in 65-49 victory against Jalen Rose Academy on Feb. 23.

Kyle Jones, Cody, contributed 14 points against Jalen Rose Academy.

Isaiah Cunningham, Cody, contributed 13 points against Jalen Rose Academy.

Rickea Jackson, Edison Academy, scored 14 points in a 75-7 victory against Pershing on Feb. 27.

Bacari Alexander

Gary Waters

Josh McFolley

Kenny Carpenter

Rob Edwards

Gerald Blackshear

Chris Jenkins

Terrell Hales

A few days after the PSL “Big D” Boys and Girls Basketball Championships took place at Calihan Hall, another Detroit basketball reunion took place at the same location when the University of Detroit Mercy Titans hosted the Cleveland State Vikings.

The beauty of having former PSL standouts among the ranks of Division I college basketball head coaches is that it provides more potential landing places for Detroit talent, and that is certainly the case with the Titans coached by Bacari Alexander (Southwestern) and the Vikings coached by Gary Waters (Mackenzie).

When the two squads faced off on Feb. 21, players from Detroit definitely played big roles led by UDM senior wing Chris Jenkins (University of Detroit Jesuit) who scored a game and season high 25 points in the Titans’ 91-83 victory. Jenkins, playing in his final game at Calihan Hall, also contributed seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Josh McFolley (Western) was clutch as well for the Titans contributing 17 points and a team-high three steals. A dunk by McFolley sparked an 8-0 run for UDM late in the game. Gerald Blackshear Jr. (Western), a sophomore forward for the Titans added eight points and six rebounds.

The Detroit connection on the Cleveland State team was valiant in defeat, with sophomore guard Rob Edwards (Cass Tech) leading the way in the scoring column with 17 points to go with four assists. Junior guard Kenny Carpenter (Cass Tech) contributed four points and two rebounds and junior guard Terrell Hales (Frederick Douglass), who was making his second straight start, added three rebounds.

The Titans and Vikings will return to action March 3 at Joe Louis Arena for “Motor City Madness,” which is conference tournament for the Horizon League. The tournament, which runs March 3 to March 7 for men’s and women’s Horizon League teams will determine the conference’s automatic men’s and women’s bid for this year’s NCAA tournaments.

Your Feedback Matters The “Best of Young Detroit” welcomes feedback from our community. Please submit story suggestions and other comments to Scott Talley at stalleyassociates@gmail.com or 313-590-3686.

business

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

March 1-7, 2017 Page C-5

The American College Of Financial Services launches scholarship fund to help close racial disparity in profession PRNewswire-USNewswire — The American College of Financial Services, the nation’s only non-profit, accredited college devoted to financial services, has launched a scholarship program aimed at increasing the number of African Americans in the financial services profession. This fund is part of a broader coalition effort to double the number of African-American financial advisors over the next decade.

Navient charged student borrowers too much, says CFPB

By Charlene Crowell (NNPA Newswire Columnist)

The financial futures of more than 12 million federal and private student loan borrowers who collectively owe approximately $300 billion is at the crux of a lawsuit filed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). CFPB is suing Navient Corporation and two of its subsidiaries for using shortcuts and deception to illegally cheat borrowers out of their rights to lower loan repayments. Illegal loan servicing failures caused more than one-in-four borrowers to pay more than they should have.

A CFPB investigation of Navient, the nation’s largest student Charlene Crowell loan servicer of both private and federal student loans, found that borrowers were not accessing a federal student loan repayment option that has been in effect since 2009. For eligible borrowers, income-based repayment can lower monthly borrower payments by taking into account income and family size.

Depending upon individual borrower circumstances, payments could be reduced to even zero, and loan forgiveness apply after 20 or 25 years of regular monthly payments.

“At every stage of repayment, Navient chose to shortcut and deceive consumers to save on operating costs,” said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. “Too many borrowers paid more for their loans because Navient illegally cheated them…The Bureau seeks to recover significant relief for the borrowers harmed by these illegal servicing failures.”

From January 2010 to March 2015, CFPB estimates that Navient’s practices cost borrowers up to $4 billion in extra interest by repeatedly enrolling borrowers in forbearance. CFPB also found that many federal student loan borrowers were unaware that the government could pay part of the interest charges on their loans when personal circumstances prevent borrowers from keeping up.

The lawsuit names Navient and two of its subsidiaries: Navient Solutions, the corporate division responsible for loan servicing operations, and another subsidiary, Pioneer Credit Recovery that collects on defaulted student loans with the parent corporation. All three entities are charged with systematically making it harder for borrowers by incorrectly processing payments or failing to effectively act when borrowers complained.

Instead of assisting borrowers with available options for repayment, CFPB charges that borrowers were steered into forbearance, a temporary and high cost solution that suspends payments but allows interest rates to continue accruing.

“With forbearance, borrowers can temporarily suspend making monthly payments, but their debt continues to grow as the unpaid interest is added to the loan”, continued Cordray. “It is typically not suitable for borrowers who are facing long-term financial hardship. And the longer a borrower is in forbearance, the more their loan balance increases.”

Many of the borrowers incurring excessive charges, according to CFPB, included military veterans who became disabled during their service to the country. Federal law provides that military veterans whose disabilities were incurred during service to the country are entitled to loan forgiveness.

Other CFPB charges include: •Failure to correctly apply or allocate borrower payments to their accounts; • Deceiving private student loan borrowers about requirements to release co-signers from loans; and • Harming the credit of disabled borrowers, including severely-injured veterans.

“Servicers are supposed to follow instructions from the borrower about how to allocate payments across what often are multiple student loans,” noted Cordray. “We believe that Navient repeatedly creates obstacles to repayment by misallocating or misapplying payments. The company all too often fails to correct its errors unless a consumer stays vigilant, discovers the problem, and contacts the company to insist that it be fixed.”

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan supports the CFPB lawsuit adding, “Navient’s actions have led to student borrowers needlessly carrying billions of dollars in debt and the company must be held accountable.”

Many consumer advocates agree.

“Too many Americans are struggling to make their student loan payments every month,” said Whitney Barkley-Denney, a policy counsel specializing in student lending with the Center for Responsible Lending. “While the Department of Education has created programs to help make monthly payments more affordable, those programs only work if servicers are actually helping eligible borrowers access them. Servicers aren’t merely debt collectors - they can be a borrower’s lifeline to financial stability.”

Anyone interested in filing a student loan complaint with CFPB can use an online form, fax to 855-237-2392, or mail complaints to: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau PO Box 4503 Iowa City, IA 52244

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 7.6 percent of financial advisors are African American, despite the fact that African Americans account for about 13 percent of the nation’s population. To challenge this, The American College African American Scholarship program is bringing awareness to and helping close the racial gap by providing African American students who are in college, just completing their college work, as well as career changers with an opportunity to earn a professional credential and find work in financial services.

The scholarships will cover 100 percent of the cost to obtain a professional designation from The American College of Financial Services for applicants who are accepted into the program.

To kick off the effort, The American College of Financial Services is providing scholarship funding of $200,000.

With the help of individual and corporate partners, the goal is for the fund to grow into the millions. Additionally, The College’s President and CEO Dr. Robert

Johnson is challenging stakeholders throughout the financial services community — from academic institutions to professional associations and financial services companies – to work together to reach the goal of doubling the number of African American financial advisors in the next 10 years.

“One of the biggest problems facing the financial services profession is a profound lack of diversity,” said Dr. Johnson. “We believe all of us in this field have more work to do in recruiting, educating, placing, and supporting thousands more African American financial advisors. The face of this profession needs to change, and the change can start right now if all of us pull together.”

“Overall, Americans are woefully underprepared for retirement, and for African Americans it’s even worse,” said Professor Jocelyn Wright, who helped create the fund and is an assistant professor at the College. “If there were more black advisors providing financial services in black communities, then more black families would be better prepared for retirement. One of the major objectives of this scholarship program and the larger effort to double the number of African American advisors over the next decade is to help address that retirement crisis.”

The college intends to award scholarships by the end of the year. For more information about the scholarship program, go to theamericancollege.edu/ double2027.

Detroit General Services Department holds hiring fair to fill 200 seasonal positions Staff reports

The City of Detroit will hold a job fair on March 8 to fill 205 seasonal employment positions in both the General Services Department and the Recreation Department. The jobs include park maintenance workers who will help to keep the city’s network of neighborhood parks looking good, as well as vehicle operators and recreation “play leaders.”

The positions range in skill level as well as qualification requirements, but the city is making sure positions are available to returning citizens and those with other barriers to employment.

“These are very desirable seasonal positions that provide many workers the opportunity to work outdoors during

the spring and summer,” said GSD Director Brad Dick. “For the park maintenance position, we are waiving the GED requirement to make these jobs available to those who want to work, but may have difficulty finding someone to hire them.”

Some of the job opportunities include: Vehicle Operator I • High School Diploma or GED • 2 years’ experience operating special purpose vehicles and equipment • Valid Commercial Driver License with Class A or B Designation & Air Brake Endorsement • Valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate certifying physical fitness for driving Pay Range $12.08 - $15.19

DIGITAL DAILY WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM

CFPB staff is available at its toll-free number that is staffed weekdays from 8am until 8pm Eastern Time: 855 411CFPB or 855- 411-2372.

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s communications deputy director. She can be reached at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending. org.

Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan returns to voluntary contribution schedule The Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan, a nonprofit that serves nearly 200,000 individuals and their families with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, will be included on the Michigan Voluntary Contribution Schedule for the fourth consecutive tax year. The announcement was made by Greater Michigan Chapter President and CEO, Jennifer Lepard.

As taxpayers fill out their tax forms, they have the option to contribute all or part of their return to the Alzheimer’s Association, one of the 10 designated nonprofits on Tax Form 4642, also known as the Voluntary Contributions Schedule. Individuals only need to check-off the organization’s name and indicate their desired donation amount, all of which will stay in Michigan. If the taxpayer is not receiving a refund, the donation will increase their tax due.

The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan is to: eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, provide and enhance care and support for all affected and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Based on local resources, geography and partnerships, donations help support the following constituent services: • Support groups • Community-based educational programs • Early Stage services and programs • Care consultations

• A free 24/7 Helpline telephone service • Hospital-based case management programs • In-home case management services and supports • Arts and culture programming • Advocacy • Respite scholarships • Adult day programs • Professional and informal caregiver education targeting special needs populations A range of these services are offered throughout the State of Michigan and taxpayers will contribute to the direct needs of community members and fellow Michigan residents.

“Since we lobbied to be included in the Schedule in 2014, Michigan taxpayers have donated more than $191,000 to our organization. Each dollar has been integral to helping us provide numerous services to the increasing number of Michiganders affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias,” said Lepard.

“I thank all of those who have donated their returns to our organization in the past and encourage all of those not yet familiar with Form 4642 to consider filling it out this year.”

At Your Finger Tips!

More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, which is the sixth leading cause of death. Of that amount, 180,000 live in Michigan.

For more information, call 800-2723900 or visit www.alz.org/gmc.

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Reflections

By Steve Holsey

History made, so let it be A while back, there was talk of creating a new version of In Living Color, the groundbreaking, very funny, star-making show that introduced us to characters we will never forget, airing from April 1990 to May 1994.

one of Hollywood’s finest

The show’s creator, Keenen Ivory Wayans, nixed the idea, and that was the right thing to do. In Living Color is a television icon, and can still be enjoyed today in its original form. But attempting to “do it again” is just dumb.

By Steve Holsey “I think success happens when it’s supposed to, and when you can appreciate it.”

Those words were spoken by Octavia Spencer. And the sterling actress was on point because right now, 20-plus years into her career, Spencer, already an Academy Award winner in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in The Help, is nominated again in that category for her part, alongside Taraji P. Henson and Janelle Monae, in the historically relevant and thought-provoking film Hidden Figures, is at a career high.

Now there is serious talk of bringing back American Idol — even though the show created by Simon Fuller signed off in April of last year. This time it would be on NBC rather than Fox.

It deals with the true story of three black female mathematicians at NASA who were instrumental — in fact, critical — to the organization’s success in the Space Race.

That first Oscar was just part of the story. She also took home Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards in that same category for The Help.

Perish the thought!

American Idol was great during its peak years, when stars like Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Fantasia, Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, Ruben Studdard, Chris Daughtry and Jordin Sparks were discovered. But in the last few seasons, the show was waning and it was time to bow out…before being asked to leave.

That’s all nice, but she doesn’t allow herself to get carried away with awards, plaques, citations and glorious reviews. Behind all the glitter, she is Montgomery, Alabama-born Octavia Lenora Spencer, 44.

Bringing it back would make no sense, and it should also be noted that the best judges were the original three, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and the often acerbic Simon Cowell.

THERE seems to be no end to the accomplishments of entrepreneur supreme Russell Simmons — record producer, clothing line creator, author, record label co-founder and more. It is no wonder that his net worth is something like $325 million.

“I was always a closet lover of acting,” she said. “My mom was very practical. She never restricted our dreams, always told us we could do or be anything. Then I said, ‘Maybe I want to be an actress...I always wanted to work in the movie industry.’”

It’s about being honest with self, and that applies just as strongly once a career move has been made.

“You cannot live to please everyone else,” she said. “You have to edify, educate and fulfill your own dreams and destiny...You just keep moving and doing what you do and hope that it resonates with people, and if it doesn’t, you just keep moving on until you find a project that does.’”

Now he is adding theater to his résumé. His The Scenario — about “learning, growing and coming of age” — is scheduled to premiere on Broadway during the 2017-18 season.

Russell Simmons

There are, of course, sacrifices one has to make in going down that road. Having no husband or children is not an issue for Spencer.

You have to admire artists who are deep into their senior years, but are still out there doing what they love. For example, it’s hard to believe that Johnny Mathis is 81 years old… still drawing sellout crowds at concerts. Some artists get tired of doing their biggest hits, but not Mathis who Johnny Mathis said, “As long as people want to hear them, I am happy to sing them.”

“It’s what I chose and I’m fine with that decision,” she said, adding that she has no maternal instincts anyway.

Octavia Spencer, who has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama, got her first taste of show business by working as an intern on a Whoopi Goldberg movie, The Long Walk Home. It’s important to get one’s foot in the door. Or, to put it another way, “a girl’s got to get in where she fits in.”

From there, armed with talent and unstoppable determination, it was on to feature films, as an actress, the first being A Time to Kill, a 1996 movie starring Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey and Kevin Spacey.

It wasn’t a co-starring role, but it was a start, but she didn’t limit herself to the big screen. On television, there were roles in such popular series as ER, The Big Bang Theory, 30 Rock, Beck-

See OCTAVIA SPENCER Page D-2

Fox’s ‘Shots Fired’ takes aim with 10-part series Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis FOR THOSE who compose music, few if any honors exceed being voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The 2017 inductees are Jimmy Jam (James Harris III) and Terry Lewis, Berry Gordy, Max Martin, Jay Z (the first rapper to be inducted), Kenneth “Babyface” Edmunds, and three members of the rock-pop band Chicago, Peter Ce­ tera, Robert Lamm and James Bankow.

I basically like Wendy Williams and generally find her amusing, but sometimes her insatiable appetite for other people’s business can be somewhat irritating. But worse than that is her adoring Wendy Williams audience. They are so predictable in their reactions to what Williams says, and one has

See Reflections Page D-2

By Lee Watson In the new Fox drama Shots Fired, co-creators Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood examine two racially charged police shootings in a small North Carolina town and how the criminal justice system handles both.

The 10-hour event series, set to premiere on March 22, is “the most current show you’ll ever see,” according to one of the featured actors, Academy Award-winning Richard Dreyfuss. The show explores themes ripped straight from the headlines, such as the murder of Mike Brown in Ferguson and the events that followed.

The opening scene begins with an African-American sheriff’s deputy, played by Mack Wilds (Melrose Place, The Wire) shooting an un-

Aisha Hinds

DeWanda Wise

armed white motorist. This event turns the southern town upside down. The ensuing investigation is led by Department of Justice investigator Ashe Akino played by Sanaa Lathan (The Perfect Guy, Love and Basketball) and ambitious special prosecutor Preston Terry, played by Stephan James (Race, Selma).

“It’s very easy for people to watch the news and see a piece about a shooting, and if you don’t identify with who’s on screen, you turn it off.

See SHOTS FIRED Page D-2

Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James

entertainment

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

“You cannot live to please everyone else. You have to edify, educate and fulfill your own dreams and destiny...You just keep moving and doing what you do and hope that it resonates with people, and if it doesn’t, you just keep moving on until you find a project that does.”

Octavia Spencer

From page D-1

er and later on, Ugly Betty.

a chocolate pie.

But the best was yet to come, the film that came fairly close to making Octavia Spencer a household name, The Help, co-starring fellow Academy Award nominee Viola Davis. She was the feisty, sassy and don’t-mess-with-me Minny Jackson. No one who saw the film will ever forget the word she spoke to her racist white female supervisor regarding

She was reunited with Viola Davis in Get on Up, an exciting biopic about the legendary James Brown with Chadwick Boseman in the lead role.

Octavia Spencer has six films on the way: Ascendant, Gifted, Small Town Crime, The Shack, The Shape of Water, and B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly ­Operations.

MOTOR CITY ENTERTAINMENT

CALENDAR

MARSHA AMBROSIUS, Eric Benét, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, March 30. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

LEELA JAMES, Daley, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, April 19. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

BIG SEAN, Fox Theatre, April 1. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

NORAH JONES, Fox Theatre, May 23. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

“THE BOOK of Pleasures, Chapter Marsha Ambrosius BILL MAHER, Fox Theatre, April 2,” Starring Keke Wyatt, Angela 8. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster Winbush and Avant, Masonic locations. To charge by phone, call Temple, April 8. Tickets sold at the 1.800.745.3000.

Masonic Temple box office and Ticketmaster locations. To charge BRIAN McKNIGHT, Sound by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

Board at MotorCity Casino, May 18. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster BOBBY BROWN, Alise King, locations. To charge by phone, call Masonic Temple, Saturday, March 1.800.745.3000.

4. Tickets sold at the Masonic Temple box office and Ticketmaster “MJ LIVE – Michael Jackson Triblocations. To charge by phone, call ute,” Fox Theatre, Friday, March 3.

Leela James 1.800.745.3000.

Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez, Eddie Griffin, Charlie Murphy.

MOTOR CITY Blues Festival, featuring Willie Joe Louis Arena, May 13. Tickets sold at TickClayton, Shirley Brown, Bishop Bullwinkle, etmaster locations. To charge by phone, call Sir Charles Jones, T.K. Soul, Bigg Robb, Fox 1.800.745.3000.

Theatre, March 11.

GEORGE CLINTON and Parliament-Funkadelic, May 25. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

CHRIS ROCK, Fox Theatre, April 28-29. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

DETROIT HAIR WARS Exotic Hair Night, Dearborn’s Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, April 2. Cash bar. Hot food. Free Parking.

For more information, call 313.534.8318.

RICKEY SMILEY & Friends, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, April 20. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

RACHELLE FERRELL, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, March 23. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

DAVID SPADE, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, April 27. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

FOUR TOPS, Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, March 17. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations, the Andiamo box office and by calling 586.268.3200.

RUSSELL THOMPKINS, JR. & the New Stylistics, Dearborn’s Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Saturday, July 22. Call 313.943.2354 for tickets and more information.

DOUG E. FRESH, Al B. Sure, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Jalil and Ecstasy of Whodini, Force MD’s, Hi-Five, Cherrelle, Fox Theatre, March 17. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

TEMPTATIONS REVIEW featuring Dennis Edwards, Dearborn’s Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, Saturday, April 1. Call 313.943.2354 for tickets and more information.

ANTHONY HAMILTON, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, June 1. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

Shots Fired

And so, we felt the best way to address this issue for us was to get people who don’t normally go through this issue to understand, to give them a way in and a way to understand,” said Prince-Bythewood at the Television Critics Association winter previews.

“So, in flipping the narrative, it allows folks who don’t normally identify with these characters to empathize with them. Through empathy you can change.”

The audience has a front row seat as investigators, law enforcement, politicians navigate through the media frenzy, public debate and community discord as another shooting of an African-American teenager by a white cop goes largely unnoticed. By offering contrast between the two shootings, the creators give the audience an opportunity to better comprehend the disparity in both tragic events.

An advanced screening of the first episode was held at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak on Monday, Feb. 20. Following the viewing, the audience had the opportunity to engage in a panel discussion moderated by Rochelle Riley of the Detroit Free Press with cast members Aisha Hinds (True Blood, Assault on Precinct 13), who plays a pastor trying to bring the community together, and DeWanda Wise (Boardwalk Empire, The Good Wife), who plays the mother of African- American teenager who was killed by white police.

During the discussion, both actresses expressed the timeliness of this show

VANESSA WILLIAMS, Sound Board at MotorCity Casino, March 9. Tickets sold at Ticketmaster locations. To charge by phone, call 1.800.745.3000.

From page D-1 and how they hope it will spark conversation and promote understanding.

“This narrative is one that has long needed a voice, and a forum to engage an exhaustive exploration of the violence and injustice that plagues our world. Humanity cries out with each harrowing, hollowing, heinous headline that ends in the loss of innocent lives as a result of a perversion of power. We are hoping to offer a space that incites and invites thoughtful healing dialogue for our viewers,” said DeWise.

“The story, as carefully crafted by Bythewood and Prince-Bythewood, offers a view from every seat in the house, providing the opportunity to hear from various voices, and addressing issues like marginalization, privatization of prisons, institutional racism, and the human condition — quite a necessary narrative for the time,” said Hinds.

Shots Fired is a who-done-it and why type series aimed at America’s racial consciousness, and despite the heavy subject matter, creators hope it will be entertaining as well.

“I want folks to feel empowered and take more ownership of that power.

Yes, policy reform takes time, but the small steps we can all take are within our grasp, as are the organizations that serve and stand up for our civil liberties and even our very lives. The invigorating truth is that we have more access and information about them than ever before,” said Wise.

The show will air Wednesdays on Fox, right before Empire.

Reflections From page D-1

to wonder whether or not some of these people have minds of their own.

Sorry to hear about Darius McCrary, best known for the long-running TV show Family Matters, getting into major legal trouble for allegedly physically and verbally abusing his wife and very young daughter, throwing things in drug-induced rages, etc.

The wife, Tammy Brawner, has justifiably gotten a restraining order.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that at one point, Roberta Flack was planning to record a tribute album to Nat “King” Cole.

But then she got word that Natalie Cole was doing one, and she knew that radio programmers and the public would be more interest in the legendary star’s daughter singing his classics.

MEMORIES: Treat Her Like a Lady (the Temptations), Baby I’m Yours (Barbara Lewis), If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me) (the Staple Singers), Real Love (Mary J. Blige), Get Up Offa That Thing (James Brown), Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield), If It Isn’t Love (New Edition), Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John), If Only You Knew (Patti LaBelle), Let’s Straighten It Out (Latimore).

BLESSINGS to Diane Perkins, Eddie Allen, Ken Donaldson, Fred Holsey, Jr., Diane Steinberg Lewis, Heaster Wheeler, Michael Goodin, Sandra Steinberg, Cynthia French and Joseph French.

WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Oprah Winfrey: “Stop paying attention to the naysayers in your life.”

Let the music play!

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

March 1-7, 2017 Page D-2

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February March1-7, 1-7,2017 2017 Page C-2 D-3

Midtown Jazz in the Gardens returns for 12th year of music, sun and fun

From page C-1

sumption.

over 1,800 new units of promotes local cultural “As a mission-driven housing and has assisted events including three lender Capital Impact is over 100 local businesses signature events – Noel ready to support projects with technical assistance Night, DLECTRICITY, and and financing. MDI also Art X Detroit along with

By AJ Williams like this that help create manages Live Midtown, New Center Park summer stability and opportuentertainment.

ForGarmore a successful initiative to in In one America’s hottest cities of sun and sand, nestled the city of Miami nity offor Detroit's neighinformation, visit midincrease population denden, is the fastest growing jazz & R&B festival in America — the Jazz in the Gardens borhoods,” said Melinda MusicClemons, Festival. senior loan of- sity through incentives to towndetroitinc.org. eligible anchor institution ficer for music Capitalfes-Impact The annual employees. Over 1,300 At Your Service Partners.

“I'm particularly tival, which attracts conparticipants have taken excitedfrom about across the fact that cert-goers advantage of the Live Midthis includes the the U.S andproject the Caribbean town program to date.

Ralph Wilson, Jr. Islands, willC.celebrate its FounAdditional initiatives dation and has year an affordtwelfth successful include a comprehenable with a mixhousing of new component. stars It will help acts ensure that the sive communication and and old-school over neighborhood remains marketing campaign to two days, March 18-19, for people at theinclusive newly named Hard of all increase awareness of Midtown’s numerous Emagine Entertainment is host- • A backstage pass for four to Mojo levels.”

Rock income Stadium. qualities, stimulate poping a “Hush Reel” video contest, in the Morning Aboutfor Midtown Detroit, ulation growth, and atRenowned its soulopen to all metro Detroit high school All entrants will receive From a par-page C-1 Inc. the festival has ful vibe, tract new businesses to students as of March 1. Participants ticipation prize. The grand prize consistently celebrated the area. MDI additionally Midtown Detroit, Inc. are asked to film a light-hearted 30 options at the hotel. the best in jazz, and planwinner will be determined by social (MDI) is a R&B, nonprofit to 50-second video asking audience soul with likes of MaxIn addition totheir themobile de- media voting and a panel of judges. ningtheand development members to silence AT YOUR SERVICE well, agency Run-D.M.C., Toni A premiere-style party to announce building located at 1400 charged with revices during the movie.

Braxton, Brian CulbertWoodward Ave., the projthe winner will take place May 10 at vitalization of Detroit's havealso a lotinclude of fun filming son, Fred Hammond and ect“Iwill the our pol- Emagine Royal Oak. Finalists will Woodward Corridor. Repicy videosatnow and Woodwanted to open many more having graced building 1416 have the opportunity to stroll down resenting over 100 area the experience local high school its stage. ward and three to buildings stakeholders, including the red carpet, get their picture takstudents, on givingWoodward them a chance to located Miami Gardens MayoreducaDetroit's anchor en and watch their video play on the highlight their creativity,” said CEO Avenue between Grand Olivertional, Gilbertmedical is pleased and culbig screen in a private theater.

Paul Glantz.

“We believe River and John R that willin playing with the growing MDI turalfestival institutions, an active role in our community and Emagine, which owns and operbe demolished to make year after year. public space MBE provides want to kids involved.” ates 10 theatres in Michigan, freroom forget thethe project. maintenance and secu“The Jazz in the Gardens Music Festival is coming back to Miami Gardens with a Students will until April 10 quently partners with local busirity services; marketing “Bedrock is ahave creative bang.

We’re excited to bring some of the hottest, most talented performers in music, Offering Affordable, to film andfirm submit videos. The nesses and organizations across technical assis- and welcome hip-hop performers Professional real estate thattheir focussuch support; as Jill Scott and Common, who are heavily winning video will unique be played before Southeast Michigan to make a diftance;byinfrastructure and and LL Cool J featurin DJ Z-Trip,” he said. “In our es on delivering influenced jazz, like the Roots Computer Sales & movies at Emagine for 60 real estate development; developments.

Shinola is days and ference in the lives of community twelfth year, we feel positioned to evolve and reach across generations Service and genres to the grand prize winner will also remembers. grantinadministration; this amazing craftsmantake Jazz the Gardens to and the next level.” ceive:brand. Utilizing both arts programming for the ship Virus Removal “Too often, businesses think of Boasting district.an annual attendance of over 70,000, the city’s signature event will also of expertise build • Aour private movietoscreening for up giving back as a fundraising game, showcase local artists along with an array of tropical food vendors and a buzzing marCracked Screen atohotel 50 is what is so atlast decade, but it’s more than that,” Glantz ketplaceOver wherethe concert-goers will find a variety of wares.

Replacement tractive about this,” said MDI and its predecessor • A season pass for unlimited mov- said. “We want to give our young Jr. For tickets Mullen.

Tickets are still available for bothLatham SaturdayDonald, and Sunday. and moreJacks infororganization, the UniverBroken Power ies for two in 2017 people an opportunity to showcase For a good price on all your mation, visit www.jazzinthegardens.com sity Cultural Center AssoNew York-based Gachot • A $500 donation to a school pro- their skills and gain experience in Keyboard Replacement Plumbing & Heating Needs ciation, have raised over Studios gram and Detroit-based the film industry.” $56 million for a variety Kraemer Design Group Computer Insurance Licensed of initiatives including the are in charge of the inNew & Refurbished terior design and archi- great experience from the said, so does the need for Midtown Greenway Loop, **Master Plumbers Computer Sales hotels. front, but also the back of tectural components of restoration and converthe property.” theIn new hotel.

At the sion of six historic homes Network honor of Women’s Histo- ba, Japan, Argentina and “There Hong is Both Detroit performances rector/founder of nathantrice/ taught hisWireless technique and brand a demand groundbreaking, Bedrock boutique hotel, the dance theater. Origi- of movement, ry Month, nathantrice/RITUALS Kong.

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Calling all Detroit High School Seniors

The Michigan Chronicle presents the 2nd annual S.W.A.G. Awards in Detroit. S.W.A.G., which stands for Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness, is a scholarship program recognizing outstanding high school seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to community, integrity and service. Current students that live and attend school in Detroit or the Metro Detroit area and planning to attend college or a trade school are eligible to apply.

The Michigan Chronicle is awarding scholarships up to $10,000 Apply by March 31, 2017 NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. 2016-2017 Michigan Chronicle S.W.A.G. Awards entry period starts at 12:00 AM ET on 12/7/16 and ends at 11:59:59 PM ET on 3/31/17. Open only to 12th graders who are 16 and older who are legal residents of City of Detroit or the Metro Detroit area who: (a) attend a public, charter, or private high school; (b) will graduate in spring 2017; (c) have at least a 2.5 grade point average (or equivalent); and (d) are in good community standing. Visit www.michronicleonline.com/ swag-awards for entry instructions. Submission requirements prizes and complete details. Only one (1) Submission per entrant. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

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Go to www.michronicleonline.com/swag-awards to apply.

For more information, email swagawards@michronicle.com

Classified OBITUARIES Sarah Ruth Harper Services for Sarah Ruth Harper were held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church. Mrs. Harper passed away on Feb. 15, 2017 at the age of 91.

Sarah Ruth Harper, the beloved wife of Joseph Bruce Harper for 49 years, was born in Lafayette, Alabama on June 1, 1925 to Margaret and Walter Webb. She moved to Toledo and later became a resident of Detroit.

Mrs. Harper, a vivacious and gracious lady who touched everyone she encountered with love, was the first African American Divisional Sales Manager for Stanley Home Products, Inc. She worked for the company for 35 years.

Mrs. Harper is remembered for a life of working with young people. She had a great love for traveling and traveled throughout the country and the world. She was also a Michigan Chronicle Churchwoman of the Year.

Cherishing the memory of Sarah Ruth Harper, who was preceded in death by three brothers, Grady, Franklin and Walter, are her daughters, Lynda Ruth Landrum, Brenda Ann Harper, Wanda Jean Harper and Rhonda Marie Harper; a grandson, Bruce Allen Landrum; a granddaughter, Margrit Sara Lynn Allen; two great-grandchildren, Jason Allen and Harper; a sister, Mary Carr Wright; a sister-in-law, Sadie Harper; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, as well as special friends Deacon Willie and Juanita Patrick, and her beloved Dexter Avenue Baptist Church family.

Coffee can be good or bad for your health: What to know now

PERSONAL SERVICES MRS. LINN

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Why you’re so unlucky. If your loved one is true or false.I will advise you all problems of life, such as love, marriage, business and health, etc. Why suffer, you can be free from all troubles. I guarantee Sucess where others failed. I am superior to any other reader you have seen.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #2017-002

The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan (RTA) has issued Request for Proposal #2017-002: Seamless Fare Integration Project Phase 2 – Concept of Operations Plan. Electronic copies of proposals must be submitted with the RFP title and number referenced in the subject line to Ms. Tiffany J. Gunter at tgunter@ rtamichigan.org by 4:00 PM EST on Friday, March 17, 2017.The RFP with specific instructions is available on the RTA’s website at www.rtamichigan.org or by calling Information Services at (313) 402-1020. The RTA adheres to all DBE guidelines.

Application Period for Open Enrollment New Paradigm College Prep is accepting Open Enrollment applications March 6, 2017 through March 21, 2017 for the 201718 school year. Applications can be picked up at the school office. If applications exceed enrollment spaces, a lottery will be held at the school. Applications must be received by close of business March 21, 2017. Questions about enrollment and for applications call: New Paradigm College Prep 2450 S. Beatrice St. Detroit, MI 48217 (313) 406-7060 Application Period for Open Enrollment University YES Academy is accepting applications for Open Enrollment March 6, 2017 through March 21, 2017 for the 201718 school year. Applications can be picked up at the school office. If applications exceed enrollment spaces, a lottery will be held at the school. Applications must be received by close of business March 21, 2017. Questions about enrollment and for applications call: University YES Academy 14669 Curtis St. Detroit, MI 48235 (313) 270-2556 Global Preparatory Academy is accepting applications for Open Enrollment March 6, 2017 through March 21, 2017 for the 2017-18 school year. Applications can be picked up at the school office. If applications exceed enrollment spaces, a random drawing will be held at the school. Applications must be received by close of business March 21, 2017. Questions about enrollment and for applications call: Global Preparatory Academy 26200 Ridgeway Roseville, MI 48076 (586) 575-9500 Application Period for Open Enrollment

Will all those cups of Joe being downed nationwide, it’s important to consider the beverage’s potential effects on your health.

Science indicates there are some substantial health benefits to drinking coffee regularly. Various studies have suggested that drinking coffee regularly could decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke, lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, protect against gallstones and lower the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.

However, it’s important to note that because of its caffeine content, coffee intake should be moderated. Its acidity can also impact issues like bone and muscle deterioration, and kidney stones. Conventional coffee can also raise cholesterol levels when regularly prepared French press or Espresso style.

For these reasons, many people are rethinking the types of coffee they drink in order to avoid particular health concerns.

For example, unlike a conventional acidic cup of coffee, Bio Coffee is alkaline, caffeine-free and made with wheatgrass. It contains three to five servings of vegetables in one cup of coffee, as well as six grams of fiber -- approximately 25 percent of the recommended daily amount. It also provides a natural source of pre- and probiotics for better digestive health. To learn more about its health benefits, visit BioCoffee.com.

“With so many people failing to eat enough vegetables, drinking your greens in the form of coffee may be one of the most convenient ways to get one’s daily dose, in addition to a variety of other health benefits,” says Dr. Tom Shreves, MD, a Bio Coffee drinker. “It can also help you avoid the issues associated with a typical cup of coffee.”

While most coffee lovers are unlikely to put their mugs down, Bio Coffee can provide a healthy morning ritual.

New Paradigm Glazer Academy and New Paradigm Loving Academy are accepting Open Enrollment Applications March 6, 2017 through March 21, 2017 for the 201718 school year. Applications can be picked up at each school’s office. If applications exceed enrollment spaces, a lottery will be held at each school location. Applications must be received by close of business March 21, 2017.

Questions about enrollment and for applications call: Glazer Academy 2001 Labelle St. Detroit, MI 48238 (313) 852-1500

HELP WANTED Seeking

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Application Period for Open Enrollment

(StatePoint) A majority of Americans drink coffee daily, with an average of about three cups a day, according to Harvard School of Public Health.

March 1-7, 2017

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Loving Academy 1000 Lynn St. Detroit, MI 48211 (313) 252-3028

OPEN ENROLLMENT BOGGS SCHOOL The Boggs School’s 2017-18 open enrollment period is March 1-31, 2017 and random selection drawing, if needed, will be Th. April 13, 5pm, 4141 Mitchell St., Detroit, 48207. See: http://www.boggsschool.org/ application-instructions.

Remaining open house sessions: Fri. 2/24, 9:30am Tues. 2/28, 5:30pm Tues. 3/14, 9:30am & 5:30pm RSVP to che.lin.boggsschool@gmail. com or (313) 923-2301.

RSVP REQUIRED. WWW.MICHIGANCHRONICLE.COM FOR SALE

SAWMILLS from only $4397.00 MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmillCut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE info/DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext. 300N

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month THIS CLASSIFIED SPOT FOR SALE! Advertise your EVENT, PRODUCT, or RECRUIT an applicant in more than 130 Michigan newspapers! Only $299/week.

To place, Call: 800-227-7636

DESKTOP PUBLISHER AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

University Services/Property Management

Utilize computer software to produce material for presentation in books, catalogs, brochures, newsletters and other forms for distribution. Perform various printing jobs using equipment at the printing and reprographics center.

Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years’ experience using software for desktop publishing applications.

Two years digital imaging experience. This is a full time, clerical-technical position. Salary is $42,021.00 annually.

See online posting for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by March 10, 2017.

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

RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN DETROIT, MI Wayne State University has an available position of Research Assistant in Detroit, MI. Position requires a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering & 12 months experience as a Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging Software Engineer.

Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) 12 mos. exp. developing MR imaging sequences; 2) 12 mos. exp. developing C++ codes to process MR images; & 3) 12 mos. exp. developing Digital Imaging & Communications in Medicine (DICOM) service. Exp. reqs. may be met concurrently during the same 12-mo. period.

Job duties: Develop MR imaging sequences for MR users. Process susceptibility weighted imaging & mapping data. Develop specialized C++ & DICOM service to process MR images. Assist in writing papers related to sequence support. Assist in grant proposal preparation for MR research.

Qualified candidates should apply through WSU Online Hiring System for posting # 042413 at https://jobs.wayne.edu

Seeking

DIRECTOR OF VIDEO CONTENT SERVICES AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Athletics

This position will oversee the production of all athletic multimedia content. Further responsible for driving continuous process improvement in video services. Work closely with the Director of Athletics, Senior Associate AD for External Operations and Senior Assistant AD for Public Relations to ensure complete coverage of all Oakland University Athletics. Oversee the Game Day Producer for all live streamed events and the crew for each live game production on ESPN3. Point of contact for all external broadcasts (ESPN, TV20, ASN). Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Knowledge of various post production tools and live production setup, equipment and software. Ability to work with on-air talent. This is a full time position with some evening and weekend hours required. 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 March 8, 2017.

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

Page D-4

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Financial Operations Specialist

(Southfield, MI) Oversee preparation and filing of quarterly and annual Financial and Operations Combined Uniform Single (FOCUS) accounting reports in accordance with SEC and FINRA requirements;; Develop and implement accrual spread sheets for receivables and payables for three corporate entities in accordance with GAAP and SEC/FINRA requirements. Bachelor’s in Business Administration or Finance. Must have exp with securities order and account processing;; Microsoft Office Suite, exp handling significant broker and client contact concerning sophisticated securities industry matters. Attn: Raymond Pett, Core Capital Holdings, Inc., 27777 Franklin Road, Suite 700, Southfield, MI 48034. Use Ref. Code AG1.

HELP WANTED Seeking

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Engineering & Computer Science

Provide responsible secretary services and operational office assistance. Minimum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years progressively responsible secretarial experience. Ability to select, assemble and organize data & edit reports, perform general bookkeeping/ clerical accounting. Ability to effectively interact with the public, students, faculty, and staff. Ability to compose routine correspondence and to use a personal computer for intermediate word processing, spreadsheet and data base applications.

Salary is $39,693.00 annually. See online posting for additional position requirements.

First consideration will be given to those who apply by March 9, 2017.

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

COORDINATOR FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Student Affairs

Strategically cultivate and assess community partnerships to build a foundation for advancing community service engagement (volunteer opportunities) for members of the University community.

Coordinate with other entities on campus to develop and support programs and initiatives that promote a campus culture of engagement.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in an appropriate field or an equivalent combination of education and/ or experience plus three to five years’ experience working in the community or in education with community organizations.

Strong interpersonal, problem solving and technical skills. Effectively communicate orally and in writing with students, faculty and staff. Compensation commensurate with education and experience. This is a full time position. See online posting for additional qualifications and requirements.

First consideration will be given to those who apply by March 9, 2017.

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

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Buying or refinancing your home this spring? Tips for success (StatePoint) Many Americans start to think about their housing needs this time of year. For some people spring aligns with the school calendar, given the time it takes to find the right home, arrange financing and move in time for the next academic year.

For others, an income tax refund, coupled with refinancing a mortgage, is the way to fund a home improvement project.

So how do you find the right loan products and lender?

• Research products and terms. Home loans come in two forms: fixed rate or adjustable rate. Fixed rate loans come with terms varying from 10 to 30 years for consumers who want the security of consistent monthly payments plus a rate that won’t change over the life of the loan. Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) typically are offered at a lower rate with an initial term of five to 10 years.

“A 30 year fixed rate loan is by far the most popular mortgage product with borrowers, but ARMs can be a good option if you plan on moving or refinancing,” says Craig Evans, Ally Bank’s mortgage executive.

“When we start a dialogue with a potential customer, we’ll discuss the various options and suggest products geared toward their specific needs.”

• Choose a lender focused on your needs. In a crowded mortgage landscape, it’s important to find loan experts to help you through the process. For example, the Ally Home Team is on hand to help home buyers through the home loan experience, from application to close, ensuring they regularly answer questions borrowers may have along the

way.

“Service and communications are the biggest considerations when it comes to choosing a lender, whether it’s new construction, buying an existing home, or refinancing,” says Beth Foley, broker associate at Beacon Sotheby’s International Realty.

• Ask your lender what products fit your needs. For example, Fannie Mae’s HomeReady product may be a good option for first-time homebuyers and millennials. Key benefits include down payments as low as 3 percent, plus these loans are priced similarly to standard loan pricing, and flexible sources of funds can be used for the down payment and closing costs.

• Establish your limits. Some lenders provide useful tools to get you started, such as Ally Home, a new direct-to-consumer home loan service offered by Ally Bank, (www.ally.com). Its Affordability Calculator helps you analyze your household income and current financial obligations to estimate how much house you can afford.

• Refinance an existing loan. Refinancing is a potential option if it offers a better rate than your existing loan, allows you to lower your mortgage payment, or shortens the term of your existing loan.

If you have considerable equity, it’s also a way to consolidate debt or fund home improvements if used wisely.

For most people, buying a home is the biggest purchase of their life. Once you find your perfect house, make sure you make the right financing choices to complete the picture.

praise connection

March 1-7, 2017 Page D-5

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

John Winfred Floyd

Exploring Detroit’s Underground Railroad and Second Baptist

Services for John Winfred Floyd were held on Feb. 28 at St. David’s Episcopal Church. He passed away on Feb. 20, 2017.

By John L. Dorman When I learned about the Underground Railroad as a child, I always wondered about the last steps to freedom. Growing up in Richmond, Va., the former capital of the Confederate States of America, the remnants of slavery and the Civil War were a constant reminder of the past. I imagined slaves traveling through treacherous terrain, with bleary eyes and a lingering sense of trepidation, but with a steely determination to live in a country that would affirm their humanity.

Detroit, whose code name was “Midnight” on the Underground Railroad, was a pivotal location on the network. The Detroit River separates the United States from Canada, where slavery was abolished through the British Imperial Act of 1833. Though slavery was also illegal in Michigan when it was admitted to the Union in 1837, bounty hunters crossing state lines still posed a threat to black residents of Detroit. Fugitive slaves set their sights on what lay across its border: the city of Windsor, Ontario, and its southern neighbor Amherstburg.

As I drove through downtown Detroit and approached the Detroit River, a multitude of road signs directed me to both the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge, the city’s two major arteries to Canada. But there was a significant landmark that I needed to visit first.

The Detroit neighborhood of Greektown, with its Romanesque architecture, is home to the Second Baptist Church, which dates to 1836 and is one of the oldest black churches in the Midwest.

The church even predates Michigan’s admission to the Union by a year.

The first members of the church broke off from the city’s First Baptist Church because of discriminatory practices, and the split gave them an opportunity to aid runaway slaves more discretely.

Today, the church is a historic anchor in an area that has had a significant amount of economic investment; the Greektown

John Winfred Floyd was born on Dec. 28, 1931 in Okolona, Mississippi to John Lee and Dona Floyd. He graduated from Okolona College with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

Shortly after graduation, he moved to Detroit where he met and married Joyce M. Harvey.

They were blessed with five children. He worked for General Motors for 35 years, until retirement.

Mr. Floyd, a hard-working, Christ-centered man who valued education and self-discipline and instilled those values in his children, enjoyed taking Sunday afternoon rides with his family, gardening and maintaining an immaculate home.

The Second Baptist Church in Detroit. Credit Tony Cenicola/The New York Times Casino is just a few paces down the street, and numerous chain and local restaurants line Monroe Street. The church, however, has retained its storied link to one of the earliest American struggles for equality.

Tours of Second Baptist are available by appointment, and after attending an uplifting service upstairs, I met my guide on the ground floor. Looking at old photographs and timelines, I learned about the church’s first pastor, the Rev. William Monroe, who started the first known school for black children in Detroit in 1839. The Rev. Monroe was also a station master in the Underground Railroad. As I took in this fact, the air became cooler. We were near the back doors and were about to enter the basement.

At the top of the narrow set of stairs was a small plaque that read, “Entrance to Escapees’ Haven.” Looking down the stairway, I thought about the mixed emotions that escapees must have felt. They were less than two miles from Canada, a reason for jubilation, yet a wrong move could cost them their long-awaited freedom.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN PURSANT TO O.R.C. 1317.16 THAT ON THE 9TH DAY OF MARCH, 2017 AT 9:30 A.M., A PUBLIC SALE WILL BE HELD FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELLING THE FOLLOWING PROPERTY:

You have the right to say no.

Prayer Power sometimes means being strong enough to say no. No to the world who says you will make a great doctor, when in your heart, you know you are born to be a writer. No to the family who says you must stay in the city of your birth, when fire is burning in your soul to travel the world. No to the apartment you have lived in for 15 years and move to the 12 room house by yourself.

If your yes won’t let you rest, then it is time to say no. Caterpillars say no, when they are done struggling, growing, wiggling to get out of the cocoon and God says it is time. Children are

www.dormamcgruder.com dorma@dormamcgruder.com 313-282-3382

Elizabeth Bowens

LOCATION OF SALE: MANHEIM AUTO AUCTION 600 WILL CARLETON RD CARLETON, MI 48117 CONDITIONS OF SALE: CASH ONLY. IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF VEHICLE AND REMOVAL FROM PREMISES BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON SALE DAY. PLEASE PUBLISH THIS AD ON: 3/27/17 AS CONFIRMED OF RECEIPT OF THIS LEGAL NOTICE, PLEASE SIGN, DATE, AND EMAIL BACK TO ramiller@guardianfinancecompany.com.

On Saturday, Feb. 11, services for Elizabeth Bowens were held at Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Curtis R. Grant officiating. Mrs. Bowens passed away on Feb. 6, 2017.

Elizabeth Bowens, affectionately known as Betty, was born in Detroit on April 24, 1931 to Margaret Williams and Joe Crawford.

She was educated in the Detroit Public Schools.

She worked at Nichols Elementary School, Chrysler Corporation and Total gas stations.

She was active in the church.

She married Charles P. Ginn in 1948 and Arthur Bowens in 1960.

Left to cherish the memory of Elizabeth Bowens are her children, Diana, Sharon, Arthur, Linda, Barbara Jean, Thomas, Margarite, Anthony, Marsha, Arlene, Darlene, Dwayne and Rodney; a brother, Samuel Williams; and many other relatives and friends.

96

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

th

John Dorman is a feature writer at the New York Times to read this article in its entirety visit https://www.nytimes. com/2017/02/24/travel/ detroit-michigan-windsor-canada-river-underground-railroad-slavery

born earlier or later than the doctors predict, but always when God says it is time to say no to the womb. We are not too young or too old to say no. We are not failures because we don’t have the money, education or connections everyone says we need. We have the right to say no to our past mistakes, yes to the lesson, embrace the change then move on to God’s best for us! In a future column, I will tell you how I kept saying yes, God closed doors, I lost EVERYTHING. I started saying No then God opened doors.

Prayer Power joined with God’s word reminds us that with God, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

Arrangements were handled by Haley Funeral Directors, Southfield.

2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU 1G1ZH57B594218924

Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Rosetta Cooper On Saturday, Feb. 11, services for Rosetta Cooper were held at Holy Cross Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Lorenzo Edwards officiating. Mrs. Cooper passed away on Feb. 3, 2017.

Rosetta McKenzie was born on April 23, 1920 in Birdie, Mississippi to Jim and Verlinda McKenzie. In 1940, she and Benton Lee Cooper were married. They had 10 children, and he had a son from a previous marriage.

The Power of Prayer

By Dorma McGruder

John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Joyce, his five children; Donna Parker (Larry), Carl, Saundra Floyd-Byrd (Alan), Janice Winfrey (Tyrone) and Kevin. His siblings; Lois Ann, Hugh (Rachel), Marva, Herbert, Gerald and Louise. Nine (9) grandchildren and nine (9) great grandchildren and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dona Floyd, and his brothers James, Charles and Thomas Floyd.

1919-2015

In addition to being a devout Christian and active in the church, Mrs. Cooper enjoyed cooking, gardening, making quilts, sewing and maintaining a beautiful home. She was also active in the community.

Cherishing the memory of Rosetta Cooper are her children, Lonzie Fred Cooper, Charles Cooper, Benton Cooper, Jr., Bobbi Jean Bowles-Johnson, Rose Marie Cooper, Ida Cooper-Morrison and Deborah Cooper Wright; a brother, J.T. McKenzie; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Elmwood Cemetery.

Herbert Hoover Knowlton On Tuesday, Jan 17, services for Herbert Hoover Knowlton were held at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Craig D. Ester officiating. Mr. Knowlton passed away on Jan. 11, 2017.

Herbert Hoover Knowlton was born on March 20, 1929 in Howard, Georgia to Eugene and Annie Blanche Standback Knowlton.

He received his earliest education in a one-room schoolhouse in Pineville, Georgia, but because his parents wanted him to have a better educational opportunity, he was sent to live with his paternal grandparents in Butler, Georgia.

After graduating from Butler High School, he earned an associate’s degree from Morris Brown College. He later served in the U.S. Army.

In the early 1950s, Mr. Knowlton moved with his family to Detroit. After being employed by the U.S. Postal Service, he was hired by Norwest Plumbing and Heating Supply Company, advancing to the position of shipping and receiving manager. He worked for the company for 44 years, until retirement.

In June 1958, Herbert Hoover Knowlton and Katrina Carter were married and were blessed with two daughters, Yvette and Yvonne.

Cherishing the memory of Herbert Hoover Knowlton are his daughters, Yvonne and Yvette; their mother, Katrina Knowlton Searcy; a brother, Edwin Eugene Knowlton; and many other relatives and friends.

Swanson Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Interment took place at Sacred Heart of Saint Mary Cemetery.

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Send to: newsdesk@michronicle.com

Page D-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • March 1-7, 2017

Now Accepting Online Nominations

: M E 17 The Michigan Chronicle is now accepting nominations for the Men of Excellence induction Now in its seventh year, the Men of Excellence awards seeks to honor local, African American men who are visionaries in their given fields and inspire those around them to go beyond the norm and strive for the exceptional. They are entrepreneurs, community leaders, fathers, husbands, and inspirers. There is no shortage of negative publicity surrounding African American men, and here at the Michigan Chronicle, we know that there are more black men doing amazing things in business and the community than is being reported.

If you know a man who has defied expectations and changed the status quo, then submit your nominations for the Men of Excellence award by going online to the MichiganChronicle.com.

Nominations are due April 21, 2017.

Submit your nomination at www.michiganchronicle.com

www.michiganchronicle.com

#MCMOE2017