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Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 83 – No. 28 | March 18-24, 2020

Education’s Siren Call

By Dr. Curtis L. Ivery

Our schools are not an experiment and their problems will not be solved by an ultimatum. We need to keep this in mind as we seek answers to a dilemma that’s been plaguing educators and parents for decades: A staggering number of elementary school children are not reading at grade level. In response, the state is issuing a siren call. But, this siren should not screech so loudly that it creates more harm than good. Under a new state law, third graders whose scores fall in the bottom 5% on the reading portion of Michigan’s annual M-STEP exam will be required to repeat the grade. Based on current data, more than half of the students in the state won’t meet the proficiency standard by the time the law goes into effect this summer. At least 5,000 students will be prevented from advancing to the fourth grade. This could be a disaster. I agree something drastic must be done. However, I’ve been focused on community initiatives and programs that empower youth for the better part of my career, and I don’t see the state’s mandate as a workable solution. My obvious concern is the negative impact of a law that presents failing as the only option. Failing a child is a major decision, one that should be handled cautiously and not done with haste. A young mind that faces rejection too soon has to grapple with feelings of inferiority. The child may begin to see himself or herself as an underachiever or outcast. For the student who actually is struggling to improve, the notion of academic ineptitude could leave an indelible mark on his or her self-image. Such perceptions are already higher in lower income communities. A rash of failures as early as the third grade will cripple those communities even more. It doesn’t take a double-blind study to prove that discouraged youth probably won’t graduate from high school. It can be a struggle for high school drop outs to achieve financial stability. Hence, the cycle is reinforced and a generational ripple effect is created or continued. Instead of such extreme measures, shouldn’t the state

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Michigan Leaders Effective In Their Rise To The Coronavirus Challenge Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board With the scourge of the coronavirus spreading across the globe and our nation like wildfire, Michigan residents and Detroiters in particular, can be grateful for the steady and thoughtful leadership shown thus far by our elected and other public officials. Especially at a time when the federal government response under President Trump appears to be lurching from pillar to post as his administration has been trying figure out how best to get a firm handle on the pandemic. As a consequence, it has become critically important for states like Michigan to have extreme cooperation between state and local officials in order to develop a well-coordinated strategy for combatting this deadly and highly communicable disease with or without much guidance from the federal government. At least during the early stages of the pandemic. Given the seriousness of the moment and the very real potential for this deadly disease to get out of hand in our country and state this is no time for egos clashing or for public officials to get territorial.

To her credit, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has shown a steady hand and has worked smoothly with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans to provide clear and unambiguous guidance. This week she signed an order that limited bars and restaurants to carryout orders only. It also closed cafes, coffee houses, bars, taverns, brewpubs, distill-

eries, clubs, movie theaters, indoor and outdoor performance venues, gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, spas and casinos through March 30. And indoor events that have more than 50 people are banned. However, the ban does not include health care facilities, workplaces not open to the

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Food and Homework Provided for DPSCD Students During Three-Week Closure

By Arthur Bridgeforth Jr.

for PSAT/SAT test prep. PSAT/ SAT workbooks will also be available at the 58 sites.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District is ensuring its students won’t go hungry during the three-week closure mandated by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The school district announced late last week that starting on March 18th, students will be provided grab-ingo breakfast and lunch. The meals will be available Monday through Friday, at 58 different school locations. Breakfast will be provided from 8 to 10:30 a.m.; Lunch will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said the action is not only necessary but an example of the important role the district plays in the city. “The ‘CD’ in DPSCD are more than letters in an acronym,” Vitti said in a released statement. “They stand for ‘Community District’ and we are the city’s and people’s real school and community district. This means we advocate and care for our students and families beyond the classroom, especially in times of crisis. This is the moment to show that our work goes beyond rhetoric.”

In addition, K-8 students will have access to reading materials through myON, and iReady will be available for grades K-8 reading and math lessons. The Homework Hotline will be available to families and students, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. For academic support, parents can call 1-833466-3978. DPSCD Board President Iris Taylor echoed Vitti’s comments.

workers, police and security will work through the hiatus, according to the district.

“We are working diligently to ensure the safety of our employees, students and families while taking in consideration their need for food and educational resources during this closure,” Taylor said, in a released statement.

The district isn’t just providing food for the belly, it will also have homework packets to ensure students can feed their minds during the closure.

Whitmer’s order is part of the effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus throughout Michigan and the nation. Even though the students are off during this period, all central office staff, principals, assistant principals, cafeteria

District staff developed K-8 learning packets focusing on math, English Language Arts, science and social studies for students to pick-up at the same school buildings designated for meal pick-ups. Lessons will also be available through Clever, a mobile app. Students in grades 8-12 will have access to Khan Academy

Students and parents can find additional academic resources at www.detroitk12. org/covid19. DPSCD has the weekdays covered for meals, but that leaves the weekend. If students and families find themselves struggling to have adequate food and meals during the weekend, there are other resources available that can provide answers. The United Way of Southeastern has a 211-hotline for families that are seeking food. The line, available 24-7, also provides information on assistance for childcare and utility bills, according to a spokesperson for the organization.

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Coronavirus Challenge From page A-1 public, the state legislature, mass transit, grocery stores, and the performance of agricultural or construction work. The ban will last until 5 p.m. April 5. Equally as important the governor also signed an order expanding unemployment benefits to help people impacted by changes the coronavirus has caused. Under her order, unemployment benefits would be extended to workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill. Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off. And first responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19. The extension will be in effect through April 14. Fortunately, Governor Whitmer’s leadership and proactive response along with that of other governors in places like Ohio, New York, California, Washington State, and Connecticut have spurred the Trump Administration into taken a more aggressive approach in combatting the deadly

coronavirus threat. On Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the administration will seek $850 billion in emergency relief to combat the economic fallout from the disease including weighing cash payments to Americans over the next two weeks. Those are very important developments. However, they do not address what is still the biggest concern regarding the public safety and the coronavirus threat: the woeful lack of a sufficient amount of test kits to determine the exact extent of the contamination among the public. Widespread testing is crucial for understanding the true scope of the outbreak, but a national shortage of testing kits in the United States has hampered the nation’s response to this public health and homeland security crisis. News reports indicate the United States lags behind other countries that rapidly deployed testing and have since seen success in reducing the number of patients contracting the virus. Again, Michigan leadership has emerged in this moment of crisis with a thoughtful proposal by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

This week he announced a proposal to quickly increase the nation’s Coronavirus testing capacity, address the shortage of test kits and remove barriers to access for testing in communities across the country. He has called on the Trump administration and Congress to make testing free, and to ensure test kits are readily available and rapidly distributed to communities and health care providers who need them. His proposal includes: Expand Accessibility and Availability of COVID19 testing by utilizing the Defense Production Act authorities to ramp up production and ensure sufficient supply of critical materials and testing kits. Support Broad, Efficient Testing (FDA): Expedite approval or provide waivers for laboratories ready to provide testing; support the use of high-capacity, automatic testing platforms to increase the speed and volume of testing. Distribute Appropriated Funds (HHS): Expedite the transfer of congressionally-appropriated funding to state, local, territorial and tribal entities to support preparedness and response, including laboratory testing to identify new cases and mitigate the spread of new infections. Monitor Supply Chain Issues (HHS): Partner with public health labs, health care facilities, and

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private industry to identify shortages and ensure a steady supply of all materials and equipment needed for tests. Update Testing Criteria (CDC): Review and update testing criteria as appropriate to guarantee that everyone with potential exposure to or symptoms of COVID-19 is able to be tested. Cover Costs of Test Kits Senator Peters also called for the Senate to quickly pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that includes his Free COVID-19 Testing Act and the House’s costshare waiver for COVID19 diagnostic testing for individuals enrolled in public and private health plans. In times of fear and stress it is easy to be cynical about the motivations and efficacy of those elected to represent the best interests of their constituents. And given the mess in Washington, D.C. these days it’s easy to see why. But it’s also important to give credit where credit is due, when our leaders step up and rise to the occasion in very trying circumstances. Michigan residents can be grateful for the mature, responsible, leadership shown thus far from elected officials like Governor Whitmer, Senator Peters, and Mayor Duggan and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans. Their ability to work collaboratively for the greater good of Michigan and Detroit is a welcome relief from the chaos in Washington, and up in Lansing when the state faced its moment of reckoning during the Flint water crisis. We are confident we can speak for all Michigan residents when we say we’re glad to see there have been lessoned learned.

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Siren Call From page A-1

explore more effective tutoring strategies and enhanced curriculum? Or, it could assist teachers in identifying and supporting students with special needs. For example, consider Carl (not his real name). At the age of six, he was failing first grade, and his teacher already viewed him as someone beyond saving. I was so amazed by his story that I shared it in my recent book, “Wonder of Words, A Parent’s Guide For Raising Children Who Read.” It turns out that Carl could not read because he was an auditory learner. Once his mom discovered his strength, she enrolled him in a special Saturday program that boosted his learning capacity and led him to where he is today – an engineer with an MBA from the University of Michi-

gan. Before the state rushes to hold children back, someone needs to determine their learning style, check to see if they need glasses, make sure they aren’t experiencing hearing loss and test them for reading impairments such as Dyslexia (where letters appear out of place or upside down) or Alexia (neurological damage). According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), children who are read to frequently from infancy are more likely to write their own names (50% vs. 40%) or read to pretend to read (77% vs. 57%) at an earlier age. The results of being read to are direct and immediate, and it gives children tools to success as they begin their educational path. We, as parents and educators, should own this problem and not pass it on to our children.

Colleges React to COVID-19 Virus with Closures and Cancellations By Alicia Nails The announcements coming from universities here in Detroit and around the nation sound like the plot of a sci-fi movie - but they are only too real.

Healthy Strategies From Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: These recommended strategies apply at the individual, organizational, and community levels. They apply to businesses, workplaces, schools, community organizations, health care institutions, and individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and health profiles. Everyone has some measure of responsibility to help limit the spread of this disease. Even individuals who are healthy can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others.

• Communicate and reinforce best practices for washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.

Residents have been preparing for COVID19 for weeks, and all individuals should continue to take the following basic personal-hygiene measures to prevent the spread of the virus:

Access services as much as possible online or by phone.

• wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer; • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands; • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; • avoid handshakes; • avoid contact with sick people who are sick; and stay home when you are sick. Michigan must take further action, however. To help avoid a rapid increase of cases in the state, MDHHS recommends implementing now the following community mitigation strategies. Individuals and families at home: • Learn about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. • If you have respiratory symptoms, STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK. Call your health care provider’s office in advance of your visit. • Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, keyboards, cell phones, and light switches.

Be prepared if there is COVID-19 in your household or a disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food, and other essentials in your house. Consider alternative shopping options such as curbside pickups or online deliveries.

Workplaces: • Encourage employees to stay home when sick and to notify supervisors of illness. • Communicate and reinforce best practices for washing hands covering coughs and sneezes. • Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, keyboards, cell phones, and light switches. • Ensure hand hygiene supplies are readily accessible throughout the workplace. • Encourage staff to tele-work when feasible, particularly individuals at risk of severe illness. • Implement social distancing measures as feasible, including limiting in-person meetings. • Limit large work-related gatherings (e.g., staff meetings and after-work functions). •L imit non-essential work travel. • Cancel or postpone large gatherings, conferences, and sporting events (e.g., greater than 50 people in a shared space). • Discourage employees from eating meals in a large group setting, such as a cafeteria. • Tailor continuity of operation plans to the COVID-19 threat.

Face-to-face classes are cancelled in a massive move to online education. Major commencement ceremonies have been cancelled, including at the University of Michigan. Athletes are seeing their hard-fought seasons grind to a halt before championship play can begin. Seniors are seeing their last days on campus screech to an abrupt halt. Parents are told their children have only days to vacate the dorm rooms they would ordinarily have called home through the spring – and at least one Divine Nine sorority has put a hold on membership intake, dropping a campus “yard” ritual of that season. The United States looks to the lessons of China and Italy, seeking to crush the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 virus by limiting human interaction by way of social distancing. It’s the official recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control to address the pandemic that has been officially declared a national emergency. It’s also the reason the rug has been pulled out from under America’s collegiates right along with so many other sectors of society. “It’s unfortunate that senior year will end like this. I wish they could have found a way to have us hold in place and not have to have us travel home,” said Austin Woods, as he packed up to return home to Detroit from Hampton University in Virginia. The business school / accounting major says, at an HBCU like his where students come from all around the country, the closure is especially hard on those who will need to fly home. His parents will drive the 11 hours to Hampton, pack him up and bring him back. If school does reopen in April or May he’ll be able to fly back with only the items he can carry. Wayne State students saw their

spring break travel abroad trips cancelled. During spring break, they got word that, although the campus is not closing, students who can do so were being asked to vacate the dorm. Classes were moved online, except for labs and other hands-on instruction. These courses can opt for special permission to meet in person, in groups that are small enough to maintain a 6-foot separation between people. Professors who have never taught online before are now gearing up to do so with the aid of those who are experienced in that format. Publishing companies like Macmillan are offering free access to their online learning systems in response to the need to accommodate this switch to remote learning. Campus communities are making allowances where possible. Wayne State remains open, with computer labs and libraries available to accommodate students who don’t have internet access and food service for those who need to remain in the residence halls. Academic accommodations include doing away with attendance policies and offering incompletes to students who are simply unable to quickly adapt to online learning models. For faculty and universities, there’s always next year. The real emotional toll of these trying times may indeed fall on those who worked 12 long years to walk across that stage and take a final stroll across the campuses they hold so dear. “I am disappointed, concerned, and frustrated about school closings. However, I understand the importance of staying healthy,” said Howard University marketing senior Asia Roscoe. “I’m concerned because this is my final semester before graduation. I was looking forward to the last few moments with my professors and Bison family.” Like many students, she’s holding out hope that events will indeed allow schools to reopen by the end of the term and that she’ll be able to return to her Washington D.C. campus. “I hope not to miss Senior week and graduation.”

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Rev. Dr. Steve Bland Jr., new President of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity (COBAP), is on a mission. As the Council’s 19th president – installed January 26, 2020 - Dr. Bland’s vision is to create initiatives and platforms to better empower churches, communities, schools, and the political education of underserved individuals. He also wants to facilitate endeavors focused on youth and adult advocacy. One of Dr. Bland’s forthcoming initiatives is COBAP - Adopt a School Program. “In every area where there are churches, there are schools,” said Dr. Bland. “So I’m asking all Council members to adopt a school for the purpose of supporting afterschool tutoring and mentoring, ensuring the safe passage of students to and from school, and helping to make teachers and administrators’ jobs a little easier.” In addition, Dr. Bland Sherita Smith said the Council is a part of the Detroit Public Schools’ Faith-based Council, which meets and prays to support Superintendent Nikolai Vitti’s programs aimed at improving the school district. Dr. Bland also described “Clergy and Cosmetologists,” another initiative the Council will launch soon. “I want to see barbers and beauticians put up kiosks in their establishments,” said Dr. Bland. “This way customers will have access to pertinent information concerning voter registration, candidates, and ballot proposals, as well as other important issues facing people and their communities.” Another initiative is “Lawyers and Collars,” which will partner lawyers with clergy, to better inform churchgoers and others in the community about voter registration and the education needed to turnout the vote. In addition, Dr. Bland’s vision is to station lawyers at voting sites to legally confront voter suppression. Dr. Bland is also launching “Prophet Sharing,” an initiative which focuses on established individuals in ministry, mentoring, developing and fostering the next generation of pastors and ministers - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The Council, said Dr. Bland, is a non-profit organization established in 1965 as a social voice for the voiceless. There are currently about 150 membership churches. “Our membership is increasing,” Dr. Bland said. “We just took in a pastor from Monroe. We now have pastors from churches in Pontiac, Westland and most of Wayne County. We go as far north as

Flint, as far south as Monroe, as far west as Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor, and to the far East side of Detroit.” To help facilitate the Council’s mission, other local pastors were installed along with Dr. Bland in January. They are Rev. Richard R. White III (1st Vice President), Rev. Orville K. Littlejohn (2nd Vice President), Rev. Dr. Patricia Butler (secretary), Rev. Sylvester Sartin (assistant secretary), Rev. Dr. Edwin Homes (financial secretary), and Rev. Dr. Yvette Griffin (treasurer). In addition to his executive position with the Council, Dr. Bland is President of The Michigan Progressive Baptist State Convention (2018 -2023), Moderator of the Michigan District Baptist Association (2012 – 2020), and Chairman of Leadership Development for the Progressive National Baptist Convention (2010 – 2022). A native of Chicago, Dr. Bland’s career didn’t begin in ministry. After earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, with a minor in music from Northern Illinois University in 1982, Dr. Bland worked as an accountant in Kansas City, Missouri. He served simultaneously as minister of music, pianist and organist, and choir conductor at a large church in Kansas City. His transformation from accounting to preaching manifested after hearing the sermon “Launch Out into the Deep.” Deeply inspired to preach, Dr. Bland ultimately left his accounting job. He soon earned a Master of Divinity Degree in Pastoral Theology from the Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He later earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree at the Samuel D. Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia. His Doctoral thesis: “How to Transition Traditional African American Congregations.” In 2004, following a 14-year tenure as senior pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Rockford, Illinois, Dr. Bland, his wife, Phyllis Jennette Bland, and their four children moved to the Motor City, where Dr. Bland was installed as senior pastor of Liberty Temple Baptist Church. He continues to serve in this capacity. With many unsettling events happening in the city, country and world these days, such as the COVID 19 virus, Dr. Bland believes people must turn to their faith and not their fears. He also believes his brand of leadership is needed for the Council. “My gifting is in leadership development,” Dr. Bland said. “That’s what God has gifted me to do. I humbly assume this role as president, not as a lone ranger, but as a partner with other voices – male and female - of various churches, ethnicities and cultures. Dr. Bland adds. “People say I have several ‘bland-isms,’ ” he said. “The one I believe is appropriate at this time is: ‘We are not divided; we’re disconnected.’ I suggest that we’re much stronger together. As President of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, I will build strong bridges.”

GM Prodigy Charles Muse Recounts his Rise to the Top of Auto Industry By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent

At 28-years-old, Charles Muse is already a significant player at General Motors. Muse, who serves on GM’s Program Engineering Management Team for Autonomous Vehicles, certainly counts as a prodigy. A graduate of Ohio State University Aerospace Engineering, Muse already has more than eight years of automotive industry experience. His professional background includes roles as a Lead Aerodynamicist, Chassis Senior Design Release Engineer, and Engineering Operations Supervisor. A native of Chicago’s Southside, Muse is licensed as a private pilot. In 2019, he mentored young aspiring journalists in Chevrolet’s Discover the Unexpected Program, in partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association. So, how does a 28-year-old quickly climb the ladder at America’s premier automotive company? Muse explains to NNPA Newswire in his own words: “I’d always kind of been infatuated with cars and engineering, and I’ve been taking cars apart since I was younger. That led me to high school, where I started to take engineering and aviation courses as well as flight training at a local airport. When I got to college, I studied Aeronautical and Astronautical engineering. And from there, I ended up landing an internship with General Motors. “I had many engineering assignments as an intern including Aerodynamics and Aeroacoustics in my last rotation and lo and behold, I got a full time offer as an aerodynamicist. As an Aerospace Engineering graduate, you typically end up in the aerospace industry like Lockheed Martin or Boeing, but I was able to land a dream job in both of my passions at General Motors starting out as the lead aerodynamicist for crossovers. “I was the lead aerodynamicist for the Chevy Blazer and what that basically means is designing the vehicle to be aerodynamic. “Aerodynamics, at a high level, can be experienced driving down the highway and putting your hand out the window and you can kind of feel the air push your hand back depending on how you turn it. “You turn your hand perpendicular to ground and the air blows your hand back so that effectively your hand is experiencing aerodynamic drag. “And if you turn it parallel to ground, it’s a lot smoother. My job was executing that “smooth” air flow, essentially low aerodynamic drag values/performance for the vehicle, and that’s a big part of

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Rev. Dr. Steve Bland Jr. Stands Ready To Evolve Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity By Donald James

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what makes the Chevy Blazer efficient. “My role as the lead aerodynamicist was developing the vehicle through wind tunnel test and CFD analysis. Designing different panels and modifying the design to make the car perform at a high aerodynamic level to meet strict fuel economy requirements while delivering an iconic design to the customer. “I executed the engineering and design of many vehicles, the Chevy Blazer, Chevy Traverse, and GMC Acadia to name a few. And it was inherent to my passion. Within these roles, you interact with a lot of engineering leaders at GM; one of which is the chief engineer, someone owns the entire vehicle. They need to understand all requirements including safety, performance, manufacturing, financial, as well as customer requirements. “As the aerodynamicist, when I wanted to make changes to the surface against the theme given from the design studio, I end up in meetings with the chief engineer to hash out what direction we want to take. “The chief was assuming the risk and helping us make that decision. But I was really just intrigued with how articulate and intelligent chief engineers were when it comes to speaking about the entire vehicle. “Every performance aspect, zero to 60 times, energy, design, manufacturing costs, they know everything about the car, and I just really wanted to know how they got to that level? “And they took me under their wing and showed me that they needed to hold different positions within the company to understand how it all works. “So, from aerodynamicist, I got selected to do a special assignment which sourcing a temporary wind tunnel facility during the upgrade of the GM facility, so they asked me to lead the project of identifying, sourcing, and creating the framework of a temporary offsite facility. “So, we ended up at Lockheed Martin’s low speed wind tunnel in Atlanta, Georgia, and struck a deal where we upgraded their wind tunnel facility enabling them to charge more per hour and in exchange, we were awarded dedicated use of their facility for about a year and a half at a lower rate, a good business decision and I got to hire team of technicians, engineers, and sculptors, and we got all the arrow testing down there. “I returned from this assignment as a senior design engineer in chassis working on air induction systems for full size trucks. Taking my background in chassis and engineering and exposing me to the system management team side of the business. Now I am in the total vehicle business working on the program engineering management team for autonomous vehicles.”

Big Insurance Must Help End Surprise Medical Billing By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. It is a serious financial problem that far too many African Americans – from impoverished individuals to working-class families — face these days in the bewilderingly complicated health-care market: Getting hit with an unexpected bill after a hospital stay or visit to the emergency room. Known as “surprise medical billing,” these unexpected costs arise when a patient goes to a hospital for emergency or non-emergency care, only to find out afterwards that one of the medical providers who administered care was not covered in the patient’s insurance network. This outrageous situation benefits one group and one group alone: powerful insurance executives, who have managed to get off the financial hook for such bills, even as insurers shrink insurance coverage networks to wring more and more profits out of the system. But this predatory practice is overwhelming to a family already dealing with the emotional and financial burdens of a medical crisis, typically adding thousands of dollars in unexpected expensBenjamin F. Chavis, Jr. es that can wipe out savings accounts or otherwise strain tight household budgets. So, what can be done to stop and end surprise medical billing? The good news is that both Republicans and Democrats in Congress agree that legislation is needed to protect patients against unexpected medical charges. But as with many complicated issues confronting Congress, lawmakers have been divided on the details of such legislation. Part of the paralysis in Congress stems from confusion and disinformation, as insurance executives and their allies try to frame the debate to their advantage. When Congress tried to address the issue last year, for example, the insurance lobbying machine swung into action, attempting to place the blame for surprise bills on outof-network medical providers who end up having to charge patients when insurers refuse to cover a medical bill. Big insurance almost got its way in that legislative debate when a handful of lawmakers threw support behind a legislative proposal that would shield insurance companies from paying what they ought to pay. The legislation, championed by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), specifically called for setting benchmarked rates for out-of-network medical providers. But far from solving the problem, this approach would make matters worse. It not only frees insurers from their responsibilities. It fails to compensate providers for the cost of the care that they actually provide. And that, in turn, means either patients will get stuck with the bill or medical providers will have to absorb big losses that ultimately jeopardize their ability to stay in business. Fortunately, the proposed bill stalled after the medical community warned that the benchmarked rate favored by the insurance industry would allow insurers to exert a new troubling level of control over health-care prices and the larger health-care delivery system. Now, as Congress begins to take up the issue once again, health insurance companies that evaded significant scrutiny last year seem to be drawing close scrutiny now, both inside and outside of Washington. Speaking to a group of faith leaders and policymakers in South Carolina, an important stop for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, Reverend Al Sharpton criticized the surprise medical billing legislation backed by insurers and stressed the urgent need to deal with the continued lack of access to adequate health insurance coverage for minority communities. “Washington is getting it wrong,” he wrote in an opinion piece published after his South Carolina trip, adding that the bill introduced by “Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to `solve’ the surprise billing problem would literally insulate insurance companies from covering these costs, at a time when profits for insurance companies have reached record highs.” In the U.S. House of Representatives, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal (D-Ma.) predicted that health insurers would do little more than look out for their own interest if they were given the authority to set rates for out-of-network providers. “My concern with giving too much weight to such a benchmark rate is that we already know insurers are looking for any way they can to pay the least amount possible,” he said. “They will work to push those rates down, regardless of what it means for community providers like physicians, hospitals, and our constituents who they employ.” There were similar concerns in the U.S. Senate, where Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) warned that insurers began gaming the system in California once benchmarking rates became the law of the land in that state in 2016. “Insurance companies cancel contracts and then they have the negotiating power and they establish” their own rate, he said, adding that such benchmarking of rates would likely put hospitals “out of business.” It’s worth noting that lawmakers are raising such concerns despite the considerable backing the insurance-industry legislation has had from two powerful lawmakers: Senator Alexander, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; and Frank Pallone, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, whose jurisdiction includes health care issues. More than that, Senator Cassidy introduced legislation that would eliminate surprise medical billing by establishing an arbitration system between insurers and providers — rather than sticking the disputed medical charges to patients. And that legislation is gaining strong bipartisan support, as is a similar bill in the House that is being advanced Representative Phil Roe (R-TN) and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-CA), both of whom are doctors. Surprise medical billing is a problem we can no longer ignore, particularly at a time when roughly two-thirds of Americans say that they are concerned about their ability to pay for an unexpected medical expense for themselves or for a family member. And this practice it is especially hard on African Americans and other people of color in the U.S. who already face significant barriers to health care and who generally receive lower quality of care than the rest of the nation. Congress has an opportunity to make things right by ending the practice of surprise medical billing. Black Americans and all others in America shouldn’t be saddled with exorbitant bills that they had no reason to expect – and that impose an unjust financial burden. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. is President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and can be reached at dr.bchavis@nnpa.org

March 18-24, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-5

Teola Hunter, Al Williams and Tashawna Gill

Robert Ramirez, Tashawna Gill, Anthony Thomas, Tom Wilson, Amy Fidama, Patricia Johnson, Sharon Kelly-Person and State Rep Cynthia Johnson

The 7th African American Leadership Awards Honors Local And Regional Trailblazers The 7th Annual African-American Leadership Awards ceremony honored WWJ Newsradio 950’s Vickie Thomas as Journalist of the Year for providing outstanding leadership in the profession as well as publishing stories critical to the black community. Thomas was recognized for her lifelong work covering stories critical to Detroit and her continuing leadership locally and nationally as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. “Journalism is more important now than ever before as the news media becomes more fractured by a social media landscape that overwhelms our everyday senses. African-American leadership in the field is critical to keeping our communities informed, organized and successful,” says Al Williams, co-founder of the ceremony “Each year we take time to celebrate the accomplishments of a broad range of people working hard to help move our communities forward in business, politics and civic life. This new award reminds us to honor those who work hard to bring us the news. Vickie Thomas has demonstrated both courage in her reporting and unparalleled advocacy for black journalists for many years. We are honored to present Ms. Thomas with our first award.” The Journalist of the Year award is a special honor. Ms. Thomas joined Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, UAW National President Rory Gamble, Congresswomen Brenda Law-

rence and Rashid Talib from Michigan’s 14th and 13th districts. The African American Leadership Awards came from an idea to create an experience that recognizes and salutes public servants, business leaders, and community leaders for their contributions to the African American community locally, regionally and statewide. Held every year during Black History Month, the program has brought thousands of people together from around the state and has recognized hundreds for their contributions to the community. These awardees include former Congressman John Conyers, Michigan Lt. Governor Garland Gilchrist, Federal Judge Denise Page Hood, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones as well as luminaries from across the state. The categories for awards include: Political Pioneer - a black leader who broke barriers and opened doors for African Americans in Michigan. The recipient of this award must be retired. Posthumous entries accepted; Emerging Leader – for people under the age of 35 who have shown great promise as a political leader or organizer; Business Leader of the Year – a business leader who has and will continue to brake barriers and opened doors for African Americans in Michigan business and politics. The recipients of this award must be retired.

Vickie Thomas and Al Williams

Styron Batchelor, Judge Craig Strong and Al Williams

EVERY DETROITER

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Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com •

March 18-24, 2020

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Roots.

| March 18-24, 2020

michiganchronicle.com

Comerica colleagues (l-r) Anthony Peters, Cindy Croft, Tracey Atwater, Katy Barwig and Gerrett Peters gather and deliver messages of support during National Salute to Vetrans Patients Week.

HOMEFRONT

Comerica Salutes Veterans Affairs Patients With Special Visit

During National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, which takes pace annually the week of February 14, Comerica Cares volunteers, including members of Comerica’s Veteran Leadership Network and the Military/Veteran market segmentation initiative, visited patients at the John D. Dingell Detroit Veterans Administration Medical Center. Volunteers passed out valentines and messages of support to thank veterans for their service and sacrifice. “We look forward to this week every year because we know how special our veterans are to our country,” said Patricia McCann, Comerica vice president and social impact director. “We enjoy spending time with patients at the VA and hope to bring cheer and support during their stay. We wish quick recoveries for all of them, and we want them to know how much we appreciate their service.”

Organized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Salute to Veteran Patients Program pays tribute and expresses appreciation to veterans, increases community awareness of the role of the VA medical center and encourages citizens to visit hospitalized Veterans and to become involved as volunteers. Numerous organizations and volunteers around the country each year show theirs thanks to a special group of men and women, the more than 9 million Veterans of the U.S. armed services who are cared for in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, outpatient clinics, domiciliaries, and nursing homes. The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center, located in Midtown Detroit, provides health care services that are available to over 330,000 veterans in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties.

Comerica’s Gerrett Peters (middle) and Anthony Peters (right) push a cart full of messages on their way to veterans at the John D. Dingell Detroit VA Medical Center.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH:

History Lesson on Black Bottom and Paradise Valley Neighborhoods Comerica colleagues took a trip back in time courtesy of WJBK-TV FOX 2 reporter Josh Landon to explore the histories of the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods in Detroit as part of the bank’s annual Black History Month Lunch & Learn series. The Fox 2 News feature allowed attendees to go on an emo-

tional journey and explore two communities that no longer exist and discussed to present and future potential of Detroit. The Comerica African America Network (CAAN), an employee resource network group, and the SE Michigan Learning Diversity Awareness Roundtable (LDART) deliv-

ered the Lunch and Learn Series at three different Comerica operations centers located in downtown Detroit, Livonia and Auburn Hills. Colleagues engaged in the series and shared their personal connections to the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods. Some recalled stories told to them from members of their families.

Comerica presented Josh Landon (middle) with an award of apprecia- Fox 2 news reporter Josh Landon discusses his history feature on the Black Bottom and tion on his history feature on Detroit. Presenting for Comerica (l-r): Marvin Paradise Valley neighborhoods with Comerica colleagues at the bank’s Michigan headRushing, Teresa Lefevre, Roxsand Dobson and Michael Cheatham. quarters in Detroit.

2020 Comerica Bank Java and Jazz Update In 2020, the Detroit Public Library celebrates its 20th season of Comerica Bank Java and Jazz. The first concert in the annual series to kick off the season was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:00 p.m. with Straight Ahead. Unfortunately, due to the concerns regarding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) as well as the Executive Order 2020-5 issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer

to cancel all events over 250 people and all assemblages in shared spaces over 250 people Friday, March 13, the library has postponed the March concert. The health of our patrons, attendees and staff is of the utmost concern considering the large crowds associated with Java and Jazz concerts. Please stay up to date on the upcoming series by visiting www.detroitpubliclibrary.org or the Detroit Public Library’s social media accounts.

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • March 18-24, 2020

A Message from Comerica Bank Coronavirus (COVID-19): What we’re doing to help keep customers, employees and communities safe At Comerica Bank, the well-being of our customers, employees and communities is our priority. We recognize that the public is very concerned about the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and want to assure you that we are actively monitoring the situation and taking the necessary precautions. Comerica has extensive plans in place to handle situations such as this to ensure our customers’ funds remain protected and accessible and that you are safe coming into our facilities. Currently, Comerica Bank has enacted restrictions on both international and domestic business travel among our employees, which includes a strict quarantine standard for those following personal international travel. Comerica is also closely monitoring all planned corporate-sponsored events, and, on a case-by-case basis, changing plans as appropriate. Additionally, our teams are meeting regularly to ensure that we are initiating every measure to keep our employees healthy and provide them the ability to work from home as necessary. We recognize that our banking centers operate as vital resources in the communities we serve. Our efforts to support the safety of our customers and employees include ensuring stringent cleaning of our facilities, installing hand sanitizing stations, and practicing social distancing when interacting with others. We are here to support you. We are committed to providing you with exceptional service. If you are facing hardship related to the Novel Coronavirus, you are encouraged to reach out to us at (888) 444-9876 to discuss your banking needs with a trained specialist. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. If you can’t make it to a banking center, but need to deposit checks, log into the Comerica Mobile Banking® app, select “Deposit” from the bottom menu and select “Make a New Deposit.” Take a photo of the front and back of your check, submit and your deposit is complete. Use several convenient options to help you manage your banking needs, including ATMs, Banker Connect interactive teller machines and Mobile/Web Banking, or by simply calling (888) 444-9876. We understand that fraudsters may take advantage of the heightened emphasis put on the coronavirus. Please be aware that Comerica will never initiate an unsolicited request for personal information (e.g., Social Security number, user IDs or passwords) via email. While Comerica will continue monitoring this situation and will provide updates as necessary, we encourage you to visit the CDC website for additional guidance and up-to-date information.

Thank you for trusting us with your banking relationship.

March 18-24, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com • Page B-3

Caregivers: The Hidden Heroes Celestine Hollings , 100, By Georgette C R Johnson

passed into eternal rest on March 8, 2020.

Mrs. Hollings was born January 3, 1920. She is the beloved wife of the late Albert Hollings and stepmother to his children and grandchildren and loving mother to her only son, Robert A. Mitchell. She was a lifelong educator and a retired nurse. The visitation will be held at James H. Cole Home for Funerals, 2624 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208 on Friday, March 20th from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. The funeral will be held Saturday March 21 at Plymouth United Church of Christ, 600 E Warren Ave. ,Detroit, MI 48201, where she has been a member since 1945. The family hour is 10 a.m. -11 a.m. Funeral service is 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in her name to the United Negro College.

Executive Editor

Former first lady Rosalyn Carter once put it best when she said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Carter was first to hold a caregiver conference that identified issues such as burnout and guilt which are just a few of the side effects from caring for others. “Caregivers feel isolated anyway when caring for loved ones but now with the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s even more isolation,” said Paula S. Duren, PhD, founder and CEO of Universal Dementia Caregivers (UDC). They’re not able to take their loved ones out to the movies or any errands or gathering place.” During this time of health uncertainty, Duren says they’re not able to offer the workshops she normally holds to assist caregivers with their needs. UDC offers guidance, refuge and workshops for caregivers to help them understand and cope better with their role. There are physical and mental strains suffered by caregivers which result in them viewing it as a chronic stress experience due in part to putting others needs before their own, lose of sleep, poor eating habits, failure to exercise and to stay in bed when ill. Sixty-seven percent of caregivers don’t honor their own doctors appointments. “There are many people who care for others on many different levels from picking up medicines, taking loved ones to appointments, shopping to full total all day care,” said Duren. But according to Duren, they ‘fail to claim’. “Self-claiming helps to start thinking about the role and what it takes to be a caregiver,” said Duren. She added that too many of us lose ourselves in the caregiving role and we have to maintain a sense of life and think about life after being a caregiver. “We have become a society increasingly dependent on caregivers and this is why caregivers need to learn to reclaim themselves,” said Duren. “Caregivers are often invisible and selfless,

Caregiver Bootcamp.

Paula S. Duren which makes them an overlooked group.” According to The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 65.7 million unpaid caregivers provide care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged and an estimated 66% of caregivers are female. About 15.7 million adult family caregivers say they miss an average of 6.6 workdays per year, which amounts to 126 million missed workdays each year. In 2011, 36% of caregivers missed 1-5 days while 30% reported missing 6 or more days. When considering the economic impact of caregiving, it can be difficult. “The strain is enormous and may put caregivers’ own financial and retirement security at risk,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s chief advocacy and engagement officer. Researchers surveyed nearly 2,000 family caregivers representing a variety of races and ethnicities in July and August 2016 and asked them to keep a diary of their expenditures. The study found that family care-

June Gregory givers spent an average of nearly $7,000 a year of their own money and more than $7400 in 2019. However, Detroit native June Gregory is a caregiving gem. She is a caregiver both professionally and in her personal life. She cares for her grandchildren as well as her paraplegic son. “It boils down to love,” said Gregory. “I love what I do and I love people.” “I care differently for my grandchildren in that I’m teaching and instructing them and making certain they’re doing what they’re suppose to.” “Caregiving takes someone patient, compassionate and understanding and willing to put as much as they need to caring for someone properly,” said Gregory. “And it doesn’t also happen when someone is sick,” she added. Gregory said of her son that she has to do everything for him including scratch his nose if it itches. Her passion for being there and caring for people fuels her but she admits that she takes time for herself and she has to

Dee Dee Bridgewater to Headline Detroit Jazz Festival The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation proudly presents the Grammy and Tony-award winning jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater as its Artist-in-Residence for the 2020 Detroit Jazz Festival.

Over the course of a multifaceted career spanning four decades, iconic jazz giant Dee Dee Bridgewater has ascended to the upper echelon of vocalists, putting her unique spin on standards, as well as taking intrepid leaps of faith in re-envisioning jazz classics. Ever the fearless voyager, explorer, pioneer and keeper of tradition, the three-time Grammy winner most recently won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album for Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959): To Billie With Love From Dee Dee. Bridgewater’s career has always bridged musical genres. She earned her first professional experience as a member of the legendary Thad Jones/Mel Louis Big Band, and throughout the 70’s she performed with such jazz notables

In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, she has recently received training and information on her job to make certain she and other caregivers are prepared to handle clients properly and also stay safe. For more information on caregiving and resources, go to www.universaldementia.org

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A medical research study to learn how to treat patients with a type of prolonged seizures in the emergency department was recently performed in this community. Before the study, doctors didn’t know what medicine worked best. The study showed that three medicines commonly used to treat prolonged seizures all work similarly well, stopping seizures about half the time in both children and adults. The medicines were also similar in safety. These results give doctors more flexibility and confidence when treating patients with prolonged seizures. The researchers thank the community for their support of this emergency research conducted with exception from consent. The study, called the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial, or ESETT, was published in the November 28, 2019 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

As the 2020 Artist-in-Residence, Bridgewater will support Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation educational clinics for students and community engagements across the region throughout the year in addition to leading multiple diverse performances during Labor Day Weekend. However, the March 23 fundraiser at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café where Bridgewater was set to perform has been cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. “Dee Dee Bridgewater’s timeless voice, legendary career accomplishments and indomitable spirit are what makes her such a special selection for our Artist-in-Residence this year,” said Chris Collins, president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “We’re excited to have Dee Dee, a true and treasured jazz vocalist, headline what will be another exceptional showing of Detroit’s jazz gift to the world.”

rejuvenate to keep going. “You must take care of yourself and stay healthy or you can’t take care of anyone else,” said Gregory.

To learn more about the research and the results visit the ESETT website at: www.esett.org

Dee Dee Bridgewater as Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon and Dizzy Gillespie. Bridgewater also pursued a parallel career in musical theater, winning a Tony Award for her role as “Glinda” in the The Wiz in 1975. She recently completed a run as the lead role of Billie Holiday in the off-Broadway production of Lady Day, for which Bridgewater received the British Laurence Olivier nomination for best actress in a musical. Her other theatrical credits include Sophisticated Ladies, Black Ballad and Carmen. As a Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bridgewater continues to appeal for international solidarity to finance global grassroots projects in the fight against world hunger. The Detroit Jazz Festival will be held in downtown Detroit on Sept. 4 – 7.

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Study: African Americans Poorer Today Than Five Years Ago By Stacy M. Brown African Americans were more likely to be unemployed than Americans overall in 2018 than they were in 2013, according to a new study that details the economic and financial progress African Americans have made over five years. Researchers at Lending Tree, the popular website that connects borrowers with lenders, found that while unemployment decreased for African Americans by 36 percent – from 16.6 percent in 2013 to 10.6 percent in 2018 — it was still five percentage points higher than the unemployment rate for Americans as a whole. The unemployment rate for Americans overall in 2013 was 9.7 percent, which fell to 5.9 percent in 2018. “I don’t want to get political here, but I would hope that this report would color how people view the approaches that the parties and candidates take toward legislative and social issues, and how those things are framed,” Lending Tree Lead Researcher Kali McFadden told NNPA Newswire. “It certainly demonstrates that, even though people talk about how much better economically things are, African Americans are more in the hole than they were five years ago.” Among other key findings, the median household income for African Americans grew by 13.4 percent, roughly the same rate of 13.7 percent for Americans as a whole. But, it remains 33 percent below the national average.

Quicken Loans Community Fund And Gilbert Family Foundation Donate $1.2-Million to Combat COVID-19 Quicken Loans Community Fund and the Gilbert Family Foundation have announced a $1.2 million donation toward various entities working to combat COVID-19. The donation follows other charitable efforts in Quicken Loans affiliated cities such as: Detroit, Cleveland, Phoenix, and Charlotte. The QL team members in these cities will participate in a matching fundraiser campaign, and the funds will be donated to the following organizations and communities: Detroit – Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Focus: HOPE, Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank. Cleveland – Cleveland Food Bank and the United Way of Greater Cleveland. Phoenix – St. Mary’s Food Bank, the Area Agency on Aging of Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun United Way. Charlotte – Second Harvest Food Bank and the United Way of Central Carolinas. The $1.2 million investment will include:

The study revealed that the median household income for Blacks in 2018 was $40,155 — more than $20,000 less than the $60,293 median household income for Americans as a whole. The median individual earnings for African American workers — which were already 16 percent lower than the median personal earnings for American workers as a whole — grew by 7.1 percent, compared with 9.5 percent for workers as a whole. That means that the earnings gap between African Americans and Americans as a whole increased by 11.2 percent between 2013 and 2018. And, although household income increased, the income gap between Black Americans and Americans as a whole remained steady at 33 percent. In comparison, the wage gap between Blacks and Americans as a whole increased 11 percent from 2013 to 2018. While homeownership rates fell for Americans overall between 2013 and 2018, Blacks saw a more significant drop of 4.7 percent, compared with 1.7 percent for Americans as a whole. Study authors concluded that there are four metro areas in which Black homeowners have closed the gap within 20 percent – all of them are in the South, specifically in the Carolinas. Minnesota, Minn., has the most substantial gap, at 64 percent. What McFadden said she found most striking is the advances made in education by African Americans, which didn’t translate into more economic prosperity in the Black community. “In almost every metric we examined, African Americans realized slower growth than the country as a whole, but they did outpace their peers when it comes to higher education,” McFadden noted. The study revealed that African Americans are closing the higher education gap as the percentage of Black people with a bachelor’s degree rose from 18.6 percent in 2013 to 21.1 percent in 2018 – an increase of 13.5 percent.

See DEBT page B5

• $250,000 donation by both the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation into the United Way for Southeastern Michigan COVID-19 Community Response Fund that will support vulnerable populations and the nonprofits serving those in need amid the coronavirus pandemic ($500,000 total). • $250,000 investment by the Gilbert Family Foundation to the United Community Housing Coalition to address housing instability, including mortgage, rental and utility assistance, as well as additional issues exacerbated

by the effects of coronavirus on the community.

to join us in supporting this necessary cause.”

• $450,000 to be provided as flexible investments by the Quicken Loans Community Fund for small businesses and existing grant partners to ensure they can maintain operations in the weeks ahead.

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan COVID-19 Community Response Fund will impact families by providing healthcare information, resources, food, and employment-related issues. Also, there will be a match dollar-for-dollar initiative through QL and Detroit-based organizations such as Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Focus: HOPE, Forgotten Harvest and Gleaners Community Food Bank.

“As Detroit’s largest employer and in an effort to prioritize the health, well-being and safety of our team members and community, it was important to Quicken Loans and the Rock Family of Companies to have our team members work from home over the coming weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Jay Farner, CEO of Quicken Loans. “However, we understand that the coronavirus pandemic is going to cause unique consequences for our home community, which is why we are announcing a $1.2 million investment from the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation to support Detroit nonprofits and those in need during this difficult time.” “Our actions today will impact the trajectory of the coronavirus tomorrow, which is why it is so critical that we, as a philanthropic community, immediately support Detroit residents through direct investments in families and those nonprofits that provide crucial services,” said Jennifer Gilbert, co-founder of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “The Gilbert Family Foundation is proud to invest in United Way and United Community Housing Coalition in order to mitigate the impacts of this virus today and for the foreseeable future. We encourage other organizations

“We are grateful to the Quicken Loans Community Fund and Gilbert Family Foundation for their leadership in helping to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations and organizations in Metro Detroit,” said Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “There are 681,000 households in our area already struggling to meet their basic needs who are especially vulnerable to the potential impact of COVID-19, and this donation will ensure support and continuity of service for these families.” “Today we are living in a moment of uncertainty, but I am steadied by the fact that so many of our team members and partners have come together to learn more about how each of us can do our part,” said Laura Grannemann, Vice President of the Quicken Loans Community Fund. “By investing alongside our 30,000 team members across the country and providing flexible funds to grant partners and small businesses in need, we are working together to build the health and resilience of our communities.”

Governor Whitmer Expands Unemployment Benefits for Michigan Workers Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed Executive Order 2020-10 to temporarily expand eligibility for unemployment benefits. This executive order is effective immediately and until Tuesday, April 14 at 11:59pm. • Under the governor’s order, unemployment benefits would be extended to: • Workers who have an unanticipated family care responsibility, including those who have childcare responsibilities due to school closures, or those who are forced to care for loved ones who become ill. • Workers who are sick, quarantined, or immunocompromised and who do not have access to paid family and medical leave or are laid off. • First responders in the public health community who become ill or are quarantined due to exposure to COVID-19. “While we work together to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, we must do everything we can to help working families,” said Governor Whitmer. “This executive order will provide immediate relief to those who can’t go to work, and who rely on their paycheck to put food on the table for themselves and their families. I urge everyone to make smart choices at this time, and to do everything in their power to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.” “We know that many families are and will experience economic pain as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.,” said Jeff Donofrio, Director of the De-

Governor Gretchen Whitmer partment of Labor and Economic Opportunity. “Our expansion of unemployment and workers’ compensation benefits is designed to help provide emergency support to Michigan’s working families.” The State is also seeking solutions for self-employed workers and independent contractors who traditionally do not have access to unemployment insurance. Access to benefits for unemployed workers will also be extended: • Benefits will be increased from 20 to 26 weeks.

• The application eligibility period will be increased from 14 to 28 days • The normal in-person registration and work search requirements will be suspended. Eligible employees should apply for unemployment benefits online at Michigan.gov/UIA or 1-866-500-0017. A factsheet on how to apply for benefits can be found here. Under the order, an employer or employing unit must not be charged for unemployment benefits if their employees become unemployed because of an

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executive order requiring them to close or limit operations.

The increase for Americans as a whole was just 9.4 percent – from 28.8 percent in 2013 to 31.5 percent in 2018, Lending Tree researchers found.

The order also expands the State’s Work Share program. Employers are encouraged to implement the program that permits employers to maintain operational productivity during declines in regular business activity instead of laying off workers. More information about Work Share can be found here.

Black residents of Riverside, Calif., Pine Bluff, Ark. and San Antonio have closed the gap with the whole of their communities when it comes to earning higher education degrees.

Additional unemployment resources for employees can be found here and for workers here.

Residents of Charlottesville, Va. have seen that gap widen the most: 66 percent. “The education findings to me really were the most striking, the most disheartening and frightening,” McFadden lamented. “You know, we’d really hope that education would create a more even playing field and the fact that African Americans are exceeding the growth rate in higher education degrees shows a lot of things. It shows achievement, and it shows that families are directing their children, and it shows a lot of groundswell for entering the professional working world.” She continued: “The fact that other economic indicators aren’t keep-

ing pace with that is really startling. And, I don’t have a good reason for why that is. We know about workplace bias, and we know about resume bias.” McFadden opined that student loans are more of a hindrance to African Americans than others. “If you’re less likely to come from a family that has the kind of wealth that can help support your schooling, it’s obviously going to be a problem in terms

of accumulating debt,” she stated.

and those debts are harder to pay,” McFadden added.

For those attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), McFadden believes the lack of funding at those schools contributes to high student debt.

The comprehensive study did reveal places where African Americans are faring well.

“HBCUs just don’t have the endowments that the most prestigious schools have. We have reports that show where parents are borrowing to send their kids to school,

Researchers found that the Cape Coral-Ft. Myers, Fla., metro area is leading the country in economic advancement for African Americans. The population has grown by 17 percent, median household income is up by 26 percent, and individual earnings are up by 22 percent. Homeownership is up by 50 percent in Cape Coral-Ft. Myers, and unemployment is down by 66 percent. Also, 25 percent more Black residents in the Cape Coral-Ft. Myers area is attaining higher education degrees than they were in 2013. Grand Rapids, Mich., and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., came in second and third place, respectively. The five locations with the least overall gains for African Americans are all in the South – Houma-Thibodaux, La., Shreveport-Bossier City, La., Hammond, La., Goldsboro, N.C., and Hilton Head Island-Beaufort, S.C. When asked what’s the biggest takeaway from the study, McFadden called most of the details “depressing for African Americans.”

Voice of the Community at your fingertips. michiganchronicle.com

Governor Whitmer is also seeking additional solutions for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Earlier this month, Congress passed legislation that makes $1 billion available to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide low-interest loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits that have suffered substantial economic losses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor has informed SBA that she is seeking an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state and has initiated the process to receive the declaration from SBA. Once granted, small businesses in qualifying areas will be able to access low-interest loans through the SBA. In the interim, we are encouraging small businesses that could benefit from SBA loans to start collecting the information they’ll need to complete and submit their application. Examples of information needed can be found here. For additional information or to obtain help preparing the loan application in advance of the declaration, please contact the Michigan SBA offices in Detroit or Grand Rapids. The governor has requested that President Trump issue a Major Disaster Declaration so that Individual Assistance and Disaster Unemployment Assistance through FEMA may be made available to additional Michiganders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) call center stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance through other available state programs. For more information, visit MEDC’s website: www.michiganbusiness.org or call 888.522.0103. The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. Visit their website https://sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/ for additional information.

Page B-6 • michiganchronicle.com • March 18-24, 2020

COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHT Daphne Daphne Tucker got her start with Comerica Bank as a part-time, floating teller position. Not yet seeing herself as a banker, Tucker didn’t plan to stay with Comerica for the long-haul, but that soon changed in a big way.

Tucker

participated in UNCF for several years and in 2018 and 2019 she was team captain for the West Oakland District. Her other volunteer activities include participating in and donating to the America Heart Walk and Adopt-A-Child. Tucker says she enjoyed her most memorable volunteer experience through Adopt-A-Child, getting her whole team involved to help a mom and her three kids.

“I began to see Comerica as my future, so I started the process of learning all that was needed to move with the company,” said Tucker. “Here it is 20 years later. Who would’ve thought I could go from a parttime teller to assistant vice president and branch manager.”

“We bought toys, clothes, coats, and gift sets for the mother,” said Tucker. “We were able to brighten the family’s day with gifts for everyone.”

Tucker loves volunteering with Adopt a Child each holiday season to help community members in need.

That’s the title Tucker has held for Daphne Tucker almost six years. She’s responsible for the overall leadership and success at the Commerce Township Comerica banking center on Maple Road at M-5. Tucker’s many duties include providing development to direct staff, maintaining a strong focus on customer experience, driving results, managing vision, and promoting the Comerica Promise.

Outside of Comerica Cares, Tucker collects stuffed animals to donate to her local police department and hospitals and gives food gift cards to the less fortunate. Tucker’s advice for those looking to advance their careers is, “Be a sponge and learn everything you can to enhance your skill set. Remain humble and push yourself. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake because that’s how you learn. When faced with ‘criticism,’ remember to keep an open mind and thought process. Take it, use it, and build on it. Believe in yourself.”

Comerica Bank’s Michigan Index Improves

Detroit - Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index increased in December to a level of 117.9. December’s reading is 20 points, or 20 percent, above the index cyclical low of 97.9. The index averaged 117.8 points for all of 2019, 0.8 points below the index average for 2018. November’s index reading was 117.4. Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index improved in December, breaking a string of three consecutive monthly declines. Increased residential construction and the normalization of automobile production after the resolution of the GM/UAW strike were key factors. The five positive index components in December were nonfarm employment, housing starts, house prices, light vehicle production and Robert A. Dye hotel occupancy. The four negative components were unemployment insurance claims (inverted), industrial electricity demand, total state trade and state sales tax revenue. Trade–related uncertainty for the Michigan economy diminished at the end of 2019 with the resolution of the Phase 1 trade with China and the USMCA trade agreement.

Tucker has achieved plenty in both her professional and personal lives, but she remains thankful and humble. Humility, however, should not be confused with lack of self-belief, something Tucker says she learned from her mother’s encouraging words, “Just because you don’t see yourself as a star, your light still shines.”

Tucker is also responsible for coaching and developing staff through marketing activities that both retain and expand business. She directly manages the Human Resource process for employees, including selecting, training, performance management, disciplinary actions, career development, recognition and retention. Plus, she’s responsible for maintaining compliance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, as well as Comerica policies and procedure.

Tucker is an active volunteer with UNCF, even serving as a team captain for the West Oakland District the past two years.

“I love working with clients and building long lasting relationships. You get to know a lot of the clients personally, so I love hearing about new babies, weddings, trips and more,” said Tucker. “I also really enjoy working with my team. Because we are with each other more than our families, we’ve become our own.”

Born and raised in Pontiac, Tucker is dedicated to serving the community. She calls herself an “advocate” for volunteering, especially through Comerica Cares. Tucker

Hobbies: Daphne says she’s a “simple girl” who enjoys snuggling up watching movies, listening to music and enjoying a glass of wine, reading and traveling. She’s visited such places as Mexico, Jamaica, The Bahamas, New Orleans, Florida and Mississippi.

school students. Through Winning Futures’ evidence-based and structured Workforce Prep program, students throughout Metro Detroit are immersed in a four-year experiential curriculum that begins in 10th grade and continues through one year post high school.

The direct and indirect effects of the coronavirus outbreak in both Asia and Europe represents threats to supply chains in Michigan as well as to final demand for Michigan exports. We expect to see continued weak global trade data in 2020. The Center for Disease Control has issued a warning that it expects to see an increasing number of coronavirus cases in the U.S. This could result in a drag on U.S. consumer confidence in the months ahead, with negative implications for U.S. auto sales this spring. However, the increase in home sales and new home construction in recent months is good news for the auto industry. The Michigan Economic Activity Index consists of nine variables, as follows: nonfarm payroll employment, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, house price index, industrial electricity sales, auto assemblies, total trade, hotel occupancy and sales tax revenue. All data are seasonally adjusted. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.

The program includes in-class mentoring, life skills development, goal setting, job readiness training, and career exploration.

To subscribe to Comerica’s economic publications or for questions, contact

In December, Comerica presented a financial contribution of $18,000 to Winning Futures as part of the bank’s partnership with the Detroit Lions and the 2019 First Down Program.

Archives available at http://www.comerica.com/insights Follow on Twitter: @Comerica_Econ.

Goals: Daphne said she plans to continue growing into the next phase of leadership. She loves retail banking but even if it moves her in another direction of Comerica, she would welcome the growth.

Comerica Lends Helping Hands to Winning Futures Corks & Forks Fundraiser Comerica Cares volunteers pitched in some helping hands to support Winning Futures Corks & Forks annual fundraising event. Corks & Forks is a special wine tasting and luxurious food experience featuring more that 50 corporations who attend this funfilled event. During the reception, attendees enjoyed samples of unique wines, scotches and tequilas complemented with tasty hors d’oeuvres. The Wine Tasting included samples of 40 specialty wines and followed by a gourmet seated dinner.

Comerica Cares volunteers Holly Windom and Michelle Craig helped The evening benefited Winning Futures, support Winning Futures annual a nationally recognized and award-winning Corks & Forks fundraiser. community organization that empowers high

ComericaEcon@comerica.com.

We’re building our community, one mortgage at a time. Get the experience, knowledge and advice you deserve. Buying a new home can be challenging to navigate. At Comerica, our Mortgage Specialists can help you feel at home with your decision. We’ll help you research and analyze all your options to determine the best mortgage program for you.

For more information, visit your local Comerica banking center or visit Comerica.com today.

MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. Comerica Bank NMLS ID: 480990

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City. Life. Style. C1 | March 18-24, 2020

Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

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TEDxDetroit Returns For 2020

Mark your calendars! TEDxDetroit returns this September to celebrate ideas worth spreading in 2020. This year, organizers expect the event to be bigger than ever before – in part thanks to a brand new location and new presenting sponsor, United Shore.

“This is the dawn of a new decade in Detroit and our future has never looked brighter.” — Terry Bean, Producer

“Innovation and great people are the foundation for both TEDxDetroit and United Shore,” said Mat Ishbia, president and CEO of United Shore. “We are proud to be a big part of this conference and bring people together who believe that great ideas can propel business forward.” TEDxDetroit is in its 12th year and has been held in iconic Detroit locations from the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Fox Theatre and most recently, the Masonic. “The 2020 TEDxDetroit event will be our biggest, brightest and best yet,” said Terry Bean, producer. “We wanted a venue partner where the true inspiration that is TEDxDetroit would be felt immediately upon entering.” For the first time TEDxDetroit will move to Ford Field – the largest venue organizers have called home thus far. “This is actually our 10th venue,” Bean noted. “Our goal is to shine a light on all the great gems in and around the city. TEDxDetroit attendees will see parts of Ford Field that Lions fans or concert goers wouldn’t ever have a chance to see.” TEDxDetroit brings together the area’s leading thinkers, designers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists and

students for an inspiring day in the city. Curator Charlie Wollborg has described it as “part business conference, part science fair, part art festival and part revival.”

“We are getting an early start on this year’s program so we can deliver the best event yet,” Bean said. “It’s a really high bar and our amazing team is totally up to the challenge.”

The annual event is set to return 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Ford Field will allow for an unprecedented amount of space in which to highlight TEDxDetroit Talks, interactive Labs and live entertainment throughout the day.

The day-long conference sells out every year. TEDxDetroit encourages attendees to forge new connections and spark ideas for the community through its live TEDTalks, videos, hands-on exhibits in TEDxLabs, art, music and more. TEDxDetroit is the only

Detroit-based event created to foster such collaborations throughout the region. The first TED idea conference was held in California in 1984. TED was an acronym for technology, entertainment, and design – three fields that spur innovation across the economy. TEDx carries the spirit of TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe. The TEDx program began in 2009 and TEDxDetroit was

among the first and is still among the largest of these independently organized events. Each TEDx event follows guidelines established by TED and operates at the local level under a license granted by TED. “This is the dawn of a new decade in Detroit and our future has never looked brighter,” Bean said. To purchase tickets for TEDxDetroit. Visit tedxdetroit. com. Early bird tickets cost $75 for a limited time.

FanDuel Group and MotorCity Casino Announce Exclusive Deal In an agreement that brings together America’s #1 sportsbook with a premier destination for entertainment in Detroit, FanDuel Group will take its industry-leading sports betting services to MotorCity Casino. Beginning on March 12th, 2020, this collaboration will allow guests and sports fans to place bets in an exciting, newly designed area of the award-winning casino. The two-story sportsbook will feature six betting windows, sixty-seven high-definition televisions, one ticker, a VIP area, and fifty-four self-service IGT PlaySports betting kiosks. The FanDuel Sportsbook at MotorCity Casino will accept bets on all major U.S. sports, including baseball, hockey, soccer, football, basketball, golf, boxing, motorsports racing, and more. “For two decades, we have been committed to reimag-

of Champions’. As we look to expand our national footprint and bring America’s top sportsbook to more customers across the country, this was a perfect fit,” said Matt King, chief executive officer of FanDuel Group. “It has everything we look for – from the industry leading casino operation to the proud and passionate Midwest fanbase. Exciting things are happening in Detroit, and we couldn’t be more excited about this move to the Motor City.”

ining the guest experience – consistently raising the bar with innovative entertainment, world-class luxury hotel accommodations and high energy gaming activities,” said

Bruce Dall, president of MotorCity Casino. “This relationship takes it to the next level. With FanDuel, our guests will be able to engage with their favorite sports in a dynamic

new way at Detroit’s only locally-owned and operated casino.” “Detroit is an incredible sports town – the ‘City

FanDuel will administer all core services affecting betting for the Sportsbook. As such, guests can place bets on a number of games, including the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings. Operating in absolute compliance with all gaming and sports league rules and regulations, MotorCity Casino revenue is explicitly not tied to the outcome of any particular baseball or hockey game.

Page C-2 • michiganchronicle.com • March 18-24, 2020

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S.W.A.G. Scholarship Awards are back!

Things to remember: Application deadline for 2020 scholarships: March 31, 2020.

Students Wired for Achievement and Greatness The Michigan Chronicle and TCF Bank are back for the fifth annual S.W.A.G. Scholarship Awards! TCF Bank is expanding its commitment to the community and the future of Detroit with a $100,000 commitment. This year, $95,000 in scholarships are available, including the new $20,000 Grand Prize. High school seniors who live in the city, have a 2.25-3.2 GPA and attend a Detroit Public Schools Community District or Detroit charter school and plan to attend college or trade school for the Fall 2020 semester are eligible to apply. Also new for 2020, school professionals, including teachers, coaches, counselors, and other administrators at qualifying schools, can also secure a S.W.A.G. Award school improvement grant through the program’s new Influencer Award. Five $1,000 grants will be awarded. Principals, students, and parents can nominate the individuals that go above and beyond for their students. Apply online at michiganchronicle.com/swagawards

Only completed applications will be considered. Attach a current copy of your high school report card when indicated. Consideration for any scholarship is based on a point system including GPA, participation in extracurricular activities, school organizations and community service. Submissions will be judged on the uniqueness of your story (50%), your reference letter (30%), and clarity and grammar (20%) NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. 2020 Michigan Chronicle/TCF Bank S.W.A.G. Awards entry period starts at 12:00 AM ET on 2/10/20 and ends 11:59:59 PM ET on 3/31/2020. Open only to 12th graders who are 16 and older who are legal residents of the City of Detroit or Metro Detroit area who: (a) attend a public or charter Detroit high school; (b) will graduate in spring 2020; (c) have grade point average between 2.25-3.25 (or equivalent; and (d) are in good community standing. Visit www.michiganchronicle.com/ swagawards 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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Apply by March 31, 2020

March 18-24, 2020 • michiganchronicle.com •

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The National Museum of African American Music, set to open in Labor Day weekend 2020, will be the only museum dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions and celebrating the central role African Americans have played in shaping American music.

First multi-genre Black music museum scheduled to open early September in ‘Music City’

After more than 20 years in development, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) is ready to open its doors to music lovers of all ages. The 56,000 square foot facility located in the heart of downtown Nashville will officially open to guests on Thursday, September 3, 2020 kicking off a Labor Day weekend packed with grand opening events that will help introduce NMAAM to Nashville and the world. Advance tickets can now be purchased from the NMAAM website with general admission ticket prices ranging from $13 to $24.

“We’re extremely excited to announce our September grand opening date for all of the music fans who have been anxiously awaiting the debut of this museum,” said H. Beecher Hicks III, NMAAM President and CEO. “This museum is a unique place that tells a special story. Our hope is that no mat-

ter your age, race or preferred music genre, within this museum you can find something that stirs your soul, pleases your ears and moves your feet. We encourage everyone to start planning their 2020 trips to Nashville and purchase your tickets to this first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to celebrating incredible people and moments in American history.” NMAAM will open to guests on September 3 as the anchor tenant of the Fifth + Broadway development. Fifth + Broadway is one of the largest mixed use developments in the region that includes retail, residential and office space right at the center of downtown Nashville on historic Broadway. Upon opening, guests who visit the museum will be immersed in generations of musical history created and inspired by the work of African Americans. NMAAM features seven content galleries—six

permanent and one rotating— that chronicle Black musical traditions from the 1600s up to the present day. More than 50 genres and sub-genres of American music are explored from spirituals and gospel, to jazz, blues, hip-hop, R&B and more.

Advance tickets for general admission to the museum are now available online from the museum website, www.nmaam. org. All admission tickets are timed, with tours scheduled every 30 minutes. The first tour group will enter at 9:00 a.m. and the last tour block will be sold at 4:00 p.m. with the museum closing at 5:00 p.m. daily. Guests will be able to select their time slot based upon ticket availability. General admission ticket prices are as follows: individual/adult ticket (18 years and above) is $24.95, youth ticket (7-17 years) is $13.50, senior ticket (65 years and above) is

$18.75, student/educator/military ticket (must show I.D.) is $18.75 and children’s ticket (6 years and below) is free when accompanied by a paid adult. Guests who wish to spend more than one day in the museum may purchase a multi-day pass for up to three days for $37.50 at all levels. Guests can also explore becoming a museum member to receive unlimited entry for a year and access to exclusive content and museum discounts. Memberships start in the range of $25 to $50 per individual. For additional information, please visit the Membership section of the website or call 615-488-3310. Please note that listed ticket prices do not include local taxes and fees and prices are subject to change. Group rates are available for parties of 15 or more people. Anyone interested in tour group pricing should contact groupsales@nmaam.org to co-

ordinate their group’s visit.

The full list of grand opening activities for NMAAM and Fifth + Broadway will be released in the upcoming months. Be sure to follow @TheNMAAM across all social media to stay up-todate on the latest details. About the National Museum of African American Music The National Museum of African American Music, set to open in Labor Day weekend 2020, will be the only museum dedicated solely to preserving African American music traditions and celebrating the central role African Americans have played in shaping American music. Based in Nashville, Tenn., the museum will share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to honor Black musical heroes of the past and the present. For more information, please visit www.blackmusicmuseum.org.

5 Tips to Fight Sleep Deprivation

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Plan Ahead for Peak Travel Seasons

Booking travel early not only gives you more time to get excited leading up to your trip – it gives you more time to plan, helping take some of the stress out of family vacation. “The key is to book vacation homes before traffic peaks, so you’ll find the best selection for the amount you want to pay,” said Melanie Fish, Vrbo family travel expert. “There are clear times when demand surges. Booking your stay before that surge ensures you’ll get that house with a pool right on the beach or that mountain cabin with enough beds for all the cousins.” If you’re considering one of these high travel periods for a family trip in 2020, get ahead of the curve with these tips for advance booking dates from the travel experts at Vrbo. Memorial Day Marking the beginning of summer, Memorial Day is an ideal time for a beach getaway. Two of the top destinations are on the shores of Alabama alongside Santa Rosa Beach in Florida’s Emerald Coast. Make travel plans by mid-April so you can soak up the sunshine and get away from it all to celebrate the long weekend.

Summer Summer is the ultimate time to take a family beach vacation, and for the best selection you’ll want to make reservations before the end of April, especially if you’re considering a vacation home. Staying in a vacation home can take the stress out of a family summer vacation, particularly as extra space means extra bedrooms for the adults to relax after the kids go to bed. Top destinations with many vacation homes to choose from include Panama City Beach, Florida; Gulf Shores, Alabama; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Fourth of July Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year, which means families from coast to coast will be enjoying a long weekend together, whether it’s the immediate clan or extended relatives, too. Be sure to make travel arrangements by late May for the best selection and rates. The Florida and Alabama coasts are popular choices for a mid-summer getaway.

lant, as does the digital content you’re viewing. That means you’re making it physically harder to fall asleep than if you put down your devices at least 30 minutes before bed.

Prevent sleep deprivation and take charge of your mental and physical health with these tips from Kansagra:

sleep mask each night, reading in bed for 20 minutes or practicing the same shower routine at the same time every night signals to your brain it’s time to hit the hay,” Kansagra said. “Creating a bedtime routine that lasts 20-30 minutes and sticking to that routine can make all the difference in your energy, productivity and mood.”

Stick to a sleep schedule. The average person gets less than six hours of sleep “To put sleep deprivation into perspec- per night, according to the survey – a far tive, 37% of Americans report they have fall- cry from the eight hours most experts recen asleep behind the wheel,” said Dr. Sujay ommend. One way to buck this trend is to Kansagra, a sleep health expert for Mattress make it a point to turn in and wake up at Firm. “About 5% report falling asleep while the same time every day so you synchronize driving on a monthly basis. your sleep time with your Clearly, sleep deprivation Top 5 Bedtime Rituals internal clock. While eight is wide-spread and a risk hours is the standard, you factor for overall well-be- A consistent bedtime routine, includ- may need to adjust up or ing these common rituals disclosed down to find the amount ing.” by respondents in a Mattress Firm With chronic sleep survey, can help ease your way to- sleep that lets you wake feeling rested. deprivation, the brain’s ward better rest. ability to maintain attenDevelop a pre-bedtime ■ Reading (42%) tion and focus continues routine. You can train to decline over time. In your body to prepare for ■ Watching TV (42%) addition to impairing mensleep by creating a pattern ■ Taking vitamins (36%) tal function, lack of sleep or a routine that eases you has been associated with toward sleep. ■ Taking a shower or bath (36%) a host of risks to overall “Even something as ■ Drinking warm milk (36%) health. simple as putting on a

Nap responsibly. When you’re feeling tired, it’s no surprise the best solution may be sleep. Some research suggests a quick power nap can actually give you a stronger boost than caffeine. However, too much rest during the day can throw off your nighttime sleep pattern. Aim for no more than 20 minutes so you don’t wake up groggy, and time your nap for the mid-point of your wake cycle (halfway between when you wake up and go to sleep). Limit screen time. If you turn to your phone to help wind down while you’re in bed, you’re not alone, but you may be doing more harm than good. According to a survey conducted by Mattress Firm on sleep habits, the average person scrolls on his or her phone while lying in bed for more than 12 minutes before shutting down for the night. What’s more, the light from the screen serves as a stimu-

Find the right sleep position. If you’re looking for the secret to a good night’s sleep, comfort may be the key. According to the survey, those who sleep on their backs at night are most likely to report they slept “perfectly well.” The most common sleeping position, on your side, correlates with the worst sleep reports. It may take some trial and error to find the right position that keeps your spine aligned, allows you to breathe freely and evenly distributes your weight. Find more tips for getting better sleep at dailydoze.com.

Labor Day Often considered the final hurrah of summer, Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to kick back and relax. A vacation home at the lake or beach can allow you to take advantage of amenities like outdoor grills so you can enjoy one last sun-kissed meal with the family. Make plans by the end of July, especially if you’re considering a popular destination like Myrtle Beach. Find more travel tips and start planning your family getaway at vrbo.com.

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(Family Features) A family getaway is the perfect chance to unwind and reconnect with loved ones away from the distractions of daily life. However, peak travel times like Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekend are some of the busiest times of the year, which can mean limited options.

(Family Features) Despite a desire for perfect sleep, Americans are not even close to getting the recommended eight hours a night, and 1 in 4 Americans believes the sleep they are getting isn’t the quality rest they want and need.

Page C-4 â&#x20AC;˘ michiganchronicle.com â&#x20AC;˘ March 18-24, 2020

Creamy Couscous with Broccoli, Tomatoes and Cheese

Recipe courtesy of culinary dietitian Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes Servings: 6 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons butter 3 cups broccoli florets 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon pepper 3 cups fat-free, 2% or whole milk 1 1/2 cups plain couscous (wheat pasta) 1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped tomatoes 2 tablespoons slivered fresh basil leaves In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook onion in butter 2 minutes. Add broccoli, garlic and pepper. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir milk into broccoli mixture. Bring to boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir Parmesan cheese into couscous mixture. Spread on serving platter. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Top with tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.

Lentil Tacos with Tangy Guacamole

FAMILY FEATURES

rom cereal and milk to yogurt and fruit to broccoli and cheese, combining dairy with plant-based foods creates a superfood power couple that can help ensure you and your family are getting the nutrients you need any time of day. With the rise in popularity of plant-based diets, dairy can help optimize nutrient absorption from plant foods and provide additional nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. You can create delicious meals with the nutrition you need while enjoying the best of plants and dairy. Combining dairy and plant-based foods can be easier with these dairy-powered recipes from Milk Means More. They are ideal for creating a nutritious and delicious plan for every meal throughout the day. Start with a Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl in the morning then build out your lunch or dinner plans around an appetizer like this traditional Middle Eastern Labneh Spread with grilled pita bread and assorted veggies. For the main course, try Lentil Tacos with Tangy Guacamole and a classic Moroccan staple, Creamy Couscous with Broccoli, Tomatoes and Cheese, on the side. Find more recipes that combine the goodness of dairy and plant-based foods at milkmeansmore.org.

Labneh Spread

Recipe courtesy of Jenn Fillenworth, MS, RDN of Jenny with the Good Eats Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 6 12 ounces whole milk Greek yogurt 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pinch sea salt, for garnish fresh herbs, for garnish pita bread, grilled assorted seasonal vegetables

Recipe courtesy of culinary dietitian Marcia Stanley, MS, RDN Prep time: 40 minutes Servings: 6 Tangy Guacamole: 1 medium ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped 1 tablespoon orange, lime or lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup plain, fat-free Greek yogurt Lentil Tacos: 2 1/3 cups water 1 cup dry brown lentils, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups seeded and chopped tomatoes, divided 1 1/4 cups (5 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided 12 yellow corn taco shells To make Tangy Guacamole: In small bowl, mash avocado, juice, hot pepper sauce and garlic. Stir in yogurt. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. To make Lentil Tacos: Heat oven to 400 F. In medium saucepan over mediumhigh heat, combine water, lentils, onion, chili powder, garlic and salt. Bring to boil. Reduce heat. Cover and gently boil 12-15 minutes, or until lentils are just tender. Uncover and boil 5-15 minutes, or until most liquid evaporates. Remove lentils from heat. Stir in 1 cup tomatoes and 3/4 cup cheese. Spoon into taco shells. Stand filled tacos in 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish. Sprinkle tacos with remaining tomatoes and cheese. Loosely cover dish with foil. Bake 3-5 minutes, or until cheese melts. Stir guacamole. Serve with warm tacos.

In bowl, mix Greek yogurt, salt and lemon juice. Transfer mixture to fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Wrap mixture in cheesecloth and strain over bowl in refrigerator 24-48 hours. Strain longer to make thicker. Once thickened as desired, remove from cheesecloth and top spread with olive oil, sea salt and fresh herbs. Serve with grilled pita bread and assorted seasonal vegetables.

Blueberry Apple Crisp Smoothie Bowl

Recipe courtesy of Rachel Gurk of Rachel Cooks Prep time: 5 minutes Servings: 1 1 cup frozen blueberries 2 cups apples, roughly chopped, reserving 2 tablespoons for topping 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 cup plain, non-fat Greek yogurt 1 cup spinach pure maple syrup, to taste ice cubes (optional) Toppings: 2 tablespoons oats 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup 1 tablespoon pecans, chopped 2 tablespoons reserved chopped apple fresh blueberries In blender, blend blueberries, apples, cinnamon, yogurt and spinach until smooth. Taste and add maple syrup, to taste. If thicker mixture is desired, add ice cubes. Pour into bowl. Mix oats with maple syrup. Top smoothie mixture with oats, pecans, apples and blueberries.

Classified PERSONAL SERVICES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Help is here you have tried the rest now it’s time to try the Best

DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT NOTICE

My Work Is GUARANTEED you will see RESULTS within 72 Hours

Stop Suffering and Start Living A Better Life Louisiana Rootman Bro Harris will tell you everything without you telling me anything Better HEALTH, MONEY, LOVE, PEACE, and HAPPINESS will be yours

BLESSED BE. Get the HELP you Need TODAY Call (313)341-0145 or Write Bro Harris P.O. Box 21765 Detriot, MI 48221

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Legal Notice George Washington Carver Academy Attention: Employee Leasing Companies The George Washington Carver Academy is requesting proposals for employee leasing services. Vendors and/or their representatives may submit proposals to: George Washington Carver Academy c/o Provision Business Solutions Attention: Mrs. Alma Hollins 17336 W. 12 Mile – Suite 200 Southfield, MI 48076 The George Washington Carver Academy Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals or to accept the proposal that is in the best interest of the school district. All proposals must be submitted between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on April 1, 2020. RFPs may be requested from Alma Hollins at (248) 440-7318 or at alma@provision4solutions.com. All proposals should be delivered in a sealed envelope and addressed to George Washington Carver Academy and be clearly marked: Employee Leasing Proposal. DETROIT WATER AND SEWERAGE DEPARTMENT NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT FY21 DRINKING WATER REVOLVING FUND (DWRF) PROJECT The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) announces a Public Hearing regarding its Project Plan for proposed Water Main Replacement in the City of Detroit. DWSD will be seeking low interest Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) loan assistance for FY2021. The project is comprised of replacing aging water main in the Jefferson-Chalmers area of the City of Detroit. Construction will include excavation of existing water mains, installation of new pipes, rehabilitation of pipes, replacement of lead service lines between the water main and the water meter, pressure testing, backfill, and right-of-way. The impact of the project will be improved customer satisfaction and safe, reliable service delivery of potable water to customers. The temporary impact of construction activities will be minimized through mitigation measures specified in the contract documents. Adverse impacts on historical, archaeological, geographic, or cultural areas are not expected. This project is necessary to ensure that DWSD will consistently and reliably provide high quality potable water to the residents. The Project Plan consists of a single project in critical need of water main replacement or rehabilitation. The total cost of this project is currently estimated at approximately $20.8 million; which is being sought through the DWRF program. The Water Main Replacement/Rehabilitation project is eligible for participating under the State of Michigan low interest DWRF loan program. The Public Hearing will present a description of the recommended project, estimated costs, as well as the cost per household impact for customers. The typical residential customer bill in the City of Detroit is expected to increase by not more than approximately 1.13% assuming that low interest loans can be obtained through the DWRF loan program. The purpose of the hearing is not only to inform, but to seek and gather input from people that will be affected. Comments and viewpoints from the public are encouraged. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD ON: DATE: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 PLACE: Detroit Police Department 7th Precinct 3501 Chene Street Detroit, MI 48207 TIME: 6:00 p.m. Information on the Project Plan will be available for review after March 15, 2020 at the following locations: City Website: detroitmi.gov/dwsd OR Detroit Water and Sewerage Department Water Board Building 735 Randolph, 1st Floor, Permitting Detroit, Michigan 48226 If you have questions or want to submit written statements for the Public Hearing Record, call or write: (313) 964-9269 Monica Daniels Detroit Water and Sewerage Department 735 Randolph, 7th Floor Detroit, MI 48226 Written comments will be accepted at the above address if received prior to 1:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, April 15, 2020. City of Detroit, Water and Sewerage Department Gary Brown, Director

March 18-24, 2020

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

PUBLIC HEARING – PROPOSED RATES For Fiscal Year 2020-21 Notice is hereby given that the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Detroit Police Department 7th Precinct located at 3501 Chene Street Detroit, MI 48207. Weston Preparatory Academy, A Tuition-Free Public School Academy Announces its Open Enrollment period for the 2020-2021 school year for grades K-8. Applications may be picked up at the school, 22930 Chippewa, Detroit, MI 48219, www.westondetroit.com (313)387-6038, during Open Enrollment period April 14, 2020 through April 30, 2020 during school hours as well as April 16th from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and April 18th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. If enrollment applications exceed the number of available spaces, a random selection drawing will be held at Weston Preparatory Academy on May 12, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED Senior Software Developer Connected Core Apps General Motors, Detroit, MI. Dvlp, unit test, debug, execute, validate, &publish psgr vehicle U.S. &global mobile &in vehicle customer facing core apps in Android OS, to ensure secure app exp, &to provide services (Terms &Conditions Privacy Statements, voice recognition (VR), Bluetooth &Bluetooth Low Energy, maps, smart trailering, Smart Connect, &AppShop) &user interfaces for Android Auto &CarPlay, &improved Vehicle to Back Office &Vehicle to Mobile commun. for vehicle infotainment sys &mobile phones, in Java &Android languages, in Agile methodology, using Git, Junit, Gerrit, Bitbucket, Jenkins CI, Artifactory, Android Studio, TFS, Gherkin, MS Project Management, SONAR, Visual Studio, &Atom tools. Dvlp VR &in vehicle map apps, &implement RESTful web-services. Dvlp SW apps using regression testing, UAT Testing &production build testing to deliver effective products. Bachelor, Computer Science, Computer Engrg, Electrical Engrg, or related. 60 mos exp as Developer, System Designer, Consultant or Engineer, gathering reqmts, designing, &dvlpg sys, working in Java &Android environments, or related. Mail resume to Ref#38372, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Functional Safety Validation Engineer

Senior Design Engineer

Warren, MI, General Motors. Dvlp test procedures &test scripts for psgr vehicle ADAS features on test bench &in vehicle. Execute Fault Injection Tests using dSPACE MicroAutoBox, to test &validate fail-safe action of Active Safety (AS) features incldg Lane Keep Assist, Low Speed Collision Mitigation Braking , Lane Centering Control, Hands-on Lane Following (HoLF), FSRACC, Automatic Park Assist, &Collision Imminent Braking, using MATLAB, Simulink, INCA, VehicleSpy tools, &neoVI FIRE HW. Dvlp scripts using ATT Suite. Dvlp test procedures for existing &upcoming AS features such as HoLF &Super Cruise. Dvlp MATLAB &Simulink models using dSPACE RTI blocksets &interface them w/ ControlDesk projects for CAN, LIN &Automotive Ethernet communication protocols. Bachelor, Electrical, Mechanical, Automotive Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg test procedures &testing scripts for psgr vehicle ADAS features on test bench &in vehicle. Mail resume to Ref#4933, GM Global Mobility, 300 Ren. Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC seeks a Senior Design Engineer, in Troy, MI to perform engineering analysis necessary for the production design, application and testing of axle/suspension components and systems, among other duties. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Eng. and two years of experience in the job offered or related. International and domestic travel required, as needed, up to 30%. Send resume to: Sarah Trautmann, Meritor, Resume Processing/JO#10518804, 2135 West Maple Road, Troy, MI 48084.

Team Leader - Mfg, New Boston, MI, Brose North America. Plan, supervise &lead New Boston Plant (NBO) Mfg Technology Welding grp, incldg tools, equipment, processes, projects, programs, personnel, investment, &tooling &eqpmt suppliers, to assure high volume mfg of mechatronic seat syss (1st, 2nd, &3rd row) rails (upper &lower), side panels, base structures, pivoting recliner structures, backrests, loadthroughs, &center consoles. Manage, supervise, lead &mentor NBO internal mfg workforce -Welding Engrs, Welding Lab Supv, Shift Leaders, technicians, toolmaker, interns/apprentices, technicians, fastening speclts, &external personnel. Plan, design, dvlp, assure plant documentation, &in charge of assuring employee training in industrial joining technologies; welding tooling &fixtures mechanical designs &concepts; mechatronics technologies; laser &standard laser welding technologies; programming of disk lasers (Yttrium, Aluminum, Garnet lasers) &diode lasers, incldg parameter configurations; ABB robotic programming, handling &remote laser welding, fiber optics programming, automated &robotic PLC; PLC &tooling simulation. 24 mos exp as Welding Technologist, Engr or Team Leader, or related, supervising, leading, or in charge of plant welding processes &eqpmt, w/ industrial joining technologies incldg laser welding syss for automotive seat or door syss for OEM customer, or related. Mail resume to Ref#41121, Human Resources, 3933 Automation Ave, Auburn Hills, MI 48326.

Senior Industrial Engineer

ECU Flash Programming Project Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Design, engr, &dvlp conventional, semi-autonomous &autonomous psgr vehicle functional technical specs level reqmts &interfaces using IBM Synergy & DOORS for OTA flash programming of embedded ECUs to support vehicle infotainment &telematics syss features. Engr, analyze &improve vehicle electrical &electronic OTA capable ECU syss &update Infotainment (programming master, w/ low &high radio, Bluetooth, navigation, climate control &satellite radio syss); Central Gateway Module controlling CAN &Ethernet traffic in ECUs in Instrument Panel Clusters, Body Control Modules, Electronic Climate Control, External Control Module, &Vehicle Integration Control Module; &Telematics Control Unit, such as OnStar. Perform DFMEA on functional technical specs. Dvlp &implement HW &SW for automotive components applying GMW3110 &IS014229 service routines over in-vehicle communication networks, CAN, LIN, &Automotive Ethernet, supporting ECU flash programming applications. Bachelor, Electrical, Computer, Electronics &Communication Engrg, or related. 60 mos exp as Engineer, Technical Specialist, Tech Lead, or related, dvlpg automotive embedded SW, of which 36 mos exp must include dvlpmt of embedded SW for future psgr vehicle instrument panel cluster display system, or related. Mail resume to Ref#14383-D, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” — James Baldwin

Page C-5

Warren, MI, General Motors. Analyze, create workstation designs, rebalance, &coach operations using Standard Time &Data Systems (STDS) for GenV, High Feature, 10 spd transmission, &GMT-T1 Cmpnts Launch programs to improve Value-added (VA) &Nonvalue added (NVA) work content. Support powertrain plants w/ line balancing activities to meet productivity targets in NY/TN, CAN/MEX Mexico engine plants. Provide data driven metrics incldg Non-Scheduled Overtime (NSOT), Cost Per Unit (CPU), Hours Per Unit (HPU) &overtime, &plant productivity proposals to guide production department to understand opportunities to reduce CPU, HPU &NSOT assigned to plants for each calendar year. Review plant industrial engrg production data reports &perform standard time data calibration audits for 10 engine, transmission, &related cmpnts plants in U.S., Canada &Mexico. Conduct monthly Continuous Improvement Process Workshops to Group Leaders, Maintenance Skilled Trades, &plant employees, to reduce CPU, HPU &NSOT, &improve production throughput. Required travel to vehicle GM vehicle engine, transmission &cmpnts plants in U.S., Canada, &Mexico to evaluate &improve mfg processes &facilities layouts, &support launches, up to 9 Wks P/Yr. Master, Industrial Engrg, Industrial &Systems Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, analyzing, creating workstation designs, rebalancing, &coaching operations using STDS for engine or transmission plant to evaluate &improve VA &NVA work content, or related. Mail resume to Ref#26795, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Senior Performance Engineer– Vehicle Chemical Regulatory Compliance & Certification Warren, MI, General Motors. Plan &coordinate activities of GM Technical Centre India to execute all aspects of Intl Materials Database evaluation of supplier materials data submissions to comply w/ global Substances of Concern (SoC) regulations incldg U.S. EPA Toxic Chemicals Controls Act, for Global Regions &Global Vehicles incldg N. America, Brazil, Europe, Korea &India. Enable internal &supplier teams to complete materials data validation deliverables &approve according to GMW3059/CG4110 reqmts on restricted &reportable substances. Review, analyze &strive to meet SoC reqmts &standards for all GM Regions &for all psgr vehicles produced in all markets incldg review &evaluate materials &substances during design phase to determine SoC &tracking &monitoring of supplier cmpnt materials content for SoC compliance of GM psgr vehicle &Tier 1 supplier cmpnts according to internal GMW3059 standards, USEPA, EU End of Life Vehicle (ELV), EU Registration Evaluation &Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), Korea ELV &REACH &China ELV standards. Bachelor, Chemical or Materials Engrg, or related. 36 mos exp as Engineer, Materials Engrg Supv, Team/Group or Project Lead, or related, tracking &monitoring supplier cmpnt materials content for SoC compliance of OEM psgr vehicle &Tier 1 supplier cmpnts according to USEPA, ELV &EU REACH standards, or related. Mail resume to Ref#2347-203, GM Global Mobility, 300 Ren. Center, MC:482-C32-D44, Detroit, MI 48265.

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Controls Commissioning Engineer II (Grand Rapids, MI), responsible for utilizing controls subsystem installation, commissioning test procedures and checklists for controls hardware and software (PLC), HMI’s and SCADA; and providing support for subsystem electrical installation, interface testing, training, and startup, among other duties. BS & 0 years exp. Education or experience must include: the design and implementation of System PLC Code, controls networks, and integrated motion controllers; and hardware and software applications for LabVIEW platforms. Domestic and international travel required 50-70% of time. Send resume to Leigh Baker (Code CCE GRMI), TGW Systems, 3001 Orchard Vista Dr. SE, Suite 300, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. No phone calls please. EOE. Infotainment Calibration Domain Lead General Motors, Detroit, MI. Engr, dvlp, release infotainment low radio calibrations, test, &verify psgr vehicle infotainment low radio calibration domain using Calibration definition tool (CalDef), Teamcenter, VehicleSpy, IBM RTC, DPS, E2, Engrg Change Request sys tools. Determine program specific calibration reqmts using Product Program Content charts &devise infotainment (low radio) calibration strategies to fulfil vehicle packages &trim reqmts of N./S. America, &GM Int’l Region. Create calibrations using CalDef in accordance w/ Global Infotainment Standards dos, GMW Engrg standards &Corporate Guidelines incldg AM/FM frequency reqmts for each country &region. Test &verify HMI functionality w/ psgr vehicle low radios incldg touchscreen displays &button assemblies. Create calibration archives for fleet vehicles using DPS to perform calibration tests. Bachelor, Electrical, Mechanical, Automotive Engrg, or related. 12 mos exp as Engineer, releasing infotainment low radio calibrations, testing or verifying psgr vehicle infotainment low radio calibration domain using Teamcenter, VehicleSpy, RTC, &E2 sys tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#2337-C302, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Virtual Design Development Validation Engineer Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, plan, &execute FEA models of psgr vehicle automatic, manual, &continuously variable transmission transmissions syss incldg valve bodies, housings, pumps, sprockets, hubs, park systems, clutch packs, spring packs, pistons &dams, &electric drive units (DU) incldg structural sealing &sys deflection, to meet structural &performance (durability, sealing, thermal, mfg tolerance, stiffness, &mass) reqmts in Bills of Design (BOD) at virtual design assessment gates, using Abaqus, HyperMesh, Simlab, Fe-Safe, Inspect, Tosca, Isight, OptiStruct &UG tools. Generate &simplify L/D data for gasket modeling &dvlp name tags &pressure mapping logic for simulating various gear state loads in valve bodies using linear &nonlinear tools. Collaborate w/ transmission &Electric DU test &validation teams for transmission valve body &DU sealing &bore distortion correlations btw sims &HW tests for transmission &DU programs. Master, Mechanical, Aerospace or Automotive Engrg, or Applied Mechanics. 12 mos exp as Engineer or Engrg Mgr, or related, engrg &executing FEA models of psgr vehicle transmissions syss incldg housings &pumps, &electric DU incldg structural sealing &sys deflection, to meet performance reqmt in BOD, using Abaqus, Fe-Safe, &UG tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1830-105, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Consultant-Electric (EV) Hybrid (HEV) &Autonomous (AV) Vehicle Technology Ricardo, Inc, Van Buren Twp, MI. Analyze hybridization, electrification &autonomy issues &challenges faced by OEM &Tier I suppliers, contributing to new component dvlpmt, packaging (incldg cooling mgmt &safety syss) benchmarking &assessment of new conventional gasoline/diesel, semiautonomous, &autonomous HEV &EV technologies incldg electric motors, Traction Power Inverter Modules, high voltage RESS/high voltage traction batteries, DC/DC converters, on-board chargers, &deliver market &product knowledge to clients. Perform full EV/HEV cmpnt &technology assessments/ road mapping/adopting scenario modeling/forecasting, &assessment of advanced technologies in vehicle electrification &high voltage electric motor, inverter &battery storage, assessing market drivers &customer needs as part of product strategy dvlpmt; product cost estimation, performance benchmarking; lifecycle anlys, model reviews; costing &sourcing strategies; &mfg process assessment, in C/C++ language, &MATLAB, Simulink, Vector CANape, CANalyzer, CANoe, dSPACE, Motohawk, INCA, VSpy, &Teamcenter tools. Master, Electrical, Electronics, or Automotive Syss Engrg. 6 mos exp as Engineer, performing full EV orHEV component &technology performance assessments of technologies in vehicle electrification &high voltage electric motor, inverter &battery storage; &performance benchmarking, in C/C++, using MATLAB, CANalyzer, &dSPACE tools, or related. Send resume to Ref#41604-101, Human Resources, Ricardo, Inc., 40000 Ricardo Dr., Van Buren Twp, MI 48111.

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