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Skinphorea: Community Celebrates Newest Black-Owned Facial Bar in Corktown City.Life.Style. B1

Michigan Chronicle

Vol. 84 – No. 49 | August 11-17, 2021

Wayne County Sees a Rise in Credit Ranking By Megan Kirk Seven years ago, when Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans took office, the county was in rough financial waters. From a credit rating of Baa1, the upgrade to A3 comes from one of the world’s top-three credit-rating agencies. The upgrade comes as a result of financial improvements through changes in policy and operations put in place by the Evans Administration. The report, released by Moody’s Investor Services, gives a detailed account of the agency’s decision to boost the county’s credit rating. The company uses a grading scale from Aaa to C with 21 total notches. Formally ranked in the medium grade category, Wayne County is now upper-middle grade. With the rise in rating, Warren C. Evans Wayne County can now barter for better contract terms for funding. “When I first came to office, we had to make tough decisions to set the county on a sound financial course,” said Evans. “Now, we are seeing the fruits of those decisions. Wayne County is a good investment because of the decisions we made. Those decisions are saving taxpayers money in the form of lower financing costs the county incurs during its normal operations.” The bump in credit rating shows the county’s ability to meet its longterm debt obligations. Helping to appear as a worthy investment to institutional bond investors, the county’s new rating means it will cost less to finance long-term infrastructure and investment projects. The credit rating bump is particularly monumental as it happened during a time where financial security was up in the air. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the county to adjust its revenue forecast due to the statewide economic shutdown. Despite the shutdown, the county has managed to continue to grow and stay committed to its financial program. “We have finally stopped robbing Peter to pay Paul,” said Evans. “Wayne County is living within its means, and it is making investments in projects and programs that are growing our tax base, attracting new companies and good-paying jobs and improving our quality of life.” According to the report, Moody’s also determines the county’s economy will strengthen based on its strong financial position and federal money received as a part of the pandemic to help mitigate economic

See CREDIT

RANKING page A2

WHAT’S INSIDE

Detroit Water and Sewer Director Gary Brown

“We’re Going to Get to the Bottom of Who Should be Held Accountable” DWSD Director Speaks on Recent Flooding

By Sherri Kolade In late June things got nasty in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties, especially, where torrential rain and flooding during left thousands of residents with flood damage. The flooding resulted in damaged vehicles, waist-deep water in basements, sewage backup and destroyed valuables and memories. Detroit Water and Sewer Director Gary Brown said that this storm which was considered a thousand-year storm was the result of global warming and poor infrastructure, and someone needs to be held accountable. “We got a tremendous amount of water in a very short period of time,” Brown said of the up to eight inches of water flooding the streets, homes and businesses within a 19-hour timeframe. “Most of that came in three [hours] -- we also know there were some pump failures. ... We’ll find out what happened. Most importantly, what can you do to make this system more resilient, so it doesn’t happen [again].” In a late July interview, Brown spoke with Real Times Media’s Studio 1452 Digital Anchor Andre Ash on the issue of flooding. “There’s been a lot of talk about the city’s infrastructure as it relates to underground water piping. ’We’ve seen the pictures that have been reported over the several weeks of flooding in the

City of Detroit,” Ash said, adding that since this issue took place, FEMA has stepped in providing financial support for qualifying flood victims. “Where is the lay of the land right now in your department as it tries to tackle preventing a major flood? Brown, who sits on the board of directors for the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) said that issues including pump failures have already been identified. Brown added that there is going to be a study on the flooding issue, and the GLWA board will soon be hiring an engineering firm. He said whatever the answers from the study are will be disclosed in a “transparent” way. “[We] are going to be very transparent about the outcome of what happened and how it happened, and most importantly how are you going to fix it,” he said. “People have now been flooded three or four times in the last two or three years -- they want this fixed, and they deserve to have it fixed.” Ash asked Brown about infrastructure problems, global warming, and possible management failure, how each contributed to the problem and which was more to blame. Brown said that “there’s a lot of things going on” when it comes to the issue of local flooding. “This is the largest municipal utility in North America,” Brown said, adding that “without a doubt” on the sewer

side it is “the most complex system in America.” He added, “You have pumps that [are] working in parallel or in conjunction with other pumps and it all has to be coming along and operating at the same time.” Brown also said that “there is no doubt” that the amount of flooding that took place was exacerbated because all of the pumps were not working. Brown said that even if the pumps were working the area “absolutely” still would have been touched by flooding because the system was built 100 years ago and built for a 100-year storm. “With global warming, clearly the rainfall is more intense, more frequent than what took place 100 years ago, 50 years ago … this was called a thousand-year storm by many meteorologists. The system is not built to handle that type of rain,” Brown said, adding that some plans could be put in place to fix the problem including a long-range plan, a permanent solution from GLWA to separate the piping that today carries both stormwater when it rains and sewage. “If it’s more water than the pipe was meant to handle it is going to surcharge into the lowest point, which is someone’s basement,” Brown said, adding that it would take over a decade to fix. That route would also cost about $17 billion -- $8 billion of those dollars would have to be spent in the City of Detroit on assets.

Detroit Recovers: Duggan, Officials Deliver FEMA Assistance Overview By Sherri Kolade Flood victims in the city of Detroit, and metro Detroit can breathe a bit easier as financial relief comes to residents most impacted by the June flooding.

Detroit Remembers

The 1967 Summer of Peril Roots. A3

$1.00

See BROWN page A2

Mayor Mike Duggan, along with officials from FEMA and SBA, shared with residents on Wednesday, August 4 during a press conference at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters how to apply for flood relief for individuals who sustained damage from the storm of June 25-26th. The torrential rain and flooding of June 25-26 in Wayne and Washtenaw Counties left countless people with damaged vehicles, waist-deep water in their basements, and destroyed keepsake items. Many more people were also left wondering how they would afford to pay for the damages caused by the flooding that

hit so close to home. Help, however, is on the way in the form of assistance after President Joe Biden approved on Thursday, July 15 Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for disaster declaration for Wayne and Washtenaw Counties following the record flooding. The declaration comes after

Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden on July 13 requesting that he declare an emergency disaster for the state of Michigan. “President Biden’s declaration opens up critical resources to help Michigan residents recover from this disaster,” said Whitmer previously. “The flooding on June 25-26 had devastating im-

pacts on Wayne and Washtenaw County residents who suffered damage to their homes, loss of personal property, and faced unimaginable stress. With the resources we will receive thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we will put Michiganders first and help our communities recover and rebuild.” “I am really pleased today to have with us representatives of the FEMA and the Biden administration,” Duggan said during the press conference. “What President Biden has done is nothing short of remarkable.” On July 15th, President Biden approved a National Disaster Declaration for this storm, paving the way for federal funding to help for recovery efforts. As part of the presentation, Duggan and FEMA officials explained the process of what to do if a resident received a denial letter from FEMA. Offi-

See FEMA

ASSISTANCE page A2

Page A-2 • michiganchronicle.com • August 11-17, 2021

Michigan Chronicle A Real Times Media Newspaper

HIRAM E. JACKSON Publisher | AJ WILLIAMS Managing Editor

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Credit ranking

From page A-1

hardships caused by the pandemic.

National Council of Negro Women, Ben Crump File Suit Against Johnson & Johnson Nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorneys Ben Crump of Ben Crump Law and Paul Napoli of Napoli Shkolnik today announced the filing of a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of members of the National Council of Negro Women, citing the company’s specific marketing of talcum-based baby powder to Black women, despite links to ovarian cancers. The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) leads, advocates for, and empowers women of African descent, their families, and their communities, connecting more than 2 million women and men. NCNW has a large portion of members who have used Johnson & Johnson’s powder products, believing they were safe, and is ideally positioned to inform women about their risks. “This lawsuit is about the lives of our grandmothers, our mothers, our wives, sisters and daughters – all of whom were cynically targeted by Johnson and Johnson,” Crump said. “All the while, company executives knew the risk of ovarian cancer from talc.” Internal documents from Johnson & Johnson reveal the company’s intent to market its talcbased products specifically to Black Women. The complaint requests corrective action to inform Black women and all other consumers about the risks associated with using the products and their connection

to ovarian cancers. Johnson & Johnson continues to deny that its talc products are harmful, despite an overwhelming amount of research, dating back to the 1960s of the carcinogenic dangers of using talc-based products. Black women were the subject of Johnson & Johnson’s marketing and advertising campaigns for decades and were a central part of the company’s business strategy. A 2009 company business plan noted that the “multicultural consumer [is] highly important to business – need to maintain,” and expressed concern that it was becoming “difficult to efficiently retain core aa consumer.” “This company, through its words and images, told Black women that we were offensive in our natural state and needed to use their products to stay fresh,” said NCNW executive director Janice Mathis. “Generations of Black women believed them and made it our daily practice to use their products in ways that put us at risk of cancer — and we taught our daughters to do the same. Shame on Johnson and Johnson.” Napoli said the company put “profits over people, ignoring and hiding a mountain of research about the risks.” “We seek to make known what long has been hidden by Johnson and Johnson, and the NCNW, with its tremendous network among Black Americans, is the ideal organization to do it.”

FEMA Assistance

From page A-1

cials also made it clear that this initial denial letter does not necessarily mean the resident is ineligible for FEMA assistance, according to a press release. • FEMA Teams are currently in Detroit and all FEMA personnel have a FEMA badge, FEMA shirt and will identify themselves: • They may knock on your door or be walking around in Detroit neighborhoods • Housing inspectors follow CDC COVID guidance – do not expect them to go into your house. They will rely on interviews, videos, pictures, and receipts that are provided. • Feel free to ask them questions Residents can also go directly to FEMA at Disaster Recovery Centers • Golightly Career Technical Center, 900 Dickerson Ave. in Detroit • Kemeny Recreation Center, 2260 S. Fort St. In Detroit • Open seven days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

FEMA also has three suburban sites open: • Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave. In Dearborn • Maplewood Community Center, 31735 Maplewood St. In Garden City • Eton Senior Recreation Center, 4900 Pardee Ave. In Dearborn Heights Five guidelines for FEMA assistance include: • The only event covered is the storm of June 25-26 • Emergency assistance covers just what is needed to make a house safe and livable; not restore all losses • FEMA only is for the uninsured and underinsured and will make a house safe and livable only if the insurance company does not • Denial letters are not necessarily final; they mean a person might have to submit more information • The FEMA application deadline is September 13. For more information visit Detroitmi.gov.

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When Executive Evans began his first term in January of 2015, the county was under a $132 million fund deficit with an overall pension liability of $1.5 billion. The state of Michigan planned to declare a financial emergency for the county. In just 14 months, the Administration eliminated the $132 million general fund deficit, balanced the budget, shored up retiree pensions while saving $348 million and successfully exited a consent agreement with the state of Michigan. There is still room for

Brown From page A-1

He said raising rates, however, would negatively impact residents who can’t afford that type of increase. “There is going to have to be dollars allocated from the federal government and at the state level to take care of the long-range plan,” he said. During a July Detroit Policy Conference, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist echoed a similar sentiment and said that he and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are working at the state level to ensure proper infrastructure dollars are routed to Detroit to prevent future flooding disasters, along with having conversations at the federal level. “Detroiters understand environmental injustice inherently,” Gilchrist said. “Michigan needs to have targeted investment; we should not be under threat.” President Joe Biden on July 13 approved Whitmer’s request for disaster declaration for Wayne and Washtenaw Counties following the record flooding. The declaration comes after Whitmer sent a letter to President Biden on July 13 requesting that he declare an emergency

the county to increase its credit grade rating. Just six rankings separate the county from having a perfect credit grade, or Aaa as determined by Moody’s. This ranking system has been in use since 1909 when it was introduced to the U.S. bond market by John Moody. To determine a grade, the accessor uses publicly available data, information gathered by the World Bank, financial journals, debt issuers and other agencies such as central banks, ministries, or regulators. A committee is composed of managing directors and the lead analysts. The committee can be expanded to allow for varying perspectives.

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disaster for the state of Michigan. “President Biden’s declaration opens up critical resources to help Michigan residents recover from this disaster,” said Whitmer. “The flooding on June 25-26 had devastating impacts on Wayne and Washtenaw County residents who suffered damage to their homes, loss of personal property and faced unimaginable stress. With the resources we will receive thanks to President Biden’s leadership, we will put Michiganders first and help our communities recover and rebuild.” Brown said that there are “four pots of money” he directs residents to in their quest for filing a claim to recoup dollars from the flood. Residents can file a claim through DWSD by emailing detroitmi.gov; file a claim with GLWA by emailing glwater.org; file a claim with their insurance company; or file a claim with FEMA by contacting disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800621-FEMA (3362). Residents and businesses with June flood damage should immediately apply for FEMA reimbursement. Even if you completed the DWSD claim form online or by mail, you still need to apply to FEMA to start the process.

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STATE OF MICHIGAN BEFORE THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION **** NOTICE OF HEARING FOR THE GAS CUSTOMERS OF DTE GAS COMPANY CASE NO. U-20544 • DTE Gas Company requests Michigan Public Service Commission’s approval for reconciliation of its gas cost recovery plan (Case No. U-20543) for the 12 months ended March 31, 2021. • The information below describes how a person may participate in this case. • You may call or write DTE Gas Company, One Energy Plaza, 1650 WCB Detroit, MI 48226, (800) 477-4747, for a free copy of its application. Any person may review the documents at the offices of DTE Gas Company. • A pre-hearing will be held:

DATE/TIME:

Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 9:00 AM

BEFORE:

Administrative Law Judge Martin Snider

LOCATION:

Video/Teleconferencing

PARTICIPATION: Any interested person may participate. Persons needing any assistance to participate should contact the Commission’s Executive Secretary at (517) 2848090, or by email at mpscedockets@michigan.gov in advance of the hearing. The Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) will hold a pre-hearing to consider DTE Gas Company’s (DTE Gas) June 29, 2021 application requesting the Commission to approve: 1) DTE Gas’s Gas Cost Recovery (GCR) customers’ revenues of $351.9 million inclusive of reservation charge revenues, its net recoverable costs of $358.6 million inclusive of approximately $1 million over-recovery related to 2019-2020 GCR and expenses, combined with $1.3 million of interest from 2020-2021 GCR, to result in a net under-recovery of $5.4 million for GCR customers that was incurred for the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2021; 2) DTE Gas’s Gas Choice Customers (GCC) reservation charge revenues of $6.2 million, GCC customers’ $6.1 million GCC in reservation expense, the roll-in of approximately $1.8 million related to the GCC customers’ 2019-2020 reconciliation, plus $0.1 million of interest expense combine to result in a net GCC customer over-recovery of $2.0 million For the twelve-month period ending March 31, 2021; 3) the calculated amount of DTE Gas’s under-recoveries, together with interest, is correct, and that the disposition of that amount is consistent with the intent and in accordance with the guidelines established by the Commission in its Orders; and 4) such other relief as deemed necessary. All documents filed in this case shall be submitted electronically through the Commission’s E-Dockets website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets. Requirements and instructions for filing can be found in the User Manual on the E-Dockets help page. Documents may also be submitted, in Word or PDF format, as an attachment to an email sent to: mpscedockets@ michigan.gov. If you require assistance prior to e-filing, contact Commission staff at (517) 284-8090 or by email at: mpscedockets@ michigan.gov. Any person wishing to intervene and become a party to the case shall electronically file a petition to intervene with this Commission by August 25, 2021. (Interested persons may elect to file using the traditional paper format.) The proof of service shall indicate service upon DTE Gas Company’s attorney, Carlton D. Watson, One Energy Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226. The prehearing is scheduled to be held remotely by video conference or teleconference. Persons filing a petition to intervene will be advised of the process to participate in the hearing. Any person wishing to participate without intervention under Mich Admin Code, R 792.10413 (Rule 413), or file a public comment, may do so by filing a written statement in this docket. The written statement may be mailed or emailed and should reference Case No. U-20544. Statements may be emailed to: mpscedockets@michigan.gov. Statements may be mailed to: Executive Secretary, Michigan Public Service Commission, 7109 West Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917. All information submitted to the Commission in this matter becomes public information, thus available on the Michigan Public Service Commission’s website, and subject to disclosure. Please do not include information you wish to remain private. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090. Requests for adjournment must be made pursuant to Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules R 792.10422 and R 792.10432. Requests for further information on adjournment should be directed to (517) 284-8130. A copy of DTE Gas Company’s application may be reviewed on the Commission’s website at: michigan.gov/mpscedockets, and at the office of DTE Gas Company. For more information on how to participate in a case, you may contact the Commission at the above address or by telephone at (517) 284-8090. The Utility Consumer Representation Fund has been created for the purpose of aiding in the representation of residential utility customers in various Commission proceedings. Contact the Chairperson, Utility Consumer Participation Board, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, P.O. Box 30004, Lansing, Michigan 48909, for more information. Jurisdiction is pursuant to 1909 PA 300, as amended, MCL 462.2 et seq.; 1919 PA 419, as amended, MCL 460.54 et seq.; 1939 PA 3, as amended, MCL 460.1 et seq.; 1969 PA 306, as amended, MCL 24.201 et seq.; 1982 PA 304, as amended, MCL 460.6h et seq.; and Parts 1 & 4 of the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules, Mich. Admin Code, R 792.10106 and R 792.10401 through R 792.10448.

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| August 11-17, 2021

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“We Keep Us Safe:” Black August Celebrates Past, Present Freedom Fighters

By Sherri Kolade What does Black August mean to you? The annual holiday, Black August, is commemorated yearly to honor the fallen freedom fighters of the Black Liberation Movement, to put a call out for the release of political prisoners in the United States, to condemn the bleak conditions of U.S. prisons and to place emphasis on the importance of the Black Liberation struggle, according to https://www. theblkcollective.org. For some who recognize Black August, they might also choose to abstain from food and drink for a period, up their physical exercise and political study and engage in political activities. The principles of Black August are: “study, fast, train, fight,” the website added. Black August began after 19-year-old George Jackson was convicted of armed robbery in 1961 and sentenced to 1 year-to-life in prison – the criminal justice system had control over his sentencing fate, according to the website. Jackson was an inspiration to other revolutionaries of his generation after he faced solitary confinement, extreme racism and more behind bars. Today, Michigan Liberation’s Ashley “Ash” Daniels looks to inspirational figures like Jackson who have gone before her and, as a revolutionary in her own right, she advances the causes of her people. The millennial Detroit native is involved in the nonprofit organization that tirelessly works toward helping residents and their families dealing with incarceration and for good reason – her family and future. She was quoted as saying that her greatest hope with the criminal justice system is that Local organizer Ashley “one-day poverty Daniels believes in jus- will not be crimitice for the people, by the nalized.” “That the popeople. Photo courtesy of lice will be disMichigan Liberation enfranchised,” Daniels said, adding that she fights her fight so that she doesn’t have to worry if her daughter “will have a future bed in jail waiting for her” or if her teenage son “may never come home because he ‘fit the description.’ “ “My greatest hope is that freedom and liberation can and will exist. I hope I don’t have to die for it, but in turn, live for it in my everyday life and in the seeds that I planted,” Daniels said. She told the Michigan Chronicle that, “We keep us safe” when groups like Michigan Liberation organize so that “we win” as a Black community. “We are the voices for the voiceless,” Daniels said, adding that she sees the community winning when the decriminalization of substance use and mental health becomes a reality. Daniels said that Michigan Liberation has been on the ground “since day one” with the unjust murder of George Floyd last year by attending protests and other activities. “Some roles that we have played there [is] wanting to help ensure people’s First Amendment right to protest [was protected],” she said, adding that the organization helped upwards of 500 people with bailouts while documenting officers who she described as “abusing their power.” “We were out there -- we had some folks recording incidences; some folks recording names of folks to know who to bail out,” Dan-

See BLACK AUGUST page A-4

Detroit Remembers

The 1967 Summer of Peril

By Sherri Kolade

*In this three-part summer series, the Michigan Chronicle is discussing the Detroit Rebellion 1967 and its 54th anniversary. In this second installment, we delve into the rebellion’s subsequent impact and what one local organization is doing next. Enjoyable summers are typically spent on vacations, going to the beach or the pool, visiting friends and loved ones, and don’t forget barbecuing to your heart’s content. In the summers of the 1960s -- especially in the City of Detroit -- neighborhoods chock full of people from the East Side, West Side and elsewhere celebrated the warm season as families and locals lived up the moment – all while death loomed around the corner during one particular year. San Francisco celebrated the summer of love in 1967. Juxtapose that with Detroit where violence ruled the summer. Forty-three people, 33 of whom were Black, died in five days during what is known as the Detroit Rebellion. Racial unrest, social tensions and tragedy struck a chord for many. The Rebellion began at 9125 12th Street at a place illegally selling alcohol. Although Paquenia Suggs, 39, director of the social justice organization Programs & Operations at Public Allies Detroit, was not alive during that period, her father – born in 1953 – was 14 years old at the time. She said that her father told her of the impacted neighborhoods, degradation, crime and blight following the days of violence. Suggs said that people, especially Black people, felt like they didn’t have a voice. “I think for him at the time he said it was crazy -- Detroit is not the Detroit I grew up in,” she said of what her father has told her over the years. “One thing he always as a parent has tried to instill in us ... is this idea that there are going to be things that you’re going to see that you’re not necessarily going to like or agree with. But being able to know that you have the voice and power to be able to speak up for yourself, stand up for yourself -- don’t let anybody feel like they can walk over you. That comes from him living in that time.”

Suggs, who says the present-day environment of Detroit exists “because of this history,” is working to change the environment as the Public Allies organization leader. Suggs said that the organization she helps lead is all about empowerment. Empowerment to encourage others to speak out and exact change. “While it is unfortunate that the riots and rebellion happened, how it happened, there were positives that came out of it,” she said, adding that finally enough people were tired of being oppressed and they expressed their opinions by fighting back against discrimination and unfair treatment. “Unfortunately, [when people are pushed to] that point, that is their reaction a lot of times, [especially] for people oppressed.” Suggs said that the organization has everything from leadership curricula and education on what it is like being oppressed to defining how to navigate out of that space while partnering with nonprofits. The organization works with community members to improve the lifespan of people locally and beyond. She said that Detroit is always “reinventing” itself and the city is always trying to shift for the better. “Because we have to,” she said. “There is always still space for people to feel like their voices aren’t being heard. There are always people that are like the fringe on the outliers … feeling like there are two [types of] Detroiters … the folks that have the money … and folks in the communities that had to fight to get lights on.” Suggs said that Public Allies is bridging that gap and helping, especially, standing in the gap for people who don’t always feel empowered – just like the countless Detroiters who felt helpless that summer of 1967. Much like her father years earlier who encouraged her to use her voice, she is doing the same with others in her city so massive, unbalanced power doesn’t wreak havoc against the community again – even if that is in the form of inequitable business development. “There is still work to be done,” she said of Detroit’s progress toward Black residents. “I don’t care about the fact that there are all these new restaurants, Downtown, on Woodward ... We care about making sure that our communities are here and functioning and are able to have spaces that communities can live in and grow in.”

WSU Endowment Scholarship Community Bolstered by Alum

By Sherri Kolade

President Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to protect the future is to create it.” Out of her passion and devotion to high school and college students, Detroit philanthropist Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo is working to protect the future of social work and music through the creation of several endowment scholarships at Wayne State University (WSU) with her late husband. Patrick-Wanzo, 76, became interested in the world of endowment scholarships when she and her husband, Mel Wanzo, a trombone player best known for playing in the Count Basie Orchestra decided to give back to the community. “He would say, ‘You can give your life to the music and in 10 years nobody would know you existed,’” she said of her jazz musician husband who played the trombone in the big band. “We would talk about, ‘Let’s do something sustainable,’ when we retired.” That sustainability came in the form of endowment scholarships in the music department at WSU – the first one in 2003.

Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo, left, and her husband, Mel Wanzo, created an endowment scholarship at Wayne State University to leave a legacy for students in music and social work. Photo provided by Carolyn Patrick-Wanzo “We started doing these wonderful fundraisers and we did five very significant ones where Count Basie’s orchestra played with us twice,” Patrick-Wanzo said, adding that Chris Collins, director of jazz studies at WSU, Detroit Jazz Festival artistic director and saxophonist, was very instrumental in the fundrais-

ers. Collins told the Michigan Chronicle that Patrick-Wanzo’s great work is filling a substantial need in the music world and beyond. Patrick-Wanzo said that years before the fundraiser, seeds were sown in a collaborative relationship with Collins. Collins told her husband one day that WSU needed a trombone player at the university’s Jazz Lab. That is when Wanzo decided to volunteer his time and come visit the university weekly and mentor students in the trombone section. “It was right up Mel’s alley,” she said of her husband. “It was a wonderful relationship we had in ‘96 to do something sustainable.” The fundraisers they held were successful and helped institute the $125,000 Melvin F. Wanzo Trombone Endowed Scholarship Fund.

“We had a big check to give -- it kind of got us started,” she said. In 2005, shortly after the beginnings of the fundraisers, Wanzo died of prostate cancer – that year Patrick-Wanzo also battled breast cancer. Although Wanzo’s physical life came to an end,

his legacy remains through the lives of students who receive scholarships at WSU. “We started these endowments -- they were so wonderful because we could see how much the students really needed the money; we got the best feeling for doing something sustainable, forever,” Patrick-Wanzo said, adding that having “wonderful musicians” connected to Wanzo’s name is significant, too. “You just never die.”

• Patrick-Wanzo said their scholarships at WSU include: • Carolyn Purifoy Patrick-Wanzo Endowed Scholarship (School of Social Work) • The Melvin F. Wanzo Trombone Endowed Scholarship Fund (College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts) • Purifoy Wanzo CTAA Endowment (College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts) Patrick-Wanzo, among others, was also very instrumental in influencing the creation of the Rabbi M. Robert Syme

See SCHOLARSHIP page A-4

Page A-4 • michiganchronicle.com •

August 11-17, 2021

Obesity in America By Megan Kirk

lated ailments. Diabetes, in some cases, is a disease acquired as a result of poor The Centers for Disease Control de- diet. In the Black community, diabetes fines obese as a person having a body continues to attack in alarming nummass index, or BMI, of more than 30 bers. African American adults, despite points. Doctors and specialists mea- gender, are 60 percent more likely than sure BMI using a person’s weight in ki- white adults to be diagnosed with diabelograms then dividing by the square of tes. While Type 2 diabetes can emerge at height in meters. Using this scale, Black any stage, a family history of the illness men account for more than 38 percent of or being overweight or obese can also obesity cases in the country, for African contribute to the onset. American women, more than 55 percent, “Stress in the Black community conas of 2018. As the number of obesity tributes to high blood pressure just as cases rise in Black communities, health- much as a poor diet. When we see other care professionals are divcultures in different couning deep into the reasoning tries and how they must and how to reverse the efsurvive in a war zone for fects. example, this sort of enviCurrently, African ronment can be compared American women have the to living in the inner city; highest rates of obesity in with crime, inadequate poAmerica. Four out of evlice protection, abandoned ery five Black women are homes, homeless people, either obese or medicaldesolate neighborhoods, ly overweight per the U.S. liquor stores, marijuaDepartment of Health and na dispensaries planted Human Services Office of now right in the neighborMinority Health. However, hoods,” says Jackson. the reason may not be as Obesity is not just excut and dried as numbers clusive to adults. The show. Health disparities Ruchelle Jackson weight burden has trickled and health issues relatdown and is now beginning ed to race also play a role in obesity to affect Black children. In addition to dirates for African American women. Hy- abetes, children classified as overweight pertension, or high blood pressure, is or obese can face health problem like one of the most common health issues asthma, sleep apnea and problems with amongst Black populations. With the joints. Currently, more than 35 percent highest rates of any nationality, almost of Black children are considered obese. 58 percent of Black women have high “Obesity in children starts at a young blood pressure; for Black men, nearly 57 age, but even if it does not happen when percent are diagnosed with it. a child is young, obesity can develop due Diet and exercise are the leading to a poor diet and lifestyle filled with incauses of hypertension in the Black activity, fast food, sweet and salty procommunity. Through a diet rich in flavor cessed snacks,” says Jackson. “Also, a and fat, Black cuisine has been at the sedentary lifestyle due to social media center of health debates for decades. As and a lack of activities and programs ofsalt is a main seasoning in most Black fered in the inner city.” dishes, the chances for hypertension inIn a 2018 study, African Americans crease. Lowering the amount of sodium were 20 percent less likely to be inand other high blood pressure triggers can help to lower the chance of develop- volved in an active physical activity as compared to white counterparts. Shifting the disease. ing eating habits and making alternate “The SAD, Standard American Diet, choices in food options can help lead to along with a heavily processed Soul Food a healthier lifestyle. Diet contributes to obesity. These types “Changing your diet and consuming of foods are void of nutrients, vitamins and minerals and fiber. They are also meals high in fruits and vegetables, nuts packed with sodium and trans fats, con- and seeds or a whole food plant-based sidered Frankenstein foods; these foods diet provides fiber, vitamins, minerare genetically modified foods that are als and nutrients that the body needs mass produced and do not contribute to to grow and function. Eating animal a healthy lifestyle at all,” says Ruchelle protein contributes to 98 percent of Jackson, Functional Medicine Nutrition- sickness and disease when heavily processed, eaten in excess and combined ist and Holistic Health Practitioner. with other foods filled with trans fats Stress is one major factor in eating and sodium,” says Jackson. habits, leading to the onset of food-re-

Scholarship From page A-3

and David Syme Music Legacy Endowed Scholarship which funds students seeking scholarships in the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. Susan Burns, vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs, and president of the WSU Foundation, wrote a statement in the 2019-2020 WSU Endowment Report thanking the donors for their “incredible generosity” to WSU. “Your giving has made an indelible impact on our students, faculty, research and community,” she wrote, adding that donor support “fueled our mission during the pandemic.” Patrick-Wanzo said that the same year her husband died, she was interested in creating an endowed scholarship for social work, which was near and dear to her heart. The Cass Tech graduate and WSU alum (and scholarship recipient) attended WSU’s School of Social Work program and graduated with her bachelor’s and master’s. “They paid for my entire education,” she said. “I owe Wayne State my life... [my education] prepared me to be able to be a school social worker.” She added that she and her husband understood the importance of endowments. In addition to working with WSU, she and other Cass Tech alums joined forces and created an endowment scholarship for music program-based high school students to have a direct pipeline to attend WSU. They’ve also teamed up to help Cass Tech students in need with purchases of new musical instruments, robes and more. “We started again doing endowments -- this time for students at Cass Tech,” she said, adding that conversations turned into the scholarship creation and she and fellow friends raised enough

money for students most in need.

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“I can’t tell you on how many levels my life has been enriched -- it’s a joy to become her partner and her friend,” Chisholm said, adding that they are both concerned about the social work world, and the necessity to keep new students interested in joining this profession. “They will be the leaders of their generation – whatever field they go in,” Chisholm said, adding that the social work profession has a great impact in today’s world.” “It was apparent that we needed social workers,” Patrick-Wanzo also said, adding that she has seen how the initial endowment legacy is starting to bear fruit. “Before you know it in almost 20 years you can see what that [scholarship] represents. … All of those endowments there -- I was directly responsible for creating them.... it certainly does make you smile.” She said it takes a village to raise the funds time and time again. Her group of friends dubbed, The Detroit Posse, among others, show up and go above and beyond in helping raise funds to enrich the lives of brilliant students. “I can’t be any of this or do any of this without the support of some donors,” she said, adding that anyone can help be a part of the legacy and can give anything from $10 to $10,000 or more. “It is our responsibility to make it better for those coming -- an opportunity for us to add a little more to that big pot. There is so much need and such a good feeling to be able to do it.” For more information or to give to WSU visit https://giving.wayne.edu/give/ endowed. August last year, said that the struggles of yesterday are the present-day issues needing to be addressed now.

iels said. Daniels, who often de-escalated situations to keep protestors safe, said that commemorating Black August should be known around the Black community and remembered so that history doesn’t repeat itself.

“My great-grandparents were enslaved, that was only twice removed away from me. These issues are not as far behind us,” she said, adding that the more people learn about this month the more relevant the recognition of Black community-centered issues become.

“Thirty to 40 years later we’re still fighting for the same thing,” she said, adding that it’s time to celebrate the leaders “we don’t hear much about.”

Daniels likened the commemoration to Juneteenth with a lot of people in the Black community “just becoming aware” that the celebration is to effect change.

“We have Black History Month [where] we tend to hear about the same folks,” she said, adding that this month celebrates on-the-ground organizers. “People doing it for a lifetime [who] lost their lives due to state-sanctioned murder … imprisonment.”

“We have the power to change it,” she said, adding that it starts with community members loving and respecting each other and grows from there to the judicial system and beyond. “Empower the community and not criminalize them.”

Daniels, who learned about Black

Loyola High School Detroit. A Catholic High School in the Jesuit Tradition.

Danice Chisholm, a fellow Cass Tech alum with a background in social work, is one of Patrick-Wanzo’s collaborative partners who saw needs at the high school and helped ensure funding was directed to the right place -- after having one conversation with her determined friend.

Black August From page A-3

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| August 11-17, 2021

Money.

michiganchronicle.com

Rocket Mortgage Welcomes Detroit Homebuyers Home with New Home Loan Program By Sherri Kolade In Detroit, over half of the city’s renters are “cost-burdened,” paying over 30 percent of their income on rent, according to city data from last year. Local statistics also reveal that there is a very apparent lack of housing for extremely low-income families causing a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Nationwide, numbers in the last year have been bleak as well with nearly a third of all U.S. households spending over 30 percent of their income on rent alone. Rental prices have increased 150 percent over the last 10 years while earnings have, for the most part, remained the same. Not to mention housing barriers impacting Black Detroiters at higher rates than their white counterparts. Today, however, owning a home in Detroit just got a bit easier for residents. Rocket Mortgage, the country’s largest mortgage lender and a part of Rocket Companies, announced today that a full suite of programs will be available to help Detroit residents who are interested in buying a home in the city -- no matter which step they’re on with their homebuying journey. The new initiative includes $2,500 in lender credits when purchasing a house in Detroit, along with resources for residents who are underbanked or can benefit from credit counseling and homebuyer education, according to a press release. “Detroit has been home to Rocket Mortgage for more than a decade. In that time, we have been proud to use our expertise to create initiatives that support the city’s homeowners,” said Jay Farner, CEO of Rocket Companies in a press release. “Today, we are doubling down on that commitment. By increasing access to banking, credit building opportunities, and, ultimately, home financing, more Detroit residents will be able to build equity through homeownership, which increases neighborhood stability and opportunity for future generations.” Laura Grannemann, vice president of Strategic Investments of the Rocket Community Fund, told the Michigan Chronicle in an exclusive interview that the company is dedicated to searching for options to improve the lives of residents in Detroit. “We’re consistently finding a better way to serve our clients and communities,” Grannemann said, adding that the Rocket Community Fund oversees numerous housing stability-based initiatives to prevent property foreclosures, assist with homeownership repairs, driving systemic change, and more. But it felt like something was missing. “Beyond homeownership base and accessibility (we want to) make sure we’re driving new homeownership opportunities. Grannemann said that thinking about homeownership, especially

See HOMEBUYERS page A6

Chase Bank’s first Community Center branch in Corktown has additional services than a standard banking center.

Photo

provided by JPMorgan Chase

Chase Bank Commits $30 Billion in Equity Programming Chase Bank has already established itself in its over 85-year history in the city of Detroit as a community-centered financial institution. Now, it’s expanding its footprint with a new Corktown location that features a community-inspired model with plans to help more Black and Latinx consumers grow businesses. On Thursday, August 5, Chase held a grand opening of its first Community Center branch in Detroit on 1620 Michigan Ave, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the bustling street corner in front of the business. The new branch features a community-inspired model offering free financial health resources like skills training, pop-up shops and fintech innovation for residents and small businesses, Jamie Dimon, chairman and chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase said to reporters after the event. The Corktown branch’s vision is to help the community discover a better financial future through tools and resources, including growth support for local entrepreneurs starting or expanding their small business, mentoring for entrepreneurs and access to a popup space to display and sell their merchandise, workshops to build financial health and WIFI for community groups and residents to use for remote learning and work. The Corktown location is the seventh Community Branch of its kind among Chase’s 4,800 branches nationwide. “We’re moving beyond community banking to community building,” said Lawrence Bailey, head of community and business development for Chase Consumer Bank nationwide. “We’re deeply committed to this city and remain focused on giving more residents access to financial education, Chase advisors and products they need to succeed, so they can participate in Detroit’s continued recovery. We want to help people build a strong financial foundation so

they can thrive and build wealth.” Chase officials also described how they are making it a priority to promote the growth of Black- and Latinx-owned small businesses, including through increased lending and technical assistance to businesses in those communities. To help advance this commitment in Detroit, the bank announced a $1 million philanthropic investment in the New Economy Initiative (NEI) to help support the local small business ecosystem and create an innovation fund to pilot new programs and products to support micro-entrepreneurs. This new fund builds on NEIs reasoning on existing and new small business owners that are navigating the challenges of COVID’s impact and looking ahead for growth opportunities. Through the NEI network, small businesses will be able to access not only capital, but also practical assistance, information and trusted connections to business resources. NEI is a philanthropic collaboration and special project of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Dimon, who has been in Detroit since 1986, said that with Chase being one of the biggest banks in the city, it was important to make a meaningful impact. He added that Black businesses continue to thrive despite the economic pressures from the pandemic. “Healthy policy and growth will help the Black community.” “Investing in underserved small businesses can change the trajectory for struggling neighborhoods, build wealth among entrepreneurs of color and women and improve the economy, overall,” said Pam Lewis, executive director of NEI. The new Corktown branch is part of the firm’s $30 billion commitment to advance racial equity and bring more economic opportunities to diverse and underserved communities. As part of this commitment, JPMorgan Chase re-

cently launched a new program that provides mentorship, coaching and technical assistance to businesses in Black and Latinx communities in 13 cities across the U.S., including Detroit. Through the new program, small business owners will be paired with a senior business consultant who will provide advisory services such as mentorship, business development coaching, resources and financial planning to help strengthen sustainable business growth for minority business owners. During a roundtable discussion with the press, Hargrove told the Michigan Chronicle that Black and Latinx communities are working on building up their generational wealth by intentionally creating deeper and more meaningful relationships that they have with their banking partners like Chase. “As the person that is on the ground working in the community [their response] has been overwhelmingly positive,” Hargrove said. “Especially with our commitment to … be more intentional with how we create more wealth in the Black and Latinx communities. So, we really have been looking at what are some of the drivers of wealth accumulation.” Hargrove added that Chase and its community partners have tested out ways to help residents in the community become homeowners. It’s paying off, too, because one of Chase’s customers – a renter and single mother on the Eastside for 10 years – was able to recently own the home she once rented. “As a result, some innovative, new ways [are] helping people think differently about homeownership in the community,” she said. “We’re looking at more opportunities for us to continue doing things like that.“ The branch also includes a full- time Community Manager – a new role created by the bank – who will engage the community and businesses to increase

See INVESTMENT page A6

A New Sound for Midtown: Black, Woman-Owned Audio Engineers of Detroit Comes to City They are the new sound of Midtown – and they’re already hitting the high notes. Audio Engineers of Detroit (AED) hosted its grand opening at its new facility on Tuesday, June 29, in midtown Detroit inside the Hannan Center at 4750 Woodward Ave. This state-of-theart recording studio and Motor City Match winner, will offer a broad array of audio recording services including commercial voice-over, podcast recording, music recording, stereo mixing, 5.1 mixing, Dolby Atmos mixing, audio restoration, location sound and audio-visual services. Owners of the studio Mike and Robin Kinnie were all smiles as they shared their story before a crowd with their new studio behind them. “We want to put the music back in Motown at the same time we see it as a way to bring the community together. Music heals,” said Mike Kinnie, co-founder and vice president. “There are other music studios in town, but we don’t believe there are any others that offer the quality of sound equipment to support professional music and film production at rates people can afford.”

AED is woman-owned and operated by Robin and Mike Kinnie, the couple behind Southfield’s Motor City Woman Studios. The studio also offers advanced audio recording programs designed to equip students for their first step toward a professional audio recording engineering and music production career. From custom-made sound panels and a U.K.-manufactured audio console -- the recording studio is more than ready to record and make music – and then some – for curious students ready to learn how it’s done. “What we’re really proud of is a variety of projects that can be produced here,” Robin told the Michigan Chronicle during a studio tour. “Everything from music of course; music production, audiobooks, podcasts. We’ve already done some projects for film. So, when they have to do the score for film – it’s a variety.” Robin added that what really sets the studio apart is that there will also be classes. “People who want to learn music pro-

See STUDIO

GRAND OPENING page A6

Audio Engineers of Detroit Owners Robin Kinnie, second from right, and Mike Kinnie, far right, celebrate the grand opening of their new as Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, far left, and recording studio, second from left, student celebrate alongside. Photo Credit: Aaron J. Thornton / Digital Depictions for Audio Engineers of Detroit

Page A-6 • michiganchronicle.com • August 11-17, 2021

A Social Impact $100K Donation Collaboration – When Detroiters and Black Non-Profits Win By Sherri Kolade It started with a conversation that, over time, turned into a $100,000 donation that would assist a Black nonprofit organization while simultaneously helping answer one white couple’s question on how to impact social justice close to home. Dwan Dandridge, co-founder, and CEO of Black Leaders Detroit Fund (BLDF) recently received $100,000 for his nonprofit organization whose mission is to impact Detroit neighborhoods by supporting Black-owned or -led businesses. Their base funding model encompasses Black business leaders/owners willing to commit to supporting the organization at $1 a week. Money collected from BLDF fundraising efforts are directed back into supporting Blackowned or -led businesses in Detroit. Launched in October 2019, BLDF has a social impact responsibility and Dandridge isn’t shy about pulling people along the way to help. Dandridge did just so after developing a meaningful relationship with Kevin Armstrong and his wife Megan after they moved to Detroit in 2013 living in the Boston-Edison neighborhood. They bought their home from the City of Detroit’s Land Bank program for about $100,000 and received home-buying grants to reduce their home purchase to $80,000. As Kevin Armstrong worked his way through the community by learning from local leaders what Detroit, especially Black Detroit, prioritized he met with Dandridge who eventually became his mentor. The Armstrong family would sell their home (to move to Colorado for missionary work) years later, and made a substantial profit of several hundred thousand dollars from the sale of their Boston-Edison home. As the friend-mentor relationship grew, the duo broke barriers and spoke on a variety of topics from race relations to a shared faith in Christianity. Dandridge said after they moved to Detroit, the Armstrongs started to learn about disparities when it comes of access to resources and opportunities for longtime Black Detroiters in comparison to newer white Detroiters. “They started to seek more education on just things like what gentrification meant, the Black experience and ways to make sure they didn’t continue to play a role in perpetuating some of the disparities.” Dandridge said that during one of their talks in 2013, there was an “ask” being made of him that he hasn’t always seen valued by white people -- to learn

Homebuyers From page A-5 homeownership in the Black community, propels her and the company to find even more equitable solutions for all. “The power of a home and owning a home -- any Detroiter that wants a home has the power to do so,” she said, adding that everyone’s “next step looks a little different” but the journey is getting toward the same destination: homeownership. Rocket Mortgage’s new initiatives start with those who have a desire to buy a home but need some help along the way. If a Detroiter does not have a bank account or needs to boost their credit score, Rocket Mortgage will connect them with MoCaFi, a Black-owned FinTech company. “MoCaFi’s goal, as part of the Detroit Home Loan+ program, is to provide the Detroit community with a broader set of resources that can help them take the steps needed to prepare for homeownership. We, along with Rocket Mortgage, believe everyone should have an opportunity at this important part of the American Dream,” said Wole Coaxum, CEO of MoCaFi in a press release. “Our journey starts with getting Detroiters a bank account if they don’t already have one. We can also help them bring additional data – including rent payments – into their credit report. We believe offering Detroit residents strong banking and credit fundamentals will create a better path to purchasing a home and getting the stability and equity that comes with it.” Detroiters in need of additional support will be connected to the Detroit Housing Network – a conglomerate of six Detroit-based nonprofits providing wide-ranging housing services for renters, homebuyers, and homeowners. Clients will get hands-on support from trained specialists to prepare them for homeownership.

Investment From page A-5

awareness of available resources and tools and help connect them with financial health education. The Community Manager will establish free interactive programs on topics such as credit and budget building, how to save for the future and others. Customers will discover a new branch that looks and feels different from a “typical” bank – it combines a modern design, layout and state-of-the-art banking technology reflecting how customers engage with Chase today. Employees

Dwan Dandridge, right, co-founder and CEO of Black Leaders Detroit Fund (BLDF), and Kevin Armstrong join forces on impacting the non-profit Black community in Detroit. Photo courtesy of D. Ericson & Associates Public Relations more about Black culture in Detroit from a first-hand perspective. “When white people ask or invite Black people to a table to participate or collaborate, they fail to understand or properly weigh the value of what we bring to the table,” he said. “It was a heavy request when Kevin asked to tap into the one resource I have that he wanted -- my years of experience and knowledge as a Black man living in this community. For that to happen there needed to be a price, not one for me personally, but one for the benefit of the community.” Fast forward to today, Kevin and Megan sold their house and began preparing to move to Colorado to continue their missionary work, and when they put their home up for sale and tripled their profit (selling it for around $400,000), Dandridge came back to the Armstrongs reminding them of that “ask” from back in 2013. He asked the couple to do something for the community in the form of equity for all they received from Detroit and its people. When Dandridge poured his heart out to share with Kevin Armstrong on this matter, he requested of him a monetary donation to BLDF of $100,000. Dandridge said that the working-class family agreed, and the $100,000 donation will not be forgotten, and will help the BLDF help the non-profit Black community.

will be taking applications for a portion of the contribution to support non-interest loans for their non-profit sector work. BLDF will use the donation to create a specific funding source for Black developers with a social impact component tied to it to help Detroit. Dandridge said that his friends told him

that their donation was him offering them a gift, an opportunity to give back to a city that blessed them. “They felt a sense of responsibility based on things they learned,” he said adding that they didn’t want to “just cash out” and make this “ridiculous profit.” For more information visit https://blackleadersdetroit.org/.

Studio Grand Opening From page A-5 duction and audio engineering can take advantage of this state-of-the-art studio and learn in it,” she said, adding that there are classes starting this month. Mike said that the classes come with equipment ranging from a laptop to a microphone. “It comes with your own little personal studio,” Mike said, adding that students will work with it during the program and take it with them once the program is completed. “That is really nice for the students to be able to learn on equipment and be able to take it with them, and they can go anywhere and record.” Robin added that the Midtown loca-

tion is a nice touch and she’s proud of the city’s rich, historic music roots that she and her husband are gladly adding to. “We’re really proud of the location and to continue on in the legacy of the creation of sound in the city of Detroit,” Robin said. “As native Detroiters, we understand creativity is in our blood and we are excited to give people the tools where they can create projects rights here within the city limits and continue on with that Motown legacy.” The nine-month-long, two-day-aweek classes start this August and are open to the public. For more information visit https:// aedetroit.com.

Dandridge added that in January BLDF Grannemann said this more inclusive homeownership project is largely geared toward existing Detroit residents currently renting and who “don’t know the options available to them.” “I’m really excited about is the fact that we have all of these wraparound services and partners here to make sure as our clients come in to access this product ... we have support to support clients in the short and long term.” Bill Banfield, an executive vice president of Rocket Mortgage, told the Michigan Chronicle that the company needed to help address the wealth gap. “One of the biggest impediments to buying a home is down payment,” he said, adding that those ready to buy a home can take advantage of the money available to those who are eligible. Once ready to become a homeowner, Detroit residents can leverage Rocket Mortgage’s new Detroit Home Loan+ program to receive a $2,500 closing cost credit when buying a primary residence in the city. The closing cost credit is automatically applied to all eligible mortgages, which includes conventional, FHA, and VA loans. Detroiters can apply through the Rocket Mortgage app or call the Detroit Home Loan+ mortgage banking specialists. “The Rocket Community Fund is dedicated to building homeownership, wealth, and stability for all Detroit families,” said Grannemann “Through programs like Detroit Home Loan+, Rehabbed & Ready, Make It Home and Neighbor to Neighbor we are directly addressing the systems that have historically prevented residents from owning their own homes and building equity.”

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Young Minds Under Construction!

welcome customers in casual meeting spaces with comfortable seating in booths and couches, highlighting a more consultative approach, along with self-service transaction areas including smart ATMs. Other features include pop-up space to showcase local small businesses – especially those without a storefront – to highlight their products and services. Art featuring local artists is also integrated into the branch design. The prototype of this new branch model launched in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood in 2019, followed by branches in Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans and Los Angeles.

These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education.

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August 11-17, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com • Page A-7

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August 11-17, 2021

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Apparrallel Pop-Up Shop in Downtown Detroit By Megan Kirk After a year stuck in the house, it may be time to revamp the closet. Exclusive vintage pieces have hit the city. Detroit native Amber Chene and business partner Rome Italy just opened a new pop-up in downtown Detroit that is looking to serve the community in more ways than one. Amber Chene is a multidisciplinary artist who has ties in fashion, music and performance. She has released three sneakers with Nike, performed with several R&B and Hip Hop artists and modeled for various campaigns including shoots with Footlocker and Converse. Chene is now using her talents to grow the city putting the sounds and fashion of Detroit on a global platform and creating more community spaces for artists to express and build all over the world. After traveling to New York during the pandemic, Chene and business partner Italy were able to visit a retail space that lit the spark. After meeting with friends, the invitation was extended for the business to check out their store. Afterwards, the ideas began to form. “We went to go check out the store and while we were there, we were like ‘we need a storefront,’” says Chene. Bringing the fresh ideas back to Detroit, an Instagram page grew into various pop-ups across the city. Then, an email from the largest real estate company in the city would offer the opportunity for a semi-permanent location. More than just an apparel store, Apparrallel is a creative collective, retail space and event production company that brings together high fashion and merges it with social and cultural intentionality. Serving as a platform to empower BIPOC and LGBTQ+ professionals in Detroit, Apparrallel also works with independent entrepreneurs to target new audiences and potential clients. Committed to inclusion, innovative creativity and environmental responsibility, the brand is committed to radical inclusion, innovative creativity and environmental responsibility. “Seventy percent of the dyes we use for our fashion goes back into our water. That affects a lot of things environmentally for us. I just didn’t want to add to that issue and that problem,” says Chene. For the budding brand, one company had begun taking notice. Bedrock Detroit, the largest real estate partner in downtown Detroit, reached out and expressed interest in collaborating, helping bring the pop-up shops to the next level. “Bedrock actually reached out to me which was amazing. I’m so grateful for it,” says Chene. The retail store will carry exclusive vintage clothing items, handbags and other accessories. With a love of thrifting, the vintage and one-of-akind gems helps to inspire the clothes carried for purchase. “We really wanted people to just grasp that culture of Detroit. Just bringing that Black culture, because Detroit is Black. We really wanted people to see that. Not so much tourist

See APPARRALLEL Page B-2

Jessie Hayes-Stallings, Skinphorea founder and CEO, second from left, and Shareese Shorter, Skinphorea co-owner and director of operations, second from right, celebrate the grand opening of the premier facial bar, spa, and educational hub on Friday, August 6 alongside Pierre Batton, vice president, Small Business Services, at the DEGC and Detroit Means Business (DMB) president, back left, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, far right. Photo provided by Motor City Match

Euphoria Over Skinphorea: Community Celebrates Newest Black-Owned Facial Bar in Corktown By Sherri Kolade

day because she heard about their “wonderful facials.”

It’s hard not to smile when you step inside the luxurious, very Instagram-able new facial bar, Skinphorea located in Corktown in Detroit.

Nimmons, who also has a skin condition that makes her prone to clogged skin and ingrown hairs, said she is looking forward to being a regular client and stopping by in case of skin emergencies. Before she had to drive to the suburbs for such skin emergencies. She added that it’s beneficial to find a local skincare business that specializes in melanated skin.

On Friday, August 6, a lot of smiles went around as the newest skincare spot in town officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony as business leaders, community members and supported poured into the luxurious facial bar located at 1620 Michigan Ave.

“Who knows your skin better than someone who looks like you?”

Those smiling most of all that day were co-owners Jes- Skinphorea offers multiple facial options for clients looking Mayor Mike Duggan attendsie Hayes-Stallings, Skinpho- to up their facial game. Photo provided by Motor City Match ed, too. rea founder and CEO, and “We are so excited and grateful for “Jessie and Shareese creatShareese Shorter, director of operations the opportunity to expand in the beautias they celebrated in style the opening ful city of Detroit,” said Hayes-Stallings. ed Skinphorea to redefine their indusof their second location; Royal Oak is “We can’t wait to help educate Detroi- try and offer a place where everyone is welcome,” said Duggan in a press rehome to their first facial bar. ters on skincare, whether they’re learn- lease. “This Motor City Match business Detroit’s location features a facial bar, ing how to take care of their own skin is a wonderful addition to the growing spa, and educational hub, along with or attending Skinphorea University to commercial district in Corktown. We are private rooms for facials, and rentable kickstart their careers.” proud of Jessie and Shareese for chasrooms for people in the beauty business The 4,000 sq.-ft location will offer ing their dreams and choosing Detroit looking for a space to do their craft. many skin services, such as an acne to expand their business and provide edAlong with offering various spa-like clinic and laser hair removal, as well as ucation for Detroit residents to expand amenities and services, the company’s beauty products and a signature happy their careers.” Detroit location will serve as the brand’s hour feel to help clients relax and unIntending to redefine how skincare is flagship as well as the home base for wind. Hayes-Stallings and Shorter plan approached, Hayes-Stallings and Shortits apprenticeship program, Skinpho- to hire 22 employees for the new space, er originally formed Skinphorea as an rea University. Created in 2016 around including managerial and esthetician online business in 2014. the time of its first location’s opening, positions. They told the Michigan Chronicle the program partners with the State of Detroit resident Corea Nimmons, who Michigan to provide esthetician licens- works nearby, attended the grand open- that it all started with a conversation on ing for emerging skincare professionals, ing and told the Michigan Chronicle that a couch. according to a press release. she booked a spot at Skinphorea that

See SKINPHOREA Page B-2

Black exPRESSiON Their Way:

What Happens When Art and Mental Health Collide?

By Sherri Kolade

offers unique activities to exercise every aspect of our overall health”.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

Hill, a graduate of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Xavier University in Cincinnati (and currently attending Wayne State University), was the winner of the 2021 Black Art & Film Fest, and Best Documentary Award in the 2021 Best Experimental Documentary for “Black Health IS.”

No truer words were spoken than by the 20th-century writer and theologian Thomas Merton. Losing and finding oneself – while pressing on toward greater dimensions creatively– is a constant realm artists live in as they express their pains through paintbrush, on-screen through art installations or elsewhere.

Hill told the Michigan Chronicle that while at Xavier he studied philosophy and he had to write a senior thesis on how to properly heal patients based on their cultural and racial backgrounds.

For 26-year-old Redford resident Edward Hill II, art is an entry point into having needed conversations – especially in Black communities regarding mental health. Black Art Is … A Conversation Starter As the project founder of The Infinite Steps to Health (ISH) Project, a nonprofit community wellness group, he recently debuted his first documentary “Black Health IS” in late July in Ann Arbor; a second one is coming in August. The “Black Heath IS” documentary takes the lead of the ISH Project by bringing the conversation of health to the forefront and applying it directly to the Black community in the form of a methodical storyline and using met-

Black Grief Art Mental Health Edward Hill Photo courtesy of Edward Hill II

Black Grief Art Mental Health Asia Hamilton Photo provided by David Rudolph

aphorical art to educate the audience on why improved Black health is so critically necessary. The film highlights real testimonies from individuals touching on the topics of mental and sexual health in the African American community.

ways they can get their communities active outside of the traditional physical activity people may know.

The ISH Project aims to improve not only the quality of life of its participants but also that of the greater community by educating its members on various

“We want to plant the seed in people’s minds that health is more of an umbrella term with many subcategories under it,” Hill was quoted as saying in the press release. “Mental and emotional health are both elements we often forget to include when we say we want to improve our health. Our organization

“The more I thought about that the more I realized ... we don’t actually know; we don’t actually discuss the roots of where these issues are coming from and then how to properly acknowledge the Black community in comparison to other races,” he said, adding that the film was “necessary” to show the mental health hurdles the Black community faces. Hill’s documentary is slated to be shown a second time (along with a panel discussion) Sunday, August 15, at Nandi’s Knowledge Café, 71 Oakman Blvd. In Highland Park; a time was not established yet as of press time. His

See MENTAL HEALTH Page B-2

Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • August 11-17, 2021

Mental Health

Skinphorea

From page B-1

upcoming event will feature discussions surrounding healing, artists and their perspectives and more. “[It’s] really important we dive deeper and really think critically around it [mental health]; the only way we’ll be able to shift the climate around it,” he said. For more information or to find out details about the upcoming showing visit blackhealthis.com and www.theishproject.com. Black Art Is … Finding Healing in Grief

“It started with us sitting on her couch,” Hayes-Stallings said standing near a deep velvet purple chaise lounge alongside Shorter under a ceiling with hanging purple and green flowers and vines with a lush wall of greenery bearing their company name. “We sat on her couch and we came up with a vision for how we wanted Skinphorea to be, and we were able to open up the Royal Oak location and it’s been busting out at the seams for the past several years.” Shorter said that she works primarily on the business end. “How do you make things work? How do you troubleshoot, how do you problem solve?” Shorter said, adding that it was always Hayes-Stallings’ vision and dream, while she was ready to help make that a reality. “I said, ‘Let’s just do it.” The dynamic duo decided to merge quality care with a signature happy hour feel when they opened their first location in Royal Oak in 2016. Their innovative concept allowed them to create Metro Detroit’s first results-driven, high-concept facial bar. The brand holds a vision to fulfill the skincare needs of both women and men who desire practical pampering while highlighting an educational component. Hayes-Stalling and Shorter thanked MCM for providing access to funding and serving as a strategic partner to grow and develop Skinphorea’s flagship location. They received an MCM Round 14 cash grant of $30,000. Skin-

Corktown’s newest skincare spot, Skinphorea, officially opened on Friday, August 6 on Michigan Avenue in Detroit. It features a bar, glamorous selfie stations, private rooms and more. Photo provided by Motor City Match phorea is located near several open MCM-supported businesses, including Plum Health Direct Primary Care, Batch Brewing Company, Michigan & Trumbull, and Mama Coo’s Boutique. Skiniphorea is one of 129 open brick-and-mortar Motor City Match businesses that have received support from the program. Of those businesses, 81 percent are minority-owned, 71 percent are women-owned and 64 percent are owned by Detroit residents. The program continues to have a large and positive impact on Detroit’s small business community, including: • Roughly 15 more MCM businesses are expected to open in 2021 • Around 1,000 jobs have been created as a result of open MCM businesses • $9.5M has been awarded in cash grants through MCM and Motor City Re-Store, which has leveraged

$44.1M in additional investment into Detroit’s neighborhoods • Nearly 300 additional home-based and mobile businesses have started or expanded with the help of Motor City Match DEGC President and CEO Kevin Johnson said that Detroit is on an economic rise. “More Detroiters are on a path to economic mobility, have been given a chance to pursue their passions, and have access to goods and services in their neighborhoods because of this program,” he said in a press release. “Today, we are creating an even stronger MCM program to support Detroit’s small business community – the heartbeat of our city.” Skinphorea is now accepting appointments online at https://www.vagaro.com/skinphoreacorktown/booknow.

Apparrallel From page B-1

things or things that have been gentrified,” says Chene. Extending beyond fashion to incorporate all aspects, Apparrallel is a 70 percent retail and 30 percent event space located in the Cary Building at 1301 Broadway. The production space is available for rent for photographers, entrepreneurs and other business professionals looking to utilize the space. “That building that we’re in, the placement and the history of it, it’s just amazing,” says Chene. The future of Apparrallel is bright. In addition to retail operations, it will also host Saturday Sip and Shop events, special shopper’s benefits and holistic healing. “At the top of our space, there is a space where we’re going to be having holistic things. You can come in and get a Reiki healing, Oracle readings,

Co-founders Amber Chene and Rome Italy crystals [and] things to clear as well,” says Chene. “You’ll be able to purchase everything when it comes to holistic.” The co-founders also intend on

launching a juice bar within the space. “We’re going to launch natural resources that create healing properties for our people,” Chene says.

Asia Hamilton likes to get lost in flowers– while inspiring others in the process. Hamilton recently curated a live floral art installation, “Flower Therapy,” presented by Norwest Gallery of Art in Detroit. The installation benefited the Norwest Community Collaborative’s COVID-19 Gardening Through Grief Project, a non-profit organization. As a COVID-19 survivor who lost her mother to the same virus last year, Hamilton said that finding flowers inspirational inspired her healing journey. “The inspiration to curate ‘Flower Therapy’ came from the great loss I, and many others in Detroit and around the world, experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hamilton was quoted as saying in a press release. She said that the flowers she sent and received were a constant in her life. Hamilton told the Michigan Chronicle that she once took a trip to Traverse City and was inspired by a beautiful flower garden there which took her on her artistic journey. Hamilton says that flowers are a reminder of the grief and loss she is experiencing and the joy and happiness that they give her. Also, she and her project partner Kayana Sessom founded The Gardening Through Grief Project to encourage floral healing. In addition to the community herb and flower garden being a healing space it is also a touchpoint for Sessom who tragically lost her father to COVID-19. “Detroit has suffered so much loss from gun violence to this terrible pandemic that we felt the need for a space of healing and understanding. Flowers helped me through my grief, and this Flower Therapy exhibition is just that, therapy,” added Hamilton. For more information on Flower Therapy, call (313) 293-7344. Staff Writer Sherri Kolade has been at the Michigan Chronicle since November 2020. She typically covers stories on Black-owned businesses, real estate development, mental health, politics, community news, features, and money. If you have a story idea you would like to pitch her on these topics and beyond, email her at skolade@michronicle.com.

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For more info., visit techtowndetroit.org/programs TechTown gets a lot of help from our friends so we can provide these programs at no cost for our business builders. Thanks to the experts that make our Ask an Expert program great! Entrepreneurial Education at TechTown is made possible with support from the Walters Family Foundation. TechTown is Detroit’s entrepreneurship hub. We are a nonprofit business service organization that provides programs, education and resources for early- to growth-stage small businesses and tech entrepreneurs.

August 11-17, 2021 • michiganchronicle.com •

Page B-3

Five Post-Pandemic Diet Plans to Get That Weight Off By Megan Kirk The effects of the pandemic have weighed on more than just the economy. Individuals have gained pandemic pounds and are looking for ways to shed the additional sizes. Diets, while not new, take more than just a shake or tea. Shifting lifestyle choices, these weight loss jump-starters can help boost metabolism and let you see results on the scale. 1. The Military Diet: one of the most popular diets, this eating regime requires no book or purchase of additional products. Allegedly created to help soldiers reach an ideal weight quickly, the Military Diet is a three-day diet with meal plan followed by four days off. To accomplish goal weight, participants are asked to continue on the three days on and four days off schedule. Following the meal plan can help dieters lose up to 10 pounds in a single week. This diet is not affiliated with the armed forces or any governmental branch. This low-calorie diet requires 1,100–1,400 calories per day for the first three days. Followers are encouraged to make smart food decisions for four days and keep the calorie count low. 2. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet is a low-sodium shift used to help control blood pressure. Suggested for sufferers of hypertension, the DASH diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lowfat or nonfat dairy and small amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol. This diet is considered to be heart-healthy and when combined with smaller caloric intakes, can be the perfect recipe for weight loss. The diet endorses foods rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium and suggests limited consumption of red meats, sweets and sugary beverages.

Manifest That Love

By Megan Kirk

Have you ever thought of something and it instantly happened? Raise your hand if you have thought of someone and the receive a call or a visit from them. These are not coincidences, but more reflections of the mind. Call it prayer, manifesting or downright luck, the ability to attract positive vibes and realities are in the power of the mind. Using this skill to attract love and other high vibrational energies is just as real. The Law of Attraction is the ideology that positive thoughts will bring positive outcomes and negative thoughts will bring negative. Theorized centuries ago, The Law of Attraction first begins with the mind. Believing first the love you want to attract is available and seeking you, manifesting the mate of your dreams can be as simple as alignment.

3. For those wanting to make the shift to a full vegan diet, but may not be ready for the commitment, the Flexitarian diet offers a small bite of the apple. Under this plan, there are no calorie limitations, however, the five-week plan allows for around 1,500 calories each day. The Flexitarian diets also allows for meat and other animal products while eating majority plant-based meals. The diet gets its name because of the flexibility of the food options. This diet could help reverse the effects of heart disease as it is rich in fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants. 4. Oftentimes, losing weight is a mental thing and conquering food issues can be the first step to a healthier lifestyle. Noom has become increasingly popular and is helping some people trim those additional pounds. Noom is a comprehensive wellness plan that includes food, exercise, and mental health aspects; all to help achieve the ultimate weight. Using an app, Noom works to change unhealthy eating habits and shift thinking about food to a new and different way, helping you to shed weight and keep it off. By downloading the app, dieters will be able to log their personal information including height, weight, gender, age, general health info and goal weight. Next, users track their food intake daily and the app will provide intel on those choices. The app can also be used to log exercise as its counts steps and offers additional exercises to help attain your weight goal. A personal coach is also available to guide the experience and offer support to motivate toward each goal and help keep dieters encouraged. The app also allows for virtual group sessions with other users of the app. 5. The Volumetrics diet has been reported as one of the best diets by U.S. News & World Report. To start, foods are divided into four categories, from least energy-dense foods like fruits, non-starchy vegetables, broth-based soups to most energy-dense foods such as crackers, cookies, chocolate, nuts and butter. With this diet, the plan is to include as many low-density foods options as possible. Foods in the low-density category are rich in fiber and water and help the body to naturally digest them. Seen as a plus, this diet does not require participants to measure food, count calories or log points on the diet. For more information on all these diets and more, go to: health.usnews. com/best-diet/best-diets-overall.

1. Ask for what you want and believe it’s yours. This may sound cliche, but mentally preparing your thoughts is key to breaking old habits. If attracting the same partner is the affliction, consciously changing any negative thoughts and turning them into positives will help shift and elevate positive energy. If thoughts are energetically transferred into action, then cleaning the mind is the first step.

2. Shift your own energy: being intentional in self-healing will not only be beneficial in manifesting love, but in life for the long-haul. Seeking therapy, energy cleansers and healers or other professionals will help release past traumas and break negative selftalk. Exercise is another way to cleanse negative energy and feed the body positivity. A jog through nature or along the water will also help align certain chakras and bring a sense of peace.

3. Write a list: this is the opportunity to build the perfect mate! Think of this one as build-a-bear and grab a pen and paper and get ready to be specific. The more specific the list, the better. You can include of body type, race, characteristics and personality traits. If you want to get a little more hands-on, invite your close girlfriends over for a vision board party. Old magazines, glue and a poster board can help bring your thoughts to life through visualization. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a board full of photos is priceless. Place the board where it can be easily seen daily to bring energy to it each time it is passed. 4. Meditate: this is a big one. Meditation does not have to mean candles and mantras. While some use these methods, being able to sit quietly and purposefully clear thoughts to hone in on

positive thoughts is the goal. Visualize, feel and believe the love is there. For beginners, meditating for a short period daily will help build endurance for longer periods of time. 5. Prayer: do we really need to go into detail for this? Prayer is one of the most intimate acts of submission. For believers, taking requests to God through prayer is what is taught. Taking time out of each day to ask God for what you are expecting in a partner and praying over any potential mates can help show a person’s true intentions. 6. Trust the process: of this list, this may be the most difficult to follow. Each step along the journey gets you closer and closer to happily ever after. Though there may be bumps in the road, it is important to stay committed to the goal and truly believe there is love at the other. Dating can be a sordid tale of bad first dates, unequal matches and disappointment. Choosing to date with intention is the name of the game. Every date, hook up or entanglement will not equal happily ever after, but knowing the goal can help avoid potential heartbreaks and becoming attached to a mate who is not suitable. If you are looking to manifest the best mate, these tips may help make that a reality.

How to Date Meaningfully: Tips from Local Experts By Megan Kirk Would you date a man who brought his child along? How about a potential beau who picks you up in an Uber and splits the ride? A man with a black card can signal financial stability, but what if it’s a prepaid card? Women across the internet have taken to social media to share their worst first date experiences and the results are not great. Despite the stories, singles all over are looking for love and having 50 first dates in hopes of the one that will last forever. For one local couple, a chance encounter led to happy marital bliss and they are looking to give Detroit couples the same chance. First dates are already stressful with the pressure of meeting a new person, attraction level, potential mishaps and stand ups. Some dates are made worse by dating faux pas. Common mistakes in dating include sharing too much personal information too quickly, bringing others along and being too clingy. If that is not bad enough, new dating standards are created daily and it could be hard to keep up. Other women and men are continually raising the bar on what it means to execute a good first date. The second date is depending on it.

in love potential could be a heartbreaker. “Falling in love with the potential that someone presents is something we have seen often. It is difficult for many people to differentiate between the potential of a possible mate and what that person is willing and able to give to a relationship,” says the Websters. “Not everyone is emotionally whole and therefore successful at consistently participating in a romantic relationship in productive and healthy ways.” Remembering to keep everything in perspective is another way dating can be most effective. When the stressors of life happen, it is key to find additional sources of output to help curb any angst. Keeping negative forces from entering a budding or established relationship will aid in the health of the union. “People often allow the emotional baggage of life to seep in to their relationships. It’s when those things remain unresolved that we are unable to live up to our full potential within our relationships. Unfortunately, people often suffer disappointment and hurt as a result,” says the Websters. In a healthy relationship, there are little to no red flags alerting you to ill-behavior. Relationships formed in this environment are enjoyable and easy. That is not to say it does not come with its fair share of missteps.

Relationship experts and couple DeAngelo and Rachel Web“When each individual accepts ster have been married for more the other without condition, judgthan eight years. DeAngelo, a DeAngelo and Rachel Webster ment or retaliation, as much as we life coach, and Rachel, a mental may hope, no one comes preashealth counselor and life coach, merge their expertise to sembled. We are all perfectly imperfect and it is important to help guide clients through love and life. find a partner who not only appreciates your imperfections “We have a unique story as our experience dating each other was a short one. After encountering each other through friends at a downtown restaurant, we spent the entire night getting to know each other and we both knew that the other was someone special. Five short months after that day, we eloped during a vacation to Las Vegas,” says Rachel. “One of the many reasons we clicked so quickly was our interest in coaching and counseling and our desire to see relationships and marriages of Black couples thrive. We realized we had a unique perspective that we could offer couples and so we started The Websters’ Life Coaching Services.” Now, the couple helps both singles and couples find healthy dating practices. For singles, the dating scene is intense. With so many options, it can be hard deciding who to take seriously. According to the relationship experts, falling

but accepts them,” says the couple.

While the Websters serve as life and relationship coaches, advice is a part of the job. Most often, the duo warns against comparison to other couples or individuals. Allowing a person to wholly accept their partner in spite comparisons is a tale often told by the couple. “Refrain from comparing your partner and your relationship to anyone else’s. Every relationship is unique in its own way. What works for one couple won’t work for another, and that’s okay. The key is to establish what works for the two people involved. The only person you should be talking to about your relationship is the person you are in the relationship with,” says the couple. “Too many outside influences can make you forget the reasons you got in to the relationship in the first place.”

Page B-4 • michiganchronicle.com •

August 11-17, 2021

Energy in Dating By Megan Kirk

How to Be Your Own

Biggest Cheerleader

By Sherri Kolade

within, according to the article.

“Sometimes you got to encourage yourself.” Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers sang it best in their 2006 hit song, “Encourage Yourself.” That’s what it boils down to when seeking external validation is no longer working, according to Relevant Magazine. Although everyone wanting to be liked is a common occurrence -- it even feels great when people are complimented -- but at what cost? According to the article, if a person feels preoccupied with wanting someone’s attention, being stuck thinking about what another person could be thinking about them, or when a friend made a bad comment about them – those are really examples of just wanting someone’s approval. Being focused on another’s responses is an indicator of that. While a person wants to find out if they’re like or not (or if they stack up) that can lead to feelings of acceptance if people find the positives in what they are looking for. While this common phenomenon is not unheard of amongst humankind, it does bring up problems, according to the article. These reasons from the magazine reveal why: 1. We Are Only Playing a Guessing Game Regardless of thinking up great theories of why someone acts the way they do people can never be 100 percent certain why a person behaves the way that they do. If someone didn’t answer a call quick enough, do you think they were mad at the caller for a previous matter or did they possibly have an unrelated problem and simply couldn’t answer the call? At that moment, don’t blame yourself for the way they are behaving which is wasted energy, according to the article. 2. How Folks Show Out is Based on Them The Bible says, “Out of the heart the mouth speaks.” The things people say, or how they act, is 100 percent not the problem of the other person but comes from

“It all flows from their life experiences, along with their own potential insecurities and past wounds. It has nothing to do with us,” according to the article. People should not feel responsible for what comes from within another person. “And we certainly shouldn’t label ourselves by biased messages.” 3. Others Haven’t Grasped the Knowledge of God Do not give people “authority” in your own life which happens when seeking feedback from other people. In essence, people are asking others to tell them who they are, according to the article. This dishonors God, the sole creator, and it does not paint a true picture, according to the article. This is because the person closest to us is not capable of knowing us as well as God does. They haven’t been in the picture the whole time, known our inner world or potential as God does. And they also don’t know what the future holds for us, according to the article. Lastly, another person cannot establish your own status if they don’t know who you are from the inside out. 4. The Problem Stems from Us A huge part of people looking for external validation is that these individuals cannot fix that restless feeling inside. The “nagging” want to obtain responses from others is truthfully not about those other people, according to the article. This issue is really about, how you feel about yourself. Seeking validation from others is because there is a piece of you that does not wholly approve of yourself. The article encourages people to accept themselves completely through work and proper healing and seek validation only from themselves. 5. Change the Perspective The article also encourages people to seek a deeper relationship with who we are from our Creator’s perspective, “rather than the false gods we can make others into.” This takes an intentional shift of focus repeatedly. Speak scriptures over yourself and believe that God’s opinion matters above all.

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The stars are aligned and some believe the Zodiac is the key to love. Taurus or Aquarius, Gemini or Sagittarius, some believe birth signs are a key component in finding their forever. However, despite the signs, energy is a major factor. Whether business, personal or romantic, reading energy and being able to align will help a relationship grow and be attuned to the needs and desires of the union. At the root of any romantic relationship is attraction; the initial desire and lure of another person. Growing on this desire, a bond is created and, with time, will continue to deepen. Being able to recognize a mate that has a healthy relationship with self is the first step in building a strong foundation. “Like I tell my friends, ‘You should not be intimate with spiritually sick men.’ People are so concerned with if he has a job, or this or that outside the truly internal thing which is themselves,” says Lisa Hillary-Johnson, licensed massage therapist, yoga teacher and holistic trainer. “We’re so consumed with the outside of people that we don’t even begin to see the insides of people.” Introducing the physical aspect of relationship, bringing two individuals together in intimacy is one of the strongest ways to build a bond. Once connected, there is an undeniably intense exchange of energy. However, this physical, mental, emotional and spiritual connection may not be mutually shared. For women, attracting men and repetitive cycles from the past could be closely related to energy. Self-esteem, thoughts and self-worth all factor into a woman’s sense of security in dating. When a toxic cycle is repeated, raising vibrations through self-work including yoga, meditation and therapy can help to break the chain. “We’re low-vibrating. On a scale of vibrations, we’re very low-vibrating and most of us are very low-vibrating human beings,” says Johnson. “You want to live on a more enlightened scale of life where you care about the consciousness of things and the consciousness of all.” 5090 MiChronicle.qxp_5090 MiChronicle 8/6/21 Being self-aware is also key in find-

ing a suitable mate. Being able to distinguish relationships and create healthy boundaries will keep from establishing bonds that could potentially end quickly. “We make a lot of mistakes because we force a lot of connections that should not be made,” says Johnson. For this yoga teacher, helping clients discover and heal traumas and energy is just the start. Establishing a sound understanding of human-to-human interaction is the goal. “I try to reach people how to understand themselves so that they can understand the next man or woman,” says Johnson. In dating, singleness can also be attributed to a lost view. Being able to identify reflective qualities between mates is an ability that not all possess. Taking note of qualities and attributes that are similar in nature to those found most desirable for your plan, building an energetic bond should be as natural and as fluid as knowing yourself. “First, you should look for yourself. That’s the thing that’s tricky and that’s the thing that a lot of people don’t necessarily want to do the work [for] themselves. What you’re seeking is seeking you, but people don’t really know what they’re seeking,” says Johnson. Energy is also ingested. Diet is among the first things considered when determining energy. Foods from the earth are considered to be natural fuel. Making dietary changes is a suggested way to shift personal energy. In addition, taking steps to make small changes to everyday life in order to raise vibrations, can help to manifest and attract a higher vibrating partner. “Meditation, yoga, your nutrition -eating a cleaner diet -- cleaning up your conversations surrounding gossips and degrading people, cleaning your social media. When we say ‘clean it up’ we mean putting things there that you want to see,” says Johnson. “Start reading books; books about your breath, about higher consciousness, books about how you can be a better person. The internet has a whole world of information at our fingertips. 11:27 AM PageAll 1 these things work together to cleanse your vibrations.”

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Issued: August 3, 2021

Response Due: September 3, 2021

The Mayor’s Workforce Development Board (MWDB) is directly responsible and accountable to the State of Michigan, Labor and Economic Opportunity-Workforce Development (LEO-WD) for the planning and oversight of talent development programs in the City of Detroit. Designated by the MWDB, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) serves as the fiscal and administrative entity that provides workforce services to job seekers and employers. DESC’s primary funding streams include Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) that funds Michigan’s PATH (Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope.) employment program, Food Assistance Employment and Training (FAE&T), Wagner-Peyser Employment Services (ES), and other public and private funding. The Corporation enters into contracts with qualified entities to provide workforce development programs and services to job seekers and employers. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Center for Disease Control Foundation (CDC) funding may support contracts resulting from competitive bid process.

“DD,” we all love you and miss you terribly because you are too good to be forgotten.

DESC is seeking proposals from qualified individuals, organizations and/or firms.

Bid package for this RFP is available for download at this DESC website:

https://www.descmiworks.com/opportunities/rfps-and-rfqs/. Mayor’s Workforce Development Board Cynthia J. Pasky, Co-Chairperson David E. Meador, Co-Chairperson

Your Twin Sister,

Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation Board Calvin Sharp, Chairperson Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation Terri Weems, President

Deloyace (And Davis Family)

An equal opportunity employer/program. Supported by the State of Michigan, Labor and Economic Development, Workforce Development (LEO/WD). Auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. 1-800-285-WORK. TTY: 711.

 

HELP WANTED

Robotic Customer Service Specialist Paint In Southfield, MI Dürr Systems Inc. has available positions of Robotic Customer Service Specialist--Paint in Southfield, MI. Although the Robotic Customer Service Specialist--Paint will work in Southfield, MI, the Robotic Customer Service Specialist--Paint will be required to travel 80% of working time to Dürr Systems’ customer sites throughout North America. Position requires 60 months experience as a robotics technician. Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) 60 mos. of exp. debugging & programming paint finishing robots & paint application equipment. Job duties: Provide technical support to customers for Dürr Systems robotic paint finishing & sealing equipment. Provide handson technical assistance, spare parts management, & sales lead generation. Test & repair equipment at customer site. Provide emergency service & telephone support. Provide start-up & commissioning at customer site. Supervise & coordinate activities of contractors. Manage all site activities including consignment cabinet, staging, inventory, repair, emergency service, deliveries, & equipment health checks. We are an equal opportunity employer & all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, the presence of a medical condition or disability, height, weight, or any other protected status. We maintain a drug-free work place & perform pre-employment drug & alcohol testing. Qualified applicants should send resume & verification of reqs. to Rachel Bennett, Human Resources, Dürr Systems, Inc., 26801 Northwestern Highway, Southfield, MI 48033.

Quick-Sav Food Stores, Ltd. has an available position of

Position requires a Master of Business Administration degree in Management & 36 months experience as a Client Services Manager &/or Operations Manager. Position also requires: Exp. must include: 1) 36 mos. exp. managing fleet of leased vehicles; & 2) 36 mos. exp. supervising drivers. Experience requirements may be met concurrently during the same time period. Job duties: Manage a diverse fleet of vehicles including leased vehicles for fuel delivery where safety is of paramount importance. Supervise 5-10 fuel delivery truck drivers. Ensure dispatch, utilization, safety, & maintenance of fuel delivery vehicles. Schedule drivers for fuel delivery. Review productivity & income goals of fuel delivery trucks & drivers to best meet requirements. Manage fleet of passenger vehicles that are needed for staff to complete the day-to-day operations including registration, safety, maintenance, & usage records. Ensure drivers meet all Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations. Hire, coach, counsel, & train employees. Develop business opportunities with new clients & expand services to meet new client needs. Qualified applicants should send resume & verification of reqs. to Lisa Yott, Director of Human Resources, Quick-Sav Food Stores, Ltd., 6285 Taylor Dr., Flint, MI 48507. PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Design Release Engineer

Deep Learning Software Engineer

Warren, MI, General Motors. Engr, dvlp, &release safety-critical fuel sys cmpnts for full-size truck engine programs, incldg fuel tanks, fuel coolers, fuel &fuel vapor transfer lines, &fuel filter water separator assemblies, using Tc, Vismockup, &Siemens NX tools. Work with Product Dvlpmt Team of engrs, buyers, &designers to solve product, process, &technical issues related to fuel sys cmpnts. Conduct problem-solving to optimize fuel sys cmpnts &track issues to closure within Problem Resolution Tracking Sys. Collaborate w/ supplier engrs to dvlp cost-effective &timecompressed engineered solutions. Use &apply engrg tools, such as design for manufacturing/assy, DRBFM and DFMEA on engineered solutions to ensure that they are robust &meet Component/Subsystem/Vehicle Technical Specs. Master, Mechanical or Automotive Engrg. 12 mos exp as Engineer, dvlpg or releasing truck fuel sys cmpnts, incldg fuel tanks, fuel coolers, fuel vapor transfer lines, &fuel filter water separator assemblies, using Tc, Vismockup &Siemens (UG) NX tools, or related. Mail resume to Ref#44642-11316, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Visteon Corporation is seeking a Deep Learning Software Engineer in Van Buren Twp., MI, to work on and evaluate out of shelf ML solutions, keep documentation up to date and work on establishing a workflow process for machine learning development, among other duties. Master’s degree in Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Electronics, Computer Information Sciences, Technology, Automotive or related field of study and one year of experience in the job offered or related. Mail resume to: Ms. Briana Hebner, Visteon, Resume Processing/JO#11866093, One Village Center Drive, Van Buren Township, MI 48111.

Technical Sculptor - Digital Subject Matter Expert (SME) Warren, MI, General Motors. Act as Studio technical sculpting SME to support Class A exterior &interior surface dvlpmt for each vehicle brand. Plan &lead advanced surfacing concepts &timely &careful dvpmt of Class A surface of full vehicle interior &exterior syss. Lead problem solving w/ design &engrg stakeholders by providing technical expertise &guidance. Mentor digital sculptors in efficient methods for dvlpg aesthetically correct surfaces, integrating proper build techniques &creating workflows. Apply Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP) deliverables &Glide Path process to guide studio teams to consistently obtain surface execution excellence. Reinforce surface qlty assessments &evaluation techniques throughout model dvlpmt process. Exhibit safety mindset while identifying, taking ownership &resolving safety concerns. Guide surface creation of high-qlty aesthetics for all surfaces thruout GVDP. Support surface gates which meet Design approval, production engineering, &data release reqmts. Participate in studio &patio reviews. Contribute expert aesthetic judgement w/ studio design team by offering 3D solutions. Bachelor, Industrial Design, Transportation Design, Mechanical Engrg, or Automotive Engrg. 36 mos exp as Tech Lead, Creative Digital Sculptor Lead, Technical Sculptor, or related, planning &leading advanced surfacing concepts &dvlpmt of Class A surface of full vehicle interior &exterior syss, or related. Mail resume to Ref#1120, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

Senior Mobile Developer – Android, iOS & React Native General Motors, Detroit, MI. Design, dvlp, test &maintain Guardian Android app. Engr &dvlp Android app architecture using Android SDK incldg Android activities, fragments, services &broadcast receivers. Dvlp networking architecture w/ Retrofit library used as a type-safe HTTP client to initiate web service API calls. Dvlp compile time dependency injection using Dagger 2.x library. Validate services using Postman to consume services in our mobile app. Integrate services w/ Develop screen. Mentor team member in Android &coding best practices. Dvlp Adapter Onboarding feature to connect mobile app to an adapter installed in a vehicle using Bluetooth Low Energy. Design Continuous Integration solutions using Jenkins, Artifactory, Bitbucket &Crashlytics tools. Apply Agile scrum framework to work on technical stories in 2 wk sprints. Bachelor, Computer Science, Computer Engrg, or related. 24 mos exp as Engineer or Developer, engrg &dvlpg Android app architecture using Android SDK incldg Android activities, fragments, services &broadcast receivers, or related. Mail resume to Ref#2225064, GM Global Mobility, 300 Renaissance Center, MC:482-C32-C66, Detroit, MI 48265.

To apply please visit wmenergy.com/careers-2/

HELP WANTED

Employment Opportunity CITY OF EASTPOINTE

Police Officer

Fleet Director in Flint, MI.

PROFESSIONAL HELP WANTED

Join Our Team

Walker-Miller Energy Services is hiring! Human Resource Project Manager – Detroit, MI Human Resource Generalist – Detroit, MI Start-up Coordinator – Detroit, MI Diversity Equity Inclusion Strategist – Detroit, MI Energy Efficiency Program Designer – Detroit, MI Proposal Manager – Detroit, MI Energy Specialist – Detroit, MI Accounts Receivable Specialist – Detroit, MI Customer Experience Center Representative – Detroit, MI Implementation Project Manager – Detroit, MI IT Helpdesk Technician II – Detroit, MI Network Administrator – Detroit, MI Outreach Specialis t – Detroit, MI Outreach Specialist – Grand Rapids, MI Microsoft Power Platform Developer – Detroit, MI Energy Advisor I – Grand Rapids, MI

HELP WANTED

Seeking Assistant II Seeking Seeking Medical OFFICE ASSISTANT III CUSTODIAN I/FACILITIES at Oakland University

AT OAKLAND UNIVERSITY at Oakland University Graham Health Center

Facilities Management School of Medicine Coordinate the clinical processing in a Perform cleaning activities and maintain by performing a variety Tomedical provideclinic specialized office assistance, assigned areas in various campus ofclassroom multi-stepand processes according coordinating procedural business office buildings andtoona or specified framework of procedures and an emergency service activities basis, for a perform complexGrounds program regulations, to High serveschool as angraduation informationrelated tasks. or area involving processing, implementing, alansource within the clinicofineducation addition equivalent combination advising on, rience, andthe reporting specialized toand maintaining role as medical expe ability to ause and/ subject matter. Qualifications: or mix cleaning chemicals, assistant invarious the Minimum clinic. Minimum Qualperform activeorgraduation work, ifications: High School or High schoolphysically graduation an requires equivalent frequent lifting of up to 60 lbs., may an equivalent combination educacombination of education and of experience. work in various weather conditions tion and experience. Three years’with exFour years progressively responsible office extremes heat & cold, also may require perience as a medical assistant or in experience, including experience a MI driver’s licensedirect acceptable to the in a University’s directly related field carrier. with experience insurance Salary work is office coordination, i.e., prioritizing in$12.99 medical functions. Experoffice hour clerical probationary, $13.25 assignments, maintaining workand flow toFull meet perience venipuncture obtainper hour in upon successful 90 days. deadlines. This is aworking full time,midnight clerical-technical ing basic patient information including time position shift: blood pressure, electrocardiograph Monday-Thursday: 9:00 p.m. to 5:30 position. Salary is $43,718.00 annually. measurements and urine a.m. – Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 1:30specimens. a.m.position There See online posting for additional are is five positions available. See online This a part-time clerical-technical porequirements. Firstadditional consideration will be postings for position sition, working Monday-Friday, 10:00 given to those who apply by March 23, requirements. First consideration a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 30 hours per week. will beisgiven to those annually. who applySee by 2020. Salary $30,973.00 August 17, 2021. Must apply online at: Must apply posting online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu online for additional posihttps://jobs.oakland.edu. tion requirements. Must apply online to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Under the supervision of a superior officer, performs responsible law enforcement and patrol work. Works to maintain order, regulate traffic, protect life and property and prevent crime and disorder. Provides assistance at the scene of accidents, fires and other emergency situations. Performs related work as required. To review the job description and to a pply, please visit our Employment Opportunities web page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/eastpointemi

Wear a mask. Save lives. Wear a mask that fits well with no gaps Stay at least 6 feet from others Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces Get a vaccine when it’s available to you

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• michiganchronicle.com • August 11-17, 2021

Isn’t the best time to continue building your legacy right now? Owning a home isn’t just about finances—it’s about building a future. Our Community Homeownership Commitment1 can help new homebuyers with: Down payment help up to $10,000 or 3% of the purchase price, whichever is less. Product availability and income restrictions apply.2 Closing cost help up to $7,500 as a lender credit.3 Down payments as low as 3% down. Income limits apply.4 Learn more: bankofamerica.com/homeowner

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE POWER TO DO? You are invited to apply. Your receipt of this material does not mean you have been prequalified or pre-approved for any product or service we offer. This is not a commitment to lend; you must submit additional information for review and approval. 1. Down Payment program and America’s Home Grant program: Qualified borrowers must meet eligibility requirements such as being owner-occupants and purchasing a home within a certain geographical area. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Minimum combined loan-to-value must be greater than or equal to 80%. The home loan must fund with Bank of America. Bank of America may change or discontinue the Bank of America Down Payment Grant program or America’s Home Grant program or any portion of either without notice. Not available with all loan products, please ask for details. 2. Additional information about the Down Payment program: Down Payment program is currently limited to two specific mortgage products. Program funds can be applied toward down payment only. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back in excess of earnest money deposits. Down Payment Grant program may be considered taxable income, a 1099-MISC will be issued, consult with your tax advisor. May be combined with other offers. The Bank of America Down Payment Grant program may only be applied once to an eligible mortgage/property, regardless of the number of applicants. Homebuyer education is required. 3. Additional information about the America’s Home Grant program: The America’s Home Grant program is a lender credit. Program funds can only be used for nonrecurring closing costs including title insurance, recording fees, and in certain situations, discount points may be used to lower the interest rate. The grant cannot be applied toward down payment, prepaid items or recurring costs, such as property taxes and insurance. Borrowers cannot receive program funds as cash back. 4. Maximum income and loan amount limits apply. Fixed-rate mortgages (no cash out refinances), primary residences only. Certain property types are ineligible. Maximum loan-to-value (“LTV”) is 97%, and maximum combined LTV is 105%. For LTV >95%, any secondary financing must be from an approved Community Second Program. Homebuyer education may be required. Other restrictions apply. Credit and collateral are subject to approval. Terms and conditions apply. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ©2021 Bank of America Corporation. America’s Home Grant, Bank of America Community Homeownership Commitment, Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. MAP3623794 | AD-BAAM8431000 | 06/2021