Is Detroit’s $400 Million Investment in Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Accessible for Black Detroiters?
Comerica Celebrates New Generation O of M Black E R Tennis I C A Stars 35 Years of Supporting
Detroit’s High Property Taxes Are the Nation’s Largest Driving a Housing Affordability – HOMEFRONT City.Life.Style. B1 Crisis UNCF Walk for Money. A5 C
Education Scholarship Roots. A3Down Costs? How Can City Leaders Bring Fundraiser
M ichigan C hronicle Michigan Chronicle Money. A5
Vol. 87 – No. 2 | September 13-19, 2023
Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com
All Black Everything:
Vol. 89 – No. 40 | June 3-9, 2026 Vol. 87 – No. 3 | September 20-26, 2023
Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com Powered by Real Times Media | michiganchronicle.com
DoesUAW Wayne County You Money? and Excellence at the 10th Annual Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Triple Strike AOwe Night of Elegance Against Detroit Automakers
For thousands of Detroit and Wayne County residents, the damage caused by Michigan’s tax foreclosure crisis did not end when the property was taken. Families lost homes they had owned for By Ebony JJ Curry were hollowed out, decades, neighborhoods SENIOR REPORTER and potential generational wealth disappeared block by block. In many cases, homes were Thursday night, soldLate at auction for far moreSept. than the taxes 14, a historic moment unfolded owed, yet former owners received nothing in American from the sale. labor relations as theThat United Auto Workers (UAW) changed after a series of landmark union initiated a strike Michigan Supreme Court against rulings reshaped Ford,the General Motorstax (GM), and profits. how state handles foreclosure Stellantis. For the first time, Wayne County the union took simultaneous officials action against all three major De- now say people whose proptroit-based automakers. The action erties involves approximately 13,000were foreclosed may be enUAW members in assembly plants titled to across Michigan, Ohio, and Mis- money if thosejobs properties souri, who walked troiters. The symbolism of Black beekeepers revitalizing niably commendable. By Ebony JJ Curryoff their have exsold at aucafter existing labor contracts their city is a powerful testament to the resilience and Amidst the glitz and glamour, the event also showSENIOR REPORTER tion for more than the minimum bid amount. pired at 11:59 p.m. ingenuity of our community. cased the diversity of talent within our community. From Former owners and others with a legal interbefore have midnight on 1, of As the night unfolded, we had the privilege of hon- Paris T. Prichard, a forensic scientist pushing the boundbreathtaking celebration talent, est Shortly in nthea property until July 2026, to determinaSept. 14, a statement tion,GM and the unyielding of Black excellence, oring other outstanding individuals, each carving their aries of her field, to math wizards like Donna Laster, who file a claim forreleased potential surplus spirit proceeds. expressing disappointment with Michigan its 10th Annual own path to success. Clement “Fame” Brown, the creThethe message from Chronicle the Wayne marked County Treathe strike action,40despite offering 40 Under event Thursday evening. See 40 UNDER 40 page A2 surer’s Office is simple: don’t leave money on This year’s ative mind behind Three Thirteen Detroit’s Brand Name, what it drenched termed anin“unprecedented soirée, the theme “All Black Everything with received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award. the table. economic package” that included Brown’s commitment to empowering the city through Gold Accents,” transcended expectations Under Michigan law,Stellantis specifically MCLand essentialhistoric wage increases. fashion and entrepreneurship has left an indelible mark. ly illuminated the golden gems within the true essence 211.78t, people who owned the property or of Black excellence. Hosted by the charismatic duo of “Entrepreneur of the year – that’s a big deal,” said held a “meaningful equity interest” at the Andre and Lynzee Mychael Michigan Chroni- Brown. “It’s always an honor to be honored and it’s time of Ash foreclosure may qualify tofrom receive recle’s Finally Friday, thetaxes, nightinterest, was a triumph maining proceeds after penal- for the city always a blessing to be in a room full of so many talentof Detroit and its vibrantcosts community young Black pro- ed, accomplished, and popular people that look like me. ties, and administrative are paid.ofThat fessionals. I’m geeked. I started making and selling clothes as a kid includes homeowners, mortgage holders, and The evening sparkled with a golden promise as we and I always knew that I would have a business, but I lienholders. celebrated remarkable individuals from various walks never knew it would be Detroit’s brand name business, DPD Chief James White Says Increased The Treasurer’s Office says eligible resiof life. Among the honorees were the brilliant and vi- so I take a lot of pride in the fact that our business repdents should immediately download and comPolice Presence Culled Violence sionary co-founders Detroit Hives, Nicole Lindsey and resents our city’s pride.” plete a Notice of Intentofform available through Timothy Paul Jackson. Their work has not only changed Taking home the Corporate Excellence Award was the county’s Claims & Auction page at WayneBy Andre Ash the landscape of beekeeping and urban in De- Dannis Mitchell, Director of Community Engagement at CountyMI.gov/Treasurer. The form must farming be rebound from thetowards pandemic.” DIGITAL By Jasmine West ness district that had been the lifeblood ofANCHOR mending the wounds inflicted on troit but also exemplified the transformative impact Barton Malow. notarized and submitted either in in personBy orEbony JJ Curry also expressed disappointment The scorecard shows Detroit moving in a stronger direcBlack Detroiters and restoring a sense of bethe community. Black professionals can have on their communities. “It is so important to recognize that there are young through certified mail the Wayne County SENIOR REPORTER a statement, saying thetocompany A string of shootings in tion than the state. DPSCD’s recovery trend is +0.13 gradein Detroit Public Schools Community District students are longing that was so callously torn away It’s a history marred by pain, injus“Together we have created a social, environmental, leaders across the country, many that are born here in Treasurer’s Office at 400 Monroe Street, 5th immediately went into contingenGreektown in past. mid-April levels per year. Similar Michigan left districts are at +0.01. The learning at aInterstate faster rate375, thanour students inand most districts across the For manyLindDetroiters, or tice,nationally economic More than and financial impact through bees,” said Jackson. Detroit. I represent city and I devastation. tell people, Floor, Detroit. cy mode to protect its operations. both visitors and residents of state average is -0.02, meaning Michigan overallis continues the country, according to the updated 2026 Education RecovI-375, has long been just another stretch of The I-375 Boulevard Project about more seyCounty followed that sentiment with, “It is through our local 130,000 residents, primarily Black, were ‘Yea I’m a D-girl I’m from the west-side of Detroit,’” officials say waiting The UAW has branded the in- could cost this bustling downtown desto decline in academic recovery, while Detroit improvedit’s ery Scorecard, a national report from Stanford University’s urban highway, artery connectthan just correcting historicalhas injustices; partnerships andofcollaborative efforts that we exist ina concrete Mitchell expressed. “But more importantly, I’ve been able forcibly displaced. Families were uprooted, people thousands dollars. The issue is espedustrial action as the “Stand-Up tination inabout awe. One of these each year since Educational Opportunity and Harvardwealth University’s ing different parts oftothe city. To some,Project it’s redefining the future. It will connect over 28 plus locations managing of 4.5 milhave experiences withingenerational an industry that not many of was obliterated, and a 2022. cially meaningful inspecific Detroit, wherethe tax health foreStrike,” focusing on plants shootings tragically claimed Center for Education Policy Research. Reading gains are among the strongest points neighborin the mere convenience; to others, it’s an unre- of thriving downtown Detroit to surrounding lion honeybees – humbly speakingcrises oura movement has us, specifically women color, have the opportunity to community was torn asunder. The closure became one of the defining of within each automaker. UAW the life of reading a popular and the bereport. DPSCD’s recovery trend ranks in the 88th markable part of their daily commute. HowThe report found that DPSCD students are gaining an avhoods, bridging gap that was placed upon inspired others locally, nationally, and even internationengage in and I’ve been thewounds youngest personby in the room, inflicted I-375 run deep, tranthe post-recession era. stated, “This President Shawn Fain loved security guard followpercentile nationally. Black students in the district rank in ever, there’s a deeper, far more troubling erage of 1.21 grade levels of learning per year. That places the city decades ago. allyPrevious to take reporting on similarby missions.” the only Black person in the room, and the only Sistah in scending the physical barrier of a freeway to Michigan Chronicle strategy will keep the companies ingpercentile a disputenationally with a patron. theDetroiters. 95th forresurgence reading improvement. Hisstory founded beneath Detroit the ofthe this seemingly above national average ofto1.0, similar to Michigan the room, and I really had articulate the importance penetrate the very soul of Black Today, allegedly the of Paradise Valley DetroitItHives, a pioneering organization by surface how Wayne has already documented guessing. will give ourCounty nationThe male suspect panic students, low-income students, female students, and ordinary freeway—a story of pain, displacedistricts at 1.03, and the state of Michigan at 0.97. DPSCD of showing up, giving chances when others won’t, and standsbefore as a fleeing testament to the indomitable Lindsey and Jackson, harnesses returned more than $3.8 millionthe to power formerof urban beeThis painful legacy can be traced al negotiators maximum leverage shotback theallguard male students postedofrecovery trends in and the top quartile ment, and the lasting impact on Black Detroiranked 695th out of 8,147 districts nationwide, placing the being persistent.” As a trailblazing Black woman thrivspirit Black Detroiters the enduring keeping to revitalize neighborhoods in the Motor City. property owners interest And holders tied to to the nation’s interstate highway program and flexibility in and bargaining. the scene, while his female nationwide. ters. issues like districting in the percentile for male-dominated learning growth. industry, her in a91st predominantly of Black excellence. This historic disTheir initiative onlywe addresses critical earlier foreclosures. payments of 1956—a program that aimed to companion connect legacy if we need to go not allThose out, will. followed is accused of conto country fortifying connections Board President Latrice McClendon said the numDPSCD The tale beginsThe inunwavering what is gives nowcommitment Lafayette Detroit a different place but inthe the nationfinding once vibrant Black businessenvironmental but alsoformer provides valuable years of criticism Michigan’s DPDfor Chief James White the often did so at the expense Everything is onconservation theover table.” Union cealing the trict, weapon in aher bra. hub between businesses and Detroit’s communities is undebers reflect intentional work, not luck. Park, once known as Black Bottom—a neighal education conversation. DPSCD, once defined publicly by es and culture, is experiencing a renaissance education and employment opportunities to Black Depractice of allowing counties to keep surplus of marginalized communities. In the case of incidents unfolded during an unseasonably leaders have also indicated that These borhood rootedemergency in African-American culture management, enrollment loss, facilitycarving struggles, that harkens backhappen to its glory days. The deprofits fromplants tax foreclosure auctions. “Look, the improvement didn’t by accident, and additional could be targetI-375, it meant a path through the warm spring, leadingof to increased pedestrian traffic and and history. Named after its dark, fertile and pandemic disruption, is now being studied for growth. struction Black Bottom maysaid. have torn I wantsegregato be very clear about that,” McClendon “The decades, Michigan counties could seize ed For in future waves if negotiations heart of Black Detroit, reinforcing heightenedapart tensions in the densely populated downtown during mid-onetion, The flourished district was also the named of six systemsinequality. na- strategy a thriving but the resolute has always been rooted community, in intentionality. We set aremain property over unpaid taxes and then sell soil, it at Black Bottom stalled. andschool perpetuating area. 1900s, nurturing the dreams and aspirations tionally profiled as a “District on the Rise” for sustained determination of a new generation of entregoals, we measure them, and we hold ourselves accountable.” auction, even if the final sale price greatly exFain clarified the union’s stratFor one to aptly recognize the harm The surge in crime and the influxisofreclaiming visitors tothat Deof prominent Detroiters like Coleman post-pandemic progress.Young, preneurs and visionaries ceeded the debt. Former owners walked away said the core board has focused on setting theDeegy: “I want to give a major shoutcaused by such projects, it is vital McClendon to note that troit’s downtown garnered the attention of the Joe Louis, and numerous other Detroit leglost legacy. said Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti with vision,troit funding priorities, and (DPD), asking catching hard questions, while out tonothing. the thousands of members some ofthe therecovery plannersbegan and politicians behind Police Department them somewhat ends. But in the namethe of pandemic, urban renewal during wheninDPSCD made the decision to In execute. the heart Paradise Valley, BlackHousing advocates and right legal scholars Vitti and district teams Sheofpointed to increased enwho are on the picket lines those projects built them directly through off guard. the 1950s, this vibrant neighborhood was keep live instruction and a full school day Resource in place while stu- rollment, businesses not just flourishing Housing Helpline in communiargued the practice harmed strongerowned attendance, higherare student achievement, now fighting for disproportionately all of us. The By Andre Ash the heart of vibrant, populated systematically dents dismantled, James White, Chief ofoffering Police for the Detroit Police Delearned erased online. from the response to the challenges that but and thriving, diverse services, prodBlack homeowners Detroit, where inflated teacher recruitment retention, expanded arts and acaStand-Up Strike is ain new approach ties—oftentimes to reinforce segregation and said: DIGITAL ANCHOR map, and replaced by a lifeless stretch of aspartment, “We were caught somewhat flat-footed ucts, and experiences that pay homage to the in navigating the “We kept the cameras on and residents kept directface instruction property assessments economic demictoprogramming, stable school leadership, and restored to striking. Instead ofand striking all instabilisometimes as part of agoing direct effort replace phalt. right out the gate. By designthe we way wentforinto the spring a prosperous on,” Vitti said. “We knew that our just needed that sercomplex system of neighborhoods. housing ty pushed thousands into foreclosure financial health aspast partwhile of thepaving broader progress. plants at once, selectcontinues locals will be orstudents eliminate Black Homelessness to after theWhile the residential deployment, which is less than the mid-summer deployareas bore the brunt future. From jazz clubs to soul food restaudirect instruction by the teacher.” Great vices. The helpline provides a The district’s academic called onurban to stand up and walkwith out interventionists have also played a plagueRecession. communities, But now, after decades of enduring theand rants, ment, saw we say an uptick in violence that first of this demolition, the heart of Black Bottom, the Black Press, and art galleries to single point of contact for people on strike.and This is our generation’s Entire neighborhoods were destabilized, esThat choice mattered when families already navigatrole. The college-degreed staff members work one-on-one and families individuals grappling scars were of I-375, there is a glimmer of hope warm weekend.” its thriving business center, remained largely fashion boutiques, this revival is breathing seeking housing assistance and answer to the movement that built pecially between 2011 and 2015 when Wayne ing housing instability, health concerns, job loss,Plans food insein small groups with students, mainly in literacy and math. with the challenges of making on the horizon. have been unveiled to White Restaurants, clubs, and access. Chief attributes violence in Greektown to life into the verythe essence of what once made connects them with resources our –inthe sit-down of County foreclosed on economic tensstrikes of thousands ofuntouched. Decurity, andtheaters, gaps in technology Vitti said thethe district Vitti said the model helps classroom teachers keep grade-levendsunion meet today’s clitransform this once-divisive freeway into a bars—the very places that brought Detroit’s a combination of weather conditions and a surge in popthis neighborhood a vibrant cultural epicen1937. We told the Big 3 that Sept. they need. troit homes were could not assume parents and guardians would instruction while students receive targeted supmate.properties. Whether Many it’s struggling to purchased vision that seeksbe to able righttothe el wrongs of the moving Black community together—were concenulation. ter. It’s a resurgence that extends beyond 14 was the deadline we meant by speculators for a and fraction of their market replace the role of trained educators during aheralding crisis. Support for the helpline comes port for specific skill gaps. meet monthly mortgage payments past while a new era of inclusivity trated around Hastings Street, the epicenter brick and it represents thethat resurHe explained, “ Wemortar; saw numbers downtown we it. gave the companies ourcosts eco-delinquency only to fall backrental into tax value, from the Gilbert Family Founda- “That has After schools reopened, treated the panor We coping with soaring helped teachers lessenthat the burden andbe the heavy andDPSCD community revitalization. of African-American culture in the city. he said gence of a spirit refuses to subdued. have not seen, ever. People are emerging from COVID nomic demands eight weeks ago again years later. which has pledged $10 mildemic as a new baseline, not an tion, excuse. in a housing market marked by onfrom their shoulders alone in moving that are by more than $100weight million and there’s a Detroit feeling that in astudents post-COVID era… and it took than apoint month to throughThen, in a cruel twist of fate, Hastings lion Fueled City we’re Councilman Fred Durhal The legalmore turning came overunapologetic three years to to say, fund the shockingly high prices, a variety “We have been very intentional and below grade level,” Vitti said. the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Street, too, was obliterated a few years later, and with the venues downtown and the reasons to come get to the table.” III, representing District 7, where Eastern Michigan Court decisions program. Wayne Metro Commuof factors Supreme contribute to the grow- including ourthe kidsconstruction have to rebound from and the pandemic,” Vitti this said.ambitious Attendance remains the hardest part the story. DPSCD other partners, project making way for of I-375. down with all the activities that are going on, we saw Market resides, told theof Michigan Chronicle, Schafer v. Kent and State of Dunn union is County pushing for Hathon a comJuliethe Schneider nityespecially Action Agency manages ingThe issue of people becoming un- v.Meagan “We know pandemic was hard, on the city and the aims to create jobs, remove barriers to ecoThis marked the final blow, sealing the fate hundreds of more people and, in particularly, young “It’s still very early in the process, MDOT is prehensive list of demands. This helpline, making it accessible to housed. See DPSCD STUDENTS Page A-2 ourand families andthe ourbeginning students, but our growth, children and deserve to See TAX FORECLOSURE Page A-2of Black Bottom nomic reconnect the neighborsignaling folks, teenagers that we hadn’t seen.” all Detroit residents. This initiative simplifies access to the See INVESTMENT Page A-2 Historically, shelterspage have provided a temporary respite of the end for Paradise Valley, the Black busi- hood with the rest of Detroit. It is a Responding step See UAW STRIKE A2 swiftly to the surge in violence, DPD for those in need, often serving as the first or second option City’s various housing services, ensuring that residents in adjusted its deployment plans. Rather than waiting for after exhausting alternatives like staying with friends or need can easily find assistance. mid-summer, they deployed officers in the spring itself family. Shelters offer a place to rest one’s head and a warm “The city and its partners offer a lot of great services to address the situation. meal, albeit sometimes for extended periods. For others, to help Detroiters with their housing needs, but they don’t The rise in visitors to the Greektown area is evident being unhoused means living in cars or makeshift outdoor mean much if people don’t know how to access them,” said in data from Placer.ai, a location analytics company By Sam Robinson settings. Mayor Mike Duggan. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners becauseand of discrimination, but they specializing in visit trends demographic insights Lynzee Mychael SENIOR REPORTER The causes of homelessness By are as diverse and complex and the generous support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, were alsomobile comingdevices. because From Black through geolocation-enabled MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST as the individuals experiencing it. In response, the City of we now have a simple process to guide residents to the right people was doing some stuff. When May 1-Aug. 27, 2022, there were 1.3 million visits and Senate Democrats in Lansing housing resource and a growing number of programs to Detroit has adopted a holistic approach to combat this issue. did Black people starttodoing things 655,000 visitors to Greektown, according Placer.ai. From days ofa the Greataimed Milast weekthe unveiled package help them.” “Providing services and high-quality housing toand persons inyear, the these city?numbers They started doing In the same period this increased to gration when thousands Black at protecting free fair of elections. The Gilbert Family Foundation’s broader commitment at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness is a key this area in the 1800’s. 1.4 million visits and things 670,000invisitors. families flocked to Detroit in search The legislation, Senate Billsinvolves 961– pledging $500 million to support projects across priority of the City of Detroit, said Julie Schneider, Director In the 1800’s the major thingboth that of964, jobs and a better life, to the pivAs Detroit’s downtown area continues to attract would prevent local governDetroit over the next ten years, with housing initiatives of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department. they were doing in Detroit is they otal role they played in the city’s residents and visitors, the police department has implements from passing tactics being that Detroit It’s theon building were the leaders in fightthe against “ThisShows meansWhy focusing theand pipeline of sup-heritage, a significant part of their contribution. cultural musical mented various enforcement measures to the manage incivil rights groups have said are slavery. The Underground Railroad Notably, Detroit has witnessed a consistent decrease in Electronic Musicand Capitol at Black portive housing coordinating with the Continuum of Detroiters have left an increased population. Notably, metal detectors have been voter suppression and intimidation. is the rootGreektown in the city to of deter Detroit recent years, with the number of unhoused residents steadiCare What on the a delivery of critical resources suchon as the emergency delible mark city.require However, strategically placed throughout theto Federal The package would also lanall of this Black innovation that you ly declining. In 2019, approximately 7,847 people were unshelter, rapid rehousing, and diversion and prevention proinguage recent years, Detroit has expeillegal carrying of firearms. disability assistance. Another Government Shutdown see coming later.” housed and entered the City’s community response system. grams. It also means preserving and expanding rienced significant gentrification, “We have strategically placed them at key points, “ provision would affordable establish research In 2021, about 5,687 people experienced homelessness. housing options for Detroiters of all incomes and improving Could Mean which has raised concerns about Aretha Chief White explains. It Musical has been alegends deterrentlike for some, and training on election adminishousing stability though comprehensive service of offerings the displacement long-standing Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and the According to the City of Detroit, since the start of the and some have tested it. If you are legally carrying a tration. for Detroiters? available through the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine Black residents. Similar to a setting Motown sound emerged from Defiscal year 2019 to 2021, Detroit saw a 28% decrease in the weapon and carrying a CPL, have a great day. If you’re a press at spirit, and Detroit Housing Services Division within HRD.” sun,Democrats, there’s a rising andconferBlack troit, providing a soundtrack for the ence withare Secretary of State Jocelyn See POLICEcivil PRESENCE Page A-2 Detroiters reclaiming their placeSee COMBAT HOMELESSNESS page A2 rights movement and inspirIn May 2023, the City of Detroit launched the Detroit to outline meninBenson the city, despite the the plan, challenges ing generations. Motown Records, tionedbythe Supreme Court’s decision posed gentrification. founded by Berry Gordy Jr., was not to remove key protections of the and west sides. Over time, these long after our current phase of gen- just a record label but a symbol of During the Great Migration, 1965 Voting Rights Act earlier this neighborhoods became centers of trification. excellence and empowerment. thousands of Black families in the wake of the Supreme Court Black 2026 federal election. the November elections, which v. Callais.from The Black month in Louisiana culture and entrepreneurship. “Black people were coming to De- would the South came to Detroit in search However, as Detroit faced ecoruling are acting fast to eliminate give their party an advanCritics say it gives states a free decision, which was condemned by According to Historian Jamon majority-Black because Black churches were ofcivil jobsrights in the booming automobile districts ahead of nomic tage. decline and population loss pass to pursue racial discrimination troit groups and voting advo- Jordon Black resilience in the city here, black schools were here, and in the late 20th century, many industry. Despite discriminacates, allowed thefacing state of Louisiana through unfair political districting. hasScan roots the that QR extend far before the Up its was BlackDigital businesses here,” said Code to Sign for the Daily Newsletter tion and segregation, they built vito redistrict its maps and cancel its $2.00 Republican led southern states STATE VOTING ACT Page A-2 were coming of courseRIGHTS brant communities on the city’s east Great Migration and will persist Jordon. “TheySee See LEGACY page A2 $1.00
I
Greektown Had 1.4 Million Visits This Summer and No Shootings
Students Outpace Finally 91% of CanDPSCD Reparative Investment U.S.the Districts in Academic Growth Heal Wounds Left by I-375?
All Hands On Deck to Combat Homelessness A Holistic Approach to Providing Shelter and Support for Detroit’s Unhoused People
WHAT’S INSIDE WHAT’S INSIDE
Michigan Democrats Push for State VotingDetroit’s Rights Legacy Act Black Resilience Amidst Gentrification: Reclaiming
Movement
Festival Money. A5
Get Michigan Chronicle Delivered Daily to Your Inbox!