NEIGHBORS
Shopping Local Brings Holiday Cheer To
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Michigan Chronicle
Vol. 82 – No. 14 | December 12-18, 2018
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Remembering Tommy:
A tribute to Tommy Longest Bernell Thomas “Tommy” Longest, was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 12, 1964 to parents Bernell and Margaret Longest. He attended both University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Benedictine Catholic High School. Longest held a bachelor’s degree in industrial distribution from Eastern Michigan University and a certificate in business from Dartmouth University’s Tuck School of Business. Interestingly, before becoming an entrepreneur, Longest was excited about politics, having worked for U.S. Bernell Thomas Representative Longest John Conyers, Jr. Longest even thought about running for mayor of Detroit. However, a childhood friend’s father, Abe Venable, who was one of the first black executive directors of urban affairs at General Motors, talked to Longest about opportunities as an owner and operator of a retail automotive franchise. After leaving the Conyers’ administration, he started ISM LLC, an electrical supply company, which was his first business venture. Soon after marrying Kelly, the love of his life, he began to venture into the automotive industry; ultimately starting Precision Support Services, Great Lakes Equipment Rental & Supplies, Precision Components Mfg., and Diversified Manufacturing and Assembly. In addition to being a successful businessman and devoted husband and father he enjoyed giving back to the community that had given him so much. He loved mentoring young people. Longest sat on the board of directors for the Midnight Golf Program, a mentoring organization that helps young people transition from high school to college. He was also an advisory board member for Henry Ford College School of Manufacturing & CAD Design. Longest also served on numerous philanthropic boards, such as: The Detroit C.A.T.C.H. Foundation, Henry Ford Community College. In 2015, he founded The Lionel Jordan Foundation; he also served as Membership Chairman for Forest Lake Country Club. He had the honor of serving as a Distinguished Clown in the annual Thanksgiving Parade. He mentored various youth as well as served on the board of the Midnight Golf Program. In his free time, he loved sport
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WHAT’S INSIDE
Alicia George, owner of Artist Village Detroit, compared Detroit to being the living room to the state of Michigan. PHOTO: Kory Woods
$35 million coming to a neighborhood near you By Branden Hunter DETROIT - The neighborhoods of Detroit are finally getting some much-needed attention, with a record $35 million boost to spur development and physical improvements, thanks to historic commitments from seven companies. Seven companies contributed $5 million each to fund improvements to the neighborhoods and affordable housing. The companies are American Axle and Manufacturing, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Chemical Bank, Fifth Third Bank, Flagstar Bank, Huntington Bank, and Penske Corporation. It is the largest corporate donation to neighborhood development in the Detroit’s history, city officials said. It is expected to leverage another $70 million in private investment, for a total of $105 million in new neighborhood investmemt. Mayor Mike Duggan, several corporate CEOs, and city officials made the record-breaking announcement Monday morning at the Artist Village Detroit on the city’s northwest side. “What this means is that we are going to have investments in vacant storefronts and to put in shops and restaurants in what used to be our neighborhood shopping corridors,” Duggan told the packed room. “We are going to take vacant apartment buildings and get them renovated and move families in them. We are going to take vacant lots and build new apartment buildings with affordable housing so that people can live in the neighborhood. We are going to upgrade the parks and streetscapes and that’s what we are going to do with this money.”
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said the new $35 million investment is what the r esidents of Detroit have been waiting for. PHOTO: Kory Woods The money will go into the Strategic Neighborhood Fund for physical improvements across seven areas over the next five years, including Campau/Banglatown, East Warren/Cadieux, Grand River Northwest, Gratiot/Seven Mile, Jefferson Chalmers, Russell Woods/Nardin Park, and Warrendale/Cody-Rouge.
The city of Detroit will drive these neighborhood developments based on the model of development in the first three Strategic Neighborhood Fund areas, Livernois/McNichols, Southwest/ West Vernor and Islandview/Greater Villages, where improvements are already underway.
Specific rollout plans for the money and its distribution will be decided in January and February through community discussions.
The coalition of partners came together over the last year, in an effort led by Mayor Duggan and Chairman of Chemical Financial Corporation Gary Torgow, as well as Huntington Bank CEO Steve Steinour, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan CEO Dan Loepp.
“We’re starting to see development through the corridor of all these different areas,” Duggan added. “This is what the people of Detroit have been waiting for.”
Torgow, Steinour, and Loepp all met
All roads lead to Detroit for 2019 NAACP National Convention
By Branden Hunter
Detroit Pistons team up to help children of incarcerated parents
Game. C3
the distance. When you go far west or far east, it inhibits some people. But when you present it right in the center, it allows for more people to come.”
DETROIT – The City of Detroit has hosted the NAACP National Convention four previous times: 1921, 1943, 1989, and 2007. Next year, the 110th National Convention returns to Detroit, with General Motors, Quicken Loans, Ford Motor Company, Chemical Bank, the Skillman Foundation, and DTE Energy among the corporate sponsors serving on a Blue-Ribbon Committee. Detroit Branch NAACP president Wendell Anthony made the announcement Thursday morning at the branch’s headquarters with remarks from national NAACP president Derrick Johnson and other dignitaries in attendance.
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“The Blue-Ribbon Committee is still growing as we look forward to the participation of both businesses and community partners in this great venture to
DTE Energy has been a leading partner with the NAACP locally and is expanding its reach to include an even more prominent national partnership as well. CEO Gerard Anderson will chair the Blue-Ribbon Committee.
Detroit Branch NAACP president Wendell Anthony said if you plan to run for president in 2020, the 2019 National Convention in Detroit is the place to be. shine a light on our city,” said Anthony, who has been Detroit Branch NAACP president since 1993. The event will take place July 20-24 and is expected to draw an estimated 10,000 members and guests to the city, as well as bring in at least $11 million to
Southeastern Michigan, according to organizers. “People are excited about coming to Detroit,” Anthony added. “With the convention being in the Midwest, in Detroit, that presents an opportunity for more people to come because of
Chemical Bank announced plans to relocate its headquarters to downtown Detroit and former executive director of the Detroit Branch NAACP, Donnell R. White, is now the chief diversity officer and director of strategic partnerships at Chemical Bank. Gary Torgow, Chairman of the Board for Chemical Financial Corporation, will serve as a Corporate Co-Chair on the committee.
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