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UAW Bernie-Backed ATriple NightStrike ofTries Elegance Onwenu to and Excellence at the 10th Annual Michigan Chronicle 40 Under 40 Against Detroit Unite the Party: Automakers ‘Abdul’s Message is Deeply American’

By Ebony JJ Curry SENIOR REPORTER

Late Thursday night, Sept. By Sam Robinson 14, a historic moment unfolded SENIOR REPORTER

in American labor relations as the United Auto Workers (UAW) Michigan stateaSenate union initiated strikecandidate against Justin Onwenu, the former city of diFord, General Motors (GM), Detroit and rector of small affairs, Stellantis. For business the first time,was endorsed by U.S.took Sen. simultaneous Bernie Sanders last the union week. action against all three major DeIt’s a signautomakers. of the partyThe coming together troit-based action after a bitter primary cycle 13,000 up and down involves approximately the ballot. Onwenu’s opponent in the priUAW members in assembly plants mary, state Ohio, Rep. Abraham acrossformer Michigan, and Mis-Aiyash, was backed local off progressives souri, who by walked their jobssuch as By Ebony JJ Curry U.S. Rashida Tlaib, state Rep. afterRep. existing labor contracts ex- DonaSENIOR REPORTER van and City Council member piredMcKinney at 11:59 p.m. Denzel McCampbell. Shortly before midnight on of talent, determinan a breathtaking celebration Onwenu received the backingspirit of more Sept. 14, released a statement tion,GM and the unyielding of Black excellence, moderate Democrats like City Councilexpressing disappointment with the Michigan Chronicle marked its 10th Annual man Scott Benson and state Rep. Tyrone the strike action, offering 40 Under 40despite event Thursday evening. This year’s Carter, and some progressives too, Black such Everything with what it termed an “unprecedented soirée, drenched in the theme “All as former Congressman Levin. economic package” thatAndy included Gold Accents,” transcended expectations and essentialhistoric wage increases. Stellantis ly illuminated the golden gems within the true essence

troiters. The symbolism of Black beekeepers revitalizing niably commendable. their city is a powerful testament to the resilience and Amidst the glitz and glamour, the event also showingenuity of our community. cased the diversity of talent within our community. From As the night unfolded, we had the privilege of hon- Paris T. Prichard, a forensic scientist pushing the boundoring other outstanding individuals, each carving their aries of her field, to math wizards like Donna Laster, who own path to success. Clement “Fame” Brown, the creative mind behind Three Thirteen Detroit’s Brand Name, See 40 UNDER 40 page A2 received the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Brown’s commitment to empowering the city through fashion and entrepreneurship has left an indelible mark. of Black excellence. Hosted by the charismatic duo of “Entrepreneur of the year – that’s a big deal,” said Andre Ash and Lynzee Mychael from Michigan Chroni- Brown. “It’s always an honor to be honored and it’s cle’s Finally Friday, the night was a triumph for the city always a blessing to be in a room full of so many talentof Detroit and its vibrant community of young Black pro- ed, accomplished, and popular people that look like me. fessionals. I’m geeked. I started making and selling clothes as a kid The evening sparkled with a golden promise as we and I always knew that I would have a business, but I celebrated remarkable individuals from various walks never knew it would be Detroit’s brand name business, DPD Chief James White Says Increased repof life. Among the honorees were the brilliant and vi- so I take a lot of pride in the fact ningthat overour thebusiness Black vote led him to link up “When I took over the black caucus, one By Jeremy Allen Police Presence Culled Violence sionary co-founders of Detroit Hives, Nicole Lindsey and resents our city’s pride.” with Frank Woods, the Chair of the Wayne of the things I want to make sure is that we EXECUTIVE EDITOR Timothy Paul Jackson. Their work has not only changed Taking home the CorporateCounty Excellence Award was Democratic Black Caucus. Woods Ash have real good political education, and not By Andre the landscape in De- coming Dannisout Mitchell, of Community at as theDirector statewide Justin Onwenu of beekeeping and urban farming Despite is hosting Engagement a public meet-and-greet with just knee-jerk reaction to articles or things DIGITAL ness district that had been the lifeblood ofANCHOR mending inflicted on troit expressed but also disappointment exemplified thein transformative impact Barton winner in the Aug.Malow. 4 Democratic U.S. By Ebony JJ Curry (and for) El-Sayed in Detroit on Aug. 21,towards they hear on TV.the It’swounds about getting involved also Onwenu won 18,921 votes,onortheir 59%, Black Detroiters and restoring a sense of bethe community. Black professionals can have communities. Senate primary election, Abdul El-Sayed from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at 6940 Outer Dr. in the political process.” “It is so important to recognize that there are young a statement, saying thevotes, company compared with 13,312 or 41%, for SENIOR REPORTER A stringlonging of shootings that wasinso callously torn away in didn’t come leaders out victorious in Detroit or many It’s aWoods history marred injus“Together we have created aresults. social, environmental, across the country, that are born here in pain, said this isbythe first of what in mid-April Woods has immediately went into contingenAiyash, according to unofficial Greektown leftknown El-Sayed through his the past. For many Detroiters, Interstate 375, or Wayne County. tice,nationally and economic More than and financial through bees,” said Jackson. Lind- Detroit. I represent our city and I devastation. tell people, he hopes to be many post-primary public previous political He said Elcy mode to its operations. The two ranprotect toimpact be the Democratic candiboth visitors and residents of campaigns. I-375, has long been just another stretch ofoppoThe I-375 Boulevard Project is about more sey followed that sentiment with, “It is through our local 130,000 residents, Black, were I’m county a D-girl from the west-side ofprimarily Detroit,’” Losing the‘Yea city and to I’m his sessions around the county with El-Sayed Sayed asked for his personal endorsement UAW has drawn branded in- Senate dateThe of the newly 1stthe state this bustling des- historical injustices; it’s highway, a concrete artery connectthandowntown just he correcting partnerships and collaborative efforts urban that we exist inRep Mitchell expressed. “But more importantly, I’ve been able forcibly displaced. Families were uprooted, nent U.S. Haley Stevens sends El-Sayed between now and Election Day because when announced his Senate campaign. dustrial that action as the “Stand-Up district covers parts of Detroit and tination inabout awe. One of these ing different parts oftothe city. To some, it’s redefining the future. It will connect over 28 plus locations managing the health ofinto 4.5the milhave experiences within that many was obliterated, and a November general election withgenerational aan industry there’s awealth lot ofnot work to beofdone to get Black “Andclaimed so I told him, I endorse you perStrike,” focusing on specific plants the Downriver communities. shootings tragically mere clear convenience; to others, it’s an unredowntown Detroit to surrounding neighborlion honeybees – humbly speaking oura movement has us, specifically women of color, have the opportunity to thriving community was torn asunder. The assignment: he has to find a way to locals on his side. sonally, and but Ibecan’t get ahead of my caucus.” within each can automaker. UAW the life of hoods, a popular “Primaries be messy, but it’sand im- even markable their daily commute. bridging the gap that was placed upon inspired others locally, nationally, internationengage and I’veHowbeen thewounds person in the room, inflicted I-375 run because deep, trangetpart the ofstate’s mostin populous county toyoungest “He lost, by in my view, ofsecurity the PresidenttoShawn Fain stated, “This loved guard followWoods said the caucus then followed its portant check the record,” Onwenu ever, there’s a deeper, far more troubling the city decades ago. ally to take on similar missions.” the only Black person in the room, and the only Sistah in scending the physical barrier of a freeway to rally behind him, and a huge part of that is lies and misconceptions that were out own strategy will keep the companies ing put a dispute withendorsement a patron. process, interviewing Elsaid. story founded beneath surface of this seemingly the room, and I really had to articulate thesoul importance penetrate thehim,” very of Black Detroiters. winningthe over older Black voters. Today, allegedly the resurgence of Paradise Valley DetroitItHives, a pioneering organization by about Woods said in anThe interview guessing. will give our nationmale suspect Sayed, Stevens, and McMorrow. Onwenu a Sanders delegate in ordinary freeway—a story pain, showing up,displacegiving chances when others won’t, stands as a fleeing testament to the indomitable Lindsey andwas Jackson, harnesses beeThis painful legacy can and be traced back First, let’s of look atofthe numbers. with Michigan Chronicle. al negotiators maximum leveragethe power of urban shot the guard before “When we started the endorsement pro2020. and theCity. lastingbeing impactpersistent.” on Black DetroiAs a trailblazing Blackinterstate woman thrivspirit ofhis Black Detroiters and the enduring keeping to revitalize neighborhoods in ment, the Motor to the nation’s highway program and flexibility in bargaining. And the scene, while female The former Wayne County health diWoods said some of the resistance to Elcess, we interviewed all three candidates ters. ing in a predominantly male-dominated industry, her “I’mneed honored have Bernie’s support. of Black excellence. This historic disTheir initiative only critical issues of 1956—a program that aimedinvolved to companion connect if we to gotonot all out, weaddresses will. is –accused of conrector like won unwavering the statewide Democratic Sayed during the primary claimslegacy McMorrow, Stevens, and El-Sayed. He commitment to country fortifying the connections The nomination tale begins in what is nowvotes, Lafayette IEverything actually have known Union Bernie sinceprovides trict, once a vibrant hub for Black businessenvironmental conservation but also valuable DPD Chief James White the but often did so at the expense is onhave the table.” cealing the weapon in her bra. with 743,455 or 48.5%, about his positions and relationships. He came out on top. It wasn’t even close when between businesses and Detroit’s communities is undePark, once known as Black Bottom—a neighIleaders was an have organizer,” Onwenu said. “I was es and culture, is experiencing a renaissance education andalso employment opportunities to Black Deof marginalized the case indicated that according to election results. Stevens respecificallycommunities. cited what he In described asofmisThese incidents during an days. unseasonably you situnfolded down hear what he has say rooted727,758 in African-American culture somebody him a tour borhoodceived harkens backand to its glory Thetodeadditional who plantshelped could give be targetI-375,conceptions it meant carving a path through the votes, or 47.5%, and state involving former first lady Mi-thatleading warm spring, to increased pedestrian traffic and and what he’s about. We want to torn make and history. Named after its dark, fertile around Detroit, touching on a number of struction of Black Bottom may have ed in future waves if negotiations heart chelle of Black Detroit, reinforcing segregaSen. Mallory McMorrow, whose name reObama and former President Barack tensions in the densely populated downtown sure we present that andbut give people the Bottom the suspended mid- tion, and perpetuating inequality. heightenedapart different environmental justice issues.” soil, Black a thriving community, the resolute remain stalled. mained on flourished the ballot during after she Obama. area. opportunityoftoa new knowgeneration who he is,” Woods 1900s, nurturing the dreams and aspirations determination of entreOnwenu says he’s going tostratkeep being her campaign, received 61,407 votes, or For one Fain clarified the union’s tosaid aptly the harm “They thatrecognize he disrespected Michelle said. The surge in crime and the influxisofreclaiming visitors tothat Deof prominent Detroiters like Colemancombined Young, for preneurs and visionaries himself whentohe gets to Lansing 4%. The three candidates egy: “I want give a major shout-in Jan. caused by suchThat projects, vital to note that Obama. was itaismisconception. Let’slost legacy. troit’s downtown core garnered the attention of the DeThe Aug. 21 event is open to the public Joe Louis, and numerous other Detroit legafter a victory November in 1,532,620 votes. out tosecuring the thousands of in members of the planners politicians behind it that way.and They said (Stevens) wasDepartment troit Police (DPD), been catching themsure somewhat andthe Woods making ends. But in the name of urban renewal in some put the Democratic hearthas of Paradise Valley, commuBlackwhosafe are on the picketDetroit-Downriver lines right Wayne County neighborhood produced 293,464 votes those endorsed projects by built them directly President Obama. through That was a In off guard. nity stakeholders and caucus members the 1950s, this vibrant was seat. owned businesses are not just flourishing Housing Resource Helpline in now fightingAsh for all of us. The By Andre in the Democratic Senate contest. Stevens the heart of vibrant, populated communimisconception, too. For some people, that the information toservices, inform other systematically dismantled, erased from the response to the challenges that James White, Chief ofoffering Police for the Detroit Police Debut have thriving, diverse prod“I’m going to be Onwenu said. Stand-Up Strike is amyself,” new approach received 150,593 votes,stretch El-Sayed received was all theytoneeded to hear. And that ties—oftentimes reinforce segregation andwassaid: DIGITAL ANCHOR Wayne County residents about El_Sayed. map, and replaced by a lifeless of aspartment, “We were caught somewhat flat-footed ucts, and experiences that pay homage to the residents inShe navigating the tohis “I the son of a teacher, who’s to am striking. Instead of striking all also a notface true. received endorsesometimes as part ofnever a direct effort replace phalt. 133,292 and McMorrow received 9,320. right out the Bypaving design we way went the “I’ve been doing this stuff 40 spring years. I pastgate. while the forinto afor prosperous complex system of neighborhoods. housing sersmall business owner. I’m someone plants at once, select locals will be The countywide result left El-Sayed with ment,” he said. or eliminate Black Homelessness continues to who deployment, which is less than the mid-summer deploywant to make sure a lot of key stakeholders While the residential areas bore the brunt future. From jazz clubs to soul food restauvices. The helpline provides a grew up knowing what a co-payment was called on to stand up and walk out 45.4% of the vote, Stevens with 51.3% and plague urban communities, with Woods also cited of claims that people But now, after decades enduring ment,the and rants, sawshow we in violence that first upBlack –an theuptick ones that I’ve known heart of Black Bottom, single thesay Press, and artbeen galleries toin point of contact for peopleimpose on This is our generation’s at astrike. very and early age. I was struck by the in- of this demolition, McMorrowthe with 3.2%. families individuals grappling religious scars thought of I-375,El-Sayed there is would a glimmer of hope warm weekend.” the community.” its thriving business center, remained largely fashion boutiques, this revival is breathing seeking housing assistance and answer to the movement that built justice of our current and existing healthwith the challenges of making sits at the centerclubs, of that electoron Plans Michigan. on thepolicies horizon. have been unveiled to White untouched.Detroit Restaurants, theaters, and Chief attributes the violence in Greektown life into the very essence of gathering what onceasmade Woods described the an to opconnects them with the resources our the strikes of care system a sit-down very young age.” endsunion meet –inat today’s economic cliate. With roughly 700,000 residents in the transform this once-divisive freeway intoSharia a thisportunity “They said he’s gonna have athis bars—the very places that brought Detroit’s they need. combination of weatherfor conditions a surge in poppeople toand hear directly from neighborhood a vibrant cultural epicen1937. We told the Big 3 that Sept. mate. Whether it’s together struggling to city, the most recent Censusconcendata shows Bringing the party visionLaw thatand seeks right the do wrongs of the thattohe’s gonna all these differ-ter. El-Sayed Black community together—were ulation. and ask questions. It’s a resurgence that extends beyond 14 was the deadline and we meant Support for thethat helpline comes meet monthly mortgage payments that more than 75 percent of Detroit respast while heralding a new era of inclusivity ent things is against our community, Onwenu, a lawyer, says he wants to trated around Hastings Street, the epicenter brick and mortar; it represents theto resurHe explained, “ We saw numbers downtown that weto “It’s not a long period of time talk it. gave the soaring companies ourcosts ecofrom the Gilbert Foundaidents are Black. And or We coping with rental and community revitalization. instead of Family finding out what he’s done and play a demands role in convincing older African of African-American culture in across the city.the county, gence of ahave spirit that refuses to1,000 be subdued. have not seen, ever. People are emerging from COVID or to everybody have questions, nomic eight weeks ago tion, which has pledged $10 doing. mil- He’s from our nearly 40 percent of the 1.8 million resiin a housing marketofmarked by camwhatby he’smore working Americans El-Sayed’s than on $100 million Then, in aare cruel twist of fate, Hastings lion Fueled andfrom there’s a Detroit feeling that in able a post-COVID era…of but you’ll at we’re least be toFred get aDurhal sense and it took skeptical more than a month to City Councilman over three years to fund the our dents Black. shockingly high prices, a variety community. He understands needs.” paign to vote for the Democrat over Re- Street, too, was obliterated a few years later, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act the and with downtown and understand the to come who this man District is and why you get to the table.” III,venues representing 7, reasons where Eastern program. Wayne Metro Commuof factors contribute to the growNow let’s think about what he needs and to other publican Mike Rogers. Woods said political education has with beenMarket partners, this ambitious project making way for the construction of I-375. down all the activities that are going on, we saw should vote for him,” Woods said. resides, told the Michigan Chronicle, The union is pushing for a comSchneider nity Action Agency manages ing issue of people becoming un- Meagan Dunn do to win thatJulie bloc. priority sincethe he took create jobs, remove barriers toover eco- theof This marked the final blow, sealing the fate aims ato central hundreds and,inin young “It’smore still people very early theparticularly, process, MDOT is prehensive list of demands. This helpline, making it accessible to housed. See UNITE THE PARTY Page A-2 of Black Bottom See VOTERS Page A-2 His shortcomings with regards to wingrowth, and reconnect the neighborand signaling the beginning nomiccaucus. folks, teenagers that weBLACK 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 settings. Mayor Mike Duggan. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners becauseand of discrimination, but they specializing in visit trends demographic insights Mychael The causes of homelessness By areLynzee 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 Detroit has adopted a holistic approach to combat this issue. housing resource and a growing number of programs to did Black people starttodoing things 655,000 visitors to Greektown, according Placer.ai. From the days of the Greathelp Mi- them.” “Providing services and high-quality housing to personsof Black inyear, the these city?numbers They started doing In the same period this increased to gration when thousands lence autism than whiteinchildren (3.7 The Gilbert Family Foundation’s commitment at risk of or who are experiencing homelessness is a key Bybroader Biba Adams things invisitors. this area the 1800’s. 1.4 million visits and of 670,000 families flocked to Detroit in search compared to 1800’s 2.7). Our are also pledging $500 million toSTAFF support projects across priority of the City of Detroit, said Julieand Schneider, REPORTER In the the children major thing that of jobs a betterDirector life, to theinvolves pivAs Detroit’s downtown area continues to attract both more likely to be diagnosed later than Detroit over the next ten years, with housing initiatives of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization they were doing in Detroit is they otal roleDepartment. they played in the city’s residents and visitors, the police department has implechildren, with Black children being being a significant part of their contribution. As thousands of childrenmented prepare to white were the leaders in fightthe against “This means focusing on building pipeline of sup-heritage, culturaltheand musical various enforcement measures to the manage indiagnosed over three years after their parenter school classrooms for the very first slavery. The Underground Railroad Notably, Detroit has witnessed a consistent decrease in portive housing and coordinating with the Continuum of Black Detroiters have left an increased population. Notably, metal detectors have been ents first about their time thisresidents fall, many parents strategically are also en- placed is theexpress rootGreektown in concerns the city to of Detroit recent years, with the number of unhoused steadiCare What on the a delivery of critical resources suchon as the emergency delible mark city. However, throughout deter theto Federal child’s development toinnovation their pediatrician. tering an emotional season of uncertainty Matthew Knowles all of this Black that you ly declining. In 2019, approximately 7,847 people were unshelter, rapid rehousing, and diversion prevention in recentand years, Detroitprohas expeillegal carrying of firearms. Government Shutdown – especially parents whose children have “Many parents feel overwhelmed, see coming later.” housed and entered the City’s community response system. grams. It also means preserving and expanding affordable rienced significant gentrification, Brings Reimagined placed themwhen at keythey points, “ been diagnosed with autism or “We otherhave de- strategically afraid, orMusical even guilty notice In 2021, about 5,687 people experienced homelessness. housing options for Detroiters of all incomes and improving Could Mean which has raised concerns about legends like Aretha Chief White explains. It has been a deterrent for some, velopmental, behavioral, communication, their child may Marvin be developing differentDestiny’s Child housing though comprehensive service of offerings the displacement long-standing Franklin, Gaye, and the According to the City of Detroit, since the start of the and some havely,” tested it.Dr. If you are legally carrying a for stability Detroiters? or social challenges. says Natasha Weems, afrom healthavailable through the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine Black residents. Similar to a setting Motown sound emerged Defiscal year 2019 to 2021, Detroit saw a 28% decrease in the weapon and carrying a CPL, have a great day. If you’re Tribute Experience entrepreneur, Research says that 15% of students in care professional, and Detroit Housing Services Division within HRD.” sun, there’s a rising spirit, and Black troit, providing a soundtrackautism for the advocate, and founder of theA-2 Pearl See COMBAT HOMELESSNESS page A2 the state of Michigan are on the autism See POLICE PRESENCE Page to Detroit Detroiters are reclaiming their place civil rights movement and Health inspirIn May 2023, the City of Detroit launched the Detroit “The mostMotown important thing spectrum. Autism spectrum disorder Foundation. in the city, despite the challenges ing generations. Records, City.Life.Style. B1 posed by gentrification. can understand is Jr., thatwas early (ASD) is a lifelong brain-based devel- parents founded by Berry Gordy not awareness and early intervention opmental affects phase how aof gen- just a record label but a symbolcan these condition long afterthat our current of During the Great Migration, and west sides. Over time, a life-changing difference for a person of communicates, trification. interacts socially, make Black excellence and empowerment. thousands of Black families from neighborhoods became centers child’s future academically, emotionally, learns, and behaves. is called “spec- to De“Black It people wereacoming the South came to Detroit in search Black culture and entrepreneurship. However, as Detroit faced ecoand socially.” trum” because symptoms and their severiAccording to Historian Jamon troit because Black churches were of jobs in the booming automobile nomic decline and population loss vary widely from person to person. comcity here, black schools were here, andThrough industry. Despite facing discrimina- Jordon Black resilience intythe in the healthcare late 20th advocacy, century, many According Autism Speaks, African roots the that QR extend far before the Up itstowas BlackDigital businesses here,” said Code to Sign for the Daily Newsletter tion and segregation, they built vi- hasScan $2.00 See BACK-TO-SCHOOL PageA2 A-2 have awere higher prevapersist children Jordon. “They coming of course brant communities on the city’s east Great Migration and willAmerican See LEGACY page $1.00

I

Greektown Had 1.4 Million Visits This Summer and No Shootings

El-Sayed Looks to Deepen Support Among CanBlack Reparative Investment Finally Voters in Detroit, Wayne County

Heal the 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

Back-to-School Season Can Be Black Resilience Amidst Gentrification: Reclaiming Detroit’s Legacy Overwhelming for Parents of Neurodivergent Children

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cine and healthcare, may what the Supreme Court clear difference. And we should be supporting Abdul, not be adversely impacted by will rule in the he’s upcoming because he’s a Democrat, because the right person the decision to overturn days. but Despite to do the job, and he’s a Democrat.” the deciElected officials are Roe v. Wade. 1 sion, advocates on both The Aug. 21 gathering will also give Woods an opportuFrom page A-1 also working to keep “What we are really nity to continue the political education work he described sides of the argument are women The effort comes after a primary campaign in which as a priority for the caucus. to He said voters should have conRoe v. Wade intact thus concerned about is the willing continue their Black voters became a central focus of the Senate contest. versations about candidates before making decisions. holding off Michigan’s impact on our patients. pursuits. Detroit News/WDIV poll released in July showed Stevens n pre- A “We strategic, and we used to be be 1931 trigger ban. among GoverAccess to abortion ishave al- to be more with a 67%-21% advantage Black voters. “Overturning Roe v. voting more strategic. We used to go find out who we were oment nor Gretchen Whitmer ready out of reach for far CNN also reported extensively on the contest for Black instead of just relying Wadeonwould be a terrible name recognition. That’s what THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE PUBLISHING COMPANY of the voters in Detroit and including a July 27 report released a Michigan, statement too many Michiganders, we’re getting back to withwith this.”nearly 50 years break 1452 Randolph • Detroit, MI 48226 • Phone: (313) 963-8100 final. that described saying, inEl-Sayed part: as having a long especially Black people USPS• 344-820 He also connected the discussion to Randolph • Publication precedent and 1452 Detroit, MINo.: 48226 Phone: (313) 963-8100 a law- list of Black supporters. In that report, and people of color who of judicial the Democratic Party’s changing politi“The words ‘Roe overOFFICE HOURS: more importantly – a Publication No.: USPS 344-820 31 law El-Sayed attributed Stevens’ advantage face additional barriers – cal Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Closed Sat. and Sun. turned’ are to no longer Black voters advertising. blowlandscape. against individual OFFICETheHOURS: effect, among DEADLINE Michigan Chronicle is publishedADVERTISING every Wednesday. “I’ve been telling people in the party to care as a result of systheoretical. I want every Itgotisto quit mythis hope Mon.-Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 ed the “It’s what $60 million in advertis- temic inequalities and in- freedom. Periodical Postage, paid atp.m. Detroit, MI. Price Classified: $1.00 and other post office. 3 p.m Friday that we have gatekeeping ingMichigander does,” El-Sayed told after to reporters know— that the majority ofhave jusCopy, and cancellations, MEMBER OF AUDIT BUREAU OFcorrections CIRCULATION Closed Sat. and Sun. m that a church status quo attitude. We a mechavisit. “There’s reason they stitutional racism. Losing preceding the Wednesday publication. no matter what ahappens tices rejectgetthe nism will to actually thefindinformation The Michigan Chronicle is nstitu- spend that money.” access to legal abortion ADVERTISING DEADLINE D.C., I’m going to fight to people caucuses Display: 12 p.m. Friday ings of thisthrough draft. the If that is andpublished every Wednesday. ontain in El-Sayed also addressed his relation- will impact those comClassified: 3 p.m Friday preceding the Wednesday publication. through meetings to say, hey, let’s have like hell to protect access not the case, we need to Periodical Postage, n. Our ship with Black communities in a July munities most, forcing Copy, corrections and cancellations, preceding thenews Wed­n esday publication. For all and calendar items: this discussion.” safe, legal abortion inthe paid at Detroit, MI. stand with Senate Majorreport from WDET examining Deadline is two weeks prior to event. anned 24 to Display: 12 p.m. Friday people to become parents Woods said Black voters should have Michigan…” Price $1.00 and otherpreceding post office. Senate primary. The staitya role Leader Schumer and the Wednesday pub­ lication.that contain Weeks ates of Democratic in shaping the Democratic Party MEMBER or expand their families Gov. OFnews AUDIT tion reported that the demographics For all andBUREAU calendar items: Deadline is two weeks prior event. holidays, dead line is to Thursday prior Whitmer in support More than legal impliunding at an El-Sayed and its candidates, and said he is welOF CIRCULATION to prior publication date. rally featuring U.S. Sen. against their will. Being Weeks that contain holidays, dead­line is Thursday to publication date. ofcoming theirofefforts to preserve cations, RoeOcthe changing dynamics at play alition Bernie Sandersoverturning and Rep. Alexandria able to decide and con- the as theright party shifts a more progressive to toreproducv. Wadedid would impact sev-maroduc- asio-Cortez not reflect Detroit’s trol if, when and how to tive platform, as proof said with the selections of freedom,” Chair population. El-Sayedthe pointeral systems across All, a jority-Black become a parent is cenboth El-Sayed and 13th District to his professional history Alisha Bell, on behalf of winner With thein the po-city affirm ed spectrum. Donavan McKinney, a self-described tral to building and living the POSTMASTER — Send address changes to: POSTMASTER andtential county. to drive both foster WayneSocialist. County Comon and Democratic Send • address changes •to:DETROIT, MI 48226 MICHIGAN CHRONICLE 1452 Randolph a healthy, happy life,” mission. “I’ve chosen to work in communities adoption numbers MICHIGAN CHRONICLE | 1452 Randolph • DETROIT, MI 48226 om in likeand “We definitely have to make sure our Detroit and Wayne County, majori- said Vasquez Giroux. upward, a banto on aborvoices in African Americans are heard ution,” ty Black communities, take on inequiBeyond the scope of within the party structure, and not just as mouthpieces,” tions could leave many Giroux. ties my whole career,” El-Sayed said, according to WDET. Woods prosaid. “I’m here I’m representing the Black people, pro-choice versus women to choose a less s that Woods said that history needs to be part of the converbut I reproalso want the rest of the Black residents in the county safe route restoring ‘back life, the fight for From page A-1 ing in sation. to show and represent Black people, too.” oneupof “We haveand to do aillegal better jobaborof gettingductive your storychoice out – is He abor- alley’ munity outreach, wellness initiatives, and media ensaid the work ahead involves listening and particiMichigan as a Black people who support him.freedom. He is comingAs to pation. practices, including higan, we,tion gagement, Dr. Weems works to increase awareness meetings. He spoke,Moreover, he talked to people and shared his to ensure officials work surrounding autism, mental health, family wellness, makes ourself-abortions. “We need to not just say we recognize these other comvision, and we need more of that. But each being involved womanis who finds and healthcare disparities impacting underserved comAfrican American women we will more munities within our party, we have to actually work with than just voting. This whole thingherself – it’s a participain the position tothe people within this party.” munities. and listen to women of color, who e can tionand sport.” choose has access to care Once a child is diagnosed, and depending on where For El-Sayed, the Aug. 21 appearance is an opportunity a long-stoatients already For Woods,have the relationship between candidates and they are on the spectrum, they will need support from without the threat of legal to continue a conversation that Woods said began before the riedextends history with access beyond Election Day. e they voters education partners. primary. For the Wayne County Black Democratic Caucus, action, many wonder and infrom medi“If we inclusion don’t participate the beginning, we do our-

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it is part of a larger effort to put political education, direct selves a disservice.” engagement, and community participation at the center of Woods alsoadopts said El-Sayed voters committee The Black health islature it. needs to approach the 2026 election. directly and recognize that support has torecommends be earned. “El-Sayed needs to be our next senator, and we’re gonna Increase school fund- for one, he knows reviewing “He doesn’t take it for granted. That’s state be doing more licensure policies to with him going forward until Election Day to changes to he ing: has toStatutory earn our support.” ensure that 1 address the barriers thatBlack people in Wayne County know who he is, increase SchoolYes,” Aid “Is it going tothe be difficult? Woods said. “But when what he stands for, and they feel comfortable enough to go o have weFund Black– psychologists face byagainst at least line uprevenue what he’s up –Mike Rogers there’s a to the polls and give him a vote in November.”

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$3.6 billion and establish a permanent weighted funding formula based on n and student and community and page universal preal jus- needs From A-1 (0-3). recom- school Onwenu didn’t endorse El-Sayed or ection StevensReject during the general election.in censorship analy- history Some who voted for U.S. Rep. EnHaley instruction: say El-Sayed directly th the Stevens couraging Gov. must Whitmer them before they’re comfortAttor- engage tosupporting ensure the goal for able him. Stevens, within chigan Michigan schools should 24 hours, got behind El-Sayed’s camLaw paign, be but history instruction some surrogates haven’t ndards been as quick to come together. that is presented by prociation fessionals “I feel moved with by Abdul’s the commitsubcutors ment everyone has jectto making mattersure expertise, that healthcare is a human olders healthcare, pedagogical skills, and I’ve been moved by Bernie’s comct and right. judgment necessary to mitment on that front for a very long gically. time. present inforIt’s one of complex the reasons why I was Bernie Sanders’ delegate in 2020 to students thatis war- at mation known whatinit feels like are I’ve grounded provHouse because be worried able factsabout and whether add to you’re the ations to going to be able to see a doctor or not.” of modhear- understanding Black voters largely sided with ern-day America. d other Stevens, the establishment-backed ld ban candidate, in the nationally televised Increase mental health on Aug.for 4. Some who of no- primary supports thevoters Black to the Michigan Chronicle said knock spoke community: Recommenddidn’t believe El-Sayed could beat ng the they ing Others Michigan sethisa decision goal Rogers. criticized o pass to of voteincreasing Uncommittedthe in thenumber Feb. 2024 m and primary election.mental health of Black mer to service Politicos say that El-Sayed must providers by 20% he leg- wineach over ayear majority of five those years. voters in over

Unite the Party

order to beat Rogers in November. Michigan Black Legislative Caucus Chair Keith Williams, in a statement, said Democrats must unite instead of continuing “fight yesterday’s primapeopletobelieve that they 1 ry need battles.” to for themselves races. “I think that for lot better of older and others to alive voters, there is a there is an assumpansfor- lives.” tion that there is this sort of radical p as a there is“Chancellor Iveryin what is a radicalism infused h that so amany youngtransformational people are calling for,” true change Onwenu said.and “I feelan welloutstandpositioned to leader and to bridge that gap to say e sys- explain ing folks CEO, is more have who asked them for the stanc- young than worthy of the CEO that of same things, the same promises erating ourthe Yearhas Award heall just recountry given you we want Ivory to ceived, be able to“afford home,James we want said aProf. be able to provide for our family mation- to C. Mays, who teaches one job… We want to be able to t just with and notentrepreneurship be at war and be sent off to war o cer- because supply chain our leaders have managemade stupid s them decisions.” ment at WCCCD’s Corpoiew of rate College. “In message his 27is Onwenu said Abdul’s American.” nd ex- “deeply years at WCCCD, Dr. Ivery “It is deeply rootedWCCCD in so manytoof e that has elevated things thatnationally older generations have ecause thebecome recogbeen fighting for, and I think, in parwhat ticular, nized forAfrican excellence in the Americanand comcreate munity,” innovation and preparing Onwenu said. “Abdul has a a every- long our students professionhistory of serving our communi-

Curtis Ivery

entire ecause

ally and personally to do great things in the world.”

in obtaining licensure in Michigan. ties as a public health official.” Ensure equitable disContentious primary cycle tribution of state health The endorsement from Sanders is funds: Ensure all Michicoming after an expensive state Senate gan communities with a primary that saw one Moroun-connectsignificant popued PAC, DetroitBlack Next, spend $20,000 on mail pieces backingadequate Onwenu. lation receive Aiyash Onwenu as outside funds toblasted address mental groups spent money on more than a health issues. dozen mailers, several billboards and Protecting BlackOnwenu. voting One digital ads promoting mailer attacked Aiyash, the former rights: Urge state officials Democratic floorinleader, to remain House vigilant the as “MAGA.” fight against schemes to Aiyash also attacked Onwenu for disenfranchise Michiganrefusing to call Israel’s war in Gaza a ders of color. genocide, pointing to pro-Israel donors as the reason why. “BLAC members have “It is ahard question whether worked to about identify you have the moral clarity and the needs of the Blackcourage to stand up to moneyed interests,” community and we feel Aiyash said. these recommendations And Onwenu attacked Aiyash for will provide not doing more atosolid supportfirst Kamala Harris’ presidential step towards campaign. breaking The two debated in their credentials down barriers educaoutside of a June candidate forum and tion, community safety, outside of the polls in Lincoln Park on health and business,” Election Day. said BLAC Co-Chair Dr. Public disclosure shows Michigan Donna L. Bell. Energy First doled out $50,000 to Detroit Nextwill in June, a group funded BLAC hold a virlargely town by DTEhall Energy. DTE Energy tual meeting is a major contributor to Michigan to discuss its policy Energy First, according to recreporting ommendations on Thursfrom the Detroit News, which obday, 12 at annual 4 p.m.taxJoin tainedMay the group’s filing. BLAC and a virtual audiThe dynamics in the race between Onwenuin and discussing Aiyash seemed similar ence the to the top of the ticket. But Election recommendations toonsupDay, thousands of El-Sayed voters also port Black communivoted the for Onwenu. ty. Of the Democratic candidates the super PAC supported, justin Arthur BLAC is housed the Harrington in the 9th District came Michigan Department of up short. The other candidates supported Labor and Economic Opby the group won their races. portunity. Members repOnwenu says he ran a grassroots resent professional campaignmany that knocked over 55,000 backgrounds, doors. The League including of Conservation Voters also phone-banked on his economics, law, public behalf. He and Aiyash said they would safety, health and wellstand up to utility companies. ness, arts and culture and Onwenu also pointed to the $1,000 media. They leverage their he donated to the Michiganders for experiences and expertise Money out of Politics ballot initiative to that make would endrecommendacertain dark money spending. candidates tions to He thesays governor oncan’t control what outside groups choose critical issues affecting to do. the Black community. “You can’t really control what outlearn more sideTo organizations do, andabout that’s partially because our campaign finance BLAC and this upcoming event, visit www.michigan.gov/BLAC.

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Detroit Public Schools Community District Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs provide individualized services, specialized instruction, and therapeutic supports designed to meet students’ unique learning, developmental, and health needs—while honoring family voice and student strengths. The district notes that “Our Exceptional Student Education (ESE) team works closely with families to ensure students with IEPs, 504 plans, and Gifted & Talented needs get the right support—so they can access strong academics, meaningful opportunities, and full school experiences.” Dr. Weems says parents should never be ashamed to ask questions, seek evaluations, or advocate for services that can help their child thrive. “Back-to-school season should not only be about backpacks and school supplies,” added Dr. Weems. “It should also be about emotional readiness, developmental wellness, mental health awareness, and making sure every child has the support they deserve to succeed.” The Michigan Alliance for Families is a statewide resource to connect families of children with disabilities to resources to help improve their children’s education. They help facilitate parent involvement as a means of improving educational services and outcomes for students with disabilities. Prior to the start of a new school year, the Alliance hosts webinars to help parents prepare. This year’s sessions included preparing a student snapshot that shares your child’s interests, strengths, and needs with their IEP team and other staff who support them. Other workshops focused on building effective communication skills with real-life scenarios and practical strategies, exploring ways to organize, calm nerves, get excited, and set expectations, as well as tips and tricks to make your life and school day more manageable and set up for success. The organization also has parent mentors who can help you navigate the system, but they can also help you be more involved in your child’s education. Dr. Weems says, “I also encourage families to tour the campus, identifying the classrooms, so that familiarity will help, especially when the child is meeting the educators and the teachers, becoming familiar with their environment,” She adds, “that significantly reduces uncertainty. But, also remember that you understand your child the best. No one can tell you about your child better than you can.” She does add that it is, however, always important for parents to share information, communication preferences, and sensory sensitivities. “What are the child’s triggers, and that also helps with building those strategies to help the student prepare for the success with the education, so with the IEP, that is a team that the principal, the teachers, the the you know it could be the gym teacher, all of the people that are involved in the educational plan sit for a meeting at the beginning of school year.” Finally, Dr. Weems notes that many of the tools that are important for neurodivergent kids are also important for all children. “You really can’t speak about autism without speaking about mental health because emotional triggers and dysregulation can affect us all.” She adds, “So it’s important to teach children to have an emotional vocabulary. You have to teach children to say, “Why are you frustrated? Are you feeling overwhelmed?’ Just practicing some of those words, because many times, they often don’t understand what the triggers are and why they are feeling the way that they’re feeling.” Many professionals advise having conversations with children before school starts about what their emotional challenges look like and how they can selfsoothe. “It’s also good if teachers are familiar with deep breathing techniques, sensory tools, weighted blankets, all of those things, quiet spaces, all of that is really significant when you’re trying to manage behavioral concerns, even with children that are not on the spectrum.” For help or resources with your special needs child, visit the Michigan Alliance for Families website at: michiganallianceforfamilies.org/. You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@MIChronicle.com.

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laws, federally and at the state level, are broken,” Onwenu said. “And I hope to be a part of that movement and a part of that solution to fix our campaign finance systems and our ethics of transparency issues as a state generally.” Michigan Working Families Party director Branden Snyder, who endorsed Aiyash, said the outside spending made the difference in the race. “Time will tell if he actually if (Onwenu) actually delivers on what his values or will he fall in line with the people who donated to him,” Snyder said. “We would like to meet with him he’s going to have to like build relationships with folks because a whole lot of folks endorsed differently than him.” Sanders’s endorsement is a ‘full circle moment’ “Bernie’s team reached out on Wednesday after the election, and said that they wanted to support,” Onwenu said. “As somebody who is rooted in so many parts of our party that are oftentimes being pitted against each other, and so I really want to be somebody who can bring folks together that includes our party to make sure that we deliver for work with people.” Onwenu said that his progressive values are rooted in policy demands and agendas of folks who’ve come before him. “I think the thing that brings all of our communities together, across race, across religion, across ideology, it should be this relentless focus on rebuilding our economy to actually work for Americans.” Sanders, in a statement, said that Onwenu has always been a champion for Michigan’s working class. “I am proud to endorse Justin Onwenu for Michigan State Senate,” Sanders said. “Michigan is the birthplace of America’s middle class, and we need fighters like Justin to help reorient our politics around the needs of working people. “Through his leadership as a community organizer, attorney, and in the labor movement, Justin has always been a relentless champion for Michigan’s working class. He understands that, in the richest country in human history, no American should worry about healthcare or struggle to afford basic necessities.” You can reach Sam at srobinson@ michronicle.com.

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A3 | August 19-25, 2026

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Reliable energy for every season in Detroit When most people think about natural gas, heating your home in the winter is the first thing that comes to mind. But natural gas plays an important role in your daily life all year long, even when there isn’t snow in Detroit’s forecast. While you may not be using your furnace in the summer, natural gas powers many of the things you and your family rely on every day. Water heaters continue warming up water for showers and baths, dishwashers and laundry. Gas-powered dryers help your family keep up with laundry after outdoor adventures and summer activities. And natural gas stoves and ovens help keep your family fed, no matter the season.

Serving up support after the storm

D

uring DTE’s recent storm restoration efforts, our support in the community went well beyond the work happening on poles, wires and in the field. In some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, DTE’s Community Engagement team worked with local food trucks, restaurants and small businesses to provide meals, refreshments and a moment of relief for customers experiencing extended outages. Food truck partners served 7,500 meals in communities where restoration crews were deployed. Vendors including Hashi Hibachi, Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck, Shawarma Chef, Tacos El Panda and Taqueria Nena’s helped make sure DTE customers had access to fresh meals while our crews continued working safely to bring power back. In order to create a welcoming space for the community to gather during the outages, the Community Engagement team reached out with family-focused activities. Detroit Metro Ice Cream & Party Rentals LLC, Prime BBQ, Kona Ice of Ypsilanti and Amyzing Faces & Fun joined the effort, bringing additional food and refreshment options plus activities to keep kids entertained in impacted neighborhoods. Community Engagement’s effort also supported local businesses in heavily affected communities like Monroe and Dearborn. In Monroe, the team partnered with Slice of Italy to provide approximately 200 meals to customers. In Dearborn, 750 food vouchers were purchased through The Canteen at Midtown, giving customers the option to choose a meal and drink from food trucks and vendors throughout a food hall. For customers navigating the stress of an outage, the meals were a reminder that DTE teams were not only working to restore service but also looking for meaningful ways to care for people during a difficult time.

“Some of the longest days ended up being some of the most meaningful,” said Issra Mehdi, Senior Strategist, Community Engagement. “Being out in our communities during the storms, hearing people’s stories, listening to their frustrations and providing resources and relief to families who needed it put so much into perspective. Seeing the gratitude on people’s faces and knowing I could bring their voices and experiences back into the conversations at our company is something I’ll always be proud of.” While DTE is proud to support its customers after storms, the company’s ultimate goal is to prevent outages before they happen. That is why DTE is working to build a smarter, stronger and more resilient electric grid, with a commitment to reducing power outages by 30% while cutting outage time in half by 2029. The plan includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. This prevention work is designed to make a difference before severe weather arrives. Smart technology can help pinpoint damage, reroute power and restore many customers within minutes while crews make repairs. Stronger poles, wires and equipment are being installed to better withstand extreme weather, and tree trimming

For more than 175 years, DTE has provided Detroit with safe, reliable and affordable natural gas service that powers these everyday moments. Throughout the year, DTE plans ahead to make sure enough natural gas is available for their 1.4 million customers. DTE buys gas from all over the country and stores it in Michigan’s unique underground reservoirs. This lets DTE purchase natural gas up to three years before it’s needed, and buy when gas demand is lower, like during the summer. This also means DTE can secure the most abundant and price-stable supply for their customers, and protect you from price changes when you use more gas in the winter. DTE also continues to invest in the safety and reliability of our natural gas system. DTE maintains more than 23,000 miles of pipeline across the state and regularly check it for needed repairs and improvements. A key part of this effort is their Gas Renewal Program, a long-term investment in the city of Detroit and elsewhere to replace older pipes with newer, corrosion-resistant materials. These upgrades enhance safety, reduce emissions and prevent leaks from aging infrastructure. Even in the summer, this work continues in your neighborhood and across ther gas service territory, helping to ensure the gas system stays reliable for future generations. It also helps to ensure that your family has natural gas service you can depend on through every season.

helps prevent outages caused by limbs and branches contacting electric equipment. Storm response takes many forms, and this effort showed the impact of pairing safe restoration work with the strength of community partnerships. By working alongside local businesses, DTE helped support customers, uplift small business owners and show what it means to be there for the neighborhoods we serve. At the same time, DTE is continuing the reliability improvement work that will help customers experience fewer interruptions and faster restoration when severe weather strikes.

At DTE Energy, Detroit youth are discovering career paths where they belong Today’s youth often find it difficult to envision a future where they belong. However, for over a decade, the City of Detroit’s Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) program has helped change that by connecting local youth with paid work experiences that open doors to new possibilities. Through partnerships with organizations like DTE Energy, GDYT gives young people ages 14 to 24 exposure to a wide range of in-demand careers in Detroit and across Michigan. DTE is currently hosting 19 GDYT program participants, who, together with our employee volunteer mentors, are learning how our company provides safe, reliable, and affordable energy to homes and businesses in communities across Michigan. In addition, their six-week immersive learning journey includes essential workplace skills building, such as public speaking, while also how

best to pursue the available skilled trades and office career paths. Most importantly, the experience helps students recognize Michigan’s energy industry as one of many places where their talents, interests, and ambitions can belong. “Career awareness is one of the most important steps in helping young people imagine what’s possible for their future,” said Stephanie S ­ tevenson, DTE Manager of Inclusion Strategies and Workforce Development. “Through programs like GDYT, we can connect students to meaningful career pathways while creating experiences that inspire both our students and our employees. The learning truly goes both ways.” Together, with organizations across Detroit and metro-Detroit, companies like DTE reinforce the importance of providing immersive, onsite learning that invests in Detroit’s young talent.

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The Last Generation to Start from Zero

By Dr. Anthony O. Kellum CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Perhaps success is becoming the last generation that has to start from zero. I have been thinking about that idea lately because it challenges something deeply embedded in the American definition of achievement. We tend to measure progress by how far a person travels in a single lifetime, the neighborhood they escaped, the degree they earned, the profession they entered, the income they eventually commanded. For Black Americans especially, there is understandable pride attached to being first the first in the family to graduate from college, to become a doctor, to own a business, to buy a home, to reach the executive suite. But what happens after the first? That question interests me more than the achievement itself. Because there is another form of success that receives considAnthony O. Kellum erably less attention, creating a family in which being first eventually becomes unnecessary. A child who inherits a stable home does not begin where their parents began. A young entrepreneur whose family owns a commercial building approaches risk differently from one whose first obligation is paying rent. A college graduate who leaves school without having to financially rescue the generation before him has choices that another equally talented graduate may not have. A family that owns land, businesses, investments or income-producing property possesses something more consequential than money. They possess a different starting point. We like to imagine America primarily as a meritocracy of finish lines. Work hard enough, become educated enough, make the correct decisions and eventually you will arrive. There is truth in that, but wealth operates according to another logic, wealth is deeply influenced by where the race begins. An inheritance does not have to arrive as a million-dollar check sometimes inheritance is simply the absence of a burden. It is graduating without debt, it is living in a family-owned property while starting a business, it is receiving $30,000 toward a first home, it is having parents who can help rather than parents who require help, it is inheriting a duplex with a mortgage nearly paid off, a piece of land purchased decades earlier, shares in a family business, or simply the knowledge of how money works. None of those advantages guarantees success but they create room for it. We talk about wealth as though its principal benefit is a larger house, a better automobile, better vacations, and a more comfortable retirement. But the deeper value of wealth is optionality. Wealth gives people the ability to make decisions based on opportunity rather than immediate necessity. A person with assets can sometimes afford to wait, they can turn down the wrong job, they can survive a business failure, they can relocate for an opportunity, they can help a child with a down payment, they can think in decades because every decision does not have to solved by Friday. The Federal Reserve’s most recent comprehen-

See INHERITANCE Page A-7

MoveDetroit Introduces ‘Neighborhood Ambassadors’ to Help Tell Detroit’s Story By Biba Adams STAFF REPORTER

Detroit is a city with thousands of stories. Now, new Neighborhood Ambassadors will be tasked with telling them. MoveDetroit, the city’s first-of-its-kind talent retention and attraction initiative, recently announced its inaugural class of Neighborhood Ambassadors – entrepreneurs, architects, authors, small business owners and community advocates who reflect the breadth and diversity of Detroit’s neighborhoods. The inaugural cohort of 16 ambassadors was chosen from more than 300 nominations and will bring unique perspectives spanning generations, industries, and communities. “Detroit’s momentum has always been powered by Detroiters,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. “Our inaugural Neighborhood Ambassadors reflect the diversity and determination of our neighborhoods, and they embody exactly why people choose to stay in Detroit, return to Detroit, and move to Detroit. I’m grateful to each of them for helping show the world why there’s no place like home.” The ambassadors are entrepreneurs, architects, authors, small business owners, and community advocates. Serving as authentic voices for the city, these volunteer ambassadors will help guide marketing strategies, engage with city leadership, and spotlight neighborhood culture. Norris Howard III, a lifelong Detroiter who was born and raised in the city’s Brightmoor neighborhood, is among the inaugural group. He is a co-host of the popular Daily Detroit podcast, where he actively amplifies Detroit’s stories while helping to shape the city’s future, and he works with Distill Social, highlighting Michigan’s politics. Howard’s advocacy is rooted in lived experience and community dedication. “I’m truly honored that my fellow Detroiters nominated me for this special position, and I hope to share the stories of not just Brightmoor but the city as a whole,” said Howard. “I was blessed enough to be born and raised in beautiful and bountiful Detroit and I intend to wear the MoveDetroit Neighborhood Ambassador badge with pride everywhere I go.” “Our city’s greatest asset will always be Detroiters — the true spirit of the city lives within the people who call Detroit home,” said Hilary Doe, President and CEO of MoveDetroit. “This incredible group of ambassadors embodies the passion, resilience, creativity, and pride that shapes our community. Whether they are lifelong residents or newcomers who moved here to build a brighter future, each one is deeply committed to uplifting their neighborhood and helping others experience the very best our city has to offer.” Inaugural Neighborhood Ambassadors also include:

■ Alicia Martinez, founding member of the Bagley Neighborhood Association ■ Asia Williams, a born-and-raised Detroiter, architectural designer, community developer, and founder of SHE DZNS ■ Bre Williamson, president of the North Corktown Neighborhood Association ■ Rohani Foulkes, Australian-born Owner and Founder of Folk. Founded in 2018, Folk is a James Beard Award–nominated cafe and wine shop in Corktown. ■ Darnell Adams, vice president of Detroit Community Initiatives at the Gilbert Family Foundation ■ Elizabeth Hunter, community leader and strategic advocate for youth advancement, housing, and workforce mobility ■ Jacqueline “Jackie” Perkins, a grassroots community leader, organizer and neighborhood advocate on Detroit’s east side. She serves as a community project planner in Great Communities Now, an organization she helped launch in 2014. ■ Karen Walker, a lifelong Detroiter, Spirit of Detroit recipient, Ford retiree, outreach volunteer with St. Patrick Senior Center, and volunteer with Make Food Not Waste ■ Lisa Kim, a Los Angeles native who relocated to Detroit, arts and culture champion, and co-founder of Detroit Asian Collective ■ Makese Taylor, a community caregiver and advocate for Detroit families ■ Mariah Mitchell, a visual artist and independent art curator ■ Reo Ramsey, an avid cyclist, entrepreneur, and community leader ■ Risonna Perkins, a community literacy advocate, children’s author, and founder of the Detroit-based educational brand Meet the Buzzbees, and Ready To Read Rimel ■ Sparkle Berry, director of the Stoudamire Wellness Hub, part of the Eastside Community Network, and community coordinator for District 4 alongside Detroit Champions for Hope ■ Tam Wilson, director of marketing at Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC Detroit), Michigan’s only HBCU and the only design-focused HBCU in the nation The MoveDetroit Ambassador program is not Detroit’s first foray into storytelling. Michigan Chronicle Editor-at-Large, Aaron Foley, was the city’s first Chief Storyteller appointed in 2017. He was succeeded by Eric Thomas in 2020. Similar to this program, the role was to highlight the vibrant people, neighborhoods, and small businesses of the city, countering often-narrow mainstream narratives. You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@MIChronicle.com.

Money Matters: The Business Questions Candidates Must Answer By Mark S. Lee CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

As Michigan’s races for governor and the U.S. Senate accelerate, business leaders are paying less attention to campaign slogans and more attention to economic substance. Whether they run a manufacturing plant, family-owned restaurant, technology company or startup, employers are asking a straightforward question: Who has the clearest plan to help Michigan businesses grow, hire, and compete? Political differences will dominate campaign ads and debates. But in boardrooms and break rooms, the conversation is much more practical. Businesses want certainty, predictability, and policies that allow them to make long-term investments. That matters because 96.2% of Michigan’s private businesses employ fewer than 50 workers, according to the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. What candidates propose for business, therefore, affects far more than large corporations. So, what are employers looking for – and what should candidates be required to answer? A Stronger Workforce Michigan businesses continue to struggle to find qualified workers. The National Federation of Independent Business reports that 32% of small-business owners have job openings they cannot fill. From skilled trades and manufacturing to healthcare and technology, employers want candidates to address career and technical education, apprenticeships, higher education partnerships, and strategies to attract and retain

young professionals. Candidates should be required to answer: How will your administration produce more skilled workers – and how will you measure whether your workforce strategy is working? Infrastructure That Supports Commerce Roads remain important, but Michigan’s economic infrastructure extends well Mark S. Lee beyond pavement. Businesses depend on bridges, ports, airports, broadband, water systems, and public transit. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, for example, reinforces Michigan’s role as a critical gateway for North American trade. Candidates should be required to answer: Which infrastructure investments will you prioritize, how will you pay for them, and what economic return should businesses and taxpayers expect? Predictable Taxes and Regulations Business leaders can adapt to many policies when they know what to expect. What makes investment difficult is uncertainty. Small businesses want streamlined regulations, faster permitting, and tax policies that encourage growth rather than add administrative burdens. Candidates should be required to answer: What will you do to make Michigan’s tax and regulatory environment more predictable and competitive? Support for Entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs remain one of Michigan’s

greatest economic assets. But starting and growing a business requires more than an idea. Access to capital, technical assistance, affordable commercial space, and procurement opportunities can determine whether a small business survives – or scales. Candidates should be required to answer: What specifically will you do to help Michigan entrepreneurs start, grow, and create jobs? Economic Development and Healthcare Costs Michigan has invested billions of dollars to attract major employers. Strategic incentives can create jobs and investment, but businesses and taxpayers increasingly want transparency and measurable results. At the same time, healthcare costs remain a major challenge for employers, particularly small businesses operating on thin margins. Candidates should be required to answer: What measurable return should taxpayers expect from economic development incentives, and what is your plan to make healthcare more affordable for employers and workers? Where Michigan Stands Michigan has demonstrated that it can compete. CNBC recently ranked Michigan No. 6 in America for Business, including No. 4 for cost of doing business and No. 9 for infrastructure. But according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state ranked No. 21 in

workforce and No. 24 in economy. Those numbers tell an important story. Michigan doesn’t necessarily need to reinvent its economic strategy. It needs to improve in the areas where it is falling behind. Candidates should be required to answer: What are the two or three economic weaknesses you would tackle first – and how will Michigan know whether you’ve succeeded? The Bottom Line Michigan’s business community isn’t looking for the loudest campaign message. It’s looking for the clearest economic roadmap. Employers want candidates who can explain how they will strengthen the workforce, improve infrastructure, reduce uncertainty, support entrepreneurs, control rising costs and make Michigan more competitive. The ultimate question for voters – and especially for the people who create Michigan’s jobs – is simple: What is your plan, how much will it cost, and how will we know if it worked? The candidates who can answer those questions with specificity – not slogans – will earn more than votes. They’ll earn the confidence of the people responsible for driving Michigan’s economic future. We invite readers, business owners, and future entrepreneurs to follow along, ask questions, and engage. If you have story ideas or questions, you can email Lee at mark@leegroupinnovation.com or visit leegroupinnovation.com.

Page A-6 | August 19-25, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Inheritance From page A-1

sive Survey of Consumer Finances found that the typical White family held roughly six times the wealth of the typical Black family in 2022. There was encouraging movement beneath that number Black ownership of homes, stocks and businesses increased but the underlying disparity remained enormous. There is another number that helps explain why these gaps can be so stubborn. Federal Reserve research found that nearly 30 percent of White families had received an inheritance or substantial gift, compared with about 10 percent of Black families, and among families receiving inheritance, White families tended to receive larger amounts. That difference is not merely about what one generation receives. It affects what that generation is capable of leaving this is where the mathematics of legacy becomes unforgiving. A family that inherits capital can invest sooner. A family that invests sooner benefits from more years of appreciation and compounding. Those assets can then become collateral for additional assets. A house can produce equity that helps purchase another property. A business can finance another enterprise. Land acquired before development arrives can become valuable decades later. Capital creates the possibility of additional capital. Meanwhile, the family beginning with nothing may be doing everything right and still spending its most productive years creating the foundation another family inherited. That is why income alone cannot tell us whether a family is becoming wealthy. There are Black households today earning incomes their grandparents could scarcely have imagined. That is genuine progress. But a household earning $200,000 while building few transferable assets may ultimately leave less economic power behind than a household earning considerably less than spending 30 years acquiring property, investments and businesses. The distinction becomes especially important now because America is approaching an extraordinary economic transition. Cerulli Associates now estimates that roughly $124 trillion could transfer between generations and to charities between 2024 and 2048, an increase from its earlier $84 trillion projection. Rising values of financial assets and real estate are major reasons the estimate has grown so dramatically. Think about what that actually means. While much of America is discussing wages, inflation, interest rates and affordability and understandably so another economy is operating quietly underneath it. Houses purchased in 1987 are becoming inheritances. Businesses started in 1994 are changing hands. Stock portfolios accumulated over forty years are moving to children. Land purchased when nobody wanted it now sits in the path of development. It changes how we think about the family home. Perhaps the first instinct should not always be to sell Grandma’s house and divide the proceeds. Sometimes the more important question is whether that property can remain an asset. It changes how entrepreneurs think about real estate. If you operate the same business in the same neighborhood for twenty years, should the next generation inherit only the business or the building beneath it? It changes how we think about land. Some property does not need to produce an immediate return to have strategic value. Sometimes patience itself is the investment. It even changes how we think about lifestyle. There is nothing inherently wrong with enjoying the fruits of one’s labor. Wealth without living is merely accumulation. But there is a difference between enjoying success and consuming all evidence that success ever occurred. An abundance mindset is sometimes misunderstood as simply believing there is enough opportunity for everyone. I think it requires something more demanding: believing that my economic decisions should extend beyond my own lifetime. That means replacing some short-term questions with longer ones.

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• Not merely, can I afford this, but what will this become? • Not merely, how much do I make, but how much of what I make becomes ownership? • Not merely, what can I buy, but what can I build that remains after me? Property belongs at the center of that philosophy, but property should be understood broadly. A home matters. So does a rental property, a business, land, intellectual property, equities and ownership in enterprises that can appreciate and transfer. The objective is not to worship real estate. The objective is to understand the difference between earning money and converting some portion of that money into things capable of outliving the person who earned it. At roughly half a percent of Black America’s population, we are talking about hundreds of thousands of people. If those households began accumulating

even one additional meaningful asset – a home, rental property, parcel of land, business interest or investment portfolio – the immediate effect would matter but the more interesting effect would not appear on next year’s balance sheet. It would appear 20 or 30 years from now. Children would inherit property instead of merely photographs of the house where their grandparents once lived. Young entrepreneurs would inherit capital along with ambition. Families would enter difficult economic periods with assets they could borrow against rather than desperation they had to borrow through. Some children would still fail others would squander opportunities, there are no guarantees in capitalism or in families. For generations, Black America understandably celebrated how far we had traveled from where history placed us. There is

another stage of economic maturity, however, in which progress is measured not only by distance traveled but by how much of that distance the next generation does not have to travel again. That is legacy. Legacy is not the amount of money people remember you having. It is the amount of struggle your decisions made unnecessary for someone who came after you. The goal is not to raise children who never have to work. Work has dignity, discipline and purpose. The goal is to raise generations whose work can begin at a higher level because someone before them built the floor. •M aybe your grandparents couldn’t do it. •M aybe your parents didn’t know how. •M aybe circumstances required everything they earned simply to survive. •B ut somebody eventually has to interrupt the pattern.

•S omebody buys the first property. •S omebody keeps the land. •S omebody starts the company. •S omebody creates the estate plan. To live well, certainly. To accomplish something meaningful, absolutely. But also to reach the end of one’s economic life knowing that the people coming behind us will have problems of their own to solve just not all of ours. Perhaps success is becoming the last generation that has to start from zero, and perhaps Property is Power is ultimately about making certain that once a family finally builds something worth keeping, it never has to start from nothing again. Property is Power! Property is Power! is a movement to promote home and community ownership. Studies indicate homeownership leads to higher graduation rates, family wealth, and community involvement.

michiganchronicle.com | August 19-25, 2026 | Page A-7

Black Church Coalition Urges Congress to Advance Hepatitis C Elimination Bills By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR

For a disease that can be cured in weeks, hepatitis C continues to take a disproportionate toll on Black Americans, prompting two national health organizations to call on Congress to make treatment more accessible. The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) and the American Clinical Health Disparities Commission (ACHDC) are urging lawmakers to pass legislation aimed at eliminating hepatitis C in the United States, including H.R. 9682, the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026. The House measure was introduced last month by U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Iowa Republican, with Democratic Reps. Diana DeGette of Colorado and Hank Johnson of Georgia and Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska as cosponsors. The bill was referred to several House committees, including Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, Natural Resources and Ways and Means. The Senate has its own version, S. 1941, introduced in 2025 by Sens. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, and Chris Van

Hollen, a Maryland Democrat. That bill remains with the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee after being referred there in June 2025. For Rev. Anthony Evans, president of NBCI, the availability of effective treatment makes the continued burden of the virus especially urgent. “We have a cure for Hep C, why are we not making it available to all Americans? This Congress should know that this is one of the issues African Americans will be taking to the polls come November,” Evans said. The concern is rooted in longstanding disparities. Research published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found hepatitis C prevalence among non-Hispanic Black people at 1.8%, compared with 0.8% among people of other races. The study also estimated that 23% of prevalent hepatitis C infections occurred among non-Hispanic Black people, while the group represented about 12% of the U.S. population in the study period. Mortality data tell another part of the story. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the hepatitis C-related death rate among Black

Americans was 4.03 deaths per 100,000 people in 2023, compared with 2.40 per 100,000 among white Americans. The disease remains difficult to detect because many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. The CDC estimates that more than 2.4 million people in the United States had hepatitis C during 2017-2020, while reported cases capture only a portion of infections. H.R. 9682 seeks to address that gap through a national elimination program. Among its provisions is a subscription-style purchasing model intended to expand access to direct-acting antiviral medications. The legislation also addresses cost-sharing and prior authorization barriers for certain

populations, including people covered by Medicaid, uninsured individuals and patients receiving care through the Indian Health Service. Funding would support screening, diagnosis and “test-to-treat” efforts through state, local, tribal and correctional health systems. Those medications have transformed hepatitis C treatment. The CDC reports that direct-acting antiviral therapies can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C, generally with an eight- to 12week course of treatment. Without treatment, chronic infection can lead to serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. The policy push comes as the nation continues to see progress against hepatitis C mortality. The CDC reported 11,194 hepatitis

C-related deaths in 2023, down from 12,717 in 2022. Still, the agency notes that death certificate data likely underestimate the toll because hepatitis C is not always listed as a cause of death. NBCI, a coalition representing 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities and 27.7 million members, says its work centers on addressing racial disparities in health care and other areas. ACHDC works with clinicians and clergy on health education, clinical trial participation and efforts to address health inequities. For the organizations, the legislation is an opportunity to connect an effective medical treatment with the people who still face barriers to receiving it.

Detroit at Work Hires Ira Thompson II as New CFO The City of Detroit’s workforce agency, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC), recently hired Ira Thompson II as Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Thompson II will serve as a strategic partner to the interim president, executive leadership team, and the DESC Board of Directors. He will provide leadership across budgeting, accounting, grant management, procurement, financial reporting, compliance, and internal controls. He will also enhance fiscal processes and align local resources with DESC’s mission and longterm priorities. “We are thrilled to welcome Ira Thompson II as DESC’s Chief Financial Officer,” said Terri Weems, Interim President of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation and Special Advisor to the Mayor on Workforce. “Ira brings exceptional finance expertise, strategic insight and a collaborative leadership style that will strengthen the organization as we advance Mayor Mary Sheffield’s vision of economic Ira Thompson II opportunity for every Detroiter. Ira’s commitment to excellence comes at an important time for our organization. His experience will be invaluable in ensuring our financial sustainability, enhancing operational excellence and positioning DESC to maximize its impact.” Ira brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience across federal agencies, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit and healthcare-related organizations. He has served as Chief Financial Officer and senior financial executive for multiple organizations, providing strategic leadership through periods of growth, transformation, and organizational change. Throughout his career, he has strengthened internal controls, improved organizational performance, supported audit readiness, and translated financial information into clear, actionable strategies for executive leaders and boards. Thompson II joined DESC in mid-July after serving as Complex Financial Controller for International Paper. As the senior finance executive for the company’s Indiana manufacturing operations, he provided full financial leadership for more than $60 million in capital investments, which was part of the business arm generating nearly $800 million in annual revenue. Through Detroit at Work, DESC provides employer engagement, job placement, and supportive services to Detroit residents. It also operates seven brick-and-mortar career centers throughout the city and has extended services to its Flex Locations at neighborhood libraries and non-profit organizations citywide. The organization also hosts several job fairs at its career centers monthly. “I am pleased to join this workforce development organization that is committed to connecting residents to employment opportunities,” said Ira Thompson II, DESC’s CFO. “It is great to return to Michigan to help strengthen the local economy and help to foster a more streamlined business ecosystem.” To further strengthen its financial leadership team, DESC has also hired Geraldine “Geri” Mann as Budget Director and Maleece Barry as Fiscal Planning & Analysis Manager. Geri will provide strategic leadership for the organization’s budgeting, financial planning, grant financial management, procurement oversight, and enterprise financial reporting, helping to support executive decision-making, operational effectiveness, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Maleece will lead the organization’s accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and accountability of financial resources while promoting audit readiness and sound fiscal stewardship.

From left, Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edvebie, Dr. Silas Norman, Board Director, MOTTEP, Lauren Royall of Detroit, Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan and Loretta V. Bush, president and CEO of Authority Health and Authority Health Centers.

Deputy SOS Says ‘Black Lives Are Saved’ at National Minority Donor Awareness Month Event Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edvebie marked the start of National Minority Donor Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation in multicultural communities. He joined a liver transplant recipient and advocates from Authority Health and Gift of Life Michigan to share personal stories and encourage residents to join the millions of Michiganders already listed on the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. “Simply put, Black lives are being saved by organ donation,” said Deputy Secretary of State Edevbie. “That means... more people are given another chance at life, a chance to spend more time with their families, to achieve their dreams, to grow old. Those people deserve those opportunities. By closing the gaps in the numbers, we can save lives within our community and beyond.” “At Authority Health, we know that trusted conversations between patients and their healthcare providers can make all the difference,” said Loretta V. Bush, president and CEO of Authority Health and Authority Health Centers. “National Minority Donor Awareness Month is an important opportunity to ensure our communities have accurate and culturally responsive information about organ, eye and tissue donation. By working together with partners like Gift of Life Michigan, we can help address longstanding gaps in health outcomes and empower people to make informed, lifesaving decisions.” “Michigan has shown that when we invest in education, partner with trusted community organizations and strengthen relationships, we can close gaps and create more opportunities to save lives,” said Dorrie Dils, president and CEO of Gift of Life Michigan. “That investment has led to growth in multicultural registrations and a decline in deaths of those waiting in our state by 45%.” “We have a special task ahead of us,” said Dr. Silas Norman, transplant nephrologist at University of Michigan Health and executive chair of Detroit Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) Board. “You’ve seen and heard the great successes we’ve had over the last 30 years with growth of registered donors from multicultural communities and transplants from that population, which helps everyone. Despite that, we know that there are still some challenges. There are some 2,600 Michiganders who are still waiting for these

lifechanging organs, which is a challenge, but I know we can continue to meet this challenge as we have for the last 30 years, partnering together and working together to make our communities healthier.” At the age of 13, Detroit resident Lauren Royall learned she had elevated liver enzymes during routine blood work and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which ultimately led to cirrhosis of the liver. She experienced symptoms of jaundice, fatigue, nausea, itchiness, rashes, and hyperpigmentation. Around the age of 28, a doctor told Royall she needed a liver transplant. “With my mother’s birthday approaching, I asked her, ‘what would you like for your birthday?’ She responded with, ‘a liver for you,’” said Royall, a liver transplant recipient. “I received my third and final call on Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, and I was successfully transferred the following day on April 22, my mother’s birthday. Words will never express the gratitude and emotions that I feel to be given a second chance and the honor that I have. To my donor and his family, thank you for the gift of life.” Dr. Clive Callender and the National MOTTEP established National Minority Donor Awareness Month in 1996 to shine a light on the health disparities that continue to affect multicultural communities while encouraging conversations about organ, eye and tissue donation. According to Gift of Life Michigan, more than 2,600 people in the state are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Nationally, more than 100,000 are waiting. Nearly 60% of those waiting nationally are from multicultural communities. Since 2020, multicultural registrations on the Donor Registry have grown from 33% to 55%. During that same time frame, transplants for Black patients have increased by 29% while deaths on Michigan’s waiting list for Black patients have dropped by 67%. Gift of Life Michigan is the state’s federally designated organ and tissue recovery program, providing all services necessary for organ donation in Michigan. Anyone can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, regardless of their health or age. Those considering joining are encouraged to discuss the decision with their family. Thanks to the growing registry, deaths on Michigan’s waitlist are down 45%. More information is available online at mi.gov/organdonation and GiftofLifeMichigan.org.

Page A-8 | 081926.qxp_toyota August 19-25, 2026 8/14/26 | michiganchronicle.com toyota michron connector 1:57 PM Page 1

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VISIT YOUR LOCAL MICHIGAN TOYOTA DEALER TODAY! FOR ALL TOYOTA OFFERS AND TO FIND A DEALER NEAR YOU 1. Based on manufacturer estimates, CY 2025 sales. 2. Toyota vehicles and components are built using U.S. and globally sourced parts. 3. All-hybrid 2026 RAV4 AWD Model #4435. Lease based on net cap cost of $32,076. Lease end purchase option $26,426.* 4. All-hybrid 2026 RAV4 (includes RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid – excludes GR Sport). 5.99% APR financing for 60 months with $19.33 per $1,000 and 6.99% APR financing for 72 months with $17.04 per $1,000 borrowed.** 5. Based on manufacturers’ sales data from CY 2002-2025. 6. New 2026 Camry LE FWD Model 2559. Lease based on net cap cost of $28,466. Lease end purchase option $21,557.* 7. New 2026 Camry and new 2026 Corolla (excludes Corolla Cross Gas/Hybrid & GR Corolla). 5.49% APR financing for 60 months with $19.10 per $1,000 and 6.49% APR financing for 72 months with $16.81 per $1,000 borrowed.** 8. Based on manufacturer estimates. Source: Toyota.com. 9. New 2026 Corolla LE Model 1852. Lease based on net cap cost of $21,503. Lease end purchase option $16,816.* 10. Based on manufacturers’ sales data from CY 2005-2025. 11. New 2026 Tacoma SR5 Double Cab 4x4 Model 7540. Lease based on net cap cost of $38,739. Lease end purchase option $31,634* 12. New 2026 Tacoma (includes Hybrid, but excludes TRD Pro & Trailhunter). 4.99% APR financing for 60 months with $18.87 per $1,000 Borrowed.** 13. $500 TFS Standard APR Cash on new 2026 Tacoma SR5 models only, and new 2026 bZ & bZ Woodland. $1,000 TFS Standard APR Cash on new 2026 Tacoma Hybrid Models Only (excludes Trailhunter & TRD Pro). Subject to approved credit when financed through Toyota Financial Services. APR Cash must be applied to deal. Not all customers will qualify – see dealer for details. 14. New 2026 bZ XLE AWD Model 2872. Lease based on net cap cost of $34,874. Lease end purchase option $19,817. Includes $4,000 TFS Lease Subvention Cash.* 15. New 2026 bZ & bZ Woodland. 0% APR Financing for 72 months with $13.89 per $1,000 borrowed.** 16. New 2026 C-HR 1.99% APR for 72 months with $14.75 per $1,000 borrowed.** 17. Based on manufacturer’s data. Source: Toyota.com. 18. Qualified current, active-duty U. S. Military personnel, inactive reserves, veterans honorably discharged within two calendar years of their service discharge date, retired U. S. Military veteran regardless of date of separation from active service, and a spouse/surviving spouse and dependents of an eligible U. S. military personal (including Gold Star Family Members) are eligible for rebates in addition to all other incentives, depending on model, through Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., when leased or financed through Toyota Financial Services. Must take retail delivery from select new dealer stock (TCUV not eligible). The Toyota Military Rebate Program is not compatible with the Toyota College Rebate Program or Lease-End Refinancing Program. See participating dealer or visit toyota.com for complete details. 19. The Toyota College Rebate Program is not compatible with the Military Rebate Program. See participating dealer or visit toyota.com for complete details. Contract cost of $15,514/RAV4 LE AWD, $15,864/Camry LE, $11,664/Corolla LE, $16,214/Tacoma SR5 Double Cab & $18,664/bZ XLE AWD excludes all applicable taxes and government fees. Due at signing includes down payment of $2,021/RAV4 LE AWD, $2,011 Camry LE, $2,131/Corolla LE, $2,001/Tacoma SR5 Double Cab & $1,931/bZ XLE AWD; $750 acquisition fee & documentary service fee of up to $899 (documentary fees vary by state but MI, OH, KY & TN will not exceed $899). Price will vary based on accessories chosen. NO SECURITY DEPOSIT. Subject to approved credit through Toyota Financial Services. * Not all customers will qualify – Tier I PLUS customers ONLY. Other options and dealer charges extra. Your payment may vary depending on final price. Lessee may be charged for excessive wear based on Toyota Financial Services standards for normal use and for mileage in excess of 30,000 miles at the rate of $0.15 per mile (10K low mileage leases). A $350 Disposition Fee is due at lease termination. ** Subject to approved credit thru Toyota Financial Services. Tier 1+ & 1 only. See participating dealer for details. 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 & 19: Must take retail delivery from new 2026 models in dealer stock while supply lasts between 8/4/26 and 8/31/26. Offers may vary by region. Delays in new vehicle shipments not in the control of dealer may impact customer delivery date and offer eligibility. Supply limited. See participating dealer for complete details. Individual dealer prices and document fees may vary. VEHICLE IMAGES USED FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY. Expiration for these offers is 8/31/26.

City ity.. Life ife.. Style. Where City Meets Life and Life Meets Style

B1 | August 19-25, 2026

michiganchronicle.com

The Inner Architecture:

Making Everyday Sacred

By Miss AJ Williams She keeps an altar at home, choosing each object because it means something to her. Some weeks, she sits there every morning. Other weeks, she walks right past it and feels a little guilty for not stopping. She once had a morning routine, too: journaling, stretching, five quiet minutes before the day began. She kept it going for eleven days. Then came an early meeting, a sick child, a morning that didn’t go according to plan. The routine slipped away. A few weeks later, Miss AJ Williams she realized she had stopped and immediately made it mean something about her discipline. She has gone on retreats where she cried deeply, saw herself more clearly, and returned home convinced something inside her had shifted. Then three weeks later, sitting in traffic and snapping at someone she loves, she wondered where all that clarity had gone. It had not gone anywhere. It just had not been tested by an ordinary Tuesday. That is the part we do not always talk about. The altar, those eleven mornings, and the retreat each gave her space to practice being present in a supportive environment. There was quiet. There was intention. There was room to hear herself. But life does not always give us those conditions. Presence eventually has to meet traffic, deadlines, disappointment, and difficult conversations. It also faces the moments after you say something you wish you could take back, or the mornings when you wake up already behind. For years, she had practiced presence in places set apart from her life without realizing the real invitation was to bring what she found there back into her life. When she notices that gap, she might be tempted to decide that the altar was never necessary. Maybe the morning routine was too rigid. Maybe she should learn to “be present” wherever she is. But that misses the point. The altar was never the problem. Neither were the ten quiet minutes in the morning. Those practices teach her body what presence feels like before she is asked to find it in the middle of chaos. We do not expect ourselves to strengthen any other muscle without practice. Presence is no different. The morning ritual is not separate from drinking tea slowly, listening fully when someone is speaking, noticing tension rising in your body before you react, or taking one breath before sending the text you might regret. It is rehearsal for those moments. The shift, then, is not choosing between ritual and real life. It is understanding that they belong together. Dedicated practice builds our capacity for presence. Ordinary life gives us somewhere to use it. We need both. If you keep an altar but never carry that awareness into the rest of your day, you are strengthening a muscle you rarely use. But if you expect yourself to remain grounded in the middle of real life without ever making space to practice grounding, you are asking yourself to perform without preparation. So the altar stays. The quiet ten minutes before the day

See MAKING EVERYDAY SACRED Page B-2

Matthew Knowles Brings Reimagined Destiny’s Child Tribute Experience to Detroit By Biba Adams STAFF REPORTER

Destiny’s Child defined the sound of the early 2000s. Now, the founder of the group (and father of superstar Beyoncé), Dr. Matthew Knowles, will reintroduce the songs, sounds, and stories that made Destiny’s Child iconic. Coming to Detroit on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Masonic Temple — Crystal Ballroom, Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute celebrates the enduring legacy of Destiny’s Child. Presented as part of the acclaimed Candlelight Experience series, the concert transforms beloved hits including “Say My Name,” “Survivor,” “Independent Women,” “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Girl,” “Emotion,” “Lose My Breath,” and some surprise songs into cinematic, emotionally charged performances unlike anything fans have experienced before. The Candlelight Concert Experience is a series of intimate classical music performances held in over 100 cities worldwide. Locally, it illuminates historic Detroit landmarks with thousands of glowing LED candles, where professional string quartets play everything from classical Vivaldi to 90s hip-hop and pop tributes. Guests are encouraged to dress chic, elegant, smart, and ontrend while fully immersing themselves in an unforgettable celebration of resilience, love, confidence, empowerment, and sisterhood, the defining themes woven throughout Destiny’s Child’s music and legacy. “It’s amazing to see everyone dressed up, singing every word and just living in the moment,” Knowles told the Philadelphia Tribune. “For those 70 minutes, nothing else matters.”

The acclaimed live experience reimagines the legendary group’s greatest hits through lush string arrangements, cinematic orchestration, interactive audience participation, and intimate storytelling celebrating one of the most influential female groups of all time. Select cities (including Detroit) will be treated to special narrated appearances by Mathew Knowles, who will share rare and never-before-heard stories behind Destiny’s Child’s rise to global superstardom, the making of the music, and the cultural legacy that continues to influence music, fashion, and entertainment today. The performance coincides with the 25th anniversary of Destiny’s Child’s groundbreaking Survivor album, whose themes of strength, independence, and perseverance continue to resonate with generations of fans worldwide. “The response from fans across the country has been tremendous, with sold-out performances nationwide and audiences embracing the music in such a powerful new way,” says Knowles. Featuring Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams, Destiny’s Child became one of the best-selling female groups of all time, selling more than 240 million records worldwide while inspiring millions through themes of confidence, self-worth, empowerment, and unapologetic individuality. Destiny’s Child: Iconic Reimagined Tribute will come to Masonic Temple — Crystal Ballroom for two performances at 6:30 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. Tickets and more information are available at destinyschildreimaginedtour.com. You can reach Biba at Biba.Adams@MIChronicle.com.

Detroit’s Randi Rossario Takes the Bench With New Tubi Courtroom Series ‘Judge Randi’ By Jasmine West Detroit has seen Randi Rossario behind the microphone, in front of the camera, and building her own lane across media and entrepreneurship. Now, she is taking a seat behind the judge’s bench. The Detroit media personality and television host will premiere her new courtroom series, Judge Randi, on Tubi on Sept. 4, bringing her unmistakable personality to a television format generations of viewers have come to know well. The six-episode first season will center on real-life disputes, disagreements and the kind of complicated situations that can quickly turn a courtroom into must-watch television. But Rossario is not trying to become the next Judge Judy. She is bringing Randi to the courtroom. “Judge Randi is about more than settling disputes,” Rossario said. “I wanted to create some-

thing that felt entertaining, engaging and relatable while still giving people the courtroom experience they love. You’re going to get justice, but you’re also going to get personality, unexpected moments and a whole lot of entertainment.” That personality has long been part of Rossario’s appeal. Known throughout Detroit as a media personality, entrepreneur, content creator and host, Rossario has built a career that crosses television, digital media, business and community-focused work. Judge Randi now places that Detroit-grown career before a national streaming audience. The series follows the familiar rhythm of courtroom television, allowing viewers to hear opposing sides of a dispute, follow the arguments and watch Rossario ultimately determine how each case will be resolved.

See JUDGE RANDI Page B-2

Page B-2 | August 19-25, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Jay Butler’s Decades-Long Detroit Radio Run Concludes More than 60 years after he became a leading voice in the Detroit radio market, Jay Butler retired from WDET 101.9 FM radio on Aug. 2. “This is it,” Butler declared toward the end of his final broadcast. “Before I go, I need to say thank you to the people of Detroit. Thank you for accepting me… I was just a small-time country boy from Jackson, Tennessee. You took me into your homes with open arms. I took me into your kitchens, your living rooms, your cars on the way to work, and on the way to school… You made me family.” Butler concluded two weeks of broadcasting on the National Public Radio affiliate with well-wishes from former and current colleagues as well as family and friends. His blues music broadcast had been heard on WDET for 20 years. Station general manager Mary Zatina, program director Adam Fox, WDET development director Carmen Garcia, and on-air talent such as Robert Jones, Ann Delisi, as well as iconic host of WGPR-TV’s “The Scene” Nat Morris saluted Butler with on-air tributes. John Mason, another radio legend, offered a written tribute on WDET’s “Jay’s Place” guest page. The City of Detroit saluted Butler with a proclamation. His son, Jeffrey, who produced the WDET broadcast, fought back tears as he offered a heartfelt tribute to his father. “Jay Butler is a radio legend, and one of the most influential and important figures in Detroit media history,” said Fox. “He brought extraordinary knowledge, warmth, and authenticity to every broadcast. Through his music, his stories, and his connection with listeners, Jay created a true community. His impact on WDET and on Detroit radio is immeasurable, and we’re honored that he’s shared this chapter of his remarkable career with us.” Radio station management offered Butler the opportunity to sign off during his last three broadcasts, which is rare in commercial radio. His radio career began at just 15 years

Judge Randi From page B-1 What changes is the person holding the gavel. Rossario’s approach is designed to be conversational, entertaining, and driven by the human conflict behind each case. The first season promises unexpected exchanges and high-energy moments alongside the rulings. For Rossario, the move also speaks to the changing pathways available to Detroit creatives. Streaming platforms have widened the television landscape beyond traditional broadcast networks, creating opportunities for personalities with established audiences and distinctive voices to take concepts directly to viewers across the country. Tubi gives Judge Randi a national home while Rossario brings a distinctly Detroit presence with her. And that matters in a city where entertainers, personalities and entrepreneurs

old when he accompanied a friend to a job interview at local station WJAK. After the station manager heard Jay’s rich baritone voice, he asked him to read as well — and hired him on the spot. That first job launched a career spanning more than five decades. Jay attended Lane College before marrying Julia Haynes in 1963. That same year, he joined WVOL radio in Nashville. While there, he also became the play-by-play announcer for Tennessee State University football, showcasing his versatility behind the mic. In 1966, Detroit called. Jay was hired at WJLB-1400 AM, one of the city’s most influential urban stations. He later spent a year at WCHB before returning to WJLB as both an air personality and Program Director. Under his leadership, WJLB climbed have often built loyal audiences locally before the rest of the country caught on. Rossario’s latest chapter follows that tradition while pushing her brand into another arena. Courtroom television has endured because the conflicts are instantly recognizable: money between friends, broken agreements, relationships gone wrong and everyday disputes that leave each side convinced they are right. Judge Randi will lean into those tensions while allowing Rossario to bring humor, personality and her own judgment to the bench. The result is a courtroom show that does not ask Rossario to leave who she is outside the courtroom doors. For Detroit viewers who have followed her career, the premiere will offer a chance to see a familiar hometown personality in an entirely new role. For audiences meeting Rossario for the first time, six episodes will serve as the introduction. The gavel drops Sept. 4. Judge Randi will stream exclusively on Tubi.

from No. 14 to No. 2 in the Detroit market, second only to powerhouse CKLW AM 800. During this era, Jay worked alongside Detroit radio icons including Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg, Donnie Simpson, Al Allen, Claude Young, and Al Perkins. The WJLB staff was deeply rooted in the community, with Jay regularly speaking in schools and at public events. Jay’s commitment to Detroit was never clearer than during the 1967 riots, when he stayed on the air for 24 hours straight, broadcasting live and speaking directly to the people of the city — just as Martha Jean Steinberg did. His calm, trusted voice became a lifeline for listeners.

In 1975, Jay moved to California to join United Artists Records, a division of Atlantic Records. There he worked with legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, The Spinners, and the group Change, which featured a young Luther Vandross on lead vocals. Jay’s voice was also featured in the classic 1976 film “Car Wash,” starring Richard Pryor. While on the radio, Jay and his staff at WJLB were instrumental in breaking hit records for Motown and other major labels. Jay later accepted a position at Playboy Records before returning to Detroit in 1982 to join WQBH 1400 AM, owned by his longtime colleague Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg. At WQBH, Jay hosted two shows: from 1–3 pm playing urban contemporary music, and from 4–8 pm as “Jay The Blues Man Butler,” spinning the best in blues and oldies. It was at WQBH that he created his signature “Motor City Roll Call,” reading listener names on air and celebrating birthdays and anniversaries — a tradition that built deep listener loyalty. Following Martha Jean Steinberg’s death, Jay continued at WQBH for several more years. When the station was sold and became WLQV radio, he remained on as a voiceover artist. On Sept. 16, 2006, Jay returned to the Detroit airwaves on WDET with “Jay’s Place.” He brought the Motor City Roll Call with him, keeping generations of Detroit listeners connected. In an Aug. 9 social media post, the USA Radio Museum wrote the following about Butler: “For generations of listeners, Butler was more than a voice on the air. He was a cultural architect, a storyteller, a curator of Detroit’s musical heritage, and a trusted companion whose warmth and authenticity made him one of the most respected figures in urban radio.”

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Making Everyday Sacred From page B-1 begins stay, too. They are protected and unapologetic. She does not need to abandon what she has built in sacred spaces. She has to stop treating those spaces and the rest of her life as if they belong to two different versions of her. The deeper work is carrying one into the other. Taking the stillness with her when the phone starts ringing. Taking the breath with her into the difficult conversation. Taking the self-awareness with her into the moment she feels triggered. Taking the sacred with her into the grocery store, the commute, the meeting, the

kitchen, the argument, the apology. She has not failed at ritual, and she has not failed at presence. She had not connected the two. Now the work is not choosing between the altar and the rest of her week. It is allowing what she learns in stillness to accompany her into the places where she needs it most. AJ Williams is a Spiritual Wellness Architect and Educator and the Managing Editor of the Michigan Chronicle. A thought leader at the intersection of spirituality, astrology, psychology, and identity evolution, she founded Sunday Communion, a quarterly live transformation experience held in Detroit. The Inner Architecture is her editorial column on the work of becoming.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE • SATURDAY / OCTOBER 10 / 8:00PM

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT DETROITOPERAHOUSE.ORG PRESENTED BY DETROIT OPERA HOUSE IN ASSOCIATION WITH PAT HOUSTON AND THE ESTATE OF WHITNEY HOUSTON, PARK AVENUE ARTISTS, AND PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC

michiganchronicle.com | August 19-25, 2026 | Page B-3

Summer Nights Come Alive on Monroe Street with

Greektown Summer Series By Jeremy Allen EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Summer in Detroit has a way of turning an ordinary evening into a reason to get out of the house. In Greektown, that can mean heading down to Monroe Street, grabbing something to eat, finding some music, and seeing what the night brings. The Greektown Summer Series is giving Detroiters plenty of reasons to make that trip this summer, with free programming, live entertainment, outdoor dining, and activities scheduled through the summer. The series has brought several different flavors to the neighborhood. July featured Motown on Monroe, soccer programming, a Greek Heritage Festival and a weekend built around Greek music, dancing and culture. The Heritage Festival included a street-side lamb roast, live Greek music, traditional

dancers, food, vendors and family activities. August keeps the programming going. Last week, Magic and Music on Monroe brought a strolling magician, family-friendly entertainment, and live music to the district. Friday night features interactive magic by Just Joe. Saturday brings the Dancing Mirror Man, with Sunday closing the weekend with live music and outdoor dining along Monroe Street. Programming runs from 6 to 10 p.m. each night. Then comes a weekend for music lovers. Music on Monroe starts Friday, Aug. 21, with Fritts & Chips performing live. Visitors can also check out the weekly vendor market while enjoying dinner outdoors. Saturday night continues with a performance by Drew Machak. Sunday, Aug. 23, turns Monroe Street into a community art project, with The Coloring Museum leading an

interactive coloring mural. That gives people plenty of ways to spend a summer evening without needing a complicated plan. Walk Monroe Street. Listen to some music. Grab dinner. Check out a vendor. Bring the kids. Stay for the entertainment. Greektown sits in the heart of downtown Detroit, with Monroe Street serving as the neighborhood’s main gathering place. Its restaurants, bars, shops, and Greek cultural traditions give visitors plenty to explore before or after the evening’s scheduled activities. The summer calendar continues Aug. 28-30 with The Longest Dinner Table and additional Greektown programming. The signature event on Aug. 28 will bring people together around one long table for an evening centered on food, community, and cel-

ebration. The following two nights will feature outdoor dining and live entertainment. There is more on the calendar after August, too. Labor Day weekend brings Jazz & Culture Weekend, followed by Detroit Sports Weekend in September. Art & Music on Monroe is scheduled for Sept. 18-20. For now, though, the focus is on summer. The Greektown Summer Series is the kind of programming that gives people a reason to linger on Monroe Street. There is food, music, art, and entertainment waiting around the next corner, with something different on the calendar each weekend. Sometimes a Detroit summer evening does not need much planning. Good food, live music, and a place to spend a few hours can be enough. In Greektown, Monroe Street is ready for it.

Page B-4 | August 19-25, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com

Chance the Rapper Headlined Last Week’s 45th Annual

Dearborn Homecoming Festival Photos and story by: Aaron J. Thornton, Contributor The 2026 Dearborn Homecoming Festival brought a lively burst of energy to Ford Field Park this past weekend, as thousands of Metro Detroit residents and visitors gathered for a weekend filled with community, entertainment, food and summer fun. Families, friends and festivalgoers from throughout the region filled the grounds, creating an electric atmosphere as they moved between activities, vendor booths, food trucks and performance stages. Now in its 45th year, the annual celebration ran Aug. 7-9. Festival admission was free for anyone to attend, while carnival armbands were available for purchase for those looking to enjoy the rides. Vendor Village added to the excitement, with local businesses, artisans and community organizations displaying a wide variety of products, merchandise and services. Food trucks and other food vendors were busy throughout the weekend, giving attendees plenty of choices as they enjoyed everything from festival favorites to specialty offerings. The combination of shopping, food, carnival rides and family activities helped create the unmistakable community spirit that has made Homecoming a signature Dearborn tradition. Live music and performances were at the heart of the weekend, drawing crowds to the stages throughout the day and into the evening. Saturday night’s headliner, country music star Martina McBride, delivered a highly anticipated performance before the night concluded with a spectacular fireworks display. On Sunday, performances included local Detroit twin sister duo Inah and Yahzi of the girl band ‘Aint Afraid’, as well as Curtis Roach, a Detroit born and raised Rapper and Content Creator. The heat, along with a brief period of rain, did little to dampen the enthusiasm of festivalgoers, many of whom remained in place to await Sunday night’s headliner, Chance the Rapper. After about an hour of drizzle in the late evening, the rain clouds pushed out of the area just as Chance the Rapper took the stage around 9:10 p.m., allowing the crowd to enjoy his performance before another spectacular fireworks show brought the 2026 Homecoming Festival to a memorable close.

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Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Detroit Transportation Corporation, Detroit People Mover is solicitating bids for uniform and mat rental services. RFP 08.19.26 can be accessed on Bidnet Direct, www.bidnetdirect.com//detroit-transportation-corporation. Proposals must be received electronically by Bidnet Direct on or before 5:00pm ET, September 14, 2026.

TEMPORARY PROBATION SERVICES TECHNICIAN U.S District Court, Eastern District of Michigan – Temporary Probation Services Technician vacancy at https://www.mied.uscourts.gov/index. cfm?pageFunction=employment#tabs1-MIED. Be a part of a great team located in Detroit MI. Law enforcement position that assists in the administration of justice and community safety. Professional and friendly work environment, great benefits, and flexible schedule. EOE.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF UPCOMING ACCREDITATION REVIEW VISIT BY THE ACEN Wayne County Community College District-Ted Scott Campus wishes to announce that it will host a site visit for initial accreditation of its Practical Nursing Education and LPN to RN Bridge nursing programs by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). You are invited to meet with the site visit team and share your comments about the program in person at a meeting scheduled at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, in the Ted Scott Room at the Ted Scott Campus located at 9555 Haggerty Road, Belleville, MI 48111. Written comments are also welcome and should be submitted to the ACEN via email at public-comments@acenursing.org or to the ACEN office: Attn: Accreditation Services Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing 3390 Peachtree Rd NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta GA, 30326 All written comments should be received by the ACEN by September 22, 2026.

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michiganchronicle.com | August 19-25, 2026 | Page B-5

6 Doctor-Approved Back-to-School Tips for a Healthy School Year (StatePoint) A healthy school year starts before the first day of class. The American Medical Association (AMA) is sharing six tips to help families prepare children for a healthy return to the classroom. 1. Pack nutritious food: When packing your child’s lunch and snacks, include a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean or plant-based proteins and whole grains. As much as possible, try to avoid highly processed food products, such as processed meats and sugar-sweetened drinks such as soda and juice. To help you make the healthiest choices for your growing child, read nutrition labels carefully and choose foods that are lower in sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. 2. Make sleep a priority: A good night’s sleep is essential to overall health, especially as children develop. School stress, illnesses and other factors can keep kids from getting enough sleep. Set a consistent sleep routine and bedtime to keep the whole family on track. Teens should aim for 8-10 hours of sleep per night and children between 6 and 12 should get 9-12 hours. Keep cell phones out of the bedroom to improve sleep time and quality. If your child experiences persistent sleep issues, talk with their doctor to find out if it’s caused by a sleep disorder and whether treatment is needed. 3. Get up-to-date on MMR vaccination: Be aware that the United States is seeing the highest number of measles cases in more than 30 years, and measles spreads very easily, often before you realize that you — or the people around you — are sick. Measles is more than a rash. It is an extremely contagious, airborne virus that can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, blindness and even death, especially in babies and young children. An MMR vaccine is the best way to avoid spreading measles, mumps and rubella and prevent children from getting sick. There is no treatment for these infections, so vaccination is the best defense. Nearly everyone who doesn’t get an MMR vaccine will get sick if exposed to measles, mumps or rubella. Be sure your child is up to date on MMR vaccination to protect them against severe complications. Doing so will help keep them from missing out on school and help you from missing work to care for a sick child. 4. Limit screen time: People are on their devices more than ever before. Too much screen time can have negative mental and physical health effects and increase feelings of loneliness. The start of a new school year is a good

time to replace screen time with other activities, such as after school clubs, sports, playdates, reading, quality family time and sleep. Screen-free meals and keeping devices out of bedrooms can also help children build healthier habits. 5. Protect their smile: Establishing good dental routines, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, will help make these habits stick and keep kids smiling. Poor dental hygiene is associated with health complications later in life, making it especially important to establish good dental habits early. 6. Prevent spread of norovirus: Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea or both, and can spread quickly in schools. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness, but it is preventable. When buying school supplies, stock up on cleaning supplies as well. Cleaning frequently touched surfaces and modeling good hand-washing habits for your children can help prevent the spread of norovirus and other gastrointestinal germs. If your child develops GI symptoms, keep them home from school for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop to prevent spreading the virus to others. For more back-to-school health information, visit the AMA website at https://www.ama-assn.org. “Backpacks, notebooks and pencils are classroom essentials — but one of the best school supplies you can give a child is a healthy start,” said AMA President Willie Underwood, III, MD. “Prioritizing physical and mental health helps students arrive ready to learn, grow and thrive all year long.”

Get Your Kids Ready to Go Back-to-School with

Affordable Health Coverage

O

FEATURE IMPACT

nce school starts, life moves fast. There is homework, practices, permission slips, and early mornings. Before the calendar fills up, take a moment to make sure your child has health coverage for the year ahead. Free or low-cost health coverage is available through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or Medicaid in your state for eligible individuals. With health coverage, your kids and teens can get the care they need to stay healthy and do well in school. Think your family might not qualify? You might be surprised. Many families may qualify for coverage without realizing it! Eligibility varies by state and is based on family income and household size. In most states, children up to age 19 from a family of four earning up to $80,000 per year may be eligible. In some states, eligible children can still qualify if family income is even higher. Getting your child covered helps you get them the health care they may need. When a child is sick, the right medicines help them get back to school. If a child has a tough time focusing, there are supports to help. If your child does not see as well as other children, these programs cover glasses. Healthy kids are confident kids,

who are ready to participate in every opportunity inside and outside the classroom!

Why Health Coverage Belongs on Your Kids’ Back-to-School List Having health coverage can help families, like yours, to send your kids and teens off to school ready to learn. Depending on the program and a child’s individual needs, Medicaid and CHIP can provide eligible kids up to age 18 (Medicaid) or 19 (CHIP) with a range of services to support their health all year long, such as: n Annual checkups and school physicals to prepare

children to learn, play, and participate.

n Preventive care to identify health needs early and keep

children healthy throughout the year.

n Dental care to help prevent tooth aches, cavities, and

missed school days.

n Vision and hearing services to support learning

and classroom participation.

n Mental health care to support emotional well-

being and school success.

n Prescription medications and treatment to help

manage symptoms and stay on track.

n Specialized services for children with disabilities to

support growth and learning.

How to Apply You can apply for Medicaid and CHIP in many ways: n By phone n By mail n In-person through your state’s Medicaid or CHIP office n Or find your state’s information online at InsureKidsNow. gov/coverage. Act now to get your child covered before they need health care. Enrollment for these programs is open year-round, meaning families do not have to wait for a specific time of year to get covered. Once enrolled, coverage must be renewed every twelve months, so it is important to keep your address, email, and phone number up to date with your state Medicaid or CHIP office to avoid missing important renewal information. Visit InsureKidsNow.gov or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-5437669) for more information. Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. This communication was printed, published, or produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.

Page B-6 | August 19-25, 2026 | michiganchronicle.com