Detroit Boxing Gym Gives Youth New Opportunities
MILLENNIAL Michigan Chronicle
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Michigan Chronicle
Vol. 85 – No. 35 | May 4-10, 2022
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Speaker Named for ASU’s Spring 2022 ‘In-Person’ Commencement Ceremony By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU Alabama State University will host its Spring 2022 Commencement Convocation on May 6 (Friday) at the ASU Stadium. The keynote speaker for the in-person event is Hiram Eric Jackson, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who has a 30-year track record of success in business and community activism.
From left Huel Perkins, Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
“Freedom Is Expensive” Detroit Branch NAACP Hosts 67th Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner
Hiram E. Jackson “The commencement ceremonies will be ticketed events,” explained ASU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Carl S. Pettis, who also serves as the chairman of the Commencement Committee. “Each graduate will be given 10 tickets to share with their family, friends and supporters. We did increase the number of tickets this year; however, we are still observing relevant COVID protocols.”
By Andre Ash DETROIT -- The Detroit Branch NAACP held its 67th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner, Sunday. Speakers for this year’s event centered on the issue of freedom and democracy, alluding to what civil and political see as an attack on voting rights push by conservative groups. “The goal of the coordinated attack is to systemically disenfranchise communities of color,” said, Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m focused on growing equitable opportunity for everyone who lives in this great State to realize the protentional and pass prosperity in a way to live with dignity and to raise a family.” The theme for this year’s annual event is, “Freedom is Expensive, But Tyranny is Unaffordable”. “As we face the onslaught of voter suppression, the marginalization of people and minorities throughout the nation, the recent, we believe, execution style murder of Patrick Lyoya on the part of a Grand Rapids police officer still demands the need for police reform, war in Ukraine and elsewhere, the need to fight to preserve our freedom and our democracy remains paramount, said Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of Detroit branch NAACP. “Right here in the state of Michigan we are facing an attack on freedom and our right to vote with the introduction of 39 bills, “the blind 39,” by Republican legislators seeking to suppress, delay, confuse and intimidate. We will not be deterred. We encourage everyone to Take Their Soles To The Polls And Vote.” Attendance doubled since last year amid the relaxing of pandemic protocols. It was a return to the red carpet as guest lined the entry way welcomed by billboards of Black excellence and Black civil rights advocates.
ABOUT ASU’S COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Jackson is the chief executive officer of Real Times Media (RTM), a multimedia company headquartered in Detroit, Mich. His company is one of the nation’s leading creators of African-American content that comprises eight websites, spanning across multiple media platforms. In addition to its digital platform, the company annually executes more than 50 events that showcase black excellence across the nation. Jackson is also the founder and chairman of Catalyst Detroit, a nonprofit entity that centers on projects and investments that advance black entrepreneurship, social innovation and economic development. Jackson serves on numerous Detroit-area and national boards, including the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, NAACP, Automotive Hall of Fame and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Jackson earned his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University’s New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations and is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
WHAT’S INSIDE
It was an all-star lineup of awardees and celebrity guests who were honored for their leadership in advancing a social and economic agenda of Black people both nationally and locally.
Standing up for the rights of others is what the civil rights organization has done since its inception. This message was amplified in the crowded room at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit.
Celebrating Sunday with the Detroit Branch NAACP for its anniversary and in the fight for freedom were several Hollywood actors and actresses. Ms. Elise Neal of the Black Hamptons, Ms. Annie Llonzeh of Chicago Fire, Mr. Lamman Rucker, star of Greenleaf, Chris Spencer, comedian, writer, director, creator of Kevin Hart’s Real Husbands of Hollywood, Scott Evans, host of Access Hollywood, Tobias Truvillion, of Equal Standard and Empire, and of course, and Ms. Angela Yee of the Breakfast Club radio show.
“The pandemics of racism and the Coronavirus turned our worlds upside down, but still, we rise,” said Kamila Landrum, Executive Director, Detroit Branch NAACP. “The battles ahead of us to protect voting rights, civil rights, education, jobs, and the economy, women’s rights and so much more must be fought without fear and unapologetically.”
The Detroit Branch NAACP honored recipients of the Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Award for Honorable Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens, recently retired from the Michigan Court of Appeals. State Representative Sarah Anthony received one of the Great Expectation awards for the work she has done in the legislature with introducing the Crown Act to protect women of color from discrimination and cultural prejudice. The second Great Expectation Award was presented to Christian Smalls of New York who recently organized, for the first time in its history, Amazon workers into the Amazon Labor Union. “It feels great to see workers standing up to their employer,” said Smalls.” We had a democratic election and actually went and vote to have a union for the first time in American history.” Gary Torgow, Chairman of Huntington National Bank, received the James Weldon Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award. The organization says his philanthropy and positive entrepreneurship throughout this metropolitan area is legendary.
The Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner was launched in April 1956 under the leadership of Branch President Edward M. Turner, Arthur L. Johnson, and Dr. Lionel F. Swan. The Freedom Fund Dinner was founded in a period of renewed national hope and determination among Black Americans, even in the face of continuing racial violence and tragedy. The financial support for the annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner ensures that the long-storied civil rights organization remains on the front lines. For the past 44 years, the Detroit Branch NAACP has held its major fundraiser, the “Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.” In 1999, the dinner was attended by 10,000 guests, including Vice President Al Gore as the keynote speaker. The event’s 1999 theme, “Leveling the Playing Field for the 21st Century, “called for continued focus to fight for equality and opportunity for all citizens of the United States.
Tackling Mental Health in the Black Community By Megan Kirk
Black people in America living with no health insurance, the costs of mental health equate to more than just dollars and cents.
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ay celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month and mental health continues to be a highly discussed issue coming out of the pandemic. As the coronavirus helped to uncover many disparities in the healthcare system, it has also revealed mental health issues that, for some, were left unchecked. Access to mental health professionals is becoming increasingly difficult with the influx of patients seeking help. However, financial access creates another barrier in the search for mental stability. With rising insurance premiums and the high demand for therapists, counselors and life coaches, the journey to sound mental health is presenting a challenge for some in the Black community.
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In 2020, the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimates America spent $225 billion in 2019 alone according to reports from Open Minds Market Intelligence. As the costs continue to rise, so do the diagnosed cases of
Why Detroit’s Black Bakers Don’t Quit While Building Community
This is the 110th anniversary since the founding of the Detroit Branch NAACP. It was in 1912 that Detroit received its charter to operate as a local branch. Several Black leaders came together to establish the Detroit Branch NAACP.
“Well, I always say that grief is an essential part of our mental health because it is an emotional response to a loss, change or death. In this pandemic, we are not only grieving loved ones who have passed on due to covid, but the plethora of changes and transitions that has come along with it; social distancing, job loss, virtual learning, fear, anger etc. We’ve all had to readjust our lives and lifestyles since 2020,” says LaToya Latham, a grief coach.
mental health illnesses. Triggered by pre-existing issues and an insurmountable amount of death, the impacts on mental health can be felt by all, but particularly those in the African American community. With so many stigmas already tied to mental health for African Americans, finding affordable care can seem daunting. With close to 12 percent of
In Michigan, the median cost of a therapy session for those uninsured is approximately $90. Those with insurance may have to meet a certain portion through co-pays, deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses, before their insurance policies begin to pay for the services. Mounting cost of mental health can be a deterrent as many are faced
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