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DETROIT
JULY/AUGUST, 2016
SMART
PAGES
BU S I N E S S
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P O L I T I C S
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C O M M U N I T Y
“Building Business to Business and Business to Community Relationships”
Mike Morse expands 2016-2017 School Backpack Program to more than 30,000 DPS students
K-8th grades
Return To Paradise Valley
Redeveloping Black Bottom
The Origin of
American Policing
Was born out of slavery
Calling all Men
Raising Funds for
Untested Rape Kits
Living with Vitiligo World Vitiligo Day
COVER STORY
Return to Paradise Valley
Many Detroiters have fond memories of the days when Black people
owned and operated the business district
and entertainment center known as Paradise Valley in a Black residential area
called Black Bottom from the 1920’s
through the 1950’s. During the 1920’s,
the black population in Detroit increased
from 41,000 to 120,000 as new migrants
from the South arrived daily to seek employment in the automobile industry. The near east side neighborhood of
Black Bottom was one of the very few
areas blacks were allowed to reside. The
residents’ daily needs were amply met by
sequently, the Chrysler Freeway was built
and paved over much of Paradise Valley.
Many neighborhoods in Detroit were displaced by the building
of freeways and the projects of urban
renewal, but Paradise Valley suffered
the largest losses. Although it was difficult for displaced blacks to find new
housing, many purchased property in the
old Jewish neighborhood along Twelfth
Street. Many of the former residents
kept pictures of the old neighborhood
and these have helped keep the memory
alive of the once vibrant Paradise Valley
community. Today’s Lafayette Park is
The near east side neighborhood of Black Bottom
was one of the very few areas blacks were allowed
to reside. The residents’ daily needs were amply
met by more than 300 black-owned businesses in
Paradise Valley, ranging from drugstores, beauty
salons and restaurants to places of leisure such as
nightclubs, bowling alleys with bars, theaters and
mini-golf courses.
more than 300 black-owned businesses in
Paradise Valley, ranging from drugstores,
beauty salons and restaurants to places of
leisure such as nightclubs, bowling alleys
with bars, theaters and mini-golf courses.
The nightclubs and theaters in Paradise Valley were a primary source of income for the residents of the impoverished
neighborhood. Black-owned nightclubs
booked popular black artists and attracted
mixed-race audiences to shows. Whites
ventured to the Valley to hear Ethel Waters, Pearl Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald and the
Inkspots. The Paradise Theatre, opened
in 1941, was the place to hear jazz greats
such as Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday,
Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie. Whites felt comfortable listening to jazz
alongside black audiences. This changed
after the race riots of 1943; whites became reluctant to venture to Paradise
Valley and mixed audiences became rare.
Gambling was also big business
in Paradise Valley, notably with the Great
Lakes Mutual Numbers House and the
Valley’s Frog Club. Urban renewal programs and the construction of freeways in
the 1960’s abruptly halted life in Paradise
Valley and the Black Bottom neighborhood. Automobile manufacturers outgrew
city factories and relocated to new sites in
suburban areas such as Livonia, Wayne
and Dearborn. Expressways were needed
to make it easier for workers to commute
from Detroit to the suburban plants. Con-
the on the former site of Black Bottom.
A portion of Paradise Valley is now Ford
Field. Paradise Theatre, the jazz mecca
of the 40’s and 50’s, has been renovated and is now Orchestra Hall and home
to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
On June 29th of this year, the
Downtown Development Authority
(DDA) of the City of Detroit approved
a comprehensive plan to redevelop nine
properties in a part of the area known
as Paradise Valley with a $52.4 million
investment in new construction and renovations. Known as the Paradise Valley
Cultural & Entertainment District Project
five existing buildings and four surface
lots will be redeveloped simultaneously.
The Paradise Valley Cultural &
Entertainment District Project will feature commercial and retail space, residential units, restaurants, entertainment
venues and a boutique hotel; all scheduled to be built over the next 3 years.
The development of Paradise Valley
has been nearly a decade in the making.
The DDA at the urging of the Detroit
City Council used casino fund dollars to
purchase the buildings and lots in 2006
with the intention of developing an entertainment district that would celebrate
African American culture and the vibrant music scene of Paradise Valley.
The DDA released a request for
proposals last fall and received 15 proposals. DEGC acting as staff for the
www.detroitsmartpages.com
DDA established a selection committee made up representatives from
Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, DEGC and the City of Detroit.
The Five Projects are:
Hastings Place: Paradise Valley Real
Estate Holdings, II, LLC, led by Hiram
E. Jackson as managing partner, plans
to build a new 189.000 sq. ft. building
on three current parking lots at 1468,
1480 and 1496 Randolph St. It will include 60 apartments on the top floors, a
5-story parking deck, and first floor retail
spaces. The project is located next to the
ing which his firm, Hamilton Anderson
Associates has been an anchor tenant for
Paradise Valley at 1435 Randolph St. and
to build a 16,000 sq. ft. new office building addition on the parking lot next door
at 1455 Centre St. Total investment is
$7.5 million, including a purchase price
of $2.3 million.
“This neighborhood has been
home to our firm for 22 years and this
is a great opportunity for us to expand
our presence and our commitment to
this unique place and the great heritage it honors,” Hamilton said. Media
Contact: Tiffany Jones: 313-309-9536.
The Paradise Valley Cultural & Entertainment
District Project will feature commercial and retail
space, residential units, restaurants, entertainment
venues and a boutique hotel; all scheduled to be
built over the next 3 years.
building that Jackson’s company is renovating as the new home to Real Times
Media and the Michigan Chronicle. Total expected investment is $27 million,
including a purchase price of $1 million.
“Moving back to the new Paradise Valley is actually a celebration for the Michigan Chronicle. Paradise Valley is where
the Michigan Chronicle was founded in
1936. Building Hastings Place next door
continues the legacy and spirit of Paradise Valley that was started by African
American business pioneers and entertainers more than 80 years ago”, Jackson said.
Media Contact: Cathy Nedd:
313-350-4241.
Randolph Centre Building: Hamilton
Development Corporation, led by Rainy
Hamilton, Jr., FAIA, NOMA as president
plans to renovate the 36,000 sq. ft. build-
JULY/AUGUST 2016 | PAGE 2
Harmonie Club Hotel: 311 E. Grand
River, LLC. Led by Patricia A. Cole and
Roger Basmajian as partners, plan to renovate the 36,000 sq. ft. building at 311
E. Grand River as the Harmonie Club
Hotel, a 25-30 room boutique hotel on
the first and second floors, which will include artwork from local African American artists. The third floor theatre will
be completely refurbished and function
as a theatre and banquet hall. The total
expected investment is $13.6 million, including a purchase price of $1.6 million.
Patricia A. Cole is no stranger
to economic development in the City
of Detroit. Born and raised in Detroit,
Ms. Cole is the only female investor in
the Paradise Valley Cultural & Entertainment Project. Ms. Cole began working for the City in the early 1970s. She
(Continued on page 22)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
Origin of American Policing...............................................................................4
COVER STORIES
Return to Paradise Valley....................................................................................2
Calling All Men..................................................................................................5
Living with Vitiligo World Conference..............................................................8
Mike Morse Expands 2016-2017 Backpack Program for DPS Students.........11
FEATURE ARTICLES
Bricker Tunis Furs Celebrates 100 years..........................................................13
Shaun Robinson Foundation.............................................................................18
Real Life 101 17th Annual Awards Gala..........................................................18
BUSINESS PROFILE
Burn Rubber with D-Tread...............................................................................16
COLUMNISTS
Barbara Brazile: Inspirational Corner..............................................................5
Jason Cole: Cole’s Corner.................................................................................7
Gary Smith: Smart Real Estate Investments.....................................................7
Larry Teamer: Ask The Security Expert...........................................................8
Sheila Hawkins: Smart Time Management.......................................................9
Laura Sigmon: Smart Business Practices..........................................................9
Ellis Liddell: Smart Financial Planning...........................................................17
Willie Brake: Ask The Tech Guy.....................................................................19
Jeffrey Taylor: Preparing for College..............................................................19
David Rambeau: Urban Journeys....................................................................20
Charlene Mitchell-Rodgers: Eye on Media...................................................21
11th Annual Detroit Beautification Day!
Provided Free Flowers to over 175 registered organizations, block clubs, churches, and schools
O
n Saturday, June 4, 2016, Keep
Detroit Beautiful provided
FREE flowers to registered
community organizations, block clubs,
churches, and schools
to encourage community engagement in
keeping Detroit clean,
green and beautiful.
Keep Detroit Beautiful
(KDB) is comprised
BEVERLY SMITH of a three phase initiative which includes
Earth Day, Motor City Makeover and
Detroit Beautification Day. Now in
its 11th year, Detroit Beautification
Day is a day of revitalization, rejuvenation and celebration of taking
pride in our city by participating in
any clean-up or beautification effort.
Detroit Beautification Day was
founded by Beverly Smith in 2005
since its affiliation with
KAB and over 6000
flats of flowers have
been given to those organizations who registered for Detroit Beautification Day since its
ANGELA
inception in 2005. For
IRELAND
more information, call
the Keep Detroit Beautiful office at
(313) 876-0140 or send an email to
[email protected].
as a day of citywide planting, recycling, and beautifying your neighborhood. each year.
U.S. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence and
Detroit Council President Brenda
Jones joined KDB to hand out over
900 flats of flowers to 175 registered
groups from all over the city of Detroit.
Angela Ireland of the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority has
served as Executive Director of Keep
Detroit Beautiful since 2013. Over
$60,000 in grants have been awarded
to Detroit organizations through KDB
Now in its 11th year, Detroit
Beautification Day is a day of
revitalization, rejuvenation and
celebration of taking pride in
our city by participating in any
clean-up or beautification effort.
PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE
The origin of American Policing was born out of slavery! The Facts are the Facts!
The 14th Amendment states that “no state shall deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
T
he fatal shootings of Black
men by the hands of rogue
police officers including the
most recent deaths of Alton Sterling
and Philando Castile again sparked
the flames of
a 400 year old
smoldering fire
that will never be
completely
extinguished. The
Emancipation
Proclamation
BEVERLY SMITH
didn’t do in 1863,
the 13th Amendment and the ending
of the Civil War didn’t do it in 1865,
the 14th Amendment in 1868 didn’t
do it, the Fifteenth Amendment in
1870 didn’t do it, Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955 didn’t
do it, the I Have a Dream Speech
in 1963 by Martin Luther King Jr.
ly in the eyes of law enforcement.
After all, you must remember
that the birth and development of
American police can be traced to a
multitude of historical legal and political-economic conditions, but the
institution of slavery and the
control of minorities, however,
were two of the more formidable
historic features of American society shaping early policing. Slave
patrols and Night Watches, which
later became modern police departments, were both designed to
control the behaviors of minorities.
For example, New England
settlers appointed Indian Constables to police Native Americans
(National Constable Association,
1995), the St. Louis police were
founded to protect residents from
Native Americans in that frontier
city, and many southern police de-
One would have to come to the
conclusion that there is nothing
a Black person could do in this
country in the eyes of some to be
fully accepted and valued as an
equal human being, especially in
the eyes of law enforcement.
in 1963 didn’t do it, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 didn’t do it.
All of the accomplishments
and firsts that Black have achieved
in this country have only smothered
the fire just waiting for any spark
to ignite the flames. Blacks have
excelled in all areas of sports, owners and top executives of fortune
500 companies, mayors, governors,
authors, entertainers, artists, musicians, ambassadors, scientists, inventors, and surgeons. The election
Barack Obama in 2008 didn’t do it.
One would have to come to
the conclusion that there is nothing a Black person could do in
this country in the eyes of some
to be fully accepted and valued as
an equal human being, especial-
partments began as slave patrols. In
1704, the colony of Carolina developed the nation’s first slave patrol.
Slave patrols helped to maintain
the economic order and to assist
the wealthy landowners in recovering and punishing slaves who essentially were considered property.
Policing was not the only social institution enmeshed in slavery.
Slavery was fully institutionalized
in the American economic and legal order with laws being enacted at
both the state and national divisions
of government. Virginia, for example, enacted more than 130 slave
statutes between 1689 and 1865.
Slavery and the abuse of people of
color, however, was not merely a
southern affair as many have been
taught to believe. Connecticut, New
York and other colonies enacted laws
to criminalize and control slaves.
Congress also passed fugitive
Slave Laws, laws allowing the detention and return of escaped slaves,
in 1793 and 1850. As Turner, Gia-
crimes at all, had a White man
committed them. Lynching occurred across the entire county not
just in the South. Finally, in 1871
Congress passed the Ku Klux Klan
Act, which prohibited state actors
from violating the Civil Rights of
Slave patrols and Night
Watches, which later became
modern police departments,
were both designed to control
the behaviors of minorities.
copassi and Vandiver (2006:186)
remark, “the literature clearly establishes that a legally sanctioned
law enforcement system existed in
America before the Civil War for
the express purpose of controlling
the slave population and protecting the interests of slave owners.
The similarities between the
slave patrols and modern American
policing are too salient to dismiss
or ignore. Hence, the slave patrol
should be considered a forerunner
of modern American law enforcement.” The legacy of slavery and
racism did not end after the Civil
War. In fact it can be argued that
extreme violence against people of
color became even worse with the
rise of vigilante groups who resisted
Reconstruction. Because vigilantes, by definition, have no external
restraints, lynch mobs had a justified reputation for hanging minorities first and asking questions later.
Because of its tradition of slavery,
which rested on the racist rationalization that Blacks were sub-human,
America had a long and shameful
history of mistreating people of color, long after the end of the Civil War.
Perhaps the most infamous
American vigilante group, the Ku
Klux Klan started in the 1860s,
was notorious for assaulting and
lynching Black men for transgressions that would not be considered
all citizens in part because of law
enforcements’ involvement with
the infamous group. This legislation, however, did not stem
the tide of racial or ethnic abuse
that persisted well into the 1960s.
Blacks have long been targets of abuse. The use of patrols
to capture runaway slaves was
one of the precursors of formal
police forces, especially in the
South. This disastrous legacy persisted as an element of the police
role even after the passage of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964. In some
cases, police harassment simply
meant people of African descent
were more likely to be stopped and
questioned by the police, while at
the other extreme, they have suffered beatings, and even murder,
at the hands of White police. Questions still arise today about the disproportionately high numbers of
people of African descent killed,
beaten, and arrested by police in
major urban cities of America.
Resource:Victor E. Kappeler, Ph.D.
Associate Dean and Foundation
Professor
School of Justice Studies
Eastern Kentucky University
F E AT U R E A R T I C L E
Calling All Men!
July is Men’s Month to raise money for untested Rape Kits
BY BEVERLY SMITH
More than five
years ago, 11,341 unopened, untested rape
kits were found in a
Detroit Police Department storage unit. Each
kit represents a soul
crushing brutal crime. Each kit represents
a case that remains uninvestigated. Each
kit represents a sexual offender who has
never faced justice. Each kit represents
a victim who doesn’t have closure.
Enough SAID (Enough Sexual
Assault in Detroit) was formed to raise
money for the testing of the kits, as well
as the investigation and prosecution of
these forgotten crimes. Each rape kit
costs $490 to process. The Enough SAID
campaign is an independent collaboration
between the Michigan Women’s Foundation, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and the Detroit Crime Commission.
10,000 rape kits have been tested to date.
The African American 490 Challenge, a coalition of African American
women and women led organizations
was launched on October 6, 2015 to
unite and raise $657,090 to pay for testing of the remaining 1,341 rape kits
by the end of 2016. Their mission is to
protect, defend, mobilize, educate and
empower African American women by
bringing awareness and resources to
support those who have been silenced
by sexual assault and a lack of justice.
This July, men from all walks of
life are stepping up to assist the women in raising the much needed funds to
meet their goal of the $657.090 needed
to have all the remaining rape kits tested by the end of this year. $250,000
has been raised so far this year.
Heaster Wheeler kicked off a press
conference held on Tuesday June 28th
by saying that this gathering was part
of continued efforts by individuals and
organizations to take the lead on issues
affecting the city. “We are here for such
a significant moment, such a signifi-
cant movement,
such a significant
matter,” Wheeler said. “We are
here for Enough
SAID:
Enough
Sexual
Assaults in Detroit.
Enough of that.”
The 10 a.m.
press conference
took place in Harmonie Park in front of
a lemonade stand hosted by 13-year-old
Joshua Smith. Four years ago, Smith
raised close to $4,000 for the City of Detroit with his lemonade and popcorn stand
and received national attention. Smith
said he got involved
because he learned of
the campaign from his
mother, Rhonda Smith.
He sold lemonade at the
news conference and
will also do so over the
RODERICK
next
two days, he said.
RICKMAN
Roderick
Rickman, President and CEO of Rickman
Enterprise Group is Chairman of the July
Men’s Campaign and is asking that all
men step up to the challenge and come
I N S P I R AT I O N A L C O R N E R
About the Violence in the World...
V
iolence is one of the leading causes
of death in all parts of the world
according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Violence Data Studies. Studies conducted have shown that
violence
against
children in physical,
emotional and sexual assaults has increased against both
girls and boys. Day
to day families suffer for their children
who are abused and
BARBARA BRAZILE
murdered by people
who should protect
them, instead of hurting them.
Women are killed and humiliated
by violent partners; elderly persons are
mistreated and murdered by their caregivers, and robbed by youths and youths
are bullied by other youths. According
to Nelson Mandela, society is suffering
with invisible pain and fear, along with
visible tragedies they will never forget due to all the violence in the world.
Where is all this evil coming from?
Statistics prove that many people open
their lives to negative behaviors through
drugs and alcohol abuse, which alters
one’s state of consciousness, thus conjuring rebellion and bitterness. However, the hearts and minds of people today
However, the hearts and minds
of people today are cold blooded and callous, just like a cold
natured snake that cannot see,
hear, or reason; their instinct is
just to kill.
are cold blooded and callous, just like a
cold natured snake that cannot see, hear,
or reason; their instinct is just to kill.
What causes such cold-blooded violence to conjure up within people? Well,
my first thought is demonic possession.
Demonic possession is not a myth, it is
real. Demonic possession is the spirit possession of an individual commonly known
as a demon, devil, or evil spirit, which
causes individuals to do evil things. These
people have an increased desire to kill
because of their diabolical mental state.
Evil hides within the heart and minds
of people, and is not always apparent. We
can all see that the covers are being yanked
off of everyone. Think about it...the presidential election war has exposed the hatred
that exists within the world. The “politically
correct” facade has been exposed; there are
no rules, and anything goes. This is just one
major example, and it’s only the beginning!
Violence has become an intrinsic
part of human nature because it originates
from within. Violence is not just the terrorist causing havoc in France, Nigeria, and
Kenya. Violence is everywhere! In reality, it will not and cannot be prevented, because it is purposed to be this way. It is a
way of life, whether we want to admit it
or not. We live in a time never before in
history, and everyone is witnessing the
intensity of violence in this dying world.
The violence and crime today is like
a category 10 blazing fire that cannot be
controlled. There is not one person on the
face of this earth who can control, fix, or
reverse the violence in this world. We have
tried all that we know - gun control, rehab
facilities, tethers, taser guns, increased security, hidden cameras and more, to try and
eliminate the bad guys from the streets. It is like trying to contain a sneeze, we
on board to raise the rest of the funds.
“When I heard about this horrible issue,
I was like wow! I have six daughters, and
this issue is very important to me,” said
Rickman. “It is critical that men be a
part of not only raising money, but also
helping to raise awareness as well. I am
a native Detroiter and have 11 brothers
and sisters and it angers me to know that
these types of offenses are happening
and going unpunished. It is our duty as
men to take a leading role to contribute
morally and financially to make sure that
all remaining rape kits be properly tested and investigated. I am determined to
exceed our goal of $125,000 in July but
to also work with police to make sure
these rapists are brought to trial and
prevent other rapes from occurring.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym
Worthy noted that as a result of fundraising efforts so far, some 756 predators have been identified, and there have
been 43 convictions. Another 1,200 cases are awaiting investigation, however.
For more information, contact: [email protected]. Donate at: www.enoughsaiddetroit.org. Contact: Darci E. McConnell
313.686.8094 or [email protected],
www.aa490challenge.org 490 fundraising
page. https://www.crowdrise.com/AfricanAmerican490Challenge. Checks made payable
to the Michigan Women’s Foundation, with AA
490 Enough Said Challenge in the memo line.
Michigan Women’s Foundation, 333 West Fort
Street, Suite 1920, Detroit, MI 48226.
will not succeed. For example, when
a severe storm is approaching, there is
nothing no one can do to stop it. Meteorologists cannot alter its course, likewise,
the course of evil, destruction and violence cannot be altered. Without Divine
stability within our hearts and minds we
do not stand a chance of surviving these
storms. We will not know how to take
cover and be clothed in the true Son with
His peace, who is our Heavenly Father.
If one does not have Divine understanding of why all of this is happening
around us, one is vulnerable to anything
and can easily be caught in the crossfire’s
of hell, right here on this earth. Our stability and peace will only come from within,
no place else. As it is written, “Wisdom
and Knowledge shall be the stability of thy
times and the strength of our salvation”.
It is not about who you know these
days, because everybody is nobody
when looking at the big picture. It’s all
about what you know for sure about
your Heavenly Father. His Holy Spirit in you is what will carry you through.
CONTACT INFO:
Barbara Brazile
President, Brazille Enterprises
E-mail: [email protected]
www.brazileenterprises.com
Phone: 248.766.2726
ASK THE SECURITY EXPERT
Be Safe-Be Smart
I
n attempting to identify a security
topic that I could address as my first
article in “Ask the Security Expert”,
a horrific act of terrorism occurred in the
way of a mass shooting at an Orlando,
Florida night club in June. First, I would
like to express my
sincere condolences
to the families of the
victims, and pray for
complete mental and
physical recovery of
those injured in this
senseless, violent attack. In light of this
LARRY TEAMER tragedy, I gave considerable thought on
how one could protect themselves in situations of this nature. Normally, most of
us enjoying a fun filled evening out with
family or friends would give little, if
any, thought of our safety and security. But times have changed and our safety
and that of our loved ones should be at
the forefront of our thoughts. Though we
cannot prevent devastating, cowardly,
violent acts committed by others, there
are some things that can be done to increase our chances of surviving an attack.
First and foremost, awareness is
a key factor. When entering an establishment, survey your surroundings. Wheth-
er it’s a night club, bar, restaurant, theater
or even church or school, it is crucial to
know what’s around you. Make certain
you locate all exits, doors and windows.
Become familiar with the location of
a kitchen given that many fires within
these establishments begin in that area.
Make sure to map out a path to
leave the premises in a hurry if neces-
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the details
of every establishment you
enter. Be aware of not just
what is around you, but who
is around you
sary. It would be in your best interest
to check with an owner or manager to
make sure there is a clear path and that
all emergency exits whether a door or
window are not locked or obscured in
any way. Some establishments tend to
lock or chain exit doors to prevent unauthorized entry into the building. Locking
exit doors is a violation of building codes
and local laws, and should be reported
if found. These exits must be unlocked
and operational in case of an emergency. Some exit doors are equipped
with panic alarms that will sound if the
door is opened. This is fine as long as
the door functions as it is designed to.
The idea is to have a clear understanding of any and all escape
routes that can be used in the event of
an emergency. Windows can be broken out in order to facilitate an escape
provided there are items in the immediate area that can be used to break the
glass. You also need to be certain that
any window openings are at a sufficient height and large enough that they
can be successfully utilized for exiting.
In the Orlando shootings, many
patrons entered restrooms to escape the
carnage, however once in there, they
were unable to barricade the restroom
doors which allowed the shooter to enter behind them and continue his deadly
rampage. Once observed by the gunman, they were at his mercy. Hiding
in an unlocked room is concealment
not cover from deadly gun fire. Cover is barricading the door so the gunman cannot see you or enter, which
may allow you the time needed to escape through another door or window.
I should note that not all locked
rooms may have an alternate means of
escape, should that be the case, a barricaded room can still serve as a safe
place to remain until authorities arrive to
Detroit Smart Pages welcomes
Larry Teamer to our team of
expert columnists.
defuse the situation. Prepare to defend
yourself, individually, or as a group.
Obviously there is no set strategy that is best suited for an escalating,
dangerous and potentially deadly event,
such as what occurred in Orlando. But
simply paying close attention to the
structural details of every establishment
that you enter may prove to be a life saving measure for you and your loved ones.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the details of every establishment you enter. Be aware of not just
what is around you, but who is around
you. Look for suspicious behavior and if
there is someone or something that makes
you uneasy, leave that establishment. It
may seem like a lot, but the extra effort
may very well increase your chances of surviving a dangerous situation.
Until next time, Be Aware,
Be Diligent, Be Safe. Be Smart
If you have a question concerning safety or security, please write me
a note and I will be more than happy
to address your concerns. Please mail
your question to “Ask the Security
Expert” c/o Larry Teamer, Pyratech
Security Systems, Inc., 20150 Livernois, Detroit, Michigan 48221, or
email at [email protected].
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a 12-week capacity building for conJASON COLE
tractors which cost
$600.00. MMCA hosts meetings every
month with guest presenters that talk
about their latest projects that they are
bringing forward for contracting opportunities.
I started on the journey to build
the Detroit Chapter in 2007 before the
Mortgage Market crash of 2007/2008.
Detroit launched in 2007 Jason A.
Cole Executive Director, Grand Rapids launched in 2005 Michael Verhulst President, Ann Arbor launched in
2013 Ricky Jefferson President, Flint
to be launched in 2017, Lansing to be
launched in 2017 and Saginaw Michigan.
How: MMCA collaborates and makes
connections through several platforms;
Live Meetings, Phone Meetings, and
Internet Meetings. MMCA meets every
First Friday from 3-5PM at 300 River
Place Drive, Lower Level Conference
Center, Detroit, Michigan 48207. www.
michmca.org for details.
Why: The Vision behind the launch of
MMCA was to link likeminded business
owners across Metro Detroit and Michigan. The timing was critical as the Mortgage Market tanked; a cohesive organization was needed to save many firms
initially. As the Construction market
improved, MMCA was there as a catalyst to assist firms with their infrastructural needs like; Incorporation, Capital
Access and Organization Structuring.
Detroit is again running on all
cylinders as far as construction spending. Manufacturing Plants, Roads and
Sewers, Education and Health Care,
Demolition and Housing. Tell a Friend
now is the Time, Detroit is the Place
and Contracting is the Thing to Do!!!
MMCA’s leadership is made
up of local business owners. Board
Chairman Roderick Rickman of Rick-
man Enterprise Group, Vice Chairman
Kirk Edwards of O’Brien Edwards
Construction, President Darwyn E.
Parks of CME Enterprise, Vice President Will Curry of Fourth Dynasty
Enterprise, Treasurer Patricia A. Cole
of Service On-Site, and Secretary, Lakiah Washington of Ben Washington and Sons Plumbing and Heating.
MMCA is expanding nationally by working with National Minority Contractors Association (NMCA)
www.nmcanational.org which is linking up with more than 50 Independent
Chapters into a National Organization
that would collaborate with other Associations like; African-American Real
Estate Professionals (AAREP), Real
Estate Executive Council (REEC), Na-
Detroit is again running
on all cylinders as far as
construction spending.
Manufacturing Plants,
Roads and Sewers,
Education and Health
Care, Demolition and
Housing. Tell a Friend
now is the Time,
Detroit is the Place
and Contracting is
the Thing to Do!!!
tional Association of Black Hotel
Owners Operators and Developers
(NABHOOD), National Organization Minority Architects (NOMA),
National Association Minority Consulting Engineers (NAMCE), National Planners Association (NPA),
National Association African-American Insurance Agencies (NAAAIA),
National Association Real Estate
Brokers (NAREB), National Bankers Association (NBA), National
Bar Association (NBA), National Association Black Accountants
(NABA) and the National Association Investment Companies (NAIC).
I host meetings every First Friday
on Real Estate Investing www.
reiaofdetroit.com, every Second
Thursday on Engineering www.
namcenational.org, and every
Third Wednesday on Construction
www.michmca.org.
S M A R T R E A L E S TAT E I N V E S T M E N T S
The Detroit Real Estate
Market is Red Hot!
The market is red hot, there’s a tremendous amount of money wanting to
get into commercial real estate. Investors
want stable cash flows
and non- volatile assets. Net lease real
estate is the number
one sector in commercial real estate
that offers you your
cake and you can eat it
GARY L. SMITH too! Demand for net
lease retail properties continues to outstrip available product in other sectors such as apartments,
shopping centers and office properties.
Right now we’re seeing a big
trend of people preparing for retirement,
and they’re using net lease properties to
replace IRAs in their portfolios. I am receiving a lot of calls from investors with
non-performing IRAs looking for an alternative investment that offers dependable, predictable cash flows along with a
Net lease real estate
is the number one
sector in commercial
real estate that offers
you your cake and you
can eat it too!
component of growth, without the headaches of being a landlord. Commercial
net leased real estate is an investment
that offers the stability, growth, passivity and yield that provides today’s investor with a peace of mind to sleep well at
night (SWAN). As an investor you want
to invest only in properties that have what
are known as “investment grade” tenants.
Tenants who have a Standard
and Poor’s rating of BBB- or better.
Take note of the caliber of tenants being
wooed to occupy space along Woodward
and you’ll get an idea of what I mean.
You would only need to Google Nike
and pull up their financials to determine
their ability to pay rent! When it comes
to risk assessment, this is by far the best
gage in determining the stability of the
revenue stream. After all, at the end of
the day, it is your tenant’s ability to pay
the rent every month, on time… every
time that make a good deal a great deal!
High end tenants pay high end
rents for the visibility and density of the
location of the property. Thus, the better
the location, the higher the value. As an
investor of net leased real estate, even if
the tenant vacates the property (closes)
they still are obligated to pay the rent,
taxes, insurance and upkeep (maintenance) of the property until the lease
terminates. Properties leased by non-investment grade tenants, those that have
shorter lease terms or those in secondary
and tertiary locations carry a higher risk
Commercial net leased
real estate is an investment that offers
the stability, growth,
passivity and yield
that provides today’s
investor with a peace
of mind to sleep well
at night (SWAN).
and therefore offer a higher yield. It is
with these properties that you will have
the highest potential for value added opportunities that offer much higher yields
without a significant increase in risk.
Investor demand in the Midwest is strong, as it has historically been
a market with higher cap rates than that
of the coasts for similar assets. The Detroit market is still trailing the national market in terms of peaks and trends.
While there is a consensus nationally that
we are near or at the peak of the market, not so in the Metro Detroit region.
There is still room for growth and Detroit
prices are rising quite rapidly, however
there’s a feeling that the market is going to correct itself, and nobody wants
to be the guy that paid too high a price
just before the next correction comes.
The ideal investor for a net leased
property are 1031 exchange buyers and
owners of apartment buildings rotating
out of the management- intensive properties and into more “hands-free” net lease
real estate. Similarly, retirees are also
seeking net lease properties, as they are
more conventional investors frightened
by stock market volatility and low-yielding bonds; IRAs and small pension plans.
Talk with your financial planner
if they haven’t spoken to you already about
these types of deals. The wealthy have
used these investments for years transferring generational wealth without paying taxes along the way, and so can you!
CONTACT INFO:
Gary L. Smith, Managing Partner
Business Consultants International, Inc.
[email protected]
(248)991-5705
COVER STORY
Living With Vitiligo!
World Vitiligo Day 2016 - How I Feel! One Voice. One Purpose.
BY BEVERLY SMITH
On June 24th and 25th of this
year, I attended my first Vitiligo Conference and Rally in Washington D.C.
Meeting others from all over the country including Canada and Jamaica, and
all ages from 5 years to over 70 with
this autoimmune pigmentation disorder was very exhilarating and helpful
to know that so many people are living
with Vitiligo and lead normal active
lives. The Conference and Rally was
the first to actually meet with several
members of the U.S. Congress and rally on the lawn on the Capitol Building.
had Vitiligo for 14 years.
I am happy to belong
to the Southeastern Michigan Vitiligo Support Group
hosted by Henry Ford Health
Systems and Lee Thomas,
entertainment reporter with
Fox 2 News. Lee Thomas
founded Clarity, Lee Thomas
Foundation to provide mental and emotional support for
people with Vitiligo. (www.
clarityltf.org). I’ve had Vitiligo since May of 2015.
We welcome anyone
who is interested in learning more about Vitiligo or
simply seeking a supportive environment. You do
not have to be a Henry Ford Health
System patient to participate in this
group. We meet on the second Thursday of every other month at Henry Ford
Health Systems on the 7th floor of the
New Center Building at Second and W.
Grand Blvd. from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
The cause of Vitiligo is unknown.
Current research has demonstrated
that people with Vitiligo may have
a genetic predisposition. Many consider Vitiligo to be an “autoimmune
condition”. This means that your own
However, the degree of pigment
loss can vary within each Vitiligo patch.
Vitiligo often begins with a rapid loss
of pigment. This may continue until, for unknown reasons, the process
stops. Cycles of pigment loss, followed
by times where the pigment doesn’t
change, may continue indefinitely.
Vitiligo is not a
Black Disease!
Vitiligo affects one or two of every 100 people. About half the people
who develop it do so before the age of
20; about one–fifth have a family member with this condition. Anybody may
be affected with Vitiligo, all ethnicities. Vitiligo is not a Black Disease!
Vitiligo is a condition that can
have major affects on ones Quality of
Life. Vitiligo can be an emotionally
devastating condition that can affect all
involved. Supporting, encouraging and
empowering individuals with Vitiligo
is the primary goal of support groups.
We meet on the second Thursday, (July 14th)
of every other month at Henry Ford Health
Systems on the 7th floor of the New Center
Building at Second and W. Grand Blvd. from
6:00pm to 8:00pm.
The Rally was organized to:
• Raise awareness to generate common
understanding
• Generate funding for research and patient support
• Appeal to pharmaceutical companies
for affordable medication(s)
• Show that Vitiligo is a DISEASE- No
one Chooses to have it
• Create a Worldwide unified Vitiligo
Community
The 2016 World Vitiligo Day
Rally was organized by Valarie Molyneaux, President of VITFriends, a
501c3 non-profit. (www.vitfriends.org.)
Valarie lives in Boston, MA with her
husband Roy who was diagnosed with
Vitiligo right after she was. Valarie has
immune system is destroying the cells
in your skin that make pigment (melanocytes). Despite ongoing research,
there is no clear cause of Vitiligo. Pronounced VITTLE – EYE- GO), it is a
skin condition resulting from loss of
pigment which produces white patches.
April Star and Valarie Molyneaux.
Patricia Rossy and Valarie MolyneauxVITFriends
At this time, the exact cause of Vitiligo
is not known, however, there may be an
inherited component. Although some
treatment is available, there is NO single
cure. However there are several different
ointments and things to rub on the skins,
as well as light therapy now available. There are several theories as to
what is triggering and influencing this
autoimmune dysfunction. Many believe that this likely means that Vitiligo is the result of a multi-faceted set
of factors, including a complex set of
genes, stress, accumulation of toxic
compounds, infection, autoimmunity
mutations, and impaired melanocytes. SMART TIME MANAGEMENT
7 Ways to Add More Time To Your Day
W
e all know that there really isn’t a way for us to
get more time in our day,
but so many times
you’ve
wished
for it. The magic
number is 1,440.
That’s the number of minutes you
get in every day.
How you invest
SHEILA HAWKINS
it is what makes a
different. As much
as you wish for it, you aren’t getting any more time, but you can shift
your approach to how you manage
the time. Here are seven things that
you can do right now to add more
time to your day by making that shift.
These seven things will help you add
time to your day and they’ll increase
your productivity if you put them in
motion and stick to them.
• Handle things once. That means
paperwork, email and voice mail messages. When you are in the midst of the
paper work, email and voice mail, take
instant action. Determine what to do
with the paper work; decide whether
to read it, reply to it, place it in your
inbox, delegate, file or trash it. Treat
email and voice mail the same way.
While you’re checking email at the
designated time, reply, call back or add
it to the calls you’ll make later.
• Be decisive! Make the choice and
keep it moving. The time wasted
around decisions slows down your
ability to take action and it kills productivity.
• Get it in writing. Writing things
down makes a big difference when it
comes to getting things done and the
amount of time it takes. If you’re forever thinking about the things that you
have to do, your productivity suffers. I
tell clients all the time that it’s not real
until you write it down. It clears your
mind so that it’s free and you can focus.
• Turn off the technology during
your Prime Time™. Figure out the
time of day when you’re at your best
mentally and physically and use that
period to tackle your top priorities.
During that time, close your email,
turn off the phone and get it done.
• Curb the time wasters. There are
things that seriously suck the time
away from what’s important. Email,
the internet, social media and the
phone will all have you wasting time.
Be conscious of the amount of time
you give to each. Use a timer while engaging in those activities if necessary.
• Prioritize your work. Know the
priority for each of the tasks that are
on your list. When you prioritize,
you’re not guessing about what has to
be done, you already know. Knowing
the value and importance of each task
makes it easy to know what’s important and what to delete from your list.
• Delegate. It can be hard to do, but
it’s necessary. Make a list of the things
that don’t require your expertise. Find
someone you trust, like a virtual assistant to handle those things then focus
on the things that generate revenue.
© 2016 Sheila Hawkins,
Third Eye Group
Contact Info:
Sheila Hawkins
Personal Productivity Alchemist
Third Eye Group, Inc.
[email protected]
313.475.0212
www.thirdeyegroup.net
SMART BUSINESS PRACTICES
Is it time to expand your current business model?
I
f you’re not a start-up and have been
at your business practice for a while,
have you wondered about the next
steps? I’ve been at my business for more
than 8 years now
and I often consider
whether status-quo
is acceptable or is
there some indication that I need
to step things up.
This converLAURA SIGMON
sation is obviously
tailored to those
who seem to have a solid footing of
where they are and seem to know how
they got to where they are. For those
still attempting to gauge what success
looks like, this may not be an urgent
need on your radar right now. For the
others, like me, I decided to come up
with a rating scale to help assess whether it’s time to expand our current operations or business models. To determine if you should consider this potential change, rate each
item for relevance. 1 = not really, where
I am and so on, with 10 being equivalent to, YES this is exactly where I am.
The goal is to tally each item
to assess how close you get to
100%. Remember, due diligence is
the real name of the game, however,
the following questions should help
guide your discussion or decision.
1. You have a loyal customer base and
a strong presence in your respective
market. For example, you’re known
as the print King! Majority of your clients/customers are repeat transactions
with consistent frequency. It indicates
an ongoing demand for your products or services, as well as satisfaction
with the quality of what you do or sell.
liverables. Realistically, you’ll need employees who can step up and take charge
of a second location, a new product line
or a big new account. If you’ve got these
workers in place, your chances of a successful business expansion improves.
5. Your industry and/or market is
growing. If you are noticing displacement potential due to market evolution
2. Customer surveys have suggest- this is not the time to expand but the
ed with consistency more demand. time to adjust for market feasibility
Maybe you hear that your customers and relevance. If new technological
travel a great distance to enjoy your improvements have occurred to make
product or service. After a few months your business more market worthy, then
of data gathering you learn that there’s perhaps you should look at the next 5
an area where you have existing cli- year forecast for future utilization. This
ents but no physical presence. It may is a great question for the food trucks
be time to consider a micro-version of versus the restaurant in certain areas.
your current operation in a related area. 6. You continuously have more mon3. Your business has been profitable ey coming in than going out. This
for more than a few years. This tradi- means you’re not chasing accounts retionally means the business can and has ceivables! It also means that you have
been able to support itself. If you haven’t a good handle on your cash reserves.
been able to determine why you’re profit- 7. You have more business than you
able then you should give yourself a low can handle. Are you turning away cusrating as this is an indication that your tomers or are you too busy to contact
recent surge in profits isn’t necessarily sales leads in a timely fashion? Are you
enough to justify a business expansion. and your employees working what seem
4. You have a strong team of employees like 24-hour days? Assuming that this
or an easily duplicate-able process. To isn’t the result of poor time management,
handle growth, your current staff needs but of high demand, this is a major sign
to be ready to take on more work and to there is room for business expansion.
some degree self-manage quality con- 8. You see a need for related prodtrols to not dilute your reputation or de- ucts or services. If sales of your ini-
tial product or service are strong, it
could be time to add to your offerings. For example, if you own a hair
salon, you could add related services
such as waxing, massage and tanning.
9. You have operational systems in
place. If your business is still operating
by the seat of your pants, business expansion is not yet in the cards. You’ll need
documented processes to train new employees, replicate your services at other
locations and ensure consistent quality.
10. You’re running out of room
or things in the office seem a bit
cramped! Sometimes, you just need
to expand to a bigger location. If your
employees are all right on top of each
other and you have no privacy or
room to put another file, then this is a
great indicator for a potential upgrade.
Now rate each item from 1 to 10 to determine your percentage for change!
Check out our website for additional information and insights for this
topic at BestPracticesConsultingServices.com or for an appointment with
an Organizational Development Consultant please call us at 313.265.3062.
Until the next issue, enjoy your summer!
CONTACT INFO:
[email protected]
Best Practices Consulting Services, LLC
2727 2nd Avenue, Suite 214
Detroit, MI 48201
www.YourPracticesCoach.com
(O) 313.757.1695
(F) 313.355.9371 (C) 810.280.4310
Topics’ of the day:
• Wellness & Wealth
You cannot have one if the other is
absent. Wellness and Wealth are the
essential foundation of success!
• Imperfection-to-Authenticity
The road from imperfection; feeling
of personal inadequacy to authenticity:
not over identifying and not having
perfection paralysis”
• The Power of Thoughts
Change your perspectives and you
will change your thinking;
quote by Norman Vincent Peale,
change your thoughts and you
change your world.
• Building Your Brand
The process should not be taken likely:
everything you do and say is a part of
your brand, so be mindful.
• The Power of Silence
Some of the most successful leaders
and entrepreneurs world wide have one
thing in common, taking the time for thinking in silence.
• Three C’s of Leadership; Courage
– Compassion – Connection
Leaders are not cut from the same
stencil, but they all have some of
the same core drivers.
Speakers include:
Dr. LaCesha Brintley
Renee Ahee
Maggie Varney
Tonja Ayers
Alison Vaughn
Jesse James
Danielle Smith
Callie Bradford
Kelly Major Green
Alyssa Martina
Donna Hover-O
COVER STORY
Mike Morse expands 2016-2017 School Backpack Program
to more than 30,000 DPS students K-8th grades
In 2015, Attorney Mike Morse,
owner of Mike Morse Law Firm, provided 23,000 backpacks filled with
school supplies to Detroit Public
School students in grades K-5, which
reached over 65 elementary schools.
lic Schools are still in desperate need.
While I’m thrilled that so many of
our business leaders are bringing jobs
and new development downtown, the
kids in the neighborhoods and their
“Last year, we saw how
kids who come to school
equipped with the proper
supplies are more likely
to stay engaged, more
likely to succeed in
school. So we’re doing
more. For the students,
the city, and also, for us.
It just feels good.
It feels right.”Mike Morse.
If you or your company
would like to help in the
school supplies initiative, visit 855MikeWins.
com to learn more.
This year Morse announced a bigger
and better partnership with DPS where
the firm will donate over 30,000 backpacks with school supplies to students
in grades K-8. “The results last year
(listed left to right) are: Tammy Mitchell, A. L. Holmes Principal; Benny Napoleon, Wayne
County Sheriff; Attorney Michael Morse; Alycia Meriweather, DPS Interim Superintendent; and Judge Steven Rhodes, DPS Transition Manager.
were amazing,” said Morse. “We
were told by the teachers and principals that the students were more engaged, happier to come to school. We
were also told that it is helping with enrollment. This is shocking and thrilling at the same time, that a small gesture like this can help retain students
and make students better students.”
Morse is committed to making
sure DPS students have the opportunity to succeed and feel special on
their first day of school. He has been
working with Detroit Public Schools
Foundation to ensure students are
ready for the new school year. “This
can be a major game-changer for
some students,” said Alycia Meriweather, Interim Superintendent for
Detroit Public Schools. “Being able
to start the school year with appropriate supplies is a great first step in
being well prepared for a successful school year. On behalf of Detroit
Public Schools, I want to thank the
Mike Morse Law Firm for choosing
to invest in our students in this tangible way so that our K-8 students
can start the year with a baseline of
school supplies all across the district.”
Morse was born in Detroit, raised
in Oak Park, Southfield and Farmington, and now resides in Huntington
Woods. He is deeply rooted in the life
of the city. With 80 to 90 percent of
his clients in Detroit, Morse is in the
city almost every day. “Detroit has
been good to me, but the Detroit Pub-
parents have yet to see the benefits.
What I can do alone will never be
enough, but I see it as a start – my
firm’s commitment – to be a part of
a movement building a brighter future here.” said Morse. “Our goal
is to increase every child’s chances
for academic success by leveling the
playing field as much as possible from
the outset. Having the proper supplies
increases a student’s ability to perform. It provides dignity and confidence. And showing them there are
people out there who care, who have
their back on this, is huge to them.”
About Mike Morse and the Mike Morse Law Firm
M
ichael J. Morse is a personal injury attorney
with offices located in
Southfield, Michigan. He began
his education at the University of
Arizona where he earned a Bachelors of Science in business. He
graduated with honors in 1989, and
then earned a Juris Doctor Degree
Cum Laude from the University
Of Detroit School Of Law. From
1992 through 1995, Morse was
employed with a medium sized
personal injury law firm. Then,
in September of 1995 he opened
his own firm and today proudly
employs 150 legal professionals.
The Mike Morse Law Firm
is now the largest personal injury
law firm in Michigan specializing
in automobile, truck and motorcycle cases. They handle catastrophic construction accident cases, significant dog bite cases and social
security disability matters. The law
firm also handles FLSA, FELA,
defective hip cases, nursing home
cases, complex medical malprac-
tice cases, police brutality matters,
maritime cases, and many others.
Morse frequently lectures
throughout the state and country. In addition to serving as legal counsel to his clients, he
also serves as a case evaluator
and arbitrator in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
Morse has authored a book,
“Litigating Neck and Back Injuries” by James Publishing and has
received many awards and accolades including The Detroit Free
Press Top Place to work every year
since 2010, Crain’s Cool Places to
Work in Tough Times 2009 and
2012, DBiz Top Lawyer 20092012, 2009 21st Century Innovator and 2009 Leader in The Law.
In October of 2015, Mr.
Morse was the proud recipient
of the Spirit of Detroit Award
given to him in recognition of
his generous contributions of
backpacks and school supplies.
S M A R T E AT S
July is National Baked Beans Month
Americans celebrate summer with
this favorite picnic food of baked
beans. Annually, Americans consume 50 million pounds of baked
beans during the month of July,
which is enough to build a trail
of baked beans cans longer than
Historic Route 66, which runs from
Los Angeles to Chicago. It’s only
fitting that July is National Baked
Beans Month and the perfect time to
enjoy one of America’s favorite side
dishes. Below we’ve shared our traditional baked beans recipe, to help
you celebrate in honor of National
Bake Beans Month!
Ingredients
1 large onion, diced
1 large green bell pepper
2 (16-ounce) cans of Busch’s beans
3 tablespoons prepared yellow
mustard
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar
4 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 pound bacon strips, cut into 1/2inch pieces (optional)
In a cast iron skillet, mix onion,
pepper, beans, mustard, maple syrup,
light brown sugar, ketchup, and lemon juice. Top with the bacon pieces.
Bake covered on 375, for 45 to 60
minutes.
So as you unload your picnic baskets
this summer feel free to invite American’s favorite side dish in celebrations of National Baked
Bean Month!
August is National Peach Month.
As we roll into August, we’d like to
share the many reasons to celebrate
the peach. Research has shown this
pleasant fruit to be rich in potassium
which actually helps prevent anxiety,
muscle weakness, poor memory and
skin problems. This flavorful fruit is
also packed full of fiber, which can
2. Combine the peaches, 1 cup sugar,
help prevent colon cancer and lower
and water in a saucepan and mix
cholesterol levels as well. When you
well. Bring to a boil and simmer for
bite into a juicy peach, you’re also
10 minutes. Remove from heat.
chewing on a great source of vitamin
3. Put the butter in a 3-quart baking
C, which boosts the immune system
dish and place in oven to melt. Mix
and prevents multiple types of canremaining 1 cup sugar, flour and
cer. The peach contains many health
milk slowly to prevent clumping.
benefits, and its sweet flavor makes
Pour mixture over melted butter.
it the perfect snack.
Do not stir.
So, in honor of National Peach
4. Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring
Month, here is a delicious recipe
in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground
for peach cobbler. Of course this
cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise
scrumptious dessert has the added
to top during baking. Bake for 30 to
fat to it so make sure to share with
45 minutes.
others to help you honor this fabu5. Serve with whipped cream or
lous fruit as we celebrate National
vanilla ice cream, if desired.
Peach Month!
As you relax and enjoy the breeze
Peach Cobbler Serves 8of the summer daze feel free to take
a bite out of a Georgia Peach in cele• 4 cups peeled, sliced peaches
brations of National Peach Month!
• 2 cups sugar, divided
• 1/2 cup water
Khadija B. Wallace is Founder &
• 8 tablespoons butter
CEO of Joyful Treats Catering.
• 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
For edible food creations and fun fact
• 1 1/2 cups milk
tips or recipes, sign up for newsletter
• Ground cinnamon, optional
at: www.joyfultreatscatering.com
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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SMART BUSINESS PROFILE
BURN RUBBER with
DE-TREAD
T
BY LADEANNA GUY
he path to entrepreneurship
is like any
journey. There are
certain
milestones
along the way that
help guide you along
your path in following your dreams
or passion. Audra Carson’s journey
has been a long tiring path. A lifelong
Detroiter, who is committed to the city
being tire-less and more environmental friendly in urban neighborhoods.
Soon after Audra graduated from
Olivet College, she began a career in
corporate America. After 20 years in
the corporate arena where she honed
her mentoring, project implementation, management skills and process
improvement strategies, Audra began
to feel stressed and burned out. At this
moment she decided to take a leap of
faith and De-Tread became full-time
in January 2016.
I say De-Tread
chose me.
I didn’t
choose it.
Audra’s nicknames are “Tire
Lady”, “Tire Whisper” but she likes
“Tire Nerd” the best. She posts her
journey through the Chronicles of a
Tire Nerd on social media where she
brings awareness of tire blight issues
and promote positivity to the world.
I met with Audra Carson inside
the Green Garage in Midtown, where
her office is currently located to find
out more about De-Tread.
LaDeanna: Tell us about De-Tread
Audra: De-tread provides solutions to
post consumer tire waste (tire blight)
in Metro Detroit. I have collaborated
with community groups to address
their needs concerning the health and
safety issue of illegally dumped tires.
Post-consumer tire waste is a global
concern, with Metro Detroit being of
specific concern due to our automotive culture. Along with residents our
efforts have removed 9,000 tires from
neighborhoods. De-Tread is a triple
bottom line business with people,
planet and profit at its core. Products
AUDRA CARSON
are currently being developed that will
uplift the community through education, work force development, and innovation.
LaDeanna: How was De-Tread born?
Audra: Born and raised in Detroit off
Wyoming and Schoolcraft area around
2007, I noticed the area had started to
become a dumping ground. Around
this time God begin to whisper to me
and I knew then I had to do something.
The light went off in my head as I was
watching an HGTV episode where a
guy was making mulch from recycled
tires- I thought if he could do it, so
could I. I didn’t grow up saying I’m
going to throw around dirty tires (said
it jokingly). So why, I say De-Tread
chose me. I didn’t choose it. It was
birthed out of being deeply impacted
by what I saw in the neighborhood
where I grew up, the neighborhood
being used as a tire dumpsite.
LaDeanna: What were some of your
projects?
Audra: The first clean-up was
in October 2012 through a pilot program that De-Tread received funding
for. We had 30 volunteers, cleared 303
tires in 30 minutes. Our second cleanup occurred in July 2013 through a
grant from the Skillman Foundation.
This time, with the help of 50
volunteers and a 40 foot trailer, we
collected 2300 tires in the Osborn
community and properly disposed of
them.
LaDeanna: Each year, approximately 100 million tires are processed
by the recycling industry according to
ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycle Industries, Inc.) What are some of your
challenges you faced entering into this
industry?
Audra: Well I’m an African
American woman which traditionally
is a male dominant industry. In the beginning people didn’t understand my
Vision of De-Tread but advice from
my older brother kept me pushing DeTread into its purpose.
There is a cost associated with
properly disposing of tires so another
one of De-Tread challenges has been
consistent funding and not having the
proper equipment for hauling. I would
love to have 2 trucks with the De-tread
logo and 2 drivers to haul tires to a collection site by the end of the year.
To help De-Tread overcome
some of the challenges, I have added a consulting service. I’m a subject
matter expert on tire blight so through
education to corporations, tire shops,
etc., collectively we would be part of
the solution and not add to the problem. This service also allows me to
speak for urban neighborhoods cities
in Michigan that don’t have a voice
and help get rid of urban tire blight issues.
LaDeanna: What is your vision
for De-Tread in the next 10 years?
Audra: My vision is to have a
tire processing facility right here in
Detroit. This is a $10-million-dollar
venture but I would be able to create
jobs and economic opportunities for
the city of Detroit.
The facility would also solve a
serious issue with proper disposal of
the tires which increases a cleaner environment in urban neighborhoods.
The facility could process 30,000 tons
of tire waste, producing valuable materials such as asphalt for roads and
tapping into my creative side; greener
products and décor items.
LaDeanna: What advice would you
give other entrepreneurs?
Audra: Be true to yourself. It’s a solidarity journey. Although you can
build a team but if following your
calling, it’s yours to own.
Audra Carson Founder and CEO,
De-Tread, LLC located in The Green
Garage at 4444, 2nd Ave. She can
be reached at: (313)- 444-5715. Visit website at http://www.de-tread.
com. Don’t forget to like De-Tread on
Facebook and follow on Twitter.
De-Tread’s mission statement
is to provide solutions to illegally
dumped tires that empowers the community and promotes Healthy and
Safe Neighborhoods.
SMART FINANCIAL PLANNING
Professionally Speaking …
I
have often been asked, “What makes
a professional, professional?” Is it
their attention to detail or theirinnate
ability to read both a person’s mind and
their emotions?Is it their ability to tell you
your greatest fears
while at the same
time making you feel
comfortable with the
space you are in? Is
it their love and affection when kissing
babies or their sixth
sense to avert a poELLIS LIDDELL
tential threat that could
change the course of history?
Professionally speaking an advisor,
no matter what the industry, should first
and foremost take their career seriously,
second have love for family and friends and
third be able to embrace all of humanity.
As a young financial advisor, I can
recall and incident where I swapped vehicles with one of my friends. I had an SUV
and my friend had an entry level, older
model, two door sports car. He needed
to transport several items that were too
bulky and needed a larger vehicle. While
driving his car on my way into work, I
unknowingly passed a prospective client.
A few days later, when the prospective
client came into the office, he was full
of questions. His first question was so
profound that itimpacted me and the rest
of my career.The question was a simple
one, “How are you doing?” I replied in
a manner that most people would, I said
“I’m doing fine”. The prospective client
Our logo is an elephant
and many people ask,
why the elephant? It
represents strength,
wisdom and courage,
attributes you want in
a financial advisor.
then responded, “I’m not talking about
you personally, I’m talking about your
money”. He had formed an opinion of me
and who I was before ever meeting me. It
was all based on my friend’s entry level,
older model sports car. In that situation,
perception had formed his reality. Today
I have a SUV and a sports car, both newer and higher end models, with personalized license plates. However, I’ve never
forgotten how important it is to not only
project an image of how you are doing
but to live that image with every breath
you take and with every action you make.
When a current or prospective client comes to ELE Wealth Management,
I want them to feel as though they are
entering our home. I’ve built a staff of
individuals that God not only equipped
with beauty and intelligence, but more
importantly, a sense of service.As a
people, we were taught as children to
love and respect others, but more importantly to treat others the way we
want to be treated. Those traits instilled
in us as children are what make us people of character and service as adults.
The team at ELE Wealth Management see our clients everywhere we
go: at the mall, at the movies, at dinner,
even at Target. Professionally speaking,
this is our town. We love it, we love the
people, and we look forward to making our greatest contribution ever to its
growth and development. We see nothing
but possibility in every current and prospective client. At ELE Wealth Management,we realize the Herculean task that
we have been entrusted with to manage
our clients’ largest non-human asset.
Our logo is an elephant and many
people ask, why the elephant? It represents
strength, wisdom and courage, attributes
you want in a financial advisor. You want
someone who is strong, wise, and has
the courage to tell you the truth. Most of
us only get one chance at retirement and
we want to do it right. When someone
comes into the office, whether from the
City of Detroit or Ford Motor Company,
and asks if it is the right time to retire, my
answer is based on their specific situation
thatcomes with 33+ years of experience.
Having assisted thousands of people into
retirement, it is with great pride, that we
at ELE Wealth Management celebrate
honorable service to our community, to
our city, to our state, and to our country.
Ellis Liddell is the President of various ELE entities in Southfield, MI. He
is also the author of “Wealth Management: Merging Faith with Finance”
and a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable. Mr. Liddell can be
reached at (248) 356-6555 or through
his website: www.elewealth.com
Securities offered through ELE Wealth
Advisors, Inc., member FINRA. Advisory services offered through
ELE Advisory Services, Inc. ELE
Wealth Advisors and ELE Advisory
Services, LLC are affiliated through
common ownership and control.
DETROIT
SMART
PAGES
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Get the SMART “AD” Vantage
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starting at $50
(limited time offer)
Shaun Robinson announces
formation of S.H.A.U.N.
Foundation for Girls
(a multi-level, innovative new charity to
empower girls and young women)
“I’m so excited
to announce the launch
of a dream come true!”
says veteran journalist
Shaun Robinson. The
S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls was created as a grant-makSHAUN
ROBINSON ing foundation that will
support
grass-roots
non-profits that focus on one of five
key areas of girls’ issues. Using the acronym of S.H.A.U.N., the foundation’s
divisions are: (S)TEM, (H)EALTH (A)
RTS (U)NITY and (N)EIGHBORHOODS. “I want to cast the net wide
to empower girls in ways that will truly level the playing field and help them
thrive. Investing in girls today creates
leaders of the future.” says Robinson.
The foundation’s multi-faceted
mission will focus on awarding grants
to organizations that get girls involved
in STEM education; help girls lead
healthier lifestyles - physically and
mentally; promote positive images of
young women in the Arts; unify girls
in the U.S. with girls across the globe;
and improve the lives of girls and young
women in underserved neighborhoods.
“I was inspired by the Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation.” says Robinson. “The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for
Girls will work to reduce the inequities
that hold girls and young women back
and seek creative solutions through partnerships with non-profits who are truly
making change. We will use our resources
and influence to forge new paths for girls
to believe in themselves and dream BIG!”
One of the first initiatives of the
S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls will
be a partnership with a Detroit-based
non-profit which has already been identified and will be announced in the
coming weeks. The organization was
chosen, in part, because of its track record helping some of the city’s most
disadvantaged girls and young women.
“I felt it was important to start in
my hometown. Detroit is the place of
“I want to cast the net wide
to empower girls in ways
that will truly level the playing field and help them
thrive. Investing in girls
today creates leaders of the
future.” says Robinson.
my roots and this way that I can continue to give back to the city. I will be excited to shine the spotlight on our first
grantee that exemplifies our commitment
to helping our girls.” says Robinson.
In 2009, Robinson released the
best-selling book, ‘Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice
With Today’s Girls On What It Takes To
Believe In Yourself’. The successful book
included entries from a range of inspirational women like Oprah Winfrey, Diane
von Furstenberg, Alicia Keys and Olympic
swimmer Dara Torres. This project provided empowering messages to teen girls
for them to feel validated and encouraged
to find their life’s journey. This project
was the impetus for Robinson to create
her foundation and provide a platform for
opportunities to girls and young women.
“I am looking forward to people
joining me in my mission to help girls
and young women forge a path for an
extraordinary future!” says Robinson.
Shaun is an Emmy Award-Winning
Journalist , TV Host, Producer, Author and
Actress and former host of the entertainment show, Access Hollywood. She is the
recipient of Dove’s Real Beauty Award.
She has served on the national board of
Girls, Inc., the girls’ empowerment organization and currently serves on the Advisory Board of Girl Up, the United Nations
Foundation’s adolescent girl campaign.
Her acting roles include, Bruce Almighty,
Dr. Doolittle 2, Law & Order:CI, Real Husbands of Hollywood featuring Kevin Hart.
For more information on the
S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls go to
http://SHAUNFoundationforGirls.org. Contact: Renae Francis of Distinguished PR at
[email protected].
Real Life 101-17th Annual Awards Gala
Guest Speaker - Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield
The Real Life 101 Scholarship
Fund, a national Scholarship and Mentoring Program, is celebrating 17 years
of success. Real Life 101 is now serving 47 of 50 states in America by “Investing in Education and not Incarceration”. They are touching the lives of
field, the only boxer to win 5 heavyweight
titles, was the guest speaker at the 17th
Annual Awards Gala held on June 25th at
the MGM Grand Hotel Ballroom.
The 2016 theme was “Increasing
the Scale of Investment by Investing in
Education and Not Incarceration. Real
Life 101 founder Sid E. Taylor says 2016
has been a banner year for the national
program, “We’ve added high schools in
47 of 50 states, including Hawaii, and
Real Life 101 founder Sid E. Taylor says 2016 has been a
banner year for the national program, “We’ve added high
schools in 47 of 50 states, including Hawaii, and the
District of Columbia. The 2016 graduate totals are more
than 500 students, plus we have approximately 120 returning scholarship recipients for more than 600 students in
college for fall 2016.
hundreds of “at risk” young black men
by providing scholarships, mentoring
and educational resources to black males
as they graduate from high school and
start college, trade school or another
accredited higher education institution.
Boxing champion Evander Holy-
the District of Columbia. The 2016 graduate totals are more than 500 students,
plus we have approximately 120 returning scholarship recipients for more than
600 students in college for fall 2016.
This is more than $6 million dollars
of additional scholarship funds invest-
and backpacks. High school graduates in
the program also receive an annual scholarship of $2,000, renewable for up to 5
years, and a certified Real Life Mentor.
College graduates receive green Real Life
101 blazers signifying unity of purpose.
The Gala is also filled with heartfelt testimonies from graduates of the program as
well as community service awards, which
all adds up to an inspirational afternoon.
ed in these future leaders over the next
5 years.” There are now 18 Real Life
101 high schools in Michigan, plus 70
more high schools nationally. These 88
schools are helping Real Life 101, a 501
(c)(3) organization, to shut down the
so-called “schools to prison pipeline”
that exists in so many inner city neighborhoods, as some young men with
few options make bad choices and add
to the statistic that 1 in 4 young black
males will serve some time in prison.
The Gala continues the organization’s mission of “Investing in Education and Not Incarceration”. A highlight
of the annual event is the distribution of
laptop computers loaded with software
Real Life 101 was founded in 2000 by
businessman Sid E. Taylor (Founder of SET
Enterprises, Inc.) and now in its 17th year,
Real Life 101 has invested more than $2 million in scholarships to date, and given out
more than 2,000 laptop computers with software & carrying bags as well as providing
certified Real Life 101 Mentors to the students
that help these young men get through college.
This year the commitment is an additional $6 million over the next 5 years in
scholarship dollars and more than 3000
laptop computers. This will bring the Real
Life investment to more than $8 million in
scholarship dollars and more than 5,000
laptop computers and carrying bags. Learn
more about Real Life 101 and see the organization’s video at - www.reallife101.org
P R E PA R I N G F O R C O L L E G E
Financial Aid Mistakes Steal Your Money
Saving for College is Wise but the Wrong Assets Can Cost a Full Ride Scholarship
M
any believe that financial aid
is free money or some form
of entitlement for persons under a certain financial threshold. That
is further from the
truth. The reality is
financial aid is for
everyone regardless
of income or assets.
It is comprised of
rules. I call the rules
JEFFREY TAYLOR
the Rules of Funding. When these rules are understood and
followed, any family can strategically
reduce their cost of college and positing
themselves for the maximum amount of
funding. The real problem is that most do
not know the rules that benefit them.
Here’s a perfect example:
A family with a $100,000 plus
household income thought that saving
their way into college financial security would be a great way to protect their
retirement and lifestyle from the rising
cost of college. They were disciplined in
saving and felt rather comfortable as their
account values neared $100,000. The tax
advantages also benefited them as their
son got closer and closer to college age.
Well, that’s where the bad news
begins. After the required financial aid
forms were filed, the aid office discovered that the family had put their college
savings into an assessed asset account.
(Which means that it would be consid-
Every family should be financially ready to
assist in paying for college, but there is a
smart way and there is an expensive way.
Knowing and following the smart way can
lead to avoiding costly mistakes.
One day they received a phone like
they had won the lottery. The parents were
notified that their son’s hard work and
sacrifice paid off. He had received 100%
funded scholarship from his academic and
athletic ability. Of course his parents were
very surprised and elated as the cost of
college melted to zero right before their
very eyes. So what about the college savings? What happened to it?
ered as a part of an overall financial aid
package and it would reduce any aid that
the school was going to provide.) In this
case, their scholarship was reduced by the
amount that was in their college savings.
Obviously, this was very disappointing as
it was going to be used to strengthen their
retirement plan.
Unfortunately, parents are completely unaware how their income and
assets are considered in the process. Had
this family been properly informed, they
could have avoided this incident.
What mistakes are you making that
will cost you a fortune? Mistakes are the
leading cause of overpaying for college
and leaving free money opportunities on
the table. Every family should be financially ready to assist in paying for college,
but there is a smart way and there is an
expensive way. Knowing and following
the smart way can lead to avoiding costly
mistakes.
To learn more about designing a
funding plan that focuses on maximizing
aid and avoiding unintended consequences, feel free to visit www.payzeroforcollege.com and register for an upcoming
seminar.
CONTACT INFO:
Jeffrey Taylor
Certified College Planning Specialist
College Funding Resources, LLC
www.tuitionreductionplan.com
Phone: 248.230.9668
ASK THE TECH GUY
10 Features Your Website Must Have To Be Effective
ALL ABOUT TECHNOLOGY
W
hile your business may get
the most sales from referrals, it is easy to overlook
the role your website plays in generating new business. Since anyone with a
mobile device can
access the Internet,
it’s highly likely that
a referral is going to
visit your website.
You can increase
your chances of
converting that lead
WILLIE BRAKE
into a sale by making sure your website has the following 10 features to be effective.
1. Attractive Appearance
Before you meet a potential customer, you should make sure you look
your best. The same holds true for your
website. It needs to look nice and professional for the world to see. In a survey that I conducted, I learned that it
takes a website visitor less than a second
to form a first opinion of your brand.
2. Mobile-Responsiveness
It is extremely critical to have a
mobile responsive website. Google announced in April 2016 that 65 percent of
web traffic is now coming from mobile
devices. Google
released
a
significant
algorithm update in April
2015 designed
to boost mobile-friendly pages with results. In
any regards, you should make sure
that your website provides the best
visitor experience from any device.
3. Up-to-Date Look
An updated web presence immediately differentiates you from your
competitors and shows visitors that you
are a forerunner in the industry. Make
sure your website is consistent with
your brand and has a fresh look consistent with today’s web technology.
4. Include Text Copy on Home Page
Although visuals are critical, it’s
important to include text copy on the
home page for two reasons: 1) visitors
will have something to quickly read
to help them understand what they’re
seeing and 2) organic search engine
optimization is more effective with text
copy of key phrases on your home page.
5. Company Name Easily Identifiable
Having your company name easily identifiable on your website sounds
basic, yet many business owners miss
this simple website must-have. Your
company name needs to be readily visible at the top and from every page. This
may require a logo redesign or update
if your logo format is not ideal for today’s high-resolution web standards.
6. Images Should Represent the Type
of Work You Do
Does your home page feature imagery that’s representative of your type
type of work? If you do both residential and commercial projects, include
images that speak to both. Showing
your project photos is the best, but
you can also leverage manufacturers
and stock photos to get lifestyle images that reflect the type of jobs you do.
7. Local Info on Home Page
Most website visitors seek a local provider, so list your local information on your home page. This also
is important for search engines crawling your site. Make sure to note if you
serve a region or multiple states (for
example, if you are serving Detroit and
Southeast Michigan, or if you’re headquartered in Florida but serving clients in the Caribbean and nationwide).
8. Social Media Links
Make it easy for your visitors to
follow you by including links to your
active business social media accounts
at the top and bottom of your website. Social media enables people to
connect with your company to learn
about projects, solutions, your team
and the industry. Only link accounts
on which you are consistently active.
9. Google Maps Integration
Help site visitors find your office or showroom by including Google
Maps integration. There is an added Organic SEO benefit in having the duplication of your business address. Make
sure to keep your Company Name,
Address, and Phone Number consistent
in all your online listings on your site,
social accounts and other directories.
10. Build professional credibility
Photos speak a thousand words,
and have become our visual storytellers
in this digital age. Most business owners
that are service providers lack professional project photos and expect prospective clients to simply trust them. But prospective buyers and partners want to see
project examples. Populate your website
with professional images; you will gain
instant credibility and become a standout.
CONTACT INFO:
Willie E. Brake is a Computer Expert
and Industry Analyst at All About Technology, a Certified Minority Business
Enterprise and Microsoft Authorized
Refurbisher, based in Detroit, Michigan.
313-218-4888
URBAN JOURNEYS
Black organizations come in many shapes,
densities and sizes
W
ithin their multiplicity of
forms the most important one
to you is yours. That’s the one
I hope you will use this analysis to evaluate and improve. The process will be
painless, informative, inexpensive
and
entertaining.
I call it the Blacksploitation
Film
Theory of Black Organizations. DAVID RAMBEAU
Perhaps you remember or are
vaguely familiar with the black films
of the 70s, the Black Power era of our
existence in this country. If you didn’t
see them then, because that was forty or more years ago, you may access
them now through DVDs on amazon.
com, from the shelves in your public
library, or from your local DVD hustler I will assume you have seen
some of them already. If you have not
heard of them, you can search for narrative data about them on the Internet
or in the film section of your public
library. In Detroit that’s on the third
floor of the Main Library. Meanwhile,
let’s begin to examine the films and
the characters that project my thesis. The Lone Wolf template is exemplified in ‘’Shaft” and “Sweet Sweetback”. Each of these has a solitary
antagonist confronting an array of obstacles. In Shaft, the main character has
to recruit an organization to succeed. In
Sweetback, the lead uses flight to avoid
capture and probable assassination. ten together. As long as we had ten we
The two-party organization is found were strong. When several core people
in “A Raisin In The Sun” with Walter Lee migrated to New York, we were severeand Bobo. Their inexperience and greed ly weakened and had to recruit to mainresult in defeat, the total loss of resourc- tain on a survival, non-growth basis.
es and the dissolution of their team. The
Eventually, at 60 E. Harper, intertrio template is found in “Buck & The nal mistakes (egotism, greed, arrogance,
Preacher” with Sydney Poitier, Harry corruption and inexperience) and exterBelafonte and Ruby Dee. Once again we nal pressures ended our existence. Until
have a small group securing the protec- our current revival (our FB website and
ater, you can see how the number of
participants, the skills each individual brought to the process, the internal
weaknesses they suffered, the help they
sought to compensate for their weaknesses, the obstacles they faced, their
confrontations, decision-making processes, and the results of their struggle. You see all this broadly in the
films as case studies, and narrowly in
them through character studies, even
though with one exception, The Black
Perhaps you remember or are vaguely familiar with the
they are creative rather than
black films of the 70s, the Black Power era of our existence Panthers,
real life. Using all of them, you have
in this country. If you didn’t see them then, because that
the opportunity to do your comparative analysis with your own situation,
was forty or more years ago, you may access them now
which is real and current. In your
through DVDs on amazon.com, from the shelves in your
own case study you can answer your
public library, or from your local DVD hustler.
questions...how many do you have on
your team, how skilled are they, what
tion of a larger group to avoid disaster. our annual conference, and five nascent training process do you have, who are
Next, there’s “Superfly” with projects are on the drawing board). your antagonists, your allies, what oba six member crew. A team still not
Let’s also include a couple more stacles are you facing, what are your
large enough nor organized sufficient- black films, “Across 110th Street” with goals, what is the result of your efforts. ly to protect itself from internal con- both the lone black wolf and the anti-he If teams win, how do they win,
flicts and external assault. and
under
what circumstances? When
ro quartet, and “The Spook Who Sat
Coming soon will be the third iteration By The Door”, that involved a guerrilla and how do you move to the next levof “The Magnificent Seven”, this one insurgent group of dozens of militants els of organization, the league (a team of
featuring Denzel Washington. I don’t in a decidedly mediocre, but neverthe- teams, and the cartel?) You be the judge.
have to tell you how many protagonists less instructive film. Both movies are
Contact info:
in that posse, nor the final result. With important though they don’t fit the nuDavid Rambeau is the editor/publisher
seven the team is large enough, skilled merical sequence I’ve started. A couple
of the Concept East Institute websites on FB. enough to train additional troops and of later films, The Battle of Algiers and
Access him via Messenger on your Smartbrave enough to defeat its adversaries. The Black Panthers, provide additional
phone or through Facebook.com. Read his
Finally, here’s Concept East opportunity for comparative analysis of
articles in the bi-monthly edition of the DeTheater, not a film of course, but certain- organizational structure and operation... troit Smart Pages tabloid newspaper. And,
of course, watch For My People, Saturday
ly of interest to those who are involved
In each film included in this
mornings at 6:30 a.m. on Ch. 50 WKBD-TV.
in black theater. Our team in 1962 was analysis, and in Concept East The-
SMART COMMUNITY NEWS
The Optimist Youth Foundation of Detroit
The Optimist Youth Foundation of Detroit will be hosting their
2nd Annual ‘Elegant White Dinner Dance Party” on Saturday, August 13, 2016 - 6:30 pm until 12:30
am. The event will be in the Sohar Room at Sindbad’s Restaurant.
The evening will start off with a
Silent Auction and Raffle from 6:30
until 7:30, followed by a wonderful
dinner, music by Eric “Magic” Harris, dancing and lots of fun. The Optimist Youth Foundation of Detroit
(OYF) was established in 1980 and
it is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The OYF motto is: “Youth Is
Our Most Important Investment”.
The Optimist Youth Foundation
is committed to the educational and
personal development of youth by
providing academic support and experiences which will help prepare them
for participation in a global society.
In 2015 the OYF awarded 10 students with a $1,000.00 Scholarship. On
June 25th of this year we awarded 12
students with a $1,000.00 Scholarship.
Funds from the Dinner Dance, Silent
Auction and Raffle will go towards our
2017 Scholarship program, which we
are hoping will help even more students.
Pictured are 10 of the 12 Scholarship Recipients for 2016. For more information or to purchase Raffle Tickets
or White Party tickets contact William
Waterman at (313)-300-6859 or visit our website at www.oyfdetroit.org.
Detroit’s Urban Talk Radio Ramps Up,
Presidential Race Gets Dirty, and the Continuing
Saga of O.J. Simpson Draws Big TV Ratings
Charlene Mitchell-Rodgers
Summer usually means TV reruns and lots of televised baseball
games. Warm weather also finds more
people in their cars or at parks listening
to radio instead of tuning in the television. With that in mind, TV viewers are being lured with special programming that keeps them tuned in
for special series that run in multiple
episodes. The controversial remake of
Alex Haley’s Roots, and O.J. Made in
America had millions watching, giving the networks much needed revenue before the summer viewing slump.
MOST EXCITING NEW
AFTERNOON RADIO SHOW
- “The Pulse” with Karen Dumas on
910AM Superstation
For many years, there has been
very little consistent competition for
intelligent, urban-themed talk radio in
Detroit. One of the newest additions
to weekday afternoon drive 4-7pm
time slot is being held down by the
very astute and capable, Karen Dumas. She’s smart, attractive, and not
afraid of controversy. Her interviews
are informative and thought provoking.
Karen is a media professional, and
founder of P.R. Firm, Images & Ideas.
In addition, she was Chief of Communications in Mayor Dave Bing’s administration. The Adell Media Group,
which owns the former Disney station
has made bold moves with a goal to become the #1 urban station in Detroit.
The selection of Karen Dumas definitely helps to give credibility and strength
to the weekday line-up of veteran broadcasters and newcomers whose personalities and points of view are making
listening to the radio worthwhile. Listen and watch Karen’s show Monday
through Friday 4-7pm. Live streaming at www.910amsuperstation.com.
BEST DRAMATIC SERIES ROOTS, THE RE-MAKE
Just when many African Americans complained about Hollywood
making too many slave movies, Alex
Haley’s Roots was revived in a 4-part
series with a new cast of actors and a
much more accurate depiction of the
era. Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne
is cast as Alex Haley as he appears at
the beginning of the episodes, reading from the original novel. The only
major known actor in the new Roots
is Forest Whitaker, who plays Fiddler.
The main character of Kunta
Kinte was portrayed by Malachi Kirby who exhibited a fine performance.
In all, there were mixed reviews but
the ratings were exceptionally high.
In an unusual move, Roots aired on 3
cable networks; The History Channel,
A&E and Lifetime. The purpose was
to reach a variety of cable subscribers. It is also available On Demand.
WORST POLITICAL
SPEECHES - DONALD
TRUMP, GOP CANDIDATE
FOR PRESIDENT
Just
when
we
thought he couldn’t be any
more insulting, Mr. Trump
has managed to outdo
even himself. The most
recent debates showcase
DONALD
his reckless disregard for
TRUMP
decency. Regardless of
one’s political stance, there is something
called respectability. Donald Trump
seems to be lacking in this area. He has insulted every one of his Republican adversaries, he continues to disrespect President
Barack Obama, and he has been caught
telling numerous lies about Hillary Clinton.
Despites the fact that polls show
the majority of minorities and Democrats are offended by his rhetoric, he
manages to attract hordes of loyal followers who agree with his misogynistic, racially offensive message.
MOST INTERESTING
GROUP OF CELEBRITIES
ON A GAME SHOW TO TELL THE TRUTH ON
ABC NETWORK
The revision of this popular show
is being welcomed by those who remember the original show’s panel
which left the airwaves in 1968. The
new version is hosted by comedian/
actor Anthony Anderson. Celebrity
headliners for the first series of episodes are veteran actress Betty White,
former Housewives of Atlanta reality
star Nene Leakes, and former NBA
star and ESPN sportscaster Jalen Rose.
This mix of very different personalities works well. The premise
of the show is to detect which of three
mystery guests is telling the truth about
their identity. The celebrity panelists
ask questions and try to figure out who
is lying. It is funny, and easy to play
along at home. Nene has toned down
her sarcasm on this show, but she maintains her blonde bombshell Diva image.
NEW & FAMILIAR FACES
ON DETROIT TV NEWS WXYZ & WDIV
WXYZ-TV, Channel 7 has added a new meteorologist
to their lineup. Denise
Issac brings an easy-going, fresh approach to
her weather forecasts.
She appears on The Now at 4pm, Action News at 7pm and again at 10pm on
WMYD Channel 20 which is part of the
Ch.7 family. She hails
from Miami’s WTVJ
TV where the weather is
mostly sunny and warm.
But don’t worry; Denise has expeDENISE
rience in reporting
ISSAC
winter weather as she
worked as a producer and reporter at
WeatherNation in frosty Minnesota.
Some people say she looks a lot like
Ch.7 News Anchor Carolyn Clifford.
They both have big dimples and their
hairstyles are similar.
Former
Fox2
Morning News anchor
Jason Carr was let go
due to budget cuts,
but quickly landed at
WDIV joining morning
news anchors Rhonda
Walker and Evrod Cassimy. He is possibly the
only TV anchor to appear
JASON
on two different stations
CARR
as an employee on the
same day. The popular personality did
a very clever Live Facebook post of his
limo drive from one station to the other.
This Issue is
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Phone 313.345.4180
Located in Paradise Valley
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Hosted by Emmy Award Winning
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Return to Paradise Valley?
Patricia A. Cole worked in the former Community and
Economic Development Department
(CEDD) in the Real Estate Division
and the Water and Sewer Department
as a grants analyst. Ms. Cole participated in a new program created by Mayor
Coleman A. Young called the Sheltered
Market Program. A certain percentage
of city contracts were placed under this
program to provide opportunities for
minority and women owned businesses
to do business with the city of Detroit.
(Continued from page 2)
Roger Basmajian
In 1983, Ms. Cole started her own
consulting firm, Coles Financial Services. Cole Financial Services flourished under the Shelter Market Program.
Ms. Cole helped for-profit businesses
navigate through the maze of city government to adequately compete and conduct business in the City. Out of town
businesses looking to expand to Detroit
utilized her services for office location,
staffing and training. CFS employed 42
people in three offices located in vari-
ous cities such as Denver, Philadelphia,
Cleveland, Atlanta and Washington D.C.
Cole stated, “I am very proud of
the redevelopment of an historic area
in downtown Detroit. Paradise Valley
is a name that is remembered by many
Detroiters that live here and have lived
here and were a part of the Old Detroit.
As an African American woman, I am
honored to have been selected with the
help of the Mayor and his staff to be
amongst the 5 investors chosen to redevelop these 4 blocks of Old Detroit
formerly known as Paradise Valley”.
Media Contact: Roger Basmajian:
313-502-5117
Harmonie Pointe: Gotham Capital Partners, led by Dennis archer, Jr., as managing partner, plans to renovate 1407 and
1427 Randolph St. with a music forward
lounge and restaurant on the first floor
and offices in the two upper floors. The
total investment in the 17,328 sq. ft.
building is expected to be $2.7 million
including a purchase price of $976,000.
“Our project will create the gateway to Paradise Valley from Gratiot
Ave., welcoming visitors into our design
forward district featuring a world-class
restaurant and lounge that are completely modern but inspired by the great times
of the original Paradise Valley,” Archer
said. Media Contact: Bree Kellum:
248-719-4179.
La Casa Cigars and Lounge: Las Casa
Properties, LLC, led by Ismail Houmani
as principal, plans to purchase and refurbish the 7,500 sq. ft. building at 1502
Randolph St. in which he now operates
La Casa Cigars and Lounge. The Cigar
Lounge and retail store will remain on
the first floor; VIP Lounge will remain on
the second floor; and existing apartments
will be reconfigured on the upper two
floors. The total expected investment is
$1.47 million, including a purchase price
of $1.17 million.
“I started this business seven years
ago in the depths of a recession and
have been open continuously since. I
am so excited to welcome all the other
developments and the new retail, restaurant and entertainment we will bring
to the neighborhood,” Houmani said.
Media Contact: Maria Petrenko:
734-476-9199.
F O U R T H O F A S I X PA R T S E R I E S : T H E C O M P L E X I T I E S O F T H E N W O R D
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■ Moving supplies
■ One level facility
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■ Open 7 days a week
■ State-of-the-art security
■ Alarms in every unit inside and out
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We pick up in the Winter
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Can fit large boxes, dressers,
bicycles, beds, chairs, etc.,
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Contact us at: 14541 Schaefer • Detroit, MI 48227 • 313-272-2300
A Full Service Company
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Headquarters: 15533 Woodrow Wilson • Detroit, Michigan 48238 • (313) 454-4000 • Fax (313) 454-4011
Additional REG Locations: New York • New Jersey • Atlanta
www.rickmanenterprise.com
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2014 | PAGE 28

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