Michigan Chronicle Digital Daily 4/10/13

Nation’s oldest civil rights organization to honor advocates, voices of change at 58th Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner

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michiganchronicle.comVolume 76 – Number 31 April 10-16, 2013

$1.00 See McCain page A-4

WHAT’S INSIDEEmergencyfinancial

manager poll(Page A-3)

Who supports an EFM in Detroit? Judging by the recent public protests and media reports, one might assume that hardly anyone does. But that is not the case, as a poll has made clear.

Money SmartWeek Michigan

(Page B-1) From April 20 through April 27, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

along with financial institu-tions, govern-ment agen-

cies, community groups, educational organiza-tions, and financial ex-perts will host more than 130 events statewide created to educate and help consumers better manage their finances.

Medical Officecompletedin Midtown(Page C-1)

Eleven months after shovels hit the ground on

a nearly 3-acre property in Mid-town, doctors and

researchers have begun moving into the Medical Office Building at Tolan Park, an $18.4-million medical facility.

In praise of the Blues (Page C-2)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s diversity efforts deserve to be ap-plauded. The efforts are beneficial in many ways and are indicative of the insurer’s commitment to those who utilize its services and to the state. Last year, BCBSM spent a record $106 with minor-ity suppliers.

Motown sound on Broadway

(Page D-1) “Motown: The Musi-cal,” the long-awaited

stage mu-sical about Motown Record Corpora-tion and its founder,

Berry Gordy, doesn’t open until April 14, but is already a smash hit. In its first week of previews, it took in an amazing $1,029,883 at the box office.

See ford page A-4

See rEd TaPE page A-4

By Patrick KeatingCHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

According to David L.McCain, special agent inchargeoftheDetroitdivi-sionof theBureauofAl-cohol,Tobacco,FirearmsandExplosives(ATF),theATFisconsideredthevio-lent crime agency of theDepartment of Justice(DOJ).

ATF has a programcalled Front Line, whichhe described as a strat-egy used in combatingfirearms violence and fo-cusing on investigativeeffortstowardidentifying,arrestingandprosecutingarmed violent offenders,careeroffenders,guntraf-fickersandviolentgangs.

ATF works with otherfederal, state and locallawenforcementagenciesacross the country, andthat is especially true inMichigan.

“We have some verygood law enforcementpartnerships that we’veformed,” he said. “Wehave an initiative calledthe Comprehensive Vio-lence Reduction Partner-ship.”

FrontLineisanation-wide strategy, and theCVRP is an initiativeunderit,hereinDetroit.

Detroit is one of 25fielddivisionsaroundthecountry. Every divisionhasaninitiativefocusingontheworstoftheworstoffenders. CVRP is the

oneforDetroit.

He also said the DOJistweakingthenameandwantstocallittheViolent

CrimeReductionPartner-ship(VCRP). Public InformationOfficer Donald Dawkinssaid itstarted inDetroit,on the northwest side,andthatATFismakingitnationalbecausethecon-ceptworkedsowellhere. “Nationwide, the con-cept is a comprehensiveviolentcrimeimpactstrat-egy,”McCainsaid,addingthat it consolidates thelimited law enforcementresources, and focusesATF’smissionbycoordi-natingallthelawenforce-ment efforts in a criticalcommunitiessuchasDe-troitthatareexperiencingariseinviolentcrimes. “So we’re taking a lotof our resources and fo-cusingontheworstofthe

worst, the trigger-pullersinthevariouscities,andtry to remove those indi-viduals fromthecommu-nities for longer periodsof time by utilizing fed-eralstatutestoputtheminfederalprisons.”

The ATF is part ofDetroit One, a recently-established collabora-tive initiative among lawenforcement agencies,residentsandcommunityleaders to reduce violentcrimesinthecity.McCainsaidhetalkedwithBarba-raMcQuade,U.S.attorneyfor the Eastern Districtof Michigan in Januaryabout the 2012 violentcrimestatistics. They discussed howthe federal law enforce-

By Bankole Thompson CHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR

Last week I received a lot offeedback on the article I wroteontheneedforboldandvision-aryleadershipforDetroit.

One thing that stuck outin most of the responses thatfloodedmye-mailisthebureau-cracythathaslonghinderedthesmoothandefficientoperationofsmall businesses and business-esofcolorinDetroit.

Thattheabilitytoobtainthenec-essary paperworkfordoingbusinessin Detroit wasalways greetedwith a culture ofincompetence atcityholdingsmallbusinesses hos-tage for too longisunacceptable.

That small businesses oftenfind themselves in a position

where they seemed to be sub-jectedtooftenrigorousandun-necessaryandincomprehensiblevettingbeforeacquiringlicensesor accessing funding from thecity is something that shouldnowbeathingofthepast.Andending suchpracticeswouldbeabrightlightforaDetroitofthefuture.

If we are seeking a new De-troit that represents the aspi-rations of those who have longstruggledfortheirbusinessesto

flourish,alongwithalltheotherinadequateservicesthey’vebeenreceiving despite paying heavytaxes, this is the time to markthe red tape down for elimina-tion.

Thisisnotanimpossibletaskbecause in a new dispensation,where optimism about the cityis increasing due to a vibrantprivate sector that is no longerconfining its work to the four

remove detroit’s Business rEd TaPE

Bankole Thompson

Changing the culture Detroit building director

Nate Ford on making department more efficient

By Patrick KeatingCHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

NateFord,directorof thecity’sBuild-ings,SafetyEngineeringandEnvironmen-talDepartment,saysthebiggestchallengehas been in dealing with antiquated pro-cesses,proceduresandtechnology.

“We have not, up to this point, reallytaken a good look at how we’re doing,”Fordsaid.“Howcanwemake itmoreef-ficient?Howcanwemakeitseamless?”

Healsosaidthe“culture”of“it’salwaysbeendonethisway”hasbeenachallenge,but emphasized that the department ismakinggreatstrides.

Tothisend,employeesareencouragedtothinkoutsideoftheirtraditionalparam-eters.

HelenBroughton,businessadvocateIIwith the department, added that it’s thedifferencebetweenemployeesdoingwhatthey’retoldandbeingempoweredtothink,‘Isthisthebestwaytodothis?’”

Ford acknowledged that morale is notwhatitshouldbe,butsaidemployeesarestillgoingthat“extramile.”

Healsosaidcustomerservice—ahugecomponent of what his department does—isstartingtoimprove.

“Thatgoesalongthe linesof thatcul-turechange,”hesaid.

Withrespecttoantiquatedtechnology,Fordsaidthedepartmenthasanoutdatedbillingsystem.

“We have to literally manually inputandgettheoutputforbills,”hesaid.“Thatneedstochange.”

Until recently his department didn’thaveonlinepermits.

Aspartofitseffortstoupdateitstech-nology,thebuildingdepartmentispilotinghaving tough-built, hand-held computersforinspectorsinthefield.Fordwisheshecouldpurchasethosecomputersforallin-spectors.However,becauseofthelackofresources,thedepartmentneedstousea

Nate Ford – Andre Smith photos

DAVID L. MCCAIN, spe-cial agent in charge of the Detroit ATF. – Patrick Keating photo

New ATF director David McCain lays out vision for metro Detroit

By Britney SpearREGIONAL CONTENT EDITOR

Detroit Branch NAACPPresident Rev. Wendell An-thony officially announcedplans for the 58th AnnualFight for Freedom FundDinner.Describingtheeventas a national function withan international audience,he expressed gratitude thatsuch an iconic event takesplaceintheMotorCity.

The keynote speaker isNancy Pelosi, one of themostpowerfulwomenintheworld and the first femaleSpeakeroftheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives, and Demo-craticleaderinCongress.

The annual event will beheldonSunday,April28,5p.m., at Cobo Center. The

largest sit-down dinner inthecountryexpectsatleast10,000peopletobeinatten-dance.

The NAACP will honoradvocates and influentialvoices in Black America,including Georgetown pro-fessor Michael Eric Dyson,Michigan Chronicle editorBankole Thompson, WayneStateUniversityLawSchooldean Jocelyn Benson andDetroit City CouncilwomanJoAnnWatson.

“WearegladthatDetroitistheepicenterwhereallofthisbegan58yearsago,”hesaid.

Anthony acknowledgedthe contributions severalhave made throughout his-tory,andhowtheirworkhasmadetheFight forFreedom

dinneraneventofenormousprestige. Joinedby thedin-ner’sboardofdirectors,An-thony stood alongside Con-gressman John Conyers.As the longest-serving Afri-can Americanandsecondlongest-serving incumbentmemberof theHouse,Con-yers is also a founder andcurrentdeanoftheCongres-sionalBlackCaucus.

AnthonynotedthatCony-ers’ support of the DetroitBranchNAACPhasbeencru-cial,callingtheveterancon-gressmananiconicfigureinAfrican American history,leaderinthefederalgovern-ment and a tireless propo-nent of equal opportunity.He pointed out that Cony-ers ispartlyresponsible for

Nancy Pelosi

Pelosi to keynote Detroit’s NAACP dinner

Wendell Anthony

See dinnEr page A-4

REV. WENDELL ANTHONY gave details on the Detroit Branch NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, as Congressman John Conyers (left) and NAACP Executive Director Donnell White (right) and others look on. — Eric Hobson photo

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Northwest Detroiters employ community policing to curtail crime rate

By Britney Spear,CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Some might view the problem of crime in De-troit as hopeless, but many city residents haven’t given up so easily.

Detroiters are rally-ing for a unified cause to curtail crime in their neighborhoods. They are selflessly giving their time and effort to engage in community policing, an initiative that aims to drive out the criminals and make the streets of Detroit safer.

The Winship Com-munity Association is a group based in Northwest Detroit. The non-profit organization has served

the nearby community by helping bring attention to and resolve its biggest challenges.

At its most recent meeting, members voiced pressing concerns re-lated to dangerous activi-ties taking place in their neighborhoods. Among influencing factors, they discussed the poor con-dition of nearby Peterson Park. Residents refer-enced recent shootings, loitering, parked cars and overall upkeep.

“We have made com-plaints to the recreation department, and I’m sure they have a file with my photo on it,” said Dr. Arthur Divers, President of WCA.

Alicia Minter, direc-tor of Detroit Recreation Development, says the city aims to do everything in its power to restore beauty and safety to its landmarks. She officially announced plans to im-prove Peterson Park. That includes bettering aesthetics as well as reg-ularly monitoring its con-dition.

Residents see the city’s anticipated move as an opportunity to put an

end to some of the trou-bling activity that occurs in the area.

“We are very glad to see that somebody rec-ognizes the problem and is ready to do something about it,” said Dr. Divers.

Residents recognize that finding solutions to Detroit’s crime problem will require them to work along with local authori-ties. It’s a tough job that no single entity can alone overcome.

Lieutenant Alysha Hall of Detroit’s 8th Precinct officially addressed WCA members and acknowl-edged the work of the community in helping police Detroit’s neighbor-hoods.

“We recognize that we can’t be on every corner of every street...it takes our relationship, and work-ing together to combat crime.”

As the precinct’s new acting inspector, Lt. Hall addressed a grave, widely-held notion that the police “don’t care” about crimi-

nal activity. She explains that challenges related to manpower make it dif-ficult to respond to every call.

“Everything is our con-cern. we truly care. I care, and I’m committed to the community,” she said.

Lt. Hall referenced Mayor Dave Bing and the Detroit Police Depart-ment’s latest initiative, Detroit One, which aims to fight violent crime in the city.

“We’re on a hunt for in-dividuals who are causing problems in our commu-nity,” she said.

Explaining that DPD plans to work diligently to eliminate threats, Lt. Hall also suggested that

improvement takes time. She cautioned against residents getting involved

in potentially dangerous affairs. She explained that in most cases, it’s best to contact the police before attempting to address a situation on one’s own.

Meeting attendees also talked about quality of life concerns, and how they affect residents on a day-to-day basis. Though not

related to issues like vio-lent crime, such factors impact how Detroiters feel about the neighbor-hoods they live in.

“We want to reap the benefits of a happy, healthy community,” said one attendee.

Residents simply want to better the areas in

which they reside, and will step in to do what’s needed to witness the re-alization of that goal. It’s a work in progress, one that all parties involved must remain committed to in order to make De-troit a better place.

For more information on the Winship Communi-

By Britney Spear

CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER One of Detroit’s longest standing riv-erfront residences is getting a major up-grade.

Colorado-based Triton Properties recently announced plans to renovate Alden Park Towers. Soon to be changed to simply “Alden Towers,” the property will get much more than a new name.

Since purchasing the buildings in August 2012, Triton has invested heavily in its restoration. The first phase of the project begins with the East Jefferson Avenue-facing Tower A. Developers plan to revamp each one of the residential units. The renovation will also include a major makeover of the on-site fitness and laundry centers, underground park-ing garage, expansive lobby and outdoor living spaces.

“Everything is being touched for cosmetic improvement...all of the ame-nities...every unit is being renovated. We’re rebuilding original hardwood floors and installing new carpet. Noth-ing is not being renovated,” said Luke Davis, director of Real Estate at Triton Properties.

Dir. Davis stressed the importance of maintaining the historic essence of the structures. Aiding in that process was notable Detroit architecture firm Krae-mer Design Group. Renovations will rely heavily on elements from its origi-nal era. Built in 1923, the building will keep such key features as a red brick facade and grey stone trim.

While the towers will mostly main-tain original characteristics, newly ren-ovated units will come equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, new flooring and fixtures, and improvements to the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom areas.

One of the finest aspects of the reno-vation will include the lobby. Triton sum-moned the consultation of Sharon Car-

lile of Royal Oak-based Italmoda to help with its redesign. Set to resemble that of an upscale boutique hotel, the lobby’s focal point will be a large fireplace. It will give residents and prospects a place to comfortably congregate. The lobby will most likely be the most modern part of the renovation and include large sofas, work tables, benches and comfortable design-forward chairs. Wi-fi access will also be available throughout the resi-dence.

Of the anticipated renovations, the company looks forward most to what is to come. April Sedillos, executive vice president, expressed excitement over starting on Tower B, which will also in-clude the clubhouse, library and reading room.

With its fancy renovation, you might be surprised to find the property still in your price range. Alden Towers looks to make luxury living affordable for Detroi-ters. Units will run as low as $649. It’s a excellent advantage that might keep more residents within city limits.

The renovation project also brings added benefits to the local community. Triton plans to collaborate with busi-nesses in the nearby area to provide several on-site concierge services. They include dry cleaning, shoe repair, car washing, house cleaning and grocery de-livery services. Sedillos expressed that she envisions the project will positively impact the overall feeling of downtown Detroit.

“We’re trying to focus on bring-ing quality back the community, and making it feel like home, like a place where people want to live.”

Interested in the new and improved Alden Towers? The leasing office offers scheduled walk-throughs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

For more information or to set up a tour, call 313-824-1310 or visit www.al-dentowers.com.

Restoring Detroit’s historic beauty: Alden Park Towers renovation now under way

THE LOBBY of the renovated Alden Towers.

A model unit.

Detroit Police Officers talk to junior high students about safety.

news THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10-16, 2013 Page A-3

Obama: King would defend collective bargaining, challenge Wall Street excess

By Valerie B. Jarrett At the time of his death (April 4, 1968) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., icon of the Civil Rights Movement, was working on the front lines of a movement in Mem-phis to support the sanitation workers on strike when his life was taken.

It was there that he gave his last speech, “I’ve Been on a Mountaintop.”

We paused on April 4 and reflected on Dr. King’s extraordinary life and his tire-less work to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

We stand on the shoulders of so many of our civil rights heroes we’ve lost, such as Dr. King, Dorothy Height and Rosa Parks. But their legacy contin-ues.

This August, we mark the 50th an-niversary of the March on Washington, when thousands descended upon the capital to rally for civil and economic rights for all Americans. At the Lincoln Memorial, Dr. King gave his most iconic speech, “I Have a Dream.”

Since Dr. King’s untimely and tragic death, we have strived to advance his ideals and realize his dream for all Americans to have the same economic and social opportunities.

During the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in 2011, Presi-dent Obama said:

“If he were alive today, I believe he would remind us that the unemployed worker can rightly challenge the excesses of Wall Street without demonizing all who

work there; that the businessman can enter tough negotiations with his com-pany’s union without vilifying the right to collectively bargain. He would want

us to know we can argue fiercely about the proper size and role of government without questioning each other’s love for this country with the knowledge that in this democracy, government is no dis-tant object but is rather an expression of our common commitments to one an-other. He would call on us to assume the best in each other rather than the worst, and challenge one another in ways that ultimately heal rather than wound.”

Here at the White House, we work every day to ensure that that our actions express those common commitments to each other: building an economy that serves the middle class and those striv-ing to climb the ladders of opportunity into the middle class; making common sense immigration reform; protect-ing our children from harm; and giving all children the education required to pursue their dreams.

As we move forward on these chal-lenges together, may we always live up to the words spoken by Dr. King the day before he died: “Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge, to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

Valerie B. Jarrett is a senior advisor to President Barack Obama.

By Marc Morial “It is better to be pre-pared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.” — Whit-ney M. Young

In 1963, more than a quarter-million people gathered in Washington, DC to march for jobs and equality. The Great March for Jobs and Freedom was a watershed moment in American history — birth-ing now-iconic speeches that voiced the hardships facing blacks as they sought a fair shot at an elu-sive dream.

As we fast-forward 50 years and reflect on the progress we’ve made toward economic equality, we meet the sobering truth that much has been achieved, but much more needs to be done. Some people use apparent proofs of progress — that Blacks are no longer barred from living, learning and earning where they want because of their race, not to mention the election and reelec-tion of our first Black president — to conclude that Blacks in America have overcome.

However, a shiny veneer of progress cannot justify the elimination of affirma-tive action in education and employment; the roll-back of voting rights protections and relegation of this precious franchise to increasingly partisan legislatures; or a cut back on social investments that can help current and future generations thrive in a fast-changing economy.

Taken alone, our achievements could be hailed as good progress in the pur-suit of full equality. But unfortunately, the African-American condition has only improved primarily within our own community. This means that economic disparities with whites persist and cast doubt on what we thought was meaning-ful change.

These disparities underscore the need to reinforce our fight for lasting economic empowerment and for policies driving development in under-resourced communities. For example, the Nation-al Urban League launched our ongoing “War on Unemployment” in 2011, which included the release of our 12-Point Plan: Putting Urban America back toWork. We expanded the program in January of this year with a ground-breaking endeavor, Jobs Rebuild America - a series of public/

private investments total-ing more than $70 million over the next five years.

Beyond each of us ac-tively working toward solu-tions, our ongoing struggle cries out for the kind of co-alition advocacy that drove many of the civil rights and economic victories in the 1960s. Between November 2012 and January 2013, I helped to organize a histor-ic convening of civil rights, social justice, business and community leaders to identify and push for public policy priorities to drive economic recovery and re-birth for African-American and urban communities

and all low-income and work-ing-class Americans. This policy agenda was embodied in an official Communi-que that included specific recommenda-tions with clearly defined objectives to move us forward as a community.

When I compare these recommenda-tions with the demands made on that August afternoon in 1963, I am struck by how little has changed.

In 1963, as today, the most pressing demands centered on economic equal-ity, educational opportunity and parity, and civil rights. But instead of fighting against discrimination in hiring or a $2 minimum wage, we’re fighting for job training and wage equity. Instead of call-ing for school segregation to end, we’re demanding an end to disparities in edu-cational investment. Rather than calling for meaningful civil rights legislation, we’re fighting to preserve those very rights our ancestors fought and died for and to retain the practical application of civil rights and equality through affir-mative measures to achieve diversity in jobs and education.

Our experience since the Great March says that we must be vigilant in protect-ing our hard-won rights. To paraphrase William Ernest Henley’s poem “Invic-tus,” we must become masters of our own fate to fully realize the economic prosperity we demanded on that day in 1963.

If we are to honor Whitney M. Young, one of the unsung visionaries of the Great March and the Urban League’s leader from 1961-1971, we must not only be prepared to seize opportunity when it comes, we must be committed to creat-ing opportunity when it does not.

Barack Obama Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The politics of social investments and the fight to become masters

of our own fate

Marc Morial

Poll: Not everyone opposes the

emergency managerBy Britney SpearCHRONICLE STAFF WRITER

Who supports an emergency financial manager (EFM) in Detroit?

Judging by the recent public protests and media reports, one might assume that no one does.

Several familiar faces have come out against Snyder’s decision to appoint an emergency manager. Civil rights titans like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have expressed their disapproval, and it goes further than that.

Many local leaders have summoned citizens to protest, alleging that a state takeover is “an attack on democracy.” But does such opposition tell the com-plete story?

A recent poll conducted by the Michi-gan Chronicle found that of 400 indi-viduals surveyed, nearly half support an EFM. Most of those in favor were between the ages of 41 and 50. This prompts one to ask, what’s behind this segment of the population’s support of a state take-over?

Some Detroiters in favor of an emer-gency manager believe it’s what’s needed to bring city government together to re-solve it’s issues. They suggest that until now, voter-appointed leaders have been

unable to get the job done.

Lavaughn Carter, 40, currently works in sales and customer service. While he denies such demographic factors influ-ence his stance, Carter says he supports an EFM for several reasons. He does not believe an emergency manager takes away democratic rights. Carter refer-enced Roy Roberts’ appointment as such for the Detroit Public Schools.

He called attention to the fact that the school board is still in place and in-volved with the process of restructuring. Carter believes the mayor and city coun-cil will continue to play a similarly vital role.

“The only difference, they won’t have their pens to the checkbook,” he said.

Carter questioned the necessity of elected officials’ having to know what the financial manager will do next, con-sidering that their failure to properly act is what caused the city’s money troubles in the first place.

“The EFM is here to restore Detroit’s finances so that the assets outweigh the liabilities, and not vice versa.”

Carter believes the governor’s most recent appointment might be just what the city needs to establish and sustain new growth. He referenced a fear among some Detroit workers that the EFM poses a threat to their union contracts. Carter, however, asserts that he hopes Kevyn Orr’s appointment will improve conditions by possibly renegotiating terms for city employees.

Detroiters who support an emergency manager are fed up with the status quo. They believe it will take outside action to resolve the city’s biggest challenges. It’s an uphill battle that many are afraid the current system cannot win on its own.

“I am in support of whatever will get

our city back on track. Thus far, I have not seen that our mayor and city council members are capable of working togeth-er to get this done, so I look at the EFM as a mediator for the two parties,” said Stephanie Keith-Flanagan, 49, an insur-ance agent.

Residents have grown tired of the city’s current political scene. While many support an emergency manager, or are at least optimistic about what it might bring to the city, they also recog-nize it takes an entire community to re-build. The EFM alone cannot resolve our challenges. No single person can revolu-tionize a fragmented system without the input of others.

While asserting that she is skeptical about all that encompasses government, Flanagan nevertheless maintains a posi-tive attitude.

“I would hope that this will be a good thing,” she said.

It’s going to require a collective effort, yet Detroiters remain split on their thoughts regarding a state takeover. Whether residents agree with Gov. Sny-der’s decision, many contend it doesn’t impact their choice to stay in the city. The Michigan Chronicle poll revealed that 75 percent of the people surveyed said the appointment of an emergency manager won’t cause them to flee De-

troit.

Anthony Person, 40, is a business owner who works in traffic safety. He says he isn’t going anywhere. He’s too focused on what’s to come, and an emer-gency manager does not dampen his hopes in any way.

“Change is coming to Detroit anyhow, and I’m betting the change will be good for everyone,” said Person.

Detroiters are eager to witness what they hope will be a new era of prosperity. For many, the downtown boom and new business ventures coming to the area will mean positive results for everyone.

Out with the old, and in with the new! That statement describes the collective sentiment of a city where residents are tired of corruption, crime and poverty. Michigan Chronicle poll results reveal that public safety is a major concern for Detroiters. Improving quality of life stands as one of the most important challenges to overcome.

“What will make me stay or leave is my level of not feeling safe, city services, police response, EMS response and the city’s ability to quit creating an environ-ment of corruption and greed. No one wants to stay in this kind of an environ-ment,” he said.

Detroiters hope that change coming to the city will resolve such issues.

Opinions might be split, however, one thing all Detroiters can agree on is a desire to see the city make a turn-around. Whether it be through the work of an emergency financial manager, elected officials, business leaders or the average person, residents are eager to witness a resurgence of the power that once defined the Motor City.

They believe it’s time to move onward and upward, and look forward to bright-er days.

“Detroiters who support an emergency manager are fed up with the status quo. They believe it will take out side action to resolve the city’s biggest challenges. It’s an uphill battle that many are afraid the current system cannot win on its own.”

Give us your best ideas for the arts!

Apply for funding via the Knight Arts Challenge by April 22, 2013 at KnightArts.org.

We want to know what you want to do, so send us your best arts idea for Detroit. Anyone can apply – no idea is too big or too small.

There are only three basic rules for the Knight Arts Challenge:

1. Your idea is about the arts. 2. Your project takes place in or benefits Detroit.3. You find other funding to match the

Knight Foundation grant (within a year).

Apply now with 150 words or less at KnightArts.org.

@knightfdn, @knightarts


From page A-1

Red tape From page A-1

McCain

Dinner

From page A-1

walls of the boardroom, but also stepping out in unprecedented ways to be prominently and civically engaged in the life of the community, Detroit can make government work for all.

It is time to channel the frustrations, angst and outcries of bureacra-cy at city hall into care-fully crafted policy agen-das that should be in the hands of every candidate running for mayor and city council.

Since most candidates running for political office in this town hardly do their homework because they rely either on name recognition, political her-itage or don’t have any inkling of what they are about to face, it is better that those seeking a more robust and effective De-troit government actually give them a mandate.

Those who seek to govern should always derive their le-gitimacy from the consent of the governed. And giving these can-didates a man-date on ending a practice that has handicapped the growth of small businesses in the city is one way of making city hall more functional to the needs of everyone.

That is some-thing Detroit’s emergency finan-cial manager, Kevyn Orr, who is charged with re-ducing the burden of the city’s debt, cannot do.

That responsibility rightly belongs to the civic leaders and the political leadership in Detroit, even though ending the red tape has not been high on the political agenda. Yet it gets mentioned almost like a cliché as a critical factor in how government should operate in the city.

The fact is, red tape hurts economic growth and if small businesses are the engine of the economy, it would make sense to spare them of excessive and mindless bureaucracy that is non-productive to the growth of these businesses who hire locals to work for them.

And today the biggest threat to small business growth in the city and booster of red tape is De-troit’s aged data system. The fact that the city is still utilizing paper rather than fully operat-ing on up-to-date technol-

ogy makes it extremely difficult to not only make records easier to trace, but also reconciling these records for small busi-nesses.

Detroit’s slow march into the technological age is the biggest known secret and to cut down on bureaucracy would mean making city govern-ment hi-tech like Oakland County.

In Oakland County, you can walk in, request information, an attendant will refer you to a com-puter and you can easily access the information you are seeking.

In Detroit walking into city hall to access infor-mation means you must be ready to take the day off from work because you will spend the whole day in your quest for that information. And chanc-es are you will asked to come back another day or week.

A case in point is the 36th District Court on Madison Avenue which is a decade behind in the technological transforma-tion era.

If city government is going to make any mean-ingful headway providing guidance to burgeoning businesses, city officials will have to move beyond just verbally condemning red tape, but actually im-plementing reforms that are needed to help these businesses succeed.

That means getting up to speed on technology.

What is needed are reforms that will create economic transformation with city government as a willing partner in provid-ing an atmosphere where small businesses can thrive and find a sense of achievement and growth.

Recently, the city went on a raid of businesses that exist without the proper paperwork. It was important to get those businesses operating in the shadows to meet the compliance demands of local government.

But those compliance demands should be free of anything that impedes the growth of local busi-nesses. Innovators and local business owners should not have to sit and wait for months before getting a clearance certifi-cate.

The longer they wait the more they will lose in-terest and will be inclined to move elsewhere, where the factors involved in doing business are more conducive and public safety is not a nightmare as we currently see in the city.

It is in the city’s best interest to move quickly to help business owners and young innovators re-turning to the city start their ventures in the Motor City, and do so with deliberate speed.

The Detroit Econom-ic Growth Corporation, under the leadership of George Jackson, has been

ins t rumen -tal in private sector growth in the city.

But much more remains to be done and, accord-ing to many of the re-sponses I’ve received so far from busi-ness owners, one key com-plaint is the long lines at city hall, one more hin-

drance, one more thing to dampen hopes for run-ning a thriving business in Detroit.

Something must change, and that begins by inculcating the need for change in the minds of candidates running for office this summer.

Bankole Thompson is editor of the Michigan Chronicle and the author of the forthcoming book “Rising From the Ashes: Engaging Detroit’s Future With Courage.” His book “Obama and Black Loy-alty,” published in 2010, follows his recent book, “Obama and Christian Loyalty” with an epilogue by Bob Weiner, former White House spokesman. Thompson is a political news analyst at WDET-101.9FM (NPR affiliate) and a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening round-table on WLIB-1190AM New York and simulcast in New Jersey and Con-necticut. E-mail [email protected] or visit his personal page at www.bankolethompson.com.

ment community could reduce violent crime.

“That’s when the Front Line strategy came into mind for me,” McCain said, adding that he pro-posed to McQuade that they look at the CVRP, and pointed out that the VCRP has been effective in other cities around country, including New Orleans, Philadelphia, Oakland, California; and Flint.

“We just did a surge in Flint this past summer,” he said, calling it very effective in helping to reduce violent crime in that community.

“So I said, ‘In light of those cities utilizing that concept, we should imple-ment it here in the city of Detroit.’”

Various federal agen-cies are pooling their resources to try to put a “full court press” on the city of Detroit, to have an impact on reducing vio-lent crime.

“We’re going to gather all the intelligence we can on targeting the worst of the worst repeat offend-ers and trigger-pullers out there,” he said.

Asked how the com-munity could help and interact with ATF agents, McCain said hotlines have been set up.

“We’ve established some rewards if you call in — you can do it anony-mously — to provide in-formation that’s going to lead to the arrest and successful prosecution of those individuals,” he said, adding that the ATF hopes to generate more leads so investigators can

focus their efforts and get the violent criminals out of the community.

The goal is to create a better lifestyle for the people who live in the community, so people can feel safe on the streets and children can play on playgrounds without fear of being hit by a stray bullet.

Dawkins said commu-nity involvement is a big part of the VCRP, and that the ATF plans to interact with people at churches and neighborhood meet-ings and other venues.

“We have a gigantic concern for what you’re going through, and we really need your help,” he said.

McCain noted that the image of the ATF is on the uptake because it’s iden-tified as the violent crime agency. As a result, there are high risks involved in the types of investiga-tions the ATF conducts and that agents have to be well-trained and have special skill sets.

“Most of these folks are not going to go will-ingly,” McCain said of the criminals ATF pursues.

McCain grew up in Mis-souri and went to college at Southeast Missouri State, where he earned a degree in criminal jus-tice. While there, he met a young FBI agent who asked him what he wanted to do with his criminal justice degree. McCain told him he wanted to be in law enforcement.

The FBI agent advised him to pursue a career in federal law enforcement, so McCain started apply-

ing to federal agencies. He was in the right place at the right time when he joined the ATF in 1990.

When he got out of col-lege McCain was a deputy sheriff in the Denver sher-iff’s department.

He started his ATF career as a field agent in the Sacramento office of the San Francisco field di-vision. He has also worked as a program manager at ATF Headquarters; a first line (AKA group) supervi-sor in Detroit; and an as-sistant special agent in charge in the Baltimore field division before being selected in 2011 as the special agent in charge in Detroit.

McCain wants every-one to know that the ATF is committed to enforc-ing federal laws under its jurisdiction, and that it is committed to making communities safer.

Dawkins added that it’s not true that federal agents do not care about the community. He said a lot of Detroit-based ATF agents are originally from the area.

“It’s more than just a job for us,” he said.

McCain encourages all citizens to work with the ATF, saying the agency can’t do it alone.

“We need their assis-tance to help us in our goal of safeguarding our communities and their community,” he said. “So we can’t do it without them.”

To reach the ATF, call 800 ATF GUNS. To reach the Detroit field division, call (313) 202-3400.

the national recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“He is a champion for freedom and justice,” he said.

Conyers spoke to the crowd, stress-ing that individuals understand events like the annual dinner are a call to action.

“This isn’t a day that we come to an-nounce plans and relax. It will be a re-quirement that we do as much work as we can until April 28,” he said.

Referencing the challenges of our current day and time, Conyers called attention to the problem of describing America as “post-racial.” He urged the crowd to understand that there’s work that still must be done.

The Fight for Freedom dinner is one of most significant events held in De-troit. Anthony describes it as one unlike any other in our state or nation. He also described it as more than a dinner, but as an opportunity for individuals to as-semble regardless of their racial, demo-graphic and professional differences. The event essentially provides a link be-tween grassroots and corporate Ameri-ca.

“We seek to bring together once a year a grand networking of people who might otherwise never encounter each other in their day to day work,” Anthony said.

Anthony described the organization’s agenda as one based on freedom, justice and equal opportunity for all people.

The theme of this year’s dinner will be “Freedom Must Never Be Defaulted, It Must Forever Be Exalted.” It speaks to the premise of Dr. King’s work during

the Civil Rights Movement.

Anthony referenced MLK’s dream, which the NAACP will commemo-rate with its 50th anniversary of the March Down Woodward. The event will take place June 22, at 9:00 a.m. Dr. King first came to Detroit in 1963 to prepare for the iconic March on Washington. Anthony hinted at the city’s historic rel-evance and the role Detroit played in the 1960s struggles.

“Before you go to D.C., you first have to come by the Big D,” he quipped.

“Nancy Pelosi will speak to issues from a national point of view that have a lasting impact on those of us who live in the city of Detroit,” said Anthony.

He also announced recipients for this year’s awards:

2013 Great Expectations AwardeeBankole Thompson

Senior Editor, Michigan Chronicle

2013 Great Expectations AwardeeJocelyn Benson

Dean, Wayne State University Law School

2013 Ida B. Wells Freedom and Justice Awardee

Dr. Michael Eric DysonProfessor, Georgetown University

and Author

2013 Mary Church Terrell Freedom and Justice Awardee

Honorable JoAnn WatsonCouncilwoman, City of Detroit

For more information on purchasing tickets, tables and sponsorship, please call 313-871-2087.

phased-in approach.

Ford said his depart-ment interacts with ev-erybody from residents seeking a permit to add a porch to business owners looking to expand, alter or enlarge their establish-ments.

“We like to say we deal with the universe,” he said.

Ford wishes more people knew that his de-partment’s number one job is public health and safety.

“We’re here to im-prove, in a direct and in-direct way, the quality of life for our citizens,” he said, adding that his em-ployees work hard every day to do that, under very difficult circumstances, given that the department doesn’t have the resourc-es it once had.

“I wish they knew that we’re not the bogeyman,” he added. “We want to work with them. We want, obviously, the businesses to boom in the city of De-troit.

“We just want to make sure that it’s done in way that’s safe and healthy for the citizens of Detroit, and for those business owners.”

Ford explained that his department has a mission to provide services that ensure public health and safety are being held to the highest standards.

Despite the reduction in employees, his depart-ment is still outputting a quality product and a quality service.

Ford said there’s been a significant reduction in the time frame for getting permits, and that they will be reducing it even more. Hearings have been reduced from 60 days to almost 15 or 21 days.

The department will be educating its custom-ers as to what they would need before coming down to the department.

If a homeowner wanted to add a back porch, Ford said his people would want to see a set of draw-ings, information on the kind of material to be used, and the cost.

“You can walk in and out in a couple of hours, if you have everything you need,” he said.

In the next 60 to 90 days, the building depart-ment will be doing things to revolutionize how it does business.

Ford doesn’t expect the appointment of Kevyn Orr as emergency finan-cial manager to impact his department because it is healthy.

“We are back to gener-ating revenue, if you will,” he said. “We’re looking at our expenditures and seeing where we can cut. I think that is important in terms of lending to a healthy business/depart-ment.”

Department officials are also asking them-selves how they can do better.

Broughton said the building department is responding to feedback, adding that she under-stands the frustration of working with the city. She said the department is doing everything it can to make active changes.

She also said Ford, Deputy Director Ray Scott and others in the depart-ment have worked with the chiefs of the various divisions to document all of the procedures and de-termine if A) something makes sense; and B) if not, how they would do it differently.

She came on board last November to assist with communications and PR. She said Ford is eager to let people know that this is not same old building department, and acknowledged that it has been frustrating to work with the department in the past.

“We have heard from customers that it’s get-ting better, and we want people to know that it will improve even more,” she said.

She added that gov-ernment should be per-meable, and said she’s done things as simple as making sure the depart-ment’s website has accu-rate phone numbers.

A graduate of Cass

Technical High School and Morehouse College, where he was market-ing major, Ford said he has always wanted to be in public service, a com-mitment promoted in his household. At 17, he was an intern for then-coun-cilman Nicholas Hood, Sr.

Over the years, Ford has also been executive director of the Booker T. Washington Business Association, a Detroit NAACP board member, and a member of the city’s Board of Zoning and Ap-peals.

He described being the director of the Building Department as his dream job.

“Because I think you touch everybody here in this department,” he said. “It’s a very results-ori-ented department, where we have a product and a service.

“Businesses depend on us. And having been in both the business arena and government, I think I’m sensitive enough to understand the impor-tance of good customer service and getting our product and our services out quickly.”

Ford said he enjoys working with his employ-ees, whom he described as some of the hardest-working people in the city.

“We have a saying in the building department, ‘Make it happen,’” he said. “And they strive for that.”

He enjoys the interac-tion with everyday citi-zens and developers, and said his department is the ground floor for the new Detroit.

“We’re open for busi-ness,” Ford said. “We’re here and we’re working hard to make it easier, make it more efficient, make it faster.”

The Buildings, Safety Engineering and Envi-ronmental Department is located in the Cole-man A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Ste. 401. Call (313) 224-2733 for any information needed.

From page A-1FordNATE FORD (center) confers with other officials from the Buildings, Safety Engi-neering and Environmental Department.

Those who seek to govern should always derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed. And giving these candi-dates a mandate on ending a practice that has handicapped the growth of small busi-nesses in the city is one way of making city hall more functional to the needs of ev-eryone. That is something Detroit’s emer-gency financial manager, Kevyn Orr, who is charged with reducing the burden of the city’s debt, cannot do.


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Survey: Access to mental health carelacking for children, teens across the U.S.

April is National Minority HealthMonth.TheNationalKidneyFoundationof Michigan (NKFM) is recognizing Mi-norityHealthMonthbyeducatingcom-munitiesonhowtomanageandpreventdiabetes, which is disproportionatelyhigherinmanyminoritygroups.

Diabetes is the leading cause ofkidney failure, causing over 40% of allcases, although kidney failure can bepreventedordelayedwithpropercontrolandmanagementofdiabetes.Nearly26million Americans have diabetes—8.3percent of the U.S. population. Com-pared to non-Hispanic whites, the riskofdiagnoseddiabetesis:

•18% higher among Asian Americans.•66% higher among Hispanics/Latinos.•77% higher among non-Hispanicblacks.

Type2diabetesisthemostcommontype,accountingfor90to95percentofalldiagnosedcasesofdiabetesinadults.In addition to many racial minorities,otherswhofaceahigherriskofdevelop-ingtype2diabetesareolderindividualsandthosewithafamilyhistory.It’sim-portant to take steps to prevent diabe-tesifyouareatriskandtomanageyourhealth if you have diabetes to reduceyourchancesofdevelopingkidneydis-easeandultimately,kidneyfailure.

For individuals with diabetes, thereareafewstepsthatshouldbetakentoavoid related health complications. Bysimply managing your diabetes ABCs

(A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol),you can prevent or delay the onset ofkidney disease. This includes keepingyourbloodsugarlow,withanA1Cbloodvalue of 7% or lower; managing yourblood pressure keeping it at 120/80 orless;andkeepingyourcholesterolunder200mg/dl. For those with diabetes andthoseatriskfordiabetesalike,it’salsoimportant tomaintainanormalweightandtoexerciseonaregularbasis,andstopsmoking.

Foroveradecade,theNKFMhasbeenfocusedonreducinghealthdisparities.TheNKFMhasreceivedmulti-yeargrantsfrom the Centers for Disease ControlandtheHHSOfficeonWomen’sHealthto help tackle diabetes disparities. Aspart of these grants the NKFM will behighlightingtheControllingyourDiabe-tesABCscampaign. Ifyouhavediabetes,youareathighriskforkidneydisease,heart attack and stroke. But you canfightback.YoucancontroltheABCsofdiabetesandlivealongandhealthylife.AskyourhealthcareproviderwhatyourA1C, Blood pressure and cholesterolnumbersareandaskwhattheyshouldbe.

Formoreinformationaboutmanagingandpreventingdiabetes,checkout theNational Diabetes Education Program(NDEP) at YourDiabetesInfo.org. YoucanalsogetinformationfromtheNKFMby calling 800-482-1455 or by visitingtheNKFM’swebsite,www.nkfm.org.

Throatcancercantakeawayyourvoice,yourjawand your ability to swal-low food, but it also canbe treated ifcaughtearlyenough.

In an effort to do justthat, the University ofMichigan ComprehensiveCancerCenterandtheU-M Department of Otolar-yngology-Head and NeckSurgery,alongwiththeU-M Cancer AnswerLine™,will offer free throatcancer screenings by ap-pointment on Saturday,April20.

The event, which co-incides with Oral, Head

and Neck Cancer Aware-nessWeek,willalsooffersmoking cessation coun-selingandotherresourc-esandinformationaboutthroatcancer.

Trouble swallowingfood,mouthsorenessanda persistent hoarsenessareallsymptomsofthroatcancer. Smoking, chew-ing tobaccoanddrinkingalcohol are also risk fac-torsforthroatcancer.

“Screeningevents likethisarecriticalinhelpingto identify patients withpreviously undetectedcancers, especially forthose without access to

healthcareorwithoutin-surance,”saysNormanD.Hogikyan,M.D.,professorof otolaryngology at theU-MMedicalSchool.“It’salsoimportanttooffered-ucationaboutthecausesof throatcancer,suchassmokingandtobaccouse,aswellasalcoholabuse.”

Thefreecancerscreen-ing exams take about45 minutes. To register,call 800-865-1125. Prior-itywill be given to thosewithoutinsurance.

Free parking or AATAbus transportation areprovided and refresh-mentswillbeserved.

In honor of NationalVolunteer Month, ArborHospice, headquarteredin Ann Arbor, salutesitsmore than300 volun-teerswhodonated19,911hours and traveled thou-sands of miles this pastyeartobringcomfortandcare to its patients andtheirfamilies.

The annual April ob-servance not only pro-vides an opportunity fororganizations to thanktheir Good Samaritans,butforpeopletoconsiderhow they can give theirtimeandtalentstocreateabettercommunity.

Arbor Hospice volun-teers support all aspects

of the organization andplayaninvaluableroleinhelping the organizationgive comfort, assuranceand care to families andpatients who have life-limiting illnesses. Exten-sive training is provided,covering such topics asthe differences betweenhospice and palliativecare, communication,active listening, culturaldifferences, spiritualityandgrief.

ArborHospicealsore-cruits volunteers for ad-ministrativesupportwithspecial events, fundrais-ing, mailings, filing andgeneralofficeneeds.

Arbor Hospice attracts a

widerangeofvolunteers,manyofwhomoffertheirspecial skillsand talentstobringcomfortandcom-panionshiptohospicepa-tientsandtheirfamilies.

OneofArborHospice’syounger volunteers,Susan Doong, is an elev-enth-grade student atNorthville High School.SusanuseshertalentsasapianisttobringcheertoArborHospicepatientsre-siding in nursing homesand assisted living facili-ties.

For more information,visit www.arborhospice.org or call (888) 992-2273.

Every day, news re-ports detail the impactof thedeficiencies in thenation’s mental healthcare services. Even morestartling, a survey fromthe University of Michi-gan reveals that manyadultsacrosstheU.S.be-lieve children and teenshaveextremelylimitedorno access to appropriatemental health care ser-vices.

TheW.K.KelloggFoun-dationcommissionedtheNationalVoicesProjecttofacilitateafiveyearstudyto gauge opportunitiesavailableforchildrenandteens at the local levelin communities acrossthe U.S. Officials at theNational Voices Projectbased their study on theperceptionsheldbyadultswho work and volunteeronbehalfofchildrenday-to-day.

“The adults in theNational Voices Projectsurveyworkor volunteeron behalf of kids. Theseare the adults who areperhaps best positionedtoreferchildrenandteenstothehealthcareservicestheyneed,”saysMatthewM. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P.,director of the NationalVoices Project, associateprofessor of Pediatricsand Communicable Dis-easesattheUniversityofMichigan Medical Schooland associate professorof Public Policy at the

Gerald R. Ford School ofPublicPolicy.

Survey participantswere asked how muchavailability there is intheir communities forchildren and teens to re-ceivehealthcareservices.More than half of all re-spondentsnotethatthereis“lotsofavailability”forteens to have hospitalcare (55%) and primarycare (56%) in their com-munities, but across allhealthcare services, only30% of respondents re-ported “lots of availabili-ty”formentalhealthcare.Healthcareavailabilityforchildrenwasverysimilar.

“These findings indi-cate low availability ofmental health care forchildrenandteensinthemajority of communities

across the U.S.,” saysDavis. “Even in commu-nities where there arelots of opportunities forchildrenandteenstogetprimary care or hospitalcare, access to mentalhealthcareislacking.”

Inaddition,incommu-nitieswhererespondentsperceivedracial/ethnicin-equities,theyconsistent-lyreportedlessaccesstoall healthcare services,including mental health,especiallyforteens.

The full survey showsthatwhere thereareper-ceived inequities at thecommunityleveltherearealsoperceptionsofdimin-ished opportunities foryoungchildrenandteensin the domains of nutri-tion, health, and health-care.

NKFM educates at-risk communities about diabetes

U-M Cancer Center to offer free throat cancer screenings

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Arbor Hospice celebrates its volunteers in April

Page A-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • April 10-16, 2013

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When was the last time you volunteered? In your com-munity…for your church…for your kids sports teams? It is a great question to ask yourself now because April happens National Volunteer Month.

We ask that question often at Fifth Third Bank. The definition of a volunteer is a person who performs or offers a service of their own free will, which is an important part of the equation, so we ask that question in subtle ways. We do it by creating an environ-ment where volunteerism is rewarded and looked upon as an opportunity, not a duty.

For example, each year the bank offers employees a grant program that funnels awards to nonprofits where Fifth Third employees volunteer. We call them Employee Involvement Grants. As the name implies, these grants provide funding on behalf of the employee to the nonprofit. The nonprofit benefits twice. They receive the time and energy of one of the best employee/volunteers out there as well as some financial support to keep the operation going. This month the bank is awarding 51 Em-ployee Involvement Grants of $530 to nonprofits throughout Southeast Michigan.

We do this to fulfill part of our commitment to the communities where we do business. We know that when businesses become involved in the community it enriches the quality of life, which in turn makes for a great neighbor-hood to do business. So yes, the bank benefits from our employees volunteerism. But this program is really designed for our employees. To support them in something they are passionate about and to reward them for investing of themselves to help a fellow citizen or build a stronger community.

And yes, they benefit too. I’ve never done a volunteer shift that I didn’t walk away from with a fresh perspective on a problem, on life, on the need. And believe me, noth-ing feels better than being part of the solution. When you volunteer that’s exactly what you are. Part of a solu-tion to a brighter tomorrow for the community, it’s less fortunate and for yourself.

One of my favorite quotes is, “You’ll never know the life I live until you walk a mile in my shoes.” This refers to the experience that allows you to truly understand other people. As bankers we have to be curious about our customers and what type of financial so-lutions they need to improve their lives and the well-being of their communities. We typi-cally ask a lot of questions to piece together a narrative that leads to smart financial solu-tions. Another way to be curi-ous about our customers is to volunteer in the community. It’s a way to “walk a mile in their shoes”…and go beyond simply knowing the life they live, to actually making a con-tribution to their life.

Being the solution. That’s what volunteering is. Try it. You’ll be surprised how grati-fying it can be. And that’s a good thing.

Letter from the president

David Girodat COMMUNITY CONNECTION

On April 20th, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago – Detroit Branch will kick off Money Smart Week for

2013. From April 20th through the 27th, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chi-cago along with financial institutions, government agencies, community groups, educational organizations and financial experts will host more than 130 events statewide created to educate and help consumers better manage their finances.

Money Smart Week is a public awareness campaign that has been held nationwide since 2002. In ad-dition to teaching consumers about money management, the weeklong events generate awareness of resourc-es available on a wide range of finan-cial topics.

Partner organizations host finan-cial literacy education events that cover topics from saving for college and managing student loan debt and using credit wisely to budgeting and retirement. All of the events are free, most are open to the public and there is something for every age group and income range.

“Money Smart Week Michigan’s statewide and community-based ef-forts, as well as its partners’ com-mitment, will make this initiative a success again this year,” said Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President and CEO Charles Evans. “We invite consumers of all ages, including chil-dren, to take part in the week’s diverse personal finance offerings.”

Added Michigan Attorney Gener-al Bill Schuette, “Every week of the year, my office offers free educational seminars on how to spend wisely and avoid criminals who prey on honest citizens. Money Smart Week is a wel-come opportunity to remind consum-ers to take the time to learn how to make smart financial decisions, now and in the future.”

Michigan Money Smart Week Chair Kelly Masters said the initiative takes place over an eight day period in April, which is also Financial Literacy Month. “Money Smart Week is a valu-able opportunity for all of us, including educators, service providers and the media, to work together and be part of improving our communities and our state by cultivating more fiscally savvy consumers,” she explained.

Fifth Third Bank has been a Money Smart Week planning partner since the program started in Michigan. Last year, the Bank joined with Junior Achievement to sponsor the Money Smart Kid Ambassador Contest, an essay contest that challenges students to write a money-management themed essay that is judged and awarded based on the quality of the work.

This year Fifth Third is again part-nering with Junior Achievement along with the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Office and Detroit Community Health Connection. The Bank will be bringing its popular Fifth

Money Smart Week Michigan focuses on consumer education

Third Financial Empowerment Mobile, also known as the eBus into town ex-clusively for Money Smart Week. The 40’ commercial touring bus is equipped with a bank of onboard computer workstations and internet connectivity through satellite technology.

The bus will be used as a mobile money management campus, a tool to help the Bank and its partners assist community residents to take control of their finances focusing on basic banking and saving, the importance of good credit and protecting your identity from theft.

As part of the national campaign Scav-enger Hunt with Friends, is working with the Federal Reserve Bank to introduce the 2013 “Money SmartHunt.” The Money Sm-artHunt is a creative photo scavenger hunt

happening during the month of April. The 2013 Money Smart Week Scavenger Hunt is a FREE, nationwide, photojournalistic, scavenger hunt that uses the Scavenger Hunt with Friends mobile application. All of the tasks require participants to dem-onstrate how they are financially savvy. More information can be found at www.moneysmartweek.org/hunt.

For more information about events slated for Money Smart Week Michigan or to take part in any of the events or activi-ties during Money Smart Week, please go to www.moneysmartweek.org.

Pleasenote:FortheprotectionofeBusguests’information,FifthThirdBankwillmailguests’creditreportsobtainedonthebus.eBusguestscannottaketheircreditreportoffthebus.

Upcoming Fifth Third Money

Smart Week EventsFifth Third Bank is offering several events scheduled during Money Smart Week:

Quicken Loans Junior Achievement Finance Park

577 E. Larned Street, Detroit, 48226Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 to 8:00 pm

Fifth Third Bank partners with Junior Achievement to give parents tips, tools and ideas to help teach their children about sav-ings and managing a household budget.

Detroit Community Health Connection611 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,

Detroit, 48201Thursday, April 25, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

The Fifth Third eBus is at the Detroit Com-munity Health Connection at their Woodward Corridor location. Experts will be on hand on the bus to help guests pull their free annual credit report*, learn ways to help protect themselves from identity theft and, teach about budgeting and strategies to help improve savings habits.

Northwest Activities Center18100 Meyers Road, Detroit, 48235

Friday, April 26, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

The Fifth Third eBus is at the Northwest Activities Center. eBus visitors will receive assistance from experts from the MSU Extension Office and Fifth Third Bank. Guests will be able to pull their free annual credit report* during the credit session of the workshop. Once visitors have attended the credit session, they can attend part 2 of the workshop to learn the importance and tested methods of protecting their credit and identity.

Fifth Third Bank has committed to re-viving the tradition of the Michigan State Fair as title sponsor of the Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair.

Produced by a private entity, The Michi-gan State Fair L.L.C., the fair will honor the state’s tradition of livestock, agriculture and tourism, but with a more modern twist at the Suburban Collection Showcase in Novi over the Labor Day weekend, August 30th through September 2nd. Suburban Collection Showplace is a state-of-the-art 21st century convention and exhibition center with over 320,000 square feet of exhibit space, abundant lighted parking, a climate controlled environment, providing a home for the state fair that is beyond the expectations of the food and agriculture community. Fairgoers will also enjoy an expanded midway, live entertainment; beer garden and host of tasty carnival treat fa-vorites.

“Fifth Third Bank recognizes the state fair as not only a destination for fun and entertainment for families across the state of Michigan, but as a declaration of agricul-ture as an economic force within the state. We are proud to be the title sponsor for this event and are committed to support-ing the revival of this Michigan tradition,” said Jack Riley, marketing director at Fifth Third Bank Eastern Michigan.

The Michigan State Fair began in 1849. In 1905 a group of leading business people, led by the region’s top retail powerhouse and community supporter, JL Hudson, purchased land at Woodward and Eight Mile Road to create a permanent home for what they believed to be an important addi-tion to the area business community. The

Michigan State Fair was the longest run-ning State Fair in America until funding was cut in 2009 due to the financial crisis that was gripping the state.

Earlier this year, a coalition of business people, led by Blair Bowman of the Subur-ban Collection Showplace in Novi, spoke with Fifth Third Bank and the Shrine Circus about bringing the state fair back to the great state of Michigan. “When we asked the public what they missed most about

summer in Michigan they overwhelmingly said, “The state fair,” said Bowman. “There is something about being close to nature, the excitement of a child seeing his first goat, cow or baby lamb, and the celebra-tion of Michigan’s agricultural heritage. All of us have so many memories of the tasty food that you only get at the fair, as well as the carnival rides, entertainment, exhibit and contests. We are so proud to partner

Fifth Third Bank to sponsor Michigan State Fair

Pictured (from left) are L. C. and Jackie Scramlin, Agriculture, Livestock, & Home Arts coordinators; Craig Stigleman, chairman, Shrine Circus; Jack Riley, Fifth Third Bank; and Mike Watts, executive director, Michigan State Fair, L.L.C.

See Michigan state Fair page B-3

Michigan State FairFrom page B-1

Subject to credit review and approval. Fifth Third Checking account required. $50 minimum deposit required to open a new account. Earn rewards points by using your Homeowner Plus Value Credit Card with Homeowner Plus Value Package Rewards. Points are used to make principal reductions on your mortgage. See banker for details on the rewards program. Mortgage products offered by Fifth Third Mortgage Company and Fifth Third Mortgage-MI, LLC. Fifth Third Mortgage Company is an Illinois Residential Mortgage licensee. Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. © Fifth Third Bank 2012.

WHY IS THERE A PERSON IN THE PLACE WHERE THE LOGO SHOULD BE?

Well, why not? After all, you don’t go to

a logo with your banking needs. Has a

logo ever helped you figure out how to

pay your mortgage off faster? Or provided

investment guidance for planning your

retirement? Does a logo understand your

fears about taking risks in this economy?

No, but a person does. Or more

specifically, a curious person. Like a Fifth

Third banker, who listens and gets to

know you and your financial needs. And

comes up with great ideas like the

Homeowner Plus Value Package, where

your credit card rewards points go

toward paying down your Fifth Third

mortgage principal. Learn more about it

at 53.com.

Conventional thinking says this ad looks

somewhat off. Maybe the ad isn’t the

problem so much as the conventional thinking.

We’re Fifth Third Bank.

The curious bank.

community THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10-16, 2013 Page B-2

By Chris Bryant

The real secret to making a lasting impact is in having a clear sense of one’s profes-sional purpose. Every great personal brand must answer the nagging yet paramount question: why are you here? The bestselling author John Maxwell once said, “A diffi-cult time can be more read-ily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose — a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.”

Fact is, there are prob-lems only you can solve, people only you can touch and goals meant for you to achieve. I have the pleasure of traveling throughout the United States to speak, train and consult with individuals and organizations across many industries. I am always moved by the number of tal-ented, smart and ambitious individuals who are stuck between a job and their dream.

Whether currently employed or seek-ing employment, the time is now for in-dividuals to zero in on the unique value they are meant to offer and the prob-

lems they are best positioned to solve. It’s time to take our careers from neutral to drive. Your dreams are counting on it. When you’ve tapped into your purpose and passion, the money will come, or at least you’ll be happier while waiting.

I suggest a personal re-treatment to answer the fol-lowing questions and de-velop a plan based on your answers: 1) Where are you going or what’s your “there” as a personal brand? 2) What do you want to be known for? 3) Who and what do you need to get there? Wishing you success in every interac-

tion and a brand YOU day!

Chris Bryant is a leading brand strategist, national speaker, executive coach and former director of staff-train-ing for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company who specializes in personal branding customer service. His clients include Nestlé, Mattel, Black Enterprise maga-zine, the U.S. Department of Treasury and other agencies. For more informa-tion visit www.ChrisBryantPresents.com.or send an e-mail to MyStory@ ChrisBryantPresents.com.

Personal BrandingBy Chris BryantBRANd STRATEGIST

Chris Bryant

Purpose or paycheck?

Isa Hasan was an inaugural member of the Fifth Third Bank Community Adviso-ry Forum since 2005 and was a powerful advocate for the Arab Ameri-can community. Isa provided valuable information as a CAF member that gave the bank insight that helped enhance the customer experience and to heighten its outreach pro-grams and initiatives in the Arab American community.

We honor Mr. Hasan, our friend, for his unwavering commitment to the Fifth Third Bank Community Ad-visory Forum and his dedica-tion to Detroit and the Arab American community.

Isa Hasan was born in 1944 in Jerusalem where he spent most of his young life. In 1961 he came to the United States where he pursued a degree in pharmacy at Wayne State University. Following college he married the love of his life, Ibtisam, in 1968. After retiring from a long successful career in phar-macy, he decided that he wanted to give back to the community and serve those in need. In 2002, he joined the Arab American and Chaldean Council (ACC) to serve on the board of the Community & Neighborhood Development Initiative aimed at revitalizing the Seven Mile area both economically and residentially. Mr.

Hasan oversaw the construction and completion of ACC’s Youth Recreation and Leadership Center, Artisan and

Adult Learning Center, the Behavioral Health Network Clubhouse, the Store Front Improvement Project, Seven Mile Streetscape Project and the Community Pocket Park. He also lead the Seven Mile Taskforce Committee and served on a number of boards and advisory councils. He was a dedicated staff member of the ACC for over 10 years before retiring in December 2012.

Mr. Hasan served his church, the Basilica of St. Mary, faithfully from the beginning as a founding

member, Parish Council chairman, Cultural Center chairman and as the church’s liaison during the construc-tion of the new church.

Our sympathy goes to Isa Hasan’s wife Ibtisam, mother Badia, brothers Anton and Emil, sister Basima and his daughters Jenny Kawwas, Tammy Raffle and Danielle Pietrandrea, and grandchil-dren Jacob, Luke, Addison, Dominic and Noah, He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lived for his family and nothing brought him more joy than being with his grandchildren.

We remember Isa HasanFifth Third CAF member and director, ACC Seven Mile Project

& Neighborhood Development Initiative

Isa Hasan

Conventional wisdom tells some people in De-troit not to expect too much from a grassroots community meeting. These are the people who suspect that a standing room only crowd at a com-munity event is synony-mous with unicorn-spot-ting in northeast Detroit.

But, on March 26th Fifth Third Bank held the Osborn Business Asso-ciation’s Meet and Greet at its Gratiot Financial Center in Detroit. And, it was standing room only. In fact, far more than a meet and greet, it was an evening filled with infor-mation sharing, connect-ing with neighbors and a celebration of commu-nity.

The crowd represented a wide range of communi-ty interests and included business owners, area residents, students, staff from the three Osborn High Schools and the Brenda Scott Middle School. The meeting also included a lively panel discussion that addressed concerns of residents and students and informed the guests of upcoming initiatives for the area.

The evening’s featured speaker was Alice Thomp-son, CEO of Black Family Development, Inc., fol-lowed by a panel discus-sion that was moderated by Rachel R. Williams, LMSW, associate program manager of the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work. The panel represented leadership from the Black Family Development, the Osborn Business Association, and the Detroit Future City Initiative.

The discussion focused squarely on economic de-

velopment in the Osborn area and while the core of the subject matter was economics in general, one strain of the conversa-tion that was continually revisited was the crucial topic of opportunities for neighborhood youth.

Questions, particularly from the students, were assertive, straightforward and focused on what as-sistance they could expect from the businesses rep-resented in the room.

The students were Osborn High School DECA Club members. They asked for guidance and support from the busi-nesses that were present in learning ways to im-prove operations at their school store to increase their sales. They were not shy. All-in-all, they were a pretty impressive group of teens.

When questioned about the success of neighbor-hoods such as Midtown or Downtown and how the Association might bridge the economic gap in Osborn in order to tell a similar success story, the crowd was reminded by Thompson that compar-

Warren Morgan, Fifth Third Bank, derrick Blackmon, Osborn Business Associa-tion, Alice Thompson, Black Family development, Inc.

Osborn Business Association brings area business and neighbors together

to revitalize community

ing the areas is comparing “apples to oranges.”

She stressed the unique differences between the areas and noted that while each are neither better nor worse, their individual needs are as unique as the neighborhoods them-selves.

“There is a future in Osborn. Looking down the road a bit, not just a year or two but 10, 20 or more, Osborn will continue to evolve as land use in the city becomes smarter and more efficient. Land use is being reevaluated and areas will be adapted to meet the changing needs of the city and its changing population size,” Bomani Gray of Future City Detroit Project said.

Osborn is one of six neighborhoods in the city of Detroit that are a part of the Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods pro-gram.

Guests at the OBA meeting applauds panel.

with a great financial in-stitution like Fifth Third Bank which has strong roots in the community, and provides significant support to charitable ef-forts across the state. We promise to make the Fifth Third Michigan State Fair bigger, better and more fun for a long time.”

Continuing to focus on the fair’s agricultural roots will showcase the components of Michigan’s economy and bring to-gether the fair community, including the 4-H, county and regional programs. New is a competitive youth scholarship pro-gram will award $10,000 in scholarships to stu-dents exhibiting livestock and home art/agricultural categories. In addition to winning ribbons, stu-dents must complete an application that includes an essay and evidence of community involvement.

The new Fifth Third Michigan State Fair will also keep the spirit and tradition of the state fair alive through family friendly entertainment that includes the Shrine Circus, a fraternal orga-nization whose Shriners Hospitals for Children® health care system of 22 hospitals provides pe-diatric care, innovative research and outstand-ing teaching programs, as well as treatment for a wide variety of child-hood medical conditions regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

The Shrine Circus fea-tures the largest circus tent in the available in the U.S. and a state-of-the-art midway of rides, games and food. A designated

portion of the admission proceeds will go directly to the Detroit Shriners fraternal organization that supports the Shriners Hospitals for Children, treating children up to the age of 18 and providing pediatric specialty care and research for those in need.

“The Detroit Shrine Circus is excited to be a major part of the return of the Michigan State Fair, and all the traditions and community good will that goes along with this as-sociation. Our fraternal organization is dedicated to serving the commu-nity through our support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children®, and we ap-preciate the generosity of Fifth Third Bank in their joining our team to active-ly supporting the return of the this event as the Fifth Third Michigan State Fair as part of their ongo-ing philanthropy,” said Craig Stigleman, chair-man, Michigan State Fair/Shrine Circus.

The new Fifth Third Michigan State Fair will be fully funded by the Michigan State Fair LLC, a private entity and will not utilize any tax dol-lars. To the contrary, it will generate revenue that will benefit the entire state in addition to Oak-land, Wayne, Macomb and Livingston counties as patrons proudly support Michigan-based business-es and growers.

Tickets will be sold in advance and at the gate, with $30 ($25 in advance) wristbands to provide access to carnival rides and $8 ($6 in advance) fair only passes. For more information, visit www.michiganstatefairllc.com.

April 27

Children’s Hospital Michigan Smoke Alarm Installation Program

9 a.m.- 2 p.m. After Christ Christian Center3331 Fenkell

Kohl’s Injury Prevention Program at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan will partner with volunteers in the community to go into homes to educate and install working smoke alarms. If you are in need of this service, or would like volunteer, call (313) 745-0072.

Community THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10 - 16, 2013 Page B-3

Marygrove College Proudly presents the Bauder Contemporary American Authors Lecture Reading and Book Signing for author Terrance Hayes

8 p.m.

Marygrove College Madame Cadillac Building 8425 West McNichols

For its 25th anniversary celebration, Marygrove College welcomes National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes, author of the four collec-tions of poetry, “Musical Music,” “Hip Logic,” “Wind in a Box,” and “Lighthead.”

For more information, call (313)927-1383. Free and open to the public

Email Your Upcoming Events to [email protected]

April 19

The Detroit Medical Center Safe Baby Univer-sity Workshop

9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

McClaren Hospital50 N. Perry, Pontiac

This is a workshop designed to teach expect-ant parents and caregivers the basic injury prevention practices necessary to keep their newborn infant safe after arriving home from the hospital.

To register, call (313) 745-0072.

April 18 May 17

April 25-26

May-June (all month)Hartford Memorial Baptist Church Presents A Poetry/Spoken Word Month Celebration

4-6 p.m.

Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens

The event will be hosted by hip-hop artist Joel “Fluent” Greene and poet Jessica Care Moore will be the headlining performer. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Donations will be accepted to support Hartford’s Hunger Task Force.

For more information, call (313) 758-1648.

April 26

The Detroit Historical Museum April Scholar Series featuring Tuskegee Airmen Colonel Alexander Jefferson

6 p.m.

Detroit Historical Museum5401 Woodward Ave.

Colonel Jefferson will provide share his memories of World War II and how his Tuskegee Airman status contributed to his life during the Civil Rights era. For more information, call (313) 833-1801.

Dossin Great Lakes Museum’s Re-opening Gala

6 p.m. Belle Isle Park100 Strand Dr.

Come and celebrate the recently renovated facility on Detroit’s historic shores of Belle Isle Park.

For more information, call (313) 833-1980.

The Detroit Zoological Society to host National Humane Education Conference

Ford Education Center (Detroit Zoo Grounds)8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak

This annual conference is open to the public offers educational and networking opportuni-ties to educators and professionals interested in human education.

For more information, visit www.aphe.org.

April 11-12

Detroit Children’s Choir registration

Detroit Children’s Choir is an inclusive choir program focused on providing high quality choral music to metro Detroit area children from 8-14 years of age.

For more information, visit www.detroitchildrenschoir.org.

Carter Metropolitan CME Church Women’s Day Committee invites the public to share an afternoon of enjoyment as they present “Ten Virgins” (a play adapted from Matthew Chapter 25).

2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

1510-12 W. Grand Blvd. and W. Warren.

For more information and for tickets, call (313) 895-6744.

April 20

April 17

The National Research Summit on Reserve Component Military Families

University of MichiganAnn Arbor

While successful intervention programs have been launched across the country to support military families, there remain few opportunities for clinicians and researchers to share and discuss this information on a national scale, with none focused specifically on the special challenges faced by Reserve Component families. This summit represents an effort to increase discussion and awareness surrounding the challenges faced by the families of National Guard and Reserve members.

For more information, visit http://m-span.org/conferences/national-research-summit-on-re-serve-component-military-families/.

Free day at the zoo

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Detroit Zoo8450 W. 10 Mile Rd., Royal Oak

Senior citizens living in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties are invited to enjoy a free day at the Detroit Zoo on Senior Day. Senior Day will feature live music, tractor train tours, bingo and a senior resource area. The day’s activities will also include animal enrichment and zookeeper talks highlighting some of the Zoo’s senior animal residents. Seniors 62 and older and a caregiver will

April 24

receive complimentary admission and parking.

For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.

At work or away

Digital Dailywww.michiganchronicle.com

Sign-Up Today

By Bill Johnson It amazes me that pro-test groups march, taunt,disrupt and demonstrateover issues thathave littleto do with the overwhelm-ingdespairfacedbytheav-erage Detroiter. None hasmade the slightest contri-butiontotheimprovementoradvancementofthecity.Infact,thesepoliticalmer-cenaries have boundlessexpertise in running theirmouths — and nothingmore.

The UAW, AFSCME,NAACPandCouncilofBap-tistPastors,amongothers,arebusyholdingnewscon-ferencesorblocking traffic.Their sup-portershavestaged1960-stylemarcheswith the intent of painting Gov. RickSnyder’s emergency manager decision“anti-democratic.”

TheRev.AlSharptonoftheNationalAction Network has taken to the air-wavestoaccusethegovernorofattempt-ingtounderminevotingrightsand“thewillofthepeople.”TheRev.JesseJack-sonaddedhistiredvoicetothemix.

YouonlyneedtobeslightlyinformedtoknowthattheDetroitvoteismostlylosttoapathy,aself-imposeddisenfran-chisement. In non-presidential elec-tions,forexample,voterturnoutinthecity is around 20-percent. And there’sno evidence that political power hasdonemuchtoreversethedeteriorationofthecity.

Whoordainedthesepseudo-champi-onsofthepeopleastheonlylegitimatevoicesofDetroit?Wheredidtheygetthemoralauthority?

These hypocrites have never run abusinessorcreateda job.Theysatonthe sidelines as unemployment amongcitydwellersswelledtomorethantwicethe national average. They looked theother way as the city became delugedwith untenable levels of crime. Theyhelplessly observed generations of un-educated children become hopelesslymiredinpoverty.

Bytheirsilence,theysanctionedthefracturing of families. Neighborhoodsplaguedbydeplorableabandonmentandblightwerebeyondtheirpowersofpre-vention.

Not one organization could preventDetroitfrombecomingthemurdercapi-tal.Andtheycouldn’tstopthestampedeof outbound residents and the loss of

more than half the city’spopulation.

Further proof of theirimpotency is a long-fes-tering sore associated theviolence visited upon theyoung. The same peoplethat feign concern aboutthefiscalcrisiswereAWOLwhen it came to divertinghigh-risk children fromcriminallyviolatingthelife,libertyandpropertyoftheirneighbors. Missing areprincipled, committed rolemodels who feel obligatedtogetdown in the trench-es and wage war againstself-generated destructiveforces among the aimless

young. It is this leadership “void” thatallowedtheurbanterroristtobecomeasadcommentaryofhowthemoralout-rageaboutSnyderismisplaced.

The sum of these pathologies is di-rectly or indirectly linked to “pretend-ers”thatnowshamelesslyadvancecon-spiracy theories to justify the absenceofsolutions.Rejectedisanysuggestionthatthe“enemywithin”makesthecityimmune to self-reliance, resourceful-nessandrecovery.Andnothingwillfun-damentally change if their anti-SnydercrusadederailstheEFMprocess.

TheutteringsandactionsofJackson,Sharptonandtheirself-promotingclery-cultfollowersaremoreattunedtohold-ingDetroitersinpsychologicalbondagethanhelpingthemriseabovetheirmis-erablecondition. Intoxicatedwiththeirabilitytogeneratemediacoverage,thesepower-mongeringagitatorsusedivisive-nessforpoliticaladvantage—ortogetpaid.Itisthey—notthesystemtheyrailagainst—whohavefailedthepeople.

It isnotabetrayaltocriticizethesearticulatebutdysfunctionaldemagoguesfortheirshortcomings.Toomanycom-munities became neglected and deso-lateundertheirwatch.Thesurvivorsareleftwithasocialandeconomiccalamitythatwon’tbecorrectedthroughcivildis-obedienceorfurtherexploitationofthedowntrodden.

Sadly, those who identify with theirmessagesofdoomfindpleasureinwal-lowinginaperpetualstateofvictimhood;self-righteousness, self-pity and anger.Liberatingthemrequiresanuncompro-mising resolve by “authentic” leaderswho are capable of playing a responsi-bleroleincontainingthesinkholethatslowlyswallowsthecity.Unfortunately,Detroiters may have to look elsewhereforthevoicesofreason.

Hiram E. JacksonPublisher

JackiE BErGChief Marketing Officer

BankoLE THomPsonSenior Editor

cornELius a. forTunE Managing Editor

samuEL LoGanPublisher 1933-2011

JoHn H. sEnGsTackEChairman-Emeritus 1912-1997

LonGWorTH m. QuinnPublisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

A Real Times Newspaper479 Ledyard – Detroit, mi 48201

(313) 963-5522Fax 963-8788

e-mail:[email protected]

April 10-16, 2013 Page B-4

How To Write Us:The Michigan Chronicle encourages letters from readers. Expressed opinions must bear the writer’s signature, ad-dress and phone number (only the names will published with the letters). Write: Reader’s Speak, Michigan Chron-icle, 479 Ledyard, Detroit, MI 48201 or email the editor at [email protected]

A time to advance health equity

Protests from hell

The end of cash: The rise of prepaid cards

Obama’s inexplicable economic recovery

By Kathleen Sebelius AprilisNationalMinorityHealthMonth,atimewhenwereflectontheincredibleopportunity we face as anation to improve minor-ity health, advance healthequity,andeliminatehealthdisparities.

Fiftyyearsago, theRev.Dr.MartinLutherKingJr.stood on the steps of theLincolnMemorialtoremindAmerica of the “fierce ur-gency of now.” That mes-sageisasmeaningfultodayasitwasin1963.Whileournationhasmadesignificantprogress in reducinghealthdisparitiesoverthelastfiftyyears,historicallymi-noritieshavebeenlesslikelytogetpre-ventive care, and more likely to sufferfromseriousillnesses.Theyhavebeenless likely to have access to qualityhealthcareandinsurancecoverage.

Because of the Affordable Care Act,the landmark legislation signed byPresidentObama,wearemakingstridesin advancing quality, affordable healthcoverageregardlessofraceorethnicity.Thehealthcarelawaddressestheneedsof minority populations and other un-derservedgroupsbyinvestinginpreven-tion,supportingimprovementsinprima-rycareandMedicare,andmakinghealthcarecoverageaffordableandaccessiblefor all Americans. The theme for Na-tionalMinorityHealthMonth this yearis“AdvanceHealthEquityNow:UnitingOurCommunitiestoBringHealthCareCoveragetoAll.”

Later this year, millions of Ameri-

cans, will gain access tohealthcoveragethatmeetstheir needs and fits theirbudgetnomatterwhotheyareorwheretheylive.NewHealth Insurance Market-places will give all Ameri-canswhoareuninsuredorwhobuytheirowncoveragea simple way to shop forinsurance. Starting Oct. 1,2013,Americanscanenrollthrough the Marketplacesfor health coverage begin-ning as early as Jan. 1,2014.

For the first time,Americans will be able togo to one place to learn

abouttheircoverageoptionsandbeableto make side-by-side comparisons ofprivate insurance plans. With a singleapplication,theywillalsobeabletofindoutiftheyqualifyforanewkindoftaxcreditthatlowerstheirmonthlypremi-ums.Andbecause the law finallybansdiscriminationagainstpre-existingcon-ditionslikediabetesorasthma,nobodywill be turned away because of theirhealthstatus.

Achievinghealthequitymeanseachofushasanequalopportunitytoattainoptimal health. Let’s recommit our-selvesandourcommunitiestoactnowto eliminate health disparities and in-creaseaccesstoqualitycare.Wecannotaffordtowait.

TolearnmoreaboutNationalMinor-ityHealthMonthandwhattheU.S.De-partmentofHealthandHumanServicesisdoingtoreducehealthdisparitiesandachievehealthequity,seewww.minori-tyhealth.hhs.gov.

By Joe Valenti March 1, 2013, marked “the end ofcash”fortheU.S.government.Startingon that datefederal payments such asSocialSecurity,SupplementalSecurityIncome, also known as SSI, veterans’benefits,andretirementbenefitsforfed-eralemployeeswere,forthemostpart,no longeravailable incheck form,andinstead were only made available elec-tronically.

Inotherwords,beginning inMarch,most new recipients of federal govern-mentpaymentsnolongerreceivepaperchecks. This move is expected to savethe federal government $1 billion overthe next 10 years. Not only are elec-tronic payments often less expensivetoprocessthanpaperchecks,buttheycanalso reduce thepotential for fraudand can provide more flexibility to re-cipients, according to the GovernmentAccountabilityOffice.

In practical terms, this means thatrecipientsoffederalpaymentshavetwooptions:Theycanelecttoreceivetheirpaymentsbydirectdeposittoabankac-count of their choice, or they can useagovernment-issuedprepaidcardcalledtheDirectExpressCard.ThisisaneasydecisionforthevastmajorityofAmeri-cans,giventhe fact that theyhavehadbankaccountstheirentirelivesandjustneedtosetupdirectdeposit.

ButforthemillionsofadultsinAmer-icawhodonothavebankaccounts,in-cludingseniorsand thepoor, this isamuchtougherchoice.Theseindividualscanopenanaccountatabankorcreditunion, or they can go with the DirectExpressCard.Consumersalsohavetheoption of switching to another prepaidcardifitmeetscertainrequirements.

Thefederalgovernment’sshifttotheDirectExpressCardispartofabroadertrendtowardelectronictransactionsre-placing cash and paper checks. Begin-ningin2003moreelectronicpaymentswere made in the United States thancheck payments. Even environmentswhereonewouldexpectcashtobemoreprevalentsuchasonairplanesorattoll-booths, the switch has been made toelectronicpayments.

Majorairlineshaveshiftedto“cash-less cabins,” requiring credit or debitcardsforonboardmealpurchases.Sev-eralstatesnowhavetollroadsthatrelysolelyonelectronicpaymentsinsteadofcash.EventheU.S.Treasuryitselfbeganmovingawayfromcashseveraldecadesago, when the iconic Cash Room — atwo-story marble hall in the Treasurybuilding where government checkscouldbecashed—closedin1976.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Cor-poration,orFDIC,estimates that thereare approximately 17 million adults inAmericawhodonothaveacheckingorsavings account. They are known col-lectivelyasthe“unbanked”population,

whichmakesupabout8percentofallAmericanhouseholds.AnadditionaloneinfivehouseholdsintheUnitedStatesare “underbanked,” meaning that theyhave bank accounts but also use non-bank financial services such as checkcashersandpawnshops.

Many populations most affected bythe shift to electronic payments havemuch higher rates of being unbanked,according to the FDIC. Nearly 1 mil-lion households ages 65 or over areunbanked, and another nearly 3 mil-lion are underbanked. About 8 millionAmericanhouseholdsearninglessthan$30,000 a year have no bank account,and another nearly 10 million are un-derbanked. Thirty percent of house-holdsearninglessthan$15,000ayearare unbanked, as are 22 percent of allunemployed people. Nearly 45 percentofunbankedhouseholdspreviouslyhadabankaccount,whileothershaveneverusedbanksorcreditunionsintheirlife-times.

Without bank accounts, the un-bankedhavetraditionallyreliedoncash-basedfinancialservicessuchascheckcashers, money orders, and in-personbillpaymenttohandletheirtransactionneeds.

But the federal Direct Express Cardis part of a new wave of prepaid cardsthat can bring millions of unbankedAmericans into the financial systemwhile providing tremendous benefits,includingtheabilitytomakepurchaseswithout carrying cash; saving moneyandtimebyavoidingcheckcashersandmoney orders; paying bills electroni-cally;gettingcashfromautomatictellermachines,orATMs,andmerchants;andlivingfinanciallivesmuchakintotheircounterparts who have bank accountsanddebitandcreditcards.

For an increasingnumberofAmeri-cans,prepaidcardsarealreadyafamil-iarproduct.Currently,41statesandtheDistrictofColumbiauseprepaidcardsto distribute unemployment benefits.Severalstatesalsouseprepaidcardsfortaxrefunds,althoughforthetimebeingfederal tax refundsarestill distributedbycheck.Moreover,inrecentyearsbothtraditionalbrick-and-mortarbanksandalternativeprepaidcardproviderssuchas GreenDot and NetSpend have soldmillionsofprepaidcardstoconsumers.

About 3 million people without tra-ditional bank accounts now managetheir money with prepaid cards. AndaccordingtotheFDIC,fully27percentofhouseholds thatonceheldbankac-counts but don’t anymore used a pre-paidcard in2011—andthatnumber issteadilygrowing.

What’s more, competition and inno-vation in the prepaid-card market hasmeant new features and decreasingfees,makingtheproductevenmoreat-tractivetoconsumers.

By John Ransom The best recovery in the history ofmankindhasonceagainbeenputoffin-definitelywhilegovernmenteconomistscontinue thesearchandrescueeffortstofindthejobsthattheycreatedbyrosyforecasts,butwhichseemtobemissingfromtherealworldresults.

“Private-sectorjobcreationwascon-siderablylessthanexpectedinMarch,”reportsCNBC,“indicatingthatthelabormarket’s improvements could beginstalling.AjointreportWednesdayfromADP and Moody’s Analytics showed158,000 new positions, well beloweconomistexpectationsof200,000.ThereportservesasaprecursortoFriday’snonfarm payrolls report, so the misscould cause economists to lower theirprojections.”

Amongtheloserswereconstructionandservice jobs,whichasof latehavebeen leading the charge amongst jobcreators.

Amongthewinnerswillbethestockindices,whichwillbenefitfromcontin-uedstimuluseffortsbythefirmofBer-nanke,Barack,Lew&Associates.

WhilesomeanalystshavespeculatedthattheinflationaryrisksofeasymoneypoliceswouldforcetheFederalReservetoatleasttemperitsquantitativeeasingpolicies,apoorjobsreportmeansthatit’sfull-speedaheadformonetarystimu-lus.

JustonemonthagopresidentObamawastrumpetingtheFebruaryjobsreportas“evidencethattherecoverythatbeganinmid-2009isgainingtraction.”

I wonder if today he’ll back up andsay“It’sapparentnowthattherecoveryislosingtraction.”

Yeah, probably, but only if he canblame:1)congressionalRepublicans;2)GeorgeBush;or3)gunviolence.

If it’sanyconsolationhowever,con-siderwithmeforamomentascenariowheretheoptimisticpredictionsof2.5-3percentGDPgrowthareoperativeandjobs are created in quantities to offsetunemployment.

Despite lower demand and muchhigherinventoriesoilstandsat$95perbarrel.

The price of oil could easily reach$140perbarrelwithevenmodest,sub-par3percentgrowthinourGDP.Andexpectnolessforbasicmaterials,foodandotherenergysupplies.

Justasaquickhistorylesson:Itwasoilprices,notsubprimelendingthatfi-nally,officiallybrokethebackoffinan-cial markets in 2008 and caused notjustarunonthebank,butarunonALLbanks.

Although subprime defaults did getthingsrolling.

Kathleen Sebelius

Bill Johnson

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On Royal Caribbean’sRhapsody of the Seas

Aug. 30 - Sep. 6, 2013

By Kamilia Landrum Sunny skies, fruit trees and exotic art were some of the first things we laid our eyes on while landing in Haiti. As we walked through the air-port, we were greeted with warm smiles and smooth Caribbean vibes, imme-diately relaxing any fears from the many myths about Haiti. As we drove into Port a Prince, we saw a society full of entre-preneurs, young people headed to school, and reconstruction from the 2010 earthquake.

The NAACP’s delega-tion was led by Roslyn Brock, chairperson of the NAACP National Board of Directors; Dr. David Em-manuel Goatley, chair, NAACP International Af-fairs Committee; Roger C. Vann, NAACP chief oper-ating officer and chief of staff; and myself as the youth representative. The purpose of the trip was to allow the National As-sociation for the Advance-ment of Colored People (NAACP) and the Haitian Congress to fortify Haiti, the opportunity to discuss with community leaders and government officials about how the NAACP could better advocate for key civil rights issues in-cluding education, health care and economic sus-tainability.

“This visit is an impor-tant step toward enhanc-ing and expanding the longstanding relation-ship between the NAACP and our brothers and sisters in Haiti,” stated Brock. The NAACP has a rich history and associa-tion with Haiti. W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the associa-tion’s founders, was Hai-tian American. In 1920, the NAACP sent James Weldon Johnson on a fact finding trip to Haiti in re-sponse to reports of the mistreatment of Haitians and suppression of self-

rule during the war years. Following his 1920 visit to Haiti, James Weldon Johnson published a series of articles recount-ing the adverse impact of U.S. occupation of Haiti. The NAACP’s efforts con-tributed to the evacuation of troops from Haiti.

While in Haiti the del-egation met with Presi-dent Michael Martelly and members of his cabi-net, as well as the Senate President Simon Dieuseul Desras, Haitian Ambassa-dor to the United States Paul Altidor, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) Bernice Fidélia, and dynamic civil society leaders who are working to build a stronger Haiti. The delegation also vis-ited the Santo Commu-nity which the NAACP do-nated $50,000 to, to build homes and the Global Or-phanage where funds were also donated. In total, the NAACP donated $200,000 to help rebuild Haiti after the earthquake.

The association will

use the information gleaned from government officials, civil society lead-ers and partners to dis-cern how to advocate for some of the issues affect-ing this embattled nation, including our strategic game changers of eco-nomic justice, education, health, civic engagement and criminal justice.

As the youth repre-sentative to the National Board, I believe it is ex-tremely important to focus on education as half of Haiti’s population is under the age of 25. If young people do not have access to high quality free education, Haiti will find itself in many of the same economic conditions. By investing in education, we will invest in the people, and that is something an earthquake cannot take away.

Kamilia Landrum isaNAACPNationalYouthBoardmemberrepresent-ingRegionIII.

Who better than a child to understand the impor-tance of a birthday?

So who better than Anika Jane Beamer, a sev-enth grader from Farming-ton, to start the Blessed Birthdays Foundation, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the birth-days of less fortunate children? Her first birth-day blessings are going to first through third graders enrolled at the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center.

At age 10, Anika came up with the idea for pro-viding less fortunate kids with a traditional birthday party, one that includes games, food and a gift.

With the organization-al help of her parents and financial support of her church and community, she quickly raised more than $1,600. In February 2013, Anika hosted the first “Blessed Birthdays” celebration at the center, and has been back every month with party favors for children in two age groups.

Anika says she’s used to the usual comments about her being “a little young” to begin a career in philanthropy, and dis-misses them all.

“Kids can’t do a lot of things,” she said, “but this is one thing I can do. I understand what it takes to make a birthday spe-cial. This is a chance to make someone feel spe-cial.”

In addition to Anika’s formal fundraising activi-ties, she donates all the money she receives on Christmas, birthdays and special occasions to the

foundation. From that she buys each celebrant a unique toy, and hand-makes and decorates a cake in their favorite flavor. She also brings cupcakes, games and prizes into the classroom for the party. She was told by one student that she appreciated the cake to take home to share with her family, as she had not received a birthday cake on her actual birthday the day before.

Anika chose the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center because of its ded-ication to education.

“The Education Ex-perience empowers kids through learning,” she said. “If kids get a good education, they can do anything they really want to. The center is making a difference in kids’ lives.”

The Beamer family has a personal relationship with the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center as well. Anika’s twin broth-ers, now age 14, were ad-opted when the center was

an orphanage in Farming-ton Hills.

“Giving has no age re-quirement,” said Diane Renaud, executive di-rector/CEO, St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center. “Miss Beamer is mature beyond her years in un-derstanding what many adults don’t realize. That something as simple as giving a birthday cake can make an at-risk child feel special on their birth-day and can change that child’s entire outlook. The center is honored by her generosity. I hope she inspires others in her generation to realize that a small act of kindness can make the biggest dif-ference. Her thoughtful-ness is inspiring.”

Anika Beamer’s favor-ite birthday celebration: “Being at home with my family and the people I love, and feeling that a lot of people care about me.”

For more information, visit http://www.svsfcen-ter.org/.

Kamilia Landrum, youth representative, NAACP Na-tional Board of Directors, presents Haitian President Michael Martelly with a gift from the NAACP.

NAACP CHAIR (left), COO, national board members and staff with President and First Lady Michael Martelly after a discussion on education, voting rights and social justice.

NAACP takesadvocacy abroad

Seventh grader bringsblessings, birthday cakes

St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center students Ay’Jah Murray (left) and Ashleigh Smith with their “Blessed Birthday” cakes.

THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLETHE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10-16, 2013 Page B-7

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See edunomics page A-4

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Following his series of sit-down in-terviews with President Obama, and his successful 2010 interview-based book “Obama and Black Loyalty Vol. 1,” editor Bankole Thompson is upping the ante with the start of a new special report “White House XChange” March 30. The report will deal with issues tied to Detroit and Michigan that the Obama administra-tion is tackling. It will introduce read-ers to issues raised in White House media conference calls. The report will invite our readers to weigh in on the debate about what the Obama administration is doing by having their opinions and views reflected in the report.

White HouseXChange

Coming Soon

Our readers take center stage on national issues

COMMENTARY

Bankole Thompson

Bankole ThompsonCHRONICLE SENIOR EDITOR

The current state of the DetroitPublic Schools is a mockery of Brownv Board of Education and it exposesthe deep inequities in education.

Just becauseyour child isnot enrolledin the DetroitPublic Schoolsdoes not meanyou shouldn’tbe concernedabout the fateof the districtbefore it headstoward implo-sion.

Your abil-ity to get thebest education

for your child should not be basedon geography, income or ethnicitybut, rather, on the simple principlethat every child regardless of theirbackground should have an empow-ering education that equips them fora brighter future. Each child shouldhave access to a meaningful educa-tion that would not leave them trail-ing behind in the dust children inJapan, India, China and other coun-tries move ahead.

But that is not the case in places

like Detroit where a national readingreport card places the city at number56 out of the 75 largest metropoli-tancitiesin the U.S. surveyed. Thatmeans literacy is shamefully low inthe city and we are doing little ornothing to change the deplorablesituation.

The latest study conducted byCentral Connecticut State Universi-ty, according to Data Driven Detroit,ranks the “culture and resources forreading” and it examines not wheth-

er people can read, but whether theyactually do read.

Detroit’s 56th place in the 2010study is the same spot it occupied ina similar report in 2005. The highestrank the city got was 50th in 2007. Washington, D.C., was rated themost well-read city in the nation andfollowing that were Seattle, Minne-apolis, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, San Fran-cisco, St. Paul, Denver, Portland, St.Louis, Cincinnati and Boston.

Its is also noteworthy that thesecities are among the most admiredplaces in the nation and they have,in fact, become meccas for thoseseeking greener pastures. Whenyoung people are making the exodusfrom the state, more than likely theyare moving to one of the cities men-tioned in this report.

These cities are not only a para-gon of a reading culture, they alsooffer other incentives that we are notoffering in this city.

There is no possible way we canbank on attracting young families tothe city if basic amenities like recre-ational centers are not available on afull scale.

When the educational systemdoes not have the public confidence

Read Less, Pay More

Read Less, Read Less, edunomics:

Jim Murray

Wayne County CommunityCollege District (WCCCD) isthe largest urban commu-nity college in Michigan, withrecord enrollment numbersfor the spring 2011 semester.Nearly 32,000 students regis-tered for credit classes at allfive of the District locationsand online. Additionally, theDistrict expects more than40,000 non-credit studentsto register as well for a totalof nearly 72,000 served in allprograms.

WCCCD, the multi-campusdistrict serving 32 communi-ties in Southeast Michigan,has seen exponential growthas degree and certificate pro-grams have been expanded,infrastructure improved, and

investments in students, ser-vices and technologies in-creased.

“In this economy, post sec-ondary education and trainingis the ticket to competing intoday’s changing workforce.Access to higher education--especially community colleg-es--is critical,” said Dr. CurtisIvery, chancellor. “WCCCDis an integral economic andsocial catalyst to the healthand welfare of this region andstate.”

A recent economic impactstudy reported that WCCCD’sstudents generate morethan $122 million in taxableincome annually to the regionand state.Every dollar that isinvested in WCCCD returns

$22.80 in benefits to all Michi-gan residents.

Having been recognizedas one of the fastest growingcommunity colleges in thenation and the largest urbancommunity college in Michi-gan, WCCCD was forced to capenrollment during the spring2010 semester. This year,under the direction of Dr.Ivery, WCCCD lifted the enroll-ment cap to make certain thatno student was turned awayin spite of WCCCD’s fundingchallenges.

WCCCD gives studentsthe opportunity to train inemerging technology and highdemand fields, allowing themto become competent profes-sionals helping to position the

state for vibrant growth and astrong economic future.

Community colleges acrossthe nation face difficult deci-sions in a climate of limitedresources. The commitmentof WCCCD in assuring that thedoors to educational opportu-nities remain open is a directresult of the determination offaculty, staff and administra-tors.

“Our students and all thosewe serve need us to work ashard as we can for them. Ifwe can’t be the difference be-tween success and a futureof limited options, we are notliving up to the mission andvision of this institution,”said Dr. Ivery.

Curtis Ivery

WCCCD is largest urban community college, with record enrollment numbers

Daylight Saving BEGINS on

Set your clocks one hour

Accelerating the speed

of business growthAT&T commits

$19 billion to support area business growth

By C.L. Price

Area businesses sloshing throughMichigan’s sluggish economic recov-ery will soon receive much-needed in-frastructure support, thanks to globalcommunications leader AT&T’s net-work improvement plans announcedlast week.

The improvements — to expandbackhaul, enable 4G speeds, increasemobile broadband capacity and upgradehundreds of cell sites — are predictedto accelerate the pace of area businessgrowth.

Why invest now?

“We feel very confident about De-troit’s economic recovery,” stated JimMurray, president of AT&T Michigan.“As a consequence, we’re committedto making sizeable investments in this

sampson appointed (A-8)Mariners Inn recently an-nounced the promotion of David Sampson to the position of chief executive officer. He has been with Mariners Inn since 2002 and held several positions.

mubarak played religion card (A-2)Ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak portrayed him-self as a paradigm of stability in a country he once described as a “powder keg” of sectarian unrest. Yet far from promoting stability, his regime may have actually been the source of much of the religious strife.

Home repair Program (B-1):Rebuilding Together Detroit (RTD) is seeking applications from low-income homeowners in Southwest Detroit who are in need of minor home repair assistance.

Academic excellence honored (c-1):The Final Five Elite High School Football Players were recently lauded for their Ath-letic and Scholastic Excellence at the 20th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Awards held at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.

new tax credits (c-6):A new 25 percent state Small Business Investment Tax Credit, designed to encourage investments in start-up and early-stage Michigan technol-ogy companies, is aiming to help Michigan entrepreneurs secure capital and reduce risks associated with a new business or novel technology.

The motortown Revue (d-1):The Motortown Revue, the leg-endary shows that toured the nation by bus for almost the entirety of the ’60s, is recalled by someone who never missed a revue and, like so many other Motown fans, cherishes the memory.

Gov. Snyder keynotes Pancakes & PoliticsGov. Rick Snyder kicked off the Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics season at the Detroit Athletic Club on March 3 with a candid conversation built around reinventing Michigan. At left, Snyder chats with Curtis Ivery, Wayne County Community College Chancellor, Betty Brooks, community leader, and Shaun Wilson, Vice President, Director of Client and Community Relations, PNC Bank, and Ric DeVore, Regional President, PNC Bank. See page C-7 for photo high-lights.

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Lambda Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. admits

nine new members

Praying Hands Around Detroit: A National Day of Prayer Event

The 2013 members of Lambda Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. seen pictured in this year’s chapter photo re-cently inducted nine new members. The induction ceremony takes place once a year for invited new members. Laurel Manor in Livonia was the host site for the induction

ceremony and celebra-tion dinner. New mem-bers are presented in the photo seated and dressed in green and yellow with the big sister or her rep-resentative standing and dressed in black. The induction of these new members and leaders in health care help to epito-mize the vision of Chi Eta

Phi Sorority, Inc. to be “a nationally and interna-tionally recognized leader in the provision of health education, leadership de-velopment and service to the community.”

Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. is a national organi-zation of student and pro-fessional nurses. Service to Humanity is the motto.

Pastor Jim Holley and Historic Little Rock Baptist Church present Spring Revival and Bible Institute, April 15-16.

The Bible Institute titled “It’s Not What You Eat, But What’s Eating You,” facilitated by Jea-nette Griffin, will start at 6 p.m., followed by the Spring Revival with one of Detroit’s most charismat-ic preachers and leaders, Pastor Tellis J. Chapman, pastor of Galilee Mission-ary Baptist Church, start-ing nightly at 7 p.m.

All services will be held at Historic Little Rock Baptist Church located at

900 Woodward Avenue.

For more information,

please call (313) 872-2900.

Making It To The Finish Line, a nonprofit organiza-tion, will host its annual fundraiser themed “Danc-ing To The Finish Line” on Saturday, April 27, at EARS Financial Show-place, 2140 Holbrook (for-merly UAW Local 235), in

Hamtramck. Festivities start at 7 p.m.

They are also seeking vendors for the event. Fee and registration form are on the website and can be downloaded from www.mittfl.org. Registration

form and fee are due by Friday, April 12.

For more information you may contact Gladys Pearson at (313) 460-0596. Fee is nonrefund-able. Register early. Space is limited.

Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church invites the public to join a weekend celebration of the Rev. Ken-neth James Flowers’ 18th

year as pastor and his 35th year in the ministry. Cel-ebration events kick off Friday, April 12, and will culminate with three ser-vices on Sunday, April 14, featuring dynamic local ministers as guest speak-ers.

At 7 p.m. Friday, April 12, Rev. Solomon Kinloch, pastor of Triumph Church, will deliver the kickoff mes-

sage. Guest speakers at Sunday services will in-clude Bishop Edgar L. Vann of Second Ebenezer Church at 7:45 a.m., Dr. Everette Jennings, pastor of New Providence Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. and Pastor Victor E. Sharpe of St. John the Great Baptist Church, at 10:45 and 4 p.m.

All worship services will be held at Greater New Mt. Moriah Missionary Bap-tist Church located at 586 Owen. For more informa-tion, call (313) 871-8025.

New 2013 members inducted into Lambda Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. are (seated from left) Shateria Chambers, La Tonya Connally, Shara Eloms, Virginia Pitts, DeVaughn Pollard, Iris Taylor, Lora Washington, Paulette Wilson and Kamla Yancy. Big sisters are represented by (standing from left) Krystal Boddie, Beverly Baul, Betty Howard, Rosetta Barnes, Gloria Graham, Pamela Whitesell, Roberta Talbot, Dorothy Broach-Weeks and Nutrena Tate, chapter president.

Lambda Chi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. 2013 members group photo-graph includes (seated floor, from left) Carmon Weeks, Camillva Christian, Ande-ria Jackson, Janeice Hampton and Betty Howard. Chair (from left) Mary Marshall, Paulette Donehue, Beverly Jackson, Sharon Burnett, Nutrena Tate (president), Karen Williams, Marian Andrews, Hazel Cowan, and Pamela Whitesell. Stand-ing behind chairs (from left): Dorothy Broach-Weeks, Pamela Latimore, Tabbatha Brown, DaLena Johnson, Wanda Edwards, Pat Meade-White, Dolores Best, Bar-bara Bass, Teneka Liddell, Thelma Phillips, Roberta Talbert, Machiel Standfield, Marquita Hall, Denise Turner, Cheryl Rorie, Alice Reed, Willia Miller, Bernice Wil-liams, Linda Burks, Lucretia Johnson, Tara Palmer, Addie Gold, Gloria Graham, Nettie Riddick, Beverly Baul, Rosella Miller, Cherie Walker, Consuela McMillian, and Bevely Roberts.

Pastor Jim Holley Pastor Tellis J. Chapman

Spring Revival andBible Institute

‘Dancing to the Finish Line’

A weekend of celebration at Greater New Mt. Moriah

Rev. Kenneth Flowers

Tune in to Radio 1440AM weekly. The new single “We Give Thanks’’ is also available by going to AnnaMariegospel.com. Also August 16 & 18, from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Anna Maie will be with host Prentice Wooden on Impact Radio Network discussing faith. For more information call (313) 971-5351.

The National Day of Prayer will take place on Thursday, May 2. To honor this day The Met-ropolitan Christian Coun-cil Detroit-Windsor will sponsor a local event with the theme, “Praying Hands Around Detroit,” where churches, groups and individuals will pray throughout our city.

The kickoff for the event will be a Prayer Rally & Press Confer-ence at 10:30 a.m. at His-toric Little Rock Baptist Church. Afterwards lead-ers of various denomi-nations will disburse to selected sites to gather with parishioners, local community leaders and citizens to pray for our

beloved city.

Pastors, leaders and citizens who would like to participate in the event can call the council office for further information at (313) 870-9550, visit the council website at www.metropolitanchristian-councildw.com or e-mail the Council at [email protected].

news THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10-16, 2013 Page B-8

Why are labor unions under attack?By V. Lonnie Peek Jr. With the recent pas-sageof right-to-work leg-islation in Michigan, itis clear there is a directassault on the influenc-es and impact of laborunions. Michigan, thehome of the auto indus-try and the backbone ofthe labor movement, isa strategic target. If theforces that are targetingthe unions can continueto dilute the power oflabor here, it will have aripple effect throughoutthecountry.

Whoaretheseforces?Well, the energy comesout of the RepublicanParty. Obviously, busi-ness is in this alliance,but the political leversare being pulled by theRepublicans, being fi-nanced with corporatedollars.Youstillseewhy.Thebattleisclassicpolit-icalstruggle.TheunionsandtheDemocraticPartyhave been historicallyaligned.Withineachelec-tion cycle they coalescearound candidates andissues. They pool theirfinancial resources andmembershipstoelectcan-didates and support mu-tuallybeneficialissues.

The direct strategy ofattacking labor unionscomes from the Repub-lican camp, particularlyonthestatelevelswheretheyareincontrol.Theirstrategy is toassault thelaborunions,dilutetheir

powers, thereby dilutingthe power of the Demo-craticParty.

What makes right-to-worklegislationhypocrit-ical is that now workerscan opt out from beingrepresentedbytheunionand won’t have to paydues.Butwhentheunionnegotiates for the work-ers, it isall theworkers.Gains and benefits affecteveryone. That does notseem fair. They get thebenefitsbutdon’tpaytheprice.

From a historical per-spective,whenpeopletalkabout strengthening andgrowingthemiddleclass,historywillshowthattheAfricanAmericanpopula-tion,particularlyinMichi-gan,emergedthroughtheauto plants and the ben-efits the unions won fortheemployees.Theunionhelped create the middleclass.

It should be clear inthat since the Republi-cans took control of theStateHouse in2011, theGOPmajorityhas shown

interest in reining inpublic-sector unions,passing laws that cuthealth care and retire-ment benefits, eliminat-ingteachertenureandbarschooldistrictsfromcol-lectingduesfromteacherunions that traditionallysupportDemocrats.

So that iswhyunionsare under attack. It is apolitical assault on theforces that support theworkingpublic,thelabor-ersfromtheschoolhouseto the plants. These arethesameforcesthatcome

upwithvotersuppressionlaws.Insteadofmakingiteasier forpeople to vote,they want to make itharder.

We must be knowl-edgeable and participatein the political process.Ifwearenotasactiveasthose who are againstwhoyouareandwhatyoustand for, they will win.We should never be shyaboutexercisingourrighttoparticipateintheelec-toralprocessandmakingourvoicesheard.

American Authors Lecture Series

To commemorate itstwenty-fifth year of bring-ing nationally known au-thors to its campus for apublic lecture and semi-nar, Marygrove’s Englishand Modern LanguagesDepartment is pleased toannouncethataward-win-ningpoetTerranceHayes,willbe the featuredguestatitsContemporaryAmer-ican Authors LectureSeries(CAALS)event.

ItwillbeheldonFriday,April19,ontheMarygroveCollege campus. He willalsohostamasterclassforDetroit area high schoolstudents and teachersbeginning at 10:30 a.m.in the Marygrove CollegeTheatre.

Hayes’sworkisdistin-guished for the magnifi-cenceandprecisionofitslanguageandsound.PoetCorneliusEadyproclaims,“First you’ll marvel athis skill, his near-per-fect pitch, his disarminghumor,hisbrilliantturnsof phrase. Then you’llnotice the grace, the ten-derness, the unblinkingtruth-telling just beneathhis lines, the open andgenerouswayhetakesinourworld.”

John Freeman hasnoted, “Poetry has twokinds of music. There isthesounditmakeswhenread aloud, and then ithasaninnercomposition,too--that strange, occultrhythm that verses makewhenyourmind,notyourlips,mouthsthewords.

Sponsors for the 2013CAALS include: The Na-tionalEndowment fortheArts,MichiganCouncilforArts and Cultural Affairs(MCACA)/City of DetroitRecreation DepartmentandtheSkillmanFounda-tion.

The series has flour-ishedthanksinlargeparttothegenerosityofLillianand Don Bauder whoseendowment supports theevening lecture as wellas the Mary Helen Wash-ingtonWritingContest inwhich local high schoolstudents respond in writ-ingtothevisitingauthors’works.

V. Lonnie Peek Jr.

Terrance Hayes

section c April 10-16, 2013

BusinessBusinessPowered by Real Times Media

michiganchronicle.com

How employers plan to control

health costs in 2013By Jeff Rubleski

Some good news/bad news for employers.

On the bright side of the ledger, your strategies for health care cost control are working.

The Kaiser Family Foundation’s latest study of employer-sponsored health insurance among companies of all sizes reported annual premi-ums were up only 4% from the previ-ous year. Another Towers Watson survey of larger companies found, since 2007, annual health care cost increases for larger companies have stabilized at historically low levels between 5% and 7%.

Both studies attribute the lower costs in part to two factors: Changes in plan design and increases in em-ployee contributions.

Thankfully, the days of year-over-year double-digit premium increases appear to have ended. But then again, companies’ real goal is to reduce insurance costs, which are still increasing, albeit at a slower rate, every year. However, new taxes and fees that will be levied on health insurance policies as a result of the Affordable Care Act will put added pressure on health insurance premi-ums beginning in 2014.

So how can you accomplish granting employees health insur-ance protection while still providing highly valued benefits within a tight budget? The right strategy will depend on your goals, budget and commitment to your employees’ health and well-being. Here are some of the things other employers are doing to control their costs with links to comparable offerings avail-able from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

•According to the Towers Watson large company survey, “More than ever, companies recognize that a healthy workforce can have an important effect on their organization and bottom line.”

•40% are cultivating employee health and well-being as a central part of their strategy.

•61% are using financial rewards for individuals who participate in health management programs/activities.

•33% of companies are taking steps to educate and support more informed health care.

•An online survey of 329 benefit decision makers at Michigan compa-nies that offer health insurance to 25 or more employees found that more than 40%:

•Encourage every employee to take a Health Risk Assessment.

•Increased the share of premiums for employees and their spouses and dependents.

•Offer a high deductible health plan.

•A survey by the Midwest Business Group on Health of employers of all sizes found that 57% offer Con-sumer Directed Health Plans, which combine more employee choices with tax-advantaged savings ac-counts, and 62% are expected to do so by the end of 2013.

GlidePath — A new defined contri-bution, private exchange offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Rising benefit costs is a challenge for all companies. GlidePath, a new solution from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, offers your mid-size company an innovative way to manage spending and risk. It can transform the way you finance your company’s health insurance coverage. With Glide-Path’s defined-contribution solution, you can determine your company’s health benefit budget and simplify the administrative work that goes along with offering health benefits.

Jeff Rubleski serves as direc-tor of sales strategy for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and is a certified healthcare reform special-ist. He serves as the GlidePath™ go-to-market lead in implementing this defined contribution solution for active and retired members.

Jeff Rubleski BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan

By Robin KinnieBob’s Classic Kicks, lo-

cated in Midtown Detroit, has been an intended destiny for owner Jason Johnson. From the beginning, Johnson has always bought sneakers. As a young boy, his mother knew that a trip to the mall would end with her buying him a new pair of shoes. By his early twenties, Johnson had accumulated enough gym shoes to open a store, so that became his goal.

It seemed as if help had an eye out for Johnson; a chance meeting with an investor and a business consultant while working as a valet for Henry Ford Hospital, led him to writ-ing a business plan and se-lecting a location. Although painted over now, he wrote his name on the building where he wanted to house his business. Call it divine provi-dence. He simply says, “The Lord has shown me favor and continues to show me favor.” With no financing in sight, he turned to his father for as his first investor.

Armed with a vision, John-son created Bob’s Classic Kicks. He wanted the name of the store to be timeless and faceless. He wanted a name that would cater to every-one regardless of ethnicity. “Bob” is not trendy or restric-tive, much like the business itself.

Upon receiving his first bank loan, Johnson was per-sistent in his pursuit of big name contracts, including Nike, Adidas, Reebok and others. After the business was up and running, he found

the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) online and received a loan for working capital. CEED is a nonprofit organiza-tion whose mission is to em-power women and minorities economically through busi-ness development training, supplier certification, busi-ness-to-business networking and accessible capital assis-tance programs.

Johnson took advantage of the technical assistance that CEED provides. He says, “Anything that I asked of CEED, they helped in some way.” To reach more custom-ers, Johnson turned to social media. You can “like” Bob’s Classic Kicks on Facebook, “follow” them on Twitter or

simply stop by in during one of their many in-store events. Also, the retailer takes on community projects.

Recently, Bob’s Classic Kicks partnered with Detroit Public Schools and agreed to give a pair of sneakers to all public high school students who attended school on Count Day. Johnson explains that the intent wasn’t to bribe the children, but encourage them. Schools are awarded fund-ing by the state based on the number of students who at-tended, specifically on Count Day. Johnson understands that the more money schools get from the state, the better the school system becomes. The proud graduate of Martin Luther King Jr. High School

is committed to doing his part to make Detroit a better place. While free sneakers may not fix the school system’s short-comings, Johnson is using his gift and passion to be a part of the solution.

Johnson is not done purs-ing destiny, stating that Bob’s is “a work in progress.” He may expand the product line or expand the territory. Either way, Jason Johnson and Bob’s Classic Kicks are on the move.

For more information and to check out the new inven-tory and upcoming events, follow Bob’s Classic Kicks on Twitter @BCK_Detroit or visit their website: bobsclassick-icks.com

Bob’s Classic Kicks gives back despite humble beginnings

Eleven months after shovels hit the ground on a nearly 3-acre property in Detroit’s Midtown, doctors and re-searchers have begun moving into the Medical Office Building at Tolan Park, an $18.4-million medical facility in De-troit.

The zinc-paneled building, designed by Hamilton Anderson Associates and built by Jenkins Construction, is nestled between Tolan Park and Children’s Hospi-tal on Beaubien near Mack and I-75. It provides modern space for employees of the building’s sole tenant, the Wayne State University School of Medi-cine’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuro-sciences. The proj-ect created more than 300 jobs and is the first initiative of the Queen Lillian Development team that includes devel-opers Jim Jenkins and Chris Jackson. The project was financed with the as-sistance of Talmer Bank and Trust of Troy, Mesirow Financial, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Detroit Economic Growth Cor-poration.

“It is very rewarding to see the proj-ect open its doors, but it’s just as excit-ing to be involved in helping with the city’s revitalization,” said Jackson.

The five-story, 63,000-square-foot building’s subtle exterior has an opposite interior: Bright green and yellow walls and modern fur-

niture welcome visitors. Every floor offers a striking view of Midtown and the building is LEED certified.

“With this building, our Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuro-sciences has a new, state-of-the-art home, with a physical presence on the campus of the medical school and on Midtown’s medical campus,” said Val-erie M. Parisi, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., and dean of the WSU School of Medicine. “This new building will be more con-venient for our patients, who often are first seen at one of the hospitals in the Detroit Medical Center system. This is a beautiful new edifice that further complements the growing Midtown area and adds to the revitalization of Detroit.”

The project’s completion makes way for a second nearby initiative by Queen Lillian Development. Construction will begin in August on the Midtown Profes-sional Building, a 75,000-square-foot Class A medical office facility near the corner of Mack and Woodward Avenue.

Already a retail tenant, a medical practice and a dental practice have ex-pressed interest in locating in the site, which will include a dedicated 280-car parking garage. The $30 million, five-story building will be the area’s only Class A office space and the building will be LEED certified.

It is also located three blocks from the future transit site — the M-1 Rail — and is part of ongo-

ing revitalization taking place in Mid-town, one of Detroit’s fastest growing neighborhoods. Midtown is home to the largest concentration of cultural, educational and medical institutions in Southeast Michigan and is one of the most walkable communities in South-east Michigan.

“The reason this site was chosen is because we recognized a need for Class A office space in Midtown,” Jackson said. “We envision these projects as the start of many to come.”

Founded in 2008, Queen Lillian, LLC is a partnership between Jenkins and Jackson which pays homage to each of the developers’ mothers, respectively. Both projects have utilized 100 per-cent, African American development

teams.Over the last 15 years, Jenkins

and Jackson have developed and/ or built some of the most high

profile projects in the city of Detroit. In addition to the

WSU building, those in-clude Greektown Casino,

Cass Technical High School, Westin Book

Cadillac, Presbyte-rian Village, Martin

Luther King Jr., High School and Ford Field.

For more in-formation, go to www.midtown-bldg.com.

Medical office building completed, team turns focus

to second Midtown site

Chris Jackson

From left to right Christian Dorsey (partner) and Jason Johnson, Owner.

business THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10-16, 2013 Page C-2

People On The Move

Who’s Who In Black Detroit

Hard work, tenacity lead to success in building trades

David Burnley, Sr.

By Donald JamesDavid Burnley, Sr. knows busy…

and he loves it. As president and chief executive officer of Devon Industrial Group, Burnley oversees the overall operational and financial aspects of the parent company, Devon Con-struction. In addition to Devon In-dustrial Group, his other companies include Devon Contracting, a general contractor and precast installer and Devon Facility Management, which manages over 30,000,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities across the United States. For the last 12 years, Devon Group has been in partner-ship with Walbridge, one of the larg-est construction companies in the United States. Clients include Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, University of Michigan, Wayne State University and Detroit Public Schools.

Burnley is also one of the found-ing members of Tri-Tec LLC, an automotive pro-cess engineering firm. He current-ly serves as the company’s execu-tive vice president. The company has offices in Mexico, Canada and China. “The story of Tritec is very interesting,” says Burn-ley. “Ten years ago, Tri-Tec was es-tablished through the collaboration of myself, an African American, a His-panic American and an Asian/Indian American. We were three strong sup-pliers with Ford who came together to make a larger company with the intent to be successful on a global market. That type of merger within itself is unique and unparalleled in this or any other industry.”

Burnley began his “journey to suc-cess” while in his hometown of Cleve-land, Ohio. While in high school in the mid-1960s he became interested in the building trades. After gradu-ation, many of Burnley’s classmates went on to college. Burnley, howev-er, took on a five-year apprenticeship as a plumber and pipefitter.

In the mid-1970s, after years of extensive training, Burnley began a brilliant career in the nuclear power construction industry. He eventually became a level two nuclear mechani-cal test engineer in construction. In the mid-1980s, Burnley pressed on as a mechanical superintendent with a large construction management company.

In 1983, the company relocat-ed him to metro Detroit, where he worked on a General Motors’ con-struction project. “I was supposed to stay in Detroit for only 18 months,” says Burnley, with a laugh. “But I’ve been here for 26 years. Detroit is my home.”

On the advice of several Detroit businessmen, Burnley, in the late 1980s, started The Burnley Group, a general construction and con-

crete restoration company. Early projects were con-tracted with Ford, General Motors and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.

Over the years, Burnley and his companies have experienced ups

and downs, but mostly ups. Whether up or down, an important part of what Burnley has always done is to reach out to help other companies. “One of my greatest accomplishments in this business is reaching out to help other minority-owned small businesses succeed,” says Burnley. “This is an important part of who I am.”

Asked to explain his success, Burnley said, “The key to success for me is to stay focused. I stay in my zone, but I always look to see where the industry is going, and I always ask myself, how can I add more value to my customers?”

On a personal note, Burnley is the father of four adult children and is proud to have three of them work with him. In addition, he has five grandchildren and two great-grand-children.

F. Carlton PeeplesF. Carlton Peeples, the found-er and lead consultant for Carlton Signature Publishing and PR, LLC, has recently seen rapid growth due to his initiatives to blend the social media dynamic with tradition-al PR practices, by recogniz-ing that their clients’ consum-ers are online, mobile and processing information in bite size chunks. By targeting the new audience, Peeples has helped the firm create more superior, effective campaigns than their competitors. Carl-ton Signature PR is based in Farmington Hills and provides marketing plans, collateral materials, Web development and social marketing, among other services.

Dana C. HarveyDana Harvey is the consumer marketing director for Detroit Media Partnership, manag-ing marketing and branding for the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News, StyleLine magazine and is operating as the race director for the Detroit Free Press Marathon. She also works as an anchor for Southfield Cable 15’s 15 News, where she has been reporting on city stories for over ten years. Harvey’s pas-sion for sharing and uplifting has prompted her to launch her own show, “The Lipstick Lounge,” highlighting fear-less women and their achieve-ments.

Barbara J. MahoneBarbara J. Mahone has been appointed a board member for the Talmer Bank Trust Board. Mahone brings a wealth of knowledge and more than 30 years of executive leader-ship experience. She retired from General Motors in 2008 as executive director, Hu-man Resources for Global Product Development, where she led one of GM’s largest Human Resources teams. In this role, she was responsible for developing global human resource strategies that cov-ered 19,000 employees in 11 countries. She also was ap-pointed by President Ronald Reagan, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, as chairm-person of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, an inde-pendent federal government agency.

Sherwin PriorSherwin Prior, managing director at General Motors Ventures, LLC, was recently elected to the Eastern Michi-gan University Foundation Board of Trustees and will serve a three-year term as a volunteer. Prior, a veteran of the U.S. Army, received a Bachelor of Business Admin-istration degree in Finance from Eastern Michigan Uni-versity and a Master of Busi-ness Administration from the University of Michigan.He serves on the Eastern Michigan University College of Business Accounting and Finance Advisory Board and was an adjunct lecturer in fi-nance for the university.

Alexis C. DishmanAlexis Dishman began her ca-reer at Comerica Bank in 2000 as a credit analyst, holding positions across several com-mercial lending departments. In 2002, she was promoted to business banking lender. She developed skills through managing a multi-million dol-lar portfolio and developing client relationships. Dishman is currently an alternate group manager and vice president. She now mentors new lend-ers, helps to develop complex loan structures and is a voting member of loan committee. As a chairperson of Comeri-ca’s African-American Busi-ness Development Initiative, she leads a team that fosters and develops relationships with key prospects, custom-ers and centers of influence in the business community.

Kimberly BurtonKimberly Burton is vice presi-dent of Corporate Services and director of diversity and inclusive practices for the Council of Michigan Founda-tions (CMF). In this capacity, Burton acts as liaison and resource for the CMF cor-porate member foundations while leading the implemen-tation of a statewide diver-sity and inclusion initiative that includes the Michigan Forum for African Americans in Philanthropy. Burton also developed and leads an inno-vative mentoring initiative for African Americans designed to attract, retain and promote future leadership for Michi-gan philanthropy.

By Jackie Berg

Raw, honest and unapologetic emo-tion is not the first thing I would have anticipated to witness at a corporate supplier event.

My experiences as both a daughter and sister of global automotive purchas-ing vice presidents and, later, publisher of a business magazine focused on mi-nority supplier development, pointed to a more distant relationship between cor-porate decision makers and the supplier community.

Happily, I’ve discovered that times have changed — dramatically.

Amidst increased pressures for pro-curement managers to deliver bottom line results, a culture of cooperation has emerged that is benefitting both suppli-ers and the customers they serve.

And nowhere is that more evident than at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michi-gan, which spent a record $106 million with minority suppliers in 2012.

The achievement required company-wide support beginning at the highest level of the organization, according to Daniel J. Loepp, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, who personally welcomed more than 100 mi-nority suppliers — calling many out by name — to BCBSM’s 8th Annual Diver-sity Achievement Awards ceremony.

It’s that kind of personal approach and commitment that is fueling the healthcare leader’s growth efforts, ac-cording to its leaders.

BIGGER RETURNS

Given a new McKinsey report that showed U.S. companies with the highest executive-board diversity had returns on equity 95 percent higher and earnings margins 58 percent higher, on average, than those with the least executive diver-sity, the financially driven argument for greater diversity can no longer be denied.

PROFITABLE PROCUREMENT STRATEGIES

At BCBSM, cor-porate procurement executives are trans-forming the company.

Driven by demands to look beyond cost savings, BCBSM man-agers’ mission to find new and unique ways to deliver value are resulting in unique minority supplier partnerships cred-ited for cost savings and product improve-ments.

Ask Paul Colligan, procurement manag-er at Accident Fund, who delivered a 300 percent increase in the fund’s diversity spending last year, or Equilla Wainright, vice president, Diver-sity and Community Responsibility and Blues Leader – Supplier Diversity Cham-pion award winner, whose efforts led to the company’s number one ranking on DiversityInc’s regional top ten list and its position on Diversity MBA maga-zine’s “Best Places for Diverse Managers to Work” list.

LASTING IMPROVEMENTS

Diversity efforts are changing the Blues company culture and its ability to meet new marketplace demands.

“Diversity is a part of our company culture,” said Loepp. “It has become an integral part of our everyday practices throughout the organization and, as a consequence, led to competitive advan-

tages in the marketplace.”

Again and again, Blue Cross execu-tives extolled suppliers who met tough business challenges, some within weeks of the original request, on time and under budget.

SHARING THE LOAD

Interdisciplinary teams within the Blues organization were also recognized for their cross-functional efforts to de-liver radical, out-of-the-box solutions that embrace the organization’s lean principles.

Its Information Technology (IT) Divi-sion implemented a mentoring program that reached more than 120 employees and leaders, creating a multiplier effect

of diversity champi-ons within the organi-zation.

Bartech, minor-ity-owned workforce management and staffing solutions company, is credited with helping the Blues implement its new PeopleSoft Services Procurement module, which changed the tools and processes for procuring contin-gent labor.

The program was a success, in large part because of their partnership with Bartech, according to Kathryn Levine, VP, Corporate Mar-keting and Customer Experience, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Our team gained new business insights as a result of our relationship with Bartech, which extended far beyond a typical vendor rela-

tionship,” she said.

Working among cross-cultural teams, across business units and with exter-nal leaders is proving profitable at Blue Cross and, in turn, is driving minority business growth throughout the state.

And that’s good business for us all.

Editor’snote:JackieBerg,theformerpublisheroftheMichiganMinorityBusi-ness Development Council’s (MMBDC)MichiganBusinessNetworkmagazine,hascoveredminoritysupplierdevelop-ment efforts for more than 20 years.SheistheCMOoftheMichiganChroni-cleandpublisherofLivingWELLmaga-zine.

Partners in profitBlue Cross Blue Shield’s diversity efforts

deserve attention and applause

David W. Barfield, minority-owned workforce management and staffing solutions company CEO, is credited with helping the Blues implement its new PeopleSoft Services Procurement module, which changed the tools and processes for procuring contingent labor.

“Diversity is a part of our company culture. It has become an integral part of our everyday practices throughout the organization and, as a consequence, led to competitive advantages in the marketplace.”

�Daniel�J.�Loepp,��president and CEO, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan


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Daryl L Gilliam29500 Telegraph RoadSouthfield, MI 48034Bus: 248-213-0091

John Cash19203 Grand River Avenue

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By Daryl Gilliam and Colleen KernerSTATE FARM® AGENTS

Cars and trucks far outnumber motor-cycles on the roadways. No matter what type of vehicle you’re driving, everyone needs to follow the rules of the road and watch out for other vehicles. But, drivers of cars and trucks often don’t recognize or see motorcycles. Because of their smaller size, motorcycles may present special concerns for motorists.

To help motorists better understand the need to share the road with motor-cyclists, here are some safety tips from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF-USA):

• Motorcycles may look farther away than they really are. When preparing to make a turn, assume that the motor-cycle is closer than it appears.

• Take extra caution in checking blind spots, as a motorcycle may be hidden from sight by the body of your car or masked by objects such as bushes, fences and bridges.

• Motorcycles may appear to be going faster than the rest of the traffic, but don’t assume every motorcyclist is a speed demon.

• Motorcyclists can slow down without activating the brake light. Turn signals may not cancel after a turn.

• Allow greater distance between your car and a motorcycle for stopping and don’t assume turn signals mean they are going to turn again.

• Motorcyclists often adjust their po-sition in a lane so they can be seen more easily, avoid debris or minimize the effects of passing vehicles. Don’t assume that this adjustment is a reck-less maneuver.

Although motorcycles have greater maneuverability than cars and trucks, don’t expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way or be able to stop on a dime. Continually scan the road in front of you for all types of ve-hicles and allow more following distance behind a motorcycle, for your safety and that of the motorcyclist.

Cars, trucks and motorcycles

By Cornelius A. FortuneMANAGING EDITOR

You have Apple folks and Android folks, but you don’t see too many rav-enous Windows phone users, though that might change with the Windows Phone 8X by HTC.

Windows Phones haven’t struck the market as hard as the Surface in terms of marketing. Mi-crosoft is really pushing the Surface tablet, and Windows Phones are out there to be purchased, but they’re really only a few steps above the BlackBerry line.

As a general rule, you pick a phone that works closely with your current ecosystem of choice. If you’re a PC user who recently got an upgrade to Micro-soft’s Windows 8, the Windows Phone 8X is going to be a breeze to get comfort-able with. In fact, I’d venture to say that the mobile interface is much more user friendly than the new Windows 8.

HTC has a nice line of products, and it’s certainly intriguing to see an HTC phone not running the Android OS.

Key features include:

Ultra-wide-angle front camera lens

With the 8X you’ve got more choices. How many times have you wanted to take a picture of you and your friends in front of somewhere cool, but the photo just captures your head and nothing of the background. Or, you don’t really get your friends in the shot, either. Get more people in the shot, including you. Now, easily fit more people in the shot with an exclusive 88° ultra-wide-angle front camera that captures nearly triple the area of most other front cameras. Enjoy more people, more background, more memories.

It’s all about the design

The 8X provides a simple, human feel combined with an innovative, unique unibody construction resulting in a phone with a perfectly sculpted, continu-ous form, without bumps or protrusions

— and for the camera, the buttons are completely flush with the body, adding to the iconic design aesthetic.

‘I need a Doctor’

Dr. Dre might not have come through with “Detox,” an album that

has reached mythical proportions, second only to the Pegasus. In

contrast, Dre’s headphones are springing up everywhere. The

8X has a dedicated amp built right into the phone, so it

pumps more power to your headphones

than ever. Plus, Beats Audio is coming to Win-dows phones for the first time. Take

that combina-tion and trans-

form your listen-ing pleasure with deeper bass, crisper vocals and detailed high notes for music, games, movies and videos.

Those live tiles

Some people love it, others hate it, but for better or worse they seem to be here to stay. These days information is constant and updates are non-stop. Live Tiles let you arrange your Start screen just how you want it and make it easy to see everything that’s going on with the people and passions in your life in real-time. You can make a Live Tile for anyone and almost anything, and pin it right to your Start screen. Pin a person or an app and you instantly know what their latest updates, deals, changes are just by looking at your phone. Resize, rearrange and recolor for easy access to what matters most to you.

It’s also what’s on the outside that counts

The ultra-unique, premium matte finish comes in a variety of distinctive colors to be bold, sophisticated, and adventurous — just as diverse as the people who use them. The 8X will be available in California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Neon.

Brilliant display in any viewing condi-tion

Images look better than ever — even in direct sunlight or at off-center angles — on the HTC laminated display screen with its bril-liant color and crisp contrast. The tough, l i ghtwe ight , scratch-resis-tant Gorilla Glass screen fends off ev-eryday wear and tear so you enjoy a long-last-ing beauti-ful, clear display.

Windows 8X phone brings attractiveness to the brand


By Kirk Pinho

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp.has secured agreements from 15 large Detroit-based companies and universities to get city businesses to pur-chase more goods from one another.

The D2D database will connect major Detroit purchasers with suppli-ers of goods and servic-es in an effort that Olga Stella, vice president of business development for the DEGC, said could help create up to 7,700 jobs and a 25 percent savings for local buyers.

“If we really focus our efforts on this local B2B economy, it will lead to increased contracts, and companies would be able to hire more people and serve the increased demand,” Stella said.

The companies sign-ing on are DTE Energy Co., the Detroit Medi-cal Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Quicken Loans Inc., Com-erica Bank, Urban Science Inc., Wayne State Univer-sity, Skidmore Inc., Stra-tegic Staffing Solutions Inc., the University of

Detroit-Mercy, the Henry Ford Health System, the Greektown Casino-Hotel, the Detroit Lions, Ernst & Young LLP and Compu-ware Corp.

“Strategic Staffing So-lutions is also signed on as a supplier for the D2D database, which was funded through a New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan grant and will be free for busi-nesses to register for,” Stella said.

“D2D is modeled after Pure Michigan Business Connect, a Michigan Economic Development Corp.-managed database connecting state-based purchasers and suppli-ers,” said Bob Rossbach, a public relations consul-tant for the DEGC.

Teresa LeFevre, vice president of supplier di-versity for Comerica, said Comerica spent about $36 million on goods and ser-vices from Detroit-based businesses last year.

Those goods and ser-vices include advertising and promotions, legal ser-vices, equipment, build-ing maintenance and jani-torial services. She hopes participation in the D2D

program will help Comeri-ca spend more on Detroit-based businesses.

Ken Doherty, assistant vice president of procure-ment and strategic sourc-ing at Wayne State, said that the university spent $16 million on Detroit-based businesses last year.

Because the university has been entering into more long-term contracts with vendors, sometimes the contact information becomes outdated by the time the pact expires. The D2D database will help address that concern.

“The access to a viable and maintained database increases the odds of us being able to concentrate business in the Midtown area and downtown De-troit,” Doherty said.

The D2D database will also serve as a busi-ness recruitment tool for the DEGC, according to Stella.

It shows that “if you come to Detroit, there is an opportunity here for you to do well,” she said.

For more details, visit d2dbusiness.org.

The Thomas Family, Sweet Potato Sensations “We’ve got a lot of press because of the website,” said Charice Thomas (left). “We are working with them on a food show April 9 at the Burton Manor. We will be able to connect to grocery stores in Detroit and Ohio that are] looking for other products to add to their store.”

DEGC grows Detroit biz-to-biz database

Lisa Price, keynote speaker at CEED 29th Annual Award Celebration

By Amber L. Bogins On April 11, the Suburban Collec-tion Showplace in Novi will roll out the red carpet to over 600 of the business world’s most prominent members and supporters who will gather to honor the outstanding clients, members and part-ners of the CEED initiative programs.

The Center for Empowerment and Economic Development (CEED) will be celebrating its 29th year as a resource for small businesses in southeastern Michigan. The celebration will feature an awards dinner and a silent auction. The auction prizes include a script from the popular television show, “The Big Bang Theory,” signed by the entire cast.

Another notable part to the program is the keynote speaker, Lisa Price, founder and chief executive officer of Carol’s Daughter, named lovingly after her mother. Starting from humble be-ginnings in her home and growing into a multimillion dollar company, Price transformed her love of mixing fragranc-es and creams into a beauty empire that services the upper echelon of today’s ce-lebrities, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry and Erykah Badu.

Carol’s Daughter is an entrepreneur’s dream, having more than 80 staff mem-bers, selling millions of dollars’ worth of products and boasting nine stores across the country, including the flagship store in Harlem. The company’s products are available at Macy’s and Sephora.

Price’s story will serve as an inspira-tion to the CEED’s honorees as many are women and/or minorities. Tonya McNeal-Weary, for example, is the founder and executive director of Michigan Associa-tion for Female Entrepreneurs, an award-ing-winning non-profit organization committed to supporting and promoting the economic growth and advancement of women in Southeast Michigan and also has a nonprofit organization based in Ghana that provides programs and re-sources to African women. She is being honored as a Michigan Women’s Market-place Outstanding Achiever.

Jeffery and Cassandra Thomas and Family, owners of Sweet Potato Sensa-tions, have a similar story. While cater-ing to her husband’s love of sweet pota-toes, Cassandra and her family realized that not only did they have an abundance of recipes, but something remarkable and potentially profitable. After working out of their home kitchen, the Thomas family opened a 5000 square foot bakery in 2009. They are being honored as a Small Business Detroit MicroLoan Out-standing Achiever.

Other honorees include:

• Claudine George, ICONMA, LLC - WBEC-GL — Outstanding Achiever

• Beverly Wall, Languages Internation-al, Inc. — WBEC-GL Outstanding Volun-teer

• Glen Konopaskie and Christian Mar-cillo, Future Help Designs — CEED Mi-croLoan Oakland County Outstanding Achievers

• Sharon Ragland-Keys, College Nan-nies & Tutors — CEED MicroLoan Out-standing Achiever

• Edward Krupa, SCORE — CEED Mi-croLoan Outstanding Volunteer

• Curtis King, Level One Bank — Small Business Detroit MicroLoan Outstand-ing Volunteer

• Tammy Tedesco, Edibles Rex — Busi-ness Training & Professional Develop-ment Outstanding Achiever

• Angela Jackson, Hooper Hathaway, P.C. —Business Training & Profession-al Development Outstanding Volunteer

• Rachel Lutz, The Peacock Room — Michigan Women’s Marketplace Out-standing Achiever

• Tonya McNeal-Weary, Michigan Asso-ciation of Female Entrepreneurs — Mich-igan Women’s Marketplace Outstanding Volunteer

• Partner of the Year — Grand Rapids Business Journal

• Corporation of the Year — Delphi Cor-poration

Each honoree will be commemorated with a video segment which will be pre-miered at the celebration and then ar-chived on the CEED YouTube channel, MICEED1984.

CEED is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower women and minorities economically through business development training, supplier certification as a certifying council for Women’s Business Enterprises, busi-ness-to-business networking and acces-sible capital assistance programs. The dinner will raise funds to further this mission.

Tickets start at $125 and can be pur-chased at miceed.org/2013Awards or by calling CEED at 734-677-1400.

Lisa Price

For sponsorship information call Stephanie Washington (313) 963-8100 Ext. 303

FORUM 2Thursday, April 25, 2013 • 7:30 a.m.

Detroit Athletic Club241 Madison Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

PANELISTSDan Gilbert

Chairman, Rock Ventures, LLC, Founder and Chairman, Quicken Loans

George W. JacksonPresident and CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation

Susan MoseyPresident, Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Tickets $75 To purchase tickets go to www.michiganchronicle.com

Susan MoseyDan Gilbert George W. Jackson

April 10-16, 2013 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • Page C-5

Describe the nominee’s community service activity or organizational involvement.

How has the nominee mentored others?

NOMINATOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Name

Title

Firm/Organization

Address

City/State/Zip

Day Phone

Evening Phone

Fax

Email

NOMINATION FORM

Name of Nominee Age

Title/Position

Company/Affiliation

Years in Industry

NOMINEE CONTACT INFORMATION

Address

City/State/Zip

Day Phone

Evening Phone

Fax

Email

Local African American male executive or business owner.

Proven success within his profession/industry.

Positive role model whose contributions encourage others.

Active in community service or organizational involvement.

QUESTIONS TO BE COMPLETEDDescribe the specific accomplishments that demonstrate the nominee’s professional excellence.

Celebrating Six Years of Excellence Among African American Men in Southeast Michigan

Submissions will be accepted until April 19, 2013 at 5 pm. Submit by mail, visit www.michiganchronicle.com

or email c/o Amber Bogins at [email protected]. Michigan Chronicle, 479 Ledyard, Detroit, MI 48201, 313-963-8100.

NOMINATION DEADLINE APRIL 19, 2013, 5:00 PM

Call For NominationsThe Michigan Chronicle is seeking nominations for 2013 Men of Excellence Awards.

Men of Excellence celebrates local African-American men who motivate and inspire others through their vision and leadership, exceptional achievements and participation in community service.

2013NOMINATION FORM

Page C-6 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • April 10-16, 2013

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ReflectionsBy Steve Holsey

A double standard Itisasubjectthatisnotdiscussedoftenalthoughitshouldbe.Thefactthatitisanotherindicatorthat“equalityforall”isfarfromrealityinsocietyandthatHollywood“hasitsways”makesnodifference.

Middle-agedandolderBlackactressesaretreateddifferentlythanmiddle-agedandolderBlackactors.

Fourofthemostconsistently-workingAfricanAmericanactors—MorganFreeman(75),SamuelL.Jackson(64),DenzelWash-ington(58)andLaurenceFishburne(51)—alwayshaveafilmprojectgoingon.Theymakeonemovieafteranother.

YoucouldprobablyaddBillyDeeWilliams(75)tothatlistalthoughheisnotasactivetodayastheothers,whichmaywellbebychoice.

Butontheotherhand,DiahannCarroll(77),giftedactressandlegend,saysshedoesnotworkasoftenasshewouldliketo.

LonetteMcKee(58)acknowledgedrecentlythatwhenaBlackwomanreachesacertainage,itismadeclearthattheyarenotwantedforleadingroles.(Wearenotreferringtoleadingromanticroles.)

WemostrecentlysawthetalentedandaccomplishedLynnWhitfield(59)inaplay—withallduerespecttoitscreators—thatseemedbeneathher.

AndthereshouldcertainlybemoreofascreenpresenceforthegreatRubyDee(90).SameforthelargelyunderratedDebbiMorgan(56).

Ofcourse,theboxofficespeaksforitselfandwhoever’snameshavethemostmarqueevaluewillgetmostofthecalls.Butthereisanelementofsexismintheretoo.

LL COOL Jisnotonlyoneofthemosttalentedactorsontelevi-sionandinmovies,heisalsooneofthesmartestandmostlevelheaded.

“Dowhatyoulove,”headvises.“You’llbebetteratit.Itsoundsprettysimple,butyou’dbesur-prisedhowmanypeopledon’tgetthat.Andwhenyoumovepastyourfearsandgoafteryourdreamswholeheartedly,youarefree.Dreamsdon’thavedeadlines.”

GladysKnighthadaninterestingrecol-lection.Therewasatourinthelate’60sthatfeaturedGladysKnight&thePipsandheadlinersDianaRoss&theSupremes.OneeveningRosswaswatchingthesuper-soul-fulKnightand,asDonCorneliusonceputit,“thesingin’,dancin’Pips,)fromthewingsandwasnotpleasedwiththerousingaudi-encereaction.

ThestarecaughtKnight’seyeassheperformedandsheexpected“something”tohappen.Sureenough,GladysKnight&

thePipswereinformedthenextdaythattheywerebeingtakenoffthetour.

INDIA.ARIEisfacinganunusualsituation—beingaccusedoflight-eningherskin!Thechocolate-brownsingerhasanewsongtitled“CocoaButter”

andsheisnoticeablylighteronthecover.

Ariesaysthechargesareabsurd,sug-gestingthatthedifferenceisduetotheprinter,thephotographer,themakeuporsomecombina-tionthereof.

Well,thebattleovertheEnVoguenamehasbeensettled.Thefamedquartethadsplitintwo,TerryEllis

See Reflections Page D-3

section D April 10-16, 2013Powered by Real Times Media

michiganchronicle.com

‘Motown: The Musical’‘Motown: The Musical’Long-awaited production lights up Broadway

“the supremes”

tHe cAst oF “Motown: The Musical” with special guests.

By Steve Holsey

“Motown: The Musical”doesn’t officially open at theLunt-FontanneTheatreinNewYorkCityuntilApril14,butisalreadythetalkofthecityandfarbeyond.

Initsfirstweekofpreviews—sevenrousingperformances—theshowtookinawhopping$1,029,883attheboxoffice.

It is the first time that anew musical has joined whatisknownastheMillionDollarClubinitspreviewweekwithoutanout-of-towntryout.

That is thekindofnewspro-ducers,backers, theatreowners,

performers, scriptwriters andothersaffiliatedwithaBroadwayshowwanttohear.Itassuressuc-cess.

In fact, the earlybuzz and the impres-sive amountofmoneytaken inso farare in-dicatorsthat“Motown:The Musical” couldeventuallyfinditswayintotheTop10oflon-gestrunningBroadwayshows.

Thosepositionsarecurrently occupied by(inorder ) “ThePhan-tom of the Opera,”“Cats,”“Chicago,”“LesMisérables,”“TheLion

King,”“AChorusLine,”“Oh!Cal-cutta,” “Beauty and the Beast,”“Rent”and“MamaMia!”

Berry Gordy

Valisia Lekae has the role of Diana Ross.

Jibreel Mawry Jawan M. Jackson

charl Brown por-trays smokey Robinson.

Brandon Victor Dixon and Valisia Lekae as Berry Gordy and Diana Ross.

Bryan terrrell clark has the Marvin Gaye role.

Morgan Freeman Samuel L. Jackson

Diahann Carroll Lonette McKee

LL Cool J

En Vogue

India.Arie

Brandon Victor Dixon portrays Berry Gordy.

See Motown Page D-3

lifestyle THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10 - 16, 2013 Page D-2

Style File

Editor’s Note

Timeless red lipsticks for every complexion

Culture

Ladies in Red... In celebration of the grand opening of the new exhibition, “Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Ser-vice, 1913-2013, at the Wright Museum, I devote my section to the lovely women of DST. Touching lives, hearts and communities both locally and globally, the women of Delta Sigma Theta have created and spearheaded missions like The National Library Project, a traveling library that supplied books in the rural South, and May Week, a week set aside ev-ery May to promote and high-light the importance of higher education. Being the largest organized group of African-American women in the United States, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has blossomed and con-tinues to thrive as time march-es forward. To fan the Delta flame (pun intended,) this week I have also included an easy guide for classic crimson lipsticks.

Stepping in Style,

RJ Barnhill

FRIDAY, APRIL 26 • 7:08Pre-Game Detroit Stars Singing Competition Finals

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 • I:05 I9Th AnnUAL neGRo LeAGUeS TRIbUTe GAme!

The Tigers and braves don the uniforms of the Detroit Stars and Atlanta black Crackers

Pre-Game Ceremony honoring former negro Leagues players

Prince Fielder Detroit Stars Fathead free to first 10,000 fans courtesy of Comerica bank

SUnDAY, APRIL 28 • 8:08Detroit Tigers African American Legacy Award will be presented to former Tigers outfielder Larry herndon

in a special Pre-Game Ceremony presented by mcDonald’s

15th Annual

Johnnie R. Carr2013 Ford Freedom Honoree

Congressman John Lewis 2013 Ford Freedom Scholar

Viola Liuzzo2013 Ford Freedom Humanitarian

Ford Freedom AwardConcert performance by Eric Benét

Friday, May 10, 2013 at 6 PMat the Max M. Fisher Music Center3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit

Celebrating Quiet Heroes

Ford Freedom Award is a fundraiser benefiting the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

$40 / $35 museum members / $75 VIP experience including afterglow & photo opportunities

Tickets on sale now at www.fordfreedomaward.com, (313) 576-5111 or at The Max M. Fisher Box Office

Presented by

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. ‘Celebrating a Cen-tury of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Service’

“No one will do for you what you need to do for yourself.”

– Dr. Dorothy Height

Woven beautifully in the tapestry of Howard University is the story of 22 collegiate women who founded an organization that’s four corners stood on academic excellence, political ac-tivism, public service and unwavering integrity. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. celebrated its 100th birthday this past Jan-uary 13 and will reflect on the accomplishments of the past as well as look ahead to new horizons during this Centennial Celebration. From its origin the sorority’s vision was to make a lasting change in their local community and the larger scope of soci-ety. Getting their start in the political arena, just two months after being founded, the pioneers participated in the Women’s Suffrage March in Washington, D.C. as their first public act. The group walked and rallied proudly for women’s voting rights, em-powering themselves as they empowered others. Since those beginning steps in 1913 the membership has grown to 900 chapters spanning the U.S. as well as England, Japan, Germa-ny, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea. To commemorate 100 years Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is currently in the midst of a 22-city “Pass the Torch” tour. The tour began January 1 and has been traveling to 22 selected cities across the world gathering Delta members and the sur-rounding community in the region. This past weekend the tour stopped in the Motor City and the Detroit Alumnae Chapter hosted a day-long event of sisterhood, service, reminiscing and celebrating. To pay homage to the founders and showcase their

extensive history the Detroit Alumnae Chapter held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Saturday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History unveiling “Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Service” a year-long ex-hibit chronologically displaying historical milestone, relentless growth, and the divine purpose of the beautiful sisterhood. Painted boldly with the sorority’s colors of crimson and crème, the exhibit tells the journey of Delta Sigma Theta’s genesis, progression, evolution, impact and future promise. Adorned with memorabilia belonging to honorary and notable members like poet/writer Nikki Giovonni and Dr. Alexa Irene Canady-Davis, the first African-American woman to become a neurosurgeon, and others, the exhibit embodies a true legacy and hope for a better tomorrow. The collection also pays spe-cial recognition to the late Dorothy I. Height, an educator and activist who was the first and only woman to serve four terms as president of the sorority. Ms. Height was also the president of the National Council of Negro Women for 40 years and a re-cipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She made it her life’s mission to fight for the rights and progress of African-American women. The founding members had a distinct vision to bring po-litical and social change to their community by serving others. With each joining member and good deed that vision material-izes more. One hundred years ago the founding 22 ladies did not know exactly what would become of their beloved sister-hood, and that is what makes this celebration so very special. Through decades and eras of ebb and flow, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is still as relevant today as it was 100 years ago. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “Celebrating a Century of Sisterhood, Scholarship & Service” is open through March 31, 2014. It is free and open to the public with admission to the museum. For more information, visit thewright.org or call the museum at 313-494-5800.

“Love That Red” by RevlonRevlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Red first hit cosmetics counters in 1951, but the poppy color continues to outsell other reds. The secret to its success: The shade is neither too cool (a red with blue undertones, for example) nor too warm (an orangey red), so it flatters any skin tone. To buy: $8, at drugstores

“Passion” by ChanelCoco Chanel knew a thing or two about classics, and Chanel’s best-selling Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Passion fits the bill. The juicy, tomato red looks great on skin with golden undertones and is fortified with vitamin E and shea butter to soften lips.To buy: $32, chanel.com.

“Ruby Woo” by MACBold colors are what made MAC Cosmetics a cult makeup brand. So it’s no sur-prise that Ruby Woo, a deep matte shade with blue tones, is the company’s top red. To buy: $14.50, maccosmetics.com

A vibrant red kisser is clas-sic yet current, and never fails to look simply amazing. But for a lot of women it’s a daunt-ing prospect. The biggest question usually ends up be-ing “Is this the right shade for my skin tone?” Fear of look-ing garish or not even know-ing where to start with colors are both legitimate concerns. And indeed, not all reds are created equal. While it will take some groundwork to find your perfect shade, there are a few important guidelines to set you down the right path, color-wise. If you have an ol-ive skin tone, look for orangey or tomato reds. Cooler skin? Try a shade with pink or blue tones. Though a true, true red will look great on everyone.Check out a few of our favorite shades below.

“Rich Red” by Esteé LauderEsteé Lauder won over tons of fans at the counter with the creation of Signature Lipstick in Rich Red in 1984. The lipsticks unique formula of emollient oils and rich pigment offers a high saturation of color and a pretty shine. The lipstick is a true red and has a nice fig-and-vanilla scent.To buy: $21, esteelauder.com

Detroit Deltas’ First Vice President Marcia Jackson carries the official Torch

Deltas Angela McDaniel, Eva Cook and Kia Hunter

National President Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, and regional, state, and local Delta leadership celebrate the grand opening of the year-long exhibit.

By Cieara Wilson

April 10-16, 2013 Page D-3entertainment THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Motown From page D-1

and Cindy Herron on one side, Maxine Jones and Dawn Robinson on the other. At least one lawsuit was filed.

The judge ruled in Herron and Ellis’ favor because the group’s bank account is in their name and they own the LLC.

SMOKEY ROBINSON is recording an all-duets album. Hopefully it will not consist entirely of remakes of his hits, and hopefully it will not be distributed by way of Cracker Barrel restaurants as the last one was. The legendary star deserved better than that.

You will remember Janet Hubert as the original Aunt Viv (Banks) on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Even though she had a falling out with Will Smith, she would be willing to do a reunion show.

“I would say to Will, we need to heal this,” she said. “You’ve done some things, you’ve said some things that were totally untrue, and you know they were untrue. I’ve said some things that I probably should have never said.”

Hubert, who says the core problem was a contract dispute, was replaced (very capably) by Daphne Maxwell Reid.

Correction: In a story I wrote last week about “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” creator Shonda Rhimes, the first line should have said, “It happens every now and then.” (The “and” was missing.)

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW...that the version of “Shop Around” by the Miracles that everyone is familiar with is not the original. Berry Gordy pulled the original off the market because he thought it was too slow. He had the group go back into the studio to re-record it — in the middle of the night!

MEMORIES: “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me” (Barry White), “Love Come Down” (Evelyn “Champagne” King), “You’ll Never Walk Alone” (Roy Hamilton), “All Night Long (All Night)” (Lionel Richie), “Time Will Reveal” (DeBarge), “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (James Brown), “Free” (Deniece Williams), “Let’s Wait Awhile” (Janet Jackson), “Dirty Man” (Laura Lee), “Inseparable” (Natalie Cole).

BLESSINGS to Clarence Rome, Dave Finley, Marlene Barrow, Jackie Hicks, Louvain Demps, Charles Rudolph, Deena Dunham, Ayana Wilson, Edgar Vann and Ken Donaldson.

WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Alan Cohen: “It takes a lot of courage to re-lease the familiar to embrace the new. But there is no security in what is no longer meaningful. In movement there is life and in change there is power.”

Let the music play!

Steve Holsey can be reached at [email protected] and PO Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202

Reflections From page D-1

HITSVILLE U.S.A. on West Grand Blvd. in Detroit is where it all started.

NO ONE is happier about all this than Motown founder Berry Gordy, who told his own fascinating story in his 1994 autobi-ography, “To Be Loved,” subtitled “The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown.”

The Broadway musi-cal is based on his rec-ollections, and Gordy — who is now, unbeliev-ably, 83 years old — made it his business to be at the studio in Manhattan where the energetic, ex-cited, carefully assembled young cast was rehears-ing. And he smiled — a lot.

In a very recent in-terview, Gordy said, “So many other people were telling the Motown story in different ways, who were never there and never understood it, just for the sake of exploita-tion.”

CONTRARY TO what some people choose to believe, Gordy was not initially romantically in-volved with Diana Ross, thus setting the stage for her to become and remain the queen of Motown. Their personal relation-ship came later.

It was just a matter of Gordy seeing in the Su-premes, especially Diana Ross, something special that would be instru-mental in taking Motown where he wanted it to go. He and Ross were like-minded in that they were both success driven and relentlessly aggressive.

Ross once said that failing never crossed her mind. It wasn’t a question of making it. Rather, it was a question of when.

PORTRAYING Diana Ross in “Motown: The

Musical” is Memphis-born Valisia Lekae. This is not her first time on Broadway. She appeared in “Ragtime,” “The Book of Morman,” “110 in the Shade” and “The Three-penny Opera.” Off-Broad-way she performed in “Almost Heaven,” the John Denver musical.

BRANDON VICTOR DIXON has the role of Berry Gordy. He too has been on Broadway nu-merous times, earning a Tony Award nomination for his performance in “Harpo.” His other Broad-way work includes “The Color Purple,” “Cotton Club Parade,” “House of Flowers” and “The Lion King.”

Smokey Robinson is portrayed by Charl Brown, who appeared on Broad-way previously in “Sister Act” and “Jersey Boys.” Additional stage work in-cludes “Hair,” “Walmar-topia,” “Dreamgirls” and “The Wiz.”

Bryan Terrell Clark, who hails from Balti-more, assumes the role of Marvin Gaye. After at-tending Yale School of Drama, he moved to Cali-fornia. He appeared with Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett in the play “Fences” and has done a number of TV shows, in-cluding “CSI: New York” and “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.”

There are couple of local connections in the cast as well.

Jawan M. Jackson, who is part of the “Motown: The Musical” ensemble, is making his Broadway debut, and what makes it even more special for him is that the music being celebrated started in his hometown. The recent

Eastern Michigan Univer-sity graduate was seen in the movie “Sparkle.”

Jibreel Mawry, who has multiple roles in the production (young Berry Gordy, young Michael Jackson and young Stevie Wonder) is also from De-troit. He too is proud to be appearing in a stage vehicle build around the music of the city of his birth. He used to perform around Detroit as a Mi-chael Jackson imperson-ator.

The director of “Mo-town: The Musical” is Charles Randolph-Wright. Choreography is by Pa-tricia Wilcox and Warren Adams. Ethan Popp is music supervisor.

THE SAD NOTE about “Motown: The Musical” is that so many people who were integral parts of the Motown story, especially during the golden era, are no longer with us.

That includes Marvin Gaye, Levi Stubbs, Flor-ence Ballard, Jr. Walker, Esther Gordy Edwards, Ronnie White, Tammi Terrell, Eddie Kendricks, Thomas “Beans” Bowles, Mary Wells, Edwin Starr, Michael Jackson, Re-naldo (“Obie”) Benson, Pervis Jackson and Nick Ashford.

Also, Melvin Frank-lin, Earl Van Dyke, Paul Williams, Cholly Atkins, James Jamerson, Mau-rice King, Bobby Rogers, David Ruffin, Syreeta, Lawrence Payton, Bobbie Smith, Gladys Horton, Edward Patten, Harvey Fuqua and Marv Johnson, among many others.

But perhaps they too are still connecting. After all, Motown is forever — and everywhere.

“The Temptations”

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MICHIGAN CHRONICLE WED 4/103 col. (4.936”) x 10.5”

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Classified THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE April 10 - 16, 2013 Page D-5

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QUALITY COORDINATORCONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR

Macomb County CMH is seeking Quality Coordinator- Contract Admin-istrator with an unrestricted Michigan

issued Registered Nurse license. Backgrounds in Informatics, Quality

Improvement and Healthcare Indicators are preferred.

Letter of interest and resume should be faxed to (586) 465-8320 or

e-mailed to [email protected] by April19, 2013.

PSA PUBLIC NOTICEThe Detroit Achievement Academy

(MI PSA) shall hold a public budget hearing for its 2013-2014 annual operating budget on April 11th at 6:00pm at 163 Madison, Detroit, MI, 48226. A copy of the budget

is available for public inspection at

www.detroitachievement.org/budget

SOUTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

PAINTING SERVICES

Southfield Public Schools seeks to obtain proposals for one contracted full time painter to begin July 1, 2013.The District is also seeking an alternate pro-posal for the standard and overtime hourly rate from an established painting contractor with a minimum of five years’ experience. The contractor must be able to provide up to three trained and competent painters on an on call basis. All Proposals to be delivered the lobby of the J.W. E. Administration Building, Southfield Public Schools, 24661 Lahser, Southfield, MI 48033 attn: Martha Ritchie, Purchasing Manager. Proposals are to be in a sealed envelope clearly marked: “Painting” and returned no later than 2:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, April 25, 2013 at which time bids will be opened and public read. Proposals must be submitted on the official Form provided, which can be found on the district website at www.southfield.k12.mi.us.. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Late bids will not be accepted. A 5% bid security bond will be required. Pre-bid Meeting A pre-bid meeting will be held on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. local time in the Southfield Public Schools Administration Building, 24661 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI 48033 for discussion of vendor ques-tions regarding this Request For Proposal (RFP). Address all questions regarding this meeting to the office of Ms. Martha Ritchie, Purchasing Manager, 248-746-8519.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALThe Detroit Public Library Commission is seeking sealed competitive Requests for Proposal for the Asphalt Paving and Concrete Sidewalk Replacement at the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library

located at 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202 .

Bid documents may be obtained from the Purchasing office located at 5201

Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, 48202, 313-481-1325. They may also be obtained from the Detroit Public Library

website at detroitpubliclibrary.org.

Sealed documents are to be returned to the Purchasing office no later than Thurs-

day , May 23, 2013 at 2:30PM (Detroit Michigan Time). No late, fax, e-mail or any other utilization of an electronic method to respond to this request will be accepted .

Mandatory Pre-Bid Walk-ThroughThere will be a meeting scheduled by

the Facilities Project Manager to familiarize bidders, and any subcontractors,

with the project and the site. This meeting will take place on

Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at PRECISELY 1:30PM

Detroit , Michigan time, at the Main Library site. No one will be admitted to

Pre-bid meeting after 1:30 PM.

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PUBLIC NOTICE DETROIT EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

A Michigan Works! Agency, in cooperation with the DETROIT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

PAYROLL AND CHECK PROCESSING SERVICES

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF EMPLOYMENT

The Detroit Workforce Development Board (DWDB) is directly re-sponsible and accountable to the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan (WDASOM) for the planning and oversight of all workforce training and services in the workforce development area.

Effective July 1, 2012, the Chief Elected Official, the DWDB, and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) became parties to a Governance Agreement dated June 28, 2012 pursuant to which DESC became the depository and primary administrative and fiscal agent for workforce development funds available to the Board for use and disbursement in the local workforce development area.

DESC is seeking a qualified vendor to provide Payroll and Check Processing Services for DESC. These services will be designed to meet the needs of DESC staff and program participants. Organiza-tions must have at least three (3) years of experience providing the type of work requested in this RFP. The contract period will be July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. The contract will operate with funds from the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Wagner-Peyser, and other sources of funds that may become available.

There will be no Pre-Proposal Bidders’ Conference for this so-licitation. ALL questions must be submitted in writing via email to [email protected] no later than April 19, 2013 by 4:00 p.m.

All Bid Packages for DESC will be sent via email only. Bid packages will not be available for hardcopy pickup and will not be mailed by U.S. mail. Requests for the RFP package may be emailed to Robert Shimkoski, Jr., Manager – Planning Unit at [email protected]. In order to receive an RFP package, qualified vendors must submit the following information via email: company name, address, office phone number, fax number, contact person’s name, and valid email address.

Sealed bids must be received at the DESC’s Planning Unit, 707 W. Milwaukee – Second Floor, Detroit, Michigan 48202, no later than May 6, 2013, 4:00 p.m. Each vendor is responsible for ensuring that its bid is received by DESC on a timely basis. Late bids will not be accepted.

DESC shall not extend the due date for bids on the basis that the U. S. Postal Service or another mail courier has lost or failed to deliver the bid. DESC is not responsible for bids delivered to the wrong location. Faxed bids will not be accepted. Bids received late will be returned unopened.

DESC reserves the right to waive any irregularities in any bid or to reject any or all bids, should it be deemed in its best interest. DESC, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, does not discriminate in employment or in the provision of services based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national ori-gin, age, disability, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, arrest without conviction, political affiliation or belief, and for ben-eficiaries only, citizenship or participation in any federally assisted program or activity. Auxiliary aids and services will be made available upon request to individuals with disabilities (TTY Number: 1-800-649-3777). Informa-tion contained in this document will be made available in alternative format upon written request to DESC.

DAVE BING, MAYORDAVID BAKER LEWIS, ESQ., DWDB CHAIRMAN

CALVIN SHARP, DESC BOARD CHAIRMANPAMELA J. MOORE, DESC PRESIDENT/CEO

JOSE REYES, DESC CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAMFUNDED BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, STATE OF MICHIGAN

AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

(TTY NUMBER: 1-800-649-3777)

PUBLIC NOTICE DETROIT EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

A Michigan Works! Agency, in cooperation with the DETROIT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)REQUEST FOR A WAIVER OF THE PROHIBITION

ON THE USE OF INDIVIDUAL TRAINING ACCOUNTS (ITAs) FOR OLDER AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH

THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF EMPLOYMENT

The Detroit Workforce Development Board (DWDB), in partnership with the local Chief Elected Official, the Mayor of the city of Detroit, is directly responsible and accountable to the Workforce Develop-ment Agency, State of Michigan (WDASOM) for the planning and oversight of all workforce training and services in the workforce development area.

Effective July 1, 2012, the Chief Elected Official, the Detroit Work-force Development Board, and Detroit Employment Solutions Cor-poration (DESC) became parties to a Governance Agreement dated June 28, 2012 pursuant to which DESC became the depository and primary administrative and fiscal agent for workforce development funds available to the Board for use and disbursement in the local workforce development area.

Notice is hereby given that the DESC is requesting a waiver of the prohibition on the use of Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) for older and out-of-school youth from the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan. The waiver will give DESC permission to appropriately use ITAs for youth participants without the need to co-enroll them in the Adult and Dislocated Worker Program. This waiver would allow older and out-of-school youth to select approved ITA programs from Michigan’s eligible provider lists.

Individuals or groups that may be affected by this waiver request and the general public (including business and organized labor) may comment on the waiver by electronic mail or U.S. mail. Please mail comments to Robert Shimkoski, Manager, DESC’s Planning Unit, 707 W. Milwaukee – 2nd Floor, Detroit, MI 48202, or send comments by email to [email protected]. The deadline for comments is April 5, 2013. Comments will be forwarded to the Workforce Development Agency, State of Michigan. DESC, in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, does not discriminate in employment or in the provision of services based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, arrest without conviction, political affiliation or belief, and for beneficiaries only, citizenship or participation in any federally assisted program or activity. Auxiliary aids and services will be made available upon request to individuals with disabilities (TTY Number: 1-800-649-3777). Information contained in this document will be made available in alternative format upon written request to DESC.

DAVE BING, MAYORDAVID BAKER LEWIS, ESQ., DWDB CHAIRMAN

CALVIN SHARP, DESC BOARD CHAIRMANPAMELA J. MOORE, DESC PRESIDENT/CEO

JOSE REYES, DESC CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER/PROGRAMFUNDED BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, STATE

OF MICHIGANAUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES(TTY NUMBER: 1-800-649-3777)

Provide a variety of multi-step clerical proce-dures required for the maintenance and support of a unit. Will work 8am – 5pm, Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends or holidays. Min-imum Qualifications: High school graduation or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years general office expe-rience work or related experience in specified area. Salary is $35,015 annually. See online postings for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 16, 2013. Please apply on line to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Seeking OFFICE ASSISTANT I at OAKLAND UNIVERSITYUniversity Housing

Plan, oversee and direct specific fundraising activities for both the School of Health Scienc-es and Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. Primarily serve a major gift officer reporting to the Assistant Vice President for DACE. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of ed-ucation and experience. Minimum of 5 years progressively responsible experience in devel-opment and fund raising, preferably in a colle-giate/university setting. Demonstrated success in obtaining gifts of $50,000 and above. Salary is commensurate with education and experi-ence. Some evenings and weekends required. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 15, 2013. Must apply on line for this position to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Seeking DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES at OAKLAND UNIVERSITYDevelopment, Alumni & Community Engagement

Plan, oversee and direct specific fundraising activities for both the School of Engineering and Computer Science. Primarily serve a ma-jor/planned gift officer reporting to the Assistant Vice President for DACE. Minimum Qualifi-cations: Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of 5 years progressively responsible experience in development and fund raising, preferably in a collegiate/university setting. Demonstrated success in obtaining gifts of $50,000 and above. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Evenings and weekends required. See on line positing for additional position requirements. First consideration will be given to those who apply by April 15, 2013. Must apply on line for this position to: https://jobs.oakland.edu

Seeking DEVELOPMENT OFFICER – SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & COMPUTER SCIENCE at OAKLAND UNIVERSITYDevelopment, Alumni & Community Engagement

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ARIES Listen well for the indications that money can be found in an unusual place. Social and romantic interests should be your focus this evening. Love comes from what you do, not say.

Soul Affirmation: I let my mind go slack and tighten up my body

Lucky Numbers: 2, 45, 47

TAURUS Some people may not “get’’ where you’re coming from, but ask your family and significant other to give you time to explain your way of looking at life this week. Do it calmly and confidentially.

Soul Affirmation: I let go and let my spirit take control.


GEMINI Now’s a better than usual time for self-reflection and meditation. Share your ideas. They’re more valuable than you think. Appre-ciation comes from someone far away.

Soul Affirmation: I admit what I really want out of life this week.


CANCER Creativity comes from a deep source. Take the chance to pursue creative goals. Others will under-stand later. You and a child can come to an unmatched understand-ing. Speak truth and let the chips fall where they may.

Soul Affirmation: I do not allow demands to be placed on me this week.


LEO Listen carefully and follow good

advice that will come from someone you’ve often regarded as foolish. You run into difficulties with one of your projects. Don’t worry, it’s only temporary. How you manage your mind will affect the eventual outcome.

Soul Affirmation: The deed is done. I must wait for the results to unfold.


VIRGO If there is someone or something that you’re avoiding, don’t panic if you find you must confront what you’ve been hiding from. Wait for things to work themselves out. Don’t force the issue. Time solves more problems than you ever could.

Soul Affirmation: I seek connection with the best that is in me.


LIBRA Be flexible. There are many ways to be right and your lover or friend will have come up with one that is dif-ferent from yours. Remember you sometimes have to give a little to get a little.

Soul Affirmation: I see myself as a finisher rather than a starter this week.


SCORPIO Use your natural magnetism to get to someone who might be hard to reach. If you have a problem that you need to get off your chest tell a relative or friend, don’t hold it inside. Where’s the party? Find it. You need a social setting to make the magnetism work best.

Soul Affirmation: I give thanks for the chance to give.


SAGITTARIUS Even if you can’t be with someone you care for, call that person or send a Soul Vibration to let them know you care. You’ll feel better and so will the person. Take time to meditate on the good things life has in stored for you.

Soul Affirmation: The success of others is the investment I make in myself.


CAPRICORN A person is only as good as their word. If you have made any prom-ises recently, remember to follow through. People will be counting on you. Any dissatisfaction you feel might come from not doing what you told someone that you would do.

Soul Affirmation: Superficiality is often the best route to clarity.


AQUARIUS If you’re not sure about a business deal ask someone who knows. Asking questions now can help avoid mistakes in the future. The love that you have been looking for is right in front of you. Your ability to see it improves this week.

Soul Affirmation: When I am clear about who I am, the world becomes clearer.


PISCES Your ability to display enormous grace under enormous pressure will be tested this week. Use your gifts this week to transcend petty criticism. Consider the source and know that you are doing just fine.

Soul Affirmation: I enjoy the love that others have for me.


Considering self-publishing your book?�

Longtime publisher offers tips for making choices Self-published books have transformed both the reading and writing landscape, with hundreds of thousands of authors now eschewing tradi-tional publishing routes. Once reserved for distri-bution to a writer’s close family and friends, these books are now respected as an affordable option with every bit as much po-tential for becoming best-sellers as those produced by the New York houses.

“Countless books pub-lished this way have gone on to become best-sellers, from ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ to ‘Still Alice’ to ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad,’’’ says indepen-dent publisher Sheryn Hara, founder of the 30-year-old Book Publishers Network (www.bookpub-lishersnetwork.com) and author of the new how-to, “Self-Publish Success-fully.”

“But it’s important to note that these don’t look like they were just spit out of the inkjet printer in your bedroom. You have to have a good product if you want even a shot at success. That means good content that’s well edited, a good cover, good layout and a good print job. Additionally, you can expect to spend a lot of time and/or money mar-keting, promoting and getting publicity for your book.”

So, where to begin? First, of course, is get-ting the book written. But once you’re ready to publish, you can easily be overwhelmed with op-tions: Do a Google search for “independent publish-ers” and you’ll get nearly 8 million results.

To help sort through the options, Hara offers these tips:

• Decide how you want your book printed. Con-sider your budget, time frame and individual preferences when evalu-ating options. They in-clude Print-on-Demand (POD), which involves lower up-front costs and is beneficial if you need only a minimum number of books. However, there are quality issues with POD, and you must pay close attention to your contract, which may assign the copyright to the publisher. Most POD publishers do not provide editing services. Digital printing is another option for small print runs, and comes without many of the pitfalls of POD. Final-ly, there’s standard print-ing, which utilizes web-fed or sheet-fed presses.

• How to choose a print-

er. Get quotes from at least three printers, and ask for samples of books and papers. Use only a printer whose main job is printing; most of these are located in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The most economical size books to print are 5.5 by 8.5 inches; 6 by 9 inches; or 8.5 by 11 inches.

• Covers. People do judge books by their covers, so make sure yours is fantas-tic. It’s worth the invest-ment to have it designed professionally. Now you must decide whether you want soft cover, hard cover or both. You may have a choice of gloss lamination or matte. If you go with matte, check to see whether the printer

has a scuff-free version; otherwise, books re-turned from bookstores may look beat up.

• Paper. For most books, you’re probably safe going with the “house paper” recommended by the printer. If your book has a lot of pictures, you may want to use gloss paper.

• Bindings. “Perfect bound” is the norm for soft cover books; a layer of adhesive holds the pages and cover together. Most bookstores don’t like “saddle stitch” – sta-ples used in the center of the book, or comb or wire binding, because you can’t print information on the spines. “Layflat bind-ing” is used for computer,

music and cookbooks, which often need to lie flat for functionality when in use.

If you plan to work with an independent pub-lisher – a company you’ll pay to shepherd you through all the details, Hara suggests talking to former customers about their experience. Did the company follow through on everything promised in the contract? Did it meet deadlines? Were representatives acces-sible, especially if there was a problem? Was the customer satisfied with the final product?

“Decide on your budget, and then look at the qual-ity of books produced by publishers you’re consid-ering. Frankly, the better the quality, the more the book will cost,” Hara says.

“Your pocketbook and your goals should help make the decision easier.”

Sheryn Hara is founder and CEO of Book Publish-ers Network in Seattle, a 30-year-old company whose clients have pro-duced award-winning books. Hara’s new book, “Self-Publish Successful-ly,” co-written with Paul S. Carr III, covers all as-pects of self-publishing, from writing and editing to marketing, including internet and social media marketing.

April 10-16, 2013 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • Page D-7

Page D-8 • THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE • April 10-16, 2013

Michigan Chronicle Digital Daily 4/10/13

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