Life Without Money In Detroit’s Survival Economy

Jerry Hebron harvests Swiss chard at the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm in Detroit’s North End, where locals can volunteer in exchange for fresh produce.

Photographer: Sean Proctor/Bloomberg

When her car broke down, Halima Cassells didn’t have $400 to fix it. But she had logged hours in her Detroit neighborhood time bank by babysitting, and that time yielded a repair.

When she was pregnant in 2012, she couldn’t afford baby clothes, a stroller, or a car seat. But she could throw a potluck barbecue, and her friends could afford to bring their old baby supplies.

“When people come together to share, it’s not transactional,” says Cassells. “Everyone assumes an amount of responsibility with everybody. It’s a different way of knowing your needs are being met.”

Detroiters like Cassells, after years of privation, have turned to what experts call a gift economy to survive. Theirs is an alternative economy based on time banking, skill-sharing, and giveaways—home-grown vegetables, a roof repair, spare keys to a shared car—in which neighbors give as they can and take as they need.

It’s a currency of community that has helped Detroit’s poor survive without ready cash. And those who rely on it say it has helped strengthen communities throughout America’s poorest big city, where nearly 40 percent of people live in poverty and about 11 percent officially are out of work.

“There is significant progress being made, but we recognize we have a long way to go,” says city spokesman John Roach.

The city’s much-touted renaissance is reviving just seven of its 139 square miles. In the rest, all that many people feel they have are community-based networks of their own making.

“These systems and networks take root because historically Detroit has been abandoned,” says Peter Hammer, who heads the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School. “The neglect and abandonment are turned into a source of power and opportunity.”

Click HERE For The Full Article!

People Magazine: Meet the Woman Who Is Rebuilding Her Neighborhood in Memory of Her Late Son

Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris

. Photo: ECLECTION MEDIA

Shamayim Harris wasn’t sure she’d survive after her 2-year-old son Jakobi was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2007. “I remember waking up the next morning, thinking, ‘I’m living through this pain that I thought would kill me. I’m not afraid of anything anymore,’ ” says Harris, 51, of Highland Park, Michigan.

Six months after her son’s death, the single mother of three channeled her grief into action, embarking on her dream of transforming a half-abandoned nearby block into a sustainable eco-village. “I saw this blighted block every day on my way to work, and I wanted to do something with it.”

The first step was a winning $3,000 bid on a vacant home on Avalon Street. With help from a friend, and money she’d pieced together from her paycheck and a tax refund, the former school administrator bought the house and moved in. She then set up a nonprofit, The Moon Ministry, started receiving donations (via a successful Kickstarter that has since reached over $240,000) and the real work began. Harris and a group of volunteers removed mattresses, toilets, liquor bottles — even an abandoned boat — from the neighborhood. “It took a while to get to green grass,” she says.

Click HERE For The Full Article! 

Must See TV: Detroit's Rebel Nell Was Featured On The Harry Show! Check it Out!

Holy Mole! Mexican Mole Contest Returns To Southwest Detroit, Nov. 20th!

For the second year in a row, the Southwest Detroit Business Association (SDBA) presents Holy Mole! Mexican Mole Contest from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Ste. Anne’s de Detroit Catholic Church located at 1000 Sainte Anne St., Detroit. The event celebrates the cooking talents of 15 pre-registered competitors who will each prepare their own rendition of homemade mole sauce, a hallmark of Mexican cooking and culinary symbol of the country’s mixed indigenous and European heritage.

“Last year’s Holy Mole! event was a tremendous success,” said SDBA President Kathy Wendler. “We had a standing-room-only audience that not only enjoyed the competition, but also appreciated the opportunity to purchase a variety of homemade foods and traditional products from local Latina entrepreneurs. This year, we anticipate more people joining us for this wonderful spotlight on Southwest Detroit’s Mexican culture and community.”

Mole is the national dish of Mexico and is most commonly served with meat. The mole is made to be the main focus of the meal, and is traditionally served during special occasions or festivities. The recipe can vary depending on which region it originates. On average, mole includes 28 ingredients and takes several hours to perfect.

Holy Mole! Mexican Mole Contest competitors will be judged on three categories: complexity of the recipe; overall flavor; and texture. Participants can receive up to five points for each individual category. Awards will be presented to the top three places and include: a $500 cash prize for the first place winner; a $250 gift certificate to E&L Supermercado for the second place winner; and a $150 gift certificate to Honey Bee Market – La Colmena for the third place winner.

The event is free of charge and spectators are encouraged to come and watch the contest unfold while enjoying traditional Mexican food items that will be available for purchase, including the mole sauce created by competitors for $10 by the half pound. In addition to the mole sauce, other traditional Mexican food items, such as tamales, empanadas and Mexican desserts, will be available for purchase.

“We are very pleased to have last year’s judges join us once again for the competition,” said Holy Mole! Event Coordinator Martina Guzman. “They include chef and proprietor of El Barzon Restaurant Norberto Garrita, Mexican historian and community activist Maria Elena Rodriguez, and chef and proprietor of El Asador Restaurant Luis Garza. In addition to our judges, we also would like to thank our many sponsors, volunteers and participants who make this event possible.”

 

Nov 29: Henry Ford Health System #GivingTuesday Featuring Detroit Lions Cheerleaders & Players!

Henry Ford Health System will participate in its second-annual #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving, by hosting an event featuring cheerleaders and players from the Detroit Lions at Hard Rock Cafe.

#GivingTuesday donations and event proceeds will benefit Game On Cancer, SandCastles Grief Support Program and the Henry Ford School and Community Based Health program. Henry Ford Health System aims to raise $50,000 to benefit these programs.

Donations can be made on site during the event, via phone by calling (313) 876-1031 or online at henryford.com/givingday.


Schedule:
7:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016
• 7:30 – 9 a.m.: Breakfast for a Better Detroit (Invite Only)
• 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: $20 all-inclusive meal available at Hard Rock Café, with proceeds benefiting     #GivingTuesday
• 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Guest servers, the Detroit Lions cheerleaders
• 2 – 4 p.m.: Meet and greet with the Detroit Lions mascot, Roary
• 4 – 7 p.m.: Past and present Detroit Lions Legends on site for meet and greet, and to answer phone bank donation calls


Hard Rock Cafe
45 Monroe Ave
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 964-7625

For More Information CLICK HERE!
To DONATE, CLICK HERE! 

Matt Lauer Teams Up With Shinola For Handcrafted Products To Benefit Detroit School

HuffPost: Designing In Detroit: By The People, For The People

By The Lovely Amy Peterson, Co-Founder of Rebel Nell

When I moved to Detroit almost ten years ago, it was an entirely different city than the one I live in today, but the love has stayed the same. I had set up residence in a city deep in the midst of an economic down spiral, facing a dwindling population at the rate of 65 people per day over the past 10 years, according to Detroit Works Project. Those who remained were not doing well, and many women and families were struggling with unemployment and poverty.

Three and a half years ago, I co-founded Rebel Nell with my business partner Diana with a vision of what could be salvaged from the rubble, using art to propel the women in the community forward. Never did we imagine that the brand we started in that tiny workshop in Detroit would grow into something that would be displayed in a museum that Andrew Carnegie once called home on the Upper East Side.

And yet we did. From now until February 26th, 2017, Rebel Nell will be included in the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum’s third exhibition of a series called “By the People: Designing a Better America” that takes a look at the way design is being used to create more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable communities. The exhibit features changemakers like Detroit Future City and creators like Raleigh Denim Workshop, where they engage master pattern makers, sewers and farmers from North Carolina to design classic American jeans while maintaining a small carbon footprint.

Click HERE For The Full Article! 

Help Detroit's Walking Man Story Become A Documentary!

“The Walking Man” is the story of James Robertson, who caught the attention of the national media when it was discovered that he walked 21 miles a day to keep his job in Southeastern Michigan.

For the last decade, Robertson defied sub-zero weather, 90 degree temperatures, three feet of snow, torrential downpours, and encountered physical abuse on numerous occasions, to keep his 9-5 manufacturing position in a region where the jobless rate for African Americans exceeds 25% Robertson’s story received news coverage around the world, and prompted ABC News to name him, “Person of the Week.”

This film was written by up and coming Detroit film producer, Jean-Claude Lewis, who represents the cutting edge among African American filmmakers. Lewis teamed up with twice Emmy-Nominated documentary filmmaker Brian Kruger of Stunt3 Multimedia to produce "The Walking Man." Shooting begins in the fall of 2016. James Robertson’s story is one of inspiration, perseverance, determination and loyalty, and needs be seen by as many people as possible.

Walking Man Films, the production entity formed by Lewis, who as a Disabled American Veteran, looks to raise enough money to not only shoot the film but to also provide a DVD of this film to every middle school, high school and public library in the State of Michigan.

Help make this movie reality by contributing to their GoFundMe page: 
https://www.gofundme.com/thewalkingmanmovie

Detroit, Ferndale, Ann Arbor & East Lansing Lead the Way in LGBTQ Equality

At a time when many states have failed to extend LGBTQ-inclusive laws and policies, Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing and Ferndale are stepping up to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, according to a report issued today by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC), the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization.

 HRC’s 2016 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) shows that around the country cities are fueling momentum for LGBTQ equality -- and often are doing so in states that still don’t have LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws at the state level.

 In Michigan, Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing and Ferndale earned over 85 points on the 2016 MEI despite hailing from a state without LGBTQ-inclusive statewide non-discrimination laws. Across the country, 37 cities like these set a standard of LGBTQ inclusiveness with exemplary, best-practice policies such as local non-discrimination laws, providing transgender-inclusive health benefits for city employees, and offering LGBTQ-inclusive city services.

 Shining like beacons of hope, Ann Arbor, Detroit, East Lansing and Ferndale earned one of HRC’s 37 MEI “All Star” designations. MEI All Stars are cities nationwide that are excelling by advancing LGBTQ equality without relying on state law. This year, Ann Arbor earned 100 points, Detroit earned 100 points, East Lansing earned 100 points and Ferndale earned 94 points. Last year, Ann Arbor earned 77 points, Detroit earned 100 points, East Lansing earned 100 points and Ferndale earned 97 points.

The average score for cities in Michigan is 69 out of 100 points, which falls above the national average of 55.

The cities researched for the MEI include the 50 state capitals, the 200 most populous cities in the country, the five largest cities in every state, the cities home to each state’s two largest public universities, and an equal mix of 75 of the nation’s large, mid-size and small municipalities with the highest proportion of same-sex couples.

 “This year, dozens of cities across the nation showed they are willing to stand up for LGBTQ people in their communities even when some state governments are not,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “This builds on a trend we have long observed: that local governments are at the forefront of our fight for equality. Unfortunately, our opponents have witnessed this progress too, and in recent years, anti-LGBTQ lawmakers have pushed spiteful legislation aimed at pre-empting local protections. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to not only fight for equality at the state and local levels, but to enact comprehensive federal protections for LGBTQ people under the Equality Act.”

"Despite another year of legislative attacks on LGBTQ equality, we are not merely holding our ground; we also continue to make significant gains across the country,” said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of the Equality Federation Institute. “The opportunity for further progress is huge, and we are proud to partner with HRC on the Municipal Equality Index, a powerful roadmap for elected officials and community advocates who want to continue down the path to full equality.”

Since the MEI’s debut in 2012, the number of cities earning perfect scores has more than quintupled, and today at least 24 million people now live in cities that have more comprehensive, transgender-inclusive non-discrimination laws than their state or the federal government. And cities that have been rated all five years of the MEI have improved their scores by about 20 points over that time.

Progress on transgender equality has been particularly noteworthy in cities across America this year, continuing a positive trend that the MEI has tracked -- and encouraged -- since 2012. Transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits are offered to employees of 86 municipalities this year -- up from 66 in 2015 and 5 in 2012 -- and the growth of cities offering those benefits to their employees outpaces the growth in the number of cities rated. The MEI’s Issue Brief on Transgender-Inclusive Health Benefits is available here.

For the first time this year, the MEI deducted points from the scores of cities that have non-discrimination protections containing carve-outs prohibiting individuals from using public facilities consistent with their gender identity. It also created a new category of points to recognize cities that are offering transgender-specific city services.

Two special reports are also included in the 2016 MEI: Power Struggles and Preemption details efforts by anti-equality officials at the state level to pass discriminatory legislation like North Carolina’s HB2 law that strip municipalities of their ability to protect their residents and workers with non-discrimination measures. Inclusive and Innovative Approaches to Citywide Bullying Prevention lays out the serious public health issue of bullying, how it disproportionately affects LGBTQ youth, and innovative ways municipalities can protect its young people from bullying. The 2018 MEI will change the way it assesses anti-bullying issues, as described in this brief.

Other key findings from the 2016 Municipal Equality Index include:

87 cities from states without nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBTQ people scored above the overall nationwide mean of 55 points. These cities averaged 80-point scores; 22 scored a perfect 100.
Cities continue to excel even in the absence of state laws: 37 “All Star” cities in states lacking comprehensive non-discrimination laws scored above 85 points, up from 31 last year, 15 in 2014, eight in 2013, and just two in 2012.

The average city score was 55 points. 60 cities, or 12 percent of those rated, scored 100 points; 25 percent scored over 75 points; 25 percent scored under 33 points; and 8 cities scored zero points.
Cities with a higher proportion of same-sex couples, as tabulated by a UCLA Williams Institute analysis of the 2010 U.S. Census, tended to score better. The presence of openly-LGBTQ city officials was also correlated with higher scores.

The MEI rated 506 cities: the 50 state capitals, the 200 largest cities in the United States, the five largest cities or municipalities in each state, the cities home to the state’s two largest public universities (including undergraduate and graduate enrollment), 75 cities and municipalities that have high proportions of same-sex couples, and 98 cities selected by members and supporters of HRC and Equality Federation state organizations.

The MEI rates cities based on 44 criteria that fall into five broad categories:

Non-discrimination laws
Municipal employment policies, including transgender-inclusive insurance coverage and non-discrimination requirements for contractors
Inclusiveness of city services
Law enforcement, including hate crimes reporting
Municipal leadership on matters of equality

The full report, including detailed scorecards for every city, as well as a searchable database, is available online at www.hrc.org/mei

Detroit Lions DeAndre Levy Partners With Detroit Hustles Harder To Raise Money For Untested Rape Kits

@dre_levy made a guest appearance at last nights @slowrolldet to promote our collab. All proceeds from T-shirt sales will go to Detroit's Enough SAID who raises private sector funding to test more than 11,000 forgotten rape kits, investigate the crimes and prosecute the resulting cases to secure justice and closure for victims, and ensuring a safer community for everyone. They can be purchased in-store and online. #DomesticViolence and #SexualAssault aren't just women's issues. They're #OurIssue #detroithustlesharder

A photo posted by DETROIT HUSTLES HARDER® (@aptemal) on Oct 4, 2016 at 4:51pm PDT

DeAndre Levy has spent part of his time the past few months speaking out against domestic violence and sexual assault. Now, the Detroit Lions linebacker is trying to do something about it.

He's partnering with the Detroit Hustles Harder clothing line to sell "Our Issue" T-shirts. All of the proceeds from the shirts will go to the Enough SAID program in Detroit.

The program, which is a collaboration between multiple organizations and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, tries to raise "private sector funding to test more than 11,000 forgotten rape kits, investigate the crimes and prosecute the resulting cases, thus securing justice and closure for victims and ensuring a safer community for everyone," according to the organization's website.

Click HERE For The Full Story! 

Detroit 1 Of 4 Cities Awarded $40M To Combat Segregation With Public Space

Detroit, Akron, Chicago and Memphis will get a collective $40 million to invest in their public spaces in an effort to counter recent trends toward worsening social and economic segregation. Four national foundations — the JPB Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation — announced today that they will invest a total of $20 million for civic space in improvements in these cities. The other $20 million will come from local sources. The program, titled “Reimagining the Civic Commons,” launched as an ongoing pilot in Philadelphia in 2015. (The Kresge Foundation also provides funding support to Next City.)

“We see this as a series of local experiments to interpret a common theme: What is the purpose of community spaces like parks, libraries, municipal buildings or even sidewalks? What binds us to place and to each other?” said Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation president, in a statement. “Citizen engagement must be a cornerstone of our rethinking how to use great civic spaces for today’s diverse and inclusive communities.”

The four cities will use the funding to create connections between existing public and civic spaces.

Detroit’s projects aim to connect two anchor institutions in the Livernois-McNichols area, a neighborhood considered the number one revitalization priority by Mayor Mike Duggan and home to both University of Detroit Mercy and Marygrove Collage. The Civic Commons funding will target the area between the universities, creating a network of public and community-oriented commercial spaces within walking distance of one another.

Click HERE For The Full Article! 

Tickets on Sale For The 2016 Polish The Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon

The Belle Isle Conservancy is making a splash with the 12th annual Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon, presented by the DTE Energy Foundation, on Thursday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Funds raised at this year’s event will benefit a new Splash Play Area on Belle Isle Park.

After years of hosting the event at the Belle Isle Casino, the Conservancy is taking the celebration back to the garden – the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory gardens to be exact – where the first luncheon was held.

Hundreds of southeast Michigan’s most influential civic and business leaders – adorned in their favorite fascinators and chapeaus - are expected to attend for an afternoon of networking and mobile bidding at the luncheon’s silent auction. This year’s event is chaired by long-time Belle Isle supporter Denise Ilitch of Ilitch Enterprises.

New for 2016, guests will have the opportunity to win a one-of-a-kind pendant, created by Stephen Tapper of Tapper’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry, called the Star of Belle Isle. After visiting the island with his nephew, Tapper was inspired to create a pendant that would reflect “just how precious the jewels of our great city are.”

Tickets (at $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10) are now available for purchase online at belleisleconservancy.org/polishthejewel or by calling 313-331-7760. Benefactor tickets (at $1,000, $500 or $300 giving levels) as well as corporate sponsorships are also available. Benefactor tickets will provide guests with exclusive access to a pre-Polish the Jewel celebration on Sept. 20.

The annual Polish the Jewel Belle Isle Legacy Luncheon began in 2004, then hosted by the Belle Isle Women’s Committee, which is today part of the Belle Isle Conservancy.

In The Works! New Community Garden And Farmers Market Coming To Detroit!

The Project
Wolverine Human Services plans to build a community garden and training site that will be cultivated by the residents of the streets surrounding the Wolverine Center and the John S Vitale Community Center.

It will include the following key components:

• A community garden with raised beds and paved pathways for growing herbs and vegetables that meets ADA Accessibility regulations.
• A mixed-use structure that will be used as a neighborhood farmers' market retail space, a garden-training classroom, and for agricultural equipment storage.
• The site will be well-lit and secured so that community members can work their garden plots in a safe and friendly environment. 

Wolverine Human Services has been an institution in the Jefferson-Mack neighborhood for nearly 30 years and in that time, we have witnessed the deterioration of this neighborhood as residents have vacated the houses and businesses and other community institutions have closed their doors.  

But here at Wolverine Human Services, we are committed to bringing new growth and innovation to this neighborhood by creating opportunities in the areas of education and vocational training to not only the young men in our care at the Wolverine Center, but also to the residents of the neighborhood that we have shared for three decades.

Click HERE To Donate To This Project!  If they hit their goal of $50,000,  the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan State Housing Development Authority will DOUBLE your donations through their Public Spaces, Community Places grant match program. 

Next Week! 2nd Annual Dodgeball Tournament In Campus Martius, Benefiting Detroit Youth

Be a part of a fun and active twist on happy hour with a playful game of dodgeball while supporting the youth of Detroit on Thursday, July 28,2016 at 5:00 pm in Cadillac Square, just East of Campus Martius, 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI!

Last year, Dodge for Detroit raised over $20,000 to provide much needed funding for Scouting’s outreach programs to provide character development, leadership skills, and instill lifelong values in over 4,000 socioeconomically disadvantaged youth within our local council. This year, they are on track to raising nearly $40,000 and they need you and your friends!

Get your friends and coworkers together for an exciting round-robin dodgeball tournament brought to you by Midwest Mobility Solutions! Teams consist of 6-10 players and are guaranteed to play at least three games, but you don’t have to play to show your support. Instead, you can sit back, relax and enjoy some of the best food and drinks Metro Detroit has to offer.

**Must be 18 years old to participate. **

Mojo, from Mojo in the Morning heard on Channel 95.5 is our host for the second year!

For more information, please visit http://www.michiganscouting.org/dodgeball/

View 2015 Dodge for Detroit photos HERE.
The Slow Motion photo booth was AMAZING last year. Click HERE to watch!

Today! Connect With Your Fellow Detroiters Over A Fun Game Of Connect Four!

It's been a pretty intense month, with an extra dose of political divisiveness. We want to counter this with more connection & love.

Inspired by a story from NYC, DDF creative director Melinda "MeMe" Anderson is dusting off her Connect Four sets and inviting us all to play together this Friday. Over friendly games, they'll also be collecting creative ideas for a more connected city.

Connect Four The City
Friday, July 22, 4-7pm
Urban Consulate
4470 Second Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

Free & open to the public.
All ages welcome.
No experience necessary :)

Belle Isle Conservancy Hosts 1st Annual Sunset At The Scott To Benefit The Scott Fountain Pewabic Tile Fund

The Belle Isle Conservancy is hosting Sunset at the Scott, an event to raise funds for the Scott Fountain Pewabic Tile Fund, in an effort to restore the historic Pewabic tile mosaic that once covered the basin of the James Scott Memorial Fountain.

Sunset at the Scott will take place on Wednesday, August 17 from 6:30PM-8:30PM on the Belle Isle paddock near the Scott Fountain.

The event will feature:

• El Guapo Fresh Mexican Grill
• Cool Jacks Handcrafted Ice Cream + Cookies
• Beer + Wine + Specialty cocktail
• Live entertainment provided by O N E F R E Q

“This promises to be a lovely evening celebrating the beauty of Belle Isle, and particularly the Scott Fountain,” said Michele Hodges, President of the Belle Isle Conservancy. “Our supporters are committed to the preservation of the original Pewabic tiles, and this event gives them a chance to help make that happen.”

To date, past supporters have helped the Belle Isle Conservancy raise nearly $75,000 towards the Scott Fountain Pewabic Tile Fund’s goal of $300,000 to complete the restoration.

The Belle Isle Conservancy continues to support its partnership with Pewabic Pottery with Pewabic on site at the event with limited edition Belle Isle tiles for sale. A portion of the proceeds from the Belle Isle tile series will be donated to the Scott Fountain Pewabic Tile Fund. The original tile mosaic was designed by Pewabic’s founder Mary Chase Perry Stratton and was removed from the fountain during a repair.

The event had previously been part of Pewabic Pottery’s annual house and garden show, but a scheduling conflict with another Belle Isle Conservancy event this year created the need for the event to take on an identity of its own with a new date and location.

Advance tickets for Sunset at the Scott range from $50-$250 and are available until August 1st. Admission is $65 at the door. Sponsorship opportunities are available. A recreation passport is required for admittance to the island.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.belleisleconservancy.org/sunset2016.  

Hey America. This Is How You Create Major Change In Your Community, Detroit Style.

#WorldPeaceMuralTour Coming To Grand River & Rosa Parks July 17-21

The World Peace Mural Tour is coming to Detroit to create a "World Peace Mural" and is seeking volunteers who are willing to help with preparing the wall for the mural. 

VOLUNTEERS are needed on July 17th at 2:00pm
LOCATION: 4103 Grand River Ave., Detroit, MI 48208
The work to be done is fairly simple.
We are painting the whole building white.
Shouldn't take more than 4-5 hours
Maybe less, if we have more volunteers

Paint and supplies will be provided

If you have any of your own supplies, and are willing to bring them, that is greatly appreciated
(ladders, paint rollers, paint roller covers, paint pans, drop cloths)

Renda Writer is an artist from Miami, Florida, and he is coming to Detroit July 17-21st, 2016 as part of his World Peace Mural Tour.

The plan is to finish the preparation of the wall on July 17th, with the help of the volunteers, so that installation of the mural can begin on July 18th.

The World Peace Mural Tour is a peace campaign, art tour, and an effort to enact change through the energy of the written word, the power repetition, and the influence and interaction of public art.

More Info:
www.WorldPeaceMuralTour.com
www.Facebook.com/WorldPeaceMuralTour

Erykah Badu Will Donate Upcoming Concert Funds to Aid Detroit Rape Kit Project

Photo: Amanda Demme

Erykah Badu is supporting an effort to help get old rape kits tested.

The Detroit Free Press reports the singer partnered with The Right Productions to donate money from her Aug. 12 Detroit concert to the African American 490 Challenge.

The effort last year started urging black women to raise multiples of $490 — the cost of processing a single rape kit. The 490 Challenge is working with Enough SAID.

Shahida Mausi, president and CEO of The Right Productions, said the 490 Challenge would get $5 from each ticket and proceeds from two receptions with Badu.

"This is a huge day for Enough SAID/AA490,” said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. “Everyone knows that Erykah Badu is a major, major talent in the music and song-writing industry. For her to lend her name, talent and time to this work is nothing short of a miracle. Justice for these forgotten sexual assault victims has been given a phenomenal assist.”

Michigan and the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office tested more than 10,000 kits dating back decades that were found in Detroit in 2009.

For information, call 313-393-0292 or go to www.CheneParkDetroit.com. Tickets for the Erykah Badu concert are available through Ticketmaster or via the Chene Park mobile app.

To donate to the AA490 Challenge, go to www.aa490challenge.org.

Bike For A Good Cause: Slow Roll Teams Up With The Children’s Center of Wayne County

This Monday, The Children’s Center of Wayne County is teaming up with Slow Roll Detroit to bring awareness to the urgent need for Foster Parents in metro Detroit. 

Locally, more than 2,500 children are in the foster system. In Michigan, more than 14,000 children are in foster care each year. 

The July 11 Slow Roll will kick off from The Children’s Center campus in Midtown. For the second year in a row, this special ride will help bring awareness and attention to the thousands of Detroit children in foster care, and the need for loving foster parents. 

Riders will receive a blue Slow Roll for Foster Care Awareness t-shirt, and hear from TCC’s Community Outreach Specialist, Shereen Allen-Youngblood, as well Slow Roll as co-founder Jason Hall.