National Voices, Local Urgency: Pancakes & Politics Forum 2 Confronts Federal Cuts, Chaos in Washington, and Detroit’s Path Forward

April 17, 2025

The Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes & Politics Forum 2 brought national and local leaders together to discuss the consequences of diminishing federal support and political chaos on communities. For the first time in its 20-year history, the forum featured national voices alongside Michigan's leaders to address how financial and institutional systems are negatively shifting for nonprofits, local governments, and working-class families. Moderated by Dennis Archer Jr.

Who is affected

Nonprofits, local governments, and working-class families
Black communities in Detroit and other majority-Black cities
The nonprofit sector, which employs 10% of Michigan's workforce
Communities served by nonprofits including those using after-school programs, food banks, veterans' services, and health centers
Detroit residents and businesses facing uncertainty from federal disinvestment
Manufacturing industries in Detroit transitioning to AI-powered production

What action is being taken

The Michigan Chronicle is hosting the Pancakes & Politics Forum, bringing national voices together with local leaders for the first time in its 20-year history
Local leaders in Detroit are working to build systems that provide housing with wrap-around services
Community leaders are advocating for the Community Reinvestment Act and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Detroit organizations are developing local solutions to fill gaps left by federal disinvestment
Local institutions are attempting to work together to replace diminishing federal support

Why it matters

Federal support for critical social services and financial systems is diminishing, creating instability
90% of nonprofits run on federal funding, making them vulnerable to policy changes and cuts
Detroit and other majority-Black cities are experiencing erosion of trust in financial systems and civic leadership
The U.S. economic leadership position is threatened by current policy chaos and institutional attacks
Manufacturing returning to places like Detroit will be AI-powered rather than creating traditional jobs
International allies are choosing more consistent partners like China over the unpredictable U.S.
Without federal guardrails, small cracks in financial and social systems can become major problems

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle