Michigan news

A controversy erupted within the UAW when some members created and distributed a flyer featuring the union's logo to promote a campaign event for Detroit mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield at a UAW hall, despite the union officially endorsing her opponent, Solomon Kinloch Jr. UAW leadership quickly intervened, instructing members to remove the logo and relocate the event to Sheffield's campaign headquarters instead of the union hall. The incident prompted criticism from both the UAW and Kinloch's campaign about Sheffield potentially causing confusion about the union's official endorsement. UAW member Lynda Jackson clarified that Sheffield's campaign was not responsible for creating the flyer, and defended the members' right to support their preferred candidate despite the union's official position.

A controversy erupted in Detroit's mayoral race when UAW members supporting City Council president Mary Sheffield created a flyer using the union's logo for a campaign event, despite the UAW officially endorsing her opponent, Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. The unauthorized flyer was briefly posted on Sheffield's Instagram before being removed after media inquiries. UAW leadership criticized Sheffield for the confusion, though her campaign denied responsibility, clarifying that union members created the flyer independently. Some UAW members are supporting Sheffield despite their leadership's endorsement, comparing their situation to UAW members who supported Trump despite the union's endorsement of Harris.

A controversy erupted within the United Auto Workers (UAW) when some members created and distributed a flyer using the union's logo to promote Detroit mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield at a UAW Local 7 union hall. This caused tension because UAW leadership, including president Shawn Fain, had officially endorsed Sheffield's opponent, Reverend Solomon Kinloch Jr. The members who created the flyer, led by Lynda Jackson of UAW Local 7, were instructed by senior UAW leadership to remove the logo and relocate their event to Sheffield's campaign headquarters. Both the UAW and Kinloch's campaign criticized Sheffield for the unauthorized logo use, although her campaign maintains she had no involvement in creating the flyer.

At Detroit's 70th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner, Maryland Governor Wes Moore delivered a powerful keynote address emphasizing the urgency of policy-driven change to address systemic inequality. Moore highlighted his administration's achievements, including investing $1.3 billion in HBCUs, granting 175,000 clemencies for cannabis convictions, and launching the "Just Communities" initiative that directs $400 million to communities harmed by systemic neglect. The event also honored several individuals for their contributions to social justice, including Roland Martin, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr., Alice G. Thompson, Courtney Smith, and Yousef Almadrahi. Throughout the dinner, speakers reinforced the theme "The Power Is Within The People" and stressed the importance of immediate action rather than delay in the ongoing fight for justice.

The Michigan Chronicle held its 2025 Men of Excellence ceremony on June 27 at the International Banquet and Conference Center, celebrating Southeast Michigan's Black male leaders across various sectors. The event honored numerous accomplished individuals including CEOs, educators, public servants, and community builders, with special Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Bishop Edgar Vann, George P. Barnes Jr., and Conrad Mallett for their transformative leadership. Shawn Wilson received the Vanguard Award for his work in corporate social responsibility and community impact. The ceremony recognized these men not just for their career achievements but for their commitment to uplifting Detroit's Black communities through service, leadership, and excellence.

Daniel and Yasmine Jones recently celebrated the opening of Goodboy Multimedia's new headquarters in Midtown Detroit, marking the 189th business launched through the City of Detroit's Motor City Match program. What began as Daniel volunteering with church livestreams in 2019 has evolved into a full-scale multimedia production company serving high-profile clients including the State of Michigan and Detroit Branch NAACP. The business received a $30,000 grant from Motor City Match to establish their Detroit location, where they now employ five full-time staff and contract with over 30 creative professionals. Beyond commercial services, Goodboy Multimedia operates the Adamark mentoring program, which has trained more than 60 Detroit high school students in media production skills to create career pathways in the creative industry.

The Michigan Chronicle received five national awards at the 2025 National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Messenger Awards, reinforcing its position as a leading Black news outlet. The Chronicle's achievements were part of a larger success for its parent company, Real Times Media (RTM), which won a total of 11 awards across its publications. Executive Editor Jeremy Allen attributed these recognitions to the team's dedication to serving Detroit's Black community through quality journalism. The awards highlight the Chronicle's commitment to digital innovation and impactful storytelling within the Black Press ecosystem, which continues to play a vital role in representing and advocating for Black communities nationwide.

The Michigan Chronicle and "A Small Group of Local Leaders" hosted a unique mayoral candidate forum at Detroit's Harmonie Club, where candidates Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, James Craig, and Fred Durhal III each received 30 minutes to present their visions for Detroit's future. Unlike traditional debates, this format allowed for in-depth discussions on critical issues including neighborhood development, public safety, business growth, and housing policy. The forum emphasized accountability and substantive dialogue rather than soundbites, with candidates addressing how they would transform Detroit's potential into tangible progress for long-term residents. This intimate setting created an opportunity for candidates to speak directly to influential Black civic leaders who shape policy and community development in Detroit.

Global Citizen will host its inaugural Global Citizen NOW: Detroit summit on July 10, 2023, marking the first time this high-profile action summit will be held outside New York City in the U.S. The event at Hudson's Detroit, presented by Bedrock, will bring together cultural icons, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and activists including Wyclef Jean, Mark Cuban, and Marcus Samuelsson to discuss building equitable and future-forward cities. This summit is the centerpiece of a three-day series featuring community-focused activities beginning July 8 with a city-wide Volunteer Day at UNI Park and concluding with a live music event at Third Man Records. Detroit was selected as the host city to spotlight its transformation from industrial powerhouse to innovation epicenter and its potential as a model for urban revitalization.

In a candidate forum for Detroit's District 6 city council race, incumbent Councilwoman Gabriela Santiago-Romero faced off against state Rep. Tyrone Carter and write-in candidate Anita Martin. While the candidates largely agree on issues like environmental racism and immigration enforcement, they differ significantly on campaign finance, with Santiago-Romero refusing corporate PAC money while Carter defends accepting corporate donations. Carter brings thirty years of legislative experience compared to Santiago-Romero, who is the lone Hispanic member of Detroit City Council. Their different approaches to fundraising highlight contrasting political philosophies in the race for this district that includes neighborhoods from Southwest Detroit to Midtown.

In a recent mayoral debate in Detroit, candidates Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, Fred Durhal III, and Todd Perkins outlined strategies to attract and retain young residents and recent graduates. Key priorities included developing the region's tech industry, improving public transportation, and creating more economic opportunities. The debate comes as Detroit has experienced modest population growth in recent years, with Mayor Mike Duggan claiming young people are driving this increase. Candidates emphasized that creating high-demand jobs, affordable housing, quality education, and robust transit systems would help Detroit compete with other major cities for young talent.

Detroit City Council members are addressing urgent air conditioning failures in multiple apartment buildings during a dangerous heat wave affecting the city. Council Member Mary Waters and Council President Mary Sheffield are working with building inspectors and management to resolve outages at Whitmore Apartments and The Jefferson Apartments, where temperatures have reached dangerous levels. The situation is particularly concerning for senior residents, with management at The Jefferson promising repairs by Thursday and potentially offering rent credits to affected tenants. This crisis highlights broader heat vulnerability issues in Detroit, where a 2021 study estimated 47% of residential structures have limited or no access to air conditioning, while Wayne County remains under an extreme heat warning with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.

Detroit is preparing for its mayoral primary election on August 5, where nine candidates are competing to advance to the November general election. Despite the importance of local government in addressing community-specific challenges and managing nearly $3 billion in tax dollars annually, Detroit historically sees low voter turnout for municipal elections compared to presidential races. City Councilman Scott Benson highlights a concerning correlation between income and voter participation, noting that residents with lower incomes often face barriers to political engagement while candidates typically focus on likely voters in middle and upper-middle-class neighborhoods. Benson argues that increasing wealth among Detroit's Black families is not just an economic goal but a democratic necessity to ensure all residents' voices are heard in local governance.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has outlined three key priorities for Michigan's future: attracting an advanced chip manufacturing plant, implementing long-term road infrastructure solutions, and improving literacy rates among children. Despite progress in education funding and graduation rates, the Governor expressed concern that only 24% of Michigan fourth graders can read proficiently. Whitmer emphasized that while her Rebuilding Michigan bond plan has improved state roads and bridges, a permanent solution for local roads is still needed. The Governor is advocating for a semiconductor fabrication facility ("fab") in Michigan that would create thousands of jobs and position the state at the forefront of technology development.

Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who was beaten to death in 1982 by auto workers in a racially motivated hate crime, was honored on Monday with a street sign on Peterboro Street in Detroit. Local lawmakers and Asian American leaders gathered for the unveiling ceremony, acknowledging how Chin's death sparked an Asian American civil rights movement. The City Council had to amend its symbolic street name ordinance to allow Chin, who lived in Highland Park, to be recognized in this way. The ceremony highlighted the historical significance of the area as Detroit's second Chinatown and coincides with upcoming revitalization efforts for the block.

Detroit's 67th annual Ford Fireworks show was marred by a shooting incident that injured two people near Spirit Plaza and Hart Plaza. Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison reported that the non-life-threatening injuries to a juvenile male and female in their 20s resulted from a fight that broke out about a block away from the festivities. The city's policy of closing riverfront parks during the fireworks for safety reasons has sparked debate among residents about whether these closures effectively enhance public safety. Despite the incident, police reported no other serious injuries during the event, and many attendees enjoyed viewing the fireworks from alternative locations including the Detroit People Mover.

Virgil Clark Smith, a 79-year-old former Michigan lawmaker and judge, died on June 23, 2024, from kidney failure after a long battle with COPD. During his distinguished career spanning over two decades in the Michigan legislature, Smith made history as the first Black minority floor leader in the Michigan Senate while spearheading significant court reforms and the reorganization of Detroit Public Schools. Following his legislative service, he worked as chief of staff for Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Duggan before being appointed to the 3rd Circuit Court by Governor Jennifer Granholm, where he became the first Black chief judge during his 14-year tenure. Outside his professional accomplishments, Smith enjoyed recreational activities including riding motor scooters and kayaking on the Detroit River.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and pro-Palestinian activist, has been released on bail after 104 days in detention as the Trump administration attempts to deport him for activism they claim is "detrimental to American foreign policy interests." Judge Michael Farbiarz ruled that Khalil was neither a flight risk nor a threat to his community, stating the government's justification for detention was likely unconstitutional and suggesting there had been an effort to punish Khalil for his protests. Upon release, Khalil expressed eagerness to reunite with his wife and infant son, who was born during his detention, while criticizing his targeting for protesting against military actions in Gaza. The White House maintains they expect to win on appeal and still intends to remove Khalil from the United States.

The Morehouse Alumni Association Detroit Chapter hosted its inaugural president's reception to honor outgoing president Dr. David Thomas and welcome incoming president Dr. F. DuBois Bowman. The event served as a fundraiser for the historically Black college and included the presentation of a $12,000 Michigan Morehouse scholarship in honor of William "Bill" McGill. During Thomas's seven-year tenure, Morehouse transitioned from a $5 million structural deficit to raising $350 million of a declared $500 million capital campaign, funding significant campus renovations and new construction projects. Bowman, who previously served as dean of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, expressed enthusiasm about Detroit's talent pipeline to Morehouse and acknowledged the responsibility of carrying on the institution's 150-year tradition.

Detroit City Council District 5 candidates gathered at a BridgeDetroit-hosted forum to discuss their visions for reforming the Detroit Land Bank, which has faced criticism for its property management practices. Candidates including Esther Haugabook, Michael Ri'chard, Renata Miller, and others proposed various solutions ranging from restructuring the land bank to filing lawsuits against it or increasing city council control over its board appointments. The discussion highlighted concerns about favoritism toward developers, lack of transparency, and inequitable land distribution, with several candidates citing personal experiences with the land bank. This election marks the first new council person for District 5 since 2013, in an area experiencing more development than any other council district in Detroit.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger announced in Galveston, Texas that enslaved people were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II have officially proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day in Michigan, with government offices closing for the holiday. The proclamation emphasizes both celebrating Black resilience and recommitting to ongoing justice work, acknowledging that freedom requires not just recognition but policy protections. Communities across Michigan, particularly in Detroit, will mark the occasion with various cultural events including concerts, block parties, and educational programs highlighting Black history and achievement.

The City of Detroit is taking proactive measures against a dangerous heatwave by opening cooling centers across the city as temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s with an even higher heat index. Three recreation centers—Patton, Heilmann, and Northwest Activities Center—will extend their hours through Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., while other recreation centers and Detroit Public Library branches will also serve as heat relief locations during their regular hours. City officials are particularly concerned about vulnerable populations such as elderly residents, infants, those with chronic conditions, and people without air conditioning. The Detroit Health Department is urging residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, drink water frequently, wear light clothing, and monitor for signs of heat-related illness as the heatwave is expected to continue into early next week.

Detroit has implemented new security measures at the Rosa Parks and Jason Hargrove Transit Centers, including metal detectors and increased security presence since late May. Transportation advocates report some riders are being denied access to wait inside the facilities, though officials maintain centers remain open to anyone actively waiting for buses. DDOT Director Robert Cramer acknowledges these concerns while noting positive feedback about enhanced safety perceptions, and is working to improve training and communication for security personnel. The City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee has scheduled a discussion for next Monday to address these issues, which are particularly concerning as Detroit faces excessive heat with temperatures expected to reach 96 degrees.

The Henry Ford is hosting "Celebrate Juneteenth: Liberation and Legacy," a comprehensive day-long event on June 19, 2025, at Greenfield Village to honor Black American history, culture, and resilience. The celebration commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of freedom to the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Visitors can experience live music performances, historical reenactments, cooking demonstrations featuring traditional African American recipes, and shop from over 25 Black-owned businesses at the Detroit Central Market. The event also offers family activities including collaborative mural creation, music education, and culinary demonstrations, with admission being free for members or included with Greenfield Village tickets.