Michigan news

Stormie Anderson, a registered nurse and certified health coach, has launched Stormie Lynn's Weight Loss Supplements as an affordable alternative to expensive medical weight loss injections. The FDA-approved vitamin system includes a morning Fat Burner, Multivitamin Gummies, and evening Detox Supplements containing natural ingredients designed to support metabolism, energy, and gentle detoxification. Anderson developed this solution after witnessing health disparities, including the fact that obesity affects nearly 50% of Black women in the U.S. and is linked to serious health conditions that disproportionately impact this group. During a 21-day trial with 103 participants, the supplements combined with meal plans and light exercise resulted in an average weight loss of 20 pounds per person, demonstrating the product's effectiveness as a more accessible option than traditional treatments that can cost $400-$1,000 monthly without insurance.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is hosting the 88th Annual Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Student Art Exhibition from April 18 through May 25, displaying 232 student artworks from 38 DPSCD schools both on-site and online. This exhibition represents the longest-standing collaboration between the DIA and an educational institution, showcasing K-12 student creations across diverse media including paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, photography, jewelry, and video. DIA Director Salvador Salort-Pons emphasized the exhibition's role in demonstrating their commitment to arts education, while DPSCD Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti highlighted the prestigious opportunity it provides for student artists and the district's commitment to enhancing education. Admission to the DIA is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

The NBA is bringing its "Road Trip to the Trophy" tour to Detroit's Grand Circus Park on April 19, coinciding with the Detroit Pistons' return to the playoffs against the New York Knicks. This family-friendly event will offer fans interactive activities including photo opportunities with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, custom NBA tattoos, and the chance to create playoff bracket predictions. The celebration will feature appearances by Pistons Legends, the Pistons Dancers, mascot Hooper, and the Extreme Team, along with freebies such as complimentary ice cream and cotton candy. This marks the Pistons' first playoff appearance since 2019, with the game scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN at Madison Square Garden.

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., the discussion covered racial disparities in banking, institutional attacks in Washington D.C., manufacturing changes, and the vulnerability of the nonprofit sector, which employs 10% of Michigan's workforce with 90% of nonprofits relying on federal funding. The forum emphasized that Detroit must protect its built systems and community voices rather than waiting for federal solutions.

Campus Martius Park in Detroit has been named the No. 1 Public Square in America for the third consecutive year by USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) and the City of Detroit have transformed this historic space at the intersection of Woodward and Michigan Avenues into a vibrant community hub that draws more than 4.5 million visitors annually. The park hosts over 1,200 free events each year and has become a model for urban reinvention that prioritizes community needs while earning numerous national accolades. This recognition highlights Detroit's approach to urban development that centers inclusion and cultural relevance rather than gentrification, making Campus Martius Park not just a physical space but what DDP's chief public spaces officer David Cowan describes as "the soul of the city."

The Bank of America and The Michigan Chronicle are presenting a two-part experience in Detroit this April for changemakers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders focused on ambition, unity, and generational wealth. The first event, "Bridging Ambition and Wealth: A Networking Experience for Legacy Builders," will be held on April 23, 2025, at Michigan Central Station featuring keynote speaker Mark Wilson, an award-winning entrepreneur and author of "The Remarkable Power of Us." Following this, attendees can participate in "From Capital to Legacy: Unlocking Generational Success," a workshop on April 25, 2025, at the New Lab at Michigan Central Station offering tactical insights on accessing capital, sustainable growth strategies, and building generational wealth. The workshops will include expert-led sessions on business succession strategies, real estate investments, and long-term financial planning, with private consultations available at the Bank of America Lounge.

The Detroit City Council has unanimously approved transferring a 0.58-acre sacred burial mound at Historic Fort Wayne to the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) for $1. The mound, dating back to 750 A.D., was once part of the larger Springwells Mound Group consisting of approximately 20 earthworks along a riverside bluff, predating Detroit's founding as a French settlement in 1701. Tribal Chairperson Dorie Rios described the transfer as "the beginning of a renewed era of collaboration" between the tribe and Detroit, emphasizing their goal to protect and preserve the mound where their ancestors are buried. The action represents an attempt to rectify historical wrongs, as many of the original mounds were destroyed during archaeological excavations that removed human remains and artifacts, with the NHBP having previously reclaimed and reburied ancestral remains from the mound group in 2014.

The Michigan Chronicle's Pancakes & Politics forum, now in its 20th year, will host its second session of the season on April 17, focusing on the impacts of federal funding reductions on Michigan communities. The forum will feature panelists Nicole Sherard-Freeman, Don Graves, David Egner, Kelly Kuhn, and Michael T. Pugh, who bring expertise from various sectors to discuss solutions to the funding crisis. As Angelique Power of The Skillman Foundation emphasized, these cuts will disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who rely on nonprofit services like after-school programs, food banks, and health centers. The forum aims to foster collaboration between public and private sectors to develop resilient strategies that address the inequitable impact of budget cuts, particularly on Black and Brown communities.

One Detroit Credit Union has named Stephanie Peoples as its new Chief Operating Officer, bringing over 20 years of financial services experience to expand access and build solutions rooted in the financial realities of Black Detroiters. Peoples joins CEO Portia Powell, the organization's first African American woman chief executive, forming a leadership team focused on strengthening outreach, innovation, and financial equity. With a background at JPMorgan Chase where she held key leadership positions including district manager and senior business consultant under the Minority Entrepreneur Program, Peoples plans to focus on operational soundness, business lending growth, and stronger community partnerships. Her leadership approach emphasizes five "People Principles": members, employees, processes, productivity, and profitability, while expanding programs that address household needs such as financial literacy and affordable financial products.

Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal is deploying autonomous wheelchairs developed by Whill Inc. through a partnership between Delta subsidiary Unifi Aviation LLC and the Wayne County Airport Authority. Starting Monday, these wheelchairs will offer passengers with limited mobility the ability to navigate independently using a control pad, equipped with safety features like collision-avoidance sensors and emergency stop buttons. The pilot program, funded by a grant from the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform, represents a step toward greater accessibility and inclusion at the airport. After completing trips, the wheelchairs automatically return to their base station near the terminal's front water feature, improving efficiency and ensuring availability for other travelers.

The Black Legacy Advancement Coalition (BLAC) is hosting a fundraising gala on May 16, 2025, at Detroit's historic Book Tower to support their Ground Up Initiative, which focuses on affordable housing, mentorship, and programming for vulnerable young adults. Since 2020, BLAC has invested over $500,000 directly into Detroit neighborhoods through various initiatives including housing projects, gardens, and wellness programs. Founded by Dexter Sullivan after losing his friend Ishmail Ali to violence in 2010, BLAC has evolved from a mentoring initiative into a coalition with over 3,000 members dedicated to empowering Black communities and building generational wealth. The gala will feature a silent auction with artwork, luxury experiences, and special presentations honoring Black History Makers, with all proceeds funding BLAC's community revitalization efforts.

The 4th Annual Ride for Equity, hosted by Black Leaders Detroit, will feature cyclists traveling 1,645 miles from Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Wall Street in New York City from May 31 to July 4, 2025. This cross-country journey aims to raise awareness and funds to close the racial capital gap and support African American entrepreneurs in their quest for economic justice. Led by CEO Dwan Dandridge, the event highlights how Black entrepreneurs and labor have historically generated wealth that has been stripped away or denied to them. Participants can join the full route or ride independently, with those raising at least $100 receiving an official jersey.

The Scarab Club, a century-old cultural landmark and artistic hub in Detroit, has appointed Donna Jackson as its new Gallery Manager, making her the first Black woman to hold this position in the club's 117-year history. Jackson, who brings over 20 years of expertise in design, project management, and cultural programming, began her tenure during the Gilda Snowden Memorial exhibition and has already created her own Souls of Black Folk exhibition to highlight Black art and artists. With a multidisciplinary educational background including studies at Western Michigan University and the College for Creative Studies, Jackson currently oversees exhibition planning, artist relations, and program development while also serving as a marketing specialist for Plymouth District Library. In her new role, Jackson states "I want Black people to feel comfortable in this space," while working closely with Executive Director Kathryn Dimond and the Exhibition Committee to shape the club's artistic vision.

Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans delivered his 10th State of the County address at Woodhaven High School, highlighting a decade of transformation under his leadership with the theme "Collaboration is the new currency." Evans emphasized how Wayne County has moved from near-bankruptcy to financial stability with ten consecutive balanced budgets and an improved credit rating. The address detailed numerous initiatives including programs to eliminate medical debt, distribute fresh produce through Eastern Market, provide financial support to expecting mothers, deliver free eyeglasses to students, and invest in infrastructure improvements. Evans also highlighted public safety achievements and emphasized the importance of countywide transit reform that will eliminate opt-out provisions by 2026, requiring all communities to participate in transit planning.

Life Support Training Institute (LSTI), operated by Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service of Michigan, Inc., has graduated a new class of ten emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to address Detroit's critical shortage of emergency medical responders. With over 500 open EMS positions in Michigan and approximately 1,500 vacancies in the Detroit metro area as of a 2024 report, LSTI is actively working to bridge this workforce gap through comprehensive training programs at their multiple locations. The institute offers an "Earn to Learn" program that provides full tuition reimbursement for students who commit to working with Superior Ambulance for one year, while also guaranteeing job placement at Superior Ambulance's Detroit station for all graduates. LSTI provides various training programs including Emergency Medical Responder (EMR), EMT, and Paramedic training, along with continuing education and specialty courses to ensure emergency medical services are equipped with skilled professionals.

First Tee Greater Detroit (FTGD) is hosting its 3rd Annual Augusta Watch Party on Saturday, April 12 at the Henry Ford Health Pistons Performance Center from 3-7 p.m. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for the organization, supporting golf programming for youth across Metro Detroit and acting as the unofficial launch of the golf season. According to CEO Carl Bentley, funds raised help bridge financial gaps for students who want to participate in FTGD programs but might not otherwise afford them. The event will feature Masters-themed food and drink, golf simulators, contests, a silent auction with golf experiences, and access to the Pistons' practice court.

Michigan’s public school children face potential disruptions in their access to free meals due to federal proposals. Currently, schools qualify for universal free meals if 25% of their students participate in federal aid programs like SNAP or TANF. However, congressional Republicans aim to raise this threshold to 60%, which could disqualify hundreds of schools, particularly in Black, brown, and rural communities. This change could impact the physical and mental health of over half a million students. Michigan currently spends $200 million annually to maintain universal meal programs, but federal cuts could strain these efforts.

The Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) has launched the #DontTouchMe movement in Detroit to address systemic failures in protecting child abuse survivors. This initiative was sparked by cases like Na’Ziyah Harris and a 12-year-old who reported misconduct by her stepfather, a police officer. The campaign demands accountability and reforms to support survivors. NSO provides same-day and next-day support for survivors and advocates for mandatory trauma-informed training for law enforcement, judges, and investigators.

Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media and Publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, was honored with the renaming of his childhood Boys & Girls Club of Highland Park in his honor following a $2 million renovation. The Hiram E. Jackson Club is the first Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to be named after an African American, marking a significant milestone in the organization's history. Jackson, who joined the club at age 6 in 1971, has maintained a five-decade relationship with the organization, progressing from member to coat checker to volunteer, board member, and eventually becoming the first Black chairman of the BGCSM board where he helped select the current president and CEO. The newly renovated facility includes state-of-the-art amenities like the Big Sean Studio, Innovation Lab, and Mental Health & Leadership Room, and is projected to generate $5 million in return on investment to families.

The Detroit City Council recently passed a $3 billion budget for 2025-26, revising roughly $36 million of Mayor Mike Duggan's initial proposal to better align with residents' needs across areas including affordable housing, youth employment, senior transit, and small business equity. This marks the 12th consecutive balanced budget since Detroit's 2014 bankruptcy exit and is Duggan's final budget as mayor, with his veto deadline set for April 11. Detroit's financial structure relies on four main revenue sources: $432 million from income tax, $292 million from casino wagering taxes, $174 million in property taxes, and $253 million in state revenue sharing. Council members negotiated through late nights to redirect funds toward core community needs, managing to reshape 2% of the General Fund and 1% of the entire budget despite only $1.58 billion being eligible for discretionary changes.

Flint City School District is facing significant financial strain after the U.S. Department of Education abruptly moved up the deadline for federal reimbursement requests tied to pandemic relief by one year, retroactively enforcing it without public warning. This decision places nearly $42 million meant for Michigan schools in jeopardy, with Flint potentially losing $1.4 million of its expected $15.6 million from the American Rescue Plan. Statewide, 27 school districts had similar contracts, with twelve expecting approximately $40 million in reimbursements under the American Rescue Plan and fifteen more anticipating $1.9 million from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The cuts threaten infrastructure projects and essential programs serving vulnerable students, particularly in communities already burdened by environmental and systemic injustice like Flint, Benton Harbor, and Pontiac.

Detroit artists Asaka The Renegade and Sam Watson recently competed in T-Pain's March Music Madness competition, with Asaka ultimately winning the contest. The competition, personally funded by Grammy-winning artist T-Pain, offered an impressive prize package including a single deal with Nappy Boy Entertainment, a feature from T-Pain, marketing support, a new car, and studio equipment. Despite facing thousands of competitors and a scandal where another contestant attempted to block Asaka from advancing through underhanded tactics, Asaka persevered and emerged victorious on April 1st. Both artists, who are signed to CM2 Entertainment, view this achievement as a significant milestone for themselves and for Detroit's music scene, with Asaka now focusing on his upcoming record with T-Pain.