michigan news

The Honorable Ulysses Whittaker Boykin, a pioneering African American judge who passed away on May 10, 2025, at age 79, left behind a profound legacy in Michigan's legal community. Born in Detroit in 1945, Judge Boykin's distinguished career included co-founding the Harvard Black Law Students Association, becoming the first African American attorney at Dickinson Wright, serving two decades on the Wayne County Circuit Court after his 1999 appointment, and dedicating himself to mentorship and community service. Throughout his career, he held numerous leadership positions in legal associations while receiving recognition including the 2016 Champion of Justice Award, all while maintaining an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others and strengthening institutions through his involvement with various boards, commissions, and his church community.

Opportunity Resource Fund, a community-based financial institution that has invested over $300 million to support underserved Michiganders, marks its 40th anniversary with a significant leadership transition. Christine Coady Narayanan, who built and led the organization for more than 35 years with a focus on economic justice and financial inclusion, is stepping down as CEO. Byna Elliott, a Detroit native with over 25 years of experience in the financial industry, will take over effective June 23, 2025, continuing OppFund's mission of providing capital to those excluded from traditional lending systems. This transition occurs at a critical time for Michigan, which faces widening racial wealth gaps and housing affordability challenges, positioning OppFund to deepen its impact under Elliott's leadership while maintaining its commitment to using finance as a tool for community empowerment.

InsideOut Literary Arts, celebrating 30 years of inspiring Detroit youth through creative expression, has partnered with City Walls Detroit to unveil a vibrant new mural on Detroit's Avenue of Fashion. The artwork, created by Detroit artist Oshun Williams with assistance from Ijania Cortez and Joe Cazeno III, is located near Livernois and 7 Mile Road on Yoshi Hibachi Grille Livernois. Founded in 1995 by Terry Blackhawk, InsideOut has served over 70,000 Detroit youth through various programs including their Writer-in-Residence Program and Citywide Poets, becoming a national model for literary arts education. The mural symbolizes InsideOut's achievements and is part of a yearlong anniversary campaign that includes poetry showcases, community workshops, and a digital archive of youth work.

Detroit's City Council was unable to proceed with its regular formal session on Tuesday when only four of nine members attended, resulting in a lack of quorum. Council President Mary Sheffield, along with Council Members Fred Durhal III, Mary Waters, and Angela Whitfield-Calloway were present, but five members were absent for various reasons including travel to professional conferences and illness. The meeting ended in less than an hour after in-person public comments, with Council operations director David Whitaker noting this was a rare occurrence that will delay council business until the next formal session. Technical issues also prevented online participants from joining public comments.

None of the 35 construction projects tracked by the city of Detroit met the local hiring requirement established by Mayor Mike Duggan's executive order, which mandates that at least 51% of the workforce on certain publicly funded projects be Detroit residents. In 2024, only 32% of construction hours were worked by Detroiters, dropping to just 14% when excluding members of local trade unions participating in Detroit's Skilled Trade Employment Program. Developers who fail to meet the requirement must pay fines, which totaled nearly $1.9 million in 2024 and support workforce training programs. Detroit faces significant challenges in developing a skilled workforce, as many residents lack the educational qualifications and transportation needed for apprenticeship programs.

President Trump held a rally in Michigan to claim his first 100 days were historically successful, highlighting efforts on immigration, jobs, and inflation. BBC Verify fact-checked several statements from his speech, finding mixed accuracy: while his claims about record-low border crossings and job creation were supported by data, his statements about gasoline prices and egg costs were false or misleading. The article also questioned the transparency of savings claimed by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), noting that only about half of the itemized savings had documented evidence, and some appeared to be overstated according to federal contract experts.

President Trump is preparing to ease the impact of his tariffs on US automakers by reducing import duties on foreign parts used in domestically manufactured vehicles while maintaining tariffs on fully imported cars. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called this a "major victory" for the administration's trade policy that rewards domestic manufacturing. The announcement comes as Trump plans to hold a rally in Michigan, home to Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis (the Detroit Three), where executives from these companies have expressed gratitude for the decision. Despite this targeted relief, Trump's broader tariff policies continue to cause market turmoil and business uncertainty.

The Motown Museum has unveiled the Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence, a 38,000-square-foot facility honoring the museum's founder and expanding its cultural mission. More than 150 guests, including Motown alumni and community leaders, attended the opening event which coincides with the museum's 40th anniversary celebrations. The new center features a first floor dedicated to Hitsville NEXT youth development programs where young creatives can collaborate and develop their talents, while the second floor houses offices for museum staff and archival research spaces. Led by Robin Terry, Edwards' granddaughter and the museum's Chairwoman and CEO, this expansion represents a significant milestone in the museum's ongoing evolution, with a larger campus expansion planned for 2026.

More than 150 pastors and clergy leaders from across Michigan, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint, endorsed Independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan at a gathering in Detroit on Monday. The endorsement highlights Duggan's cross-partisan appeal, with faith leaders citing his leadership in Detroit's revitalization, crime reduction programs like ShotStoppers, and investments in affordable housing as evidence of his capabilities. Clergy members emphasized Duggan's collaborative approach and practical solutions as qualities that could help transcend Michigan's partisan divide. Duggan's campaign has gained additional momentum through endorsements from major labor unions representing over 11,000 workers, positioning his Independent candidacy as a potentially transformative force in Michigan politics.

Donavan McKinney, a 32-year-old State Representative for Michigan's 11th House District, has launched his congressional campaign to challenge incumbent Shri Thanedar in Detroit's 13th Congressional District. McKinney, who grew up experiencing Detroit's struggles firsthand, emphasizes his working-class background in contrast to Thanedar's millionaire status and self-funded campaigns. McKinney's platform focuses on economic security, environmental justice, public education, and workers' rights, with his campaign already garnering support from numerous local leaders and the national organization Justice Democrats. The campaign highlights concerns about Thanedar's significant personal campaign funding, taxpayer-funded self-promotion, and corporate PAC contributions while positioning McKinney as an authentic representative who understands the urgent needs of the district's communities.

Bank of America partnered with The Michigan Chronicle to launch a transformative two-part experience in Detroit focused on building generational wealth in Black and under-resourced communities. The initiative included "Bridging Ambition and Wealth" at Michigan Central Station on April 23, featuring keynote speaker Mark Wilson who challenged over 200 attendees to focus on collective prosperity. This was followed by "From Capital to Legacy" on April 25, which provided workshops on business growth, capital access, and financial strategy at New Lab, offering practical tools to turn inspiration into action for building lasting economic legacies in a city where 77% of residents identify as Black or African American.

As the April 22 deadline approaches for Detroit's 2025 mayoral race candidates to submit nominating petitions, only three candidates (City Council President Mary Sheffield, Joel Haashiim, and Jonathan Barlow) have been officially certified for the August 5 primary ballot as of April 17. Former nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins and DaNetta Simpson recently submitted their signatures, while Council Member Fred Durhal III plans to submit on the deadline day, with election officials having 10 days to validate all signatures. The mayoral race is taking shape alongside City Council contests across all districts, with various candidates at different stages of the certification process, and several candidate forums scheduled in the coming months to allow voters to hear directly from those running.

The Justice League of Greater Lansing Michigan is offering ten $2,500 Reparations Scholarships for the second year, now expanded to include both graduating high school seniors and nontraditional students in Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton counties. Applicants must be descendants of enslaved African Americans (defined as individuals with three generations born in the US), begin studies at an accredited institution in fall 2025, and submit a 500-word essay about how the racial wealth gap has affected their family by May 9, 2025. The scholarships are funded primarily by reparations payments from faith-based institutions acknowledging their historical complicity in slavery, with Prince Solace, president of the Justice League, emphasizing that these scholarships represent economic justice rather than charity. The Justice League, formed in 2021, aims to address the racial wealth gap through various initiatives including education, home ownership, and entrepreneurship support.

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.