Detroit City Charter Commission

The commission will have up to three years to revise the charter, a process governed by state law, though the group can set a shorter timeline. The commission will receive city funding and can hire a staff to assist in the process.


Here are bio's for a few of the candidates:

Kenneth L. Harris

Kenneth L. Harris is known for his maverick-style in his approach to altering societal and economic challenges within his community. An avid reader and socially-conscious individual, Kenneth has always been passionate about helping African-Americans and other minorities realize their dreams, most importantly through entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. He found it necessary to bridge the gap between minority-owned businesses throughout the region and founded the International Detroit Black Expo, Incorporated (IDBE) on May 24, 2004.

- Apostle, n. def. – a pioneer of any reform movement-
Born and raised in the City of Detroit, Kenneth L. Harris is the Founder, President and CEO of the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc., an economic empowerment agent for African-American businesses in the State of Michigan. Over the last few years, the nonprofit organization has grown exponentially to more than 7,500 African-American business members across the State of Michigan providing a stronghold in the community.

It is his affable demeanor, charisma, motivating spirit coupled with business savvy and his continuous remembrance of his ancestors’ struggle that has given Mr. Harris the wings to successfully improve the culture of entrepreneurship in Metro Detroit and throughout the country. His most significant organizational success to date is the fruition of the Detroit Black Expo, a three-day marketplace exposition for Metro Detroit families and business community held June 5-7, 2009 at the Cobo Convention Center in Detroit that attracted more than 100,000 attendees in a two year period and 1,000 national exhibits.

Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments at the young age of 35, such as the first African-American Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University. Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist for St. John Community Health and is currently the first African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council, Inc.

Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the United Negro College Fund, the First Independence Bank Community Development Corporation and the NAACP – Detroit Branch Economic Empowerment Committee Chairperson. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.

Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 2007 Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, inducted into Crain’s Detroit Business Class of 2007 40 under 40 and Who’s Who in Black Detroit Most Influential. Kenneth was most recently honored by the Michigan Women’s Marketplace & CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year. Kenneth also received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc. Kenneth, has been recently awarded as the 2009 WWJ 950 Emerging Leader of the Year for Black History Month.

Kenneth graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently Educational Specialist Degree Candidate at Wayne State University and has received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit’s Lewis College of Business in 2008.

Tonya Myers-Phillips

Tonya Phillips, Esq. is an attorney with a passion for using her legal talent to improve her community. She is a small business owner, founding Vision Legal Services P.L.L.C. in 2004 to represent small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. Ms. Phillips provides legal services to a number of institutions including ShoreBank Enterprises, the Detroit Association of
Black Organizations, and the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute. Ms. Phillips regularly sits on small business and community panels to share her expertise with the community.

Ms. Phillips has experience working with municipal law and the Charter in particular.
She worked with the Detroit City Council and its Special Counsel William Goodman to analyze and interpret the Council's removal and forfeiture powers under the Detroit City Charter. Ms. Phillips also worked with a the Guild Law Center and the Detroit City Council to strengthen the investigatory and enforcement provisions of the Detroit Living Wage Ordinance which mandates workers be paid a "living wage" for the services on high-value city contracts.

Tonya Phillips was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Ms. Phillips attended Detroit Public Schools and graduated with honors from Renaissance High School. Ms. Phillips received her bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Michigan. She also went on to attend and receive her law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Phillips was honored with the Distinguished Young Lawyer Award in 2006 from the Wolverine Bar Association.

Ms. Phillips currently serves as the Secretary of the Wolverine Bar Association, and sits on the Board of Directors for Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, the Village Gardeners, and People Actively Taking Chance to Help Educate Society (P.A.T.C.H.E.S. Inc.) and is a member of the Detroit Branch NAACP.

Rose Mary C. Robinson

· Attorney at law for over 35 years
· Resident of Detroit for over 45 years
· Mother of six children
· Democratic Wayne County Commissioner from 1970 to 1982
· Delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention
· Graduate of Wayne State University Law School
· Volunteer, Coalition for Equal Opportunity, 2003 - 2006
· Elected Democratic Precinct Delegate in 2006 and 2008
· Former member of Local 705 Hotel Restaurant Workers Union


Endorsed by Congressman John Conyers, the Metro Detroit AFL-CIO, the Teamsters, AFSCME, UFCW 876, UNITE HERE, MUSLIM PAC, the Michigan Spanish Speaking Democrats and a growing number of organizations.

Michael Jackson Dies After Cardiac Arrest

King of Pop, 50, Was Scheduled to Kick Off Comeback Series of Concerts in July

By SHEILA MARIKAR and LUCHINA FISHER
June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson, one the best-selling and most controversial recording artists of all time, died Thursday, ABC News has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to Jackson's residence at 12:26 p.m. P.T., according to the Los Angeles Times. The paper reported that paramedics performed CPR on Jackson, who was not breathing when they arrived at his home. He was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, just six miles from his home.

Watch "The Life and Death of Michael Jackson" on a special edition of "20/20" TONIGHT at 9 p.m. ET.

Jackson's death came less than a month before the start of a scheduled series of so-called comeback concerts. From July 13 to March 6, 2010, Jackson was scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts at London's O2 Arena.
During a news conference at London's O2 Arena in March, Jackson assured about 2,000 fans -- some who applied for tickets to hear his announcement, others who walked in off the street -- that come July, he would be giving his "final curtain call."

"I just want to say that these will be my final show performances in London," he said to the screaming crowd. "This will be it. When I say this is it, this will be it."
Looking fit and heavily made up, his straightened black hair a contrast to his scarlet mouth, the self-proclaimed King of Pop showed up at the news conference 90 minutes late after traveling by bus in a motorcade. Jackson appeared to soak in the crowd, who shouted his name and "I love you," by pausing several times during his very short statement. He also seemed to make a point of showing how fit he was by pumping his fist a couple times in the air.

"I love you," he said to his fans. "I really do, you have to know that. I love you so much. This is it. See you in July."
Many wondered whether Jackson was healthy enough to perform again when he announced his plans earlier this year.

Recent pictures have shown him being pushed in a wheelchair, appearing frail and gaunt and wearing a face mask while being helped across the street. In December, there were reports that Jackson was on his deathbed, suffering from a rare lung condition, which his publicist denied.
"I find it astonishing that he's physically able to do it," Stacy Brown, a former Jackson family insider who co-wrote the Jackson biography, "Michael Jackson: the Man behind the Mask," told ABCNews.com in March. "Michael will be 51 this year. This is not 'Benjamin Button.' He is not growing younger."

Brown recalled seeing Jackson's last live concert performance at Madison Square Garden in 2001 for his 30th anniversary show. Jackson buried his head in brother Jermaine's chest. Later, Brown talked to Jackson's brothers about it.

Farrah Fawcett, sex symbol and actress, dies

(CNN) -- Farrah Fawcett, the blonde-maned actress whose best-selling poster and "Charlie's Angels" stardom made her one of the most famous faces in the world, died Thursday. She was 62.

Fawcett's death was confirmed by Paul Bloch, one of her representatives at Rogers and Cowan, an entertainment public relations firm.
Fawcett, who checked into a hospital in early April, had been battling anal cancer on and off for three years.

Bloch told CNN that Ryan O'Neal, Fawcett's romantic partner since the mid-1980s, and her friend Alana Stewart were with Fawcett at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California, when she died. Gallery: The life of Farrah Fawcett »

"Although this is an extremely difficult time for her family and friends, we take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years and the knowledge that her life brought joy to so many people around the world," O'Neal said in a written statement. Read more tributes to Fawcett

O'Neal is the father of Fawcett's son, Redmond O'Neal, born in 1985. Redmond O'Neal is in an intense rehabilitation program conducted in the Los Angeles county jail, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore told CNN on Thursday.

Fawcett's son was informed on Wednesday night by a grief counselor and a chaplain that his mother's death was imminent, and a grief counselor and chaplain also told him when she died, Whitmore said.

The young man, who is currently with a chaplain, has spoken with his father, Whitmore said.
Ryan O'Neal had recently told People magazine that the sex symbol was declining.
"She stays in bed now. The doctors see that she is comfortable. Farrah is on IVs, but some of that is for nourishment. The treatment has pretty much ended," he said in a story posted May 7.
Fawcett's cancer journey has been documented in a television special partly shot by the actress. Fawcett began shooting "Farrah's Story," by taking a camera to a doctor's appointment. Eventually, the film expanded to include trips overseas in hopes of treating the cancer. Watch a clip from "Farrah's Story" »

The documentary aired on NBC on May 15. Watch Ryan O'Neal talk about why she did the documentary »
Fawcett's beauty -- her gleaming smile was printed on millions of posters -- initially made her famous. But she later established herself as a serious actress. She starred as a battered wife in the 1984 TV movie "The Burning Bed." She appeared on stage as a woman who extracts vengeance from a would-be rapist in William Mastrosimone's play "Extremities." Watch Fawcett accept her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame »

She reprised the "Extremities" role on film in 1986. Other Fawcett films include "Logan's Run" (1976), "Saturn 3" (1980), "The Cannonball Run" (1981), "The Apostle" (1997) and the Robert Altman-directed "Dr. T and the Women" (2000).

To many, Fawcett will always be best known for her red-swimsuited image on the pinup poster, which sold a reputed 12 million copies after its release in 1976. iReport: Share your memories of Farrah Fawcett

Fawcett was a model best known for bit parts, commercials and as "Six Million Dollar Man" actor Lee Majors' wife when she shot the poster in early 1976 at the behest of Pro Arts, a Cleveland, Ohio, company.

Photographer Bruce McBroom placed Fawcett -- then known as Farrah Fawcett-Majors -- in the Indian blanket-draped front seat of his 1937 Chevy and snapped away. Fawcett did her own hair -- a long, tousled cascade of blonde locks -- picked out the red bathing suit and chose the frame later used for the poster, according to a story in the Toronto Star.

The poster, with Fawcett's million-dollar smile front and center, became a sensation.
Soon after the photo shoot, Fawcett was asked to join the cast of a new Aaron Spelling TV show, "Charlie's Angels," about a trio of female detectives who work for a mysterious man named Charlie, whose only appearance in the show was through his voice (supplied by John Forsythe). Watch Fawcett talk about why she left "Angels" »

Fawcett, who played Jill Munroe, was the last to be cast. Co-star Kate Jackson was the known name at the time, but thanks to her poster, Fawcett became the breakout star.
The highly rated TV series kicked off what came to be known as "jiggle TV," series full of pretty actresses who appeared in bikinis at the drop of a hat.

"Denunciations of 'massage parlor television' and 'voyeurism' only brought more viewers to the screen, to see what the controversy was about," wrote Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh about "Charlie's Angels" in their indispensable reference, "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows."

ABC's "Three's Company" and CBS's "The American Girls" were among the shows that immediately followed, and shows such as "Baywatch" owe "Charlie's Angels" a debt.
But Fawcett didn't stay with "Angels" long. At the end of the first season, unhappy with her contract, she left the show and was replaced by Cheryl Ladd.

Fawcett's career stagnated for a time after "Charlie's Angels." She appeared in a handful of forgettable films and divorced Majors. But her career received a major boost with her starring role in "The Burning Bed," a 1984 TV movie co-starring Paul Le Mat. Fawcett played an abused wife who sets fire to her husband's bed as he lies sleeping. Fawcett received an Emmy nomination for her performance. Fawcett also became romantically involved with O'Neal around this time. The pair had a son, Redmond, in 1985.

In recent years, Fawcett has appeared sporadically in the public eye. She posed nude for Playboy in 1995. In 1997, she appeared on "The Late Show with David Letterman," an interview that became notorious for Fawcett's apparent incoherence. She later said she was just having fun with Letterman.

She reunited with her "Charlie's Angels" co-stars, Jackson and Jaclyn Smith, for an awards show in 2006.

Fawcett was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1947. She married Majors in 1973; they divorced nine years later.

RECESSION RESOURCES

In Response to the serious and real economic situation in southeast Michigan...

Metro Net (a Consortium of 8 public libraries in southeast Michigan) have come up with the following ways to help Job Seekers:

-Created a website www.metronet.lib.mi.us/toughtimes that provides valuable recession resources
-A brochure (available at the libraries) that contains the valuable recession information
-Library Programs that are designed to help people to cope with job loss and to regroup and start a job search

-----The libraries that form this Consortium are listed on the website and in the brochure------

Job Posting

Alternatives for Girls is hiring for the following positions. Please click the link for more info and instructions on how to apply for the position.

Facilities Coordinatorhttp://www.parnossa/ hworksdetroit. org/job_search/ version4/ Job_detail_ action.cfm? id=1259

Temporary June 30- August 7th 2009 Summer Program Asst.http://www.parnossa/ hworksdetroit. org/job_search/ version4/ Job_detail_ action.cfm? id=1234

Youth Leadership Coordinatorhttp://www.parnossa/ hworksdetroit. org/job_search/ version4/ Job_detail_ action.cfm? id=1236

Case Planner Position 32 hourshttp://www.parnossa/ hworksdetroit. org/job_search/ version4/ Job_detail_ action.cfm? id=1221

Mentor Coordinatorhttp://www.parnossa/ hworksdetroit. org/job_search/ version4/ Job_detail_ action.cfm? id=1225

LaToya R. Billingsley, MSMSupervisorE. 8 Mile Customer Officebillingsleyl@dteenergy.com313-596-4145 (Office)313-220-8561 (Cell)313-280-0251 (Pager)

12th Congressional District News

Congressman Sandy Levin, Representing the 12th Congressional District of Michigan*The Congressional Connector **Week of June 22 - 26, 2009**House Committees Unveil 1st Draft Health Care Reform Bill*On June 19, the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Labor Committees released a discussion draft of the House of Representatives' health care reform bill. The proposal builds on the current employer-based insurance system, while reducing costs overall and providing additional options to people who don't have access to or can't afford insurance today. The bill prohibits insurance companies from denying or limiting care based on pre-existing conditions, and requires companies to cover all costs above a given level to end bankruptcies due to health costs. It also creates a public health insurance option that anyone could join by paying a premium based on income.

To read a summary of the health care bill, click here http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/publications/DraftHealthCareReform-12ReformHelpFamilies.pdf.

As a member of one of the House committees that produced the draft bill, Rep. Levin said, "If you like your current health plan, you will be able to keep it. But it is clear that our nation wants us to fix what's not working by reducing costs, increasing prevention, improving quality, and covering uninsured Americans. The discussion draft contains considerable detail in order to stimulate the fullest possible input from the public and all interested parties. We will accelerate the efforts to date to improve upon and resolve all key aspects of reform, including changes in the payment structure aimed at reducing costs while enhancing quality and coordination."*Michigan Lawmakers Urge GM to Make New Vehicles in Michigan*On June 17, the Michigan congressional delegation wrote to GM President Fritz Henderson to urge GM to locate its new small car assembly plant in Orion Township. The letter read, in part: "As you engage in the process of determining which facility will assemble these new small cars, we want to emphasize how strongly we feel that Orion Assembly represents the best business choice for GM...."

To read the letter in full, click here http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mi12_levin/morenews/LT061709.shtml.

*New Report Details Threats Posed by Global Warming*A new report compiled by 13 U.S. scientific agencies provides a detailed assessment of the current and anticipated U.S. impacts of climate change. Among the report's key findings: Global warming is unequivocal and primarily human-induced. Climate changes are already underway in the U.S. and are projected to grow. Climate change will stress water resources and pose challenges for crop and livestock production.

For more information and to read the report, click here http://www.globalchange.gov/publications/reports/scientific-assessments/us-impacts.

The report also includes an assessment of the climate impacts for Midwestern states, including Michigan. The assessment reads, in part: "During the summer, public health and quality of life, especially in cities, will be negatively affected by increasing heat waves, reduced air quality, and insect and waterborne diseases.... Significant reductions in Great Lakes water levels, which are projected under higher emissions scenarios, lead to impacts on shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems."

To read the section of the report dealing with the Midwest, click here http://downloads.globalchange.gov/usimpacts/pdfs/midwest.pdf.

*Rep. Levin to Hold Community Resource Fair*On June 30, between 2:00 and 8:00 p.m., Rep. Levin will hold the first in a series of Community Resource Fairs in the 12th District. The first fair will be held for residents of Hazel Park at the Hazel Park Junior High School. Experts will be on hand to provide mortgage assistance, career counseling, local job training resources, and home weatherization opportunities. If you know someone who might be interested in attending, please have them call 248-968-2025 for more information.

Living with MS

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) was once a phrase that few knew of and even fewer could pronounce. That isn't the case anymore. The fact is, over 250,000 Americans are living with this debilitating disease. MS is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It creates lesions on the brain and may cause problems with vision, strength, coordination, speech, bladder control, sensation, the eyes, brain, or spinal cord. Although there are documented cases of children with MS, most of its victims are diagnosed between the ages of twenty and forty.

Imagine for a moment, living with the chilling possibility of knowing that tomorrow you may go blind, loose the ability to walk, control your bowels, or have to live in tremendous pain caused by spasms. Doctors and researchers do not know how the disease develops or why, survivors only know they have to live with it. During the nineties, there were many celebrity faces in the news featuring people who had been diagnosed with MS. But, what television does not always convey is the plight of ordinary people who have to live with its challenges. They are the ones who cannot afford the expensive tests or medical burdens. Each day, living without the proper medical assistance, they are not able to afford the aid of nurses or caregivers. Being prone to loss of balance, they are apt to fall out of bed or down stairs and at times, have no one around to pick them up. Family members and loved ones, if they are kind enough to do so, are then put in the position of having to carry the physical burden of the infirmed unless the disease goes into remission.

For them, the possibility of remission is the best comfort, because medical science has not found a cure. They have discovered medical treatments that can slow down the process or ease some of the pain, but even that has consequences. For every pill taken, they still know that there are side effects, so it is really just about weighing your options.

Francine of Michigan, was diagnosed with this disease in 1986. "I had to quit working because with the MS I couldn't handle stress real well,” she explained. “It gave me extreme bladder problems so I had to go on bladder medication. I can't be as independent as I'm used to being and it has caused severe depression for me."

Ann another MS patient born and raised in Michigan was diagnosed in 1999.

She describes the diagnosis as being a tragic experience. "Well, it was shocking,” she recalled, “it was very shocking. I was numb because I was coping with my daughter just being diagnosed. I think I was in denial, even though the test, the MRI, showed it and it showed I had lesions on my brain, I couldn't believe it. But, I just believe in God for healing. But, it did put things in perspective. The numbness, the headaches, the forgetfulness; I was starting to think I had a brain tumor for a while. Then the odds of a mother and daughter being diagnosed with the same disease in the same year, that in itself is unusual. That was mind boggling in itself."

She suggests to newly diagnosed patients, "Take one day at a time so it won't over whelm you, and don't look at long term because a cure could come any day, don't give up and never loose hope."

To Commit or Not Commit

True commitment is a partnership and business
Many individuals are not ready to make the sacrifices necessary to commit to another person. They do not see benefits in losing their solitariness and do not want to put energy into ironing out the kinks during courtship.

They do not realize the fulfilment in sharing a peaceful union.

True commitment is a partnership and business. Two people combined should have each other's backs spiritually, financially, emotionally and when possible, professionally. From a spiritual aspect, they should keep each other covered in prayer and be equally yoked. On all levels if they have each other's back, it's like two soldiers in the jungle who sit back to back. Each can only see a 180-degree radius at a time but when back to back 360 degrees are now covered. They have created a circle of protection. With two mature partners bringing their gifts to the table, more will be attained, including generational wealth.

Today people give up on relationships over pettiness, the desire for something new or just the fact that for the past week they feel like they're missing something that the other person isn't fulfilling. Then months or years later, they realize it was a mistake to let that person go. We all go through individual growing processes that alter the makeup of a relationship and we need to learn to get back on the same page instead of giving up on each other.

The key is that we each do our part.

A relationship may bring on new responsibilities and challenges, but so does a promotion, career change, move to a new city or whatever you do in life once you are going to the next level. We just have to be mature enough and open enough to handle these changes. Relationships are hard but if it is the person God has for you, then it will all be worth it.

Detroit City Council Candidates

With so many candidates to choose from, 167 to be exact, how do we know who to choose? Below are bios from a few of our respected candidates:

RAPHAEL B. JOHNSON
http://www.raphaelbjohnson4citycouncil.com/

Raphael Bernard Johnson was born January 1, 1975 and raised in the City of Detroit. He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School for 3 1/2 years and graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1993. Raphael is a 2007 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy earning his B.A. degree in Legal Administration. He also holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from his alma mater. Raphael completed an internship at the 3rd Circuit Court as a Law Clerk for the Hon. Daphne Means Curtis.
Raphael is the owner and CEO of Total Package Lifestyle, LLC which operates nationally as a provider of professional speaking, enrichment courses/workshops, publishing and fitness training.

He is currently into his second season as a Day-Time TV Personality for The Maury Show. Raphael is the national winner of Steve Harvey's Best Community Leader Hoodie Award where he received a brand new 2009 Ford Flex truck for his services in the communities. He is a member of Legacy Associates Foundation where he serves as Chairman of Community Involvement www.legacyassociates.org He is also a member of the Detroit Parent Network. Raphael has authored three books. His autobiography, "To Pose A Threat: My Rite of Passage", is gaining high acclaims. He received the Detroit Special Celebration Mayoral Award. Raphael also received the Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution Award for his published work. In addition, his book was inducted into the African American Literature Special Collection at Wayne State University in 2007.

Raphael is a health and fitness trainer (some modeling) and has been a consultant for Detroit Cable Communications Commission (Channel 10 Movement for Life). Raphael is also a CRE (Conflict Resolution Education) Facilitator where he services all students throughout several school districts in the area of anger management, peer mediation and cognitive restructuring.

Raphael has been interviewed by several radio and television stations. African American Family magazine profiled Raphael in its April 2006 edition. Raphael was presented with the Spirit of Detroit Award by the Detroit City Council for his services. He received the 2007 Entrepreneurial of the Year Award by the Detroit Workforce Development Department. He received the 2008 Asanti Sana Award from the Detroit Inner City Sub Center. Raphael is supported by several U.S. Congresspersons, State Representatives, lawyers nationwide, university and college Presidents, school Principals, Superintendents, clergymen and community leaders. A complete list of all references is readily available upon request.

JAMES TATE
http://www.jamestatefordetroit.com/

James Edward Tate, Jr. is a gifted leader who is sensitive to the needs of people. Born and raised in Detroit, and nurtured in the loving care of his parents, he knows and represents the fabric of Detroit and its citizens. Realizing education was his passage for shaping the kind of life he envisioned, he attended Wayne State University while serving as an intern with WXYZ’s Channel 7 Action News. He then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with concentrations in Radio and Television. This accomplishment served as the foundation for his extensive career in media, public and community relations, and communications.

Upon graduating from Wayne State, he earned a promotion and began his new role as a Production Assistant with Channel 7. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Tate was promptly promoted to Assignment Desk Editor where he simultaneously monitored local police, fire and emergency medical response scanners that covered Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties all while dispatching reporters to various assigned stories.

Since that time, Mr. Tate has held increasingly more responsible and visible positions that included, Traffic Reporter and Communications Coordinator for the City of Detroit. As Communications Coordinator for the city, he monitored local and high profile events involving Detroit. He has also coordinated numerous press conferences and served as a liaison between the media and various city service departments.

Most recently, Mr. Tate held the position of 2nd Deputy Chief within the Detroit Police Department (DPD). As Commanding Officer of the Office of Public Information, his main objective was to develop working and sustainable relationships between citizens, media outlets and the DPD. Known for going beyond the call of duty while working in the community, he made providing useful information to Detroit families and media sources a top priority. He is credited by DPD leadership as well as state and city officials with working extensively to create various avenues where citizens could communicate their concerns.

Mr. Tate believes information is power and blends a full knowledge of public safety and law enforcement policy issues. Some of his key accomplishments include developing a mentoring program at the DPD where off-duty officers volunteered their time with at-risk youth, conducting several hundred live and recorded interviews with local, network cable and international media outlets on a number of law enforcement related matters. He also directed all local and federal law enforcement communications as the Lead Public Information Officer during the National Football League’s Super Bowl in 2006 as well as 2005’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Additionally, Mr. Tate organized and moderated numerous town hall meetings for the DPD and worked side by side with law enforcement officials and community leaders in developing creative initiatives that address public safety.

Understanding the importance of community development and interaction, his professional and civic affiliations include active memberships with the North Rosedale Park Civic and Wayne State University Alumni Associations. He also mentors youth within his neighborhood and in 2008 organized weekly scheduled meetings with neighborhood teens which focused on personal development, employment opportunities and educational attainment. Mr. Tate also served as a volunteer for several clean-up efforts and neighborhood patrols throughout the city.

Mr. Tate’s exemplary management, organizational and leadership skills will restore and re-spirit the City of Detroit. His commitment to personal and public ethics is displayed through his decision to unite the citizens and run for Detroit City Council. He has devoted his life and mission to serving, empowering and motivating others while working collectively to allocate resources and creating safe environments for all to enjoy.

With the citizen’s vote of confidence, he will work to restore integrity, professionalism and sensitivity on issues brought before the Detroit City Council. His years of experience working with families, promoting pubic safety and developing key business relationships will usher in balance and order to the city’s legislative body of government and work towards making Detroit a world class city once again.

Mr. Tate and his wife, Nutrena, reside within the city of Detroit.

KARINDA L. WASHINGTON
http://www.karindawashington.com/

Karinda L. Washington is a native of the city of Detroit and an Alumna of Eastern Michigan University (EMU), where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in 2001, and is currently a graduate student in the Department of Communication at Wayne State University. Washington serves a Commissioner of the newly established City of Detroit Charter Commission.
Upon accepting her call to ministry at the age of 21, she began Soul Searching Ministries, a campus and community outreach ministry. To date, she has traveled throughout the United States ministering to over 3000 men and women, holds a weekly bible study on Yahoo!, which reaches hundreds of families from various countries to include, Africa, India, Iraq, South America, and of course, the United States, and as the founder, of Revival on the Block, a rotating street ministry, was able to gain sponsorship from local secular businesses to assist in reaching families to Christ.

She is also the CEO of BOTS Entertainment, a company that produces talent showcases and community events throughout the city of Detroit, and other urban areas around the country. BOTS has gained support from various corporations, including the Detroit Pistons, Globe Trekker TV, Radio One, Rolling Out Magazine, Marshall Field’s-Fairlane, Pure Detroit, and many more. The company is also leading the effort to restore the Jerome H. Remick Music Shell, commonly called the Band Shell at Belle Isle.

After being endorsed by the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Teamsters Union, and a host of other community organizations and leaders, Ms. Washington’s bid for a city of Detroit City Council seat ended on August 2, 2005, with 5, 680 votes. Although it was her first time attempting a position in public office, she remains determined and motivated to continue the work of restoring the City to the great metropolis it once was and is destined to be. To this end, she is a 2009 candidate for Detroit city Council and also a member of the Young Adults Reclaiming Detroit Task Force, a city of Detroit effort lead by Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, one of Detroit’s more progressive political leaders.

In February of 2008, Washington, co-coordinated the first Pay It Forward Tour from the Detroit Metropolitan Area, uniting African and Arab American High School students on a four state community service road trip. She also serves as Vice-President and Chair of the Scholarship Committee for the Eastern Michigan University Black Alumni Chapter.

For her dedication to community service, she has been awarded various awards to include: EMU Young Distinguished Alumna of the Year, Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award, Gold Medallion Student Employee of the Year, Leader and Programmer of the Year, Black Faculty Alumni Association Footprints Award, V-98.7 Acts of Kindness Award and many more.

June 21, 2009 Jobs and Events

“Life seems to me like a Japanese picture which our imagination does not allow to end with the margin”-Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

City of Detroit Coleman A Young Municipal Center Rm 106 2 Woodward Ave; Detroit-Tree Artisan @13.65/hr
Jacobson 800 Central St; Wyandotte-Material Handlers
West River Farmington Theater 30710 Grand River; Farmington Hills-Janitorial @ 9/hr
Domino’s-Delivery Specialist 313 655 4439
Bloomfield Hills School District 4175 Andover; Bloomfield Hills-Cook @ 10.87/hr
13965 Linwood; Detroit-CENA (all shifts apply 10-3pm on 6/22/09)
Baker College 34950 Little Mack; Clinton Township-Admin. Asst.
51340 Celeste; Shelby Township-Machine Operators, Mold Setters
Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society 13569 Joseph Campau; Detroit-Driver
Heartland of Troy 925 South Blvd; Troy-Receptionist 248 729 4400
Charter Township of Redford 15145 Beech Daly; Redford-Bus Driver (pt)@10.50 Cheryl Melcher-contact
West Oaks Senior Care 22355 W. 8 Mile; Detroit –Cook 313 255 6450 ext.117-Tom Able

Events:
6/25 Health and Wellness Fair Campus Martius Park; Detroit 10-4pm 313 717 7651
7/8 Metro Detroit Youth Day Belle Isle 8-2:30pm
6/26 Family Fun Night Detroit Waldorf School 2555 Burns; Detroit 7pm 313 822 0300
6/24 State Rep Kim Meltzer Job Hunting Seminar St. Peter Lutheran 17051 Twenty Four Mile Rd; Macomb 6:30-8:30pm 586 781 3434
Regional Transit Forums
6/23/09 Ferndale Community Center 1201 Livernois; Ferndale
6/30/09 Wayne State Student Center Theater; Detroit
7/7/09 Arab American National Museum 13624 Michigan Ave; Dearborn
7/9/09 Roseville Recreation Center 18185 Sycamore; Roseville
7/13/09 Covert Center Woodland Rm 1150 Scott Lake Rd; Waterford
* all meetings are slated to begin at 7pm