The excitement of the draft has truly permeated the city, bringing energy and enthusiasm that extends far beyond downtown festivities and the general passion for football. Importantly, this event has also shone a light on something less expected but deeply significant: urban agriculture. As the city celebrates new team picks and enjoys its moment in the sports spotlight, community gardens and urban farms are gaining recognition as vital elements of urban life.  It is all too common for underprivileged communities to endure substandard conditions that shouldn’t even be an issue, such as a ..read more

By Dr. Portia Lockett, Contributing Columnist   A few years ago, an exceptionally qualified individual came into my office in tears, feeling overlooked, unappreciated, overwhelmed, and consistently overworked. She had been with her company for 20 years, held several degrees, and earned numerous certifications. On paper, she was outstanding. She checked all the boxes for a great leader.   Each time she was passed over for a promotion, she received excuses that seemed to mask the real reasons for the decision. Furthermore, she often either found herself training new supervisors who wo ..read more

Among students attending four-year public colleges, Black students face the most significant hurdles in graduation rates, with only 45.9% completing their degrees within six years. This is the lowest rate among all racial and ethnic groups, highlighting a persistent gap in higher education achievement. The challenges are even more pronounced for Black men, who have an even lower completion rate at 40%. These statistics not only reflect the systemic barriers that these students face but also underscore the need for targeted support and interventions to bridge this educational divide. The dispa ..read more

By Cody Yarbrough, Contributing Writer Walking into Mama Akua’s Community House for the first time is jarring but in a good way. On the outside, it doesn’t look like much. In fact, if it wasn’t for the large pan-African sign in the front, most people would assume that it was just another old building slowly decaying in Z8ne (a local nickname for the 48208-zip code pronounced “Zone 8”). But once you step through the front door into the gathering space, your vision is bombarded with images of Black power and intellectualism. Everywhere your eyes can fall, there are depictions of Black leaders ..read more

Major upgrades to a substation servicing the Claytown, Michigan-Martin and Springwells neighborhoods, along with parts of nearby Dearborn will soon bring better electric service and reliability for nearly 7,000 DTE customers in southwest Detroit by the end of this year. DTE is investing $21 million to relocate and upgrade substation equipment, including a transition to a smart grid. This new smart grid equipment will allow DTE to monitor and control the flow of electricity at the substation remotely so issues can be identified and safely fixed more quickly. This will also help keep power ..read more

DTE’s CleanVision can help you protect the environment this Earth Day At DTE Energy, we are transforming the way we generate energy so it’s cleaner, more reliable and affordable for our customers. We’re doing everything in our power to work toward net zero carbon emissions and a more sustainable Michigan for future generations – this is our CleanVision. We can’t do this work alone, which is why we’ve developed a variety of programs that make it easy for our customers to reduce their environmental impact and make the most of their energy use. Take a look at the options below and find what work ..read more

A pillar of the DTE Energy Foundation’s giving is Arts & Culture. Through this work, the Foundation helps to create vibrant, diverse communities by focusing on artistic works that reflect the voices of the community and address racial equity and justice through arts education, public engagement works, cultural institutions and more. The DTE Foundation has been supporting and partnering with the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) since 1987, helping to bring new art exhibitions to Detroit for residents and visitors from all over to learn about and enjoy. In February, the DIA launched its exhi ..read more

Stay safe when you dig by always calling MISS DIG at 811 at least three days before you dig. State law requires it so you keep yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors safe. Plus, April is MISS Dig Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to learn more about the importance of safe digging. When MISS DIG gets your call about a digging project, they reach out to all companies who have underground utilities at or near your property site to come out and flag them for safety. Digging without knowing the location of underground utilities can result in serious injuries, service disruptions, and cos ..read more

The excitement of the NFL Draft fills the air as football fans gather at Corner Ball Park, the ultimate destination for avid enthusiasts. With anticipation and buzz all around, it’s the perfect location for anyone looking to soak up the adrenaline and energy of these unforgettable events. Check out these Official events during the Draft at The Corner Ballpark. Thursday, April 25th & Friday, April 26th  Note: Both Days Have the Exact Same Schedule   1. Youth Football Clinic Time: 3 pm-6 pm┃Outdoors in the Field & Concourse Guest Capacity: Allowed until the venue is ..read more

It’s been two years since the NFL announced that Detroit would be the host city for the 2024 NFL Draft. Now, the time has finally come, and from Thursday to Saturday, Detroit is set to welcome football fans from all over America. Embracing the spirit of Archie Eversole’s anthem, Detroit embodies the rallying cry, “We ready, we ready, for y’all.” The heart of the action will stretch from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Additional festivities will expand into Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, Harmonie Park, and along the iconic Woodward Avenue. The primary draft st ..read more