Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
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Well, it seems like the number of COVID cases are on the rise. It’s time to begin to take some of the precautions that we took during the 2020-2022 pandemic. The good thing is that we lived through it. Many of us adjusted the way that we did things during that time period. Whether it was wearing a mask, staying six feet away from the next person or staying in the house, we adjusted what we did in an effort to not get very sick and to stay alive. Early this year, the CDC announced that the C...
The newly renovated park area at the Beechwood Center was named after former River Rouge Commissioner Hezekiah McDonald Sr.. Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Commissioner Cara Clemente joined McDonald's wife and children along with Mayor William Campbell and former Mayor Michael Bowdler for the ribbon cutting on September 14, 2023....
I republished this because the timing is right to talk about reading. Reading is a must skill...Pass it on. How much time do your children spend reading in a week? Do they see you reading? I have always been a reader. My parents made sure we read books, mostly Black History books or stories, however we always were reading. I remember my teacher at Northrup Elementary school, Ms. Moore, challenging us to read a book a week. We also had competitions to see who could read the most books and since I...
I remember it was the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. I had a feeling that I couldn't shake. I felt like I had to be there. So I went. I was a new member of the Western Wayne County NAACP but we weren't providing a bus to go to Washington DC. So after a little research, I connected with the NAACP branch out of the Southfield area and made my plans to go DC. I didn't know anyone in the branch, just a name, a phone number and a location to meet. So on the day to leave, Keith dropped...
For those of you that know me, you know I have a thing about The Black National Anthem' – Lift Every Voice and Sing. Lift Every Voice and Sing was written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) and then set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873-1954) in 1899. It was first performed in public in the Johnsons' hometown of Jacksonville, Florida as part of a celebration of Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, 1900 by a choir of 500 schoolchildren at the segregated Sta...
Aley Haley, writer of the acclaimed book, ‘Roots’, lived by six words, "Find the good and praise it." Each week, the Telegram Newspaper strives to share information about the good people are doing while reporting on positive stories that are happening in our communities and sharing information that will help our readers improve the lives of their families. Our goal is to continue to increase the number of people reading these stories each week. We are growing and expanding, as we prepare to cel...
Well, it is Father's Day and many people will take this Sunday to celebrate their Dad. I have the type of father that you don't just want to celebrate on one day. I celebrate with my Dad every chance I get. He is 85 years old and he is in better health than most people who are 20 years his age. Although he had a bout with Prostate Cancer, he has come through with flying colors. He is an example of strength. He has fought back and is back to his 80 year old self. We go everywhere together. I...
This week marks my 17th Anniversary as owner of the Telegram Newspaper. Whew!! What an accomplishment for me and my family! I am excited about this milestone. Who would have thought that after changing careers from being an engineer to being a publisher over 17 years ago I would still be enjoying my career. Now that Covid is over, its time to take the Telegram to another level. I hope you are with me. I thank God for his continued Favor as I stepped out on being an entrepreneur 17 years ago. As...
"Your mother really raised you guys right." Those were the words spoken from my new doctor as we finished talking during my annual mammogram appointment. Wow, I said as I began to reflect on the sentence and my mother at the same time. Those words came from a stranger, my new doctor of fifteen minutes. I thought about what she said as I walked to my car from the beautiful Karmones Cancer Institute in Downtown Detroit. I immediately called my sister, Ingrid, to talk about how that statement was...
According to the City of River Rouge, soil samples were taken at three locations on the east side of the City last summer. The locations were Belanger Park, John Jakubowski Park, and the Great Lakes Athletic Fields. The findings were that each location had levels of lead that were above the 400 ppm level. According to the information from River Rouge, it stated, "Several of the samples, however, exceeded The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy's (EGLE) most restrictive res...
There has been so much going on in our lives and our communities. Within the pages of the Telegram News, I try to encourage our readers to get involved in their communities. We do a good job at keeping you focused on an issue, but now we have to figure out a way to do many things at once. It starts with having a conversation and keeping the lines of communication open. Here is my attempt to prioritize our efforts that will help our families improve. Since it is so much going on, I am suggesting...
During the River Rouge Council meeting on March 7th, it was announced that Belanger Park will only be open for fishing. The Park area has been closed off and orange safety fencing has been installed around the outer area of the park. That includes the play area, two of the picnic shelters and the bond fire area. During initial conversations with the EPA, it was stated that some of the soil samples that were taken last year revealed a level of contamination. A decision was made to close the park...
There are so many people that have written a book. Our Black History Series – Spotlight on Local Authors- has been a hit so we are going to continue it. The emails and calls that we have received from local authors has been encouraging and enlightening. I knew that people have something to say, because I do. What I didn't know was that people have taken the next step to have their words published. The Telegram will continue to run the 'Spotlight on Local Authors' throughout the year. If you a...
Happy Black History Month! It's no time like the present for you to learn your history. Most people know about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks and Madame C. J. Walker, but there are so many others that helped to shape our country and our lives. I grew up in a household that focused on learning about Black history. We played Black History Bingo, had Black History Trivia games and my parents made sure we visited museums to learn about our history and took trips to expose...
The third Monday of January is the day that the nation recognizes the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The United States passed the legislation to make it a Federal Holiday in 1983. But the first observance nationwide wasn't until 1986. During many of the talks I have done in his honor over the years, I encourage people to honor his life and celebrate the accomplishments that were made during his short life throughout the year. I decided to use the Telegram to do just that. Although I...
Over the last two months I have been watching my dad's diet. No he is not on a diet, but his doctor has instructed us that there are some things that he needs to remove from his normal meal plan (diet). The doctors said, 'no processed food, no caffeine and no salt'. Well for the months of November and December I have controlled his food intake thus, also controlling mine. He was a Pepsi drinker, but during these two months, he has had one (1) Pepsi. (I let him get a treat last week) He drinks...
There is always so much hype during this time of year as people prepare for Christmas Day. I do not get into the big commercialization of Christmas Day celebration. Christmas Day is to celebrate the birth of Jesus, so we should be giving him gifts…But that’s another column. I believe Black Friday (shopping and spending lots of money) should be every day, but it should start in our own communities. There are businesses within all of our communities that are just waiting for your business. They pa...
The Inkster Deltas hosted their ' 1 Day- 2 Serve -3 Ways' on November 20th. They collected items at a Hustle For Turkeys event held on Friday, November 18th. At this event, they had an instructor who facilitated hustle-line dances for all (60) participants who attended. Each attendee was asked to bring non-perishable items as donations. The items were then distributed to local churches on Sunday, November 20th. They collected over 300 nonperishable items for donation that night along with...
Where do you get your news from? Do you get snippets from your friends or clips from that have just been copied from other people. It's time to get your news from your local community newspaper, the Telegram. We have been providing news to the Metropolitan Detroit community for over 78 years and I don't take that for granted. I appreciate all of our subscribers, advertisers and municipalities that believe in the Telegram. Each week, the Telegram Newspaper strives to share information about what...
I have realized that one of the most important things that is missing In our cities is ‘community engagement’. Some of the major issues that are affecting our homes, community, state and the nation can be resolved when people get involved. I’m sure that you will agree that the issues of Crime in the city, Illiteracy, Funding and Education in school districts, Prison to Pipeline, Blight, Lack of Faith and Low Voter turnout are issues that need to be addressed. If you agree with me, then I ask,...
It's time to celebrate the 78th Anniversary of the Telegram Newspaper. We consider us to be the Biggest Little Paper in town. There comes a time when you look back over your past and you just say Thank You. I know I do that daily. I thank God for good health, vision, good family, loyal readers and supporters of the Telegram. We have come a long way and my heart just expands when someone calls and tells me that they enjoy reading the articles within the pages of the Telegram. (Yes, some people...
Twice a year I publish a column 'We must hold our Elected Officials Accountable". As I rally with the community members and we discuss the issues that are important to them, I see the fire in their eyes. They are passionate about so many things. Their concerns range from salaries of the city attorneys, property being sold in the community, police stops & police interaction, councilpersons voting the influence of the Mayors, diversity of city hall employees, growing number of marijuana...
I sometimes ponder on the question, what is the responsibility of elected officials? I believe that their main responsibility is to represent the people in the area where they were elected. Whether it is a city council, state representative, governor, etc., they are to represent the people. However, there are times when elected officials seem to vote their own agenda. They may vote to pass legislation that will benefit their friend's company and sometimes they may vote not to support the best...
All cities in Michigan will have a General Election on Tuesday, November 8th. I know it is not the Presidential election, but it is important that you exercise your right to vote. It is time to learn about the candidates who are running to represent you. The positions that they are trying to hold has more of an effect on your daily lives than the presidency. The positions are Mayors/Supervisors, City Council persons/trustees, Clerks, Treasures and Judges. Take some time to get to know the candid...
I watched a group of young people over the last few months and I began to ponder the question, why are they activist? Were they born with the Activist gene or did they become activist because of the associations that they have had. After thinking about it for a while, I decided that it is probably a combination of both. I watched these young people stand and speak so eloquently about things that they want to change in their communities and in the colleges and schools that they attend. They...
