This Week on One Detroit:

From Detroit’s Walk to Freedom to the March on Washington: 60 years of civil rights legacy

As the nation commemorates the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement, attention turns to the significant role that Detroit played in shaping this transformative moment. The march, renowned for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, not only symbolized the quest for equality but also marked a turning point in the fight for civil rights.  

Reflections on the powerful connection between Detroit and Dr. King come to the forefront as local leaders, historians, and communities celebrate the indelible impact the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom just two months earlier had on the historic Washington March. 

Both events spotlighted the collective will of countless individuals who demanded an end to racial injustice and inequality. Through peaceful protests and Dr. King’s eloquent call for racial harmony, both marches galvanized a generation, spurring legislative reforms that would resonate for years to come. The presence of influential figures in Detroit such as the Reverend C.L. Franklin and Rev. Albert Cleage, Jr. and the support of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union under Walter Reuther’s leadership, helped solidify the momentum needed for the Civil Rights Movement. 

At a commemorative march two months ago, hundreds of Detroiters honored their legacy by walking down Woodward Avenue — a living testament to the courage and resilience displayed during those transformative years six decades ago. The echoes of the 1963 events still flow through the streets, and the spirit of Detroit’s Walk to Freedom lives on as the next generation of residents relive and memorialize this history. One Detroit Senior Producer Bill Kubota explains the tie between these two historic events and how they changed civil rights in America.

Gov. Whitmer’s Growth Council aims to boost population, economy through education and infrastructure

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “Growing Michigan Together Council,” unveiled during the 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference, is taking a bold bipartisan approach to address the state’s key challenges. Comprised of experts from various fields, the council’s overarching goal is to devise strategies that will bolster Michigan’s population and economy with a focus on Pre-K-12 education, higher education, infrastructure, jobs, talent, and overall societal well-being. 

While discussions on mitigating Michigan’s population decline have persisted for decades, State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-4th District), a recent appointee to the council, believes that the group is breaking new ground through a multifaceted approach to growth.  

During an insightful conversation with One Detroit population contributor Zoe Clark, Political Director for Michigan Radio, Camilleri shares how the newly established Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) will play a pivotal role in the overall growth strategies of the Growing Michigan Together Council. Camilleri also addresses concerns raised by the Michigan Board of Education regarding the constitutionality of MiLEAP and talks about his hopes that the state will become a top 10 state in terms of education quality and economic growth.

Black women entrepreneurs face uphill battle for business growth compared to men

Venturing into the world of entrepreneurship comes with challenges. However, for Black women entrepreneurs, the hurdles can be much higher and different. A study from the National Association of Women Business Owners shows 42% of U.S. businesses are owned by women, yet those businesses grow at only half the rate as businesses owned by men.

In recognition of National Black Business Month in August, One Detroit contributor and “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson spoke with two Black women entrepreneurs from Detroit to learn more about the unique challenges African American women entrepreneurs face. Linda Hendricks, co-founder of the Detroit Dance Center, and Chinonye Akunne, the owner of ILERA Apothecary, join Henderson to discuss what led them to become entrepreneurs and share their advice for budding business owners.

One Detroit Weekend: August 25, 2023

Looking for some summer fun in Detroit? The Detroit Funk Festival returns for another year of moving and grooving, and Aretha’s Jazz Café has a tribute to the late, great Nina Simone. Yoga enthusiasts can stretch and find their flow state surrounded by art at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Plus, it wouldn’t be a Michigan summer without a day at the Michigan State Fair. Check out everything you can do around town this weekend and into next week on “One Detroit Weekend” with contributor Peter Whorf of 90.9 WRCJ.

List of upcoming events:  

  • The Detroit Funk Festival, hosted by Bootsy Collins, hits the stage at Music Hall Amphitheatre from noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 26 as part of Detroit Music Weekend. 
  • Enjoy an all-ages puppet show, “The Adventures of Kitty Montellier,” at the Detroit Institute of Arts at 2 p.m. Aug. 26. The show is about an artist’s adventures through Detroit to find his lost cat, Kitty Montellier. 
  • Aretha’s Jazz Café hosts a tribute to legendary singer-songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone with Detroit native Faye Bradford at the helm. The show starts at 8 p.m. Aug. 28.  
  • Calling all Yogis — Get your daily dose of yoga with a side of art with Detroit Yoga Lab at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Bring your mat to the next session at 6 p.m. Aug. 30.  
  • Cap off your summer with a visit to the Michigan State Fair, which returns to Suburban Collection Showplace Labor Day weekend. Check out the famous butter cow, a home brewing competition, a 5K race, carnival rides, the Shrine Circus, live music and tons more. 
  • Visit the Motown Museum’s Rocket Plaza for a fun-filled day of shopping, eating and music during the Marketplace at Motown from 12-4 p.m. Aug. 26. Vendors will offer a variety of high-quality goods, from home decor to specialty snacks, health and beauty products, and more. 
  • The Idlewild International Film Festival, which highlights the works of women filmmakers internationally and shares the history of Idlewild, Michigan, presents a micro film festival from 4-11 p.m. Aug. 26 at the historic Paradise Valley Antique Store.  
  • Catch Canadian R&B singer Daniel Caesar on his Superpowers World Tour as he makes a stop at The Fillmore Detroit on Aug. 30.

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