Author
On this day in 1975: Nation’s first Black-owned TV station launches
On Sept. 29, 1975, Detroit television station WGPR-TV 62 signed on air for the first time. That came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted in 1973 to grant a permit by African Americans to operate a television station in Detroit. “There wouldn’t be any need for a station of this type if things […]
In metro Detroit, national AFL-CIO head blasts Trump before his Michigan visit
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on Wednesday visited striking United Auto Workers (UAW) employees in metro Detroit. There, she blasted GOP former President Donald Trump only hours ahead of his visit to Clinton Township at a non-union plant in Macomb County. “The idea that Donald Trump has ever, or will ever, care about working people is […]
Republicans go on the attack after Ford halts EV battery plant construction in Marshall
The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday approved $65 million in additional funding for a Marshall site for a project where Ford Motor Co. this week halted construction of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant. The automaker’s action has spurned controversy and battle of words as the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against Ford, General […]
Michigan Dem reps. set to attend Congressional Black Caucus Conference in D.C.
Democratic state House members are poised to travel this week to the nation’s capital to attend the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference held Wednesday through Sunday. “I am greatly looking forward to this opportunity to convene in D.C.,” said state House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “Not only is it a chance to […]
UAW president, Biden push back against reported Trump visit with striking Michigan workers
Former President Donald Trump’s plans to skip the second GOP presidential candidate debate and head to Michigan to meet with striking autoworkers isn’t going over well with the United Auto Workers (UAW) top official. “Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald […]
‘However long it takes,’ longtime Ford worker says of the UAW strike
As the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit Three enters its fourth day, workers say that they are in it “for the long haul.” Samantha Litton of Taylor has worked at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant for three years. “It shouldn’t take eight years to get top pay,” Litton told the Advance on […]
Bernie Sanders condemns ‘corporate greed’ at UAW rally in Detroit
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) railed against “corporate greed” and “record profits” secured by the Detroit Three during a spirited rally on Friday in the Motor City with striking United Auto Workers (UAW) members. The rally featuring the two-time presidential candidate attracted hundreds of participants and was held at the Ford-UAW Joint Trust Center took […]
Civil rights leaders among those remembered during Black fraternity centennial
The Detroit chapter of a leading Black fraternity on Saturday will host its centennial celebration, with two of its founding members boasting strong ties to the American civil rights movement. Omega Psi Phi fraternity’s Detroit alumni chapter, Nu Omega, was founded at a time when African Americans, largely from southern states, were moving to the […]
Whitmer encourages UAW, Detroit Three to continue talks hours before contract deadline
With a possible UAW strike against the Detroit Three automakers on the horizon, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday urged the union and corporations to continue talks. “I think that we are all doing our best to keep both parties at the table until there is resolve,” said Whitmer when asked about the effort of the […]
Oakland University groups call out former Gov. Rick Snyder headlining ‘civility’ event
Two Oakland University-based organizations are calling out a school decision to host GOP former Gov. Rick Snyder in an Oakland University Center for Civic Engagement event on Monday. The event is titled, “Breaking the Barrier: The Importance of Civility and Improving Political Discourse.” In response, two campus groups, the Oakland University Campus Alliance for Sustainability […]
Macomb County community honors former U.S. Rep. David Bonior
Dozens of Macomb County residents and others assembled on Saturday to dedicate a bike path and a newly created sculpture after Democratic former U.S. Rep. David Bonior. A host of political leaders, including former Michigan Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer as well as former state House members Nick Ciaramitaro, Fred Miller, Paul Gieleghem, all Democrats, […]
As Detroit schools’ reading scores are on the upswing, educators celebrate Black Reading Month
September is Black Reading Month, which comes at a time when Detroit schools have notched modest test score increases in student literacy. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) reported last week that it has “largely recovered from the pandemic in Grades 3-8 ELA, outpacing statewide performance gains.” The district said proficiency levels improved in […]