Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield said community input is not only valued, it’s necessary if the taskforce is to be successful. She is asking that residents participate in a Feb. 24 community meeting to help shape the reparations committee.
Olivia Lewis
Olivia Lewis is a reporter for BridgeDetroit. She was formerly a reporter for the Battle Creek Enquirer and the Indianapolis Star. She has also worked in philanthropy for the Kresge Foundation, the Council of Michigan Foundations and Direct Relief International.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan GOP revives attempts to overhaul state election laws
Republican-driven bills that could affect the way Detroiters vote are being discussed in the state House. Local election experts and advocates remain worried about voter accessibility.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Keith Williams: Detroit’s been at the forefront of the reparations movement
Michigan’s Democratic Black Caucus chair, Keith Williams, has been working on Black Michiganders’ rights to reparations for years. He said Detroit’s participation in repairing the harm that was caused will set the tone for the rest of the state.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Northwest Detroiters can get thousands in down payment and repair help
A Sinai-Grace CDC program is encouraging current residents, recent graduates and employees of Northwest Detroit to live and invest in their neighborhood – and there is money to help too.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
New Detroit City Council members outline their priorities
Detroit voters flipped the City Council in November, placing six new members on the nine-person council. Every member took an oath to serve the people of Detroit for the next four years, but what can Detroiters actually expect, based on the councilmembers’ actions so far?
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Black, Brown women lead Detroit’s child care industry. They need investors.
Detroit’s child care industry is in crisis. There aren’t enough providers to meet the needs of Detroit families who could help ease the city’s labor shortage. But is help on the way?
Posted inCivic and Community Information
What to expect from Detroit’s new reparations taskforce
Detroit voters approved the creation of a reparations taskforce in November. BridgeDetroit spoke with longtime community development expert and reparations supporter Lauren Hood to learn what the taskforce will mean for Detroiters.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
A look at the highs, and the very lows, of 2021 in Detroit
BridgeDetroit reporter Olivia Lewis reflects on some of the stories that were highlights (and lowlights) over the year through BridgeDetroit and partner news outlets’ stories.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
First Black woman to lead state’s nonprofit association steps down
Donna Murray-Brown is stepping down from her role as CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association after 12 years at the statewide organization. A longtime Detroiter, Brown continues to push for the inclusion of underrepresented voices while reflecting on her time as the first Black woman to lead MNA.
Posted inEducation
How does a Detroit community college student get ahead?
The educational attainment gap is a persistent problem for Detroit. Wayne County Community College District could play a vital role in Detroit’s economic future, but there are barriers to achieving that success.