50th Anniversary Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Freedom Walk – June 22, 2013
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50th Anniversary Commemorative Freedom Walk Media Credential Information
Please see the link below to find out how to receive media credentials for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Freedom Walk on June 22, 2013.
50th Anniversary Freedom Walk Detroit Press Conference
1963 Original Marchers join Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony as he unveils special announcements for the upcoming Freedom Walk Detroit on June 22, 2013.
Today the Detroit Branch NAACP and UAW unveiled exciting details and special announcements for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Freedom Walk at the UAW Solidarity House. The UAW Solidarity House is extremely significant because it is where Dr. King worked on his “I Have A Dream” speech. Please see the following press statement delivered by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony.
Press Statement – DIA Assests Potentially for Sale
The following press statement was issued by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony regarding the artwork in the DIA as one of the City of Detroit’s assets potentially up for sale.
Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Wrap Up Meeting and May General Membership Meeting
The Detroit Branch NAACP held a joint meeting for its Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Committee Wrap Up and May General Membership Meeting. The meeting was hosted by Juliette Okotie-Eboh, Vice President, Community Affairs, MGM Grand Detroit. Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner Committee Members were thanked for their hard work on the 58th Annual Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner. Additionally, State Representative Ellen Lipton (District 27) and Community Activist Helen Moore were the featured speakers for the General Membership Meeting. Both guests addressed education and the Education Achievement Authority (EAA). Representative Lipton provided details into her recent Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests made to the EAA and the revelation that the Detroit Public Schools has signed off on $12 million worth of loans to the EAA. Helen Moore spoke on the continued efforts she and her group, Keep the Vote No Takeover, are leading to provide access to a quality education for all of Detroit’s children. To view the FOIA documents please visit http://027.housedems.com/resources/publications
Michigan State Representative Ellen Lipton gives information on what her FOIA requests of the EAA revealed.
Community Activist Helen Moore talks about her education advocacy work on behalf of Detroit’s children.
Freedom Walk Detroit Community Meetings
Please join the Detroit Branch NAACP, UAW Ford, UAW GM and other labor, civic, community, and religious organizations as they prepare for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward. The Freedom Walk Detroit Community Meetings are held every Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. at the Detroit Branch NAACP located at 8220 Second Avenue. Come out and find out how to get your organization signed up and ready to march on Saturday, June 22 for jobs, justice and peace.
Mamie Chalmers is the young high school student captured in this iconic photo being attacked with fire hoses during a protest against segregation in Birmingham, Alabama in May of 1963 (photo credit Charles Moore and Life Magazine). Mrs. Chalmers will be marching in the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward.
Donnell R. White, Executive Director, Detroit Branch NAACP, Rev. Nicholas Hood II, Pastor Emeritus, Plymouth United Church of Christ and an original marcher in the 1963 March Down Woodward and Erica Hill, UAW Ford are gearing up for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward.
Members of the community attend the Freedom Walk Detroit Community Meeting held at the Detroit Branch NAACP.
50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward Media Breakfast
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President Detroit Branch NAACP is joined by Donnell White, Executive Director, Detroit Branch NAACP as they address the media regarding the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward.
On Thursday, May 23, 2013 the Detroit Branch NAACP hosted a breakfast for members of the media in preparation for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward. The breakfast was led by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP and discussed the importance of advocating for jobs, justice and peace as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did when he came to Detroit 50 years ago. The 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward is given by the Detroit Branch NAACP, UAW-Ford, UAW-GM and a host of other organizations.
Members of the media in attendance at the breakfast in preparation for the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward.
The two day event will begin with think tank sessions that will be held on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the UAW Ford Center in Detroit. The March will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 beginning at 9:00 A.M. at Woodward and Forest culminating in a rally at Hart Plaza. For more information on how to become a media partner/sponsor please email LaToya Henry at lhenry@wardhillmedia.com. For more information and details on the March please visit www.freedomwalkdetroit.com
Poster promoting the 50th Anniversary Commemorative March Down Woodward
A conversation with Black Women in Public Transit
Tuesday, May 14th, The Detroit NAACP held its bi-monthly Allies, Issues, and Action Meeting. Entitled, ”A Conversation with Black Women in Public Transit”. With over 50 people in attendance, we were able to get detailed insight on Transit issues; past, present and future, in Southeastern Michigan. The Detroit Branch NAACP prides itself on being able to bring people together to discuss very important issues. On May 14th, we put four extremely talented and very knowledgeable black women together who all work in the public transit industry in Southeastern Michigan together in one place to discuss transportation. It was enlightening and educational to say the least. This discussion allowed our Allies to get a broad view from many different angels on Transportation in Michigan.
Tiffany Gunter, Transportation Planner for S.E.M.C.O.G. was one of the four guest panelist. Mrs. Gunter discussed the old SEMCOG and the new SEMCOG. “Currently SEMCOG is all about Metro Planning, Providing data and as much input as possible in the mass transit planning process. We are currently working on the Woodward Transit Alternative Analysis, a 27 mile project from the Detroit River to Pontiac.
Former State Representative Shanelle Jackson, Outreach and Strategic Relationships for Regional Transit Authority (RTA), talked about the newly formed RTA. She Listed every Board member on RTA and spoke about their responsibilities. ” We are Currently in the process of creating a Citizens Advisory Committee.” She also spoke briefly about the Funding for RTA and the possibility of a ballot initiative in 2014 to levy new tax revenue to help fund the Regional Transit Authority. ” RTA’s job is to coordinate existing transit organizations and help to make those organizations as efficient and effective as possible throughout the southeaster region.
Ruth Johnson, Assistant Director, Transportation Riders United spoke in detail from a riders perspective. She applauded the new creation of RTA and is excited about the future of mass transit in Detroit. ” We have to realize that there is great potential in the future of Transit in Southeastern Michigan.” Ms. Johnson spoke about the importance of keeping DDOT funding stabilized and how Transportation Riders United (TRU) is working hard everyday to get input from transit riders through Transit Rider Surveys.
Former State Representative Triette Reeves, Director of External Affairs for DDOT, spoke about transportation from a policy standpoint. “Mass Transportation is a necessity!” Ms. Reeves spoke in detail about the future of DDOT. ” DDOT missed out on $7 million because of the formula used by SEMCOG. We believe the formula should have been based on Ridership not asset analysis.” Triette went on to say, “RTA has the power of defying up the transit resources and we all need to pay attention to were the resources are going.”
Michigan, Where Democracy Used to Live!
Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP addresses the crowd on the Federal Challenge against the Emergency Manager Law.
Legal Counsel Atty. Melvin “Butch” Hollowell and Atty. Nabih Ayad provide the details regarding the filing of the law suit.
Just moments ago in front of the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse, the Detroit Branch NAACP and Michigan State Conference NAACP announced the filing of the Federal Challenge to the current Emergency Manager Law in Michigan. Gathered together were members of the Detroit Branch NAACP Executive Board, Legal Counsel and Plaintiffs for the lawsuit, and concerned citizens in support of Detroit Branch NAACP’s actions.
The following statement and revenue recommendations for the City of Detroit were given by Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony, President, Detroit Branch NAACP, during the press conference.
http://detroitnaacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/City-of-Detroit-Revenue-Recommendations.pdf
http://detroitnaacp.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/NAACP-EM-436-Complaint-.pdf
The results are in, meet your new Youth Council leadership!
On Wednesday, May 1, 2013 the Detroit NAACP Youth Council held its Annual elections and the new leadership is ready to start the year off right! We invite you to join us on May 15, 2013 at 6:00PM as they are sworn into office!
Executive Officers
Greg Harrison
President
Kyla Wright
1st Vice President
Myles Long
2nd Vice President
Kandace Nickleberry
2nd Vice President
Lauren Smith
Treasurer