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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
Jan. 27-Feb. 2, 2010 Page A-3
Second Front
Granholm, Keith celebrate
King’s vision of harmony, hope
Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm a 1967 graduate of Hamtramck
recently joined with Judge High School, and her parents
Damon J. Keith of the U.S. Court were among the African-Ameri-
of Appeals, Wayne County Ex- can families forced from their
ecutive Robert A. Ficano, Ham- homes four decades ago.
tramck Mayor Karen Majewski,
other local officials and more
“I lived in Hamtramck from
than 200 community members
age 5 until I graduated from
at Corinthian Baptist Church to
high school,” Sanders said. “I
celebrate the Rev. Martin Luther
have fond memories growing up
King Jr.’s vision of harmony
in Hamtramck. I married, moved
and hope as well as commemo-
to Detroit, raised my family and
rate the 40th anniversary of a
now it seems like I’m coming
historic federal court case that
back home. Both of my parents
is bringing new homes to Ham-
are deceased now and I feel
tramck for displaced families.
privileged that I am able to enjoy
some of the benefits that are
“On this day honoring Dr. possible because of their fight.”
King’s birth, we are celebrating
the tireless, passionate con-
In the spring of 2010, Oak
cern of dedicated individuals
Hills Construction Company
who, like Dr. King, would not
will break ground to build or
let an injustice stand,” Gran-
renovate 35 single- and two-
holm said. “The relevance of his
family housing units in Ham-
message can be seen today here
tramck, financed by MSHDA.
in Hamtramck as new homes
Also in 2010, Wayne County will
are returned to those who suf-
finance the property acquisition
fered from discrimination in the
and renovation of 30 additional
past.”
homes by Neighborhood Hous-
ing Solutions, Landmarc, and
The public ceremony marked Beal Properties. Wayne County,
the 1970 federal court case Gar- MSHDA and the City of Ham-
rett v. City of Hamtramck decid- tramck expect to complete the
ed by Judge Keith. The ruling construction or rehabilitation of
demanded justice for the fami- another 39 homes in 2011.
lies that were forced from their
homes by the discriminatory
“These homes will, at long
practices of local government.
last, fulfill the requirements
Working together, the City of
of Judge Keith’s ruling,” said
SALLIE SANDERS (center) is welcomed to her new home in Hamtramck with a ribbon cutting ceremony by (from left) Ham-
Hamtramck, Wayne County and
Ficano. “Dr. Martin Luther King
tramck Mayor Karen Majewski, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm, Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano and Judge Damon J.
the Michigan State Housing De-
Jr. excited our nation with his
Keith of the United States Court of Appeals. strong message of hope. We i
SALLIE SANDERS (left) displays the keys to her new home in
Hamtramck. Sanders is one of the descendants of the original
litigants who will soon move into a Dequindre Street home as a JUDGE DAMON J. KEITH of the United States Court of Ap-
THE CORINTHIAN BAPTIST CHURCH CBC Choir enter-
result of a 1970 federal court ruling by Judge Damon J. Keith. peals accepts a commemorative plaque honoring his com-
tained the packed audience with a dazzling medley of hymns.
Sanders, a 1967 graduate of Hamtramck High School, and her mitment to helping others and providing hope to Michigan’s
The event received national media coverage.
parents were among the African-American families forced from citizens from Edwin Harlin, executive assistant to the deputy
their homes four decades ago. director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Wayne County wholeheartedly share his optimism for the future
velopment Authority (MSHDA) are bringing closure to this long-
(MSHDA). Joining the presentation were (from left) MSHDA
and celebrate his vision of a place where our children and grand-
standing issue through the building of affordable housing for
Deputy Director Burney Johnson and MSHDA Executive Direc-
children will work, attend schools and raise their families in
plaintiffs and their descendants.
tor Keith Molin.
peace and prosperity.” .
To date, more than $40 million has been invested to devel-
nal plaintiffs the keys to a beautiful home. As Dr. King once
The combined total of the investment by MSHDA and the
op, renovate and construct hundreds of new homes in Ham-
said, ‘Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but
Wayne County Land Bank during 2010–2011 will exceed $15 mil-
tramck, making the dream of a home a reality for nearly 250
comes through continuous struggle.’ Let us all continue to
lion, helping to rebuild neighborhoods, spur economic growth
local families. The project will be completed with the rehabilita-
struggle for equal justice for all.”
and strengthen communities.
tion and construction of an additional 104 homes during 2010–
After the ceremony, Gov. Granholm, Executive Ficano, Ham-
“Our work together will not be done when this project con-
2011.
tramck Mayor Majewski, Judge Keith, and other dignitaries
cludes in Hamtramck,” said MSHDA Executive Director Keith
“I am delighted that we have reached this historic point after
toured the new home on Dequindre Street that Sallie Sand-
Molin. “We will continue. investing in people and the places
40 years of litigation,” Keith said. “Today’s ceremony is even
ers of Detroit, one of the descendants of the original litigants,
they call home, families helping families, working ceaselessly
more special because Gov. Granholm is giving one of the origi-
will soon move into as a result of the court ruling. Sanders,
together for a better future and a better Michigan.”
‘Color of the Census’
symposium at UM-Dearborn
Ethnic leaders to explain barriers in 2010 census
The University of Michi-
gan - Dearborn Office of
Multicultural Affairs has an-
nounced that it will host a
major symposium to deal
with the challenges facing
the 2010 census in ethnic
communities Feb. 19, from
10 to 11:30 a.m., in the 1500
Social Science Building on
the campus of the university.
The symposium, open
to the public and presented
without charge, will feature
Rev. Andre Spivey, newly
elected Detroit City Coun-
cil member and head of the
Detroit Census Task Force;
Tack Yong-Kim, publisher of
the Korean Weekly; Osama
Siblani, publisher of the
Arab American News; Fred
Feliciano, owner of F2Solu-
tions Group and vice chair Bertram Marks Osama Siblani Tack Yong-Kim Fred Feliciano
Rev. Andre Spivey
of the Michigan Commission
on Spanish Speaking Affairs;
year to take a realistic look at the im- 2010 Census: Why the Census Matters misconceptions people of color have
and Bertram Marks, general counsel
the university’s institutional
portance of the upcoming census and to Communities of Color,” will be mod- about the census.
for the Detroit Council of Baptist Pas-
equity officer, Eric Boling.
why ethnic leaders must rally their erated by Bankole Thompson, senior
tors & Vicinity, a group of 300 Baptist
communities to take part. editor of the Michigan Chronicle, who
The symposium is presented by the
To RSVP, call (313) 593-
churches in Metro Detroit.
The event, dubbed “Color of the
will kick off the conversation by engag-
university’s “Issues in Diversity and
5320.
The forum is the first in the new
ing the leaders on the challenges and
Social Change” lecture series, led by
Elected officials and political candidates can send information regarding issues to bthompson@michronicle.com
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