Another SuperSpade on TV…again
October 8, 2008
What’s up fam,
I wanted to let you all know that my good friend Dumi will be on television tonight (10/8/08) at 9pm on WTVS (Detroit Public TV), 760am WJR, 101.9fm. The show is also available online. Dumi will be an expert panelist on Bridging the Racial Divide: Part Four. Over the last two years, the series has taken a candid and often contentious look at the role of race in Metro Detroit. The series has gotten a lot of great feedback and the good folks at Kingberry productions have brought some past panelists and new panelists together to discuss what’s happening and on the horizon for Metro Detroit. There are some heavy hitters on board joining Dumi on the panel including Dave Bing, Peter Karmanos, and others.
I was fortunate enough to see the taping and have an audience with the panelists in the green room. And for those who don’t know, Dave Bing is currently the safest bet in terms of trying to predict the next mayor of Detroit. Check out the show tonight and show Dumi some love.
Stay up fam,
Brandon
Closing the chapter on Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick
September 4, 2008
If you haven’t heard yet, Kwame Kilpatrick resigned today, ending an eight month long text-messaging scandal that has ravaged Detroit and the entire state of Michigan. I am too tired to explain all the minutiae of these cases because it is too emotionally draining but if you want to learn about it, go to the Detroit Free Press.
To be frank, I didn’t want to write about this story until it was over because I knew that 1) The text messages would be the downfall of the mayor and 2) I choose to focus and work on far more important issues that deserves attention like foreclosed homes, the lack of a quality transit system, failing schools, sky-rocket car insurance rates, just to name a few.
Here is the thing, I don’t believe in kicking a man when he is down. Kwame is out of office and while there needs to be healing for the citizens of Detroit, I rebuke anyone who claims to seriously care about Detroit that will harp on this situation as a reason why they won’t fight the good fight. But let’s keep it really real, I really don’t care about what you think about the court cases. I care about whether you care about the citizens of Detroit. This is where I stood before the scandal, during the scandal, and where I stand today.
So as we look towards the future, there are a couple things to keep in mind. Just because Kwame is out of office does not mean that you have to run for mayor next year. Many folks have said today that this is a unique opportunity for Detroit to make a turn for the better. Those opportunities are present every single day and if you are waiting for the next scandal to sort-a-kinda get involved, don’t talk to me. And don’t wallow in despair. So when someone says it’s a sad day in Detroit, tell them that you look towards the hills from which cometh your help.
Stay up fam,
Brandon Q.
How you win matters
June 18, 2008
What’s up fam,
I went to the Obama rally that was held in Detroit and it was a great event. My homegirl Monique Perry (a fellow Detroit native I have known since high school and went to the University of Michigan with me) pumped up the crowd and encouraged folks to register and organize. Obama thanked her on national television. Let’s get em’ Mo and GO BLUE! Obama gave a relatively standard stump speech but it surely didn’t sound like one. The brother has conviction and I am happy to see him as the Democratic nominee.
However, I was grieved to learn that someone from Obama’s team “barred two Muslim women from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women’s headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.” For context, the city of Dearborn which borders Detroit is home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the country so you really can’t be in Detroit and avoid the Arab-American community. And can we way hijjab instead of headscarves? Ok, thanks.
Now if Obama personally called the Detroit reporter and apologized for calling her sweetie the same day the incident happened, his staff needs to find these women’s numbers and make sure Obama himself apologizes. I say that because anybody who knows me, knows that I am all about process and how you win is very important.
I actually think that Obama should have over-indulged himself in the Arab-American community to demonstrate that he is secure enough in himself to be photographed with Arab-Americans. Doing so would not only send a strong message to Arabs across the globe that we are all deserving of respect and it would help end the post-911 classification of the Arab community as “them”. This is a moment where the Obama campaign can continue to do the right thing and not what is politically expedient. How you win matters.
Stay up fam,
Brandon Q.
Mass transit in Detroit and where you been BQW?
April 21, 2008
What’s up fam, I know folks are like dang, what happened to the Spade? By way of updates, Steve is a newlywed so he deserves time to enjoy his wife and Garlin is probably busy creating a new business venture. I for one am up to my neck in the Michigan Policy Summit and if you are in Michigan, you will definitely want to be a part of this annual gathering of progressives. Two dynamic keynotes in Amy Goodman and Jim Hightower along with policy focused discussions on health care, education, and environment and did I mention skills workshops for individuals and organizations ranging from social entrepreneurship to fundraising? Come out and show love May 10th and register now at www.mipolicysummit.org.
Below is an article I pulled from Crain’s in Detroit. If Detroit can turn the corner on transit, we will be on a good path. Enjoy the article and please pray for me. Stay up fam,
Mass-transit groups to meet
By Bill Shea Organizers of a $371 million project to build a light-rail line along Woodward Avenue from downtown Detroit to the State Fairgrounds were to begin meeting Monday with the backers of a privately funded plan with similar goals.
Transit coming to Detroit
March 6, 2008
Southeast Michigan is poised for a huge turn around as it pertains to mass transit. This week, the Detroit Department of Transportation announced that Woodward Avenue (downtown to 8 mile) would be the locally preferred alternative (LPA) as to where some form of light rail would be constructed. The announcement is just one of a series of steps Detroit is involved in as part of a formal application to the feds to help pay for some form of rapid transit. The application is being conducted through the Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study with help from URS. For more information on this, please click here.
Superspade gives keynote address at DAPCEP!
February 8, 2008
What’s up fam,
I am writing to let you know that Garlin will be giving a keynote address in Detroit, MI for DAPCEP. DAPCEP is acronym for the Detroit Area Pre College Engineering Program. For those that are not from Detroit, this is a really big deal because parents from all over Metro Detroit clamor over themselves trying to get their kids involved in this program. I know parents and students alike wil be inspired to see a DAPCEP Alumni who is young and doing it big for himself and the community.
DAPCEP is a great program and I highly recommend it. Just look at their mission,
DAPCEP’s mission is to increase the number of historically under-represented minorities (African American, Hispanic American, and Native American) who are motivated and prepared academically to pursue careers in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology related fields.
If you are in Detroit and would like to get your kids involved in DAPCEP and/or hear Garlin bring the house down, find yourself at Cobo Hall tomorrow morning at 7:30am, the program starts at 8:00am. Per usual, Garlin will provide an audio file of his presentation upon his return to Seattle.
Stay up G,
For more information on DAPCEP, click here, www.dapcep.org
Gentrification of Detroit: Will Shiny New Projects Push Out the Old Residents?
December 31, 2007
Cross-posted at the Michigan Messenger
When Woodbridge Estates redeveloped the decaying Jeffries Projects site just west of Wayne State University in Detroit, they renovated one of the old towers that are visible from the Lodge Freeway and outfitted the tower with a giant clock. The clock is a tangible symbol that it’s a new time in Detroit.
Yet some fear such gentrification of the city will in time become a social problem of its own, pushing out current residents in favor of suburbanites with more money. Read more
Part I: Gentrification in Detroit? Experts disagree
December 8, 2007
Cross-posted at the Michigan Messenger:
With Compuware, Quicken Loans and other businesses setting up in
Detroit’s urban garden
November 28, 2007
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Cross posted at the Michigan Messenger With its shortage of big-box grocery stores and the lack of enough fresh produce, much of Detroit could be said to be in a food desert. An urban agricultural movement is emerging as a solution to the problem. |
Detroit welcomes revised census data
November 9, 2007
Cross posted at the Michigan Messenger,
It was reported today that the US Census revised
John Talmage, President and CEO of Social Compact said of the revised estimate, “The city did a terrific job challenging the census and we were happy to be a part of that process. Not only was Mayor Kilpatrick correct in his intuition that the city had stronger market potential, we feel good about our ability to identify where that potential is.” This official data will help the city’s ability to acquire federal funds for services that are based on population. Leaders of
(My username is bqw, instead of Brandon Q. but it’s the same guy)
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