There has never been a greater calling to the city of Detroit then now. Internationally buzz about the motor city and the foundation of our city’s future has captured the attention we have been waiting for. So its time to address the calling that we have cried out for. The Calling of Detroit comes from a legacy that has to be built on a strong foundation and that the only legacy really worth owning. I mean, what really makes a strong legacy anyways?  Is it about having the right secrets to life and applying them… or is it about a solid, exhausted labored creation of the strongest stones and base that truly was created with the destiny for greatness and the scars to prove it.  This is the Detroit calling…

In my own time of distress, the struggle is what pushes my heart and mind to communicate with each other. When they find balance is when I gain wisdom and direction. As for my own personal legacies, you can wither waste your time or your can get up and do something about it. Give up and quit or push for greatness. The legacy of Detroit could be its own jurisprudence. Our mentality to allow freedom while still enforcing order. To have a foundation stronger then the hardest steel procured from blood, sweat, and tears. Detroit is showing the world its capable of remarkable beauty of strength and luxury. It’s out of our discipline and perseverance of creation and makes us who we are.

Two amazing women’s legacies that I am proud to be aware of is Ida Shorts and Betti Wiggins.  I had met Ida and Betti at Vivio’s in Detroit’s eastern market to discuss her plans for an urban gardening project. (She knew how excited I was about such a project, anything that involves children and learning is what makes my heart beat. ;) …

I felt so blessed to be apart of this lunch on the urban gardening project called the Beckham Community Gardens Project.  Ida Shorts and Betti Wiggins have poured their handwork, sweat and hearts into creating the Beckham Community urban gardening project to improve the education help usher peace and healing into the urban Detroit youth.   The Beckham Community gardens project located on Detroit’s Eastside on Gratiot and Outer Drive is going to stabilize and beautify the community by teaching children and parents about sustaining values that gardening can teach and the science behind it.  The Beckham School project adopted by St Ignatius and along with Eastern Market involvement is going to increase the quality of life for Detroit children and parents.  Ida and Betti see the Beckham Community Gardening Project helping to reduce by 30% the number of processed and canned foods and replace it with locally and regionally grown fresh and table ready foods.   They will reduce by 20% the use of fluid juice in cycle menu planning and replace with fresh fruit offerings.  They want to create a Detroit Public school Salad mix that allows the inclusion of foods based on nutrient density.  My favorite part of the lunch is when Betti Wiggins explained an integration of foods into the gardens that would expose the children to ethnic diversity of the district.  She wants a program where Detroit public schools African-American children can experience difference types of cultures in food.  Such as Detroit’s huge middle eastern population.  Betti wants the children and parents and community functioning in an exchange for the creation of peace and understanding.  She explained that the urban gardening is not going to benefit just the children but the community by creating a fully function project that starts with the kids and gets the community engaged.

There is no greater joy than in that particular joy that is so often overlooked, that is joy is the joy of giving. The happiness received in the exchange of a completely selfless act is not easy to explain, but when clothing the naked and feeding the hungry, the joy of love and compassion fill the souls of all involved. The hand that is giving and the hand that receives, each help each other.  The selfless act may recede but to both lives are that much more fulfilling. Together we all can turn the fierceness of our lack into a moral commitment.

Our proudest moments should be when we are able to give to those who are less fortunate. Seeing the warm smiles are more gratifying then any good ever purchased.  This is the reason I give, because when I give, I want to give more and better and completely from my heart. In Detroit and our surrounding metropolitan area, there are people dying from the cold. There are children who are hungry and families that need to be fed. There are worried mothers and fathers who cry the tears of the working poor. So what do we do? We give and we help and spread the love and joy of giving. Because a city that cannot support its cold and hungry at its foundation, is going to fall. The process of making Detroit a fully functioning city is going to have to come in doses. Our economic system for our middle working class is a train wreck, the housing market is a mess and people are doubtful. Sometimes there has to be a rock bottom before the next true destiny of the Detroit manifests.  Let’s be known as the city that gives their children the best education, feeds their hungry and innovates our potential towards the productivity of our future.

What better time to talk about the whole idea of giving thanks then the day after Thanksgiving? A grateful attitude and constant appreciation can really change the direction of ones life.  My wishes to you were that your Thanksgiving was a blessing with a bountiful table shared by you and your loved ones. That peace was enthralled in the hearts and homes of all people. That the warmest feelings of peace and joy rested in the hearts of all that joined you in partaking in your thanksgiving festivities. May we all be reminded and give thanks on what we are grateful for.

My thanksgiving not only reminded me of being thankful for what I have in life but also about forgiveness.

I woke up Thursday morning to the smells of my mothers cooking… My home was warm with time and care my mother puts into her cuisine and all of our mouths were watering.  I returned to my room with my coffee and morning readings (currently a book on Al Pacino, who is one of my favorite people) when my mother came to my door with a frenetic look of worry on her face.  She told me, “Your car is being towed.”  My whole feeling changed.  I went to the door and the Repo guy, Barry was waiting for me.  He went on to tell me that my car is being taken away and gently explained that he would give me time to clear my belongings out of my car.  Much to my embarrassment I grabbed some garbage bags and scurried to gather my things.  It was so embarrassing, and not to mention on “Thanksgiving Day” the repo-truck took my only mode of transportation.  The peace and tranquility of the day turned into a slight panic and a rush to resolve my predicament.

Everyday Detroit is building momentum by taking steps towards issues it’s passionate about.

NOVEMBER- I attended a meeting held by City Wide School Community Organization. The meeting was held by City Wide’s members at the John R. King School on Detroit’s Westside.  The President, Dolores Smith-Jackson held an excellent crowd of parent and faculty. This organization is doing something to make education better for Detroit‘s youth.

There were many speakers, Minnie Pearce, Ida Shorts and etc.  These women are so passionate about making the lives of children and education better. In this meeting, they accomplished educating the concerned parents on how to utilize their resources such as webinar technology to get their voices to Washington DC.  City wide had some of its members in Washington confronting the educational issues for Detroit.  This group has not only grown in Michigan but spread to other states.

Ida Shorts who is the organization’s Report/Comment Board member was one of the women who have traveled to Washington and other states to get resources to help Detroit‘s education. When I asked her what is the main direction of City Wide’s meetings she said “It’s concerned with the children of Detroit public school academic achievement and other educational opportunities.” Not only is she trying to better education, she is incorporating fresh foods into schools menu. She mentioned urban gardens and educational connections with culinary programs post graduation. This is pure love and passion going into our Detroit youth.

The Detroit spirit was very much alive this past week.

I want to start this article with saying, "I'm truly blessed that God is opening doors for me I never thought would be possible."

"Lola" debuted in the Maiden Detroit Studios with her first photo shoot. It was an amazing shoot; her film was off the charts. The reason I feel so close to her is because I seen the "Harlem" in her. I saw that same spirit of making a choice to follow your dreams and knowing God would be there to support you all the way. Not even 24 hours later we were in the studio getting dressed and ready to shoot. Lola, thank you. By you allowing me to teach and give you the same knowledge I have came to know, it brings me such joy. I am so excited to watch your talents to grow and blossom on their own. Much love baby.

DETROIT- November 6th, 2010. At Bleu night club, Jasmin Medar was hosting his annual birthday party. Boy was it a party. The city was popping with the energy of people getting into the casinos, their favorite restaurants etc. But as soon as Lola and I walked into Bleu, it was truly a Jasmin Medar Experience. The models were amazing; the music was out of this world, and the attendants of the party, absolutely top of the line. Happy Birthday Jazz! Keep on climbing as a top leader in the Detroit's promotional entertainment industry.

November 8th, 2010 A large crowd of members of the Detroit Chaldean community formed in front of the McNamara Federal Building on Michigan Ave in downtown. They rallied for the attention of the lack of protection of religious minorities in Iraq. It was a proud day in Detroit to host the unheard the voices of American people alive in the streets rallying to petition their government just as it was happening in other cities like Chicago, London, England and Paris, France.