Poet Laureate Semaj Brown launches literacy project in compelling UM – Flint performance
By Patsy Isenberg “Say Her Name.” Semaj Brown. Flint’s first-ever poet laureate, made that powerful line one of her central refrains at a performance, discussion and launch of a literacy initiative at the University of Michigan – Flint’s Kiva Auditorium Nov. 13. Brown had received a proclamation from then-Mayor Karen Weaver announcing her as Flint’s first poet laureate Sept. 27 after a performance at the Flint Public...
Galloway elected Flint city council president, Mays vice president
By Luther Houle Following Mayor Neeley’s swearing-in at City Hall, Flint City Council held its own election at 5 p.m. Monday Nov. 11 to decide who would lead council meetings in the coming year. Seventh Ward Councilperson Monica Galloway was elected president, with First Ward Councilperson Eric Mays chosen vice president. He also will head up the Finance Committee. The process took up most of the uncharacteristically short meeting,...
Mott Foundation to invest $1 million in Flint neighborhoods: deadline Nov. 30
By Harold C. Ford On the heels of a recently released 24-page Focus on Flint report, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation has announced the availability of $1 million in grants for projects to improve Flint neighborhoods. “Residents told us a focus on neighborhoods is their top priority,” said Mott President and CEO Ridgway White in a press release, “and they want to see improvements to address safety and blight.” White rolled out the...
Let’s “come together and move on as one,” outgoing Mayor Weaver exhorts in open letter to the city
The following arrived today from Mayor Karen Weaver, defeated by 205 votes Tuesday by State Rep. Sheldon Neeley. It was sent by her public information officer, Candice Mushatt. Dear Residents: The last four years of my life have been some of the best. I had an opportunity to serve as Mayor of the greatest city in the world. When I stepped into office we were in a crisis, we needed answers we weren’t getting and we needed help that...
Neeley resigns as state rep, effective Monday, to become Flint’s new mayor
The following press release just landed from the office of state Rep. Sheldon Neeley, Flint’s mayor-elect: “FLINT — On Monday, state Rep. Sheldon Neeley will officially resign his seat in the state House of Representatives and be sworn into his next chapter of public service as Mayor of the city of Flint. Neeley served as the state representative of the 34th House District for five years. “When I came to Lansing, my city...
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