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DETROIT TO HAVE AFRICA TOWN-Black is Beautiful (3249 hits)

Reparations Convention Report: MADE IN DETROIT....Coming soon, the Motor City will have its own Black Wall Street. Dr. Claud Anderson's Powernomics Economic Development Plan is building a community with manufacturing, production, retail, cultural, etc. owned and operated by Black businesses. Check out the resolution.. Tell me what y'all think

Revised October 18, 2004 – 2nd Version

A Resolution by President Pro Tem Kenneth Cockrel and Hon. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi

Clarifying City Council's Position regarding the Powernomics Economic Development Plan

Whereas, The Detroit City Council entered into a contract with Dr. Claud Anderson and the Powernomics Corporation of America, Inc., to assist in developing a local economic plan for the City of Detroit; and

Whereas, Dr. Anderson submitted a June 30, 2004 report to the Detroit City Council entitled The Powernomics Economic Development Plan for Detroit’s Under-Served Majority Population@ containing recommendations to increase the number of black-owned businesses in the City of Detroit. The report included recommendations to create an inner city business district for African American businesses, referred to as African Town, and a capital fund to provide financial assistance for the African American businesses; and

Whereas, On July 14, 2004, the Detroit City Council approved two resolutions supporting the creation of a capital fund and inner city business district as referenced in the Powernomics proposal; and

Whereas, The Detroit City Council acknowledges that some of the rhetoric contained in Dr. Anderson's report has offended a great number of Detroit residents and regrets that the City Council's actions may have been interpreted by some as racist; and

Whereas, The Detroit City Council fully recognizes and is proud of the many great accomplishments and contributions to Detroit's social and economic fabric that have been made by our European, Latino, Arab, Chaldean and Asian residents and business owners; and

Whereas, The Detroit City Council also recognizes the historic role of African Americans in the development of this country and believes that the synergy created by a business district showcasing the rich culture and significant achievements of African Americans can only improve the economic and social environment within the City of Detroit; and

Whereas, The Detroit City Council understands that existing law would not make it possible to proceed with the establishment of a capital fund and inner city business district as referenced in the Powernomics plan. NOW THEREFORE BE IT

Resolved, That the Detroit City Council supports, and is committed to, the development of a business district incorporating the rich heritage of African Americans in the City of Detroit in a manner that conforms to existing local, state and federal laws; and be it further

Resolved, That the focus of this business district is a variety of entertainment, retail, commercial and cultural activities which, at one time in the history of the City of Detroit, flourished in a section of the city known as Paradise Valley; and be it further

Resolved, That the Detroit City Council requests that the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) and City Planning Commission (CPC) work with Detroit Black Business owners, entrepreneurs and trade associations to undertake the required steps to develop this business district so that it can be enjoyed by all ethnic groups just like Greektown and Mexicantown; and be it further

Resolved, That the DEGC and CPC, in conjunction with Black Business trade associations, is requested to provide the Detroit City Council with a comprehensive report, outlining a timeline, process by which a district of this nature can be developed, how to attract potential businesses, developers and identify potential funding sources; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution supercedes and takes precedent over any and all previous resolutions pertaining to this matter; and be it further

Resolved, That the City Council's future consideration and discussions regarding an African American business district in the City of Detroit will be done solely within the framework set forth in this resolution; and be it finally

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Mayor of the City of Detroit and the DEGC.

What y'all think about that?

Posted By: Ebony Tillman
Tuesday, March 28th 2006 at 11:57AM
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Africa Town in Detroit Under Siege By Kwame Kilpatrick: Unconstitutional or Political?

In 2004 Brian DeBose of the Washington Times covered the story about Africa Town and its blackest critic-the Late Kay Everett. The bawdy City Council woman who succumbed to death on Thanks Giving in 2005.

Kay Everett basically argued that Africa Town was a good idea but had a racist implementation strategy. Many Black Americans have heard of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick-affectionately called "Big Diamond" or, "The Hip-Hop Mayor."

Marisol Bello a Free Press Staff writer divulged that Kwame Kilpatrick supported the idea, but vetoed the vote to move ahead and allocate $40million to it. Connect: The Mayor and The City have been at loggerheads for 5 years!

Kay Everett wrote an article in the Detroit News where she layed out her qualms against the proposed Economic Zone called Africa Town. She has to be one of the first Blacks ever to claim reverse discrimination against Blacks! (May she rest in hope). The same argument used in the U of M-Ann Arbor Supreme Court Case that saw Affirmative Action's head on the chopping blocks.

Kay Everett's multicultural stance was upheld because the Detroit City Council caved in on its quasi-unethical call for only Black Business (Personally, why would any other type of business be located there-are there any other type of business, per se, in Little Italy or, China Town, or, Greek Town, etc.). But the Detroit City Council reversed itself.

Wait a minute if you thought it was over-think again. It was reported in the Final Call that a Wayne State University Law Professor, Attorney Sedler disagrees that it is a racist manuever to exclude other ethnicities, per se. He argues that under home rule (something D.C. really does not have-for para-military/politico reasons: Can't have a governor of the District of Columbia calling Martial Law and ramsacking the capitol-that won't happen because D.C. will never become a state). He goes on to make a pretty convincing argument as the first Legal Expert at a Major Law School (Recognized by the American Bar Association) to support the development that others are calling bigoted. He says that since Detroit is 80% black helping Blacks enterepreneurs in Detroit to start-up is noble.

In Detroit we have something called Greektown-started by Greeks which promotes Greek Cuisine-blah blah. They even got one of the Casion licenses and the population of Greeks in Detroit is say no Macedonia! Their population in the city would be less than a percent! Yet, they have a business zone that caters to them, but no one has said Greek Town is racist. Now, to Greek Town's credit, anybody with the bankroll can move in and open up an establishment. Blacks just did not have the vision and forewent the opportunity. When will be our toughest critic!

Still, I think an Africa Town would be cool and a boost in the arm to our capabilities in the 'poorest' city in America with the most upside potential of a having a true Renaissance!
Wednesday, March 29th 2006 at 10:45AM
B. Dwight Foster, B.A., MS-MANAGEMENT