March 1st, 20240DETROIT – The Islamic Center of Detroit opened Muhammad Ali Park last spring as one of its many initiatives to bring together District Seven.
Islamic Center of Detroit Community Relations Director Muthanna Al-Hanooti said the area, formerly known as Belton-Mark Twain Park, transformed into a beautiful space.
“We converted the...
September 16th, 20230By David Sands
On a sunny Tuesday, Catherine Smith was getting ready to practice tai chi at Cool Cities Park. Smith, a resident of northwest Detroit's HOPE Village neighborhood, briefly practiced the Chinese martial arts form known for its slow graceful moves when she lived in Louisiana and is looking forward to trying it out...
August 7th, 20230By David Sands
Woodbridge resident Mark Jones has always been curious about history, but lately he's been applying his interest to his own neighborhood.
Jones works as a data analyst with the city of Detroit. His specialty is working with geographic information systems (GIS), computer-based tools that can be used to collect,...
July 3rd, 20230By David Sands
Jesus Sanchez, 21, has watched a once-blighted apartment complex in his Southwest Detroit neighborhood slowly come back to life over the last few years. Now he's full of enthusiasm to see it used in a way that benefits his community.
Located near the intersection of Junction Avenue and St. Hedwig Street, the building...
May 1st, 20230By David Sands
Claudia Enriquez says it's becoming increasingly difficult for younger people to find affordable housing in Southwest Detroit, where she lives.
"Right now in Detroit, rent is so high. There's a lot of students that want to live here and they want to live by themselves," she said.
To help remedy this situation,...
January 6th, 20230By David Sands
The five communities that make up Detroit's Grandmont Rosedale district found themselves confronting — and ultimately overcoming — a serious crisis during the late 2000s.
Known for its historic homes and close-knit community, Grandmont Rosedale has a reputation for being a highly desirable place to live. But at...
December 19th, 20220By David Sands
Detroit's streetscape program is aimed at reinvigorating commercial corridors across the city, but for business owners like Denise Moore, the construction involved has brought some short-term frustrations.
Moore is the owner of ZAB Cultural Collective, a co-working space and art gallery located on East Warren...
December 6th, 20220By Caroline Bissonette
Wherever you find her, blending up fresh ingredients in her home kitchen or selling smoothies from her weekly stall at the East Warren farmers market, Teleah Mitchum is the picture of health.
The lively Detroit-based nutrition consultant and owner of Simone’s Original Smoothies brims with vitality as she talks...
August 27th, 20220By David Sands
Until recently, Bieniek Park and Dingeman Park in Southwest Detroit's Chadsey Condon neighborhood were often referred to as "ghost parks", abandoned recreation areas that have fallen by the wayside.
Ethelyn Carroll, a Southwest Detroiter and president of the area's United Block Club Council, remembers how bad things...
