Review: “Begin Again” blends James Baldwin’s urgent lessons and a call to face “the American Lie”
By Robert R. Thomas BEGIN AGAIN by Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is a clear example of a historical genre I call living history, i.e., history being written in real time by living historians. Glaude is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor of African...
FACES of Flint available now
Following Tuesday night's premiere of the two new videos "FACES OF FLINT: a message from the anvil of America's democracy," both are available here: Video One (six minute version) Video Two:
City Clerk announces 11,000 absentee ballots issued and 3,500 ballots have been returned; Clerk says her office is “sincere”, “honest” and “working hard 24/7”
By Tom Travis City Clerk Inez Brown attempted to assure the community that her office is "honest, sincere and working hard 24/7" to see that the voting process is carried out. In a press conference held in the lobby of Flint City Hall Tuesday morning Brown...
How to spend a million in Flint: Mott Foundation wants to know
By Jan Worth-Nelson Flint residents have until Aug. 11 to vote on how the city's largest and most dominant foundation should spend $1 million. Last November the C.S. Mott Foundation asked Flint residents to suggest how to spend $1 million on Flint neighborhoods....
Education Beat: Flint schools start new school year amid great uncertainty
By Harold C. Ford Amid great uncertainty, Flint Community Schools (FCS) begin a new year in August amidst great uncertainty. Sources of uncertainty emanate from international, national, state, and local levels of our pandemic-plagued world. Already weighted down by...
Judge rules in favor of voters’ rights and calls for accountability in City Clerk’s office
By Tom Travis Voters' rights and prospects for proper processing of absentee ballot applications and ballots received a shot in the arm Thursday from Judge Celeste Bell of the 7th Circuit Court. Bell ruled in favor of a lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union...
Flint Public Library opens in temporary quarters with COVID precautions in place
By Coner Segren After a months-long closure due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Flint Public Library reopens its doors to the public at its temporary location in Courtland Center Mall today, July 23. Conditions for the "phased re-opening" include face masks,...
“We’re at an intersection of crisis,” Mayor Neeley says and offers three point plan to combat crime in Flint
By Tom Travis In a press conference today Mayor Sheldon Neeley along with Police Chief Phil Hart presented a three-point plan to combat crime in the City of Flint: -- Formation of a Special Investigative Unit, -- A recruitment effort to hire new officers, and -- A "no...
He changed my life: A remembrance of John Lewis
By Harold C. Ford “When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something. To do something.” -- John Lewis, December 2019 It was Sunday, March 7, 1965. I was an 18-year-old freshman student at Flint Community...
Marchers rally in Flint Township to combat low wage and economic disparities
By Madeleine Graham Aiming to draw attention to low wages for essential workers and other economic disparities, about 30 people marched Monday from the Flint Genesee Mall former Sears auto shop to McDonald's on Linden Road and onto the Michigan State Police Post on...
“Rally 4 Action” at City Hall features line up of Black candidates, former Mayor Weaver, Little Miss Flint
By Tom Travis In what was billed as a "Rally 4 Action - It's time we do something different, in order to be the difference!" political candidates running for the August election, activists and community leaders spoke on the lawn of Flint City Hall Saturday. The...
“FACES of Flint” GOTV videos going public
It's happening! The premiere, LIVE ON ZOOM, of "FACES of Flint: a message from the anvil of American democracy" Two "Get out the vote" videos produced by East Village Magazine feature 130 Flint residents offering a heart-touching Get Out the Vote message. ...
Education Beat: Flint School board approves plan to re-open schools online Aug. 5
By Harold C. Ford A plan for all Flint students to return to school Aug. 5 on a virtual/online basis only has been approved by the board of the Flint Community School (FCS) district. Then in September, following recommendations from the state and other sources, FCS...
Kildee on John Lewis: he urged getting into “good trouble” in the pursuit of justice and equality
Note: Since May 26, Congressman Kildee, of Michigan's Fifth District, had been Congressman Lewis's proxy for House votes at Lewis's request. Statement by Congressman Dan Kildee on the passing of Rep. John Lewis: Flint -- Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Chief...
Mayor Neeley on the death of John Lewis: “We have lost a great American hero”
Mayor Sheldon Neeley today issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman John Lewis: "We have lost a great American hero. Congressman John Lewis leaves us after a lifetime dedicated to fighting nonviolently for equity and social justice. He...
City Clerk and City of Flint respond to ACLU complaint about absentee ballot/voters rights concerns
By Tom Travis In response to a complaint filed in the Genesee County Circuit Court Thursday by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan and five Flint residents, City Clerk Inez Brown has announced 24-hour access to a secured absentee ballot drop box now...
Flint receives $400,000 grant from the Department of Justice to fight Coronavirus
By Tom Travis The City of Flint has won a $411,348 grant from the Department of Justice to fund COVID-19 response and related expenses, city officials announced this week. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a part of the U.S. Department of Justice and administers...
ACLU sues City of Flint Clerk’s office over absentee ballot concerns
By Jan Worth-Nelson and Tom Travis Concerns about processing of absentee ballots have led to a complaint by The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan against the Flint City Clerk's office seeking to account for absentee ballot requests submitted to the...
Sloan Museum receives $400K from Hagerman Foundation for new early childhood gallery
By Jan Worth-Nelson A new $400,000 grant from the Flint-based Hagerman Foundation to the Sloan Museum of Discovery will provide funding for a new early childhood gallery, and brings the Flint science and history museum to within $2 million of its $27.6 million...
Commentary: An August primary primer–how it’s different and why its important
By Paul Rozycki In a time of the COVID-19 virus, economic shutdowns, Black Lives Matter protests, and 500-year floods, it’s difficult to focus on something as routine as an August primary election. Even in “normal” times, the primary is often overshadowed by summer...
Local ACLU fires off complaint to the Mayor and City Clerk; mail-in and absentee ballots in question
By Tom Travis The City of Flint is not complying with absentee balloting requirements approved by Michigan voters, Greater Flint American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) officials claimed Tuesday in a letter of complaint to Mayor Sheldon Neeley and Flint City Clerk Inez...
Free COVID testing for Flint residents returns to Shiloh MBC Thursday and Friday
The City of Flint has issued the following announcement: "FLINT, Michigan—Free COVID-19 testing will return on Thursday and Friday to Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church through the continued partnership of state, county and local entities. Testing at Shiloh has been...
Village Life: 26 miles on foot in Flint, Connor Coyne’s walk is both ancient and intimate
By Connor Coyne On a Sunday at the end of June, my alarm goes off at three in the morning. I dress in the darkness, putting on the loose fitting shirt and shorts I’d selected the night before. I'm careful not to wake my wife who will sleep for several more hours in...
Absentee and mail-in ballots to be mailed out Tuesday to Flint residents; ACLU raises concerns
By Tom Travis Absentee ballots will begin to be mailed out Tuesday, July 7, Flint City Clerk Inez Brown said in a phone interview Monday. In the face of an inquiry by the Greater Flint ACLU, questioning the City Clerks' procedures, Brown said she could not confirm the...
East Village Magazine – July 2020
The latest issue of the East Village Magazine is available for download here.
