HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Local 4 anchor/reporter Karen Drew is taking on a new task on Monday, June 3: She’s spending 24 hours in Highland Park, covering stories of residents, the nonprofit Avalon Village, and everything in between.
Starting at 6 a.m., Karen Drew will spend some time on air -- and online here and on Local 4+ -- every hour to share those stories and cover what’s happening in the historic community. In between her live shots, she’ll be filming more Highland Park stories for a special that will air later.
---> Read: Karen Drew: Why we’re spending 24 hours in Highland Park
The goal? To bring you in on the process in a new way, and to showcase the people of Highland Park and the work being done there.
You can find Karen’s ongoing Monday coverage below. This article will be updated throughout the day.
6 a.m. - With the Ferguson family
Karen kicks off the live Highland Park coverage by spending some early-morning time with resident Kristine Ferguson as she makes breakfast.
7 a.m. - Ferguson, Zobel families welcome us in their homes
We spend a bit more time with Kristine Ferguson to learn more about her life in Highland Park. Then, we walk over to her neighbor Ann Zobel’s home to learn about her experience.
8 a.m. - Highland Park native founds coffee company to serve community
Meet Martell Mason, a Highland Park native who owns Sepia Coffee. He tells us about why he started his business, and why it’s so important to invest in his home community.
Learn more about the Sepia Coffee Project on their website here.
9 a.m. - Avalon Village’s music programs
We’re chatting with Kevin Smith, a teen who says his life was changed by a music program offered through Avalon Village. Smith now works as a junior camp counselor for kids with similar interests. His mother speaks highly of the program, too, and the difference it makes in the community.
10 a.m. - Mama Shu walks us through Avalon Village
We’re hanging out with Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris, who is the founder and CEO of nonprofit Avalon Village. Harris is working to improve and serve the Highland Park community, offering tools to children to help them grow and prosper.
10:55 a.m. - Touring community garden in Highland Park’s Avalon Village
Aziza Brent, daughter of Avalon Village founder Mama Shu, takes us into the community garden in their Highland Park neighborhood.
11 a.m. - Community garden, chickens help teach sustainability
The community garden at Avalon Village is growing in hopes of feeding the community, and teaching its members how to live sustainably. We’re once again joined by Aziza Brent, master gardener, who shows us what the space is used for.
12 p.m. - Lil’ recap
Here’s a look at what we’ve covered so far, and what’s still to come throughout the day.
12:30 p.m. - D.O.A.P. Soap educational business at Avalon Village
Members of Avalon Village, including part-time employees, are making soap to create good products for the community. It’s an effort to teach children and community members good skincare habits using natural products, while also employing people to actually make the soap, dubbed D.O.A.P. Soap.
1 p.m. - Highland Park native and Michigan Chronicle publisher shares experience
Meet Hiram Jackson, publisher of the Michigan Chronicle and a Highland Park native. Michigan Chronicle -- a historic Metro Detroit news organization that focuses on Black stories and interests -- is our new partner on a variety of projects. He’s sharing his experience with us.
1:15 p.m. - Meet Highland Park educators working to make a difference
We’re talking with a local principal and a local superintendent working to make a difference for children in Highland Park, where education has been a challenge in recent years.
2 p.m. - Community gathers in Avalon Village for water giveaway
We’re still hanging out in Avalon Village, where they’re handing out water and juice on this Monday afternoon. Avalon Village is a community and nonprofit in Highland Park working to better the lives of those who live there.
3 p.m. - How Highland Park’s Reggie McKenzie Foundation has impacted thousands
Jeremy Allen, with Michigan Chronicle, and Kyle and Reggie McKenzie join us to talk about the massive impact of the Reggie McKenzie Foundation and the more than 50,000 children it helped over the last five decades.
4 p.m. - Exploring Homework House in Highland Park
New residents Michael and Jessi share how the Homework House has helped with their children, and what they love about the neighborhood.
4:30 p.m. - Art teacher discusses angel sculptures outside Homework House
Former art teacher Grace Juarez explains the importance of a couple of angel sculptures and their impact outside of Homework House in Highland Park.
5 p.m. - Another recap!
Here’s a look at what we’ve covered so far, and what’s still to come throughout the day.
5:30 p.m. - Highland Park Mayor responds to water, street light problems
Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald spoke with Karen Drew and Michigan Chronicle’s Jeremy Allen about the city, what problems there are, and how they are being addressed.
6 p.m. - Mama Shu shares how pain of losing sons powers her
Local 4 has followed Mama Shu Harris for years. She has turned the pain of losing her sons into power while restoring her hometown block by block. As her efforts continue to gain national attention, we’re taking a deeper dive into her impact on this community.
7 p.m. - Jeremy Allen and Jovon Burkes talk residential development in Highland Park
The Michigan Chronicle Executive Editor Jeremy Allen and developer Jovon Burkes do a walk-through in Highland Park to give a glimpse into residential development.
8 p.m. - Mom of 2 talks opening business; ‘Outsider’ embraces Highland Park with his own flavor
Mom of two and “Backstitch” owner Kristine Ferguson talks about opening her business and the process of being a small business owner in Highland Park. Rahim Deas moved to Highland Park from Brooklyn, New York, and he encourages more residents to do the same while also bringing flavor into the community.
9 p.m. - Married couple discusses moving to Highland Park
A resurgence of people are moving back to Highland Park, including Michael and Jessi Spears, who fell in love with the area.
10 p.m. - Highland Park City Council president talks wants changes for the community
Highland Park City Council President Jamal Thomas talks about changes for the community and the lack of development in the city’s former housing commission.
11 p.m. - Highland Park residents talk crime, safety, lights
Highland Park residents talk about crime, safety, and, in particular, the lights in their community, of which many were removed in 2011.
12 a.m. - Avalon Village security shares their experience
We’re talking with the head of security who protects Avalon Village in Highland Park.
1 a.m. - Karen Drew’s thoughts on the 24-hour project
Local 4 anchor/reporter Karen Drew is live in Highland Park at 1 a.m., and it’s quiet on Avalon Street early this Tuesday morning. She’s sharing a “reporter diary,” talking about her thoughts on the project, and what she’s learned from the community so far.
2 a.m. - Highland Park business owner talks water bill challenges
Here’s a second look at our interview with Kristine Ferguson, who owns a business called Backstitch in Highland Park. She shares the highlights and struggles of owning a business in the city.
3 a.m. - What Highland Park mayor says about city challenges, path forward
Here’s another look at our interview with Highland Park Mayor Glenda McDonald, and what she had to say about the city’s challenges and path forward.
4 a.m. - Highland Park police chief says crime is rarer than people think
Karen Drew and Jeremy Allen, from our partner at Michigan Chronicle, are talking with James McMahon, chief of police in Highland Park. He describes what the community is actually like, and says crime is rarer in this city than people think.
5 a.m. - Highlight reel: Things we’ve learned over these 24 hours
Just catching up? Here’s a look at some of the highlights of our 24-hour coverage in Highland Park. We’re learning about what people love so much about this city, and what they think the future looks like here.
6 a.m. - Mama Shu shares hopes for Highland Park as we end our 24 hours there
We’re nearing the end of our 24-hour coverage with Mama Shu, the woman behind Avalon Village in Highland Park, as she shares her hopes for the city and for buy-in from others.
6:30 a.m. - That’s a wrap! Key takeaways from 24 Hours in Highland Park
And that’s a wrap! Karen Drew shares some of her biggest takeaways after spending 24 hours in Highland Park, sharing all kinds of stories. We’re taking everything we learned and putting it together in a special that will air later this month. Plus, a Highland Park town hall is in the works.