The Walk to Freedom ended at the TCF Center -- then named Cobo Arena -- where Dr. King delivered a powerful speech. It was a precursor to his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech two months later in Washington.

Emotions ran high in Oakland county over the district’s efforts to promote diversity and equality. Results saw participants from the districts republican party stage a protest outside Tuesday (Jan. 11) night’s board meeting in Farmington over parts of ‘equity challenge.’

A new fund is raising money to support 5-10 farmers in Washtenaw and seven surrounding counties.

Thirty individuals were chosen out of approximately 80 applicants, the city said.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved of a budget amendment committing the annual marijuana tax revenue, expected to be more than $200,000, to the equity issues in the county.

The bill is also opposed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which called it unneccessary.

Community members wanting to steer the future of inclusivity and equity in Tree Town can now apply to be on the city’s new Ann Arbor Equitable Engagement Steering Committee.

United Way is working toward building a better tomorrow and we can all be involved.

Registration for the self-guided challenge is now open.

But for Black people, code-switching is far more complex and can often be taxing. Myles Durkee is an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and has done extensive research on racial code-switching. AdWhen a Black person cannot effectively code-switch, the result can be damaging. If simply by code-switching of an officer already perceives a Black male as threatening, code-switching is an extremely effective way to alleviate some of that anxiety,” Durkee said. AdDurkee said that when it comes to code-switching in the workplace, leadership needs to recognize that it’s happening.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)Detroit will dismiss most misdemeanor citations issued last spring during several days of protests against police brutality following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, a city official said Tuesday. Most of the tickets written from May 31 through June 2 were for curfew violations as hundreds of people demonstrated in downtown Detroit. The city expects to dismiss 238 of the 245 tickets issued on those three days, Detroit Corporation Counsel Lawrence Garcia said. Dozens of demonstrators received appearance citations for violating the city’s 8 p.m. curfew, Garcia said in a statement. Prosecutors in Los Angeles also decided not to charge thousands of protesters arrested for violating curfew and other police orders.

DETROIT – It’s been quite a year for the new Tigers bench coach George Lombard. She died in a car crash when George Lombard was only 10 years old. Throughout his life, George Lombard knew about his mother’s advocacy. But, also, we all need to wake up and understanding what’s happening,” George Lombard said. READ: More Detroit Tigers coverage

DETROIT – Monday is the 35th official Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For many, MLK Day is just another day off -- a day to relax, a day to do things, do some community service. For one couple, the day means so much more to them because they were there the day King came to Detroit and debuted his original “I Have a Dream” speech on June 23, 1963. Somewhere in that crowd was a 22-year-old warrior for Civil Rights named Dorothy Dewberry-Aldridge. She and her husband, Dan Aldridge, have spent more than 60 years fighting for Civil Rights, equality and social justice.

GROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich. – A local attorney who was recently ticketed for his Black Lives Matter sign now has a new set of problems. While the ticket was thrown out, Todd Perkins is dealing with hate mail being sent to his home. Inside the letter sent to his Grosse Pointe Shores home was a poem full of racial slurs and signage designed to be a jab at his Black Lives Matter sign in the front yard. Why do people think that Black Lives Suck,” said Perkins. There was a return address on the hate mail sent to Perkins.

DETROIT – Three Black fathers who are raising Black or biracial children in America spoke candidly about teaching their son to try to avoid racism and, quite frankly, just survive. All of the dads have incredible hope when it comes to social justice. He shared why he’s optimistic that things will get better in our country’s fight against racism. He, along with local musician Herb Harris Junior and Lucas Hagerty, are all raising Black or biracial sons. “I want to model that for them.”More: ‘Spirit of Detroit: Fulfilling the Dream’ SpecialExtended cut: Evrod Cassimy talks with fathers on raising Black sons in AmericaSpecial Section: Spirit Of Detroit Fulfilling The Dream

DETROIT – It’s difficult watching what’s happened to Black men in our country. Many young Black men are taught by their parents how some people in the world might view them and the things they should do in hopes of staying safe. We sat down with three Black fathers about how and when they have this difficult conversation with their sons. They all spoke candidly about the challenges or differences raising black or biracial young men in today’s climate compared to their white counterparts. The conversations about race started when their sons began asking questions or as certain incidents, like George Floyd, have made headlines.

DETROIT Tuesday night marks 57 years since Martin Luther King Jr. marched the streets of Detroit and spoke about dreams of equality that we are still struggling to achieve. Martin Luther King III is Dr. Kings oldest son and he was only 5 years old when his father was in Detroit for the Walk to Freedom march. Decades later, he and his family continue to carry on their fathers dream. Hear from Martin Luther King III in the video above. Click here for more Spirit of Detroit: Fulfilling the Dream reports

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Phoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life. Phoenix said that bus ride and the impact of the incident has stuck with him, and watching the video of George Floyd’s death has motivated him to again work for change. MORE: Metro Detroit religious leaders fight for change in our communityPhoenix captured the school bus incident on video when he was 13 years old. He’s now a freshman at Howard University, but that moment in eighth grade still shaped much of his young life. You can hear from Phoenix in Hank Winchester’s full video above.

George Floyd video inspires Bloomfield Hills teen to continue working for changePublished: June 23, 2020, 5:37 pmPhoenix Williams, who recorded students taunting him and calling him the N-word while on the school bus when he was an eighth-grader in Bloomfield Hills, has already inspired change in his life.

DETROIT Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held the Walk to Freedom 57 years ago in Detroit and gave what would become the precursor to his I Have A Dream speech. MORE: Metro Detroit religious leaders fight for change in our communityOn June 23, 1963, a crowd of more than 100,000 people walked with Dr. King down Woodward Avenue. The Walk to Freedom ended at Cobo Arena, where Dr. King delivered a powerful speech -- a precursor to his famous I Have A Dream speech two months later in Washington. Part of Dr. Kings message was a dream of unity. Muirhead said she believes if he was here right now, Dr. King would be hopeful.

ANN ARBOR Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton has been elected as a founding member of a new nationwide organization and think tank that aims to steer policy in the criminal justice field. According to its mission statement:The Council on Criminal Justice advances understanding of the criminal justice policy choices facing the nation and builds consensus for solutions that enhance safety and justice for all. We believe a fair and effective criminal justice system is essential to democracy and a core measure of our nations well-being. The Councils advisory Board of Trustees is co-chaired by Mark Holden of Koch Industries and former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates. Jerry BrownFormer Philadelphia Mayor Michael NutterVan Jones of CNNSheriff Clayton was nominated by Trustees and Directors and elected by the Councils Board of Directors.

DETROIT – Protesters are picketing the homes of Detroit City Council members, asking them to vote down the expansion of facial recognition technology in the city. Facial recognition has been has been a hot topic along with the backlash against Detroit’s Project Green Light cameras. READ: Detroit business owner disagrees with protesters’ demand to end Project Green LightThe group, Detroit Will Breathe, is one of the main protest groups who take to the streets of Detroit on a nightly basis. Their demands include to defund the Detroit Police Department, starting with eliminating the use of facial recognition technology. 'Defund the police’: What it means and why activists are calling for itThe technology is approved by the Board of Police Commissioners.

DETROIT The Pistons will host a series of virtual events from Monday through Thursday for Pistons Pride Week. The Pistons programs are an extension of the Pistons Equality platform and are meant to support the LGBTQ+ community. Pride week events are free and open to the first 1,000 participants to register online. READ: Benched: Greg Kelser discusses the end of Detroit Pistons season, praying for social changeOn Tuesday at 6 p.m. the Pistons will host an interactive discussion with Free Mom Hugs founder Sara Cunningham and her son Parker. Through the Pistons Pride Week events and discussions, we look to recognize and advocate for inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community, said Erika Swilley, Detroit Pistons senior director of community relations.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Preliminary damage estimates for the Grand Rapids riot that took place last Saturday are set at $448,000, according to WOOD-TV. The preliminary damage estimates do not include other costs, such as overtime for police and fire and items stolen by looters. Seven police vehicles were broken into and over 100 businesses reported damage. Glass windows were shattered at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. In Detroit a protest against police brutality will take place outside Detroit Police Department headquarters at 4 p.m. for the ninth consecutive dayCoverage on the Grand Rapids riot:Protests in Grand Rapids become violent; fires, looting, heavy damage reported