Detroit Evening Report: LGBTQ+ business district, Healthy Home Resource Day and more
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FILE - The Detroit skyline is seen, May 12, 2020, in Detroit.
On this episode of the Detroit Evening Report, learn about the Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce looking into a queer business district for the city. Plus, the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office received a grant from the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights History program, and more stories for July 11, 2024.
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Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce seeks community feedback on possible queer business district
The Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce is collecting ideas from the queer community about the need for an LGBTQ+ business district.
Kevin Heard, president of the board and founder of the chamber, believes the impact of a queer business district would be far-reaching.
“We really don’t have that pretty much nowhere in the Midwest, with the exception of Chicago…which is like four full blocks of just LGBTQ identity and friendly-owned businesses and gay-owned businesses.”
The chamber is accepting survey responses through July 31, 2024, at detroitlgbtchamber.com.
Reported by WDET’s Sascha Raiyn.
Michigan awarded $75,000 African American Civil Rights grant
The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Historic Preservation Fund’s African American Civil Rights History program administered by the National Park Service.
The grant funds will be used to survey sites that appear in the “Negro Motorist Green Book.” The guidebook was published from 1936-66 that provided a list of hotels, gas stations, restaurants and other establishments across the country that were safe for Black people traveling through those areas. The preservation office is looking to fund sites from the “Negro Motorist Green Book” that can be nominated to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places and preserved.
The Green Book is one of 39 projects across the country funded by the African American Civil Rights Grants Program — including an award to Eastern Michigan University to document sites associated with the Civil Rights movement on Detroit’s east side.
Healthy Home Resource Day helps Detroit residents pay utility bills
The Healthy Home Resource Day takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Butzel Family Center in Detroit. Attendees can learn how to get their back taxes, water and other utilities paid. There will also be resources available to get home repairs done.
The fair is hosted by City Councilmember Coleman A. Young II and Board of Tax Review Director Willie C. Donwell.
Hendricks Foundation hosting computer drive to help close technology gap in Detroit
Local nonprofit Hendricks Foundation is collecting used computers to repair and reuse in Detroit. The Computer Donations for Donuts drive’s mission is to supply less fortunate students with computers.
The foundation is collecting laptops, desktops, monitors, and other computers accessories and tech devices. Devices can be dropped off on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 3333 East Jefferson Ave.
Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.
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