How local musicians help connect parks and people in downtown Farmington Read Article

What the Friends of the Rouge are doing to fight water pollution and connect communities Read Article

Courtesy of Friends of the Rouge.

New businesses begin to bloom as spring has sprung in downtown Farmington Read Article

Living on couches, in hotels, or in cars, many in Oakland County experience "hidden" homelessness Read Article

Shariki Bell's apartment in Pontiac. Bell lived in a camper in her friend's driveway from 2006 to 2012 due to a mental health crisis.
Photo: Shariki Bell's apartment in Pontiac. Bell lived in a camper in her friend's driveway from 2006 to 2012 due to a mental health crisis. Steve Koss

PHOTOS: Take a peek at the Sterling Heights Community Garden ahead of its grand opening Read Article

Oak Park’s first K-9 officer retires after eight years of service Read Article

David Lewinski.

Features

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Feature Story “I see this as a family-to-family service for the community,” says Angela Tolonen. Entrepreneurship

Family-owned pet shop to replace corporate chain in downtown Farmington

MJ GalbraithWednesday, March 31, 2021
We want to keep the things that the community really enjoyed and then offer more customized services that you might not be able to get from a corporate entity,” says co-owner Angela Tolonen.
Feature Story A family’s art: Jake Nordin, son of co-owners Michelle Plucinsky and Chris Nordin Arts and Culture

‘Something to make you smile’: How Dearborn’s Glass Academy got creative to reach a new audience

MJ GalbraithWednesday, March 31, 2021
COVID-19 forced the Glass Academy to alter their business model. They look to emerge from the pandemic even stronger.
Partner Content Justin Williams, GSSEM's Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer has been with the Council since January.

Facing the Future: Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Elevates Diversity and Equity

Jane Parikh-SimonsMonday, March 29, 2021
For the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just words.  In January, GSSEM made an intentional decision to hire its first Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, making it the first Girl Scout Council in Michigan and one of only a handful throughout the United States to do what numerous colleges and universities and businesses have already done.
Feature Story Stephanie Chang

12 Metro Detroit Asian American women leaders you should know

Nargis RahmanMonday, March 29, 2021
Model D interviewed 12 local Asian American women who are leaders in their respective fields, from nonprofits to restaurants, to understand their experiences and their thoughts on the rise in attacks on the AAPI community.
Feature Story insta.png

5 Detroit Instagram accounts you need to follow right now

Biba AdamsMonday, March 29, 2021
We compiled a shortlist of some of our favorite Detroit-focused IG accounts for you to follow and connect with and revel in the greatness of our city. 
Feature Story Captain Luke Clyburn speaks with Sea Cadets on the Pride of Michigan. Technology and Innovation

Meet the researchers and young explorers investigating Lake St. Clair's sunken mysteries

David SandsThursday, March 25, 2021
Lake St. Clair hides many secrets, from shipwrecks to submerged settlements. But a several Michigan-based organizations are doing their best to bring them to light.
Special Report Erik Tungate, Oak Park City Manager Community Development

Oak Park embraces its diversity and business mix to become a destination for Metro Detroit"

Jane Parikh-SimonsWednesday, March 24, 2021
These days, the city is home to thriving downtown corridors with a mix of specialty shops, bars, and restaurants.
Feature Story Shawn Taylor Entrepreneurship

Motivating others to succeed: Q&A with business consultant Shawn Taylor

Kate RoffThursday, March 18, 2021
When Shawn Taylor isn't coaching clients in business and real estate, he's doing things like training emergency inspectors for FEMA and introducing people like President Joe Biden at events. The Sterling Heights resident shares with Metromode what his varied work looks like, and what inspires him. 
Feature Story shapeypsi Community Development

Can cities plan for equity? These southeast Michigan communities are leading the way

Patrick DunnThursday, March 18, 2021
While the researchers found that plans highlighting equity were decidedly in the minority in Michigan, there were some standouts in metro Detroit.
Feature Story Latoya Eliot, “Untitled” Community Development

Artist studios for people with disabilities open in Detroit and Westland

MJ GalbraithThursday, March 18, 2021
“In the studio, we’re not trying to hide or mask peoples’ disabilities. People can see and use their disabilities as something that’s positive, something that’s unique to them and their style and their work.”
Development News Portillo's, Sterling Heights Economic Development

Portillo's opens first Michigan location in Sterling Heights

Kate RoffThursday, March 18, 2021
Restaurant chain Portillo's started as a hot dog stand in Illinois in 1963, but grew to launch more than 60 locations across nine states. On Tuesday, the brand opened its first Michigan restaurant, located in Sterling Heights.
Development News Fetter-2 Arts and Culture

‘The quality, the craftsmanship, and the glow’: Reception planned for Farmington art exhibition

MJ GalbraithThursday, March 18, 2021
“When you stand in front of [the paintings], you want to reach out and touch them because they’re so representational. He really was a master of his craft.”
Development News The Oak Park Public Library is one of more than 100 libraries throughout southeastern Michigan participating in the program Technology and Innovation

Parks system partners with libraries to provide 100 free hotspots throughout the region

MJ GalbraithThursday, March 18, 2021
“Any in-network library user in the five-county region can request access to the hotspots at their local library.”
Feature Story The Motown Witch, Yvette-Louise Wyatt. Photo by Nick Hagen.

‘Motown Witch’ brings ancestral wisdom to Detroit’s west side with metaphysical supply

Biba AdamsTuesday, March 16, 2021
In this nod to Women’s History Month, Model D Editor At Large Biba Adams interviewed Yvette-Louise, also known as The Motown Witch, who opened her new metaphysical supply store in January with products like incense, candles, crystals, books, and more. She is creating a space for people and particularly women, to explore ancient magic rooted in self-love.
Longform People walking along the Dequindre Cut in Detroit. Healthy Communities

Mental health is a driving factor in a year of surging attendance at Southeast Michigan parks

Patrick DunnFriday, March 12, 2021
Numerous factors have prompted huge increases in park usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of them trace back to residents seeking mental stability during unprecedented chaos and uncertainty.
Development News Good Vybz specializes in Jamaican cuisine like jerk chicken, plantains, “Rasta pasta” with shrimp or jerk chicken, and more. Entrepreneurship

Husband and wife bring authentic Jamaican cuisine to downtown Farmington

MJ GalbraithThursday, March 11, 2021
“I feel like if you’re going to represent somewhere or something, it should be done right. Good Vybz is a representation of where I’m from. People are coming from all over to see it, taste it. So proper representation is a very big thing for me,” says Good Vybz co-owner Anthony Harriott.
Feature Story David Gifford and Mike McFall with a SMART bus in the background. Transportation

Ride along with Transit Guide Detroit

David GiffordWednesday, March 10, 2021
Riding the bus can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Transit advocate David Gifford teaches people how to figure out routes, how to pay, how to exit, and how to transfer.
Feature Story Cakes by Shamsun Nehar. Entrepreneurship

Engineer, cake artist pays homage to Bangladeshi roots

Nargis Hakim RahmanWednesday, March 10, 2021
“The left side of my brain is focused on logic .. so the right side of my brain focuses on more artistic things,” says cake artist Shamsun Nehar.
Feature Story Dante Williams, Cutz Lounge Building Communities

Detroit barber business weathers COVID-19 with community approach

Ellen PiligianTuesday, March 9, 2021
By the time he reached high school, Dante Williams and his brother were cutting hair for about 120 clients a week — from neighbors to classmates to teachers — paying $5 a cut. Now the Detroit entrepreneur owns Cutz Lounge, and shares how he is making it through the current COVID-19 crisis. 
Feature Story Ebony Anglers Pictured L to R: Lesleigh Mausi -Detroit, MI Bobbiette Palmer -Iowa City, IA Tiana Davis -Long Island, NY Gia Peebles -San Diego, CA Glenda Turner -Durham, NC

What I Love about Detroit: Expats wax philosophical about their hometown

Biba AdamsTuesday, March 9, 2021
Oliver Wendell Holmes said that “where we love is home—home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
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Nonprofit Journal Project

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.

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