Recently, the Detroit cultural community celebrated one of the city’s dearest cultural leaders, Njia Kai. It was a surprise party to show their deep appreciation for Mama Njia in her role as events planner, cultural worker and educator. ...

To mark Black History Month, The Michigan Citizen reached into its photo archives to repost a variety of events that tell some of Detroit’s recent history. We encourage readers who can add to the narrative of any of the photos to please do so by submitting comments to editor@michigancitizen.com ...

A special Feed1 Teach1 community forum on gentrification will be presented by the Young Educators Alliance (YEA) on Feb. 16 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Cass Corridor Commons, located at 4605 Cass Ave. Feed1 Teach1 is open to the public and provides an opportunity for community members to share in a healthy dialogue and healthy food. ...

City Council voted Feb. 12 to impose furloughs on its staff. The vote passed 6-2 with Council members Brenda Jones and JoAnn Watson voting “no.” Councilmember Kwame Kenyatta was absent. The vote came a day after the Financial Advisory Board reportedly voted in favor of furloughing about 600 unionized city employees. Council’s furlough days for its 40 staffers amount to a 10 percent pay decrease. ...

Detroit-area McDonald’s restaurant owners are celebrating Black History Month with an art contest featuring a Black History theme, and prizes including cash and a gallery exhibit, aimed at local high school students. “McDonald’s Celebrates Black History Moments on Canvas” officially kicks off this week and asks metro Detroit high school students to submit original works of art that capture a significant mom ...

This year, 42,000 properties in Wayne County face tax foreclosure. Wayne County Treasurer Ray Wojtowicz has created programs to help residents avoid tax foreclosure. In February the treasurer’s office and Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) will host Taxpayer Assistance Saturdays. Each Saturday the treasurer’s office will have representatives at four WCCCD campuses to meet with taxpayers and exp ...

City Council voted 6-3 to approve articles of incorporation for the proposed Public Lighting Authority. Council members Brenda Jones, JoAnn Watson and Kwame Kenyatta were the dissenting voters. “The city needs to get out of the business of public lighting ... anything else is asking for the status quo,” said Council Pro Tem Gary Brown. The deadline for an initial plan is March 15. ...

While the future of Detroit’s largest park remains uncertain, the city will be closing 50 other parks this spring. “The inaction by City Council and resulting retraction of the state’s participation not only negatively affects Belle Isle, but also has significant impact on the city’s other parks and services,” Mayor Dave Bing said in a statement Feb. 1. Thirty-eight additional parks will receive limited ser ...

To mark Black History Month, The Michigan Citizen reached into its photo archives to repost a variety of events that tell some of Detroit’s recent history. We encourage readers who can add to the narrative of any of the photos to please do so by submitting comments to editor@michigancitizen.com. ...

Wayne State University, in partnership with several Detroit businesses, organizations and institutions, is conducting a feasibility study to explore establishing a public bike sharing system in greater downtown Detroit. Bike sharing consists of a network of bicycles distributed around an area that allow short, one-way trips from one location to another. Riders typically purchase a daily, weekly, yearly or s ...