Community members gathered in Angell Hall Sunday evening to eat, connect and listen to panelists at “Detroit Chinatown Visions,” an event featuring the Detroit Chinatown Vision Committee discussing new developments and a proposed revival of Detroit’s Pan-Asian neighborhood.

The Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month event was presented by the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs and Trotter Multicultural Center. It featured food, discussion of the history of Detroit’s Chinatown and a screening of “Big Fight in Little Chinatown,” a documentary on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese communities all over the country.

The DCVC is working to create a new center for Detroit’s Pan-Asian community after the original two were destroyed in the 1960s as part of Detroit’s urban renewal initiatives. DCVC member Roland Hwang, founder of American Citizens for Justice, began the panel by reviewing Detroit’s first and second Chinatown neighborhoods. Hwang said the original community was torn down when the Detroit Housing Commission labeled it as a slum in need of demolition. One prevalent restaurant in the neighborhood — Chung’s Chop Suey — relocated to Cass Ave in an attempt to create a second Chinatown. However, the neighborhood largely ended after the business closed in 2000.

Jacob Molewyk, DCVC co-chair of Asian outreach, said the committee began after the 2023 demolition of the Shanghai Cafe and the Chinese Merchants Association building at 3143 Cass Ave., a cornerstone of Detroit’s Asian community. 

DCVC member Leslie Tom said the committee hopes to commemorate the history lost due to the gentrification of Detroit neighborhoods.

“There is a lot of pressure to kind of gentrify these areas, or lose the memory of how these immigrant communities have created these enclaves in these cities,” Tom said. “And when you make these disappear, you sort of lose the identity and the memories of your origin story, and how your culture thrived and survived in this country.”

In July 2025, the committee hosted its first block party to celebrate the revival of Detroit’s Chinatown and Asian American heritage, featuring vendors, art and performances. Tom said she is excited for DCVC’s second block party planned for July 25, the anniversary of the day the merchant association building was knocked down. 

“I feel like it’s so beautiful,” Tom said. “I’ve not seen a community with so many multi-generational skills come together and really start to reclaim what the space is and reclaim that history. To start to rethink what the future of this space could be, expanding into a Pan-Asian identity, rather than just a Chinatown.”

Lisa Yee-Litzenberg, DCVC co-chair of Asian outreach, said the organization focuses on community development and neighborhood planning through its non-profit arm, the Chinatown Redevelopment Corporation.

“What we’re doing is doing a lot of work to do strategic planning,” Yee-Litzenberg said. “We’re really listening to the community. We’re building from the ground up. So we’ve been partnering a lot with the local community residents (and) the businesses. …We’ve been  hearing from a lot of other Chinatowns around the country and even in Canada and elsewhere, to kind of see how they built themselves up and the challenges that they’re facing.”

Hwang concluded by reemphasizing the organization’s mission to preserve Pan-Asian culture in Detroit before opening the panel to audience questions.

“Ethnic enclaves, particularly Japantowns, Koreatowns, Chinatowns, etc., are not easily movable or replaceable, and they should flourish in the name of cultural preservation,” Hwang said. “People should recognize that other cities do a better job of preservation and recognizing their historical significance. I think that that’s part of our mission: to make sure that people realize the importance of recognizing past neighborhoods and cultures.”

In an interview with the Michigan Daily, LSA senior Tyler Nguyen, AA&PI Heritage Month and event co-coordinator, said he encourages students to engage with local history and community efforts.

“If you’re an individual who is wondering about your place, there is actually history right at your fingertips, right at your doorstep and right on campus,” Nguyen said. “Acknowledging that is a really important step as we find more permanent and fulfilling answers to the questions we have about our community.”

Daily Staff Reporter Hayley Weiss can be reached at hayweiss@umich.edu.

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A 16-year-old student was kidnapped from a bus stop in Hamtramck at gunpoint this morning. Classmates tracked the student through their social media and cell phone.

Hamtramck Police located the student and made an arrest. Hamtramck Police Chief Hussein Farhat said that the incident happened at 7:08 a.m. He said a weapon was recovered.

Hamtramck School Board President Abdulmalik Algahaim says there will be additional measures for safety and security during pick-up and drop-off. The police department will also increase security measures. 

The kidnapper was caught within 30 minutes of the incident. 

Additional headlines for Monday, April 13, 2026

Joe Louis Greenway community meetings

Community meetings are being held regarding expansion of the Woodmere part of the Joe Louis Greenway. The next virtual meetings are April 21 and April 29.

The General Services Department is holding the meetings to discuss the designs and construction on Woodmere Street for a bike and walking connection between Fort Street and Vernor Highway.

The project has been funded through a $10 million grant and is expected to be completed in 2027. 

Outlier Earth Day event

The Outlier Media collective is hosting an Earth Day seed packing social this month. The hands-on volunteer event is in partnership with Keep Growing Detroit’s Garden Resource Program.

There will be free non-alcoholic beverages by the Gardenside Brewery and refreshments by Vámonos. The seed packing event takes place April 22nd from noon-2 p.m at Vámonos. 

Healthy Homes

The City of Detroit is hosting another Healthy Homes resource event. The next one takes place Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Services will include HOPE application assistance, health screenings and more.

People can schedule a Lyft service to attend by calling 866-313-2520. 

Black & Arab Solidarity Lab

The Black and Arab Solidarity Lab + Political Discussion is an event co-hosted by Arab Americans for Progress, Dream of Detroit, Detroit Action and MI Working Family Party.

Guest speakers include Abraham Aiyash, former MI State Representative and House Majority Leader and Tomena Rawls, the Statutory Vice chair of the 12th Congressional District Democrats. 

The discussion will be held on April 25 at 11 a.m. 

Arab and Chaldean American Panel at WSU

The Arab American Women’s Business Council is hosting a panel this week. The networking mixer will host women leaders who will share insights on navigating the professional world as Arab and Chaldean women.

The event takes place on April 15 at Wayne State University Student Center, Room 775 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

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The Philadelphia Flyers secured a thrilling victory over the Detroit Red Wings, with Owen Tippett’s hat trick proving to be the difference. Tippett, a former Florida Panther, has been a key acquisition for the Flyers and his recent performance showcased his growing prowess on the ice. The game was a nail-biter, with Tippett’s three goals, including a crucial second-period goal, demonstrating his consistency and focus.

Why it matters

Tippett’s performance highlights the evolution of his game since joining the Flyers, as he has consistently improved and reached new heights this season. The Flyers’ victory also showcases the importance of special teams, as Tippett’s second goal, assisted by Denver Barkey, was a testament to the team’s ability to capitalize on power-play opportunities.

The details

Tippett’s hat trick, which included a goal in each period, was the driving force behind the Flyers’ victory. The team’s ability to maintain their composure even when the Red Wings mounted a comeback, with Sean Couturier’s empty-net goal sealing the win, demonstrates their mental fortitude.

• The game was played on April 12, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Flyers will look to continue their momentum as they approach the final ten games of the season, with their sights set on securing a playoff spot.