Detroit, MI
Detroit-based EV charging company set to benefit from incoming tariffs
DETROIT (WXYZ) — We’re talked a lot about how tariffs levied agianst other countries by the Trump adminstration could potentially hurt whole industries, businesses and consumers.
But today, we’re introducing a Detroit-based Electric Vehicle charging company that says they’ll benefit from them.
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“There is a great benefit now based upon the climate in the country and there being a focus on U.S. based manufacturers. So, Dunamis fits very neatly in that model,” said Nataline King, the Founder & CEO of Dunamis Charge.
The 51-year-old Detroit native owns Dunamis Charge, the world’s only Black-owned, woman-led EV battery charging company. Natalie initially entered this space back in 2012 when she founded Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC. The company manufactured LED lights and specialized in commercial, utility and industrial energy efficiency solutions.
Much of their manufacturing was done in Asia.
“(It was) riddled with complications by doing business oversees. So, quality, supply chain management, you know, logistics, customs. All of those things really became hindrances,” King said.
So, Natalie pivoted and founded Dunamis Charge in 2020. The company began building high-quality, level two Electric Vehicle battery charges that can fully refill a car’s battery overnight.
What’s more, the chargers were competitively priced. A single-port residential EV charging unit starts around $700, less than the cost of a brand new iPhone. And nearly 100 percent of the battery’s components are American made.
“At the time that we came up with this concept, there were no tariffs,” King said.” There were, yeah no…President Biden had not been in office yet. So, there were no incentives for EV charging infrastructure.”
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“We manufacture the charges from scratch, right? So, we start out with what we call the PCB board, locally sourced right in Auburn Hills. So, most of our suppliers are within a 30-mile radius,” said Dunamis Charge Plant Manager Erik Williams.
And Dunamis hires American workers, like these two from right here in Detroit.
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“We’re electric assemblers. So, we assemble the components to make the charger itself. And, we test it to make sure it’s safe to go out to homes, or businesses, companies,” said Electric Assembler Shelton Snead.
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“Me personally, I take pride in it cause like, I try to tell people like what I do,” said Lavez Boudreaux. “When they…it’s kind of hard for them to believe. So, it’s like I kind of take pride in and be proud of what I do.”
Dunamis Charges got the attention of Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and former U.S. President Joe Biden.
In fact, King was invited to Washington D.C. twice by the Biden administration: once to an event at the White House, and once when she joined UAW President Shawn Fain in First Lady Jill Biden’s box during last year’s State of the Union address.
And as for the current president?
“I believe that the Trump administration supports the automotive industry. And, I believe that we will be able to benefit from that support,” King said.
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Detroit, MI
Lions place Kerby Joseph on IR, make 2 OL moves for Steelers game
The Detroit Lions have finally placed safety Kerby Joseph on injured reserve, effectively ending the All-Pro defender’s season.
Joseph has been dealing with a knee injury for essentially the entire season, but there was some brief hope he’d be able to return to the field. After suffering a setback during a recent practice, Joseph has been sidelined, and Detroit finally decided to end his season after he had missed the past eight games. Technically, Joseph would be eligible to return to the field if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, but that seems unlikely. Joseph’s season ends with 18 tackles in six games and three interceptions.
Additionally, the Lions have made several offensive moves to address current injuries. Notably, they have activated guard Christian Mahogany, who has been on injured reserve for six weeks after suffering a leg fracture against the Vikings. It’s quite possible he’ll return to his starting position at left guard, although coach Dan Campbell offered some caution on Friday.
“Yesterday, I thought he looked pretty good. Wasn’t perfect, but I thought he looked pretty good,” Campbell said. “And some of it’s going to be, I know he’s a little sore today, and how he feels in today’s practice. That’s what a lot of it’s going to come down to.”
The Lions have also elevated offensive lineman Kingsley Eguakun from the practice squad. That could be a bad sign for the availability of starting center Graham Glasgow. He’s been dealing with a knee injury that caused him to miss two practices this week and landed him with a questionable designation. The Lions now have several options at center, including Eguakun, Trystan Colon (who is dealing with a wrist injury of his own), and Michael Niese. Campbell said the team has been exploring all options in practice this week.
“We’ve obviously worked Colon because he’s been there. I know he’s got the wrist, but he was out there working with it yesterday,” Campbell said. “Just trying to get Graham off his feet. But I mean, we’ve worked Niese, we’ve worked Kingsley. We’ve kind of just hit all around, and we’re rolling the guards, too. So, it’s really been a little bit of a revolving door trying to get a number of guys ready because there’s a lot of flex going into this game right now.”
Lastly, the Lions also elevated tight end Giovanni Ricci from the practice squad for the second straight week as the Lions continue to be short-handed at tight end in the wake of injuries to Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
Detroit, MI
Detroit Lions running backs open up about life on and off the field
Detroit, MI
Detroit Fire Department brings Christmas joy to family who lost everything in house fire
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Christmas came early for a Detroit family of 10 after the Detroit Fire Department surprised them with a truck full of gifts, nearly a year after they lost their home and all belongings in a devastating fire.
On Jan. 6, Raychelle Womack and her family were living in their home on Santa Rosa Drive near Fullerton Street when it caught fire. All their possessions were destroyed in the blaze.
Watch Demetrios Sanders’ video report below:
Family’s Christmas saved after fire
“You try buying everything for a new baby and then you lose it all, on top of the other seven kids that you’ve got — that’s everything,” Womack said.
As the family continued recovering from the fire, questions remained about what Christmas could look like this year.
“Whatever we could make happen, that’s what we’re going to make happen,” Womack said.
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That worry disappeared when the Detroit Fire Department and community partners visited the family’s new east side home with a truck full of Christmas gifts.
“To lose everything and then slowly but surely gain everything, it means a lot,” Womack said.
This marks the fourth year the Detroit Fire Department has brought Christmas cheer to families in need during the holidays.
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“We know people lose everything in these fires, so if we can do anything to make their lives better, to make their lives easier, especially around the holiday season, we’re willing to do it,” said Chuck Simms, executive fire commissioner with the Detroit Fire Department.
Simms said the effort is driven by donations and brings joy not only to the families impacted but also to the first responders who participate.
“It’s just a great thing and nice thing for us to do,” Simms said.
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With a Christmas tree now surrounded by gifts, Womack’s children are definitely looking forward to Christmas.
“It was nice and we appreciate it,” one child said.
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For Womack, only one challenge remains.
“Now it’s making sure everything (gifts) stays closed until Christmas,” Womack said.
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This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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