DETROIT – It’s a big night for some men across Detroit.
Every year, the Michigan Chronicle selects a group of African American men to recognize for their commitment to community service and helping others.
This celebration is part of the publication’s annual Men of Excellence awards.
This year, Local 4’s own Demond Fernandez is among the honorees.
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Fernandez said, “I’m so honored to be among this year’s group of honorees.”
These men are making it their mission to motivate, inspire, and serve the Metro Detroit community.
Dion Williams, director of community relations for DMC, said, “Every single day, to me, it’s resources to the people and people to the resources.”
Williams and Alphonso Wallace are among the 50 men being honored this year.
Wallace, president of Vestco Management and Midwest Resource Development Agency, said, “There’s a responsibility for all of us as men, not only as men of excellence. So, the responsibility to me is to make my community better than what I received. To do more for the community, to do more for our youth, or for our seniors in our community.”
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Wallace’s organizations focus on investment and youth mentoring. Williams, a lifelong Detroiter, is passionate about ensuring neighbors have convenient access to quality health care.
Wallace said, “What I consider to be my job is making sure that they have actual access, being able to gain those resources that are actually there for them.”
For 18 years, the Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media have celebrated the achievements of African American leaders—community champions and change-makers honored with the Men of Excellence distinction.
Many honorees quietly do the work behind the scenes.
Cathy Nedd, president of Real Times Media News Group, said, “It’s significant because, like the saying goes, if we don’t celebrate ourselves, who will? And there are just so many people in our community who have contributed so greatly.”
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Hundreds of men are nominated each year, and so far, 900 have received the Men of Excellence award.
Conrad L. Mallett, corporation counsel for the city of Detroit and a member of the Men of Distinction’s inaugural class, is receiving this year’s esteemed Legacy Award.
Mallett said, “These are people whose contributions could not be denied. The idea that they would be recognized by one of the oldest Black newspapers in the country, really, really, at the time, then and now, seemed terrifically important.”
Mallett said, “You want to make a difference. You want to make it better. You want to leave a mark. You want to make people know that you were present.”
The Michigan Chronicle is hosting an induction ceremony for the Men of Excellence class of 2025.
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On a personal note, Fernandez thanked those who nominated him, his colleagues at Local 4, and the teams at Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media for the recognition.
It’s a big night for some men across Detroit. Every year, the Michigan Chronicle selects a group of African American men to recognize for their commitment to community service and helping others. (Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.)
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
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Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
Paula Wethington is a digital producer at CBS Detroit. She previously held digital content roles at NEWSnet, Gannett/USA Today network and The Monroe News in Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina.
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A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.
Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.
When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.
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Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.
The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.
“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.
The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
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State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.
