Michigan
Michigan Chronicle’s Men of Excellence Awards celebrate community leaders across Detroit
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Michigan
Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.
Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.
Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.
In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.
Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.
Michigan
SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors
BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.
The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.
Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.
Free admission begins at 10 a.m.
General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.
A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.
Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond
The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.
“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”
Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.
Future dates planned
The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.
For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.
This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.
Michigan
Yes, you can play curling in West Michigan
ALGOMA TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The spirit of curling is one of friendship.
While memory of the Winter Olympics may have long melted away in the minds of many Americans, there some whose curiousness for the sport of curling has extended all the way into the springtime.
“Everybody’s having fun,” said Paul Curran, league manager for the Grand Rapids Curling Club. “It’s a really weird sport in that it’s really friendly.”
The club, which plays at the Cedar Rock Sportsplex in Algoma Township, has seen a recent spike in interest in its beginners leagues and learn to curl classes.
“We’re all here to curl and learn,” said beginner Aaron Schwieterman. “Everyone’s making mistakes, but still having a great time learning the sport and trying to mimic what the professionals do at the Olympics.”
“I recommend it to anybody who wants to try something different,” said beginner Margaret Steketee. “If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
For a period of time on the ice, these newcomers to the sport turn into competitors. Then, at the conclusions of their games, they revert to being friends.
“Largely, what you’ll find with curlers is that when they’re done curling, they want to be friendly and hang out,” Curran said. “Which is what our league is doing right now.”
As long as people are interested, Curran says the club will continue to put on beginners leagues and lessons.
“The more people we get out here curling, the better,” he said.
For more information on ways to play and learn how to curl in West Michigan, visit the Grand Rapids Curling Club’s website.
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