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.
In the middle of what’s been an incredible season for the Michigan men’s basketball team, Dusty May and the program are now confirmed to be bringing back a big contributor for next season. According to a report from Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, freshman guard Trey McKenney is set to be back with the Wolverines next year.
“We’re going to have a really talented team next year,” McKenney told Garcia. “I came in with a role this year and I think my role would definitely expand next year, so I’m definitely looking forward to coming back.”
McKenney joined the program this offseason as a prized five-star recruit in the Wolverines’ 2025 recruiting class. So far he’s lived up to the billing, coming off the bench to average 9.7 points per game, but shooting an impressive 38.5 percent from three-point range this year. He has already asserted himself as one of the team’s best shooters.
In addition to his offensive game, he’s gotten after it on the defensive end as well and has been regularly on the floor to close games this season. We’ve seen McKenney’s role slowly grow, especially in the absence of fellow guard L.J. Cason, who has missed the last month and is set to miss all of next season with an ACL tear.
By cementing his status with the program, McKenney is a great foundation for what the team hopes to build next season. He’ll likely step into a starting role as the Michigan’s shooting guard, while May and company also look to get players like Elliot Cadeau, Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara back in the fold.
Michigan will get a shot to fill out the rest of its roster when the transfer portal opens up on April 7, just one day after the National Championship.
For now though, McKenney and the Wolverines will focus on punching their ticket to the Final Four for the first time since 2018 by defeating Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.
The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”
Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.
The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.
What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming
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.
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.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Morez Johnson Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward-Center
- Current Team: Michigan
- 13.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 62.8% field goal percentage
- 37.9% three-point field goal percentage
Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks
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