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By Dr. John Telford
SUN COLUMNIST
Michael' is an action-packed adventure/fantasy novel about an inner-city Detroit family. Michael is a precocious second child with eight brothers living in public housing, attending Detroit Public Schools, and making war with the city's drug cartel--and his actions imperil his entire family.
The novel focuses on Detroit history during the tumultuous 60s and 70s--the destruction of Paradise Valley due to the construction of interstate I-75 and the birth of the center city along 12th Street to Livernois, Joy Road to Davison, the suburban exodus of the white citizens, the harsh treatment of the black community by the Detroit police, and the difficulty of two parents attempting to raise eight sons on an auto-factory worker's salary--as well as Michael's difficult relationship with his father due to his hyperactive behavior, and the emergence of drugs after the '67 riots, Michael's twin brother's military experiences during the Vietnam war, car chases through the city's streets, and after-school street rumbles.
The book is full of surprising twists and turns, with mystery galore--one protagonist versus a ton of antagonists, from corrupt cops to the city's organized crime bosses--with a totally electrifying climax Michael--the book's robust protagonist--is a superhero the likes of whom America now viscerally needs to reproduce multifold in real time in order to combat the terrifyingly imminent Trump dictatorship. .
Find 'Michael' and subsequent novels featuring him at www.BIKOooks.com.
Omari Bayi is a lifelong Detroiter and a Cass Tech and .Wayne State University alumnus who majored in History. 'Michael' is his first published novel. John Telford is a longtime Detroit activist educator and a lifetime member of the National Action Network.
PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Lions and Comerica Bank recently announced their third annual community collaboration supporting the Lions My Cause My Cleats campaign. To transform the lives of our youth, the Lions encourage community members to "Double The Impact" by donating to Alternatives For Girls (AFG), a Detroit-based nonprofit serving homeless and high-risk girls and young women.
In recognition of Comerica's 175th anniversary this year, and to further its commitment to the community, the bank donated the first $17,500 to the "Double The Impact" campaign.
The Detroit Lions Foundation will match up to $100,000 of the total contributions received from Dec. 4 through Dec. 18 to AFG, a 2024 Detroit Lions Inspire Change social justice initiative grantee and long-time community partner of Comerica Bank.
The community can support the My Cause My Cleats endeavor by donating directly to Alternatives For Girls at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mcmc.
"Alternatives For Girls has uplifted young women who face challenges and need critical resources for over 35 years in Detroit," said Steve Davis, Comerica Bank Michigan Market President. "We have worked closely with AFG for several years and witnessed the support and care they provide to offer safety and comfort to help change lives. As changemakers off the field, the Detroit Lions continue to deliver on their mission to play an active role in making a difference in the community, and this collaboration to showcase and assist AFG extends our shared focus to transform the communities which we serve."
In the first two years of the Lions and Comerica's My Cause My Cleats collaboration, the "Double The Impact" campaign raised over a combined $400,000 for the Pure Heart Foundation in 2022 and Family Assistance for Renaissance Men (F.A.R.M.) in 2023.
Since 2016, My Cause My Cleats has served as an annual campaign for National Football League players, enabling them to honor causes by wearing customized cleats during Week 13 and 14 games. This year, the Lions wore customized cleats in support of their cause of choice when the Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5.
"Through My Cause My Cleats, we not only wear our hearts on our feet, but we also take meaningful action that extends beyond the game," said Detroit Lions Vice President of Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations Roxanne Caine. "Our partnership with Comerica Bank and Alternatives For Girls is a meaningful way for us to play an active role in creating lasting change and supporting the incredible girls and young women of Detroit."
Since 1987, AFG has provided critical services to the girls and young women we serve, including safe shelter, street outreach and educational support, vocational guidance, mentoring, prevention activities, and counseling.
"We are very grateful to be a part of My Cause My Cleats this year, and for the partnership we have with Comerica Bank and the Detroit Lions," said Tonya Adair, Alternatives For Girls President & CEO. "Through their support and this initiative, we will continue to change the trajectory of those we serve, where our girls and young women will triumph over their trauma. The support we receive is truly a game changer."
Detroit Lions kick off 'My Cause My Cleats' campaign