Tuesday, the Detroit City Council voted 5-4 in favor of the transferring the largest parcel of publically owned land to a private development corporation. Council President Charles Pugh was joined by members Jenkins, Tate, Brown and Cockrel voting in favor of the sale. Councilpersons Watson, Kenyatta, Jones and...

Hantz Farms drive to take over more than 2,000 publically owned lots on the East Side is an opportunity to think very differently about how we approach land use. We urge the City Council to put in place productive, visionary principles, policies, and practices to guide this and...

Detroit is under siege. Slowly but surely the right-wing forces in the state are tightening their grip. Whatever the outcome of negotiations among the mayor, city council and the state over the next few weeks, it is clear that Lansing politicians intend to run the city. They intend to eliminate...

Mayor Dave Bing gave his third State of the City Address last week amidst one of the most difficult moments in Detroit history. A looming financial crisis threatens local control of the city. An emergency manager or a consent agreement forced by the state may strip the city...

Detroit is bracing for another round of school closings. While lacking the arrogance and of his predecessor, Robert Bobb, Emergency Financial Manager Roy S. Roberts has made it clear more schools will be shut down. 

Highlighting the difference in management styles, Roy Roberts has been quietly meeting with parents and...

Foundations wield enormous power in defining problems and determining solutions. In Detroit, as in much of the country, this is especially clear in the education of our children. Gates, Walmart and Broad have been directing educational policies, with little or no public accountability.

While many foundations play important roles...

This is a sacred season. Ancient traditions celebrate the turning of the earth and the darkest of nights. For others it is the festival of lights, the beginning of the Christian year, and the celebration of African wisdom. For all of us, this is the first time in nearly a...