Immigrating from Bangladesh to Hamtramck, Nazma Begum had no friends, no English language skills, and no experience with outdoor activities. But all of that changed when she went on her first camping trip.
“Congratulations to all those involved in the rehabilitation of Hamtramck Stadium. This is an important landmark for Black history, American history, and Hamtramck history,” Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), says in a statement. “I’m excited about the future of the stadium and the role it will continue to play for residents of Hamtramck and the entire region.”
“This is the place where you can come and meet other people like you," says Zoey Ashwood, owner of The Black Salt in Hamtramck. "You don't have to be so hidden anymore.”
Hamtramck claims to be where you can find “the world in two square miles,” and if you come over, you’ll find that to be true. For those of us who live here, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“This is a country of immigrants,” says Badrul Choudhury, owner of Quixend Money Transfer on Conant. “People come here for a better opportunity and to share that with their loved ones.” This is how they’re doing just that in Banglatown.
Detroit-born Khalid el-Hakim’s mobile museum has evolved into one of the biggest collections of African American history and artifacts in the country. Now the pioneer in Black Museum Studies is touring Michigan, from Bloomfield Hills to Beaver Island.
“From repurposing vacant lots for creative green uses to renovating vacant buildings as community assets to modifying streets and sidewalks for greater walkability, we’ve seen KIP:D make physical changes [that] enhance quality of life across the city,” says Wendy Lewis Jackson, managing director of Kresge’s Detroit Program.
“I always think that somewhere out there, there's the next Jack White who’s just waiting to get an instrument in their hands and let the noises inside their head come out. So, if we just find that one kid that comes up with an instrument in a way that they weren't able to before, for whatever reason, having done this for eight years will be completely worthwhile,” says John Bissa, one of the organizers of Hamtramck Music Fest.
They say beauty is only skin deep. But, it’s probably still a good idea to take care of that skin. I stopped by the spa to meet Tiara Boyd and see the beautiful space. She even talked me into making an appointment for a treatment.
A Detroit non-profit’s Milwaukee Junction economic development plan could provide a blueprint for other areas, such as Southwest Detroit, to boost equitable development and include community voices.
Our Partners
Solutions journalism takes time, trust, and your support.
