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| Flint Club Diaspora |
January/February 2009 |
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| Greetings!
Change has occurred on many levels and in many ways recently - in the White House, in our state, in our community, and in the lives of those around us. Let's embrace change when it is good and fight it when its negative. This double issue of the Flint Diaspora focuses on the new, exciting changes that have taken place not only in the city of Flint, but for Flint Club as well. We hope you enjoy it. |
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From One Historic Landmark to Another |
 Flint Club has stretched its reach to yet another historic building. For the past three years, Flint Club was located in the heart of downtown Flint at The Capitol Theatre Building. The venue is famous for its elaborate interior design and talented performers who headlined the theatre during its prime. The Flint Club office was even dressed up as a 1970's boutique during the filming of the Will Ferrell comedy "Semi-Pro". While we hold fond memories of the past three years, the time came to move on and we bid the Capitol Theatre Building farewell! Flint Club is very excited that its new location is inside the very first National Historic Landmark of the city of Flint. That's right; we are in the historic Durant-Dort Building which is located in the Carriage Town District. The Durant-Dort Building was built in 1895 by business partners William "Billy" Crapo Durant and J. Dallas Dort in order to manufacture carriages. One of the largest carriage companies of that time, the Durant-Dort Carriage Company was partly responsible for giving Flint the nickname "Vehicle City". After the decline of carriage production, the building transformed to Dort Car Company in 1913. The building was declared a national historic landmark in 1975. Flint Club occupies the exact same office suite that Billy Durant used during the transition from Durant - Dort Carriage Co. to Dort Car Co. Flint Club is happy to call this historic landmark our new headquarters. We are pleased to pay homage to our city's proud past even as we chart the course for an exciting future! |
| Inauguration Celebration Highlights |
 As many people traveled to Washington D.C. to experience the Inauguration of our 44th president, Flint Club held a celebration of its own at Churchill's on the evening of Inauguration day. Appetizers, door prizes, and drinks were available for all atendees.
This event allowed people who were unable to leave the city a change to socialize and converse with others who embraced the historic occasion - regardless of political stripe.
With a television tuned into coverage of the historic day, party goers watched the parade and the first couple's first dance. TV NBC 25 was present and covered the event on the nightly news. The evening's festivities concluded with the drawing of door prizes and brief remarks from Executive Director Rhoda Matthews and Board Chair Shannon Polk. Flint Club would like to thank those who came out to celebrate change with us! |
| Pen Pal Mentor Highlight |
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Ladel Lewis is a Ph.D.candidate at Western Michigan University majoring in Sociology with specializations in Applied Sociology and Race and Ethnicity. Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Michigan-Flint and a Masters degree in Sociology from Western Michigan University, she plans to continue her professorship and continue consulting work in evaluation research. She is currently employed at Western Michigan University as an evaluation coordinator of a $6 million federal grant titled Kalamazoo Wraps.
In reference to being a mentor Ms. Ladel says, "Since I don't have any children of my own, being a mentor to inner-city children not only allows me to encourage others to strive for excellence, but affords me the opportunity to assist them along the way. Instead of talking negatively about the condition of Flint and our youth, I chose to get involved and make a positive difference. If we all take on that attitude, Flint will be a thriving 'cool' city like it once was."
Ms. Lewis also adds, "I look forward to receiving my weekly letter from my pen pal! Her energy and creativity is priceless!"
If you are interested in becoming a Pen Pal Mentor please contact Sonyita Scales at sonyita@flintclub.org or (810) 233-5468.
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| Flint has a new Mayor |
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Upon the retirement of Mayor Don Williamson, newly appointed City Administrator Mike Brown took the oath of office as Flint's interim mayor last Monday. Mayor Brown made plenty of changes at City Hall in his first week on the job. Visit flintjournal.com and go to Flint Politics for the latest. With Mayor Brown pledging not to run, the city will be looking at yet another leadership transition after a May primary and August general election.
Questions: If you had the chance, what would you want to either share with or ask of persons seeking to be Flint's next leader? What is your vision for the future of our city? Send your thoughts to rhoda@flintclub.org. Where possible, we will try to post your comments and/or share candidate responses.
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New Restaurants Bring Hope to
Downtown Flint |
Change has arrived in Downtown Flint! Four new restaurants -Blackstone's Pub & Grill, Soyla's Mexican Cuisine, WizeGuys Pizza, and 501 Bar&Grill - are opening in the heart of the city. Each restaurant brings welcomed variety and life to Saginaw Street.
Blackstone's Pub & Grill is a full service restaurant and bar located in the old Blackstone's mens clothing store. Set to open on St. Patrick's Day, this restaurant will feature live entertainment.
Soyla's Mexican Cuisine is the first restaurant located in the spanking brand new Wade trim Building on South Saginaw St. Soyla's Mexican Cuisine seats 50 people and brings a homemade menu that people are sure to love.
WizeGuys Pizza Inc, and 501 Bar & Grill are slated to open in April of this year and will occupy adjoining space in the Community Foundation Building.
Be encouraged to patronize these establishments and send us a review to info@flintclub.org! |
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Character Inn gets new lease on life! |
A makeover is finally coming to The Character Inn. After years of being underutilized, Uptown Reinvestment Corporation has purchased the building and has begun efforts to transform it into a residence hall.
This purchase was made possible with the help of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation who gave the reinvestment corporation a $20 million repayable loan.
By the fall of this year, the building seeks to house 250 students from various local colleges, a couple of classrooms, along with a game and internet café. The Character Inn will be renamed the Riverfront Residence Hall and will play a major role in turning our city from a factory town into a college town.
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