Drugs, abuse and neglect were part of a little girl’s introduction to the world. Her father was incarcerated and both her parents’ rights concerning her were eventually terminated. Now 9 years old, she went into foster care at age 2 and, by age 6, she had already been shuttled between a half-dozen different homes. “She […]
Though she was born thousands of miles away, Manal Saab’s is an American story. Having escaped Lebanon’s civil war as a teen, she settled in Ohio with her family in the late 1970s. While her lineage and culture often includes independent, educated and career-oriented women, Saab had no way of knowing she would eventually help […]
For Rhonda Grayer, building a better Flint has been a family affair. The vice president of W.T. Stevens Construction leads a competitive contracting company, named for her father, at a pivotal moment in the community. While many local businesses call on construction experts to help remodel and literally re-create their images, the very infrastructure of […]
In most circles “The Bro Code” refers to informal, unspoken rules that unite young men. Especially as they relate to dating and relationships, the rules typically strive to give an advantage in dealing with the opposite sex. But Nolan Henson learned a completely different form of “Bro Code.” The junior at Flint Southwestern High School […]
These days, much of Flint is viewed through a changing lens. From the city’s budding small business scene to its fast-growing movement toward improving community nutrition, the scene is one of progress and evolution. To the untrained eye, a blend of sheer positive energy and common dedication might appear responsible for developments getting attention everywhere […]
What’s a hot summer without the occasional ice cream cone? Or a morning bowl of cereal and sliced fruit, floating in… nothing? “Torture!” might be the response from many, but to the sizable population of lactose intolerant food consumers in Michigan life without dairy is often reality. Lactose present in milk-based products including cheese, many […]
Her investment was just a few apples. But to the staff and sponsors of Flint Fresh Mobile Market the customer’s first purchase was priceless. “I’m buying these with the couple dollars I have,” the woman said, “because I really believe in what you’re doing and I really want you to succeed.” The market wasn’t yet […]
For George Wilkinson, the journey has been full-circle. A Flint native, his career and travels through the corporate world groomed him for a return home many would say put him in a key position at a crucial time. As group vice president for the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, Wilkinson helps guide the vision […]
Shawn Hairston’s childhood memories include carefree walks around the block and visits to his neighbor’s house to drink soda. Evenings in the Bel-Aire Woods neighborhood were typically calm and quiet in the 1970s and 1980s. “Flint was a beautiful, vibrant area, with grass and trees,” he says. Though it was far from resembling the wealthy […]
HealthPlus Crim Festival of Races inspires many to overcome obstacles It was the first time Mark Yonan had ever run “The Crim” with his son. Stride for stride, the duo trudged forward until – out of fatigue, boredom, or both – the youth decided he’d had enough. “This is stupid,” he told his dad, breathing […]