My City April 2023

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Vince Lorraine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

ED I TOR I AL

ART & DESIGN

MANAGING EDITOR Sherron Barden

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Hailey Worrell Daria Akulova

DEAR READERS, Can’t you almost smell the amazing greenness of this cover? By the time you get this issue, we could be seeing some flowers starting to pop up ... Springtime in Michigan! April is Home & Garden time – our annual special section featuring great tips from local experts starts on p.42. Along those lines, our “My Community” pieces highlight two groups dedicated to helping residents beautify their communities and improve the quality of life for future generations. Read about the Neighborhood Engagement Hub: a “catalyst for positive neighborhood change” (p.10) and Keeping Genesee County Beautiful (p.26), supporting residents who volunteer their time to add value to their neighborhoods. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and when it comes to impacting lives, those who are dedicated to helping children, especially those who have suffered abuse, are certainly worthy of recognition. One such person is Claudnyse Holloman, President & CEO of Voices for Children Advocacy Center. She is a very busy woman and took some time to answer our “7 Questions” – check it out on p.8. One subject we can always count on to be popular is history; Greater Flint has a million stories! Just ask Gary Fisher, President of the Genesee County Historical Society and passionate historian. The earliest reference to the GCHS is in 1915 – it was organized by key players including C. S. Mott and Walter P. Chrysler. You can become a member of the Society – read more about the group starting on p.18. From history to the future: we have pieces on two Flint natives making names for themselves in the entertainment industry. Brandon Corder has brought events to Flint including the successful Beats x Beers festival on his path to becoming a media mogul. He has big plans for his brand and a new concept he’s working on – read more on p.22. Also pursuing a dream is Kristian Nunn (aka CheeseStixx), a self-described “goofy kid” on a journey to stand-up comedy greatness. You can check him out on p.30, and on April 20 at the Capitol Theatre in the “4/20 Jokes & Jams” show. Rounding out the content are Health, Food, Style, Fun, our great contributed columns and much more. Springtime gets us thinking about getting outdoors, maybe pursuing a new healthy hobby, getting fit and ready to enjoy another Michigan summer – do that! And I hope you will also spend some time with My City. Thanks for reading,

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WRITER Peter Hinterman

PHOTOGRAPHY Katy Kildee

STAFF WRITER Cheryl Dennison

OPERATIONS

FREELANCE WRITER Mark Spezia

ACCOUNTING/CIRCULATION Kim Davis

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erin Caudell Dr. Christopher Douglas Vera Hogan Marc Janca, AIF Alexandria Pazienza-Nolan Leslie Toldo Shannon White

SAL E S

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terese Allen

14165 FENTON RD., FENTON, MI 48430 810.230.1783 - MYCITYMAG.COM ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 14165 Fenton Rd. Fenton, MI 48430. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Cor respondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 14165 Fenton Rd., Fenton, MI 48430, phone 810.230.1783. To authors, photographers and people featured in this publication: All materials, articles, reports and photographs in this publication are the property of My City Magazine and cannot be used without written permission. The opinions and conclusions recited herein are those of the respective authors and not of My City Magazine. My City Magazine is not responsible for returning unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other materials. Every effort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by sufficient first-class postage, but the Publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

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VINCE LORRAINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF VINCE@MYCITYMAG.COM

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My Community 6 Finding the “Wins”

22

Whaley Children’s Center

My Style 34 Have Fun with It! By Shannon White My Dish 36 Savory Shakshuka By Erin Caudell My Dining 38 Local Eats & Drinks Special Section 42 HOME & GARDEN My Fun 70 Getting Kids Hooked on Fishing My Health 72 Naloxone Empowers Everyone to Save Lives 74 Women & Heart Attack

8 7 Questions with ... Claudnyse Holloman

President & CEO, Voices for Children

10 Neighborhood

Engagement Hub A Catalyst for Change 16 Campus News from MCC Keeping it Cool! 18 Our Storytellers The Genesee County Historical Society 22 Brandon Corder The Making of a Mogul 26 Keep Genesee County Beautiful Volunteers Wanted! My Arts 30 The CheeseStixx Experience

McLaren Discusses Symptoms

CONTENTS

April 2023

98

72

42

104

My Reality 105 There’s More to the Story

78 Use C.A.U.T.I.O.N.

for Early Cancer Detection

80 Make Heart Health a Priority

34

By Vera Hogan My Finances

Ascension Offers Tips to Lower Risk Factors Special Section

106 A Long-Lost Friend Returns

By Marc Janca, AIF® My Econ 107 Reducing Demand

82 SENIOR LIVING My History 94 Castles of Time

By Dr. Christopher Douglas My Travels

36

Greater Flint’s Historic Homes Part 3 My Haps 98 Wags & Whiskers Fundraiser 100 Flint Regional Science Fair 102 My Can’t Miss List My Musings 104 Ricco Still Believes By Leslie Toldo

108 Road Trip

By Alexandria Pazienza-Nolan My Thoughts

109 Bad Hair Day

By Cheryl Dennison My Afterthought

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113 Daffodils

Finding the “Wins” Whaley Children’s Center BY CHERYL DENNISON

W haley Children’s Center is a vener able facility that has provided many kids with a childhood they would not have otherwise had. And finding the “wins” for the kids at the Center is very important to Mindy Williams, CEO/President, and the entire Whaley staff. “The work we do here is not easy, but finding the ‘wins’ each day, regardless of how big or how small, helps us all continue to show up and keep working toward the goal!” she exclaims. According to Williams, when working with foster children who have experienced trauma, it’s important to recognize and celebrate the small wins each and every day. “These wins may seem small, but they can make a big difference in the child’s life and can help build trust, self-confidence and a sense of security,” she states. “Trauma can have a profound impact on a child’s life and can affect their behavior, emotions and ability to form relationships.” Williams also says it can be challenging to work with children who have experienced trauma, as they may be resistant to trusting others, feel anxious or overwhelmed in new situations, or struggle with emotion regulation. Finding small wins each day can help create a positive and sup portive environ ment for the child. This

can include celebrating when the child com pletes a task, makes progress toward a goal or shows kindness to others. “By recognizing and celebrating these small wins, we can help them feel valued, supported and encouraged to keep trying,” Williams adds. It’s important to remember that progress may be slow, the CEO/President points out, and setbacks may occur. “However, by focus ing on the wins, you can help create a positive and hopeful environment for the child, which can make a big difference in their healing and growth,” she notes. “It also provides the amazing people who work at Whaley with the strength to show up each day.” Sometimes, it’s hard to stay positive when you are surrounded by trauma, child abuse and neglect, behaviors reflective of pain, Williams shares. “A win can be for our kids, staff, com munity and ourselves and when a ‘win’ comes, all’s right with the world.” Members of the dedicated Whaley staff shared examples of the many “wins” they have experienced at Whaley Children’s Center. Mindy Williams CEO/President “A new child came to the Center during the height of the pandemic, a time when we were regularly in lockdown. We were having a movie night, and as I entered the room I was saying ‘hi’ to each kid and giving hugs. This child put her hand up and said ‘I don’t hug.’ We high-fived and went on about our night. Over time, we would have small conversations, eat lunch together, play

on the playground, she would stop in

my office. We ended up having a really great relationship. When the day came when she was leaving the Center, I was trying to sneak out to my car, teary-eyed, when I heard her yell my name as she was running toward me. She gave me the biggest bear hug and said, ‘I’m really going to miss you, I love you and I’m a hugger now, too.’ “During our first Roof Sit Campaign, a community member heard me on the radio talking about taking the kids shopping for school clothes and mentioning Nike shoes. After the event, the person followed up with me to shame me for spending money on high-dollar items for ‘those kids.’ It was an in-depth conversation, as I explained to her that ‘those kids’ are ‘my kids’ and deserve the same things as ‘any kids.’ I emphasized that no child wakes up one day and decides they want to be in foster care, let alone live in a residen tial facility. They have done nothing to deserve living in their current situation and while they are at Whaley, they are loved and treated like family – which includes having new clothes and shoes to help them feel good about them selves on the first day of school. Two weeks later, we received a check to purchase ten pairs of name-brand shoes.”

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understanding it takes from our staff to help these kiddos can take a toll, both mentally and physically, and it can dim our light. After four years on the job, one of our most dedicated staff members was feeling just that. Exhausted by the secondary trauma of working through the emotional turmoil of our youth, she was looking for new work when a position opened in our new Independent Living program. She interviewed and was offered the position with hopes of finding a new way to help our kids overcome the unfortunate circumstances life has handed them. A new chance to be a difference-maker re-ignited the light in her. She saw an opportunity to impact change in kids who are working toward a brighter future – to teach and model independence and be a part of changing the narrative. She dove into the position with a new fire, excited to come to work again. She challenged herself and our kids to do better, do more, to write their own stories. Every day feels like a ‘win’ to her with the spark and opportunity to impact change. She found her light again in the form of four teen-aged boys wanting and needing a chance, knowing she has the ability to help them find their happily-ever-after.”

devote much time to her. I worried that my need to be somewhere in five minutes would result in a huge struggle. I explained the situation, but told her I would really like to see her later. When the struggle started to surface, I asked her about a picture she was going to color for me. She responded, ‘Oh no, I forgot,’ so I suggested she go back to her unit with the staff and work on it, and I would come see her and get my picture after my meeting. She immediately turned to the staff and said, ‘Let’s go – I have art to make.’ I now am the proud owner of a special, hand-drawn purple unicorn masterpiece! I look at the picture on my office wall often when I need to remember to celebrate the small wins.” Marcus Dean Maintenance Supervisor “A teen-aged male who enjoyed spending time with the maintenance team. He often offered to assist on projects or tasks whenever he was allowed. Because we had built that bond, when his birthday arrived and I asked what he wanted to do, he said he wanted to go fishing. When the day came, he was so excited! While spending time at the lake, he said it was exactly how he wanted to spend the day and how peaceful it was to have time away from all the other kids. We finished the day with steak dinners. It was great to see him so grateful for what many of us would easily take for granted.” Jen Koester Director of Independent Living “Working in residential is challenging, to say the least. Our kids have been through unthink able trauma and have lived in several places during their young lives. The patience and was placed at Whaley for about 18 months always

Amber Walton Residential Manager “One moment that will forever be engraved in my memory is when we

had a little girl who was in constant crisis, day in and day out, despite who she was around. One day, she and another youth were feeding off each other’s behaviors and not responding positively to anybody in the unit. She was projecting her inner trauma outwardly, being physically and verbally aggressive. I called her over to me by name and she stomped over and asked, ‘What do you want!?’ I looked in her eyes and told her all I wanted was a hug. She gave me a hug and I asked her, ‘You know what? I love you.’ She gasped, looked up at me in amazement and said, ‘Ms. Amber! I’ve never heard you say that before!’ I told her that there are a lot of things that I feel but don’t say. She hugged me tighter. After that day, that little girl responded dif ferently to me every single time she saw me. Magic happened that day and it was all be cause I saw a hurt little girl who just needed someone to love her despite her behavior.” Amy Anderson of our youth who has significant cognitive delays. She is 16, but presents herself more as a six or seven year old. While she very much enjoys one-on-one time together, she struggles significantly when that time must end. In the past, she has reacted with such behaviors as locking herself in the bathroom, screaming and crying, refusing to leave my office, throwing things, cursing at me, etc. Re cently, she was brought to my office by a staff member, at a time when I knew I could not Director of Human Resources & Agency Operations “I have developed a close relationship with one

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MYCOMMUNITY

QUESTIONS WITH...

I n her role at Voices for Children Advocacy Center – a flagship CAC in the Mid-Michigan area – Claudnyse helps children and their families who have been victims of child abuse, neglect and human trafficking. A fierce supporter of the work of the Children’s Advocacy Center movement, she has worked to expand and increase services and laws for child survivors and is seen as a leading expert on child maltreatment issues, often being interviewed on radio and TV news. She serves on state and national committees and workgroups to elevate and ensure that child survivors receive necessary support. Voices for Children has been a safe place in Genesee and Shiawassee counties for children and their families experiencing child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, neglect, human traffick ing and witness to violence. Claudnyse has been instrumental in developing statewide and county protocols and policies to assist survivors of human trafficking and child abuse, as well as legisla tive changes to ensure better processes for child survivors. A Governor appointee on the Michigan Juvenile Justice Committee, she is also current chair of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Mich igan, Genesee Community Health Center and the Genesee County Human Trafficking Task Force, among many other key roles in providing services for survivors of child abuse. Formerly a private practice attorney, Claudnyse maintains an active role in the legal field. She not only represents children and families in family court proceedings, but she also serves as an advisor and counsel to numerous pastors throughout the state of Michigan. Her mission is to show every child, “I believe in you. I’m here for you. I will fight for you.” We wanted to know a little bit more about Nyse – read on!

CLAUDNYSE D. HOLLOMAN, ESQ. President & CEO Voices for Children Advocacy Center

COMPILED BY SHERRON BARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN HEDDY-REED

THE AMAZING MURAL AT VFC WAS CREATED BY STAFF MEMBER AND ART THERAPIST, AUTUMN HEDDY REED, ATR-BC.

“IT REPRESENTS THE NUMBER OF KIDS WE SERVED

HERE IN 2019,” says Holloman.

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What’s some thing people would never guess about you? I love to play board games! When kids come to the Center and they are nervous or having a bad day, a game of Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, Connect Four or Apples to Apples (kid's version) is just what they need, and it brings me so much hap piness to play. In my free time, I love to play board games with family and friends. What place is at the top of your travel Bucket List? My husband and I love to travel. The top places on our bucket list are Egypt and the Taj Mahal. I fondly recall reading about the Taj Mahal in elementary school. The massive beauty of the structure and its rich history have intrigued me ever since. 2

What's a movie you can practically quote from start to finish? “The Shawshank Redemption” – it is a movie about redemption and hope – Morgan Freeman is timeless in all of his movies. His character “Red” says, “Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’.” Another character, “Andy” (played by Tim Robbins) says, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.” Those are just a couple of my faves. What words best describe you? The words that best describe me are: worshiper, tenacious, passionate, assiduous and I’m a strong type “D” on the DiSC assessment. What types of music are you into? I listen to Gospel, Christian, Neo soul and some really good smooth Jazz; but on Friday afternoons I am usually jamming to ‘90s hits. 4 5

What is a work related thing you hope to accom plish this year? I am working on some powerful legislation to help survivors of child abuse, neglect and hu man trafficking. It is my goal to engage with our representatives in Lansing from all across the state to ensure they understand why this legislation is impactful and needed for Michigan, along with advocating for additional funding for our services. We provide free and critical services that last the lifetime of the case for children and their families. What are you most excited about in your life right now? The joy that kids bring to the world. At Voices, we do some really difficult work. When you get to see the joy restored in a child's eyes and hear them laugh again after so long ... It's one of the greatest feelings in the world. 7

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A Catalyst for Change

The Neighborhood Engagement Hub BY PETER HINTERMAN S ince 2014, neighborhoods in the City of Flint have relied on the help and support of the Neigh borhood Engagement Hub (NEH) and this year,

NEH became what was lacking in the area and sorely needed – a community advocate and resource for im provement. In October 2021, Wyatt came to the organi zation and found an opportunity to really establish NEH and weave its mission and values into the fabric of the city. “Flint needs more organizations like NEH,” he says. “There is just so much need.” To better clear up any confusion about what is offered by NEH, Wyatt and staff first came up with a new mis sion statement that better reflects their overall purpose which reads: “The Neighborhood Engagement Hub is a catalyst for positive neighborhood change by supporting neighborhoods to become safe, healthy and whole.”This can be accomplished in a myriad of ways from provid ing tools and opportunity for clean-up, to support in grant-writing or tax help, to providing education and problem solutions. Each NEH program will fall under the umbrella of one of three newly-adopted core values.

Jacob/ stock.adobe.com

it will only get better. “People haven’t really known what we were or the services we offer,” says Executive Director, Tom Wyatt. “We are restructuring and have established a new mission and core values.”The NEH is also improving efficiency with the creation of six new departments and is expanding its program offerings. The headquarters has also undergone a remodel to make it safer and more appeal ing to neighborhood groups and individuals for use as a meeting and learning space. “We did almost all the work ourselves to save on cost,” Wyatt says laughing. “It took a bit longer than expected, but we are almost done.” The NEH came into existence after the dissolution of the Salem Housing Corporation and inherited their buildings. It was created to provide solutions and support for city residents and groups as they worked to address challenges or opportunities in their neighborhoods.

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“We want our neighborhoods to be successful and have a higher quality of life.” Tom Wyatt, Executive Director

1. Building Local Wealth. The NEH looks to support strategies that create economic benefits for neighborhood residents. “We have a real estate program called ‘Flint Builds’ that will help residents obtain capital for projects that can help raise home values,” says Wyatt. “We typically have anywhere from 25-50 participants in the program.” 2. Complete Neighborhoods. The NEH wants to help resident groups to create neighborhoods that include safe and convenient access to the goods/ser vices needed in daily life. This includes employment, shopping, parks, health care, etc. “For example, we are currently working on tactical strategies in the 2nd Ward and the Brownell Holmes Neighborhood for adequate parks and shared space improvements,” adds Wyatt. 3. Strengthening Individuals & Collectives. A main goal of NEH is to support the projects and ideas of Flint residents. The NEH acts as a fiduciary for local neigh borhood groups, provides grant writing assistance, acts as a planning consultant and an education hub. “I believe we are working with ten neighborhood groups now toward improvement of their communities,” says Wyatt. “We are also holding trade workshops attended by youth in grades kindergarten through high school.” In addition to new values, the NEH is streamlining operations through the creation of six departments: • Blight Elimination • Economic Development

THE NEH PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS FLINT NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS INCLUDING GARDENS AND BEAUTIFICATION.

• Placemaking • Public Policy • Public Safety • Training & Technical Assistance ß

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“The Neighborhood Engagement Hub is a catalyst for positive neighborhood change by supporting neighborhoods to become safe, healthy and whole.” From NEH Mission Statement

WITH THE COMMUNITY TOOL SHED PROGRAM, FLINT RESIDENTS CAN RENT TOOLS TO HELP WITH OUTDOOR UPKEEP AND PROJECTS.

Despite all the changes, the NEH has not abandoned its core programs and will continue to support the Community Tool Shed that provides access to equipment for landscaping and blight removal free of charge for City of Flint resi dents. “By far, our biggest program is the Tool Shed,” states Wyatt. “Any Flint resident has access to tools for clean-ups and beautification. In any given week, we can have between 1,500 and 2,000 tool reservations. The Tool Shed opens for residents in mid-April and closes sometime in November.” Flint residents have access to lawnmowers, brush hogs, weed-whackers, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows and more, with larger tools delivered by NEH staff. “Residents outside of Flint can still borrow the equipment for a fee,” explains Wyatt. This year, the NEH is looking to open up a smaller shed in the Mott Park area and one on the city’s south side. In addition to tools, the NEH also rents Mobile Event Tool Kits which include tables, tents, chairs, PA System, lawn games, a popcorn cart and more. “We want to support events in neighborhoods,” adds Wyatt. In another new announcement, this year’s Porch Proj ect will fall under the umbrella of the NEH with porch improvements for residents slated to start in May. It will continue to operate as it has in the past with the added support of the NEH. The NEH, in its work to become a main city component, wants to live up to its promise and act as a hub for commu nity engagement. Neighborhood and local groups are free to use the main building as a meeting space for conversations or learning workshops. “Just call us up and we can check avail ability on our calendar,” Wyatt explains. “Currently, our website

To contact NEH, email info@nehflint.org or call 810.214.4829 and leave a message with your contact info. To contact the Tool Shed, email toolshed@nehflint.org or call 810.214.0186. If you are in need of a tool for your project, make sure to contact the NEH and make a reservation. (Set to open for the year in mid-April.) Skilled trade professionals (engineers, electricians, plumbers, etc.) interested in hosting workshops for area youth and adolescents are invited to contact the NEH for more information. is undergoing a relaunch and the plan is to display a calendar showing dates and times of our workshops and space availabil ity.”There are plans in the works to allow residents to check the availability of tools in the shed online in the near future. Wyatt and the NEH want it to be clear that the organi zation is there to help Flint residents build a better neigh borhood and future. They are available to act as consultants and problem-solvers, planners and advocates. If you have a question about the feasibility of an idea, or are looking for a solution to a problem such as illegal dumping, park utiliza tion and upkeep or non-structural blight (overgrowth), plan ning decisions and more, give NEH a call. If you require a fiduciary for a neighborhood group, help with grant-writing or local policy, NEH is there for you. “We want our neigh borhoods to be successful and have a higher quality of life,” says Wyatt. “We are here for those who want to add value to the community.” ◆

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It’s Time to DUST ‘EM OFF! Sunday, May 21 2023 B ack to the Bricks is excited to host the 3rd Annual Dust ‘Em Off™ Car Show on Sunday, May 21. Dust ‘Em Off has become one of the area’s largest spring car shows and one of the first of the season. With well over 1,000 cars partici pating each year, it is steadily growing in popularity, and the car owner camaraderie is what makes it all so amazing! Starting early at 9am, car participants will meet at the Ash ley Furniture staging area, receive their printed car placards and then be directed to the Dort Financial Center, entering off Lapeer Road. Participants will not pay to attend and parking will be FREE for cruisers during the event. We have special reserved parking for car clubs, so make sure to list your club name when you register. Gates will open to the event center at 10am, and cars will be greeted by our volunteers who will hand all participants a goodie bag and thanks to the Dust ‘Em Off Brought-to-You-by Sponsor, Dort Financial Credit Union, all registered participants will receive a 2023 Dust ‘Em Off t-shirt (while size supplies last). The amazing MTA Trolley will be on hand offering complimentary rides from Ashley Furniture and the VIP Parking lot to the event center.

veterans. The Car Show will officially open with brief remarks and a huge “thank you” to all sponsors, partners, vendors and the many, many volunteers who help make this event happen. Car enthusiasts will have an opportunity to pick up spare parts and unique items at the Swap Meet! All automotive-related Swap Meet friends are welcome, as well as those with vintage collec tions and toys, so don’t hesitate to register for exhibit space. Only those who pre-register will be eligible to win prizes throughout the event. Registered attendees will acknowledge and agree to be covered by insurance and follow all rules of par ticipant conduct. Although this will not be a judged event, the turnout is expected to be fantastic and a great way to start the car show season! Everyone will enjoy classic songs, vendors, food trucks and cars – it will be a fun day for all! Register online at

backtothebricks.org/ dustemoffcarshow2023 or scan the QR Code on this page.®

The show will kick off with a Blessing of the Cars and “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be sung in honor of all military

SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER TODAY!

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OUR STORYTELLERS The Genesee County Historical Society BY PETER HINTERMAN ◆ PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GARY FISHER AND GCHS W hen talking with Gary Fisher, the subject of history is bound to come up. It’s look around the room is all you need to know about his passion. His walls are adorned with photos of Flint industrial titans such as Charles Stewart Mott, Walter Chrysler, Louis Chevrolet and of course, his favorite, Billy Durant.

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acts as president. Each show is available for listening at geneseehistory.org. “At GCHS, we see ourselves as the storytellers,” he states, “and there are so many stories. We strive to get it right, to tell the real history of Genesee County and to get the facts right. We don’t play politics and we don’t sugarcoat anything. Accuracy is important.” The earliest reference to the Genesee County Historical Society is in 1915 and the year has become the semi-official birthdate of the society that was orga nized by big area players including C. S. Mott and Walter P. Chrysler. Through the years, the GCHS has worn different hats as proprietors of historic documents

something he lives for and his depth of knowledge of the Flint area is immense. “Have you heard of Clarence ‘Kelly’ Johnson?” he asks with enthusiasm. “He’s a Flint guy and he revolutionized the aviation industry. How about the Honolulu Conservatory of Music? It used to sit right on Saginaw St.” He sits forward in his chair, akin to a runner leaning forward listening to the starting pistol. “We were at one time known as the Nashville of the North,” he contin ues, ready to run away with it. The stories keep coming and it’s all interesting. One

Fisher spends nearly all of his free time immersed in history and telling its stories. He hosts a radio show, “Fish and the Flint Chronicles,” broadcast on WFNT 1470 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, when he interviews notable Flint history-makers. Each episode, once finished, is freely donated to another organization with which he is directly in volved: The Genesee County Historical Society (GCHS), for which Fisher also

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“We strive to tell the real history of Genesee County and get the facts right. We don’t play politics and we don’t sugarcoat anything. Accuracy is important.” GARY FISHER, PRESIDENT

and goods, as well as educators and preservationists. “The GCHS helped create the Sloan Museum,” adds Fish er. “We donated our holdings to them and that essentially made the museum. Here’s another little-known fact: we are responsible for maintaining the famous Flint arches. Twenty-two years or so ago, there was an idea to bring the arches back, but the emergency manager at the time turned it down. So, GCHS stepped in.” The Society raised funds to preserve its current home, the Durant-Dort Car riage Company landmark, helps support Crossroads Village, the Whaley House, the Vernors Mural (in collaboration with GFAC) and oversaw the Downtown Façade Program with funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation and Commu nity Foundation of Greater Flint. The GCHS also provided a helping hand

in the creation of the Flushing, Fenton and Grand Blanc Historical Societies. “We have good relationships with our neighboring societies and it is a future goal to continue to strengthen those relationships,” adds Fisher. The society also partners with other area organiza tions such as Back to the Bricks and has a presence at the event. The GCHS has expanded their op erations to include preservation work shops and educational lectures such as their current “House Mysteries - House Histories” series at the Flint Public Li brary. The GCHS is also embracing area history through events both member-ex clusive and open to the public. “We are having a celebration of the Flint Coney Culture at Koegel’s in April and we are very excited for it,” Fisher exclaims. “It’s open to everyone. I am doing a three-part

series on the radio leading up to it when we finally reveal the secret recipe!” Up coming this summer, a salute to the Cor vette is planned and on December 7, they will celebrate Billy Durant’s birthday. “It’s going to be big this year,” says Fish er. “We are going to have some surprise guests.” Visit the GCHS Facebook page for more information and daily stories. “Joel Rash runs our social media and he does a fantastic job,” adds Fisher. If you are interested in becoming a storyteller or just want to support the preservation and advancement of area history, becoming a member is the first step. “Members receive our e-newsletter, our bi-annual magazine, The Historian, and more,” says Fisher, “but by joining the Durant Club, you can really make a difference for us.” A standard member ship fee is $30; couples memberships ß

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are $50 and a family membership (all household members) is $100. If you would like to have a single membership and provide additional support, $100 gives you Patron status. For $250, you can be a member of the exclusive Durant Club. “Supporting the Durant Club al lows us to do more and comes with perks not available to other members,” says Fisher. Area residents can also provide support through monetary donations or purchases from the Historical Society store, either online or in-person at their headquarters. The store is graciously run by Society Director, Derek Dohrman. For those who really want to become part of the fabric of the county and its history, the GCHS has openings for volunteers and advisory board mem bers. “We need help running our events and we are always looking for people to be engaged,” Fisher explains. “The advisory board will be the first people

called whenever we need help. That can include helping to park cars, stuffing envelopes, etc.” Genesee County has a rich history of innovation, advancement of civil rights, diversity, and changing the world – complete with colorful characters from all nationalities and walks of life. “We have an outsized role in history. We really do,” says Fisher. “No city of this size has ever made a bigger impact. World War II would not have gone the way it had if not for us. We were a big part of the ‘arsenal of democracy’. We were the first to pass a fair housing ordinance, the first to have a Black mayor, etc. There’s so much that we have done besides the auto industry. Don’t talk to me about Ford – Billy Du rant and General Motors did much more. I truly believe that.” For Fisher, Genesee County and Flint have no equal in the nation when it comes to impact. He could talk all day and in

If you would like to become a member of the Durant Club or a regular member, vis it geneseehistory.org and click “Become A Member.” To become a volunteer or advisory board member, visit geneseehis tory.org or call 810.410.4605. For event info and daily stories, visit Facebook. com/geneseehistory. The GCHS is locat ed at the Durant-Dort Carriage Company Headquarters, 316 W. Water St., Flint. each statement comes something new. Help him and the others in the organiza tion spread the knowledge and the stories. Become a member of the Genesee County Historical Society and keep the legend going. “We all have something to share,” says Fisher. “Tell the story.” ◆

(L-R) GCHS PRESIDENT GARY FISHER, VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD HETHERINGTON, MEMBERS JEFFE LIPE AND WILLIAM LEDBETTER

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BRANDON CORDER

The Making of a Mogul

BY PETER HINTERMAN

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDON CORDER B randon Corder will never up,” he says. “I want to give back to the place that has given me so much. I get wrapped up in it sometimes, maybe a little too much.” Since his graduation from Flint Southwestern Academy, Corder has been on a mission that has taken him to New York, to Los Angeles, and to Las Vegas where he currently re sides. “I make sure to head back to Flint every couple of weeks,” he adds. At the age of 12, Corder chose his mis sion: to become a media mogul – and through his Beats X Beers brand, he is getting close to reaching that goal. “I always looked up to the music indus try moguls and it is something I always knew I wanted to be,” he says. forget about Flint. “Flint was a great place for me to grow

I want to be the go-to for organizing events, to organize the best festivals and be a staple for that.

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For Corder, it all started with a love of music. “It interested me growing up. When I was 12, I got a keyboard and started learning to play,” he recalls. “In high school, I started to take music production more seriously.” He continued to develop his production tech niques but after graduation, he wasn’t sure of his next step. “I didn’t go to a music school. I went to a traditional college like the rest of my classmates,” he explains. “Producing music isn’t a normal profession in Flint. We were raised with the GM (General Motors) mind set – work a regular 9 to 5 job every day. Our parents never considered music as a possible career.” He bounced around to several schools and continued to upgrade his production equipment whenever he could. Lacking any formal production program options, Corder was self-taught and learned the process wher

I want to give back to the place that has given me so much. I get wrapped up in it sometimes, maybe a little too much.

ever and however he could. Eventually, he made the decision to try his luck in New York. He would eventually return to Flint; but not before he had a confidence breakthrough. “A professional musician from New Orleans used the music I produced,” he proudly remembers. “That was the first time I knew that people enjoyed what I could do.” After returning home for a spell, he set off for Los An geles to work on projects with other musicians and then got his big break when he won a national contest sponsored by Vibe Magazine. “They flew me to Atlanta where I was able

to work on TV scores and with VH1. I got my feet wet,” he says. Corder began making valuable contacts and getting miles of experience. After returning to L.A. he started a project that would be a turning point in his journey. In 2013, he collab orated on and produced an album entitled “Beats x Beers” that featured a bevy of Flint and Michigan musicians such as Jon Connor, This Life. We Lead., and Mama Sol. “After that, I started seeing Beats x Beers as a festival concept,” says Corder. He acted on that impulse and in 2015, organized the first Beats x Beers festival in Austin, TX during the annual, multi-day SXSW Festival. Anticipation for and participation in the event has been off the charts and this summer will be

DURING THE PANDEMIC, CORDER TAPED A SERIES IN FLINT CALLED “UN:TAPPED” TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING LOCAL

ARTISTS AND BUSINESSES.

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its 7th year. “There were some hiccups at that first event, not gonna lie,” Corder laughs. “I had great relationships with artists from the producing world and that wasn’t a problem. Most of the issues had to do with operations. I learned and improved upon it.” With his first festival in the bag, Corder continued to produce in L.A. and took some deejay gigs on the side. “I was working at a bar and was asked about doing a small-scale Beats x Beers event there,” he remembers. “After that, I started imagining what more I could do.” He started doing small events in L.A. and in 2017, decided to bring it back to his hometown. “I started imagining doing stuff in Flint – pop-up social events here and there. I decided to expand the brand

Upcoming Flint Beats x Beers Events for 2023 ▸ Beats x Beers Weekend/Beats x BBQ (May 26-28)

▸ Beer Fest (July 21)

▸ The Block Party (August date TBD) ▸ The Night Before Thanksgiving (November 22) ▸ Toast (December date TBD)

to other cities.” To date, Beats x Beers has held events in more than ten major cities and each year, Corder hosts a variety of events in Flint. He works with charities such as Gift of Life Michigan and with Kettering University and the Mott Foundation. This year, Beats x Beers has six upcoming events in Flint with more possible. Beats x Beers has continued to evolve and even more ex citing for Corder is the launch of his non-profit organization, Beats x Books. “It’s a program that teaches kids about music and music production,” he explains. “It is designed to be a part of the regular school curriculum – music learning in a different capacity than what we are used to – teaching digital skills as well as those needed to be a producer and eventually a mogul.” In other words, everything he lacked growing up. The program is in the early stages and has been implemented in Georgia where Corder’s business partner resides. “We are working to wards proof of concept. We want to see what we can do with it before expansion,” he smiles. “I would love to bring it to Flint.” Brandon Corder is on his way to achieving his goal of becoming a mogul but acknowledges that he has further to go. “I want to be the go-to for organizing events, to organize the best festivals and be a staple for that,” he states. “I have big things coming up and I have made big partnerships that I cannot disclose as of yet.” This year alone, he has events

planned in Birmingham (AL), Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Miami, L.A., and at the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta. Wherever he takes Beats x Beers in the future, the one thing for certain is that Flint and its local arts and music scene will be included. “The music scene is good in Flint. It’s in a good space and local artists are getting recognized,” he admits. “So many remember what Flint was when we were growing up and see what it can be today. It just lacks infrastructure and resources. Most of us cannot give up on the city.” Corder certainly never will, and Beats x Beers events will continue to showcase the best of Flint’s music and arts scene well into the future. Beats x Beers serves as an example of what could be accomplished by any Flint youth who has the passion and drive to become something great – to become a mogul. And, with more and better education and experience opportunities, that dream can be easier to realize. “I’m working on it,” says Corder with a smile.

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Keep Genesee County Beautiful SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS FOR CHANGE BY CHERYL DENNISON

ON April 22, we will celebrate Earth Day – an annual event created in 1970 to raise awareness of the need to protect our planet’s natural re sources for future generations. In Genesee County, there is an agency that works very hard to protect this area’s natural resources. Founded in 2004, Keep Genesee County Beautiful (KGCB) has a mission to “encourage, educate and engage

residents in creating beautiful, clean and sustainable neighborhoods, parks and open spaces throughout the City of Flint and Genesee County.” In January 2016, KGCB became an official program of the Genesee Coun ty Parks & Recreation Commission and also collaborates and has a partnership with the City of Flint. According to Nancy Edwards, KGCB Director since 2018, the organization’s goal is to improve communities,

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“OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AUTHENTIC, CARING AND PASSIONATE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN FLINT, BELIEVE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THEIR PUBLIC SPACES.” Nancy Edwards, KGCB Director

NANCY EDWARDS

their environment and quality of life by offering sup port to citizens who selflessly cultivate change in their neighborhoods. “Our vision is to have life-enriching neighborhoods, parks and open spaces in Flint and Genesee County,” she reports. “We provide support to volunteers doing clean-ups and support for public space clean-ups.” There are several programs within KGCB includ ing: Cultivating Our Community, Bag It, Community Clean-Ups, Illegal Dumping & Blight, Recycling, Adopt a Park, and Hazardous Household Waste Col lection. In the Cultivating Our Community program, KGCB works with volunteer groups to maintain

gateway gardens to the City of Flint and other gar dens in public spaces, Edwards says. In the Recycling program, the agency supplies residents with correct information about how and where to recycle items, as each community has its own recycling program. The City of Flint does not have its own parks & rec program, so KGCB recruits volunteers to maintain Flint parks. There are 1,881 acres of park land in Flint – 70 parks. “Adopt a Park is our biggest program,” Ed wards shares. “Many people don’t understand that the city is not doing the upkeep. It is neighbors, families, friends, neighborhoods – people who care about their community and want the public spaces to be beautiful and usable. ß

Prostock-studio / stock.adobe.com

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We aren’t the ones out there picking up the trash; we coordi nate the efforts.” Edwards is also the Recreation Program & Grant Officer for Genesee

of four people oversee the KGCB programs, as well as a social media staff member. Edwards is a person who likes to get things done. “With me, it’s little talk and a lot of action.” One big accomplishment for KGCB was the replacement of every playground in every city park, approximately 37 of them. Making it all possible is a group of many dedicated volunteers. “We couldn’t do what we do without volun teers,” says the Director, adding that KGCB is interested in connecting with people who have a skill or talent they would like to share with the community. “I love our vol unteers. They are authentic, caring and passionate people who believe in Flint, believe in their communities and their public spaces,” Edwards notes. “Volunteers are the heart of our program. They make it work.” ◆

County Parks – Michigan’s largest county park system – and has worked for Genesee County Parks since 2004. Grants and donations fund the programs, including grants from the Ruth Mott Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (among others) and they are an affil iate of Keep America Beautiful, the largest community improvement organization in the U.S. “People value the work we do and they help fund it,” Edwards says. A staff

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# OF CLEANUP EVENTS

VALUE OF HOURS

# OF TRASH BAGS

# OF YARD WASTE BAGS

LBS. OF YARD WASTE

TOTAL VOL. HRS.

LBS. OF TRASH

# OF VOLS.

Adopt-A-Park

284

1,093 12,696 $362,338 5,888 147,188 2,347

93,880

Community Cleanups

88

1,540

8,641 $246,600 2,397 59,925 1,507

60,280

Cultivating Our Community

385

188

2,093 $54,768 214

5,350

488

19,520

TOTAL

757

2,821

23,430 $663,706 8,499

212,463

4,342

173,680

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MYARTS

A Foundation of Laughter The Cheesestixx Experience

BY PETER HINTERMAN

The door opened and in walked a man wearing a face of determination. Rugged and ready, like a gunfighter he stood urging me to make the first move, daring me to try to make the first joke, to get the first laugh. As soon as I opened my mouth to speak, it was already too late. He struck like light ning and it was all over but the laughing. It was all I could do to catch my breath.

Advantage: Cheesestixx. When Cheesestixx came, he came to play.

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“I like to poke fun at the normal things that happen in life that people may find hard to talk about. There

high school and in 2019, he performed his first standup act on stage during a show at the Michigan Event Center. He was a hit and Cheesestixx the comedian was born. Ever a student of the genre, he researched and took in comedy from the old school masters such as Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, etc. as well as new guard comedians such as Deon Cole, Karlous Miller and Joe Torry. He studied local Flint comedians are moments when we feel uncomfortable; but when you look at it from a different viewpoint, some of those moments can be really funny, too.” Cheesestixx

R aised in Flint as Kristian Nunn, Cheesestixx burst onto the com edy scene in the city and around the country in 2019. The homegrown talent has built and honed his act on stages in places such as Flint, Nashville, Phoenix, Detroit and in iconic comedy clubs such as the Funny Bone in Perrysburg, OH. His online morning news show “Hood Morning” reaches thousands of viewers from around the nation and as far away as Africa and Europe. And with all of this, he knows it’s only the beginning of what his future holds. “I want to con tinue to grow and establish the ‘Hood Morning’ media network,” he says, “and to continue to grow and expand my act. I have plans.” Nunn grew up in Flint and attended Carman-Ainsworth high school where he quickly earned a reputation as the goofy kid – the class clown. Doing

comedy wasn’t something he ever con sidered until the school took a chance on him. “In 2010, they let me host the ‘Carman-Ainsworth Talent Show’,” Nunn remembers. “It was amazing. I even had the adults laughing. That was when it really started.” The seed was planted but it would take a few years before Nunn would consider letting it grow. After high school graduation, Nunn attended Mott Community College like the rest of his peers but eventually realized that what he wanted to do was perform. “At first, I wanted to do music,” he explains. “I played drums in church growing up and wanted to pursue that.” He gave it a shot for a while but nothing seemed to come of it. As his music career began to ebb, Nunn instead began to cultivate and nurture the comedy seed planted in

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