My City February 2022

PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF Vince Lorraine

F R O M T H E P U B L I S H E R

E D I T O R I A L MANAGING EDITOR Sherron Barden

A R T & D E S I G N GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brett LaCross

DEAR READERS, Every February, we’re proud to have this platform for celebrating Black History Month. e many ways it can be observed include learning about noteworthy black gures and their contributions, and learning about your community’s black women in particular. With our feature highlighting the Genesee District Library’s 2022 Black History Month Honorees, we check both boxes. Read about these inspiring individuals who were selected by the Black History Month Brunch Advisory Committee to receive awards this year (p.8). Also proled in this issue are two men using their talents to give local kids access to life-enriching programs: Tauzzari Robinson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint (p.12) and Chef Nate Brown who is reaching Flint youth through the D.R.E.A.M.S. program (p.14). In more than one issue of MCM, we have shined a light on the dark, disturbing and serious problem of human tra–cking in Flint. is month, we highlight an organization dedicated to helping survivors of this heinous crime to put their lives back together: James-Moorehouse, Inc. (p.18). Isn’t it strange how such good people and such bad people can exist in the same world? When I talk about good people, our “My Day” subject most certainly belongs in that group.My friend Leslie Toldo, “e Weather Lady” is a longtime meteorologist at Mid-Michigan NOW (and MCM columnist) – but she does so much more. She shared her story with us starting on p.20. It ’s been a while since we could do a special bridal section, for obvious reasons. “My Wedding” features lots of trends for this year and tips from local industry experts. It is estimated that a record- high 2.6 million weddings will take place in the U.S. this year – and people will be ready to celebrate! Check it out starting on p.48. Finally, I want to thank our guest writer (former My City sta¢ writer) Myron Manns, who o¢ers a tribute to his good friend Oaklin Mixon, a popular Flint entrepreneur who passed away just before Christmas. (See p.80.) As I write this, winter has us snow-covered and in the deep- freeze ... curl up with your My City magazine and stay warm! anks for reading,

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WR ITER Peter Hinterman

WEB DEVELOPER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Boedecker

STAFF WR ITER Cheryl Denni son

PHOTOGRAPHY Katy Ki ldee

FREELANCE WR ITERS Mark Spezia

O P E R A T I O N S

ACCOUNTING/CI RCULATION Kim Davi s

CONTR IBUTING WR ITERS Er in Caudel l Dr. Christopher Douglas Vera Hogan Joel P. Lagore Alexandr ia Nolan Les l ie Toldo

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Dan Garman

S A L E S

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Terese Al len

5152 COMMERCE RD. FLINT, MI 48507 810.230.1783 ¦ MYCITYMAG.COM ISSN#1559-3436 is published monthly by My City Magazine, Inc., 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507. Canadian Mail Agreement #41971515. For back issues, inquire for availability. Editorial Cor- respondence: Address product information and inquiries to: Editorial Department, My City Magazine, 5152 Commerce Rd., Flint, MI 48507, 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. Že opinions and conclu- sions 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 e‘ort will be made however, to return rejected manuscripts, etc., if they are accompanied by su“cient ”rst-class postage, but the publisher will not be responsible for any loss of such material. Copyright © 2022. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

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

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