My City July 2021

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, How ‘bout that serene scene on the cover? Greater Flint citizens are embracing the chance to get a new view of the city from the river with Kayak Flint – a nonprofit project of the Flint Watershed Coalition created to protect, promote and improve the river and its watershed. What a great recreational opportunity! (See p.18.) Creating opportunities for teens to talk about their challenges in a safe space is 181 Movement, a faith-based group founded in February. Read about their proactive approach to helping the com munity – and the current goal you can help them reach (p.10). Team My City enjoys any opportunity to feature our furry friends and the people in Greater Flint who dedicate their time and resources to helping find loving homes for animals. Based in Flint Township, Purrsuit of Happyness cat rescue is a small-but mighty nonprofit organization on a mission. Check it out on p.24. When it comes to our “My Arts” category, it’s rarely a challenge to find someone with both talent and an interesting story.This month, we highlight local attorney and glass artist Suellen J. Parker, owner of Case Island Glass. I admire someone who succeeds at their profession AND follows their passion. We also have an update on the latest mu rals that have been painted around Flint by the super-creative people participating in the Flint Public Art Project.There are more than 150 to date! We’re always happy to contribute free press to the many orga nizations that are working to make Flint a better, more beautiful place. That’s what MCM is all about! Photos start on p.28. Also generating excitement is the Flint Fury semi-pro football team. They’ve been around a while, and the head coach (Charles Lawler) is fully vested in both his players and the city.This season’s player mix has re-energized the program – I plan to catch a game this summer! There’s much more in this issue – music, history, food and an other great bunch of columns by our contributing writers. Finally, nominations for our annual Wellness Awards open on August 1 ... visit MyCityMag.com/Wellness-Awards (see p.8-9.) Thanks for reading.

ASSISTANT EDITOR / WR ITER Peter Hinterman

WEB DEVELOPER / GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jonathan Boedecker

STAFF WR ITER Cheryl Denni son

PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Jagielo

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 Ed Bradley 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 EXECUTIVES Terese Al len Vincent Turchi

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. The 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 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 © 2021. All rights reserved. | Printed in U.S.A.

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

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY KAYAK FLINT