In the late 60s and early 70s, Flint began to see an influx of immigrants from India. They were drawn to the great potential of a city thriving. Doctors, educators, accountants, engineers and other professionals came to the city to try their hand at prosperity. “My family was one of the first to settle here,” recalls former president Bharat Rao. “My father went all over the United States looking for the best place to start his practice and he found no better place than Flint.”
When taking over as executive director of the Flint Jewish Federation (FJF) in 2011, Steven Low wasn’t sure what to expect. After arriving and finding his feet, he was pleasantly surprised. “I came from the St. Louis area, and the level of enthusiasm and passion here in the Jewish community and our collaborations are astonishing,” he says. “I think Flint is one of the best-kept secrets around and I wish I had discovered it a lot sooner.” For nine years now, Low has been one of the nearly 10,000 Jewish individuals who call Greater Flint home.
The religion of Islam has many followers from all walks of life and nationalities, and many of them call Greater Flint and Genesee County home. “We have a growing Muslim population,” explains Niman Shukairy of the Flint Islamic Center, “and our community is very diverse. We have Syrians, Egyptians, Sudanese, Jordanians, Palestinians, Pakistani and Yemeni, as well as a large African-American Muslim Community.”
As part of this year’s welcoming week celebration, the International Center of Greater Flint in partnership with the City of Flint and Genesee County hosted a welcome reception at the Greater Flint Arts Council. The purpose of the event was to welcome immigrants and refugees, and to acknowledge their contributions to this nation and Genesee County. Since the beginning, immigrants have contributed much to art, culture, community and commerce. Let’s work together with everyone who calls Genesee County home, as we move toward a better future.
I was born and raised in Haiti until the age eleven and a half. I have been married for 22 years to Tony Haywood and we have four beautiful children: Aujaurie, Cyerra, Caleb and Carlens, our adopted son in Haiti. I speak three languages and I own and operate Unique Children’s Center in Flint, where we serve children from infant, preschool, PreK and before- and-after-school care. I have been in business for almost ten years and I have a brother who resides in Lansing and is also in business (Good Painting). I run a foundation in Haiti named after my mother, Le Foundation de Nelie Desir. Through my foundation, my family and I give away needed goods such as clothing, food and personal hygiene items, as well as paying for medical needs and children’s tuition. I love being a Haitian and despise what is going on there, though I do enjoy going to my native home and spending time with my son and family. Haiti has a rich culture and the natives there are so friendly and hardworking. They make means with whatever they have.
Genesee County is considering the addition of almost thirty more roundabouts at busy intersections throughout the area. In fact, a roundabout is coming to the city of Fenton as many of you probably know — at the intersection of Torrey and North roads. According to recent reports, the project is expected to be completed sometime in November. Many people are confused by roundabouts but according to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts are often safer, more efficient, less costly and more aesthetically appealing than conventional intersection designs. Here are some guidelines to follow from the Michigan Department of Transportation when driving a roundabout:
Something exciting is happening in the Flint River this weekend. On Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Mott Park Recreational Area from 1-3pm, the reintroduction of juvenile Lake Sturgeon into the Flint River will take place. Participants may have the opportunity to help with the release, according to a statement released by the Flint River Watershed Coalition.
Can you remember what you were doing on Sept. 11, 2001? The memories of that day are forever etched in people’s minds — the day the Unites States of America was attacked —four coordinated terrorists attacks that killed 2,296 people and injured over 6,000 others. Two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 75, crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, initially flying toward Washington DC., crashed into a field near Shanksville, PA, after its passengers thwarted the hijackers.
The Michigan House unanimously passed two bills to re-name portions of two area highways.
Join the International Center of Greater Flint in partnership with the City of Flint and Genesee County for Welcoming Week!
The Michigan Vietnam Traveling Memorial and the LZ Arrielle Traveling Vietnam Museum will be on display in Holly on Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9 at the Karl Richter Community Center, 920 Baird Street. It will arrive by escort between 6:15-6:30pm on Saturday. It is a memorial to the men and women of the state of Michigan who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War and a reminder that they will never be forgotten.
The eighth chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint is an engineering educator and longtime academic administrator. Debasish Dutta served in senior administrative positions at several Big Ten institutions including Michigan, Illinois, Purdue and Rutgers, where he served as chancellor. He now lives in Flint with his wife, Fataneh Taghaboni-Dutta, Ph.D., who was a faculty member at UM-Flint for nearly 20 years. Chancellor Duttta is thrilled to return home to Michigan and seeks to make a positive contribution to the revitalization of Flint and Genesee County.
