Tuskegee Airman: Former Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young

Coleman Alexander Young (1918-1997), was the longest-serving mayor of Detroit, Michigan. After ten years as a Michigan state senator, Mr. Young was elected to the mayorship in 1973 and served until 1993.

*  Born in Tuscaloosa Alabama and raised in Detroit since the age of 5, Mr. Young always achieved academically. He was offered a scholarship to a local Catholic high school, but the offer was rescinded when a priest realized that young Coleman was Black. He attended Eastern High School instead and graduated second in his class.

* Young Coleman excelled in the Boy Scouts, achieving the level of Eagle Scout. However, when his troop won a trip to Bob-lo Island Amusement Park, young Coleman was turned away at the ferry boat to the island because he was Black and the day of the trip was not "Colored Day at Bob-lo".

* While working at Ford Motor Company, Mr. Young became involved in union organizing activities, believing that civil rights and workers' rights were linked. He was blacklisted and had an FBI file opened against him. Yet, he became the first Black official in the CIO.

* Mr. Young was drafted into the military during WWII and became a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, rising to the rank of lieutenant.

* Because of his political views and union work, Mr. Young had trouble finding work after he returned from the war. When his wife experienced complications with her pregnancy, Mr. Young could not afford proper medical care and they lost the baby.

* Mr.Young was called to testify before the Congress and its "Un-American Activities Committee"; he became a local hero to the Black committee in Detroit due to the radiocast of his testimony.

* Mr. Young served on the Michigan Constitutional Convention committee in the 1960s, writing the civil rights section of the new constitution. He became the first Black member of the Democratic National Committee in 1968.

All of his life experiences, including being a member of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen, shaped the person known as Mayor Coleman Alexander Young.

If you personally know any Tuskegee Airmen--friends or family--please let us know in the comments!

Monday Milestone: Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit MI

The Gatehouse of Elmwood Cemetery. Established in 1846, the Historic Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit MI is the final resting place for many of the famous people and war veterans of Detroit and the State of Michigan. To read more of the fascinating information about the Historic Elmwood Cemetery, click here.

The Civil War Memorial at Elmwood Cemetery honors those from Michigan who gave their lives during "The War of the Rebellion". This area is one of the few in the United States where the flag is flown day and night to honor fallen soldiers and sailors.

The Joy family of Detroit is interned here. Founders of the Packard Motor Company, the United Foundation, and financiers of the Newberry Theatre and Gardens, "Joy Road" in Detroit is named for them.

Six generations of the Lewis Cass family are here. Lewis Cass was Michigan Territorial Governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Minister to France. His namesake is my alma mater, Cass Technical High School in Detroit. Also Cass Park, the Cass Corridor, Cass Avenue, etc.

Martha Jean ("The Queen") Steinburg was a legendary Detroit radio personality and believed to be the first African-American woman to own a radio station. She holds many honors, including being inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.



Coleman Alexander Young was the longest-serving mayor in Detroit history. He was also a WWII veteran, a member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, a Michigan State Senator, and an awardee of the Springarn Medal, the highest honor of the NAACP.

Posted via web from The DSpot Redeux Blog

Shopping in Detroit: Henry the Hatter

Henry the Hatter Flagship Store in Downtown Detroit

Detroit is known for its fashion sense, and "Henry the Hatter" is one of the reasons. Founded in 1893, Henry the Hatter has hats, caps, fedoras, and even fezzes for every age and taste. President Dwight D. Eisenhower wore a hat at his inauguration; ushering in a change by wearing a "homburg" rather than the silk top hat that had been the tradition, signaling a change to a more austere Federal government. At his 1961 inauguration, President John F. Kennedy did not wear a hat at all; and he is "blamed" for the demise of men's hat-wearing in the 1960s and 1970s' although the times seemed to be changing anyway. Today, such luminaries and celebrities as Run-DMC, L.L. Cool J, Kid Rock, and Steve Harvey go to Henry the Hatter for their headwear.

A fedora from Henry the Hatter

Henry the Hatter has survived several changes of ownership, various downturns in the economy, and several location changes in downtown Detroit. In the 1980s, the store focused more on cleaning and repair, as well as custom-made hats. Today, Henry the Hatter is owned by Paul Wasserman and has two other locations in Hamtramck and Southfield Michigan.

A Greek Fisherman Cap

Henry the Hatter has been recognized as a Michigan Centennial Business by the Historical Society of Michigan, and both Paul Wasserman and his father Seymour Wasserman as Hat Retailer of the Year by the Traveling Hat Salesmen Association of America.

Coleman A. Young, Detroit Mayor 1974-1994 in Homburg Hat

Homburg Hat

Henry the Hatter

1307 Broadway

Detroit MI 48226

(313) 962-0970

Hours: Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm

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Detroit Neighborhood: Victoria Park Estates

Housing stock in Detroit are often thought to be only of the “older” or “historic” variety; mostly built in the early-to-mid twentieth century. While that may be true for the majority of homes, it is possible to own newer, suburban-style homes right here in the City.

There are now several newer neighborhoods in Detroit: one of the first was Victoria Park Estates, a gated community on the Eastside. Built in 1992 by Crosswind Communities, Victoria Park, with 157 homes built on 44 acres, is located off Dickerson just south of East Jefferson and east of Conner Street.

The late Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young, along with the Building Industry Association of Southeastern Michigan and executives of Standard Federal Bank (now Bank of America), spearheaded the development of Victoria Park. The latest new housing development before Victoria Park had been the condominiums and apartments of Lafayette Park East in the 1960s. The prices of the homes range from $160,000 to over $300,00; the community qualifies for the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Tax Abatements.

The original homeowners of Victoria Park were able to purchase the city-owned lots for $1 apiece, and then build colonial- and cape cod-style homes with decks, two-car attached garages, and cathedral ceilings. The neighborhood has cul-de-sacs, curving streets, and an attended entrance gate. Although homeowner turnover is low, if you are looking for a suburban home within the City, take a look at the newer and diverse community Victoria Park Estates.

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Nelson Mandela Celebrates His 90th...Happy Birthday, Madiba!

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, an international icon for freedom, is celebrating his 90th birthday today at his home in Qunu, Trankei/Eastern Cape, about 600 miles from Johannesburg, South Africa. He was born on July 18, 1918, at a nearby village; the son of a high-ranking tribal chief.

Mandela, often respectfully called by his Thembu clan name "Madiba", is a former president of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Other names of endearment and respect include "Tata", meaning father", and Khulu", which means "great" or "paramount". An attorney, a fighter against the apartheid system, a founder of the African National Congress, President Mandela spent 27 years of a life sentence for treason at the Robben Island Prison and Pollsmoor Prison until he was freed on February 11, 1990.

In 1993, along with F.W. de Klerk, the president of South Africa at the time who freed Nelson Mandela from prison and worked with him to help end apartheid, Mr. Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. In 1994, Mr. Mandela was elected president of a post-apartheid-era South Africa. Newly emancipated Black South Africans walked for miles and stood in line for hours to vote for the first time in their lives.



Soon after his release in February 1990, Nelson Mandela embarked on a world tour which included Detroit. Many Detroiters, including the late Detroit City Council President Maryann Mahaffey, fought against the South African apartheid system; and Nelson Mandela acknowledged their efforts for freedom, including those of Rosa Parks, who greeted Mr. Mandela at the rally at Tiger Stadium along with Mayor Coleman A. Young. Detroit, in one day, exceeded the 3-day fund-raising totals of New York City. Nelson Mandela stated his appreciation of and love for Detroit when he strolled out onto the field, proclaiming: "Hello, Motor-town!" A day I will never forget...I was there with my then 9-year-old son.

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