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One Student Organization uses the Wharton Center to celebrate Black Achievements

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The Wharton Center can be easily recognized for its Broadway musicals and performances. Flyers for Mean Girls and Hamilton can be seen all throughout the city of Lansing. As graduation season approaches, The Wharton will be expecting a different type of crowd. 

On April 24, the African American Celebratory will be hosting the Certified Black Graduation for the 2022 academic year to celebrate the achievements of black graduates at Michigan State. 

“This is the first one since the pandemic has started so we’re just excited to come back and just to celebrate all the black grads on MSU campus because it was a momentous experience to have,” said Kennedy Walters, Vice President of African American Celebratory. Students can register through the link in the organization’s Instagram bio. The registration fee allows for graduates to receive a kente print black grads matter stole.

Detroit

Grocery stores and fast-food restaurants in Flint and Detroit, only part of food disparities puzzle

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To illustrate the jigsaw puzzle that explains health and food disparities in low-income communities, comparisons between two low-income communities, Flint and Detroit, reveal a lack of grocery stores with affordable prices and the abundance of fast-food restaurant are key challenges linked to adverse health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. “It basically confirmed that there’s a lot of junk food on kids’ menus in poorer neighborhoods of urban areas,” said Rick Sadler, assistant professor in MSU’s College of Human Medicine’s Division of Public Health — Flint campus, who co-authored in 2018 a study on how students who attend schools in urban areas with high levels of socioeconomic distress consume foods with low levels of nutritional value such as fast-food. 

Fast-food frequency in Detroit

“The number of fast food restaurants are too many to count, but I would say more than 10,” said Detroit resident Darion Jackson. “It’s harder to find healthier options when all you’re surrounded with is fast food.”

This video recorded while driving through Detroit shows fast-food restaurants dominated city blocks. Kenneth Matthews, a Detroit resident, agrees with Jackson on the increasing number of fast food restaurant in the city. Systemic racism

Sadler credits systemic racism as the root cause for food disparities.

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Owners of a new hot dog stand rise​ up after a robbery

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The entrance of Cheezy D’s Deli and Dogs located on the corner of Marsh and Lake Lansing.  Credit: Brea Crawford

Cheezy D’s Deli and Dogs in Haslett, Michigan was robbed just months after their grand opening on June 15, a few months later than originally planned. Owners Denny and Michelle Emmer tried to make the best out of the situation. 

“I knew who did it, that’s why I didn’t press charges,” said Denny. “No matter what their issue was, they needed help. We tried to make a positive out of it. The window can be replaced, and no one was hurt.” 

The robbery influenced Denny to take his business to the next level and help the community.