Black History Is American History
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
FEBRUARY,Nov/Dec, 2017 2018 SMART PAGES DBUSINESSETR - POLITICS OI- COMMUNITYT “Building Business to Business and Business to Community Relationships” Black History is American History JESSE EUGENE RUSSELL DR. PATRICIA BATH JAMES WEST Jesse Eugene Russell, aka the Father Born in Harlem, New York, on Novem- James West is a U.S. inventor and of the Cellphone, is a Black inventor trained ber 4, 1942, Patricia Bath became the first professor who, in 1962, developed the in electrical engineering. A graduate of Ten- African American to complete a residency electret transducer technology later used in nessee State University, Russell became in ophthalmology in 1973. Two years later, 90 percent of contemporary microphones. the first graduate of an HBCU to be hired by she became the first female faculty mem- Born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, on AT&T Bell Labs. He went on to receive his ber in the Department of Ophthalmology at February 10, 1931, James West attended MS in Electrical Engineering from Stanford UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute. In 1976, Temple University before working for Bell and became an expert in digital signal Bath co-founded the American Institute Labs. processing. During his time at AT&T he for the Prevention of Blindness, which Along with Gerhard M. Sessler, he suggested taking the car phone more on the established that “eyesight is a basic human developed the foil electret microphone, an go and putting one in every hand. right.” inexpensive, compact device that is now This technology took over four years to In 1986, Bath invented the Laser- used in 90 percent of all contemporary perfect. But finally in 1988, Russell released phaco Probe, improving treatment for microphones. the first digital cellular system to the world. cataract patients. The device created a A prolific writer as well, West has more Currently, Russell holds over 75 patents in less painful and more precise treatment than 250 patents and became a professor digital cellular technologies, including but of cataracts. She patented the device in at Johns Hopkins University. “If I had a not limited to: the mobile data telephone, 1988, becoming the first African-American screwdriver and a pair of pliers, anything the base station for mobile radio telecom- female doctor to receive a medical patent. that could be opened was in danger,” West munications systems, & the broadband (She also holds patents in Japan, Canada would later recollect. “I had this need to cable telephony network architecture IP ITN and Europe.) With her Laserphaco Probe, know what was inside.” He knew he wanted network architecture reference model, etc. Bath was able to help restore the sight of to pursue his interest in science academical- In 2000, Russell left Bell Labs to become individuals who had been blind for more ly, though his parents were concerned about the CEO of incNETWORKS, which is one of than 30 years. future job prospects for an African-American the leaders in MicroLTE product platforms scientist, due to the racism and Jim Crow for 4G devices. laws of the South. They preferred for him to become a physician. In honor of Black History Month, Smart Pages noted a few extraordinary people who have made all our lives better. Please use this sampling as a reminder of the dedication, sacrifices and contributions Blacks have made in this country and continue to make. Some of the names and faces, you will recognize and others you may not know. Pgs 19-20. EXCLUSIVE: Highland Park Judge Marylin E. Atkins The Triumph of Rosemary Chamber of Commerce Open for Business pg. 11 (A Memoir) pg. 15 Lifetime Achievement Award Richard Crabb Busy Bee Hardware Costa D’Oro FINE JEWELRY Instore Valentine’s, Mother’s and Father’s Day Specials! Many in Store Holiday Specials! EXPERT JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIRS DIAMONDS & GEM STONES CUSTOM DESIGNS 313-965-4139 333 E. JEFFERSON SUITE 293 MILLENDER CENTER DETROIT’S PREMIERE FINE JEWELRY AND CUSTOM DESIGN JEWELER One of a Kind Custom Designs for Valentines Day! Visit us today to find something unique for that special someone! Join us for an evening of stimulating conversation based on the concepts from his recently released revised best seller, “New Visions For Black Men” at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, General Motors Theatre. His analysis of Sunday, February 4, 2018 the social, politi- - ADMISSION IS FREE! cal, psychological Detroit Unity Temple - 10:00 a.m. and spiritual con- 17505 2nd Ave cerns of African Detroit, Mi 48203 Americans speaks 313-345-4848 to the Rev. Gregory Guice and First Lady Francine Guice, JD shared issues NA’IM AKBAR Ph.D. Of all humanity Tuesday February 6th - 7 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) The Charles H. Wright Museum during these uncertain and confusing 315 E. Warren Ave times. Dr. Akbar will share his vision Detroit, MI 48201 of all Black Men and Black Women 313-494-5800 And humanity as a whole growing ADMISSION - $25.00 and improving themselves. (includes a signed copy of Dr. Akbar’s book) Tickets or a copy of the book can be purchased at: ELE Wealth, 18700 W. Ten Mile Rd., Southfield, MI • 48075, 248-356-6555 www.detroitsmartpages.com FEBRUARY 2018 | PAGE 2 FEATURE ARTICLE Abeni Nazeer, The Baltimore Princess making her mark in a male dominated field beni Nazeer has carved out timore hip-hop scene? “Being a fe- a path in a career main- male director on the Baltimore hip- ly dominated by her male hop scene is very unique because Acounterparts in the music indus- many girls don’t play such a needed try. Abeni has proven that she can and mandatory role. My city’s hip- wear all the hats including taking hop industry is full of men, driven the right shots, creative director, by men, so it feels great to contrib- and videographer, behind the scenes ute some estrogen. The city named for a successful video production. me Baltimore’s Princess. The guys Abeni’s roots are in Detroit respect me and the ladies respect where her parents lived before mov- me for creating a lane for us”. ing to Lansing, Michigan where she Holz, “Abeni has solidified was born. The family then moved to herself as one of the top videog- Baltimore, Maryland when she was raphers in the city. 2017 was a a young girl and her natural talents big year for the talented direc- record producer/artist and thou- high quality videos that are high in began to emerge early as an abstract tor and she has plans of making sands of up and coming artists. demand. She is motivated by her and figurative artist when she had 2018 even bigger and better”. Upcoming projects include family who often works with her her first art showing at 7 years old. At the young age of 26, Abe- The “10 Series”, 10 urban short on locations and the desire to make Years later Abeni picked up a ni manages a crew of up to 20 on stories, “We One”, comedy / a difference in the lives of others. camera and soon realized there was some shoots, maintains a profes- drama and a Gentrification se- Abeni works out of Baltimore, much more to just taking pictures. sional atmosphere and produces ries based on neighborhoods Miami, Los Angeles and Atlanta. She realized that with every picture going through gentrification. Some of her clients include Debra she took, there was a story behind Abeni, “In 2018, I want to Antney Founder and CEO of Mizay the scene more compelling than have an all girls film crew creat- Entertainment, an Atlanta-based just the faces on the photo. This ed by me, Comret Rebela, smart management company with cli- was the beginning of her journey sexy radical women at work, get- ents including Gucci Mane, Nicki into the visual and creative world ting along, uplifting each oth- Minaj and French Montana, Kev- of the hip-hop scene in Baltimore. er and making money together”. in Liles, an American record ex- In an interview with Jay Holz You can reach out to Abeni at ecutive and co-founder and CEO of DTLR Radio in Baltimore, Jay 410-215-6162 or: @abeninazeer, @ of 300 Entertainment, Bizarre of asked Abeni, what is it like being directorabeninazeer or email her at: EMINEM fame and Sonny Digital, the only female director on the Bal- [email protected]. www.detroitsmartpages.com FEBRUARY 2018 | PAGE 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE Black Contributions to America are Endless .....................................................5 SAVE THE DATE COVER STORIES Highland Park Open For Business ...................................................................11 4TH ANNUAL “THANK YOU” AWARDS Judge Marylin E. Atkins - The Triumph of Rosemary (A Memoir) ...............15 Recognizing Detroit Neighborhood Black History is American History ............................................................ 19-20 Small Businesses FEATURE ARTICLES Abeni Nazeer .....................................................................................................3 “Bridging Downtown, Midtown and Winter In Detroit - Downtown Markets .............................................................6 Neighborhood Businesses Together” Martin Luther King Jr. - Excerpts from his letter in the Birmingham jail .......22 Wednesday, May 16, 2018 BUSINESS PROFILES 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Kemp Funeral Home opens in Southfield Michigan ........................................13 Henry The Hatter - Relocates to Eastern Market District ................................14 Charles Wright Museum of COLUMNISTS African American History Barbara Brazile: Inspirational Corner .............................................................5 315 E. Warren Ave. Detroit, MI 48202 Aundrea Bradford: Keys to Employment