City board continues to build bonds between neighbors

MADISON HEIGHTS — The Madison Heights Human Relations and Equity Commission has been busy this year, staying true to its goal of bridging gaps between different groups in the city.

Current projects include diversity-themed book talks for February for Black History Month; communication boards installed at local parks to assist nonverbal individuals; an Asian food and lantern festival this spring; Juneteenth scholarships for high school seniors this summer; and the second annual Revin’ in the Heights, featuring a car show and barbecue cook-off this fall.

“The overall goal of the HREC is to help the city be more inclusive, and to make sure that all of our residents feel like they have a voice and are represented, not only in the way we govern but also in our programs and activities,” said Madison Heights City Councilmember Quinn Wright, who serves as the council representative for the HREC. Councilmember Emily Rohrbach is his alternate.

In addition to the two council members, there are seats for eight citizen members, three of which are currently open. Anyone interested in serving on the HREC can apply at the city website, https://madison-heights.org, under the “Government” tab.

Wright suggests attending one of the group’s meetings first. The HREC meets the third Thursday of every month inside the Madison Heights Public Library, 240 W. 13 Mile Road, typically in the Breckenridge Room starting at 6 p.m.

“Even if you’re not a voting member, you can still be part of the conversation and participate,” Wright said. “We would like to have residents who are looking for a way to get more involved.”

The board’s purpose is to make the city a more fair and inclusive place for all. Wright said this begins with listening to people of different races, sexualities, gender identities, creeds and more.

The HREC explores this concept with its book club, “Novels with Neighbors,” which meets at the Madison Heights Public Library. One can check with the library for dates and times.

At each meeting, members discuss books about the experiences of different communities. With February being Black History Month, the current theme has been the Black community.

“We want people to share their experiences with their neighbors, to have those conversations that can sometimes be uncomfortable,” Wright said.

Communication is key, but it can take many forms. For individuals who are nonverbal or have limited speaking ability, the HREC is preparing special boards that will be installed at Rosie’s Park and Civic Center Park. The boards will feature visuals indicating different emotions and commands, such as “stop” and “go.” The boards will be installed once the weather is warmer.

“The idea is that it can be a tool for adults or kids who are non-speaking due to disabilities or special needs. The boards can aid them in communicating with others and expressing how they’re thinking and feeling,” Wright said. “The idea actually came from one of our members (on the HREC) who deals with ADA topics (the Americans with Disabilities Act). We felt there was an opportunity to make sure we’re supporting our ADA community members through our parks.

“Often when we think about DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), we don’t understand or appreciate that it considers all people. That’s why this board came about,” he continued. “Even DEI hiring is misunderstood. DEI is meant to make sure we consider all people. It doesn’t advantage or disadvantage anyone. It just recognizes there are people who are qualified for things, but who might  otherwise not have the chance to be considered. It’s about making sure we’re considering all options, so that we have the best folks in the places where we need them.”

He said cultural immersion is another way to bridge the gap between groups. The HREC is planning an Asian food and lantern festival for May. The exact date hasn’t been finalized, but it will take place at the city’s new bandshell at Civic Center Park.

“Madison Heights has an eclectic range of eateries and other unique businesses, as well as residents that span across all of the Asian panhandle. So getting to celebrate that is great,” he said. “The event will also feature Asian-style lanterns. We’re planning to partner with local businesses to put those together.”

On Sept. 13, the HREC will hold another event: Revin’ in the Heights. Now in its second year, the event at Civic Center Plaza will once again feature a car show and barbecue cook-off, with a panel of judges choosing the winners and awarding prizes, while attendees get to enjoy a variety of tasty meals and drinks from food trucks.

“Last year’s event was phenomenal — we had over 500 people come out — and what’s great is we heard from many people who hadn’t come out to any other events in the community prior to (Revin’ in the Heights),” Wright said. “It was great to bring people together around something that everyone loves and connects over, which is food.”

One other project in the works are scholarships for graduating high school seniors themed around Juneteenth, the national holiday that commemorates the day the last slaves were freed.

“The rubric is still being created right now. We’re in the initial stages of putting that together,” Wright said. “We’re still figuring out the eligibility criteria, how they will be awarded and the amount. But the goal is to award it at the city’s annual Juneteenth celebration. It’s an opportunity to learn more about Juneteenth, to have those conversations and discover that part of our nation’s history.”

Madison Heights Mayor Roslyn Grafstein said in an email that she’s proud of the good work being done by the HREC.

“Following the example of the Madison Heights Arts Board, which raised funds for park murals, the HREC continues to show how community-driven events can enhance public spaces,” she said. “With a limited city budget, it’s great to see the HREC carrying on this tradition.”

If you would like to support the HREC with a donation, you can send a check made payable to the city of Madison Heights, with “HREC” on the memo line, to Madison Heights City Hall, 300 W. 13 Mile Road in Madison Heights, MI 48071. All donations help fund HREC initiatives.