Radio Free Flint Podcast

Good school districts are more than a function of how much money they collect from taxpayers.  Schools must connect with the community where they are located in ways that go beyond math, science and reading.  Flint, Michigan at one time was the envy of America. Flint leaders developed and funded the concept of the Community Schools Program.  The Flint School District and its Community Schools Model drew people from across the nation and the world to study the educational model. The concept was replicated in thousands of school districts in the United States and abroad.  The product of that district's efforts were after-school programs that enriched the community and provided learning experiences for the whole family after school was in recess.Skip Harbin, a life long native of Flint, as well as a former teacher, school administrator and school board member shares with us the "golden years" of the Flint Community Schools.  Skip provides context and insight to the devolution of on of America's great industrial towns.  He discusses the effects of economic changes that resulted from GM's globalization, the breakdown of family structure and the growth of Charter and private schools.  This interview is part of a series of personal histories that showcase the people of Flint, Michigan.  They provide a tapestry from which to view the dramatic economic and social change that has come to the heartland of America.---Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Our guest is musician Howard Ryan, a native of Wisconsin who now lives in San Francisco, California. Ryan, also known as Hauras composed a song, "Flint, Michigan," intending to make a social statement about the problems of the beleaguered rust belt city. Ryan is a musician and composer who is known for his work in the drone music genre. He has released several albums and EPs that showcase his unique style of electronic music, which often incorporates elements of experimental and ambient sounds. Ryan is known for his ability to create immersive and atmospheric soundscapes that draw the listener in and transport them to another world. In addition to his solo work, Ryan has collaborated with other artists in the drone music scene and has performed at various music festivals worldwide.Drone music is a subgenre of electronic music characterized by its slow, repetitive rhythms and sustained tones. It often uses synthesizers and electronic instrumentation to create a meditative and ambient soundscape.********************Please visit Band Camp to download a copy of the song Flint, Michigan, or the album In these Coming Days by Hauras.  To obtain other works of music by Hauras and Howard Ryan, please visit the Helen Scarsdale Agency website.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Our podcast guest is Daniel Moilanen, a Fenton area native now living in Flint.  Dan is currently the Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD). His leadership in this organization brings conservation-minded farmers together to reduce toxic algal blooms in the Great Lakes by encouraging environmentally sound agricultural techniques.   The Michigan soil conservation districts have been working to modernize farming practices to protect Lake Erie and its surrounding ecosystems. One key aspect of this effort has been implementing precision agriculture techniques, which involve using advanced technology to monitor and optimize crop production in real time.One example is GPS-guided machinery, which allows farmers to precisely target inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the risk of over-application and runoff into the lake. Additionally, the districts have been promoting the use of cover crops and conservation tillage methods, which help to improve soil health and reduce erosion.Another important aspect of this effort has been the development of nutrient management plans, which help farmers to optimize the use of fertilizers and minimize the risk of excess nutrients entering the lake. These plans involve working with experts to identify the most effective and environmentally friendly fertilization practices for specific crops and soil types.Overall, these efforts have helped to improve the sustainability of farming in Michigan and protect the health of Lake Erie while also supporting the economic viability of the state's agriculture industry.Dan is a graduate of Albion College. Recently, the Flint-Genesee Chamber of Commerce selected Moilenan as one of 40 Under 40 distinguished young community leaders.Dan Moilanen has a wealth of experience in small business ownership, community service, and political engagement. He is the founder and former owner of Vehicle City Tacos, a popular downtown Flint food truck. His community and political involvement include serving as leader of the Genesee County Democratic Party and the Genesee County Young Democrats.Dan is with us to discuss Michigan environmental issues like soil conservation and better and less harmful agricultural practices that help keep our water resources and wetlands free of harmful pollutants. Michigan is the second largest producer of agricultural commodities in the United States. Outmoded farming practices in Michigan threaten to deplete its rich soil over the next 60 years. In recent years Dan has continued his interest in music by performing with a SKA Punk Band in the Flint area.  We are sure you will find our guest fun and exciting and learn how important it is to protect our food and water resources through conservation. Visit the Genesee County Conservation District website to learn more about Flint area programs and projects.  Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

We discuss how the roads got so bad and how to fix the problem with road and infrastructure expert Dr. John Daly. Michigan has a significant problem with its roads and bridges. The state has one of the highest numbers of structurally deficient bridges in the country, and many of its roads need repair. This problem has been exacerbated by years of neglect and insufficient funding.One of the main issues is the lack of funding to maintain and repair the roads and bridges properly. Michigan has relied heavily on gas tax revenues to fund infrastructure projects. Still, these revenues have been declining due to more fuel-efficient vehicles and the increased use of electric vehicles. Additionally, the state has not increased its gas tax since 1997, leading to a significant shortfall in funding.The state has also struggled with inadequate funding for road maintenance, leading to a backlog of repairs that grows yearly. This has resulted in a significant portion of the state's roads being in poor condition, causing damage to vehicles and creating a safety hazard for drivers.Furthermore, Michigan's harsh winter weather can also contribute to the deterioration of its roads and bridges. The constant freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snowfall can cause significant damage, compounded by the lack of proper maintenance.To fix these problems, Michigan needs to invest in its infrastructure by increasing road and bridge maintenance and repair funding. This could involve increasing the gas tax or finding alternative funding sources, such as tolls or user fees. The state also needs to prioritize infrastructure projects and allocate funding more efficiently, focusing on the most pressing needs first.In conclusion, Michigan's problems with its roads and bridges are multifaceted and require a comprehensive approach to fix. The state must address these issues in a timely manner to improve the safety and quality of life for its citizens.Fixing aging roads and bridges in cities like Flint, Michigan, needs creative solutions for its hollowed-out city with blocks and blocks of vacant homes. While a vacant house can be torn down, the near-bankrupt municipality must maintain the aging paved roads in front of those houses. Is the answer to downsizing or shrinking the city? How difficult is that to do?   Get some answers to these questions and others.Please share your thoughts with us by email or voice message.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Midnight in Vehicle City by author Edward McClelland is a book that tells the story of Flint, Michigan, during the Great Recession and the struggles of its residents as they try to survive in a city that has been hit hard by the economic downturn. The story centers around autoworkers struggling to make ends meet and their challenges of working for General Motors Corporation in the 1930s. Those challenges included poor pay and working conditions.The author does an excellent job of capturing the mood and atmosphere of Flint during this time, and the characters are well-developed and believable. The book is also well-researched and provides a lot of insight into the history and culture of Flint and the larger economic and political forces that have shaped the city.Overall, Midnight in the Vehicle City is a compelling and poignant read that provides a unique perspective on the struggles of ordinary people in an extraordinary time. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination of the human spirit. It is highly recommended for anyone interested in social and economic issues or the history of the Rust Belt.Listen to a clip of a stirring archival speech by the late Walter P. Ruether, former President of the United Automobile Workers Union. Ruether's words hit a note, given today's struggle to protect democracy.The conversation examines the impact the strike made on the culture of Flint, Michigan, and its people. Does the intensive local activism of 1937 that spurred the birth of the UAW still exist today in Flint?Now that the 1937 sit-down strikers are gone, why does the labor movement still celebrate this strike? What did this historical confrontation between the UAW and General Motors accomplish? Did the famous strike help build the American middle class?Please visit the author's website if you want more information about author Edward McClelland and to purchase his book Midnight in the Vehicle City or any of his other books.Watch Video: Babies and Banners: Story of the Women's Emergency Brigade (1979). Oscar-nominated documentary about the women who battled the police to help and support their striking husbands inside the GM auto factories of Flint, Michigan.Watch Video: The Flint Sit-Down Strike and White Shirt Day. A video about the history of the historic strike. The UAW produced it.The song "1937" in the podcast introduction and outro was written by David O. Norris and Dan Hall and performed by Dan Hall and a local choir of UAW members.   Many thanks to them and UAW Region 1-D for their assistance in producing this song.The historical photographs included on the Radio Free Flint episodes page are courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA/OWI Collection, [reproduction number, e.g., LC-USF34-9058-C]Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Millions of American "Snowbirds" seasonally migrate from the Rust Belt to the Sunbelt. They seek more comfortable, warmer climates during the cold winters "up north." Many of the Snowbirds also come from Canada.What is a "Snowbird," and why do they want to move around the country chasing the sunshine? Is there something this lifestyle says about us and our culture? Have our patterns of life mimicked the ducks and the geese?  In this essay, Arthur Busch explains why he became a Snowbird and how he feels about leaving his home and family behind in Michigan to head for the Suncoast of Florida. Arthur discusses what has become an attainable lifestyle for many from blue-collar regions of America. Is being a Snowbird part of the working-class culture? For many in Michigan who spent careers working in the automobile industry, the answer is YES!Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Musician George Winters has performed for audiences for over 50 years across America.  The Michigan native is well-known in music venues in southeastern Michigan for his fabulous keyboard skills, especially on a Hammond organ.  George plays the keyboard, guitar, and harmonica and also sings. This podcast includes a conversation with George Winters about his long career and several unreleased tracks that include his distinctive mellow jazz and upbeat popular music.  Winters shares his story about how his music career started and grew in and around Flint and Detroit, Michigan.  In this podcast interview, he talks about how the troubles of the automobile industry affected the life of local musicians in Michigan.  The son of a Hammond B3 organ salesman, George got his musical start very early in life in Flushing, Michigan. He entertained the audience during local theater intermission as a child by playing the organ.George shares stories about his interactions with former Detroit Tiger star pitcher Dennis McClain, who also was an organist.  Winters tells of his amusing experience delivering a Hammond B3 organ to the home of Mark Farner of the Rock Band Grand Funk Railroad.    In recent years he has toured the country in clubs that host dueling pianos. George has produced five compact disc recordings. The first, entitled "The Seed" was completed in 1994 and was recorded in less than two hours. "The Seed" was picked up by major retailers in Michigan, including Harmony House, prompting some local success. George's second effort, "Rhythm," released in 1998, comprises mostly original music with instrumentation including the Hammond B3, drums, bass, guitar, and piano.His love of the dueling pianos concept also began in 1998 at JD's Key Club in Pontiac, MI, and continues to this day. You can see George at select Dueling Pianos clubs - click on "show dates" on his web page for a complete schedule.With the release of his fifth CD, "Back to the B3" George hopes to put his music into more hands than ever, using the internet medium to deliver his creations. "Back to the B3" will be available soon from online retailers such as iTunes, or you can order directly from this website.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

This is a conversation with Sarah Carson about her book of poems, How to Baptize a Child, in Flint, MI. Carson's poems are a jarring portrayal of life in a declining, once mighty, and still proud American rustbelt town, Flint, Michigan.  "How to Baptize a Child in Flint, Michigan" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking exploration of faith, family, and community in the midst of challenging circumstances.The book tells the story of a young mother, Sarah, who is struggling to raise her child in the midst of the Flint water crisis. As she navigates the complexities of living in a city with contaminated water, Sarah turns to her faith as a source of hope and strength.One of the book's most powerful aspects is how Carson portrays Sarah's faith as an active and essential part of her life. She doesn't shy away from the challenges of raising a child in a difficult environment but instead leans into her faith as a source of resilience and strength. This is particularly poignant as Sarah grapples with the decision of whether or not to baptize her child in the midst of such uncertain and tumultuous times.Ultimately, "How to Baptize a Child in Flint, Michigan" is a profoundly moving and thought-provoking exploration of faith, family, and community in the face of difficult circumstances. Carson's writing is engaging and heartfelt, and her portrayal of Sarah's journey is inspiring and relatable. This is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the role of faith in times of crisis.************************************This book won the 2022 Lexi Rudnitsky Editors Choice Award, a poetry collection that portrays quintessentially American struggles and hopes.***********************************Carson peeks inside the windows of Flint's working class with a searing indictment of a society responsible for the ghastly moral failures resulting in massive unemployment and poisoned water.  ************************************Sarah Carson was born in Flint, Michigan. She now lives in East Lansing, Michigan, with her daughter and two dogs, who make a guest appearance on the podcast. After college, she spent ten years working with literary organizations in Chicago, including the Poetry Foundation and Switchback Books.  Sarah is the author of two prose poetry collections, Buick City (Mayapple Press, 2015) and Poems in which You Die (BatCat Press), as well as the forthcoming How to Baptize a Child in Flint, Michigan (Persea Books, Nov 1, 2022). Her poetry and other writing have appeared in Diagram, Brevity, Guernica, the Minnesota Review, and others. You can read more of her work at stuffsarahwrote.com********************************This book of poetry is available at the following retailers:Amazon BooksPersea BooksBarnes and Noble BooksSubscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Emily Doerr is a candidate for the Flint Community Schools Board of Education. The election will be on November 8, 2022. She joined a slate of four other individuals running to serve the Flint Community Schools. These candidates agree on core principles governing their service on the Board of Education should they be elected on November 8, 2022. The other candidates on the slate are Dylan Luna, Terae King Jr, Melody L. Relerford, and Michael Clack.The Flint Community Schools are at a crossroads facing dwindling student enrollment, financial deficits, and decisions about rebuilding school buildings. In recent years the Flint Board of Education has experienced dysfunction of its governing board. Those seeking election in Flint will face enormous challenges in fixing the school district.  For the first time in recent memory, five respected and accomplished residents have joined together to seek to bring energetic leadership to focus on Flint's young scholars and the school district. This podcast discusses the problems facing the Flint Community Schools and possible solutions. Our podcast guest discusses her team's philosophy and plans should the voters elect them.Radio Free Flint is not endorsing any candidates for the Flint School Board but seeks to bring forward information about the school district's problems. Our podcast guest is only the second political candidate we have ever interviewed. Flint Board of Education candidates appears on the non-partisan portion of the ballot. Emily Doerr is our podcast guest. She is a Flint native and has an impressive education and resume. Doerr is a leader in the State of Michigan on community development and land use policy issues. She is also a Flintstone with deep roots in the community. Emily received a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Central Michigan University and a Master's in Business Administration from Detroit Mercy.View YouTube Interview of Emily Doerr with Spectacle TV with Paul Herringhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-OCiLdazC0Candidate Profile, Emily Doerr by Flint Beat (E-Newsletter)https://flintbeat.com/meet-flint-board-of-ed-candidate-emily-doerr/Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Is it possible to make Flint laugh? If anyone can, it's Flint native Bryan McCree, a nationally known comedian, actor, and writer. He regularly tours America with shows marked by their insight into American culture and the oddities of life in our country. He is particularly astute at using humor to make us laugh at ourselves.  In this interview, Byran shares hilarious clips of his shows featuring humor about Flint, making the audience laugh at itself and its stereotypes about race and being poor. Byran has regularly appeared on Comedy Central, Mad TV, NBC, and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. He is the nephew of the late Floyd J. McCree, former Mayor of Flint. Mayor McCree was a  Michigan Civil Rights icon. Bryan's father was a jazz virtuoso, and his Great Aunt was a Broadway legend.   The Jherri curled comic has shared the stage with comedians such as Sinbad, George Wallace, and Robert Shimmel and with the group, The Isley Brothers. Bryan is a hilarious man with a demeanor and acting skills that can keep an audience in tears with laughter.He spent years acting at Flint's McCree Theater, a venue named after his famous uncle. It was there he honed his stagecraft skills and charm. Comedy allows McCree to assume himself as the character in his one-man shows.   He does all this with tremendous wit, insight, and a natural stage presence.  In this interview, he shares his life growing up in Flint, his family,  attending Flint Southwestern High School, etc. He shares humorous antidotes about his younger days in Flint. Bryan tells of giving comedy shows to his classmates on the school bus each morning on their way to school. He laughs at the neighborhood days of playing the game of twelve. He never gives up on his beleaguered hometown.  McCree describes what it is like to live in a blue-collar town like Flint, Michigan. He reflects a good-natured poke at his audiences and himself.  Visit Bryan McCree's website to discover his scheduled shows, watch videos of his act, or get branded merchandise.Watch Bryan McCree's comedy shows on his YouTube Channel or visit his Facebook Page.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Carl Paul came to America through Ellis Island in New York from a country few in Flint, Michigan, know much about. North Macedonia, officially the Republic of North Macedonia, is a country in Southeast Europe. In 1991, the tiny country became recognized as one of the successor states of Yugoslavia. Today, the Slavic country is a member of NATO.Carl and many of his fellow Macedonian immigrants eventually found their way to Flint. They came from a small mountain village in southern Macedonia near the border with Greece.   The immigrants of Bouf, Macedonia, have contributed mightily to the Flint economy, culture, and business leadership.Once in Flint, Michigan, Carl Paul and his partner, Angelo Nikoloff, established one of the most loved and iconic restaurants in mid-Michigan. While the Flint-style Coney Island hot dog was not the invention of the two entrepreneurs, they certainly contributed to making a part of the culinary culture of the Flint region.  Ironically, in Macedonia, the coney island hot dog, Flint style, is nowhere to be found on the menu.    Our podcast episode guest, Karen Paul Holmes, grew up in Flint, her father, Carl Paul, and Angelo Nikoloff were the original partners of Angelo's Coney Island. While a teenager, Karen waitressed at her father's famous restaurant during summer school recess. Karen shares the story of her hardworking Flint family, whose life work defines Flint almost as much as trucks and cars made in the city.Karen reads three of her most endearing poems. The first poem recalls her father returning home for family dinners after a long work day at Angelo's Coney Island. The second poem is an emotional tribute to her father and his leaving Bouf, Macedonia, for a better life in the United States. The last is a poem of beautiful prose about the Great Lakes and cherry trees and the beauty of her father's newfound home, Michigan. Karen provides a near-recipe for Flint Style Coney Sauce in her second poetry collection, No Such Thing as Distance (Terrapin, 2018), which contains poems about growing up in Michigan and her parents' emigration to Flint from Macedonia and Australia. Poems from that book have been read by Garrison Keillor on The Writer's Almanac and by former U.S.Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith on The Slowdown podcast.Her first book, Untying the Knot (Aldrich, 2014), chronicles grief and healing from divorce. She has been published in over 100 journals and anthologies and was named the bestemerging poet by Stay Thirsty Media.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Flint, Michigan, has long been touted as a hotbed for high school basketball. Indeed, Flint has produced some of the top basketball talents in the nation. Many Flint athletes are playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and at major colleges and universities. Flint basketball players have had lucrative careers playing internationally.Flint area residents are accustomed to watching high school talents honing their skills in high school gyms against their favorite teams. However, watching those most likely to be the next NBA All-Star or college All-American player may be a thing of the past.A new trend has emerged in which teenagers as early as 10th-grade ship off for Prep Schools that promote basketball and play games against the best competition in America. These Prep Schools position themselves to show off all those talented players to college and professional scouts. Brandon Green, ABC-12 Sports Director, joins Radio Free Flint to discuss the disappearing high school superstars who transfer to Prep Schools. We discuss the implications for young people placing a bet on basketball and eschewing the traditional path of community education. Is it too early to let teenagers put all their eggs in one basket and bet that this career choice will materialize? We know that only a tiny percentage of high school basketball players will sign on at an NCAA Division 1 College or University. Even a smaller percentage of college players ever make it to the pros.We discuss whether Flint has seen its better days of glory with the likes of the Flintstones, the Michigan State University national champs led by 5 Flint High School basketball players.  Please join us and meet Brandon Green, the new Sports Director for WJRT ABC-12 in Flint, as we discuss his welcome to Flint, his passion for basketball, and his love of High School athletics. Read these interesting articles on High School Athletes and Prep Schools. Flint Hoopers Lost in the Shadows by Brandon Green, ABC-12, Sports Director. May 26, 2022Public prep transfers have taken over high school sports in Connecticut, but is that a good thing? By Shawn McFarland and Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant. May 10, 2019 Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Former Bishop Airport Public Safety Director Chris Miller discusses a 2017 terrorist attack at the Flint, Michigan, airport. He also talks about the changes the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America had on current operations at Bishop  International Airport.The retired Public Safety Director at Flint Bishop Airport, Chris Miller, was a hero in 2017 when he and an airport maintenance worker subdued a terrorist who stabbed a fellow police officer.  Miller's quick actions helped save the life of a fellow officer during a terrorist attack inside the Bishop International Airport Terminal. The attacker, a Tunisian national, was found guilty in 2018 on single counts of committing an act of violence at an international airport, interference with airport security, and an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. He is serving a life sentence for the crimes. Chief Miller led the security detail at the Flint airport on the day of the 911 terrorist attacks in 2000. His law enforcement career has spanned nearly 40 years in the Flint area.   He also retired from the Genesee County Sheriff's Department after 20 years. He also worked for a time with the Mt. Morris Township Police Department.Miller shares his experiences as a young musician in the Flint area, growing up in a General Motors family, and his hobby of collecting Chevrolet Corvettes. He attended Flint Community Schools, C.S. Mott Community College, and Oakland University. Upon his retirement in 2021, the City of Flint Lifetime Achievement Award and a key to the city were presented to Chief Chis Miller. Visit the Bishop International Airport website to learn more about the airport.Check out a profile story about Chief Chris Miller at My City MagazineSubscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

In our highly mobile society, figuring out what to do with our old papers, photographs, and keepsakes is challenging. We accumulate boxes of possessions over a lifetime, and when moving, retiring, or upon the death of a parent it sits in your house begging for a home.  Your junk can be true treasures that preserve the history of your community or your family.   What do you do with all those boxes and files that you will "someday" get around to sorting out? What is valuable, what is worth saving, and what is worth donating to a local historical society, library, or museum?  Lastly, what are the best ways to preserve the photos of four generations of family members? Should you frame them or keep them in your basement or garage?  Colleen Marquise is an Archivist at the University of Michigan-Flint Willson-Thompson Library and supervises the Genesee Historical Collection Center. She answers these many questions and more about how to sort out your valuable documents, how to store them, and whether they are worth donating.  Colleen is also a historian and shares her exciting views about the collective trauma the Flint, Michigan, area experienced over many decades. The UM-Flint collection reflects archives of materials explaining the Flint Sitdown Strike, the Beecher Tornado, and the Open Housing Protests in the 1960s. She also discussed the relative lack of public archives about one of Flint's most prominent residents C.S. Mott.  Colleen shares some humorous antidotes about the many donations of historical records she has processed. She also shares how a library archive views your "treasures" and what types of things are most needed to help keep the history of your community. Collen talks about what institutions do with your treasured photos and pictures once you donate them.Visit the Genesee Historical Collection Center of the University of Michigan-Flint Library website. They have an extensive collection of fascinating materials available online or for you to see in person.  Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Colleen Marquise, Associate Archivist at the University of Michigan-Flint, Francis Willson-Thompson Library, takes podcast listeners on a virtual tour of the Genesee County (MI) Historical Center archive collection. This historical collection has a fascinating collection of oral histories, documents, papers, etc. The Center has three primary collections: Flint Labor History, Civil Rights, and Community Organizations such as the UAW Local 599. The local archives also contain the most definitive collection of materials on Flint area community development. The construction of I-475 through the heart of Flint was part of the disastrous urban renewal program that wiped out Flint's Floral Park and St. John Street neighborhoods. Memories of those African-American neighborhoods are found in a collection of recorded oral histories about the people, families, and culture. The Center also has a remarkable collection of oral history materials ranging from musical histories of the area, including rapper MC Breed, Ira Dorsey, and others going back to Flint bands in the 1960s. The Genesee Historical Center has recently developed a history collection about the COVID pandemic and protests. Colleen Marquise shares with the podcast listeners stories about prominent Flint area historical figures such as Genora Johnson and Rev Bradford Pengelly, the colorful rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church during the 1920s. This virtual podcast tour of the University of Michigan-Flint, Francis Willson-Thompson Library is fascinating. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part podcast.The public can visit and listen to some local history collections online by going to the University of Michigan-Flint Library website. Please leave us a voice mail or comments if you have questions or wish to share suggestions. We answer all such messages. Radio Free Flint appreciates your support when you "Buy Us A Coffee" by clicking on the coffee cup on the Home Page.Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

John Norman Collins was an all-American boy. He was handsome, lived in Ann Arbor, and belonged to a fraternity. But there was a dark side to this young man. The media and others dubbed John Norman Collins "The Michigan Murderer." In the late 1960s, Collins stalked college-age women like prey. His hunting grounds were near the campuses of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Michigan murderer terrorized the public. The media breathlessly reported the latest rape-murders of women near two prestigious Michigan college campuses. John Norman Collins is a suspect connected to seven young women's vicious and heinous murders. John Norman Collins eventually found his way into a Washtenaw County, Michigan, courtroom. A state prosecutor charged Collins with the first-degree premeditated murder of 18-year-old Karen Sue Beineman, a student at Eastern Michigan University. A jury convicted Collins. The judge sentenced him to a mandatory life sentence. Author Gregory Fournier was upset because the prosecutor never prosecuted six other rape-murder cases. The Prosecuting Attorney decided not to bring other cases. He was holding off in other murder cases as an  "insurance policy" in the event John Norman Collins was successful on appeal. Collins lost all of his appeals as the courts upheld his conviction. Presumably, because Collins faced the rest of his life in prison, the Prosecuting Attorney decided not to spend public resources holding Collins responsible for other alleged murders. Some claim the police investigators had DNA evidence waiting in the other rape-murder cases. Fournier shares his extensive findings about these murders in our interview. The book "Terror in Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked" is available at bookstores. Fournier, a Detroit native, is one of America's premier true crime authors. He has written several other books, including about Detroit's Purple Gang. ----------- Obtain a copy of the book "Terror in Ypsilanti: John Norman Collins Unmasked" by visiting your local bookstore or Amazon Books. To learn more about Gregory Fournier and other published true crime books, visit the Author's Website.--------Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Ben Pauli, a Kettering University Political Science Professor, is a water rights activist. Pauli embedded himself with a group of Flint residents during the Flint Water Crisis. This is the group that brought the tainted Flint drinking water problem to the public's attention. The group also was successful in advocating that government fix the cause of the toxic water problem. Professor Pauli discusses the historical activism that helped Flint survive economically and environmentally for almost 100 years. He concludes that Flint has been fighting David vs. Goliath-type battles for generations which helps it survive. Pauli argues that generational activism is an asset to the city's efforts to overcome the economic crisis for the past 40 years. One lasting change resulted in recognizing drinking water as a right in the Flint City Charter. Pauli's ethnographical research is done in an academic book, not your typical data-filled one. The book reads like a CIA or police intelligence field analysis of the capability of a group in fostering and accomplishing public policy changes. "Flint Fights Back" is an insightful book and takes an extensive view of the Flint Water Crisis, remarkably different from other books and articles written on the Flint Water Crisis. Most fascinating is Pauli's analysis of the ability of local activists to form an identity and narrative story that sells their cause in the marketplace of public opinion. Pauli concludes that Flint is a parable, the canary in the coal mine forewarning for other cities and towns in the United States. Many of whom may catch a glimpse of what their futures may be in years to come. Professor Pauli claims that Flint's activism has sparked change that eventually has taken hold in many other places in the U.S. "Flint Fights Back" is a guide for those who wonder how to bring change to their towns and cities. Rather than see an involved and active public as an asset, many leaders and residents view some in Flint as the "problem." Professor Pauli speculates that, in all likelihood, the Flint Water Crisis would never have been discovered and addressed without the persistent and determined work of the Flint activist. Yes, the same activists who didn't take gaslighting by their Mayor, Governor, and government as the answer to fixing poison in Flint's drinking water. ------- RESOURCES AND LINKS Pauli's book is FREE to all to download: MIT Press Free Download Kettering University is a private non-profit STEM university in Flint, Michigan.  -- Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

The Life of Mr. Flint, Charles Stewart Mott. Charles Stewart Mott (1875-1973) was an American businessman and philanthropist born in Flint, Michigan. He is best known for his involvement in the automobile industry and his philanthropic work.Mott began his career as a clerk in his family's business, which manufactured carriage and automobile parts. He eventually took over the company and expanded it into a major parts supplier to the automotive industry. Mott was also involved in developing the Chevrolet Motor Company, founded by his friend and business partner, William C. Durant.In addition to his business pursuits, Mott was a philanthropist and supported several charitable causes. He was particularly interested in education and helped establish several schools and universities, including Flint College (now known as the University of Michigan-Flint) and Kettering University, which was named in honor of Charles Kettering, another automotive pioneer.Mott was also active in local and national politics and served on several boards and committees throughout his career. He received numerous awards and honors for his business and philanthropic endeavors and was widely respected and admired for his contributions to society.This is Part Two of an interview with C.S. Mott biographer Ed Renehan who shares remarkable stories from The life of "Mr. Flint" Charles Stewart Mott. Renehan's book "The Life of Charles Stewart Mott" is a comprehensive look at the life of one of the world's most successful American capitalists. The interview covers Mr. Mott's career, family life, travels, hobbies, devotion to the Flint community, and philanthropy.-----------Ed Renehan's critically-acclaimed books published under his name include:Deliberate Evil: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Daniel Webster,The 1830 Murder of a Salem Slave Trader (Chicago Review Press, 2022)Dark Genius of Wall Street: The Misunderstood Life of Jay Gould, King of the Robber Barons (Basic Books, 2006)The Kennedys at War (Doubleday, 2001)The Lion's Pride (Oxford University Press, 1998).The Life of Charles Stewart Mott (University of Michigan Press, 2019)John Burroughs: An American Naturalist (Black Dome Press, 1992)The Secret Six (Crown, 1994).Ed Rehehan has appeared on PBS's The American Experience, NPR, and C-Span's BookTV and has written for publications ranging from The Wall Street Journal to The San Francisco Chronicle.------------Books About Charles Stewart Mott:The Life of Charles Stewart Mott, published by University of Michigan Press, 2019, is available at local bookstores in Flint, Michigan, and major book retailers.Foundation for Living, by Clarence H. Young and William Grim, published by McGraw-Hill, 1963--------Learn more about C.S. Mott by visiting the following:Charles Stewart Mott, WikipediaHistory and Founder-Mott Foundation Biography published by the C.S. Mott FoundationMichigan Historical Review Article on the Life of Charles Stewart MottSubscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Flint Poet Laureate Semaj Brown gives a fascinating reading of her environmental injustice poems. Poet Semaj Brown shares stories of working with the child victims of the Flint Water Crisis. Brown is on a mission to help heal the trauma victims in Flint, Michigan.  Semaj Brown is an amazingly accomplished woman who is a poet, author, playwright, and educator; she was named the first poet laureate of Flint, Michigan, in 2019. In 2021, she received an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellowship. During her time as Flint's first poet laureate, she has taught children to write poetry at Flint's Freeman School, helping adults who privately write poetry as a form of healing and spreading the good word about the value of the literary arts across the Flint area. In this podcast episode, she reads two of her amazing poems. Her poems focus on Flint and social justice issues. They address issues of loss and empowerment. ----- This podcast episode is dedicated to the memory of Joseph M. Snow of Lansing, Michigan. Joe passed away on November 10, 2022, after a long illness. Joe was a lawyer, labor activist, and long-time member of the Lansing area Peace and Justice Coalition. He was an advocate for the working class and social justice issues. He was very fond of Semaj Brown's poetry. ----- You can learn more about Semaj Brown and her poems by:Visiting Semaj's author's websiteFind Semaj Brown on the website of the American Academy of Poets.Read a feature article about Semaj Brown that details her work and background can be located in My City Magazine. The East Village Magazine reported that Semaj Brown was honored by the American Academy of Poets by receiving funding for her work with children in the Flint School District: Flint's first poet laureate was awarded $50K to infuse poetry throughout the city with a focus on literacy. --- Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.

Marquise Gray, the former Michigan State Spartan, is now the head basketball coach at Flint Beecher High School. Marquise Gray has excelled at every level of his sport, including coaching and professional basketball. Gray played at Michigan State from 2005-to 09. Marquise Gray has blazed a remarkable trail in basketball. He is currently the acting Athletic Director, head basketball coach, and a teacher for the Beecher Community Schools. Gray's Flintstone values of grit, hard work, and excellence set him apart. Marquise Gray learned his values from his dad, great coaches, and the parents in his childhood neighborhood in Beecher. Marquise Gray represents that part of Flint's athletic legacy that makes the area unique. In returning to Beecher High School, Marquise wanted to pay back his community for all it had given him.    Marquise grew up in the Flint area, learning the game from college and professional basketball players in pick-up games. He is deeply committed to the Beecher Community near Flint.  Wherever Marquise has played or coached, he was a winner. During his time at Beecher, he has been part of winning four Michigan high school basketball titles, three of them in a row! Gray played at Michigan State from 2005-09, reaching the NCAA national championship game as a senior against North Carolina. He played for Hall of Fame Basketball coach Tom Izzo. Marquise has a spectacular high school career at Beecher High School, playing for a state championship. In high school, he earned All-State honors and was part of the Detroit Free Press Dream Team. His basketball career continued after graduating with a degree in social work at Michigan State University.  Marquise signed as a free agent with the Detroit Pistons, then played for seven years internationally in Isreal, Japan, Turkey, Mexico, and Poland. Basketball took him around the world. Upon his retirement from professional basketball, he decided that he wanted to work in a job that helped young people. He held a position with the Boys and Girls Club in Flint. Then he became involved in coaching and teaching at Beecher High School. Subscribe to the Radio Free Flint Podcast mailing list free of charge. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.