Candid conversation, hot topics and high emotions are all manifestations of the success of Pancakes and Politics Season Three 2008.
“These riveting and frank discussions opened our eyes to the importance of getting to know our neighbors,” said Sam Logan, publisher, Michigan Chronicle. “We can’t have candid dialogue with strangers; we need these forums so we can understand the needs of this community and this region.”
Kevin Haezebroeck, senior vice president of operations and Michigan publisher of The Oakland Press, David Hunke, chief executive officer of the Detroit Media Partnership and Logan discussed how they determine what is published in the paper and how it will impact the community.
Audience members at the sold out Detroit Athletic Club cut to the chase and immediately began asking the decision makers how they determine what is newsworthy and what’s not, including the Mayor’s latest news.
Haezebroeck said this is a story that cannot not be covered referring to Detroit’s Mayor.
“News has a watchdog function,” he said.
Logan couldn’t agree more but he said it has to focus on education, economics and race relations. And Hunke addressed the need for this region to focus on the economy.
Moderator, Carol Cain, Editorial and Community Affairs Director for WWJ TV/CW50 roamed the audience with a microphone to see what was on the minds of the local business and political movers and shakers.
Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the NAACP Detroit Branch, said there is a difference between being a watchdog and an attack dog.
He said in his observation, one of the realities is that there is tension between the African American community and the media.
“I can support the good vision of the mayor but it doesn’t mean I condone his behavior,” Anthony said. “Folks get an impression of the City based on the media.”
Hunke said he respected Anthony’s stand but if it’s news he has to cover it.
Moving forward to Pancakes and Politics Forum 2, the news media was out like gangbusters to cover the much anticipated reunion of Detroit’s Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in the hot topic, “The Economy, Regionalism, and Race Relations - Revisited.”
When Pancakes and Politics Speaker’s Forum began in 2006, Kilpatrick and Brooks were the first panelists to lead the series. Cain explored the political leader’s personal relationship - which until the series many thought it to be strained and controversial but after their lively discussion, we learned they had a very formidable and cohesive bond. They also discussed the racial tensions that many who live in both Wayne and Oakland counties experience. The two sparred on about making Southeastern Michigan a much sought after destination for economic growth both nationally and globally.
On April 18, Kilpatrick and Patterson went at it again at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich. This time Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano and Macomb County Board of Commissioners Chairman, William Crouchman, accompanied them.
Race relations were definitely on the menu, as Kilpatrick and Patterson expressed their feelings about Pastor, Jeremiah Wright.
“I think he’s one of the most divisive people I’ve heard speak,” Patterson said.
Kilpatrick came to Wright’s defense by saying that you can’t judge a man based on a few quotes in the media.
“They agreed to disagree on the subject but it was a clear example of how race relations are interpreted and how important it is to continue having open dialogue,” said Logan.
Many who are newly introduced to the Pancakes and Politics Series are looking forward to the next two Forums.
“I found it to be one of the most energetic and authentic communication forums in which I’ve participated,” said Hunke.
Mark your calendars for May 16 and June 19 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Forums 3 and 4 promise to reveal more about what is needed in the Detroit metro area, this region and the nation.
Pancakes & Politics brings together a successful media partnership between the Michigan Chronicle, WWJ TV/CW50, Crain’s Detroit Business and WWJ Newsradio 950. Chrysler LLC and Strategic Staffing Solutions, the presenting sponsors of the series, are joined by additional sponsors including HAP, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, UHY Advisors Inc. MI, Compuware, National City Bank, Quicken Loans 2.0 Company, Wayne State University and the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Individual tickets can be purchased for $65 per forum online at www.michronicleonline.com, which includes a six-month subscription to the Michigan Chronicle. Sponsorships are also available. For more information call 1-877-979-5500.
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