Marx Layne & Company

As we celebrate Black History Month and honor the contributions of African-Americans to our history, the nation continues to battle serious issues regarding equal treatment of disenfranchised individuals, including in health care. Of Black LGBTQ adults, 26 percent have been diagnosed with depression, compared to 15 percent of Black non-LGBTQ adults. One way we can address the barriers to health care facing the Black LGBTQ population — and all Black patients — is by ending the concept of race-based medicine. Black History Month shines a spotlight on the needs of this group, and how both societal changes and more training at medical staff and health centers are needed to provide them the proper care they deserve.

According to IHS Markit, a world leader in information, analytics and solutions, EV sales reached nearly 2.5 million globally in 2020 and are predicted to rise by 70 percent in 2021, with China and Europe leading market share, followed by the United States. Then there is Electrify America, a Volkswagen subsidiary, which recently completed an ultra-fast, cross-country charging network for all brands and EVgo, the nation’s largest public EV fast-charging network powered by 100% renewable energy. Electrify America has already invested $2 million in solar EV chargers in rural California – further supporting renewable energy initiatives as these charging stations will not depend on the electrical grid. As the leading continent in terms of global urbanization, there is a massive opportunity and dire need for Sub-Saharan African countries to invest in alternative transportation solutions, like EVs, to combat petroleum dependency and help curb the impact vehicle emissions have on air pollution, health and climate.

The grounds around Madison Heights Public Library are about to undergo a transformation with new interactive play spaces. Madison Heights was one of 19 communities in southeast Michigan and western New York to get a share of $1 million in grant money from the national KABOOM nonprofit, and the Built to Play Initiative, supported by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. Madison Heights will get $54,000 to fund new features outside the library, said City Manager Melissa Marsh. Madison Heights got its grant in competition with other communities in KABOOM’s Play Everywhere Design Challenge.

Popovich has been selling Girl Scout Cookies since she was in kindergarten. She calls the campaign Cookies 4 Troops, and since second grade she has raised $210,000, with more coming this weekend as she sets up a booth inside the Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace in Clinton Township. It starts to be uncool to be a Girl Scout,” Tracy Popovich says. Elizabeth Popovich will be selling Girl Scout cookies from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace, 17496 Hall Road, Clinton Township.