NEWS
Honoring FOROT
MSU Key Partner Award
FOROT continues to build community and sustain relationships, as demonstrated by our recognition as a Key Partner with the MSU Extension center. On September 28, 2022, our President, Brigitte Hall, attended the MSU conference and accepted the award.
The 2022 MSU Extension Key Partner award recognized FOROT for being a significant partner for over a decade. The MSU Extension Key Partner Award recognizes those who have helped create, improve, support, and promote MSU mission of improving the lives of Michigan residents. FOROT has partnered with MSU since 2010 with various programs that target Youth, Adults and Seniors by empowering communities through our collective dedication to education of health and wellness, and urban agriculture. FOROT’s programming and partnerships, adds to the Diversity Equity and Inclusion the University is committed to uplift. We celebrated with our board members, volunteers and MSU conference attendees.
History in the making
Ulysses S. Grant Historical Marker No. 760
Preserving History, Reconciling the Past
[Royal Oak Township, MI, July 21, 2023] – The planning for an idea that began 13 years ago came to fruition with installation of the marker today. The Michigan Historical Commission approved a historical marker for the Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School. It is located in Royal Oak Charter Township (Oakland County, MI), a historically Black community dating back to 1833, Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School was at the center of a protracted school desegregation battle which pitted the Ferndale Public School District against the U.S. Supreme Court between 1969 and 1981.
According to Brigitte R. Hall, FOROT Founding President and current Executive Director, “we are so proud to honor Ulysses S. Grant school, it was the building blocks of our culture and education.” Royal Oak Charter Township is now comprised of approximately 97% people of African ancestry and a disproportionate number of medically fragile elders.”.
Grant Marker Press Release 072123.docx
Historic Grant
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Recognizing 100 years of Royal Oak Township
100+ Years Strong (1921-2023)
Friends of Royal Oak Township and the Truth Toward Reconciliation Initiative Affiliates recognize and REMEMBER that it was in 1921 (100 years ago) that led to the creation of a historically black community. We invite individuals, organizations, faith-based institution, city council or commission to join in our recognition and historical truth-telling initiative, so many perspectives.
Standing strong, efforts have failed in the attempt to erase an African American community that has been located in South Oakland County for more than 100 years. The voices of dignity, the voices of love and truth have sustained the families and residents of Royal Oak Charter Township championing the spirit of what community resistance looks like. For additional information contact info@forot.org.
#100YearsStrong
