PROGRAMS
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Truth Toward Reconciliation: The Vision, Journey and Voices of Royal Oak Township
Film Screening: Part I: A Tale of Ten Cities
Hosted by the Ferndale Inclusion Network, Friends of Royal Oak Township, Inc. (FOROT) was honored and pleased to present our “Truth Toward Reconciliation: The Vision, Journey, and Voices of Royal Oak Township,” historic initiative. The project involves two short films, Part I: A Tale of Ten Cities and Part II: The Phoenix Rising.
The short film is an appeal to help raise operating funds for Part II: The Phoenix Rising.
The exciting cinematic experience, our first short film entitled, A Tale of Ten Cities, offers a true historical representation of a 200-year journey of South Oakland County. This innovative initiative promises to captivate audiences with its unique storytelling, shedding light on historic annexations and the development of ten municipalities from the original Royal Oak Township geographic area of 36 square miles.
History & Healing: Reparations and Repair in Detroit & Beyond
MLK Day and University of Michigan - January 2024
Angela Dillard, Lauren Hood, Marcia Black, Baba Cheikh Mbacké
FOROT was invited to participate on a panel at U-M's month-long celebration of MLK on January 15th, 4:00-6:00pm on the Ann Arbor campus. The program event theme "Hope & History" focused on reparations in Detroit (and beyond) and utilizing the knowledge found in resources such as storytelling, oral histories, and archives that center the lived experiences of Black people. Projects like the Black Bottom Archives and the Friends of Royal Oak Township’s Truth Toward Reconciliation initiative gave agency of the possibilities of reparations as a form of remembrance and healing.
The event was presented by the University of Michigan Department of Afro-American and African Studies, Department of History, and Eisenberg Institute for Historical Studies.
Angela D. Dillard, Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education was the (moderator) provided opening remarks and framed the panels discussion.
Lauren Hood opened with reflections and provocation on reparations work and the idea of repair, emphasizing the importance of continuing to open doors as we navigate the path toward reparations. She spoke about the strides that people of African ancestry have made in the United States and specifically U of M. Highlighting the present panel was representative of the African race on a major European University.
Baba Cheikh shared the importance and intersection of culture and history and how FOROT has centered its work and programs on the interrelated components. FOROT’s short film, A Tale of Ten Cities, complimented his presentation and the importance of history in the development of the film and founding of the organization. How history residual effect has left lingering deleterious effects because of annexations, redlining and miseducation.
Marcia Black from the Black Bottom Archives spoke extensively on the necessity of telling historical stories that center Black lives and experiences as a precondition for the current/future work of repair. Marcia touched on the fact that reparations are more than just monetary distribution, there must be engagement, respect and apology. She furthered shared in the redevelopment of I-75, specifically Black Bottoms prior location, and how the community is invited to lend their voice to what they would like incorporated in the redevelopment.
A combination of University of Michigan Professors, Chairs and Provost welcomed attendees and introduced the presenters, framed the panel discussion, and thanked them and closed the event.
Image credit Gregory Parker of U of M and Friends of Royal Oak Township.
Ongoing
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Black History - 365 Days a Year
FOROT believes in celebrating Black/African history 365 days a year and not 28 days in February. We continue to honor and uplift our Ancestors and celebrate African culture and Black history with joy, creativity and encouragement. We welcome your input as to what you would like to see in a presentation.
Please consider joining FOROT as we Educate, Emulate and Embrace African history!
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Double-Dutch-#Jump4Health
Fun, Fitness, and Friends
A Health and Wellness initiative focusing on fitness and healthy lifestyles through our Double Dutch program. The purpose is to increase physical and social activity through Double Dutch jump rope, thus, leading to healthier and socially active individuals. Our Double Dutch program is for novice, intermediate and advance participants ages 6 and older including Adults and Seniors and volunteers.
FUEL | #Jump4Health
Friends of Royal Oak Township's (FOROT's) after-school Double Dutch activity at FUEL was a jumping success! Students were introduced to a creative social activity which included fun, fitness and friends. The activity created a teamwork environment through basic jump rope skills (turning and jumping in the ropes), unity circles, and encouragement from peers and volunteers.
If interested in participating, fill out the contact form on the website or click here.
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Food Champions: Fueling our Bodies
Health and Nutrition Program
Friends of Royal Oak Township, Inc.-FOROT continues to partnered with Ferndale Upper Elementary (FUEL) to educate our youth through our Food Champions: "Fueling our Bodies" initiative.
We have entered our sixth year of providing health and nutrition program to the districts third graders. We have provided nutritional learning to over 1000 youth to date.
Our FOROT representative is also a MSU Extension educator who shares nutrition and healthy eating options and label identification for the students through a series of six-week programs.
Moving forward the partnership seeks to assist with the school's spring garden club. The goal is to keep children healthy, expand gardens into true outdoor classrooms and engage children in both after school and summer gardening in the community.
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Annual Health Initiative
Take A Loved One For a Check-Up
Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day is a campaign that focuses on the disparities between the health of racial and ethnic minorities and the general population.
This national initiative is geared toward those who rarely visit the doctor, or do so only when sick, to help them establish the habit of getting regular checkups. While the primary focus is to reach out to underserved populations such as minorities, immigrants and the elderly, the message applies to all of us.
During this event, everyone is encouraged to utilize community resources, such as health fairs and their local health department, to connect with the healthcare system in a meaningful way. Too many people of all walks of life rely on emergency room care for conditions and/or illnesses that are better treated in a primary care physician’s office.
Taking a loved one for a checkup is a great way to encourage those you care about to make healthy lifestyle changes.
http://www.healthgram.com/blog/post.cfm/take-a-loved-one-for-a-checkup
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Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
We are looking forward to our Annual Celebration of Kwanzaa. It is our self-determination and creativity that has guided our annual celebration of our culture, community and family in our effort to reclaim our heritage.
Our programs and work are directed by the Nguzo Saba Principles. We look forward to your continued support and joining us in unity as we continue displaying our creativity through collective work and responsibility and cooperative economics for all of our purposeful programs.
Click on the image to see a snippet of the event!
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