Elevate Your Beauty Routine It's Time to Glow This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. Start Now The Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring

Rooted in the Community Friends of Royal Oak Township (FOROT) is an emerging 501c3 social enterprise, with a mission that Friends of Royal Oak Township (FOROT) is a 501c3 with a mission that advocates for healthier, culturally consciousious, self-sufficient communities in greater Detroit and Royal Oak Township, through a managed quarterly schedule of four, community-impactful mission pillars: health and wellness promotion, urban agriculture, cultural promotion and historical preservation. Our programs have included agricultural, healthy cooking demo's, writing competitions, cultural events, open houses, virtual panelsand volunteer opportunities. HISTORICALLY, what locals call the “Township,” has had a profound sense of Michigander “community,” inherently attached to its’ identity. Parents, teachers, leaders and elders embracing the spirit and legacy of our founders, leaving slavery and the US south for the phenomenon of hope and groundbreaking lives. Demonstrating the validation expressed in the concept which established the high expectations traditionally held for our youth and the community – inspire the lack of a diminished spirit and the extension of the sense of community which gave birth to what is now FOROT – Friends of Royal Oak Township, Inc. FOROT was founded in 2010, and the organization immediately committed a focus on giving back to a community change effort operating from a pop-up event trial, proof of concept premise, becoming more actively involved in the community by 2011, and registering as a non-profit corporation in 2013. We ultimately received recognition as a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable organization in 2014. Thus, FOROT, surveying a wide range of programs, has contemporaneously grown out of the perpetually evolving needs of Royal Oak Township, and has progressively expanded its reach capacity to Metro Detroit. During our formation, FOROT serves a predominantly African American constituency that includes a large number of low-income families and children not only the needs of the local Township community but also those of adjacent and surrounding communities with underserved populations. As a public charity, at the forefront of our primary purpose, we place serving communities and individuals particularly in the areas of health disparities, and access to resources. FOROT offers quarterly free or low-cost educational events discussing healthy life skills, urban agricultural, culture exchange, in conjunction with historical preservation programming. Additionally, we focus on community engagement as a process for our community education programs. Our organizational undertaking operates from a holistic approach that spotlights integrity, ethical behavior, humanistic care and concern for others. We have designed our local efforts and look forward to leading more in-person, hybrid and online events to be facilitated within a cross-programmatic, “Rooted in the Community!” The concept of working collectively drives our efforts humanism and reciprocity in the exchange of knowledge, intergenerational relationships, diverse organizations, government, and business sector. Food Champions Friends of Royal Oak Township, Inc.-FOROT partnered with Ferndale Upper Elementary (FUEL) to launch a great new program, Food Champions: "Fueling our Bodies."   Despite the Covid 19 pandemic, FOROT's returned to Ferndale Schools, Upper Elementary (FUEL) during the 2020-2021 school year to provide Health and Nutrition classes for its 3rd graders. This will be our third year providing interactive health and wellness programs to FUEL's third graders.  We were able to provide nutritional learning to 150 youth.   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.  Book Now Sankofa Garden This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features. Book Now Senior Initiative This is the space to introduce the Services section. Briefly describe the types of services offered and highlight any special benefits or features. Book Now Healthy Community Initiatives Don't take our Word Urban Agriculture Our primary Urban Agriculture activity, Sankofa Community Garden, has its roots in the growing urban farming and agriculture movement. This 8-week community-focused gardening program exposes 6-15 year old youth to all aspects of organic gardening and urban agriculture while providing education and an opportunity for physical activity. The garden provides an environment for hands-on, interactive, guided instruction to participating youth while also making garden plots available to community residents. Resident plots may be use for planting crops or as a commemorative flower garden. Sankofa Community Garden is used in conjunction with our Food Champions and Health and Nutrition program series. Sankofa Community Garden grew out of the urban farming and agriculture movement. It is an 8-week “teaching and learning” program which exposes youth 6-15 years to all aspects of organic gardening and urban agriculture while also providing an opportunity for physical activity. Learn More Growing a Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Community Impact through Programs FOROT is dedicated to fostering self-sufficient communities by providing impactful programs for youth and seniors of African ancestry in Royal Oak Township and Metro Detroit. Explore Our Vision Share your feature information here to attract new clients. Provide a brief summary to help visitors understand the context and background. Our Values Share your feature information here to attract new clients. 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Elevate Your Beauty Routine It's Time to Glow This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. Start Now The Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring

Every plant tells a story. Every step forward is part of our freedom walk. Native plants don’t just grow — they guide. From goldenrod to okra, native plants hold stories. Some were braided across oceans, others were waiting here — reminders that survival is not accidental. As we grow, we reclaim what was taken. As we plant, we remember who we are. Lighting the Path to Liberation The imagery behind our newsletter — quietly framing the words you just read — is part of a deeper story. It reflects a deeper journey — one rooted in resistance, memory, and land reclamation. The native plants you see aren't just background. They are teachers. They are travelers. They are truth. Some arrived alongside our ancestors, long before borders and barbed wire. Others were here first, resilient and rooted, surviving dispossession and concrete. All of them light the path — not with flame, but with ancestral knowing, cultural restoration, and survival in plain sight. We chose these native plants to represent a truth that often gets buried: Freedom is not a single moment — it's a journey lit by what grows with us, what grows through us. This piece is part of our evolving cultural preservation initiative, rooted in a growing archive of art, history, and community power. If this resonates with you, stay connected. If this image moved you, imagine what else we’ll uncover together. Learn More ✨ COMING SOON — An educational series from our upcoming Afrikulture: Ourstory in Bloom archive. Our first journey: Okra, Gumbo, and the Seeds of Freedom. From the coast of West Africa to gardens in Detroit — the story of taste, trauma, and transformation. 🔗 [Stay tuned | Learn More] (or embedded form) ✊🏾 Why It Matters In this visual, native plants don’t just decorate the path — they illuminate it. They lead us back to ourselves. They say: We are rooted. We are rising. We will not be silenced. 🌿Lighting the Path: Native Plants as Symbols of Freedom Visual Overview & Symbolism The image of native plants gently lining a path is more than a design choice — it's a deliberate metaphor for liberation, legacy, and leadership rooted in the land and lived experience. 🌱 Native Plants These represent resilience, local wisdom, and the power of rootedness. In the face of erasure, native species remind us that what is indigenous — to land, to memory, to culture — has the strength to survive and reclaim space. Milkweed, goldenrod, black-eyed Susans, wild grasses — they are native to our soil, just as our stories are native to our communities. They need no permission to grow — they belong. They offer healing, pollination, food, and beauty — just like our traditions and truths. 🛤 The Path The path winding through or beside these plants is a symbol of movement and intention — it says: “We have always walked forward. Even when blocked. Even when unseen.” It’s not paved by institutions — it’s worn by generations. It’s guided by ancestral memory. It reflects that freedom is not a fixed point, but a journey we build with each step, each planting, each story. Preservation Days Preservation is at the heart of our mission, and our Preservation Days invite you to be part of something special. Help us collect and archive the stories that define our community, ensuring that our legacy lives on. Your contributions, big or small, play a crucial role in preserving our history for future generations to learn from and cherish. Get involved today! Book Now Alumni News: Class Acts Our Class Acts section at FOROT is dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of our alumni. From notable accomplishments to cherished memories, we share articles that highlight their journeys and contributions to society. Join us as we honor the impact they've made and continue to make—your story could be next! Book Now Woven in our history At FOROT, we understand that we are all part of a larger narrative, woven together in unique patterns. Our alumni circle is a place for sharing stories and staying informed about our ongoing initiatives. Check out our projects to see how we are working to sustain the Grant tapestry and celebrate the diverse experiences that enrich our community. Book Now Rediscovering the voices and visions that built our community! Echoes of Yesteryear Meet Our Founders This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer. Learn More Alumni Corner: Class Acts Alumni News is dedicated to the preservation of alumni narratives and achievements from coast to coast. With our tagline 'Educate our community,' we strive to highlight the inspiring stories that connect us all. Whether it's through articles, interviews, testimonial, or events, we celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni everywhere and their incredible impact on society, fostering a spirit of pride and engagement. We invite you to discover inspiring stories that resonate across generations. Learn More Growing a Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text. Item Title Add a short paragraph. Double click to edit and add your own text.

Ralph Bunche (1950): Ralph Bunche was the first African American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He received it for arranging a cease-fire between Israelis and Arabs during the war which followed the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. He was a social science graduate and studied colonial policy in West Africa before World War II. He joined the staff of the Swedish social scientist Gunnar Myrdal, who was studying racial segregation in the USA. In 1946, Bunche went into UN service, and in the following year Secretary-General Trygve Lie sent him to the Middle East to help devise a plan for dividing Palestine between Arabs and Jews. Source: Ralph Bunche – Facts - NobelPrize.org Ralph Bunche Own a Piece of the Prize Own a piece of history with our 25th Anniversary Edition: International Black Nobel Prize Winners Poster. This full-color, elegantly designed poster celebrates the brilliance and contributions of Nobel Prize leaders of African ancestry in Peace, Economics, and Literature. Why This Poster Matters: Heritage and Pride: Reflects the rich heritage and regions of its honorees. Educational Value: Ideal for schools, libraries, and homes. Inspiration: Inspires and honors the contributions of our ancestors and leaders. By purchasing this poster, you support FOROT's mission to educate and inspire our community. Your contribution helps promote cultural awareness and honor the legacy of Black Nobel Prize winners. Don't miss out on this limited edition poster! How You Can Help: Purchase a Poster: Display it proudly. Donate: Suggested amounts: $25, $50, or $100. Spread the Word: Share with friends, family, and your community. Act Now! Visit our website or contact us to purchase your poster and make a donation. Together, we can celebrate our history and inspire future generations. Get your poster today and be part of this inspiring journey! Full Video More details Get to Know Me This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer. Contact Get to Know Me This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer. Contact Get to Know Me This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer. Contact 100 years Celebration An unforgettable recognition of Royal Oak Charter Township’s 100-year anniversary was a momentous occasion that brought together members of the community, volunteers, and partners, to reflect on its rich history, achievements, and milestones. We took this opportunity to honor the hard work and dedication of our ancestors and the many individuals who have founded, contributed over the years, and to celebrate our ongoing commitment to preserving and building a stronger and more vibrant community. More details Get to Know Me This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer. Contact News Add paragraph text. Click “Edit Text” to update the font, size and more. News Title 06 Feb 28, 2023 This is a paragraph. It is connected to a CMS collection through a dataset. Click “Edit Text” to update content from the connected collection. Read More News Title 05 Feb 28, 2023 This is a paragraph. It is connected to a CMS collection through a dataset. Click “Edit Text” to update content from the connected collection. Read More Council Griots on the Move Feb 20, 2026 Council members, Baba Cheikh and Baba Rev. Dan enjoying an evening out with Undisputed truth. Look at their "smiling faces." Read More Social Work and GDABSW Feb 28, 2023 Attending a conference with Lyn Brummel Pressley from Saginaw. The substance abuse educational seminar was held in metro Detroit. Read More News Title 02 Feb 28, 2023 This is a paragraph. It is connected to a CMS collection through a dataset. Click “Edit Text” to update content from the connected collection. Read More Film Screening: A Tale of 10 Cities Apr 30, 2026 FOROT’s 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. Read More FOROT © 2025 by Friends of Royal Oak Township, Inc.Created on Wix Studio. Tel. 123-456-7890 500 Terry Francine St. Home About Contact Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring Destynee N. I really enjoyed connecting with community during our Preservation Day launch to celebrate our history and upcoming Grant School Centennial. Destynee N. Royal Oak Charter Township Library Director and Community Member Threading Across Generations This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video.

Elevate Your Beauty Routine It's Time to Glow This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. Start Now The Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring

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Elevate Your Beauty Routine It's Time to Glow This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video. Start Now The Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring

Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring Destynee N. I really enjoyed connecting with community during our Preservation Day launch to celebrate our history and upcoming Grant School Centennial. Destynee N. Royal Oak Charter Township Library Director and Community Member Threading Across Generations This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video.

Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring Destynee N. I really enjoyed connecting with community during our Preservation Day launch to celebrate our history and upcoming Grant School Centennial. Destynee N. Royal Oak Charter Township Library Director and Community Member Threading Across Generations This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video.

Threads That Connect Us Featuring our signature community experience: Threads That Connect Us Start Exploring Destynee N. I really enjoyed connecting with community during our Preservation Day launch to celebrate our history and upcoming Grant School Centennial. Destynee N. Royal Oak Charter Township Library Director and Community Member Threading Across Generations This is a space to welcome visitors to the site. Grab their attention with copy that clearly states what the site is about, and add an engaging image or video.