Great Time at this Year’s Fair Housing Bikeathon
The bikeathon route took bikers to the locations of significant historical landmarks in the fight for racial justice and equality.
Led by Karlynne Tucker-Scaggs, Chair of the Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit’s Board of Directors, we all had a great time on Saturday at our Second Annual Fair Housing Bikeathon. The bikeathon route included several important civil rights locations.
The first stop on this year’s route was the Dr. Ossian Sweet House, where the bikers heard a brief, inspiring talk by Daniel A. Baxter. (As many know, Daniel serves as Director of Elections for the City of Detroit and as an Elder at Triumph Church in Detroit.)
From there, the bikers traveled to WGPR Radio Station Headquarters, the nation's first Black-owned radio station and later the nation's first Black-owned television station. The bikers then rode to the Gateway to Freedom: International Memorial to the Underground Railroad.
At the Gateway to Freedom Memorial, the bikers heard from Kimberly Simmons, the Founder/President of the Detroit River Project. Kimberly explained the history and importance of the ten-by-twelve-foot sculpture, which shows 8 escaping slaves with their railroad conductor. The conductor points the slaves across the Detroit River to freedom in Canada. The Memorial is located at the narrowest stretch of the Detroit River, which likely made it the final station along the railroad. As Kimberly pointed out, a second and lessor known monument on the Windsor side honors the slaves who made it across the river to freedom and safety in Canada. (Kimberly’s 18-minute talk is on YouTube.)
From the Memorial, the riders traveled to the Black Bottom Historic Site and then to a portion of the Mural Project (South Wall) at Beniteau Street and Kercheval Avenue.
These historical landmarks are significant in the fight for racial justice and equality.
The Fair Housing Center appreciates all the bikers who attended this year’s fair housing bikeathon, as well as the generous sponsors and the Fair Housing Center’s Board members and staff who made it possible.
Please mark your calendar for next year’s fair housing bikeathon, which will take place on April 27, 2024 (the last Saturday in April).
Gold Sponsors
Dennis J. Varian
Pitt · McGehee · Palmer · Bonanni · Rivers
Silver Sponsors
Ethos Development Partners (Transformative Housing, Commercial and Community Development Initiatives)
Noel J. Saleh, Esq.
Bronze Sponsors
Fusco, Shaffer & Pappas, Inc. (Architects & Planners)
The Associated Management Company
Karlynne Tucker-Scaggs
Gayle S. McGregor, Esq.
Sharon L. Rhodes
Patron Sponsors
Detroit River Project (Tourism + Culture + Heritage = Sustainable Economies)
Developing K.I.D.S. (Kingdoms in Different Stages)
Full Housing Marketing Staffing & Training
Steve Tomkowiak, Esq.
Lucy H. Maddox
