Saluting the NIRMV 2026 Goal Achiever

Our Goal Achiever award winner this year is Leona Phillips, NIRMV Community Drives Advisor/Consultant. In the following presentation, learn more about Leona and her achievements and contributions, that included a clothing drive, a drive for Arts & Scraps and a cereal drive. As NIRMV Director Hassan El-Amin noted in his nomination, "She has done a lot to advance NIRMV’s goal of helping diverse populations through successful community service drives." Congratulations Leona and many thanks. 

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Book Club Chat

Book Club Chat

Join us Sat., Dec. 19 at the Caroline Kennedy branch of the Dearborn Heights Public Library from 2-4 p.m. The featured book, A Treasury of African American Christmas Stories edited by Bettye Collier-Thomas, compiles writings originally published between 1880 and 1953 in historic African American newspapers, journals, and periodicals. Please RSVP with name(s) and number attending to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com by Sat., Dec. 12. Download the flyer (pdf).

 

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Learn About the 2026 NIRMM Historic Role Model

Poet Nikki Giovanni is this year's Historic Role Model for National Inspirational Role Models Month. The Poetry Foundation has a page dedicated to Nikki where you can read about her life, work, get links to her poetry and more: Nikki Giovanni page.

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Rescheduled Partner Event Featuring NIRMV Leaders

Saturday, Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., NIRMV President Darlene House and Vice President James Hines will be reading to kids at the Chandler Park branch of the Detroit Public Library, 12800 Harper Ave., Detroit. No registration necessary, just drop by to enjoy this Storytime event presented by the Little Detroit Community Garden.

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Enjoy this excerpt from the epic prose poem “The People, Yes”

Join us in celebrating the 2026 milestones of America 250 and the NIRMV Tenth Anniversary. This excerpt is from the book-length epic prose poem “The People, Yes” by Carl Sandburg. Published in 1936, it shares thoughts that resonate with modern experiences. Feel free to share this page or the pdf with others.

Excerpt: “The People, Yes” by Carl Sandburg
14

The people is Everyman, everybody.
Everybody is you and me and all others.
What everybody says is what we all say.
         And what is it we all say?

Where did we get these languages?
Why is your baby-talk deep in your blood?
What is the cling of the tongue
To what is heard with its mother-milk?

They cross on the ether now.
They travel on high frequencies
Over the border-lines and barriers
Of mountain ranges and oceans.
When shall we all speak the same language?
And do we want to have all the same language?
Are we learning a few great signs and passwords?
Why should Everyman be lost for words?
The questions are put every day in every tongue:
     “Where you from, Stranger?
     Where were you born?
     Got any money?
     What do you work at?
     Where’s your passport?
     Who are your people?”

Over the ether crash the languages,
And the people listen… 

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Celebrate 10 Years of NIRMV With Us

We hope you can join us for this free event on Sat., Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Dearborn Heights Public Library, Caroline Kennedy Branch, to celebrate a decade of NIRMV. Celebration activities include Increments of Ten Showcase (art, jewelry, paintings, sports collectibles and more to claim), NIRMV Spotlights, and light refreshments. Please RSVP by Fri., Sep. 19 by email to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with NIRMV Tenth Event in the subject line and registrant names. Download and share the event flyer (pdf). Congratulatory donations earmarked for community service outreach are welcome! Use the Donate button on the NIRMV website, CashApp to $Royalc40 or Zelle to 313-414-0683. Memo: NIRMV 10th Donation

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