Editor’s Statement of Intention
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and instead inclusive to the best of my ability, with the sensitivity of the collective in mind. Unfortunately, we are in a state of the world where we must be vigilant with information shared on the internet, while also needing to respond in times of crisis. I, however, believe that in order to better respond in times of crisis, we must move proactively when possible.
With that in mind, this list includes categories based on my observations of the most critical need in my hometown, Detroit, Michigan. The resources listed here are mentioned as an opportunity for you to follow your curiosity and discover other valuable tools and information as you engage with each reference directly.
Those from this area may argue that other resources could be added to this list, and I’d agree! Others from the area may argue that some resources on this list shouldn’t be listed due to the sensitivity of what’s offered, past conflict, or maybe something else, and this is valid. I welcome all criticisms and encourage those critical of this list to reach out to me to discuss further, or to offer suggestions for edits directly to Sixty Inches From Center at writeforsixty@sixtyinchesfromcenter.org.
A part of accepting humanism is to also accept that we must be susceptible to change via critical interaction toward reflection and new action based upon the life experiences and learnings that may shape the perspectives of our peers.
Finally, may this list be helpful for you in finding your people and your safe spaces, fulfilling your immediate needs, and bringing you closer to your role in the times we are in.
With love, persistence, and resistance,
Ru
ARCHIVING
- The Walter P. Reuther Library: Established as the Labor History Archives at Wayne State University in 1960, with the goal of collecting and preserving original source materials relating to the development of the American labor movement.
- Burton Historical Collection: A collection of the Detroit Public Library that began as the private library of Clarence Monroe Burton, a prominent attorney and Detroit historiographer. Mr. Burton’s original intention was to assemble a collection on the history of Detroit. Realizing that Detroit’s history was inextricably connected to that of Michigan and the Old Northwest, Canada and New France, he assembled a collection that is one of the most important private historical collections in the country.
- Black Bottom Archive: A living community archive dedicated to preserving Black Detroit stories. This archive is more than a repository—it’s a celebration of all things Black Detroit.
- Detroit Association of Black Storytellers: Promotes and perpetuates the ancient art of African storytelling and the traditions of Black storytelling, using the knowledge and wisdom contributed from folklore and ancestral stories.
ARTS & CULTURE
- Arab American National Museum: Devoted to recording the Arab American experience, and serves as a touchstone that connects communities to Arab American culture and experiences.
- Talking Dolls: A nexus of progressive art and community-led activism created through access to their shop, artist studios, and gallery space for workshops, performances and celebration.
- DABLS MBAD African Bead Museum: One of Detroit’s most vital cultural landmarks — a place where art transforms space, and space transforms people.
- Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery: A home for cultural organizing, celebration, and struggle, using culture to bring people together around shared values of peace and justice.. Hosts socially conscious art exhibitions, community events, film screenings, and organizing work.
- BULK Space: A Detroit-based arts organization committed to enriching the city’s cultural landscape by providing inclusive platforms for artists, particularly those from marginalized communities.
- Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund: A coalition of three long-standing Detroit urban farming organizations with a collective mission to rebuild inter-generational land ownership for Black Farmers in Detroit.
- Spread Art: A creative incubator which provides space and opportunities for the Detroit community to collaborate, exhibit, experiment, experience, perform, practice and organize cultural activities such as art, dance, music and storytelling.
DISABILITY SUPPORT
- Detroit Black Deaf Advocates: The 6th chapter of the National Black Deaf Advocates, providing community support for Black Deaf individuals.
- The Arc Detroit: Dedicated and committed to providing advocacy and other services to persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families whenever they chose to work, live, and play.
- MI Developmental Disabilities Institute: Contributes to the development of inclusive communities and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families through a culturally sensitive statewide program of training and education, community support and services, research, and sharing of information.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
- Imani Ya Kupinga: Worker-owned co-op providing compassionate & accessible therapy, centering people who have limited access to quality and affirming mental health care.
- Sanos Southwest: An all Mujer Led healing space in Southwest Detroit.
- Motor City Mobile Wellness: A cooperative that believes Detroiters deserve access to safe, person and community centered wellness services that honor our dignity.
- Got Grief House: Online and in-person adult grief groups, family outings and youth programming.
- Detroit Peer Respite: A 100% consensual, 100% voluntary, 100% non-clinical alternative place to stay during a mental health and/or substance-related (non-medical) crisis that’s run by and for Detroiters who have personally survived their own crises.
- Hitha Healing House: A space dedicated to supporting the increased awareness of health disparities.
- Passenger Recovery: A community organization using music and the arts for #Recovery.
- COMMUNITY HEALTH AWARENESS GROUP DETROIT: Provides effective, equitable, understandable, and respectful HIV Prevention Care and Substance Abuse Services.
- Detroit Mercy Dental Center: Student dentists who provide low-cost dental service to community members.
IMMIGRANT & REFUGEE SUPPORT
- North American Indian Association: Preserving and promoting Native culture, education, and community in the Detroit area since 1946 by working to empower our people, honoring the past, celebrating the present, building the future.
- ABISA: Mobilizes to center and uplift Blvck immigrant narratives and experiences through advocacy and support programs such as a bail fund, law clinic, and a leadership and educational fund.
- Asamblea: A collective response to the increase in kidnappings and attacks by BP and ICE in collaboration w/ DBD disrupting Detroit’s neighborhoods and communities
MUTUAL AID
- Dearborn Area Mutual Aid Network: A project by community members for the community. All items are free, and the structures are open 24/7. Please take what you need and give what you can.
- Safer Shared Air Collective: A project by community members for the community. All items are free, and the structures are open 24/7. Please take what you need and give what you can.
- Detroit Community Fridges: Works to increase access to safer air in spaces we share, centralized in Southeast Michigan.
- The Powers Project: Keeping pets out of shelters and home where they belong by supporting seniors, veterans, those with disabilities, and families facing hardship.
- Food Pantry + Free Meals: A list of food pantries, soup kitchens, drive-up mobile food service, and more.
- Brightmoor Connection Food Pantry: Offers a food pantry, community closet, computer lab, transitional housing, and more
- Detroit Repair Cafe: Fixing things for free and teaching you how to do it yourself via skill sharing & service mutual aid.
- Mask Bloc MI – Metro Detroit Area: Provides high-quality, high-filtration masks to community members. Please note: there’s a larger network where other groups are supporting states across the country and in Canada.
ORGANIZING ORGS
- CRAFT (Citizens’ Resistance at Fermi Two): An Indigenous-led grassroots organization, deeply rooted in concern for environmental justice and the well-being of the earth
- We the People of MI: A statewide organization building multiracial, working class power to make Michigan a place where everyone can thrive, no exceptions.
- We the People of Detroit: A community-based organization dedicated to community coalition building and to the provision of resources that inform, train and mobilize the citizens of Detroit and beyond to improve their quality of life.
- Black Convergence: A coalition of freedom fighters and freedom builders.
- BYP 100 Detroit: Detroit’s home for Black organizing, fighting for a city where ALL Black people are free.
- People’s Water Board Coalition: Advocates for the human rights to water, sanitation, equitable access, and affordability for impacted communities.
- Detroit People’s Platform: Advancing racial and economic Justice in the nation’s largest Black majority city by organizing with community residents and community leaders to build grassroots power and transform systems and structures that make real the vision for a more racially just Detroit.
- Detroit Tenants Union: Led by tenants and supported by allies with a mission to empower tenants through advocacy, unity, education, and more.
- 482Forward: Works to create a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate their environment and change it for the better.
- Detroit Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression: The local chapter of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, working towards community control of police.
- Detroit Anti-War Committee: A committee that organizes to fight against U.S. wars and interventions from the Motor City.
- Arab Americans for Progress: Ensures Arab Americans are not just at the table but are setting the agenda through grassroots organizing, electoral mobilization, coalition-building, and leadership development.
POLITICAL EDUCATION
- Suburban Connections for Collective Liberation: Anti-racist connections for community visionaries and concerned neighbors in Detroit’s suburbs.
- Mama Akua House: A community-oriented business founded in 2008, has expanded bookstore space in 2011 to include a commercial kitchen, in addition to providing Wi-fi, video gaming, community computer station, books, art, and a cozy community space.
- General Baker Institute: An institute that’s determined to follow the legacy of General Baker and others like him to transform fighters into thinkers and thinkers into fighters with a focus on what they consider the pillars of movement building: political education, arts and culture, projects of survival, and internationalism.
- James and Grace Lee Boggs Center to Nurture Community Leadership: A community space that nurtures the transformational leadership capacities of individuals and organizations committed to creating just, productive, conscious, and ecologically sustainable communities.
- East Michigan Environmental Action Council: Intends to create a just environment that affirms the humanity and dignity of everyone, as they work to build unity among grassroots justice organizations, while stewarding, protecting, and sharing an historic and essential space, The Commons, for political organizing, art production and other community enterprises.
PROTECTION
- Black Bottom Gun Club: Places an emphasis on understanding state gun laws while working to recognize the history and legacy of gun ownership among Black Americans and the sacrifices made to ensure that [Black Americans] have the inalienable right to self-defense.
- Sugar Law Center for Economic + Social Justice: Dedicated to providing advocacy and support to poor and working people on important societal issues with national impact.
- Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights: Addresses the civil rights needs of southeast Michigan and beyond by promoting the educational, economic and political power of underrepresented communities in urban settings.
- Detroit Safety Team: Assisting communities in building a new safety infrastructure that shifts away from police reliance.
- Coalition for Property Tax Justice: A collective of 15+ long-standing Detroit grassroots organizations formed to accomplish three goals: stop unconstitutional property tax assessments in Detroit, compensate Detroiters who the City overtaxed or have already experienced tax foreclosure, and ensure homeowners who the City illegally overtaxed or who qualify for tax exemption do not lose their homes.
- National Lawyers Guild Detroit + MI Chapter: An organization of lawyers, law students, legal workers, and jailhouse lawyers in the service of the people, to the end that human rights and the rights of ecosystems shall be regarded as more sacred than property interests.
- Detroit Justice Center: A non-profit law firm working alongside communities to create economic opportunities, transform the justice system, and promote equitable and just cities.
- Avalon Healing Center: Inspires healing and empowerment for those affected by sexual violence through free and immediate comprehensive services; promotes public awareness; and advances social change.
QUEER SUPPORT
- Dolls Night: A Detroit-based party & Trans advocacy organization by the Dolls for the Dolls.
- Ruth Ellis Center: Creates opportunities with LGBTQ+ young people to build their vision for a positive future.
- Nuii Waav Brotherhood: A safe and welcoming space for transgender men and other transmasculine folks.
- Corktown Health Center: The first medical home focused on serving the LGBTQ community in Southeastern Michigan offering primary care, behavioral health services, comprehensive HIV care and treatment, cancer screening, health insurance navigation, and more.
- Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center: Enriches the lives of Michiganders through a wide range of programs and services, including affirming therapy and counseling, resource navigation for housing and healthcare, and peer-led support groups for youth, adults, and families.
- Wayne OUTLaw: A student organization @waynelawschool seeking to advance LGBTQ+ rights.
- Spectrum Center (Ann Arbor): The first-ever campus gender and sexuality resource center that works to enhance campus experiences, increase belonging, and help students thrive through education, research, and community building.
COMMUNITY MEDIA
- Riverwise Magazine: A community-based magazine created by a team of authors, writers, photojournalists, parents, grandparents, students, organizers, activists, artists, educators, and visionaries.
- Outlier Media: A groundbreaking nonprofit newsroom designed to center and respond to Detroiters’ needs.
- Bridge Detroit: Founded on a belief that Detroit’s 700,000 residents deserve a transparent, innovative and diversely staffed news organization, BridgeDetroit is a nonprofit news and engagement organization that is laser focused on lifting up the issues that Detroiters themselves identify as important to their lives.
- Planet Detroit: An independent nonprofit local news organization designed to inform you about the environment and public health in Detroit and Michigan.
THIRD SPACES
- Ride With Purpose: A monthly community activism-oriented bike ride with volunteer efforts in Detroit (Waawiyaatanong).
- Back Alley Bikes: Detroit’s nonprofit community bike workshop, making bikes accessible and affordable to the people of Detroit since 1999.
- Arts + Scraps: Centers the community by providing reused materials and educational resources to promote sustainability and creativity in Detroit.
- Black to the Land Coalition: A coalition of Black, Brown, and Indigenous nature enthusiasts, intent on helping our people to actively engage in meaningful outdoor experiences.
- Keep Growing Detroit: Supporting thousands of gardeners and farmers across Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck through education, resources, and connection, while also growing food, strengthening neighborhoods, and building the knowledge and relationships needed for a healthy and resilient local food system.
- Liberation Lounge: An experimental space where community members gather on a periodic basis for critical conversations, creative opportunities, and to cultivate communal care.
- Vamonos: Detroit’s local healthy eatery and creative spaces.
- Book Suey: A bookstore co-operative in Hamtramck, Michigan.
- 27th Letter Books: A locally owned, independent bookstore dedicated to connecting readers with diverse and engaging literature.
SOLIDARITY ECONOMICS
- Detroit Community Wealth Fund: Dedicated to fostering, educating, and financing democratically and worker-owned cooperative businesses.
TECH, TRANSPORTATION, & SHELTER RESOURCES
- Senior Alliance: Offers free transportation services for adults age 60 and older living in communities in southern and western Wayne county. Call 734-722-2830 for services.
- MyRide2: Connects older and disabled adults with rides to medical appointments, errands and social activities and is available in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties. For more information, call 855-697-4332 or visit myride2.com.
- Human I-T: An organization that offers low-cost laptops, internet plans and repairs.
- Up & Running PCs: Provides repair services for laptops for $50 plus the cost of the parts, and also buy old devices (no older than five years) and have a few refurbished laptops in stock, complete with a 30-day warranty.
- iFixIt: Offers step-by-step guides for tech repairs, forums for other fixers, and a catalog of parts for repairs.
- Internet guide and free Wi-Fi spots around Detroit: An online resource for finding free internet around the city.
- Detroit to Ann Arbor (D2A2): D2A2 is an express bus that runs between Downtown Detroit and Downtown Ann Arbor bus service, offering hourly scheduled trips (6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and limited service on Saturdays and Sundays).
- Gianna House: Provides housing and programming for young mothers aged 18 to 25 who are at-risk or lack safe housing to transition them to independence.
- Emmanuel House: A faith-based non-profit residential center that helps homeless male veterans facing substance use and mental health challenges, providing transitional housing, a recovery track, and emergency shelter.
- City of Detroit shelter and warming center guide: A PDF list of shelters and warming centers across the city.
- Free cell phone service (upon qualification):
About the editor/organizer: Rukiya “Ru” Colvin (they/them) is a Detroit-bred queer abolitionist, organizer, activist, writer, and caregiver of land, their child, and their community.
About the artist: darien hunter golston (as written; pronouns – he/him, ey/em or d) is an earthkeeper, domestic artist, full spectrum doula and sometimes writer living between Waawiyatanong and Zhigaagoong (Detroit & Chicago, respectively). d labors to create pockets where freedom, ease, pleasure, and play are possible for Black folk, centering the needs queer & disabled needs. he is devoted to the Land and to achieving reproductive justice for all in his lifetime. @earthybutchqueen