Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics Kicks Off Season Opener with Governor Whitmer

(Photo: Hiram E. Jackson, Michigan Chronicle publisher and Real Times Media CEO, along with President and CEO of Ignition Media Group & Pancake and Politics host, Dennis Archer, Jr. unveil the new Pancakes and Politics logo). The Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media (RTM) welcomes back Detroit’s business elite for the first time since last … Continued

Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics Kicks Off Season Opener with Governor Whitmer

(Photo: Hiram E. Jackson, Michigan Chronicle publisher and Real Times Media CEO, along with President and CEO of Ignition Media Group & Pancake and Politics host, Dennis Archer, Jr. unveil the new Pancakes and Politics logo).

The Michigan Chronicle and Real Times Media (RTM) welcomes back Detroit’s business elite for the first time since last year to Michigan Chronicle’s Pancakes & Politics full season.

The series is back for 2022 presenting the first full in-person program season live at the Detroit Athletic Club. The first of the series will highlight important conversations for Detroiters and will feature Governor Gretchen Whitmer as the keynote speaker.

During the recent Pancakes & Politics mixer at Central Kitchen, Hiram Jackson, Michigan Chronicle publisher and Real Times Media CEO, shared his excitement about how far the forward-thinking event has come and where it’s headed.  

“Those of you who don’t know, the first Pancakes & Politics we had was with Kwame Kilpatrick and L. Brooks Patterson,” he said, adding that the future of Pancakes & Politics is just around the corner. “For 17 years, Pancakes and Politics has consistently delivered influential and impactful discussions about policies that affect Detroit.”

During the well-attended event, the media company also unveiled a sleek, streamlined new Pancakes & Politics logo.

“The new logo not only reflects this legacy but also demonstrates the progressive, new era of the conversation series as we continue to amplify the needs and voices of Black Detroiters,” Jackson added.

As the country heads into the two-year mark of the pandemic, businesses, schools and the community are finding new footing as mask mandates and COVID-19 cases are dropping, while the economy is facing a seemingly uphill financial battle with skyrocketing gas prices and cost of living.

Some pressing issues for Whitmer involve several of the state’s top budgetary priorities including creating pathways for reliable infrastructure, fair taxes, providing resources for teachers and more for the state already seeing an upswing financially. 

“[These are] not just numbers on a ballot sheet,” Whitmer said previously.

Whitmer initially presented the 2023 budget of $74.1 billion in proposed spending to lawmakers on Wednesday, February 9. Michigan currently has a good problem with a surplus on hand because of higher-than-expected tax revenue and federal COVID-19 aid.  

Whitmer described the budget proposal targeted for the next fiscal year as an “opportunity” the state has not had in decades and does not raise the state’s taxes while boosting its credit rating.

With Russia warring with Ukraine, the Michigan Chronicle recently reported on how Whitmer sent a letter to State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks calling on the State of Michigan Investment Board to hold a special meeting to divest the state of Michigan Retirement Systems pension plans from Russia, and for the State Treasurer to do the same with various trust funds over which she is fiduciary.

“(Recently), the world watched with horror as President Vladimir Putin launched an illegal and destructive war against the people of Ukraine. These heinous attacks are aimed at overthrowing Ukraine’s democratic government and violate international law. Since then, the federal government and our international allies and partners have announced significant sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, and other government-related activities,” part of her letter read. “Michigan supports these national and international sanctions and should align our state-level actions.”  

Now starting its 17th year, Pancakes & Politics has become a time-honored event and has hosted several prominent names including former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Chairman and CEO of Quicken Loans Dan Gilbert, Jennifer Granholm former Detroit mayor, and current Mayor Mike Duggan. Originally introduced in 2006, the series has continued to be a staple for the Black community providing a platform for changemakers, influencers and government leaders to voice community concerns, share solutions and bring about change regionally.

Hosted by President and CEO of Ignition Media Group Dennis Archer Jr. the forums are scheduled for March 18, April 21, May 19 and June 16, and will host an audience of invited business, political, and community leaders. Each forum will be broadcasted for the public at a later date — stay tuned to MichigaChronicle.com for broadcast dates.