Solomon Kinloch and Denzel McCampbell were among the candidates to receive endorsements from The Black Slate. Photos: Samuel Robinson
Triumph Church pastor Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. has been endorsed by The Black Slate Inc., a group that has been endorsing candidates it believes will best represent the interests of the city’s Black residents for fifty years.
Kandia Milton is an associate pastor at the Shrine of the Black Modanna and chair of The Black Slate. Milton said in an interview with Michigan Chronicle that it was a tough decision, with spirited conversation between members before ultimately deciding to endorse Kinloch. It wasn’t just his policy positions, but the depth of Kinloch’s answers on how to get there, Milton said.
“We interviewed all the candidates who requested support from the Black Slate and of the five mayoral candidates who made the request on time, we simply thought Kinloch was the right candidate in this time,” Milton said. “Everything from his policy position on affordable housing and training, education, public safety and transportation.”
Milton also pointed to Kinloch’s attitude toward public safety as another major factor that set him apart from other candidates.
“That was another issue that was important to us,” Mitlon said. “Not so much teh militarization of the police department, throwing more police on the street. But rather, some programmatic things we can do to address the underlying issues that lead people to crime as a way of solving our crime problem. Community violence intervention, job access and training and counseling with families.”
Milton said they asked Kinloch about how he would split his responsibilities with Triumph Church and the city if elected as mayor.
“He has a substaintial congregation but one of the things that gave us comfort was the fact he has a team in place currently and operational practices in place that keeps his church running — we think he has the infrastructure.”
Milton also pointed to U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who he described as one of the most respected members of Congress.
“Raphael Warnock is pastoring a historic church with great implications and responsibility that come with that ministry,” Milton said. “He’s done an effective job of being both the pastor of the church and spending all week in Washington DC. I see the same characteristics in pastor Kinloch.”
As for city council, The Black Slate endorsed the incumbents for the two at-large seats, Mary Waters and Coleman Young II. The group also endorsed the incumbent in District 2, Angela Whitfield Calloway. In District 5, UAW retiree Renata Miller earned the endorsement, and Denzel McCampbell, a Democratic Socialist, got the nod in District 7.
“Many of our members have had the benefit of seeing Denzel McCampbell over the years really be deeply engaged in community,” Milton said. “With The Black Slate being a grassroots born political action group that dates back to the 1950s, a person in community in the way that Mr. McCampbell has been in community is really a throwback. He’s taken the modern day practices and applied it to grassroots organizing without abandoning the traditional organizing efforts. Since the 1950s, community outreach has been central to who we are.”
Regina Ross, who was the runner up in District 7 in 2021, and State Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit are also running in District 7. Whitsett did not request an interview, Milton said.
State Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit, is also vying to leave the Michigan Legislature to challenge Calloway. Former District 2 councilman Roy McCallister is also running for the seat.
In District 5, Willie Burton, George Adams Jr., Michael Hartt, Esther Haugabook, Tatjana Jackson and Michael Ri’chard are also running.
Mayoral candidates include Mary Sheffield, Saunteel Jenkins, Fred Durhal III, Joel Haashiim, James Craig, John Barlow and DaNetta Simpson.
About Post Author
