The empowering impact of the North End Woodward Community Coalition (NEWCC) is irrefutable. Since its inception well over a decade ago, the Detroit-based non-profit organization has created, implemented, and facilitated multiple social and community development programs and initiatives to empower underserved residents in the city’s North End and beyond. NEWCC’s early mission was rooted in advocating for transit justice for Detroiters to have the right to accessible, affordable, accountable, equitable, and dependable public transportation.
Over the years, NEWCC has evolved to effectively address a broader range of issues for city residents living in the North End sector of Detroit generally defined as the community bordered by E. Grand Boulevard (south), Woodland Street at the city of Highland Park’s border (north), I-75 (east), and Woodward Ave. (west).
“We establish opportunities that improve the quality of life for our community by finding ways to change inequitable systems,” Rev. Joan C. Ross, NEWCC’s founder and executive director, told the Michigan Chronicle. “Our desire is to regain equity and build community wealth. We work to create permanent jobs within our community which address root causes of systemic problems and advance holistic solutions.”
Among the many initiatives facilitated by NEWCC include the Equitable Internet Initiative (EII), created to help bridge the vast digital divide in the North End, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.
“Our mission with the Equitable Internet Initiative is to ensure that more residents can leverage online access and digital technology for social and economic development,” Ross said. “And having free access to service is not just for seniors or families with children; it is for anyone living in the service areas.”
To date, Ross said the Equitable Internet Initiative has impacted 500 households and 14 businesses in the North End, Highland Park, and Hamtramck.
In addition, under NEWCC’s umbrella and the leadership of Ross, The Storehouse of Hope provides emergency food, personal care services, and other needed resources to help sustain individuals and families living in the North End, particularly in the 48202, 48203, and 48211 zip codes. Ross estimates that more than 3,000 people each month are impacted by the multiple mobile pantries of food and personal care products delivered annually from March to November.
In its quest to inform residents about how to power their homes efficiently, NEWCC has spearheaded “Solar Neighbors,” an initiative for residents in the North End, Highland Park, and Hamtramck to learn more about solar power and gain access to solar incentive programs.
Ross said NEWCC is transitioning three neighborhoods to renewable energy. “Our work will create pathways to resiliency through improved climate preparedness, increased energy security, renewed infrastructure, and heightened economic prosperity,” explained Ross. “The goal of ‘Solar Neighbors’ is to equip 1,000 households of low-income families with solar solutions by 2024.”
In addition, NEWCC has installed four solar-powered, Wi-Fi-equipped charging stations in the North End, used between 200 and 500 times each month.
“The four solar-powered charging stations have become neighborhood gathering and community cultivating spots,” Ross said. “People can go there to charge phones, tablets or laptops, and have internet service. And during an emergency when the power is out, people must have ways to charge their phones, tablets, and laptops to communicate with loved ones and other people.”
For Ross, perhaps one of the most engaging, informative, and effective ways of NEWCC communicating with people is through the organization’s community radio station WNUC 96.7 FM Detroit. Ross, the station’s founder and manager, said WNUC’s call letters stand for “North End Unity Communities.”
The station’s mission, said Ross, is to “shed light on topics in the North End and other areas of Detroit often ignored by mainstream news outlets, such as stories chronicling the positive work happening in neighborhoods.”
From its North End – New Center radio station at 7700 Second Ave., WNUC’s signal has a 7.2-mile radius, meaning it reaches listeners in the North End, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Midtown, New Center, downtown Detroit, and a small section of Southwest Detroit.
With an estimated 300,000 listeners and many thousands more streaming live, WNUC, launched May 17, 2017, runs 24 hours, seven days a week. The station offers multiple programs addressing community issues and diverse news, information, and cultural topics, including playing music. WNUC airs interviews with national and local figures about issues that matter to local communities primarily comprised of African Americans. And public service announcements, weather alerts, and emergency safety information announcements are part of the station’s programming agenda.
Ross hosts the provocative talk show “My Block, My Hood, My City.”
“We talk about everything,” said Ross. “People can come on the show and talk about what’s important on their blocks and what issues are important to them in Detroit.”
According to Ross, a popular program on WNUC is “Radio to the Future,” a youth-produced and Detroit-centered program. She said WNUC teaches young people about broadcast journalism and hosting and producing radio shows. Another signature program is “Memories of Motown,” which takes listeners on a magic carpet ride with the legendary music of Motown Records, its rich history, and the label’s global impact.
“I love the community grassroots radio programming of WNUC,” said North End resident Asiana Williamson. “And I applaud the incredible work Rev. Ross does through NEWCC to help empower folks.”
For Ross, the beat goes on with WNUC and NEWCC’s entire body of work to create and implement initiatives, programs, events, and activities to empower residents in Highland Park, Hamtramck, and especially Detroit’s North End.
“We strive to imagine and implement ‘best practice models’ to create lasting systemic changes culturally, economically, and environmentally,” said Ross. “While we do things that bridge the injustice points of people in Highland Park and Hamtramck, the North End is our base and main focus.”
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