Pancakes & Politics is back for the 2021 and the first program of the season is not one to be missed. Presented virtually, the first forum will address topics important to Detroiters and will feature Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a panelist.
As the country faces the one-year mark of the pandemic businesses, schools and the community are finding their footing in the new normal. Governor Whitmer, since the first reported case of COVID-19, has used her powers to execute safety measures to keep the state and all Michiganders safe.
In one of her first actions in the fight against the virus, the governor initiated a stay-at-home order and suspended in-person learning for K-12. Students and teachers are still grappling with the new way of teaching and learning.
“My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19. For the sake of our students, their families and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” said Governor Whitmer during a 2020 press conference. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes. There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.”
Now, the governor has faced not only scrutiny from opposition across the state and the federal government but was also the target of a 2020 domestic terrorism kidnapping plot hatched by extremists who disagreed with her handling of the pandemic. Despite their efforts, Governor Whitmer has remained vigilant in her mitigation of the virus in Michigan. In March, the governor announced Michigan is one of few states in the country that is set to receive a regional community vaccination site to help hit the goal of 70 percent of Michiganders vaccinated in an eight-week period.
“The safe and effective vaccine is the best way to protect Michiganders and their families, and it is essential to getting our country back to normal so that we can all hug our loved ones, get back to work and send our kids to school safely,” said Governor Whitmer. “I want to thank President Biden and FEMA for the opportunity to build one of the nation’s first community vaccination sites to service the entire Southeast Michigan region. Over one million Michiganders of all races have already been safely vaccinated, and this site will help us to reach our goal of equitably vaccinating 70 percent of Michiganders who are 16 years or older more quickly. Ramping up vaccine distribution will also help our economy recover faster and help save our small businesses that have been hit hard by the pandemic. Let’s get to work, and let’s get it done.”
Now starting its 16th year, Pancakes & Politics has become a time-honored event and has hosted several big names including former mayors Kwame Kilpatrick and Dave Bing, Chairman and CEO of Quicken Loans Dan Gilbert, Jennifer Granholm former Detroit mayor and current mayor Mike Duggan. Originally introduced in 2006, Pancakes & Politics has been a staple for the Black community providing a platform for changemakers, influencers and government officials to voice community concerns, discuss solutions and affect change for the region.
This event will be hosted by President and CEO of Ignition Media Group Dennis Archer Jr and WWJ city beat reporter Vicki Thomas.
The 2021 Pancakes & Politics Forum I will take place March 25, 2021. To watch, visit The Michigan Chronicle Facebook page.
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