In the heart of Detroit, a new breed of heroes is rising, dressed in black attire and armed not with superhuman powers but with determination, vision, and a commitment to their community’s safety and advancement.
New Era Detroit, a grassroots organization that emerged from the pages of history into the streets of reality, is writing a new narrative for their city and inspiring others nationwide to do the same. They are here to ensure that the future shines brighter than the present, learning from the past while forging ahead.
Donned in attire of ebony hue, lawfully armed, and equipped with voices emanating authority, New Era Detroit is orchestrating a safer and more secure city, one instance at a time. Anchoring this endeavor is the New Era Community Connection (NECC), an integral part of the New Era Nation family movement. NECC’s exclusive design lies in weaving together urban communities globally through an original grassroots blueprint. They engage in direct outreach and hands-on community initiatives to cultivate self-sufficiency within often disregarded neighborhoods.
NECC was also recently selected by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as one of six community organizations to receive funding for a groundbreaking community violence intervention grant funded by the American Rescue Plan. Each selected group is responsible for reducing homicides and shootings in a 3.5 to 4.5 square mile area, called a CVI Zone, using their own violence prevention strategy.
Each of the six organizations, including NECC, will receive a quarterly base budget of $175,000 to execute their prevention strategy. In any quarter, the contractor’s efforts reduce serious violence by ten percentage points more than the city as a whole; they will receive an additional $87,500 in prevention funding, and in any quarter, they outperform the rest of the city by 20 percentage points, they will receive an additional $175,000.
“This community-led approach provides a holistic solution to the complex issue of gun violence and its root causes,” said Council President Mary Sheffield. “These grassroots organizations are best equipped to help prevent gun violence because they understand the needs and the challenges faced by our communities in a way that nobody else can. They have the trust of the people, and they know how to work with them to create meaningful change.”
Guiding this movement for NECC is New Era Detroit’s founder and president, Zeek Williams. Since its inception in 2014, New Era Detroit has been on a relentless pursuit of change. The organization’s motivation goes beyond mere visibility; it’s about redefining the role of Black men within their communities. They stand as beacons of involvement, enlightenment, and interconnectedness, fiercely protecting the rights and well-being of women and children.
Williams’s vision extends beyond just Detroit’s city limits, though. He recognizes that the challenges faced by Black communities are not isolated incidents but rather the result of systemic issues that transcend geographical boundaries.
“I work in Black communities all across the country,” said Williams. “One thing that I do know is that all of our issues, problems and everything that we go through is systematically the exact same. For us its figuring out a system so that we can combat this as a group effort throughout the country and unify our people as one.”
The journey of New Era Detroit serves as a testament to the power of grassroots activism, community collaboration, and a shared commitment to driving change. Their story reminds us that the path to progress requires not only identifying the problems but also actively participating in the solutions. By addressing accountability on multiple levels, they lay the groundwork for sustainable transformation.
The organizational framework is upheld by five tiers of accountability, forming the bedrock for each of the 15 programs. These tiers revolve around self-accountability, household obligations, communal responsibilities, collective commitments, as well as economic and political accountabilities.
“You might not get everyone onboard in one city but if you got people in different pockets all across the country you can start a powerful movement,” Williams said, “and that’s really what we’ve been able to do with New Era Detroit and New Era World.”
Their dedication reaches across borders, spanning into Nigeria, and they’re even orchestrating an enriching expedition to the UK to support Black men and women in expanding their reach within communities. This truly showcases the deep extent of their commitment to driving positive transformation. At present, there are 14 chapters in existence, undergoing continuous expansion.
The organization’s recent endeavor of renting an entire hotel in Detroit to provide housing and resources for the homeless is a testament to their dedication to making an impact on a fundamental level. Homelessness is a complex problem with far-reaching effects on individuals and communities, and New Era Detroit recognized that genuine change would require more than temporary fixes. By securing housing for those in need, they are not just addressing an immediate concern but also laying the foundation for stability and growth in the lives of their beneficiaries.
“Two times a year we buy out an entire hotel taking people off the street to host housing, job, and resource fair. Love, respect, and dignity is something every man, woman, and child should have no matter their life situation.” said Williams.
The decision to rent an entire hotel reflects New Era Detroit’s willingness to think outside the box and implement innovative solutions to age-old problems. This approach challenges the status quo and demonstrates that change can be achieved through unconventional means. By setting an example that encourages other organizations and individuals to explore new ways of addressing societal issues, New Era Detroit is fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
In the wake of the tragic carjacking and murder of Tracie Golden at a party store located on Grand River near Outer Drive just last year, New Era Detroit took swift and impactful action. The organization mobilized across the city to ensure the safety of women as they walked to their cars, taking a resolute stance against senseless acts of crime.
“Our communities, our responsibilities,” emphasized Williams, conveying a powerful message. He underlined the imperative of establishing high standards within our own community and becoming a model for others. The expectation is that businesses operating within our community, particularly those who may not share our background or reside in our neighborhoods, will follow suit. This mission, Williams highlighted, is fundamentally rooted in self-accountability, placing the onus on us to lead by example and uphold the safety and well-being of our community members.
As we navigate an era characterized by intricate social issues, organizations like New Era Detroit serve as beacons of hope and catalysts for change. Their dedication to tangible solutions, community involvement, and innovative thinking sets an example for all of us to follow. By taking the initiative and addressing problems head-on, they remind us that transformation is not a distant dream but a reality that can be achieved through determined action. New Era Detroit’s impactful initiatives are a testament to the fact that when we come together with purpose, we can truly transform our communities and create a better future for all.