Sarah James lived in the University District on Parkside for part of her childhood, moving into the district from Green Acres when she was eleven. She left the neighborhood but moved back buying her house on Warrington eleven years ago. She is very involved with People for Palmer Park as fundraising committee chair and is an active member of the PFPP marketing committee. She successfully coordinated PFPP’s inaugural historic architecture tour, and organized weekly bike rides in the park trails and surrounding neighborhoods. Sarah assists with the UDCA newsletter by contributing articles, and in administering the UDCA Facebook page. Sarah says: “I am in love with this city, and work hard on a regular basis to care for it and promote it. I have been active in community efforts on my block and adjacent 3 blocks, Warrington and Quincy blocks 1 and 2, by organizing and leading alley cleanups and activities such as Dilly Dally in the Art Alley, including mural painting with neighborhood kids, and organizing a weekly walking group for this part of the neighborhood this summer to help decrease some unwanted activities and bring the community together. I would like to serve on the board because I have lived in this neighborhood for a majority of my life and feel that I am now in a position to contribute my energy, ideas, and commitment to this neighborhood by serving on the UDCA board. In particular, I would like to develop stronger relationships and collaborations with our surrounding neighborhoods as we have similar issues and strengths, and to develop a stronger relationship between University of Detroit Mercy and the neighborhood, getting service learning students involved with our community projects like Gloryland, Belden Orchard, Gesu Community Green, Gesu and Palmer Park Preparatory Academy initiatives.

Tamar Jeffery is a graduate of the Detroit Public School System K-8 (McKinney Elementary and Spain Middle School-member of the famous middle marching band that travelled to Japan and various other countries). My solid primary education afforded me the opportunity to attend Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School 9-12. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University where she receive a BA degree in Zoology (major) and Humanities/Classics with a concentration in Latin (minor). Tamar returned to Detroit to attend medical school at Wayne State (MD in 2006) and completed residency in emergency medicine at Detroit Receiving Hospital in 2009. Tamar loves the city of Detroit and lovesher neighborhood. The University District is one of the neighborhoods Tamar grew up admiring.  Tamar says: “As one of the younger home owners in the community I would like to be more involved.  Why?  To assure that this community and the city at large continues to progress and not digress.  Many of my colleagues/classmates have left the city or the state. I feel the only way to make a difference is to stay and fight for the city. The changes I could bring to the board is the perspective and passion of a young professional who loves her community/city and one day would like to see her city restored to its greatness. I also enjoy being a part of a team with a common goal.  I have participated in the Greening of Detroit and Habitat for Humanity. I’m interested in security/safety and the general up keep and well-being of the neighborhood including making sure the neighborhood obtains, retains, and maintains its residents and culture that has kept UD functioning as a community. BES team interests include Home and Garden, residential standards, and getting involved with the youth/mentoring.”

Ken Sanders is a proud native Detroiter that was raised in the Boston Edison Historic District and matriculated thru the Detroit Public Schools and is a graduate of a Historically Black University, Tennessee State University (located in Nashville Tennessee). Ken has worked with the City of Detroit since 1978 beginning with the Recreation Department, then the Detroit Zoological Society, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Employment and Training Department, the Detroit Housing Commission, the Public Lighting Department, the Workforce Development Department and the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department. Ken, his wife, Lori, their youngest son, Kenneth Sanders Jr., have been residents in the University District since March 2010.Ken says: “Our family has a profound love for our neighborhood and community. We fellowship, meet and greet in our community on all different levels. We are active members at the Detroit Golf Club. We choose to shop, dine, entertain as well as engage in recreational activities in our community. We truly enjoy the conveniences in our neighborhood as our child attends school at Gesu Elementary School which is conveniently two blocks away and we attend Gesu Church on Sundays.As a resident of the community I have a strong commitment and investment in the Detroit University District Area and as a Board Member I want to work with other dedicated individuals in the community to create a safe, welcoming, prosperous and respectful community. I would work effectively with other Board members to maintain this premier neighborhood. My vision is to continue to unite the neighborhood and community by working together with the business community, other nonprofit organizations, and local government to improve the quality of life and beautification, preservation and restoration of this historical community.”

After reading the above, I’m sure you’ll agree that given the newest members of its leadership team, we have yet another reason to be optimistic about our community.

Feel free to contact our new Board members and congratulate them on their recent win. And contact any board member to offer your support, questions, and concerns and especially to volunteer for one the UDCA’s many projects and committees. Board contact information is included at the end of this, and every, newsletter, and on our web site. And remember: our monthly Board meetings are open toall members of the District. This means YOU!