Latest news with #SolomonKinlochJr.
Axios
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Detroit's religious and political legacy in the mayor's race
A prominent pastor's presence in the Detroit mayor's race is reigniting conversations about melding faith and governance. Why it matters: Detroit's Black churches and religious leaders have long played meaningful roles in politics and activism, from the Civil Rights Movement, on City Council in recent decades and to present day. The question is what kind of experience, inside or outside government, will resonate with voters in this mayoral election. State of play: The Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. has not served in public office, spending much of his career growing Detroit-based Triumph Church from dozens of members to 40,000. Either Kinloch's unique history in this race gives him the necessary " vision and moral leadership," as UAW president Shawn Fain recently said, or he's an outsider who would need " on-the-job training," according to fellow candidate Fred Durhal. What they're saying: Mario Morrow, a political consultant and the president of a local communications firm, tells Axios many voters want someone with a relationship with God. He says some negativity around Kinloch's being a pastor comes out of campaigning tactics — but it's still a dynamic that the candidate has to make sure voters understand. Morrow urges voters to focus less on the experience dynamic and more on who can solve Detroiters' issues. The Rev. Wendell Anthony, a pastor and president of the Detroit NAACP branch, tells Axios that having someone who can "hit the ground running" will benefit the city during this pivotal time. Kinloch tells Axios that he saw as a young man the way pastors, including activist the Rev. C.L. Franklin, instilled economic and social consciousness and provided services for their communities. "The church is still … the heart of many people, particularly in the African American community, because … we've always turned to the church for not just spirituality, but for any type of equity, any type of fight against injustice," he says. People want someone to rebuild voters' lost trust in career politicians, Kinloch says. He has said he plans to continue with Triumph while mayor. He said in Local 4's debate that he will be a full-time mayor, "that will go to church on Sunday, and when he goes to church on Sunday, he will preach." Another candidate in the mayoral race, City Council President Mary Sheffield, is the daughter of a pastor and activist, the Rev. Horace Sheffield III. She was previously an assistant pastor and says she still ministers when people ask and she's able. "As a young kid, I grew up in the church. It was a foundation, it was a staple in the community. … It really helped shape and mold me into who I am today," the 12-year City Council member tells Axios. As for the question of experience, Sheffield says, "Detroiters will decide what they think is best." But ultimately, she adds, experience matters when a person can change other people's lives. The connection is also reflected in her plans, which include a faith-based development initiative. Pastors of the past Detroit has a long history of pastors involved in governance. Zoom out:"A lot of them were in leadership when we did not have so many African Americans in positions of power," says Anthony. "They were kind of alone, taking positions and standing up. So they brought a stamina and determination that they had a cause much greater than themselves. … Today, a lot of us stand on their shoulders." Read about some here: Politician and religious leader the Rev. Nicholas Hood Sr. was pastor of Plymouth United Church of Christ from 1958 until the mid-1980s, according to the Detroit News. Meanwhile, he was elected to City Council in 1965, serving nearly 30 years and becoming an activist against discrimination and displacement. He was seen as a pillar of both the church and city hall communities, per his obituary, and had been the city's second Black city council member. Hood died in 2016 at age 92. The Rev. JoAnn Watson, the late activist and religious and political leader with an expansive resume, was on City Council from 2003 to 2013. She was the first woman executive director of the NAACP's Detroit branch and served as a pastor at West Side Unity Church, starting as an associate pastor in 2009. When she died two years ago, Sheffield called her a "one-of-a-kind freedom fighter who loved her people and the Lord," per the Free Press. Hood's son, Nicholas Hood III, has been senior pastor of Plymouth United since the mid-1980s. He served on City Council for two terms starting in 1994. He ran for mayor, but was not successful in the primary.
Axios
03-06-2025
- General
- Axios
Trail Mix: Detroit transit mayoral event coming up
Welcome back to our weekly roundup of local election news. Answer received: The hosts of a Detroit mayoral forum last month asked the candidates to answer who on the ballot they would vote for if they weren't candidates themselves. It took coaxing to get answers, many of which you can read here. Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. didn't attend, so when we saw him at the Mackinac Policy Conference last week, we asked him what he would have said. He told Axios he wouldn't have answered the question — that he was told "a long time ago" that just because someone asked, doesn't mean you need to answer. Transit advocates, rise: Another mayoral candidate gathering is coming up at 6pm Wednesday — but this one is a deep dive into transit issues hosted by nonprofit Transportation Riders United and partners. TRU says it won't endorse, but believes better public transit is "crucial to the future of the city," so voters need to hear the candidates' ideas and stances. In-person tickets sold out, but it can be viewed virtually.
Axios
10-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Detroit mayor's race sit-down: Solomon Kinloch
If the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. becomes mayor, he says he could unite and convene powerhouse stakeholders while ensuring businesses deliver on their promises. The big picture: This is the latest in our series of interviews on mayoral hopefuls' policy priorities. More candidates are emerging in the race to replace Mike Duggan, the only mayor so far to oversee the city in its post-bankruptcy recovery. The nonpartisan race has its primary in August and general election in November. Flashback: Kinloch leads the Detroit-based Triumph Church, which had around 50 members when he began as pastor in 1998. Under his leadership, the church estimates it has grown to 40,000 members across locations in Detroit, Flint, Southfield and elsewhere. As well as usual church services, Triumph's offerings include scholarships and financial and mental health workshops. During the pandemic, the church provided free laptops for students, vaccines, groceries and care packages. Kinloch has also served on the Skillman Foundation board and the state's COVID-19 task force on racial disparities. Driving the news: Kinloch spoke with Axios Detroit about his goals as mayor, his ability to unify and why running from outside of traditional politics could be an advantage. Many people are skeptical of institutional politicians, he said, leading people like him to run for office to become the leadership they want to see instead of waiting for it. Zoom in: Housing is paramount, the pastor said. He wants to add 10,000 more housing units in the city. Some areas of focus there would be making housing affordable, using innovative materials and technology and building a bigger down payment assistance program to promote homeownership. Plus, housing construction connects with another of Kinloch's missions: job training, skilled trades and increasing economic opportunities. He wants to expand existing workforce training programs and "not just retain our middle class, but we want to continue to attract and to grow our middle class and upper classes." He also emphasized funding for small businesses, and has said he wants to add 10 more grocery stores in the city to increase access in food deserts. Kinloch also thinks his administration could do a better job leveraging private-public resources and convening philanthropic leaders, including in education. The mayor doesn't preside over public schools, but youth well-being is still their responsibility, he said. "Having a situation where our schools are not producing the best we can for our young people is no longer an option," he said. Context: If he's elected, Kinloch has said he doesn't plan to step down from leading Triumph, an avenue through which he hears from thousands of people. He also said in his announcement speech that he would be a mayor for Detroiters of all races and identities. Asked about Triumph's beliefs on its website against same-sex marriage, he said that he is not running for mayor as a pastor, and that he would defend equal protections under the law. While people have the right to their religious views, they don't have the right to impose their beliefs on others, he said. State of play: One theme of the mayor's race is going to be big business and community — balancing the varied interests and needs of those affecting and affected by how Detroit's landscape is evolving. Kinloch said the next mayor needs to be both a unifier and a fighter, and that he can and has bridged that gap. "Businesses need to know that Detroit is still open for business. … The difference is that my administration would ensure that, listen, if you make our people a promise, you've got to deliver on the promise you make." The bottom line: We asked Kinloch about a quality he would bring as mayor that is different from what other candidates and the current mayor have. He said: "Ministry is about people. And … the city's business, government ought to be about people." "I think that's what makes me rare, because I've been on the front line. I haven't been given anything … I had to build, I had to recruit, I had to lead. I had to be creative. I had to inspire hope. The next leader has to be someone who can inspire hope."
