**MEDIA ALERT FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017**
A section of the American Riad, built at COUNTERCURRENT17 in Houston, which will travel to Detroit to become part of a permanent Arts and Community Hub in the North End
“OLD WORLD” IDEAS SPARK VISION OF A NEW DETROIT; NORTH END RESIDENTS REJECT TRUMP ERA ANTI-MUSLIM BIAS WITH THE ‘AMERICAN RIAD’ ON OAKLAND AVE.
DETROIT (June 13, 2017) – An international art collective joins elected officials, residents and neighborhood groups today celebrating the start of construction of a beautifully designed communal space – a Riad – between homes in the North End to address the community’s concerns about affordable housing, social isolation and gentrification.
Ghana Think Tank (GTT), known for its unconventional approach to negotiating social conflicts, is spearheading construction of the Riad to bring residents out of the isolation of their homes to create a cultural, financial and environmentally sustainable sense of community.
The idea, developed by GTT’s Moroccan partners, blends elements of Islamic and African culture to help solve America’s problems in an age of anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant bias. The goal is to create 8 units of affordable housing and 6 businesses to preserve the North End’s history as a Black creative corridor.
WHO: Members of the North End Woodward Community Organization, the Oakland Avenue Coalition, Central Detroit Christian CDC, Ghana Think Tank, and community residents.
WHAT: Event celebrating construction of the American Riad. Food cooked in the outdoor oven will be served. There also will be art workshops and music.
WHERE: 920 East Euclid Ave, at Oakland Ave, North End, Detroit
WHEN: Tuesday June 13, 2017. 5pm-10pm
For more details and pictures, please go to http://www.AmericanRiad.org
