Spotlight Women: Brenda Carter

Brenda Carter

Brenda Carter is running for State Representative in the #29 District that includes Pontiac, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, Auburn Hills and Orchard Lake Village. She has a vision for our state that includes, clean water, smooth roads and a better quality of life for the citizens that live here. She has been involved with our city politics for seven years, as a member of the Pontiac School Board. As President, she has work feverishly to solidify the growth of our children's education. She has won numerous awards, while serving our city. They include, Michigan Chronicle of Women's Excellence, Michigan Chronicle Women of Excellence and Centro Multicultural La Familia Community Advocacy. Her husband,Randy Carter is President Pro-Tem of the Pontiac City Council, as Councilman of District #4. Together, they work civilly and tirelessly to help shape the health, well-being and re-birth of Pontiac.

Brenda and Randy Carter

In September of 2017, Mrs. Carter, accompanied by her husband, took 11 middle school children from Pontiac's school system to Japan. As part of the "Sister City" program in Pontiac, eight young girls and three young men, went to Kuatzu, Shiga, Japan. These students were a part of the International Technology Academy. While there, they attended school and became part of the school system of Japan. They lived with a host family, mingled with their students and learned about their way of life. It was an honorable event. The children prepared for an entire year for their trek across the globe. Mrs. Carter became very good friends with their parents. It was necessary, because she would be taking the children half-way around the world. The parents had to know her and trust her to protect their children, while they were so far away. Along with nine chaperones, they introduced the children to a world outside their city. Many of them had never been out of Michigan before. Still, they learned the culture, language and etiquette of Japan. It was mandatory for the trip, and while in Japan went before delegates and spoke to them in Japanese.

During this time, Mrs. Carter met a very special young woman,Lefferny Chipert She is a student at Pontiac Middle School. Intrigued by the young woman's dark skin and gorgeous hair, she asked her what country she had originally lived in before coming to America. Lefferny explained that she is Micronesian. It is a small island off the coast of Hawaii. Lefferny intelligence, manners and zeal to learn led Mrs. Carter to begin mentoring her, and taking a deeper interest into her education and development as a young woman. Their kinship is a testament of her commitment to the children in Pontiac, and cultivating their greatest potential. It's her hope that those children who had the privilege to go to Japan, remember her fondly in their life journey. Joyfully, she wants them to give back to the next generation. Mrs. Carter is a huge advocate of giving back to the next generation. "It is what we do today that will have a ripple effect on the next generation of students". Giving back is key to productivity in politics.

Mrs. Carter has a Bachelor's from  Spring Arbor College and a Master's in Public Administration from Oakland University. She is also a UAW skilled machinist. She plans to use the tools she learned, while in school to win the seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. Her dedication to the lives of not only the children, but the people of the #29 District is real. She has worked hard over the last seven years, along with her husband to build a place of economic security in the city. Together they have been an intricate part of Pontiac's growth and revitalization. She will be leaving the school board this year, but promises to always be involved with the children of our city. Besides, her husband has several projects that he is involved in to keep her busy with the city. His Annual Baldwin Clean-up, landfill and recycling efforts are ongoing in the city. New Mount Moriah is lucky to have her as a member, and she could lend her abilities to their administrations, if the election doesn't find her in the Michigan House of Representatives.

As a single mother, she has a son, before she married her husband, 20 years ago. He has four children of his own, and she is now a grandmother. She spends any free time in her life with her grandchildren. She feels, however that the children of Pontiac are her surrogate family. If she doesn't win in November, she has no worries, because she will keep up the good works she has done in the city all along. Participating in all the functions held in the city. Playing baseball, participating in the Democratic Conventions, being involved in political conferences and mixing with some of the heavy-weights in politics in Michigan and Washington D.C. Along with the politic affiliations she has in Pontiac, with the youth and regeneration efforts. No matter what happens, Brenda Carter is a gem for the city to adore. 

You can learn more about Brenda, her election and school board presidency by clicking the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/brenda.carter.50

https://www.facebook.com/BCforRep/

http://www.brendajcarter.com/index.html

https://www.pontiac.k12.mi.us/domain/36

https://youtu.be/VmTEq-WmXeI

Spotlight Women: Vickie Brent-Touray

Vickie Brent-Touray

Vickie Brent-Touray is my friend. I met her in 1980 at Bagley School. It was cold outside and I thought, "Who is this girl with a skirt on? I know her legs cold". We stood in the cold talking. It was me, my cousin Annie and their friend Joyce. I remember, I know, because God knew back then that she would become a part of my life, forever. Just like I remember the day I met my man in 1978, I know that she means more to me than just a passing friendship. From the playground of grade school, to the cornfields of Wilberforce, Ohio, her friendship is valued by me. When I explained what I would be doing with my creation, the blog and social media, she messaged me "Awesome". No Vickie, you are awesome and your dedication to your family, friends, community and God are priceless.

As a young child, Vickie was sanctified. That means "set-aside", and those are the words that describe her best. She is a trailblazer that is carving her own niche in Pontiac's cultural community. Vickie is a graduate of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. That small town is just southeast of Dayton. After a brief stay in Ohio, she came home to Pontiac, and began her career as a teacher. After the recession, many of the Pontiac educators were laid-off. That didn't stop Vickie, she decided to further her education at Wayne State University. She received her Her Master's in Education from Wayne State's School of Education. While attending Wayne, she met her husband of 13 years, Famara Touray. Originally from Gambia, a country on the West coast of Africa that sits on the Atlantic Ocean. He is a Mandiga, a tribe that is where Kunta Kinte, of Alex Haley: Roots, ancestors originated. They have two beautiful daughters.

Vickie and her husband, Famara

When we ran into one another after 10 years, it was no shock that she had married a man from Africa. Vickie had always been in touch with her African heritage and always liked the darkest one in the bunch. When only 21, she did a mission to Kenya. While there, she helped Somalian refugees learn basic survival skills. Things like digging a latrine, building a chicken coupe and how to keep a clean water supply. She said they were washing themselves, cooking and watering their animals in the same waterhole. This had led to an occurrence of bacterial infections and cholera. She remembers a goat that she had made a pet that was tied outside her window. On her last night in the village of Garissa, the natives treated them to a feast. She told the host that the meat was tasty and asked what type of meat it was, and he had replied, "Goat". Vickie looked over to where her friend had been tied, and he was gone! After six weeks of a vegetarian diet, her friend was a welcoming alternative.

She made the migration to the South, Atlanta, with the movement like other Michiganders. She taught in the Atlanta School District for four years. She won their "Teacher of The Year Award" in 2012. Feeling a growing need to perform and write, she left Atlanta to come home and follow her dreams. She and Farmara opened a store called Touray Family Enterprise. Her husband had sold African garb as a child with his uncle. She said that she believes that he always knew that he would work with his family in their own business. In African communities, family is everything and the children call the people in the tribes "aunty" and "uncle" out of respect. He plans to go back, taking Michigan residents on tours of his homeland. They have a shop full of styles that come from the continent and various other goods, such as Shea butter, incense and body oils and fragrances. Like Famara's dream, Vickie and their children work along side him selling their merchandise and teaching the community about African customs and traditions.

At the end of Kwanzaa every year, the Touray's have a celebration. It is free to the public and the community comes and take part in the celebration. They make traditional African dishes, children recite poems, African dancers perform, tutorials on wearing Africa's head-dressings and garb, vendors come out selling a variety of goods and much, much more! She works tirelessly in the community volunteering her time and energy to good causes, like the Pontiac Library. She has a quarterly poet review that she holds in Pontiac. Her Wonder Woman events, is a place where women can gather and express their feelings of empowerment, freedom and a place to relax and seek the comfort of other women. Her Yaktown Poet Review, features young and seasoned talented writer and poet laureates. Granny J, is a character she created to entertain children. People from the community can come out and recite poems, music, raps and skits that the have create themselves. 

Finally, Vickie's masterpiece in literature. Her self-published novel "A Piece of My Mind". A book of poetry that she wrote about growing up a Black woman in our America. The moves and vibes that makes her unique and powerful. One of my favorites, "For Nostalgia Sake", tells of her family and being raised in a home, during the boom of the 70's and 80's, when GM employed the majority of people in Pontiac. I've witness her give moving spoken word from her work, and stand on her feet and tell a story. It is always exhilarating, captivating and moving. It's a joy for me, to see my friend, her husband and children present to watch her work. She's one of those people in my life that when we meet, in two years, ten years or twenty years, we pick up right where we left off. That day on the playground, I met a forever friend. And when I see her "handling" her family, her businesses and her community and life. I just can't help but smile and say, "That's my friend". 

Click on the links to view Vickie's pages:

https://www.facebook.com/WWBCEspressoShot/

https://www.facebook.com/TourayFamilyEnterprises/

https://www.facebook.com/VBTouray/

https://www.facebook.com/yaktownpoets/