On Giving Tuesday 2025, Soulardarity goes live from Detroit is Different with a powerful two-hour broadcast hosted by Khary Frazierβan uplifting blend of storytelling, music, and community truth-telling about the fight for energy justice and the movement to bring our cityβs light back home. From the β50 Reasons to Giveβ countdown clips to candid conversations with Soulardarity leaders and neighbors on the frontlines of shutoffs and rate hikes, the program carries the heartbeat of a community refusing to be left in the dark.
Featuring performances from Angela Davis and Mama Jahra, plus stories of resilience and vision from Michelle Jones, Ken Bates, and Executive Director Shimekia Nichols, this livestream invites viewers to recognize Highland Parkβs legacy of brilliance and invest in its future. Donation links and the phone bank remain active throughout the broadcast as we rally togetherβDetroit styleβto build people power, streetlight by streetlight, household by household.
Give at: soulardarity.org/donate
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Greetings community!
This past Friday, we had one of our most invigorating and inspiring meetings to date! Deepest gratitude to all who came out to support Soulardarity Quarterly meeting, and allowing us to hold space as you learn more about the impact the Soul team has continued to make upon our community.
Come join, and collaborate with us and be a part of our movement to enrich our community by way of solar and social justice/education. Email programs@soulardarity.com to learn how you can join!β
A HUGE, shout out to those of you who signed up at our meeting to be Soulardarity Members/ volunteers/ and fellows! Welcome! πππΎπ‘ππβπ½
#EnergyDemocracy #SocialJustice #powertothepeople #follow #MembershipMonday ... See MoreSee Less
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Greetings community! I wanted to share a Flash back to when our very own ED Shimekia Nichols was invited to speak as a guest panelist at the Rachel Catalyst Network's 2026 Spring Meeting Panel.
Shimekia was not only a Speaker, but was also an Award Recipient which included the honor of sitting with true energy warriors Marnese Jackson, Director of Midwest Decarbonization Coalition and Briana Dubose, Director of Ecoworks, moderated by Shreya Durvasula, Catalyst Program Director, Rachelβs Network.
This all took place in front of an Audience of 30+ women environmental funders and advocates from across the country, some of them were even unfamiliar with Detroit.
Early last week I sat with Shimekia to collect information, quotes, and even personal take-a-ways on her experience during the panel discussion/ luncheon. Hereβs what Shimekia has shared with us:
β I had an incredible time participating in the Rachel Catalyst Network Panel! It was an honor to engage with such a dynamic group of leaders and visionaries.
We dove deep into some powerful topics, and I wanted to share a few of the prompts that guided our conversation:
- Prompt 1: Intro- Soulardarity was born out of crisis when 1,000+ residential streetlights were repossesd unannounced to the community. That moment forced a question: What does energy sovereignty actually look like? Who has power.
βWe donβt just fight energy injustice β we build the alternatives.β
Our work sits at the intersection of:
* Community-owned solar + infrastructure
* Energy democracy + policy intervention
* Leadership development in Black and frontline communities
Today, weβre installing off-grid solar streetlights with Free wifi access, organizing in DTE Energy rate cases, and training residents to challenge systems that were never designed for us.
- Prompt 2: High Utility Rates β Impact on People & Bills
Michigan residents arenβt just paying high rates β theyβre paying for a system that fails them repeatedly.
We see:
* Households choosing between lights and food
* Paying for outages, shutoffs, and unreliable service
Soulardarity's efforts reduces dependence on the grid entirely. We teach that "Energy burden isnβt accidental or from the neglect of rayepayersβ itβs designed. And weβre redesigning it.β
- Prompt 3: Biggest Challenge Right Now
Challenge: Misalignment between funding, policy timelines, and community urgency
Weβre expected to:
* Build infrastructure
* Fight policy battles
* Develop leaders
β¦on restricted, short-term funding
βThe biggest barrier isnβt imagination β itβs capital that trusts communities to lead.β
The energy and insights shared during this panel were truly inspiring. I am looking forward to continuing these important conversations and building in safe spaces! ... See MoreSee Less
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Put your walking shoes on and Come march with us in the Highland Park Michigan Week Parade THIS Saturday, May 16th @12! Meet us at 11:30am!
The actual parade will be from Manchester and Hamilton TO Alvin Casey Park (Monterey & Hamilton). Soul will park/meet near Oakman Blvd (other side of Hamilton) at 11AM. Please email programs@soulardarity.com if youβre interested in marching with us.
Come out and support Soulardarity in the Highland Park Michigan Week Parade! A classic event hosted by Highland Park yearly, see many cool floats, special guests, organizations, kids clubs, and MORE! Line up on Hamilton to watch the parade as the whole parade ends at Ernest T Ford Recreation Center at 10 Pitkin St for resources, fun, and food! ... See MoreSee Less
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Greetings community! SPRING into our second quarterly meeting of the year with Soulardarity! Grab some friends, neighbors, and family members as we eat some good food, hang out with some great people, and find out more about what Soulardarity is up to in 2026!
Join us on Friday evening, May 15th from 5:30P - 7:30P at General Baker Institute at 15798 Livernois Ave Detroit, MI 48238.
Want to come but donβt have a ride?
Please email: programs@soulardarity.com
Any questions about the meeting?
Email: programs@soulardarity.com!
Get Free Tickets! soulardarity.org/event/2nd-quarterly-meeting/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Highland Park Michigan Week Parade
Come out and support Soulardarity in the Highland Park Michigan Week Parade!
May 16 @ 12:00 pm β 4:00 pm
A classic event hosted by Highland Park yearly, see many cool floats, special guests, organizations, kids clubs, and MORE! Line up on Hamilton to watch the parade as the whole parade ends at Ernest T Ford Recreation Center at 10 Pitkin St for resources, fun, and food! ... See MoreSee Less
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Peace community! Come support! Please share! See you Friday! ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
SPRING into our second quarterly meeting of the year with Soulardarity! Grab some friends, neighbors, and family members as we eat some good food, hang out with some great people, and find out more about what Soulardarity is up to in 2026!
Join us on Friday evening, May 15th from 5:30P - 7:30P at General Baker Institute at 15798 Livernois Ave Detroit, MI 48238.
Want to come but don't have a ride?
Please email: programs@soulardarity.com
Any questions about the meeting?
Email: programs@soulardarity.com!
Get Free Tickets! soulardarity.org/event/2nd-quarterly-meeting/ ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Greetings community! I have a quick couple of favors to ask.
1. Go follow us on Instagram, linked in AND TikTok
2. Go get your FREE tickets to our 2nd Quarterly Community Meeting.
3. Hit the like, comment, or share button on our latest post!
Please and thank you πβπ½π‘π Comment the β emoji on this post once youβve done all 3! ... See MoreSee Less
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