Detroit City Wire

Detroit mayoral candidates will discuss small business and entrepreneurial needs in a virtual forum on Wednesday. The event, named "Small Business Matters," is organized by the Detroit Society of Journalists and the Michigan Black Business Alliance.

Scheduled for July 9 from 6-7 p.m., the forum will feature councilman Fred Durhal III, businessmen Joel Haashiim and John Barlow, nonprofit CEO Saunteel Jenkins, attorney Todd Perkins, and activist DaNetta Simpson. Candidates will address their plans for supporting small to mid-sized businesses during post-pandemic recovery, neighborhood investment, and entrepreneurship's role in Detroit’s economic future.

City Council president Mary Sheffield and Triumph pastor Solomon Kinloch are also running for election as Detroit’s 76th mayor on November 4. The primary election takes place on August 5.

Absentee voting is already underway with thousands of voters having cast ballots. Approximately 97,000 voters requested absentee ballots for each election cycle. A constitutional amendment approved in 2022 allows registered voters to be included on a permanent absentee voter list to receive ballots automatically.

While more absentee ballots are being mailed than in previous primaries, this does not necessarily predict higher turnout. Officials estimate a turnout between 13-18% for the August primary—equating to roughly 65,000-90,000 voters out of Detroit's approximately 500,000 registered voters.

Moderators for Wednesday's forum include Mark Lee from the Detroit SPJ chapter and President & CEO of the LEE Group; Charity Dean from the Michigan Black Business Alliance; and Sam Robinson from the Michigan Chronicle.

Interested individuals can watch via live stream on the Detroit PBS YouTube channel through this link provided by organizers.