A group of local artists is breathing new life into Detroit‘s urban landscape as part of an ambitious initiative to transform neighborhood alleys into vibrant community spaces.

There’s a special effort to encourage young artists with a new children’s art gallery that will be opening in Detroit.

More alleyways in Detroit are being transformed into art.

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News and Local 4+

The Spirit of Detroit is being used to transform the alleys in a few neighborhoods into works of art.

DETROIT – The arts in Detroit are getting a big boost of exposure Monday. The city is launching a year-long program called “UNDEFEATED.” It aims to showcase artists of every genre and every background. I want people to understand that Black history is a part of everything else. They’re going to see Black artists and Black musicians alongside white artists, Indian artists, Arabic artists and then we can understand that it’s not just about one thing,” Riley said. More: Black History Month stories

Gretchen Whitmer has made appointments to the Black Leadership Advisory Council. Pastor Atterberry is appointed to represent Black leadership in the faith-based community for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. Dr. Bell is appointed to represent Black leadership in technology for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022. Ms. Ellsworth Etchison is appointed to represent Black leadership in economics for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2023. Mr. Rutherford is appointed to represent Black leadership in government for a term commencing November 12, 2020 and expiring December 31, 2022.

DETROIT – Detroit is mourning the loss of award-winning poet Naomi Long Madgett. “She was indeed the godmother of African-American poetry.”This is from the Poetry Foundation:Born in Norfolk, Virginia, poet and publisher Naomi Cornelia Long Madgett grew up in East Orange, New Jersey. She earned a BA at Virginia State University (then Virginia State College), an M.Ed. Mentored by poet Langston Hughes, Madgett moved to Detroit in 1946. In her poetry, influenced by the work of Emily Dickinson, John Keats, and Langston Hughes, Madgett often engages themes of civil rights and African American spirituality.

DETROIT – The city turned an island park into an extraordinary memorial garden Monday as cars packed with grieving families slowly traveled past hundreds of photos of Detroit residents who died from COVID-19. Mayor Mike Duggan declared a Detroit Memorial Day to honor the 1,500-plus city victims of the pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer said at Belle Isle. Cher Coner’s mother, Joyce, had died of sepsis, not COVID-19, but she couldn’t have a traditional funeral because of virus restrictions. He took it and ran with it,” said Coner, whose mother’s photo is on Belle Isle.

DETROIT – The city turned an island park into an extraordinary memorial garden Monday as cars packed with grieving families slowly traveled past hundreds of photos of Detroit residents who died from COVID-19. Mayor Mike Duggan declared a Detroit Memorial Day to honor the 1,500-plus city victims of the pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer said at Belle Isle. Cher Coner’s mother, Joyce, had died of sepsis, not COVID-19, but she couldn’t have a traditional funeral because of virus restrictions. He took it and ran with it,” said Coner, whose mother’s photo is on Belle Isle.

DETROIT – The city of Detroit announced a memorial day to honor more than 1,400 residents who died from COVID-19 and invited families to share photos that will be enlarged and displayed at Belle Isle State Park. The photos will be staked along the route of a memorial drive scheduled for Aug. 31, said Rochelle Riley, the city's director of arts and culture. “This is a very special thing for those of us who have lost people,” Riley said Wednesday. An Aug. 31 fireworks show to honor first responders, hospital workers and others on the front line of the coronavirus fight was announced weeks ago. Detroit residents so far make up roughly 25% of Michigan's 6,000 COVID-19 deaths.

DETROIT - Here is what you missed on Sunday's episode of Flashpoint:This Sundays Flashpoint picked up a groundbreaking conversation from 15 years ago on the show. In 2004, Devin Scillian and Emery King hosted a special primetime edition of Flashpoint on race issues in southeast Michigan. The 2004 show also contained clips from a frank conversation on race during a dinner party hosted by Walbridge CEO John Rakolta. Flashpoint was widely praised for sparking a conversation about race in a setting attended by top business and political leaders. Flashpoint is hosted by WDIV Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian.

If you are interested in the design and art initiatives of Detroit Design 139, there's plenty to enjoy in Detroit this week. Critique: Stories from Detroit's Black Women in ArchitectureFrom the event description:As part of Detroit Design 139 Inclusive Futures, Noir Design Parti will convene a panel of the city's Black women in architecture. For Design 139, they will convene a panel of the city's Black women in architecture to discuss their career experiences, mentorship and their vision for inclusive design. Rochelle Riley, author and Director of Arts & Culture for the city of Detroit, will be the discussion moderator. Detroit Design 139 and PechaKucha Night Detroit are teaming together to host this informative showcase, where designers have just under seven minutes (20 images, 20 seconds each) to tell you about their transformative work and how it relates to Inclusive Futures.

If you are interested in the design and art initiatives of Detroit Design 139, there's plenty to enjoy in Detroit this week. Critique: Stories from Detroit's Black Women in ArchitectureFrom the event description: As part of Detroit Design 139 Inclusive Futures, Noir Design Parti will convene a panel of the city's Black women in architecture. For Design 139, they will convene a panel of the city's Black women in architecture to discuss their career experiences, mentorship and their vision for inclusive design. Rochelle Riley, author and Director of Arts & Culture for the city of Detroit, will be the discussion moderator. Detroit Design 139 and PechaKucha Night Detroit are teaming together to host this informative showcase, where designers have just under seven minutes (20 images, 20 seconds each) to tell you about their transformative work and how it relates to Inclusive Futures.

DETROIT Here is what you missed on Sunday's episode of Flashpoint:This Sundays Flashpoint picked up a groundbreaking conversation from 15 years ago on the show. In 2004, Devin Scillian and Emery King hosted a special primetime edition of Flashpoint on race issues in southeast Michigan. The 2004 show also contained clips from a frank conversation on race during a dinner party hosted by Walbridge CEO John Rakolta. Flashpoint was widely praised for sparking a conversation about race in a setting attended by top business and political leaders. Flashpoint is hosted by WDIV Local 4 anchor Devin Scillian.