Union wages, and the battles to keep them, have elevated the fortunes of countless Black families, Brooks said. “Black people could take advantage of that and buy homes in neighborhoods throughout Detroit,” Perry said. “Without the union jobs, (employers) can do anything, say anything and you're out the door,” she said. Only about 25% of Detroit's residents are in that range, and about two-thirds of city residents earn less than $50,000 per year, Goss said. Martin described her childhood during the 1970s and 1980s in her predominantly Black Detroit neighborhood as among the “happiest times” of her life.

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Persons: WAYNE, Britney Johnson, Johnson's, “, ”, Tracy Brooks, Johnson, Brooks, Bobbie Allen Sr, Allen, ” Brooks, Andre Perry, ” Perry, Mike Duggan, Anika Goss, Goss, Yolanda Martin, Martin, Tracy Hadden Loh, ” Martin, ” ___ Jefferson, Rhonda Shafner Organizations: Black, United Auto Workers, Ford, Union, General Motors, Ford Motor, Blacks, Brookings Metro, Brookings Institution, Daimler Chrysler, Fiat Chrysler, PSA Peugeot, Detroit Future, Chicago . Locations: Mich, Ford's Wayne, Texas, Michigan, Detroit, Stellantis, U.S, Chicago, Black Detroit, Rosedale, Grandmont, Novi, New York