Detroit's reparations task force sees slow start

• "There have been delays and challenges that have not been insurmountable — we'll continue moving forward," District 6 member Janis Hazel told Axios after the meeting.

Threat level: Former co-chair Lauren Hood and task force member Maurice Weeks resigned last month following the death of Dr. JoAnn Watson, both citing the panel's inaction.

• Cidney Calloway, daughter of city council member Angela Whitfield-Calloway, was appointed co-chair to fill Hood's vacancy, despite telling Axios she had not planned to take on a leadership role.

Catch up quick: In 2021, 80% of residents approved a ballot measure to establish a commission to investigate reparations for Black Detroiters, who have been wrongfully stripped of economic opportunities for centuries.

• A number of other cities and counties, plus the state of California, have established reparations commissions.

Zoom in: "It took a while to learn how people work, learning what people are good, not so good at and just balancing different personalities," Calloway says.

Between the lines: While City Council allocated a $350,000 budget for the group, it didn't require the task force to abide by the Open Meetings Act.

• The group has been livestreaming meetings over Zoom and taking public comments before the board.

• You can sign up for updates on the task force here.

What we're watching: Some members indicated the group's Oct. 13 deadline to submit its final report to City Council could be extended.

• "If we're not ready for the report, I will certainly ask for an extension," Hazel says. "When we get there, we'll get there."
• The task force is also in the process of hiring a project manager.

What's next: The task force plans to host town halls in March to begin an impact analysis to determine the scope of potential reparations programs.

The bottom line: Despite their organizational struggles to this point, task force members and residents who gave public comments Saturday told Axios they wished more people were interested in the city's efforts.