State officials designated a portion of the M-10 freeway in Detroit as the "Aretha L- Franklin Memorial Highway" today (MON).
State Representative Leslie Love was instrumental in honoring the late Queen of Soul. She highlighted Franklin’s humanity during the ceremony.
“Thank you for being such a wonderful person," said Love. "Like you were just a human who cooked chitlins and loved people and could sang and just cared - particularly about black people. And in this time and era where black lives do matter, sister Franklin, we just thank you for your legacy, and your love.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill that designated the name change. In brief remarks, Whitmer cited Aretha Franklin's activism as one of the reasons for the honor.