Dr. Umar: FDMG Update, City Pushback & Why He Won’t Say “Almost Done” (Part 1)

“We’re Almost Done”—Dr. Umar on FDMG, city pushback, and staying locked in. Danza opens with an on-air apology for trying to force a past sit-down; Umar accepts and gets right to it: floors are going in at FDMG, but he won’t say “almost done” again until the certificate of occupancy is in hand. He details years of delays—small contractor pool in Wilmington, licensing hoops, bad actors, and a city he says has fought them at every turn (even trying to sell the school over “frivolous” fees). He breaks down costs (nothing under 100K for major systems), the difference between donations (Black-only) and business (hiring whoever will finish the job), why they chose the building not the city, and how Detroit deals fell through. On mindset, he credits purpose, consistency, thick skin from “struggle streamers,” and his Yoruba path (Ògún: war, iron, perseverance). Part 1 sets the tone: accountability, logistics, and relentless forward motion.