What we’re about
Hosted by Southeastern Mensa, and open to everyone, this award-winning series of programs, presented live and/or via Zoom, is designed to both enlighten and entertain. Past speakers have covered a WIDE variety of topics, including: a man who was falsely accused by the government of espionage, the lone survivor of a Great Lakes shipwreck (Think Edmund Fitzgerald here), a Dutch woman who's family hid Jews from the Nazis, a genuine "Man In Black" (like the movie), a Tuskegee Airman (Decorated by the president!), the regional head of the FBI, the great-grandson of Dr. Samuel Mudd on the Lincoln assassination, an expert on the dinosaur fossils found in Antarctica, some REAL ghostbusters, presentations on Aimee Semple McPherson, The DaVinci Code, killer asteroids, rum running during prohibition, and the list goes on and on. Some of our speakers have appeared on local TV and radio, ABC, the History Channel, A&E, PBS, NPR, etc., etc. Following live presentations we adjourn to Buddy's Pizza, located at 31646 Northwestern Hwy., in Farmington Hills, just Northwest of Middlebelt Rd., to socialize.Care to attend? Great! We'd love to meet you! Admission: Visitors: $5, Mensa members $4, Mensa website: MensaDetroit.com
*Not affiliated with Nerd Nite Ann Arbor, Nerd Nite Detroit, or any other Nerd Nite Meet-Up
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Presentation: Restoring Greatness of the Chinese People’s Republic (Live & Zoom)Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church, Southfield, MI
Everyone is once again invited to join members of Southeast Michigan Mensa for this program, which will be presented at 7 pm (EDT), on Saturday, September 20, Live and via ZOOM.
The Chinese Dream: Restoring the People’s Republic’s “National Greatness”
Since he became China’s preeminent leader in 2012, Xi Jinping has pursued an agenda to make the country prosperous, strong, harmonious, and globally influential in advance of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic in 2049. This talk will explore specific policies that the CCP has implemented to achieve the “Chinese Dream”, including domestic efforts to eliminate poverty and construct a unified national identity, as well as global outreach initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative. It considers results to date and challenges that will impact China’s drive to cement superpower status over the next quarter-century.
Join us at 7:00 P.M. (EDT), on Saturday, September 20, when Wayne State historian Dr. Elizabeth Lublin will lead us in our examination of Xi Jinping and his goal of national rejuvenation with the aim of restoring China to its historical place as a great world power.
A historian of modern Japan, Elizabeth Lublin taught courses on East Asia at Wayne State for over twenty years. Her early publications examined the reform activism of the Japan Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and her current research explores Japan’s tobacco and match industries. Altogether, she spent roughly seven years in Japan before joining the faculty at Wayne State in 2001. The highlight of those years was an audience with the Emperor and Empress. This privilege came with Lublin’s receipt of a Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship. Dr. Lublin received a Ph.D. in Modern Japanese History, from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
### Live Presentation
If you are able to attend the live presentation, you have the opportunity to mingle with your fellow Mensans and guests at our usual location:
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church in Southfield
23925 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075
Doors open at 6:30 pm (EDT). The program begins at 7:00 pm (EDT).Ticket prices
Members 13+ years old: $5 or buy a strip of 4 tickets for $15.
Guests 13+ years old: $7
Members and guests 12 & under: Free
Exact change is appreciated!Following the presentation, please join us for dinner at:
Buddy’s Pizza
31646 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 38334### Virtual Presentation (Zoom)
If you prefer to to attend virtually, pre-register:
- click tinyurl.com/SEMM-2025-Gathering
- choose “September 20, 2025 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
- fill in your name and email address
- click the “Register” button
The Zoom room opens at 6:30 pm (EDT) for mingling. The program starts at 7:00 pm (EDT).
There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs, your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated. Please donate $5. To make a donation:
- click PayPal.com
- log in (or sign up)
- click the “Send” button
- Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@webmaster
- click the “Next” button
- enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
- fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
- click the “Next” button
- select your payment method
- click “Send”
- bask in our appreciation!
Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://tinyurl.com/SEMM-2025-Gathering .
