An unfinished clay maquette of the Steinberg monument by deceased sculptor Edward Chesney, who worked with Carl Nielbock, left, sits preserved under glass in the studio. Master craftsman Carl Nielbock shows drawings and models of his proposed massive bronze sculpture honoring deceased radio DJ Martha Jean 'the Queen' Steinberg at his C.A.N. Art Handworks, Inc. studio in Detroit, Michigan March 3. (AP photo)

By ORALANDAR BRAND-WILLIAMS

The Detroit News

DETROIT — Carl Nielbock was a stranger in a new land. Listening to legendary radio personality Martha Jean ‘‘The Queen’’ Steinberg helped him persevere.

The 24-year-old moved from Germany in 1984 to meet his father and connect with his African-American roots. Nielbock, whose mother is white and father is black, settled on the east side with his father. Their day began, like so many others in Detroit, by listening to Steinberg’s radio show.

‘‘She was very inspirational. She eloquently explained the situation we find ourselves in,’’ said Nielbock, 50.

‘‘She talked about how you can overcome problems and that you can make it despite all the adversity.’’

Nielbock, an ironworks artisan, has worked since Steinberg’s death in 2000 to honor her with a 16-foot statue on Belle Isle. He recently met with her daughters, Sandra and Trienere, to discuss efforts to raise $300,000 to complete the project.