Michigan’s 2026 primary election gained significant national attention as Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens faced off in a race that some said would determine the future of the democratic party. 

The Working Families Party believes that future includes making our nation work for the many, not the few. State by state they’re building a multiracial party of working class people to transform our country.

This year, in Michigan’s election, they endorsed several candidates including several who have either appeared on Authentically Detroit plus several other candidates running for office across the state.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: VOTERS SOUND OFF

BLACK VOTERS SHAPED THE DISCOURSE IN MICHIGAN U.S. SENATE PRIMARY 

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If you’re looking to learn more about candidates in each race check out our forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, which took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections.

At the forum, residents had the chance to learn where candidates stand on community priorities, local policy, and issues shaping Detroit’s Eastside.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit and watch the forum replay, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

WAYNE COUNTY VOTERS WILL SHAPE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S FUTURE

WHITMER ENDORSES STEVENS IN U.S. SENATE RACE

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The Eastside Candidate Forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections.

At the forum, residents had the chance to learn where candidates stand on community priorities, local policy, and issues shaping Detroit’s Eastside.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit and watch the replay, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

NO SHRI FOR ME: MCKINNEY BRINGS PROGRESSIVE CONGRESSIONAL HOPEFULS

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The Eastside Candidate Forum , held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, takes place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections.

At the forum, residents will have the chance to learn where candidates stand on community priorities, local policy, and issues shaping Detroit’s Eastside.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit and register for the forum, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

HOW THE OBAMAS ARE MOTIVATING BLACK VOTERS IN MICHIGAN'S U.S. SENATE RACE

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To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

ABDUL EL-SAYED LAUNCHES NEW AD TARGETING BLACK VOTERS AFTER MALLORY MCMORROW DROPS BID FOR SENATE 

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Together, they explore how social media conflicts spill into classrooms, what's driving these behaviors, and what parents, schools, and communities can do to better support our children.

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Trauma is often thought of as an injury resulting from a motor vehicle crash or gunshot wound. However, trauma can be any event resulting in physical, emotional, or life-threatening harm that has lasting adverse effects on an individual. The Trauma Recovery Center (TRC) is working to promote resiliency and holistic recovery for survivors following a crime. Their mission is to maximize the recovery of traumatically injured patients, families and communities through support, mental health services, education and access to resources.

Since its founding in 2005, SOOAR has been committed to enhancing the lives of those in need throughout the Metro Detroit area. They measure success not just through data, but through the stories, feedback, and visible improvements in community well-being. SOOAR uses a holistic approach—offering education, support, and engagement—to promote healthier behaviors, reduce harms, and build stronger, resilient communities.

The Detroit Justice Center (DJC) is a non-profit law firm and advocacy organization working to create just cities where every life is valued and supported with dignity and care. They are a national organization rooted in Detroit—a city emblematic of both the harms of racial capitalism and the resilience of community-led solutions. They engage in legal, policy, and narrative work to inspire the work of building just cities across the nation.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

BENSON BRINGS GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN ACROSS MICHIGAN 

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Jessica Kwalli is no stranger to identifying and servicing the needs of others which is why she is the Founder & CEO of Black Diamond Beauty Supply Co. LLC. As a native Detroiter, she was always at the epicenter of beauty and fashion. Growing up in the inner city made her realize there was a lack of representation and ownership in the hair care industry reflecting its largest consumers––African Americans. After repeated incidents of poor customer service and a lack of knowledge in Black hair at local beauty supply businesses, Kwalli made it her mission to create a hair care disruptor by the people and for the people.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

STATE SENATE CANDIDATES AIYASH, ONWENU CLASH AT DETROIT FORUM 

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They also discuss Juneteenth and the importance of telling the story of Black people’s freedom. The word "Juneteenth" bleeds "June" and "nineteenth," and the day is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021.

Juneteenth marks the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas. Many enslaved people already knew about the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. What they lacked was the power to make freedom real. Union troops enforced emancipation and helped transform freedom from a proclamation into a reality. 

Freedom on paper and freedom in practice were not always the same thing. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied — and freedom enforced changes lives.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

SHEFFIELD BACKS BENSON IN MICHIGAN GOVERNOR'S RACE 

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“Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” dramatizes the life of baseball great Roberto Clemente, one of the few Latin athletes who recognized his African ancestry. From his origins in Puerto Rico to his lengthy professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente advocated for the civil rights of Black and Latino individuals both in and outside of baseball.

They also took some time to discuss data centers and their potential impact on the community following Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s controversial appearance at OpenAI’s data center groundbreaking in Saline and a proposed data center on Detroit’s east side.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

WOMEN ARE DYING AT MICHIGAN’S ONLY FEMALE PRISON, AND LAWMAKERS ARE DEMANDING CHANGES 

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Roots & Wonder Podcast is a storytime space where little ones are invited to slow down, listen closely, and remember.Each episode retells beloved African folktales carried across generations through voice, rhythm, and imagination.

They also took some time to break down what’s happening with the contaminated demolition dirt in the city, which some believe led to the conclusion of Mike Duggan’s Gubenatorial campaign. 

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

MONEY OUT OF POLITICS BALLOT INITIATIVE TURNS IN 561K SIGNATURES 

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The discussion surrounded the creation of Divining Freedom, a novel written by Donna. This multigenerational story explores the legacy of the Great Migration, the building of Black institutions, and the women who carry communities forward when systems failed them.

They also spoke with JerJuan about his writing journey, and what it means to create and share Black literature within Black-owned spaces. The conversation serves as a reminder that storytelling is not only an art form, but a way of preserving memory, challenging systems, and imagining new possibilities for our communities

To purchase copies of Divining Freedom, click here.

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This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, author of The Black Utopians, and Michelle Adams, author of The Containment. Together, they explored the enduring relevance of Black Utopia, freedom, and justice in a timely conversation about history, place, and the futures we imagine.

To purchase copies of The Black Utopians and/or The Containment, click here.

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The Coalition On Temporary Shelter’s (COTS) dedication to the needs of homeless men, women, and children grew out of a meeting in 1981 between a group of church leaders and human service providers in downtown Detroit. Officially formed in 1982, they have a mission to address Detroit’s homelessness crisis by providing shelter and essential services that help participants achieve self-sufficiency.

On March 17th, Empowerment Plan - a Detroit-based, workforce development organization that produces sleeping bag coats for people experiencing homelessness - distributed its milestone 100,000th coat to COTS Detroit, its longest-running partner. 

Started by Veronika Scott in 2015, The Empowerment Plan creates significant economic impact by serving as a stepping stone out of poverty into a state of stability. The core of their work stems from an intensive 2-year employment model focused on providing job readiness training and support services to their workforce. 

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:

SUPREME COURT GUTTING OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT STRIPS BLACK POLITICAL POWER, EXPERTS SAY

BERNIE SANDERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN DETROIT AS PROGRESSIVES PICK BETWEEN EL-SAYED, MCMORROW

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Kevin leads resident engagement, community outreach, and program education efforts centered on housing stability, wealth building, and neighborhood empowerment across Detroit’s Eastside.

They also introduce the latest addition to the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, 482Forward Education Organizer, Arlyssa Heard. 

Arlyssa is taking 482Forward’s mission and turning it into a podcast! Have You Heard? Is a podcast dedicated to addressing school reform from all angles. Whether it be students, teachers, parents, or administrators - Arlyssa wants to talk to them all and get to the bottom of one question - how can we produce better outcomes for our students?

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

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Many celebrated over the weekend as Michigan progressives scored key victories. Michigan Democrats say they are closer together ahead of the midterm elections, despite the existing divisions within the party over foreign wars and corporate power.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Washtenaw County prosecutor Eli Savit secured nominations for Secretary of State and Attorney General at the endorsement convention.

However, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Jordan Acker were booed by party delegates on Sunday. The outbursts illustrated the major divide between Democrats as leaders attempt to unite ahead of the 2026 midterms. 

Acker was ultimately ousted by civil rights attorney Amir Makled as nominee for the University of Michigan Board of Regents while Stevens will face Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate Primary in August. 

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here.

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Welcome to the Amplify Outside podcast, a show with a mission of amplifying nuanced approaches to Intersectional Environmentalism centered in no other than Detroit, Michigan. 

For our first episode we meet host Ian John Solomon and speak with the City of Detroit’s Director of Sustainability Tepfirah Rushdan about what makes Detroit green.

Follow along on Socials @AmplifyOutside!

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As Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, (LEO), Kim Trent is charged with guiding and building support for efforts to boost the economic security of Michigan citizens through policy, strategic initiatives, programs and partnerships. Her leadership duties at LEO include serving as the key staffer to the Michigan Poverty Task Force. She leads the department’s prosperity division, which includes the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, Office of Global Michigan, Michigan Women’s Commission,  Michigan Community Service Commission, MI-STEM Council, and Black Leadership Advisory Council. She also serves as LEO’s Equity and Inclusion Officer.  

A native Detroiter with Michigan roots that stretch back to the 1830s, Trent holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University. She also completed graduate studies at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. She has completed fellowships with the American Political Science Association in Washington D.C. and the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University and is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program.

To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. 

DETROIT BY THE NUMBERS WITH ALEX B. HILL:

• 2,000

• Tree plantings planned by City of Detroit this spring (GSD)

• 25

• ICE arrests in the last week of March that local groups have responded to, if that is a weekly standard that is close to 100 Detroiters a month (Peoples Assembly Detroit)

• $3 billion

• Balanced budget proposal presented by Mayor Sheffield

• 65%

• Detroit landlords have a Detroit address (not sure if that is just the LLC though?) 93% own 1 or 2 properties, 62% are not associated with bad actor or speculator behavior

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Rooted in the profound legacy of his mama, Ava Jo—whose love, humor, and grit shaped him long before any degree—Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur carries her spirit in everything he does. Today, as the first Black and formerly incarcerated Executive Director of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities, Dr. Shakur brings that lived wisdom into building Just and Beloved Communities across Michigan. 

Joe Drew-Hundley is the Deputy Director of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities (MRJC). Joe’s relationship with MRJC began as a member of the Board of Directors, where he helped guide governance and strategy. Now, stepping into the Deputy Director role, he is focused on strengthening community partnerships, advancing MRJC’s values, and supporting Dr. Shakur and the team in building just and beloved communities across Michigan.

For more information on the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities and their work, click here. 

WHAT WE’RE READING FROM THE MI CHRONICLE:

DETROIT COUNCIL MEMBER: DATA CENTERS COULD GROW CITY'S GENERAL FUND

FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER JOE TATE WON'T SEEK REELECTION

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Eboni Taylor is a lifelong Detroiter and daughter of the Eastside. She believes that we deserve better, but more than that, she believes that we can dictate what "better" looks like together. Team Eboni believes we are at a pivotal moment where our communities need leaders with relentless & authentic advocacy. She wants a better Michigan for her parents, herself, and she especially wants a better Michigan for our future - her children and yours.

The Summer Arts Employment Training Program is led by Heritage Works in partnership with Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts(DEYA), Grow Detroit's Young Talent (GDYT) and 10 arts partners working across Detroit to provide creative training and paid workforce opportunities. Detroit youth will have opportunities to gain experience in dance, visual arts, technical theater, youth-led arts education, or arts activism – while also developing workplace skills including teamwork, communication, entrepreneurism, and project management.

For more information and to apply, click here.

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The Concert of Colors in Detroit is one of the nation’s longest-running, largest, free and global music festivals. It is music from around the world at its best.

The Concert of Colors was established by Ismael Ahmed – the former head of the human services organization ACCESS – and New Detroit in 1993 as a one-day event at Chene Park on Detroit's riverfront. The inaugural event drew a modest crowd to Chene Park, but by 1999, some 10,000 music lovers were coming out each year. The festival expanded to three days in 2001, when it was part of the official festivities for Detroit's 300th birthday, drawing an audience of 100,000.  In 2019, the concert expanded to nine days.

In 2026, as America marks its 250th anniversary, the Concert of Colors will honor the nation’s enduring spirit of unity, creativity, and resilience through its neighborhood programs. rooted in the belief that art is a bridge between people, this landmark visionary series brings the sounds and stories of Detroit's distinctive neighborhoods to life, connecting communities through shared heritage, dialogue, and hope. This project embraces and affirms the power of the arts to unite and uplift.

To register for Concert of Colors, click here. 

WHAT WE’RE READING FROM THE MI CHRONICLE:

• BENSON TALKS DATA CENTERS, RESPONDS TO RACIAL DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT

• INKSTER MAYOR CITES TLAIB'S LACK OF SUPPORT FOR KAMALA HARRIS IN CONGRESSIONAL CHALLENGE
• 
  36TH DISTRICT COURT WAIVES LATE FEES, WARRANT COSTS

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Ian John Solomon is an interdisciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan. After receiving his B.A. in broadcast journalism from Walter Cronkite School and a stint as a congressional reporter in D.C., he found his love for community activism and storytelling required a more expansive platform. Deeply motivated by environment, Ian uses land as foundation and guidance for artistic expression and questioning.

Ian has exhibited and won awards across the Midwest, including being a 2023 Summer Fellow at Ox-Bow School of Art, 2024 Playground Detroit Fellow and 2024 Cranbrook Art Museum Purchase Award Nominee. Ian has received two Emmy nominations, an Emmy Award and a First Place award from the Society of Professional Journalists as host of a PBS-Great Lakes Now series’ Ian Outside’. Beyond his artistic practice Ian founded Amplify Outside, a Detroit based organization Amplifying Black outdoor recreation.

To learn more about Ian Solomon and his work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY: MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS 'SQUANDERED' LEGISLATIVE TRIFECTA

BENSON: TRIPS TO SELMA'S EDMUND PETTUS BRIDGE 'CREATED MY WHOLE LIFE'

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In February, Brilliant Detroit unveiled a new partnership with Hitha Healing House that will allow the nonprofit to continue its programming, including its signature maternal wellness program, Nurturing Roots via Brilliant Detroit’s Central Hub following a December fire that rendered Hitha Healing House’s programming space unusable. The Hitha Healing House provides holistic maternal wellness services grounded in cultural healing traditions and trauma informed care.

Through the partnership, Hitha Healing House’s Nurturing Roots program will offer mothers up to ten paid wellness sessions following birth, including nutrition counseling, massage therapy, lactation support, chiropractic care and emotional wellness services at Brilliant Detroit.

To learn more about the partnership between Hitha Healing House and Brilliant Detroit, click here. 

Detroit By The Numbers with Alex B. Hill:

• $500 million Property assessment valuation announced by the Sheffield administration. Read more on Detroitography!
• 254,700 occurrences of eBird observations within the City of Detroit boundaries (including Belle Isle). From the eBird Observation Dataset.
• 23% - Jobs in City pay 23% more than state average (UM RSQE - research seminar in quantitative economics)
• 6,500 Respondents to the Detroit Rise Higher community survey from Mayor Mary Sheffield, if you haven’t yet check it out and provide your input.

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Anna, a two-time New York Times best-selling author, whose work explores the intersection of history, sociology and gender, is best known for her book The Three Mothers, which examines the lives and influence of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and James Baldwin.

Together, they honor these three mothers and discuss how their ideas, labor, and love shaped American history. They also connect their work to Detroit’s legacy, the erasure of women throughout history, and how Black women can reclaim their narratives in the present day.

To learn more about Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs and her work, click here. 

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The roots of BLAC began to take form in the heart of its founder, Dexter Sullivan, in the early 2000s. Then, in 2020, the world stopped as black residents were impacted at a disproportionate rate. Under the conditions of lockdown, we could no longer numb ourselves with the routine obligations of life and career. Instead, we were forced to reckon with the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual ramifications of actively witnessing black lives destroyed without the responsible parties being held accountable. 

As a coalition, they are driven by passion, healing and legacy-creation. While they strive toward a bold and powerful vision, they are clear that their efforts will require a commitment that spans decades and, perhaps, generations. Still, they are committed to creating a world that builds on the legacy of our ancestors who fought and died for centuries in an effort to secure our civil liberties and equity.

To learn more about Black Legacy Advancement Coalition (BLAC) and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

TERMINATION THREAT OVER DETROIT IMMIGRATION ARREST ANGERS MICHIGAN CONSERVATIVES

INTERNAL POLLING SHOWS BENSON LEADS JAMES AND DUGGAN IN RACE FOR MICHIGAN GOVERNOR

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At the heart of Black Bottom Archive’s work are the people (and their descendants) who lived, worked, and built lives in Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Their stories, resilience, and cultural contributions served as an inspiration for their organization. From entrepreneurs and artists to families and community leaders, these individuals embody the rich Black heritage they strive to preserve and celebrate.

To learn more about Black Bottom Archives and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

BLACK MAYORS BACK BENSON FOR MICHIGAN GOVERNOR

MIKE DUGGAN SAYS 'THE PAIN WHEN ICE IS IN YOUR COMMUNITY IS VERY REAL

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Healthcare Administration and African American history are the paths by which Stephanie has given a lifetime of public service. Her passion for both runs deep. She organically entered the path of preserving African American history in childhood as her father founded Detroit's Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. 

Brian Sullivan Taylor is a SAG-AFTRA actor, director, and acting coach from Southfield, Michigan. He has experience across film, television, theatre, commercial, print, and voiceover. brian is the founder of the award-winning Detroit Drama Studio, where he trains actors using the Ivana Chubbuck Technique. Brian is honored to portray Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on The Mountaintop. 

To learn more about Detroit Public Theatre and purchase tickets to The Mountaintop, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

HOLLIER DROPS SECRETARY OF STATE BID TO LAUNCH EASTSIDE STATE SENATE CAMPAIGN

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Founded by leaders from diverse nonprofit backgrounds, Thriveworks brings together organizations Corporate Development Institute (CDI) and Purposed Hands to create a “one-stop shop” for legal, financial, educational and family support.

Founded by Attorney Urenia Ricks-Johnson, Corporate Development Institute (CDI) is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and empowering underserved communities through financial literacy, youth mentorship and legal advocacy. 

Founded by Adelina Robinson, Purposed Hands is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to assisting low-income families in Westland, Detroit and surrounding areas. 

To learn more about CDI, Purposed Hands, and Thriveworks Coalition, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

'NATIONAL SHUTDOWN' IN DETROIT: CASS TECH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WALK OUT TO PROTEST ICE

DATA CENTERS, DIRTY DIRT AND DUGGAN VS. DEMOCRATS

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Community Housing Network empowers people to live in affordable homes to help build thriving communities. They envision a future where everyone can achieve stability, dignity, and opportunity. They aim to create thriving communities with affordable homes, connect individuals and families to essential resources, and foster a supportive workplace for their employees. 

Their work is rooted in the idea that decent, affordable, and stable housing is a necessary foundation for a healthy, successful life. 

For more information on Community Housing Network and their work, click here. 

FOR DETROIT BY THE NUMBERS WITH ALEX B. HILL:

• 4 District-wide school closures for snow or cold weather this month (DPSCD)
• 1,827 Households signed up for 5,000 spots in the Lifeline H2O water assistance program. (Outlier/DWSD)
• 50% Detroit Seniors spend 30%or more of income on housing costs (The Conversation)
• 6%  Census estimates show Detroit’s population at ~637 k with a high citizenship rate (~96.7 %) and a relatively small foreign-born share (~5.9 %) — below the average of 13% for other large cities. (Census)

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The Community Owner’s Representative Initiative (CORI) is building Detroit's capacity for equitable real estate development, poised to model a new way forward to deliver impact through technical assistance while training leaders in the field.CORI is a long-term partnership between proxy and CDAD driven by the belief that we all deserve access to beautiful, uplifting spaces — because good design is not a luxury, it is a decision.   

They believe that while the current ecosystem of funding, training, and coalition-building has strengthened the capacity of organizations to expand their programming and overall footprint in their communities. We need a systems-level approach to develop and preserve the real estate projects that neighborhoods need to thrive, not just projects that the private market will support.

For more information on CORI and to apply to the Quick + Equitable Fund, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

"GENERATIONAL CHANGE HAPPENING": MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS CROSS PATHS AT SHEFFIELD INAUGURATION

GILCHRIST ENDS GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN, LAUNCHES SECRETARY OF STATE BID

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They also sat down with the Co-Founder and Executive Director of 482Forward to discuss how their work helps Detroiters to become fully engaged participants in efforts to change Detroit for the better. 482Forward grew out of trial by fire. Many of the founding organizations had previous relationships and shared work in Detroit, but came together for a special purpose– to create the 482Forward network. 

Molly Sweeney and Jamila Martin, founding co-directors, convened a roundtable of community-based partners at Excellent Schools Detroit who were interested in engaging in education organizing in their neighborhoods.

Together, they are creating a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate her environment and change it for the better.

Sign up to gather signatures and join Love Beats Greed actions here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

JAMES TATE SELECTED AS DETROIT COUNCIL PRESIDENT 

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After nearly five decades of shaping Detroit’s civic, corporate, and community narratives, Georgella Muirhead, a trailblazer in public relations and communications, will retire at the end of 2025. Her retirement marks the culmination of an extraordinary career defined by leadership, integrity, and impact — and ushers in a bold chapter for 98Forward, one of Michigan’s most experienced and respected strategic PR and communications firms.

As 98Forward enters this next chapter, the firm remains anchored in the principles that have defined it for nearly 30 years: authenticity, strategy, and impact. With a Detroit soul and a national reach, the agency continues to lead with purpose — telling the stories that move communities, conversations, and the industry forward.

To learn more about 98Forward and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

THE MOTOR CITY CONTRACTOR FUND INVITES DETROIT CONTRACTORS TO PURSUE THE "ULTIMATE GIFT" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON: BIGGER, BETTER BUSINESS 

MICHIGAN QUICKLY DELETES GOVERNMENT CHATS, RAISING TRANSPARENCY QUESTIONS

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this final episode of the year, they confront ICE targeting of Detroit students and families, press local leaders on silence and accountability, and weigh how Michigan’s political shifts will shape real safety, housing, and power. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Sidewalk Detroit exists to advance public life and strong social infrastructure through the lens of arts, culture, collaborative design and deep engagement with residents. They practice an inclusive approach to creative city and neighborhood building that combines vision of residents, strategy, and artistic ideation to create engaging spaces, programs and experiences that improve communities across metro-detroit.

Echoes Soundmaps are created by placing audio files (voices, rhythms, poems, field recordings) onto specific zones on a digital map, like putting a pin on a google map, and then attaching/ uploading an audio file. Each zone can have its own shape, size, and behavior. These zones become invisible layers of sound over real places. When someone walks through the space with the echoes app, their phone’s gps triggers the audio in the zones they enter as they do the sound plays.

To learn more about Sidewalk Detroit, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN OFFICIALS INSIST 2019 AUTO NO-FAULT LAW LOWERED CAR INSURANCE RATES. IT DIDN'T 

PARAMOUNT LAUNCHES HOSTILE BID FOR WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY DESPITE NETFLIX DEAL

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they trace Detroit’s housing failures from the Leland House scare to a subsidy-first market that missed real demand, then turn to solutions that center seniors, families, and accountability. Then, Maxwell Murray shows how DCFC and the Urban Football League use street soccer, food, and learning to reclaim space and teach civic power.

Maxwell is a Detroit native and founder of The Urban Football League. He joined Detroit City FC in March 2024 to support youth programming and expand access to the game across Detroit. A proud Detroiter, he first connected with the club as a summer intern in 2017. He studied African and Black Diasporic Studies at DePaul University, where he founded The Urban Football League to use soccer as a tool for cultural expression and community building. At DCFC, he leads efforts to break down barriers to participation and chairs the Youth Travel Program’s Community Resource Group.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Detroit Promise provides every eligible Detroit high school graduate with a tuition-free path to college or trade school. Since its launch in 2013, the program has supported more than 6,000 students, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent Detroit's students from pursuing higher education.

As Detroit Promise’s CEO, Onjila will focus on advancing the organization’s strategic priorities, which include increasing awareness of the program among middle-school and high-school students, strengthening partnerships with colleges and employers, and expanding student supports to improve persistence and completion rates.

To learn more about Detroit Promise and their work, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

WITH CLOCK TICKING ON 2025, MICHIGAN OFFICIALS EYE BIZ INCENTIVES DEAL 

IMMIGRATION AGENTS ARREST TWO DETROIT TEENS, NOW HELD IN TEXAS

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Established in 2005 with the mission to bring life and hope to the east side of Detroit, LifeBUILDERS seeks to restore a community that had suffered the devastating effects of disinvestment for nearly 20 years.

They seek to help form new connections in the neighborhood by providing a place for neighbors to come together and have times of fellowship and help form a neighborhood that’s based on mutual support.

After 18 years of effort, millions of dollars, and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer help, the Regent Park community is now in the spotlight of future development and investment plans by the City of Detroit. People have hope, and want to live in the community.

For more information on LifeBUILDERS Detroit, click here. 

DETROIT BY THE NUMBERS WITH ALEX B. HILL:

1. 588 PAGES OF DETROIT REPARATIONS TASKFORCE REPORT.

2. 36.6% DETROIT HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON SNAP (25.9% OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN) (U.S. CENSUS, ACS 1-YEAR ESTIMATES)

3. $63M SPENT ON HOME REPAIRS IN 2024, MOSTLY FUNDED BY ARPA (43.5% OF FUNDING), 3058 HOME REPAIR INTERVENTIONS, 2,628 ADDRESSES

4. 11,021 RESEARCH-GRADE OBSERVATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF DETROIT ON INATURALIST (DETROITDATA)

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they trace how a demolition contractor without proper bonding left subcontractors unpaid, raised environmental risks through contaminated backfill, and exposed failures in selection, oversight, and ethics. They also discuss the WNBA’s Detroit return and the debate over what to name the team. Finally, they break down a high-stakes fight over DTE rate hikes plus their proposed AI data center whose impact on the environment and customer rates remain unknown. Together they take a look at how statewide politics are shaping oversight and the future of environmental justice.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, they explore a father-centered approach to maternal and infant health and the policy changes that make it possible, as well as Detroit’s new council voice on housing, transit, environmental justice, and participatory budgeting.

SEMPQIC is leading a groundbreaking initiative to fully embrace fatherhood, especially in the lives of Black children. Their Black Fatherhood Initiative directly addresses the stark disparities in maternal health outcomes faced by Black mothers by elevating the often-overlooked role of fathers.

For more information on SEMPQIC’s Black Fatherhood Initiative, click here. 

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After months of forums and one-on-ones with candidates, they share why this landslide felt inevitable and why it has to translate into results at the neighborhood level. Early voting helped lift turnout to 22% this year, now they hope to keep people engaged with creating progress.

They believe a Detroit for everyone requires concrete action on affordable housing, home repair grants, inclusionary development, better transit, and jobs that actually employ Detroiters.

For more episodes of Authentically Detroit, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

SENATE ADVANCES PLAN TO END HISTORIC SHUTDOWN IN BIPARTISAN BREAKTHROUGH

AS DTE SEEKS SPEEDY APPROVAL TO POWER MASSIVE DATA CENTER, SOME OFFICIALS PUSH BACK 

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They also unpack the media narratives swirling around the mayoral race, why they matter for young Black leadership in Detroit, and the government shutdown’s impact on EBT and food security across Michigan.

The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across their differences to make a better future for all. They are a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. They want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.

Together, they break down the Working Families Party’s “inside-outside” strategy in Michigan: start small, build infrastructure, recruit multiracial working-class candidates, and create a values-based bloc that can negotiate policy, not just win headlines.

To learn more about the Working Families Party and how to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

ETHICS RULES DIDN'T REQUIRE SHEFFIELD TO DISCLOSE PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE PARTIAL SNAP PAYMENTS AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON 

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they weigh Detroit’s debate flashpoint over federal collaboration, trace how crime narratives collide with community violence intervention, and unpack why history makes National Guard talk a red line. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Founded in 2021, Faust Haus Roasting Company started as a family venture aiming to educate the public on coffee’s African roots, specifically from Ethiopia. Based in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market Faust Haus Roasting Co., is a coffee roasting company that specializes in high-quality coffees from across the African diaspora. They offer wholesale options for partners, allowing for both coffee service in cafes and individual retail sale of their 12oz bags. This black-owned company, founded by Derek English, is known for its artisanal approach and commitment to robust flavors and responsible growth. Alongside their product offerings, Faust Haus is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and providing relief to those in need.

Imani Foster is Chief Operating Officer of In The Mix Detroit, a collective of Black farmers and gardeners making a huge sustainability impact in Detroit. Essentially, In the Mix helps farmers bring their fresh food to market; providing resources like gardening supplies, educational workshops and an inviting community that welcomes newcomers. 

To stay up to date with Happy Hour in the Market and learn more, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

THOUSANDS MARCH IN DETROIT NO KINGS PROTEST REBUKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they dig into the contrast between rhetoric and results, what power should look like and who it should serve. The conversation gives a preview into this week’s mayoral debate between Council President Mary Sheffield and Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. Immigration reform, environmental justice, and fair housing all take center stage in this deep dive on how to build a credible record through community impact and structural results. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they honor Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, expose deceptive voter ID petition tactics, and map a local plan to protect democracy through civic education, youth leadership, and independent media. From federal overreach to neighborhood organizing, they connect history, narrative, and action in Detroit.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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A routine post‑show photo shouldn’t become a campaign endorsement—and since it did, they had to talk about the cost. Together, they take a candid look at how a political mailer misused their image, why consent and context matter, and what journalistic neutrality protects for the whole community.

Next, they dig into attendance and accountability in Lansing after a Detroit lawmaker missed the vast majority of session days. And finally, they walk listeners through a “protect the vote” petition circulating at store entrances. Although it comes with a friendly pitch, its confusing details and requirements function as voter suppression. 

Tune in for a conversation on ethics in media, community safety, voter rights, and what it takes to build trust one honest act at a time.

For more episodes of Authentically Detroit, click here!

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These three council contenders lay out clear plans for housing, transit, youth opportunity, immigrant safety, and how to check mayoral power while delivering real neighborhood wins.

If you care where your tax dollars land, how trucks move past your home, or whether your teenager will find a fair shot here, this conversation is for you. Listen, share with a neighbor, and let us know your top neighborhood needs. And if these deep dives help you vote smarter, please follow the show, rate us, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps more Detroiters find the conversation.

To learn more about who’s running for office in Michigan, click here.

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Ederique “E” Goudia is a native of Louisiana who brings a bit of Creole flavor and southern hospitality to Detroit, Michigan! With over twenty years of experience in the restaurant industry, she founded In the Business of Food, a foodservice-based consulting agency for women and POC-owned food businesses. She also co-created Taste the Diaspora Detroit, a food agency focused on celebrating foods of the African diaspora while helping to strengthen the Black food system in Detroit.

Imani Foster is Chief Operating Officer of In The Mix Detroit, a collective of Black farmers and gardeners making a huge sustainability impact in Detroit. Essentially, In the Mix helps farmers bring their fresh food to market; providing resources like gardening supplies, educational workshops and an inviting community that welcomes newcomers.

Happy Hour in the Market brings it all together: buyers and chefs step onto farms, tour beds, see price lists, and build relationships over music and mocktails. With roughly 3,000 farms and gardens and 1,900 licensed food businesses in Detroit, the opportunity is massive.

Join us for Happy Hour in the Market on October 20th at the Stoudemire inside Eastside Community Network for music, community, and a live Authentically Detroit show. Plus, make sure to stop by Shed 5 on Saturday and mention the show for $2 off a two-pound mirepoix.

For more information on Happy Hour in the Market, click here!

Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

1. 100% Pay gap between Detroit jobs (commuters) and Detroiters with jobs. 
2. 48,823 DPSCD student enrollment is up! This same time in 2024: 48,386 and 2023: 47,401. 
3. 44 Units of unsubsidized market-rate housing built in 2025. 
4. 20 Detroit is bordered by 20 other municipalities including two fully surrounded by the city, and one international city.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they discuss President Trump’s threat to deploy the national guard in the city. Together they unpack how this rhetoric stems from dehumanization rather than genuine concern for Detroit residents and how these same dynamics show up in local politics. Including ballot initiatives that hide voter suppression under the guise of protecting democracy and campaign mailers falsely implying the endorsement of candidates. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Adam Hollier joins Donna and Sam to discuss his decision to end his congressional race and instead join the race for Michigan Secretary of State. During the conversation Adam positions himself as uniquely qualified to protect Michigan’s electoral system against potential threats, highlighting his commitment to ensuring that votes will be counted fairly. 

Together they dive into Detroit’s evolving political landscape through multiple lenses, including the possibility of Detroiters electing a woman as mayor for the first time. Adam also reveals his stance on the money out of politics movement and why he’s accepting donations from organizations like AIPAC during an ongoing genocide. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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In 1981, a young lawyer, fresh out of Harvard law school, joined the Reagan administration’s Department of Justice, taking up a cause that had been fomenting in Republican circles for over a decade by that point. From his perch inside the Reagan DOJ, this lawyer would attempt to bring down one of the defining pieces of 20th century legislation—the Voting Rights Act. His name was John Roberts.

Now lauded investigative reporter David Daley reveals the urgent story of this fifty-year Republican plot to end the Voting Rights Act and encourage minority rule in their party’s favor. From the bowels of Reagan’s DOJ to the walls of the conservative Federalist Society to the moneyed Republican resources bankrolling restrictive voting laws today, Daley reveals a hidden history as sweeping as it is troubling. 

To learn more about Anti-Democratic: Inside the Far Right’s 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT GETS $19.8M FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION TO BOOST ART, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

CITY OF DETROIT SLAMS ROGERS FOR CALLING ON TRUMP TO SEND TROOPS 

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they discuss how corporate money is strangling Detroit's democracy, and politicians who claim to represent citizens are increasingly serving other interests. Following Karen Whitsett's troubling vote, where she sided with Republicans on issues vital to Detroit residents, they examined how financial influence corrupts our political system and what citizens can do to fight back.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Tammara Howard, founder of What About Us Inc., has had a 55-year journey on Belvidere Street, where she's created a grassroots organization serving Detroit's Gratiot Woods neighborhood. From a youth block club started in 1999 to today's five community spaces including a resilience hub, Howard demonstrates how resident leadership creates lasting change.

Quincy Jones and Chandra McMillion are two of the leaders behind Detroit's CDO Expo, which brought together 37 community development organizations to showcase their collective impact. Held at New Lab in Michigan Central Station, the event highlighted the professional, data-driven work these organizations are doing across Detroit.

The conversation reveals how these grassroots leaders are reclaiming Detroit's narrative by proving neighborhoods can be revitalized without displacing residents. Their work represents a powerful counterpoint to the notion that people must leave Detroit to find a better quality of life.

If you want to support What About Us Inc., contact 313-918-9604 or send donations to the cash app $1234WhatAboutUsInc.

Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

1. 90% OF DETROIT POLLING PLACES HAVE ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES 
2. $144 MILLION INVESTED IN BELLE ISLE SINCE 2014 
3. 96 EVENTS FOR DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN IN SEPTEMBER 
4. $2 MILLION SPENT BY MAYORAL CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY 

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Imani Foster of 482Forward joined them to discuss the Invest in Michigan’s Kids campaign.

482Forward is creating a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate her environment and change it for the better.They believe all children have the right to an excellent education, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Kalimah Johnson, Founder and CEO of the SASHA Center, to discuss how they are supporting and empowering Black people who have experienced sexual assault. 

At the SASHA Center, Kalimah’s mission is to increase awareness, provide resources and educate the public about sexual assault, provide culturally specific peer support groups to self identified experiencers of rape and to increase justice and visibility for survivors in Southeast Michigan.

Kalimah is a highly esteemed expert therapist who has made a significant impact in the field of mental health and relationship counseling. She has been an advocate and counselor to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence for 24 years and is an industry expert on topics related to culturally specific programming for sexual assault survivors.

To learn more about Kalimah, the SASHA Center and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT ANNOUNCES NEW ‘EMERALD ALERT’ FOR SERIOUS MISSING PERSONS CASES

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The mission of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic is to provide free, high-quality medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for low-income and uninsured patients.  In addition, their goal is to ensure that treatment is provided in a caring, compassionate and dignified atmosphere.

With the recent Medicaid changes putting over 700,000 Michigan residents at risk of losing coverage, the role of free clinics has never been more critical. At GBCHC, they provide medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and specialty care at no cost to patients. The clinic is on the front lines of health equity, offering an innovative, community-driven solution to a statewide healthcare access crisis.

If you're uninsured, underinsured, or interested in learning more about the GBCHC, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MARY SHEFFIELD, SOLOMON KINLOCH WIN DETROIT'S MAYORAL PRIMARY

MICHIGAN PAUSES CONTROVERSIAL I-375 CHANGES IN DETROIT, CITING COST AND PUSHBACK 

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the shocking results of the 2025 primary election where Mary Sheffield received over 50% of the vote and Solomon Kinloch and Saunteel Jenkins battled for second and third place respectively. These results reveal a shift in Detroit politics with surprising outcomes in several city council races, setting up dramatic contests for the November general election.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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The Detroit City Appointments Project is working to find candidates who are committed to the public good. The project works with organizations from around the city, state and country, to cultivate a robust list of candidates for over 100 mayor appointed or mayor nominated positions. Additionally, DCAP works to inform agendas for key agencies, leveraging the power of organized people throughout the city.

To learn more about the Detroit City Appointments Project, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN BALLOT INITIATIVE AIMS TO REVEAL 'DARK MONEY' DONORS BEHIND POLITICAL ADS

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the final stretch of Detroit’s mayoral primary race and candidates' last appeals to voters across neighborhoods. Campaign finance records reveal who’s funding the race while candidates face scrutiny over past actions, outside money influences, and policy positions on issues affecting Detroit's future.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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They began with a brand-new segment, "Detroit by the Numbers" featuring Alex B Hill of Detroitography who breaks down surprising statistics shaping our city. These numbers tell a powerful story about civic participation, energy infrastructure, and housing vulnerability that affects every resident.

Next, they welcomed Chef Keisha, crowned champion at Detroit is Different’s 2025 Collard Green Cook-Off. Her Alabama-inspired greens earned a perfect score from the judges. More than just a culinary triumph, her story celebrates the cultural preservation work happening through food traditions that bring Detroiters together.

Finally, they explored a groundbreaking educational partnership as Robin Kinnie of Audio Engineers of Detroit discussed their recent collaboration with Ferris State University. This alliance creates a clear pathway for Detroiters to transform technical training into university credits toward a bachelor's degree. 

From voter statistics to soul food traditions to educational innovation, this episode showcases the people working to preserve Detroit's cultural legacy while creating new opportunities for its future. 

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Kenneth Russell, a rising junior at Southeastern High School, joins them to provide a youth perspective on politics in Detroit, the mayoral race, and how politicians can do a better job of reaching young voters.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Donald Rencher assumed the role of President and CEO at the Hudson Webber Foundation in February 2024. Prior to his tenure at the foundation, Rencher served as the Group Executive for Housing, Planning & Development for the City of Detroit, a role he held since January 2021. 

Rencher's impact on Detroit's landscape is undeniable, having held progressive leadership positions within the city for nine years. Rencher's leadership and commitment to equitable urban development make him a driving force in shaping the future of Detroit's built environment and ensuring opportunities for all its residents.

To learn more about Donald Rencher and his work with the Hudson Webber Foundation, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

VOTER TURNOUT WAS UP DURING MICHIGAN'S 2024 ELECTION. FIGURING OUT EXACTLY WHY MAY BE TOUGH. 

IN THE PAST 50 YEARS, WE'VE LOST MORE THAN 150 MAJORITY-BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the significant issues around gender bias in candidate coverage and how a troubling generational gap in voter participation skews elections toward older residents' interests.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Bryce Huffman, Bridge Detroit’s Engagement Editor, joined Donna and Sam to discuss how Detroit's mayoral and council races are unfolding as candidates learn from each other and adapt their platforms to community feedback, creating a dynamic competition of ideas that could reshape the city's political landscape.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Abdul is running for the U.S. Senate because he believes life in Michigan shouldn’t be this hard — or this expensive. After a successful career of making government work for Michiganders, he wants to take his vision to Washington and make the United States Senate work for you. 

He was born and raised in southeast Michigan and proudly attended public schools where he captained his high school football, wrestling, and lacrosse teams. Abdul was raised by his father, Mohamed, an Egyptian immigrant, and his stepmom, Jackie, whose family has lived in Gratiot County, Michigan, since the 1800s. he graduated from the university of michigan with the highest distinction and played on the wolverines men’s lacrosse team. Abdul earned his medical degree from Columbia University on an NIH-funded fellowship and a second doctorate at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. 

Abdul currently lives in Ann Arbor with his wife, Sarah, and their two brilliant young daughters, Emmalee and Serene.

To learn more about Adbul El-Sayed and his vision for Michigan, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the importance of participating in Detroit’s August 5th primary election. They go over how political endorsements are creating interesting divisions, District 5’s diversity of interesting city council candidates, low projected voter turnout (13%-18%), and whether or not Zohran Mamdani’s victory for democratic socialists in NYC could have an impact on Detroit’s politics. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Garlin is running for Governor to build on the progress of the Whitmer-Gilchrist administration by bringing bold new ideas to help Michiganders thrive. Growing up in Detroit, Garlin knows what it feels like to be part of communities across Michigan, the Midwest, and country that have been forgotten. 

Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor, Garlin worked at Microsoft as a software engineer that helped build SharePoint into the fastest growing product in the company’s history. As the City of Detroit’s Director of Innovation, he created the Improve Detroit smartphone app that allows residents to report issues for the city to address like running water, potholes, damaged street signs, and other issues.

Garlin is the highest ranking Black elected official in Michigan history.

To learn more about Garlin Gilchrist and his vision for Michigan, click here.

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Joel Haashiim believes that for radical change we must refocus our energy from fighting the old, to building the new. At 20 years old, he opened up his first store called brothers party store on 7mile and Hartwell. Afterwards, he opened two more stores. Later, he sold those stores and became a wholesaler and distributor. Throughout his career, he sold to chain stores like Kmart, Spartan, and Wynn Dixie.

He has experienced and witnessed the many ups and downs Detroit has gone through. That's why he stepped up to the plate. He believes he understands what is needed for our city to come out of the mud and regain the crown we once had. For Joel, this is about us and making sure we Detroiters will have a say in the revitalization of our great city.

To learn more about Joel Haashiim and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Candidates in Attendance:

• Fred Durhal III
• Saunteel Jenkins
• Todd Perkins
• Mary Sheffield

The debate included questions and topics specifically highlighted by the audience members. If you’re interested in watching the full debate, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discussed Detroit’s first televised mayoral debate which revealed deep division amongst the candidates. The debate which featured four out of nine candidates exposed some of the strengths and weaknesses of those seeking Detroit’s top office. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Black Democracy Project interns - Antwan Hart and Sedrick Huff Jr. - from the MSU Innovate Program joined the conversation around Detroit’s alleged comeback. Both Antwan and Sedrick are political science majors on the pre-law track at Michigan State with an interest in reforming the criminal justice system. These impressive rising leaders will be assisting with the Black Democracy Project over the summer.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, they discuss the upcoming mayoral debate partnership and the surprising withdrawal of candidate Solomon Kinloch Jr. from this community forum. They explore how campaign finances and strategic choices provide windows into how these candidates might govern, with Mary Sheffield recently crossing the million-dollar fundraising threshold.

This collaborative episode between Authentically Detroit and Daily Detroit demonstrates our commitment to putting community needs above competition. Join us at the Eastside Community Network on June 21st as we bring the remaining mayoral candidates face-to-face with the community's most pressing questions. 

For more information about the upcoming debate, click here. 

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James Craig began his career as a Detroit police officer in 1977. After gaining experience in Detroit, he continued his law enforcement career in Los Angeles, where he spent nearly three decades with the LAPD.

In 2013, James Craig returned home to Detroit to take on one of the toughest law enforcement jobs in the country—leading the Detroit police department

He is running for mayor because he believes Detroit needs bold, decisive leadership that puts the people first. he understands that crime, economic growth, education, and government transparency are top concerns for Detroiters, and he has a plan to address them head-on.

To learn more about James Craig and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Rogelio Landin is a longtime community activist. He has a long history of being involved in Latino civil rights groups in Southwest Detroit. He is currently president of the state chapter of United Latin American citizens (LULAC). He's a contributing political columnist for El Central newspaper in Detroit and in recent years has been involved in five neighborhood advisory committees.

He believes in part that by annexing 28 “distressed” communities in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, Detroit will once again have the clout to solve many of the city's woes. 

To learn more about Rogelio Landin and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode A. Nzere Kwabena, Executive Director of LGBT Detroit joined Donna and Sam to discuss homophobia in the local Democratic party following homophobic comments made and supported by prominent members of the party. Together they explore how religious views impact political representation, mental and physical challenges affecting LGBTQ+ Detroiters, and the importance of politicians showing up for the community rather than merely claiming support.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Jonathan Barlow is a Detroit Public Schools graduate, attendee of Wayne State University, CEO, and lifelong advocate for youth, families, and entrepreneurs. He has spent over 20 years fighting for Detroit’s future, helping homeowners during the foreclosure crisis, building businesses that create jobs, and working with city leaders to drive economic growth.

Jonathan is running for mayor because he believes Detroit deserves leadership that works for all of us - not just the few. His vision is to bring good-paying jobs, affordable housing, modernized city services, and innovative technology solutions that will propel Detroit forward.

To learn more about Jonathan Barlow and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the upcoming 2025 election and how it's bound to change the landscape of Detroit. They take a look at the mayoral, Congressional District 13, and city council races and how identity politics intersects with substantive policy positions. Overall, the question remains which candidates will represent neighborhood interests, serve as effective checks on executive power, and govern with integrity.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Todd Perkins grew up in the North End, raised by parents who instilled in them the values of hard work, education, faith, and integrity. The home he lives in today was purchased by his great-grandparents nearly a century ago. As a proud graduate of The University of Detroit Jesuit High School, he credits them with instilling the mission of being “A man for others.”

As the founder and owner of one of Detroit’s largest Black-Owned law firms, The Perkins Law Group, he’s dedicated his career - spanning three decades - to serving the city. In addition to his law firm, he founded and has continued to operate a sports management company representing athletes from their high school to and through their professional careers. 

Todd also leads a nonprofit organization, The People’s Voice, dedicated to giving back to Detroiters. He believes that together - with bold, experienced, and compassionate leadership that puts people first - we can make Detroit a better place.

To learn more about Todd Perkins and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Arlyssa Heard, Parent Leader and Education Organizer with 482Forward, joins Donna and Sam to discuss how real change requires both political and grassroots activism in order to create the strongest resistance against injustice.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Reverend Larry Simmons rejoins Donna and Sam to discuss how we can restore Detroiters’ faith in democracy and community during these times of crisis. They explore what’s possible for Detroiters as local elected officials focus on military investments and insist that providing necessities, such as affordable housing, is not the role of government.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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Mary Sheffield is a native Detroiter with a demonstrated track record of service,  empowerment and leadership in the community. Currently serving as the City Council President, Mary has earned widespread admiration for her unwavering commitment to uplifting her constituents and fostering positive change. Mary's deep-rooted passion for her hometown fuels her tireless efforts to make a difference. 

In November of 2013, Mary embarked on her journey of service and made history by becoming the youngest person ever elected to the Detroit City Council at the age of 26. Mary's visionary leadership and collaborative spirit have helped shape policies that promote inclusivity, equity, and opportunity for all Detroiters. 

With a keen focus on revitalizing neighborhoods, creating economic opportunities, and ensuring access to essential services, Mary has become a beacon of hope for residents across the city. 

To learn more about Mary Sheffield and her vision for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, they are joined by the Director of Community Engagement and Organizing at MACC Development, City of Detroit Reparations Task Force member, and East Side Queen - Edythe Ford to discuss passing the political torch to the next generation of Detroiters. 

To learn more about Edythe and her legacy, click here.

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Fred Durhal III is a Detroit City Councilmember, representing District 7 since 2021. He also serves as the Chair of the Budget, Finance, and Audit Standing Committee and Vice-chair of the Planning and Development Standing Committee. 

Durhal’s legislative career began in 2014 when he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 5th House District. He quickly rose to leadership roles, including Assistant House Democratic Leader and Minority Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. 

Durhal’s passion for improving Detroit extends beyond his official duties, having volunteered with organizations like AmeriCorps, Habitat for Humanity, and UAW Local 60006. His focus remains on stabilizing neighborhoods, increasing public safety, and fostering economic development throughout Detroit.

To learn more about Fred Durhal III and his vision for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, they are joined by author, community builder, and founder of Umoja Debate League - Jerjuan Howard - to discuss how he went from law school hopeful to shaping the minds of Detroit’s youth with the art of debate. 

To learn more about Jerjuan and Umoja Debate League, click here.

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Saunteel Jenkins is a lifelong Detroiter, former Detroit City Council President, gun violence prevention advocate, and former CEO of The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW), where she kept families healthy, safe, and warm.  

Saunteel worked as a social worker, director of the residential treatment center at the Mariners Inn homeless shelter for men in Detroit, national business development director for a private education company that provides services to low-income children in at-risk school districts, and at one time ran her own dessert catering company, Petite Sweets.

She is a proud graduate of Cass Technical High School and Wayne State University, where she earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work.

To learn more about Saunteel Jenkins and her six priorities for Detroit, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, they are joined by community advocate and candidate for city council in District 7, Denzel McCampbell to discuss the role of city council in a strong mayor city, why he’s running, and what voters should expect. 

To learn more about Denzel and his campaign, click here.

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Utilizing facts published by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, they define the new normal as the dismantling of our government’s systems and institutions. Together, they come up with practical solutions and also invite the audience to offer wisdom and share strategies of resistance. 

As President & CEO of NEW, Yodit stewards their bold vision, strategic direction and overall operations. A mother, poet, strategist, and champion for human rights and social change, she first joined NEW as a consultant in 2008, and became CEO in 2020. 

Yodit thrives in building community around the questions that matter most; how can we unlock the potential and possibility needed to radically transform our communities, see the ecosystem and the whole, and design and act in ways that bend the long arc of history towards balance and harmony?

For more information on Yodit’s work with NEW, click here.

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Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, they are joined by Kamau Clark, the Southeast Michigan Lead Organizer for We The People Michigan, to discuss how he got into organizing, his role in this year’s elections, and how to engage young people in local politics. 

Topics of Discussion include:

• The opening of the Hudson’s building
• The validity of research methodology of Black and Hispanic wealth increases
• Community Violence Intervention (CVI) as an alternative to policing
• The male loneliness epidemic and right wing messaging 
• Defining the working class
• Journalism's role in highlighting the working class

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Detroitography is a project started by Alex to bring together Detroit cartographers and their work. In 2021, he wrote that although over the past decade, redlining has received increased attention in popular press and across academic disciplines, there’s a larger story of spatial racism before and after redlining. 

Alex argues that spatial racism is not limited to a single set of maps, but is embedded within institutions. Now, he wants the long history of spatial racism teased out and examined as new data-driven practices have resulted in “orange lining” that generates inequitable opportunities for Detroiters. 

To read Alex’s full write up of how spacial racism is impacting Detroit, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CHAMPION, FATHER, HUSBAND, DIES AFTER CORONAVIRUS DIAGNOSIS 

DETROIT 67 EXHIBIT BECOMES PERMANENT, DEDICATED TO MARLOWE STOUDAMIRE

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The purpose of this podcast is to encourage Detroit's citizens to stay vigilant in the fight for justice and equality, with a special call to action for Black Detroit. We seek to build awareness of our history as a gateway to freedom, a beacon for justice, and a laboratory of liberation. Together, Donna and Sam will illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this inaugural episode, they are joined by the one and only Reverend Larry Simmons, the Executive Director of Brightmoor Alliance who has been a fixture in the city of Detroit for decades. Topics of Discussion include:

• Emergency Management vs. DOGE
• Financialization of Detroit
• Race war vs. Class war
• Environmental Justice
• Immigrant labor exploitation and historical oppression of Black people
• The upcoming 2025 Detroit mayoral and city council elections

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Rev. Solomon Kinloch, Jr., was born to the late Solomon, Sr. and Janie Kinloch on July 28, 1973.He has been a minister since the age of 14, beginning under the tutelage of rev. Robert Smith, Jr. at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1998, pastor Kinloch accepted the call to pastor at triumph church, in detroit, michigan. At the beginning of his tenure, Triumph's membership was less than 50 people. Under Kinloch's visionary leadership, Triumph church has since blossomed into a multi-site phenomenon, utilizing eight campuses and hosting fourteen weekly services for more than 35,000 members.

Extraordinary growth and dynamic leadership has helped drive Triumph's community outreach and ministry initiatives. Pastor Kinloch currently serves on the board of directors for various civic and community organizations. He is married to his best friend, and partner for life, Robin, and together they have one son, Kadin Elijah.

To learn more about pastor Kinloch, click here. 

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The Detroit Travel Company was created in December 2016 by Detroit native and Navy veteran, Imani Elie. Created as a boutique travel business, DTC has evolved into a multifaceted company known for its luxury travel experiences, adventure practices, and retail success. 

Today, DTC is a full-service hospitality company offering a one-of-a-kind mix of travel, concierge, event planning, and retail services.

Under Imani’s leadership, DTC is more than just a business—it's a platform to empower others, bring people together, and put Detroit on the map as a global destination for travelers and event-goers alike.

To learn more about Detroit Travel Co., click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

BARRIER-BREAKING DETROIT JOURNALIST AND MUSICIAN LUTHER KEITH DIES AT 74 

BID TO BUILD BRIGHTER FUTURES AT THE GREAT BIG AUCTION

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Kenneth Russell is a young artist and sophomore at Southeastern High School who has been learning to combine his artistic background with civic engagement through the Vaulted Youth Voices podcasting program. 

Umoja Fine Arts (UFA) is a family-owned art publishing and distribution company committed to helping the Detroit Metropolitan area celebrate the great artistic achievements of local and internationally acclaimed artist. 

Founded by Ian Grant, they recently organized the Black History Month Youth Artist Workshop, an initiative dedicated to celebrating African American creativity and fostering the next generation of artists while encouraging the preservation of Black history and Culture through art.

To learn more about Umoja Fine Arts and Ian’s work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN SCHOOLS, FAMILIES GRAPPLE WITH NEW TRUMP IMMIGRATION POLICIES

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The trio discussed Sam’s insights about the convention and the implications for Detroit’s residents and leadership. Together, they explore the future of Detroit’s governance and how it will impact the community moving forward. 

Detroit one million is a journalism project centering a generation of Michiganders growing up in a state without a city with 1 million people, and the competing forces working to bring people back.

Sam is currently the only independent reporter covering the 2025 Detroit mayoral race through the lens of young people, who the city’s current mayor calls “Michigan’s greatest export.”

To learn more about Detroit one million and Sam’s work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS OVERHAUL PAID LEAVE, WAGE LAWS IN LAST-MINUTE DEAL

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Launched in 2019 by serial entrepreneur and nonprofit executive Racheal Allen, OSchool serves more than 1,200 students per year free of charge, helping them get their businesses legal, branded, operational, noticed, profitable, and ready to scale. 

Allen founded OSchool to help Black business owners beat the odds by drawing on lessons from her own experiences as an entrepreneur and modeling it into her flagship curriculum, “Get Your Business Legit.”

Housed in Centric Place, a first-of-its-kind incubation space for Black arts, culture and entrepreneurship in Farmington Hills, OSchool is expanding its reach through partnerships with the Apple Developer Academy, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation, and the Michigan Black Business Alliance. 

It also now has the financial backing of a 3-year, $2.8 million Small Business Support Hubs Grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Allen was the only African American to receive the funding out of 27 recipients across Michigan.

For more information on Racheal and the OSchool, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

THE REAL ESTATE SCHEME GOBBLING UP DETROIT, ONE DIGITAL TOKEN AT A TIME

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Detroit's current political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the mayoral race heats up, with key candidates vying for the position amid pressing social issues and community needs. 

This discussion highlights the desire for compassionate leadership and deeper engagement with residents. They also tackle critical topics like immigration policies and how they affect us locally as well as public health concerns around the closure of Lafayette Coney Island.

If you have topics you want discussed on Authentically Detroit, click here!

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Lawrence Lamont got his start shooting music videos for Grammy-Nominated Artist, Big Sean. Previously Lawrence directed multiple episodes of HBOMax's Rap Sh!t Season 1 and 2, produced by HOORAE Productions. He also completed a pilot for HBOMax and shot the Detroit Pistons branding campaign for the 2022-2023 season. 

“One Of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA, serves as his feature directorial debut. The film follows best friends and roommates Druex (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) after they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

To watch the trailer for “One Of Them Days,” click here.

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Marc’s story is a testament to the collaborative spirit that can drive significant social change. In 2009, Marc Alexander was a senior at Kettering University struggling to finance his next semester of school. When word of his struggles to secure a student loan reached his local paper, he was blessed to receive an anonymous check in the mail to cover the rest of his education. The check came with one message, "Pay it forward," and Marc set out to do exactly that.

In his mission to support other students struggling to finance their education, Marc created the company Lite Tuition, a social tech company that empowers students to increase their fundraising potential through a custom built crowdfunding platform.  Light Tuition is a beacon of hope for those burdened by financial struggles due to student loans debt.

For more information on Marc Alexander and Lite Tuition, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

WAYNE COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR, HUSBAND FACE GUN CHARGES AFTER DISPUTE OVER 10-CENT CAN DEPOSIT

HOW DETROIT WANTS TO SPEND $346 MILLION IN FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY AID

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Sarah Alvarez, the visionary force behind Outlier Media, believes the best local reporting is a service that responds directly to community needs and reduces harm. In 2016, Outlier Media began as a “Txt Outlier” a texting service delivering critical information to Detroiters and allowing people to connect directly with a reporter.

As of today, this enhanced service allows their newsroom to better serve Detroiters, connecting them to information and resources they need in areas including housing, utilities, income support, employment, food and transportation.

Detroiters can text in at any time to get immediate, automated info, look up property details or get individual help. By texting “reporter” they can connect with an Outlier journalist, who may follow up with a phone conversation. The new system is more intuitive for users and improves internal workflows and communication.

For more information on Outlier Media and TXT Outlier, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT LIONS CLINCH NUMBER ONE SEED AND WIN NFC NORTH AFTER BEATING MINNESOTA VIKINGS

INTERNAL DIVISIONS DOOM MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS IN THEIR FINAL DAYS OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL

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Brooke and Casey started Detroit Mulch with the mission of recycling trees as sustainably and efficiently as possible, while creating local jobs in the process! Together, they’re transforming Detroit’s landscape in an innovative and eco-friendly way. To learn more about Detroit Mulch, click here!

Megan Kashat is a multifaceted Arab American artist based in Detroit. Her artistic journey fuses music, dance, and painting to express her Detroit roots on the global stage. Megan's artistic journey has been marked by significant achievements, including features in renowned publications like Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone. To learn more about Megan and her artistic journey, click here! 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN LAME-DUCK LEGISLATURE: HOUSE DEMOCRATS REVOLT AGAINST SPEAKER TATE 

DETROIT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WOULD PUSH ENTERTAINMENT TAX TO OFFSET PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

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An award-winning poet, recording artist, book publisher, activist, cultural arts curator, and filmmaker, jessica is executive producer and founder of Black WOMEN Rock! - Daughters of Betty, a 20-year-old rock & roll institution, concert and empowerment weekend, and she is the founder of the literacy driven 501c3, The Moore Art House. Her nonprofit organization in Detroit dedicated to elevating literacy through the arts in neighborhoods and schools.

Jessica's publishing house, Moore Black Press, has published poets including Saul Williams, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, asha bandele, and Danny Simmons, and in 2024 is preparing to publish their first poetry and spoken word audiobooks through an imprint deal with HarperCollins.

To learn more about jessica Care moore, click here!

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Be Well Beautiful People is a 501c3 organization with a deep-seated commitment to bridging significant gaps in accessible healing and liberation support while disrupting systems that cause harm. The organization was founded by Demarra West, a seasoned entrepreneur, therapist, and wellness professional with more than two decades of experience.  

Be Well Beautiful People envisions a world where all of us are well, no matter where we came from, or where we started in life.

They believe the only way to make that vision a reality is by ensuring those most affected by trauma including BIPOC, LGBTQI+, the low income, and those impacted by incarceration and foster care, have access to wellness solutions that are actually proven to help them rise in every area of their lives.

To learn more about Be Well Beautiful People, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT REPARATIONS TASKFORCE DISAVOWS LEADER'S ROGUE POLICY REPORT 

DUGGAN WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2025, SETTING UP A MAYORAL FREE-FOR-ALL 

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The mission at Black Artists Archive is to dismantle conventional art history by highlighting the experiences and contributions of Black artists, with a dedicated focus on Detroit artists. They aim to connect communities to these narratives, creating a space where history, culture, and creativity intersect.

Curator, educator, and activist in the cultural sector, Dr. Kelli Morgan is widely known as a leader in progressive museum practice whose work develops and advances anti-racist approaches to art curation, fundraising, and community engagement.

To learn more about Black Artists Archive and their work, click here!

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MORALE IS HORRIBLE: STELLANTIS FACTORY LAYOFFS THIS FALL NEAR 4,000

WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY? THE ANNUAL DAY OF CHARITABLE GIVING IS COMING UP

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Together, they unpacked the emotional aftermath of the 2024 Election while navigating how love and hope can sustain us in uncertain times. Community organizing takes center stage as they dissect varying political narratives and the quest for power among minority communities.

What About Us, Inc. (WAU) is a resident-led, grass-roots organization founded in 2015 and is dedicated to building neighborhood connectedness and capacity to lift up the voices of residents who feel marginalized.  Founder and executive director, Tammara Howard, is committed to strengthening the physical, mental, and emotional health of Detroit youth and their parents through the services of WAU. Tammara shared her remarkable journey of transforming neglected spaces into beacons of hope, emphasizing inclusivity for disabled individuals and the LGBTQ community. 

Niko Noir is an artist, performer, songwriter, vocal producer and producer hailing from Detroit’s east side. Niko offered insights into the challenges faced by independent artists in a competitive music scene. Her tales of community love and appreciation emphasize the enduring power of family and collaboration. 

Click here to learn more about What About Us, Inc., and keep up with Niko Noir’s musical journey here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DEMOCRATS OVERESTIMATED DETROIT TURNOUT. WHAT HAPPENED? 

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BCV is a Detroit-based non-profit organization dedicated to equipping residents with tools to shape their neighborhoods.

They recently announced the launch of their first-ever online course, “Real Estate Development: Building Value in Your Community.” Hosted on Coursera, the course aims to teach aspiring real estate developers the fundamentals of real estate development, including development stages, team building, project feasibility, social impact, and financial modeling. 

This innovative online course, developed in close collaboration with the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation (CAI), marks a significant shift for BCV. Traditionally focused on in-person training for residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, the online course is now accessible to learners worldwide, fostering real estate and community development skills on a scale far beyond SE Michigan. 

To learn more about Building Community Values’ online course, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT STRENGTHENS SECURITY AT SITES WHERE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED 

LATE RESULTS, VOTING MACHINES, AND MORE: DEBUNKING MICHIGAN'S ELECTION MISINFORMATION 

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Together, the duo shined a light on critical issues impacting women's health, particularly breast cancer patients. Jenna Wright, co-president of the Shades of Pink Foundation shared insights about the patient journey and the foundation's mission to ease the financial burden for those affected and its goal to raise a million dollars by 2025.

Finally, they turned the focus to Detroit's vibrant political landscape. Navigating the buzz around early voting and potential candidates for the upcoming mayoral race. Analyzing the shifting political scene, they cover everything from the dynamics within city council, to the speculation on Mayor Duggan's re-election plans. 

To learn more about Chase Cantrell and his work, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

HOW A 'PINK TAX' ON WOMEN CAN HURT THEIR HEALTH, ESPECIALLY FOR BREAST CANCER PATIENTS 

SHADES OF PINK FOUNDATION IS DIVING HEADFIRST INTO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH THIS OCTOBER

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Umoja Debate League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses debate as the vehicle to teach Detroit youth ages 11-18 transferable life skills, such as critical thinking, confidence, conflict resolution, increased literacy, and self-expression.

In August, they proudly announced the successful conclusion of their 2024 trip to Ghana. Fifteen students from Henry Ford High School, Cass Tech High School, and Bates Academy, winners of our 2024 Championship Debate Tournament and Zip Code Improvement Speech Competition, engaged in an enriching eight-day cultural immersion experience. 

This journey was an opportunity for students to connect with their lost heritage, broaden their global perspective, and build lasting memories. The experience enriched their understanding of African history and culture and strengthened their commitment to community leadership and Pan-African principles.

To learn more about Umoja Debate League, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

BRIAN AND ALEXA COLE LAUNCH NEW BOOK, THE WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE, FEATURING FOREWORD BY NYT BEST-SELLING AUTHORS KEVONSTAGE AND MRSKEVONSTAGE

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Alexa and Johnnie Turnage are visionary leaders dedicated to reshaping the landscape of technology and fostering inclusivity. As the co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays, they have pioneered a groundbreaking movement aimed at empowering underrepresented communities within the tech industry.

Alexa's passion for technology and equality, combined with Johnnie's grassroots activism and entrepreneurial spirit, culminate in a powerful force for change. Together, they spearhead initiatives that offer educational workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events, creating pathways for aspiring Black professionals. 

Their collaborative efforts exemplify a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more diverse and equitable tech ecosystem.

To learn more about Black Tech Saturdays, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN HUMANE'S ANIMAL CARDS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN ADOPTION

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Founded in 2017, the Coalition for Property Tax Justice is a collective of several long-standing Detroit grassroots organizations formed to accomplish three goals:

1. Stop unconstitutional property tax assessments
2. Compensate Detroit residents who overpaid or have already lost their homes because of illegally inflated property taxes
3. Suspend pending property tax foreclosures until it is confirmed that the delinquent taxpayers were not unconstitutionally assessed

Bernadette Atuahene is a property law scholar focusing on land stolen from people in the African Diaspora. She is the daughter of Ghanaian immigrants who grew up in Los Angeles and attended UCLA for college. She then earned her JD from Yale and her MPA from Harvard. 

To learn more about Bernadette and her work, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

FACT-CHECK: TLAIB DID NOT SAY NESSEL CHARGED PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTORS BECAUSE SHE'S JEWISH 

DETROITER MAY LOSE HER HOME OVER SUCCESSION DISPUTE, SHE'S NOT ALONE

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Bryce Detroit joined the duo on stage to discuss his ‘Hood Closed to Gentrifiers’ campaign in light of events and news stories coming out of the city.

They also spoke with Kevin Davidson, Director of Design and Fabrication for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to learn more about the history of the museum and the festival

To learn more about the African World Festival, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

WRIGHT MUSEUM ART EXHIBITION 'DOUBLE ID' HIGHLIGHTS STRUGGLES OF BLACK MEN

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Amber is an accomplished researcher and policy advocate, known for her work in fair lending, wealth creation, and financial systems reform, particularly focusing on Black outcomes.

During her childhood, Amber and her mother resided in Detroit alongside her grandfather, Gary M. Douglas, Jr., the inaugural and only Black pastor  in the history of the Abyssinia Interdenominational Church, where they actively  participated in the life of the church.

For the  past four years, she’s been actively engaged in Detroit with the intention to reconnect  with former church members and have meetings with local developers, leaders, lenders, and city  officials to gain insight into the needs of the area from the perspective of its native  residents. 

To learn more about Abyssinia Interdenominational Church, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT JUDGE WHO HAD TEEN HANDCUFFED FOR SLEEPING TEMPORARILY REMOVED FROM DOCKET 

DETROIT RELEASES 5-YEAR PLAN TO IMPROVE HOMELESSNESS

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Together, they discussed a collaborative art installation at Eliza Howell Park that teaches people about the impact of microplastics on the environment and the importance of sustainable practices for keeping our earth clean.

Sidewalk Detroit is an organization working at the intersection of spatial equity, environmental justice, public art, community building and place-keeping. This spring, they announced Detroit-based artist Halima Cassells as the 2024 Eco-Artist-in-Residence at Eliza Howell Park, part of Earth Futures, a public art initiative and artist-in-residence program in Detroit covering issues of climate crisis such as air quality and water pollution through the lens of spatial equity and public art.

The residency kicked off on April 20 with a river clean-up event at Eliza Howell Park, where participants joined forces to rescue materials from the Rouge River, embarking on the start of turning trash into treasure for the newest upcycled art installation at the park. 

For more information on Halima Cassells and Sidewalk Detroit, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT'S COLLARD GREEN COOK-OFF IS BACK 

AUGUST 2024 PRIMARY: HOW DETROIT VOTED

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Mo Williams, founder of Such a Natural, a Black-owned hair salon in Metro Detroit, authored and published the world’s first ever Natural Hair Dictionary®, a new book that defines exactly what natural hair and hairstyles are.

As a sequential reference guide, The Natural Hair Dictionary’s: Natural Hair Style List includes titles, descriptions and more than 60 original photographs defining natural hairstyles. It is a culmination of over a decade of experience in the natural hair industry, encompassed within a tool, resourceful to many.

If you’re looking to learn more about the Natural Hair Dictionary, click here!

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SABRINA NELSON HONORS JAMES BALDWIN'S LEGACY WITH 'FRONTLINE PROPHET: JAMES BALDWIN' EXHIBITION AT THE CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM

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Donna and Orlando sat down with Smade - Co-founder of Afro Nation Festival, Josh Koram - Festival organizer/Lead Talent Booker, and Essosa - Festival organizer/ Communications and Social Manager. Together they discussed this year’s festival lineup, how they continue to unite the African diaspora, why Detroit is the only U.S. stop, plus all the other festivities taking place over the weekend. 

Graig Donnelly, India Solomon, and Bucky Willis also joined the dynamic duo to talk about an equitable development framework they created together that analyzes current conditions and makes recommendations for how the city can move forward.

If you’re looking to learn more about Afro Nation and get tickets, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

AFRO NATION IS HEADED TO DETROIT FOR THE SECOND YEAR

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Donna and Orlando were joined by a live audience inside of the family-owned bookstore on Detroit’s east side. Tananarive Due is an award-winning author who teaches Black Horror and Afrofuturism at UCLA.

A leading voice in Black speculative fiction for more than 20 years, Due has won an American Book Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a British Fantasy Award, and her writing has been included in best-of-the-year anthologies.

Due’s latest novel, “The Reformatory,” is a gripping, page-turning novel set in Jim Crow Florida. Twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens, Jr., is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys, a reformatory, for kicking the son of the largest landowner in town in defense of his older sister, Gloria. So begins Robbie’s journey further into the terrors of the Jim Crow South and the very real horror of the school they call The Reformatory.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tananarive Due and The Reformatory, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT POLICE ANNOUNCE BLOCK PARTY CRACKDOWN AFTER SHOOTING THAT KILLS 2 AND INJURES 19

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This week Donna and Orlando traveled to the Eastern Market for a live podcast featuring Business Strategist, Marcus Reliford Jr. and CEO of The Mushroom Angel Company, W.E. Da’Cruz.

The conversation titled, ‘From Incubation to Acceleration: Stories of Scaling a Food Business,’ is part of a larger series where industry veterans explore pivotal challenges impacting the food industry and provide valuable insights to food business owners and entrepreneurs.  

These gatherings also serve as a forum for networking and building community. If you’re interested in growing your foodservice business, ‘Accelerating your Food Business.’ is a six-week cohort tailored for growth-stage foodservice entrepreneurs looking to scale up!

Powered by Eastern Market and In the Business of Food, During these six weeks, you'll learn all about management, customer service, menu optimization, systems, technology, HR, and so much more.

Limited spots are available and applications close on July 18th so, apply now!

FOR HOT TAKES:

FRAMEBAR IN HAZEL PARK CLOSES CLOSES AFTER POP-UPS OBJECT TO BUSINESS PRACTICES

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They also introduce the Detroit Playlist Live, a monthly music series co-produced by Authentically Detroit and Detroit is Different. This unique platform gives music enthusiasts the opportunity to delve into various musical landscapes with other music enthusiasts. 

This interactive event fosters community engagement and celebrates the rich diversity of musical genres. Structured akin to a book club, The Detroit Playlist Live features curated albums and standout tracks chosen by the hosts - Orlando Bailey, Khary Frazier, and Donna Givens Davidson.

For more information and to join us tomorrow at Brix Wine (1588 Franklin St, Detroit, Mi 48207), click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

WHY IS THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT USING LASSO LIKE RESTRAINTS 

MICHIGAN STUDENTS FELL BEHIND DURING COVID, THEIR RECOVERY LAGS OTHER STATES

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Vaulted Youth Voices is a podcasting program for high school students interested in the intersection of community organizing and media. Youth participants meet for biweekly sessions where they learn how to develop, produce, and host a podcast. Youth also develop the ability to translate their voice to direct action within their respective communities. The Vault Youth have a real passion and drive for making a difference in the world.

If you know a high school student interested in participating in the Vaulted Youth Voices Podcast Program this fall, click here. 

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The program's director, Darell "Red" Campbell Jr., is a platinum, stellar--award winning producer, musician, songwriter and teacher with a heart for creating opportunities for other children like he had at a young age, and empowering them to find hidden talent and potential within themselves.

K2L is a dynamic, immersive 6-week performing arts summer day camp at the held on Wayne State University's campus in collaboration with the Maggie Allesee Department of Theater and Dance beginning July 1.

Now in its 11th year and serving more than 1,125 students, the program's mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of performers through a diverse range of performing arts experiences such as beat making, dance and song writing, all designed to expand participants' skills, broaden their horizons and set them on a path to success. 

For more information on Keys 2 Life and how to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

LEGISLATION COULD BRING $1BILLION IN TRANSIT FUNDING TO METRO DETROIT OVER NEXT DECADE 

DETROIT ICONS LAUNCH SERIES OF MICHIGAN CENTRAL FESTIVITIES

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Since 2016, Eggleton has guided Brilliant Detroit’s growth through its community-led approach. Her leadership has propelled the organization to 18 neighborhoods by transforming a house in need of repair into a creative community hub. It partners with 170 national and local organizations to deliver early childhood education, health and family support programs. More than 20,000 children have benefited from the programming.

According to Eggleton, the model works because it’s with, for and by neighbors. Brilliant Detroit gets a house and repurposes it only after they have been invited into the neighborhood. Parents are central to the success of Brilliant Detroit. The organization aligns the programs and activities so kids and families can get what they need to measure their own success. They also form advisory groups in the neighborhood so there’s continuous input. 

For more information on Brilliant Detroit and their work, click here. 

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ALLEGED THEFT FROM DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY COULD REACH $40 MILLION 

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DISMANTLE ENCAMPMENT; 13 ARRESTED

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Urban Organic Arts and Culture company was founded in 2001. They curate events and promote visual, cinematic and performing artists. 

This Sunday, May 26th, they will host their 6th Annual Diaspora Day Party. This vibrant event will showcase an exceptional lineup of music connoisseurs hailing from Detroit and beyond, offering an immersive journey into electronic beats that epitomize the city’s pulsating holiday vibe and beyond. 

For more information on Urban Organic and the Detroit Diaspora Day Party, click here. 

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As a Detroit native, Michelle sought to improve access to quality health education and wellness programming within her community - through Urban Wellness Group, which was founded in 2001 and has offered mobile corporate programming and community fitness initiatives to countless clients and students since its inception. 

As an experienced registered teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500), Michelle has over 25 years of practice on her mat. She became an avid practitioner after sustaining a severe knee injury in 1997 that sidelined her passion for running. Incorporating yoga into her rehabilitation plan helped her discover its functional fitness benefits.

Urban Solace is the proud producer of the longest-running, FREE outdoor yoga programs in downtown Detroit. They’ve been providing fun & fitness on the riverfront to thousands of residents and visitors since 2007.

For more information on Michelle and Urban Solace, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL TO ASSEMBLE COMMISSION TO REPRESENT RENTERS 

DETROIT ANIMAL KEEPING ORDINANCE HEADED TO COUNCIL FOR A VOTE

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The DAAA is a nonprofit agency that serves older persons, adults with disabilities, and caregivers residing in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park & the 5 Grosse Pointes. They are one of 16 Area Agencies on Aging in the state of Michigan and 622 in the nation.

DAAA assists older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers by removing social, economic, physical, and psychological barriers and creating aging-friendly neighborhoods through nutrition, health and wellness, and senior independence.

For more information on DAAA, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

BRIDGE DETROIT ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR ORLANDO BAILEY TO HEAD UP OUTLIER MEDIA 

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL ASKS MAYOR TO FUND PRIORITIES MISSING FROM BUDGET

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In honor of the NFL Draft in Detroit we welcomed Charity Dean of the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) plus NFL power couple, Channing and Aja Crowder!

Charity walked our hosts through how the NFL partnered with the MBBA to make sure Black Businesses in Detroit weren’t left out of the economic boom brought by the draft and also shared some tips for those looking to enjoy the festivities. 

Donna and Orlando also had the pleasure of sitting down with former NFL player and host of The Pivot podcast, Channing Crowder, along with his wife - realtor, media personality, and entrepreneur - Aja Crowder for a very rare interview of them together!

For more information on the NFL Draft and the complete fan guide, click here.

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Stefen Welch serves as vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. A Detroit native, Welch focuses on the team’s strategy to attract and acquire diverse talent, professional development opportunities for employees, and identifying strategic business initiatives. 

For more information on Stefen and his work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

GILBERT'S HUDSON BUILDING UNLIKELY TO MEET PROMISED JOB, TAX REVENUE WHEN GM WORKERS MOVE IN 

MICHIGAN'S HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES STARK FOR BLACK RESIDENTS, STUDY FINDS

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The Launch Awards are a transformative opportunity for creative youth in Detroit, created by DEYA in collaboration with the Detroit Youth Arts Provider Network. The microgrants are specifically tailored to fill gaps in artistic development, making arts education more equitable and accessible for all of Detroit’s young creatives.

The Launch Awards consist of $40,000 distributed evenly over March, June, September, and December of 2024. Eligible youths, aged 11-19, have the chance to apply quarterly for awards up to $250 to help foster their artistic journeys.

For more information on the DEYA Launch Awards and to apply, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA RENDERING OF DETROIT SIGN SET EXPECTATIONS TOO HIGH, DUGGAN SAYS

TREAT OUR RESIDENTS WITH RESPECT: DETROIT ORDINANCE LOOKS TO TACKLE FUGITIVE DUST

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Opening on May 1st, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is a Black-led and community-owned grocery cooperative. Following a model developed throughout the world as a way to increase access to healthy, sustainably grown food, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is located in the historic North End neighborhood. 

The Detroit People’s Food Co-Op will offer a full-line of groceries, be open to the general public, and cooperatively owned. Their unique model differs from many food co-ops in the United States as it serves an urban, predominantly African American, low and moderate-income community.

For more information on the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op and to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CREDIT RATING UPGRADED 2 NOTCHES, REACHES INVESTMENT GRADE FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 2009 

AS HOMELESS CRISIS GROWS, STATES AND CITIES ARE TURNING TO VOTERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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Charity Dean joined Orlando as guest host for our final celebration of the women making history in the city of Detroit. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, from a young age, Patrice faced challenges that would break even the strongest of spirits. 

However, armed with a desire to prove her doubters wrong, she achieved her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Her accomplishments extend beyond the realm of healthcare as she is also a licensed minister, dedicated mentor, non-profit CEO, and powerful motivational speaker. Patrice’s mission is simple yet profound - to inspire, uplift, and empower others to unleash their full potential and achieve their dreams. 

For more information on Patrice and her work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT URBAN AGRICULTURE LEADER TO HEAD SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE, SOLAR EFFORTS 

MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS FIGHT RENT HIKES AND DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

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Detroit is Different is known for exploring guests, Detroit story, or how they and/or their family came to be in Detroit. On this episode, Donna shared her family’s Detroit story, dating back to the early 1900s. From her revolutionary grandmother, to Donna's work in the present day, this conversation highlights Detroit’s legacy as the Blackest city in America. 

For more information on Detroit is different, click here. 

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In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with three remarkable women reshaping the PR landscape as leaders of 98Forward, Michigan’s largest Black-owned, Women-led PR and communications firm. Our conversation touched upon 98’s legacy and its future trajectory after 25 years in business. We delved into the unique experiences of not just being women but being Black women in various spaces. 

If you’re interested in learning more about 98Forward and their work over the years, click here.