Capturing the culture that makes Detroit what it is.

Monthly archive

March 2020

From student loving school to teacher advocating for Students, Sharea Ayers

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The talent was recognized in Sharea Ayers at a young age through artistry. Sketches, paintings, Black history, and Women’s history were a mix of interests Sharea had as a child. Today these interests carry on in her career. Sharea is the student that loved school and became a teacher. Over ten years of teaching from rural Ohio and Detroit city have provided her a better understanding of support resources needed for students. Now, Sharea supports Parents with projects and programming. We discuss her story and relationship with her Parents having a working mother and father who spent much of her childhood incarcerated. She opens up about the testament of her mother and the struggle of her father. Through that journey how her connection to learning has grown with students, parents, and teachers in the process of learning.

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Loving music and expressing it in song for Kesswa

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Kesswa is a beautiful songstress that is offering a style of grace and love. Sterling Toles interviews her and has her open up about music, school, and her Nigerian roots. In this introduction, you get a peek into the process of how Kesswa creates and why she creates. Her music is soothing and heartfelt in a time of production filled with bigger & nosier feels. Learn more about one of the blossoming talents from Detroit touching the nation today.

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Thornetta & Jam

Thornetta Davis-Anderson and James Anderson share in love, art, and family. In their interview, they open up about meeting for

90 years in the Motor City with Miss Annie

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Annie Handy is a good friend of my (Khary Frazier) Aunt Joyce Allen and when we met I was surprised to find a woman that’s 97 years old so social-able. It is humbling to know how much driving, talking, and community work Miss Annie still does today. Her interest in American history and Detroit history is humbling to witness and know she has first-hand accounts for most 20th century Detroit history. This interview begins with her sharing of how her mother was murder when she was a child. Her mother’s murder is a Detroit unsolved mystery that involves the infamous ‘Purple Gang’ and Miss Annie’s Uncle. The interview also explores her career as a nurse, social worker, and education from Hamtramck HS/ Wayne State University. Her career path had her working with Attorneys Ken Cockrel Sr. & Otis Culpepper. She also shares about dealing with a husband struggling with PTSD from WWII while raising her sons. Miss Annie’s life is fascinating and her sharing the stories on Detroit is Different wowed me!

From Fitness Movement to Business for Ashley Nicole

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Before venturing out into entrepreneurship fulltime Ashley Nicole had a growing base of Instagram support. ‘Watch Me Melt,’ is a journey where Ashley Nicole challenged herself to lose weight through the encouragement of her Instagram followers. Ashley’s idea has become a global program that has become a business of events, clothing, and more. In her, Detroit is Different feature Ashley shares her journey from salesperson and Wayne State University graduate to a fitness business person. Her work now is reaching globally and connecting so many people with others who optimistically are changing health lifestyles. Ashley also opens up about her journey at Cass Tech and love for performance with me (Khary Frazier & band General Population 2007 – 2016).

Tawana Petty talks about the Community’s relationship to Police, Police

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The Detroit Police historically have had a strained relationship with the Black community. The 1943 Riot, 1967 Rebellion, the Sojourner Truth Housing incidents, the Big Four, Malice Green, Aiyana Jones, and many more dividing acts have created a tense connection between Black and Blue in Detroit. Tawana Honeycomb Petty’s relationship witnessing this is layered with officers in her family and neighbors experiencing harassment. Tawana opens up about her journey from poetry into becoming a Social Justice warrior. In the shadows of greats like Dr. Gloria House comes the connection between literary arts and social justice. Tawana stands as one of the strongest advocates against police surveillance and what that means for human rights. In this Detroit is Different feature we explore her works and path towards freedom for all.

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How Partying became a Business for Nina Payne

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Nina Payne is helping ‘We Found Hip-hop’ grow. The institution developed to provide women safe, productive, and sustaining platforms to express Hip-hop. Nina’s experience in the world of music runs deep. Promoting parties, concerts, and managing tours are all tasks she took on in college. In her, Detroit is Different feature Nina opens up about her perspective of accompanying the vision of an artist as a business partner and more. Nina also shares some of her memories from the road touring with artists. This was an interview filled with how her talents and skills opened doors for her. Today Nina’s applying her wisdom with ‘We Found Hip-hop’ joining efforts with Piper Carter of the Detroit is Different Podcast Network.

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