“I sang before I could talk,” says Steffanie Christi’an, capturing the essence of a voice born in rhythm and raised on soul. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Steffanie weaves a narrative of musical lineage rooted in Southfield, church choirs, and impromptu jam sessions with her grandfather who taught her guitar and blues. She reflects on her time at Aisha Shule, calling it “one of the most enlightening and enriching experiences in my life,” and opens up about the real grind behind artistry—from acapella basement recordings to demo sessions in New York. Her journey, blessed by mentors like Proof and molded by family legacy, affirms the beauty of persistence. “I always wanted to be Beyoncé before Beyoncé,” she laughs, before revealing how redefining success keeps her creating across genres, from rock and roll to house music with Inner City. As she puts it, “Rock and roll is just the blues sped up,” and Steffanie Christi’an’s story is a soundtrack of resilience, reinvention, and unapologetic Black womanhood in music.
We Don’t Work for the System—We Build Our Own: Bryce Detroit’s North End Vision
“The breath is the spirit, and your diaphragm is the altar.” In this episode of Detroit is Different, Bryce Detroit
We Don’t Work for the System—We Build Our Own: Bryce Detroit’s North End Vision
From Vinewood to Victory: Victoria Camille’s Journey through Detroit’s Soul
“You don’t know Detroit ’til you know Vinewood!” In this deeply-rooted, powerful conversation, Victoria Camille takes us on a journey
From Vinewood to Victory: Victoria Camille’s Journey through Detroit’s Soul
Words Are Spells: Shaun Moore-Bey’s Journey from X-Men to Malcolm X
“Supporting your people isn’t always convenient—but it’s powerful.” That’s the gospel according to poet, author, and creator Shaun Moore-Bey. In
Words Are Spells: Shaun Moore-Bey’s Journey from X-Men to Malcolm X
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“My grandmother taught me how to program when I was seven,” Bryan Campbell shares, setting the tone for a story that stretches from East Side Detroit roots to Silicon Valley boardrooms. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Bryan opens up about hacking school systems as a teenager, building websites for Michigan State before they even knew what email was, and becoming a key engineer behind ad systems that generated billions at Google. With family ties to tech pioneers and civil rights activism, Bryan’s journey includes personal battles—divorce, depression, and alcohol abuse—during his tenure at tech giants like Google and Amazon. Yet his story transforms when he returns to Detroit and builds his own firm, Pec Tech, from the ground up. “I didn’t walk away from Amazon; I walked toward healing,” Bryan says, reflecting on faith, failure, and finding purpose beyond corporate success.
“An abandoned house is not an abandoned house unless I see it as that.” In this soul-stirring Detroit is Different interview, Kim Sherobbi reflects on her lifelong commitment to community, tracing her purpose from childhood fashion shows on Bethune Street to founding the Birwood House as a space of radical love and collective leadership. Guided by a lineage of powerful Black women like her grandmother Lula White—”block club president for real”—and shaped by organizers like Ron Scott and the Boggs Center, Sherobbi affirms, “We can figure out how to go through this journey no matter what.” Her story illustrates how deeply community, family, and grief interweave into our purpose: “Community is big… people came to us and loved on us.” Through organizing block parties, teaching physical education with intention, and nurturing youth through programs like Community Lens, Kim lives the ethos that supporting others in finding their power is where transformation begins.
“You can’t put love into a house you don’t own.” That one quote encapsulates the spirit of Ken Elkins’ journey, vision, and mission as founder of Renewed. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Ken speaks truth to the generational impact of housing instability, sharing how growing up in a series of rentals shaped his understanding of pride, permanence, and purpose. From his early days in Saginaw, working at Chuck E. Cheese and joining the Navy Reserves just to find a path to college, to co-founding Ferris State’s “Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge,” Ken’s life is a testament to how community can turn potential into power. “When I owned my first home, I felt value for the first time,” he reflects. Now, he’s pouring that lesson back into Detroit, offering affordable homes where the mortgage is never more than 25% of your income. It’s not just about equity—it’s about emotional stability, dignity, and the ripple effects of ownership for families who have long been priced out of their own neighborhoods. As Ken puts it, “I can’t stop the developers, but I can flip one house and keep that in the community.” Filled with laughter, real talk, and a deeply rooted love for the culture—yes, lamb chops, buffs, and all—this episode is a masterclass in what it means to build legacy through healing and homeownership.
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Mary Sheffield leads City Council. Is she ready to lead Detroit? - Detroit Next Episode 6
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Breaking Barriers Without a Degree
"One thing that Harper Hudson mandated was that to be a teaching physician or nurse, you needed an education degree. But my mom, with her exceptional talent and without a master`s in education, became a teacher in the 70s despite facing strong racism. She was an anomaly."From Detroit is Different interview with Bryce Detroit.
Detroit is Different episode 447 with Bryce Detroit
We Don’t Work for the System—We Build Our Own: Bryce Detroit’s North End Vision
#BreakingBarriers #DiversityInEducation #Trailblazers
Balancing Growth and Equity in Detroit
"Intentionality is key in balancing growth and resources in Detroit." - Mary Sheffield
Join us for an insightful conversation on Detroit Next as mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield discusses strategies for incorporating community benefits into city planning. Explore her approach to advocating for resources that serve both affluent neighborhoods and those in greater need.
Leading Detroit a Conversation with Council President & Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next episode 6 with Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#DetroitPolitics #MarySheffield #DetroitMayorRace #BlackLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanDevelopment #DetroitCityCouncil #DetroitFuture #InclusiveDevelopment #CommunityAdvocacy
Community Struggles with Bureaucracy Over Land Access
"Making Detroit the best city in America to start a small business is our vision," declares Mary Sheffield. Dive into the upcoming reforms designed to streamline city government and empower local entrepreneurs. Explore how these changes can bring city services into your neighborhood.
Leading Detroit a Conversation with Council President & Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next episode 6 with Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#DetroitPolitics #MarySheffield #DetroitMayorRace #BlackLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanDevelopment #DetroitCityCouncil #DetroitFuture #BusinessGrowth
Making Detroit the Best City in America for Small Business
"Making Detroit the best city in America to start a small business is our vision," declares Mary Sheffield. Dive into the upcoming reforms designed to streamline city government and empower local entrepreneurs. Explore how these changes can bring city services into your neighborhood.
Leading Detroit a Conversation with Council President & Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next episode 6 with Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#DetroitPolitics #MarySheffield #DetroitMayorRace #BlackLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanDevelopment #DetroitCityCouncil #DetroitFuture #BusinessGrowth
49% of Full-Time Workers in Detroit Earn Below Living Wage
"49% of Detroit full-time workers earn below a living wage.” In our Detroit Next interview with mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield, we delve into the urgent need for quality jobs and the strategies to empower Detroiters with essential skills. Join us as we explore her vision for economic mobility and how the proposed Department of Human Family and Homeless Services plans to make a tangible difference.
Leading Detroit a Conversation with Council President & Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next episode 6 with Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#DetroitPolitics #MarySheffield #DetroitMayorRace #BlackLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanDevelopment #DetroitCityCouncil #EconomicEmpowerment
Grassroots Legislation: Real Voices, Real Policies
"Real policy solutions arise from the voices of the people, not rhetoric." Explore how over 20 pieces of grassroots legislation are reshaping Detroit, driven by the concerns of everyday voices and backed by sound policy. Discover the significant strides in affordable housing, economic development, and crime reduction. #DetroitProgress #GrassrootsLegislation
Leading Detroit a Conversation with Council President & Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next episode 6 with Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#DetroitPolitics #MarySheffield #DetroitMayorRace #BlackLeadership #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanDevelopment #DetroitCityCouncil #DetroitProgress #GrassrootsLegislation
FREE for All – Your First Taste Ticket is On Us!
Join us Saturday, July 26, 2025, from 2 PM – 6 PM at Chandler Park for the Collard Green Cook-Off, Detroit’s signature celebration of Black culture, community, and culinary excellence. Now in its third year, this FREE event transforms soul food into artistry, with bold and creative collard green dishes prepared by Detroit’s finest Black chefs using greens from local Black-owned farms. Rooted in the legacy of the Great Migration and flavored with Detroit pride, the Cook-Off is more than a tasting—it’s a cultural experience. Enjoy music, live performances, and community vibes, and grab your first taste ticket on us! All are welcome!
Public Engagement and Transparency in Action
"Public engagement and transparency are key in decision-making, and it`s all about partnering with the community," Mayoral Candidate Saunteel Jenkins shared in our recent interview. Discover how Jenkins plans to incorporate community input into strategic master planning, focusing on comprehensive development in each of Detroit`s seven districts. Don’t miss out on this insightful discussion.
From Council, to CEO, to Mayoral Candidate Saunteel Jenkins on Detroit`s Path Forward
Detroit Next episode 5 with Mayoral Candidate Saunteel Jenkins
Detroit Next is a special project from Bride Detroit and Detroit is Different collaboration
#SaunteelForDetroit #DetroitNext #Detroit2025 #LeadershipWithLove #CommunityFirst #BlackWomenLead #DetroitPolitics #StrategicVision #DetroitNext #DetroitFuture #CommunityEngagement