“This is a movement, not a campaign—from the North End to the future of Legacy Black Detroit.” In this powerful, deeply personal episode of Detroit is Different, host Khary Frazier sits down with Todd Russell Perkins—attorney, community leader, and mayoral candidate whose roots run as deep as his passion for Detroit. Todd opens up about the intergenerational legacies that shaped him—from his father’s resume‑building work during GM layoffs to the entrepreneurial and educational values instilled by his parents. He traces Detroit’s historical pillars—its innovation, Motown legacy, and the foresight embedded in municipal law—and weaves them into a bold vision for the city’s future. With candid reflections on family, law, city governance, and mobilizing Detroit’s Black political power, Todd challenges listeners to see Detroit’s next chapter not as another election but as a movement rooted in purpose, unity, and generational uplift. Tune in to hear why this conversation matters—for the past, present, and future of Legacy Black Detroit.

“Most folks that came north from the South weren’t migrants—they were refugees,” Jen Ingram declares, setting the tone for this powerfully layered conversation. In this Detroit is Different episode, we trace coins and culture with Numismatics Noir founder Jen Ingram, whose passion for Black coin collecting merges family legacy, precious metals, and African American storytelling. “I’m building this bridge for them,” she recalls from a poem her great-grandmother recited, honoring the journey of her fourth-generation Detroit family from Mississippi to a duplex on Whitney. Jen shares her Detroit roots, her professional climb through healthcare and philanthropy, and the entrepreneurial leap into calibrating cultural pride through currency. From Harriet Tubman’s golden likeness to the hidden Black faces of U.S. money, Jen reveals how coins hold both historical weight and future economic promise. This episode is a masterclass in legacy, wealth, and Detroit soul.

“Solar power is just sunlight hitting your skin, because your skin is a semiconductor too.” That quote from Ali Dirul of Ryter Cooperative Industries launches a Detroit is Different conversation that electrifies history and reimagines the future. In this powerful episode, Ali breaks down energy democracy, off-grid engineering, and building a sustainable Detroit from D-Town Farms to Highland Park’s streetlights. “We’re not just placing panels—we’re placing power back in the hands of the people,” he says. With stories tracing back to his grandfather’s Ford Model T factory job, African-centered schooling at Aisha Shule, and a capstone project at Oakland University, Ali ties Black legacy to Black futures. This is innovation rooted in community, fueled by melanin, and structured with purpose. It’s a conversation that honors how Detroit built the world—and now might just rewire it.

“We’re not here to police our people—we’re here to protect and serve, with compassion.” In this special episode of Detroit is Different, Sheriff Raphael Washington shares his powerful journey from Collingwood & Hamilton during the 1967 Rebellion to leading one of Michigan’s largest law enforcement agencies. “This ain’t just a job—it’s a calling,” he says, reflecting on building Greater Grace Temple brick-by-brick with his family and carrying those same values into public service. Sheriff Washington dives deep into how faith, family, and Detroit’s legacy of resilience have shaped his leadership. From confronting the complex history of policing in Black communities to launching a One-Stop Hiring Event aimed at bridging the gap between law enforcement and Detroiters, this conversation is full of gems. “We want officers who know this city, who love it, and want to build with it.” Listen as he breaks down myths, uplifts community, and extends an open invitation: “Come see us June 28th—we’re hiring, and we want you.” This isn’t just an interview—it’s a dialogue on healing, legacy, and what it really means to serve Detroit.

Step Into Service: One Day, One Stop, One Career with Wayne County Sheriff

Join the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for a unique One-Stop Hiring Event on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (5301 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48211). This event is open to anyone 18 and older looking to begin a career in law enforcement. Attendees can pre-register at sheriffconnect.com/onestop to fast-track their experience, allowing recruiters to conduct pre-checks and provide key details ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome but may experience slower processing. Participants will complete a written exam, health screening (no drug testing), and an agility test—all in one visit. Expect a welcoming environment with snacks, mentorship from current deputies, and the chance to explore specialty units like the SWAT team, K9s, Mounted Patrol, Motorcycle Unit, and more. Registration requires your name, phone number, email, birthdate, and driver’s license number. The full process takes about two hours, making this a streamlined, same-day opportunity to step into a meaningful career with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.