“This record is somebody’s pathway to not jumping off that ledge.” With that profound truth, Maurice “Piranhahead” Herd ushers listeners into a sonic and spiritual odyssey on Detroit is Different. A master craftsman of music and energy, Piranhahead unpacks how his Mississippi roots led through Muskegon to Detroit’s east side, eventually shaping a global funk and house music legacy rooted in community and Black excellence. From making cassette deck beats as a kid to orchestrating full string arrangements for legends, he reflects, “It’s more to life than the funk.” His stories stretch from shoveling snow at Grandma’s to jamming with Enemy Squad, to late-night spiritual calls with mentor Paul Riser. Whether recalling his Detroit studio days with Mollywop or being moved by Donny Hathaway, Piranhahead reminds us, “Some records will change somebody’s life… everything, the heart got to be there.” He challenges Detroiters not to give up their land, not to forget their sound, and to reclaim the city’s rhythm. “Detroit is heaven now… got a little hell in it though.”
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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“Detroit deserves to be known for its spirit—grit, grind, hustle, love.” With this rallying cry, mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow sat down with Detroit is Different for a powerful, deeply rooted conversation that stretched far beyond politics and into the soul of a city. From the foundational lessons of his grandfather, Reverend Joseph B. Barlow—a pastor turned community pillar in Ecorse during the turbulent years of Detroit’s rebellion—to the political tutelage under Rev. Dr. Fred Sampson at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Barlow’s path has been paved with purpose. “Tabernacle was the epicenter,” he shared, reflecting on the church’s revolutionary role in shaping faith-based activism. His memories of walking alone through Montgomery summers, under the watchful spirit of his grandmother who worked on Maxwell Air Force Base, illustrate a childhood forged by trust and responsibility. “I was a point guard—I always knew it was about building teams, not being the star,” Barlow said, tying his Renaissance High School athletics to his community organizing ethos. Through reflections on his mother’s work behind the scenes on Detroit’s school board and his own campaigns to pass citywide legislation—like the 2017 cannabis ordinances—Barlow paints a vision of leadership grounded in legacy and people-power. “Anybody can change the law,” he insisted, echoing his commitment to civic education and community action. And as millions pour into Detroit’s political race, Barlow declares, “I’m betting this election on the people.” His campaign might be underfunded compared to others, but the depth of his roots, the clarity of his vision, and his unshakable belief that Detroiters deserve more, make this interview one of the most compelling Detroit is Different conversations to date.
“When I said I wanted to bring horses to Linwood, people started clapping before I could even finish the sentence.” David Silver’s journey from Westchester County, New York to Detroit’s 12th Street-Davidson area is anything but typical—but it’s also exactly what makes his work with Detroit Horse Power so impactful. On this episode of Detroit is Different, Silver reflects on a life shaped by horses, privilege, and a growing awareness of inequity. “I grew up in a bubble,” he admits, describing his upbringing in an affluent community where he had access to elite horseback riding training. But when Teach for America brought him to Burns Elementary on Grand River and Greenfield, his world expanded—and so did his mission. “I had students who were persevering through life every single day, but didn’t realize that was a strength.” He saw firsthand the character traits needed to thrive—resilience, empathy, confidence—and began to connect them back to his own experiences with horses. The result: a vision for a program that introduces Detroit youth to equestrian life while building essential life skills. “You fall off a horse, you get back on. That’s life.” With community support and a forthcoming $12 million equestrian center being built in Hope Village on the former Paul Robeson Academy site, Silver is literally transforming empty space into a sanctuary of possibility. “This ain’t Mr. Ed,” he jokes. “This is about power, about confidence, about trust.” His 10-year journey to this point has been one of endurance and evolution, driven by community relationships, the guidance of Detroit elders, and a powerful belief that “every kid deserves the chance to say, ‘what else can I do?’” This conversation is a deep dive into how culture, education, and nature can intersect to heal communities.
In this powerful two-part conversation, Detroit is Different welcomes Carlos Nielbock—master craftsman, historian, and visionary artist—to explore his transatlantic journey of forging identity through the skilled trades. “I’m a child of occupation,” Carlos begins, recounting how he was born in Germany to a Black American GI and a German mother, in a time when their union was illegal. At 24, he came to Detroit seeking his father and instead discovered “a kinship with everybody I encountered” and a calling rooted in Black life and community. Carlos reflects on his early days squatting in abandoned buildings, discovering Detroit’s architectural jewels, and turning ruins into sanctuaries. “What I saw was chaos, but inside it—liberty, creativity, and survival.” He talks about the Fox Theatre restoration—his first major project—and the value of old-world craftsmanship: “You can’t 3D print what I do. You have to live it.” His artistry blends the sacred with the practical, shaped by monastic blacksmithing and Detroit hustle. “I’m not here to make weapons; I’m here to make beauty that outlives generations.” Joined by co-author Paul Draus, Carlos shares the story behind their new book, Forging Identity, a chronicle of craft, culture, and community. He speaks passionately on uplifting Detroit’s youth through skilled trades and the legacy of Detroit’s historic architecture: “Detroit used to be the Paris of the Midwest. We can bring that back—not with gentrification, but with education, empowerment, and our own hands.”
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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