“I don’t boycott temporarily—I just say, ‘I’m not rockin’ with you no more.’” That line from Earl “E-40” Stevens set the tone for one of the most electric Detroit is Different conversations yet — a masterclass in legacy, ownership, and staying power from a Bay Area legend whose hustle feels right at home in the Motor City. Recorded live at the 2025 Taste of Black Spirits Detroit, this episode captures the rare chemistry between E-40 and Detroit is Different host Khary Frazier as they dig deep into the parallels between Detroit and Oakland — two Black cities that built American culture from the ground up. E-40 breaks down how selling tapes out the trunk became selling bottles from his own distillery, how the “independent hustle” of the ‘90s hip-hop era birthed today’s Black spirits movement, and why “collective behavior” — Black folks choosing to work together — is the new currency of liberation. From the story of Mango Moscato to his upcoming ventures in Ghana, to his respect for Detroit’s own Lazar Favors and the network behind Taste of Black Spirits, this conversation is a toast to both past and future. It’s about turning cultural capital into generational wealth — and doing it with flavor, integrity, and fun. This episode bridges eras — from trunk sales to tech-driven distribution — showing how Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and community economics have always been two sides of the same Detroit coin. Whether you’re a fan of hip-hop, business, or Black excellence, E-40’s blueprint for ownership speaks directly to Detroit’s next generation of legacy builders.
- Latest episode: “The Game Ain’t Changed—Just the Product: E-40 Talks Ownership at Taste of Black Spirits Detroit”
- Latest episode: “Denzel McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity”
- Latest episode: “From Pac-Man to Pages: Jelani Stowers on Books, Philosophy, and Black Detroit’s Future”
- April 8, 2025
- 9:48 am
The Game Ain’t Changed—Just the Product: E-40 Talks Ownership at Taste of Black Spirits Detroit
“I don’t boycott temporarily—I just say, ‘I’m not rockin’ with you no more.’” That line from Earl “E-40” Stevens set
The Game Ain’t Changed—Just the Product: E-40 Talks Ownership at Taste of Black Spirits Detroit
Denzel McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity
“Poverty is a choice to allow that to go on in the city,” says Denzel McCampbell, and that fire fuels
Denzel McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity
From Pac-Man to Pages: Jelani Stowers on Books, Philosophy, and Black Detroit’s Future
“Nobody was the right person for the job … it just had to be me right now.” That’s how Jelani
From Pac-Man to Pages: Jelani Stowers on Books, Philosophy, and Black Detroit’s Future
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“Poverty is a choice to allow that to go on in the city,” says Denzel McCampbell, and that fire fuels this Detroit is Different conversation. In this episode, Khary Frazier sits down with McCampbell—four generations deep in Detroit, raised in the Pershing neighborhood rooted in union jobs and Alabama migration stories—to unpack his run for City Council in District 7. From his mother’s firsthand memories of Selma’s Jim Crow violence to his father’s UAW legacy, McCampbell threads together personal history and public service. He breaks down what it means to organize against environmental racism where factories sit next to family homes, why “our solutions are in our neighborhoods,” and how expanding voting rights and fighting disinformation are extensions of Detroit’s long struggle for self-determination. This isn’t just campaign talk; it’s a vision of Detroit’s past and future colliding—one that calls back to Mayor Coleman Young’s political movement while looking ahead to what equitable development and true public safety could mean for Black Detroit today. Whether you lived through Eyes on the Prize on PBS or you’re just waking up to how policies shape your block, this is a powerful sit-down that roots politics in people and legacy.
“Nobody was the right person for the job … it just had to be me right now.” That’s how Jelani Stowers breaks down the whirlwind journey of taking ownership of Pages Bookshop in Rosedale Park, a cultural anchor in Detroit. In this conversation with Khary Frazier, Jelani traces his family’s roots—grandparents who migrated from Alabama and Virginia to Detroit for Wayne State, a father balancing electrician work with film, and a mother who shaped young lives as a preschool teacher. He talks about growing up in Rosedale Park, remembering the neighborhood-wide yard sales that felt like “Halloween with treasures,” and how early lessons at the African-centered Nsoma Institute taught him to respect Africa, compost waste, and even see Pac-Man through a philosophical lens. From coding internships to studying philosophy at Wayne State, Jelani connects gentrification, democracy, and Detroit’s cultural resilience into a philosophy of action. The heart of this episode? How saving a bookstore became about more than books—it’s about legacy, community continuity, and ensuring that Black Detroiters still have space to gather, learn, and dream in their own neighborhoods. If you care about Detroit’s past struggles and its future possibilities, this is a conversation you need to sit with.
“Gratitude is the space where we humble ourselves to the blessing of life itself.” From the jump, Mindful B Anthony sets the tone for a Detroit story rooted in legacy, resilience, and transformation. In this Detroit is Different conversation, he takes us on a journey from his family’s four-generation hold on Van Dyke and Mack—where his grandmother insisted “this land will always have value”—to the bus routes that taught him the city block by block, and the classrooms that sparked his love for math, language, and purpose. He reflects on leaving Renaissance for Southeastern, catching the 6 Mile across town before dawn, and navigating Hampton University’s business of education while rediscovering his true calling in healing, creativity, and entrepreneurship. What begins with childhood alley basketball games and honor roll trophies unfolds into a life of activism with We the People of Detroit, a mentorship lineage through Charity Hicks and Tawana Petty, and the artistry of copper and crystals turned into “energy tools disguised as jewelry.” This episode is a blueprint of how Black Detroit’s past—our migrations, our neighborhood pride, our community organizing—feeds the future of culture creators who, like Anthony, are shaping new ways of living, healing, and building legacy. If you’ve ever wondered how Detroit blocks, schools, buses, and bands prepare us for the world stage, this is the conversation you need to hear.
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What Detroiters Need to Know After the August Primary - Detroit Next Episode 13
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Transforming Voting Rights Key Improvements
"Our democracy flourishes when every voice is heard. The push for early voting, pre-registration, and ballot initiatives ensures that youth and student voices are not just heard but amplified. Delve into how these changes drive greater access and engagement with Denzel McCampbell`s insights. You won`t want to miss this deep dive into expanding voting access.
Denzell McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity
Detroit is Different episode 493 with Denzel McCampbell
#VotingRights #YouthEngagement #DetroitFuture #DenzelMcCampbell
Taking the Leap Honoring a Mentor`s Legacy
"Facilitation and relational organizing are keys to making change. In an interview with Detroit is Different, Ru Colvin delves into their journey with the East Side Solutionaries Collective, from chaos to impactful action. Get insights on community-driven advocacy from working alongside voices like those of Tijuana Petty and Rich Felman. Catch a glimpse into how they harnessed momentum to foster community empowerment.
From Foreclosure to Liberation Zones: Writing Detroit’s Future with Ru Colvin
Detroit is Different episode 489 with Ru Colvin
#OrganizingForChange #DetroitIsDifferent #RuColvin #GrassrootsLeadership #CommunityAdvocacy #MentorshipLegacy
From Competition to Community Rethinking Business Motivations
"In business, competition is often seen as the driving force. But, what if community building was the primary motivation instead?" Jelani Stowers, one of the owners of Pages Bookshop in the Rosedale Park neighborhood, shares his journey of transitioning from a competition-focused mindset to a community-centered approach. In this Detroit is Different interview, he explores how this shift influenced his vision for Pages Bookshop and the impact on the local community. Discover how collective experiences and aspirations for community change can redefine business success.
From Pac-Man to Pages: Jelani Stowers on Books, Philosophy, and Black Detroit’s Future
Detroit is Different episode 492 with Jelani Stowers
#BusinessLeadership #CommunityBuilding #DetroitBusiness #Bookshop
Addressing Pollution and Divestment in Our Neighborhoods
"We need more opportunities, not just new structures, for real growth in our neighborhoods." Explore how Denzel McCampbell, a candidate for Detroit City Council District 7, is addressing the crucial issues of pollution and divestment. In our latest interview, Denzel talks about transforming local communities by enhancing job opportunities and educational programs, ensuring that prosperity is shared by residents, not outsiders. Tune in to understand his strategic plans to elevate District 7 and secure a flourishing future for all.
Denzell McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity
Detroit is Different episode 493 with Denzel McCampbell
#DetroitIsDifferent #CommunityGrowth #DetroitCityCouncil #DenzelMcCampbell #NeighborhoodRevitalization
Changing Policies From Books to Bold Ambitions
"Taking the leap into a Creative Writing MFA means embracing the fear and excitement of putting fresh ideas into the world. In my interview with Write from Detroit, I explore how my creative nonfiction stories bridge human and non-human perspectives to foster a thriving ecosystem. I share insights into my journey, from leading creative writing workshops to engaging with diverse communities. Join the conversation about how we, as humans, fit into a larger narrative.
From Foreclosure to Liberation Zones: Writing Detroit’s Future with Ru Colvin
Detroit is Different episode 489 with Ru Colvin
#CreativeWriting #NonFiction #Ecosystem #RuColvin #WriteFromDetroit
Remembering Epic Neighborhood Yard Sales
"In the heart of Rosedale Park, there was a time when the entire neighborhood came alive with a massive yard sale, each household showcasing items that tell stories of the past. Join us for a captivating chat with Jelani Stowers, co-owner of Pages Bookshop, as he takes us on a journey back to those bustling events that were a staple of his childhood. Discover how these experiences have influenced his passion for community and storytelling. Dive into the world of neighborhood memories and see Detroit through a different lens.
From Pac-Man to Pages: Jelani Stowers on Books, Philosophy, and Black Detroit’s Future
Detroit is Different episode 492 with Jelani Stowers
#DetroitHistory #NeighborhoodMemories #BookshopStories #DetroitIsDifferent
From Alabama to Detroit a Legacy of Community and Activism
"My mom, growing up 25 miles outside of Selma, shared stories of hope amidst struggle, which shaped my journey." Denzell McCampbell, a candidate for the Detroit City Council District 7, speaks in a Detroit is Different episode about his upbringing influenced by the winds of change in both Alabama and Detroit. Discover how early lessons in community and determination inspired his path in public organizing and civic leadership. Tune in for a compelling conversation about heritage and empowerment.
Denzell McCampbell on Detroit’s Fight for Equity
Detroit is Different episode 493 with Denzell McCampbell
#DetroitIsDifferent #LegacyOfActivism #DetroitPolitics #DenzellMcCampbell #VotingRights
A House’s Tale Detroit Through Its Walls
"A house holds more than just walls; it cradles stories, hopes, and histories. In `A House’s Tale: Detroit Through Its Walls,` delve into the life of a Detroit home from the thirties onwards. This captivating narrative sees its life through the eyes of the very house, inviting readers to ponder the evolving meaning of home. From family goodbyes to the emergence of community spaces, Ru Colvin`s storytelling invites a reflection on communal living and liberation zones. Discover her unique perspective and join the conversation.
From Foreclosure to Liberation Zones: Writing Detroit’s Future with Ru Colvin
Detroit is Different episode 489 with Ru Colvin
#DetroitAuthers #CommunitySpaces #RuColvin
