Introduction - page 14

Buying a home is a benchmark of success and a sign of stability for economists and people in finance. For a family owning a home creates a place to develop culture, ethics, and find comfort. Tansley Stearns has assisted Michiganders in this journey leading Community Financial Credit Union. Tansley’s travel in career began in the world of marketing and communications. Early on in her career, she had the opportunity to work with a credit union in what has become a lifelong passion. In this interview, we discuss the Path to Homeownership, the value of diversity, and the relationship between the workplace & Generation Z. This dynamic interview explores Tansley’s drive to build relationships and bonds. Check out the Detroit is Different feature of Tansley Stearns.

If Erykah Badu and Jill Scott rhymed over something with essence was the sound Mahogany Jones was searching for. An emcee battle led her to discover Detroit as the place with that for her. Mahogany is a world-traveling emcee that mixes energy, spirit, and joy to deliver live performances that win over the most hardcore hip-hop fan and the elder that hates rap music. Mahogany opens up about her music and Detroit’s role in developing her sound. We explore the role of women emcees in hip-hop, popular culture, and hip-hop culture. Check out the vibe of Mahogany Jones in her Detroit is Different feature. 

Intelligence is as different as Detroit. One of God’s greatest gifts is how our minds process, interpret, and understand information and apply it. Myka Burley had a family of love that poured into brilliance from a young age. A Grandbaby Baby, Myka grew up doted and dolled over at an early age. The principles and ethics of spending time with her elders gave Myka a mature and discipline disposition that anchors her today. Myka works to connect people and communities experiencing the digital divide to resources to succeed in today’s world of information technology. This is while assisting her son to tap into his genius of invention and love for scientific engineering. Check out the Detroit is Different feature with Myka Burley better to understand the relationship between Family & Gifted Children.

Acknowledging the brilliance of being Gifted and the essence of being Beloved are ways family poured into Sherry Gay Dagnogo as a child. Her love for Detroit runs deep from a tradition of family working for the ‘Fords’ and walking with Faith. Gospel music, math, and science were platforms that grew Sherry’s confidence to take on the world. One of the first of many college graduates from her family, Sherry blazed an unprecedented path. Her passion for teaching and delivering the best education for students moved her into community work. Learn how she keeps pace, focus, and optimism that peaceful successes and opportunities can reign upon us all. Check out the Detroit is Different feature with Sherry Gay Dagnogo.

New Jersey is more than the home of blue-collar work and the backdrop for Bruce Springsteen records; it’s a place filled with the grit and tough attitude Detroit has. Rebecca’s journey to Detroit started long ago, transversing many places. The grit and attitude place her right at home in Detroit. Rebecca’s start in missions much more significant than herself started with connecting students to essential support labeled as additional support. From a few schools, an initiative started by Rebecca was eventually implemented across the state of New Jersey. As the program’s growth spawned, the realities and limitations of the political infrastructure of America imposed the capacity restrictions of working with the people vs. the corporations. This same bold attitude in collecting thought led Rebecca to dig deeper into her experience and skills through research, data, analysis, and how that can change the community. This is an informative discussion about how developing something takes an insightful commitment. Check out the Detroit is Different feature with Rebecca Irby.

Source Booksellers welcomed the poet, performer, and all-around creative Gia Scott Heron for a special in-store Detroit is Different podcast recording. Gia Scott-Heron is the daughter of the revolutionary artist and creative Gil Scott-Heron. Spectrum Legal Services, led by Attorney Michael Fortner, welcomed Gia here to perform in honor of the ‘Different Rules Documentary screening.

In the podcast, Gia opens up about the relationship between herself and creativity. Gia speaks to the growth in her voice and now vision in artistry. How her Father’s struggles with proclivities impacted the family. The beauty of Gia and Gil’s relationship is the ways they work together. The spirit and light of an empowering message with culture, revolution, and spirit speak in Gia’s works. Check this interview out to better understand Gia’s and her family’s strengths. 

Kristy Love is a Detroit original sharing her love of life with the world. At a young age, Kristy began honing her talents in video, audio, graphics, and more. Taking lessons learned in her broadcast journalism major and applying them immediately strengthened Kristy’s confidence, talents, and skills. Kristy explains how exploring self-growth, motivations, and passions bounced her back. We discuss the pressures of expectations and misunderstandings we have of expectations. The love of process and self-discovery gave Kristy the tools to find purpose. This is an essential discussion about motivation and why. Today Kristy is publishing books, speaking at events, and coaching others on connecting to self-love and self-discovery. Check the Detroit is Different feature with Kristy Love out today.

Jam sessions are a kinetic, eclectic, and improvisational expression of creativity. Juuni, Nique Love Rhodes, and Sophia have expanded that energy into D Cipher. Juuni is a world-class drummer. Nique Love Rhodes is a band-leading emcee meshing live instruments and hip-hop. Sophia is an expression of keys and mixed medium art. Together with (Allandra Bulger, aka Insite The Riot) created a mastermind collective of musicians, a non-profit advocating for music equity in Detroit and beyond.  Juuni, Nique, and Sophia sit down with Detroit is Different and open up about how, why, and what their work means to Detroit’s musical performance artists. Learn how their roots connect to deeper culture across the diaspora into Haiti, Jamaica, New Orleans, and certainly Detroit’s Joy Rd.