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.  

Dexter Sullivan’s family’s roots are grounded deep in Detroit. Passion for the people, culture, and essence of Detroit is the reality for Dexter Sullivan. Today his work in mentorship, communication, and Faith all place him in positions of influence nationally. In his Detroit is Different feature, we discuss the ways he discovered opportunity in having the courage to leave Detroit for Tulsa, OK. The Oral Roberts graduate further developed skills, talent, and self-confidence. Returning to Detroit, Dexter better understands how he plays a role in all community development. We also discuss the lack of Black Men in the church and why. This feature is a fruitful discussion.

Eastern Michigan University welcomed one of the largest collections of Legacy Black Detroit students from 2000 – 2015. Ypsilanti was filled with an active Black Greek Life, Spoken Word Poetry collectives, Open Mic Hip-hop, and a rebellious NAACP Chapter. Brandon Jessup was one of the Legacy Black Detroiters ready to debate, challenge, and engage any students about the best practices and methods towards advocacy and empowerment. Brandon’s brash attitude and intellect connected him to the Proposal 2 Affirmative Action fight. Since then, he has become an experienced analyst in political strategy and community organizing. In this Detroit is Different, I introduce you to one of my homies and a key asset for Detroit politics, Brandon Jessup. We discuss voter suppression, political media, Black Male Leadership in Detroit, and more.

The 1990s welcomed the talking points of melting point, the Browning of America, and English as a Second Language programming. Today these concepts are seen as insensitive at worse and antiquated at best. For Angela Lugo-Thomas, the dual reality of living in Detroit and Puerto Rico impacted her deeply. Metro-Detroit is home to many cultures of the Arab world, Asian world, and a huge Mexican population. The ways other Latino cultures have a presence in Detroit are similar to the Caribbean cultures here. Living as a proud Boriqua (Puerto Rican Woman) left an impression on Angela to love culture and understand the value of identity. As a wife and mother, this has strengthened her journey of connecting with Highland Park’s social & political landscape. Today Angela has raised a family in Highland Park and poured love, commitment, and understanding into the city initiative. Our interview discusses the relationship between Highland Park & Detroit & Michigan. Surprisingly this also has similarities to Puerto Rico and America. Check out this Detroit is Different feature with one of the anchors of Detroit’s Black Land Farmer Fund.