Detroit is Different

  • latest episode: “From Georgia to the D Thomaesa Bailey’s Mission for Black Political Power”
  • latest episode: “From Georgia to the D Thomaesa Bailey’s Mission for Black Political Power”
  • latest episode: “From Georgia to the D Thomaesa Bailey’s Mission for Black Political Power”

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Podcasts

Tonya Myers Phillips, an attorney deeply committed to justice for Detroit, has long advocated for Right to Counsel for residents facing foreclosure and many other community-centered causes. At the Sugar Law Center, where she serves as Community Partnerships & Development Director, Tonya collaborates closely with local organizations, working to establish community benefits agreements and offer legal guidance on economic issues impacting Detroiters. Now a candidate for Michigan State Representative for District 7, Tonya’s journey is rooted in a strong educational foundation from Renaissance High School and the University of Michigan (both undergraduate and law school). Her dedication to public service is demonstrated by her time as a Commissioner on the Detroit Charter Revision Commission from 2010 to 2012, where she was known for treating colleagues and constituents with dignity and casting votes aligned with her values of community service. In this episode of Detroit is Different, Tonya shares her story of commitment to Detroit and its people.

Visit www.tonyamyersphillips.com for more information.

All Things Detroit is Metro Detroit’s largest small business shopping experience, bringing hundreds of local vendors and thousands of shoppers together in Eastern Market’s Sheds 3, 4, and 5 each Spring and Fall. Curated by Jennyfer Crawford over the past decade, the event showcases Detroit-made food, clothing, candles, and even Faygo jams and jellies, creating a unique celebration of local culture and commerce. In this interview on Detroit is Different, Jennyfer shares her vision for the next decade and the ways she pours her passion into supporting both buyers and sellers at All Things Detroit.

Baba Ari Shen has been cutting, sculpting, and celebrating natural Black hair for over 56 years, from the 1970s to now, witnessing the transformation of Black hair culture through different eras. His journey began in Indiana, where he learned from legends in Black hair care and became a master of his craft. His work has taken him across the country to cities like Seattle and Los Angeles, but it was Detroit that captured his heart. Since the early 1980s, Baba Ari Shen has embraced Detroit’s rich Black culture, expression, and history, finding it to be the most profound Black experience of his life. In this dynamic Detroit is Different episode, he reflects on his roots, the influence of Gary, Indiana, including stories of the Jackson 5 before Motown, and his love for natural hair that continues to inspire his work today.

Carolyn Baker of the General Baker Institute shares her passion for preserving the legacy of her father, General Gordon Baker, Jr., and her mother’s advocacy while also honoring other legends in the fight for Black social justice. The General Baker Institute (GBI) is dedicated to providing educational courses, programs, and activities for the community, with a focus on young people. It examines the revolutionary life of General Baker (September 6, 1941 – May 18, 2014), his contributions to human rights struggles, and his co-founding of transformative organizations. As a center for teaching the history of Detroit and Highland Park, GBI critically explores their connection to global social movements while addressing contemporary issues. In the interview, Carolyn reflects on how her father’s love of basketball shaped her own passion for coaching, and she highlights GBI’s innovative educational approaches, such as their first Educational Fashion Show, which combines fashion and political education to make bold statements and inspire change.

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