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. 

Battle rapping, performing, break dance, and hip hop culture captured the heart and mind of Supa Emcee as a child. One of the youngest emcees to cipher and freestyle with Proof (RIP & honor) has become a staple in all things Highland Park, MI. Kent ‘Supa Emcee’ Brown has used hip-hop as a gateway through Hollywood, NYC, Atlanta, and every stage rapper’s travel in Detroit. His charisma and presence are signatures and are recognized by any that have witnessed his talents. His music and voice have become part of Detroit’s hip-hop soundtrack. We discuss the Almighty Dreadnaughtz, Iron Fist Record, Proof, also the interesting relationship his grandfather had with Linwood Ave’s Black Jesus. 

Gaining an understanding of Detroit culture has grounded Jeremiah Staes for a lifetime. Living a life in a majority Black populated and politically influenced city gives Jeremiah a different perspective on Metro Detroit. A Mother that passed at a young age and a Father that was a visual artist added to Jeremiah’s connection to the city. Raised in the culture of Detroit’s artisan class of the 80s and 90s impacted his belief in arts, his need for culture, and his love for the city. We discuss the start of Daily Detroit and how independent media is Different than traditional media. From years of experience working in TV news, he knows the depth of understanding that most Detroit news needs. The lens of race and class color all Detroit issues, and exploring them are imperative. In this interview, we talk about content. Why giving voice to Detroit stories is essential too. Check out the full Detroit is Different feature of Daily Detroit founder Jeremiah Staes.

The Sweet Spot of the Avenue of Fashions is Good Cakes and Bakes. April Anderson loved baking sweets and witnessing people fall in love with her gift. After college, career, grad school, and marriage, she makes the entrepreneurial leap. Her story is about learning to develop quality sweets and business systems and enjoying the process. April’s understanding of where she fits into her business is explored here. Many gems are shared about money, time, family, and balancing the self.

December 30, 2022 Author Yusef Bunchy Shakur of Community Movement Builders delivered his second annual State of Black Detroit. The address was moderated by Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different. The State of Black Detroit Address was live at the Mama Akua Community House. The address explored: Family & Relationships; Education & Youth; Health & Aging; Housing & Public Spaces; Leadership & Legacy; Non-Profit Organizations & Community Groups; and Business & Entrepreneurship.

Mission, vision, and purpose are associated with organizational development. Racheal Allen has spent a lifetime re-entering herself around these concepts. Racheal’s journey from Southern California to Detroit Eastside’s Sojourner Truth homes is a start to a grand understanding of the Detroit Community. Racheal is a Margrove graduate and now works on the campus of Marygrove, bringing to life the business dreams of others. In this interview, her experience as a daughter, mother, manager, salesperson, wife, and creative are expressed in love. Learn so much more behind the mind of a woman advocating empowering Black women entrepreneurs through Operation School.

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each other in ways that allow us to investigate ourselves and our communities. This creates pathways toward solving problems collectively rather than waiting for others to solve them. The Disco Tech allowed families to engage with electronics, the internet, the community, media, and public policy inside their community. At Alkebu-Lan Village on Detroit’s Eastside, attendants had the bonus of delicious vegan pizza from its Food Detroit and roller skating to enjoy their time. Detroit is Different was there to gather perspective from a series of attendants creatively offering this dynamic event.

Self Determination and collective responsibility are pillars in the principles of Kwanzaa, but also ethics of life. Dwan Dandridge’s work with Black Leaders Detroit challenges Black people to delve deeper into our resources to resource our organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Dwan’s story of arriving in this space is a mix of commitment to community, development of a business, and passion for supporting Black people. Dwan’s dynamic journey to founding and leading Black Leaders Detroit began from his testimony in learning best practices to build infrastructures that can empower others and support families. We talk about George Washington, San Antonio, School to Prison Pipeline, and even Detroit is Different’s original guest Malik Yakini. Dive deep into the mind of an authentic and collaborative thinker in Dwan Dandridges’ Detroit is Different feature.