“I went to grad school out of spite—to learn how to beat developers at their own game.” From that first thunderclap, author-organizer Ru Colvin takes us on a deeply Detroit journey that stretches from their grandmother’s migration from York, Alabama to the east side blocks of Jefferson Chalmers, where “we grew up around the water” and a school culture that was “very Black—we sang ‘Lift Every Voice’ every morning.” Colvin threads memory and movement: a violin at Cass, Black Planet-era fan fiction, Wayne State in Obama ‘08, then the dissonance of working downtown as foreclosure swept neighborhoods—“they called it a comeback while my family lost our home in 2014.” That rupture births purpose: corporate book clubs turn to street-level facilitation, AmeriCorps in the East Side Solutionaries, and the mantra “our communities are up to us.” They name names—Land Bank tours full of non-Detroiters, bedrock power reshaping blocks—and still insists on possibility, writing a house’s autobiography in Home and imagining “liberation zones” in gardens where a family home once stood. With Khary,they honor teachers like Ms. Green who kept their pen alive. Along the way, Colvin reframes planning as protection, storytelling as strategy, and memory as infrastructure: “Translating what people say into something we can use.”
- 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
From Van Dyke to Hampton to Healing: The Journey of Mindful B Anthony
“Gratitude is the space where we humble ourselves to the blessing of life itself.” From the jump, Mindful B Anthony
From Van Dyke to Hampton to Healing: The Journey of Mindful B Anthony
From Foreclosure to Liberation Zones: Writing Detroit’s Future with Ru Colvin
“I went to grad school out of spite—to learn how to beat developers at their own game.” From that first
From Foreclosure to Liberation Zones: Writing Detroit’s Future with Ru Colvin
Dexter to Delray to DPSCD: Arlyssa Heard on Saving Detroit Schools
“Schools are the very center of communities—close a school and in three years you’ll see what happens to the neighborhood.”
Dexter to Delray to DPSCD: Arlyssa Heard on Saving Detroit Schools
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“Schools are the very center of communities—close a school and in three years you’ll see what happens to the neighborhood.” From the first laugh about “getting lost in my own neighborhood” to hard truths about policy, Arlyssa Heard of 482Forward sits with Khary Frazier and maps a Detroit story stretching from Delray pulpits to Dexter & Fenkell porches and into Lansing’s halls of power. She honors Southern roots (“Atlanta was becoming the Black mecca before our eyes”), a preacher father (“I’m a daddy’s girl”), and a childhood of full blocks where “every house was occupied,” then names the turn: vacancies, blight, and the weaponization of policy—Milliken v. Bradley, white flight, and emergency management that left her son with “an entire year without an English teacher.” Heard walks us through the rise of African-centered schooling—Paul Robeson, Malcolm X, Aisha Shule—and the organizing lineage of Helen Moore, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, and Queen Mother JoAnn Watson, reminding us that “Detroit families have always exercised choice,” but too often against rigged funding: “If you can’t shut something down, starve it—don’t fund it.” She distinguishes being anti–starvation from anti–charter, exposes post–Count Day push-outs, and puts receipts on how 482Forward helped “get DPSCD its board back” while blocking a New Orleans–style takeover.
“What about us?” Sherry Gay-Dagnogo asks, cutting straight to the bone as she joins Khary Frazier to chart how Detroit’s past battles shape tomorrow’s wins for Legacy Black Detroit. In a conversation braided with urgency and receipts, Sherry salutes community media—“Education is key and your platform provides that”—then lays out why she’s seeking Detroit’s Ombudsman post: a 10-year, people-first watchdog who can “scale excellent service” across city departments and build real partnership with DPSCD. She refuses business-as-usual politics: “African Americans have been the backbone of the Democratic Party,” yet too often policy priorities like CVI, juvenile lifer reform, police accountability, and fair auto insurance are stalled while candidates chase culture clout—“through rappers”—instead of respecting the 92% of Black women who show up. She revisits the redistricting fight she led—“we deserve African-American representation”—and the unanimous court ruling that followed, tying it to a longer arc of emergency management, EAA missteps, and school closures that hollowed neighborhoods. From bus routes to literacy, from Brightmoor to Birmingham lines drawn wrong, she calls for audacious leadership rooted in elders like Coleman Young and JoAnn Watson: “Justice will always ultimately prevail—but only if we demand it.” This is Detroit memory and muscle, a blueprint for accountability that insists our institutions serve the people who built them.
“The biggest word that inspired us to be here is grit.” From that charge, Brittany Vanderbeek of Aqua Action and host Khary Frazier dive into Detroit’s bluest truth: “the greatest asset in the world…water,” and how our city’s relationship to it will shape what comes next for Detroit. Brittany lays out Aqua Action’s mission to “build a water-secure future through entrepreneurship,” explaining how everyday residents—not just agencies—can be “the people with a voice in water innovation.” Why Detroit is the hub (“so many opportunities…for water entrepreneurs to pilot their technologies”), how municipalities and startups can partner, and why design thinking means “start with the people.” The episode also gets real about tech: AI’s thirst—“one simple prompt takes energy and water”—and the need for alternatives to water-cooled data centers. Brittany connects the global and the local—from a binational AquaHacking program (“anybody with an idea”) to Detroit River kayaking. If you care about Belle Isle, clean taps, and Detroit’s right to define and benefit from the Blue Economy, this one’s a listen.
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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
