Detroit is Different supporter Kim Sherobbi invited me to co-host a discussion held at Marygrove College Sunday, July 24. Jazz icon Stanley Clarke performed and spoke in support of his son Frank for the How We Will Change conference hosted in Detroit this past weekend. I hosted this discussion with my podcast network partner in creativity Piper Carter. Stephanie Rearick also performed her interactive blend of folk music and spoke about her commitment to Mutual Aid work. The discussion was impactful. Talking points from Detroit Jazz great Ralphe Armstrong and founder of B More Radio Dennis Talbert are also shared.
Building Community Value is beyond conceptual for Chase Cantrell. The visionary leader of the organization has taken his talent and skill set and applied this ethic. The Building Community Value Detroit organization has been providing lessons in property development for Detroiters for years now. Chase’s journey as an Attorney in real estate law, U of M student in the Prop 2 fight, and Renaissance Phoneix all provide layers of knowledge and understanding. In this interview discover his work at Mr. Alan’s, his love for the Cooley HS neighborhood, and his vision for West 6 Mile rd.
From the East Coast to Metro Detroit was the journey for a young Erin Bevel. Today the Howard University professor and law school graduate is driven by family and towards Black Liberation. Black Farmers Land Fund, Detroit Black Food Security Network, and Mollywop are creative, cultural, and professional works for Erin, but family is first. In this interview, we explore her work in Washington DC inside the capital, and learn the inner workings of our government. Today Erin is an asset to Detroit’s Grassroots Black Community.
Hastings Street is a work that Plowshares Theater Company is in the best position to present. July 21 – 31 at Detroit’s Music Hall the company re-launches post-COVID-19 welcoming audiences to a very special show. The show captures the story of the center of Detroit’s historic Black Bottom community. The musical captures the essence of Jazz, song, Soul, and much more. In this Detroit is Different feature, Gary Anderson that is the Artistic Director of Plowshares Theater Company opens up about this show and much more. Learn about his journey to Detroit and Wayne State University’s theater program in the 1980s and Detroit 1980sbeing an eclectic center. Check out this feature on Gary Anderson and the work of bringing to live theater in Detroit for decades.
Beauty is a philosophy in Western studies. Aesthetics make up the study of what Western scientists have written and expressed as the standard of beauty. The challenge in this philosophy is that the objectivity of beauty is dependent upon background, taste, and culture. In America, the standard of beauty for people outside of Western civilizations arch is prominent and abundant. Alyssa Space is a chemist with a concentration in skin and beauty design. Alyssa’s work developed For Her cosmetics. This line of beauty products is natural, safe, and expressly embraces the shades of Black beauty cosmetic lines don’t embrace. Alyssa’s journey as a chemist, entrepreneur, and creative is explored in this interview. Learn about water testing, natural standards, and why it’s important for Black women to be in the space of cosmetology design and manufacturing.
Radio, Television, Broadcast, and Media were the life James Tate led before serving the city of Detroit as a council member. Entering a third term in the seat today Tate’s understanding and perspective for what council is expected to do, what council does, and how that balance is anchored is key. In this interview (my first with a sitting Detroit city council member) we explore District 1 and its roots there. We also discuss the marijuana ordinances (city laws) Councilmember Tate has sat at the helm on since his start on the council. The vision Councilmember Tate sees for providing access for local Detroiters to make and shape the ways marijuana will change the city. Business and community and the ways businesses enter the community were insightful in this discussion. Check out the Detroit is Different feature with Councilmember James Tate.
Independent films from Detroit have taken the industry by storm. The narratives of street life are being captured in live-action with the minds of Detroit’s historic Hip-hop scene at the helm. Filmmaker Kwende “Steet Lord Rook” Ried, joined Detroit is Different to talk about his new feature ‘Chedda Boys’ premiering next Friday, June 24 at Bel Air Luxury Cinema (tickets on Eventbrite). We talk about the work of producing, directing, writing, and casting films. Rook shares his vision of reaching higher and higher goals.
‘a Lot of Studio,’ is the exclusive studio city experience inside the community. Guests will have the opportunity to experience live entertainment in the style of Burbank, New York, and Atlanta inside a Detroit neighborhood.
‘a Lot of Studio,’ is the cohesive vision of community, culture, creativity, and communication. It’s imperative that Black voices have platforms. Detroit is Different currently has a collection of over 40 Metro-Detroiters use Detroit is Different as a hub to engage audiences interested in an array of subcultures including but not limited to: Women in Hip-hop; Black (African-American) Comedy; Islamic Social Justice; the Black (African-American) Gay Professional class; the Natural Hair Movement; Lesbian-Trans-Women Social Justice; Women Visual Artists; Artists under the age of 25; and many other groups and circles. ‘a lot of Studio,’ is the live studio audience experience of Detroit is Different podcasting. Attendants can experience, join, and appreciate a mix of live podcasts. Learning, teaching, sharing, laughing, and connecting together will build deeper relationships between Detroit is Different and the community.
‘a Lot of Studio,’ takes place in the community garden started by Detroit is Different founder Khary Frazier and steps away from the Detroit is Different incubator. ‘a Lot of Studio’ is an eclectic mix of welcoming culture, creativity, and community inside a legacy Detroit westside neighborhood. What started in 2021 continues today. An offering of fresh food from our garden, entertaining and informational podcast discussions, and live music performances building culture is what Detroit is Different gives with ‘a Lot of Studio.’
In 2021 Detroit is Different raised $33,275.00 to produce a Lot of Studio with the support of over 105 individual patrons, the National Black Talk Show Hosts Association INC, The Transforming Power Fund, Greg Frazier CPA, Detroit City Distillery, The University of Michigan, Hope Village Revitalization, and Creative Differences Marketing INC.
Featured in the Documentary in order are the following guests Audra Carson of the CommuniD Podcast Rev. JoAnn Watson of Westside Unity Church Rev. Mayowa Reynolds of Fellowship Chapel Malik Yakini of Detroit Black Community Food Security Network Sherrie Smith of Hope Village Gardner/Farmer Myrtle Thompson of Feedom Freedom Gardens Monique Thompson of Feedom Freedom Growers Catherine Kelly of Bridge Detroit Comedian Coco of the Coco Morning Show Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different Tawana Honeycomb Petty Author, Poet & Organizer Koolade of AYV Clothing Ashley Nicole of MeltFit Sterling Toles Visual Artist Sabrina Nelson Visual Artist Halima Cassels Visual Artist Escada Gordon Visual Artist
In Honor of the Life and Legacy of Johnella ‘Jan’ Frazier
