‘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

Detroit, and particularly Detroit’s Eastside fills the mind, heart, imagination, and ambition of Orlando Bailey. A voice for the Authentically Detroit Podcast, host of the Urban Consulate community conversations, and journalist for Bridge Detroit Orlando speaks life to the history while embodying the present and future of the city. In this interview, we explore his roots in the community and why he was drawn back to Detroit from college. We also speak to the Tell Us Detroit Community Town Hall Series presented by Detroit is Different & Bridge Detroit hosted by myself (Khary Frazier) & Orlando Bailey. Learn our opinions on why we recognize the voiceless feeling many Detroiters have in media.

Urban Organic is the brand and it was a vision of Drake Phifer. The vision was a place and space for cool Soul and people to vibe together. In the early 2000’s the space for Neo Soul, Afro Beat, House, and Future music from a Black lens was rare.

Today 20 years later the brand has traveled the Metro Detroit area, Michigan, the Nation and world alike. This weekend the brand carries the essence with Day Party is King. In its 4th Memorial Day Installation, the Detroit Diaspora Day Party returns to delight dance floor fanatics both near and far with DJ sets from: Marilyn Griffin | Griffin Gardens, Phifedom | Urban Organic, Diviniti | HoneyComb Music, DJ Vern English | The Tandem, DJ Righteous | D.R.U.M.M, DJ Duane Powell | SoundRotation – Chicago.

The day will include: 5PM- 6PM – Diaspora Tribute Dinner Honoring Zana Smith of Spectacles Boutique and internationally renowned musician, Amp Fiddler prepared by Chef Nik R Cole of Fried Chicken and Caviar

Engineering is a very creative discipline. Volcano’s work to the masses for years was Hip-hop Artist & Rock & Roll Emcee. For over 15 years The Fillmore, CroFoot, The Emerald, are only a few venues in the area crushed by Volcano. As a recording engineer, rapper, music producer, and musician he’s touched thousands. As an engineer and designer, he’s changed the way we move in cars, planes, and even barbeque food. In this interview, we explore his family’s roots from Mississippi to Detroit and the unique perspective of his family during America’s Reconstruction era. Learn how Volcano has a niche in manual machining, 3d design, and building solutions to technical challenges. Check out how www.volcanicengineering.com is a staple and flagship for providing needed experience and knowledge for Black engineers. 

Doctor in Theology, Principal of the Detroit High School for Fine & Performing Arts, Pastor of Fellowship Chapel, and my BIG cousin are only some of the titles held by Mayowa Reynolds. Joining me for a second Detroit is Different interview we discuss the role of mentoring and teaching. Her passion as a child was sparked and flourished through dance. Mayowa is one of the few and proud formerly trained Katherine Dunham dancers. Her start honing a craft and talent in a competitively formal space has empowered her role reaching heights of success. Today her passion is to inspire others and empower their dreams. We discuss differences between students today and ‘back in the day,’ and so much more. This was a fun and colorful interview which will inspire you.

Mayor Monique Owens is dynamic, driven, and divine. For her, Detroit is Different interview Monique opened up how her love for East Coast Hip-hop and Church was a balance she found. This is the same energy that connects her as an Eastpointe resident turned Police Officer, Comedian, now Mayor, and candidate for State Senate. Monique Owens is what many identify as a trailblazer. Setting the standard high as an influential leader with poise, integrity, and historical determination, Monique Owens continues to show what excellence looks like. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 21, 1984, and although she was considered gifted and inquisitive by her teachers, it was at the age of 34 years old when her historic journey began. Monique Owens was elected in 2017 as Eastpointe Michigan’s first black councilwoman. In 2019, only two years into her term, she decided to run for mayor and became Eastpointe’s first black woman and youngest mayor to hold office in Macomb County’s history.

Sterling Toles’s key expression is love. Sterling’s friendships and relationships are built on connecting people to his understanding of love. As a music producer, public speaker (when requested), DJ, and visual artist, Sterling’s works make waves. His current visual art showing at the MOCAD is an exploration of how we identify ourselves through seeking external validation while lacking internal peace. The S(h)elf exhibit is showing in the white house space on the campus of MOCAD. The home welcomes you into the mind of Sterling’s concepts on how we lack connection with others. The lack of connecting with others impacts how we love ourselves and best express who we are. There is a mix of paintings, display pieces, 3-D video work, and abstract interpretations. We discuss in depth how the showing came about and what his inspirations were for this show. Also, learn about his peaceful approach toward creation. 

The Marijuana movement is upon America. In my lifetime the taboo and underground world of indulging in Marijuana has now become a business of interest and popular culture.

State and local governments across the United States of America began sanctioning medical marijuana whereas now recreational use is welcome and open to the world. The federal government still classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug substance. This creates many banking and taxation challenges on a Federal level. These challenges are exclusionary barriers creating a very low glass ceiling for many Black business people to enter the marijuana industry.

Levels of capitalization, Internal Revenue Service code IRC 280-E, and the State of Michigan (and many others) Metric system all can be logistical nightmares if not executed well.

Greg Frazier CPA (my Father) comes back to Detroit is Different and shares his understanding and knowledge of the barriers in existence and the way to operate out of jail and debt entering the marijuana industry in Michigan. This is an in-depth video covering many of the ideas and concepts associated with accounting that are imperative to run, operate, and have a marijuana business in compliance with the US Government and the State of Michigan.

For more information and inquiries please contact Greg Frazier CPA at www.gregfraziercpa.com or through LinkedIn