Watercolors and acrylics are the paints Devin Laster loves. Laster’s Pop Art collection has featured Beyonce, Wolverine, the Obama Family, and many more. His take on colors, shadows, and shapes adds character to all people he captures. In this Detroit is Different feature we explore so much of what has led Devin to his passions. Devin’s first love for acting and performance began while attending Cass Tech learning under the tutelage of the historic Ms. McCormick. Devin shares what he learned then appearing in the Cass Tech production of School Daze and so much more. Devin provides insight on how being present of mind and availability through production has led to more and more opportunities. Living in Los Angeles now and formerly living in New York City, Devin opens up about the New York and Harlem feel. How working on the ‘Sweeter without Sugar’ film provided him a film credit at the age of 17. Finally, Devin talks about his current short film projects connecting him to work with Studio Lumumba and others.

Living, working, and raising a family in Highland Park has committed Shimekia Nichols to a mission larger than just her own. The Executive Director of Souladarity has rich roots grounded from her family’s background in Detroit’s Southwest neighborhood 48217, known for being the most environmentally polluted zip code in Michigan. After that, in keeping pace with her creative, African-centered, and knowledge-seeking mother, Shimekia followed suit. An Aisha Shule & W.E.B. DuBois Preparatory Academy graduate Shimekia’s African-centered orientation to the world is put to the test as she and her organization work to restore the streetlights that were repossessed by DTE Energy in 2011. In this interview, she shares stories of her experience at Aisha Shule, one of the first African-centered institutions in the state; and the instruction there assisting in her confidence and journey. Shimekia shares how traditional 9-5 work left her disinterested and unfulfilled. The void led her to volunteer at D Town Farms, Detroit Food Security Network, and We The People Detroit. Witnessing the unified effort, peopled pace and strategic brilliance of Baba Malik Yakini and Monica Lewis Patrick inspired the path Shimekia walks today. Today she leads Souladarity, a small but mighty non-profit housed in Highland Park that has become a locally and nationally recognized leader in energy democracy that aims to be a model of energy resilience and Just-transition toward clean and community-owned solar. This movement in red, black, and Green environmental justice is a journey she shares as a Black woman with the goal of liberating divested communities and empowering them to become self-determining and subject matter experts in the solutions that address their own needs. Shimekia remains humble as she provides an understanding and balances style when it comes to the Black community and the Green Justice movement.

Faniz Bites is the brainchild of Jefani Edison. The daughter of one of Detroit’s premier attorneys (Jeff Edison) has a business in meal prep, seasonings, and catering. Jefani opens up about her upbringing with parents centered in Pan-Africanism. Jefani talks about her love for Nataki Talibah and Howard University. Learn about her perspective on the similarities and differences between the chocolate city of Washington DC and Detroit. Jefani shares about her time working and managing LePetit Zinc as a Black woman operating a French restaurant in Detroit owned by a Black woman (Karima Sorel). Finally, Jefani talks about her business and how to connect with www.fanizbites.com and her seasonings. Get a better understanding of how she personalizes meals for diets, taste, people that don’t cook, and people that can’t cook.

Michigan is a mid-western heartland welcoming people worldwide for beautiful Autumns, rich apples & cherries, and American tradition. The essence of the state through the lens of a Black Man magnifies the dual consciousness highlighted in literature by Ralph Ellison, Amiri Baraka, Richard Wright, Yusef Shakur, and many more. Deolis Allen III joined Detroit is Different to share his story giving an insightful perspective to this all. Allen was born in Ann Arbor as his parents finished their collegiate journeys at the University of Michigan. Allen’s parents eventually settled in the Highland Park community to stand as a presence of intellect, value, and success inside a Black community. Allen opens up about Cass Tech, Eastern Michigan University, and the role of Black men in the community. He provides a grand historical overview of the relationship between young men and older men. A member, facilitator, and teacher of the Better Men Outreach program, Allen shares how basketball has been a key in developing relationships and instilling value into young Black men of Detroit.

January 1, 2022, Yusef Bunchy Shakur delivered the State of Black Detroit 2022 Address and it was impactful. Initially, Yusef defined Black Detroit and its importance. The depth of the relationship between the Great Migration, legacies of revolutionaries, history of resilience, and the bonds between families were prominently addressed in Yusef’s message. The interactive dynamic from Detroit is Different’s live stream was a success as well. Rev. Teferi Brent, Brandon Jessup, Nadia Love, Prostell Thomas, Alfonso Pugh, and many others all joined in providing perspective and insight.

Yusef Bunchy Shakur joins Detroit is Different to talk about his upcoming State of Detroit address. Yusef Bunchy Shakur tells the story of how Henry Ford Hospital is gentrifying his neighborhood. Yusef shares how he was informed through hearsay that a closed meeting was about the future of his community. Yusef walked into the meeting to witness an urban planner tell him his Mother’s house will not exist in Henry Ford Hospital’s plans. Yusef Bunchy Shakur tells the story of how his grandmother and kept morals, character, and integrity. The discussion moves on to share what role social capital plays in a Black neighborhood.

Greg Frazier CPA was born in Little Rock, AR but grew up in Cincinnati, OH. In this interview, he opens up about his childhood and father (my grandfather Don Scott). We explore the dynamics of his upbringing and motivation to prove himself to his father. We also provide the perspective of Don Scott and his brilliance and business and vision.

Greg Frazier offers his story of how he recognized the glass ceiling in corporate America as a Black man. How General Motors rewarded fellow white co-workers up the ladder to have Blacks that trained them to become their subordinates.  

Greg Frazier provides the launch into his career as an entrepreneur sub-contracting computer programming work with Jerome Sheppard. Greg shares the story of choosing work as an independent contractor over an employee is given and his fears and thoughts leading up to the opportunity.

Greg Frazier CPA and Khary Frazier discuss how the Detroit is Different NFT will give a platform to quantify the value of Detroit is Different social capital. Perspectives on the Federal Reserve and fiat currency vs. bitcoin are explored. Finally, Greg Frazier’s building design of the Detroit is Different NFT is given.

Malik Yakini is a Detroit original. Naturally creative and driven towards a higher quality of life through Black Liberation, Gardening, and seeking Knowledge are pillars of life I’ve witnessed from Baba Malik. He was the original guest on Detroit is Different and seven years later he joins me again to speak in more of the macro on philosophy, theory, and the need for action in our community. Malik is dynamic from works leading reggae band (Akoben), helping found an African centered school (Nsoroma Institute), book stoor (Black Star Community Bookstore), Urban Farm (D-Town Farms), Food Co-op (Detroit People’s Food Co-op), and a food justice institution (Detroit Black Community Food Security Network), and the funk/hip-hop/reggae/soul fusion band (Mollywop) all are connected to Malik Yakini. In this conversation, we explore his takes on media today and information. A great count and counterpoint discussion on capitalism and white supremacy is had as well. This was a fun talk with laughter, thought, and inspired some actions on my behalf. Check out this interview and the original Detroit is Different interview with Malik Yakini. Also support Malik Yakini at www.mollywopjams.com, www.detroitpeoplesfoodcoop.com, and www.dbcfsn.org