Capturing the culture that makes Detroit what it is.

Jay Rayford on Business, Sales, and Black Detroit

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Jay Rayford is creating opportunity through his network. Business is about profit for some, but few find value in the connection of creating businesses that bring people together. Jay is one of the entrepreneurs that is driven to find products and services that bond people to experiences. In this Detroit is Different discussion we talk about Social Sushi and how the business began. Jay opens up about his childhood and love for the Cody HS robotics team. Also, learn how to work as a salesman has built Jay’s confidence in building a strong network and family.

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What is a Lot of Studio

“We need to do something outside.” This is what Detroit is Different founder Khary Frazier will tell you when you

In Business as Best Friends connecting Seniors to Resources

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Greg Hines and Kevin Manuel are entrepreneurs that came into the business of caring for elders through know-how and need. Greg and Kevin both relocated to Detroit during a time of the burgeoning renaissance of Black business and corporate excellence. Their work in pharmaceutical sales and management were assets in a region looking to acquire talent. Friends for years decided to go into business together with owning an Amada Senior Care franchise. The two began with one client who taught them much about aging care and attention and now their knack for customer service has grown into an expansive practice. During this time of the COVD-19 crisis keeping proper care for their clients has made their work more appreciated for many families in the region. Kevin and Greg open up about their journey and friendship. How being in business has strengthened their bond and now is a stronghold for their families. Special Thanks to Charlene Mitchell-Rogers for this great interview.

Culture, Place-making, and Creativity in Detroit Today with Njia Kai

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Njia Kai loves artistry. The life work of Njia has placed her in spaces to best present performance, projects, and programming related to culture. The way she helped make flyers and programs for high school events has now transitioned to the African World Festival, Campus Martius event planning, and so much more. Our first interview (2018) discussed her background and journey and this interview connects her ideas for the future. This is a deep conversation and fruitful perspective looking at how we can all reconnect with culture moving beyond this crisis.

From student loving school to teacher advocating for Students, Sharea Ayers

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The talent was recognized in Sharea Ayers at a young age through artistry. Sketches, paintings, Black history, and Women’s history were a mix of interests Sharea had as a child. Today these interests carry on in her career. Sharea is the student that loved school and became a teacher. Over ten years of teaching from rural Ohio and Detroit city have provided her a better understanding of support resources needed for students. Now, Sharea supports Parents with projects and programming. We discuss her story and relationship with her Parents having a working mother and father who spent much of her childhood incarcerated. She opens up about the testament of her mother and the struggle of her father. Through that journey how her connection to learning has grown with students, parents, and teachers in the process of learning.

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Loving music and expressing it in song for Kesswa

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Kesswa is a beautiful songstress that is offering a style of grace and love. Sterling Toles interviews her and has her open up about music, school, and her Nigerian roots. In this introduction, you get a peek into the process of how Kesswa creates and why she creates. Her music is soothing and heartfelt in a time of production filled with bigger & nosier feels. Learn more about one of the blossoming talents from Detroit touching the nation today.

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Thornetta & Jam

Thornetta Davis-Anderson and James Anderson share in love, art, and family. In their interview, they open up about meeting for

90 years in the Motor City with Miss Annie

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Annie Handy is a good friend of my (Khary Frazier) Aunt Joyce Allen and when we met I was surprised to find a woman that’s 97 years old so social-able. It is humbling to know how much driving, talking, and community work Miss Annie still does today. Her interest in American history and Detroit history is humbling to witness and know she has first-hand accounts for most 20th century Detroit history. This interview begins with her sharing of how her mother was murder when she was a child. Her mother’s murder is a Detroit unsolved mystery that involves the infamous ‘Purple Gang’ and Miss Annie’s Uncle. The interview also explores her career as a nurse, social worker, and education from Hamtramck HS/ Wayne State University. Her career path had her working with Attorneys Ken Cockrel Sr. & Otis Culpepper. She also shares about dealing with a husband struggling with PTSD from WWII while raising her sons. Miss Annie’s life is fascinating and her sharing the stories on Detroit is Different wowed me!

From Fitness Movement to Business for Ashley Nicole

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Before venturing out into entrepreneurship fulltime Ashley Nicole had a growing base of Instagram support. ‘Watch Me Melt,’ is a journey where Ashley Nicole challenged herself to lose weight through the encouragement of her Instagram followers. Ashley’s idea has become a global program that has become a business of events, clothing, and more. In her, Detroit is Different feature Ashley shares her journey from salesperson and Wayne State University graduate to a fitness business person. Her work now is reaching globally and connecting so many people with others who optimistically are changing health lifestyles. Ashley also opens up about her journey at Cass Tech and love for performance with me (Khary Frazier & band General Population 2007 – 2016).

Tawana Petty talks about the Community’s relationship to Police, Police

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The Detroit Police historically have had a strained relationship with the Black community. The 1943 Riot, 1967 Rebellion, the Sojourner Truth Housing incidents, the Big Four, Malice Green, Aiyana Jones, and many more dividing acts have created a tense connection between Black and Blue in Detroit. Tawana Honeycomb Petty’s relationship witnessing this is layered with officers in her family and neighbors experiencing harassment. Tawana opens up about her journey from poetry into becoming a Social Justice warrior. In the shadows of greats like Dr. Gloria House comes the connection between literary arts and social justice. Tawana stands as one of the strongest advocates against police surveillance and what that means for human rights. In this Detroit is Different feature we explore her works and path towards freedom for all.

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