“If you want to make $100K as a filmmaker, all you need is $11.40 an hour—24 hours a day.” That’s the kind of paradigm-shifting wisdom Timashion Jones drops in this electric episode of Detroit is Different. From childhood summers flipping on mattresses in west side alleys to building cinematic masterpieces screened on Tubi and PBS, Timashion shares how his upbringing in a tight-knit Detroit neighborhood, rooted in Black entrepreneurship and creative hustle, shaped his vision as a filmmaker. “We caught the bus everywhere,” he says. “But once I got that Pontiac 6000, we were EVERYWHERE.” He breaks down how being raised by a mother who ran transmission shops and bounce house businesses inspired his leap from engineering to independent film. From the Emmy-winning “Cody High” documentary to his latest hit “Mirror of Deception,” Timashion tells stories that uplift, educate, and heal. This episode is a journey through legacy, Detroit culture, family, faith, tech, and tenacity. “My mom told me, ‘What’s the worst that can happen? You just go back to work.’ So I bet on myself.”
Detroit Made Me: Saunteel Jenkins on Grief, Grit, and Growing Up on Joy Road
“You can’t fix what you don’t understand, and I understand Detroit because I’ve lived it.” This week on Detroit is
Detroit Made Me: Saunteel Jenkins on Grief, Grit, and Growing Up on Joy Road
Liquid Silver, Soul Detroit, and Spectacles, the Legendary of Zana Smith
“You’ve got to have something you control—and for us, that’s Soul Detroit.” Zana Smith, founder of Spectacles Boutique, as she
Liquid Silver, Soul Detroit, and Spectacles, the Legendary of Zana Smith
Black Wall Street to Belgrave: Timashion Jones on Film, Family, and Detroit Legacy
“If you want to make $100K as a filmmaker, all you need is $11.40 an hour—24 hours a day.” That’s
Black Wall Street to Belgrave: Timashion Jones on Film, Family, and Detroit Legacy
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“I came to Detroit and realized—this ain’t a city you read about. This is a city you live.” In this Detroit is Different episode, Joshua LaMere unpacks a cultural journey that spans from North Minneapolis to the heart of Highland Park, and what it means to truly fall in love with a city that keeps it real. “Detroiters don’t wait for a crisis to care,” he reflects, contrasting the stiff, buttoned-up culture of Minnesota with Detroit’s open-armed grit. Joshua shares how his life changed forever after discovering Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe. “This ain’t gentrification, this is cultural resurrection,” he says, pushing a vision of Highland Park as the next Harlem. Whether it’s Dutch Girl at 2 AM or lessons from Malcolm X, this conversation is Detroit culture.
“Are you gonna paint that, or feel that?” Sydney G. James drops that kind of heat in this no-holds-barred Detroit is Different conversation. She brings the stories behind the Blackout Walls, the politics of public art, and the legacy of Black family in Detroit into vivid focus. “People don’t understand—when I painted at MOCAD, folks walked in and said, ‘This feel like Grandma’s house.’ That’s art!” Sydney shares her journey from drawing cartoons at three to setting visual standards with murals that honor, heal, and celebrate Detroit. “We need pamphlets with every house in Conant Gardens,” she says, lifting up the deep lineage of culture in neighborhoods dismissed as ‘red zones.’ From Cass Tech to CCS, from LA TV sets to East Side lots, this episode is a masterclass in keeping it real, bold, and Black in the city that raised her. “I didn’t paint next to another Black woman until I hired her,” she reveals—making clear why Black women artists must not just be included but lead.
“‘Don’t send me home—I’m in pain.’ That’s what I told the ER doctor. If she hadn’t listened, I probably wouldn’t be here today.” Lisa Whitmore Davis sits down in the Detroit is Different studio on Mother’s Day and unpacks a journey that touches the soul and strikes a chord in every Detroit family. From her upbringing in Benton Harbor—”We were the only Whitmores in the phone book”—to leading cultural change in organizations like AARP, Lisa’s story is rich with service, legacy, and resilience. In this powerful interview, Lisa speaks candidly about her battle with breast cancer, the power of Black women’s voices in healthcare—”I had to fight to be believed”—and the documentary project birthed from her pain. Along the way, she shares why she chose Detroit over Birmingham, how her daughter’s school sat next to the Charles H. Wright Museum, and the spirit of service instilled by her missionary father and nursing mother. This episode dives deep into culture, caregiving, spirituality, community, and the healing power of storytelling. “Culture is identity,” Lisa says. And her identity is deeply Detroit.
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Why AI Can`t Replace Human Creativity
"AI can`t do what I do. Because you can`t make it feel like something, `cause AI don`t know how to feel." Sydney G. James, a pioneering visual artist, explores the limits of AI in creativity. In our interview for Detroit is Different, she delves into why human touch in art cannot be replicated by machines. Discover how embracing technology can still be about maintaining authenticity and creativity.
You Can’t AI Artistic Soul: Sydney G. James on Murals, Memory, and Making Detroit Seen
Detroit is Different episode 453 with Sydney James
#AIandArt #HumanCreativity #SydneyGJames #DetroitIsDifferent
Economics of Art, Why Fundraising Matters
"You`re hosting this festival inside of a black-ass city, the blackest city in America, and you`re not bringing any black artists." In a powerful interview with Detroit is Different, Visual Artist Sydney G. James discusses the economic impact of art and the importance of fundraising to support artists. Discover how art fuels local economies and why inclusivity is crucial in creative spaces. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of art and community.
You Can’t AI Artistic Soul: Sydney G. James on Murals, Memory, and Making Detroit Seen
Detroit is Different episode 453 with Sydney James
#ArtEconomics #CommunitySupport #CulturalInclusion #DetroitArt
Execution Over Policy, the True Test of Leadership
"However, the best written ordinance means nothing if you can`t execute." In her Detroit is Different interview, Mayoral Candidate Saunteel Jenkins emphasizes the importance of executive experience in transforming policies into action. She shares insights on building effective coalitions and tackling the complexities of legislation and funding to address vital issues. Learn how Jenkins has been making a difference at Thaw for over a decade.
Detroit Made Me: Saunteel Jenkins on Grief, Grit, and Growing Up on Joy Road
Detroit is Different episode 457 with Saunteel Jenkins
#Leadership #Detroit #SaunteelJenkins #PolicyExecution #CommunityImpact
Step Into Service: One Day, One Stop, One Career with Wayne County Sheriff
Join the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office for a unique One-Stop Hiring Event on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Wayne County Criminal Justice Center (5301 Russell Street, Detroit, MI 48211). This event is open to anyone 18 and older looking to begin a career in law enforcement. Attendees can pre-register at sheriffconnect.com/onestop to fast-track their experience, allowing recruiters to conduct pre-checks and provide key details ahead of time. Walk-ins are welcome but may experience slower processing. Participants will complete a written exam, health screening (no drug testing), and an agility test—all in one visit. Expect a welcoming environment with snacks, mentorship from current deputies, and the chance to explore specialty units like the SWAT team, K9s, Mounted Patrol, Motorcycle Unit, and more. Registration requires your name, phone number, email, birthdate, and driver’s license number. The full process takes about two hours, making this a streamlined, same-day opportunity to step into a meaningful career with the Wayne County Sheriff`s Office.
Drawn from Detroit: Sydney James and the Art of Coming Full Circle
When I say the experience of Black family, I went into a room and felt like, damn, this was my grandma house." In this powerful episode of Detroit is Different, Sydney James — renowned muralist, painter, and cultural curator — takes us into the heart of her artistry and the legacy she honors with every brushstroke. From painting on her childhood bedroom walls to transforming Detroit’s cityscape, Sydney shares how her youthful passions became a career rooted in purpose. "Everything I do now for a career, I did as a kid," she reflects, as we discuss her unforgettable MOCAD exhibit `A Girl Raised in Detroit,` the bold spirit behind her fashion-infused art, and her creative leadership in anchoring spaces like the Chroma building. With shout-outs to icons like Halima and stories that echo through generations, this interview is more than talk — it’s testimony. Tune in and feel the vibrance of a visionary who turns memory into movement.
#DetroitIsDifferent #SydneyGJames #BlackArtMatters #DetroitArtist #MuralMovement #BlackCreativeExcellence #ArtAsResistance #DetroitCulture #BlackWomenArtists
Why Detroit Will Always Be Home
"Detroit is the best place for Black people...because it`s home." In a powerful interview on "Detroit is Different," visual artist Sydney G. James shares her deep-rooted connection to the city she calls home. She explores the sense of belonging that Detroit provides and reflects on her artistic journey within this vibrant, diverse community. Discover why Sydney chooses to plant herself in Detroit despite opportunities elsewhere, and how this city continues to fuel her creativity.
You Can’t AI Artistic Soul: Sydney G. James on Murals, Memory, and Making Detroit Seen
Detroit is Different episode 453 with Sydney James
#DetroitIsHome #VisualArt #CommunityRoots #BlackArtists #DetroitCommunity #ArtisticJourney
The One-Minute Budget Miracle
"On the campaign trail, it`s a challenge: `You have one minute to tell me how you`re gonna balance the budget for the next 20 years.` But it`s essential to have deeper conversations about what elected officials can realistically accomplish. In my latest conversation with Detroit Mayoral Candidate Saunteel Jenkins, we delve into the complexities of district versus at-large representation, and the real power — or lack thereof — that local council members hold. Discover why understanding these nuances is crucial for Detroit`s future.
Detroit Made Me: Saunteel Jenkins on Grief, Grit, and Growing Up on Joy Road
Detroit is Different episode 457 with Saunteel Jenkins
#DetroitPolitics #LocalGovernment #BudgetManagement #Elections2025
Detroit is Different & Good Cakes and Bakes Present
What’s Sweet & What’s Spicy: A Live Podcast on Black Business & Community
📅 Thursday, June 19, 2025 | 🕒 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Good Cakes and Bakes | 19363 Livernois, Detroit, MI 48221
🎟️ Free and open to the public
Join us for a sweet slice of culture and conversation during the Avenue of Fashions Juneteenth Celebration! Detroit is Different goes live in-store with a special podcast hosted by Khary Frazier, featuring a powerful dialogue with April Anderson, owner of Detroit’s cherished Good Cakes and Bakes.
From 3 PM to 4 PM, we’ll dive into April’s journey—baking brilliance, community commitment, and entrepreneurial grit—all grounded in the rich legacy of Black business in Detroit. Stay afterward to connect, reflect, and celebrate culture with us.
Live podcast, good vibes, and a community that rises—together.
#DetroitIsDifferent #GoodCakesAndBakes #WhatsSweetAndSpicy #BlackBusinessMatters #JuneteenthDetroit #AvenueOfFashions #DetroitCulture #CommunityConversation #LivePodcast #SupportBlackBusiness #KharyFrazier #AprilAnderson #DetroitEvents #CulturalCelebration