“People don’t care about policy—they want to know if you care about them.” Detroit is Different is back in studio with District 1 Detroit City Councilmember James Tate, and we’re getting deep. Tate returns to the mic not just as a policymaker but as a Black man opening up about what it truly means to protect your crown—mentally, spiritually, and politically. In one of the most personal Detroit is Different interviews ever, Tate unpacks his own mental health journey, revealing how heartbreak and betrayal spiraled into alcohol dependency, and how that pain sparked a long road toward healing. “I was a functioning alcoholic, self-medicating while trying to keep a public face,” he admits, sharing the raw truth of how anxiety manifests in his life and why he’s no longer hiding from it. From behind the wheel of his car, sweating through moments of panic, to behind the podium of city council meetings, Tate discusses how mental health impacts leadership, legacy, and being a Black man in a society that expects stoic strength.
This episode doesn’t just cover policy or politics—it’s a soulful reflection on what happens when the expectations of manhood and service clash with the reality of trauma, stress, and vulnerability. Tate walks us through the birth of his Protect Your Crown campaign, inspired by his belief that “if your mind ain’t right, nothing else can be.” He explains why he’s focused on Black men, why vulnerability is revolutionary, and why he’s using breathing exercises, biking, and storytelling to reach the community beyond the podium. “You can’t let someone’s desire for you to fail be stronger than your will to succeed,” he says, dropping jewels of lived wisdom throughout. From community meetings to clinical care, this is about transforming pain into policy, and policy into people-centered healing. It’s not just another interview—it’s an urgent call to reimagine what leadership looks like when you lead with your whole self. “I’m not where I was, I’m not where I want to be, but I’m still on that journey.” Tune in. This one hits home.