Authentically Detroit

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Justin Ward to discuss how his puppet show, Draw It Out, is helping kids learn to read. CallJimboFirst also joined to discuss his album, Weight of the World! Justin, a 17-year-old puppeteer and creator of Draw It Out, breaks down the mechanics of teaching reading on screen. Together, they talk about how puppets, music, animation, and live action can tur...

In this episode, Donna sat down with Asia McWright, Director of Operations at Vivent Health, to discuss their new HIV care and prevention center in Highland Park as well as protecting Black children’s futures.  Together they get specific about what’s available, from specialized HIV care and primary care to an on-site pharmacy, case management, a food pantry designed for dignity, and harm reduction...

In this episode, Donna and Sam discuss some of the biggest political narratives dominating Michigan’s headlines including Kamala Harris' Detroit visit and the relationship between Detroit rappers and MAGA. Together they dive into the frustration that builds when local media cannot get answers while national cameras set the stage. From there they zoom out to the shifting shape of Democratic po...

On this episode, Monet Harris and Dawn Wilson-Clark join Arlyssa to discuss the beginning of the school year in Detroit and the Metro Detroit area. Together, they talk through the issues that keep showing up across Detroit schools, DPSCD and charters alike: broken communication, last minute changes, and the customer service gap that leaves parents chasing answers. From there they get into the basi...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Joseph Middlebrooks, the Economic Growth Manager at Eastside Community Network (ECN) to discuss the upcoming Sustainability Summit, where environmental wellness meets local entrepreneurship and community connection.  From rooftop solar power and battery storage that supports real energy resilience to new public space improvements tied to the Angela Brow...

In this episode, Donna and Sam discuss whether Black voters in Detroit are actually moving toward Republicans in the 2026 cycle, or if the story has been overstated by headlines and echo chambers.  They also weigh in on what Abdul El-Sayed’s candidacy reveals about coalition politics, media narratives, and the double standards candidates of color face. The conversation moves through the issues div...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Jamila Martin from the Movement Voter Project to discuss the political environment on the left - generational divides, growth of a multi-cultural coalition, and the widespread rejection of corporate politics.  The Movement Voter Project funds local organizing and movement-building to shift culture, win power, and shape policy. MVP is like a “mutual fund...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Tiara Jones, founder of Black Beautiful and Brilliant to discuss how their brand is centering identity, legacy, resilience, and empowering our community. Black Beautiful & Brilliant was created with Black women at the center. It exists as inspiration — to affirm their worth, reflect their power, and remind them of who they are, even in seasons that...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the State Director of the Working Families Party to discuss the results of Michigan’s 2026 primary election. Michigan’s 2026 primary election gained significant national attention as Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens faced off in a race that some said would determine the future of the democratic party.  The Working Families Party believes that future inc...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Jai Smith, an official Influencer for Detroit Public Schools Community District to discuss a youth perspective on politics ahead of the 2026 Michigan Primary Election. If you’re looking to learn more about candidates in each race check out our forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, which took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. H...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down to discuss what went down at the 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum.  The Eastside Candidate Forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections. At the forum, residents had the chance to learn where candidates stand on community priorities, local policy, and issues...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Organizer and Labor Policy Expert, Jasmine Kaltenbach to discuss the upcoming 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum. The Eastside Candidate Forum , held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, takes place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections. At the forum, residents will have the chance to learn where candidate...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the City Council Person for District 4, Latisha Johnson Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Wayne State Dr. William Shuster, and Environmental Justice Director at Eastside Community Network, Dr. Marie Garcia to discuss what’s happening with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the canals in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. To s...

In the first episode of Have You Heard? , Arlyssa Heard sits down with father, mentor, coach, author, and youth advocate Jonathan Shropshire to discuss the rise in fighting, bullying, and violence in schools.  Together, they explore how social media conflicts spill into classrooms, what's driving these behaviors, and what parents, schools, and communities can do to better support our children...

In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Sheba Rogers, Liz Kennedy, Ali Lakhani  and Valerie Kelly-Bonner to discuss a series of mental health roundtable discussions Detroit Justice, Henry Ford Health’s Trauma Recovery Center, and Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism (SOOAR) have hosted in the city. Trauma is often thought of as an injury resulting from a motor vehicle crash o...

In this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including some of the upcoming primary elections. They also sat down the Jessica Kwalli, the owner of Jessica Blair Beauty. Jessica Kwalli is no stranger to identifying and servicing the needs of others which is why she is the Founder & CEO of Black Diamond Beauty Supply Co. LLC. As a native Detroiter,...

In this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including Mike Duggan’s exit from the governor’s race, Detroit’s census case, UAW endorsements, money out of politics, and more! They also discuss Juneteenth and the importance of telling the story of Black people’s freedom. The word "Juneteenth" bleeds "June" and "nineteenth,&quot...

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed director and the founder of Plowshares Theatre Gary Anderson plus playwright Cándido Tirado to discuss the world premiere of “Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within,” an original play written by Tirado. “Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” dramatizes the life of baseball great Roberto Clemente, one of the few Latin athletes who recognized his African ancestry. F...

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed the latest member of the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, Kamaria Gray, to discuss her newly released podcast “Roots & Wonder.”  Roots & Wonder Podcast is a storytime space where little ones are invited to slow down, listen closely, and remember. Each episode retells beloved African folktales carried across generations through voice, rhythm, an...

In this special live episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the producer of Authentically Detroit, Sarah Johnson and Jerjuan Howard, the owner of the newly opened Howard Family Bookstore for a powerful evening rooted in storytelling, reflection, and community. The discussion surrounded the creation of Divining Freedom , a novel written by Donna. This multigenerational story explores the legacy of th...

In this special live episode, Donna and Orlando reunite for a book talk at the Charles H. Wright Museum in collaboration with Next Chapter Books.  This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, author of The Black Utopians, and Michelle Adams, author of The Containment. Together, they explored the enduring relevance of Black Utopia, freedom, and justice in a t...

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowerment Plan, Veronika Scott, plus Chief Executive Officer of COTS Detroit, Cheryl P. Johnson, to discuss their 16-year partnership - centering a shared mission of providing emergency help for people experiencing homelessness and providing pathways out of generational poverty. The Coalition On Temporary Shelter’s (C...

In this episode, Donna and Sam introduce the latest segment on Authentically Detroit, What’s Happening at ECN featuring Outreach Manager for the Housing & Economic Department at Eastside Community Network, Kevin Ashwood. Kevin leads resident engagement, community outreach, and program education efforts centered on housing stability, wealth building, and neighborhood empowerment across Detroit’...

In this episode, Donna and Sam recap some of the top headlines from the weekend’s Michigan Democratic Party Convention!  Many celebrated over the weekend as Michigan progressives scored key victories. Michigan Democrats say they are closer together ahead of the midterm elections, despite the existing divisions within the party over foreign wars and corporate power. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Wa...

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network Presents... Amplify Outside! Welcome to the Amplify Outside podcast, a show with a mission of amplifying nuanced approaches to Intersectional Environmentalism centered in no other than Detroit, Michigan.  For our first episode we meet host Ian John Solomon and speak with the City of Detroit’s Director of Sustainability Tepfirah Rushdan about what makes Det...