Authentically Detroit

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome the Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to discuss her work guiding and building support for efforts to boost the economic security of Michigan citizens.  As Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, (LEO), Kim Trent is charged with guiding and b...

In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities to discuss their work eradicating racism, discrimination, and systemic inequities.  Rooted in the profound legacy of his mama, Ava Jo—whose love, humor, and grit shaped him long before any degree—Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur carries her spirit in everything he does. Today,...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with State Senate hopeful Eboni Taylor to discuss her vision for Michigan’s 3rd District as well as Nafeesah Symonette and Rhonda Green who gave insight into the Summer Arts Employment Training (SAET) Program.  Eboni Taylor is a lifelong Detroiter and daughter of the Eastside. She believes that we deserve better, but more than that, she believes that we can...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Charles Erza Ferrell, De’Sean Jones, and Kenny Green to discuss the upcoming Concert of Colors Neighborhood Programs event. The Concert of Colors in Detroit is one of the nation’s longest-running, largest, free and global music festivals. It is music from around the world at its best. The Concert of Colors was established by Ismael Ahmed – the former he...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with interdisciplinary artist and founder of Amplify Outside, Ian Solomon to discuss recreation as liberation and how he plans to further amplify this message as the newest addition to the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network! Ian John Solomon is an interdisciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan. After receiving his B.A. in broadcast journalism from Walter...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Hitha Healing House Founder and Executive Director, Kayana Sessoms and Executive Director of Brilliant Detroit, Tarsha Gale to discuss how their partnership is helping Detroit moms and their families. In February, Brilliant Detroit unveiled a new partnership with Hitha Healing House that will allow the nonprofit to continue its programming, including it...

On this episode, Donna and Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs sat down for a live book talk at Wayne State University for their Black History Month program.  Anna, a two-time New York Times best-selling author, whose work explores the intersection of history, sociology and gender, is best known for her book The Three Mothers , which examines the lives and influence of the mothers of Martin Luther King Jr., Ma...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Dexter Sullivan, founder of the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition (BLAC) to discuss how they’re building Black power and continuing Detroit’s legacy as a Black city.  The roots of BLAC began to take form in the heart of its founder, Dexter Sullivan, in the early 2000s. Then, in 2020, the world stopped as black residents were impacted at a disproportion...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Co-Executive Directors of the Black Bottom Archives, Marcia Black and Lex Draper Garcia Bey, to discuss how they’re working to uncover and restore our stories as Black Detroiters. At the heart of Black Bottom Archive’s work are the people (and their descendants) who lived, worked, and built lives in Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Their stories, resil...

On this episode, Donna and Sam spoke with Stephanie Wright Griggs and Brian Taylor Sullivan about preserving Black history, the legacy of Dr. Charles H. Wright, and The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall and currently directed by Brian Marable at the Detroit Public Theatre. Healthcare Administration and African American history are the paths by which Stephanie has given a lifetime of public servi...

On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Urenia Johnson and Adelina Robinson to discuss their newly formed collaboration, Thriveworks Coalition and how they’re amplifying access to essential services for families through a unified, holistic approach. Founded by leaders from diverse nonprofit backgrounds, Thriveworks brings together organizations Corporate Development Institute (CDI) and Purpos...

In this episode, Donna and Sam had a virtual sit down with Alex B. Hill for Detroit By The Numbers and Kirsten Elliott, the CEO and President of Community Housing Network. Together, they trace a clear line from protest and media narratives to the daily math of housing: water debt, fixed incomes, PSH funding, and what “affordable” actually costs. Community Housing Network empowers people to live in...

On this episode, Donna welcomes new co-host Sam Robinson to Authentically Detroit! They’re joined by Graig Donnelly and Aaron Abney of the newly launched Community Owner’s Representative Initiative (CORI) to discuss how they’re building Detroit’s capacity for equitable real estate. The Community Owner’s Representative Initiative (CORI) is building Detroit's capacity for equitable real estate...

On this episode, Donna and Orlando reflect on their evolution since starting the podcast in 2019 as Orlando bids farewell to Authentically Detroit. Together they look at how time sharpens politics and encourage Detroiters to keep showing up and building power where it matters. They also sat down with the Co-Founder and Executive Director of 482Forward to discuss how their work helps Detroiters to...

On this episode Orlando sat down with legendary public relations executive, Georgella Muirhead and Vice President of 98Forward, Antonice Strickland to discuss how Georgella’s career shaped Detroit's communications landscape and paved the way for the next generation of leadership at 98Forward. After nearly five decades of shaping Detroit’s civic, corporate, and community narratives, Georgella...

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson! Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season. In this final episode of the year, they conf...

On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with Sidewalk Detroit Program Director, Augusta Morrison and Earth Futures Fellow, Billy Mark to discuss the Echoes Soundmaps project and how they’re advancing public life through the lens of arts, culture, collaborative design and deep engagement with residents.  Sidewalk Detroit exists to advance public life and strong social infrastructure through the...

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson! Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season. In this episode, they trace Detroit’s housin...

On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with the newly appointed and first CEO and Executive Director of Detroit Promise, Onjila Odeneal, to discuss how they’re opening the doors of higher education to Detroit’s youth. Onjila’s hiring marks a historic moment as Detroit Promise enters a new chapter. Detroit Promise provides every eligible Detroit high school graduate with a tuition-free path to...

On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with Aaron Marsh and Noah Stricker of LifeBUILDERS Detroit to discuss how they’re pouring into a community on the city’s east side. Established in 2005 with the mission to bring life and hope to the east side of Detroit, LifeBUILDERS seeks to restore a community that had suffered the devastating effects of disinvestment for nearly 20 years. They seek to h...

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson! Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season. In this episode, they trace how a demolition...

On this episode Donna sat down with the newly elected Denzel McCampbell plus Jasahn Larosa and Iris Taylor of the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (SEMPQIC).  Together, they explore a father-centered approach to maternal and infant health and the policy changes that make it possible, as well as Detroit’s new council voice on housing, transit, environmental justice, an...

On this episode Donna and Orlando discuss Detroit’s historic election where the city elected Mary Sheffield as its 76th mayor along with a progressive bloc which aims to reshape Detroit’s future.  After months of forums and one-on-ones with candidates, they share why this landslide felt inevitable and why it has to translate into results at the neighborhood level. Early voting helped lift turnout...

On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with community organizer, Branden Snyder, to discuss the Working Families Party and how people can stay involved in the political process beyond election day.  They also unpack the media narratives swirling around the mayoral race, why they matter for young Black leadership in Detroit, and the government shutdown’s impact on EBT and food security across M...

The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson! Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season. In this episode, they weigh Detroit’s debate...