Authentically Detroit

All February long, Donna and Orlando are taking the time to honor Black History with Detroit roots. They welcomed Allen Rawls, Trustee Board Member of the Motown Museum and Jawan M. Jackson, Tony & Grammy Award nominee and star of the Broadway smash "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations" to talk all things Motown.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Face...

Donna sits down with Detroit Department of Elections Official, Daniel Baxter. Daniel is also the Founder & CEO of the Dr. Ossian Sweet Foundation.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Hosts Donna Givens Davidson and Orlando Bailey take over facilitation duties for the Lower Eastside Action Plan's (LEAP) Community Meeting. They welcomed Detroit City Council President Pro-Tem, Mary Sheffield and Charter Commissioner, Denzel McCampbell to discuss the adoption of the Detroiters Bill of Rights into the city charter and what comes next.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram ,...

Black History Month is right around the corner and Orlando welcomed food champions Jerry Hebron and Ederique Goudia to discuss A Taste of the Diaspora. It's an initiative that will celebrate Africa's contribution to the American cuisine by showcasing the diverse foods of the African Diaspora. The project will provide monetary support to Black restaurants and farmers hit hard by the COVID...

Ahead of the Presidential Inauguration, hosts, Donna Givens Davidson and Orlando Bailey sit down with U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib who represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District.  The Congresswoman discusses the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, safety in D.C., and housing stability in Detroit.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

This episode, Donna and Orlando respond to the insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6th. Former investigative reporter, now candidate for District 4 City Council, M.L. Elrick joins to answer on the record, the critiques that Donna and Orlando gave in the Afrofuturism episode.   Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Happy New Year! The first episode of 2021 is here. This week, Donna and Orlando welcomed organizer, activist, artist, entertainer, and Afrofuturist, Bryce Detroit.  Bryce shared some of what he's been working on including the "Hood Closed to Gentrifiers" campaign and how Afrofuturism can be the cornerstone for radical imagination in Detroit's neighborhoods.  Be sure to like, co...

To round out 2020, Donna and Orlando invited their friends in local philanthropy to talk about the big moments of the year in Detroit and the nation. The crew also looked ahead to 2021 and talked about plans they've been cooking up. Donna and Orlando are joined by: Kevin Ryan, Program Officer on the Cities and States Team with the Ford Foundation. Meredith Freeman, Director of Alignment and I...

Donna and Orlando discuss State Rep. Cynthia Johnson and the death threats she has been receiving since a hearing at the state capitol with Rudy Giuliani. Vaccinations conversation is underway and Detroiters are torn on whether they'll take it for many reasons. Detroit mayor, Mike Duggan announced an extension on the water shutoff moratorium the day before he announces his bid for re-election...

A special thankfulness episode recorded right before the Thanksgiving Holiday. No news. No politics. Just food and joy.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna and Orlando welcome Khalilah Burt Gaston, CEO of Glide Path Strategies and Yusef Shakur to talk about the intersectionality of Black men and women in the election, the role of Black people in partisan politics and the narrative framing of the relationship Black men have with Donald Trump.  This episode was a tough one to finish because during the recording, news broke that the Wayne Board of...

Donna and Orlando talk all things election with friend to the show, Kat Stafford, race and ethnicity reporter for the Associated Press and Camille Johnson, consultant, creative and vanguard for Black Twitter. Camille is also Donna's oldest daughter.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna and Orlando sit down their friend and colleague Anika Goss, Executive Director of Detroit Future City to talk about their latest framework toward reaching true economic equity in Detroit.  Remember to vote on November 3rd.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna and Orlando sit down with a coalition of activists pushing for Grosse Pointe Park to open the borders to Detroiters. Graig Donnelly, Bianca Garcia, and Frank Joyce joins them for a spirited discussion about spatial segregation, racism, collaboration and healing.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Orlando is on vacation and Donna is at the helm! She sits down with Detroit Public School Community District board member, Misha Stallworth and Detroit Action's Executive Director, Branden Snyder to talk about elections in Detroit, education and generational gaps. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna and Orlando welcomed poet, digital and racial justice activist, Tawana "Honeycomb" Petty. Tawana discusses the Black Lives Matter movement, facial recognition technology and resourcing communities to thrive.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

This week Donna and Orlando spoke with Edythe Ford. Edythe is the Director of Community Engagement at MACC Development on Detroit's Eastside. She talks about her love for the Eastside, how a Queen's job is never done, and MACC Development's new 48214 Cares Program!  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Orlando and Donna emcee a virtual community gathering in partnership with Eastside Community Network to dialogue with residents about Proposal N. Previous show guests, former deputy mayor Anthony Adams and State Sen. Adam Hollier joined the gathering to offer their varying commentary on Proposal N and to answer questions. Proposal N will be on the November ballot in Detroit. For more information o...

Ahead of the Breonna Taylor decision, Donna and Orlando spoke to the organizers of Detroit's newest initiative aptly entitled "Black Women Lead." The initiative aims to celebrate and amplify Black women in Detroit leading on every level. The episode is a celebration of sisterhood, enduring leadership, and the magic that is the Black woman. The day after the recording, the Kentucky A...

This episode we are joined by former Deputy Mayor under Kwame Kilpatrick, Anthony Adams. Adams shares his vision on racial justice, defunding police, and creating equitable economies in the city of Detroit.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

This episode we are joined by State Senator Adam Hollier who represents the 2nd District in the Michigan Senate which includes parts of Detroit, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe and Hamtramck. We discuss his stance on hot issues, some of his controversial votes and his legislative policy agenda moving forward.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna is back from her BAEcation and honeymoon! We're joined by Donna's husband Kevin and they tell of their amazing love story. Donna and Kevin's love gives us all the feels and hope! Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Donna is still off on vacation so Orlando sat down with Detroit Group Executive of Housing, Planning and Development to talk about the new state fairgrounds redevelopment proposal, Proposal N (appearing on the November ballot in Detroit), and how to hold him accountable as a public servant. Jemison also gives his reaction to Senator Kamala Harris being the presumptive Democratic nominee for Vice-P...

Donna is off for most of August so Orlando is navigating the ship solo! Orlando welcomed back Jermaine Ruffin from Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department and "The Streets Are Planning" podcast in lieu of a recent article he penned in Medium aptly titled, "For Those Who Love the Built Environment: Anxiety of a Black Urban Planner. Allen Penniman, urban planner and desig...

Donna and Orlando sit down with sitting Wayne County Treasurer, Eric Sabree to discuss the recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling - Rafaeli v. Oakland County - the impact on Wayne County, Tax Foreclosure Policy and Practices, and the upcoming August 4th election. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter .