Authentically Detroit

This week Orlando is a co-moderator for the 'Seeking Alignment: Power Building to Equalize the Playing Field for Neighborhoods' forum sponsored by Building the Engine of Community Development in Detroit and the Community Development Advocates of Detroit. Guests are follows: Sherita Smith , Cinnaire Maggie DeSantis , Building the Engine of Community Development in Detroit Madahavi Reddy ,...

Later today, on December 1st, Latisha Johnson will be sworn in as City Council Representative for District 4 Detroit.  While Orlando is on a fact-finding trip with colleagues and friends, Donna and Latisha had a wide-ranging conversation discussing her plans, her policy goals, and stances on community issues. Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Last week a story collaboration between NBC News and Outlier Media day-lighted a pervasive issue that a lot of Detroiters know all too well. The scam of fake landlords collecting thousands of dollars from vulnerable residents who think they’re paying the true owner of the property or a legitimate property management company. We're joined by the journalists who reported the story, Aaron Mondry...

Welcome back! Donna and Orlando are joined by Branden Snyder, Co-Executive Director of Detroit Action to run down the results from Detroit's latest municipal election. The real story is that residents have elected what seems to be a more progressive city council and the trio discusses how that could impact Mayor Duggan's agenda. They are also asking the question of how Detroit can have o...

Join Donna and Orlando as they interview a number of elected officials, local political candidates, and resident leaders during their Detroit Election Watch Party and Townhall.  Guests in order of appearance: Denzel McCampbell, Candidate for Detroit City Clerk State Senator Adam Hollier Latisha Johnson, Candidate for District 4 City Council seat Nicole Small, Candidate for At-Large City Council se...

This episode we are joined Joel Howrani Heeres who serves as the Director for the Office of Sustainability in the Mayor's Office. We talked about how the Office of Sustainability is doing the work to center equity in all of their work, climate change, and much needed investment in infrastructure that touch our neighborhoods and our homes. The Office of Sustainability will be hosting a series...

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is presenting 10 DRAFT maps of newly redrawn state and federal legislative lines. A Michigan State University study says that the current draft maps harm Black voters. Michigan State Senator Adam Hollier joins us to issue a call to action to voters in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan to raise their voice and concern to the Commission as t...

It's our 100 episode celebration!!! This episode we're bringing you the highly anticipated debate between M.L. Elrick and Latisha Johnson for Detroit's District 4 City Council seat. Listen to the two of them debate the issues and make an informed decision at the ballot box.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

The November General Election is quickly approaching and some Detroit residents have already received their absentee ballots. Many were surprised to see Proposal S on the back of their ballot and raised concerns about what the proposal's language actually means. The man behind Proposal S, Attorney Todd Perkins, joins us to break down what the proposal would do if Detroiters vote 'yes.&ap...

We went to the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference last week where we had the opportunity to interview three dynamic conference speakers! Dr. Andre Perry , Senior Fellow at Brookings Institute and Author of "Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities Dwan Dandridge , Founder & CEO of Black Leaders Detroit Angelique Power , Presi...

We're back! This week, Denzel McCampbell joins us to talk about his candidacy for Detroit City Clerk. He tells us about his vision for the role and how he plans to completely overhaul engagement and education should he win the election on November 2nd.  Here are the stories we included in our Hot Takes segment! As always, thanks for listening! ‘THE SCENE’ REUNION CELEBRATES DETROIT’S DANCE HI...

Donna and funny man Darryl Earl sit down to discuss his work prior to joining ECN to Direct the Stoudamire Wellness Hub, his career as a professional comedian, and most importantly, upcoming plans for the Stoudamire Wellness Hub, so named after Eastside legend Marlowe Stoudamire.   Shoutouts to: Orlando Bailey on vacation this week and winner of the Spirit of Detroit award Darnell Adams for his ap...

BridgeDetroit reporters Olivia Lewis and Louis Aguilar joined Donna and Orlando for a discussion of stories they authored last week after the 2020 Census results found that the population in Detroit is still on the decline.  Louis wrote a timeline of major events within the last decade that could help put in perspective why population in Detroit continues to decline.  Olivia wrote a story that amp...

While Orlando was traveling for business, Donna sat down with Sonya Mays, President and CEO of Develop Detroit and Treasurer of Detroit School Board, on Tuesday August 24th, the day BEFORE the FBI searches were announced,  to discuss some provocative thoughts about ways to improve political integrity in Detroit. We also discuss  Sonya's work history, community development, bankruptcy, emergen...

Donna is back from her bae-cation!!! Khalilah Burt Gaston joins Donna and Orlando to talk about the Residents First Fund that grants dollars to grassroots organizations and resident-led projects doing the important work of creating and sustaining thriving communities in Detroit.  In the process of recording this episode, we found out that native Detroiter, television and radio personality, activis...

What's up, fam! Donna is still on vacation so Orlando is hosting solo this week! He goes one on one with Detroit Griot and Historian Jamon Jordan. A new historical marker has been erected that acknowledges the old Black Bottom neighborhood in what is now Lafayette Park. Jamon gives us a historical account of Black Bottom and how the process he and others went through to acknowledge the now ra...

Back with another one! Donna is out on a much deserved vacation and Chase Cantrell is seating in the cohost seat! Architectural Designer Bucky Willis and Afro-Urbanist Lauren Hood join us for a conversation about amplifying audacious ideas from Black folks, designing Black futures and unlearning degradation. The crew also touched on the need for meaningful intersections with artists and community...

On Tuesday, July 27th, the Detroit City Council approved Mayor Duggan's appointment of Antoine Bryant as the city's newest Planning and Development Director. Antoine came through to speak with Donna and Orlando for his first interview after since his confirmation. He hails all the way from Houston, Texas by way of Brooklyn, New York with a wide cadre of experiences. He brings academic ac...

Flooding and infrastructure in the city of Detroit is once again taking center stage in today’s conversation. More specifically, Donna and Orlando are asking the question of who should bear the brunt of repairs and recovery from the recent flash flooding Detroit has been experiencing and who should be paying for the prevention efforts to stop this from happening? Russ Bellant joined the hosts for...

Information Detroiters can use... Share with your loved ones and neighbors.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

It's an election year for the city of Detroit. This year Detroiters will elect a Mayor, City Council members, City Clerk and possibly vote on a revision to the City Charter. Orlando and Donna hope to talk with candidates running for various. Mayoral Candidate, Anthony Adams joined them to share his vision for Detroit. FRESH OFF THE PRESS STORIES: WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO PROTECT METRO DETROITERS...

Over the weekend, Southeastern Michigan experienced an extreme amount of consistent rainfall up to six inches in some areas. There are many reports of residents dealing with standing water and sewage in their basements. Since Friday, families have been recovering from the torrential downpour and are cleaning out what is left of items that they cannot salvage. Orlando and Donna spoke with four resi...

This is a special episode celebrating Pride Month! Donna and Orlando hosted Philip Johnson (Donna's son) and Ian McCain to help celebrate but to also have some critical conversation that will educate, grow, and even challenge the listener.     Philip, now based in Los Angeles, is the Founder and CEO of Philaye Films where he serves as the primary showrunner, writer, director, producer and act...

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the founders of Century Partners, Andrew Colom and David Alade along with their new partner, Shea Whitfield from the hit HGTV Show, " Bargain Block ." Century Partners went on the record to talk about the journey of the organization, clear up some misconceptions, and talk about the work they're doing now. Stories From "Fresh Off The Pr...

It's an election year for the city of Detroit. This year Detroiters will elect a Mayor, City Council members, City Clerk and maybe vote on a revision to the City Charter. Orlando and Donna hope to talk with candidates running for various offices. Daivon Reeder joined them to talk about his run for City Council in District 4.  Fresh Off The Press Stories: WHY THE REVISION OF DETROIT’S CITY CHA...