Authentically Detroit

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 . 

Donna and Orlando welcome Officer Dani Woods of the Detroit Police Department (DPD) who serves as the LGBTQ Liaison Officer for the force to talk about DPD's relationship with the community. Chase Cantrell, recovering attorney and executive director of Building Community Value joins the coversation to talk about the latest iteration of Mayor Duggan's neighborhood improvement proposal.  S...

Donna and Orlando welcomes Yusef Shakur and Teferi Brent to give their perspectives on the state of police and community relations in the city of Detroit given recent police involved incidents.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

On the heels of cell phone video surfacing that shows a police vehicle driving through protestors in southwest Detroit, Orlando and Donna talk with local activist, Tristan Taylor to hear his take from on-the-ground. Tristan joins live from the daily protests he leads.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

A special episode with a full show of Fresh Off The Press topics!  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

It's a cross-city exchange! City Administrator for D.C. Rashad Young joins us to talk about the new Black Lives Matter mural on what was formally 16th ST. but is now known as Black Lives Matter Plaza. Rashad responds to activists demands and shares his learning to what is happening in cities like Detroit, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebo...

Orlando and Donna welcomes special guests, Rochelle Riley, director of the City of Detroit Office of Arts and Culture and Neil A. Barclay of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to discuss arts and culture in Detroit.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

"The truth is that as much democracy as this nation has, it has been borne on the backs of Black resistance." -Nikole Hannah-Jones Black resistance is in happening in cities all over the United States including America's largest majority Black city, Detroit. Protestors by the thousands have flooded the streets of Downtown Detroit and nearby neighborhoods to express dissent with a sy...

Orlando's got a new gig at BridgeDetroit! His new boss, Stephen Henderson and his colleague Catherine Kelly came on to tell us all about the newest journalism and engagement organization in town!  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

We can't believe it's been a year since we got started! We invited two people who have played a key role in the content that we've discussed over the past year to celebrate with us! We are all Authentic Detroiters! Enjoy!  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

We had a conversation about what's actually happening in the prison system in the state of Michigan. The Detroit Free Press released and article detailing a class-action lawsuit that the Michigan Department of Corrections is facing because of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 1,400 inmates have contracted the coronavirus in Michigan prisons.  Support the show Follow us on Insta...

A conversation about white privilege in the age of COVID-19 pandemic. What does it mean to be white? How does the abuse of white privilege show up in Detroit? What do we do about it?  Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter .