Authentically Detroit

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the leadership team of 98Forward and Charity Dean joined as guest host! In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with three remarkable women reshaping the PR landscape as leaders of 98Forward, Michigan’s largest Black-owned, Women-led PR and communications firm. Our conversation touched upon 98’s legacy and its future trajectory after 25 ye...

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the host of #AskJenn, Jennifer Onwenu! Donna and Orlando sat down with Jenn to discuss her show, #AskJenn's rise to prominence. Started in 2022, #AskJenn has become a successful web platform that highlights the cultural cornerstones of being a Black Woman, Detroiter, autism parent, and millennial. Jenn uses a humorous and witty style to capture th...

This week Authentically Detroit pulled up to Next Chapter Books for a book club discussion! Donna and Orlando were joined by a live audience inside of the family-owned bookstore on Detroit’s east side. For our first book club podcast, we read and discussed “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” by Michael Harriot.   If you’re interested in learning more about Michael Harriot and B...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed two special guests! First, during Hot Takes, Donna and Orlando spoke with Anthony Eid of the Michigan Redistricting Commission about how redistricting maps will impact Detroit’s voters in the upcoming elections. Then, we had the opportunity to sit down with lawyer, union organizer, actor, father, and business owner Hill Harper! Hill discussed his candidacy...

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the one and only Shamiyam “Mama Shu” Harris of Avalon Village! Donna and Orlando spoke with Mama Shu about the importance of building community and utilizing collective action to self-determine our futures. She also gave a sneak peak into the expansion of the Goddess Marketplace and Whine and Tea Shop and Avalon Village’s journey to becoming more susta...

This week Authentically Detroit discusses the state of the city in 2024! In honor of Donna’s invitation to the State of the State this week, Donna and Orlando sat down together to discuss what’s currently happening in the city of Detroit. The two of them discussed population growth, public safety, the social wellbeing of people and more. As President and CEO of the Eastside Community Network (ECN)...

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with Kamau Jawara, the Southeast Michigan Lead Organizer for We the People Michigan.  Donna and Orlando sat down with Kamau to discuss a thread he created on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the thread, Kamau detailed public safety narratives in the city, their history, and how we should utilize them moving forward into the election season.  Kamau is a poli...

Right before the holiday break, Orlando sat down with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov Garlin Gilchrist to discuss the state’s population growth plan following the Growing Michigan Together Council’s 85-page report designed to spur growth and attraction to the state.  Check out the full write up, on Bridge Detroit ! Support the show Follow us on Instagram , Facebook and Twitter . 

This week Charity Dean joined Authentically Detroit once again as a guest host!  Founder of KwanzaaMe and Woodworker, Lawrielle West, joined Orlando and Charity to discuss the importance of celebrating the principles of Kwanzaa year-round.  KwanzaaMe is a lifestyle brand that cultivates community and culture through their products and programming. A manifestation of the love of Black people, Black...

This week Charity Dean joined Authentically Detroit as co-host!  President and CEO of TechTown Detroit, Ned Staebler joined Orlando and Charity to discuss TechTown Detroit’s designation as a Small Business Support Hub. The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program aims to establish and strengthen inclusive, accessible and effective regional ecosystems for entrepreneurs. The SBSH program aims to c...

This week Authentically Detroit previewed the 2023 Eastside Summit - Pathways to Justice With Donna as keynote, the 2023 Eastside Summit will highlight various pathways residents can take in order to secure justice and equity for our community. Through a series of panels and interactive workshops, attendees will learn about strategies being used to fight injustice across the city, and build their...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Founder and Executive Director of Umoja Debate League, Jerjuan Howard! Orlando spoke with Jerjuan about how the loss of his grandmother’s home led to the birth of Umoja Village. Born and raised on the Westside, Jerjuan’s close knit community and family roots created the foundation for his deep passion for community engagement and youth development.  Created...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Founder and Co-Host of Detroit Is Different, Khary Frazier! Donna and Orlando spoke with Khary about his journey as a creative and what exactly makes Detroit different. The Detroit is Different podcast aims to expose people to all of the things that make Detroit a cultural mecca. Khary and his co-host, Sterling Toles, use their experiences in art and cultur...

This week Authentically Detroit hosted a special live podcast, featuring the team behind CSforDetroit! Kalisha Davis, Tawana Petty, and Dr. Chanel Beebe joined Donna and Orlando to discuss a newly launched program, committed to ensuring that historically marginalized students have sustainable access to high quality Computer Science learning that is culturally responsive and student-centered. Power...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed CEO’s Cheryl P. Johnson and Kim Janey of COTS Detroit and EMPath! Donna and Orlando spoke with Cheryl and Kim about their new practice, Mobility Mentoring! This research-backed, trauma-informed approach seeks to help families achieve economic mobility. This new certification marks the next step in a years-long partnership between the two organizations, whic...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Peter Blackmer, Lloyd Simpson, and Antonio Cosme of Voices from the Grassroot! Donna and Orlando spoke with the trio about the upcoming project, which  highlights longtime Black Detroiters and grassroots organizers perspectives on revitalizing the city. The project, started in 2018, seeks to reckon with the lack of representation that leads to a distorted n...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Malachi Barrett and Nushrat Rahman of Bridge Detroit and Photographer Sarahbeth Maney. Orlando, Malachi, Nushrat, and Sarahbeth discussed stories highlighting the housing crisis Detroiters face. One story that stood out is that of Tonya Hogan, a Detroiter who ended up losing her home following the unexpected death of her husband. Tonya represents an increas...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Dr. Kamaria Washington, a physical therapist dedicated to healing Black people through a holistic, full-body approach.  Donna and Orlando first met Dr. K during the inaugural cohort of the Authentically Detroit podcasting class. Her work providing pelvic floor therapy to Black mothers offers a little-known relief to the pain and discomfort associated with p...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed former auto-worker, longtime community and labor activist, and board member at the Boggs Center, Richard Feldman.  Together they discussed the historic “Stand Up Strike,” started by the United Auto Workers (UAW). This strike is the culmination of a workers movement that has taken over the United States. As a former auto-worker at one of the striking UAW pla...

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Camille Johnson, Director of Development and Communications at the Eastside Community Network (ECN) and Armond Harris, Owner of Jabs Gym. Donna and Orlando discuss the UAW strike and its implications for Michigan’s financial future. Later on, Camille joins the duo to discuss the 35th annual Eastside Extravaganza taking place this Friday, September 22nd from...

This week Authentically Detroit finally returned from hiatus! Donna and Orlando joined each other inside of the DEEP Network’s podcast studio to catch up on what’s been happening in both of their lives lately.  The two of them discuss the attack on the Stoudamire Wellness Hub and how the Eastside Community Network plans to rebuild and strengthen the community as a result. They also open up about s...

This week on Authentically Detroit, Donna and Orlando sat down with Glenn Wilson and Renee Kent of Communities First, Inc. to discuss their work to build a more sustainable Flint! Founded by Glenn and Essence Wilson, Communities First, Inc. has grown extensively since its inception in 2010. As Flint natives, who are passionate about their hometown, their mission is to build healthy, vibrant commun...

This week, Authentically Detroit introduces Something Relevant, the inaugural podcast on the Detroit Eastside Engaged Podcast (DEEP) Network! Donna and Orlando sit down with Daivon Reeder, co-host and creator of the Something Relevant Podcast to discuss the vision behind the show. Vaulted Youth Voices participants Faith and Alex also join the conversation, discussing some of the latest headlines i...

This week, Authentically Detroit sat down with David Alade, Co-Founder and CEO of Century Partners.  Donna, Orlando, and David talk about the housing affordability crisis in Detroit and how we can address it. As CEO of Century Partners, David is committed to community, legacy, and purpose with a dedication to building a culture of sustainable excellence.  Last week, his article in Crain’s Detroit,...

This week, Authentically Detroit sat down with Dr. Christal Lawson, the Founder and Owner of CLE Strategic Solutions, LLC.    Following the unexpected passing of both Reverend JoAnn Watson and Brenda Hill, we thought it would be a good idea to talk about self-care and protecting your spirit during times of grief. Dr. Lawson has been helping individuals, families, and youth heal from their grief an...