Detroit is Different

Relive the heartwarming moments of the 18th Annual Ava Jo Back to School Backpack Giveaway, an unforgettable event hosted by acclaimed author and community leader, Yusef Bunchy Shakur. Held at the Mama Akua House in the Zone 8 Neighborhood on August 5, 2023, the day was a remarkable testament to unity and support. The event catered to all generations, offering a wide range of activities that delig...

Keith Bennett is known to many in Detroit as the mind behind Flip the Script. The journey to helping returning citizens came from a love of basketball. As a high school student, Bennett was a basketball mastermind that became a student assistant coach. In this interview, he discusses how Curt Jones became the gateway for him to fall in love with basketball and leave baseball. The study and work et...

Mark Crain's dedication to community and development has forged a profound connection with Dream of Detroit, where his commitment to family, business acumen, passion for the Woodrow Wilson community, and Islamic faith have converged to drive transformative change in the heart of Detroit. Mark Crain's business acumen has been instrumental in Dream of Detroit's growth and impact. His strategic think...

The Summer Oasis Music Festival in Idlewild, MI, has emerged as the ultimate glamping experience that the house music and dance culture needed, enticing DJs worldwide to visit this picturesque destination. At the heart of this exceptional event lies the vision and dedication of Cedric McDougle, whose passion for music, culture, and community led him to create a festival like no other. Cedric McDou...

Eric Thomas is a signature presence in and around Detroit’s cultural scene. The glasses, ponytail, and always in a suit or sports jacket his style is a signature too. Behind the style is a creative that delves into many mediums. Graphic design, photography, videography, writing, and of course social media are mediums he has mastered to the degree he gives master classes. The key to many ethics of...

Basketball was the only outlet at a young age Dmareae placed his love and focus. As the journey on the hardwood took a pivot for him, hip-hop took his heart and is now what he loves. His love for hip-hop has opened up the world of artistry for him to fall in love with photography and video. The cost of paying for his music videos dove Dmareae into a research task that carries through till today. L...

The 1980s mixed a cultural movement that highlighted electronics and technology. As computers moved from government spaces to businesses to homes some American children became mesmerized with the personal computer. Terrance Campbell was one of the many American children in that group. Being an African American kid from Flint Terrance stood out in this group. Am interest grew into a love that now i...

Nusrat Moghul , is a charismatic real estate broker who is as enchanting as the city itself. With a deep-rooted passion for Detroit, Moghul has an everlasting love for Motor City. From the moment you meet her, Moghul's energy is infectious. Her unwavering enthusiasm for Detroit's housing stock, architecture, and community runs deep. Her travels across the world, living in the UK, and experiences w...

Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatal is the one-woman show experience by Satori Shakoor happening July 21 – 23 at Detroit Public Theatre. Satori comes back to Detroit is Different to open up about her show and much more. We discuss the Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers and the role story telling plays in society, civilization, and life. Satori Shakoor, founder of The Secret Society Of Twis...

Standing as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the community is her purpose. Angela Calloway is the District 2 Detroit City Councilmember and so much more. With an unwavering belief in God and deep roots in Detroit, Calloway is driven by a steadfast commitment to uplift and empower her Detroit community. Her tireless efforts to bring positive change and promote unity have made her a friend to ne...

Malik Yakini is the original Detroit is Different guest in April of 2014. Nine years later, his work and efforts continue to blossom in introspection and observation about how strengthening the Black Family and Community are related. During this third appearance on Detroit is Different, Baba Malik opens up about the sabbatical and authoring of his book. Learn about his journey from working at a Re...

Dexter is one of Detroit’s most spoken-of streets. Kash Doll’s new album introduced hip-hop listeners to the street worldwide. For Achsha Jones, it was home for her family through the 1980s and 1990s. Achsha is the founder and director of Trip Slip to people that meet her in the technology space. In this Detroit is Different feature, you are introduced to the kid from Dexter who witnessed how crac...

Nandi Comer is Michigan’s first Poet Laureate in over 60 years. Her writing is flavored with descriptive adjectives painting pictures of time, place, space, and much more. The Poet Laureate of Michigan has roots in the Shrine of the Black Madonna, found a love of poetry in a Summer Job, Fan of attending Luche Libre Wrestling in Mexico, and is also a friend of Detroit is Different. Her work advocat...

Comedy is a joke to many but for Mic Larry, it has been an inspiration, motivation, and purpose. From the Cooley neighborhood, the Redford Huskie basketball player was a gifted athlete from birth. Mic Larry’s life has been a testimony to finding glory through storms. Learn his approach to utilizing time and taking advantage of the opportunity. Comedian Mic Larry opens up about starting from scratc...

Laughs, smiles, Joy, and love are acts in life that fulfill life. Zsa Zsa has spent a lifetime adding this flavor to her family. In this feature, Zsa Zsa opens up about the pain that brings trauma and tragedy to many families in our community. Zsa Zsa shares how hee solutions of adding life, imagination, creativity, and fun have centered loved ones in times of need. Today her talents and skills ha...

Grand River Ave and Joy Rd have taken on many iterations of the Black experience. Bomani has witnessed them all since the 1970s. Bomani began connecting to a community of Black consciousness as a die-hard enthusiast. Today in a role of leadership for the Detroit Chapter of the Malcolm X Grassroots Organization he is sharing the knowledge he has gained. May 19th in honor of the Birthday of Malcolm...

Depending upon when and how you and when you meet Antonio Rafael, you could have an engaging exchange on many things. When connecting with Antonio, concepts from the community will be balanced with the world or vice versa. Antonio’s journey from Southwest Detroit and having working-class parents left grand impressions of ways development impacted the community. Studying at Eastern Michigan Univers...

East Pole Town to many Detroit residents is Chene, over there by the old Packard Plant, or Tyree Guyton’s artistic footprint. For the families that live in the community, it is a place with rooted traditions. Jasmine Noble taught at the James and Grace Lee Boggs School and had the plan to connect the school to the community. Jasmine was in love with the Boggs approach of collective learning, leade...

Wisdom is the application of lived experience. TeShayla Coates has walked many paths in life, providing an in-depth relationship in understanding how to connect with people. Coates Communications gives clients assets to share their messaging locally and internationally. TeShayla’s path to building the business was from playing a role in retail services, paying for school out of pocket, and raising...

Arlyssa Heard struggles with crushing debt from student loans and a high-interest car payment. The single mom was excited to get a promotion at her job, but did not want a huge raise. “The extra $150 extra take-home in my paycheck meant losing benefits worth far more,” she said. Detroit residents like Heard hear over and over again they’re to blame for their financial situations and the state of t...

Ypsilanti is a city between Detroit and Ann Arbor that mixes a bit of both culture. Chanel Stitt grew up in Ypsilanti with interest in Detroit. Detroit captured her heart at a young age. U of M Dearborn was Chanel’s gateway to activism, culture, entertainment, restaurants, and small business throughout Detroit. Chanel joined many student organizations and eventually interned with the Detroit Free...

Entertainment, cultural events, and live productions add to the essence of Detroit Summers and make Detroit Winters enjoyable. Nina Payne and Foundation Management have been a key part of high-level productions for years. Now she will welcome a collection of her friends, colleagues, and contacts in the production world to share on the All Behind the Scenes podcast. Nina shares what’s kept her work...

The legendary Maryann Mahaffey took a chance to work with a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Regina Ann Campbell while serving office. Today leading Build Institute Regina applies that same selfless understanding of the people to advocate for them to systems bigger than their present state. Business development, training, and opportunity are ideas that occupy Regina’s mind. Leading Build Institute, sh...

Buying a home is a benchmark of success and a sign of stability for economists and people in finance. For a family owning a home creates a place to develop culture, ethics, and find comfort. Tansley Stearns has assisted Michiganders in this journey leading Community Financial Credit Union. Tansley’s travel in career began in the world of marketing and communications. Early on in her career, she ha...

If Erykah Badu and Jill Scott rhymed over something with essence was the sound Mahogany Jones was searching for. An emcee battle led her to discover Detroit as the place with that for her. Mahogany is a world-traveling emcee that mixes energy, spirit, and joy to deliver live performances that win over the most hardcore hip-hop fan and the elder that hates rap music. Mahogany opens up about her mus...