Detroit is Different

Intelligence is as different as Detroit. One of God's greatest gifts is how our minds process, interpret, and understand information and apply it. Myka Burley had a family of love that poured into brilliance from a young age. A Grandbaby Baby, Myka grew up doted and dolled over at an early age. The principles and ethics of spending time with her elders gave Myka a mature and discipline disposition...

New Jersey is more than the home of blue-collar work and the backdrop for Bruce Springsteen records; it’s a place filled with the grit and tough attitude Detroit has. Rebecca’s journey to Detroit started long ago, transversing many places. The grit and attitude place her right at home in Detroit. Rebecca’s start in missions much more significant than herself started with connecting students to ess...

Acknowledging the brilliance of being Gifted and the essence of being Beloved are ways family poured into Sherry Gay Dagnogo as a child. Her love for Detroit runs deep from a tradition of family working for the ‘Fords’ and walking with Faith. Gospel music, math, and science were platforms that grew Sherry’s confidence to take on the world. One of the first of many college graduates from her family...

Source Booksellers welcomed the poet, performer, and all-around creative Gia Scott Heron for a special in-store Detroit is Different podcast recording. Gia Scott-Heron is the daughter of the revolutionary artist and creative Gil Scott-Heron. Spectrum Legal Services, led by Attorney Michael Fortner, welcomed Gia here to perform in honor of the ‘Different Rules Documentary screening. In the podcast,...

Kristy Love is a Detroit original sharing her love of life with the world. At a young age, Kristy began honing her talents in video, audio, graphics, and more. Taking lessons learned in her broadcast journalism major and applying them immediately strengthened Kristy’s confidence, talents, and skills. Kristy explains how exploring self-growth, motivations, and passions bounced her back. We discuss...

Jam sessions are a kinetic, eclectic, and improvisational expression of creativity. Juuni, Nique Love Rhodes, and Sophiyah E have expanded that energy into D Cipher. Juuni is a world-class drummer. Nique Love Rhodes is a band-leading emcee meshing live instruments and hip-hop. Sophiyah E is an expression of keys and mixed medium art. Together with (Allandra Bulger, aka Insite The Riot) created a m...

Dexter Sullivan’s family’s roots are grounded deep in Detroit. Passion for the people, culture, and essence of Detroit is the reality for Dexter Sullivan. Today his work in mentorship, communication, and Faith all place him in positions of influence nationally. In his Detroit is Different feature, we discuss the ways he discovered opportunity in having the courage to leave Detroit for Tulsa, OK. T...

Eastern Michigan University welcomed one of the largest collections of Legacy Black Detroit students from 2000 – 2015. Ypsilanti was filled with an active Black Greek Life, Spoken Word Poetry collectives, Open Mic Hip-hop, and a rebellious NAACP Chapter. Brandon Jessup was one of the Legacy Black Detroiters ready to debate, challenge, and engage any students about the best practices and methods to...

The 1990s welcomed the talking points of melting point, the Browning of America, and English as a Second Language programming. Today these concepts are seen as insensitive at worse and antiquated at best. For Angela Lugo-Thomas, the dual reality of living in Detroit and Puerto Rico impacted her deeply. Metro-Detroit is home to many cultures of the Arab world, Asian world, and a huge Mexican popula...

Battle rapping, performing, break dance, and hip hop culture captured the heart and mind of Supa Emcee as a child. One of the youngest emcees to cipher and freestyle with Proof (RIP & honor) has become a staple in all things Highland Park, MI. Kent ‘Supa Emcee’ Brown has used hip-hop as a gateway through Hollywood, NYC, Atlanta, and every stage rapper's travel in Detroit. His charisma and pres...

Gaining an understanding of Detroit culture has grounded Jeremiah Staes for a lifetime. Living a life in a majority Black populated and politically influenced city gives Jeremiah a different perspective on Metro Detroit. A Mother that passed at a young age and a Father that was a visual artist added to Jeremiah's connection to the city. Raised in the culture of Detroit's artisan class of the 80s a...

The Sweet Spot of the Avenue of Fashions is Good Cakes and Bakes. April Anderson loved baking sweets and witnessing people fall in love with her gift. After college, career, grad school, and marriage, she makes the entrepreneurial leap. Her story is about learning to develop quality sweets and business systems and enjoying the process. April’s understanding of where she fits into her business is e...

Mission, vision, and purpose are associated with organizational development. Racheal Allen has spent a lifetime re-entering herself around these concepts. Racheal's journey from Southern California to Detroit Eastside's Sojourner Truth homes is a start to a grand understanding of the Detroit Community. Racheal is a Margrove graduate and now works on the campus of Marygrove, bringing to life the bu...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

In the Fall of 2022, The Detroit Digital Justice Coalition green-lighted Tawana Honeycomb Petty bringing together an eclectic mix of creative working in technology, media, and music to deliver a DiscoTech. DiscoTechs, short for Discovering Technology, has the potential to provide a positive and hopeful experience for youth and seniors, creating a platform where we can teach and learn with each oth...

Self Determination and collective responsibility are pillars in the principles of Kwanzaa, but also ethics of life. Dwan Dandridge’s work with Black Leaders Detroit challenges Black people to delve deeper into our resources to resource our organizations, businesses, and entrepreneurs. Dwan’s story of arriving in this space is a mix of commitment to community, development of a business, and passion...

Community leadership in Detroit looks in many ways. Jeff Jones is stepping into an uncommon community leadership position a community resident leading a community development corporation. Hope Village Revitalization is the community development corporation Jeff Jones now leads as President/CEO. He has spent his whole life walking around, talking with, and enjoying the residents of the HVR communit...

Ph. D. studies are immersive. Dr. Carl Taylor stands as a native Detroiter that’s traveled the world as a professor, writer, and researcher. To many across Detroit, he is an ally to brothers like Yusef Bunchy Shakur. As Yusef is moving closer to completing his Ph. D., his relationship and bond with Dr. Taylor have strengthened. This Detroit is Different was a special feature welcoming you as a gue...

Marvin Elliot is the owner of the Green House where the Means Logistical Park is being built around his residency. Marvin shares his story of how a development imposed upon his neighborhood has ruined his quality of life. This was a powerful one-on-one discussion of how corporations violently engage communities like Highland Park and Detroit. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazi...

Khursheed made his way to Highland Park, MI, from Chicago’s Northside. He came to HP looking for a home for his family that supported his Islamic faith and entrepreneurial spirit. In 2010 he learned from a home-buying program in Highland Park that HP needs much more love. Since a deal in bad faith to buy a home, Khursheed has been driven to provide justice to HP residents that have been wronged. T...