Detroit is Different

Miguel was born in Mississippi and as a child made his way to Detroit. Growing in Detroit in the late 1970s and 80s he navigated a new reality in the world of the Urban metropolis through the landscape of the phenomenon which crack cocaine swept Black communities nationwide. Incarcerated his senior year of Central High School Miguel never graduated but learned valuable business lessons that he app...

Bayan Founas is an educator. The Writing 4 Freedom Teen Summer Camp is a vision independently funded and started by Bayan and community support. The Camp takes place at Nandi’s Knowledge Café every Thursday in July 4pm – 7pm and is free for all participants. Bayan’s commitment to creativity and camp are her connection to enjoying Summers in the mosque sharing camps with friends and family. This in...

Dr. Ikaje Ajamu is a Father, Farmer, and Community resource for Black people. Ikaje is the gardener helping develop the land in Detroit is Different to start the garden on Clements. Activating land and turning land into food from the Earth is one of Ikaje’s passions. In this interview, he goes in-depth about his tense encounters with Police, White neighbors, and American society against his journe...

Jonathan Quarles comes back to Detroit is Different to discuss the chaos in American society balancing equity for Black people. Jonathan opens up about ways to hold political figures accountable now. Reviewing the relationship between Federal, State, and Local government and the role all play in sparking the Black economy and responsibility government has to the Black economy in a majority Black c...

Ken Blanks Harrell is an investor. Working independently in the financial market and offering advice, solutions, and strategy to plan financially to grow families is Harrell’s skill and talent. As a man who engages and watches markets his understandings of the ways corporations have responded to the protests and uprisings in our nations is insightful. Harrell explores financial opportunities and i...

Dr. Ken Harris is one of the foremost thinkers in the economic steps to be taken to strengthen the Black community economically. Leading the National Business League he carries the banner of the organization founded by Booker T Washington in utilizing practical solutions to empower the Black community. Traveling the nation and engaging Black people across the diaspora Ken has been having conversat...

The Fight for Justice Black Men on Empowerment in the Black Community Series continues on Detroit is Different from Kofi Kenyatta and Chad King of the Black Bottom Gun Club. The Black Bottom Gun Club is the Metro Detroit chapter of the National African American Gun Association. Its goals are to promote and train for safe and responsible gun ownership, self-defense, and sportsmanship. The Black Bot...

Corey Williams is a business owner that develops property, sells homes, and leads a Black Father’s organization. Corey’s work runs deep throughout Westside Detroit neighborhoods. Families, friends, and colleagues all rely on the work of Corey to offer perspective and advice. In this Detroit is Different interview we explore more on the relationship between Police and the Black Community in America...

Community Development in Detroit Discussion II featuring Raul Echevarria, Khary Frazier, and Yusef Bunch Shakur Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at the University of Detroit School of Architecture in the Peter Peirce Room. Presented by Community Movement Builders, Detroit is Different, Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion, and the University of Detroit In this discussion, I (Khary Frazier) fram...

On Detroit is Different we feature Gabrielle Knox. Gabrielle Knox is young in years but wise in organization. Developing Detroit Poetry Society with a collective of friends propelled Gabrielle into visionary and leadership roles. The drive and interest of many poets like Gabrielle and Sheezy Bo Beezy connected artists eager to express spoken word seeking stages, venues, and opportunities. In this...

Jay Rayford is creating opportunity through his network. Business is about profit for some, but few find value in the connection of creating businesses that bring people together. Jay is one of the entrepreneurs that is driven to find products and services that bond people to experiences. IN this Detroit is Different discussion we talk about Social Sushi and how the business began. Jay opens up ab...

Greg Hines and Kevin Manuel are entrepreneurs that came into the business of caring for elders through know-how and need. Greg and Kevin both relocated to Detroit during a time of the burgeoning renaissance of Black business and corporate excellence. Their work in pharmaceutical sales and management were assets in a region looking to acquire talent. Friends for years decided to go into business to...

Njia Kai loves artistry. The life work of Njia has placed her in spaces to best present performance, projects, and programming related to culture. The way she helped make flyers and programs for high school events has now transitioned to the African World Festival, Campus Martius event planning, and so much more. Our first interview (2018) discussed her background and journey and this interview co...

The talent was recognized in Sharea Ayers at a young age through artistry. Sketches, paintings, Black history, and Women's history were a mix of interests Sharea had as a child. Today these interests carry on in her career. Sharea is the student that loved school and became a teacher. Over ten years of teaching from rural Ohio and Detroit city have provided her a better understanding of support re...

Kesswa is a beautiful songstress that is offering a style of grace and love. Sterling Toles interviews her and has her open up about music, school, and her Nigerian roots. In this introduction, you get a peek into the process of how Kesswa creates and why she creates. Her music is soothing and heartfelt in a time of production filled with bigger & nosier feels. Learn more about one of the blos...

Annie Handy is a good friend of my (Khary Frazier) Aunt Joyce Allen and when we met I was surprised to find a woman that’s 97 years old so social-able. It is humbling to know how much driving, talking, and community work Miss Annie still does today. Her interest in American history and Detroit history is humbling to witness and know she has first-hand accounts for most 20th century Detroit history...

The Detroit Police historically have had a strained relationship with the Black community. The 1943 Riot, 1967 Rebellion, the Sojourner Truth Housing incidents, the Big Four, Malice Green, Aiyana Jones, and many more dividing acts have created a tense connection between Black and Blue in Detroit. Tawana Honeycomb Petty’s relationship witnessing this is layered with officers in her family and neigh...

Before venturing out into entrepreneurship fulltime Ashley Nicole had a growing base of Instagram support. ‘Watch Me Melt,’ is a journey where Ashley Nicole challenged herself to lose weight through the encouragement of her Instagram followers. Ashley’s idea has become a global program that has become a business of events, clothing, and more. In her, Detroit is Different feature Ashley shares her...

Nina Payne is helping ‘We Found Hip-hop’ grow. The institution developed to provide women safe, productive, and sustaining platforms to express Hip-hop. Nina’s experience in the world of music runs deep. Promoting parties, concerts, and managing tours are all tasks she took on in college. In her, Detroit is Different feature Nina opens up about her perspective of accompanying the vision of an arti...

Attending the University of Michigan changed Rich Feldman’s life. The movements on the campus and activism outside the classroom inspired his lifetime of commitment to social justice. Anti-War, Anti-Racism, Anti-Capitalism, and Human Rights in action all have moved beyond theory, to practice, and action for Rich. For decades his understandings of strengthening people and community have been led by...

Flint MI is a kindred spirit with Detroit. Black pride, community love, and survival beyond industrial America are narratives that bind us together beyond the short distance in travel. Quarles' upbringing in Flint shaped an understanding for Detroit making him a top appointee to former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in the Michigan Legislature and the City of Detroit. In this interview, we discuss his und...

Yusef Bunchy Shakur is a revolutionary. His Autobiography ‘Window to my Soul,’ is an emotional read about his transformation from founding the gang Zone 8 to becoming a Black revolutionary organizer in his community. Today he is encouraged by his Father’s impact to become smarter, stronger, and committed to Black people. Building a relationship with his Father while in prison strengthened him to d...

This week’s features for Detroit is Different highlight Black men that express themselves in creativity that is not given mass appeal. Ismail Walton is one of Detroit’s original breakdancers. Jitting (jitterbug), popping and locking, breaking, and ticking all have deep roots in Detroit culture. Soul train and many late 80’s early 90’s New Jack Swing videos feature dancers, steps, and styles Detroi...

The Black experience in America is often misunderstood. The context in which Black culture is developed, society engages it, and values are built upon it in America is historically problematic. ‘Own Your Story’ is a program led by TandemEd and partnering with Campaign for Black Male Achievement here in Detroit. The mission is to unite our neighborhoods in Detroit, and the Metro-Detroit area, aroun...

Stephanie Johnson-Cobb is and has been working within her neighborhood for years. Born and raised in the Linwood/Davison community she’s seen her community for decades with family, extended family, and now work. Stephanie works with Hope Village Revitalization bringing to life the interests, love, and passion of residents. In this interview, Stephanie shares how her mission to re-open and clear a...