Distinctly Detroit

Welcome back to the Distinctly Detroit Podcast. On today’s episode we have Obie King Jr.. He is Obie King, the lead singer from Obie King and the Muthafunkas. He began his singing career in 2013, and since then has worked with David Branden and the All Stars, Weebone, and Obie King & The Reinforcements. Obie King has performed in many live venues throughout Detroit and is the 2022 winner of th...

Our next guest has served as the Associate Director of the U-M Ann Arbor Semester in Detroit (SID) Program since 2008. SID is an academic urban studies immersion program based in the UM Detroit Center whose mission is to “engage U-M undergraduates in substantive, sustained and reciprocal relationships with the people and communities of the City of Detroit.”  The program, now in its 14th year, comb...

The DDP welcomes University of Michigan alumni and lead superintendent of the Michigan Central Station project, Manuel Martinez Jr..

After graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, our next guest became one of the best chefs to graduate from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago.  His Four Cheese Mac-N-Cheese is a tasty compliment to the "Yard Bird" sandwich and savory Bar BQ.  He currently co-owns and operates 3 restaurants (2 in Detroit and 1 in Grand Rapids) and a...

This week, the DDP welcomes real estate agent and University of Michigan alumni Eugene Kelley II. 

The DDP welcomes Ericka Matthews-Jackson, the Senior Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Wayne State University.

Today’s guest is passionate to his core, about music, art, history and his beloved city, Detroit. He is a graduate of Wilberforce University with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. He is the founder and President of the Detroit Musix Museum. The DDP Welcomes Samuel J. Donald!

Today, the DDP welcomes Dana Thompson, clinical professor of law at the University of Michigan and member of Wayne State University Board of Governors.

For the first episode of the distinctly Detroit Podcast's third season, we welcome Emmy-nominated television producer and University of Michigan Alumni Gerry Zonca.

While studying psychology at the University of Michigan, our next guest went from "Freddy and the 7 Dwarfs" to being a walk-on Captain of the University of Michigan Men's Basketball Team.  A team that played in the NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship game; and he accomplished this while battling spina bifida.  After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he worked for "Think...

Today's guest was convicted of accessory to murder and imprisoned as a teenager to life without parole (LWOP).  His unwavering hope led him to improve his education during his incarceration.  He completed his high school requirements and obtained an Associate's degree in Para-Legal Services from Jackson College; and a Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science from Spring Arbor University....

Our guest today was a White House Political Appointee during Barack Obama's presidency.  Today, he wants to be a catalyst in the intersection of sports, the private sector and social responsibility.  He received his Master of Professional Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management from the University of Michigan.  Hailing from Metropolitan-Detroit...

Today's guest was recognized as a rising star by "Michigan's Super Lawyers" in 2014 and placed on the "Best Lawyers" ones to watch list in 2021.  He was also a prosecuting attorney for Oakland County.  He is a graduate of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, receiving a Juris Doctorate from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan.  He is...

Our next guest is a singer/songwriter, musician, producer, and instructor.  He and his band are well versed in Jazz, Blues, R&B, Motown, and Classic Rock.  He holds a Maters's degree in music and directs the Washtenaw Community College Jazz Band and the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra.  On July 23 at 8:30pm he and his band will take control of the University of Michigan Detroit Center...

Today, the DDP speaks with a nationally recognized leader that wants Black Detroiters to buy back the block.  He's a critical voice in Detroit's policy making and revitalization efforts. His long term goal is for Detroit to become a beacon of Black culture and Black innovation in community, ownership and development.  His short term goal is to see Black Detroiters transform and take agen...

The University of Michigan Detroit Center has participated in the annual Concert of Colors for ten years. The Concert of Colors is Metro Detroit's free annual diversity themed music festival and 2022 is the 30th Anniversary of the event.  The University of Michigan Detroit Center produces the "Wolverine Outdoor Stage" at the festival and this year is going to be our best production.  Wel...

Today our guest is a native Detroiter who received a master's degree in community development from the University of Detroit Mercy and chairs the Detroit Planning Commission. She is the founder and director of The Institute of Afro-Urbanism, which focuses on the intersection of racial justice and community planning. She is currently leading a new project, The Detroit Thriving Index, to promote dev...

Today we are joined by a reporter, editor, and author.  She worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News,  and the New York Daily News.  She moved to Downtown Detroit in 2014 and created "Chalk Beat Detroit".  A non profit Education news organization  designed to untangle the complexities of school politics in Detroit, giving the people a voice. ...

Today we speak with a theatre artist who received his Bachelor's degree from the University of California Irvine.  He continued to pursue and achieve a successful career in acting, directing, and playwriting. He also teaches acting and playwriting to students from adolescence to senior citizens.  He has many accolades on his resume and is the current Artistic Director for the Black and B...

Our guest today was born in Puerto Rico but raised in Southwest Detroit. He is an Activist, Educator, Historian, and Musician that has served the community by being directly involved. He has a passion for celebrating music and culture to impact social change. He has held numerous human service, academic, and cultural roles to promote and celebrate Detroit's Latin community.  The Arab Communit...

Today's guest is a successful senior executive that specializes in International team building, team management, and implementing change that delivers innovative solutions to organizational issues.  He served our country as an Air Force Electronic Technician; he served our community as a high school teacher for Detroit Public Schools; and he devoted more than 25 years to Ford Motor Company as...

Our guest today was an All-American Linebacker and Captain of the University of Michigan Wolverines football team.  He’s managed business ventures for Fortune 500 companies such as Amazon, McDonalds and Tysons Foods. His personal client portfolio included Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, and Venus and Serena Williams.  He combined a sales career with an athletic career and is currently the Vice...

In this episode we speak with the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC. She’s recognized as the first African American woman owned Electric Vehicle Charging Manufacturer. Prior to forming Dunamis, she served as co-founder, Vice President and General Counsel of J.King Solar Technologies, LLC. She is a licensed corporate and real estate attorney with a big heart....

Our guest today is a native Detroiter and graduate of Detroit Public Schools, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.  She has worked in Detroit Public Schools for more than 20 years. Originally a middle school Science teacher and currently the Deputy Superintendent External Partnerships, Enrollment and Specialty programming for the Detroit Public School District. There were a...

In Episode 4, Distinctly Detroit explores the mind of an "African Centered Historian" who's tours have educated young and old about the African and African American History in the city of Detroit.  He has been featured on C-Span, American History TV, and is the creator of the Black Scroll Network.  Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently appointed him to the State of Michigan's Freed...