Detroit is Different

09/26/2025

All Ladies Love Us Eastside Dance Crew

"You start paying attention to footwork, and you know exactly where they're from." Dive into Phil Simpson's storytelling in his latest Detroit is Different interview. Phil recounts tales from the dance floors of Detroit's Eastside, where creativity and tension often mingled. Explore how these youthful experiences shaped his artistic path and the enduring influence on his well-known Smile murals and fashion line.

Jit, Murals & Joy Phillip Simpson Builds The Smile Brand
Detroit is Different episode 486 Phillip Simpson

09/19/2025

Everyone Wants Nice Things in Their Neighborhood

"It's respect, it's love. Moja is open." Explore the inspiring journey of Moja in Detroit, as Jerjuan Howard discusses how an open and barrier-free community center fosters connection and appreciation. From engaging with youth to redefining community interactions, this approach is making waves in Detroit. Join us in celebrating this transformative journey.

More Is Caught Than Taught How Umoja Debate League is Rewriting Detroit’s Civic Culture with Jerjuan Howard
Detroit is Different episode 483 with Jerjuan Howard

09/18/2025

Public Comment returns Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 8 a.m. with Khary Frazier (Detroit is Different), Malachi Barrett (BridgeDetroit), and Thomaesa Bailey (We Own Everything) breaking down Detroit’s latest budget twist: an estimated $60M year-end surplus and Mayor Duggan’s proposal to park roughly $42M in a new corporate income tax reserve. What does that mean for city services, pensions, and the hits from the “Big Beautiful Bill,” tariffs, and inflation? Malachi walks us through eleven straight years of surpluses, why vacancies often drive them, and how September’s Revenue Estimating Conference sets the guardrails. Thomaesa connects the dots to Detroit’s long fight for fiscal stability after bankruptcy—why cushions matter, where council may push back, and how a new mayoral administration could reshape priorities without repeating old mistakes.

Then we turn to the Detroit Land Bank Authority—58,000+ parcels, a lapsed MOU, and Councilmember Mary Waters’ call for a forensic audit in the name of transparency and resident protection. From nuisance-abatement tensions to everyday Detroiters’ access to side lots and rehab opportunities, the team lays out what accountability should look like and why Pro Tem James Tate’s one-year agreement idea could give the next council leverage. Thomaesa also previews civic-power moves beyond council chambers—from CBC Week coverage to neighborhood political education sessions—reminding us that policy lives on our blocks, not just in City Hall. Join us live and add your voice to the conversation shaping Detroit’s future.

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09/18/2025

09/16/2025

Generational Influence a Raw Truth

"Generational influence shapes us in ways we don't always realize. In our latest interview, Mama Tree sheds light on how past decades carved out the paths we walk today. Through her insights, discover the forces behind the cultural shifts that impacted communities, the hard truths of the eighties and nineties, and the decisions made in the face of external pressures. Don't miss this compelling discussion with Mama Tree, the 2025 Collard Green Cook-Off winner farmer.

Land Taught Me I’m a Creator, Treetop Grows & the Future of Legacy Black Detroit
Detroit is Different episode 484 with Mama Tree

09/12/2025

Baba Idris Welcomes you to the 19th Annual Harvest Fest
Sat Sept 20 & Sun Sept 21 12p - 6p at D Town Farms

Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network & D-Town Farm present the 19th Annual Harvest Festival!

This two-day celebration is where Detroit gathers to honor the land, uplift Black farmers, and celebrate our community’s abundance.

Enjoy fresh food, live music, children’s activities, the Liberated Marketplace, Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund awardee presentations, and so much more.

📍 D-Town Farm
14027 W. Outer Drive (between Plymouth & W. Chicago) Detroit, MI 48239
📅 Saturday, September 20 & Sunday, September 21, 2025
⏰ 12 PM – 6 PM each day

Free admission. Family-friendly. Rooted in love for our people, our food, and our future.

09/09/2025

As always we will be on grounds of the sacred and Historic D Town Farms next weekend for the Harvest Fest.

09/07/2025

Public Comment returns from summer recess with Khary Frazier, Malachi Barrett (BridgeDetroit), and Thomaesa Bailey (We Own Everything) unpacking Detroit City Council’s first big move back: an ordinance sponsored by Scott Benson (passed 8–1, with Council President Mary Sheffield opposed) that shifts prosecution of certain misdemeanors—assault and battery, retail fraud, larceny, carrying a firearm while intoxicated, and expanded property damage—into the City Law Department starting July 2026. The team digs into capacity and cost: four new attorneys, two paralegals, about $750K seeded (largely with ARPA dollars) and lingering questions about unknown case volume, long-term pressure on the general fund, and whether restorative options recommended by council will truly guide outcomes. They also trace the historic threads—Recorder’s Court, separation of powers, and Detroit’s enduring debate over prevention vs. punishment—while probing the county–city handoff Prosecutor Kim Worthy supports and the fiscal cliff a future mayor will have to navigate.

Then the conversation zooms out to federalism and race, as the hosts assess talk of deploying National Guard troops to “Democrat-run” cities and what that could mean for a predominantly Black Detroit that still remembers 1967. They contrast traditional federal support (grants, DOJ partnerships) with the unprecedented optics of soldiers in city streets, and ask where Mayor Mike Duggan should stand as narratives about falling crime collide with calls for tougher enforcement. Tap in for clear context, tough questions, and practical civic insight—and join us every Thursday at 8 a.m. on Detroit is Different and BridgeDetroit to witness, engage, and amplify the voices shaping Detroit’s future.

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09/05/2025

Afros & Audio Podcast Festival Speaker
From My Block to Yours: Using Your Platform to Advance the Community
Baltimore, MD | Saturday, October 18, 2025 11AM

Description:
This session is composed of three podcast network owners who have given voice to their communities with their platforms. Political advancement, health services, small businesses, transit concerns and a host of other community related topics are discussed on podcasts produced by these networks. The three network owners will provide attendees with details on how to incorporate the communities in which they live, the people who they come in contact with daily and the black-owned businesses in their areas to educate , incentivize and motivate the masses. Ultimately, the session will offer attendees a method of converting the equity of people into tangible financial opportunities.

Learning Takeaways:
How to leverage your community influence to obtain financial growth opportunities
Understanding the importance of providing a voice for the communities that you represent
How to get tangible results from real community involvement while creating a movement to advance the culture.

09/02/2025

Detroit's Hidden Cinematic Gems

"There's really only one commercial theater in all of the city of Detroit." Discover how Detroit's creative spaces transform into cinematic havens in our latest interview by Khary Frazier with Marshalle Favors, founder of the Detroit Black Film Festival. From the Charles Detroit Museum of African American History to the impactful Love Building, explore the innovative venues pushing the boundaries of traditional film screening. Join us to uncover Detroit’s hidden gems through the eyes of passionate filmmakers.

Black Film is Our Birthright: Marshalle Favors on Building Legacy in Detroit
Detroit is Different episode 479 with Marshalle Favors

09/01/2025

Stop Complaining and Start Voting

"How do you complain but not go vote?" - In her insightful interview with Khary Frazier, Detroit City Council District Candidate Renata Miller tackles the importance of civic engagement and the power of collective bargaining. Drawing from her experiences, she emphasizes the necessity of union support for securing fair wages and benefits. Tune in to learn how Miller bridges understanding and inspires active participation in community welfare.

From Conant Gardens to City Hall Renata Miller’s Detroit Story
Detroit is Different episode 482 with Renata Miller

08/28/2025

From Passion to Business the Hidden Challenges

"I can make a living off of things that I love to do, like music and promotion." Dive into the journey of Keisha Brooks as she navigates the world from being work-dependent to owning her entrepreneurial spirit. Discover the challenges she faced – from grassroots promotions to understanding her true value. Learn how Keisha's story might inspire you to find your own path in this episode of Detroit is Different.

You Think You Know Detroit? Keisha Brooks Brings the Vibe and the Vision
Detroit is Different episode 480 with Keisha Brooks