This week, Rick Sperling and Nafeesah Symonette joined Donna and Orlando in the studio to discuss the Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA) Launch Awards. The Launch Awards are a transformative opportunity for creative youth in Detroit, created by DEYA in collaboration with the Detroit Youth Arts Provider Network. The microgrants are specifically tailored to fill gaps in artistic development, making arts education more equitable and accessible for all of Detroit’s young creatives. The Launch Awards consist of $40,000 distributed evenly over March, June, September, and December of 2024. Eligi ..read more

This week Chase Cantrell joined Authentically Detroit as guest host and Akil Talley, Lanay Gilbert-Williams, and Malik Yakini of the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op gave a sneak peek into how they’re changing Detroit’s food ecosystem. Opening on May 1st, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is a Black-led and community-owned grocery cooperative. Following a model developed throughout the world as a way to increase access to healthy, sustainably grown food, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is located in the historic North End neighborhood.  The Detroit People’s Food Co-Op will offer a full-line of ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with nurse and life coach, Patrice Wilson-Graham! Charity Dean joined Orlando as guest host for our final celebration of the women making history in the city of Detroit. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, from a young age, Patrice faced challenges that would break even the strongest of spirits.  However, armed with a desire to prove her doubters wrong, she achieved her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Her accomplishments extend beyond the realm of healthcare as she is also a licensed minister, dedicated mentor, non-profit CEO, and ..read more

Last November Khary Frazier, Co-Host and Founder of the Detroit Is Different podcast, joined us on Authentically Detroit. So, it’s only right that Donna and Orlando joined him on his show! Detroit is Different is known for exploring guests, Detroit story, or how they and/or their family came to be in Detroit. On this episode, Donna shared her family’s Detroit story, dating back to the early 1900s. From her revolutionary grandmother, to Donna's work in the present day, this conversation highlights Detroit’s legacy as the Blackest city in America.  For more information on Detroit is diffe ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the leadership team of 98Forward and Charity Dean joined as guest host! In celebration of Women’s History Month, we sat down with three remarkable women reshaping the PR landscape as leaders of 98Forward, Michigan’s largest Black-owned, Women-led PR and communications firm. Our conversation touched upon 98’s legacy and its future trajectory after 25 years in business. We delved into the unique experiences of not just being women but being Black women in various spaces.  If you’re interested in learning more about 98Forward and their work ove ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit pulled up to Next Chapter Books for a book club discussion! Donna and Orlando were joined by a live audience inside of the family-owned bookstore on Detroit’s east side. For our first book club podcast, we read and discussed “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” by Michael Harriot.   If you’re interested in learning more about Michael Harriot and Black AF History, click here.  Support the show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed two special guests! First, during Hot Takes, Donna and Orlando spoke with Anthony Eid of the Michigan Redistricting Commission about how redistricting maps will impact Detroit’s voters in the upcoming elections. Then, we had the opportunity to sit down with lawyer, union organizer, actor, father, and business owner Hill Harper! Hill discussed his candidacy for the U.S. Senate and his stance on key policy issues that will determine our quality of life in the near future.  If you’re interested in learning more about Hill Harper and his candidacy ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the one and only Shamiyam “Mama Shu” Harris of Avalon Village! Donna and Orlando spoke with Mama Shu about the importance of building community and utilizing collective action to self-determine our futures. She also gave a sneak peak into the expansion of the Goddess Marketplace and Whine and Tea Shop and Avalon Village’s journey to becoming more sustainable.  Mama Shu is CEO of Avalon Village in Highland Park, MI. She is a mother, a community activist, and a former school administrator, who served Detroit schools for 27+ years. Her dream of ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit discusses the state of the city in 2024! In honor of Donna’s invitation to the State of the State this week, Donna and Orlando sat down together to discuss what’s currently happening in the city of Detroit. The two of them discussed population growth, public safety, the social wellbeing of people and more. As President and CEO of the Eastside Community Network (ECN), Donna works to find solutions to many of the obstacles that Detroiters face on a daily basis.  If you’re interested in learning more about ECN and their work, click here.  FOR HOT TAKES ..read more

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with Kamau Jawara, the Southeast Michigan Lead Organizer for We the People Michigan.  Donna and Orlando sat down with Kamau to discuss a thread he created on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the thread, Kamau detailed public safety narratives in the city, their history, and how we should utilize them moving forward into the election season.  Kamau is a politocultural organizer and storyteller from Detroit’s east side who uses political education and cultural strategy to support concentrations of Energy Justice, Leadership Development, and Co ..read more