This week, Donna sat down with the Founder and Executive Director of What About Us Inc., Tammara Howard, and two of the leaders behind Detroit's Inaugural CDO Expo, Chandra McMillion and Quincy Jones. 

Tammara Howard, founder of What About Us Inc., has had a 55-year journey on Belvidere Street, where she's created a grassroots organization serving Detroit's Gratiot Woods neighborhood. From a youth block club started in 1999 to today's five community spaces including a resilience hub, Howard demonstrates how resident leadership creates lasting change.

Quincy Jones and Chandra McMillion are two of the leaders behind Detroit's CDO Expo, which brought together 37 community development organizations to showcase their collective impact. Held at New Lab in Michigan Central Station, the event highlighted the professional, data-driven work these organizations are doing across Detroit.

The conversation reveals how these grassroots leaders are reclaiming Detroit's narrative by proving neighborhoods can be revitalized without displacing residents. Their work represents a powerful counterpoint to the notion that people must leave Detroit to find a better quality of life.

If you want to support What About Us Inc., contact 313-918-9604 or send donations to the cash app $1234WhatAboutUsInc.

Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

1. 90% OF DETROIT POLLING PLACES HAVE ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES 
2. $144 MILLION INVESTED IN BELLE ISLE SINCE 2014 
3. 96 EVENTS FOR DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN IN SEPTEMBER 
4. $2 MILLION SPENT BY MAYORAL CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY 

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The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!

Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Imani Foster of 482Forward joined them to discuss the Invest in Michigan’s Kids campaign.

482Forward is creating a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate her environment and change it for the better.They believe all children have the right to an excellent education, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive, potentially triggering themes and language related to sexual assault. Listener discretion advised. 

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Kalimah Johnson, Founder and CEO of the SASHA Center, to discuss how they are supporting and empowering Black people who have experienced sexual assault. 

At the SASHA Center, Kalimah’s mission is to increase awareness, provide resources and educate the public about sexual assault, provide culturally specific peer support groups to self identified experiencers of rape and to increase justice and visibility for survivors in Southeast Michigan.

Kalimah is a highly esteemed expert therapist who has made a significant impact in the field of mental health and relationship counseling. She has been an advocate and counselor to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence for 24 years and is an industry expert on topics related to culturally specific programming for sexual assault survivors.

To learn more about Kalimah, the SASHA Center and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT ANNOUNCES NEW ‘EMERALD ALERT’ FOR SERIOUS MISSING PERSONS CASES

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This week, Orlando sat down with Mary Lewis, CEO of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC), to discuss how Michigan's largest volunteer-led free clinic is filling the healthcare gap in Michigan.

The mission of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic is to provide free, high-quality medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for low-income and uninsured patients.  In addition, their goal is to ensure that treatment is provided in a caring, compassionate and dignified atmosphere.

With the recent Medicaid changes putting over 700,000 Michigan residents at risk of losing coverage, the role of free clinics has never been more critical. At GBCHC, they provide medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and specialty care at no cost to patients. The clinic is on the front lines of health equity, offering an innovative, community-driven solution to a statewide healthcare access crisis.

If you're uninsured, underinsured, or interested in learning more about the GBCHC, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MARY SHEFFIELD, SOLOMON KINLOCH WIN DETROIT'S MAYORAL PRIMARY

MICHIGAN PAUSES CONTROVERSIAL I-375 CHANGES IN DETROIT, CITING COST AND PUSHBACK 

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The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!

Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the shocking results of the 2025 primary election where Mary Sheffield received over 50% of the vote and Solomon Kinloch and Saunteel Jenkins battled for second and third place respectively. These results reveal a shift in Detroit politics with surprising outcomes in several city council races, setting up dramatic contests for the November general election.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Maurice Weeks of Detroit City Appointments Project (DCAP)  to discuss their collaborative effort to scout, vet, and recommend effective and diverse candidates for service in Detroit's city government.

The Detroit City Appointments Project is working to find candidates who are committed to the public good. The project works with organizations from around the city, state and country, to cultivate a robust list of candidates for over 100 mayor appointed or mayor nominated positions. Additionally, DCAP works to inform agendas for key agencies, leveraging the power of organized people throughout the city.

To learn more about the Detroit City Appointments Project, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN BALLOT INITIATIVE AIMS TO REVEAL 'DARK MONEY' DONORS BEHIND POLITICAL ADS

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The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!

Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the final stretch of Detroit’s mayoral primary race and candidates' last appeals to voters across neighborhoods. Campaign finance records reveal who’s funding the race while candidates face scrutiny over past actions, outside money influences, and policy positions on issues affecting Detroit's future.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando spoke about everything from fresh collard greens, vital city statistics, to innovative educational partnerships all of which celebrate Detroit's cultural legacy and future potential.

They began with a brand-new segment, "Detroit by the Numbers" featuring Alex B Hill of Detroitography who breaks down surprising statistics shaping our city. These numbers tell a powerful story about civic participation, energy infrastructure, and housing vulnerability that affects every resident.

Next, they welcomed Chef Keisha, crowned champion at Detroit is Different’s 2025 Collard Green Cook-Off. Her Alabama-inspired greens earned a perfect score from the judges. More than just a culinary triumph, her story celebrates the cultural preservation work happening through food traditions that bring Detroiters together.

Finally, they explored a groundbreaking educational partnership as Robin Kinnie of Audio Engineers of Detroit discussed their recent collaboration with Ferris State University. This alliance creates a clear pathway for Detroiters to transform technical training into university credits toward a bachelor's degree. 

From voter statistics to soul food traditions to educational innovation, this episode showcases the people working to preserve Detroit's cultural legacy while creating new opportunities for its future. 

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The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!

Together, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Kenneth Russell, a rising junior at Southeastern High School, joins them to provide a youth perspective on politics in Detroit, the mayoral race, and how politicians can do a better job of reaching young voters.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the President and CEO of the Hudson Webber Foundation, Donald Rencher to discuss the election, Detroit’s housing market, public safety beyond policing, and expanding access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs from historically marginalized communities.

Donald Rencher assumed the role of President and CEO at the Hudson Webber Foundation in February 2024. Prior to his tenure at the foundation, Rencher served as the Group Executive for Housing, Planning & Development for the City of Detroit, a role he held since January 2021. 

Rencher's impact on Detroit's landscape is undeniable, having held progressive leadership positions within the city for nine years. Rencher's leadership and commitment to equitable urban development make him a driving force in shaping the future of Detroit's built environment and ensuring opportunities for all its residents.

To learn more about Donald Rencher and his work with the Hudson Webber Foundation, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

VOTER TURNOUT WAS UP DURING MICHIGAN'S 2024 ELECTION. FIGURING OUT EXACTLY WHY MAY BE TOUGH. 

IN THE PAST 50 YEARS, WE'VE LOST MORE THAN 150 MAJORITY-BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS

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