Authentically Detroit

This week Donna and Orlando returned to the studio after a brief hiatus to catch up on everything that’s happened in the city and their lives! The dynamic duo covers everything from the Ford Fireworks debacle, the Riverfront Conservatory Scandal, to the growing housing crisis in the city. 

They also introduce the Detroit Playlist Live, a monthly music series co-produced by Authentically Detroit and Detroit is Different. This unique platform gives music enthusiasts the opportunity to delve into various musical landscapes with other music enthusiasts. 

This interactive event fosters community engagement and celebrates the rich diversity of musical genres. Structured akin to a book club, The Detroit Playlist Live features curated albums and standout tracks chosen by the hosts - Orlando Bailey, Khary Frazier, and Donna Givens Davidson.

For more information and to join us tomorrow at Brix Wine (1588 Franklin St, Detroit, Mi 48207), click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

WHY IS THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT USING LASSO LIKE RESTRAINTS 

MICHIGAN STUDENTS FELL BEHIND DURING COVID, THEIR RECOVERY LAGS OTHER STATES

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This week Donna and Orlando spoke with the youth of the Vaulted Youth Voices Podcast Program - Alex, Charles, Corey, and Faith - about current events in the city and how they feel about the new Detroit. 

Vaulted Youth Voices is a podcasting program for high school students interested in the intersection of community organizing and media. Youth participants meet for biweekly sessions where they learn how to develop, produce, and host a podcast. Youth also develop the ability to translate their voice to direct action within their respective communities. The Vault Youth have a real passion and drive for making a difference in the world.

If you know a high school student interested in participating in the Vaulted Youth Voices Podcast Program this fall, click here. 

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This week Donna and Orlando spoke with Darell “Red” Campbell Jr. about The Yunion’s Keys 2 Life (K2L) performing arts summer camp, offering youth the opportunity to learn with some of Detroit’s most experienced musicians, mentors, instructors, and industry professionals.

The program's director, Darell "Red" Campbell Jr., is a platinum, stellar--award winning producer, musician, songwriter and teacher with a heart for creating opportunities for other children like he had at a young age, and empowering them to find hidden talent and potential within themselves.

K2L is a dynamic, immersive 6-week performing arts summer day camp at the held on Wayne State University's campus in collaboration with the Maggie Allesee Department of Theater and Dance beginning July 1.

Now in its 11th year and serving more than 1,125 students, the program's mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of performers through a diverse range of performing arts experiences such as beat making, dance and song writing, all designed to expand participants' skills, broaden their horizons and set them on a path to success. 

For more information on Keys 2 Life and how to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

LEGISLATION COULD BRING $1BILLION IN TRANSIT FUNDING TO METRO DETROIT OVER NEXT DECADE 

DETROIT ICONS LAUNCH SERIES OF MICHIGAN CENTRAL FESTIVITIES

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This week Cindy Eggleton, co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit sat down with Donna and Guest Host Chase Cantrell to discuss how they’re improving literacy rates while tackling blight!

Since 2016, Eggleton has guided Brilliant Detroit’s growth through its community-led approach. Her leadership has propelled the organization to 18 neighborhoods by transforming a house in need of repair into a creative community hub. It partners with 170 national and local organizations to deliver early childhood education, health and family support programs. More than 20,000 children have benefited from the programming.

According to Eggleton, the model works because it’s with, for and by neighbors. Brilliant Detroit gets a house and repurposes it only after they have been invited into the neighborhood. Parents are central to the success of Brilliant Detroit. The organization aligns the programs and activities so kids and families can get what they need to measure their own success. They also form advisory groups in the neighborhood so there’s continuous input. 

For more information on Brilliant Detroit and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

ALLEGED THEFT FROM DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY COULD REACH $40 MILLION 

WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY POLICE DISMANTLE ENCAMPMENT; 13 ARRESTED

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This week Drake Phifer of Urban Organic joined Orlando and Guest Host Kat Stafford to discuss the 6th Annual Detroit Diaspora Day Party. 

Urban Organic Arts and Culture company was founded in 2001. They curate events and promote visual, cinematic and performing artists. 

This Sunday, May 26th, they will host their 6th Annual Diaspora Day Party. This vibrant event will showcase an exceptional lineup of music connoisseurs hailing from Detroit and beyond, offering an immersive journey into electronic beats that epitomize the city’s pulsating holiday vibe and beyond. 

For more information on Urban Organic and the Detroit Diaspora Day Party, click here. 

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This week Donna and Orlando sat down with Michelle Renaud, the founder of Urban Solace to discuss the importance of mental and physical health!

As a Detroit native, Michelle sought to improve access to quality health education and wellness programming within her community - through Urban Wellness Group, which was founded in 2001 and has offered mobile corporate programming and community fitness initiatives to countless clients and students since its inception. 

As an experienced registered teacher with Yoga Alliance (E-RYT 500), Michelle has over 25 years of practice on her mat. She became an avid practitioner after sustaining a severe knee injury in 1997 that sidelined her passion for running. Incorporating yoga into her rehabilitation plan helped her discover its functional fitness benefits.

Urban Solace is the proud producer of the longest-running, FREE outdoor yoga programs in downtown Detroit. They’ve been providing fun & fitness on the riverfront to thousands of residents and visitors since 2007.

For more information on Michelle and Urban Solace, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL TO ASSEMBLE COMMISSION TO REPRESENT RENTERS 

DETROIT ANIMAL KEEPING ORDINANCE HEADED TO COUNCIL FOR A VOTE

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This week, DiAnna Solomon of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) joined Donna at The Stoudamire to share news of their Health Care Taskforce!

The DAAA is a nonprofit agency that serves older persons, adults with disabilities, and caregivers residing in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park & the 5 Grosse Pointes. They are one of 16 Area Agencies on Aging in the state of Michigan and 622 in the nation.

DAAA assists older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers by removing social, economic, physical, and psychological barriers and creating aging-friendly neighborhoods through nutrition, health and wellness, and senior independence.

For more information on DAAA, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

BRIDGE DETROIT ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR ORLANDO BAILEY TO HEAD UP OUTLIER MEDIA 

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL ASKS MAYOR TO FUND PRIORITIES MISSING FROM BUDGET

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There’s no NFL Draft in the city without Authentically Detroit!

In honor of the NFL Draft in Detroit we welcomed Charity Dean of the Michigan Black Business Alliance (MBBA) plus NFL power couple, Channing and Aja Crowder!

Charity walked our hosts through how the NFL partnered with the MBBA to make sure Black Businesses in Detroit weren’t left out of the economic boom brought by the draft and also shared some tips for those looking to enjoy the festivities. 

Donna and Orlando also had the pleasure of sitting down with former NFL player and host of The Pivot podcast, Channing Crowder, along with his wife - realtor, media personality, and entrepreneur - Aja Crowder for a very rare interview of them together!

For more information on the NFL Draft and the complete fan guide, click here.

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This week, Stefen Welch joined Donna and Orlando in the studio to discuss his journey as a leader, role with the Detroit Pistons, and the war on DEI.

Stefen Welch serves as vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons. A Detroit native, Welch focuses on the team’s strategy to attract and acquire diverse talent, professional development opportunities for employees, and identifying strategic business initiatives. 

For more information on Stefen and his work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

GILBERT'S HUDSON BUILDING UNLIKELY TO MEET PROMISED JOB, TAX REVENUE WHEN GM WORKERS MOVE IN 

MICHIGAN'S HEALTH CARE DISPARITIES STARK FOR BLACK RESIDENTS, STUDY FINDS

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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. Eligible youths, aged 11-19, have the chance to apply quarterly for awards up to $250 to help foster their artistic journeys.

For more information on the DEYA Launch Awards and to apply, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA RENDERING OF DETROIT SIGN SET EXPECTATIONS TOO HIGH, DUGGAN SAYS

TREAT OUR RESIDENTS WITH RESPECT: DETROIT ORDINANCE LOOKS TO TACKLE FUGITIVE DUST

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