Authentically Detroit discusses closing the racial wealth gap in the city and beyond. 

On this episode, Donna and Orlando speak with Michelle Matthews and Elizabeth Luther of Capital Impact. The four of them discuss Capital Impact’s decision to work more closely with people actually from our city to help close the racial wealth gap. Their Equitable Development Initiative seeks to help local real estate developers of color take a leadership role in redeveloping Detroit’s landscape. This allows projects affecting the community to be led by the communities they impact.  

FOR HOT TAKES:

DESPITE VOWS, DEMOCRATS DO LITTLE TO IMPROVE MICHIGAN GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY 

DETROIT LAND BANK HOME RENOVATION PROGRAM LEAVES HALF OF BUYERS WITH TAX DEBTS

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Donna and Orlando gathered the youth together for a discussion centering their perspectives on different types of violence in the community. The group’s roundtable talk covers metal detectors inside of schools, gun violence, violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community, and more. 

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Authentically Detroit covers the wave of violence seemingly taking over the city and more. 

On this episode, Donna and Orlando discuss environmental justice, reparations, and gun violence. Over the last week, there were multiple instances of simple disagreements escalating to gun violence. In one instance, a Detroit man shot two teens and two adults after his food was incorrectly delivered to their home. In another, an Employee was fatally shot after ‘cutting in line’ dispute inside of a Greektown store. 

Activists say gun reform law doesn’t do enough for Detroit, but what’s next?

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROITERS RECLAIM EARTH DAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 

DETROIT REPARATIONS TASK FORCE STARTS WITH 'BABY STEPS'

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The gang's all here again!

Orlando returns this week along with journalists Aaron Mondry and Jena Brooker. 

Donna and Orlando speak with them about the trucking problem plaguing east siders in Detroit. Aaron and Jena’s investigation found that almost one truck passes through the neighborhood adjacent to the Stellantis auto plant per minute, daily. This poses a serious air quality issue and residents want justice. To read the full story, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

HIDDEN MEMO WAS SUPPOSED TO STOP MICHIGAN PRISONERS FROM LINING UP IN THE COLD AND RAIN

BAILIFFS VIOLENTLY CLASH WITH HOUSING ACTIVISTS IN DETROIT TO EVICT A TERMINALLY ILL WOMAN

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This week, Authentically Detroit talks about what’s been on everyone’s mind recently - power outages. 

Donna and Jackson Koeppel, Founder and Executive Director of Souladarity, sat down for a discussion about outages and energy justice. The duo outlines issues of affordability and infrastructure as well as DTE’s business model, which drives the issues. Finally, they go over the ways the team at Souladarity tackles these issues and how others can get involved in the fight for energy justice. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DTE FACES LOOMING STORM ON ITS POLITICAL SPENDING AMID OUTRAGE

DETROIT NAMES NEW SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR. WILL HE HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT?

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This week, Authentically Detroit is amplifying youth voices!

The Vaulted Youth Podcast Program provides youth the opportunity to develop and produce their very own podcasts! This week we introduce The Black Bubble, The Culture Channel, and Black N Smart - original podcasts created by our young people. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

COULD $1,200 A MONTH IN DIRECT CASH HELP DETROITERS? THIS GROUP THINKS SO 

WHITMER SIGNS RIGHT-TO-WORK REPEAL, PREVAILING WAGE RESTORATION

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Spring has sprung this week on Authentically Detroit!

Orlando sat down with Dr. Eddie Connor, Spokesman for the American Cancer Society, Author, and recipient of The President Obama Lifetime Achievement Award. The two discussed Eddie’s journey as a cancer survivor and among many things, what it means to forgive.

FOR HOT TAKES:

DUGGAN PUTS CRIME ON RESIDENTS - TO THE TUNE OF $700,000 

COOLEY HIGH SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT PLAN REJECTED BY DETROIT SCHOOL BOARD

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This week Authentically Detroit spent 313 Day discussing the housing crisis. 

Donna sat down with Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, the stars of HGTV’s Bargain Block, plus Tansley Stearns, President & CEO of Community Financial Credit Union (CFCU). The group discussed Bargain Block & CFCU’s new partnership, which intends to make home buying more attainable for Detroiters!

FOR HOT TAKES:

VACANT HOMES VS. HOMELESSNESS IN CITIES AROUND THE U.S. 

STATE OPENS VOUCHER WAITING LIST FOR 61 COUNTIES. WHAT TO KNOW.

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This week Authentically Detroit discusses the importance of on-the-ground philanthropy!

Donna and Orlando sat down with The Gilbert Family Foundation’s Director of Detroit Community Initiatives, Darnell Adams, to discuss how Black Detroiters are leading Dan Gilbert’s $500 million philanthropic pledge to the Detroit community. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN STOPPED OHIO TOXIC WASTE LAST WEEK, BUT WE IMPORT WASTE EVERY DAY 

DUGGAN'S $2.6B BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX CUTS

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This week Authentically Detroit hosted a special live episode with historian Jamon Jordan!

Jamon is the founder of The Black Scroll Network, History & Tours, LLC and currently serves as the official Historian for the City of Detroit. In honor of Black History Month, Jamon discusses Detroit’s history as a center for Black Power beginning during slavery. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

ELECTION DENIER KRISTINA KARAMO TO LEAD MICHIGAN GOP, TOPPING TRUMP FAVORITE

JOBS AND PAY RISE, BUT BLACK AND HISPANIC DETROITERS ARE MISSING OUT.

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