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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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 groceries, be open to the general public, and cooperatively owned. Their unique model differs from many food co-ops in the United States as it serves an urban, predominantly African American, low and moderate-income community.

For more information on the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op and to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CREDIT RATING UPGRADED 2 NOTCHES, REACHES INVESTMENT GRADE FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 2009 

AS HOMELESS CRISIS GROWS, STATES AND CITIES ARE TURNING TO VOTERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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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 powerful motivational speaker. Patrice’s mission is simple yet profound - to inspire, uplift, and empower others to unleash their full potential and achieve their dreams. 

For more information on Patrice and her work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT URBAN AGRICULTURE LEADER TO HEAD SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE, SOLAR EFFORTS 

MOBILE HOME RESIDENTS FIGHT RENT HIKES AND DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS

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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 different, click here. 

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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 over the years, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT REPARATIONS TASK FORCE HOSTS TOWN HALLS WITH BLACK AUDIT PROJECT 

MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS REVIVE TOLL ROAD DEBATE

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This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the host of #AskJenn, Jennifer Onwenu!

Donna and Orlando sat down with Jenn to discuss her show, #AskJenn's rise to prominence. Started in 2022, #AskJenn has become a successful web platform that highlights the cultural cornerstones of being a Black Woman, Detroiter, autism parent, and millennial. Jenn uses a humorous and witty style to capture the attention of her audience. Garnering support online and in her community, Jenn hopes to combine the influence of Oprah and the humor of Monique to be the next talk show giant.

If you’re interested in learning more about #AskJenn, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

CITY PLANS AB FORD PARK WALK-THROUGH AMID SOIL, TREE REMOVAL CONCERNS 

DETROIT POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD MEMBERS ABUSED THEIR POSITIONS

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