Black Her Stories

In this episode, we dig into a conversation with Marsha Music. Marsha is the daughter of pre-Motown record producer Joe Von Battle. She's also an acclaimed writer of essays, poems, and narratives on life in Detroit.

Together, we celebrate the work of Betty DeRamus. Betty DeRamus is a veteran and award-winning journalist, DeRamus was the jury's pick and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 1993. She has been awarded a Michigan Press Association Award, as well as a Deems Taylor award for a profile of Roberta Flack published in Essence. A passion for the troubles and triumphs of ordinary people, Betty DeRamus wrote two nonfiction books, Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad and Freedom by Any Means: True Stories of Cunning and Courage on the Underground Railroad.

We explore how DeRamus's practice of creative storytelling connects to Music's role as a griot in the Black community. Marsha also discusses how the history of Detroit informs her identity as a writer.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The history of Detroit and the Black Bottom Neighborhood
• The importance and validity of oral history
• How to find inspiration in the place where you live

Resources:

• Marsha Music -
• Website: https://marshamusic.wordpress.com/
• Referenced Works
• The Detroitist

• Betty DeRamus
• About: https://mijournalismhalloffame.org/betty-deramus/
• Referenced Works
• Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad
• Freedom by Any Means: True Stories of Cunning and Courage on the Underground Railroad.

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In this episode, we get into conversation with La Shaun Phoenix Moore. Moore is a Detroit-based vocalist, spoken word artist, activist, culture creator, and wife. She is the recipient of the 2020 and 2021 Creators of Culture Award by CultureSource. Phoenix is currently working on a memoir that examines the complexities of the Mother Wound. The Mother wound is a type of intergenerational trauma that is informed by how we have experienced mothering.

We also discuss the contributions of Natasha T Miller through her book Butcher. Natasha, is a Detroit native, performance poet, LGBTQ activist, film producer, founder of the "Artists Inn Detroit" and so much more.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Vulnerability.
• Multiplicity
• Motherhood

Resources:

• La Shaun Phoenix Moore -
• IG: Detroit Phoenix
• Youtube: La Shaun Phoenix Moore
• The Motherwound
• Natasha T Miller
• IG : natashatmiller
• Facebook @tmillerpoetry
• Twitter @tmillerpoetry
• Butcher

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In this episode, we dig into a conversation with Imani Nichele. Imani is a Detroit-based poet, rapper, singer, and songwriter. She is the 2018 Detroit Youth Poet Laureate. Her writing has been featured by the Heidelberg Project, Fox Sports, and the Detroit Institute of Arts. In this conversation, we celebrate the work of Lucille Clifton (1936-2010). Clifton is known for her unique writing style that underscores 'clear truth-telling.' Her sharp, small poems employ understated yet imaginative language that invites the reader into the inner world of a Black woman.

We trace the interconnection between Clifton's inner world exploration and Imani's unique perspective as a creative who gives herself permission to be who she is, unapologetically. And who is charting her course through the history that's being made in the here and now.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Art as a tool for empathy
• Reparenting
• The power of questions

Resources:

• Imani Nichele -
• IG: imaninichele_

• Lucille Clifton
• Biography: The Poetry Foundation
• Referenced Poems:
• the lost baby poem
• won't you celebrate with me

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In this episode, we dive into a conversation with Brittany Rogers. Brittany is a poet, creator, educator, and proud native Detroiter. She is a fellow of VONA, The Watering Hole, Poetry Incubator, and Pink Door Writing Retreat. Her writing has been anthologized in The BreakBeat Poets: Black Girl Magic and Best of the Net. Brittany is also Editor-in-Chief for Muzzle Magazine, an M.F.A. candidate, and a Blackburn Fellow at Randolph College. Together, we celebrate the work of Aricka Foreman. Aricka is an American poet and interdisciplinary writer from Detroit MI. Author of the chapbook Dream with a Glass Chamber, and Salt Body Shimmer (YesYes Books), she has earned fellowships from Cave Canem, Callaloo, and the Millay Colony for the Arts. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Offing, and spends her time in Chicago, IL engaging poetry with photography & video. We thread the needle between Foreman's practice of protective truth-telling with Roger's rituals of delight. Brittany also discusses how she exercises creative risk-taking by infusing a sense of wonder and delight.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The Great Migration in the context of Detroit
• Infusing honesty with a sense of protection & care
• Creative Risk-taking

Resources:

• Brittany Roger -
• IG: brittanyerogers
• Website: https://www.brittanyrogers.org/

• Aricka Foreman
• IG : blkfemmepoetics
• Website: https://www.arickaforeman.com/

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Hosted by Michaela Ayers, this series illuminates the lives and legacies of Black women - past and present - who inspire us and shape our stories.

In season one, we're talking to Black women writers in Detroit, Michigan to learn how community informs a creative. And what possibilities exist when creativity meets history.

The series premieres on March 9th. Subscribe or follow wherever you get your podcasts.