Created Equal

How can you still maintain a relationship with your child after being behind bars? On this episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson discusses the many challenges incarcerated parents face with advocate and public speaker Tore Price — an incarcerated father himself who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and left behind his 2-year-old son. Price shares his experience with fatherhood, incarceration and the proposed legislation he advocates for.

In 1997, a 13-year-old Black boy named Lenard Clark was attacked by a group of older white teenagers in Bridgeport, Chicago. The attack was so severe that Clark fell into a coma. Chicago’s response revealed how underlying racial dynamics in its neighborhoods worked against black Americans’ pursuit of justice for racial beatings. This case motivated Yohance Lacour to become a journalist. His award-winning podcast, “You Didn’t See Nothin,” recounts the events surrounding the attack. The seven-part series focuses less on the attack and more on public and media responses. Lacour joined Stephen Henderson on "Created Equal" to discuss the case.

Imagine being convicted of a crime you did not commit and wasn’t present when it occurred. This sentencing is possible under a legal doctrine called felony murder. It has the power to sentence a person to a maximum of life in prison for their non-participation in heinous crimes. Sarah Stillman, the winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Writing, joined "Created Equal" to discuss her examination of felony murder.

Black Americans searching for employment during the Civil War is not something we often think about. Massachusetts was known as a free state during this time, which made African Americans living in Boston not part of the enslaved population in the United States. But when it comes down to knowing what the word "free" really means, many Americans may not know the full story. Author Jacqueline Jones joined "Created Equal" host Stephen Henderson to discuss what African American lives were like from the perspective of freedom versus slavery.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins "Created Equal," to share more about what she'd like to accomplish at this year's Mackinac Policy Conference, and what her immediate goals for the state are. Also, U.S. Representatives Elissa Slotkin and Dan Kildee join the show to discuss their goals for this year's conference, as well as Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, and Wendy Jackson, managing director for the Detroit Program at Kresge, to talk about the organization's 100th anniversary.

Everyone who attends the Mackinac Policy Conference has their own specific agenda they'd like to accomplish. On Wednesday's special MPC episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson was joined by Democratic U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, as well as Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, to hear their goals for this week and plans for the future.

Stephen Henderson is broadcasting live this week from the Mackinac Policy Conference with WDET colleagues Cheyna Roth (MichMash), Russ McNamara (All Things Considered) and Nick Austin (The Metro). Listen to his conversations with some of the state's top decision makers here, or go to wdet.org/mpc. We'll be back with more Created Equal on Friday.

For the first time in Mackinac Policy Conference history, Senate hopefuls have declined the Detroit Regional Chamber's invitation to debate on the island. Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of DRC, joined "Created Equal" host Stephen Henderson to discuss how changing U.S. political dynamics have altered candidates' campaign strategies.

Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a new wage increase for migrant workers and how it's putting pressure on Michigan farmers; the concerning rise of children unintentionally consuming cannabis edibles and more.

Memorial Day weekend in Detroit means Movement — the popular, funky dance festival that celebrates electronic music. On today's episode, we talk with two of the city's cultural icons, Adriel Thornton and Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, about the origins of electronic and House music in Detroit, and how the growth of the music dovetails with the creation of a safe space for the city's Black and queer communities to be expressive.