Detroit Mayoral candidate and businessman Joel Haashiim believes there is a lot at stake in this election and he's the only candidate who has the chops to handle big issues like the Detroit Land Bank Authority, longstanding issues with the city's largest school district, and more.

"First of all, you're talking 54 years of domestic and international business. Then you're talking about the ability to bring international companies and domestic companies into Detroit to do business. That's job creation, that's producing occupational wage jobs, careers, and that's what we need in Detroit."

Check out the full interview between Haashiim and BridgeDetroit Engagement Editor Bryce Huffman on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Despite trailing in the polls, mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow believes he's the only person in the race who can guide Detroit into being a world-class city of the future.

"It's very clear that I'm just a different candidate. The plan that I keep on referring to is the only plan that continues to be presented. And so I believe voters, as well as the other candidates, as well as the city, have taken note of the things that I've said."

Check out the full conversation between Barlow and BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Disclaimer: This interview was recorded before Jonathan Barlow faced harassment complaints from multiple women. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Ken Cockrel Jr., former interim Mayor and former Detroit City Council President, believes the transition from the Council to the mayor's office is a huge one. And any candidate, regardless of their experience, needs to be ready for the full weight of the job.

"I would say the thing that they have to be prepared for and be ready for is to understand that whatever you think your day looks like from day to day, it could change on a dime, and you have to be prepared to respond to it."

Check out the full interview here and be sure to check out the full episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Detroit Mayor and City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. joins Detroit Next to break down all the different things Detroiters need to think about before casting their votes in the primary.

"When I became mayor, the one thing that even I wasn't quite ready for is the extent to which every day can hit you with something completely unexpected," Cockrel Jr. said. "So that's the thing I think anybody that's going to be mayor needs to be prepared for. You can have a sense of what your day is going to look like, just based on your calendar and what you have on it. But the reality is, something may come up, it's going to force you to completely recalibrate and do something different."

Stephen Henderson and Bryce Huffman also talk about the things they are hearing from Detroiters heading into this election.

Check out the full episode from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Police Chief James Craig believes Detroiters should demand a leader who demands accountability.

"Detroit Police Department was under federal oversight for 13 years, one of the longest running consent decrees, and we got out from under within one year of my administration, not by accident. Certainly, leadership played a key role, but accountability played a bigger role."

To learn why Craig thinks he can go from police chief to mayor in this race, check out the full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Police Chief James Craig believes he's the only candidate who can truly keep Detroiters safe. "Hollywood" Craig believes his decades of experience in law enforcement will ultimately win over Detroiters in the August primary. 

He joins Detroit Next to talk about what public safety looks like and why he's a leader who demands accountability. 

Check out the full episode from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. You can find video versions of the full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube page. 

Longtime Detroit communications professional and media personality Karen Dumas believes Detroiters deserve better in many aspects of life, and that starts with city leadership.

Dumas, who served as Chief of Communications & External Affairs for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit and works as a columnist for the Detroit News, believes no candidate in the race has fully stood out from the pack thus far. Dumas makes it clear that Detroiters don't need a miracle worker, they need a competent mayor who can address the longstanding issues plaguing the city. 

Check out the full interview to hear her thoughts. This interview was done for Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Attorney and former Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams says the next mayor will have a lot of heavy lifting to do with fewer resources than the current administration.

Adams, who unsuccessfully ran against Mike Duggan in the 2021 mayoral race, reflects on the time he spent working with Kwame Kilpatrick. Adams believes whoever becomes mayor next needs to unify the business community, neighborhood leaders, and everyday residents to guide the city forward. 

Check out the full interview to hear his thoughts on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. For the video version of the show 

Detroiters Karen Dumas and Anthony Adams join Detroit Next to talk about the honest thoughts they have on the mayor's race. 

Dumas worked communications for former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, but also works as a columnist for the Detroit News. She believes no candidate in the race has fully stood out from the pack thus far. Dumas also makes it clear that Detroiters don't need a miracle worker, they need a competent mayor who can address longstanding issues. 

Adams, who ran against Mike Duggan in the 2021 mayoral race, reflects on the time he spent working with Kwame Kilpatrick. Adams believes whoever becomes mayor next needs to unify the business community and neighborhood leaders to guide the city forward. 

Check out the full episode to hear their thoughts. Detroit Next is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield explains how a decade plus of experience serving the city's legislative branch has prepared her to become mayor. 

Sheffield is the frontrunner in the race, by all accounts. But historically speaking, the path from City Council to being elected mayor is a tough one in Detroit. She details her plans for what she'd like to do about affordable housing, raising wages for Detroiters, and attracting young people back to the city. 

This is a full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.