The D Brief

Like many Detroit artists and entertainers, Melinda Anderson's living prior to the pandemic was entirely dependent on the live event industry. As the Creative Director of Studio M Detroit, she built art installations for festivals and other gatherings. When these events were canceled due to COVID-19, she was forced to reinvent her career. She shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief. 

Detroit chef Kiki Louya, founder of Folk and The Farmer's Hand, competed on season 18 of the reality TV competition, Top Chef, before her elimination in the fourth episode. She talks to Seth and Becky of The D Brief about what it was like to compete on the show during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the number of women performing stand-up comedy has increased in the last few decades, there's still a long way to go before they reach parity with men. The Detroit Women of Comedy Festival at Planet Ant aims to both showcase and educate female comedians. Festival Producer Kate Holmes joins Seth and Becky on The D Brief to talk about the issues facing women in comedy.

When we talk about representation — seeing people who look like you on the stage or screen — we often talk about it in terms of one minority group. But Dearborn writer and director Mike Mosallam is a member of two minority communities. He had never seen his particular story told on film, so he decided to tell it himself in Breaking Fast. He talks to Seth and Becky about the importance of the project.

For over 30 years, Detroit stand-up comedian Steve Sabo made his living by touring comedy clubs. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced him off the road, he wrote a book about what not to do as a professional comedian. Many of those lessons pertain to other performing arts as well. He joined Seth and Becky on The D Brief to share some lessons.

Creatives sometimes struggle with sobriety, and the artistic lifestyle can make that challenge even more difficult to overcome. Detroit musician Greater Alexander, who was named the area's best songwriter by Metro Detroit in 2019, is using the money he's made composing for companies like Amazon, Jeep, and Dodge to build a residence for sober artists. He shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

As immigration laws in the United States tightened, refugees were forced to get creative to find work here. When Mamba Hamissi and his wife, Nadia Nijimbere, fled Burundi, they had no intention of opening a restaurant. Now they're using their African eatery, Baobab Fare, to help other immigrants get a foothold in America. Mamba shares the story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Artists often leave Detroit to further their career, heading to Hollywood or Nashville or New York City. Singer/songwriter Raye Williams did just that. Ironically, it was coming back home to Michigan that enabled her to take a leap forward. She shares her story with Seth and Becky of The D Brief.

Small, upscale spaces that rely on being packed with people have been hit hard during the pandemic. Sfumato is a boutique fragrance shop by day which turns into a cocktail bar called Castalia at night. Co-owner Kevin Peterson joins Seth and Becky on The D Brief to talk about how it's changing in response to the pandemic.

With the COVID-19 Pandemic in full swing, local arts and entertainment organizations have been forced to adapt by going digital. But art is one of those things that people like to see in person before purchasing. So how has the KO Gallery in Hamtramck, Michigan, pivoted? Co-founder Nick Pizaña explains to Seth and Becky of The D Brief.