When protests on college campuses in response to the Israel-Hamas war erupted across the nation, leaders at some universities cracked down.

The conflict between demonstrators and university officials raises questions about the limits of free speech for college students, and it's just one of many points of friction on campuses that major institutions must confront. 

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is a psychologist who has spent over 40 years in higher education. She spent 13 of those years as the president Spelman College. Dr. Tatum believes these institutions need to create an environment to work through deep divisions. 

She joined the show to discuss her new book "Peril and Promise: College Leadership in Turbulent Times" and how officials at major institutions can do that. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

As flotilla missions face fire abroad, longtime organizers like Huwaida Arraf are pressing for a bold global strategy to aid Palestinians.

Earlier this month, Arraf was a featured speaker at the People’s Conference for Palestine in Detroit, where she called to “globalize the Intifada” as a worldwide movement for justice. The Arabic word intifada literally means “shaking off.” In Palestinian history, it refers to popular uprisings against Israeli occupation. 

Arraf, a Detroit-born civil rights attorney and Palestinian-American activist, co-founded the International Solidarity Movement and has helped lead several of the Gaza Freedom Flotillas — boats attempting to sail toward Gaza, break Israel’s naval blockade, and deliver humanitarian aid.

As Gaza’s suffering deepens and pleas for justice grow louder, Arraf spoke with Robyn Vincent about the world’s silence, and how long it can last.

Wayne State University and the University of Michigan are facing criticism over their treatment of students participating in pro-Palestine protests.

Zach Greenberg, Faculty Legal Defense and Student Association Counsel for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), joined The Metro to discuss where free speech is protected by law, and where it crosses the line.

I-375 is not just a concrete thoroughfare — it is a reminder of how Black neighborhoods were sacrificed, and how the promise of repair remains unresolved today.

When it opened in the 1960s, the freeway bulldozed Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Those neighborhoods had been cultural and economic hubs for Black Detroiters. Residents were displaced and businesses were cut off.

Decades later, state and city leaders proposed replacing that mile of freeway with a surface boulevard. They said the plan was more than infrastructure. It was meant to acknowledge the historic harm wrought by I‑375’s construction.

But costs for the plan soared. And the design? Well, it still looks like a highway to many. Earlier this month, MDOT hit pause. Supporters call the pause a chance to rethink, but critics worry it means the project may never get off the ground.

Michigan State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) has been one of the most vocal leaders pressing for change. She has pushed to scale back the boulevard, center safety, and she wants to ensure any new land honors the legacy of families and businesses displaced decades ago.

She joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss what the start of real repair could look like.

Despite living in a hyper-connected internet world, connecting with others is often difficult to accomplish in the physical world. But the availability of parks and recreation centers can change that, removing friction that sometimes prevents people from bonding and creating new memories. 

That’s why the August opening of the Chandler Park Fieldhouse was significant. The domed facility features a turf sports field, track, multi-sports court, fitness area, lockers and showers. 

Why exactly do recreation centers allow people to connect? And, what is the city doing to construct more of them? 

Detroit’s General Services Director Crystal Perkins joined Robyn Vincent to discuss.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

The City of Detroit is known for its arts. It's not as well known for its contributions to the greater development of those artistic fields, yet Detroit is the only U.S. city with the title of a UNESCO City of Design. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes international cooperation in various fields to build peace and sustainable development worldwide. Detroit is one of over 40 cities sharing resources and knowledge, allowing greater access to creative solutions.

Design Core Detroit was the organization that applied for the designation. Design Core Detroit provided proof that the city has had a major hand in moving industries with the innovative minds of the people who call Detroit home.

The organization curates the city-wide and month-long event, Detroit Month of Design festival. There will be more than 500 creative spirits in Detroit spanning across the city with exhibitions, panel discussions and immersive teaching events.

The goal is to bring as many innovative people as possible together to develop new inspiring realities for all people. It's a way for Detroit and its residents to come together and build a brighter future through design and a creative flair.

This year’s theme is city of design, celebrating 10 years as a UNESCO Design City. Co-Executive Director of Design Core Detroit Kiana Wenzell stopped by The Metro to talk more about the month-long event.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

There’s a new mural festival coming to the downriver area. Paint The Park is a 2-week-long festival that is bringing large-scale murals to downtown Allen Park. It runs from September 1-13, 2025. 

Michelle Tanguay is an artist and the founder of The Mural People. Benjamin Hughes is Director of Allen Park Downtown Development Authority. They both joined The Metro to talk about the first Paint the Park and what makes Allen Park special to its residents.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Chef Greg is the founder and owner of Smokey G’s Smokehouse, located at Valade Park on Detroit’s Riverfront.

He was a featured vendor during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, and Smokey G’s became the first smoker ever to appear at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Tournament.

For the last 11 years, Greg has taken pride in welcoming people into his family through food, smoke, and plenty of laughs.

A pivotal election is on the horizon. In November, Detroit residents will vote for the next mayor and fill seats on the city council. It will be the first change in the city’s mayoral leadership since 2013, when Mike Duggan was elected as a write-in candidate. 

There has been positive momentum in Detroit since that time. City services have improved, new development continues to pop up in the downtown and midtown areas, homicides are down and the city's population is increasing. But despite that, a key issue in our politics lingers.

Only a fraction of Detroit residents show up to vote. 

According an analysis by the Detroit Free Press, voting in municipal elections has dropped over the last 20 years while turnout in presidential and gubernatorial elections remains steady.

Free Press editorial page editor, Nancy Kaffer, joined the show to discuss their findings and share why residents in low turnout areas aren't voting. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Affordable housing seems like an impossibility to many people these days, but state organizations are pursuing solutions in Michigan.

Just two days ago, Governor Gretchen Whitmer applauded the state's housing agency for helping to build 75,000 new housing units over the last four years. And two weeks ago, a different organization proposed a plan to speed up home building and home repairs in the state. 

The Michigan Municipal League wants the state to spend $800 million over five years on affordable housing projects. 

Dan Gilmartin of the Michigan Municipal League spoke with Robyn Vincent about how the state should be expanding its investment in housing construction and rehabilitation.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.