To Be Black and Proud - The 40th Anniversary of the African World Festival and the Legacy of Joann Watson

This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the host of #AskJenn, Jennifer Onwenu!

Donna and Orlando sat down with Jenn to discuss her show, #AskJenn's rise to prominence. Started in 2022, #AskJenn has become a successful web platform that highlights the cultural cornerstones of being a Black Woman, Detroiter, autism parent, and millennial. Jenn uses a humorous and witty style to capture the attention of her audience. Garnering support online and in her community, Jenn hopes to combine the influence of Oprah and the humor of Monique to be the next talk show giant.

If you’re interested in learning more about #AskJenn, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

CITY PLANS AB FORD PARK WALK-THROUGH AMID SOIL, TREE REMOVAL CONCERNS 

DETROIT POLICE OVERSIGHT BOARD MEMBERS ABUSED THEIR POSITIONS

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This week Authentically Detroit pulled up to Next Chapter Books for a book club discussion!

Donna and Orlando were joined by a live audience inside of the family-owned bookstore on Detroit’s east side. For our first book club podcast, we read and discussed “Black AF History: The Un-Whitewashed Story of America” by Michael Harriot.  

If you’re interested in learning more about Michael Harriot and Black AF History, click here. 

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This week Authentically Detroit welcomed two special guests!

First, during Hot Takes, Donna and Orlando spoke with Anthony Eid of the Michigan Redistricting Commission about how redistricting maps will impact Detroit’s voters in the upcoming elections.

Then, we had the opportunity to sit down with lawyer, union organizer, actor, father, and business owner Hill Harper! Hill discussed his candidacy for the U.S. Senate and his stance on key policy issues that will determine our quality of life in the near future. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Hill Harper and his candidacy, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

REDISTRICTING MAPS GIVE GOP A FIGHTING CHANCE AND BOOST DETROIT'S CLOUT

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This week Authentically Detroit sat down with the one and only Shamiyam “Mama Shu” Harris of Avalon Village!

Donna and Orlando spoke with Mama Shu about the importance of building community and utilizing collective action to self-determine our futures. She also gave a sneak peak into the expansion of the Goddess Marketplace and Whine and Tea Shop and Avalon Village’s journey to becoming more sustainable. 

Mama Shu is CEO of Avalon Village in Highland Park, MI. She is a mother, a community activist, and a former school administrator, who served Detroit schools for 27+ years. Her dream of building this urban oasis was manifested after the tragic loss of her sons. In 2023, she became a CNN Hero Top 10 finalist.

If you’re interested in learning more about Mama Shu and Avalon Village, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

AN ASSESSMENT OF DETROIT'S ECONOMIC CONDITION AND A CRITIQUE OF ITS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS 

DETROIT PEOPLE’S FOOD CO-OP OPENS MAY 1ST

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This week Authentically Detroit discusses the state of the city in 2024!

In honor of Donna’s invitation to the State of the State this week, Donna and Orlando sat down together to discuss what’s currently happening in the city of Detroit. The two of them discussed population growth, public safety, the social wellbeing of people and more. As President and CEO of the Eastside Community Network (ECN), Donna works to find solutions to many of the obstacles that Detroiters face on a daily basis. 

If you’re interested in learning more about ECN and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

BUCS RB TRIED TO PAY HOMAGE TO DETROIT WITH TOUCHDOWN CELEBRATION

MICHIGAN INDEPENDENT CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT IN DETROIT

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This week Authentically Detroit sat down with Kamau Jawara, the Southeast Michigan Lead Organizer for We the People Michigan. 

Donna and Orlando sat down with Kamau to discuss a thread he created on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the thread, Kamau detailed public safety narratives in the city, their history, and how we should utilize them moving forward into the election season. 

Kamau is a politocultural organizer and storyteller from Detroit’s east side who uses political education and cultural strategy to support concentrations of Energy Justice, Leadership Development, and Co-Governance. If you’re interested in the full thread on X and keeping up with Kamau and his work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MURAL DOLLARS DENIED 

COMMUNITY CONCERNS, CONFUSION OVER BRIGHTMOOR STORMWATER PLAN

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Right before the holiday break, Orlando sat down with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov Garlin Gilchrist to discuss the state’s population growth plan following the Growing Michigan Together Council’s 85-page report designed to spur growth and attraction to the state. 

Check out the full write up, on Bridge Detroit!

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This week Charity Dean joined Authentically Detroit once again as a guest host! 

Founder of KwanzaaMe and Woodworker, Lawrielle West, joined Orlando and Charity to discuss the importance of celebrating the principles of Kwanzaa year-round. 

KwanzaaMe is a lifestyle brand that cultivates community and culture through their products and programming. A manifestation of the love of Black people, Black culture, and honoring Black traditions - KwanzaaMe represents the commitment to planning what Black freedom looks like. 

Combining woodworking with  years of community organizing experience, and a passion for community and shared values, KwanzaaMe embraces a Kwanzaa everyday lifestyle with open arms.

For more information on Lawrielle and KwanzaaMe, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

HOW DETROIT FITS INTO MICHIGAN'S POPULATION GROWTH PLAN 

OFFICIALS TOUT DETROIT'S FALLING HOMICIDE RATE

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This week Charity Dean joined Authentically Detroit as co-host! 

President and CEO of TechTown Detroit, Ned Staebler joined Orlando and Charity to discuss TechTown Detroit’s designation as a Small Business Support Hub.

The Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program aims to establish and strengthen inclusive, accessible and effective regional ecosystems for entrepreneurs. The SBSH program aims to create a statewide network of entrepreneurial hubs equipped to serve the needs of small businesses through direct support and network referral relationships. 

Among its objectives, the SBSH program intends to strengthen and establish locally relevant, regionally based ecosystems to cultivate a more inclusive, accessible and effective entrepreneurial ecosystem; and position small business support hubs to increase the number of businesses served through new and scaled programming, technical assistance and other support services.

For more information on TechTown Detroit and their programs, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

WHITMER: $550 TAX REFUND CHECKS COMING FOR 700,000 MICHIGAN HOUSEHOLDS 

DEAL WITH HENRY FORD, PISTONS, MSU DRAWS MIXED VIEW ON IMPACTS OF BENEFITS

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This week Authentically Detroit previewed the 2023 Eastside Summit - Pathways to Justice

With Donna as keynote, the 2023 Eastside Summit will highlight various pathways residents can take in order to secure justice and equity for our community. Through a series of panels and interactive workshops, attendees will learn about strategies being used to fight injustice across the city, and build their capacity to use these strategies in their own neighborhoods. 

The event takes place this Saturday, December 16th at The Stoudamire from 10:00 am - 2:30 pm, residents have the option to attend both in person and virtually. This year’s keynote speaker is none other than my co-host, Donna Givens Davidson!

For more information on the 2023 Eastside Summit click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

‘NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS’: FOOD PANTRIES SEE SPIKE IN NEED 

TWO MEMBERS OF REPARATIONS TASK FORCE RESIGN WITHIN FIRST YEAR

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