Attending the University of Michigan changed Rich Feldman’s life. The movements on the campus and activism outside the classroom inspired his lifetime of commitment to social justice. Anti-War, Anti-Racism, Anti-Capitalism, and Human Rights in action all have moved beyond theory, to practice, and action for Rich. For decades his understandings of strengthening people and community have been led by the works of Grace Lee Boggs and Jimmy Boggs. Rich Feldman currently carries on the vision and mission of both in today’s landscape of automation, information technology, corporate corruption, and environmental genocide that the Boggs foreshadowed. In this interview, we explore some of his stories and how his commitment to the struggle for progress has evolved over time.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

Flint MI is a kindred spirit with Detroit. Black pride, community love, and survival beyond industrial America are narratives that bind us together beyond the short distance in travel. Quarles' upbringing in Flint shaped an understanding for Detroit making him a top appointee to former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in the Michigan Legislature and the City of Detroit. In this interview, we discuss his understanding of business, politics, race, opportunity, and growth. The importance of his historically black college experience and encouragement from FAMU classmates like Chris Shorter has helped ground through today. Listen and learn about how his styles and approach to work and opportunity have blossomed to success in this interview. Quarles speaks on Claud Anderson’s Black Labor White Wealth, opportunity cost, the propensity of Black spending, and other economic analysts of Urban America. This was an introduction into American Business from a Black perspective all entrepreneurs should listen to.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

Yusef Bunchy Shakur is a revolutionary. His Autobiography ‘Window to my Soul,’ is an emotional read about his transformation from founding the gang Zone 8 to becoming a Black revolutionary organizer in his community. Today he is encouraged by his Father’s impact to become smarter, stronger, and committed to Black people. Building a relationship with his Father while in prison strengthened him to develop an understating for knowledge of self. Yusef is balanced by the work of his Mother who feeds, houses, and gives money to her community filled neighbors who are friends bonding as a family. We discuss Yusef’s love for Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party, and the recent Netflix documentary series ‘Who Killed Malcolm X.’ This is an informative interview where Yusef opens up about his work and reasoning behind his dedication to it. Learn more about the Urban Network, Community Movement Builder’s, and Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion all from the perspective of Yusef Shakur.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

This week’s features for Detroit is Different highlight Black men that express themselves in creativity that is not given mass appeal. Ismail Walton is one of Detroit’s original breakdancers. Jitting (jitterbug), popping and locking, breaking, and ticking all have deep roots in Detroit culture. Soul train and many late 80’s early 90’s New Jack Swing videos feature dancers, steps, and styles Detroiters like Ismail directly influenced. His Detroit is Different feature that gives perspective into how. Yusef Shakur is an Author. Yusef’s autobiographical work ‘Window to my Soul,’ is an emotional read about his transformation from founding the gang Zone 8 to becoming a Black revolutionary organizer in his community.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

The Black experience in America is often misunderstood. The context in which Black culture is developed, society engages it, and values are built upon it in America is historically problematic. ‘Own Your Story’ is a program led by TandemEd and partnering with Campaign for Black Male Achievement here in Detroit. The mission is to unite our neighborhoods in Detroit, and the Metro-Detroit area, around healthy perspectives and positive stories that we can be proud of, stories that will cast the vision for our future.

In this Detroit is Different interview I host a mix of the Own Your Story team, a Detroit Own Your Story steering committee member, and Detroit Own Your Story fellow to explore the programming here and vision for it. Jason Rivers (Own Your Story Managing Director - Pittsburgh PA), Alexander (Own Your Story Detroit Fellow - Martin Luther King Jr Senior HS Detroit MI), James Scrill (Own Your Story Detroit Steering Committee member - New Era Detroit) join me for this fruitful intergenerational discussion. You will find the perspectives of Black men in teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s to be interesting. I suggest listening to this Detroit is Different to gain a better insight of Own Your Story and Young Black Men today.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

Stephanie Johnson-Cobb is and has been working within her neighborhood for years. Born and raised in the Linwood/Davison community she’s seen her community for decades with family, extended family, and now work. Stephanie works with Hope Village Revitalization bringing to life the interests, love, and passion of residents. In this interview, Stephanie shares how her mission to re-open and clear a park in the neighborhood strengthened her. Today Stephanie’s work is family, neighbor, love based engaging politicians, businesspeople, foundation representatives and more. Listen to this instructional, informative, and introductory interview with Stephanie Johnson-Cobb.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

The Muhammad Family has made a mark on Detroit for generations. Jahleel carries the legacy of a Mother and Father who have played roles in and out of the house with many. The Father of three today stretches the reach more. Speaking, martial arts, and seeking knowledge is the evident value set Jahleel has shown in this interview.

We talk about the North End, Kettering HS, Minister Louis Farrakhan, and Black Faith in this interview. Deloris Bennett, Dawud Muhammad (former Minister for the Detroit Mosque for the Nation of Islam), and Bishop Edgar Vann working in the North End community are discussed as well. Also the gems of information about the foundation of the Nation of Islam taking place in Detroit.

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

Michelle Oberholtzer of the United Community Housing Coalition comes back to Detroit is Different to talk Detroit Homeowner's rights. Michelle shares how you can contest the tax assessment of your property and many of the injustices that exist within these systems. This was an information-based discussion that should prepare homeowners and inform those interested.

Michelle Oberholtzer (313) 963-3310 | [email protected] United Community Housing Coalition 2727 Second Ave #313 | Detroit MI 48201

The current tax foreclosure crisis in Detroit stems from changes to state tax laws in 1999, which shortened the foreclosure timeline and created new fees:

Taxpayers now face property tax foreclosure after being delinquent on payments for three years. Taxes that are delinquent for more than one year are charged interest at 1.5% per month, or 18% per year, plus fees. Since 2017, owners of foreclosed homes are banned from purchasing their properties back at auction

Displacement caused by property tax foreclosure has a severe impact on individuals and their communities, including:

1. A degree of homelessness
2. Illegal eviction by new owners who either do not know the eviction process or do not care
3. Forced moves to less desirable and more costly rental housing
4. Renters remaining in the same property, often paying more than 50% of their income for rent
5. Occupants entering into unethical lease purchase deals longer-term homeowners will often suffer some level of depression
6. Family relationships, jobs, education, and children frequently suffer
7. Vacant properties are vulnerable to vandalism and create blight

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

Racial Healing and Equity in Community Development was a discussion held by the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion led by myself (Khary Frazier) and Yusef Shakur. Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at the Urban Network (2433 Ferry Park Detroit MI 48208) we welcomed a small and impactful group of community-minded activists, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and organizers.

Documenting this discussion naturally led to the realization that more will be needed. Facets of Community Development Block Grants, Community Development Financial Institutions, and Detroit’s polarizing Detroit’s Community Benefits Ordinance were all discussed. This introductory forum served as a way for Yusef Shakur to speak to the racism that has systemically incepted bias towards neighborhood residents. The value of property over people was explored in depth. Philosophy of coping with racism and planning beyond oppression is shared as well.

Please enjoy this discussion and we welcome you to the next talk on Community Development for a neighborhood perspective with equity soon.

Questions asked: In what ways should philanthropists and foundations partner in community development to build neighborhoods? How can residents hold these organizations accountable for racial equity?

In what ways should government and HUD be included in community development that is residentially and racially equitable? How can residents hold government organizations accountable for racial equity?

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co

“Why You Wanna Fly Blackbird,” is an exhibit by Sabrina Nelson exploring the relationship between Black Women and children they’ve lost. In her, Detroit is Different interview Sabrina shares her story on growing up in Detroit and how Art is her voice. The joy of using designing clothes, painting, drawings, and more as a gateway to developing confidence and identity is explored in this interview.

Visit the “Why You Wanna Fly Blackbird” Exhibit by Sabrina Nelson at Madonna University 36600 Schoolcraft Livonia MI 48150 January 17 – March 16, 2020 (Monday - Thursday 8 am - 12 Midnight | Friday & Saturday 10 am – 6 pm)

Episode Notes

Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different.

Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher.

Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing [email protected]

Find out more at https://detroit-is-different.pinecast.co