S7E27 -Reviving Legacy: Cheryl Ajamu & the Detroit Football Classic

“Detroit gives me free concerts, the architecture, the river — I told my friends, ‘Detroit got this.’” In this rich and inspiring episode of Detroit is Different, Cheryl Ajamu joins Khary Frazier to share her journey from Memphis to the woman behind the revival of the Detroit Football Classic. Cheryl is the Owner & Executive Producer for the 2025 Detroit Football Classic August 30, 1pm at Ford Field, Central State University vs Kentucky State University. Cheryl recounts arriving in Detroit in 1996 and falling in love with the city’s cultural soul—its historic architecture, its cooler summers, and its abundance of free concerts: “95 is much better than a hundred.” From ad sales at BET Detroit to helping promote the city’s neo-soul underground through Urban Organic, she describes how she “lived on both sides of the equation”—connecting Black creatives with major brands while keeping community at the center. But this story isn’t just about the past; it’s a roadmap for the future. Cheryl discusses ownership, empowerment, and strategy as she brings back the Classic—not as a nostalgic tribute, but as a declaration of Black cultural and economic power in Detroit. “I own this,” she says proudly, marking her place in a space traditionally dominated by men. This episode weaves Detroit’s historical Black pride—from Paradise Valley to Motown to the architecture she once explored alone—into a call for intentional cultural preservation, community building, and ownership. Cheryl’s story is a powerful reminder that Detroit’s legacy isn’t just history—it’s still in the making.

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]