Detroit is Different episode 382
In the 1970s, Toni McIlwain was drawn to Detroit by the promise of a thriving Black business community. Leaving Akron, Ohio, she set out with her four children in search of a fresh start. However, the road was not easy; for 18 months, she and her family were unhoused, grappling with feelings of hopelessness.
Detroit is Different episode 383
Restaurants often struggle in their first three years, but Yum Village, a fusion of African and Caribbean cuisine founded by Godwin Ihentuge, opened its doors on Woodward Avenue during the challenges of COVID-19. This venture was the realization of Godwin’s life vision, rooted in his upbringing on Detroit's Westside as the eldest son in a Nigerian family.
Detroit is Different episode 384
Furqan Mohammed, nephew of Elijah Muhammad, gives his first exclusive podcast interview to Detroit is Different, sharing the remarkable story of his life and family. Furqan opens up about how his family collectively joined the Nation of Islam, tracing their strong and self-determined beginnings from Georgia to Detroit's historic Black Bottom.
Detroit is Different episode 385
Ajara Alghali, co-founder and Director of TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture, is a performance artist and thought leader at the intersection of dance and cultural representation. Drawing from her Sierra Leonean-American roots, her work highlights the connections among African people across the diaspora.
Detroit is Different episode 386
Carolyn Baker of the General Baker Institute shares her passion for preserving the legacy of her father, General Gordon Baker, Jr., and her mother’s advocacy, while also honoring other legends in the fight for Black social justice. The General Baker Institute (GBI) is dedicated to providing educational courses, programs, and activities for the community
Detroit is Different episode 387
Baba Ari Shen has been cutting, sculpting, and celebrating natural Black hair for over 56 years, from the 1970s to now, witnessing the transformation of Black hair culture through different eras. His journey began in Indiana, where he learned from legends in Black hair care and became a master of his craft.
Detroit is Different episode 388
All Things Detroit is Metro Detroit's largest small business shopping experience, bringing hundreds of local vendors and thousands of shoppers together in Eastern Market's Sheds 3, 4, and 5 each Spring and Fall. Curated by Jennyfer Crawford over the past decade, the event showcases Detroit-made food, clothing, candles, and even Faygo jams and jellies
Detroit is Different episode 389
Tonya Myers Phillips, an attorney deeply committed to justice for Detroit, has long advocated for Right to Counsel for residents facing foreclosure and many other community-centered causes. At the Sugar Law Center, where she serves as Community Partnerships & Development Director, Tonya collaborates closely with local organizations, working to establish
Detroit is Different episode 390
From humble beginnings at a Detroit club (now a laundromat) on Livernois and McNichols, DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale emerged as Detroit's first female house music artist, guided by her engineering background and inspired by her mother's groundbreaking work in federal government contracting in the 1970s.
Detroit is Different episode 391
Detroit is Different welcomes back Baba Malik Yakini for the 10-year anniversary episode of the Detroit is Different podcast. As both a witness and a catalyst for change, Baba Malik shares his personal growth over the years. Understanding the importance of vision, institutional resilience, and community engagement, he reflects on the challenges and