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Authentically Detroit

Authentically Detroit

Donna & Orlando

Authentically Detroit is the leading podcast in the city for candid conversations, exchanging progressive ideas, and centering resident perspectives on current events.Hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Orlando P. Bailey. Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthenticallyDetroit!
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Top 10 Authentically Detroit Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Authentically Detroit episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Authentically Detroit for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Authentically Detroit episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Authentically Detroit - Changing Minds & Lives with The Coles and Jerjuan Howard
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10/09/24 • 50 min

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the Executive Director of Umoja Debate League, Jerjuan Howard to discuss his trip to Ghana with 15 Detroit students!

Umoja Debate League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses debate as the vehicle to teach Detroit youth ages 11-18 transferable life skills, such as critical thinking, confidence, conflict resolution, increased literacy, and self-expression.

In August, they proudly announced the successful conclusion of their 2024 trip to Ghana. Fifteen students from Henry Ford High School, Cass Tech High School, and Bates Academy, winners of our 2024 Championship Debate Tournament and Zip Code Improvement Speech Competition, engaged in an enriching eight-day cultural immersion experience.

This journey was an opportunity for students to connect with their lost heritage, broaden their global perspective, and build lasting memories. The experience enriched their understanding of African history and culture and strengthened their commitment to community leadership and Pan-African principles.

To learn more about Umoja Debate League, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

BRIAN AND ALEXA COLE LAUNCH NEW BOOK, THE WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE, FEATURING FOREWORD BY NYT BEST-SELLING AUTHORS KEVONSTAGE AND MRSKEVONSTAGE

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Authentically Detroit - Keys 2 Life with Darell “Red” Campbell
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06/11/24 • 58 min

This week Donna and Orlando spoke with Darell “Red” Campbell Jr. about The Yunion’s Keys 2 Life (K2L) performing arts summer camp, offering youth the opportunity to learn with some of Detroit’s most experienced musicians, mentors, instructors, and industry professionals.

The program's director, Darell "Red" Campbell Jr., is a platinum, stellar--award winning producer, musician, songwriter and teacher with a heart for creating opportunities for other children like he had at a young age, and empowering them to find hidden talent and potential within themselves.

K2L is a dynamic, immersive 6-week performing arts summer day camp at the held on Wayne State University's campus in collaboration with the Maggie Allesee Department of Theater and Dance beginning July 1.

Now in its 11th year and serving more than 1,125 students, the program's mission is to inspire and empower the next generation of performers through a diverse range of performing arts experiences such as beat making, dance and song writing, all designed to expand participants' skills, broaden their horizons and set them on a path to success.

For more information on Keys 2 Life and how to get involved, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

LEGISLATION COULD BRING $1BILLION IN TRANSIT FUNDING TO METRO DETROIT OVER NEXT DECADE

DETROIT ICONS LAUNCH SERIES OF MICHIGAN CENTRAL FESTIVITIES

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Authentically Detroit - Book Club: We Want Our Bodies Back with jessica Care moore
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12/03/24 • 64 min

This week, Donna and Orlando held the final book club meeting of 2024 with celebrated poet, author, and cultural arts curator, jessica Care moore to discuss her impactful work, “We Want Our Bodies Back.”

An award-winning poet, recording artist, book publisher, activist, cultural arts curator, and filmmaker, jessica is executive producer and founder of Black WOMEN Rock! - Daughters of Betty, a 20-year-old rock & roll institution, concert and empowerment weekend, and she is the founder of the literacy driven 501c3, The Moore Art House. Her nonprofit organization in Detroit dedicated to elevating literacy through the arts in neighborhoods and schools.

Jessica's publishing house, Moore Black Press, has published poets including Saul Williams, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, asha bandele, and Danny Simmons, and in 2024 is preparing to publish their first poetry and spoken word audiobooks through an imprint deal with HarperCollins.

To learn more about jessica Care moore, click here!

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Authentically Detroit - Be Well Beautiful People with Demarra West
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11/27/24 • 68 min

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the Founder of Be Well Beautiful People Demarra West to talk about her story of overcoming trauma and building a supportive community for those who need it most!

Be Well Beautiful People is a 501c3 organization with a deep-seated commitment to bridging significant gaps in accessible healing and liberation support while disrupting systems that cause harm. The organization was founded by Demarra West, a seasoned entrepreneur, therapist, and wellness professional with more than two decades of experience.

Be Well Beautiful People envisions a world where all of us are well, no matter where we came from, or where we started in life.

They believe the only way to make that vision a reality is by ensuring those most affected by trauma including BIPOC, LGBTQI+, the low income, and those impacted by incarceration and foster care, have access to wellness solutions that are actually proven to help them rise in every area of their lives.

To learn more about Be Well Beautiful People, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT REPARATIONS TASKFORCE DISAVOWS LEADER'S ROGUE POLICY REPORT

DUGGAN WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2025, SETTING UP A MAYORAL FREE-FOR-ALL

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Authentically Detroit - Investing at Home with Jerjuan Howard
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11/28/23 • 58 min

This week Authentically Detroit welcomed Founder and Executive Director of Umoja Debate League, Jerjuan Howard!

Orlando spoke with Jerjuan about how the loss of his grandmother’s home led to the birth of Umoja Village. Born and raised on the Westside, Jerjuan’s close knit community and family roots created the foundation for his deep passion for community engagement and youth development.

Created in 2021, and using debate as a vehicle, the Umoja Debate League provides students with the opportunity to hone their self expression, critical thinking, and conflict resolution skills.

For more information on the Umoja Debate League, click here.

Support Umoja Debate League for Giving Tuesday!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT HOMEOWNERS CAN GET HELP APPLYING FOR 2023 PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

OVERSIGHT LAW DIDN'T STOP SURVEILLANCE BOOM. ADVOCATES CALL FOR REFORMS

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This week Chase Cantrell joined Authentically Detroit as guest host and Akil Talley, Lanay Gilbert-Williams, and Malik Yakini of the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op gave a sneak peek into how they’re changing Detroit’s food ecosystem.

Opening on May 1st, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is a Black-led and community-owned grocery cooperative. Following a model developed throughout the world as a way to increase access to healthy, sustainably grown food, the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op is located in the historic North End neighborhood.

The Detroit People’s Food Co-Op will offer a full-line of groceries, be open to the general public, and cooperatively owned. Their unique model differs from many food co-ops in the United States as it serves an urban, predominantly African American, low and moderate-income community.

For more information on the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op and to get involved, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT CREDIT RATING UPGRADED 2 NOTCHES, REACHES INVESTMENT GRADE FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 2009

AS HOMELESS CRISIS GROWS, STATES AND CITIES ARE TURNING TO VOTERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Aisha J. Morrell Ferguson, Chief Development Officer at COTS Detroit and the founders of Black Tech Saturdays Alexa and Johnnie Turnage

Alexa and Johnnie Turnage are visionary leaders dedicated to reshaping the landscape of technology and fostering inclusivity. As the co-founders of Black Tech Saturdays, they have pioneered a groundbreaking movement aimed at empowering underrepresented communities within the tech industry.

Alexa's passion for technology and equality, combined with Johnnie's grassroots activism and entrepreneurial spirit, culminate in a powerful force for change. Together, they spearhead initiatives that offer educational workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events, creating pathways for aspiring Black professionals.

Their collaborative efforts exemplify a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more diverse and equitable tech ecosystem.

To learn more about Black Tech Saturdays, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN HUMANE'S ANIMAL CARDS ARE ABOUT MORE THAN ADOPTION

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Authentically Detroit - Candidate Series: District 4 City Council Candidate Forum
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06/07/21 • 121 min

It's an election year for the city of Detroit. This year Detroiters will elect a Mayor, City Council members, City Clerk, and vote on a revision to the City Charter. Orlando and Donna continues the series with a district 4 wide candidate forum in partnership with Eastside Community Network and the LEAP Coalition Steering Committee.
All of the candidates were present: Ane Bomani, M.L. Elrick, Latisha Johnson, Toson Knight, Daivon Reeder, Virgil Smith, and Ken Snapp.

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Mayor Duggan gave his 2021 State of City Address on Tuesday from the Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) new Mack Assembly Plant on the Eastside.
Community Adovcate Simone Lightfoot and BridgeDetroit Senior Reporter Louis Aguilar join Donna and Orlando to debrief the speech.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the Founder and Executive Director of What About Us Inc., Tammara Howard and, a rising star in Detroit’s music scene, Niko Noir

Together, they unpacked the emotional aftermath of the 2024 Election while navigating how love and hope can sustain us in uncertain times. Community organizing takes center stage as they dissect varying political narratives and the quest for power among minority communities.

What About Us, Inc. (WAU) is a resident-led, grass-roots organization founded in 2015 and is dedicated to building neighborhood connectedness and capacity to lift up the voices of residents who feel marginalized. Founder and executive director, Tammara Howard, is committed to strengthening the physical, mental, and emotional health of Detroit youth and their parents through the services of WAU. Tammara shared her remarkable journey of transforming neglected spaces into beacons of hope, emphasizing inclusivity for disabled individuals and the LGBTQ community.

Niko Noir is an artist, performer, songwriter, vocal producer and producer hailing from Detroit’s east side. Niko offered insights into the challenges faced by independent artists in a competitive music scene. Her tales of community love and appreciation emphasize the enduring power of family and collaboration.

Click here to learn more about What About Us, Inc., and keep up with Niko Noir’s musical journey here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DEMOCRATS OVERESTIMATED DETROIT TURNOUT. WHAT HAPPENED?

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FAQ

How many episodes does Authentically Detroit have?

Authentically Detroit currently has 237 episodes available.

What topics does Authentically Detroit cover?

The podcast is about News, Local News, Society & Culture, Climate Change, Podcasts, Black History, Current Events and Detroit.

What is the most popular episode on Authentically Detroit?

The episode title 'Candidate Series: Denzel McCampbell on His Vision for Detroit Clerk's Office' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Authentically Detroit?

The average episode length on Authentically Detroit is 70 minutes.

How often are episodes of Authentically Detroit released?

Episodes of Authentically Detroit are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.

When was the first episode of Authentically Detroit?

The first episode of Authentically Detroit was released on Jun 11, 2019.

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