Detroit is Different

Detroit is Different Media platform that amplifies the cultural and lived experiences of legacy Black Detroiters. Capturing the culture that makes Detroit what it is.
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04/24/2025

“You all live in the realm of impossibility because you’ve been conditioned by Western society to understand why a thing is not possible. Unlike you, my friends, I live in the realm of the impossible.” In this rich and deeply introspective episode of the Detroit is Different podcast, community organizer and cultural educator Raúl Echevarría shares a powerful narrative of transformation, memory, and resistance through his journey from Chicago's Puerto Rican Humboldt Park to Detroit's vibrant but complex Southwest. With profound insight into community organizing, Raúl emphasizes the spirit and commitment it takes to truly work within and uplift neighborhoods: “You’ve got to come correct,” he says, reflecting on his own approach to entering Detroit’s unique cultural landscape. This isn't just talk—it's a testament to a life of praxis rooted in justice, spirituality, and cultural preservation. He unpacks his work saving the oldest Puerto Rican mural in Chicago, “The Crucifixion of Don Pedro,” noting, “We own our own sh*t,” affirming a community’s right to its land and legacy. Through storytelling, Raúl brings the listener into the sacred act of community dreaming, describing workshops where “memory energy” transforms defeat into imagination. He challenges the false idol of rugged individualism, reminding us that “we’ve always been collective,” and that collectivity is a form of resistance in a system that benefits from our fragmentation. From maroon communities resisting colonial empires to the reawakening of African memory through Puerto Rican Bomba, Raúl’s perspective connects dots across time, space, and struggle. “Part of the challenge for the organizer,” he explains, “is can the organizer adopt the motif of vision caster... who goes into the other realm and then convinces the people?” This episode is a masterclass in organizing as spiritual and cultural labor, where remembering itself is revolutionary.

04/19/2025

“I told my mama, ‘I want to take my dad to school,’ and she said, ‘Pick a man you like.’ I said, ‘Richard Pryor.’ She said, ‘All right, that’s your daddy.’” That’s how Spanky Hayes kicks off a raw, hilarious, and deeply Detroit story in his Detroit is Different interview. From dodging gang members in LA while wearing a bloody borrowed T-shirt, to his Cuban roots in Havana where “it’s like being in 1984,” Spanky brings humor and heart. His reflections on Hollywood hit just as powerfully: “To be a star, you gotta be likable—people gotta want to be around you for 30 days straight on set.” He opens up about the ups and downs of holding deals, the pain of seeing his original crew’s idea become Wild 'N Out without the proper credit, and how he helped build it from the ground up. “We didn’t get the deal, but Nick did—and he kept his word.” Spanky also breaks down how the internet changed comedy forever: “It’s not about talent anymore—it’s about who’s posting the most.” Despite the challenges, he’s still committed to the craft: “I’m the Morpheus for Detroit comedians in LA. I’ve got the keys to the game.” With stories from backstage with MC Lyte to acting dreams sparked by Juice, Spanky blends street wisdom, comedic hustle, and cultural commentary in a way only a Detroiter can.

04/18/2025

“God said, give 'em drum machines—and see what happens.” That’s the dream Mike Huckaby shared, and it’s the heartbeat of God Said Give 'Em Drum Machines, the acclaimed documentary by Detroit filmmaker Kristian Hill that restores techno’s true story—deeply rooted in Black Detroit creativity, culture, and resilience. “We had a grocery store on Hastings Street. My grandfather ran numbers,” Hill recalls, grounding his storytelling in generations of Detroit legacy, from his grandmother Mabel White teaching home economics at Kettering and cooking for Aretha Franklin, to DJing with friends like Al Ester and parking cars outside Cheeks while legends like Jeff Mills and Stacey Hale spun inside. The film traces the untold journey of techno’s pioneers—Juan Atkins, Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, Eddie Fowlkes, Blake Baxter, and Santonio Echols—as Hill and his team follow the music from Detroit to Amsterdam, Japan, South Africa, and even Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, where locals called it “the Detroit of Russia” and clubs pulsed with Detroit’s sound. “We got the stars,” Hill says, referring to the Belleville Three and others, “but nobody ever tells the story.” Fueled by years of footage and shaped in long, late-night edit sessions, the documentary is not only a cinematic reclaiming of techno’s Black roots but a personal odyssey of creative purpose. “It’s not just a link. It’s an experience,” Hill emphasizes, reminding audiences that this is more than a movie—it’s Detroit history set to a beat that moved the world.

04/17/2025

“You know Detroit is about the look, the feel, it’s a Detroit essence to the culture.” That essence radiates through Jessica Blair, the visionary behind Jessica Blair Beauty, a proudly Black-owned beauty supply store in the heart of Rosedale Park on Grand River. From learning hair care in her grandmother’s community-rooted home on Blaine Street to launching her own store after midnight shifts in psych hospitals, Jessica's journey is one of resilience and intention. “It sounded crazy, but I felt like it was God telling me — no, this is what you need to do,” she shares. Her shop bridges tradition and trend, offering everything from natural hair essentials like TGIN to bundles and silk press staples. And she’s not just selling beauty — she’s restoring a legacy. “It was very community oriented,” Jessica remembers of her upbringing, a value now baked into her brand. Through thefts, floods, and pandemic pivots, she turned setbacks into success. Her grand opening on February 21 marked more than a business launch — it’s a celebration of Detroit beauty, Black womanhood, and the power of doing it yourself, for your people.

04/17/2025

In this episode of Detroit Next, co-hosted by Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit and Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different, we explore the real stories and realities behind Detroit’s development boom. Titled “Development from Developers,” the conversation centers on affordability, community investment, and the challenges of building in a city still recovering from systemic disinvestment. Featuring three Black developers with deep roots in Detroit—Richard Hosey, Chase Cantrell, and Sonya Mays—this episode offers a ground-level view of what's shaping the future of housing. “Detroit doesn’t have a strong banking market,” says Hosey, unpacking why major projects struggle to get financing. Sonya Mays underscores the city’s dual challenges: “Detroit has a cost problem, but more critically, it has an income problem.” Meanwhile, Chase Cantrell speaks to community power-building through his work training residents: “People want power and control over their own destinies.” Together, these voices challenge assumptions and chart pathways for inclusive growth, making this a must-listen for anyone invested in Detroit’s future.

04/17/2025

On this episode of Public Comment, hosts Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different, Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit, and Thomaesa Bailey of We Own Everything dig deep into the intersection of housing justice, renter protections, and accountability in Detroit's rental inspection system. With $12 million in contracts on the table, the City Council is facing tough questions about why inspection jobs meant for Detroiters are being outsourced, especially as city residents continue to live in unsafe and substandard housing. The conversation amplifies calls from leaders like Councilmember Whitfield Calloway to ensure city dollars support workforce development right here in Detroit—while uplifting the need for systemic protections like the Right to Counsel and the newly formed Tenants Rights Commission.

From sidewalks torn up by developers to inaccessible apartment buildings, this week’s episode also explores how infrastructure, equity, and community voice intersect. The hosts break down how state law barriers—like the rent control ban—and underfunded city programs are leaving Detroiters stuck between slumlords and unaffordable alternatives. Whether it’s elders living with broken elevators or young families trapped in roach-infested housing, the need for local inspectors who understand Detroit’s realities is clear. Tune in for unfiltered conversation on the politics of development, the fight for tenant dignity, and why real accountability must come with investment in the people who call Detroit home.

04/12/2025

“Detroit deserves to be known for its spirit—grit, grind, hustle, love.” With this rallying cry, mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow sat down with Detroit is Different for a powerful, deeply rooted conversation that stretched far beyond politics and into the soul of a city. From the foundational lessons of his grandfather, Reverend Joseph B. Barlow—a pastor turned community pillar in Ecorse during the turbulent years of Detroit’s rebellion—to the political tutelage under Rev. Dr. Fred Sampson at Tabernacle Baptist Church, Barlow's path has been paved with purpose. “Tabernacle was the epicenter,” he shared, reflecting on the church’s revolutionary role in shaping faith-based activism. His memories of walking alone through Montgomery summers, under the watchful spirit of his grandmother who worked on Maxwell Air Force Base, illustrate a childhood forged by trust and responsibility. “I was a point guard—I always knew it was about building teams, not being the star,” Barlow said, tying his Renaissance High School athletics to his community organizing ethos. Through reflections on his mother’s work behind the scenes on Detroit’s school board and his own campaigns to pass citywide legislation—like the 2017 cannabis ordinances—Barlow paints a vision of leadership grounded in legacy and people-power. “Anybody can change the law,” he insisted, echoing his commitment to civic education and community action. And as millions pour into Detroit’s political race, Barlow declares, “I’m betting this election on the people.” His campaign might be underfunded compared to others, but the depth of his roots, the clarity of his vision, and his unshakable belief that Detroiters deserve more, make this interview one of the most compelling Detroit is Different conversations to date.

04/11/2025

"This record is somebody's pathway to not jumping off that ledge." With that profound truth, Maurice “Piranhahead” Herd ushers listeners into a sonic and spiritual odyssey on Detroit is Different. A master craftsman of music and energy, Piranhahead unpacks how his Mississippi roots led through Muskegon to Detroit’s east side, eventually shaping a global funk and house music legacy rooted in community and Black excellence. From making cassette deck beats as a kid to orchestrating full string arrangements for legends, he reflects, “It’s more to life than the funk.” His stories stretch from shoveling snow at Grandma’s to jamming with Enemy Squad, to late-night spiritual calls with mentor Paul Riser. Whether recalling his Detroit studio days with Mollywop or being moved by Donny Hathaway, Piranhahead reminds us, “Some records will change somebody’s life… everything, the heart got to be there.” He challenges Detroiters not to give up their land, not to forget their sound, and to reclaim the city’s rhythm. “Detroit is heaven now... got a little hell in it though.”

04/10/2025

"My mother said, 'You are what you say.'" Kalimah Johnson—also known on Detroit’s hip hop scene as the legendary emcee Nikki D—graces the Detroit is Different studio with a life story that echoes through generations, cultures, and communities. This deeply moving and powerful episode journeys through Kalimah's evolution from North End storyteller and spoken word champion to founder and CEO of SASHA Center, Detroit’s leading resource for sexual assault healing centered on Black women. "Hip hop prepared me for audience energy," she reflects, tracing her artistry back to freestyle battles with Mozzy Ski and her tenure at World One Records where “they took good care of me.” We hear of ancestral roots from the Bradley Plantation in Kentucky to Black Bottom Detroit, and we witness the impact of “culture curing and history healing.” She speaks of spiritual fortitude—“There is something spiritual and transformative about using your voice”—and boldly confronts trauma with a call for love and accountability: “Violence doesn’t have a gender. We all need a soft place to land.” The episode dives into Kalimah’s multifaceted life as a natural hair cultivator, poet, social worker, and visionary, creating sacred spaces for Black men and women to reclaim their narratives. “You can’t make sense out of nonsense,” she and host Khary Frazier agree, as they unravel the cultural, political, and personal threads shaping Detroit’s soul.

04/10/2025

In this episode of Public Comment, host Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different leads a dynamic and wide-ranging discussion alongside Malachi Barrett of BridgeDetroit and Thomaesa Bailey of We Own Everything on the political power, priorities, and pressures embedded in Detroit’s $3 billion municipal budget for 2025–26. With Mayor Duggan’s final budget before his gubernatorial run, this fiscal cycle carries deep implications for the city’s future. Malachi aptly described it as “an associate’s degree in Detroit budgeting,” having followed the extensive hearings and deliberations. Bailey emphasized that the budget is “a values document,” and unpacking it reveals where power resides—and where community pressure is beginning to shift it. The trio examined not only the raw numbers—like the $432 million generated by income tax, which now dwarfs the $174 million from property tax—but also what these figures mean about Detroit’s transformation from a homeowner-driven economy to a workforce-focused tax base. As Malachi pointed out, “That’s really a reflection of Duggan’s strategy—bring in jobs, grow income tax revenue.”

Yet budget decisions don’t exist in a vacuum. The episode explored how structural power, resident activism, and political ambition intersect in this moment. The removal of city funding for the Detroit Land Bank Authority—long a flashpoint for community frustration—was one of the most resonant shifts, which Bailey noted as “the clearest example of council responding to years of anger from Detroiters.” Malachi added, “It’s a signal that the winds are turning,” especially as Council President Mary Sheffield and Councilmember Fred Durhal—both mayoral hopefuls—seek to define their leadership through budget negotiations. From funding community land trusts and youth skilled trade pipelines, to the debate over funding the ShotStoppers violence prevention program with or without state help, the episode captured how “advocacy isn’t pressure—it’s partnership,” as Bailey stressed, while warning, “You don’t know what state legislators will do.” And as Khary reminded us, “This budget is shaped by federal tariffs, state oversight, and street-level inequity,” where you might not see a single Black worker on a city construction crew in a majority-Black neighborhood. With participatory budgeting on the horizon, housing justice on the line, and election politics heating up, the message was clear: “Your voice matters. Get in the mix.” Tune in next week as the crew explores Detroit’s overassessment crisis and the latest property tax report shaking up the mayoral race. Join us every Thursday at 8 a.m. on Detroit is Different and BridgeDetroit to witness, engage, and amplify the voices shaping Detroit’s future.

04/08/2025

In this episode of Detroit Next, hosted by Stephen Henderson and Malachi Barrett from Bridge Detroit, the focus is on critical issues facing the city of Detroit in 2025, including mayoral and city council elections. They discuss key topics such as city developments and policies for incentivizing growth. The show highlights interviews with mayoral candidates, specifically featuring Fred Durhal, a proponent of aggressive development policies and necessary tax reforms to spur economic growth. Durhal emphasizes the need for smart use of tax incentives to attract businesses amidst high property taxes and details his plans for balanced, comprehensive tax relief. The episode also addresses the ongoing debate over tax abatements and the need for strategic investments to benefit the broader community.

04/06/2025

In this special two-part Detroit is Different episode, we dive into Forging Identity: The Story of Carlos Nielbock with Dr. Paul J. Draus, a University of Michigan-Dearborn sociology professor whose Detroit journey began back in 2005. “We first met Carlos through his creations,” Draus recalls, describing towering windmills and ornate gates built from salvaged materials on Detroit’s east side that sparked a friendship and a story worth telling. This episode traces Draus’s own path from Chicago to Wyoming to New York to Dayton, and ultimately to Detroit, where community partnerships led him to Carlos—an artist, a craftsman, and a character whose life mirrors Detroit’s own transformation. Draus shares how Carlos, a Black German immigrant raised in Europe, navigated identity, racism, and the post-industrial city with resilience and creativity. “It’s a mock-heroic narrative, almost like a Don Quixote story,” Draus explains, reflecting on Carlos’s work turning Detroit’s discarded industrial relics into symbols of hope and sustainability. From scrapping in junkyards to preserving historical architecture, Carlos’s story challenges notions of identity, place, and revitalization in Detroit. As Draus puts it, “There’s something in each of us that is not reducible to environment or genes,” and Carlos embodies that beautifully. The book’s reception has been heartfelt, with community members like Mama Myrtle saying it “brought her to tears.” It’s a Detroit story with global resonance, touching on art, sociology, community, and courage. Tune in to learn how this story came to life and why it matters now more than ever.

04/05/2025

In this powerful two-part conversation, Detroit is Different welcomes Carlos Nielbock—master craftsman, historian, and visionary artist—to explore his transatlantic journey of forging identity through the skilled trades. “I'm a child of occupation,” Carlos begins, recounting how he was born in Germany to a Black American GI and a German mother, in a time when their union was illegal. At 24, he came to Detroit seeking his father and instead discovered “a kinship with everybody I encountered” and a calling rooted in Black life and community. Carlos reflects on his early days squatting in abandoned buildings, discovering Detroit’s architectural jewels, and turning ruins into sanctuaries. “What I saw was chaos, but inside it—liberty, creativity, and survival.” He talks about the Fox Theatre restoration—his first major project—and the value of old-world craftsmanship: “You can't 3D print what I do. You have to live it.” His artistry blends the sacred with the practical, shaped by monastic blacksmithing and Detroit hustle. “I'm not here to make weapons; I'm here to make beauty that outlives generations.” Joined by co-author Paul Draus, Carlos shares the story behind their new book, Forging Identity, a chronicle of craft, culture, and community. He speaks passionately on uplifting Detroit’s youth through skilled trades and the legacy of Detroit’s historic architecture: “Detroit used to be the Paris of the Midwest. We can bring that back—not with gentrification, but with education, empowerment, and our own hands.”

04/04/2025

"I just took time for myself," says Ra'Marie, reflecting on the transformative journey that led her from childhood trauma to community healing. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Ra'Marie opens up about growing up on Fenkell, surviving instability, and rediscovering purpose through self-reflection. "I was born and raised in Detroit, so my whole life, so I'm rooted in Detroit. This is my city." From family dinners at grandma's to her mother’s addiction and her own battles with anger and trust, Ra'Marie walks us through the layered experiences that shaped her resilience. "I had to grow up real fast. I had to take care of my family quick." With authenticity, she discusses being kicked out of DPS, learning to teach herself, and ultimately healing through art, dance, and mirror work. "Don't run from it... sit in your thoughts, recognize your thoughts." Today, Ra'Marie leads healing arts sessions across the city, pouring into others what she had to first pour into herself. "I'm not here to collect money. I'm just here to help and do my part." From community cleanups with her children to founding free therapy workshops, Ra'Marie embodies radical love in action. Her testimony is a deep call to Detroiters to reclaim our mental, physical, and spiritual wellness: "We have to start with the mind to keep the community clean."

04/03/2025

“When I said I wanted to bring horses to Linwood, people started clapping before I could even finish the sentence.” David Silver’s journey from Westchester County, New York to Detroit’s 12th Street-Davidson area is anything but typical—but it's also exactly what makes his work with Detroit Horse Power so impactful. On this episode of Detroit is Different, Silver reflects on a life shaped by horses, privilege, and a growing awareness of inequity. “I grew up in a bubble,” he admits, describing his upbringing in an affluent community where he had access to elite horseback riding training. But when Teach for America brought him to Burns Elementary on Grand River and Greenfield, his world expanded—and so did his mission. “I had students who were persevering through life every single day, but didn’t realize that was a strength.” He saw firsthand the character traits needed to thrive—resilience, empathy, confidence—and began to connect them back to his own experiences with horses. The result: a vision for a program that introduces Detroit youth to equestrian life while building essential life skills. “You fall off a horse, you get back on. That’s life.” With community support and a forthcoming $12 million equestrian center being built in Hope Village on the former Paul Robeson Academy site, Silver is literally transforming empty space into a sanctuary of possibility. “This ain't Mr. Ed,” he jokes. “This is about power, about confidence, about trust.” His 10-year journey to this point has been one of endurance and evolution, driven by community relationships, the guidance of Detroit elders, and a powerful belief that “every kid deserves the chance to say, ‘what else can I do?’” This conversation is a deep dive into how culture, education, and nature can intersect to heal communities.

04/03/2025

In this week’s episode of Public Comment, hosts Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different, Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit, and new co-host Thomaesa B. Bailey of We Own Everything dive deep into Detroit’s budget season, centering the ongoing fight for equitable public transportation. With Mayor Duggan’s proposed $209 million budget for DDOT—a $20 million increase from last year—advocates are raising critical questions: Is it enough? The hosts unpack the demands of Detroit transit advocates, from calls to double the budget to the vision of DDOT Reimagined, a long-term plan promising more frequent buses, better shelters, and expanded service. The conversation explores the urgency of transit justice in a city where one-third of residents don’t own cars, emphasizing how poor transit access disproportionately affects low-income and disabled Detroiters.

The episode also illuminates the structural barriers facing meaningful transit reform, including limited state constitutional options for local revenue generation and the looming expiration of ARPA funding. Thomaesa offers insight into how grassroots advocacy influences city council budget negotiations, and the group uplifts the powerful work of activists like Brother Cunningham and Detroit Disability Power. From the legacy of auto-industry dominance undermining transit infrastructure to the need for bold, multimodal mobility solutions, this episode connects everyday bus rides to larger systemic issues of equity, growth, and self-determination in Detroit. Join the conversation every Thursday at 8 a.m. on Detroit is Different and Bridge Detroit’s livestream—where your voice helps shape Detroit’s future.

03/29/2025

In this powerful Detroit is Different podcast episode, Officer Yahaira Gomez shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey from Guadalajara, Jalisco, to the heart of Southwest Detroit, painting a rich portrait of how her life, family, and cultural roots led her to serve as a Detroit Police officer. Her story intertwines immigrant perseverance, military discipline from her time in the Marine Corps, and a passion for building stronger family and community connections through service. Raised in Southwest Detroit, a vibrant hub of Chicano culture, Officer Gomez reflects on the importance of neighborhood relationships and how her experiences shaped a sense of duty and care. She speaks on balancing her roles as a mother, Marine, and public servant while emphasizing the importance of mental health, faith, and purpose. Host Khary Frazier adds his critical lens, connecting her story to broader systemic issues, acknowledging that crime and violence in Detroit are often symptoms of deep-rooted economic disparity and lack of opportunity. Together, their dialogue highlights the nuanced complexities of policing, community trust, and healing in a city where trauma and resilience walk hand in hand.

03/29/2025

From the spark of curiosity ignited in Detroit to the cultural epicenter of Atlanta, Darralynn Hutson has been scripting stories since “my first article was written in 1990 in the 1900s,” she jokes, weaving words with love and purpose across decades. “I've been writing for over 25 years on Black culture. I love it.” And that passion first bloomed when a young Darralynn immersed herself in magazines like The Source, saying, “How else can you find out about who’s the king of New York hip hop?” Her storytelling foundation was deeply personal too—growing up as an only child, “my joy, my passion, my excitement came from outside my house,” and writing became a tool to explore, escape, and express. She fondly recalls imagining “Twilight Zone episodes from a Black perspective,” like one where a family’s rat takes over household responsibilities, embodying her early creative genius. That creative fire took her from Cass Tech to Spelman, where “Detroit demanded respect” and the AUC campus became its own cultural ecosystem. “We were developing it,” she says of Atlanta's evolution into a Black cultural mecca, remembering moments like OutKast performing in “hole in the wall concerts” and Spike Lee recruiting students for School Daze. Post-college, it was another Spelman sister, Sheila Brown of Upscale Magazine, who turned Darralynn’s passion into profession, teaching her how “to use a mouse, how to interview, how to research,” and most importantly, how to trust her voice. Now an international journalist and TV/film writer, she honors that journey by capturing not only celebrity stories but also deeply personal ones, like writing obituaries for over 27 family members—a responsibility she holds sacred. “Everybody has a role to play,” she says, “I’m the writer of the family.” Whether it's penning features for Essence, profiling unsung icons, or celebrating Detroit's soul, Darralynn's pen remains her passport and purpose. “Writing was always something I did for fun. It was a passion. I didn’t know it could be a profession.” Lucky for us, she found a way to turn her passion into pages that speak to our culture, our past, and our power.

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Detroit is Different

Detroit is Different is a home for the people and places that enrich the culture of Detroit. Through creative revisions, personal experience, imaginative tales, and future opportunity; Detroit is Different comes to life. Detroit is Different was founded by Hip-hop Artist and Detroit Advocate Khary WAE Frazier in the Spring of 2014. Today, Detroit is Different serves as an online magazine featuring people, places, and events that make Detroit so different.

CONTACT DIRECTOR [email protected]