Authentically Detroit
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 Sam Robinson.
Produced by Sarah Johnson and Engineered by Griffin Hutchings.
Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthenticallyDetroit!
Episodes
322 episodes
Divining Freedom with Sarah Johnson and JerJuan Howard
In this special live episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the producer of Authentically Detroit, Sarah Johnson and Jerjuan Howard, the owner of the newly opened Howard Family Bookstore for a powerful evening rooted in storytelling, reflection, ...
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Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
In this special live episode, Donna and Orlando reunite for a book talk at the Charles H. Wright Museum in collaboration with Next Chapter Books. This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, a...
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Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson
In this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowerment Plan, Veronika Scott, plus Chief Executive Officer of COTS Detroit, Cheryl P. Johnson, to discuss their 16-year partnership - centering a shared mission ...
Have You Heard? Who’s Joining the Podcast Network with Arlyssa Heard and Kevin Ashwood
In this episode, Donna and Sam introduce the latest segment on Authentically Detroit, What’s Happening at ECN featuring Outreach Manager for the Housing & Economic Department at Eastside Community Network, Kevin Ashwood.Kevin leads r...
2026 Michigan Democratic Party Convention Recap
In this episode, Donna and Sam recap some of the top headlines from the weekend’s Michigan Democratic Party Convention! Many celebrated over the weekend as Michigan progressives scored key victories. Michigan Democrats say they are ...
Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!
The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network Presents... Amplify Outside!Welcome to the Amplify Outside podcast, a show with a mission of amplifying nuanced approaches to Intersectional Environmentalism centered in no other than Detroit, Mi...
Poverty and Prosperity by the Numbers with Kim Trent
In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome the Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to discuss her work guiding and building support for efforts to boost the economic security of Michiga...
Building Just Communities with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley
In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities to discuss their work eradicating racism, discrimination, and systemic inequities. Rooted in the profound...
Art and Politics with Eboni Taylor, Nafeesah Symonette, and Rhonda Green
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with State Senate hopeful Eboni Taylor to discuss her vision for Michigan’s 3rd District as well as Nafeesah Symonette and Rhonda Green who gave insight into the Summer Arts Employment Training (SAET) Pro...
Concert of Colors: A Freedom & Healing Music Festival with Charles Erza Ferrell, De’Sean Jones and Kenny Green
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Charles Erza Ferrell, De’Sean Jones, and Kenny Green to discuss the upcoming Concert of Colors Neighborhood Programs event.The Concert of Colors in Detroit is one of the nation’s longest-runni...
Amplify Outside: Recreation as Liberation with Ian Solomon
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with interdisciplinary artist and founder of Amplify Outside, Ian Solomon to discuss recreation as liberation and how he plans to further amplify this message as the newest addition to the Authentically D...
Rebuilding The Village with Kayana Sessoms and Tarsha Gale
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Hitha Healing House Founder and Executive Director, Kayana Sessoms and Executive Director of Brilliant Detroit, Tarsha Gale to discuss how their partnership is helping Detroit moms and their families...
Live Episode: Detroit History Is Black History III with Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs
On this episode, Donna and Dr. Anna Malaika Tubbs sat down for a live book talk at Wayne State University for their Black History Month program. Anna, a two-time New York Times best-selling author, whose work explores the intersecti...
Building BLAC Power in Detroit with Dexter Sullivan
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Dexter Sullivan, founder of the Black Legacy Advancement Coalition (BLAC) to discuss how they’re building Black power and continuing Detroit’s legacy as a Black city. The roots of BLAC be...
Detroit’s Black Bottom: Remembered and Reclaimed with Marcia Black and Lex Draper Garcia Bey
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Co-Executive Directors of the Black Bottom Archives, Marcia Black and Lex Draper Garcia Bey, to discuss how they’re working to uncover and restore our stories as Black Detroiters.At the heart ...
Behind The Mountaintop: Humanity, History, and Detroit with Stephanie Wright Griggs and Brian Sullivan Taylor
On this episode, Donna and Sam spoke with Stephanie Wright Griggs and Brian Taylor Sullivan about preserving Black history, the legacy of Dr. Charles H. Wright, and The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall and currently directed by Brian Marable...
Thriveworks: A Holistic Approach to Community Building with Urenia Johnson and Adelina Robinson
On this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Urenia Johnson and Adelina Robinson to discuss their newly formed collaboration, Thriveworks Coalition and how they’re amplifying access to essential services for families through a unified, holistic...
From Data to Dignity: Detroit’s Housing Reality with Alex B. Hill and Kirsten Elliott
In this episode, Donna and Sam had a virtual sit down with Alex B. Hill for Detroit By The Numbers and Kirsten Elliott, the CEO and President of Community Housing Network. Together, they trace a clear line from protest and media narratives to t...
Equity First, By Design with Graig Donnelly and Aaron Abney
On this episode, Donna welcomes new co-host Sam Robinson to Authentically Detroit! They’re joined by Graig Donnelly and Aaron Abney of the newly launched Community Owner’s Representative Initiative (CORI) to discuss how they’re building Detroit...
Orlando’s Farewell and 482Forward with Molly Sweeney
On this episode, Donna and Orlando reflect on their evolution since starting the podcast in 2019 as Orlando bids farewell to Authentically Detroit. Together they look at how time sharpens politics and encourage Detroiters to keep showing up and...
From City Hall To 98Forward: Legacy, Lessons, And The Future Of Detroit Communications with Georgella Muirhead and Antonice Strickland
On this episode Orlando sat down with legendary public relations executive, Georgella Muirhead and Vice President of 98Forward, Antonice Strickland to discuss how Georgella’s career shaped Detroit's communications landscape and paved the way fo...
Black Detroit Democracy Podcast: Protecting Students, Defying ICE, And Rethinking Power In Detroit
The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!Together, Don...
Art, Trust, And Listening To The Land with Augusta Morrison and Billy Mark
On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with Sidewalk Detroit Program Director, Augusta Morrison and Earth Futures Fellow, Billy Mark to discuss the Echoes Soundmaps project and how they’re advancing public life through the lens of arts, cul...
Black Detroit Democracy Podcast: Detroit City FC, Fair Development and Community Power with Maxwell Murray
The Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in collaboration with Detroit One Million presents: The Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson!Together, Don...
Detroit Promise, Real Futures with Onjila Odeneal
On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with the newly appointed and first CEO and Executive Director of Detroit Promise, Onjila Odeneal, to discuss how they’re opening the doors of higher education to Detroit’s youth. Onjila’s hiring marks ...