On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with Aaron Marsh and Noah Stricker of LifeBUILDERS Detroit to discuss how they’re pouring into a community on the city’s east side.

Established in 2005 with the mission to bring life and hope to the east side of Detroit, LifeBUILDERS seeks to restore a community that had suffered the devastating effects of disinvestment for nearly 20 years.

They seek to help form new connections in the neighborhood by providing a place for neighbors to come together and have times of fellowship and help form a neighborhood that’s based on mutual support.

After 18 years of effort, millions of dollars, and tens of thousands of hours of volunteer help, the Regent Park community is now in the spotlight of future development and investment plans by the City of Detroit. People have hope, and want to live in the community.

For more information on LifeBUILDERS Detroit, click here. 

DETROIT BY THE NUMBERS WITH ALEX B. HILL:

1. 588 PAGES OF DETROIT REPARATIONS TASKFORCE REPORT.

2. 36.6% DETROIT HOUSEHOLDS RELY ON SNAP (25.9% OF HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN) (U.S. CENSUS, ACS 1-YEAR ESTIMATES)

3. $63M SPENT ON HOME REPAIRS IN 2024, MOSTLY FUNDED BY ARPA (43.5% OF FUNDING), 3058 HOME REPAIR INTERVENTIONS, 2,628 ADDRESSES

4. 11,021 RESEARCH-GRADE OBSERVATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF DETROIT ON INATURALIST (DETROITDATA)

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they trace how a demolition contractor without proper bonding left subcontractors unpaid, raised environmental risks through contaminated backfill, and exposed failures in selection, oversight, and ethics. They also discuss the WNBA’s Detroit return and the debate over what to name the team. Finally, they break down a high-stakes fight over DTE rate hikes plus their proposed AI data center whose impact on the environment and customer rates remain unknown. Together they take a look at how statewide politics are shaping oversight and the future of environmental justice.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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On this episode Donna sat down with the newly elected Denzel McCampbell plus Jasahn Larosa and Iris Taylor of the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (SEMPQIC). 

Together, they explore a father-centered approach to maternal and infant health and the policy changes that make it possible, as well as Detroit’s new council voice on housing, transit, environmental justice, and participatory budgeting.

SEMPQIC is leading a groundbreaking initiative to fully embrace fatherhood, especially in the lives of Black children. Their Black Fatherhood Initiative directly addresses the stark disparities in maternal health outcomes faced by Black mothers by elevating the often-overlooked role of fathers.

For more information on SEMPQIC’s Black Fatherhood Initiative, click here. 

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On this episode Donna and Orlando discuss Detroit’s historic election where the city elected Mary Sheffield as its 76th mayor along with a progressive bloc which aims to reshape Detroit’s future. 

After months of forums and one-on-ones with candidates, they share why this landslide felt inevitable and why it has to translate into results at the neighborhood level. Early voting helped lift turnout to 22% this year, now they hope to keep people engaged with creating progress.

They believe a Detroit for everyone requires concrete action on affordable housing, home repair grants, inclusionary development, better transit, and jobs that actually employ Detroiters.

For more episodes of Authentically Detroit, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

SENATE ADVANCES PLAN TO END HISTORIC SHUTDOWN IN BIPARTISAN BREAKTHROUGH

AS DTE SEEKS SPEEDY APPROVAL TO POWER MASSIVE DATA CENTER, SOME OFFICIALS PUSH BACK 

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On this episode Donna and Orlando sat down with community organizer, Branden Snyder, to discuss the Working Families Party and how people can stay involved in the political process beyond election day. 

They also unpack the media narratives swirling around the mayoral race, why they matter for young Black leadership in Detroit, and the government shutdown’s impact on EBT and food security across Michigan.

The Working Families Party is regular people coming together across their differences to make a better future for all. They are a multiracial party that fights for workers over bosses and people over the powerful. They want an America which realizes the promise – unrealized in our history – of freedom and equality for all.

Together, they break down the Working Families Party’s “inside-outside” strategy in Michigan: start small, build infrastructure, recruit multiracial working-class candidates, and create a values-based bloc that can negotiate policy, not just win headlines.

To learn more about the Working Families Party and how to get involved, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

ETHICS RULES DIDN'T REQUIRE SHEFFIELD TO DISCLOSE PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO ISSUE PARTIAL SNAP PAYMENTS AS SHUTDOWN DRAGS ON 

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they weigh Detroit’s debate flashpoint over federal collaboration, trace how crime narratives collide with community violence intervention, and unpack why history makes National Guard talk a red line. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, in collaboration with the Eastern Market, Donna and Orlando hosted a live podcast edition of Happy Hour in the Market. This special event brings together food business owners, farmers, and producers for fresh bites, and dj vibes. For the month of October they chose to highlight Faust Haus Roasting Company and In The Mix Detroit.

Founded in 2021, Faust Haus Roasting Company started as a family venture aiming to educate the public on coffee’s African roots, specifically from Ethiopia. Based in Detroit’s historic Eastern Market Faust Haus Roasting Co., is a coffee roasting company that specializes in high-quality coffees from across the African diaspora. They offer wholesale options for partners, allowing for both coffee service in cafes and individual retail sale of their 12oz bags. This black-owned company, founded by Derek English, is known for its artisanal approach and commitment to robust flavors and responsible growth. Alongside their product offerings, Faust Haus is dedicated to making a positive impact on communities and providing relief to those in need.

Imani Foster is Chief Operating Officer of In The Mix Detroit, a collective of Black farmers and gardeners making a huge sustainability impact in Detroit. Essentially, In the Mix helps farmers bring their fresh food to market; providing resources like gardening supplies, educational workshops and an inviting community that welcomes newcomers. 

To stay up to date with Happy Hour in the Market and learn more, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

THOUSANDS MARCH IN DETROIT NO KINGS PROTEST REBUKING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they dig into the contrast between rhetoric and results, what power should look like and who it should serve. The conversation gives a preview into this week’s mayoral debate between Council President Mary Sheffield and Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. Immigration reform, environmental justice, and fair housing all take center stage in this deep dive on how to build a credible record through community impact and structural results. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they honor Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, expose deceptive voter ID petition tactics, and map a local plan to protect democracy through civic education, youth leadership, and independent media. From federal overreach to neighborhood organizing, they connect history, narrative, and action in Detroit.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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On this special Hot Takes only episode, Donna and Orlando sit down for a much needed discussion about some of the hottest headlines in the city. 

A routine post‑show photo shouldn’t become a campaign endorsement—and since it did, they had to talk about the cost. Together, they take a candid look at how a political mailer misused their image, why consent and context matter, and what journalistic neutrality protects for the whole community.

Next, they dig into attendance and accountability in Lansing after a Detroit lawmaker missed the vast majority of session days. And finally, they walk listeners through a “protect the vote” petition circulating at store entrances. Although it comes with a friendly pitch, its confusing details and requirements function as voter suppression. 

Tune in for a conversation on ethics in media, community safety, voter rights, and what it takes to build trust one honest act at a time.

For more episodes of Authentically Detroit, click here!

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On this episode, Detroit City Council candidates Denzel McCampbell, Tyrone Carter, and Gabriela Santiago-Romero sat down with Donna and Orlando to discuss what they can offer their respective districts if elected to Detroit’s City Council. 

These three council contenders lay out clear plans for housing, transit, youth opportunity, immigrant safety, and how to check mayoral power while delivering real neighborhood wins.

If you care where your tax dollars land, how trucks move past your home, or whether your teenager will find a fair shot here, this conversation is for you. Listen, share with a neighbor, and let us know your top neighborhood needs. And if these deep dives help you vote smarter, please follow the show, rate us, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps more Detroiters find the conversation.

To learn more about who’s running for office in Michigan, click here.

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This week, Orlando sat down with Ederique Goudia of In The Business of Food and Imani Foster of In The Mix Detroit to discuss Detroit’s food system and their organizing efforts throughout the city!

Ederique “E” Goudia is a native of Louisiana who brings a bit of Creole flavor and southern hospitality to Detroit, Michigan! With over twenty years of experience in the restaurant industry, she founded In the Business of Food, a foodservice-based consulting agency for women and POC-owned food businesses. She also co-created Taste the Diaspora Detroit, a food agency focused on celebrating foods of the African diaspora while helping to strengthen the Black food system in Detroit.

Imani Foster is Chief Operating Officer of In The Mix Detroit, a collective of Black farmers and gardeners making a huge sustainability impact in Detroit. Essentially, In the Mix helps farmers bring their fresh food to market; providing resources like gardening supplies, educational workshops and an inviting community that welcomes newcomers.

Happy Hour in the Market brings it all together: buyers and chefs step onto farms, tour beds, see price lists, and build relationships over music and mocktails. With roughly 3,000 farms and gardens and 1,900 licensed food businesses in Detroit, the opportunity is massive.

Join us for Happy Hour in the Market on October 20th at the Stoudemire inside Eastside Community Network for music, community, and a live Authentically Detroit show. Plus, make sure to stop by Shed 5 on Saturday and mention the show for $2 off a two-pound mirepoix.

For more information on Happy Hour in the Market, click here!

Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

1. 100% Pay gap between Detroit jobs (commuters) and Detroiters with jobs. 
2. 48,823 DPSCD student enrollment is up! This same time in 2024: 48,386 and 2023: 47,401. 
3. 44 Units of unsubsidized market-rate housing built in 2025. 
4. 20 Detroit is bordered by 20 other municipalities including two fully surrounded by the city, and one international city.

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they discuss President Trump’s threat to deploy the national guard in the city. Together they unpack how this rhetoric stems from dehumanization rather than genuine concern for Detroit residents and how these same dynamics show up in local politics. Including ballot initiatives that hide voter suppression under the guise of protecting democracy and campaign mailers falsely implying the endorsement of candidates. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Adam Hollier joins Donna and Sam to discuss his decision to end his congressional race and instead join the race for Michigan Secretary of State. During the conversation Adam positions himself as uniquely qualified to protect Michigan’s electoral system against potential threats, highlighting his commitment to ensuring that votes will be counted fairly. 

Together they dive into Detroit’s evolving political landscape through multiple lenses, including the possibility of Detroiters electing a woman as mayor for the first time. Adam also reveals his stance on the money out of politics movement and why he’s accepting donations from organizations like AIPAC during an ongoing genocide. 

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with David Daley, investigative journalist and author of Anti-Democratic: Inside the Far Right's 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections.

In 1981, a young lawyer, fresh out of Harvard law school, joined the Reagan administration’s Department of Justice, taking up a cause that had been fomenting in Republican circles for over a decade by that point. From his perch inside the Reagan DOJ, this lawyer would attempt to bring down one of the defining pieces of 20th century legislation—the Voting Rights Act. His name was John Roberts.

Now lauded investigative reporter David Daley reveals the urgent story of this fifty-year Republican plot to end the Voting Rights Act and encourage minority rule in their party’s favor. From the bowels of Reagan’s DOJ to the walls of the conservative Federalist Society to the moneyed Republican resources bankrolling restrictive voting laws today, Daley reveals a hidden history as sweeping as it is troubling. 

To learn more about Anti-Democratic: Inside the Far Right’s 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT GETS $19.8M FROM KNIGHT FOUNDATION TO BOOST ART, TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

CITY OF DETROIT SLAMS ROGERS FOR CALLING ON TRUMP TO SEND TROOPS 

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

In this episode, they discuss how corporate money is strangling Detroit's democracy, and politicians who claim to represent citizens are increasingly serving other interests. Following Karen Whitsett's troubling vote, where she sided with Republicans on issues vital to Detroit residents, they examined how financial influence corrupts our political system and what citizens can do to fight back.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna sat down with the Founder and Executive Director of What About Us Inc., Tammara Howard, and two of the leaders behind Detroit's Inaugural CDO Expo, Chandra McMillion and Quincy Jones. 

Tammara Howard, founder of What About Us Inc., has had a 55-year journey on Belvidere Street, where she's created a grassroots organization serving Detroit's Gratiot Woods neighborhood. From a youth block club started in 1999 to today's five community spaces including a resilience hub, Howard demonstrates how resident leadership creates lasting change.

Quincy Jones and Chandra McMillion are two of the leaders behind Detroit's CDO Expo, which brought together 37 community development organizations to showcase their collective impact. Held at New Lab in Michigan Central Station, the event highlighted the professional, data-driven work these organizations are doing across Detroit.

The conversation reveals how these grassroots leaders are reclaiming Detroit's narrative by proving neighborhoods can be revitalized without displacing residents. Their work represents a powerful counterpoint to the notion that people must leave Detroit to find a better quality of life.

If you want to support What About Us Inc., contact 313-918-9604 or send donations to the cash app $1234WhatAboutUsInc.

Detroit By The Numbers With Alex B. Hill:

1. 90% OF DETROIT POLLING PLACES HAVE ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGES 
2. $144 MILLION INVESTED IN BELLE ISLE SINCE 2014 
3. 96 EVENTS FOR DETROIT MONTH OF DESIGN IN SEPTEMBER 
4. $2 MILLION SPENT BY MAYORAL CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY 

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode, Imani Foster of 482Forward joined them to discuss the Invest in Michigan’s Kids campaign.

482Forward is creating a Detroit where every student graduates ready to become a fully engaged participant in the world, equipped with the character and the capacity to negotiate her environment and change it for the better.They believe all children have the right to an excellent education, regardless of their race or socioeconomic status.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains sensitive, potentially triggering themes and language related to sexual assault. Listener discretion advised. 

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Kalimah Johnson, Founder and CEO of the SASHA Center, to discuss how they are supporting and empowering Black people who have experienced sexual assault. 

At the SASHA Center, Kalimah’s mission is to increase awareness, provide resources and educate the public about sexual assault, provide culturally specific peer support groups to self identified experiencers of rape and to increase justice and visibility for survivors in Southeast Michigan.

Kalimah is a highly esteemed expert therapist who has made a significant impact in the field of mental health and relationship counseling. She has been an advocate and counselor to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence for 24 years and is an industry expert on topics related to culturally specific programming for sexual assault survivors.

To learn more about Kalimah, the SASHA Center and their work, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT ANNOUNCES NEW ‘EMERALD ALERT’ FOR SERIOUS MISSING PERSONS CASES

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This week, Orlando sat down with Mary Lewis, CEO of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic (GBCHC), to discuss how Michigan's largest volunteer-led free clinic is filling the healthcare gap in Michigan.

The mission of the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic is to provide free, high-quality medical, dental, and pharmaceutical care for low-income and uninsured patients.  In addition, their goal is to ensure that treatment is provided in a caring, compassionate and dignified atmosphere.

With the recent Medicaid changes putting over 700,000 Michigan residents at risk of losing coverage, the role of free clinics has never been more critical. At GBCHC, they provide medical, dental, pharmacy, vision, and specialty care at no cost to patients. The clinic is on the front lines of health equity, offering an innovative, community-driven solution to a statewide healthcare access crisis.

If you're uninsured, underinsured, or interested in learning more about the GBCHC, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MARY SHEFFIELD, SOLOMON KINLOCH WIN DETROIT'S MAYORAL PRIMARY

MICHIGAN PAUSES CONTROVERSIAL I-375 CHANGES IN DETROIT, CITING COST AND PUSHBACK 

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the shocking results of the 2025 primary election where Mary Sheffield received over 50% of the vote and Solomon Kinloch and Saunteel Jenkins battled for second and third place respectively. These results reveal a shift in Detroit politics with surprising outcomes in several city council races, setting up dramatic contests for the November general election.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Maurice Weeks of Detroit City Appointments Project (DCAP)  to discuss their collaborative effort to scout, vet, and recommend effective and diverse candidates for service in Detroit's city government.

The Detroit City Appointments Project is working to find candidates who are committed to the public good. The project works with organizations from around the city, state and country, to cultivate a robust list of candidates for over 100 mayor appointed or mayor nominated positions. Additionally, DCAP works to inform agendas for key agencies, leveraging the power of organized people throughout the city.

To learn more about the Detroit City Appointments Project, click here. 

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN BALLOT INITIATIVE AIMS TO REVEAL 'DARK MONEY' DONORS BEHIND POLITICAL ADS

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode they discuss the final stretch of Detroit’s mayoral primary race and candidates' last appeals to voters across neighborhoods. Campaign finance records reveal who’s funding the race while candidates face scrutiny over past actions, outside money influences, and policy positions on issues affecting Detroit's future.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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This week, Donna and Orlando spoke about everything from fresh collard greens, vital city statistics, to innovative educational partnerships all of which celebrate Detroit's cultural legacy and future potential.

They began with a brand-new segment, "Detroit by the Numbers" featuring Alex B Hill of Detroitography who breaks down surprising statistics shaping our city. These numbers tell a powerful story about civic participation, energy infrastructure, and housing vulnerability that affects every resident.

Next, they welcomed Chef Keisha, crowned champion at Detroit is Different’s 2025 Collard Green Cook-Off. Her Alabama-inspired greens earned a perfect score from the judges. More than just a culinary triumph, her story celebrates the cultural preservation work happening through food traditions that bring Detroiters together.

Finally, they explored a groundbreaking educational partnership as Robin Kinnie of Audio Engineers of Detroit discussed their recent collaboration with Ferris State University. This alliance creates a clear pathway for Detroiters to transform technical training into university credits toward a bachelor's degree. 

From voter statistics to soul food traditions to educational innovation, this episode showcases the people working to preserve Detroit's cultural legacy while creating new opportunities for its future. 

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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, Donna and Sam illuminate the complexities of Detroit’s unique political landscape and give residents a resource for navigating civic engagement and election season.

On this episode Kenneth Russell, a rising junior at Southeastern High School, joins them to provide a youth perspective on politics in Detroit, the mayoral race, and how politicians can do a better job of reaching young voters.

For more episodes of the Black Detroit Democracy Podcast, click here.

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