Lazar Favors originally wanted to accent his wife’s (Marshalle) Trinity Film Festival with Uncle Nearest whiskey as a great touch. The idea led to his position as the official Michigan representative for the brand. The Uncle Nearest story of the Black man who taught Jack Daniels distilling is one of the many Black-owned liquor stories. Lazar today represents over one dozen different liquors, beers, wines, and mixers that all are Black-owned. “If we are going to drink in a Black city we should be drinking our spirits,” L Favors. In this Detroit is Different interview we explore the industry of liquor, nightlife, promotions, and why spirits are important.
P Dot and Chise are two talented hip-hop artists in their own right and now collaboratively offering music. They join Detroit is Different with B Scarber and talk about their vision for the Coney Island mixtape and their Detroit stories. Listen to their journey in hip-hop and how today the work ethic of then pays off now. Also, get a peek into the ideas coming from this unique man-woman duo of hip-hop emceeing.
Sharea Ayers is an advocate for Black History. Her passion was sparked as a child gravitating to any and all information about how Black people took initiative in creativity, business, community, and family. What began as an offering for students has now expanded to city-wide celebrations. Juneteenth Jubilee 2021 will feature a collection of Black businesses on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashions with performance, discounts, food, games, activities, and more. Sharea joined Detroit is Different to share the vision of Juneteenth Jubilee and more.
Jasahn and Krystal Larsosa are best friends, parents, community activists, and now candidates for public office in Detroit. The couple joined Detroit is Different and open up about their childhood, love for community, background in family, and more. Jasahn is currently running for Mayor of Detroit and Krystal is running for the office of city-wide city council member. Their traditional love and vision for the community are steeped in a modern understanding of ways people find, embrace, and connect with one another. Jasahn and Krystal open up about why their love for community and people is part of the love shared in the family in this interview.
Khary Frazier the Founder of Detroit is Different is in the chair being interviewed by Sharea Ayers and Gigi Guida. The discussion explores the roots of Detroit is Different, a Lot of Studio, and love for Detroit. This is a creative discussion of what’s next for Detroit is Different and a great introduction to Sharea and Gigi content.
‘a Lot of Studio’ inaugural year will provide a mix of live podcasting and performance that will capture hearts and minds. The podcasts and performances are categorized from the premise of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa). The themes of each show and performance are the ways Detroit is Different creators welcome you!
Thursday Evenings 5PM – 9PM
Thursday, June 10 – Thursday, August 26, 2021
* (Rain Delay dates are Thursday, September 3 and Thursday, September 10)
June 10 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Gardening in Detroit featuring Feedom Freedom Gardens Monique & Mama Myrtle, Malik Yakini & Sherrie Smith
Performance: Mollywop (Reggae, Funk, Hip-hop)
June 17 Nia (Purpose for Detroiters) hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Detroiters Bill of Rights featuring Councilmember Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, Tawana Honeycomb Petty, & John Sloan
Performance: Luther ‘Bad Man’ Keith (Blues)
June 24 Umoja (Unity of Black Men & Women) hosted by LaDonna Sims
Podcast: Black Men’s Natural Hair featuring Bryce Detroit & Jason Jamerson
Performance: Alex Way (R & B)
July 1 Kuumba (Creativity of Detroit Culture) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Movies Tristin Fazekas & Mic Larry hosted
Performance: Josh Adams (Urban Comedy)
July 8 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Content Creators Orlando Bailey & Marnese Jackson
Performance: Alex White Experience (Instrumental Soul)
July 15 Nia (Purpose for Black Women) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Artists featuring Escada, Halima Afi Cassells, & Sterling Toles
Performance: Maraj Vistuoso (Modern Classical)
July 22 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Food Vicki of Big Ma’s Coney Cart & Quiana of Cooking with Que
Performance: Sowande Keita (African Drumming)
July 29 Nia (Purpose for Black People) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Beauty with the Queen of Body Sculpting
Performance: Terri Shu (Neo Soul & Rock)
August 5 Kuumba (Creativity of Detroit Culture) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Fashion featuring Ashley Nicole of Melt Fit & Kool Ade of AYV
Performance: Gayelynn McKiney (Jazz)
August 12 Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility of Community)hosted by Audra Carson
Podcast: Detroit Community with Audra Carson
Performance: Ayana Love (Alternative Hip-hop)
August 19 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics in the Black Community)hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Growing a Black Business featuring Ken Haris & Jennyfer Crawford
Performance: J Bell & PEACE (Comedy & Poetry)
August 26 Imani (Faith & Spirit of Black Voices)hosted by Khary Frazier & Piper Carter
Podcast: Black Media featuring Coco & JoAnn Watson
Performance: Coco (Urban Comedy)
Today is the start of the ‘a Lot of Studio Podcast & Performance’ event series. Thank you all for your support for the Ca$h App Crowdfund Campaign. Thus far we have collectively raised $6,290 of the goal for $7,500. We are so humbled by the giving from 72 different people that have pitched into the effort.
Today everything kicks off with a podcast discussion about Urban Gardening featuring Feedom Freedom Gardens (Mama Myrtle & Monique); Sherrie Smith; and Malik Yakini. The performance will be from the signature brand of Reggae, Funk, Hip-hop and Soul of MollyWop! Food will be sold by Soul on Roll. This will be a great experience to enjoy a Detroit neighborhood. Join us at ‘a Lot of Studio’ at 1634 Clements Detroit MI (park on the John C Lodge Service Drive).
Please support by giving to $DetroitisDifferent and joining us today.
The full series of ‘a Lot of Studio will include:
Today is the start of the ‘a Lot of Studio Podcast & Performance’ event series. Thank you all for your support for the Ca$h App Crowdfund Campaign. Thus far we have collectively raised $6,290 of the goal for $7,500. We are so humbled by the giving from 72 different people that have pitched into the effort.
Today everything kicks off with a podcast discussion about Urban Gardening featuring Feedom Freedom Gardens (Mama Myrtle & Monique); Sherrie Smith; and Malik Yakini. The performance will be from the signature brand of Reggae, Funk, Hip-hop and Soul of MollyWop! Food will be sold by Soul on Roll. This will be a great experience to enjoy a Detroit neighborhood. Join us at ‘a Lot of Studio’ at 1634 Clements Detroit MI (park on the John C Lodge Service Drive).
Please support by giving to $DetroitisDifferent and joining us today.
The full series of ‘a Lot of Studio will include:
Today is the start of the ‘a Lot of Studio Podcast & Performance’ event series. Thank you all for your support for the Ca$h App Crowdfund Campaign. Thus far we have collectively raised $6,290 of the goal for $7,500. We are so humbled by the giving from 72 different people that have pitched into the effort.
Today everything kicks off with a podcast discussion about Urban Gardening featuring Feedom Freedom Gardens (Mama Myrtle & Monique); Sherrie Smith; and Malik Yakini. The performance will be from the signature brand of Reggae, Funk, Hip-hop and Soul of MollyWop! Food will be sold by Soul on Roll. This will be a great experience to enjoy a Detroit neighborhood. Join us at ‘a Lot of Studio’ at 1634 Clements Detroit MI (park on the John C Lodge Service Drive).
Please support by giving to $DetroitisDifferent and joining us today.
The full series of ‘a Lot of Studio will include:
June 10 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Gardening in Detroit featuring Feedom Freedom Gardens Monique & Mama Myrtle, Malik Yakini & Sherrie Smith
Performance: Mollywop (Reggae, Funk, Hip-hop)
June 17 Nia (Purpose for Detroiters) hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Detroiters Bill of Rights featuring Councilmember Raquel Castaneda-Lopez, Tawana Honeycomb Petty, & John Sloan
Performance: Luther ‘Bad Man’ Keith (Blues)
June 24 Umoja (Unity of Black Men & Women) hosted by LaDonna Sims
Podcast: Black Men’s Natural Hair featuring Bryce Detroit & Jason Jamerson
Performance: Alex Way (R & B)
July 1 Kuumba (Creativity of Detroit Culture) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Movies Tristin Fazekas & Mic Larry hosted
Performance: Josh Adams (Urban Comedy)
July 8 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Content Creators Orlando Bailey & Marnese Jackson
Performance: Alex White Experience (Instrumental Soul)
July 15 Nia (Purpose for Black Women) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Artists featuring Escada, Halima Afi Cassells, & Sterling Toles
Performance: Maraj Vistuoso (Modern Classical)
July 22 Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Food Vicki of Big Ma’s Coney Cart & Quiana of Cooking with Que
Performance: Sowande Keita (African Drumming)
July 29 Nia (Purpose for Black People) hosted by Josh Adams
Podcast: Detroit Beauty with the Queen of Body Sculpting
Performance: Terri Shu (Neo Soul & Rock)
August 5 Kuumba (Creativity of Detroit Culture) hosted by Piper Carter
Podcast: Detroit Fashion featuring Ashley Nicole of Melt Fit & Kool Ade of AYV
Performance: Gayelynn McKiney (Jazz)
August 12 Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility of Community)
hosted by Audra Carson
Podcast: Detroit Community with Audra Carson
Performance: Ayana Love (Alternative Hip-hop)
August 19 Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics in the Black Community)
hosted by Khary Frazier
Podcast: Growing a Black Business featuring Ken Haris & Jennyfer Crawford
Performance: J Bell & PEACE (Comedy & Poetry)
August 26 Imani (Faith & Spirit of Black Voices)
hosted by Khary Frazier & Piper Carter
Podcast: Black Media featuring Coco & JoAnn Watson
Performance: Coco (Urban Comedy)
“We need to do something outside.” This is what Detroit is Different founder Khary Frazier will tell you when you ask about his big plans for the summer. Khary’s got a point — it’s the summer of 2021, and we’ve spent the past 14 months living, loving, struggling, recovering, fighting, healing, learning, grieving through a pandemic, and many of us may have spent a lot of that time indoors.
For you, maybe that’s meant looking into a computer screen, driving around in a car, lying in bed, sitting at a desk. For parents: homeschooling your kids through the online school. For kids: trying to be virtual students and classmates. For essential workers: going into work at risk. For creatives: being cut off from in-person collaborations. For caregivers of all kinds: providing for your loved ones while providing for yourself and your own wellness. For all of us: being separated from friends and family, and isolated from people and places that we love was difficult for many of us all …
At Detroit is Different, we’re emerging from this claustrophobic, isolating time with an eagerness to laugh, an urgency to do and create, and most of all, with a lot to say.
Here’s where Khary’s big summer plans come in. Starting on June 10th and running through the end of August, Detroit is Different will launch its first annual summer event series: a Lot of Studio. Located in the grassy lot just a few steps away from Detroit is Different incubator space, a Lot of Studio will give a new outdoor and in-person occasion for members of the community to enjoy each other’s company and creativity, breathe in the summer breeze, and of course, say what they want to say.
Structured like a live podcast and led by influential Detroiters as podcast hosts and featuring performances by Detroit-based artists, each event will be an oasis of creative expression and discussion. Of course, just as Detroit is Different is an incubator for Black culture and creativity, each a Lot of Studio itself will be a communal creation by and for Black Detroiters.
Each event will be what Khary calls a group podcast — hosts, guests, and audience will share in the podcast and performance experience together. Audience members are encouraged to contribute to what will be an open, fluid, and spontaneous conversation — so spontaneous that Khary doesn’t really know what each show will look like, and that’s what’s so exciting.
“It’ll be shocking,” he says. “We’ll be surprised where we end up. It’ll be about going with the flow and vibe of where people are and seeing what happens.” Every show will be different from the next, and probably different from what it was at the beginning.
Come to laugh, to speak, to eat, to listen, to learn, to teach. Come to take home vegetables from the Detroit is Different garden, maybe even catch the beginnings of summer sunsets behind the stage, and celebrate Detroit as the Black mecca that it is.
Thursday evenings, from June till August. Free and open to all. We’ll see you there!
