Capturing the culture that makes Detroit what it is.

Author

Khary Frazier

Khary Frazier has 282 articles published.

Detroit’s First Lady of House: DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale’s Journey from Sears to Legend

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From humble beginnings at a Detroit club (now a laundromat) on Livernois and McNichols, DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale emerged as Detroit’s first female house music artist, guided by her engineering background and inspired by her mother’s groundbreaking work in federal government contracting in the 1970s. Known as the Godmother of House Music, Hale’s masterful ability to play the right song at the right time has taken her from underground dance clubs like Studio 54 and The Warehouse to prestigious venues, including the Apollo Theater and Fox Detroit, where she continues to blend dance floor hits with orchestral melodies and live music, cementing her legacy in American music culture.

Deeply Committed to Justice for Detroit, Tonya Myers-Phillips

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Tonya Myers Phillips, an attorney deeply committed to justice for Detroit, has long advocated for Right to Counsel for residents facing foreclosure and many other community-centered causes. At the Sugar Law Center, where she serves as Community Partnerships & Development Director, Tonya collaborates closely with local organizations, working to establish community benefits agreements and offer legal guidance on economic issues impacting Detroiters. Now a candidate for Michigan State Representative for District 7, Tonya’s journey is rooted in a strong educational foundation from Renaissance High School and the University of Michigan (both undergraduate and law school). Her dedication to public service is demonstrated by her time as a Commissioner on the Detroit Charter Revision Commission from 2010 to 2012, where she was known for treating colleagues and constituents with dignity and casting votes aligned with her values of community service. In this episode of Detroit is Different, Tonya shares her story of commitment to Detroit and its people.

Visit www.tonyamyersphillips.com for more information.

Metro Detroit’s Largest Small Business Shopping Experience, All Things Detroit & Jennyfer Crawford

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All Things Detroit is Metro Detroit’s largest small business shopping experience, bringing hundreds of local vendors and thousands of shoppers together in Eastern Market’s Sheds 3, 4, and 5 each Spring and Fall. Curated by Jennyfer Crawford over the past decade, the event showcases Detroit-made food, clothing, candles, and even Faygo jams and jellies, creating a unique celebration of local culture and commerce. In this interview on Detroit is Different, Jennyfer shares her vision for the next decade and the ways she pours her passion into supporting both buyers and sellers at All Things Detroit.

Baba Ari Shen Reflects on 56 Years of Sculpting Black Hair, From Indiana Roots to Detroit’s Rich Culture

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Baba Ari Shen has been cutting, sculpting, and celebrating natural Black hair for over 56 years, from the 1970s to now, witnessing the transformation of Black hair culture through different eras. His journey began in Indiana, where he learned from legends in Black hair care and became a master of his craft. His work has taken him across the country to cities like Seattle and Los Angeles, but it was Detroit that captured his heart. Since the early 1980s, Baba Ari Shen has embraced Detroit’s rich Black culture, expression, and history, finding it to be the most profound Black experience of his life. In this dynamic Detroit is Different episode, he reflects on his roots, the influence of Gary, Indiana, including stories of the Jackson 5 before Motown, and his love for natural hair that continues to inspire his work today.

Carolyn Baker of the General Baker Institute Honors Her Parents’ Legacy and Inspires Social Justice Through Innovative Education Programs

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Carolyn Baker of the General Baker Institute shares her passion for preserving the legacy of her father, General Gordon Baker, Jr., and her mother’s advocacy while also honoring other legends in the fight for Black social justice. The General Baker Institute (GBI) is dedicated to providing educational courses, programs, and activities for the community, with a focus on young people. It examines the revolutionary life of General Baker (September 6, 1941 – May 18, 2014), his contributions to human rights struggles, and his co-founding of transformative organizations. As a center for teaching the history of Detroit and Highland Park, GBI critically explores their connection to global social movements while addressing contemporary issues. In the interview, Carolyn reflects on how her father’s love of basketball shaped her own passion for coaching, and she highlights GBI’s innovative educational approaches, such as their first Educational Fashion Show, which combines fashion and political education to make bold statements and inspire change.

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Ajara Alghali: Cofounder of TéMaTé Institute on Dance, Culture, and Resistance — Highlighting the Diaspora’s Rhythmic Roots at the Convening for Dance and Culture in Detroit

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Ajara Alghali, co-founder and Director of TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance and Culture, is a performance artist and thought leader at the intersection of dance and cultural representation. Drawing from her Sierra Leonean-American roots, her work highlights the connections among African people across the diaspora. The TéMaTé Institute, a social justice organization, uses dance as a tool for community engagement, focusing on dance justice and cultural equity. Inspired by the Temate dance of the Yacouba and Whêbe people from the Ivory Coast, the institute honors the joy and relationship between people and the land. The 4th Convening for Dance and Culture, featuring dance and drum workshops on October 19 and 20 at SAY Detroit Play Center and a concert with Afriky Lolo and Detroit’s House of Jit on October 19 at Detroit School of Arts, embraces the theme “Rooted in Rhythm,” symbolizing our shared rhythm and interconnectedness, much like the roots of a tree. This grassroots, artist-led, and self-funded organization works to uplift diaspora arts, and in this Detroit is Different feature, Ajara shares insights into her roots, family, and the geopolitical role of dance as a tool for tradition, spirituality, and resistance against colonialism.

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Founder of Yum Village Godwin Ihentuge speaks about Developing through Vision

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Restaurants often struggle in their first three years, but Yum Village, a fusion of African and Caribbean cuisine founded by Godwin Ihentuge, opened its doors on Woodward Avenue during the challenges of COVID-19. This venture was the realization of Godwin’s life vision, rooted in his upbringing on Detroit’s Westside as the eldest son in a Nigerian family. Once an introvert, Godwin developed a skill set in empathetic listening that has been key to building a strong team. Yum Village, which began as a smartphone app, has evolved into a full cultural experience, blending food with fashion and more. This Detroit is Different feature explores how defining and committing to a vision can lead to extraordinary growth.

Furqan Mohammed, nephew of Elijah Muhammad, sharing the remarkable Story of his Life and Family

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Furqan Mohammed, nephew of Elijah Muhammad, gives his first exclusive podcast interview to Detroit is Different, sharing the remarkable story of his life and family. Furqan opens up about how his family collectively joined the Nation of Islam, tracing their strong and self-determined beginnings from Georgia to Detroit’s historic Black Bottom. He details how the teachings of WD Fard Muhammad in Black Bottom welcomed his family, and how his uncle Elijah Muhammad rose to leadership as the messenger for the Nation of Islam. Furqan also shares memories of his family running a restaurant next to the Nation of Islam Mosque on Linwood for generations. This interview offers a unique glimpse into Detroit’s history, Black history, and American history through the lens of Furqan’s family. Attorney Gregory Reed, who will be traveling and exhibiting artifacts of Furqan’s father, made the interview possible.

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