Detroit Is Different

"I never ran for office thinking that I was going to be rich. I already knew. How did I know? Because your dad, my dad, we weren't poor as folks would like to say. Folks don't like to use the word poor anymore. But we weren't in poverty, or we weren't unfortunate in a lot of ways, but we weren't rich. We still had tough times." From family councils and tech legacies to state politics and AI innovations, Fred Durhal III’s life is a masterclass in leadership forged through Detroit's unique cultural and political terrain. Raised in a family that counted MLK allies and owned tech firms before Black tech was a trend, Durhal says, “Public service was never a choice — it was a calling.” He shares how music shaped his leadership style, the reality of being a Black state rep under constant scrutiny, and why he's running for mayor: “I want to rebuild Detroit through the strength of our families.” This Detroit is Different interview dives into roots, representation, and the relentless hope that fuels his visio

"I sang before I could talk,” says Steffanie Christi’an, capturing the essence of a voice born in rhythm and raised on soul. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Steffanie weaves a narrative of musical lineage rooted in Southfield, church choirs, and impromptu jam sessions with her grandfather who taught her guitar and blues. She reflects on her time at Aisha Shule, calling it "one of the most enlightening and enriching experiences in my life," and opens up about the real grind behind artistry—from acapella basement recordings to demo sessions in New York. Her journey, blessed by mentors like Proof and molded by family legacy, affirms the beauty of persistence. “I always wanted to be Beyoncé before Beyoncé,” she laughs, before revealing how redefining success keeps her creating across genres, from rock and roll to house music with Inner City. As she puts it, “Rock and roll is just the blues sped up,” and Steffanie Christi’an’s story is a soundtrack of resilience, reinvention, and un

“My grandmother taught me how to program when I was seven,” Bryan Campbell shares, setting the tone for a story that stretches from East Side Detroit roots to Silicon Valley boardrooms. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Bryan opens up about hacking school systems as a teenager, building websites for Michigan State before they even knew what email was, and becoming a key engineer behind ad systems that generated billions at Google. With family ties to tech pioneers and civil rights activism, Bryan’s journey includes personal battles—divorce, depression, and alcohol abuse—during his tenure at tech giants like Google and Amazon. Yet his story transforms when he returns to Detroit and builds his own firm, Pec Tech, from the ground up. “I didn’t walk away from Amazon; I walked toward healing,” Bryan says, reflecting on faith, failure, and finding purpose beyond corporate success Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic cit

“An abandoned house is not an abandoned house unless I see it as that.” In this soul-stirring Detroit is Different interview, Kim Sherobbi reflects on her lifelong commitment to community, tracing her purpose from childhood fashion shows on Bethune Street to founding the Birwood House as a space of radical love and collective leadership. Guided by a lineage of powerful Black women like her grandmother Lula White—"block club president for real"—and shaped by organizers like Ron Scott and the Boggs Center, Sherobbi affirms, “We can figure out how to go through this journey no matter what.” Her story illustrates how deeply community, family, and grief interweave into our purpose: “Community is big… people came to us and loved on us.” Through organizing block parties, teaching physical education with intention, and nurturing youth through programs like Community Lens, Kim lives the ethos that supporting others in finding their power is where transformation begins. Detroit is Different is a podcast hoste

“You can’t put love into a house you don’t own.” That one quote encapsulates the spirit of Ken Elkins’ journey, vision, and mission as founder of Renewed. In this powerful Detroit is Different interview, Ken speaks truth to the generational impact of housing instability, sharing how growing up in a series of rentals shaped his understanding of pride, permanence, and purpose. From his early days in Saginaw, working at Chuck E. Cheese and joining the Navy Reserves just to find a path to college, to co-founding Ferris State’s “Black Leaders Aspiring for Critical Knowledge,” Ken’s life is a testament to how community can turn potential into power. “When I owned my first home, I felt value for the first time,” he reflects. Now, he’s pouring that lesson back into Detroit, offering affordable homes where the mortgage is never more than 25% of your income. It’s not just about equity—it’s about emotional stability, dignity, and the ripple effects of ownership for families who have long been priced out of their own nei

"We are not here for ourselves—we are here for other people. Period." These words from Orena Perry don't just summarize her perspective—they declare her purpose. Her story, like so many rooted in Detroit, is a vibrant blend of faith, family, and fearless entrepreneurship. From her great-grandmother’s home on Calvert to the stages of Jazz on the Boulevard and the halls of Redford High, Orena’s life journey has been one of intention, perseverance, and spiritual grounding. “I’ve always been a servant,” she says, reflecting on years organizing events, empowering Black-owned businesses, and uplifting voices through conferences, prayer breakfasts, and women’s luncheons. After surviving a near-fatal car accident in high school, Orena’s life took on a deeper clarity—faith became more than a belief; it became her strategy. “God can tell you when to move, when to stop, and when something is over—but you’ve got to be able to listen,” she shares. As a mother of three daughters who each embody her entrepreneuria

“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

We need to be healed as a community.” Krystal Larsosa, co-founder of the Black Marriage Movement, sits down to share an intimate and powerful journey rooted in love, healing, and transformation through marriage. Raised on the same Detroit block where she met her now-husband Jasahn at age 12, Krystal opens up about the realness of growing into womanhood in the heart of the city, the impact of protection and stability in relationships, and the vision she and Jasahn share for healing Black families through the institution of marriage. From weathering literal fires in their home to building the Black Marriage Movement from the ground up, Krystal speaks with vulnerability and wisdom on the challenges and triumphs of cultivating a love that not only nurtures a household but strengthens a community. She speaks candidly on learning the true roles of wife and mother, reshaping narratives around submission and support, and creating spaces like the Detroit Wives Club and Birth Fathers Detroit to educate, affirm, and upl

"The gift of God to us in marriage is that it perfects our love." In this powerful second installment of the Black Marriage Movement series, Jasahn Larsosa shares an emotionally resonant reflection on what it means to grow as a man, a husband, and a father within the framework of love, commitment, and community. Joined in life and purpose by his wife, Krystal Larsosa, Jasahn unpacks the complex journey from his early ideals shaped by television portrayals of Black family life to the real-world models of married couples in his Detroit neighborhood—people who anchored and enriched the block. His story of longing for Krystal since they were teenagers, detouring through revolutionary activism and spiritual searching, and ultimately returning to build a life together, is filled with depth and honesty. From navigating the unspoken fears Black men carry around provision and protection, to enduring a house fire that reshaped their home and outlook, Jasahn reveals how marriage has refined not only his sense

“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 — i

“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 pul

“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

"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 account

"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 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 a

“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

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

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 h

"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 in

"If we don’t tell our stories, who will? And if they do, will they tell it right?" — This question grounds the work of Marcia Black, a powerful cultural steward who’s leading the charge at Black Bottom Archives, celebrating 10 years of preserving and honoring Black Detroit’s legacy. In this Detroit is Different podcast, Marcia shares how her passion was sparked by early roots in environmental justice organizing through EMEAC, where she witnessed the brilliance and resilience of Black women leading on the frontlines. That experience lit a fire, and inspired by pioneers like PG Watkins and Camille Johnson, Marcia embraced the responsibility of archiving Black life, especially the voices of Black women too often erased from historical narratives. From growing up between Detroit and Duval County, Florida, her journey is a mosaic of Black Southern and Midwestern cultural memory. Guided by the radical education at Marygrove College and the example of her entrepreneurial, Catholic, beauty-salon-owning, com