Detroit Is Different

Doctor in Theology, Principal of the Detroit High School for Fine & Performing Arts, Pastor of Fellowship Chapel, and my BIG cousin are only some of the titles held by Mayowa Reynolds. Joining me for a second Detroit is Different interview we discuss the role of mentoring and teaching. Her passion as a child was sparked and flourished through dance. Mayowa is one of the few and proud formerly trained Katherine Dunham dancers. Her start honing a craft and talent in a competitively formal space has empowered her role reaching heights of success. Today her passion is to inspire others and empower their dreams. We discuss differences between students today and ‘back in the day,’ and so much more. This was a fun and colorful interview which will inspire you. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscri

Mayor Monique Owens is dynamic, driven, and divine. For her, Detroit is Different interview Monique opened up how her love for East Coast Hip-hop and Church was a balance she found. This is the same energy that connects her as an Eastpointe resident turned Police Officer, Comedian, now Mayor, and candidate for State Senate. Monique Owens is what many identify as a trailblazer. Setting the standard high as an influential leader with poise, integrity, and historical determination, Monique Owens continues to show what excellence looks like. She was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 21, 1984, and although she was considered gifted and inquisitive by her teachers, it was at the age of 34 years old when her historic journey began. Monique Owens was elected in 2017 as Eastpointe Michigan’s first black councilwoman. In 2019, only two years into her term, she decided to run for mayor and became Eastpointe’s first black woman and youngest mayor to hold office in Macomb County’s history. Detroit is Different is a p

Sterling Toles key expression is love. Sterling's friendships and relationships are built on connecting people to his understanding of love. As a music producer, public speaker (when requested), DJ, and visual artist, Sterling's works make waves. His current visual art showing at the MOCAD is an exploration of how we identify ourselves through seeking external validation while lacking internal peace. The S(h)elf exhibit is showing in the white house space on the campus of MOCAD. The home welcomes you into the mind of Sterling's concepts on how we lack connection with others. The lack of connecting with others impacts how we love ourselves and best express who we are. There is a mix of paintings, display pieces, 3-D video work, and abstract interpretations. We discuss in depth how the showing came about and what his inspirations were for this show. Also learn about his peaceful approach toward creation.  Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an Ameri

The Marijuana movement is upon America. In my lifetime the taboo and underground world of indulging in Marijuana has now become a business of interest and popular culture. State and local governments across the United States of America began sanctioning medical marijuana whereas now recreational use is welcome and open to the world. The federal government still classifies marijuana as a schedule 1 drug substance. This creates many banking and taxation challenges on a Federal level. These challenges are exclusionary barriers creating a very low glass ceiling for many Black business people to enter the marijuana industry. Levels of capitalization, Internal Revenue Service code IRC 280-E, and the State of Michigan (and many others) Metric system all can be logistical nightmares if not executed well. Greg Frazier CPA (my Father) comes back to Detroit is Different and shares his understanding and knowledge of the barriers in existence and the way to operate out of jail and debt entering the marijuana industry in M

Buy the block is a phrase often spoken. Mama Shu was fulfilling this mission and purpose before the concept was trendy. Avalon street is a community that, in the mid to late 2000s, saw so much more attention and intentionality. During her many journeys, Mama Shu was drawn to the street owning and operating the Black Hole community space in unions and in partnership with others. Avalon started as a property she exclusively believed in and now welcomes tens of thousands annually to s actual space. Learn more of Mama Shu’s background at Kettering HS, Alkebulan Village, Aisha Shule, and even working at the Belle Isle Big Boys. Mama Shu is a staple in her neighborhood and has a can-do spirit to meet and match the creativity, vision, and passions through providing access and opportunity. Mama Shu’s willingness to dream big, think big, and act big has inspired many, many more (like myself) to engage the community. All this is through the lens of two sons tragically murdered, which pushes her through in spirit toward

Mental Health is a buzzword today. The cohesive nature that makes up us all easily forgotten is Mental Health. Mental Health for Black men is genuinely an unspoken condition to heal, deal with, and prosper. Prostell Thomas joins Detroit is Different to open up about how to deliver in this space through the synergy of connecting with others. Learn about his time on Detroit’s historic  North End, Aknartoons, Northern HS Jayhawks, etc. Prostell shares his process of spending mornings with music, technique, and thought to build up his resolve to engage the world. Please find out how he fills his tank to engage with many who feel like no one cares. Join HEAL: A Community Mental Health Conversation @ Avalon Village on April 24, 2022, 12 pm - 4 pm. Give to the GoFundme drive HEAL: A Mental Health COnversation as well. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what ma

All Things Detroit is a holiday honoring the event Jennyfer Crawford designed to help small businesses. What began in an apartment now has a partnership with Chase bank, welcomes thousands of buying guests, and sells out vending space for hundreds of vendors in days. All Things Detroit is a cultural experience because it’s an extension of the passion Jennyfer has for Pop-Up shops. Sunday, April 10, 2022, 10 am – 4 pm visit Eastern Market and see what All Things Detroit is all about. Watch the interview with Jennyfer Crawford to see how an idea becomes a plan than a reality. After the passing of Jennyfer’s father, her commitment to the mission and goal strengthened in the storm of the pandemic to keep going. How a woman grew her business that was 85% live events when live events were non-existent is phenomenal.  Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what ma

If you have a business ready for national and international distribution, Buy Detroit is the event you need. Keyra Cokely of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation had a vision of making the procurement and buy process between large-scale businesses and small Detroit businesses easy. The bonding, insurance, financials, and work are given a process Keyra has made plain for you. She opens up about how her grandfather’s view of plain business inspired this vision. Learn how Keyra’s understanding of fund development and process was groomed from real-life experience and wisdom. Her young age is anchored to the experience of reading everything she has seen working with the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation for years. Buy Detroit is a program that fits the niche for miscommunications and misunderstandings between businesses and industry. Learn how the event in July is only a start to changing the footprint of many Detroit small businesses. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people

The Spirit Says podcast is a space and place where we are welcomed into a conversation of two women driven to inspire the minds of young people and follow their spirits. Bria Warmsby & Korey Butler host the Spirit Says podcast. The focus of the podcast is welcoming listeners into the journey of where the Spirit moves Bria and Korey through life. Here meet how the Eastside culture of Detroit impacted both women. Inner City Sub Center, Eastland, Chandler Park, and Alkebu-lan Village are all highlighted in this interview. Connect to the essence of classic Detroit stories and Eastside Detroit culture. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at h

As a professional Personal Fitness Trainer, Health/Wellness coach, stretch/yoga instructor, lifestyle+Mommy blogger; I understand that a big part of wellness can be attributed to physical fitness, however, it takes having balance in your Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Emotional health to gain overall complete wellness and self-care. A large part of self-care commitment is not only doing something “nice" for yourself but making sure we are replenishing all of the care and love we give so freely and effortlessly to our community, children, partners, family, staff, jobs, career, daily. I have a combined 17 years of experience in health, wellness, and fitness. From following my first love as a professional dancer in world-renowned dance ensembles to training under master yoga instructors, to gaining fitness certifications, to spending years learning massage therapy, crystal healing, and much more. I take pride in knowing multiple angles of how to help incorporate wellness and healing practices for my fellow hea

Brittany March has always found Detroit fascinating. Her story of basketball, Allen Iverson, and being the daughter of a Mumford HS teacher is classic. Brittany tells how Allen Iverson, hip-hop, fashion, and Hartford Memorial Baptist impacted her life. Learn how attending ‘Walled Lake Central HS’ and ‘Southfield High HS’ made an impression on her life, how her parent's desire to have her in a ‘good school’ was not the right fit for her. Discover how her time after school with her mother playing basketball at Mumford HS was a needed signature on her attitude, style, and love of Detroit. After pouring over, Brittany’s passion for Detroit city to create a documentary as a tapestry of stories of all types of Detroiters featuring Shushana Shakur led to her introduction to Khary Frazier (Detroit is Different). Hear Brittany’s impression of Detroit is Different in 2017. Learn how March’s passion for pizza is a grand vision for the community. Her lifestyle and understanding of Dr. Sebi’s work connect Brittany to want

Elephants travel in packs and as a family. The story of the Tusk liquor brand connects deeply to that concept on many levels. Maurice ‘Mo’ Morton shares the story of how land originally purchased after his ancestors' enslavement created Tusk spirits. After enslavement, Mo’s great 5x grandparents purchased over 50 acres of land stolen through racial discrimination and later returned to the family in 1906. The disconnect from the farm in Halifax, VA, only recently brought the family back to tend the land. Upon wishes of Mo’s grandfather to his living decedent daughter, retired from the federal government and committed to not sale, lease, or lease her family’s land. Today collectively, the family built a hemp farming business that now produces Tusk spirits of vodka and rum. In this interview, hear the dynamic story of ingenuity, family, and entrepreneurship. At the Garden Theater, Tusk was another favorite at the inaugural Taste of Black Spirits event on Saturday, February 19, 2022.   Tusk Spirits Rum & Vodk

Dr. Kenfense Chike joins Detroit is DIfferent for a fruitful interview about African Centered Education. His personal experience teaching at Aisha Shule and NSOROMA Institute only drove his Ph.D. on the topic. Currently, he is one of the eight instructors leading the Black Education Workshop Series hosted by Alkebu-lan Village every Saturday through March 26, 2022, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm (at Alkebu-lan Village & Online virtually). We discuss the call to action for African Centered Education and the spiritual values, confidence, and knowledge. Dr. Chike also shares what it took for these institutions to start. He provides how his Academia journey began from the Wayne State University protest for Black Studies on campus. How the Aisha Shule’s Pyramid Performing Theater African Drum and Dance supported the students protesting and locking themselves in at WSU sparked his interest. Kenfense explains how African Centered Education is a movement from revolution and the fight for independent schools (Freedom Schools).

Based on a True Story (BOATS) is the ep debut album effort from vocalist Tamara Jewel. Jewel’s vocals lace the soundtrack of many of Detroit’s most known hip-hop anthems (Payroll Giovanni, MJ the Don, and many others) and at the start of 2022, she released her first solo work. In this Detroit is Different interview we explore her start from Dayton OH (another D) to come to Detroit. The choir, church, poetry beginnings that led to her embracing the stage today are what sparked her journey connecting her creativity to the world. Jewel talks about the collective work of writing songs in unions with other artists and how to ensure the business is taken care of. BOATS is Jewel’s personal effort mixing personal experience and artistry to give songs like ‘Mr. Rebound’ and ‘If it Aint Love.’ Jewel's approach to the studio and work ethic of recording for self and production is her love and science. Finally, learn about Tamara’s love for acting on stage and film as well. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khar

Watercolors and acrylics are the paints Devin Laster loves. Laster’s Pop Art collection has featured Beyonce, Wolverine, the Obama Family, and many more. His take on colors, shadows, and shapes adds character to all people he captures. In this Detroit is Different feature we explore so much of what has led Devin to his passions. Devin’s first love for acting and performance began while attending Cass Tech learning under the tutelage of the historic Ms. McCormick. Devin shares what he learned then appearing in the Cass Tech production of School Daze and so much more. Devin provides insight on how being present of mind and availability through production has led to more and more opportunities. Living in Los Angeles now and formerly living in New York City, Devin opens up about the New York and Harlem feel. How working on the ‘Sweeter without Sugar’ film provided him a film credit at the age of 17. Finally, Devin talks about his current short film projects connecting him to work with Studio Lumumba and others. D

Living, working, and raising a family in Highland Park has committed Shimekia Nichols to a mission larger than just her own. The Executive Director of Souladarity has rich roots grounded from her family’s background in Detroit’s Southwest neighborhood 48217, known for being the most environmentally polluted zip code in Michigan. After that, in keeping pace with her creative, African-centered, and knowledge-seeking mother, Shimekia followed suit. An Aisha Shule & W.E.B. DuBois Preparatory Academy graduate Shimekia’s African-centered orientation to the world is put to the test as she and her organization work to restore the streetlights that were repossessed by DTE Energy in 2011. In this interview, she shares stories of her experience at Aisha Shule, one of the first African-centered institutions in the state; and the instruction there assisting in her confidence and journey. Shimekia shares how traditional 9-5 work left her disinterested and unfulfilled. The void led her to volunteer at D Town Farms, Detr

Faniz Bites is the brainchild of Jefani Edison. The daughter of one of Detroit’s premier attorneys (Jeff Edison) has a business in meal prep, seasonings, and catering. Jefani opens up about her upbringing with parents centered in Pan-Africanism. Jefani talks about her love for Nataki Talibah and Howard University. Learn about her perspective on the similarities and differences between the chocolate city of Washington DC and Detroit. Jefani shares about her time working and managing LePetit Zinc as a Black woman operating a French restaurant in Detroit owned by a Black woman (Karima Sorel). Finally, Jefani talks about her business and how to connect with www.fanizbites.com and her seasonings. Get a better understanding of how she personalizes meals for diets, taste, people that don’t cook, and people that can’t cook. Jefani Edison is the owner of www.fanizbites.com Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdif

Michigan is a mid-western heartland welcoming people worldwide for beautiful Autumns, rich apples & cherries, and American tradition. The essence of the state through the lens of a Black Man magnifies the dual consciousness highlighted in literature by Ralph Ellison, Amiri Baraka, Richard Wright, Yusef Shakur, and many more. Deolis Allen III joined Detroit is Different to share his story giving an insightful perspective to this all. Allen was born in Ann Arbor as his parents finished their collegiate journeys at the University of Michigan. Allen’s parents eventually settled in the Highland Park community to stand as a presence of intellect, value, and success inside a Black community. Allen opens up about Cass Tech, Eastern Michigan University, and the role of Black men in the community. He provides a grand historical overview of the relationship between young men and older men. A member, facilitator, and teacher of the Better Men Outreach program, Allen shares how basketball has been a key in developing

January 1, 2022, Yusef Bunchy Shakur delivered the State of Black Detroit 2022 Address and it was impactful. Initially, Yusef defined Black Detroit and its importance. The depth of the relationship between the Great Migration, legacies of revolutionaries, history of resilience, and the bonds between families were prominently addressed in Yusef’s message. The interactive dynamic from Detroit is Different’s live stream was a success as well. Rev. Teferi Brent, Brandon Jessup, Nadia Love, Prostell Thomas, Alfonso Pugh, and many others all joined in providing perspective and insight. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com Find out more at https://detroit-is-diff

Yusef Bunchy Shakur joins Detroit is Different to talk about his upcoming State of Detroit address. Yusef Bunchy Shakur tells the story of how Henry Ford Hospital is gentrifying his neighborhood. Yusef shares how he has informed through hearsay that a closed meeting about the future of his community. Yusef walked into the meeting to witness an urban planner tell him his Mother’s house will not exist in Henry Ford Hospital’s plans. Yusef Bunchy Shakur tells the story of how his grandmother and kept morals, character, and integrity. The discussion moves on to share what role social capital plays in a Black neighborhood. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com F