Podcast
Authentically Detroit
Hosted by Donna & Sam · EN
Authentically Detroit is the leading podcast in the city for candid conversations, exchanging progressive ideas, and centering resident perspectives on current events.
Hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Sam Robinson.
Produced by Sarah Johnson and Engineered by Griffin Hutchings.
Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthenticallyDetroit!
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Beauty and Political Beef with Jessica Kwalli
1w ago01:14:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including some of the upcoming primary elections. They also sat down the Jessica Kwalli, the owner of Jessica Blair Beauty.Jessica Kwalli is no stranger to identifying and servicing the needs of others which is why she is the Founder & CEO of Black Diamond Beauty Supply Co. LLC. As a native Detroiter, she was always at the epicenter of beauty and fashion. Growing up in the inner city made her realize there was a lack of representation and ownership in the hair care industry reflecting its largest consumers––African Americans. After repeated incidents of poor customer service and a lack of knowledge in Black hair at local beauty supply businesses, Kwalli made it her mission to create a hair care disruptor by the people and for the people.To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:STATE SENATE CANDIDATES AIYASH, ONWENU CLASH AT DETROIT FORUM Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Juneteenth Political Rundown with Sam and Donna
2w ago01:07:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including Mike Duggan’s exit from the governor’s race, Detroit’s census case, UAW endorsements, money out of politics, and more!They also discuss Juneteenth and the importance of telling the story of Black people’s freedom. The word "Juneteenth" bleeds "June" and "nineteenth," and the day is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. It became a federal holiday in 2021.Juneteenth marks the arrival of Union troops in Galveston, Texas. Many enslaved people already knew about the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. What they lacked was the power to make freedom real. Union troops enforced emancipation and helped transform freedom from a proclamation into a reality. Freedom on paper and freedom in practice were not always the same thing. Juneteenth reminds us that freedom delayed is freedom denied — and freedom enforced changes lives.To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:SHEFFIELD BACKS BENSON IN MICHIGAN GOVERNOR'S RACE Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Plowshares and Power with Gary Anderson and Cándido Tirado
3w ago01:23:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed director and the founder of Plowshares Theatre Gary Anderson plus playwright Cándido Tirado to discuss the world premiere of “Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within,” an original play written by Tirado.“Roberto Clemente: A Diamond Within” dramatizes the life of baseball great Roberto Clemente, one of the few Latin athletes who recognized his African ancestry. From his origins in Puerto Rico to his lengthy professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Clemente advocated for the civil rights of Black and Latino individuals both in and outside of baseball.They also took some time to discuss data centers and their potential impact on the community following Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s controversial appearance at OpenAI’s data center groundbreaking in Saline and a proposed data center on Detroit’s east side.To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:WOMEN ARE DYING AT MICHIGAN’S ONLY FEMALE PRISON, AND LAWMAKERS ARE DEMANDING CHANGES Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Rooted Wonder & Duggan’s Dirt with Kamaria Gray
4w ago01:12:55Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed the latest member of the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, Kamaria Gray, to discuss her newly released podcast “Roots & Wonder.” Roots & Wonder Podcast is a storytime space where little ones are invited to slow down, listen closely, and remember.Each episode retells beloved African folktales carried across generations through voice, rhythm, and imagination.They also took some time to break down what’s happening with the contaminated demolition dirt in the city, which some believe led to the conclusion of Mike Duggan’s Gubenatorial campaign. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:MONEY OUT OF POLITICS BALLOT INITIATIVE TURNS IN 561K SIGNATURES Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Divining Freedom with Sarah Johnson and JerJuan Howard
May 1300:58:21Tap to summarizeIn this special live episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the producer of Authentically Detroit, Sarah Johnson and Jerjuan Howard, the owner of the newly opened Howard Family Bookstore for a powerful evening rooted in storytelling, reflection, and community.The discussion surrounded the creation of Divining Freedom, a novel written by Donna. This multigenerational story explores the legacy of the Great Migration, the building of Black institutions, and the women who carry communities forward when systems failed them.They also spoke with JerJuan about his writing journey, and what it means to create and share Black literature within Black-owned spaces. The conversation serves as a reminder that storytelling is not only an art form, but a way of preserving memory, challenging systems, and imagining new possibilities for our communitiesTo purchase copies of Divining Freedom, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
May 801:13:36Tap to summarizeIn this special live episode, Donna and Orlando reunite for a book talk at the Charles H. Wright Museum in collaboration with Next Chapter Books. This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, author of The Black Utopians, and Michelle Adams, author of The Containment. Together, they explored the enduring relevance of Black Utopia, freedom, and justice in a timely conversation about history, place, and the futures we imagine.To purchase copies of The Black Utopians and/or The Containment, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson
May 501:25:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam welcomed Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Empowerment Plan, Veronika Scott, plus Chief Executive Officer of COTS Detroit, Cheryl P. Johnson, to discuss their 16-year partnership - centering a shared mission of providing emergency help for people experiencing homelessness and providing pathways out of generational poverty.The Coalition On Temporary Shelter’s (COTS) dedication to the needs of homeless men, women, and children grew out of a meeting in 1981 between a group of church leaders and human service providers in downtown Detroit. Officially formed in 1982, they have a mission to address Detroit’s homelessness crisis by providing shelter and essential services that help participants achieve self-sufficiency.On March 17th, Empowerment Plan - a Detroit-based, workforce development organization that produces sleeping bag coats for people experiencing homelessness - distributed its milestone 100,000th coat to COTS Detroit, its longest-running partner. Started by Veronika Scott in 2015, The Empowerment Plan creates significant economic impact by serving as a stepping stone out of poverty into a state of stability. The core of their work stems from an intensive 2-year employment model focused on providing job readiness training and support services to their workforce. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. THIS WEEK IN THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE:SUPREME COURT GUTTING OF VOTING RIGHTS ACT STRIPS BLACK POLITICAL POWER, EXPERTS SAYBERNIE SANDERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN DETROIT AS PROGRESSIVES PICK BETWEEN EL-SAYED, MCMORROWSupport the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Have You Heard? Who’s Joining the Podcast Network with Arlyssa Heard and Kevin Ashwood
Apr 2801:13:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam introduce the latest segment on Authentically Detroit, What’s Happening at ECN featuring Outreach Manager for the Housing & Economic Department at Eastside Community Network, Kevin Ashwood.Kevin leads resident engagement, community outreach, and program education efforts centered on housing stability, wealth building, and neighborhood empowerment across Detroit’s Eastside.They also introduce the latest addition to the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network, 482Forward Education Organizer, Arlyssa Heard. Arlyssa is taking 482Forward’s mission and turning it into a podcast! Have You Heard? Is a podcast dedicated to addressing school reform from all angles. Whether it be students, teachers, parents, or administrators - Arlyssa wants to talk to them all and get to the bottom of one question - how can we produce better outcomes for our students?To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here. Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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2026 Michigan Democratic Party Convention Recap
Apr 2200:57:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Donna and Sam recap some of the top headlines from the weekend’s Michigan Democratic Party Convention! Many celebrated over the weekend as Michigan progressives scored key victories. Michigan Democrats say they are closer together ahead of the midterm elections, despite the existing divisions within the party over foreign wars and corporate power.Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Washtenaw County prosecutor Eli Savit secured nominations for Secretary of State and Attorney General at the endorsement convention.However, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Jordan Acker were booed by party delegates on Sunday. The outbursts illustrated the major divide between Democrats as leaders attempt to unite ahead of the 2026 midterms. Acker was ultimately ousted by civil rights attorney Amir Makled as nominee for the University of Michigan Board of Regents while Stevens will face Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed in the Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate Primary in August. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here.Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!
Apr 2201:03:38Tap to summarizeThe Authentically Detroit Podcast Network Presents... Amplify Outside!Welcome to the Amplify Outside podcast, a show with a mission of amplifying nuanced approaches to Intersectional Environmentalism centered in no other than Detroit, Michigan. For our first episode we meet host Ian John Solomon and speak with the City of Detroit’s Director of Sustainability Tepfirah Rushdan about what makes Detroit green.Follow along on Socials @AmplifyOutside!Support the showFollow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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