This week, Donna and Orlando took an opportunity to catch up with each other on current events local and nationwide!

Detroit's current political landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the mayoral race heats up, with key candidates vying for the position amid pressing social issues and community needs.

This discussion highlights the desire for compassionate leadership and deeper engagement with residents. They also tackle critical topics like immigration policies and how they affect us locally as well as public health concerns around the closure of Lafayette Coney Island.

If you have topics you want discussed on Authentically Detroit, click here!

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Authentically Detroit presents a special interview with Detroit-born director and writer, Lawrence Lamont!

Lawrence Lamont got his start shooting music videos for Grammy-Nominated Artist, Big Sean. Previously Lawrence directed multiple episodes of HBOMax's Rap Sh!t Season 1 and 2, produced by HOORAE Productions. He also completed a pilot for HBOMax and shot the Detroit Pistons branding campaign for the 2022-2023 season.

“One Of Them Days,” starring Keke Palmer and SZA, serves as his feature directorial debut. The film follows best friends and roommates Druex (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) after they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

To watch the trailer for “One Of Them Days,” click here.

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This week, Donna was joined by guest host Dwan Dandridge and Marc Alexander, the founder of Lite Tuition. Together, they discuss the transformative potential of economic solidarity and the strategic navigation of social circles to overcome systemic obstacles.

Marc’s story is a testament to the collaborative spirit that can drive significant social change. In 2009, Marc Alexander was a senior at Kettering University struggling to finance his next semester of school. When word of his struggles to secure a student loan reached his local paper, he was blessed to receive an anonymous check in the mail to cover the rest of his education. The check came with one message, "Pay it forward," and Marc set out to do exactly that.

In his mission to support other students struggling to finance their education, Marc created the company Lite Tuition, a social tech company that empowers students to increase their fundraising potential through a custom built crowdfunding platform. Light Tuition is a beacon of hope for those burdened by financial struggles due to student loans debt.

For more information on Marc Alexander and Lite Tuition, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

WAYNE COUNTY PARKS DIRECTOR, HUSBAND FACE GUN CHARGES AFTER DISPUTE OVER 10-CENT CAN DEPOSIT

HOW DETROIT WANTS TO SPEND $346 MILLION IN FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY AID

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Sarah Alvarez, the founder and editor-at-large of Outlier Media, to discuss their groundbreaking SMS System.

Sarah Alvarez, the visionary force behind Outlier Media, believes the best local reporting is a service that responds directly to community needs and reduces harm. In 2016, Outlier Media began as a “Txt Outlier” a texting service delivering critical information to Detroiters and allowing people to connect directly with a reporter.

As of today, this enhanced service allows their newsroom to better serve Detroiters, connecting them to information and resources they need in areas including housing, utilities, income support, employment, food and transportation.

Detroiters can text in at any time to get immediate, automated info, look up property details or get individual help. By texting “reporter” they can connect with an Outlier journalist, who may follow up with a phone conversation. The new system is more intuitive for users and improves internal workflows and communication.

For more information on Outlier Media and TXT Outlier, click here.

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT LIONS CLINCH NUMBER ONE SEED AND WIN NFC NORTH AFTER BEATING MINNESOTA VIKINGS

INTERNAL DIVISIONS DOOM MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS IN THEIR FINAL DAYS OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL

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This week, Donna and guest host Chase Cantrell sat down with the founders of Detroit Mulch, Brooke & Casey Oberg plus multi-talented artist, Megan Kashat.

Brooke and Casey started Detroit Mulch with the mission of recycling trees as sustainably and efficiently as possible, while creating local jobs in the process! Together, they’re transforming Detroit’s landscape in an innovative and eco-friendly way. To learn more about Detroit Mulch, click here!

Megan Kashat is a multifaceted Arab American artist based in Detroit. Her artistic journey fuses music, dance, and painting to express her Detroit roots on the global stage. Megan's artistic journey has been marked by significant achievements, including features in renowned publications like Billboard Magazine and Rolling Stone. To learn more about Megan and her artistic journey, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

MICHIGAN LAME-DUCK LEGISLATURE: HOUSE DEMOCRATS REVOLT AGAINST SPEAKER TATE

DETROIT MAYORAL CANDIDATE WOULD PUSH ENTERTAINMENT TAX TO OFFSET PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

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This week, Donna and Orlando held the final book club meeting of 2024 with celebrated poet, author, and cultural arts curator, jessica Care moore to discuss her impactful work, “We Want Our Bodies Back.”

An award-winning poet, recording artist, book publisher, activist, cultural arts curator, and filmmaker, jessica is executive producer and founder of Black WOMEN Rock! - Daughters of Betty, a 20-year-old rock & roll institution, concert and empowerment weekend, and she is the founder of the literacy driven 501c3, The Moore Art House. Her nonprofit organization in Detroit dedicated to elevating literacy through the arts in neighborhoods and schools.

Jessica's publishing house, Moore Black Press, has published poets including Saul Williams, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, asha bandele, and Danny Simmons, and in 2024 is preparing to publish their first poetry and spoken word audiobooks through an imprint deal with HarperCollins.

To learn more about jessica Care moore, click here!

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This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with the Founder of Be Well Beautiful People Demarra West to talk about her story of overcoming trauma and building a supportive community for those who need it most!

Be Well Beautiful People is a 501c3 organization with a deep-seated commitment to bridging significant gaps in accessible healing and liberation support while disrupting systems that cause harm. The organization was founded by Demarra West, a seasoned entrepreneur, therapist, and wellness professional with more than two decades of experience.

Be Well Beautiful People envisions a world where all of us are well, no matter where we came from, or where we started in life.

They believe the only way to make that vision a reality is by ensuring those most affected by trauma including BIPOC, LGBTQI+, the low income, and those impacted by incarceration and foster care, have access to wellness solutions that are actually proven to help them rise in every area of their lives.

To learn more about Be Well Beautiful People, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

DETROIT REPARATIONS TASKFORCE DISAVOWS LEADER'S ROGUE POLICY REPORT

DUGGAN WON'T SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2025, SETTING UP A MAYORAL FREE-FOR-ALL

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This week, Orlando sat down with the Executive Director of SHARE Detroit, Janette Phillips and the Executive Director of Black Artists Archive, Dr. Kelli Morgan to discuss innovative strategies for nonprofit fundraising and fostering a nurturing environment where Black artists can thrive.

The mission at Black Artists Archive is to dismantle conventional art history by highlighting the experiences and contributions of Black artists, with a dedicated focus on Detroit artists. They aim to connect communities to these narratives, creating a space where history, culture, and creativity intersect.

Curator, educator, and activist in the cultural sector, Dr. Kelli Morgan is widely known as a leader in progressive museum practice whose work develops and advances anti-racist approaches to art curation, fundraising, and community engagement.

To learn more about Black Artists Archive and their work, click here!

FOR HOT TAKES:

MORALE IS HORRIBLE: STELLANTIS FACTORY LAYOFFS THIS FALL NEAR 4,000

WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY? THE ANNUAL DAY OF CHARITABLE GIVING IS COMING UP

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