Authentically Detroit

Mar 12 2025 243 ep. 70 mins 17

Authentically Detroit Podcast artwork

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 Orlando P. Bailey.

Produced by Sarah Johnson and Engineered by Griffin Hutchings.

Check us out on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @AuthenticallyDetroit!

Society & Culture News Government

Copy RSS

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Candidate Series: Vision for Detroit - From Pulpit to Politics with Solomon Kinloch

Mar 12 2025 60 mins

This episode marks the first in a series of interviews with candidates in the race for Detroit’s 76th mayor. First up, Donna and Orlando sit down with Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. to discuss his vision for Detroit’s future. Rev. Solomon Kinloch, Jr., was born to the late Solomon, Sr. and Janie Kinloch on July 28, 1973.He has been a minister since the age of 14, beginning under the

Redefining Travel Through a Detroit Lens with Imani Elie, Ebony Walls, and Anne Marie Veneroni

Mar 11 2025 47 mins

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Ebony Walls and Anne Marie Veneroni of Big Brothers Big Sisters to discuss their upcoming annual event and Imani Elie, the founder of The Detroit Travel Company (DTC) to discuss how she’s revolutionizing the way people think about travel. The Detroit Travel Company was created in December 2016 by Detroit native and Navy veteran, Imani El

Youth Art and Black History: Bridging Past and Present with Kenneth Russell and Ian Grant

Mar 04 2025 59 mins

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Vaulted Youth Voices participant, Kenneth Russell and the curator for Umoja Fine Arts to discuss the Youth Artist Workshop, an initiative dedicated to celebrating African American creativity. Kenneth Russell is a young artist and sophomore at Southeastern High School who has been learning to combine his artistic background with civic engag

Detroit's Democratic Dynamics: A Deep Dive with Sam Robinson

Feb 25 2025 53 mins

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with Sam Robinson, independent journalist and founder of Detroit one million, to discuss Michigan’s Democratic Convention plus the Mayoral and City Council races! The trio discussed Sam’s insights about the convention and the implications for Detroit’s residents and leadership. Together, they explore the future of Detroit’s governance a

Fractional Crypto Ownership of Detroit Homes and Transformative Black Entrepreneurship with Aaron Mondry and Racheal Allen

Feb 11 2025 58 mins

This week, Donna and Orlando sat down with journalist Aaron Mondry and the President and CEO of The Operations School or “OSchool,” Racheal Allen. Launched in 2019 by serial entrepreneur and nonprofit executive Racheal Allen, OSchool serves more than 1,200 students per year free of charge, helping them get their businesses legal, branded, operational, noticed, profitable, and r

Facing the Future in Detroit: Power, Politics, and Faith with Donna and Orlando

Jan 29 2025 52 mins

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

One Of Them Days: Lawrence Lamont’s Journey from Detroit to Hollywood

Jan 16 2025 16 mins

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 bran

From Debt to Innovation in Education with Marc Alexander and Guest Host Dwan Dandridge

Jan 14 2025 53 mins

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

Empowering Voices Through Innovative News Platforms with Sarah Alvarez

Jan 07 2025 82 mins

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 servic

From Trees to Art: Detroit's Creative Renaissance with Brooke & Casey Oberg and Megan Kashat

Dec 18 2024 74 mins

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 inn