Riverwise Podcast Detroit is Different

Marcus Kelly is a man on a true mission. As the Founder of Change Up, an organization led by the formerly incarcerated, his goal is to end the big business and dehumanizing policies of the prison industry. A victim of wrongful conviction Marcus spent nearly 10 years in prison. While incarcerated, he used his voice to fight for the civil rights of prisoners. This passion for standing up for what is right has remained strong since his release and he remains rooted in his vision to build systems that are based on true justice, shared humanity and compassion. We speak with him about his journey, what the fight to ending the exception for prisoner slavery is about, and discuss why our language and practices around crime, punishment and redemption must change NOW.

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.

No City Administration has abused the modestly funded Detroit Public Library as the current administration has. They do it with contemptuous indifference to the consequences and aggressive harm when Library leadership does not accept their dictates. Now their faithful collaborator on City Council, Scott Benson, is pushing City Council to seek the City's full control of the Library system.

Criminal Fraud on Library Funds

By state law, the City of Detroit serves the fiduciary functions of the Detroit Public Library (DPL). Hence the City set up and controls bank accounts and issues checks as the Library requests them. In 2021 the Library Commission was told that two persons had created fraudulent paperwork to initiate wire transfers of over $600,000 from a DPL account or accounts to accounts that they controlled locally and in other states. The requests were apparently routed through Malaysia. Some requests were seen as suspect and not processed, but the culprit(s) got away with over $407,000.

The Library immediately contacted its General Counsel, the Dickinson Wright law firm, to handle the informational and legal issues stemming from these crimes. They were told that that two City employees in the Finance Department were responsible for the wire fraud. The City terminated their employment but has not sought prosecution of them, they were also told. Today the City says that "as far as they know," they were not City employees. The City shares no information with the Library about the investigation into their stolen funds. No explanation is given as to why prosecution(s) are not being pursued.

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.

Dr. Martin Reinhardt is an Anishinaabe Ojibway citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians from Michigan. He is a tenured professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University. He is the president of the Michigan Indian Education Council and the lead singer and songwriter for the band Waawiyeyaa (The Circle).

He joined the Riverwise Podcast to discuss Decolonizing Food and how to live healthy and grounded with an Indigenous diet. Indigenous diets refer to indigenous peoples' traditional foods and food systems, which have been shaped by their culture, history, and environment. Decolonizing food refers to undoing the harm caused by colonialism and restoring the autonomy and sovereignty of indigenous peoples over their food systems. This can include reclaiming traditional food practices, promoting the use of indigenous ingredients, and supporting local and sustainable food production. It also means acknowledging and respecting the knowledge and culture of Indigenous people.

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.

Detroiter Tawana Petty has spent years fighting for policies and practices that center justice in the realm of digital technology and data in the city. As a visionary poet and author, she advocates using our creative capacities to see beyond surveillance as we imagine real safety in our communities. Learn all about her work, get the real scoop on digital justice in Detroit, and learn about the upcoming Disco Tech & Skate party happening this Sunday, November 13th, at Alkebulan Village from 1 pm - 3 pm!

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media depicting local activism and the profound new work done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.

Founder of #DetroitOversight and President of the Grand River Community Block Club (GRCBC), Victoria Shah, joins Riverwise to discuss the importance of civic engagement and citizen empowerment in local government. Listen now to learn all about the Citizen Empowerment Workshop Victoria has created in conjunction with Riverwise, why she and her neighbors decided to form the GRCBC, and why it is so important for all of us to get engaged, vote, and hold our elected officials accountable.

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.

The Electrifyin’ Filthy Rockwell speaks with Riverwise’s managing editor, Megan Douglass, about his passion for music, art, and community. Nominated for a grammy for his production role in Kanye West’s “Mercy,” and mentored by greats such as George Clinton, J.Dilla, and Juan Atkins, Filthy’s goal is to both mentor younger musicians who come behind him as well as provide them a space where they can learn, create, and be supported. Listen and learn about his beautiful cultural preservation space in downtown Detroit, his activism around the city of Detroit, and a little about Death.

The Riverwise Podcast is bringing together Detroit citizens to consider new and forms of resistance to continuing economic and political marginalization in communities of color. For over three years now, the Riverwise collective has created media that depicts local activism and the profound new work being done in Detroit neighborhoods. Through the quarterly Riverwise magazine, Riverwise community conversations, and the Riverwise Writing Workshop, we're developing our collective voice.