Authentically Detroit

Donna & Sam

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!

  1. Divining Freedom with Sarah Johnson and JerJuan Howard

    MAY 13

    Divining Freedom with Sarah Johnson and JerJuan Howard

    In 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 communities To purchase copies of Divining Freedom, click here. Support the show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    58 min
  2. Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams

    MAY 8

    Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams

    In 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 show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 14m
  3. Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson

    MAY 5

    Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson

    In 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 SAY BERNIE SANDERS DRAWS HUNDREDS IN DETROIT AS PROGRESSIVES PICK BETWEEN EL-SAYED, MCMORROW Support the show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 26m
  4. Have You Heard? Who’s Joining the Podcast Network with Arlyssa Heard and Kevin Ashwood

    APR 28

    Have You Heard? Who’s Joining the Podcast Network with Arlyssa Heard and Kevin Ashwood

    In 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 show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 14m
  5. 2026 Michigan Democratic Party Convention Recap

    APR 22

    2026 Michigan Democratic Party Convention Recap

    In 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 show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    58 min
  6. Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!

    APR 22

    Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!

    The 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 show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 4m
  7. Poverty and Prosperity by the Numbers with Kim Trent

    APR 7

    Poverty and Prosperity by the Numbers with Kim Trent

    In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome the Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to discuss her work guiding and building support for efforts to boost the economic security of Michigan citizens.  As Deputy Director for Prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, (LEO), Kim Trent is charged with guiding and building support for efforts to boost the economic security of Michigan citizens through policy, strategic initiatives, programs and partnerships. Her leadership duties at LEO include serving as the key staffer to the Michigan Poverty Task Force. She leads the department’s prosperity division, which includes the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, Office of Global Michigan, Michigan Women’s Commission,  Michigan Community Service Commission, MI-STEM Council, and Black Leadership Advisory Council. She also serves as LEO’s Equity and Inclusion Officer.   A native Detroiter with Michigan roots that stretch back to the 1830s, Trent holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State University. She also completed graduate studies at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. She has completed fellowships with the American Political Science Association in Washington D.C. and the Michigan Political Leadership Program at Michigan State University and is a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber's Leadership Detroit program. To stay up to date on all things Authentically Detroit, click here.  DETROIT BY THE NUMBERS WITH ALEX B. HILL: 2,000 Tree plantings planned by City of Detroit this spring (GSD) 25 ICE arrests in the last week of March that local groups have responded to, if that is a weekly standard that is close to 100 Detroiters a month (Peoples Assembly Detroit) $3 billion Balanced budget proposal presented by Mayor Sheffield 65% Detroit landlords have a Detroit address (not sure if that is just the LLC though?) 93% own 1 or 2 properties, 62% are not associated with bad actor or speculator behavior Support the show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 44m
  8. Building Just Communities with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley

    MAR 31

    Building Just Communities with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley

    In this episode, Donna and Sam welcome Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities to discuss their work eradicating racism, discrimination, and systemic inequities.  Rooted in the profound legacy of his mama, Ava Jo—whose love, humor, and grit shaped him long before any degree—Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur carries her spirit in everything he does. Today, as the first Black and formerly incarcerated Executive Director of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities, Dr. Shakur brings that lived wisdom into building Just and Beloved Communities across Michigan.  Joe Drew-Hundley is the Deputy Director of the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities (MRJC). Joe’s relationship with MRJC began as a member of the Board of Directors, where he helped guide governance and strategy. Now, stepping into the Deputy Director role, he is focused on strengthening community partnerships, advancing MRJC’s values, and supporting Dr. Shakur and the team in building just and beloved communities across Michigan. For more information on the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities and their work, click here.  WHAT WE’RE READING FROM THE MI CHRONICLE: DETROIT COUNCIL MEMBER: DATA CENTERS COULD GROW CITY'S GENERAL FUND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER JOE TATE WON'T SEEK REELECTION Support the show Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

    1h 1m
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4.9
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Donna & Sam
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    322
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Authentically Detroit
  • Show Website
    Authentically Detroit

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