5/9/21: American Black Journal – Keith Ellison on Chauvin Sentencing / Vickie Thomas Retirement
On the next American Black Journal, Minnesota...
5/2/21: American Black Journal – Police reform and racial justice/Small business workshop
A powerful and thought-provoking conversation...
4/25/21: American Black Journal – The Black Church in the Community
We’ll continue our yearlong series on The Black Church in Detroit with a look at how the church ministers beyond the walls of the building.
4/18/21: American Black Journal – Shaun Robinson / Skilled Trades Training Center / Alexis Lombre
Emmy Award-winning journalist and Detroit native Shaun Robinson talks with Stephen about her new role as Executive Producer for two original movies on the Lifetime Network.
4/11/21: American Black Journal – Voter Suppression / Metro-Detroit Black Business Alliance
Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony talks with Stephen about the controversial new Georgia law that makes sweeping changes to the voting process.
4/4/21: American Black Journal – COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program / Eyes on the Prize
Detroit Public TV’s WORLD Channel is rebroadcasting the iconic 1987 civil rights history series, “Eyes on the Prize.”
3/28/21: American Black Journal – Women in the Black Church
American Black Journal continues their yearlong series on The Black Church in Detroit with an up-close look at the role of women in the Black Church.
3/21/21: American Black Journal – Conviction Integrity Unit / Tuskegee Airmen
Since 2018, the Conviction Integrity Unit at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has investigated innocence claims and new evidence that has led to the exoneration of 28 individuals wrongfully convicted of crimes.
3/14/21: American Black Journal – Children & Pandemic / Heidelberg Project
Stephen talks with the CEO and the Chief Clinical Officer of The Children’s Center about the mental health issues and trauma being experienced by kids.
3/7/21: American Black Journal – Ford & DAPCEP / Asbury Park
Ford Motor Company is making a huge investment in the engineers of tomorrow by donating $250,000 to DAPCEP.
2/28/21: American Black Journal – American Heart Month / Scarab Club
February is American Heart Month, and we’ll talk about the importance of leading a heart healthy lifestyle all year long.
2/21/21: American Black Journal – WGPR as a National Historic Landmark / Sphinx Finals Concert
This week we’ll look at the legacy of the country’s first African American-owned and operated television station, Detroit’s WGPR-TV62, and remember Karen Hudson Samuels. Plus, Andre Dowell talks with Stephen about the virtual event, the contestants and the group’s support of Black and Brown classical string players.
2/14/21: American Black Journal – The Black Church Film and The Black Church in Detroit
American Black Journal begins a yearlong celebration and examination of the historic influence of the Black Church in the life of our city.
2/7/21: American Black Journal – Detroit Teachers / A Generation Found
Detroit Federation of Teachers President Terrence Martin joins Stephen to talk about the current state of education and virtual learning during the pandemic.
1/31/21: American Black Journal – New Year Roundtable
Public relations and political consultants Karen Dumas and Greg Bowens join 910 AM Superstation hosts Brandon Brice and Kerry Leon Jackson to offer their perspectives on major headlines of the new year.
1/24/21: American Black Journal – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver / Judge Leonia Lloyd
Former Flint Mayor Karen Weaver talks candidly with Stephen about the criminal charges brought against former Governor Rick Snyder and eight others in the Flint water crisis
1/17/21: American Black Journal – Rep. Brenda Lawrence / Dream Corps
Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence gives her firsthand account of the frightening attack at the U.S. Capitol to ABJ contributor Orlando Bailey of BridgeDetroit.
1/10/21: American Black Journal – Mark S. Lee / Dr. Antoine Garibaldi / Marygrove
Stephen talks with business marketing consultant Mark S. Lee of The LEE Group about the economic outlook for 2021.
1/3/21: American Black Journal – Benny Napoleon / Marlowe Stoudamire / Hill Harper / CCH Pounder
On the next American Black Journal, we take a look back at the stories and guests of 2020.
12/27/20: American Black Journal – PontiaConnect / Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion / Detroit Youth Choir
Pontiac Mayor Deirdre Waterman talks with Stephen about a new app named “PontiaConnect,” which is keeping residents engaged and informed about the COVID-19 pandemic.
12/20/20: American Black Journal – Joan Belgrave / Detroit Jazz City
Stephen Henderson talks with NBA legend and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about his new autobiography, “Attacking the Rim,” which chronicles his multifaceted careers.
12/13/20: American Black Journal – COVID-19 Vaccines / Dave Bing
Stephen Henderson talks with NBA legend and former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing about his new autobiography, “Attacking the Rim,” which chronicles his multifaceted careers.
12/6/20: American Black Journal – AARP Michigan / Highways & Racism / Alex Way
The head of AARP Michigan, Paula Cunningham, talks with Stephen about the creation of a 4-year health and wealth policy agenda focusing on African American women ages 50 and older.
11/29/20: American Black Journal – i.Detroit: A Human Atlas of an American City / Author Roxane Gay
British artist Marcus Lyon talks with Stephen about his newest Human Atlas interactive project, “i.Detroit: A Human Atlas of an American City.” Plus, Stephen talks with best-selling author Roxane Gay at this year’s Contemporary American Authors Lecture Series presented by the Marygrove Conservancy.
11/22/20: American Black Journal – Lt Gov Garlin Gilchrist / Avenue of Fashion
Contributor Orlando Bailey of BridgeDetroit has an in-depth conversation with Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist about COVID-19’s impact on the state.
8/16/20: American Black Journal – Racism as Public Health Crisis / Equity in the Arts
Stephen talks with Nate Wallace from Knight Foundation’s Detroit office about an op-ed he wrote indicating the need for Black Detroiters to have more access to the arts.
11/8/20: American Black Journal – Rev. Al Sharpton & Rev. Horace Sheffield III
Stephen Henderson has a candid conversation about the 2020 election with civil rights activists Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Horace Sheffield III.
11/1/20: American Black Journal – Voting Matters / Posters on Politics / Wayne State University
Detroit artist Donna Jackson talks about her new, international collection of more than 200 posters with a political theme on exhibit at the Marygrove Gallery of Art.
10/25/20: American Black Journal – 2020 Election Roundtable
On the next American Black Journal, we convene our special roundtable guests for a frank conversation about the upcoming election.
10/18/20: American Black Journal – NAACP Get Out the Vote / Daniel Bernard Roumain
Stephen Henderson sits down with Detroit NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony to talk about the organization’s efforts to get out the vote for the November 3rd election.
10/11/20: American Black Journal – Detroit Police Chief James Craig
Stephen Henderson goes one-on-one with Detroit Police Chief James Craig for a candid conversation about policing in Detroit.
10/4/20: American Black Journal – Black Lives Matter: Police-Community Relationships
In the ongoing series, “Do Black Lives Matter in America?,” we take a closer look at the relationship between Detroit police and the community, especially in light of the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests.
9/27/20: American Black Journal – Black Lives Matter: Is the Media Getting It Right?
In the ongoing series, “Do Black Lives Matter in America?,” we have frank conversations about the way the news media has covered the Black Lives Matter protests, and we take a look at diversity in the nation’s newsrooms.
9/20/20: American Black Journal – Black Lives Matter: The Movement and the Message
ABJ is launching a 3-part series of shows produced in collaboration with the innovative, community-based news organization, BridgeDetroit, and focusing on the question: “Do Black Lives Matter in America?”
9/13/20: American Black Journal – National Suicide Prevention Month / Detroit Phoenix Center / Detroit Jazz City
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Stephen talks with the founder of a non-profit that has launched a campaign to reduce the rising rates of suicide among young Black boys ages 5-12.
9/6/20: American Black Journal – Presidential Campaigns / Police Shootings / Chadwick Boseman
On the next American Black Journal, our roundtable of communications consultants, political strategists and radio personalities take on the topics that everyone is talking about in the African American community.
8/30/20: American Black Journal – Dying Before Their Time / Sundown Towns
Stephen talks with DAAA President & CEO Ronald Taylor about the report’s findings and ways to reduce the numbers.
8/23/20: American Black Journal – Detroit Jazz Festival / Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
Stephen gets all of the details on the new virtual format for this year’s 41st Annual Detroit Jazz Festival.
8/9/20: American Black Journal – Policing, the Community & Schools / Detroit Trinity International Film Festival
Stephen talks with Sherry McRill of Northeast Integrated Health about a program that sends social and behavioral health experts on calls with police to help provide needed services to the community.
8/2/20: American Black Journal – Wayne State University / Disability Network / Plowshares Theatre Company
Wayne State University President M. Roy Wilson talks with Stephen about the many changes coming to the campus this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7/26/20: American Black Journal – COVID313 Community Coalition / Diversity in Hiring / Remembering C.T. Vivian and John Lewis
Stephen has a candid conversation with Rock Ventures about what steps the company is taking to increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
7/19/20: American Black Journal – War on Racism / Arise! Detroit / Dell Pryor
Stephen talks with Michael Rafferty, the CEO of New Detroit; plus, the annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day is still on this summer and Dell Pryor talks about her collaboration with the Detroit Artists Market.
7/5/20: American Black Journal – COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health / Racial Disparities During the Pandemic / Music by Anita Dumar
Stephen talks with the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the head of DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations), about his personal battle with COVID-19 and the impact of the virus on Detroiters.
6/28/20: American Black Journal – Dr. Nikolai Vitti / Satori Shakoor / Sphinx Org
Stephen Henderson talks with Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti about the changes being put in place to keep students, teachers and staff safe. Master storyteller Satori Shakoor talks about the life-changing stories and messages coming out of the pandemic and George Floyd protests.
6/21/20: American Black Journal – Roundtable On George Floyd Protests, Police Brutality & Systemic Racism
We’ve assembled a special roundtable of guests for a candid conversation about the protests that have erupted around the world after the death of George Floyd.
6/7/20: American Black Journal – Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony / Small Business Workshop
Stephen has a frank conversation with Detroit NAACP President, Rev. Wendell Anthony, about the murder of George Floyd while in police custody and the protests across the country.
5/31/20: American Black Journal – Warren Evans / Mental health toll on African Americans
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans talks with Stephen about COVID-19, its impact on the county, and how it is disrupting the 2020 Census count.
5/17/20: American Black Journal – COVID-19 Racial disparities / Songs inspired by the pandemic
Singer-songwriter Mark Scott of The Miracles talks about the new song he wrote and produced that’s inspired by the pandemic.
5/10/20: American Black Journal – Pandemic impact on food industry / Music venues / Vincent Chandler Collective
Stephen speaks with Ma Haru Executive Chef Phil Jones about COVID-19’s impact on the restaurant industry. Plus, Shahida Mausi talks about how independent music venues and promoters across the country are banding together.
5/3/20: American Black Journal – Dr. Wendell Anthony / Protecting Homeless / Detroit Jazz Festival
Detroit NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony talks with Stephen about COVID-19’s impact on Detroiters and the unprecedented initiative that will provide laptops and Internet access for Detroit students.
4/19/20: American Black Journal – Rev. Horace Sheffield III / Charles Ballard / Nova Zaii
Stephen talks with the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the head of DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations), about his personal battle with COVID-19 and the impact of the virus on Detroiters.
4/12/20: American Black Journal – Tonya Allen / Solomon Kinloch / Virtual Gender Reveal
Stephen talks with Tonya Allen, president & CEO of The Skillman Foundation, about distance learning for students and the educational resources that local non-profits are providing.
4/5/20: American Black Journal – Race, Health and the Pandemic / Shannon Cason
Stephen has a frank conversation about the connection between race, health and the COVID-19 pandemic. How are health disparities in urban cities like Detroit, New Orleans and Chicago contributing to the spread of the coronavirus?
3/29/20: American Black Journal – Small Business / Detroit neighborhoods / Remembering Marlowe Stoudamire
Stephen has a frank conversation with Pastor Barry Randolph of Detroit’s Church of the Messiah on how the outbreak is impacting residents in city neighborhoods.
3/22/20: American Black Journal – River Rouge School District / Roundtable
We learn how the River Rouge school district is providing students with food and learning materials while schools are shut down in wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
3/15/20: American Black Journal – The World of Work / Women Authors / Susan Watson
University of Michigan professor Alford Young, Jr. talks about his groundbreaking book on low-income African Americans living in Ypsilanti and their views on navigating a world of work that focuses on technology.
3/8/20: American Black Journal – Black Economic Agenda Summit / Activate Fund
The National Business League (NBL), founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900, is hosting The Black Economic Agenda Summit in Detroit this month. Stephen talks with NBL leadership about the event and economic strategies to empower the Black community.
3/1/20: American Black Journal – CCH Pounder / Heart Disease in African-American women
Veteran actress CCH Pounder sits down with reporter Will Glover to talk about her private art collection titled “Queen,” which is on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.
2/16/20: American Black Journal – The American Rhapsody
We have the Detroit premiere of Sphinx founder Aaron Dworkin’s groundbreaking performance that combines an original spoken word narrative with the music of Afro-British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
2/9/20: American Black Journal – Hill Harper / Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
Stephen talks with actor and philanthropist Hill Harper about his decision to invest in Detroit by purchasing an historic home and a business in the city.
2/2/20: American Black Journal – ACE Petroleum / Urban Alliance-Detroit
Stephen talks with the African-American businessman who made history by signing a multi-million dollar contract with the City of Detroit to provide fuel for the city’s fleet of vehicles. And, a national non-profit organization is putting young people to work and helping them learn how to become self-sufficient.
1/26/20: American Black Journal – Detroit Future City / 2020 Business Outlook / Women & STEM Careers
The nonprofit Detroit Future City opens a new center that will use extensive research, data and stakeholder engagement to promote economic equity in Detroit. Plus, we’ll have advice for business owners on how to navigate the challenges and opportunities of 2020.
1/19/20: American Black Journal – Sphinx competition / Cass Tech Harp & Vocal program
On the next American Black Journal, we’ll take a look at the power of diversity and inclusion in the arts with The Sphinx Organization. Also, we’ll talk about the 23rd annual Sphinx competition for young classical musicians of color, and have an in-studio performance by a talented cellist.
1/12/20: American Black Journal – The BAR / Encourage Me I’m Young
January is National Mentoring Month and Stephen talks with two organizations that are helping young African Americans develop into future leaders.
1/5/20: American Black Journal – The Best of 2019
Stephen takes a look back at some of the notable interviews and topics on the program during 2019.
12/29/19: American Black Journal – ABJ Roundtable
Our special roundtable guests take on some of the stories in 2019 that had a significant impact on African Americans. We’ll talk about President Trump’s impeachment, the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements, and the digital divide.
12/22/19: American Black Journal – Wrongfully Convicted / Neighborhood Defender Service
Danny Burton spent 32 years in prison on a wrongful murder conviction before being released. Stephen talks with Danny and a member of his legal team about what led to his conviction being overturned.
12/15/19: American Black Journal – Preserving Black Spaces / Shrine of the Black Madonna
Stephen talks with marketing specialist Eric Thomas about his recent Detroit Free Press guest column on the need to preserve Black spaces in Detroit as the city continues to go through a major transformation. Plus, we’ll get an advance look at the redevelopment plans for Detroit’s historic Shrine of the Black Madonna Bookstore & Cultural Center.
12/8/19: American Black Journal – Detroit Youth Choir / DAPCEP
Stephen talks with Detroit Youth Choir Manager LaVell Nero, Theater Coach Kyle Sammy, and DYC member Imari Carl about the group’s sudden rise to fame as runners up on “America’s Got Talent.” We’ll hear what’s next for the choir. Plus, we’ll learn what’s new for students enrolled in the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program — or DAPCEP — as they explore the STEM careers of the future.
12/1/19: American Black Journal – “My Girl” 55th Anniversary / Detroit Restaurant Business
The song that first put Motown’s Temptations at the top of the charts turns 55 years old. Two of the original group members’ children and the founder of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame are here to talk about the anniversary celebration for “My Girl.”
11/24/19: American Black Journal – Detroit Reinvestment Index / Detroit Area Agency on Aging
The non-profit organization Detroit Future City releases its 2019 Detroit Reinvestment Index, showing how national business leaders, Detroiters and suburbanites perceive the city. DFC Executive Director Anika Goss talks about the findings.
11/17/19: American Black Journal – Arise Detroit / SBA Emerging Leaders Initiative
On the next American Black Journal, the non-profit organization ARISE Detroit! releases the results of its first annual State of the Neighborhoods survey. Executive Director Luther Keith talks about what Detroit residents think of their neighborhoods.
11/10/19: American Black Journal – Detroit Tourism Industry / Education in Michigan
Stephen is at the Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Summit. He talks with Larry Alexander, CEO of the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, about the impact of Detroit’s comeback on the city’s tourism industry. Plus, Amber Arellano.
11/3/19: American Black Journal – Remembering John Conyers / I.M.A.G.I.N.E. Mentoring
Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony talks with Stephen about the legacy of the late John Conyers, who made history as the longest serving African American member of Congress.
10/20/19: American Black Journal – MDOT / High Demand Occupations
Stephen talks with Paul Ajegba, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation, about the condition of state roads, transportation funding, his first year in the position, and the MDOT jobs outlook. Plus, we’ll continue our conversation about workforce development by taking a closer look at some of the in demand careers over the next seven years.
10/13/19: American Black Journal – Livernois Avenue Construction / Cliff Russell Tribute Dinner
Small business owners on Livernois Avenue in Detroit have been struggling to keep their doors open as they wait out a major streetscape construction project. Stephen talks with two business owners and City of Detroit executive Arthur Jemison about the impact and what the city is doing to assist the businesses. Plus, the late journalist and former Detroit Black Journal host Cliff Russell is being honored at a tribute dinner given by the Black Historic Sites Committee of the Detroit Historical Society. We’ll hear from Cliff’s family members and the hosts of the event.
Workforce Development Roadshow: Putting Metro Detroit to Work
In a new Workforce Development Roadshow filmed September 9 at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, “One Detroit” and “American Black Journal” went on the road to discuss workforce issues.
