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Category: ABJ Clips

Poet Nikki Giovanni discusses her literary works, outer space and a new documentary about her life

A new documentary, “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” details the extraordinary life and career of renowned poet Nikki Giovanni. Contributor Cecelia Sharpe sat down with Giovanni at the Wright Museum for a wide-ranging conversation about her life, career, literary works and future plans. Plus, Giovanni discusses the “Going to Mars” documentary and her fascination with outer space.

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New Neighborhood Vitality Index measures, shares data about how Detroit’s neighborhoods are doing

There’s a new online tool available for Detroit residents, community development groups, local government and others to access timely data about how the city’s neighborhoods are doing. It’s called the Neighborhood Vitality Index (NVI) and its goal is to create a well-coordinated, effective, and equitable system for community development work in Detroit neighborhoods. Host Stephen Henderson talks with with Jane Morgan, president of JFM Consulting Group and one of the architects of the index.

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Grow Detroit’s Young Talent jobs program kicks off 10th year of summer employment

The annual Grow Detroit’s Young Talent summer jobs program has returned for its 10th year. The program matches Detroit residents ages 14-24 with employers in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, IT, construction, entrepreneurship, and corporate work. Host Stephen Henderson speaks with three guests connected to the program about the job opportunities and career training provided.

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Eight-year-old Detroiter Rosie White goes viral for impersonations of Black icons, historical figures

Robyn McKee, or Rosie White as she’s known online, has gained national attention online for her video impressions of Black icons, capturing the attention of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg and Michelle Obama. One Detroit’s Daijah Moss talks with Rosie, 8, of Detroit and her family about the inspiration, challenges and moments they’ve shared along the way.

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New data released by EHproject shows Black women are at higher risk for heart disease

New data from the medical team at EHproject show African American women are at a greater risk for heart disease than their white counterparts. For American Heart Month, Henry Ford Health Cardiologist Dr. Brittany Fuller talks about the high rate of heart disease among Black women. Plus, she provides some helpful advice on what women can do to reduce their risk factors.

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Darius Twyman discusses Detroit’s major influence on traditional and contemporary gospel music

Aretha Franklin, The Winans, Mattie Moss-Clark and The Clark sisters. The list of gospel artists with roots in Detroit is long and continues to grow. Local gospel artist Darius Twyman talks with “Detroit Performs” host Satori Shakoor and BridgeDetroit journalist Orlando Bailey about his musical start, Detroit’s major influence on gospel, and the meaning behind his original song “Made It Over.”

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Violinist Nathan Amaral takes home first place in Sphinx Competition Senior Division

Violinist Nathan Amaral, a 28-year-old from Rio de Janeiro, has won the senior division of the 27th annual Sphinx Finals Competition. As the winner, Amaral receives the Robert Frederick Smith Prize, a $50,000 award, and the opportunity to perform with several major orchestras across the nation. Watch Amaral’s first-place performance, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Concerto for Violin in G minor.

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. examines gospel music’s rich history in new PBS docuseries ‘GOSPEL’

A new PBS docuseries, “GOSPEL,” from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the origins and influence of gospel music on Black spirituality. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Stacey L. Holman, the director and producer of the docuseries, about gospel’s rich history, its impact on the Black church, Detroit’s connection to the genre, and how other music genres have been influenced by gospel.

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Northern Michigan Trauma Camp takes alternative approach to helping returning citizens with re-entry

A retreat in Northern Michigan called Trauma Camp helps returning citizens re-adjust to life after they are released from prison. One Detroit senior producer Bill Kubota and contributor Mario Bueno talk with Trauma Camp creator Aaron Kinzel and some of its attendees about how the retreat is helping them with re-entry and to heal their traumas from childhood and incarceration.

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FDA approves two groundbreaking new gene therapy treatments for sickle cell disease

Host Stephen Henderson examines the groundbreaking new gene therapies approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment option for sickle cell disease. Dr. Melissa Creary, assistant professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, sits down with Henderson to talk about the pros, cons and possible barriers of the new gene-editing therapy.

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Two-day tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared the arts’ impact on civil rights

Wayne State University’s annual tribute to the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns this year with a two-day event showcasing the impact of Detroit’s arts, culture and music on the civil rights movement. Guest host Trudy Gallant-Stokes talks with Wayne State’s Director of Community Affairs Stacie Clayton and the event’s special guest Santita Jackson.

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United Way for Southeastern Michigan awards latest round of Racial Equity Fund grants

United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) President & CEO Dr. Darienne Hudson shares details with guest host Trudy Gallant-Stokes about the latest round of Racial Equity Fund recipients. The grants total $1 million and were awarded to BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations to help them address racial inequities in the region. Plus, they talk about the expansion of the fund into Washtenaw County.

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American Black Journal’s Top 10 Stories of 2023

As we bid farewell to 2023, it’s impossible not to reflect on the important stories that shaped the African American community this year. From commemorating the anniversary of a historic civil rights march to conversations around police brutality, the political heartbeat of hip-hop’s history, the restoration of a historic jazz club, and stories on Detroit’s Black church community, here are our top 10 stories from 2023.

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Rose Morton unravels her family’s history of slavery in her book ‘Our Family’s Keepers’

For many African Americans, tracing their family’s past can come with challenges. Contributor Daijah Moss talks with author Rose Morton, a local woman who set out to learn about her enslaved ancestors and the families that owned them. Morton shares her quest for identity, talks about her book “Our Family’s Keepers,” and discusses the profound impact of her discovery on the people connected to a South Carolina plantation.

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Global Detroit shares the importance of immigrant inclusion in Michigan’s population revitalization

Michigan’s population stagnation and economic prosperity have been front and center for several businesses, organizations and educational institutions. Global Detroit Managing Director Dr. Alaina Jackson talks about the organization’s mission to drive the growth, revitalization and shared prosperity of Detroit and the region by focusing on immigrants and global talent.

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Remembering the legacy of African American minister Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams

Detroit and the nation are mourning the loss of one of this country’s most influential Black ministers. Rev. Dr. Charles G. Adams, pastor emeritus of Detroit’s Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, passed away at age 86. Rev. Charles Christian Adams, the son of Rev. Adams, talks about his father’s legacy after more than 50 years in the pulpit.

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Rob Edwards’ forthcoming graphic novel details a little-known story in America’s Black history

Detroit-born screenwriter Rob Edwards has a new graphic novel coming out in February 2024 detailing a little-known figure of America’s Black history: Robert Smalls. Edwards joined One Detroit’s Chris Jordan at Comics & More to talk about his forthcoming graphic novel “Defiant,” its Kickstarter support, and why a comic book is a perfect, if unorthodox, way to teach kids Black history.

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Addressing the critical needs of caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month 

November is National Family Caregivers Month. The Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s Julie Lowenthal talks about the importance of support services and resources for family caregivers and the myriad challenges they face while caring for their loved ones. Plus, Lowenthal explores possible legislative policies that would ease the burdens faced by family caregivers.

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Detroit Deltas celebrate 30 years of philanthropy at upcoming gala

The Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority celebrates the 30-year anniversary of its Minerva Education and Development Foundation with an Oct. 29 gala raising money for scholarships and grants. Event chair Jenice Mitchell Ford talks about the mission of MEDF and the Detroit Deltas’ legacy of philanthropy and helping others.

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African American tenor, trailblazer George Shirley reflects on his storied career

As one of the first African American operatic performers, renowned tenor and trailblazer George Shirley’s contributions to the world of opera and music education have left an indelible mark on the industry. Shirley sat down for an exclusive one-on-one conversation with 90.9 WRCJ’s Cecelia Sharpe about his remarkable entry into the opera scene and his history as a music educator.

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The Yunion celebrates 20 years and more than 17,000 youth impacted

Detroit nonprofit The Yunion marks 20 years of service to metro Detroit youth and the more than 17,000 young people whose lives have been changed because of the nonprofit. Host Stephen Henderson talks with The Yunion’s Founder & CEO Jason Wilson and Executive Director Nicole Wilson about the nonprofit’s new state-of-the-art youth development center in Detroit and their upcoming anniversary gala.

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Life after innocence: Upcoming fundraiser will support Michigan’s wrongfully convicted men and women

Explore the barriers and challenges faced by men and women who have been wrongfully convicted and hear about an upcoming fundraiser to support their re-entry into society. Host Stephen Henderson talks with the president of the Organization of Exonerees Kenneth Nixon, an exoneree himself, and Valerie Newman, deputy chief and director of the Conviction Integrity Unit in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office.

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How Technology has transformed Detroit’s Black Churches: Adapting post-pandemic

The “Black Church in Detroit” series examines how technology trends are shaping the present and future of the Black Church. Two Detroit pastors, Rev. Carnel Richardson of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Aramis Hinds from Breakers Covenant Church International talk about their churches’ journey adapting to the technologies brought forth by the pandemic and the future of artificial intelligence in ministry.

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Paving the way for today: How the Black Church supported the Civil Rights Movement

The “Black Church in Detroit” series delves into the contemporary significance of civil rights and the state of civil rights today. Historic King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor, Rev. Charles Williams II, a distinguished figure in civil rights arenas, shares his perspectives on the legacy of the 1963 March on Washington and the present-day state of civil rights advocacy.

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Rhythms of change: Motown Museum reflects on recording civil rights history 60 years ago

As the nation reflects on the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Detroit Walk to Freedom, an intriguing connection exists between Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches and the iconic Motown Records. In an exclusive interview, contributor Cecelia Sharpe of 90.9 WRCJ, delves into this significant link with Robin Terry, Chairwoman and CEO of the Motown Museum.

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Detroit’s affordable housing shortage intertwines with homelessness, amplifying hardships for residents

“American Black Journal host Stephen Henderson leads a roundtable with BridgeDetroit’s Nushrat Rahman, City of Detroit’s Donald Rencher, and Neighborhood Service Organization’s Linda Little. They talk about the current state of homelessness in the city, housing instability, affordable housing units, federal housing vouchers, and the end to a national moratorium on rental evictions.

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African World Festival returns for 40th annual celebration in Hart Plaza

Summer is here, and Detroit’s highly anticipated African World Festival is near. The annual festival celebrates 40 years in the city this year from July 14-16 at Hart Plaza. Festival Director Njia Kai shares what attendees can expect from the festival’s 40th annual year celebrating the arts and culture of the African diaspora.

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COVID recovery, chronic absenteeism, and a $700 million building campaign: DPSCD Supt. Dr. Nikolai Vitti discusses district’s future

Detroit Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti talks with Stephen Henderson about COVID-19’s impact on chronic absenteeism and student achievement, how the district will spend an unprecedented $700 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds on building infrastructure, and what the future holds for the district’s students and staff. 

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Detroit’s State of the Hood summit brings civic, community leaders together to talk about gun violence

Detroit’s State of the Hood summit returned this year to talk about solutions for stopping gun violence. Producer Marcus Green takes viewers to the 2022 summit to hear what religious, civic and community leaders have to say about gun violence in Detroit. Plus, summit participants explore the current resources and investments needed to stop gun violence involving inner city neighborhood youth.

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Detroit Artists Market marks 90th anniversary with special multigenerational exhibit

The Detroit Artists Market is celebrating its 90th birthday with a new, multigenerational exhibit featuring several artists who have honed their skills in Detroit. The special anniversary exhibition, titled “Detroit Expat Artists: Homecoming,” showcases a variety of artists working in different media and genres over the last 50 years. Host Stephen Henderson talks with co-curator Stephanie James.

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Black Midwest Symposium in Detroit Focuses on Unique Midwest Challenges, Solutions

The second biennial Black Midwest Symposium convenes in Detroit, exploring the unique challenges of African Americans in the Midwest and Rust Belt. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Marquis Taylor, one of the event’s planning committee members, to learn more about the goal of the Oct. 20-22, 2022 symposium, this year’s theme— Presence and Protest, and the notable speakers participating.

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