Since its inception, One Detroit has shared stories that bring value and context to our audience’s daily lives. The One Detroit team now re-shares some of these impactful stories in a series of “Best Of” episodes. Tonight, One Detroit presents ”Best Of: Detroit Creatives” featuring interviews with author Aaron Foley, artist Shirley Woodson and more.

This Week on One Detroit: Detroit Creatives

‘Boys Come First’: Aaron Foley’s Debut Novel Follows Three Millennial Gay Black Friends in Detroit 

What does it look like on the inside of a friendship between three millennial gay Black friends taking on their early 30s in Detroit? Aaron Foley, a Detroit native and Senior Editor for the Communities Initiative at PBS NewsHour, has released his first novel, “Boys Come First,” which follows the lives of three fictional men confronting their evolving friendship and individual hurdles as they attempt to navigate a new and changing Detroit.  

In recognition of Pride Month, producer AJ Walker sits down with Foley to discuss “Boys Come First,” including the controversial social, political and humanistic topics he covers in his book and what he believes makes his characters different than those in other novels. 

MOCAD Launches Spring Exhibit Series Celebrating Black Artistry in Detroit

A new exhibit series at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) celebrates and uplifts Black artists from Detroit and the works they have created. MOCAD’s spring/summer 2022 exhibit series features exhibitions from Dream Hampton, Nep Sidhu, Sterling Toles, Stableheed Art Collective, and artists from the collection of James Dozier.  

Producer Eden Sabolboro tells the story of Detroit-native Sterling Toles, whose creative works can be seen on display at MOCAD’s spring/summer 2022 exhibit series. 

Detroit Artist, Educator Shirley Woodson Named 2021 Kresge Eminent Artist

For the last six decades, Detroit artist and educator Shirley Woodson has worked to tell stories of the African American experience through her art. In 2021, all the pieces finally fell together as Woodson was named the 2021 Kresge Arts in Detroit Eminent Artist. Her work was also featured in a new exhibition, titled “Shirley Woodson: Why Do I Delight,” at the Detroit Artists Market that year.

On the heels of being named a Kresge Eminent Artist, One Detroit contributor Stephen Henderson talks with Shirley Woodson about the honor from Kresge Arts in Detroit, how she started creating art at a young age, how her artwork has changed over the past 60 years, and the overall importance of telling depicting African American life through her art and adding to the narrative that’s been created by other artists across the nation.

Plus, Woodson shares how the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter protests sparked by the death of George Floyd and Black Americans have impacted the colors and themes of her artwork.

Laura Rain & The Caesars Bring R&B, Soul to the Detroit Performs Stage 

Viewers can enjoy a closing “Detroit Performs: Live from Marygrove” performance from Detroit artists Laura Rain & The Caesars, known for blending nostalgic Motor City soul with elements of jazz, R&B and blues. 

Since 2013, Rain has released four albums and won a Detroit Music Award for “Outstanding Blues Songwriter” with frequent collaborator and producer-songwriter George Friend. 

 

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