Originally published on May 10, 2021. Updated February 28, 2022. 

This Week on One Detroit, Arts & Culture

Comic Book Historian Ken Quattro’s Journey to Writing ‘Invisible Men’

As a half-decade-long comic book industry writer and historian, Ken Quattro loves to tell stories about the world of comic books and the people behind the pages, but there was one story he’s never had enough information to tell, until now. It’s the story of Clarence Matthew Baker, known in the 1940s and ’50s as the only Black comic book artist at the time. Through one special connection with Samuel Joyner, Quattro found out Baker’s history and a host of more information about other prominent Black comic book artists in that era.

One Detroit’s Will Glover sat down with Quattro for a conversation about his book “Invisible Men: The Trailblazing Black Artists of Comic Books,” which takes a candid look at the history of the comic book industry and the racial disparity embedded into its story. “Invisible Men,” Quattro says, tell the story of the human experience and the resilience of the human spirit.

Thornetta Davis Discusses COVID’s Impact on Musicians, Jeff Daniels Collaboration

The past year of pandemic cancellations have put a halt on the many projects and concerts Detroit’s “Queen of the Blues” Thornetta Davis had planned for 2021, but in her time to reflect she’s continued to write, record and create. Davis sits down with One Detroit’s Christy McDonald to talk about the challenges that many musicians, like herself, have had to navigate for the first time through the pandemic.

Plus, Davis shares how it felt to work with iconic artists Gladys Knight, Bob Segar and Etta James, as well as record a song, “I Am America,” with actor and singer Jeff Daniels. Davis discusses her initial reaction to being invited to work with Daniels, and how she felt seeing the song be used in a Georgia Senate election advertisement.

Artist Sabrina Nelson Unveils ‘Why You Wanna Fly Blackbird’ Exhibition 

Art is the medicine Detroit-artist Sabrina Nelson needs and the language she speaks, she said in a recent discussion with Detroit Performs: Live From Marygrove. Nelson met up recently to talk about her latest exhibition “Why You Wanna Fly Blackbird,” based on a Nina Simone song, the social context that informed and inspired the visual exhibit, and the impact she hopes it has on audiences. Plus, she shares her definition of being an artist and the story she’s trying to tell through her artwork.

Detroit Youth Choir Performs Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’

The Detroit Youth Choir closes out the episode with their performance of ‘Roar’ by Katy Perry.

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