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Artwork for Authentically Detroit

Authentically Detroit

Donna & Sam
Detroit
Detroit Mayoral Race
Community Engagement
Public Safety
Gentrification
Detroit City Council
Mary Sheffield
Solomon Kinloch
Social Justice
Detroit City Charter
Community Violence Intervention
James Baldwin
Affordable Housing
Environmental Justice
Civic Engagement
Natural Hair Dictionary
Education
Karen Whitsett
Youth Engagement
Voter Suppression

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!

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes322Founded7 years ago
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Society & CultureNews

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Artwork for Authentically Detroit

Latest Episodes

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 co... more

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.Ā 

This compelling book talk featured two exceptional Detroit authors: Aaron Robertson, author of The Bla... more

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 pro... more

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 engagem... more

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Recent Guests

Aaron Robertson
Writer, journalist, Italian translator; Centennial Fellow at Commonwealth Magazine; 2026-2028 Tulsa Artist Fellow
Aaron Robertson (author)
Episode: Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
Michelle Adams
Henry M. Butzel Professor of Law at the University of Michigan; author of The Containment, Detroit, the Supreme Court, and the Battle for Racial Justice in the North
University of Michigan Law School
Episode: Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
Veronika Scott
Founder and CEO of Empowerment Plan
Empowerment Plan
Episode: Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson
Cheryl P. Johnson
CEO of COTS Detroit
Coalition On Temporary Shelters (COTS) Detroit
Episode: Pathways Out of Poverty with Veronika Scott and Cheryl P. Johnson
Kevin Ashwood
Sustainable Housing Manager, Eastside Community Network
Eastside Community Network (ECN)
Episode: Have You Heard? Who’s Joining the Podcast Network with Arlyssa Heard and Kevin Ashwood
Tepfirah Rushdan
Director of Sustainability, City of Detroit
City of Detroit
Episode: Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!
Kim Trent
Deputy Director for Prosperity, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Episode: Poverty and Prosperity by the Numbers with Kim Trent
Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur
Executive Director, Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities (MRJC)
Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities
Episode: Building Just Communities with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley
Joe Drew-Hundley
Deputy Director, Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities
Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities
Episode: Building Just Communities with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Joe Drew-Hundley

Hosts

Donna Givens Davidson
Co-host of the show; longtime community organizer and leader with affiliations to local networks.
Sam Robinson
Co-host and prominent community voice, involved in Detroit-focused storytelling and advocacy.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings
  • Quality Data & Discussion

    New segment, Detroit By The Numbers is šŸ”„ā€¦data gives real context

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    El Don McGuap
    United States6 months ago
  • Great Detroit Content

    Substantive local discussion is getting harder to find. Authenticity Detroit pulls no punches and is a tremendous platform with great discussion

    Five Stars.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mike D from Detroit
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best episode yet, More!

    Trifecta (past, present, and future)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    El Don McGuap
    United Statesa year ago
  • Stop Playing!!!

    Can we get an episode each day please?

    Plus this podcast should be recorded from a live chat room!!! šŸ˜‚ Keep doing y’all…Thanks for the hyper local insight.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    El Don McGuap
    United States2 years ago
  • National treasure

    Donna and Orlando share critical insights, voices, and perspectives on issues facing Detroiters and the East Side. The show examines problems in historic context, explores potential solutions, and has fun. You are a national treasure! You have taught me so much and I can’t thank you enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wheel1nger
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Energetic hosts balance tough topics with constructive dialogue.
Shows deep local insight with authentic voices from Detroit.
Community-focused and data-informed, with strong storytelling.
Guests bring practical solutions and real-world impact.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
Q: There's a lot of discussion about whether Black institutions should exist as separate spaces; how do you both view the tension between integration and Black-centered communities?
Both guests underscore that the question is not binary; desegregation aims to equalize opportunity while Black institutions can serve as vital cultural and political hubs. The discussion highlights the complexities of balancing inclusion with preservation of autonomy and community strength, acknowledging that both paths can coexist.
Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
Q: Aaron, how does your work in The Black Utopians relate to the Detroit story you tell in your scholarship, and what narrative strategies did you use to connect individual lives to broader movements?
Aaron discusses writing a broad history of Black social dreaming, from post-Civil War settlements to the Shrine of the Black Madonna, and explains how he uses archival research, interviews, and biographical elements to weave together personal and collective histories, illustrating utopian thinking as response to disenfranchisement.
Containing Black Utopia: A Conversation with Aaron Robertson and Michelle Adams
Q: Michelle, what got you started on the topic of school desegregation in Detroit, and how does Milliken v. Bradley fit into your narrative?
Michelle explains that Milliken v. Bradley centers on Detroit's unique form of desegregation, where residential segregation fed school segregation even without a state law mandating it; she emphasizes how the case linked housing policy to educational equality and how the local Detroit NAACP case sought to dismantle the neighborhood-based school assignment that perpetuated segregation.
Amplify Outside Podcast: Welcome... To Detroit!
Q: Okay, how did the outdoors find you?
Growing up, outdoor experiences started as a personal awakening; camping as a kid, a move to a wooded area in Detroit, and later a deep dive into activism and farming which together pointed toward leadership in sustainability.
Poverty and Prosperity by the Numbers with Kim Trent
Q: Kim, what have you learned from your work at the Poverty Task Force that's changed how you approach policy?
I've learned that you cannot look at poverty through slogans; you need to address structural barriers, coordinate across many state agencies, and make the case for policy choices—like investing in families, education, and housing—so people can live with dignity.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Authentically Detroit

What is Authentically Detroit about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Authentically Detroit delivers candid, locally grounded conversations centered on Detroit's communities, policies, and grassroots initiatives. Episodes frequently explore housing, urban development, environmental justice, civic engagement, and cultural history, often featuring community organizers, researchers, and local leaders who are actively shaping Detroit's future. Noteworthy is the emphasis on equity, storytelling, and practical solutions driven by resident perspectives, with a mix of policy discussion, on-the-ground reporting, and culturally resonant storytelling that appeals to listeners invested in social impact, local politics, and neighborhood revitalization.

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Which podcasts are similar to Authentically Detroit?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Authentically Detroit:

1. Code Switch
2. The Daily
3. Becoming the People Podcast with Prentis Hemphill
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Pod Save America

How many episodes of Authentically Detroit are there?

Authentically Detroit launched 7 years ago and published 322 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Authentically Detroit?

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What guests have appeared on Authentically Detroit?

Recent guests on Authentically Detroit include:

1. Aaron Robertson
2. Michelle Adams
3. Veronika Scott
4. Cheryl P. Johnson
5. Kevin Ashwood
6. Tepfirah Rushdan
7. Kim Trent
8. Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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