# Authentically Detroit 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! Page: Feed: --- ## The Vision Behind Black Beautiful & Brilliant with Tiara Jones _2026-08-13_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Tiara Jones, founder of Black Beautiful and Brilliant to discuss how their brand is centering identity, legacy, resilience, and empowering our community. Black Beautiful & Brilliant was created with Black women at the center. It exists as inspiration — to affirm their worth, reflect their power, and remind them of who they are, even in seasons that try… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19642257-the-vision-behind-black-beautiful-brilliant-with-tiara-jones.mp3) ## 2026 Michigan Primary Election Recap With Branden Snyder _2026-08-06_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the State Director of the Working Families Party to discuss the results of Michigan’s 2026 primary election. Michigan’s 2026 primary election gained significant national attention as Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens faced off in a race that some said would determine the future of the democratic party. The Working Families Party believes that future… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19608832-2026-michigan-primary-election-recap-with-branden-snyder.mp3) ## Bridging The Political Divide - From B(oomer) To Gen Z With Jai Smith _2026-07-29_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Jai Smith, an official Influencer for Detroit Public Schools Community District to discuss a youth perspective on politics ahead of the 2026 Michigan Primary Election. If you’re looking to learn more about candidates in each race check out our forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, which took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S.… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19569027-bridging-the-political-divide-from-b-oomer-to-gen-z-with-jai-smith.mp3) ## 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum Recap with Donna and Sam _2026-07-22_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down to discuss what went down at the 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum. The Eastside Candidate Forum, held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, took place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections. At the forum, residents had the chance to learn where candidates stand on community priorities, local policy, and issues… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19531915-2026-eastside-candidate-forum-recap-with-donna-and-sam.mp3) ## 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum Preview with Jasmine Kaltenbach _2026-07-15_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Organizer and Labor Policy Expert, Jasmine Kaltenbach to discuss the upcoming 2026 Eastside Candidate Forum. The Eastside Candidate Forum , held in partnership with SEIU Michigan, takes place on July 18th, ahead of the 2026 Michigan U.S. House, State House, and State Senate elections. At the forum, residents will have the chance to learn where… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19497984-2026-eastside-candidate-forum-preview-with-jasmine-kaltenbach.mp3) ## River Rise: Flooding and Basement Backups on Detroit’s Eastside: with Latisha Johnson, Dr. William Shuster & Dr. Marie Garcia _2026-07-08_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with the City Council Person for District 4, Latisha Johnson Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Wayne State Dr. William Shuster, and Environmental Justice Director at Eastside Community Network, Dr. Marie Garcia to discuss what’s happening with the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the canals in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood. To… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19459773-river-rise-flooding-and-basement-backups-on-detroit-s-eastside-with-latisha-johnson-dr-william-shuster-dr-marie-garcia.mp3) ## Have You Heard? Episode One _2026-07-06_ In the first episode of Have You Heard? , Arlyssa Heard sits down with father, mentor, coach, author, and youth advocate Jonathan Shropshire to discuss the rise in fighting, bullying, and violence in schools. Together, they explore how social media conflicts spill into classrooms, what's driving these behaviors, and what parents, schools, and communities can do to better support our children.… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19436651-have-you-heard-episode-one.mp3) ## Trauma Intervention and Recovery with Sheba Rogers, Liz Kennedy, Ali Lakhani & Valerie Kelly-Bonner _2026-07-02_ In this episode, Donna and Sam sat down with Sheba Rogers, Liz Kennedy, Ali Lakhani and Valerie Kelly-Bonner to discuss a series of mental health roundtable discussions Detroit Justice, Henry Ford Health’s Trauma Recovery Center, and Strategies to Overcome Obstacles and Avoid Recidivism (SOOAR) have hosted in the city. Trauma is often thought of as an injury resulting from a motor vehicle crash or… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19436167-trauma-intervention-and-recovery-with-sheba-rogers-liz-kennedy-ali-lakhani-valerie-kelly-bonner.mp3) ## Beauty and Political Beef with Jessica Kwalli _2026-06-23_ In this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including some of the upcoming primary elections. They also sat down the Jessica Kwalli, the owner of Jessica Blair Beauty. Jessica Kwalli is no stranger to identifying and servicing the needs of others which is why she is the Founder & CEO of Black Diamond Beauty Supply Co. LLC. As a native Detroiter, she… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19390415-beauty-and-political-beef-with-jessica-kwalli.mp3) ## [Earn crypto from idle GPUs (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/GhB2DFH8a8NM) _2026-06-23 · **Sponsored**_ Run one CLI command, connect your GPU, and start receiving crypto payouts. ## Juneteenth Political Rundown with Sam and Donna _2026-06-18_ In this episode, Donna and Sam ran down some of the hottest political topics across the city including Mike Duggan’s exit from the governor’s race, Detroit’s census case, UAW endorsements, money out of politics, and more! They also discuss Juneteenth and the importance of telling the story of Black people’s freedom. The word "Juneteenth" bleeds "June" and "nineteenth," and the day is the oldest… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/377321/episodes/19367887-juneteenth-political-rundown-with-sam-and-donna.mp3)