American Black Journal, 2016 Episode List
Episode 4512: Mayor Karen Weaver / Rhodes Scholar Aaron Robertson
Flint mayor Karen Weaver joins us for a wide-ranging discussion about the water crisis in her city. Episode 4512. Original air date: 12/25/16.
Episode 4511: Environmental Justice in Detroit / Race Relations & Justice
A Detroit group working to make the city cleaner and healthier is developing the city's first ever Climate Action Plan. Plus, an in-depth Detroit Journalism Cooperative interview with Wayne State University law professor Peter Hammer about race relations and justice in southeast Michigan. Episode 4511. Original air date: 12/18/16.
Episode 4510: Hugs, Not Bullets / Healthy Piquette Program
Youth leaders in the city of Detroit urge residents to celebrate the New Year with hugs, not bullets. Plus, formerly homeless veterans are getting a chance to live a much healthier lifestyle. Episode 4510. Original air date: 12/11/16.
A creative hub of African American cultural arts in the heart of Detroit celebrates a milestone anniversary and the appointment of jazz great Geri Allen as its artistic director. Plus, a citywide call to action to strengthen early childhood services in Detroit, led by two national foundations. Episode 4509. Original air date: 12/4/16.
Episode 4508: Focus: HOPE / Cleary University in Detroit
Stephen talks with the new CEO of the nationally renown human rights organization, Focus: HOPE. Plus, a new partnership between a university and a Detroit church results in a new option for higher education in the heart of the inner city. Episode 4508. Original air date: 11/27/16.
Episode 4507: Harassment & Bias Incidents in Michigan Schools / U of M Diversity Initiative
The country experiences a spike in harassment and bias incidents following the election of Donald Trump as U.S. President. Episode 4507. Original air date: 11/20/16.
Episode 4506: Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Summit / National Apprenticeship Week
On the next American Black Journal, Stephen talks with a leading African American CEO about the outlook for Black business owners in Michigan, and he'll offer some advice on succeeding as an entrepreneur. Episode 4506. Original air date: 11/13/16.
Episode 4505: Get Out the Vote / FAR Therapeutic Arts & Recreation
Stephen talks with Detroit Branch NAACP President Rev. Wendell Anthony about the importance of making your voice heard at the polls and what's at stake for African Americans. Episode 4505. Original air date: 11/6/16.
Episode 4504: The Case of Davontae Sanford / Motown Museum Expansion
On the next American Black Journal, Stephen talks with Davontae Sanford, the young man who was wrongfully convicted of murdering four people as a teenager and spent nearly nine years in prison. Episode 4504. Original air date: 10/30/16.
Episode 4503: Former Mayor Dennis Archer / Ingenuity College Preparatory Institute
Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer joins Stephen for a wide-ranging interview about his history making career, this year's historic Presidential election, and Detroit's historic bankruptcy and resurgence. Episode 4503. Original air date: 10/23/16.
Hip hop mogul and philanthropist Russell Simmons talks about the devastating impact of the lead-contaminated water on Flint residents and what he's doing to continue to draw attention to the crisis. Episode 4502. Original air date: 10/16/16.
Episode 4501: National Museum of African-American History / DPS Foundation
We talk about America's newest cultural attraction, the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Plus, the DPS Foundation honors champions of education, while raising money for students. Episode 4501. Original air date: 10/9/16.
Episode 4452: The HistoryMakers / Don Davis Legacy Foundation
African American HistoryMakers from across the country go back to school to encourage students to overcome their challenges and achieve success. Original air date: 10/2/16.
Episode 4450: Detroit Entrepreneurs / 1963 Civil Rights March Banner
Expert advice on starting and growing a business; a Detroit woman donates apiece of her history to the National Museum of African American History in Washington. Episode 4450. Original air date: 9/18/16.
Episode 4449: Hot Topics Roundtable / Dave Bing Future Leader Award Winner
We put together a roundtable for a frank discussion on some topics impacting the African-American community. Plus, a young MDOT employee gives back by mentoring disadvantaged youth and providing them with opportunities in the transportation industry. Original air date: 9/11/16.
Episode 4447: 37th Annual Detroit Jazz Festival
The world's largest free jazz festival comes to downtown Detroit over the Labor Day weekend and we get the details on this year's world-class lineup of performers. Original air date: 8/28/16.
Episode 4445: A Day of Heart / Welcome to Osborn
An upcoming effort to raise awareness and prevent heart disease and stroke in the African American community combines inspirational talks with inspirational music. Original air date: 8/14/16.
Episode 4444: Men of Courage / Summer Youth Festival
We get details on the "Men of Courage" initiative. Plus, more than 500 Detroit youth will display their artistic talents at The Art of Resilience Starr Summer Youth Festival in downtown Detroit. Original air date: 8/7/16.
American Black Journal Special: Racial Attitudes
Host and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Stephen Henderson teams up with Detroit Public Television's One Detroit initiative to explore racial attitudes in Detroit and outward with an esteemed panel of thoughtful advocates and community leaders. Original air date:
Episode 4442: World Sickle Cell Day / Pontiac After Emergency Management
June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day, a time to educate and raise awareness about the genetic disorder that primarily affects African Americans and Hispanics. We'll talk with three women on the front lines of the battle to help those with the disease lead longer, quality lives: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, Pediatrician Dr. Wanda Whitten-Shurney, and Youth Ambassador Anastasia Worthy. Original air date: 7/24/16.
Episode 4441: United We Stand Sculpture / Black History Maker Elliott Hall
The Charles H. Wright Museum prepares to unveil a sculpture that will kick off a yearlong commemoration of the 1967 Detroit Rebellion. Plus, attorney Elliott Hall talks about breaking racial barriers at Ford Motor Company. Original air date: 7/17/16.
Episode 4440: ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day / Minority Health Awareness Month
A yearly community event that brings together thousands of Detroit residents and volunteers. Plus, ballroom dancers raise funds and awareness for mental illness in the Black community. Original air date: 7/10/16.
Episode 4439: Paradise Valley / "Poison on Tap"
We talk with two people involved in the redevelopment of the Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District. Plus, a new book provides the first comprehensive look at the Flint water crisis and the government's role in the lead poisoning of the city's drinking water. Original air date: 7/3/16.
Episode 4438: Poverty, Prison & Delinquency / Earn + Learn Program
We examine the connection between growing up poor and going to prison. Plus, we look at local efforst to reduce the pipeline to prison for juveniles and adults. Original air date: 6/26/16.
Episode 4437: World Sickle Cell Day / Pontiac After Emergency Management
June 19th is World Sickle Cell Day. We talk with three women on the front lines of the battle to help those with the disease lead longer, quality lives. Plus, the Mayor of Pontiac joins us to talk about progress in the city. Original air date: 6/19/16.
Episode 4434: Ed Welburn / Michigan Veterans Foundation
We talk with GM's Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn, as he prepares to retire from his history-making position. Plus, the Michigan Veterans Foundation is breaking ground on a new center for Detroit veterans on Memorial Day. Original air date: 5/29/16.
Episode 4433: Detroit Fly-In / Tuskegee Airmen
We go on the road to the Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit to discuss aviation careers for young people in the city. Plus, we talk with some members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Original air date: 5/22/16.
Episode 4432: Ford Freedom Awards / Danialle Karmanos' Work It Out
This year's Ford Freedom Award celebration is honoring the contributions of African American men of courage. Plus, a Detroit program is using a different approach to preventing obesity and reducing anxiety in children. Original air date: 5/15/16.
Episode 4431: MDOT Trailblazer / 1967 Detroit
We celebrate the trailblazing achievements of MDOT’s Kimberly Avery, the Department's first African-American female Southwest Region Engineer. Plus, details on two major projects that are taking a look back at the 1967 Detroit rebellion and how far the City has come nearly 50 years later. Original air date: 5/8/16.
Episode 4430: Wayne County Commissioner Martha Scott / Bookstock
Local Black history maker Martha Scott; details on metro Detroit's largest used book and media sale. Original air date: 5/1/16.
Episode 4429: Willie Horton Field of Dreams / Regional Transit Authority
Detroit Tigers legend Willie Horton joins us to discuss his newest honor.
Episode 4428: HomeLIFT / Detroit Deltas "Jabberwock" / RE:Dream
A local non-profit is working to increase home ownership in Detroit. Plus, the Detroit Deltas tap into local young talent.
Episode 4426: Detroit PAL "Kids at the Corner" Campaign / Small Business Workshop
The Detroit Police Athletic League gets ready to break ground at the site of former Tiger Stadium. Plus, we’ll tell you where entrepreneurs can get some practical advice on starting and growing their businesses.
Episode 4425: Urban League of Detroit / Major General Gwendolyn Bingham
N. Charles Anderson joins us to discuss The Urban League of Detroit’s special milestone anniversary. We’ll also meet Major General Gwendolyn Bingham - a woman who broke numerous gender barriers in the U.S. Army.
Episode 4424: DPS Interim Superintendent / "Writing my Wrongs"
We meet Alycia Meriweather, DPS’ new interim superintendent; Shaka Senghor discusses his new book, "Writing my Wrongs."
Episode 4423: MDOT Trailblazer / 1967 Detroit
In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the trailblazing achievements of MDOT’s first African-American female Southwest Region Engineer.
Episode 4422: Dave Bing on Detroit’s Resurgence / Career Mastered Awards
How can Detroiters and minorities get more involved in the City’s resurgence? Plus, several local women are being recognized this month as game changers in their careers. Original air date: 3/6/16.
Episode 4421: Creating Prosperity in Communities of Color
John Hope Bryant facilitates a special presentation of American Black Journal. Panel members discuss critical topics including personal budgeting and financial planning, home ownership, investing, and generating wealth. Original air date: 2/24/16
Episode 4420: A Conversation with Kathleen Cleaver
Host Stephen Henderson talks with Kathleen Cleaver, the Black Panther Party's first communications secretary and former wife of party co-founder Eldridge Cleaver. Original air date: 2/21/16.
Episode 4419: 400 Study Club / Heritage Optical Center
In honor of Black History Month, we talk with local history makers: Teola Hunter, the first African-American and first female Wayne County Clerk; Barbara Jean Johnson, President of 400 Study Club for African-American women; and George Barnes, Jr., first black owner/operator of full-service optical center in Michigan. Original air date: 2/14/16.
Episode 4418: Detroit Public School Crisis / American Heart Month
We discuss the crisis in Detroit Public School with Ivy Bailey, Detroit Federation of Teachers Interim President, about the future of Detroit schools. Plus, it’s American Heart Month, so we have some life-saving advice for African-American women. Original air date: 2/7/16.
Episode 4417: Flint Water Crisis / DABO “State of the Race” Conference
Cries of environmental racism swirl around the Flint water crisis as the national head of the NAACP comes to town. We’ll hear about the next course of action from Governor Rick Snyder and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver. Plus, the Detroit Association of Black Organizations is bringing nationally known community and civil rights leaders to town for its annual “State of the Race” Conference. Original air date: 1/31/16.
Episode 4416: The District Detroit / WGPR-TV Historical Exhibit
We talk with the head of a minority firm selected to support the Ilitches new District Detroit project. Plus, native Detroiter and entertainment host Shaun Robinson comes home to help launch a museum exhibit about WGPR-TV. Original air date: 1/24/16.
Episode 4415: Coalition of Churches and Communities / MLK Day at the Wright
A new organization is connecting Detroit churches with local social service agencies in order to better meet the needs of residents. We’ll talk with the group’s founder and a couple of the community partners. Also, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is the Charles H. Wright Museum’s biggest day in terms of attendance. We’ll hear about all of the exciting activities planned for children and adults. Episode 4415. Original air date: 1/17/16.
Episode 4414: Black Lives Matter / Pray the Violence out of Detroit
We devote the entire program to a frank discussion – and a search for answers – to the violence tearing apart the black community. From black-on-black crime to the lethal force used by police officers, we talk with community activists about what can be done to stop the violence and deaths. Plus, we talk with the members of a new women’s group who believe prayer is the answer to bringing peace to the community. Episode 4414. Original air date: 1/10/16
