Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson

Created Equal is about the promise of opportunity and the challenge of inequality from the city that built America — Detroit. Exploring the strings of inequality that run through the American experience, each episode explores the question: How did we arrive at this moment in history? Stephen Henderson hosts, building on familiar themes from Detroit Today, which is now an archived show. Search for Created Equal from WDET Detroit Public Radio on your favorite podcast app or WDET.org. Or listen live weekdays, 9-10 a.m. on 101.9 FM in Detroit.

Much like I-375 in Detroit, cities around the US are undergoing highway removal projects. But what can we learn from how they engage with the communities who will be affected by the plans? Asali DeVan Ecclesiastes, chief executive with the Ashé Cultural Arts Center in New Orleans, joins Stephen to share what it’s like for the community to be involved at the onset of a highway’s removal. Then, Regan Patterson, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of California, stops by to share if there is an effective process for highway removal that can repair and reconcile communities next to highways.

Continuing our Reckoning 375 series, Jonathan Loree from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) joins Stephen to explain why the department plans to build a road where I-375 currently exists. Then, former Detroit Free Press columnist John Gallagher explains how we got to this point in the project's existence.

On this re-aired conversation, we continue our mini-series "Reckoning 375" with a look at the history of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Stephen Henderson is joined by Detroit historian Jamon Jordan and researcher Emily Kutil to take a closer look at the history and culture of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley amid plans to replace I-375 in downtown Detroit with a six-lane boulevard.

Beginning with the voices of people who lived in or were connected to Black Bottom and were forced to move due to the construction of I-375, Stephen Henderson and Nick Austin re-air this Detroit Today miniseries — Reckoning 375 — every Friday until late November. In this episode, they listen to recordings from Bert Dearing, Jr. of Bert's Marketplace, Marsha Music, a voice narrator and artist, and Gloria Hopkins, a former resident of Black Bottom, and explore what the neighborhood mean to them and the consequences of dismantling it in lieu of constructing I-375.

From policy proposals to 80s music references, a lot happened at Gov. Whitmer's 2024 State of the State address. Zach Gorchow of Gongwer News Service, longtime political consultant Greg Bowens, and Lauren Gibbons of Bridge Michigan, join Stephen to break down the speech, including the specific policy proposals and what we should expect from Lansing ahead of the upcoming elections.

A new proposed tax credit from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would provide up to $5,000 in relief to caregivers in the state. Advocates suggest the relief would be especially helpful for members of the 'sandwich' generation -- working adults who care for their minor children, while simultaneously serving as the primary caregiver for aging parents and the challenges they face with conditions like dementia. Danielle Atkinson, Founding Director of Mothering Justice, joins Stephen to discuss why her organization is supportive of the proposal. Then, Wayne State University Assistant Professor Amanda Leggett stops by to detail her research into the 'sandwich' generation, including what makes their caretaking challenges unique and ways we can help reduce the burden.

Detroit’s Reparations Task Force has had a bumpy road of late, with three vacancies and inconsistent meetings. So, what’s next with the task force? And, what are they doing to get back on track. Reparations Task Force Co-chair Keith Williams, and the founders of the African American Redress Network discuss the new efforts that are happening to study past harms done to Black Detroiters. Malachi Barrett of Bridge Detroit joins to offer context to the situation.

Half of Detroit’s residents are renters. On this re-aired episode of Detroit Today, Anika Goss, CEO of Detroit Future City says to increase homeownership in the city, we need banks to support lending for homes priced under $100,000. Goss and Stephen also discussed the barriers to homeownership for Black residents and the importance of homeownership as a key way to build generational wealth.

Sports stadiums and teams get millions and even billions of dollars of tax breaks and that begs the question: Should Detroit and other cities be luring sports teams if they have to give up a lot of money in order to do so? Bill Shea, a sports business journalist and novelist, and David Berri, a sports economist and professor at Southern Utah University, join Stephen to discuss whether sports teams are worth it.

The Detroit Lions are going to the second round of the playoffs, and it has a lot of people really excited. Tim Alberta, best-selling author and staff writer for The Atlantic magazine, received national acclaim for his article, “The Thrill of Defeat”, which highlights how his life was shaped by watching the Detroit Lions lose. Tim joins Stephen to talk about what this moment means for them and Michiganders.

A new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlighted a growing opportunity gap between African American students in the state and their white peers. How much of that is simply about poverty? And, how can we help close it? Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti joins Stephen to discuss. Then, Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Jon Valant explores what policies need to be implemented to close the educational opportunity gap.

Amusement taxes are common way for cities to capture revenue from sporting events, but not in Michigan. Could a new tax provide much-needed funding for city services? Eric Lupher, Robin Boyle and Charles Ballard join Stephen to discuss the renewed push for implementing amusement taxes in Detroit.

Why does America still have a problem with homelessness, and why has the issue been getting worse more recently in both the city and our country? Journalist Nushrat Rahman and Tonya Hogan, a formerly homeless individual in Detroit, explore the issue locally. Then, scholar and author Gregg Colburn joins Stephen to discuss why homelessness is fundamentally a housing issue.

Detroit's NAACP President Reverend Wendell Anthony joins Stephen to discuss Dr. Martin Luther King's impact in Detroit as well as his relationship to the NAACP. Then, we take a listen to Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech in Detroit, where he first gave it.

State lawmakers have done a lot to reform its juvenile justice system, but advocates want to see more done to help rehabilitate, rather than simply punish, young people who’ve done harm. Advocates from the ACLU of Michigan, in addition to a state senator and law professor join Stephen to discuss the reforms that have happened in this space, and what more needs to be done.

A court recently ruled that some of Michigan’s state House and Senate maps violated the Voting Rights Act and made it harder for Black Detroiters to achieve proper representation. The Michigan Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission -- the body that created the state's maps -- has voted to appeal this decision, but the claim suggests a lot of questions. What do fair political maps look like in Southeast Michigan? And, what should political representation look like? A local representative from Detroit, and those opposing and supporting the court’s decision join Stephen to discuss.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's Land Value Tax Plan would change the way the city values houses and the land. But is it a good idea? Nick Allen suggested the solution to the mayor and joins Stephen to make the case for the plan. Alex Alsup also joins the show to discuss if it will force land speculators in the city to behave any differently. This episode first aired on WDET on November, 16, 2023.

On Saturday, Michigan Republicans voted to oust party chair Kristina Karamo. While Karamo maintains the removal is invalid, what are the ramifications for the state ahead of the 2024 elections? Vance Patrick, chairman of the Oakland County Republican Party joins Stephen to discuss why he believes the vote occurred and what it means for the party. Next, political consultant Dennis Darnoi discusses the underlying turmoil in the party and the historic nature of the vote. Finally, American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Tim Carney stops by to discuss the significance of the vote and how it fits into the broader political trends occurring in the Republican party.

Stephen talks with David French about the disconnect between conservatism and the Republican Party. Originally published November 22, 2022.

A number of Democrats are running to take over for Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who decided to not run for reelection. In this re-aired episode of Detroit Today, Stephen talks with some of those candidates, in addition to Senator Debbie Stabenow.

Several Republicans have jumped into the race for Senate in Michigan. On this re-aired program, Detroit Today looks back at the candidates running for the seat made open by Sen. Debbie Stabenow's decision not to run for reelection.

Can a third party ticket like the one proposed by No Labels prevail in Michigan? Retired Michigan U.S. Rep. Fred Upton and political science professor Bernard Tamas joined Detroit Today to discuss the No Labels party and its chances to succeed in the 2024 election.

After 20 years of development, Detroit’s Riverwalk now spans 3.5 miles. Detroit Riverfront Conservancy president and CEO Mark Wallace joins Stephen to share the story of Detroit's riverfront development, and what they hope to accomplish in the future.

In December, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved a rate increase for DTE Energy customers and greenlit the construction of a tunnel for Enbridge Energy's Line 5 fossil fuel pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. Dan Scripps, Chair of the MPSC joined Stephen to explain why the 3-person committee approved both of the controversial and unpopular proposals. Rachel Gold, from the Rocky Mountain Institute also joined to discuss how other utility commissions operate elsewhere in the United States. Originally published December 8, 2023.