The Metro
"The Metro" covers local and regional news and current affairs, arts and cultural events and topics, with a commitment to airing perspectives and uncovering stories underreported by mainstream media in Detroit.
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Why violence can emerge from unacknowledged grief and loss
On Sunday, a place of worship was turned into a scene of violence.
In Grand Blanc, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran shot and killed at least four people at a Mormon church and allegedly set the building on fire. Officials say it was an act of targeted violence, though the motive remains unclear. Some victims are being treated at a local hospital.
It’s no secret that gun violence is a big part of our culture here in the U.S. Gun deaths have increased over the last decade by 33 percent.
The United States is the rare wealthy nation with more guns than people.
Less than 14 hours before the attack in Michigan, another former Marine, Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient killed three people and wounded five others in North Carolina.
These stories are about guns and access, but they’re also about veterans reentering civilian life, about isolation, grievance, trauma, and how people respond—or don’t—to warning signs.
Erin Comartin is a social work professor at Wayne State University. She spoke with Robyn Vincent about the roots of gun violence and how people can try to help prevent the next possible shooting.
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The Highway Clean-Up is art in action
We talk about the roads often on The Metro. From reducing truck traffic in Southwest to the impact of I-375 on Detroit’s historic Black neighborhoods, yet, who’s making sure these roads and highways are clean of trash?
In 2022, According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, it cost taxpayers in the state nearly 8 million dollars for crews to pick up trash along state roads. And according to MDOT the price tag would be higher if it were not for programs like Adopt-A-Highway and dedicated volunteers to clean stretches of highway.
So what does it look like when a young artist gets involved and brings the community with him to clean up roads in Detroit?
All Notes is a creative and community platform blending music, social impact, and digital media founded by Detroit based musician TommyPAPI.
TommyPAPI is an Afro-Colombian musician living in Detroit for close to a decade. Through the initiative, he hosts livestream performances, neighborhood cleanups, and resource drives, connecting artists of all disciplines through support.
Tommy received the spirit of Detroit for The Highway Cleanup project in September 2025. He joined The Metro to speak about the award and giving back to the community he calls home.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Detroit to reroute trucks away from residential neighborhoods
In Southwest Detroit, 18-wheeled vehicles frequently rumble through streets that aren’t made for them. Heavy truck traffic has been more than just an inconvenience here.
For years, it’s meant noise, pollution, and danger for neighbors.
Detroit is one of the country’s busiest freight hubs. Per Outlier Media reporting, about 128,000 loaded containers entered the city in July alone.
To improve the situation, the city of Detroit is creating new truck restrictions on certain streets.
Chief of Infrastructure and Deputy Director for Public Works for the City of Detroit Samuel Krassenstein tells The Metro that next week the city plans to make some of the biggest series of truck route restrictions yet.
Krassenstein spoke with Robyn Vincent about truck traffic in Detroit, the problems it causes, and how the city is working to alleviate the problem for residents who live near it.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Colorism and the Latino community
Colorism is defined in the Oxford dictionary as "prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group."
It's one facet of discrimination that often goes without proper acknowledgment, and one that Professor Rogerio Pinto aims to shine a light on through his work.
Rogerio Pinto is a University Diversity Social Transformation Professor. He is a Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Collegiate Professor of Social Work and he’s a Professor of Theatre and Drama, School of Music, Theatre & Dance at The University of Michigan.
Born in Brazil, Professor Pinto has dedicated his life to breaking the social constructs of colorism and other "-isms" that divide people.
Earlier this year, Professor Pinto curated and hosted "Colorism," a mixed-media installation that used video, photography, tactile elements and a montage to explore colorism. "Colorism" took a look at the term from its roots to where we are today in society.
Professor Pinto also curated a Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers live event on colorism.
Professor Pinto stopped by The Metro to explore the complexities of colorism and its impact on people immigrating to the U.S., and how to tackle identity within times of division.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Neuroscientist explains how music affects the brain
Music is a form of creative expression, but it’s also an antidote that can put you in just the right head space at the right time. It can calm you down after a stressful day or hype you up before a night out.
Music has the power to alter or reinforce our state of being and scientists like Daniel Levitin want to harness its power to heal us.
Levitin is a neuroscientist and a musician who has spent a lot of time studying the impact music has on our brains. His most recent book is called “I Heard There Was A Secret Chord: Music As Medicine”.
He joined he show to discuss the book and explain how music can heal us.
How to stop foreclosures in Detroit
When the Great Recession hit, homeownership in Detroit took a dive. Between 2011 and 2015, about 10,000 residents lost their homes due to illegal tax foreclosures following the city’s bankruptcy.
Many foreclosed homes have ended up on the Wayne County auction list over the last decade. The good news is that the overall number of those homes has been shrinking, but it remains to be seen if this signals a trend.
In this conversation, Metro producer Sam Corey spoke with Alex Alsup. He’s the author of the substack, “The Chargeback.” The two discussed what accounts for the increase in homes up for auction this year, and what can be done to stop or slow foreclosures.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.
Recent killings test state domestic violence protections
Over the past month, Southeast Michigan has been shaken by a string of killings. A mother and her 12-year-old son, a woman fleeing an abusive relationship, and a young woman, only 20 years old, were killed with days of each other by a partner or loved one.
These tragic events force us to address hard questions: Where can people living with abuse turn for help? And are the systems that are meant to protect them actually working?
Nushrat Rahman has been covering these stories for the Detroit Free Press. She joined the show to tell us more.
Envisioning better access to the arts for Detroit youth
Detroit has a new coalition fighting for its creative future.
The Detroit Partnership for Arts Education is a cross-sector coalition, supported by Detroit public schools, health leaders, philanthropists and artists. Its mission is to connect more young people with music, media, and the arts.
The initiative is employing a three-prong approach meant to connect students with arts programs with an online navigator, set a vision and benchmarks for arts education in Detroit, and gather data to support a well-funded and accountable system.
A number of leaders in the arts in Detroit are joining the partnership.
Guests:
- Nafeesah Symonette is the co-founder of Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts and is leading much of the partnership
- Mike Banks of Underground Resistance is a Detroit techno pioneer and is part of the DPAE coalition
How to confront cultural norms driving domestic abuse
At the end of August, at least three women in Southeast Michigan were killed by a partner or family member. Those cases prompted questions about protection orders—processes through which victims of domestic abuse can protect themselves.
Do they make a difference, and what more can be done to prevent instances of abuse?
Chéree Thomas is the Co-Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. She believes the responsibility to protect victims should not be placed exclusively on the justice system, it should also be placed on the shoulders of the broader community.
She joined the show to discuss how to collectively address and reduce domestic violence.
'Make it Ours' talks about the life of fashion visionary Virgil Abloh
High fashion often leads back to Europe, where some of the largest fashion houses in the world are. Since Louis Vuitton was founded in 1854 in Paris, it's become a leader in fashion, particularly men’s fashion.
In 2018, the company made history by announcing its first Black man as lead creative director of menswear, Virgil Abloh. The Midwest-born fashion designer made a statement with the appointment. And in his short time at the helm, Virgil helped usher in a new, fresh take on the brand. He brought in street wear, making it chic and high fashion.
Virgil Abloh passed away in 2021 at the age of 41, but the legacy he left behind lives on today.
The Metro’s Tia Graham spoke with Robin Givhan, author of the new book "Make it Ours: Crashing the Gates of Culture with Virgil Abloh".
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Anishinaabe art exhibition coming to DIA
For the first time in 30 years, a major exhibition featuring contemporary Native American art from the Great Lakes region will be on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). “Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation” opens Sunday, September 28, 2025 and runs through April 5, 2026.
The exhibition features 60 artists and over 90 works in mediums from textiles to film, all of which were created by Anishinaabe artists and curated with guidance from a council of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi artists.
Guests:
- Dr. Denene De Quintal, Assistant Curator of Native American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts
- Salvador Salort-Pons, Director of the Detroit Institute of Arts
The exhibition is free with general admission to the DIA, which is always free for Tri-County residents. It is also free for visitors and accompanying children with a tribal ID.
Season Fair brings contemporary art to Michigan Central
Season Fair is a new contemporary art fair debuting at Michigan Central this month as part of Detroit Month of Design.
Financially supported by The Gilbert Family Foundation, the fair will gather 11 leading galleries from across North America. Ten Detroit-based artists will be featured alongside special projects, artist talks and civic engagement.
The Metro’s Tia Graham spoke with Akua Hill, director of arts and culture at the Gilbert Family Foundation and Amani Olu, founder and curatorial director of Season Fair.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Can conditions improve for Detroit arena workers?
Detroit’s arenas are packed with fans and money on game day. But the workers who make it all run say the payoff often doesn’t match the hustle.
The Detroit Industry Standard Boards for sports arenas have been meeting to discuss challenges people working at Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park and Ford Field are facing.
They are nearing the end of the process and will submit recommendations to improve working conditions at professional sporting events and concerts in Detroit.
The process also shows the different needs of workers and employers.
A letter from Ilitch Sports and Entertainment said compensation is not the primary motivation of workers. The company manages Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, and is the owner of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers.
Professor Kess Ballentine, who conducted two surveys of Detroit arena workers, said many work multiple jobs. But Michigan’s preemption laws make it illegal for any city to raise the minimum wage, along with changing other working standards.
Producer Jack Filbrandt spoke with Detroit Documenters Ashley Williams and Noah Kincade to learn more.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Why Detroit is taking misdemeanor cases from Wayne County
In an effort to reduce the high case load, Wayne County has recommended that City of Detroit attorneys prosecute misdemeanor offenses. Earlier this month, Detroit city council voted 8-1 to do just that beginning in July of next year.
What kinds of cases will the city oversee? What kind of burden might this place on Detroit?
Conrad Mallett, Jr. is the corporation counsel for the City of Detroit. He spoke with Robyn Vincent.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
How to strengthen a fragile democracy
Political violence has been in the news so much, it can sometimes feel exhausting. Last week, the conservative activist, Charlie Kirk, was killed.
But there’s good reason the incident has gotten so much coverage. It’s an indicator of something much bigger and more devastating than the act alone — it’s a signal that our democracy is in a fragile state.
That’s in part because political violence has been on the rise.
President Donald Trump was shot while on the campaign trail in 2024. An arsonist set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in April. In June, a former Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband were assassinated. An insurrection took place at the capitol well before all that.
And that’s all outside of Michigan.
Here, a capital riot took place in 2020. A kidnapping was attempted on our governor, Gretchen Whitmer, that same year, in part with hopes of starting a civil war. Just last week, vandalism hit a mosque in Warren.
But what’s troubling experts about this violence is not just these events. It’s also the reactions to them.
Comments about Charlie Kirk’s death on social media were often ferocious. Conservatives were calling for war against liberals. Liberals were happy with Kirk’s death.
To be sure, these are the loudest voices. That’s the way social media algorithms work. The most extreme voices get the most attention because they translate to more advertising revenue.
But people are still choosing to express views of hate and vitriol.
How did we get here? And how do we get to a place where our democracy is stronger — where disagreement, and the bodies that contain those various perspectives, can live side by side?
Shikha Dalmia studies authoritarianism in an effort to stop it, and make us a freer society. She’s the president of the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism, and the Founder and Editor of the Substack, The UnPopulist. She spoke with Robyn Vincent.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Detroit artist Charity fully commits to music career ahead of second album
If you're looking for an R&B artist who represents the spirit and sound of Detroit, look no further than Charity Ward. Her sound, sculpted from her upbringing as a preacher's kid, inspired her debut album in 2020, "Tended Headed."
After years as a part-time musician, and after a major collaboration with rapper Snoop Dogg on her single "Cruel," she entered 2025 on a mission to commit to music full-time.
She joined The Metro to share how transformative her total dedication to music has been and what listeners can expect from her upcoming album.
The power of twisted storytelling with Satori Shakoor
During WDET’s on-air fundraiser, we continue to bring you the news and conversations that inform you, enrich your life, and connect you to the community.
In this conversation, The Metro’s Tia Graham spoke with Satori Shakoor, host of The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers. Satori talked about the importance of storytelling and the importance of strong public media.
This particular conversation also included information about an upcoming show at The Wright on the theme of colorism. It explored the effects of colorism across cultures and how people process related experiences.
Hosted in front of a live audience, Satori helps create a space of vulnerability, honesty and compassion.
Take a listen to the conversation and learn more about The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers and the impact of sharing intimate life experiences.
How small businesses are faring in Southeast Michigan amid tariffs, inflation
What does it feel like to be a small business owner in southeast Michigan right now?
It’s hard to get a firm picture of that, but we do have some numbers to put some paint on the canvas. Right now, the broad story is that the economy is doing well despite uncertainty from high tariffs.
Corporate profits are strong, the jobless rate is 4.3 percent, and wages are going up.
In Detroit specifically, the unemployment rate fell to below 10 percent, dropping from 11 percent in 2024. And a new report says that gains are expected to be had here in the finance, leisure, hospitality and public administration sectors.
But, as noted, difficulty is looming. An effective US tariff rate at almost 16 percent is expected to hamper auto-related jobs. Many have companies stockpiled goods to counteract the tariffs, and some businesses anticipate raising prices. What’s more, companies are hiring much fewer people than they were four years ago.
What does all this mean for small businesses in our area? What does it look like to own a coffee shop, a clothing store, or a small construction company in Metro Detroit?
Mark Lee is the president and CEO of The Lee Group, where he consults for small businesses. He spoke with Robyn Vincent.
Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.
Detroit Equity Action Lab trains leaders to disrupt inequity
A quiet shift is underway in Detroit, one led by residents pushing for change inside the systems that have long excluded or marginalized Black people, people of color, and vulnerable communities.
The Detroit Equity Action Lab, directed by Asandi Conner, is at the heart of this effort.
Conner trains and supports a network of fellows working in Detroit's schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and arts organizations. Their mission is to bring equity into the institutions where it is often resisted.
For Conner, this is justice work. It is about shifting how organizations make decisions, whose voices get heard, and what accountability looks like. She says protests wield power and capture public attention, but lasting change often happens in the daily grind of strategy and persistence.
That approach feels especially urgent now, as political support for diversity, equity, and inclusion shrinks nationwide under the Trump administration.
In a separate conversation, Conner’s colleague Angel McKissic spoke about restorative justice circles that repair harm and build trust at the community level. Together, their approaches speak to Detroit's vast justice landscape. McKissic works to heal relationships between people, while Conner challenges inequity inside traditional systems of power.
BLCKOUT Walls Mural Festival returns, empowering artists in Detroit
Over the decades, the city of Detroit gained an identity of being a dangerous place where beautiful things did not happen. The image of the city being blighted with eyesores and vacant lots often overshadowed the residents trying to maintain those communities.
There are some in the city who have pushed against that narrative and have worked to showcase Detroit in all of its facets. A lot of those folks are artists. From painters to weavers and knitters to muralists, all have found ways to use their work to uplift the city that raised them.
It's beyond beautifying neighborhoods and business walls, it's creating paths for economic growth as well.
One of those people making a statement through art is Sydney James. You know her work very well, from the Girl with a D earring located on the Chroma building in Detroit off W. Grand Blvd.
Sydney is a visual artist, painter and muralist and co-founder of BLCKOUT Walls. The free block party is a celebration of Detroit and the powerful impact art can have on culture.
The Metro’s Tia Graham spoke with Sydney James about BLCKOUT Walls and the economic power of creatives in Detroit.