Detroit Next

Malachi Barrett and Bryce Huffman interview Denzel McCampbell, the newly elected District 7 City Council member, about his priorities and vision. McCampbell emphasizes community-driven policy making, equitable development, and accountability for corporations. He plans to conduct listening sessions, create resident work groups, and address issues like housing, transportation, and environmental pollution. "I think it's we're going to have to look at all avenues, I would say, looking at one as we're going through the budget process, to make sure that we're priority, prioritizing what we need to be, that we know that home repair is a need. It's not to say that we have to take for somewhere else, but I do think we will have to look at new revenue in a way that how can we address some of these needs." Denzel McCampbell Check out the full episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Malachi Barrett recently chatted with Melvin "Butch" Hollowell, who is leading Mayor Elect Mary Sheffield's transition team. Hollowell explains what stage the transition is and how his years of experience working on transition teams has guided the approach to the current one.  "The brand for mayor elect has all been about listening and community. So we're going to make sure that people have an opportunity to say what's on their minds. How are the core city services that they're receiving in their particular neighborhoods being handled? What can we be doing better? We want their unvarnished opinions, because that helps to drive where we put attention and resources so, and this is, this is consistent with how mayor elect is has served the public throughout her career. So for us, it will be, we want to hear what you have to say, we will turn that feedback into into action through our our transition committees and through, frankly, the the governing structure that will begin to take shape on January 1." - Melvin "Butch" Hollowell Check out every episode of Detroit Next online now! Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

The votes are in and Mary Sheffield will be Detroit's next mayor! She becomes the first woman mayor in the city's history and the first City Council President elected to the office. Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different and Malachi Barrett of BridgeDetroit breakdown what Detroiters can expect to see during the transition period before she takes office. "When I was out at the polls talking to folks, they felt that (Sheffield's) experience on the council really mattered. They thought it was really important that she's been leading the City Council and been involved in a lot of the success of the city. She also had a pretty sober look at what's wrong with Detroit. She wasn't out there saying that everything's gravy, everything's fixed. Her message was really focused on continuing what's worked, but make sure it goes deeper into the neighborhoods, bring new investment into the neighborhoods." - Malachi Barrett Check out the full episode of Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

Rev. Solomon Kinloch wants voters to know ahead of the November general election that his administration would be focused on making sure the residents always have a seat at the table. "We have to do a better job of making sure that citizens in this city don't feel like an afterthought, but they feel like, when we are sitting at the table, that they are the primary thought." - Solomon Kinloch Check out the full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

Malachi Barrett and Khary Frazier are back for the last Detroit Next episode before Election Day, Rev. Solomon Kinloch gives his last pitch to Detroiters, once again emphasizing the city's neighborhoods. "We are not suggesting that good things have not happened in the city of Detroit. What we're saying is, is that when you ask the citizens in this city, they're not good enough, although we've come a long ways, we've made tremendous progress, but that progress has to be more inclusive, so that people in the inner city can feel the renaissance and the revitalization that we say is taking place." - Solomon Kinloch. Check out the full episode and full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

Detroit City Councilmember Mary Waters joins Detroit Next to chat about running for re-election in the At-Large race and some of the difficulties facing City Council. One big issue is property taxes in the City of Detroit are too high. "Where will the revenues come from? That has been our struggle. Even if we are able to lower property taxes by a mill or two, we can't go too far beyond that unless we identify other revenue streams, and we have not been able to do that." - Mary Waters Check out the full interview on Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

What will Detroiters see from the mayor's office if Mary Sheffield is elected in November? That's exactly what Malachi Barrett spoke to City Council President Sheffield about for Detroit Next this week. "We always take into consideration comments and concerns that were raised during our forums to go back and add that into our policy, some of our 100 day goals, whether it's in housing or education or public safety, the community knows best what is needed in their neighborhoods. And so yes, we've made a lot of adjustments, and we're always reminded that there's so much work to do in Detroit, but I'm very encouraged to have partnerships, and the collaboration that I believe is going to be needed to help ensure that we get those issues addressed." Mary Sheffield Check out the full episode from Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

State Rep. and City Council Candidate Tyrone Carter speaks with Bryce Huffman of BridgeDetroit about how hi experience in the state legislature will be helpful for Detroit, and District 6 specifically, if he is elected next month. "We're going to have a new mayor for the first time in 12 years, and at least two new city council people. So there's going to be a transition, and we have to look at it. I can take a step back and look at it from the state level, all the monies that we've sent to the city, all the federal monies that have been sent to the city to do projects it's pretty much gone, and also the relationship. So I think that the new mayor will have an opportunity to focus on more community issues, neighborhoods that have been, you know, saying, hey, the two Detroit thing, but if there's no downtown, there's no Detroit. Let's be clear about that. If your heart's not strong, the rest of the body is going to wither away. So downtown is a strong heart now. So I think this gives the opportunity to, you know, do pilot programs in different neighborhoods to see what and meet with the district reps to say, Okay, what do your neighborhoods want? And where can we start this project?" - Tyrone Carter Check out the full interview from Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett and Detroit is Different's Khary Frazier talk about small business development in the city of Detroit. Guests Charity Dean, President and CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance, and Jennyfer Crawford, Founder of All Things Detroit, talk about what can be done to help small businesses in the city from the next mayoral and City Council administrations. "I definitely think that so many of the discussions about those third spaces come into play, and people saying that I want to be in my neighborhood and go to businesses that I enjoy. Communities always talk about the restaurants they want, places like that coffee shop they want, places that they can enjoy and buy the things that they love. The business owners are like, it's sometimes tough to connect to that." - Khary Frazier Check out the full episode of Detroit Next, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

City Councilmember and Candidate Gabriela Santiago-Romero represents District 6. She tells Bryce Huffman about her plans for a second term if she wins re-election in November. "I want to continue to co-govern with our residents today really are the ones that guide our platform, our agenda, and what I'm hearing is that people just want us to double down on making sure that we are making a city that is safe and accessible." - Gabriela Santiago-Romero Check out the full interview from Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

District 7 City Council candidate Denzel McCampbell says he would prioritize youth programs, affordable housing, and public safety if elected in November. "Public safety is a concern across the city, and we have been fortunate to have been impacted by community violence intervention groups. We've seen the data that has led to a drop in and harm and violence here in District 7 and across the city. So I'll be looking to make sure that that is funded, but also that if somebody needs housing to get out of violence situation, that we're able to help provide that, transportation, jobs, skilled trade training, and really taking care of mental health issues that we have in the city, with more programs for mental health and breaking down the stigma as well." - Denzel McCampbell Check out the full interview from Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

At-Large City Council candidate and former Councilmember Janeé Ayers spoke to Bryce Huffman about running for City Council At-Large after being voted out of office in 2021. "I've been leading things for our kids, for our seniors, and just for the community at whole so I had to talk about all the things, and I've talked about policy and all of that over the last four years. So it's really not new to get back in front of voters." - Janeé Ayers Check out the full interview from Detroit Next. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate, who represents District 1 on the city's west side, spoke to BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett about the inner workings of City Council and the balancing act of city government.  Check out this full audio-only episode from Detroit Next, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch full episodes and interviews now. 

Maria Ibarra Fraye, executive director of We the People Michigan, joins Detroit Next to talk about co-governance and where Detroit is at politically in this moment with BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett. Ibarra Fraye talks about the experience of growing up as an undocumented immigrant in Detroit. "It was hard in the sense that nobody was talking about this. It was a family secret. I was told over and over by my parents don't talk about this. Don't tell other people that you're undocumented. And I remember being in high school and all my friends were getting their driver's licenses and figuring out what college they were going to, and making plans to do all the things that you can do when you have status, like even buy cold medicine because you have an ad. And I couldn't do any of that." Maria Ibarra Fraye Check out the full episode of Detroit Next, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett and Detroit is Different's Khary Frazier talk about both City Council President Mary Sheffield and Reverend Solomon Kinloch, as both have tried to claim being grassroots candidates throughout this campaign. "The leader of Triumph Church has positioned himself as a grassroots working class champion. They know there's some ground to make up, but it seems like they're trying to occupy more of an outsider Lane in this race. Mary Sheffield is also positioning herself as people's champion, as a grassroots progressive candidate who has a anti poverty agenda, and they both have now scheduled town halls throughout the city through September and early October, so we're going to get to hear more from them." Malachi Barrett Maria Ibarra Fraye of We the People Michigan also joins Detroit Next to talk about co-governance and where Detroit is at politically in this moment. Check out the full episode of Detroit Next, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Bryce Huffman of BridgeDetroit and Khary Frazier of Detroit is Different breakdown everything you need to know following the August Primary election. With Mary Sheffield and Solomon Kinloch set to square off in the mayor's race, see what you need to know about all the people running for City Council who made it out or the primary. "One thing definitely is for sure, as much as the Mayor's office does have the District Managers ... when something happens in the community, as James Tate even said, or Brenda Jones definitely will share with you anytime you get a chance, they're looking to talk to their Council member." - Khary Frazier Check out the full episode from Detroit Next, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Detroit Next has interviewed all nine of the mayoral candidates who are on the August ballot. We wrapped up with candidates Joel Haashiim, Jonathan Barlow and DaNetta Simpson. Check out their full interviews individually and make sure to watch or listen to the other candidate interviews before casting your ballot! Detroit Next is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Subscribe to stay up to date on all things related to Detroit's 2025 election. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Bryce Huffman and Khary Frazier discuss the city's legal agreements with various authorities like the Detroit Land Bank Authority and Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and more. Attorney and mayoral candidate Todd Perkins joins the show as well, and he discusses why the city needs an attorney in the mayor's office. Check out the full episode here on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

DaNetta Simpson is no stranger to running for office. This is her third time running for mayor in Detroit, and she hopes this time, voters will listen to what she has to say. "I'm a lifetime resident. Okay, first of all, I lived in the struggle, not too far from the Black Bottom (neighborhood) on the east side. And I've lived in the struggle with most of the residents in the city of Detroit within the past 40 to 45 years now. So I have a lot in common with them. I have experienced what they have experienced. I have been left out, and so have (many of) them." Check out the full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Attorney Todd Perkins wants to be Detroit's next mayor, and he believes his experience as a lawyer makes him the best choice to handle Detroit's issues. "It's no secret as to some of the success that you've seen from Mayor Duggan has been because of his skill and his skill set from being an attorney. I think that that is absolutely important when you get to the table and you're negotiating agreements, understanding that you're not going to be the person as mayor to do everything, but to have that innate knowledge and that intuitive knowledge as it relates to things that happen and come across your desk, you're going to know where to go and how to direct people, instead of having to ask people what to do." Check out the full interview between Perkins and BridgeDetroit Engagement Editor Bryce Huffman on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Detroit Mayoral candidate and businessman Joel Haashiim believes there is a lot at stake in this election and he's the only candidate who has the chops to handle big issues like the Detroit Land Bank Authority, longstanding issues with the city's largest school district, and more. "First of all, you're talking 54 years of domestic and international business. Then you're talking about the ability to bring international companies and domestic companies into Detroit to do business. That's job creation, that's producing occupational wage jobs, careers, and that's what we need in Detroit." Check out the full interview between Haashiim and BridgeDetroit Engagement Editor Bryce Huffman on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Despite trailing in the polls, mayoral candidate Jonathan Barlow believes he's the only person in the race who can guide Detroit into being a world-class city of the future. "It's very clear that I'm just a different candidate. The plan that I keep on referring to is the only plan that continues to be presented. And so I believe voters, as well as the other candidates, as well as the city, have taken note of the things that I've said." Check out the full conversation between Barlow and BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Disclaimer: This interview was recorded before Jonathan Barlow faced harassment complaints from multiple women. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Ken Cockrel Jr., former interim Mayor and former Detroit City Council President, believes the transition from the Council to the mayor's office is a huge one. And any candidate, regardless of their experience, needs to be ready for the full weight of the job. "I would say the thing that they have to be prepared for and be ready for is to understand that whatever you think your day looks like from day to day, it could change on a dime, and you have to be prepared to respond to it." Check out the full interview here and be sure to check out the full episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Detroit Mayor and City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. joins Detroit Next to break down all the different things Detroiters need to think about before casting their votes in the primary. "When I became mayor, the one thing that even I wasn't quite ready for is the extent to which every day can hit you with something completely unexpected," Cockrel Jr. said. "So that's the thing I think anybody that's going to be mayor needs to be prepared for. You can have a sense of what your day is going to look like, just based on your calendar and what you have on it. But the reality is, something may come up, it's going to force you to completely recalibrate and do something different." Stephen Henderson and Bryce Huffman also talk about the things they are hearing from Detroiters heading into this election. Check out the full episode from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Police Chief James Craig believes Detroiters should demand a leader who demands accountability. "Detroit Police Department was under federal oversight for 13 years, one of the longest running consent decrees, and we got out from under within one year of my administration, not by accident. Certainly, leadership played a key role, but accountability played a bigger role." To learn why Craig thinks he can go from police chief to mayor in this race, check out the full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Former Police Chief James Craig believes he's the only candidate who can truly keep Detroiters safe. "Hollywood" Craig believes his decades of experience in law enforcement will ultimately win over Detroiters in the August primary.  He joins Detroit Next to talk about what public safety looks like and why he's a leader who demands accountability.  Check out the full episode from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. You can find video versions of the full episodes, interviews and more on our YouTube page. 

Longtime Detroit communications professional and media personality Karen Dumas believes Detroiters deserve better in many aspects of life, and that starts with city leadership.   Dumas, who served as Chief of Communications & External Affairs for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit and works as a columnist for the Detroit News, believes no candidate in the race has fully stood out from the pack thus far. Dumas makes it clear that Detroiters don't need a miracle worker, they need a competent mayor who can address the longstanding issues plaguing the city.    Check out the full interview to hear her thoughts. This interview was done for Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Attorney and former Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams says the next mayor will have a lot of heavy lifting to do with fewer resources than the current administration. Adams, who unsuccessfully ran against Mike Duggan in the 2021 mayoral race, reflects on the time he spent working with Kwame Kilpatrick. Adams believes whoever becomes mayor next needs to unify the business community, neighborhood leaders, and everyday residents to guide the city forward.    Check out the full interview to hear his thoughts on Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. For the video version of the show 

Detroiters Karen Dumas and Anthony Adams join Detroit Next to talk about the honest thoughts they have on the mayor's race.    Dumas worked communications for former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, but also works as a columnist for the Detroit News. She believes no candidate in the race has fully stood out from the pack thus far. Dumas also makes it clear that Detroiters don't need a miracle worker, they need a competent mayor who can address longstanding issues.    Adams, who ran against Mike Duggan in the 2021 mayoral race, reflects on the time he spent working with Kwame Kilpatrick. Adams believes whoever becomes mayor next needs to unify the business community and neighborhood leaders to guide the city forward.    Check out the full episode to hear their thoughts. Detroit Next is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield explains how a decade plus of experience serving the city's legislative branch has prepared her to become mayor.    Sheffield is the frontrunner in the race, by all accounts. But historically speaking, the path from City Council to being elected mayor is a tough one in Detroit. She details her plans for what she'd like to do about affordable housing, raising wages for Detroiters, and attracting young people back to the city.    This is a full interview from Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. 

Mary Sheffield, current City Council President and mayoral frontrunner in Detroit, talks about years of experience and how that would shape her administration if she is elected with BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett.   Malachi and Stephen Henderson also talk about the sometimes complicated relationship between City Council and the mayor, and the difficult path from Council to being elected mayor. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now.    This is Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Mayoral candidate and former Detroit City Council member Saunteel Jenkins talks to BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett about the different ways she is qualified to be the city's next mayor.   Jenkins spent a decade running The Heating and Warmth Fund (THAW) as its CEO, and she believes that executive experience has prepared her to deal with the various city departments and $3 billion dollar city budget she would be in charge of if elected.   This interview was done for the Detroit Next podcast, which is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Detroit developer Chase Cantrell, Executive Director of Building Community Value, discusses educating new developers in the city with BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett.   Cantrell focuses a lot of his attention on educating new and inexperienced developers, mostly on how to develop properties in their communities.  He wants people who are thinking about becoming developers, regardless of the scale of the projects, to understand the costs that go into it.    This is a clip from the fourth episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Detroit developer Sonya Mays, President and CEO of Develop Detroit, discusses barriers and reasons for optimism regarding housing developments in the city with BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett.   Mays shares her experience working with Detroiters to talk about why there is some reason for optimism heading into the 2025 election. She also talks about the need to reframe conversations around "affordable housing" to instead focus on increasing the wages of regular Detroiters.    This is a clip from the fourth episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Detroit developer Richard Hosey discusses barriers to development in the city with BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett.   Hosey is the founder of Hosey Development LLC and has worked on large scale development projects in Detroit such as Six55 Willis and the Fisher Body 21. His decades in the development space give him a unique perspective on how he sees the city heading into the 2025 election season.    This is a clip from the fourth episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.

Detroit City Councilman and mayoral candidate Fred Durhal III talks to BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett about his plans to continue the momentum of development in the city if he's elected mayor, and more heading into the election.   Durhal is a former state legislator and he currently represents the city's 7th City Council district. He wants to make Detroit "a city for families again" while boosting investment in small business development that is centered in the neighborhoods.    This interview was used, in part, on the Detroit Next podcast.

Detroit mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch talks to BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett about growing up in poverty, how he plans to address the affordable housing crisis if he's elected mayor, and more heading into the election.   Pastor Kinloch is mostly known in the city as the leader of Triumph Church and its 40,000 member congregation, with branches that stretch from Detroit to Flint. Kinloch    This interview was used, in part, on the Detroit Next podcast. 

Saunteel Jenkins, mayoral candidate and former Detroit City Council member, joins Detroit Next to share why she believes her time running The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) and more have prepared her to be the city's next mayor. This is the fifth episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Black Detroit developers Richard Hosey, Sonya Mays and Chase Cantrell discuss barriers to development in the city, along with some opportunities with BridgeDetroit's Stephen Henderson and Malachi Barrett.   This is the fourth episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Detroit City Councilman and mayoral candidate Fred Durhal III talks about his plans to continue pushing for development in the city with BridgeDetroit's Stephen Henderson and Malachi Barrett.  This is the third episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Mayor Mike Duggan and mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch share their views on social safety nets in Detroit with our hosts, Stephen Henderson and Malachi Barrett of BridgeDetroit. This is the second episode of Detroit Next, a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

This is the first episode of Detroit Next, a podcast that explores Detroit's upcoming elections. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson and BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett begin to unpack the mayoral race, the City Council race and the issues that will be top of mind for Detroiters throughout 2025.  Detroit Next is a collaboration between BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different. Head to BridgeDetroit's YouTube page to watch the full episode now. 

Longtime Detroiter and Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Henderson introduces you to Detroit Next, a podcast and content channel from BridgeDetroit and Detroit is Different.   This project is the one-stop-shop for news, information and analysis of the 2025 elections in Detroit.    Henderson and BridgeDetroit's Malachi Barrett will be guiding these discussions about the mayor's race, City Council clashes and the Board of Police Commissioners race all the way through the 2025 November election.