Oakland Avenue Urban Farm turns 25

When who we are and what we believe in conflicts with the traditions that we’re raised in, life broadly leaves us three choices: we can change who we are to fit the tradition, we can leave the tradition behind, or we can try to change the tradition to fit our ideals. That last choice requires courage. Change is not easy, and when it comes to a tradition like religion, many become upset when people start tinkering with how things are done.  But that’s exactly what Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie has been doing. The rabbi who runs an alternative Jewish synagogue in New York City came up in Israel under a lineage of orthodox rabbis. But Rabbi Lau-Lavie and his congregation don’t practice orthodox Judaism, they’re doing something unique.  The new documentary, “Sabbath Queen” explores the life of Rabbi Lau-Lavie and more. Tomorrow, the rabbi will be at an event at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue in Detroit. The film will be screening Sunday at the DIA.  Sandi DuBowski is the filmmaker. He spoke with Cary Junior II. Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

The future of a nearly 100-year-old dam in Flat Rock, MI will be determined tomorrow. The board of commissioners for Huron-Clinton Metroparks, who owns the dam, will vote on its long-term plans for the structure at 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 11 at Willow Metropark. Community members and elected officials oppose removing the century-old Flat Rock Dam. Brad Booth of the Flat Rock Dam Coalition joined The Metro to discuss.  

The University of Michigan is ending gender-affirming care for minors, leaving an untold number of families with fewer options and greater uncertainty. Gender-affirming care for minors is legal in Michigan, and major medical and mental-health associations recognize it as best practice. Research links it to lower depression and suicide risk.  But a Michigan Medicine spokesperson said in a prepared statement that the risks of offering this care are now too high. This comes after it received a federal subpoena as part of a criminal and civil investigation into gender-affirming care for minors. “We recognize the gravity and impact of this decision for our patients and our community. We are working closely with all those impacted,” the statement reads. The announcement represents a profound loss for families. For some young people, it means a place they felt safe and could trust is closing its doors. And the consequences are real: more anxiety, more depression, greater risk of suicide. Equality Michigan’s Emme Zanotti joined Robyn Vincent to discuss the impacts on Michigan families. Zanotti, a trans woman, also took off her advocate hat to reflect on the personal reverberations she feels at this moment. Michigan Medicine did not respond to an email request about the number of patients who will be affected and how the hospital plans to assist patients during this transition.  Editor's Note: After this conversation aired, Corewell Health, a major healthcare provider in Michigan, also announced the end of its gender-affirming care. 

The thriving Detroit film scene continues to produce fan favorite shows and movies, which can often be found on Tubi and Youtube. The local artists and creators in Detroit continue to do what they can with what they have. Resources and access to them are limited, but the City of Detroit wants to make a change.  The city is offering a new initiative to support local film creators called Film Detroit. They want to attract actors, production assistants, directors and more while providing them the chance to connect and learn about what the city has to offer. This Wednesday September 10th, the city is hosting its first Film Detroit outreach session which will include food, music and networking.  Chantal Cook is the program coordinator for Film Detroit. She joins The Metro to speak more about Detroit's film community.

Detroit’s industrialization often cuts people off from various spaces with its grey infrastructure — roads with wide lanes, large, corporate plants, and several highways.  That’s why some are excited about the Joe Louis Greenway. When completed, the project will wrap itself around the city, stretching 29 miles and connecting 23 Detroit neighborhoods with bike and pedestrian paths.  But the Greenway doesn’t have all the funds it needs yet. That’s why it was a big deal that the Knight Foundation recently gave the project $7 million dollars to continue its construction.  Leona Medley is the executive director of the Joe Louis Greenway Partnership. 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.

Social service agencies, particularly government and nonprofit ones, rely on money from the federal government to feed people, provide healthcare, and cover housing payments. And since federal cuts from both the Trump administration and the Big Beautiful Bill, many local organizations are concerned about the future of their operations. That includes the Community Housing Network, which helps people get housing in Macomb and Oakland counties.  How has it been reacting to federal funding cuts? And, what does homelessness look like in the suburbs, especially as it’s been rising over the past five years?  Kirsten Elliott, the president of Community Housing Network nonprofit, spoke with producer Sam Corey about that and more. Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Urban Farming simply means growing produce, fruits and veggies in a city setting. So think rooftop gardens and, in the case of Oakland Avenue Urban Farm, the use of vacant lots in Detroit North End.  Oakland Avenue Urban Farm is celebrating 25 years of operation. In 2000, its founder pastor Reverend Bertha L. Carter saw that the community needed to help itself instead of waiting on others. Rev. Carter urged her congregation to address food insecurity by developing the Oakland Avenue Urban Farm. Through the years, their goal has been to use urban farming as a way to create jobs and new green career pathways for residents. Overall, the organization wants to teach Detroit residents how to live and thrive healthier.  This year marks 25 years of urban farming in the North End and to commemorate the organization is celebrating with a gala on September 27th. Jerry Ann Hebron is Executive Director Northend Christian CDC. She joined The Metro to talk more about 25 years, and what the future holds for urban farming in Detroit. Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Soccer fans know a pitch as the field where the game begins. Now Detroit City Football Club is building a new one in Corktown, and they’re also making a pitch to neighbors. Under Detroit’s Community Benefits Ordinance, big projects like this one must work with residents to address community concerns.  That’s where the Neighborhood Advisory Council comes in. Nine members — chosen by residents, city council, and developers — will meet with the team over the coming months to hammer out how this project can benefit the neighborhood. Producer Jack Filbrandt sat down with Detroit Documenters Robert De’Andrea and Noah Kincade to learn more about the Neighborhood Advisory Council and what’s at stake for residents.  Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Fried Chicken and Caviar brings fun, flavor and vibes to Detroit In this episode, we’re saying what up doe to Chi Walker and Nik Renee Cole, the duo behind Fried Chicken and Caviar — or FCC for short. FCC isn’t just about food on a plate; it’s about creating a vibe. Their pop-up has appeared all over Detroit, from Batch Brewing to 2 Birds and The Congregation. Known for their adventurous food pairings and bold recipes, Chi and Nik use flavor as a way to spark joy and connection. From their popular Glizzy Parties — hot dogs topped with decadent ingredients — to catering high-profile events like the James Beard Awards, Fried Chicken and Caviar keeps finding new ways to bring fun to food. As Chi and Nik put it, “Fried Chicken and Caviar” is more than just a name.

In 1978, residents in the Detroit's Cass Corridor resisted Wayne State’s plan to demolish historic buildings in the neighborhood. This act of resistance birthed the Dally in the Alley festival. Since that year, community volunteers come together each year to put on a block party that features local vendors, food, and musical performances.  Adriel Thornton, the president of the North Cass Community Union, which host the event, joined the show to discuss Dally. Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.