Why Detroit’s youngest voters stay engaged

In the 12 years since the city of Detroit declared bankruptcy, a new generation of voters came of age. A sizeable portion of Gen Z—those born between 1997 and 2012—are now old enough to cast their ballots in Tuesday's election. That group in 2022 voted at a higher rate in their first midterms than Millennials, Gen X, and likely Boomers when they were the same age, making them a relatively more civically engaged cohort.  As we approach a different kind of off year election, when the keys to the future of Detroit are up for grabs, just how engaged is Gen Z in local politics? Guests: Imani Foster - Communication lead with 482forward, a coalition that supports education in Detroit. Jonathan Shepard - Film marketing and journalism student at Wayne State University and the multimedia manager for the the school’s newspaper. Sedrick Huff - Policy manager at the Eastside Community Network.

For a long time, Michigan's roads didn't have the funding they needed. That was true until last month, when lawmakers placed a 24% tax on marijuana products sold in the state. The vote was mostly along party lines with Democrats supporting it, and Republicans rejecting the measure. But the vote needed bipartisan support. And they got it from Upper Peninsula State Senator Ed McBroom. Producer Sam Corey spoke with Senator McBroom before President Donald Trump complied with rulings to temporarily and partially fund SNAP for this month. After their conversation, the state Senate approved a plan to fund SNAP. Senator McBroom, along with several other Senate Republicans, did not attend the vote for that in the statehouse.  McBroom’s office told The Metro that the senator was told by Democratic leadership that representatives wouldn’t be voting on anything and that the SNAP bill wasn’t originally on the day’s agenda. Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks’ office said the Senate Republican caucus was provided the bill and had time to meet to discuss it ahead of the vote.

As the federal shutdown drags on, families in Michigan’s 12th District are feeling the strain — from missing food assistance to missed paychecks and rising costs. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib joins The Metro to discuss what this moment means for working people already living on the edge. The conversation also widens to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the growing influence of progressive leaders like fellow Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani — voices reshaping the moral and political debates of the day.

A new exhibition opening next week wants to explore storytelling through the lens of food, poetry, comedy, visual art, fashion, film, and performance. "Many Tongues," curated by Omo Misha of Irwin House Global Art Center, will use activations to dive into the power of storytelling, while uplifting Detroit creatives. Brittini Ward or Eye N Eye is a storyteller, poet and multidisciplinary artist. Her recent works include "The Seer," commissioned by the Kennedy Center, and "Grandma’s Baby," featured in Wasserman Projects’ Bas Bleu Exhibition. LaMarr Ward is a film maker, multidisciplinary artist and featured panelist for "Many Tongues." His works, "Windstorm Chronicles" will be on display. They joined The Metro to talk about "Many Tongues" and the importance of storytelling as a connector for all people.

You may be familiar with Grammy-winning band Red Hot Chilli Peppers, famous for songs like "Dani California on Stadium Arcadium" or "Can’t Stop" off the 2002 album "By The Way." Hall of Fame Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith recently announced The Chad Smith Foundation. Chad grew up in Michigan and returned to the place where he got his start to help students do the same.  The Curtis and Joan Smith Scholarship will honor his parents while also providing need-based support for incoming music students to the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance.  During U-M’s Band O Rama, Chad joined the Michigan Marching Band in Hill Auditorium for a performance including U of M's fight song "The Victor's" and the Red-Hot Chili Peppers classic Can’t Stop. Tia Graham had the chance to chat with Chad about the foundation, the scholarship and growing up in Michigan.

A new master plan of policies will be unveiled in the coming months to help residents, businesses owners, and city officials guide Detroit into the future. Producer Jack Filbrandt sat down with Detroit Documenters Katy Carlson and Lynelle Herndon for an update on this defining set of policies.

Ijania Cortez brings Detroit’s stories to life through color and community Whether on canvas or a towering wall, Detroit artist Ijania Cortez creates portraits that reflect the city’s people and places. She uses vibrant color, often with neon tones, to capture the spirit of everyday Detroiters and the icons who shape the city. Cortez’s murals appear throughout Detroit, including Cutter’s in Eastern Market and the Ruth Ellis Center’s Clairmont building. Her work celebrates community and the stories that define it. In 2021, Cortez received the Kresge Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Award and collaborated with Hubert Massey and the Detroit Institute of Arts Partners in Public Art Mural Program. She has also taken part in the BLKOUT Walls street art festival. In 2025, she was recognized as a Ruth Ellis Center honoree and featured artist in Murals in the Market, hosted by 1xRUN.

Your spooky soundtrack to Halloween is returning to the WDET airwaves at 6 p.m. Friday, October 31. Jon Moshier, host of Modern Music on WDET, produces his annual Halloween special with an ear for the classic and the offbeat. This year's blood-curdling setlist includes tracks from Bert Convy, Vincent Price & The Young Spirits, and Detroit's own The Incurables. The radio special combines novelty music with radio theatre into a perfect radio companion for handing out candy to trick or treaters. Jon Moshier spoke with The Metro's David Leins about how he makes his selections, the pinnacle of spooky soundtrack LP's and what to expect in this year's special.

The federal government shutdown is now stretching into its second month and food assistance programs are in limbo, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that more than 1.4 million Michiganders rely on. On this episode of The Metro, co-host Robyn Vincent is joined by Amanda Brezzell of Fennigan’s Farms in Detroit to discuss what the pause in benefits means for families, food-pantry networks, and urban farms across the state. 

The Carr Center is a hub for the visual and performing arts in Detroit focused on promoting and sharing the work of Black artists.  For the last 3 decades, it has thrived on collaborations with local community groups and organizations.  The Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club is a local art enthusiast group that supports the fine arts in Metro Detroit.  Recently, The Carr Center and Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club teamed up to present Bridges: Because of Them – Honoring the Past, Uplifting the Present, Shaping the Future.  The show is curated by co-founder of Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, Henry Harper, local art buyer Kendale L. Jones and multi-disciplinary artist Andre Reed Jr.  Oliver Ragsdale Jr. is the CEO of the Carr Center and Henry Harper, the co-founder of Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, and owner of Harper Galleries of Art and Interior. Henry and Oliver joined The Metro to talk more about the exhibition and Detroit’s fine arts scene.