Arab Orchestra founder says music fosters greater unity

The Robocop statue commemorating the 80s sci-fi film was finally installed in Eastern Market after over a decade of planning. The movie centers Alex Murphy, a Detroit police officer who was killed on the job by criminal. A corporation tasked with reducing the city’s crime rate then uses his body to create a crime fighting cyborg.   The concept spawned multiple sequels, comics, an animated series, action figures and more. But what about the movie resonated so deeply with fans in Detroit that they were willing to help fund a sculpture to honor it? Curtis Sullivan, owner of the Vault of Midnight comic book stores, is a huge fan of Robocop. He joined the program to discuss the significance of the film, its relevance to Detroit, and the new sculpture.

Somewhere between the psychedelic 1960s and the arrival of punk in the late 1970s, Detroit had a unique imprint on American music with an avant-garde, noise rock scene. Destroy All Monsters was an influential band and art collective at the time. Their sound was radical, experimental, and noisy. The band was formed in Ann Arbor in the early 1970s by Cary Loren, Mike Kelly, Jim Shaw and Niagra. The group’s influence on art and music in Detroit is being recognized with a retrospective at Cranbrook Art Museum called “Mythic Chaos: 50 Years of Destroy All Monsters.” Also on display through March is a sister exhibition, “Noise, Vision, and Ruins” at the Detroit Public Library, Main Branch and curated by Cary Loren.  Both exhibitions are open through March. The Metro’s David Leins spoke Loren about the group’s origins, and what to expect from the exhibitions.

To some, the story of the Packard Plant mirrors that of Detroit. Built in the early 1900s, the building was a major site of auto manufacturing in the city. That was until the mid-1950s, when the plant closed. But that didn’t spell the end for the Packard Plant. The building continued to house industrial and commercial tenants into the 1990s, and was even home to some legendary Detroit raves. The site isn’t really a factory anymore. It’s a ruin. And now, two developers say they want to give that ruin new life. What are the plans for the redeveloped plant? Developers Mark Bennett and Oren Goldenberg spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent about that and more.

The project to reconstruct I-375 is meant to do two things at once: rebuild aging infrastructure and repair the harm caused by a highway that, decades ago, tore through Black neighborhoods and business districts in downtown Detroit. But as plans evolved, the cost of the I-375 reconstruction project was ballooning to $520 million. Criticism was mounting among nearby business owners who feared losing money and Detroiters who wanted to ensure the project would deliver reparative outcomes.  So in August the Michigan Department of Transportation paused the project. Then last month, it was revived with a different plan.  Jason Garza is the Michigan Department of Transportation Deputy Region Engineer. He spoke with The Metro's Robyn Vincent.

Coup D’état is a one of two local shops in Michigan to be chosen for New York Times list of 50 Best Clothing Stores in America. The article states Coup D'etat is inspirational and distinctive in its approach to customers and its community.  Located on Detroit's east side, its nestled in a growing community of new and legacy Detroit residents. The store has embedded itself with local movers and shakers, making sure to be present and open to support local makers. In 2025, Coup D'état held an art exhibition honoring the legacy of Detroit photographer Bill Rauhauser, highlighting the work he did capturing everyday life in Detroit through the 20th century. Angela Wisenski-Cobbina is the owner and founder of Coup D’état. She wanted to make sure the boutique was than luxury shop, she wanted it to be inclusive for all people at all price points. Angela spoke with The Metro's Tia Graham about opening the space in 2019 and the journey so far.

What policies do Black residents in Michigan want to see? The Center for Community Uplift at the Brookings Institute surveyed Black residents across the state of Michigan to uncover policies they felt improved their quality of life. They released a report with 29 recommendations. Andre Perry, a senior fellow at Brookings and the director of the center joined the show and broke down some of the findings from the report.

Detroit siblings Miriam and Ernesto came to the U.S. together as toddlers. They grew up one grade apart, sharing a life, a city, and a future. Now Ernesto is behind the walls of the North Lake immigration detention center in Baldwin after being detained by ICE on his way to work — despite legal work authorization and a pending green-card application. After Miriam tells their story, The Metro also spoke with Christine Suave of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, who explains the legal landscape and what options remain for someone in Ernesto’s position, and State Sen. Stephanie Chang, who discusses what Michigan lawmakers can and cannot do in response to federal immigration enforcement decisions. Listen to part 1

Detroit siblings Miriam and Ernesto came to the U.S. together as toddlers. They grew up one grade apart, sharing a life, a city, and a future. Now Ernesto is behind the walls of the North Lake immigration detention center in Baldwin after being detained by ICE on his way to work — despite legal work authorization and a pending green-card application. His sister Miriam joins us to reflect on their childhood and the shock of his arrest.  The Metro also spoke with Christine Suave of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, who explains the legal landscape and what options remain for someone in Ernesto’s position, and State Sen. Stephanie Chang, who discusses what Michigan lawmakers can and cannot do in response to federal immigration enforcement decisions.

Lue Yang was born in a Thai refugee camp after his family fled Laos. The Hmong refugee has lived in Michigan since he was 8 months old. While he is here legally, Yang previously had a 1997 criminal conviction. Though it was expunged in Michigan, that isn’t recognized by federal immigration law. That resulted in ICE agents arresting Yang in July at his work. He was in prison until last week when he was released with the help of Michigan Republican Congressman Tom Barrett. The congressmember joined Robyn Vincent to discuss. 

When Michael Ibrahim’s parents handed him an oud at ten years old they sparked a drive within him to honor the music that was central to his upbringing. Years later, he founded the National Arab Orchestra, which has performed across the country and established itself as a national leader in Arab music. Michael Ibrahim, who is also the organization's music director, joined the program to share his musical origins, how the orchestra came to be, and why he believes music can bring communities together.