Meet La Cecille: Detroit’s multi-disciplinary artist

Morgan Hutson, known as La Cecille, is an actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer who weaves ancestral knowledge into every note and performance. Her music moves from R and B to electronic, reflecting the multi-disciplinary style that defines her artistry.

La Cecille has been singing her entire life, listening and learning from Detroit’s greats. Just like her mentors and teachers, Detroit itself has become an essential character in her story.

For many, growing up in Detroit feels almost magical. For La Cecille, it truly was, shaping the artist she is today.

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.

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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.

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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 — featuring 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.

Detroit is undergoing changes. You can see it as you drive around. From the murals to the development and redevelopment of particular areas, Detroit can be the model for what it looks like to create a more inclusive city for all. 

And with Detroit being the only U.S. city with a UNESCO Design City designation, it’s natural for Detroit to be at the forefront of major changes that include a creative flair.

UNESCO or The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization promotes international cooperation in various fields to build peace and sustainable development worldwide.

Over the next month, Detroit Month of Design will celebrate 10 years as a UNESCO city of design, with more than 95 events featuring more than 500 creatives in the city.

SustainACity is one of those events. It’s curated by Asia Hamilton, the founder and director of Norwest Gallery of Art. Hamilton is also the Climate Resilience Program Manager for the City of Detroit. 

She spoke on The Metro about what a reimagined Detroit could look like with environmental health at the forefront.

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The City of Detroit is known for its arts. It’s not as well known for its contributions to the greater development of those artistic fields, yet Detroit is the only U.S. city with the title of a UNESCO City of Design. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes international cooperation in various fields to build peace and sustainable development worldwide. Detroit is one of over 40 cities sharing resources and knowledge, allowing greater access to creative solutions.

Design Core Detroit was the organization that applied for the designation. Design Core Detroit provided proof that the city has had a major hand in moving industries with the innovative minds of the people who call Detroit home.

The organization curates the city-wide and month-long event, Detroit Month of Design festival. There will be more than 500 creative spirits in Detroit spanning across the city with exhibitions, panel discussions and immersive teaching events.

The goal is to bring as many innovative people as possible together to develop new inspiring realities for all people. It’s a way for Detroit and its residents to come together and build a brighter future through design and a creative flair.

This year’s theme is city of design, celebrating 10 years as a UNESCO Design City. Co-Executive Director of Design Core Detroit Kiana Wenzell stopped by The Metro to talk more about the month-long event.

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Public art isn’t limited to Detroit-proper. Smaller cities surrounding Detroit are often known for their charm or cozy vibes, yet the love of creative pursuits are just as important as those vibes. 

Now, there’s a new mural festival coming to the downriver area. Paint The Park is a 2-week-long festival that is bringing large-scale murals to downtown Allen Park. It runs September 1–13, 2025. 

Two guests joined The Metro to talk about the first Paint the Park and what makes Allen Park special to its residents: artist and founder of The Mural People Michelle Tanguay, and Director of Allen Park Downtown Development Authority Ben Hughes.

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Activation: Food

Chef Greg is the founder and owner of Smokey G’s Smokehouse, located at Valade Park on Detroit’s Riverfront.

He was a featured vendor during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, and Smokey G’s became the first smoker ever to appear at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Tournament.

For the last 11 years, Greg has taken pride in welcoming people into his family through food, smoke, and plenty of laughs.

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Starting out as a recreational soccer league at Belle Isle in 2010, Detroit City Football Club has grown its footprint in Detroit and metro Detroit, quickly amassing a loyal and passionate fanbase. 

Now, over a decade later, a new stadium is helping usher in a new era for DCFC. AlumniFi Field is set to open for the 2027 USL Championship season. 

Construction is scheduled to begin by the end of this year in the Corktown and Southwest Detroit neighborhoods, pending Detroit City Council’s approval.

Detroit City Football Club Stadium Neighborhood Advisory Council will begin to accept nominations for the council. Any Detroit residents who live within the impact area and are over 18 are eligible to serve.

CEO and Co-founder of DCFC Sean Mann joined Tia Graham on The Metro to talk more about the stadium and the community that AlumniFi will call home. 

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Activation: Food

Chef Booze brings Arkansas roots to Detroit’s food scene

Jermond Booze, professionally known as Chef Booze or simply Booze, was born and raised in Arkansas and has turned Detroit into home. His southern roots are foundational to who he is and to the way he views food as a conduit for larger conversations.

Through hosting music themed dinners, mentoring kids, and winning “Chopped,” Booze has become instrumental in Detroit’s food scene.

The Brightmoor community in the city of Detroit has had its battles, from blight to vacant lots, the community has found a way to remain resilient through the years.

The Brightmoor Music Series began in 2019 and wasn’t an instant hit. After a few weeks of word-of-mouth testimonies from community members, there was a demand for another one the next year. 

Now, the event continues to thrive at Etheldra Mae Williams Park. Located on Burgess between Lyndon and Acacia Streets in Detroit, the once blighted 11acre grassland is now renovated and beautiful.

“Puttin on the Ritz” is a celebration of the 100th birthday of the park’s namesake, Etheldra Mae Williams.

The park will be transformed into a 1920’s speakeasy, along with classic cars and vendors.

Michael Williams is a manager of the William Park Alliance who organizes the Brightmoor Series, and Flint native songstress Pia Broden-Williams is headlining the upcoming celebration. They joined The Metro to talk more about the music series and uplifting the Brightmoor community.

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When women actors in Hollywood called out other actors and executives who committed some form of sexual violence against them, the whole world took notice. Survivors were finally being heard and it sparked the #MeToo era, in which accusations of sexual misconduct were heard more than ever before.

In Michigan, decades of abuse by sports doctor Larry Nassar came to light around the same time. A few years ago, the University of Michigan agreed to a settlement worth $490 million, with over one thousand people saying they were sexually assaulted by the late physician Robert Anderson.     

According to a 2018 survey by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. 

It’s also important to note that many survivors are harmed by someone they know, someone close to them. In the US, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner, according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence survey.

So how far have we come when it comes to having conversations about domestic violence and abuse to prevent it from happening? And what kind of support does a survivor need to work through their trauma? 

Kalimah Johnson is the Founder, CEO and Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing and Awareness (SASHA) Center, which provides services for sexual assault recovery, prevention, and educational agency. Kalimah is also a consultant on relationship safety and management.

We spoke with Kalimah about the SASHA center and the importance of the language we use when talking about sexual violence, specifically against Black women. We also learned about the upcoming fifth edition of a back-to-school program hosted by the SASHA center.

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Picture this: you’re on Mackinac Island having a grand old time at the Grand Hotel, and then boom, a mystery is a foot.

Someone has been murdered during the Mackinac Policy Conference and treachery begins—and if you’re familiar with Mackinac Island, you know you’re not leaving unless it’s by boat or ferry.  

That’s the premise of a new book called “The Grand Secret” that depicts schemes, betrayal, and, of course, a high profile murder. The book also highlights the beauty of Michigan and its landmarks while going through the twists and turns of a murder-mystery.

“The Grand Secret” is the work of author Ed McKenna. The Downriver native and Michigan State Graduate has been writing for more than 20 years. 

The father of two joined The Metro to talk more about “The Grand Secret” and why writing matters.

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Activation: Music

Bryce Detroit is a poet, an artist, a social justice organizer and a musician. And with so many titles on his name, it’s hard to pinpoint what creative endeavor he may be working on at that particular moment, but it’s ALWAYS safe to say he’s doing it for the culture…he’s doing it for Detroit. 

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CONTAINER On The Metro is a new WDET-produced storytelling series that brings Detroit’s creative heartbeat to the airwaves.

CONTAINER is a program created by The Love Building to showcase Detroit’s most promising creative talent across music, fashion, fine arts and food. Done in collaboration with WDET Public Radio with major support from the Gilbert Family Foundation. 

What happens when building a new space or renovating one means more than profits? What does it look like when design and functionality come together to better a community and its residents? 

The New School is a collective of 8 women-led architecture firms, working to reimagine Detroit from the ground up, no pun intended.

The group hopes to connect with like minded people and transform the landscape of architecture into a more inclusive space. 

Laura Marie Peterson, director of 1+1+ and Laura Walker, owner and co-founder of Other Work, joined The Metro to describe how architecture can serve a community.

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Founder Dr. Charles H. Wright was well known throughout the city, having worked in the maternity ward of the Hutzel Women’s Hospital

The Charles H Wright Museum of African American History has been a staple for generations of Detroiters. 

It’s been 60 years since The Wright first opened its doors in 1965, the same year that the Voting Rights Act was signed into law.

Through the years, The Wright has been a place of learning and a frequent field trip destination. The museum offers visitors the chance to learn histories that are often left out of major cultural institutions. 

Director of Design and Fabrication Kevin Davidson spoke with The Metro’s Tia Graham about the legacy of The Wright.

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If the buildings, halls and walls of the Cass corridor could speak they would speak for days. The Cass Corridor, now dubbed Midtown, has been through significant changes. Art and culture have long been central to life in the Cass Corridor. A new short film, “Detroit Boi,” portrays the neighborhood through the eyes of longtime residents.

Detroit native Mike Targus is a writer and director. He operates Detroit based Mack Black Productions. He also directed “The Corridor. Defended.” which won best in comedy at the 2017 New York Shorts Festival.

Patrick “PT” Trainor is a carpenter, who worked on most of the buildings in the Cass Corridor and he’s one of the voices featured in “Detroit Boi.”

The short film premieres at the Old Miami at 8 p.m., August 9, 2025.

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WDET’s Sounds Like Detroit Live is a celebration of Detroit’s rich music legacy while uplifting local talent. Tiny Desk Contest contestants from metro Detroit were all handpicked by WDET music hosts. One of those is the multi-talented Corazon Szell.

Corazon was selected by Jeff Milo, the host of MI Local on WDET. She will perform alongside three other artists at Sounds Like Detroit LIVE at Batch Brewing on August 14, 2025. Tickets are $25 and support WDET.

She joined Metro’s Tia Graham to talk more about her songwriting and career.

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The newly formed BIG3 professional basketball team, the Detroit Amplifiers, made their home court debut at Little Caesars Arena this past Sunday, July 20.

Created by actor, producer and music legend Ice Cube and other investors in 2017, BIG3 basketball is played at halfcourt, 3-on-3. 

The goal of the league is to highlight and support some of professional basketball’s talented players whose time within the NBA and other leagues have come to an end. 

George Gervin Jr. is the assitant coach of the Detroit Amps. He joined The Metro on Tuesday to talk about Sunday’s game and what’s on the horizon for Detroit’s newest pro basketball team.

The Detroit Amps’ next game is this Saturday, July 26, in Cincinnati against the Los Angeles Riot. It will be televised on CBS.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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