Celebrate Ismael Ahmed’s life with us. Listen to a tribute made with love, sharing stories, music, and remembrances from those closest to him.

Ismael Ahmed: A life devoted to service

Ismael Ahmed’s life was rooted in community and guided by a belief that people are stronger when brought together. Born in 1947 to a working-class Arab immigrant family, he grew up in Dearborn’s South End, shaped by factory work, public education, and a commitment to justice that defined his life’s work

He co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), helped establish the Arab American National Museum, and later served as Michigan’s first Arab American cabinet member. Music was central to his activism. Through founding Concert of Colors and hosting This Island Earth on WDET, Ahmed used music to break down barriers and connect people across cultures.

Ismael Ahmed died January 31, 2026. He was 78 years old.

Highlights from Ismael Ahmed’s life

• Raised in Dearborn’s South End in a working-class Arab immigrant family.
• Served his country in South Korea during the Vietnam War-era.
• Organized Arab auto workers in Detroit at a time when their voices were often overlooked
• Co-founded Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS).
• Helped establish the Arab American National Museum.
• Served in state government and higher education.
• Hosted This Island Earth on WDET, sharing music beyond borders.
• Founded and led the Concert of Colors until the day he died.
• Left a lasting mark on culture, community and public service.

Share your condolences and tributes

We invite you to share your memories and reflections by visiting wdet.org/ismael or by emailing wdetdigital@wdet.org. You may also leave a voice message through the WDET app on your phone by tapping “Open Mic” in the bottom right corner of your screen.

Our friend, colleague, and one of Detroit’s great connectors

We’re deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Ismael Ahmed on January 31st, the longtime host of This Island Earth and a beloved voice on WDET. Ismael was more than a broadcaster — he was a tireless advocate for culture, community, and justice, and his work touched generations across Detroit and beyond.

That same commitment carried into every part of his life. Ismael devoted his life to public service and advocacy, working as a labor organizer and activist and later serving as director of the Michigan Department of Human Services during Governor Jennifer Granholm’s administration. His leadership and commitment to the arts were recognized nationally when President Joe Biden appointed him to the National Council on the Arts.

In Detroit, Ismael’s legacy is inseparable from the Concert of Colors, which he founded 35 years ago. What began as a bold vision grew into a beloved institution celebrating cultural diversity, artistic excellence, and accessibility, bringing communities together through music and performance.

Ismael saw music not simply as entertainment, but as a bridge between people, cultures, and ideas. That belief guided his work, his advocacy, and his relationships. His voice and spirit helped shape Detroit’s cultural landscape, and his impact will be felt for generations.

We extend our deepest condolences to Ismael’s family, friends, collaborators, and to the many listeners who found inspiration and connection through his work. We are grateful to have been part of the community he nurtured so thoughtfully.

A Celebration of Life for Ismael Ahmed will take place during the 35th Annual Concert of Colors, July 15-19, 2026.

Share your memories

WDET will honor Ismael on air in the coming days. We invite you to share your memories and reflections through the online form below or by emailing wdetdigital@wdet.org. You may also leave a voice message through the WDET app on your phone by tapping “Open Mic” in the bottom right corner of your screen.

Condolences and tributes to Ismael Ahmed

Listen Now

Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Digital Content & Communities Assistant at its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

POSITION PURPOSE

Assist with the development of WDET’s digital content and communications to reach and build relationships with new audiences. Implement strategies to grow WDET’s online communities and engage members in a way that cultivates loyalty, user creativity and viral energy.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assist with the creation and incorporation of daily content into the WDET website.

Collaborate with a network of staff journalists; cultivate relationships with a network of diverse contributors and source out of house material for incorporation into daily content streams.

Assist in quality assurance of all digital content.

Develop brand defining communications across multiple social media, social networking and UGC outlets with niche web communities and blog.

Engage and grow a wide, diverse community of listener advocates and foster WDET’s ability to learn and adapt through perpetual audience and community engagement.

Serve in a liaison and resource capacity and remain current with industry developments and trends.

Assist in the gathering and preparation of data and audience analysis.

Perform related duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Coordinate activities to provide content and increase participation in WDET’s digital channels. Assist with the training and motivation of internal and external contributors. This position reports directly to the Digital Manager.

This position is bump ineligible.

This position is 100% on site.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience. Major coursework in mass communications, broadcast journalism or related field preferred.

Reasonable previous related job experience.

Demonstrated experience developing digital/multimedia content through a CMS and in depth understanding of CMS software.

Reasonable understanding of HTML and CSS.

Proven ability to build and engage in communities through social media.

Superior verbal and written communication skills and attention to detail.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including high level understanding of digital metrics.

THIS DESCRIPTION IS INTENDED TO INDICATE THE TYPES OF TASKS AND LEVELS OF WORK DIFFICULTY THAT WILL BE REQUIRED OF POSITIONS THAT WILL BE GIVEN THIS TITLE AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS DECLARING WHAT THE SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ANY PARTICULAR POSITION SHALL BE. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO LIMIT OR IN ANY WAY MODIFY THE RIGHT OF ANY SUPERVISOR TO ASSIGN, DIRECT, AND CONTROL THE WORK OF EMPLOYEES UNDER THEIR SUPERVISION. THE USE OF A PARTICULAR EXPRESSION OR ILLUSTRATION DESCRIBING DUTIES SHALL NOT BE HELD TO EXCLUDE OTHER DUTIES NOT MENTIONED THAT ARE OF A SIMILAR KIND OR LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY.

School/College/Division:

Generic Division

Primary department:

H8703

Employment type:

• Regular Employee
• Job type: Full Time
• Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary
• Hourly rate:
• Salary minimum: $51,274.00
• Salary hire maximum: $61,531.00

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1
• Reposted position: No
• Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
• Prior posting/requisition number:

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required

Watch President Trump’s news conference live, scheduled at 11 a.m. 

President Donald Trump claimed overnight that the United States carried out airstrikes in Venezuela and captured President Nicolás Maduro, following a series of explosions and fires reported around Caracas in the early hours of the morning. Read the full article from NPR.

Live coverage begins on NPR at 8 a.m. during Weekend Edition Saturday.

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