Created Equal: Recent Episodes
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Season Three of the podcast Created Equal explores “Writers on Race: From Ralph Ellison to Colson Whitehead,” and features some of the most important voices in literature as well as the national conversation on racial inequities.
The conversations were conducted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson on the radio program, Detroit Today, in the WDET studios on Wayne State University’s campus throughout the pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. Each episode consists of a conversation between Henderson and one writer exploring the role of their work in the conversation about race in America.
Over the last 20 years, education experts have increasingly questioned whether standardized tests are the best way to measure how students perform — with many colleges and universities implementing "test-optional" admission policies. Today on Created Equal, we speak with education researcher Elaine Allensworth about America's affinity for test culture and the shortcomings that come with it.
The first – and maybe only – presidential debate of 2024 left little unexplored or undiscovered, but what did we really learn about Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump? Today on Created Equal, Michigan Public's Zoe Clark and former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville join the show to discuss the key takeaways from the debate.
We know a lot about the profound poverty and isolation that confronts Detroiters every day. But what happens when that poverty affects families with pets? Today on Created Equal, we’ll talk with the CEO of Michigan Humane about how that institution tries to fill the gaps that arise when pets become threatened by the economic circumstances of their families. And we’ll hear how the needs of our pets tell us about the needs of our people in a city where the concepts of sufficiency are just not what they should be.
Once dominated by non-local LLCs exploiting the system for quick returns, new data suggests that fewer outside investors are "milking" the system, and more Detroiters are taking advantage of opportunities to participate in Detroit’s recovery. Alex Alsup, VP of Research and Development for Regrid and author of the Substack “The Chargeback,” and Chase Cantrell, CEO of Building Community Value, joined "Created Equal" to discuss.
The "thick skin bias" is a belief that individuals who live in poverty are more resilient than affluent people when facing a challenging situation. The assumption could, as a result, influence the degree of support those who are struggling receive from others. Today on "Created Equal," Psychology professor Nathan Cheek helps us unpack the "thick skin bias," where it comes from, and why this assumption is the wrong one.
A family is suing Wayne County Judge Kenneth King after he ordered a teenager into jail clothes and handcuffs during a field trip at the courthouse. Dr. Rema-Vassar, a professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Wayne State University, called King's response to the incident inappropriate. She joins the show to talk about how a student's behavior in school can be a reflection of their circumstances at home.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a new book about grief and rock widows from music writer and author Lori Tucker-Sullivan; accessibility problems at a staggering amount of Metro Detroit polling locations and more.
Now that the major parties have officially selected their presidential nominees and the conventions have passed, how do the two candidates stack up? To discuss this, Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne, political analyst Jessica Taylor, and WDET reporter and All Things Considered host Russ McNamara joined "Created Equal."
A staggering amount of metro Detroit’s polling stations are not accessible for disabled people — 84%, according to a 2022 audit by Detroit Disability Power. Another, less visible, barrier to democratic participation is equitable access to information. Yet nearly half of Detroit households don’t have broadband access. Today on "Created Equal," Detroit Disability Power Executive Director Dessa Cosma and Penn State telecommunications professor Christopher Ali join to discuss democratic participation and the lack of equitable access to voting and information in Detroit. Editor's note: A previously uploaded version of this episode included incorrect audio from an earlier episode of the show about grief and loss.
Music writer and author Lori Tucker-Sullivan joins "Created Equal" to discuss her new book, "I Can't Remember If I Cried: Rock Widows on Life, Love, and Legacy." Tucker-Sullivan, whose own husband died from cancer, shares with us what lessons she learned about grief from these compelling women.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a discussion about the Morrill Act and how state universities profit from land taken from Native Americans; and reactions to last week’s DNC from a panel of political insiders.
On today's episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson and a panel of political insiders react to the first three days of the Democratic National Convention.
In 1862, the federal government passed the Morrill Act which ultimately allocated over 10 million acres of land to states to start and develop colleges. But the federal government acquired the land from Native Americans through unfair treaties, seizures or agreements, and a recent report from the nonprofit media organization Grist investigated how a number of land-grant universities continue to profit from the land. Today on "Created Equal," we're joined by Tristan Ahtone, editor-at-large of Grist, and Steve Yanni, land grant director for Bay Mills Community College, to discuss the report and the the history and mission of tribal colleges and universities.
In museums across the U.S., you can see artifacts and human remains that belong to the native peoples who were here before our country existed. However, the latest federal regulations require museums and federal agencies to identify and return Native American remains and belongings. On today's episode of "Created Equal," we speak with Chip Colwell a curator of anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for 12 years, to discuss the movement to reconcile science and history with the delicate nature of native possessions.
Host Stephen Henderson and producer Cary Junior recap this week's episodes of "Created Equal," including how the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling on the state's minimum wage increase will impact businesses and workers, what the rest of the Midwest can learn from Minnesota policy and more.
Prof. David Schultz from Hamline University and Prof. Louis Johnston from St. John’s University join "Created Equal" to discuss how Minnesota is uniting liberals and conservatives to vote for progressive policies across the state.
Former Democratic Congressman Andy Levin and Abbas Alweih, an uncommitted delegate to the Democratic Party convention, join host Stephen Henderson to discuss the policies inside the Democratic Party about the war in Gaza.
As more research and public records become available on Martin Luther King Jr., the Civil Rights activist is more completely rendered as a person separate from his icon status. David Garrow and Jonathan Eig join the show to discuss their Pulitzer Prize winning biographies on MLK Jr.
The Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling that would result in the state's minimum wage increasing to $12 an hour by February 2025 — as well as allowing most workers to accrue earned sick leave. On this episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson talks to Danielle Atkinson, an advocate whose work focuses on promoting economic fairness in Michigan, and Brian Calley, the head of the Michigan Small business association, which has said the new rules could cost them money — and cost Michiganders jobs.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a discussion about equity in Detroit schools — 50 years after the Milliken v. Bradley decision — and what Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run means for women in politics.
The Democratic Party has officially selected Vice President Kamala Harris as the party's presidential nominee on Monday afternoon — marking the first time a woman of color has won a major party’s nomination, and only the second time a woman has been selected.Today on "Created Equal," NBC News Correspondent Ali Vitali; political science professor Dr. Cathy Wineinger; and Kimberly Peeler-Allen, visiting practitioner at the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, join the show to discuss Harris’ nomination and the state of women in politics.
Today on "Created Equal," Stephen Henderson is joined by Chalkbeat Detroit reporter Robyn Vincent, Detroit historian Ken Coleman, and Education Trust-Midwest Executive Director Amber Arellano, to talk about the Milliken v. Bradley U.S. Supreme Court ruling and its ripple effect on the Detroit public school system today.
The I-375 Reconnecting Communities project is an attempt to repair the wrongs that were done when construction of the freeway began in 1954. Voices across metro Detroit continue to weigh in on the current plans, and how much they come up short. On this episode of "Created Equal," Wayne County Executive Warren Evans joined the show to discuss where current plans stand, and how these decisions will shape the future of I-375.
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled this week that its 2020 decision — which held that former property owners were entitled to the profits of tax foreclosure sales — can apply retroactively. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Stephen is joined by three guests to dig into the ruling and discuss what it could mean for Detroit homeowners.
Local clerks play a critical roll in ensuring free and fair elections. According to Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist, of the 1,240 Michigan township clerks up for election in November, 118 have no clerk candidates on the ballot — raising concerns among many about election integrity in those communities. To discuss this, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Ottawa County Clerk Justin Roebuck and Michigan Advance reporter Jon King join the show.
Many older adults want to stay in their homes as they age. But aging in place requires careful planning by the individual and/or their family. Today on "Created Equal," we speak with Wayne State University gerontology professor Amanda Leggett about the many challenges that come with an older loved one aging in place, and how to know if it is the right decision for your family.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a new book examining the Black-white wealth gap in America; a look at Vice President Kamala Harris’ political record and more.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris’ endorsement from President Joe Biden last Sunday, an overwhelming majority of congressional Democrats, governors and delegates have pledged their support for her as the presumptive Democratic Party nominee. But her vice presidency has not been without criticism. Today on "Created Equal," Atlantic staff writer Elaina Plott Calabro joins the show to discuss how the former prosecutor can embrace her law-enforcement record to compete against Trump this November.
To discuss the policies covered during this year's Republican National Convention — and Former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance’s possible campaign strategies in light of President Joe Biden exiting the presidential race — Andrea Bitely, Sarah Hubbard, Nancy Kaffer and WDET's Russ McNamara joined "Created Equal."
Typical Black families in the United States have 15 cents on the dollar compared to typical white families, according to a new book co-written by investigative journalists Louise Story and Ebony Reed. Reed joins "Created Equal" to discuss her new book and the origins and future of America’s wealth gap.
Multiple political experts joined "Created Equal" host Stephen Henderson to discuss how the Democratic party is managing the sudden change in the 2024 presidential race after President Biden ceded his nomination Sunday afternoon.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including how political polarization fueled misinformation in the wake of Trump’s assassination attempt; the state of inflation and corporate price gouging and more.
Last month, the city of Detroit adopted new rules for police use of AI facial recognition technology, after the American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of three residents who were wrongfully arrested as a result of the technology. Kashmir Hill, a New York Times features writer covering technology and privacy, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the limits of privacy as it relates to this technology and the new rules adopted by the city of Detroit.
Bilal Baydoun recently appeared before the Senate Banking Committee to talk about corporate price gouging. Today he joined Created Equal to discuss the corporate greed that’s infringing on Americans’ pocketbooks.
Today on "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson is joined by a political historian and an "uncommitted" delegate from Michigan to discuss something that hasn’t happened in a really long time during a presidential campaign – an open political convention.
Almost immediately after the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Bethel Park, Pa., on Saturday, speculations quickly spread online about the circumstances behind it. To discuss misinformation and why it thrives after significant events like this, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Barbara McQuade, and media strategist Matt Friedman join the show.
A mass shooting at a block party in Detroit this past weekend has community activists, police and politicians all focused on minimizing neighborhood violence. To discuss the mass shooting incident and the role police play in both responding to and preventing gun violence, BridgeDetroit reporter Malachi Barrett, community organizer Yusef Shakur, and Pastor Daryl Harris join "Created Equal."
Climate change has led to more flooding events in cities like Detroit that have aging stormwater infrastructure. But there’s another hidden contributor to severe flooding in the city: so-called "ghost streams," or waterways and/or wetlands that were either buried underground or filled in to support urban development. Today on "Created Equal," UM-Dearborn professor Jacob Napieralski discusses a recent study he authored about ghost streams and how low-income and minority groups are typically at the greatest risk of severe flooding.
For decades, the doctrine of qualified immunity has protected law enforcement and other government officials from being held accountable when they violate individuals’ constitutional rights. Joanna Schwartz, one of the country’s leading experts on police misconduct litigation, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the problems with qualified immunity and how to address them.
Since the late '90s, doctors have included race in equations used to estimate kidney function. The once widely-used test often overestimated how well Black people's kidneys were functioning — making them appear healthier than they actually were and resulting in delayed diagnoses of organ failure and proper evaluation for transplants. Dr. Neil Powe, chief of medicine at the Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the test's bias and changes being made to make the test more equitable.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a recent report highlighted the pattern of neglect by Chicago police when Black families report a loved one missing; a look at Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and more.
Michigan lawmakers approved the state's $82.5 billion budget for the next fiscal year last week. Gongwer News Service reporter Alethia Kasben and Michigan Public Radio Network reporter Colin Jackson join the show to discuss the budget's strengths and downfalls.
Since 2015, Canada has been addressing 94 recommendations intended to right the wrongs done to the Indigenous people of the country. In recognition of Canada Day, University of British Columbia assistant professor Dr. Tricia Logan joins the show to discuss those items and how the U.S. can begin to confront its own history.
A joint report from Invisible Institute and City Bureau highlighted the pattern of neglect by Chicago police when Black families report a loved one missing. The report's authors, Trina Reynolds-Tyler and Sarah Conway, join the show to discuss their findings.
On this episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson is joined by PR and communications consultant Karen Dumas and Arab American News publisher Osama Siblani to discuss the first 2024 debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump — strong and weak points, the presidential race and how the debate affects African American and Arab American voters.
The first debate between former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden is coming up tonight. Earlier this month, Trump made a campaign stop at 180 Church in Detroit in an attempt to appeal to both Black and Latinx voters. Today on "Created Equal" we're joined by five guests — including Lorenzo Sewell, lead pastor at 180 Church — to discuss the role voters of color will play in the 2024 election.
ReThink I-375, a coalition of community voices challenging the “I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project,” released a list of 11 action items directed to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other government officials on Tuesday. Coalition members Melanie Markowicz and Kimle Nailer join "Created Equal" to discuss the group's action items and how the state has responded so far.
In the years following the Civil War, formerly enslaved Black Americans in the South were promised "40 acres and a mule" to provide them with land and resources for economic self-sufficiency. For many that promise was never fulfilled, and a recent investigation by the Center for Public Integrity found that more than 1,200 people received – and then lost – their land under the program. April Simpson, a reporter with the Center for Public Integrity and co-author of the "40 Acres and a Lie" report, joins "Created Equal" to discuss her findings.
the first over the counter birth control pill is now available in pharmacies across the U.S. Dr. Meredith Field, an assistant professor in the Division of Social Sciences at Alfred University in New York, joined Created Equal on Monday to discuss how over-the-counter birth control access provides opportunities for greater gender equality and bodily autonomy in America.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including “heat islands” and why urban areas like Detroit are more at risk during heat waves; how Gen Z became known as the “lockdown generation,” and more.
In 2023, the nonprofit Climate Central found that the urban heat island effect is elevating local temperatures by at least eight degrees Fahrenheit in 44 U.S. cities — including Detroit — exposing residents to higher risks of heat-related illness and higher cooling costs. Sustainability expert Hessam AzariJafari and local forester Lawrence Sobson join the show to discuss innovative ways for Detroit to make the summer heat more bearable for its residents.
Juneteenth marks our nation's second independence day — when the last of America's slaves were freed by executive decree. The day has long been celebrated by the African American community, but how do Americans commemorate the holiday today? On today's episode of "Created Equal," we take a look back at some previous conversations on the show that examine racial equity and history in the United States.
The increasing prevalence of mass shootings in schools and public places has forged an alternate name for Generation Z. Growing up in the midst of America’s gun violence crisis, some are calling them the “lockdown generation.” On today's episode of "Created Equal," Stephen Henderson speaks with a student, a former educator and a gun-violence expert on Tuesday to discuss how gun-violence in schools has affected younger generations.
In his latest book, "Raw Deal: The Indians of the Midwest and the Theft of Native Lands," Michigan author Robert Downes aims to highlight the often unknown history of the Indigenous populations in the region. Downes joins "Created Equal" to talk about his book and his life-long interest in Native American history.
How can you still maintain a relationship with your child after being behind bars? On this episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson discusses the many challenges incarcerated parents face with advocate and public speaker Tore Price — an incarcerated father himself who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and left behind his 2-year-old son. Price shares his experience with fatherhood, incarceration and the proposed legislation he advocates for.
In 1997, a 13-year-old Black boy named Lenard Clark was attacked by a group of older white teenagers in Bridgeport, Chicago. The attack was so severe that Clark fell into a coma. Chicago’s response revealed how underlying racial dynamics in its neighborhoods worked against black Americans’ pursuit of justice for racial beatings. This case motivated Yohance Lacour to become a journalist. His award-winning podcast, “You Didn’t See Nothin,” recounts the events surrounding the attack. The seven-part series focuses less on the attack and more on public and media responses. Lacour joined Stephen Henderson on "Created Equal" to discuss the case.
Imagine being convicted of a crime you did not commit and wasn’t present when it occurred. This sentencing is possible under a legal doctrine called felony murder. It has the power to sentence a person to a maximum of life in prison for their non-participation in heinous crimes. Sarah Stillman, the winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Writing, joined "Created Equal" to discuss her examination of felony murder.
Black Americans searching for employment during the Civil War is not something we often think about. Massachusetts was known as a free state during this time, which made African Americans living in Boston not part of the enslaved population in the United States. But when it comes down to knowing what the word "free" really means, many Americans may not know the full story. Author Jacqueline Jones joined "Created Equal" host Stephen Henderson to discuss what African American lives were like from the perspective of freedom versus slavery.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joins "Created Equal," to share more about what she'd like to accomplish at this year's Mackinac Policy Conference, and what her immediate goals for the state are. Also, U.S. Representatives Elissa Slotkin and Dan Kildee join the show to discuss their goals for this year's conference, as well as Rip Rapson, president and CEO of The Kresge Foundation, and Wendy Jackson, managing director for the Detroit Program at Kresge, to talk about the organization's 100th anniversary.
Everyone who attends the Mackinac Policy Conference has their own specific agenda they'd like to accomplish. On Wednesday's special MPC episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson was joined by Democratic U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, as well as Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, to hear their goals for this week and plans for the future.
For the first time in Mackinac Policy Conference history, Senate hopefuls have declined the Detroit Regional Chamber's invitation to debate on the island. Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of DRC, joined "Created Equal" host Stephen Henderson to discuss how changing U.S. political dynamics have altered candidates' campaign strategies.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a new wage increase for migrant workers and how it's putting pressure on Michigan farmers; the concerning rise of children unintentionally consuming cannabis edibles and more.
Memorial Day weekend in Detroit means Movement — the popular, funky dance festival that celebrates electronic music. On today's episode, we talk with two of the city's cultural icons, Adriel Thornton and Stacy Hotwaxx Hale, about the origins of electronic and House music in Detroit, and how the growth of the music dovetails with the creation of a safe space for the city's Black and queer communities to be expressive.
Dr. Dionne Powell, a psychoanalyst from New York City, joins the show to discuss the concept of racial ghosts and how it applies to the psychological wellness and treatments for Black Americans.
Cases of unintentional cannabis use by children ages 4 to 13 grew by 60% in Michigan from 2020 to 2023, the Michigan Poison Center at Wayne State University reports. Robyn Vincent, a reporter for Chalkbeat Detroit who recently wrote about the rise in cannabis poisonings in Detroit schools; and Dr. Varun Vohra, director of the Michigan Poison Center, join the show to talk about the dangerous flip-side of the freedom that has come with legal marijuana use in Michigan.
Michigan's robust agriculture industry has come to rely quite a bit on migrant workers and the visas that bring them to our country. But a recent hike in the minimum pay for these workers has sparked a debate about the cost to farms — and potentially consumers — as well as about the pathway to opportunity for migrants. Detroit News reporter Grant Schwab and Gonzalo Peralta, staff attorney for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, join "Created Equal" to discuss the H-2A Visa Program and its downsides for both Michigan farmers and agriculture workers.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including why schools in the U.S. are still segregated 70 years after the Brown v. Board of Education decision; the potential future of Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center and more.
Sam White, founder of the nonprofit Shakespeare in Detroit, will return to the renowned Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada to direct a production of "Romeo and Juliet." She joins the show along with Stratford's Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino to discuss equity in the arts and share what attendees can expect.
After 28 years in the iconic Renaissance Center building, General Motors announced the company is moving its global headquarters to the new Hudson’s Detroit development in 2025. Detroit News reporter Kalea Hall and urban consultant Harriet Saperstein join the show to discuss the changes and the potential future of the RenCen.
Author and journalist A.J. Jacobs joins the show to talk about the joys and hardships of his experiment living by the Constitution for his new book, "The Year of Living Constitutionally."
A new report from The Civil Rights Project at UCLA found that schools are still deeply segregated in the U.S. — despite the U.S. Supreme Court deeming segregation unconstitutional in 1954. The report's co-author, UCLA Professor Gary Orfield, joins the show to discuss his findings.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a dive into the benefits of state and locally-operated banks compared to national ones; tangible ways to confront white privilege; and how social media and COVID-19 has shaped motherhood in 2024.
In anticipation of Mother’s Day this Sunday, Dr. Katheryn Maguire, a professor of communications at Wayne State University, joins "Created Equal" to discuss how challenging events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected how mothers balance work and life.
The “I-375 Reconnecting Communities” project proposed by the Michigan Department of Transportation is currently in its design phase. Will the project reconnect communities, or leave residents frustrated? Malachi Barrett of BridgeDetroit and members of the “ReThink I-375 Coalition” join Stephen Henderson to discuss.
Today on "Created Equal," author and journalist Tracie McMillan joins to discuss a tangible way for white America to confront the advantage that keeps our nation unequal.
On today's episode of "Created Equal," Oscar Perry Abello, senior economic justice correspondent for Next City, joins to discuss why state and locally operated banks are more accessible than national ones.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the problem with foster care in America; the state of free speech on U.S. college campuses; Detroit’s air pollution problem and more.
Detroit’s air is dirty, and according to a new report from the American Lung Association, dirtier than most cities in the U.S. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Nick Schroeck, associate dean of experiential education at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School, and Brian Allnut, senior reporter at Planet Detroit, join to discuss why the region's air quality is so bad, and what we can do about it.
Tensions between student-led protesters and university officials at Columbia University on Tuesday led to NYPD officers clad in riot-gear forcibly removing protesters from the Hamilton Hall building, which they had occupied for less than 24 hours. Shikha Dalmia, president of the Institute for the Study of Modern Authoritarianism, and Dr. Sophia Rosenfeld, chair of the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania, join the show to discuss the protests and universities' responses.
Andrew Bridge spent 11 years of his childhood in foster care and says the system did more harm than good. The child's rights attorney and advocate joined "Created Equal," to discuss the system's shortcomings.
In a recent article by Atlantic staff writer Michael Powell, he points out the schism that exists in the Democratic messaging around inflation among upper-middle class circles. Powell joins "Created Equal" to discuss whether the party can reconcile the good and bad of Bidenomics ahead of the November election.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the ‘Paradox of Debt’ and how it fuels our economy; financial disclosures and accountability in Michigan politics; a new report raising questions about non-fatal police shootings in Detroit and more.
The integrity of Michigan’s political operations is under scrutiny following 13 felony counts of embezzlement against Lee Chatfield and the first-ever disclosure of top elected officials’ personal finances. Zack Gorchow, executive editor and publisher of Gongwer News Service Michigan, and State Politics Reporter for The Detroit News, Craig Mauger, join the show to discuss.
In nearly a third of non-fatal shootings by Detroit police, the victims were either not charged with a crime or not convicted of the conduct officers said prompted them to fire their weapon, a recent Detroit Free Press report found. Two members of the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners join the show to discuss police accountability in light of the new report.
Economist and author of “The Paradox of Debt,” Richard Vague, joins the show to discuss how debt works and who it benefits.
The war in Gaza is destroying crucial healthcare infrastructure for the people who live there and makes delivering a child more difficult for pregnant mothers. On this episode we hear about what life has been like for some of the most vulnerable people in Gaza. Gabrielle Berbey and Salman Ahad Khan reported the story of Lubna Rayyes — who was pregnant when the war in Gaza began — for the Reveal podcast. They joined the show to discuss Rayyes' journey to deliver her child safely and how the war destabilized healthcare in Gaza.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including new race and ethnicity categories added to the U.S. Census; the pros and cons of buying a home on a land contract in Detroit; UAW organizing efforts in the South and more.
Workers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tenn. are voting whether to join the United Auto Workers union. If they vote to organize, the UAW will have made a significant step forward by unionizing workers in the south — something they’ve failed to accomplish twice before. Senior fellow at The Century Foundation Steven Greenhouse and Automotive News reporter Michael Martinez join the show to discuss the vote and what the autoworkers will likely do.
Predatory land contracts targeted low-income Detroiters following the 2008 financial crisis, according to a new report published in the journal "Housing Policy Debate." The report's co-author, Josh Akers, joins Stephen Henderson to discuss.
Until now, Americans whose heritage is in the Middle East and North Africa have long been considered “white” by the U.S. Census. But beginning in 2030, they will have their own ethnic category. Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the change and what it means to Americans in those communities.
A new Hispanic or Latino category with six additional options to specify ethnicity was approved for the next census form by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Maria Hinojosa, host of Latino USA, joins "Created Equal" to discuss the new category, immigration and what it all could mean.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including what Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tell us about the segregation of country music in America; a federal lawsuit claiming government buildings in Michigan violate disability rights; the importance of free play for kids and more.
Active kids live better lives, so why is youth sports participation so low? Tom Farrey of the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program and Dave Egner, President and CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation join to talk about the path forward for increasing free play.
A federal class action lawsuit against the city of Detroit, Wayne County, the state of Michigan and the Detroit-Wayne Joint Building Authority is alleging that several government buildings lack accessibility for those with disabilities. Today on the show, we speak with Michael Bartnik, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case, and Outlier Media reporter Laura Herberg, who recently profiled one of the plaintiffs.
When Beyoncé released "Cowboy Carter" last month, the 22-song country album surprised and delighted music fans across genres, including pop, hip-hop and country. But what was so shocking about Beyoncé doing a country album in the first place? And what can we learn from the collective surprise and at times, indignation, that she would produce a country album? Music historian and journalist Dan Charnas joins the show to discuss.
Congress members in February collected enough signatures in the U.S. Senate to pass a bipartisan bill that would regulate social media use for kids, arguing the platforms could be bad for teen’s mental health. Danah Boyd, a Microsoft researcher and visiting professor at Georgetown, believes technology is not the real problem and that regulating social media could do more harm than good. Boyd joins "Created Equal" to explore how society has responded throughout history to new technologies and discuss why she believes the real problem isn’t our phone screens.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including a look into maternity care deserts and the loss of health care access for women; a new book from anthropologist Jason De León exploring the complicated practice of migrant smuggling; Detroit’s credit bump and more.
Detroit’s credit rating is moving up — nearly 10 years after the bankruptcy — which means government operations are normalizing and avoiding irresponsible debt. However, many Detroit residents still struggle with limited opportunity and carry collective debts that put real strain on the city’s financial foundation. On today's show, we're joined by local developer Chase Cantrell and U-M researcher Amanda Nothaft to discuss what the rating increase means for both the city and its residents.
Just two years into Michigan’s experiment with citizen-drawn maps for the Legislature and Congress, a court-ordered redraw to address gerrymandering is finally finished for the state House, and voters will see the difference at the polls this spring and fall. Ben Solis, a reporter at Gongwer News Service, and Colin Jackson, state capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, joined the show to discuss the process and its potential outcomes.
Author and anthropologist Jason De León spent seven years documenting the lives of “coyotes,” or smugglers who help migrants leave their homes and head for America. He joined Stephen Henderson to talk about his new book, "Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling," and how political instability, poverty, climate change and other factors are contributing to a perilous journey for migrants and smugglers on the journey through South and Central America to the United States.
What is causing a rise in maternity care deserts? Stefanie Worth from the nonprofit March of Dimes and Dr. Sonia Hassan from Wayne State University join Stephen Henderson to discuss why women’s access to health care is declining in the U.S.
Tonya Mosley is the host and co-producer of "She Has a Name," a personal story of loss and redemption, mending broken family ties, and facing the trauma experienced by countless individuals who've lost loved ones to violence. Tonya and co-producer Antonio Wiley join Stephen Henderson to share their story and discuss the podcast. Tonya Mosley is the co-host of Fresh Air and owner of TMI Productions.
The sports betting business is booming, and one of the side effects of this boom is the way sports betting is fueling a public health crisis. Dr. Shane Kraus is the director of the Behavorial Addictions Lab at UNLV, which conducts research on compulsive behaviors, including gambling. Saul Malek is a public speaker who educates the public on the perils of gambling addiction by sharing his personal story.
If you want to know what a governor is prioritizing for the year, look no further than their budget. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Monique Stanton, CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, joins Stephen Henderson to talk about Whitmer's budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year and what it tells us about her approach to equity and poverty eradication.
Some assume that rural, urban and suburban areas have very different problems, but a recent book co-authored by University of Michigan professor Luke Shaefer examines — up close — some of the poorest parts of America, and what they have in common. Shaefer joins "Created Equal" to discuss his book, "The Injustice of Place," and how to address poverty in the most rural communities in America.
It's WDET's spring on-air fundraiser. We're going to take a break from posting podcasts this week, but you can still listen live weekdays 9-10 a.m. at WDET.org. We'll be back on the podcast feed on Monday, March 25. And if you want to support the show, become a member of WDET, Detroit Public Radio and tell them the Stephen Henderson sent you. Thanks, see you next week!
Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom is ending no-knock warrants in the city, arguing they “do more harm than do good.” Winstrom joins the show today, along with violence historian Danielle McGuire, to discuss the modern-day impacts the practice has on communities.
In February 2021, The Atlantic launched "Inheritance," a multi-year project about American history, Black life and the resilience of memory. On today’s episode of "Created Equal," Stephen Henderson revisits a conversation he had with the project's managing editor, Gillian B. White, and Atlantic staff writer Clint Smith, who contributed to the project.
The Supreme Court recently ruled unanimously that Colorado couldn’t take Donald Trump off the ballot because of his participation in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. University of Michigan Law Professor Richard Primus returns to "Created Equal" to describe the Supreme Court's thinking behind the case, and why it may set a dangerous precedent for future elections.
It seems like anyone who grew up with family in Detroit has heard of "the Numbers." This old-style gambling game originally from Harlem, New York, found it’s way to the Motor City in the early 20th century and became a mainstay for Black families. On today's episode of "Created Equal," Wayne State University professor Felicia George joins Stephen to talk about her new book, "When Detroit Played the Numbers," and what side-hustle gambling meant to Black Detroiters in those days.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including research on Black victims of violent crime being disproportionately denied compensation; whether grant programs for nonprofits lead to prosperity and more.
On today's episode of "Created Equal," we talk about how economic development can be more inclusive for Detroit's long-time, majority Black residents. Stephen is joined by Chase Cantrell, a Detroit resident and founder of the nonprofit Building Community Value, and Andre Perry, whose research at The Brookings Institution explores the Livernois-McNichols corridor and how investments there have not moved Black people out.
More women are running for president now than in decades past, but the U.S. still hasn’t had a woman president. On today's episode of "Created Equal," we revisit a conversation from 2022 with NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent and author Ali Vitali about why women are often excluded from politics or denigrated within the political arena.
Can grant programs for nonprofits lead to prosperity? Kim Trent, deputy director for prosperity for the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) joins Stephen Henderson to make the case for bipartisan anti-poverty programs with the goal of making Michigan a more prosperous state.
Victim compensation is a lesser-known part of the criminal justice system. University of Michigan professor Jeremy Levine had not heard of it until he needed to use it himself, after he was shot in the leg and needed assistance paying his hospital bill. In doing his own research, he discovered that Black victims were disproportionately denied for benefits in many states for subjective reasons. On today's episode, Levine joins Stephen Henderson to explain what victim compensation is and why this discrepancy exists.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the push to rotate the states that vote early in presidential primaries, NPR's Ayesha Rascoe on her new book and how historically Black colleges and universities add value to the world and more.
What does the “uncommitted” vote in Michigan’s Democratic primary mean for President Biden in November? Abbas Alawieh from the Listen to Michigan campaign joins Stephen Henderson to discuss the groups reasons for voting “uncommited.” Plus, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell and Abed Hammoud, founder of the Arab American Political Action Committee, add their perspective.
The Founding Fathers originally left the right to vote out of the Constitution. On today’s episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson revisits a conversation from the WDET Book Club with two voting rights experts, Bertrall Ross and Theodore Johnson, about why the omission has made access to the ballot box a constant struggle for Black voters.
Ayesha Rascoe is a graduate of Howard University and a regular voice on NPR. In her new book, “HBCU Made,” she recruits distinguished graduates of historically Black colleges and universities to share their accounts enrolling and attending their schools. On this episode of "Created Equal," Stephen talks to Rascoe about her experiences and how these institutions' impact goes beyond its graduates.
Michigan’s presidential primary is on Tuesday, Feb. 27. That’s a lot earlier than previous years, making the state among the first to hold primaries in the race. What does the change mean for Michigan and the nation — especially in a presidential primary that has two candidates who seem to have their nominations locked up already? U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) and political commentator Jamal Simmons join the show to discuss.
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, from setting the historical record straight on Black invention in America, to Detroit’s scrapyard problem, the consequences of omitting America’s racial history and more.
Nikki Haley was criticized for omitting slavery when she was asked about the cause of the civil war but has since walked her statement back. On today’s episode of Created Equal, Stephen talks with Princeton African American studies professor Eddie Glaude about what caused the civil war and how revising or omitting that history impacts all of us.
For centuries immigration has been synonymous with the United States, but what do the country’s founding documents actually say about who can and can’t enter the country? On today's show, we revisit a conversation from the WDET Book Club about whether the constitution has the power to influence immigration policy.
Scrapyards have always been commonplace in Detroit. Just drive down any of the city's major thoroughfares and you can see them. While these small businesses play an integral part of the city's economy, they pose a number of negative health impacts for residents who live near them. In today's show, Detroit News reporter Sarah Rahal and Laprisha Berry Daniels, executive director of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, join Stephen Henderson to talk about how such places affect Detroiters’ health.
Black Americans have largely been left out of the story of American invention. In the north and south, patents from Black inventors tell a different story about innovation and U.S. history.
Andre Perry is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. His recent work dives into the world of American Invention, and takes a look at how discrimination affected Black inventors differently in the North and South. He spoke with Stephen Henderson about why it matters to the American notions of innovation and exceptionalism. How does race play into the way we think of our history of invention?
Today on "Created Equal," we share highlights from this week's episodes, including the rediscovering of Indigenous American history; voting rights; Michigan's political maps and more
Michigan’s legislative maps have been drawn, and re-drawn, several times by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in the last year. The commission is redrawing the districts to comply with an order from the federal court in late 2023, which found the maps violated the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause. Ben Solis joins Stephen Henderson on "Created Equal" to break down where the process is at and discuss the challenges of drawing fair and representative political maps.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, founding director of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative, and Luke Shaefer, director of University of Michigan's Poverty Solutions initiative, are raising funds for a program that aims to do something that has never been tried before in the U.S.: end childhood poverty. The new program, Rx Kids, will provide every pregnant mother in Flint cash payments during pregnancy and throughout the child’s first year of life. Hanna-Attisha and Shaefer join the show to discuss the origins of their approach, why they think this method will make a difference, and how they plan to sustain the program.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this past week on Donald Trump’s eligibility to be on the 2024 presidential ballot in Colorado. The 14th amendment prevents someone who participated in an insurrection from running for president. But, could removing Trump from the ballot in Colorado set a precedent that deprives voters of their choices, now and in the future? Richard Primus joins Stephen Henderson to discuss the implications of the Supreme Court’s pending ruling.
The history of the United States is intertwined with the history of Native Americans, but it’s not always told that way. On this episode, Stephen talks with Yale history professor and native Detroiter Ned Blackhawk about how his latest book, “The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History,” takes a different approach.
We share highlights from this week's "Created Equal" episodes, including reparations for Black Detroiters, white rage in America and more.
Detroit historian and author Ken Coleman joins "Created Equal" to discuss what local efforts are being made in Detroit on reparations for Black residents. Plus, it's the first episode featuring caller feedback.
Stephen Henderson revisits a conversation with Carol Anderson, the author of the New York Times bestseller, "White Rage: The unspoken truth of our nation’s divide."
Many cities across the U.S. are exploring the idea of reparations, and Detroit is one of them. The city created the Detroit Reparations Task Force in February 2023 to better address historical discrimination and harm done against Black Detroiters. In this episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson was joined by two steering committee members of The African American Redress Network — an organization that provides reparations education and advocacy on the local level — to discuss what reparations might look like in Detroit.
On the inaugural episode of "Created Equal," host Stephen Henderson sat down with Jamon Jordan, Detroit’s official historian, and Desiree Cooper, a writer and activist, whose work helps explain the impacts of inequality — both locally and nationally.
Psychologist and author of “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria?” Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum discusses her groundbreaking 1997 book with Henderson in the context of this moment of cultural and racial reckoning. They talk about how young people internalize race, systemic racism through suburban communities and the importance of cross racial friendships.
Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa talks about immigrating to America, growing up in Chicago, and the process of writing about past trauma.
Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. is chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University and the author of the new book “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own.” He and Stephen Henderson discuss “the efficiency of American exceptionalism as an ideology.”
Award-winning poet and activist Caroline Randall Williams talks with Stephen Henderson about her work and what gives her hope during this dark time in American history.
Writing Professor and Author Jerald Walker discusses his poignant collection of essays called “How To Make A Slave," which is a finalist for a National Book Award. In the book, Walker reflects on growing up on Chicago's Southside, what it means to depict Black American life with authenticity and what he hopes to teach his children about the complex joy of the African-American experience.
JM Holmes, author of the collection of short stories How Are You Going to Save Yourself, talks with Stephen Henderson about the roles of race and gender in his writing.
NPR’s first full-time TV critic, Eric Deggans, joins Stephen Henderson to discuss how prejudice, racism and sexism fuels some elements of modern media.
Stephen Henderson and Harriet Washington, winner of the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction discuss environmental racism and her book, A Terrible Thing to Waste.
Sojourners founder Jim Wallis, author of America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America discusses what it means to be a white ally in 2020 with Stephen Henderson.
Stephen Henderson talks with Sarah M. Broom, author of The Yellow House, and discusses the roles of ritual and home for African Americans as told in her New York Times best-selling book which won the 2019 National Book Award for Nonfiction.
Stephen Henderson speaks with Dr. Carol Anderson, author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, a New York Times Bestseller that was chosen as a New York Times Editor's Pick for July 2016.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Colson Whitehead talks with Stephen Henderson about his novel The Nickel Boys and the influence of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man on his explorations of race in America.
Pulitzer Prize winning commentator Stephen Henderson’s conversation with 2016 National Book Award-winner Ibram X. Kendi about his book How to Be An Antiracist, a New York Times #1 Best Seller in 2020.
Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Season 3 of the podcast Created Equal explores “Writers on Race, from Ralph Ellison to Colson Whitehead,” and features some of the most important voices in literature as well as the national conversation on racial inequities. Recorded throughout the pandemic and civil unrest of 2020. Each episode consists of a conversation between Henderson and one writer exploring the role of their work in the conversation about race in America.
Stephen Henderson is joined by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and State Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich of Flint (p. 194) at a live event at the Detroit Public Library. They share their personal stories during the Flint Water Crisis and discuss the challenges and obstacles that still exist in Flint.
Dr. Stout is a Legionella expert and director of the Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh. She helped directly tie the deadly outbreak of Legionnaires Disease in Flint to the switch to Flint River Water in the city’s drinking water system. Stout was hired by McLaren to assist the hospital in defending itself against a $100-million lawsuit and against state claims that its failings caused what the state calls the "largest healthcare-associated Legionnaires' outbreak known" in the United States.
Created Equal, Season 2: Ron Fonger is a longtime reporter with MLive and The Flint Journal. He’s been writing about Flint since the city started using the Flint River as the city’s water source in April 2014. He’s written more than 500 articles regarding The Flint Water Crisis.
Created Equal, Season 2: Dimple Chaudhary and Eric Schwartz Dimple Chaudhary is senior attorney and managing litigator at the National Resources Defense Council. She is the lead counsel in cases against both Flint and Pittsburgh for their lead water crisis. Eric Schwartz, Assistant Professor of Marketing at The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan He is one of the researchers that developed an algorithm to determine what neighborhoods most likely have lead pipes in Flint.
Lindsey Smith is Michigan Radio’s Investigative Reporter. Her 2015 documentary about the Flint water crisis, Not Safe to Drink, won the station a national Edward R. Murrow Award, an Alfred I. duPont - Columbia University Award, and a Third Coast/Richard H. Driehaus Award.
Melissa Mays is a mother-of-three-turned-activist after her and her sons became greatly impacted by the lead in Flint’s water and now takes 18 separate prescriptions to stay alive. She is the founder of Water You Fighting For and filed one of the first lawsuits to force Michigan to replace lead-infected water lines in the City of Flint.
Marc Edwards, a civil engineer and University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech conducted the research confirming that lead was poisoning Flint’s water. His work on the “Lead Crisis” in DC led to publication of a landmark paper documenting harm to DC’s children resulting from government agency negligence. He also created the Flint Water Study, an independent research team from Virginia Tech (VT) that volunteers their time, resources and expertise to help resolve scientific uncertainties associated with drinking water issues being reported in the City of Flint.
Virg Bernero was the 51st Mayor of Lansing and is currently CEO of Bernero Hannan LLC. Bernero put pressure on the Lansing Board of Water & Light to remove lead lines. Lansing is one of two cities in the county to completely have all lead lines removed.
Flint-area native with more than 16 years of experience in journalism including print, television and digital media. She has worked for The Detroit News, NBC25, Fox and MLive Media Group/The Flint Journal, where she covered the city of Flint. Jiquanda discovered that the community needed a news publication focused only on Flint, Mich so she launched Flint Beat on March 13, 2017 to fill that need.
S2E6 Thomas Sugrue p.120. Thomas Sugrue is a Professor of Social and Cultural Analysis and History at NYU. A specialist in twentieth-century American politics, urban history, civil rights, and race. He is the author of The Origins of the Urban Crisis: Race and Inequality in Postwar Detroit.
Among the first journalists covering the Flint Water Crisis, Guyette went door-to-door searching for the truth about Flint water. “Page 54 of What the Eyes Don’t See”
Long-time friend of Mona Hanna-Attisha and former EPA water quality expert suspected Flint water was not safe in spite of government reassurances and spoke up. “Page 30 of What the Eyes Don’t See”
Flint native and Congressman Dan Kildee details how the system failed the citizens of Flint, and his efforts to make Washington understand. “Page 131 of What the Eyes Don’t See”
Flint pediatrician who discovered elevated lead levels in children and blew the lid off of the Flint Water Crisis. Author of “What The Eyes Don’t See”
Created Equal Host and Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Stephen Henderson previews Season Two of The Created Equal Podcast and discusses the impact of race, equity and disinvestment in Flint before the water was switched to the Flint River causing the crisis.
Author and pastor Jim Wallis talks about the need for white people to stand against racism in America.
In order to make positive change for marginalized people, privileged people must care about and stand up for equal rights. The story of Viola Liuzzo shows us how deep the impact of true empathy is felt.
Gold Star father Khizr Khan may be the most patriotic American we've ever spoken with. In this conversation he talks about his belief in America's core values.
The Electoral College was created in 1787 through something that made the founding fathers great -- compromise. But in that compromise the founders failed to confront deep-seated inequalities in the nation, and created a government that still today reflects that injustice.
Four Tops founding member Duke Fakir talks about capturing lightning in a bottle with Motown in the 1960s.
Art is a reflection of society, and society is a reflection of art. American music has been a global standard bearer for a century, in part for its ability to shift dramatically with society. Two Motown insiders talk about how the legendary record label resisted and then embraced change in the '60s.
Created Equal host Stephen Henderson speaks with "Blood in the Water" author and University of Michigan professor Heather Ann Thompson about the modern mass incarceration and its implication on communities.
Being "tough on crime" is politically popular. But does it make communities safer? In 1971 a prison uprising in New York state opened the door for President Richard Nixon and Governor Nelson Rockefeller to push for harsh drug laws with lasting repercussions.
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” The team at ESPN's The Undefeated website talks about covering black American life holistically in the media landscape.
Who tells your story? The media hold the narrative for marginalized people, for better or worse. The word "carjacking" written in print got swept into a '90s narrative about black American life.
These "Declarations" feature more thoughts from the experts you hear in episodes of Created Equal. This week, author and professor Lester Spence (01. The Kiss) discusses the effect of "neo-liberalism" in American politics and marginalized communities.