Features

Feature Story Stephanie Chang

12 Metro Detroit Asian American women leaders you should know

Model D interviewed 12 local Asian American women who are leaders in their respective fields, from nonprofits to restaurants, to understand their experiences and their thoughts on the rise in attacks on the AAPI community.

Feature Story insta.png

5 Detroit Instagram accounts you need to follow right now

We compiled a shortlist of some of our favorite Detroit-focused IG accounts for you to follow and connect with and revel in the greatness of our city. 

Feature Story Captain Luke Clyburn speaks with Sea Cadets on the Pride of Michigan.

Meet the researchers and young explorers investigating Lake St. Clair's sunken mysteries

Lake St. Clair hides many secrets, from shipwrecks to submerged settlements. But a several Michigan-based organizations are doing their best to bring them to light.

Special Report Erik Tungate, Oak Park City Manager

Oak Park embraces its diversity and business mix to become a destination for Metro Detroit"

These days, the city is home to thriving downtown corridors with a mix of specialty shops, bars, and restaurants.

Feature Story Shawn Taylor

Motivating others to succeed: Q&A with business consultant Shawn Taylor

When Shawn Taylor isn't coaching clients in business and real estate, he's doing things like training emergency inspectors for FEMA and introducing people like President Joe Biden at events. The Sterling Heights resident shares with Metromode what his varied work looks like, and what inspires him. 

Feature Story shapeypsi

Can cities plan for equity? These southeast Michigan communities are leading the way

While the researchers found that plans highlighting equity were decidedly in the minority in Michigan, there were some standouts in metro Detroit.

Feature Story Latoya Eliot, “Untitled”

Artist studios for people with disabilities open in Detroit and Westland

“In the studio, we’re not trying to hide or mask peoples’ disabilities. People can see and use their disabilities as something that’s positive, something that’s unique to them and their style and their work.”

Development News Portillo's, Sterling Heights

Portillo's opens first Michigan location in Sterling Heights

Restaurant chain Portillo's started as a hot dog stand in Illinois in 1963, but grew to launch more than 60 locations across nine states. On Tuesday, the brand opened its first Michigan restaurant, located in Sterling Heights.

Development News Fetter-2

‘The quality, the craftsmanship, and the glow’: Reception planned for Farmington art exhibition

“When you stand in front of [the paintings], you want to reach out and touch them because they’re so representational. He really was a master of his craft.”

Development News The Oak Park Public Library is one of more than 100 libraries throughout southeastern Michigan participating in the program

Parks system partners with libraries to provide 100 free hotspots throughout the region

“Any in-network library user in the five-county region can request access to the hotspots at their local library.”

Feature Story The Motown Witch, Yvette-Louise Wyatt. Photo by Nick Hagen.

‘Motown Witch’ brings ancestral wisdom to Detroit’s west side with metaphysical supply

In this nod to Women’s History Month, Model D Editor At Large Biba Adams interviewed Yvette-Louise, also known as The Motown Witch, who opened her new metaphysical supply store in January with products like incense, candles, crystals, books, and more. She is creating a space for people and particularly women, to explore ancient magic rooted in self-love.

Longform People walking along the Dequindre Cut in Detroit.

Mental health is a driving factor in a year of surging attendance at Southeast Michigan parks

Numerous factors have prompted huge increases in park usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of them trace back to residents seeking mental stability during unprecedented chaos and uncertainty.

Development News Good Vybz specializes in Jamaican cuisine like jerk chicken, plantains, “Rasta pasta” with shrimp or jerk chicken, and more.

Husband and wife bring authentic Jamaican cuisine to downtown Farmington

“I feel like if you’re going to represent somewhere or something, it should be done right. Good Vybz is a representation of where I’m from. People are coming from all over to see it, taste it. So proper representation is a very big thing for me,” says Good Vybz co-owner Anthony Harriott.

Feature Story David Gifford and Mike McFall with a SMART bus in the background.

Ride along with Transit Guide Detroit

Riding the bus can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Transit advocate David Gifford teaches people how to figure out routes, how to pay, how to exit, and how to transfer.

Feature Story Cakes by Shamsun Nehar.

Engineer, cake artist pays homage to Bangladeshi roots

“The left side of my brain is focused on logic .. so the right side of my brain focuses on more artistic things,” says cake artist Shamsun Nehar.

Feature Story Dante Williams, Cutz Lounge

Detroit barber business weathers COVID-19 with community approach

By the time he reached high school, Dante Williams and his brother were cutting hair for about 120 clients a week — from neighbors to classmates to teachers — paying $5 a cut. Now the Detroit entrepreneur owns Cutz Lounge, and shares how he is making it through the current COVID-19 crisis. 

Feature Story Ebony Anglers Pictured L to R:  Lesleigh Mausi -Detroit, MI Bobbiette Palmer -Iowa City, IA Tiana Davis -Long Island, NY Gia Peebles -San Diego, CA Glenda Turner -Durham, NC

What I Love about Detroit: Expats wax philosophical about their hometown

Oliver Wendell Holmes said that “where we love is home—home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”

Feature Story 2020 DAYUM summer interns.

Metro Detroit youth advocate for mental health, uplift one another amid isolation

Despite hardship, many young people across the region are rising to offer one another peer support and to advocate for their own well-being.

Longform The B2B Trail between Dexter and Hudson Mills Metropark.

"Everyone seems to agree on this": Southeast Michigan comes together to plan connected trails system

Stakeholders have adopted a more regional approach, thinking in terms of projects that build trail connections not just within a single county but across Southeast Michigan.  

Development News A section of the Lower Rouge Greenway in Canton Twp.

New upgrades coming to Wayne County's Lower Rouge Greenway include kayak launches, trail heads

Wayne County's Lower Rouge Greenway is growing and improving. Here's what to expect next from the regional trail.

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.