In March 2025, President Donald Trump passed an executive order to “restore truth and sanity” to American history. His administration has pressured the removal of “negative history”— which often surrounds the historic struggles of people of color—while restoring Confederate statues.

Meanwhile, a Detroit artist may be the first to create an outdoor public monument to honor Civil Rights leader Malcolm X. 

Mario Moore is a multi-disciplinary artist from Detroit whose works are on display in museums and galleries across the country, including the Detroit Institute of Arts. He has a goal of erecting a 14-foot statue of Malcolm X. He believes Detroit is the perfect place to honor his life.

Moore was a student at Malcolm X Academy in the 90’s, where he learned why the leader fought for human rights. He remembers fondly mobs of angry adults, deeming the school bad for the community. The school even received death threats.

Moore plans to build a park that will be the permanent home for the monument in the Dexter/Linwood community. It’s a few blocks from Temple No. 1, where X practiced Islam.

He joined The Metro to discuss how his works are a mode of historical preservation and conversation starters.

Right now, the project is in its infancy, with a quarter of the funding raised. To support Moore and the Malcolm X Plaza, visit Canfield Consortium to learn more.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand. Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Michigan’s governor says the state needs to stay the course on education policy. In recent years, the state has changed its reading curriculum, offered free school meals to everyone and paid for literacy coaches. 
But the latest reading scores show slight declines across the state in the percentage of students in grades 3-8 who are reading at grade level.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the rather than making big frequent changes the state needs to focus on strategies it knows work. This school year, the state is changing how it funds districts based on the number of “at-risk” students they serve. 

The governor also indicated she is waiting to decide whether to opt in to the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit. The program offers tax breaks for donations to organizations that grant scholarships to low-income students.

Opponents say the program violate the prohibition against giving public money to private schools that voters have supported several times. Michigan is one of 15 states that still hasn’t decided whether to join the program-despite calls from Republicans. 

Whitmer says she’s still waiting on details from the U.S. Treasury Department about how the program would work. 

Additional headlines for Sept. 9, 2026

SMART plans expansion

SMART is preparing to expand bus service into additional Metro Detroit communities after voters approved countywide transit funding while public transit usage is increasing, according to new data. 

The agency’s report shows ridership rose about 25% over the past year. The SMART system currently operates 45 fixed routes across Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The agency plans to extend service into communities that previously opted out of the regional bus system.

SMART has proposed adding eight new routes and five extensions. New routes have been proposed for the Telegraph, Middlebelt,and Seven Mile corridors, as well as the return of SMART service to Hamtramck. Saturday routes will also be added for the first time since cuts in 2011. 

Detroit home repair programs

Applications for the Detroit home repair programs opened today. The Critical Home Repair option is open to owned homes with children under 18, seniors over 62 or residents with a documented disability. The Detroit LeadSafe program serves families who own or rent their homes with children under age 6 or with a pregnant woman in the home.

Both programs have income eligibility requirements and are only available to homes where property taxes are up to date or being paid through a payment plan. For more information, call 866-313-2520 or email hhfsHomeRepair@detroitmi.gov. 

Art explores how Detroiters view home

Tomorrow is the opening reception for “Where We Belong: The Architecture of Home” at the Boulevard. The reception and exhibit explore the question of who gets to call Detroit home. Thursday’s event offers music, food and conversation as well as art.

On Saturday, Outlier Media’s Orlando Bailey will conduct “special interviews” exploring concepts of home, neighborhood, memory and belonging. On Sunday, the exhibit holds the conversation it calls “Building Belonging” with three Detroiters working in place, people and the built environment.

The exhibit runs through Sept. 20. For more information, visit abayomicdc.org/wwb. 

Stevie Wonder in Detroit

Stevie Wonder is planning a stop in Detroit this fall as a part of a tour celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of his album “Songs in the Key of Life.” The legend will play the Fox Theatre on Dec. 8-9.

Tickets go on sale on Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. at 313presents.com, livenation.com and ticketmaster.com. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

What’s behind Majesty Hope Blands’ woven purpose?

A native Detroiter, Bland is a seamstress, tailor and fiber artist. As an alum of the College for Creative Studies and ISAIC, Bland has taken what she’s learned and tested its limits.

Bland creates one-of-one pieces that invite people to reconsider their relationship with their clothes.

Working with upcycled materials and whatever is around her at the moment, Bland sees resourcefulness not as a gimmick, but as a way of life.

In this episode, we learn a little more about Majesty Hope Bland.

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

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

Subscribe to Container on The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

In 2008, Damon DeWitt was 25, living in Miami. It was an election year, Barack Obama was running on a platform for change, and the city was electric — celebrities giving speeches on soapboxes in South Beach.

He was working two jobs and trying to figure out whether he was actually going to be an artist. So he made himself a deal: he’d paint every American president, and if he still wanted to make art at the end of it, he’d keep going.

Forty-five portraits later, each one in a different style, his series “Dads of Democracy” is on display.

It’s at Wayne State University’s Hilberry Gateway Gallery — in Detroit, in an election year, in the 250th year of the Declaration of Independence.

Damon DeWitt joined Robyn Vincent on The Metro to discuss the presidency, American power, and the connection between art and politics.

Editor’s Note: The collection is on loan to Wayne State from Mary Zatina and Kevin Prihod. Mary Zatina is WDET’s general manager.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and stream on-demand.

Never miss an episode — subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, NPR, or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

One Year Anniversary Reading of Women Who Submit

Women Who Submit celebrates its Detroit chapter’s first anniversary with readings from members, plus snacks and resources for writers interested in submitting their work.

27th Letter Books, 3546 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216, USA
Friday, Aug. 14
womenwhosubmitlit.org/events-2/

Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront

Families can enjoy live read-alouds, music and interactive entertainment, plus free books for children.

Gabriel Richard Park, 7130 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Friday, Aug. 14, sessions at 10 and 11:30 a.m.
Free
detroitriverfront.org/events/calendar/2026/08/14/reading-rhythm-on-the-riverfront

Bold Women’s Health Day

BasBlue hosts a day focused on women’s health, with expert discussions, wellness resources, screenings and a free community resource fair.

BasBlue, 110 E. Ferry St., Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Community Resource Fair is free
eventbrite.com/e/bold-women-health-day-health-summit-tickets-1993930703409

Woodward Dream Cruise

Thousands of classic, custom and specialty vehicles take over Woodward Avenue for Metro Detroit’s annual celebration of car culture.

Woodward Avenue, Ferndale to Pontiac
Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free
woodwarddreamcruise.com/visitor-guide/events-route-map/

Black Bottom | Black Legacy Festival

Celebrate Black Detroit’s history and culture through storytelling, art, performances, workshops and interactive experiences.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free
thewright.org/events/black-bottom-black-legacy-festival

Community Mural Painting

Add your brushstrokes to a community mural inspired by Detroit’s people, waterways and natural beauty.

Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Included with museum admission; adults $15, discounts available
detroithistorical.org/events/community-mural-painting

Time to Art with Dave Chow

Detroit illustrator Dave Chow shares stories and artwork from his career spanning comics, cars, music and advertising.

Detroit Historical Museum, 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to noon
Included with museum admission; adults $15, discounts available
detroithistorical.org/events/time-art-dave-chow

Detroit Youth Sports Showcase

Kids can try more than 30 sports and activities, including basketball, soccer, tennis, skateboarding, chess and robotics.

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, 1801 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free
detroitriverfront.org/events/calendar/2026/08/15/detroit-youth-sports-showcase

Bee Fest

Celebrate Detroit’s pollinators with beekeeper talks, honey tastings, crafts, gardening tips and other bee-friendly activities.

Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit
Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free
belleislenaturecenter.org/event/bee-fest/2026-08-15/

GrillFest

Sample grilled eats and drinks from local vendors while enjoying live entertainment and a summer marketplace.

Eastern Market Shed 5, Detroit
Sunday, Aug. 16, noon to 4 p.m.
Ticketed event
detroitgrillfest.com

Tacos & Trivia

Grab tacos and test your knowledge during free team trivia, with concert tickets and other prizes up for grabs.

Campus Martius Park, Detroit
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
Free trivia; food and drinks available for purchase
downtowndetroit.org/event/tacos-trivia-presented-by-long-drink-9/

Wayne County residents overwhelmingly approved a millage that ensures everyone pays into the suburban public transit system, known as SMART. 

One of the people who led the effort to pass the millage is Megan Owens. She’s the director of Transit Riders United. That organization has been advocating for public transit expansion in Metro Detroit for 25 years.

Owens joined The Metro‘s Robyn Vincent to discuss Wayne County’s transit millage, and what it would take to create more expansive, connected public transit in the region. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

Brittini Ward is a multi-media artist and the founder of EYE N EYE LLC. It’s a creative studio, using storytelling for healing, care and cultural preservation in the city of Detroit.  

The Emmy-winning artist has been featured in The Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Detroit Institute of Arts, Motown Museum and has partnered with local organizations like Black Bottom Archives and Plowshares Theatre Company, just to name a few.  

Ward graduated from The University of Michigan Flint and has her masters in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College. 

Today, her work builds on her educational pursuits, allowing her to bring people together around art. Through her exhibitions, she’s intentionally creating spaces that hold community stories.  

Listen to the episode and learn more about Detroit based artist Brittini Ward.

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

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

Tune into The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming On-demand. Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.