“Divining Freedom,” the debut novel of Donna Givens-Davidson, follows Black Detroit families across five generations. 

The story spans more than a hundred years, following multiple families’ hopeful journey to success and prosperity. The fictional narrative covers characters during the emancipation, the Detroit rebellion, and the modern day. 

Givens-Davidson talks about a reality Black people were seeking that they couldn’t yet understand throughout the book. “We’ve been in this quest to be free without really knowing what freedom looks like. Even within freedom, you have hierarchy.”

Givens-Davidson served as a community builder for 40 years before embracing her role as a historian and organizer. She also hosts Authentically Detroit, a podcast that stems from her presidency at the Eastside Community Network. 

She loves Detroit and she wants the book to reflect that love. “I want people who are Black to look at this and love themselves,” Givens-Davidson said.

She joins The Metro to foreshadow what these chapters are all about and how the content stands as a testament to ancestors from the city.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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Detroit City Council approved a change to an ordinance that prohibits alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana advertisements to be placed withing 1000 feet of sensitive locations.  Places of worship have been added to the list of protected locations.  

Council President Pro-Tem Coleman Young raised concerns about information on treatment centers and educational services being affected by this new rule.  

But Councilmember Scott Benson says that is not the case.  “This ordinance does not capture that. And this ordinance is already in place for alcohol and tobacco products, and there is no prohibition about advertising [Detroit Integrated Health Network] services or other services for substance use disorders.” 

The amended ordinance passed unanimously .

Additional headlines for Thursday, July 16, 2026

Highland Park launches scholarship program

The Highland Park School District announced a new scholarship program to help residents pursue post-secondary education.

Officials says Highland Park high schoolers are often not eligible for promise scholarships in the school districts they attended because of their address. The Highland Park Promise Scholarship is available to every graduating high school senior who lives in the city. Beginning fall 2027, eligible student can get an initial $1,000 to go toward any post-secondary education such as community colleges, universities, or trade schools.

Because the school district does not currently have its own high school, the scholarship will be available to any student attending high school in a neighboring district as long as they currently live in Highland Park. 

Congress candidate forum

The Eastside Community Network is hosting a forum with the 2026 U.S. House and Senate Candidates about issues shaping Detroit’s eastside. Candidates expected to participate include Donavan McKinney for the U.S. Houses 13th district,  Abraham Aiyash for the State Senate first district, as well as candidates for the 3rd Senate District and 9th and 11th State Representative Districts.

Forums will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday July 18 at the East Side Community Network on 4401 Conner Street.

WHEN: Saturday, July 18, 2026. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
• 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. — U.S. House, District 13 
• 10:45 – 11:15 a.m. — State Senate, District 1 
• 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. — State Senate, District 3 
• 12:45 – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch 
• 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.— State House, District 9 
• 2:45 – 3:30 p.m. — State House, District 11 
WHERE: Eastside Community Network (ECN), 4401 Conner St, Detroit, MI 48215

Move over law

Michigan State Police is planning a one-day initiative to enforce the state’s “move over” law.

When approaching a stationary vehicle with flashing lights such as police, ambulances, fire, rescue or road service vehicles, drivers must slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and move over one lane. If you cannot move over due to traffic, weather or road conditions, still slow down and pass with caution.

Colonel James Grady said in a statement there have been 13 instances this year where patrol vehicles were struck while conducting traffic stops. The one day initiative will be on July 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. across Michigan and neighboring states. 

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

It is one of the older and more uncomfortable patterns in working life: women in power sometimes pull the ladder up behind them, leaving the women coming after stranded.

Research shows it’s less about gender than about scarcity — about what happens when there are only so many seats at the table.

Danielle North has lived it. She’s a Detroit entrepreneur who’s spent the last decade building what the world didn’t give her: a childcare center, a college program for first-generation students, a women’s leadership network with 11,000 members.

North founded that network in 2014 after some of the hardest setbacks of her career came not from men, but from other women.

Fast forward to this moment, when Michigan has more women in power than ever: a woman governor, a woman secretary of state who has a good chance to be the next governor, a woman attorney general, a woman leading Detroit for the first ever. Many of them are here at the Mackinac Policy Conference this week. So today we’re asking: when women finally get power, how do they keep the door open for others?

North joined Robyn Vincent to discuss.

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More stories from The Metro

The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) is offering scholarships to high school seniors. The third annual DWIHN Mental Health Youth Ambassador Scholarship is for students in Wayne County who show resilience and a commitment toward their future higher education goals.

Five scholarships will be awarded to support students who have overcome personal or family challenges. Students must live in Wayne County, graduate in 2026 and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must also demonstrate resilience or perseverance and plan to pursue higher education in college, trade school or through continuing education credits. The money can be used toward tuition, books or transportation.  

Students have until May 29 to apply. For more information visit www.dwihn.org or email WCYouthUnited@dwihn.org. 

Additional headlines for Monday, May 11, 2026

Hamtramck Community and Economic Development summer internship

The City of Hamtramck is looking for summer interns to assist the Summer Youth Employment program. The paid internships are for youth 14-24 years old to take part in the city’s Community and Economic Development team.

Students will get hands on experience in public service, event planning and community engagement. They will also learn more about local government and small businesses. Internships begin in June and end by September. Applications are due by May 29.

To apply visit hamtramckcity.gov/employment-opportunities. Contact ced@hamtramckcity.gov for more information.  

May is Foster Care Month

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently hosted a roundtable for Foster Care Month. The event’s goal was to raise awareness around support services available for foster care families. The state has over 10,000 kids in foster care.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel says “Every child deserves to feel safe and supported.” The health department works with local agencies, courts and community partners to provide safe environments for kids. However there is also an emphasis on uniting families whenever possible.

Programs like the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, Transitional Placement Program, Community Reintegration Homes and the Foster Care Navigator Program hope to help children and families.

The health department says they are also looking for more foster care parents. To learn more, visit michigan.gov/hopeforahome.  

Michigan film trivia night

The Outlier Collective is hosting a trivia night next week. Outlier Media is teaming up with the Senate Theater to bring people a special Michigan film-themed trivia night. Outlier Media’s Briana Rice and BridgeDetroit’s Bryce Huffman will be hosting. They will ask questions about Michigan’s film history.

The event takes place May 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person. Trivia night will be hosted at the Senate Theatre in Detroit. Visit outliermedia.org/our-events/ to get tickets.  

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