Ijania Cortez brings Detroit’s stories to life through color and community

Whether on canvas or a towering wall, Detroit artist Ijania Cortez creates portraits that reflect the city’s people and places. She uses vibrant color, often with neon tones, to capture the spirit of everyday Detroiters and the icons who shape the city.

Cortez’s murals appear throughout Detroit, including Cutter’s in Eastern Market and the Ruth Ellis Center’s Clairmont building. Her work celebrates community and the stories that define it.

In 2021, Cortez received the Kresge Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist Award and collaborated with Hubert Massey and the Detroit Institute of Arts Partners in Public Art Mural Program. She has also taken part in the BLKOUT Walls street art festival.

In 2025, she was recognized as a Ruth Ellis Center honoree and featured artist in Murals in the Market, hosted by 1xRUN.

Capturing love through photography

Elonte Davis is a Detroit-based photographer and a 2025 Kresge Fellow. His work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

For Elonte, photography is a powerful tool to spread love and joy, helping people see themselves differently and with greater appreciation.

Donald Calloway has worked as an artist in Detroit for more than 30 years, constantly finding new ways to express his creativity. His work spans figures made from found and repurposed wood and metal, as well as portrait paintings and abstract sculptures.

A 2025 Kresge Artist Fellow and College for Creative Studies alum, Calloway has exhibited his work at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the National Conference of Artists Gallery, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Bevlove is a Detroit R&B songstress who uses her words to paint pictures over smooth productions.

Bevlove grew up understanding the power of music. Like so many Detroiters, church played a huge role in fostering Bev’s musical curiosities. The fellowship and hallelujah choruses were all building blocks for the way Bevlove performs today.

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

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

Nabeela Najjar is the creative force behind Seamstress Bee, where she works as a costume and fashion designer.

A graduate of the College for Creative Studies, Nabeela uses her vision to create mystical costumes and designs inspired by the dreamworld and nature. She hand-dyes flowy fabrics like silk and chiffon to form one-of-a-kind, ethereal garments.

Nabeela was named a Gucci Changemaker Scholar, and her work has been displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Her designs range from everyday wear to conceptual pieces you’d see on the runway.

Taylor’s Creative Journey in Art and Fashion

Taylor has made a name for herself in art and fashion. In 2025, Taylor was named a Kresge Gilda Snowden Emerging Artist. She was also a prominent designer featured in Detroit Month of Design and a standout for the year’s Michigan Fashion Week.

Taylor graduated from the College for Creative Studies and Cranbrook Academy of Art.

The limit seemingly doesn’t exist for Taylor and what she can create. Taylor’s designs are unique in that she practices sustainable fashion.

But as Taylor would tell it, she learned how to create something out of nothing from her family, starting with her grandmother, who made sure the neighborhood was a community.

Detroit’s only eyewear maker is turning heads

When Ali began his journey into eyewear manufacturing, he knew nothing about the industry. With determination, he figured it out and today he stands as Detroit’s only eyewear manufacturer.

His creations are described as dope glasses for local and international audiences, even catching the eye of DJ Kaytranada.

Ali grew up across Metro Detroit and calls himself a man of Michigan and a man of God. His faith, along with his lifelong drive for business, led him to build a vision around eyeglass design and creation.

Meet La Cecille: Detroit’s multi-disciplinary artist

Morgan Hutson, known as La Cecille, is an actress, singer, songwriter, producer, and dancer who weaves ancestral knowledge into every note and performance. Her music moves from R and B to electronic, reflecting the multi-disciplinary style that defines her artistry.

La Cecille has been singing her entire life, listening and learning from Detroit’s greats. Just like her mentors and teachers, Detroit itself has become an essential character in her story.

For many, growing up in Detroit feels almost magical. For La Cecille, it truly was, shaping the artist she is today.

Fried Chicken and Caviar brings fun, flavor and vibes to Detroit

In this episode, we’re saying what up doe to Chi Walker and Nik Renee Cole, the duo behind Fried Chicken and Caviar — or FCC for short.

FCC isn’t just about food on a plate; it’s about creating a vibe. Their pop-up has appeared all over Detroit, from Batch Brewing to 2 Birds and The Congregation. Known for their adventurous food pairings and bold recipes, Chi and Nik use flavor as a way to spark joy and connection.

From their popular Glizzy Parties — featuring hot dogs topped with decadent ingredients — to catering high-profile events like the James Beard Awards, Fried Chicken and Caviar keeps finding new ways to bring fun to food. As Chi and Nik put it, “Fried Chicken and Caviar” is more than just a name.

Activation: Food

Chef Greg is the founder and owner of Smokey G’s Smokehouse, located at Valade Park on Detroit’s Riverfront.

He was a featured vendor during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, and Smokey G’s became the first smoker ever to appear at the Rocket Mortgage Classic Golf Tournament.

For the last 11 years, Greg has taken pride in welcoming people into his family through food, smoke, and plenty of laughs.

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

Activation: Food

Chef Booze brings Arkansas roots to Detroit’s food scene

Jermond Booze, professionally known as Chef Booze or simply Booze, was born and raised in Arkansas and has turned Detroit into home. His southern roots are foundational to who he is and to the way he views food as a conduit for larger conversations.

Through hosting music themed dinners, mentoring kids, and winning “Chopped,” Booze has become instrumental in Detroit’s food scene.

Activation: Music

Bryce Detroit is a poet, an artist, a social justice organizer and a musician. And with so many titles on his name, it’s hard to pinpoint what creative endeavor he may be working on at that particular moment, but it’s ALWAYS safe to say he’s doing it for the culture…he’s doing it for Detroit. 

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

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

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