As you know, over the past few years, thousands of Detroiters have lost their homes because of an overassessment of their properties. 

During this episode, we will discuss the cause of this crisis and the best remedies for Detroiters. We will also discuss the recently passed Detroit City Council Ordinance … Right to Counsel. 

Guest Speakers: 

Dr. Esmat Ishag-Osman is the Research Council’s expert on all policy matters related to Detroit affairs. He joined the Citizens Research Council in 2021 after completing his Ph.D. in political science from Wayne State University. Esmat earned his doctorate with a focus in American Government and minored in Urban and Comparative Politics. 

In his eight years living in Detroit, Esmat has been involved in every aspect of civic life in the city. Before joining the Citizen’s Research Council, Esmat worked as a Research Assistant with the Political Science Department and the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University. He also taught for three years working as a political science instructor at Wayne State University. During that time, he worked as a Senior Policy Analyst for a Detroit-based, civic engagement non-profit called CitizenDetroit. He has worked on several campaigns and has also worked as a community organizer.  Currently, he is on the Board of Directors for Black Family Development, Inc.

Attorney Tonya Phillips is an attorney who practices in Michigan and advocates for equitable and inclusive public policies.  Tonya currently serves as the Community Partnerships & Development Director for the Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice in Detroit.  Tonya has over fifteen years of legal experience and twenty-five years of professional public service experience.  Tonya also consults with Michigan Legal Services on housing policies for low-income families.  Attorney Tonya is the project leader for the Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition who worked with City Council President Mary Sheffield to pass the Right to Counsel Ordinance on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. 

We will discuss the messages conveyed through negro spirituals and how they influenced social activism and resilience. What are some current gospel songs that convey a social justice theme?  Do these songs encourage social activism? 

Guest Speaker: Professor Deborah Smith Pollard 

Dr. Deborah Smith Pollard is a Professor of English Literature and Humanities at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. This year, she is celebrating her 40th anniversary as a gospel radio announcer and producer in Detroit on WJLB FM 98, WQBH, and WCHB. Since 2018, she has co-hosted “Sunday Morning Inspiration” with Glenda Curry on WMXD “MIX” 92.3 FM.

She was host and producer of the McDonald’s GospelFest in Detroit and the Motor City PraiseFest, and she produced the regional Emmy Award-winning “GodSounds” on Detroit’s NBC affiliate for 8 years. 

Among the many honors, she has received are the “Gospel Announcer of the Year” from the Stellar Awards (2004) and the 2021 Michigan Heritage Award in recognition of her decades of academic, media, and community work in gospel music.

Dr. Pollard has lectured internationally on gospel music. Her research, including praise and worship in the urban church and the changes in attire in gospel music, has been published in several academic and popular journals. Her first book, When the Church Becomes Your Party: Contemporary Gospel Music, was named a Notable Book by the Library of Michigan. She is currently researching the continuing impact of the song “Oh Happy Day.” 

Everyone has a responsibility to protect the earth, especially Christians. How should Christians hold BIG polluters accountable? As Christians, how should we promote environmental justice?

This episode will feature Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Climate  & Community Revitalization for the National Wildlife Federation (NWF). He also serves as Interim Chief of Programs at the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Founder and CEO of Revitalization Strategies. Previously, Mustafa was a founding member of the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ).