Hajj Fleming, owner of Brand Camp University, in collaboration with Shawn Lee, an award-winning photographer, provided the city of Detroit a four-hour brand makeover. Fleming, a digital brand strategist, held a brand makeover session Jan. 19 at Ponyride in Corktown. 2013 marks the fourth year of Brand Camp for Fleming. The 41-year-old Roseville native brought together an intimate crowd of 15 Michiganders to ...

In partnership with the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design, the University of Michigan Detroit Center presents theWork: Detroit gallery exhibition, “Black Detroit 21.” Curated by Odie Rynell Cash, “Black Detroit 21” addresses social concerns within Detroit’s African American community by exploring the topics of identity, territory, protest, sexuality and transition. ...

All in the Family: Improvisational architecture in the work of Beverly Buchanan “Beverly Buchanan’s artworks are full of humanity, depicting the grace of everyday lives and the power of the human spirit. They remind us of our abiding connections to the places we call home,” writes curator Marianetta Porter of the work of artist Beverly Buchanan. Buchanan’s work is on display through Feb. 1 at the Department ...

The art of hip hop has always been more than just the music. A new album from Detroit hip hop artist Mr. Cliffnote exemplifies this tradition with a unique mix of music and visual art. ...

Nationally acclaimed photographer, historian, genealogist and activist Dale Rich will present “Thenceforward and Forever Free: The Emancipation Proclamation,” a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of that historic document signed in 1863, Feb. 2, from 1-4 p.m. The presentation will feature a powerful multi-media exhibit showcasing historically important paintings, photographs and other documents illustra ...

I get letters all of the time from people who are in distress, feeling like they are at the end of their rope. They feel like all else has failed, then they write me. I received a heartfelt painful letter from a gentleman who wrote that he and his family were in the process of losing their home. Both he and his wife were forced to take a 10 percent wage cut in their salary, which caused a financial hardship ...

YMCA’s Smart Fitness certified personal trainer Bridget Porter launched Body Boot Camp for people who need to get in shape for the new year. Porter is anticipating a great response with the beginning of this year’s program. ...

Reggie Reg Davis recently opened a family restaurant in honor of his family — in particular, his deceased aunt who created a healthy diet for herself and her family. ...

My daughter and I started attending what I consider to be a phenomenal church. What makes this place so unique and one of the fastest-growing spiritual institutions in the country is its pastor and his “now” leadership. He’s well-versed on the Bible and articulates each verse in a way that relates to the issues of today. His passion, compassion and love of God reek from the pulpit. It is a come-as-you-are w ...

A special evening honoring filmmaker Julie Dash, director of the acclaimed “The Rosa Parks Story” (which premiered at the Detroit Film Theatre in 2002), takes place Jan. 24 at the Detroit Institute of Arts. During the evening, which is organized in cooperation with the Wayne State University Department of Communication, Dash will introduce her 1991 classic “Daughters of the Dust,” a portrait of the Gullah c ...