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Planet Detroit Neighborhood Reporting Lab

Kelly Bennett, Fatima Al-Rasool, and Affefeh S. gather for a photo, united in their efforts to organize a seed swap event at the Arab American National Museum. A rooftop garden grows plants familiar to Arab culture and cuisine. Photo by Alejandro Ugalde Sandoval, Special to Planet Detroit.

Planet Detroit’s neighborhood reporters are residents who report on the health and climate issues they see happening in the neighborhoods they live in.

How one Detroit woman turned birthday tradition into a global upcycling movement

How one Detroit woman turned birthday tradition into a global upcycling movement

by Aderonke Ibironke October 27, 2025October 27, 2025

We Walk Detroit builds health, community step by step in city’s parks: ‘Therapeutic’

We Walk Detroit builds health, community step by step in city’s parks: ‘Therapeutic’

by Akilah Russell October 17, 2025October 18, 2025

A Detroit activist’s journey in fight for social justice: ‘Someone you want on your side’

A Detroit activist’s journey in fight for social justice: ‘Someone you want on your side’

by Heidi Ausgood October 8, 2025October 8, 2025

Detroiters describe citywide struggle with truck traffic: ‘Our streets are sinking’

Detroiters describe citywide struggle with truck traffic: ‘Our streets are sinking’

by Akilah Russell October 6, 2025October 7, 2025

How one Detroit farmer tackles water access: ‘The plants will be watered fully and consistently’

How one Detroit farmer tackles water access: ‘The plants will be watered fully and consistently’

by Carole Hawke-Diop September 23, 2025September 24, 2025

Chi Fan Le brings authentic Chinese cuisine to Detroit’s pop-up scene

Chi Fan Le brings authentic Chinese cuisine to Detroit’s pop-up scene

by Tamia Davis September 15, 2025October 17, 2025

Sustain-A-City: Detroit reimagines sustainability through art

Sustain-A-City: Detroit reimagines sustainability through art

by Akilah Russell September 9, 2025September 9, 2025

Detroit’s ReVamp clothing swap makes the world more sustainable, 1 party at a time

Detroit’s ReVamp clothing swap makes the world more sustainable, 1 party at a time

by Carissa Welton September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Chandler Park Fieldhouse opens as east side hub for health, hope, community

Chandler Park Fieldhouse opens as east side hub for health, hope, community

by Akilah Russell August 27, 2025August 27, 2025

No car, no problem: A day with Socially Chrissy, Detroit’s bold biking mom

No car, no problem: A day with Socially Chrissy, Detroit’s bold biking mom

by Cody Yarbrough July 7, 2025July 15, 2025

Chandler Park’s Danny Dolley leads charge for healthier communities, cleaner watersheds

Chandler Park’s Danny Dolley leads charge for healthier communities, cleaner watersheds

by Shayla Zimmerman June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Dominick Lemonious reimagines the art gallery at Detroit’s ‘Black Store’

Dominick Lemonious reimagines the art gallery at Detroit’s ‘Black Store’

by Akilah Russell June 12, 2025June 12, 2025

Jason Ford’s next chapter begins at Detroit People’s Food Co-op: ‘We gotta build the systems’

Jason Ford’s next chapter begins at Detroit People’s Food Co-op: ‘We gotta build the systems’

by Aderonke Ibironke June 10, 2025June 30, 2025

How Dazmonique Carr works to improve Detroit’s food access, one produce box at a time

How Dazmonique Carr works to improve Detroit’s food access, one produce box at a time

by Tamia Davis May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Black students sail the Detroit River with Harry Jones: ‘Water is in my DNA’

Black students sail the Detroit River with Harry Jones: ‘Water is in my DNA’

by Carissa Welton May 28, 2025May 28, 2025

How Detroit Impact’s ‘fatherlike figure’ Calvin Colbert shapes young lives

How Detroit Impact’s ‘fatherlike figure’ Calvin Colbert shapes young lives

by Sonja Stuckey May 27, 2025May 27, 2025

Andrew Bashi’s legal journey: ‘Working on the issues I care about’

Andrew Bashi’s legal journey: ‘Working on the issues I care about’

by Yara Reda May 23, 2025May 23, 2025

Detroiter’s activism around I-375 project starts with appreciation for Black Bottom history

Detroiter’s activism around I-375 project starts with appreciation for Black Bottom history

by Shannon Mackie May 12, 2025May 13, 2025

Brittney Rooney grows food on Beaverland Farms — and community in Brightmoor

Brittney Rooney grows food on Beaverland Farms — and community in Brightmoor

by Carole Hawke-Diop May 6, 2025May 6, 2025

Is lifelong learning the key to success? This Detroit teacher says yes

Is lifelong learning the key to success? This Detroit teacher says yes

by Aderonke Ibironke April 29, 2025April 29, 2025

Lifelong advocate steps back — but not away — from Detroit’s Regent Park. Her new focus might surprise you.

Lifelong advocate steps back — but not away — from Detroit’s Regent Park. Her new focus might surprise you.

by Leah Samuel April 16, 2025April 16, 2025

Heidi Ausgood shares why she joined the Neighborhood Reporting Lab. Hint: She’s a lifelong Detroiter.

Heidi Ausgood shares why she joined the Neighborhood Reporting Lab. Hint: She’s a lifelong Detroiter.

by Carissa Welton April 9, 2025April 16, 2025

Akilah Russell shares her writing journey: ‘I want to make people think twice’

Akilah Russell shares her writing journey: ‘I want to make people think twice’

by Tommie Obioha April 8, 2025April 8, 2025

Leah Samuel’s journalism career began with watching Walter Cronkite. Her work gives a voice to the voiceless.

Leah Samuel’s journalism career began with watching Walter Cronkite. Her work gives a voice to the voiceless.

by Marcia Spivey April 8, 2025April 8, 2025

A Detroiter teaches Mandarin Chinese. A love of learning fuels her journey.

A Detroiter teaches Mandarin Chinese. A love of learning fuels her journey.

by Heidi Ausgood April 4, 2025April 7, 2025

Environmental justice starts at home, says Shayla Zimmerman. A Detroit flood started her career trajectory.

Environmental justice starts at home, says Shayla Zimmerman. A Detroit flood started her career trajectory.

by Yara Reda March 26, 2025March 26, 2025

Larissa Diem changed careers and moved to Detroit. She has a new spiritual home too.

Larissa Diem changed careers and moved to Detroit. She has a new spiritual home too.

by Shannon Mackie March 25, 2025March 25, 2025

Southwest Detroit native grew up with ‘no roadmap’ in school. Now he aims to empower students like him.

Southwest Detroit native grew up with ‘no roadmap’ in school. Now he aims to empower students like him.

by Tamia Davis March 25, 2025March 26, 2025

Trayvon Martin’s death changed everything for Aderonke Ibironke. She shares her approach to creativity, advocacy.

Trayvon Martin’s death changed everything for Aderonke Ibironke. She shares her approach to creativity, advocacy.

by Perry Sylvester March 21, 2025March 21, 2025

Brightmoor resident cultivates change through community agriculture. Carole Hawke-Diop shares her Detroit story.

Brightmoor resident cultivates change through community agriculture. Carole Hawke-Diop shares her Detroit story.

by Sonja Stuckey March 18, 2025March 20, 2025

Michigan teen shares environmental advocacy journey. ‘Toxic Tour’ of Southwest Detroit sparked her interest.

Michigan teen shares environmental advocacy journey. ‘Toxic Tour’ of Southwest Detroit sparked her interest.

by Shayla Zimmerman March 17, 2025March 20, 2025

Tommie Obioha grew up in a bicultural Detroit household. His journey led to community development and journalism.

Tommie Obioha grew up in a bicultural Detroit household. His journey led to community development and journalism.

by Akilah Russell March 14, 2025March 20, 2025

Journalism is Sonja Stuckey’s first love. Detroit Documenters gave her a second chance at writing.

Journalism is Sonja Stuckey’s first love. Detroit Documenters gave her a second chance at writing.

by Carole Hawke-Diop March 12, 2025March 20, 2025

Perry Sylvester is a Detroit advocate. Here’s how he came to love the Motor City.

Perry Sylvester is a Detroit advocate. Here’s how he came to love the Motor City.

by Aderonke Ibironke March 11, 2025March 20, 2025

This Detroiter self-publishes fiction. Shannon Mackie shares ‘catalyst’ behind completion of first book.

This Detroiter self-publishes fiction. Shannon Mackie shares ‘catalyst’ behind completion of first book.

by Larissa Diem March 10, 2025March 11, 2025

Community voices take center stage in Planet Detroit’s 2025 reporting lab

Community voices take center stage in Planet Detroit’s 2025 reporting lab

by Nina Misuraca Ignaczak February 27, 2025March 22, 2025

Detroit farmers find stable ground in Detroit’s first community land trust

Detroit farmers find stable ground in Detroit’s first community land trust

by Tamia Davis February 19, 2025March 3, 2025

Discover upcycled gems at Detroit’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse

Discover upcycled gems at Detroit’s Architectural Salvage Warehouse

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez February 5, 2025February 5, 2025

AGI turns historic Southwest home into hub for Detroit contractors

AGI turns historic Southwest home into hub for Detroit contractors

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez December 12, 2024December 16, 2024

Detroit resident voices election concerns and hopes

Detroit resident voices election concerns and hopes

by Ambirr Momon November 4, 2024November 4, 2024

Sustainability and women’s rights: Michigan voter’s push

Sustainability and women’s rights: Michigan voter’s push

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez November 3, 2024November 3, 2024

Riverview Head Start worker on voting and environmental issues

Riverview Head Start worker on voting and environmental issues

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez November 2, 2024November 3, 2024

Detroit’s small business owners voice concerns on health, climate, and voting

Detroit’s small business owners voice concerns on health, climate, and voting

by Meghan Rutigliano November 2, 2024November 2, 2024

Detroit Action director Anthony Baber on why voting and housing matter

Detroit Action director Anthony Baber on why voting and housing matter

by Meghan Rutigliano October 29, 2024October 29, 2024

Detroit voter worries about climate, Palestinian genocide and healthcare gaps

Detroit voter worries about climate, Palestinian genocide and healthcare gaps

by Meghan Rutigliano October 29, 2024October 29, 2024

Francis Grunow on Detroit’s role in our democracy

Francis Grunow on Detroit’s role in our democracy

by Meghan Rutigliano October 24, 2024October 24, 2024

Nonprofit tech expert reveals voting priorities in Detroit

Nonprofit tech expert reveals voting priorities in Detroit

by Ambirr Momon October 24, 2024October 24, 2024

Community swap in Dearborn offers new life to clothes and books

Community swap in Dearborn offers new life to clothes and books

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez October 10, 2024October 11, 2024

VOICES: Detroit’s fugitive dust ordinance won’t protect residents

VOICES: Detroit’s fugitive dust ordinance won’t protect residents

by A J Johnson August 13, 2024December 30, 2024

Woodbridge textile artist launches new community space: Secret Garden Art Cafe

Woodbridge textile artist launches new community space: Secret Garden Art Cafe

by Sarah Sparkman June 20, 2024September 12, 2024

Meet the Black vegan chefs driving Detroit’s plant-based food scene

Meet the Black vegan chefs driving Detroit’s plant-based food scene

by Ambirr Momon June 3, 2024September 12, 2024

Meet the man who has been cleaning the Rouge River for 35 years

Meet the man who has been cleaning the Rouge River for 35 years

by Zach Lassen May 2, 2024May 7, 2025

This Detroiter crochets plastic bags into blankets for unhoused residents

This Detroiter crochets plastic bags into blankets for unhoused residents

by A J Johnson April 23, 2024February 14, 2025

A Detroit renter’s quest for drinking water clarity

A Detroit renter’s quest for drinking water clarity

by Meghan Rutigliano April 18, 2024July 19, 2024

Preserving Metro Detroit’s Arab culture and identity through a garden and a seed swap

Preserving Metro Detroit’s Arab culture and identity through a garden and a seed swap

by Estefania Arellano-Bermudez March 28, 2024July 19, 2024

Introducing the 2024 Planet Detroit Neighborhood Reporting Lab

Introducing the 2024 Planet Detroit Neighborhood Reporting Lab

by Nina Misuraca Ignaczak February 12, 2024July 19, 2024

Ecorse aims to increase its outdoor recreation offerings

Ecorse aims to increase its outdoor recreation offerings

by Cheri Hollie August 9, 2023July 19, 2024

Detroit’s Boston-Edison homeowners balance historic restoration and energy efficiency

Detroit’s Boston-Edison homeowners balance historic restoration and energy efficiency

by Madeline Boyer June 13, 2023July 19, 2024

Communities LEAP program aims to wean Highland Park off fossil fuels

Communities LEAP program aims to wean Highland Park off fossil fuels

by Michelle Jones May 24, 2023July 19, 2024