Hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants brought here as children won a major victory in the Supreme Court. Stephen speaks to Migladys Bermudez, a Staff Attorney with Justice for Our Neighbors Michigan, says she was surprised by the decision.
Stephen Henderson
Stephen Henderson is an award-winning journalist, author, and broadcaster whose work is rooted in Detroit and shaped by a deep commitment to public-interest reporting and civic life. A native Detroiter, he is the founder of BridgeDetroit, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering the city through sustained engagement with residents and their primary concerns. Over nearly three decades, he has focused on the forces that shape cities and communities—urban policy, government accountability, education, race, and economic inequality—with an emphasis on how public decisions affect everyday lives.
His work bridges print, television and radio, and it brings together data, history, and lived experience, helping audiences understand not just what is happening, but why it matters and what comes next.
He is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary and has received more than two dozen national honors for his writing and editing, including recognition as Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists. His career has spanned some of the country’s leading news organizations, including the Chicago Tribune, where he helped build one of the nation’s earliest digital news platforms; the Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, where he covered the U.S. Supreme Court; and The Baltimore Sun, where his editorials contributed to clemency for a death row prisoner.
In Detroit, Henderson spent more than a decade at the Detroit Free Press, where he became the first African American to lead the editorial page and the paper’s first Black Pulitzer Prize winner. He is also the host of American Black Journal on Detroit Public Television and the founder of The Tuxedo Project, a literary arts and community initiative based in the home where he was born.
Henderson is the co-author of The Civility Book (Wayne State University Press, 2025), a reflection on disagreement, democratic culture, and the importance of sustaining civic dialogue. A frequent moderator, speaker, and convener, his work continues to focus on strengthening public conversation and helping communities navigate disagreement, change, and the challenges of democracy.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Removal of Christopher Columbus Bust In Detroit Signals Important Narrative Shift
From city street names to school monikers to long standing statues, Detroit is reckoning with its problematic past.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
American Black Journal: A Roundtable on Police Brutality and Systemic Racism
Stephen Henderson talks with Karen Dumas (Communications Strategist) Brandon Brice (“Straight Talk” host, 910 AM Superstation), Kerry Leon Jackson (The Urban Conservative) and Greg Bowens (PR & Political Strategist) for an in-depth discussion of the local, national and global protests against police brutality and systemic racism.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
BridgeDetroit’s Stephen Henderson interviews Ruth Ellis Center director about Supreme Court victory
On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that L.G.B.T.Q. workers are protected by federal civil rights law. BridgeDetroit Project Executive Stephen Henderson discussed the case with Lilianna Reyes of the Ruth Ellis Center. He has followed the complaint of Michigan resident Aimee Stephens since last year.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
Michigan Resident Aimee Stephens’ Case Could Shape Transgender Rights in America
This week, Aimee Stephens became the first person ever to have the U.S. Supreme Court hear a discrimination complaint on the basis of gender identity.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
American Black Journal: Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony / Small Business Workshop
Stephen spoke with the President of the Detroit NAACP, Rev. Wendell Anthony, to get his perspective on Floyd’s murder, the protests, and where we go from here. Then, this year’s “Small Business Workshop” is going virtual to help owners rebound. Stephen talked with the founder of the event, Mark Lee of the Lee Group, and David Girodat from presenting sponsor, Fifth Third Bank.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
One Detroit: How allies can help the Black community in its struggle
One Detroit’s Will Glover talks with Charity Dean, Director of Civil Rights, Inclusion, and Opportunity for the City of Detroit about where people can start.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
One Detroit: Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist on racial unrest
Christy McDonald talks with Lt. Governor of Michigan Garlin Gilchrist about what true policy changes can be made to combat systemic racism.
Posted inHealth and Welfare
American Black Journal: Disease, racism and the struggles of the African-American families to maintain their mental health
Stephen talks to Assistant Professor Riana Anderson of the University of Michigan School of Public Health about the escalating anxiety and depression in the African American community and what families can do.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
American Black Journal: Warren Evans / Mental health toll on African Americans
Wayne County Executive Warren Evans talks with Stephen about COVID-19, its impact on the county, and how it is disrupting the 2020 Census count. Plus, the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on African Americans, combined with a jump in violent racist acts across the country, are taking a huge mental health toll on people of color.