Flashpoint: BridgeDetroit project executive Stephen Henderson and Chastity Pratt of the Wall Street Journal discussed how to focus on dismantling systematic racism rather than the flash reactions to police brutality protests.
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
One Detroit: Introducing BridgeDetroit
Stephen Henderson introduces his new project, BridgeDetroit, a nonprofit community news, information and engagement media service working with a citywide collaborative journalism hub of Detroit-area partners, including Detroit Public TV.
Posted inEmergencies and Risks (COVID-19)
American Black Journal: COVID-19 Racial Disparities
A coalition of city officials call for a federal investigation into COVID-19’s impact on people of color. Stephen interviews a member of this group, Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Mary Sheffield, about efforts to dig deeper into why a disproportionate number of African Americans are dying from COVID-19.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
One Detroit: When Black Americans took up arms with Michael Harriot
What happened when Black Americans took up arms in protest? Associate Producer Will Glover talks to Senior Writer from The Root Michael Harriot to find out how Black and Brown Americans feel after the Ahmaud Arbery murder and more.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
American Black Journal: Pandemic impact on food industry / Music venues / Vincent Chandler Collective
Stephen Henderson speaks with Ma Haru Executive Chef Phil Jones about COVID-19’s impact on the restaurant industry and food supply system. Shahida Mausi, operator of The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, talks about how independent music venues and promoters across the country are banding together to survive the pandemic. And, a musical performance by The Vince Chandler Collective.
Posted inEmergencies and Risks (COVID-19)
American Black Journal: COVID-19 Racial disparities / Songs inspired by the pandemic
We’ll talk about maintaining your mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak. Plus, a closer look at the disparities making communities of color more vulnerable to the virus.
Posted inEmergencies and Risks (COVID-19)
American Black Journal: Rev. Horace Sheffield, COVID-19 Survivor
This story also appeared in Detroit PBS – American Black Journal Stephen Henderson talks with the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the head of DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations), about his personal battle with COVID-19 and the impact of the virus on Detroiters.
Posted inEmergencies and Risks (COVID-19)
American Black Journal: Rev. Horace Sheffield III / Charles Ballard / Nova Zaii
Stephen talks with the Rev. Horace Sheffield III, the head of DABO (Detroit Association of Black Organizations), about his personal battle with COVID-19 and the impact of the virus on Detroiters. Plus, economics professor Charles Ballard.
Posted inCivic and Community Information
American Black Journal: Tonya Allen / Solomon Kinloch / Virtual Gender Reveal
Stephen talks with Tonya Allen, president & CEO of The Skillman Foundation, about distance learning for students and the educational resources that local non-profits are providing. Plus, Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. of Triumph Church
Posted inEmergencies and Risks (COVID-19)
American Black Journal: Race, Health and the Pandemic / Shannon Cason
Stephen has a frank conversation about the connection between race, health and the COVID-19 pandemic. How are health disparities in urban cities like Detroit, New Orleans and Chicago contributing to the spread of the coronavirus? Plus, we’ll meet up with master storyteller and Detroit native Shannon Cason, famous for his Homemade Stories Podcast.