Hey, readers! Welcome back to Culture Canvas.
Detroit’s biggest event of the year, the NFL Draft, is only two days away. Whether you’re a diehard football fan, or someone who doesn’t care about sports, like myself, both groups will surely pack downtown for the three-day event. Below, I have a list of draft-related events happening throughout the weekend. If you’re not interested in all the parties and concerts, check out my suggestions for some of the city’s must-see cultural gems here.
For today’s story, I spoke with Detroit author and journalist Tracie McMillan. Her latest book, “The White Bonus: Five Families and the Cash Value of Racism in America” explores the monetary value of white privilege in middle- and working-class families in areas like homeownership, the prison and public school systems and health care.
McMillan starts with her own life growing up in rural Holly, Mich., tracing the modest wealth three generations of her family were able to accumulate while relying on American policies that most benefited white people. She then offers a broader scope, sharing the stories of four other subjects across the country.
I talked to McMillan about the conception of the book and why “White Bonus” is relevant more than ever with the upcoming election and political divisions in the country.
McMillan told me that she wanted to have honest conversations about racism and white supremacy, so she figured she could get there by calculating the materialistic benefits racism has brought to her life.
You can read more of our conversation on the BridgeDetroit website. Hope you all have an amazing week!
Cheers,
Micah
313 Scene
- Detroit-based cannabis cultivator and processor Calyxeum opened its first retail dispensary last Saturday in Southwest Detroit. Calyxeum is owned and operated by native Detroiters Rebecca Colett and LaToyia Rucker, who have been business partners since launching in 2019.
- This year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honorees have some Detroit connections: Longtime Motown executive and producer Suzanne de Passe will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for Lifetime Achievement, one of the most prestigious honors on the business side of the music industry. Detroit rock band MC5 and late Motown songwriter-producer Norman Whitfield will receive the rock hall’s Award for Musical Excellence.
- Next Level by RollerCade opened downtown last week at 1201 Woodward Ave. The two-level attraction features a roller rink on the second floor with the ground-floor packed with arcade-style games.
What’s Going on in the D?
- The NFL Draft takes place Thursday-Saturday. Round 1 begins 8 p.m. Thursday, while rounds 2 and 3 take place at 7 p.m. Friday and rounds 4-7 take place at 12 p.m. Saturday. The draft spans from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza, with additional events in Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park and Harmonie Park. The NFL draft is free and open to the public, but ticket packages for the actual draft are sold out.
- Detroit rapper Big Sean will kick off the first day of the NFL Draft Concert Series with a set at 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Other performances throughout the weekend include the Detroit Youth Choir 6 p.m. Friday and Canton native singer Bazzi on Saturday. Performances will take place at Campus Martius Park and are free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis via the NFL OnePass app and at nfl.com/draftaccess.
- If draft parties are more of your thing, there are several throughout the weekend, such as the NFL’s Draft Day in the D, which runs all three days at parks across downtown Detroit. There’s also parties happening at District Detroit, Detroit Shipping Company, Firebird Tavern and the Siren Hotel.
