winter/spring

2022

Editorial

There is a reason that the most inspiring movements, works of art, songs, books, speeches, and actions often feel as though they belong to the future. And it isn’t because… Read More

Walk into the Womb Womxn House Detroit

Womb Artist Jessica DeMuro Graves and Laura Earle“…Where we commune with our first true understandings of self and connection.” Antepasados Artist Rosa Maria Zamarron “…Learning to cook from my… Read More

TURDS AND TURNIPS (A Story-Poem)

A man consistently and intentionally leaves turds in your hands. Day after day, week after week after month after year. The turds stink and stain. They attract flies. Because you… Read More

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Implementing Well-Being Practices in Your Organization Benefits The Organization, The Movement, and Recognizes Our Humanity.

After surviving cancer, managing depression, and what feels like a perpetual string of life challenges I currently live my life in a perpetual state of self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-improvement. That… Read More

Building Pipelines For Peace: Pandemic Perspectives

Over the past two years, the chasm in our society between the “haves” and the “have nots” has grown to glaringly obscene levels. We’ve lost numerous members of our family,… Read More

Climate Change Won’t Wait! Neither Should We! The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Demands Community Led Action for a Healthy and Just Future.

Since it’s founding in 2011, The Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition (MEJC) has worked tirelessly to put the needs of community members over those of corporations and front and center in… Read More

imagine

i am fast. like the travel of time around a foreign planet, i present tomorrow before you could process the day that is. Rhythmic chants of people’s passionate cries taken… Read More

An Ode to Rev. Mama Sandra Simmons

This majestic African bird with outstretched wings has taken high flight upwards... upwards... beyond earthly timeless time and spaceless space Her sweet voice and laughter song echo in the chambers… Read More

“No Time”

Boog Brown “No Time” 2014 Produced by Illastrate Working Class Music “Boog Brown” aka "Boogie" is a Black Woman and multi-talented audio artist, based out of Detroit, MI. Growing up,… Read More

Shut Down Line 5 Action Camp in Detroit

The Michigan Coalition Against Tar Sands (MI CATS) hosted an art build/skillshare with the People's Water Board Coalition at the General Baker Institute in Detroit in January 2022. The water… Read More

Waawiyaatanong: From The Ashes, She Rises

Hadassah GreenSky is a Anishinaabe (LTBB Odawa) artist and multi-instrumentalist living in Detroit, Michigan. She is a graphic designer and painter, as well as a bead worker, dancer, seamstress, and… Read More

Brightmoor Youth Work To Democratize Water Distribution

Brightmoor Youth Work To Democratize Water Distribution article by Eric T. Campbell photo by Keviyan Richardson Now that temperatures are dropping below the freezing mark, the youth builders have… Read More

On the Cusp of Transformation

Riverwise Winter 2020 Editorial On The Cusp of Transformation As the new year arrived we may have watched the ball drop, the calendar flip, the clock count down,… Read More

North End Festival Lends Itself To Collective Healing

North End Festival Lends Itself To Collective Healing Interview with Jamii Tata By Eric T. Campbell The 'North End Urban Expressions Art Festival: The Healing' is more than just a… Read More

Uprooting Legacy of Racism In Dearborn

Uprooting Legacy of Racism in Dearborn By Denguhlanga Julia Kapilango Dearborn is often thought of as a community unwelcoming to African Americans. The legacy of Mayor Orville Hubbard lingers. Hubbard… Read More

‘Work For Me DTE’ Campaign Demands Accountability

‘Work For Me DTE’ Campaign Demands Accountability By Michelle Martinez DTE Energy bills arrive every month. For many Detroiters they come with a feeling of dread. Our homes are old,… Read More

The Well-Formed Practice of Negus Vu

Developing Leadership from Within: The Well-Formed Practice of Negus Vu By Johnny Ricks If you want to have a sit down with Negus Vu, chances are you’ll have to do… Read More

Pam McGhee’s Winding Path To Community

Pam McGhee's Winding Path to Community Riverwise Interview by Eric T. Campbell While city officials clamor over how much to concede to corporate interests and private real-estate poachers scavenge for… Read More

We Shall Return, For It Is Our Birthright

We Shall Return, For It Is Our Birthright By Imani Ma’At AnkhmenRa Amen If your ancestors were enslaved, it is your birthright to make that voyage to their native lands.… Read More

Riverwise Summer/Fall 2019 Editorial: Healing As We Build

Riverwise Summer/Fall 2019 Editorial Healing As We Build How do we heal? Throughout Detroit neighborhoods and gatherings people frequently ask this question. This question acknowledges the pain we carry.… Read More

What Does the Earth Have To Teach Us?

What Does the Earth Have To Teach Us? By Sanaa Green Being taught by the earth, for some in Western, modern cultures, is an oxymoron based on the premise that… Read More

Mama Lila Cabbil Tribute: Pushing Us Toward Deeper Thought, Still

I always knew Mama Lila Cabbil did a lot. There was rarely an anti-racism event, a water justice event, or a social justice event that I didn't see her… Read More

Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe Feels Like Home

In her own words: Nandi's Knowledge Cafe Feels Like Home Riverwise Interview It hits you as soon as you cross the threshold and peer into the latest iteration of Nandi's… Read More

Eastside Convergence Asks, Community Or Chaos?

photos by Barbara Stachowski The east side of Detroit is at a critical moment. Just before the holiday season General Motors announced the closing of the Poletown Plant. By late… Read More

Youth Arts Furthers Transformation of Heidelberg Project

In the interest of full disclosure and to facilitate a more objective reading of the following article, it should be noted that Keisa Davis is a Heidelberg Arts and Leadership… Read More