About Jennifer

Jennifer Hamra, Creator of Good Life Detroit (Photo by Jason Walker Photography)

WHAT UP DOE

I think writer Natasha T. Miller says it best when explaining what the Detroit greeting “What Up Doe” means:

“What Up Doe, Whadupdoe, Waddupdoe: It’s a greeting, a phrase, a word with multiple spellings, yet one meaning — home.”

Miller says “What Up Doe” isn’t just a saying– it’s a Detroit feeling. In her article, she says this is how some of her friends describe the meaning of “What Up Doe”:

“It’s the feeling I imagine Wakandans get when they cross their arms over their chest.
It’s a verbal hug, a recognition of your humanity and hustle.
It is love and home.”

Photo location at The Avenue of Fashion in Detroit. (Photo by Jason Walker Photography)

In the Spring of 2015, my husband and I relocated to Detroit after his military service ended. Travis was active duty Army for 8.5 years and he was medically discharged because of a combat injury.

We now live in Metro Detroit– about 8 miles outside of the Detroit city limits. WE LOVE DETROIT!

Travis and I love taking our family to Downtown Detroit and other fun events and locations in the metro area! (Photo location: Capital Park by Jason Walker Photography)

My daughter Michala at Eastern Market in Detroit.

My nephew Landon at Supino’s Pizzeria in Detroit.

My daughter Zhen at the Lincoln Streat Art Park in Detroit.

I can honestly say since living here, the people I have met in Detroit have been very welcoming. That “Detroit feeling” Miller describes in her article— it’s REAL. The Detroit feeling is very catching and I’ve been hooked ever since!

My oldest Elijah getting ready to ride a MOGO bike in Downtown Detroit.

WHY I CREATED GOOD LIFE DETROIT

I think it’s “the Detroit feeling” that led me to create Good Life Detroit. At first, I started the blog to share photographs of my family’s big move to the city.

Next thing I knew, I was attending more Detroit events and learning more about the city’s diverse culture.

I started connecting with people who lived in Detroit and the metro area. I had to share my beautiful experiences with someone and the blog was a perfect place to share my journey.

A photograph I took of a woman at the Celebrate India event at the DIA.

Eastern Market is one of our favorite places to visit in Detroit. (Photo by Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit)

Arab American Celebration Southwest Detroit — Arab American Celebration in Southwest Detroit

Photo of me with Tracy, a new friend I met at a headwrap workshop in Detroit.

Detroit 75 Kitchen Chef Mike — One of my favorite places to eat: Detroit 75 Kitchen. Photo I took of owner Chef Mike.

soul roll detroit — Soul Roll Detroit 2017 at Eastern Market (Photo by Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit)

GOOD LIFE DETROIT: A WOMEN’S LIFESTYLE BLOG

In 2018, I decided to turn the blog into a women’s lifestyle blog to feature articles that resonate with women my age. I am an African American woman. I am a Believer, a wife, a mother of five children, and an evolving woman.

“Continue to grow and evolve.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Soon my interests and writing shifted and I felt it was time to connect with Detroit women, especially women of color. Now I feature blog posts about art & entertainment, culture, family life, and women’s lifestyle.