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.”
DETROIT IS HOME
Although I’m not originally from Detroit (born and raised in Tennessee), I now call the city home.
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!
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!
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.
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’m almost 40!).
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.
Here are a few articles to get you started:
- 10 Inspiring Detroit Women Share Their Thoughts on International Women’s Day
- A Date Night Under $30
- When a Black Woman Walks Into the Room
- All of the Beautiful Queens at the Wrapped in Love Headwrap Workshop
LOOKING FOR A DETROIT EVENT?
If you live in Detroit or you’re planning a visit to the city, then check out my EVENTS CALENDAR. I post Detroit-based events on it and I update it once a week.
A LABOR OF LOVE
Good Life Detroit is a labor of love and I’m working hard to bring you quality content.
I’m happy to have you here! Thank you for reading the blog. Email me if you have a question, an article idea, or you just wanna say hi. 🙂
Love & Peace,
Jennifer xoxo
jennifer@goodlifedetroit.com
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All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit.
For business inquiries, please contact Jennifer by email: jennifer@goodlifedetroit.com.
Contact Jason Walker Photography for photography requests.