By Allison Kugel Sitting among carved mahogany wood paneled accents and with displayed awards gathered from an unrivaled multi-hyphenate career, Master P began our conversation by allowing me to take the floor. Not surprisingly, he is a master delegator with a brilliant sense of when to shoot the ball and when to pass it. One… Read More Master P On Rap Feuds, Conscious Parenting, Black Superheroes
If you’re a native Detroiter, then you’re probably familiar with Jay’s Flower Shop and Wholesale. Detroit florist Mr. Jay Smith has been in business for 38 years now! His shop is located on Detroit’s east side at 10500 Mack Avenue across the street from the Mack Avenue Community Church (MACC). As a Michigan transplant, I… Read More Leaving a Legacy in 48214
As leader of the legendary multi-platinum selling rap group, The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, or Bobby, as he is known to close friends and colleagues, had a particular way of putting beats to razer-sharp lyrics that made you feel part of a song’s creative process. Fans feel RZA’s music, both from Wu-Tang and his solo and… Read More Wu-Tang’s RZA Talks Second Chances and Cut Throat City Film
One of the many things I enjoy about blogging is meeting other creatives. I’m a strong believer in the popular phrase “community over competition” because it has helped me grow as a writer and form new friendships. Last year, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S., I connected with Jess McKenzie, a graphic designer who… Read More Five Questions with Detroit Blogger Jess McKenzie
When I first met hip hop artist Mahogany Jones, it was July 2017 at a hip hop celebration event in Southwest Detroit. I remember it well because I was super pregnant with Zephaniah (baby #5). She probably doesn’t remember this, but I had passed by her while walking into the Southwest Detroit Welcome Center and… Read More Five Questions with Hip Hop Artist Mahogany Jones
As Earth Month comes to an end, I thought I would share a blog post on how we can be more mindful of transitioning to toxic-free living or as most call it– green living. No, I’m not talking about eliminating drama or toxic relationships out of your life (although we all could benefit from a… Read More 5 Tips for Toxic-Free Living (+ How You Can Share Your Green Living Journey on #TOXFREETHURSDAY)
TLC’s Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins’ life is one filled with overcoming insurmountable odds and finding blessings in unexpected places. Watkins was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at the age of seven and spend much of her childhood in and out of hospitals due to episodes with the potentially fatal condition. She was told she wouldn’t make… Read More T-Boz on TLC’s Legacy, Touring with Chilli and Beating the Odds
By Allison Kugel Vanessa Williams is a creature unlike any other. It’s as though she came here to impart the ins and outs of living life on one’s own terms. From unwitting societal lightning rod during the 1980s to multi-platinum selling recording artist; and Broadway, film and television star, Vanessa Williams slayed the male-dominated Hollywood… Read More The Grace, Beauty, and Grit of Vanessa Williams
When you’re an entrepreneur in the media industry, rebranding yourself can get a little tricky. First, there’s the risk of losing your readers/viewers, and second, rebranding can be a very long (and sometimes costly) process. Yet, sometimes, a new career shift can be a refreshing start to a new business endeavor. Meet Detroit entrepreneur Jenifer… Read More Detroit T.V. Personality Jenifer Young is Stepping Out on Faith
Hi, friends! In today’s celebrity interview, syndicated entertainment journalist Allison Kugel talks with Deepak Chopra “to unpack the pressing issues of isolation, anxiety and depression and the growing epidemic of suicidal ideation and suicide, which has taken sharp incline over the past eighteen years.” Hope you enjoy today’s blog post! Leave a comment sharing your… Read More Deepak Chopra on the Healing Power of “Love-in-Action”
By Allison Kugel One conversation with rapper Rick Ross will have you questioning the definitions of success, wealth and opportunity; how to identify opportunity, how to achieve success and how to maintain it while keeping your soul and bodily faculties intact. Ross, born William Leonard Roberts II, rose to prominence in 2006 with his breakout… Read More Rick Ross on Living the American Dream and Not Fearing Death
TEDxDetroit returns for its 11th year on Wednesday, November 6th! The annual conference will be held at the Masonic Temple beginning at 8 A.M. and concluding at 6 P.M. Are you planning on attending? You can get ticket information here if you’re interested. TEDxDetroit brings together the area’s leading thinkers, designers, entertainers, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists… Read More Meet TEDxDETROIT Labs’ Three Inspiring Women
Detroit artist Judy Bowman has arrived and she accomplished it in only four years! After taking a long hiatus from her art career, Mrs. Bowman decided to pursue her passion for art again. In just a matter of four years, the retired school teacher is making a name for herself as an artist. Thanks to… Read More Detroit Swag: Interview with Detroit Artist Judy Bowman
The 2nd Annual ROCK THAT Photography Conference and Trade Show starts tomorrow. Are you going? The three-day conference will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan from July 25th to the 27th. I plan on attending the conference and learning more about what ROCK THAT has to offer. Although I’m not a… Read More Piper Carter Talks Photographing Erykah Badu and the Advice She’d Give Women Photographers
I have been keeping up with the Detroit Youth Choir’s journey on NBC’s hit show America’s Got Talent (AGT), and I am excited to see them compete in the finals! If you’re not familiar with the story, the Detroit Youth Choir (DYC) competed on AGT and received the golden buzzer. The golden buzzer is a… Read More Anthony White– Choir Director of the Detroit Youth Choir– Talks ‘America’s Got Talent’ and Inspiring Detroit Youth
Today’s post is sponsored by Northern Fashion, LLC. You can read our disclosure policy here. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Good Life Detroit! What is one negative quality a colleague has mislabeled you as having? For me, it would have to be two things: 1- Being called emotional. I’ve been called emotional… Read More How Two Detroit Entrepreneurs are Encouraging Positive Workplace Culture for Women
By Allison Kugel Raven-Symone’s alter ego, Raven Baxter, has been a staple on The Disney Channel since the child actor turned Hollywood renaissance woman debuted her famous character on the hit show, That’s So Raven, in 2003. Back then, Symone’s alter-ego played a teenager who could see into the future, and that extra-sensory ability often… Read More Raven-Symone Plans on Motherhood, Her Degree & Directing TV
By Allison Kugel Actress Robin Givens has played many roles in her life; retiring wallflower not being among them. She burst onto the scene as the beautiful and brainy Darlene on Head of the Class, a sitcom that aired on ABC from 1986 to 1991. Those same years brought a media explosion as good girl… Read More Robin Givens Bares Her Soul and Finds Her Purpose
You may recognize Dianna “Miss D” Williams from Lifetime’s hit television series Bring It— a reality show which documents Williams’ career as the founder and dance coach for The Dollhouse Dance Factory. Williams (or Coach D as her dance team calls her) is a successful, self-made businesswoman. She is a graduate of Jackson State University… Read More Catching Up with Coach D from Lifetime’s Hit T.V. Show ‘Bring It!’
Speech Pathologist Katie Boyce has lived in Pleasant Ridge, Michigan with her husband for three years now. She keeps a very busy schedule and often works long hours. To help her find relaxation from her career, she started knitting. “Right now, it’s truly therapeutic for me,” Katie explained to me during our phone conversation. “I’m… Read More Warmth Detroit’s Katie Boyce Talks Sustainable Fashion and Worldwide Knit in Public Day