Inspired by his brilliance as a writer, poet, storyteller, teacher, and lover of learning, Urban Consulate is honored to welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds to Detroit for a conversation with host Orlando P. Bailey to celebrate the power of Black wisdom, imagination and expertise in building more just and equitable communities.

Reynolds will headline an evening premiere of Urban Consulate: In Session — a new collection of recorded wisdom from visionary changemakers — on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 6:30 p.m. at The Garden Theater, 3929 Woodward Avenue, in Detroit. Tickets are free to the public thanks to generous support from Ford Foundation and Skillman Foundation.

All ages welcome! Seating is limited; advance registration online: http://urbanconsulate.com/jasonreynolds

An Evening with Jason Reynolds will feature:

A conversation with Jason Reynolds, moderated by Orlando P. Bailey, host of Urban Consulate, co-host of Authentically Detroit, and Engagement Director of Bridge Detroit;

Premiere of Urban Consulate: In Session, a new collection of recorded wisdom on building more just and equitable communities, featuring jessica Care moore, Devita Davison, Shari Davis, Dr. Craig Wilkins, Darnell Adams and Orlando P. Bailey, with guest appearances by Yodit Mesfin Johnson and Candice Fortman;

Book sales and signing by Source Booksellers; and

Video and photography by Afrochine and Valaurian Waller.

Join Orlando for a live recording of “Content Creators” with Piper Carter.

Orlando is moderating a discussion in partnership with The Citizens Research Council of Michigan and BridgeDetroit to bring you a webinar to discuss Proposal P, the proposed Detroit City Charter.

If Proposal P is Adopted the new charter would go into effect to create new departments and advisory commissions, shift the balance of power between the mayor’s office and the legislative branch, and create new responsibilities for the city.

If Proposal P is Rejected the current charter will remain in effect. The question of convening a new charter commission would automatically appear on the 2034 ballot. Residents and city leaders could introduce amendments to address changes submitted in the proposed charter.

Major Issues to Consider: Beyond proposing some changes to the organizational structure of city government and altering the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches, the proposed charter endeavors to improve quality-of-life issues by ensuring increased representation and equity for Detroit residents; increasing access to city services and programs; and including strategies to increase citizen involvement and government transparency through an equitable development framework. These efforts are likely to affect the efficiency of city government operations and come with a financial cost.

How does spatial racism impact social determinants of health? Urban heat island effect? Tree inequity? Extreme weather events? What will it take to get the infrastructural investments needed to protect communities of color? Join Orlando for an interactive dialogue with special guests:

Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, CEO/Founder, Empowering a Green Environment and Economy

Devita Davison, FoodLab Detroit

Justin Onwenu, Detroit based environmental justice organizer

This is a virtual event. Please register in advance to receive Zoom link!

Free & open, all welcome, thanks to DTE Energy.

Join Orlando as he emcee’s the grand opening of the latest Brilliant Detroit home in the Chandler Park

Join Orlando and guests Tamika Butler (Los Angeles) and Jay Pitter (Toronto) for the Urban Consulate Confidential EP. 1: View & Chat featuring the three of them.

Join Orlando and Urban Consulate for a new series of conversations rooted in radical truth, joy and love. In this one-hour premiere virtual event, Orlando welcomes several of the guests from the recorded series to delve deep into the the themes of this new show and to engage in audience dialogue.

Orlando will be a special guest to visiting Professor Donna Givens Davidson in her course, Building Resilience in 21st Century Detroit: Roots and Remedies to Racial Injustice. Orlando’s lecture is entitled, Building Truth to Power.

Orlando will be a guest to Professor Marijo Upshaw and her course Program Planning and Intervention in Human Services. Orlando will talk about narrative power and storytelling for positive change in his remarks.