What famous musician grew up in Detroit and got his start in the music industry by performing in various venues around Metro Detroit before finding success with the Motown record label?

At Cornbread Restaurant & Bar in Southfield, Michigan, owner Patrick Coleman offers more than just a meal—he invites guests into a journey through history.

 

Since 2018, the restaurant’s shoebox lunches have honored Black travelers’ resilience during the Jim Crow era, featuring meals in boxes adorned with inspiring Black American stories and photos.

 

Guests enjoy classic dishes such as fried chicken wings, catfish, and macaroni and cheese while learning about historic figures like Ruby Bridges, Satchel Paige, and James Baldwin.

 

The idea came from Coleman’s family, who, during the 1950s, packed shoeboxes with food for Southern train journeys, facing segregation firsthand.

 

Now, schools and institutions—including Ohio State University—use these boxes as educational resources.

 

Through every shoebox, the restaurant weaves Black history into the community’s daily life, ensuring these vital stories inspire new generations.

Metro Detroit shines with enchantment during the holidays, offering locals and visitors some of Michigan’s most stunning light displays.

 

Families flock to Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, where over five million LED lights transform the zoo into a glowing wonderland filled with whimsical animal sculptures and themed zones.

 

Wayne County Lightfest stretches four dazzling miles through Hines Park, blending nearly 50 animated features into one of the Midwest's largest and most magical drive-through displays.

 

Downtown Rochester comes alive nightly as the Big, Bright Light Show cascades 1.5 million lights across Main Street storefronts, creating a perfect backdrop for downtown strolls or holiday shopping.

 

Pine Knob’s Magic of Lights wows with themed LED villages and towering displays in Clarkston, while Commerce Township’s Glenlore Trails  invites visitors into an interactive, illuminated forest adventure.

 

Metro Detroit’s festive lights invite all to celebrate and create new holiday memories.

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Royal Oak traces its beginnings to 1819, when Governor Lewis Cass  named the area after a massive white oak tree, inspired by English royal history.

 

Throughout the 19th century, it thrived as a farming community along the Saginaw Trail, evolving around what is now the intersection of 11 Mile and Main Street.

 

Rapid growth followed Detroit’s automobile boom, transforming Royal Oak into a popular suburb, fueled by new neighborhoods and lively commercial development.

 

After incorporating as a city in 1921, the population soared, driven by postwar prosperity and the suburban dream.

 

Facing late 20th-century challenges, the city reinvented its downtown, becoming a hub for Metro Detroit culture, dining, and entertainment.

 

Recent projects, such as Agree Realty’s new headquarters and Oakland Community College’s downtown expansion, highlight Royal Oak’s spirit of growth and innovation.

 

The city’s enduring charm remains rooted in its rich history and vibrant, modern identity.

Metro Detroit drivers could soon enjoy faster, safer commutes, thanks to a groundbreaking AI initiative led by the University of Michigan.

 

Researchers have developed a system that uses vehicle GPS data to efficiently retime traffic signals, aiming to reduce delays and traffic stops at busy intersections.

 

Traditional methods often required manual vehicle counts and infrequent updates due to cost and complexity, but the new approach analyzes regional traffic flow using anonymized data, saving time and money.

 

Initial tests on 8 Mile Road and 12 Mile Road delivered impressive results, cutting delays by up to 30% and stops by 40%.

 

Experts estimate signal optimization costs could drop from $5,000 to $2,500 per intersection.

 

This project, supported by $1.4 million in federal funding, promises safer roads and less congestion as AI and connectivity technology advance.

Detroit’s Eastern Market has welcomed a striking new landmark: an 11-foot, 3,500-pound bronze statue of RoboCop, installed outside the FREE AGE film company on Russell Street.

 

Fans braved a winter snowstorm to witness the unveiling, highlighting RoboCop’s lasting connection with the city.

 

The statue’s journey began in 2011 when a suggestion—comparing RoboCop to Philadelphia’s Rocky—sparked a viral Kickstarter campaign, ultimately raising over $67,000 from 2,700+ global supporters.

 

Local sculptor Giorgio Gikas finished the build in 2017, though it took years to secure its perfect home at Eastern Market.

 

FREE AGE co-owner Jim Toscano expressed excitement about the statue’s unique appeal, while local backer James Campbell sees it as a symbol of hope reflecting the city’s cinematic heritage and resilience.

 

Detroit’s new RoboCop statue draws visitors and stands as a vibrant tribute to the community’s creativity and spirit.

Stevie Wonder