Episode Summary

“‘I finally realized my purpose the moment my daughter was born’,” Ken Chandler says as he opens up in a rare, vulnerable, and powerful first-ever public interview on Detroit is Different. In one sweeping, emotional journey, Ken traces his family’s three-generation Detroit legacy—from his grandfather’s East Side business empire to the hard truths of what happens when legacy isn’t passed down. He speaks candidly about childhood trauma, gang culture, becoming a chameleon for survival, and the lifesaving mentorship that guided him out of the streets. But it’s fatherhood—“my legacy, my purpose, my healing”—that becomes the heartbeat of this conversation. Ken breaks down the generational curse of absent fathers, the moment a panic attack in the hospital revealed his calling, and how his nonprofit aims to rebuild the community accountability Black families once relied on. This episode is an emotional bridge between Detroit’s past and its future, showing how Black men reclaim legacy through love, presence, healing, and the reimagining of what fatherhood means. Overflowing with honesty and Detroit grit, Ken’s story reminds us why legacy Black culture evolves not through wealth, but through intentional fatherhood and community roots. Detroit is Different is a podcast hosted by Khary Frazier covering people adding to the culture of an American Classic city. Visit www.detroitisdifferent.com to hear, see and experience more of what makes Detroit different. Follow, like, share, and subscribe to the Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, and Sticher. Comment, suggest and connect with the podcast by emailing info@detroitisdifferent.com
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