A ride on the Detroit airport bus and more in culture and community

Hey there! Welcome back to all things culture and community.

On the docket this week: A Los Angeles-to-Detroit artist is all about her flowers, a local entrepreneur gets her flowers for supporting small businesses, and a photography camp is looking to give Detroit students some creative freedom.

And check out our review before you set out on the new Detroit Air Xpress bus to the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) for the first time. While you’re at it, let me know your experience on the shuttle (and any interesting places you’re headed) at samya@outliermedia.org .

One quick recommendation

Detroiters who travel by way of DTW, this one’s for you. The Detroit Air Xpress, a long-awaited shuttle from downtown, started running on March 25. Booking a ticket is easy , and much cheaper than Uber, too. A one-way ticket is $8 at the door and $6 when bought in advance.

The coach buses are comfortable and clean, complete with charging ports, overhead storage and foot rests. My ride was pretty empty, but the driver on that route said he saw more foot traffic on the weekend. Even though it wasn’t crowded you might want to arrive early: The shuttle left its stop and arrived at the airport on time. It was almost exactly a 30-minute ride.

Quick tip: There’s only one stop in Detroit at 1119 Washington Blvd. I drove and parked at a lot near the stop for a subjectively steep price $20. If you’re taking a city bus to Washington Boulevard, the Rosa Parks Transit Center is around the block.

Detroit Air Xpress will operate daily from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., year-round. The shuttle stops at both the McNamara and Evans terminals. You can catch it from the departures gate at McNamara or the Ground Transportation Center (across the skywalk) at Evans.

Community highlights

🌸 I can paint myself flowers: You’ve probably seen her colorful floral murals around town. Now, get to know Detroit artist Louise “Ouizi” Jones . (Outlier Media)

💰👩🏽‍🤝‍👨🏾 Support for the little guys: All Things Detroit founder Jennyfer Crawford-Williams was recognized with a congressional proclamation for a decade-long commitment to supporting small local businesses. (Outlier)

📷 Snap a shot, kids : Ready to release your inner shutterbug? Coaching Detroit Forward is accepting applications for its summer photography camps . (Outlier)

More to explore in Detroit’s culture

😋 Baobab Fare is “movin’ on up” in more ways than one. The Burundi restaurant’s co-owners Nadia Nijimbere and Hamissi Mamba purchased their second location on the eastside last week; it’s expected to open in late December. Nijimbere and Mamba were also named finalists in this year’s James Beard Awards , garnering nominations for Outstanding Restaurateur. (BridgeDetroit, Eater Detroit)

✍️ Detroiter Kyle Daniel-Bey created Entry Points alongside artist Jonathan Rajewski to provide funds and space to work on creative projects to returning citizens who formerly served juvenile life sentences. The Hamtramck-based residency program also covers housing and utilities while young people are part of the program. (Metro Times, Entry Points)

🍼 Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank is asking for more volunteers and donations to provide Wayne, Macomb and Oakland County communities with diapers for infants, children and older adults. In need of these resources? Request help . (WDIV, Metropolitan Detroit Diaper Bank)

🏘️ Detroit activist Jeffrey Wilson and illustrator Bambi Kramer will give Detroit Eviction Defense the graphic novel treatment. The book highlights stories of families who fought evictions — and won . Snag your copy on April 30. (Outlier, Seven Stories Press)

A ride on the Detroit airport bus and more in culture and community · Outlier Media