Christopher Johnson

Detroit storyteller Dwight “Skip” Stackhouse formed an unlikely friendship with James Baldwin after performing The Amen Corner in 1979, which Baldwin attended. Their bond deepened as Stackhouse became Baldwin’s personal assistant, traveling with him and learning from his mix of honesty, joy, and hope. Stackhouse now channels those lessons into his storytelling, including his one-man show Mother’s Milk, inspired by his mother’s death.

Detroit ranks 11th globally as a destination for music lovers, thanks to its rich musical heritage and vibrant local talent. While many locals don't see it as a "music city" due to underinvestment in infrastructure, groups like the Detroit Sound Conservancy are preserving its legacy through community archiving and restoring venues like the historic Blue Bird Inn. With continued efforts and honors like The White Stripes’ upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Detroit’s global music reputation is gaining new momentum.

One spring morning at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport, I climbed into the right seat of a tiny Diamond aircraft, with my youngest daughter, Sara, in the left seat, confidently running through her preflight checklist.

Sara isn’t just a private pilot. She’s a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic working for a major airline. Watching her command the cockpit with calm professionalism was both humbling and exhilarating. It reminded me of the feeling every parent gets when their child drives them for the first time—except this time, we were 2,500 feet in the air.

In this story for Michigan Public, I reflect on what it means to let go, to trust, and to witness your child take flight—literally and metaphorically. From the quiet awe of liftoff to the smooth landing, I came away with a deeper understanding: our children don’t just grow up—they grow into their own power.