Detroit PBS Receives $2M for Faith-Focused Community Initiative

The station will produce programming representing Detroit's diverse array of religions as part of the four-year 'Faith in Detroit' project.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Detroit PBS has received a $2 million grant to serve as the lead media partner for the 'Faith in Detroit' initiative, a four-year community-driven project focused on amplifying stories of faith within the Detroit area. The station will produce programming for broadcast and digital distribution that represents the city's diverse array of religions.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to uplift and share stories from people of diverse faith-based backgrounds in Detroit, one of the most diverse yet segregated cities in the country. Detroit PBS' role as the lead storytelling partner will help build bridges between communities and accurately portray the full spectrum of faith in the city.

The details

The 'Faith in Detroit' initiative is funded by a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment and led by the local Episcopal church Christ Church Cranbrook. In addition to Detroit PBS, other partners include the Detroit Opera and Oakland University. The station will produce programming for its weekly public affairs show 'One Detroit' and long-running program 'American Black Journal', focusing on themes of 'resilience, relationships and renewal'.

  • The initiative was announced by Christ Church Cranbrook in January 2026.
  • Detroit PBS received the $2 million grant in February 2026 to serve as the lead media partner.
  • The four-year 'Faith in Detroit' initiative is set to run through 2030.

The players

Detroit PBS

The public television station serving the Detroit area, known for its community engagement and programming focused on important local issues.

Christ Church Cranbrook

The local Episcopal church leading the 'Faith in Detroit' initiative, which seeks to amplify stories of faith within the Detroit community.

Lilly Endowment

A private organization that supports educational, charitable and religious projects, and provided a $5 million grant to fund the 'Faith in Detroit' initiative.

Zosette Guir

The manager of content operations and production at Detroit PBS, who emphasized the station's role in ensuring the diverse array of faiths in Detroit are represented.

Rich Homberg

The CEO of Detroit PBS, who highlighted the station's commitment to community engagement and partnership as key to sustaining public media.

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What they’re saying

“We are a PBS station. We serve a public media audience. We're not just talking to Christians. There are going to be people of other faiths, people who are seeking spiritually. What our audience can expect, and what our mission is, is that this will be a very thorough and inclusive storytelling initiative.”

— Zosette Guir, Manager of Content Operations and Production, Detroit PBS (current.org)

“People tend to forget that interfaith engagement is a Christian practice, and we are living in a time when many think that the Christian faith should be presented as an either-or. From the beginning, during our conversations, we made sure to have people at the table, helping us make decisions, who did not espouse the Christian faith.”

— The Rev. William Danaher, Rector, Christ Church Cranbrook (current.org)

“Our goal with 'Faith in Detroit' is to build a storytelling ecosystem that empowers storytellers and lifts up stories. Detroit PBS is one of the key people that we have to have to help do this work together.”

— The Rev. William Danaher, Rector, Christ Church Cranbrook (current.org)

What’s next

The initiative will continue to develop programming and community events over the next four years, including an annual town hall, panel discussions, and storytelling events in collaboration with the other partner organizations.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights the important role public media stations can play in accurately representing the diverse faith communities within their local areas, building bridges between segregated communities, and partnering with community organizations to tell impactful stories that can help dispel false stereotypes.