Detroit's Great Green (and Blue) Spaces with Ian Outside

In this episode, Jer and Norris sit down with Ian John Solomon, better known as Ian Outside, an outdoor reporter, artist, and one of the Midwest's most powerful voices for environmental storytelling.

Ian has become a champion for Black outdoor recreation in Detroit and MIchigan through his work, involved in everything from policy to organization to journalism — on top of a great social media presence.

We get into the 300+ parks in the city, the fact that Detroit is a maritime city, and so, so, so much more.

Ian John Solomon is an interdisciplinary artist-journalist and organizer.

He holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from the Walter Cronkite School with a minor in political science. After a stint as a congressional reporter in D.C., Ian returned to Detroit to combine his journalism background with his passion for the outdoors.

• Amplify Outside - Founder of this Detroit-based organization dedicated to amplifying Black outdoor recreation, increasing representation, access, and infrastructure for Black Michiganders seeking outdoor experiences. The organization recently launched as a podcast on the Authentically Detroit Podcast Network in April 2026.

• Detroit Parks Coalition - Communications & Engagement Manager, where he works to highlight the city's 300+ parks and green spaces.

• PBS Great Lakes Now - Emmy Award-winning host of the "Ian Outside" segment. He has received two Emmy nominations and one Emmy Award, plus a First Place award from the Society of Professional Journalists.

• Planet Detroit - He has a series of reports you can find on their website.

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