Where the heartbeat of Motown once roared and Black enterprise flourished, Paradise Valley rises with a renewed pulse. Episode 2 of the seven-part docuseries, “Back to Paradise: Detroit’s Historic District Reborn,” is titled “Reviving the Rhythm in Paradise.” This installment centers on Dennis Archer Jr., a name that holds weight in both legacy and forward momentum.
Dennis Archer Jr., managing partner of Randolph Capital Partners and chairman and CEO of 1642 Ventures, carries forward a commitment that reaches far beyond development. His work within Paradise Valley represents stewardship grounded in family, fueled by vision. Viewers of this episode witness not only his current contributions but a lineage tied to Detroit’s political and cultural fabric. As the episode unfolds, Archer Jr. reflects on the values passed down to him from his parents, including former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer Sr. That legacy guides his decisions as he works to build new opportunity for future generations, including his own children.
The episode reveals the deliberate nature of Archer Jr.’s strategy. It’s not surface-level investment. It’s rooted in place, people, and purpose. His focus is on elevating Black-owned businesses, securing cultural spaces, and ensuring the district thrives as a reflection of the community it serves. Real estate becomes more than development—it becomes a tool for equity.
The rhythm in Paradise Valley is not metaphorical. Music and memory flow through every scene. This is where jazz clubs once defined a generation. This is where Black life, style, and business intersected daily. That legacy did not disappear. It was disrupted by urban renewal, highways, and policy decisions that devalued Black property and pushed Black families out. Episode 2 does not look away from those truths. It confronts them.
Dennis Archer Jr. is not the only voice in this episode. Kevin Johnson, President and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC), brings institutional perspective to the screen. DEGC continues to lead efforts around equitable economic development in Detroit. David Howell, DEGC’s Vice President of Development Services, reminds viewers what shared vision looks like. “Everybody is working in concert,” Howell states. “Nobody is working against each other, everybody is working towards really actualizing the vision we set out 15 years ago.”
This kind of alignment is rare. It speaks to trust and consistency. It reflects the values carried by the Paradise Valley Conservancy Board, where leaders return to the table regularly and with a shared understanding of what is at stake.
Hiram E. Jackson, CEO of Real Times Media, publisher of Michigan Chronicle, and Conservancy Board member, lays the foundation for what inclusive development should be. “We talk about it all the time at our Paradise Valley Conservancy Board meetings,” Jackson explains. “We want to build an inclusive neighborhood with inclusive contractors and developers and if we do a good job, everybody can enjoy it. I think it will show that it’ll work in other parts of our city and it’ll work in other cities as well.”
This isn’t speculative—it’s a model. This is Detroit building for Detroit. It is rooted in experience and practice. The episode’s commitment to capturing those who shape the district shows how development becomes community work when done with accountability.
Sonya Mays, President and CEO of Develop Detroit, expands that accountability lens. Her work addresses housing equity directly. Develop Detroit’s mission focuses on housing stability—making sure that as Paradise Valley grows, it grows with its residents. Mays brings a clarity to the episode that is grounded in Detroit’s current housing realities.
Other voices bring their own contributions. Roger Basmajian’s experience in real estate development complements Archer Jr.’s approach, while Vince Paul adds the texture of entertainment. Their efforts show how art, space, and economics can come together without displacement.
Restaurants and gathering spaces also shape the district’s energy. Ismail Houmani’s influence through hospitality investments makes space for reflection and joy. These are not luxury builds removed from history. They are designed for the community, by the community. The episode underscores the importance of spaces where Black culture is centered, not commodified.
The weight of history does not go unnoticed. Paradise Valley was once home to Black-owned banks, professional offices, barbershops, beauty salons, nightclubs, and department stores. It was a place where Black families lived, thrived, and passed down wealth. Urban renewal dismantled that. It wasn’t an accident. It was a decision. The series faces that with honesty.
Episode 2 honors the past while documenting the present. It educates and informs. It advocates and entertains. Viewers see archival footage layered with current interviews. Brick meets breath. Song meets memory. Strategy meets soul.
Dennis Archer Jr.’s leadership is not performative. It’s methodical, intentional, and tied to something bigger than himself. His presence in this episode becomes a reminder that legacy, when protected and advanced with purpose, can transform cities.
This installment does not end with a clean resolution. It leaves space for deeper questions. How do we invest in our neighborhoods while preserving their soul? Who gets to decide what development looks like? What does it take to build cities where equity is not an afterthought?
These are not rhetorical. These are the questions Detroiters live with. These are the questions Black communities across the country confront as neighborhoods shift and narratives change.
“Back to Paradise: Detroit’s Historic District Reborn” invites Detroiters to engage. Episode 2, “Reviving the Rhythm in Paradise,” marks another moment in this collective journey. It invites the city to hold power accountable. It invites communities to recognize their stake.
Watch the full seven-part series at michiganchronicle.com/backtoparadise. Also streaming on YouTube @MichiganChronicle and @DEGCALLBusiness. New episodes drop every three weeks. Each story is a step. Each voice is a brick. Each lesson is a note in Detroit’s enduring rhythm.
This is Detroit storytelling. Rooted. Real. Revolutionary.
About Post Author
