Shahida Mausi, Photo by Monica Morgan Photography
Shahida Mausi is a well-known figure who is often recognized for her event management and entertainment contributions. She is the founder and CEO of The Right Productions, a record company specializing in event planning and management, particularly focusing on live events, concerts, and festivals.
Mausi, who also runs the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, located on the Detroit River, has brought and continues to bring high-profile events. Launching every summer a highly anticipated summer series of unforgettable music experiences such as the annual summer jazz series.
This revered series has solidified its place as a cornerstone of Detroit’s vibrant cultural calendar, showcasing acclaimed jazz artists from across the globe. The event draws passionate jazz aficionados, increasing tourism and bolstering the local economy.
“I feel grateful. It’s been a journey, and the journey continues, and there are, every day, new opportunities that we explore together as a company and city to bring more energy, to bring more positive action to our community,” Mausi said.
“So we try and look at The Aretha as an incubator, a battery, where we charge people up with positive energy and we hope that powers people up until they come back to visit us.”
Her work has been pivotal in promoting and organizing cultural and musical events, significantly contributing to the local entertainment scene and being a pillar in the community with her impact.
“We’ve done some things here (The Aretha), and we’re here and able to do some of those things because Detroit is a unique place. It just is. The opportunities we’ve had as a small business may not exist in our small communities, but we are the only black-owned company in the country that manages and operates a venue of this size, of 6000 seats,” Mausi said.
Mausi’s dedication to community engagement is abundantly clear in her unwavering support for various educational programs that introduce young people to the art world. Her involvement extends to meticulously organizing diverse activities such as interactive workshops, immersive masterclasses, and comprehensive mentorship programs designed to provide local youth with invaluable opportunities to learn directly from accomplished artists and performers.
Since 1996, when she started her business at 40 with a family, her company has experienced not one but two major economic crises, one of which has recently been the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“With my last child in high school, I started the Right Productions, and it’s been on since then, and it’s been a family business, and that has helped to sustain us.”
“We’ve been through a pandemic and the subprime mortgage crisis. So we took on two economic catastrophes, and we’ve survived. We’ve survived in part because we are known and because our word has always been our bond.”
What does Mausi listen to and have in her current playlist?
“I’m listening to a lot of Afrobeats. Bringing some more Afrobeat into the Aretha is something that I want to do, but it’s blown up so fast. So we’ll see what we are able to bring and produce.”
In June, the Aretha hosted a special live performance featuring The Isley Brothers for Father’s Day and Black Music Month. The legendary band’s soulful tunes and energetic stage presence made for an unforgettable evening, celebrating the occasion and the rich legacy of black music. The Isley Brothers are known for their widespread influence and are a personal favorite of Mausi’s, adding an extra layer of significance to the event.
“To sit and listen to the Isley Brothers, guitar solo on Voyage to Atlantis, or The Summer Breeze coming up the riff, it’s a moment in time, a moment in life, and a point of reflection and deep love,” Mausi said.
For information on upcoming performances and ticket information, visit thearetha.com
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