About Destination Detroit

Destination Detroit explores the rich history of the people who have shaped Southeast Michigan through a collection of interviews and stories. The project tells the region’s evolving story — connecting the past, the present, and the future through community voices, powerful storytelling, live discussions and immersive experiences.

As part of the initiative, One Detroit has invited the public to share personal histories on video and explain why their families came to the area.

The series was launched in February 2025 at The Station at Michigan Central. There, residents told Detroit PBS staff why their families migrated to Southeast Michigan. Drawn by auto industry jobs and other opportunities, hundreds of thousands of people moved to Detroit for a better life, transforming it into an industrial and cultural hub.

In May, One Detroit collaborated with the Vietnamese American Association of Michigan to gather oral histories at an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Members of the local Vietnamese American community shared stories of their families coming to the U.S. after the Vietnam War.

The project will continue through Detroit PBS’ America 250 celebration in 2026, which honors Detroit’s role in shaping the nation.

Destination Detroit showcases hard workers, creative thinkers and adventurous spirits — the stories of the four million people who make up Southeast Michigan.