Detroit’s signature civic forum takes center stage at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show for the first time ever.
For the first time in its storied history, one of Detroit’s most influential civic forums is merging with one of its most globally recognized events. The Michigan Chronicle and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) have announced that the 21st season of the award-winning Pancakes & Politics speakers’ series will officially launch with a special live forum at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show. The event will take place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, inside Huntington Place in downtown Detroit — marking a historic collaboration between two of the city’s most impactful institutions.
For over two decades, Pancakes & Politics has served as Metro Detroit’s premier platform for open, solutions-focused dialogue among leaders in government, business, and civic life. Now, through its partnership with the Detroit Auto Show, the forum steps onto the global stage — aligning its legacy of community leadership with the innovation and economic significance of Detroit’s defining industry: the automobile.
A Landmark Collaboration for Detroit
The partnership between the Michigan Chronicle and the Detroit Auto Show represents more than a venue change; it symbolizes the city’s commitment to connecting industry, innovation, and inclusive leadership. The Detroit Auto Show, operated by DADA, has long been a showcase of global automotive excellence — a place where the latest technologies, designs, and sustainable solutions are unveiled to the world. Pairing this environment with Pancakes & Politics, known for its unfiltered, forward-thinking discussions, creates a rare opportunity to fuse Detroit’s industrial strength with its civic spirit.
“The Detroit Auto Show is about more than cars — it’s about community, innovation, and charting the future,” said Sam Klemet, Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Show. “Partnering with the Michigan Chronicle on Pancakes & Politics allows us to bring important conversations to the forefront during one of the city’s most high-profile events.”
Klemet’s statement reflects a growing recognition that Detroit’s comeback story isn’t solely about manufacturing vehicles, but about driving social and economic progress. The auto show’s platform — attracting global attention from business leaders, policymakers, and media — offers an ideal stage to expand the reach of Pancakes & Politics beyond regional borders.
Continuing a Two-Decade Legacy
Since its inception in 2005, Pancakes & Politics has become a Detroit institution. Created by the Michigan Chronicle under the leadership of Hiram E. Jackson, the forum was designed to foster candid dialogue about Detroit’s challenges and opportunities, bridging the gap between communities and policymakers. Over the years, it has hosted mayors, governors, CEOs, civic leaders, and national voices, generating meaningful discussions on economic development, education, racial equity, and urban revitalization.
“For 20 years, Pancakes & Politics has built a reputation as the space where leaders come to exchange bold, unfiltered ideas that ultimately shape policy and move communities forward,” said Jackson, Publisher of the Michigan Chronicle. “To have the Detroit Auto Show recognize the value of this platform and invite us onto such a prominent stage is an honor. This partnership underscores the weight of these conversations — not just for Detroit, but for the entire nation.”
Jackson’s words capture the spirit of continuity and evolution that defines the series. While Pancakes & Politics has long been rooted in local issues — from workforce development to equitable growth — the collaboration with the auto show amplifies its potential to address global themes such as clean energy, electric mobility, automation, and sustainability.
Conversations That Drive the Future
The upcoming live forum promises to integrate the transformative changes of the automotive industry with broader policy and community perspectives. As Detroit and Michigan continue to lead the transition toward electrification and smart mobility, these conversations are expected to tackle pressing questions:
- How can the auto industry’s transformation create new opportunities for Detroit residents?
- What policies will ensure equitable access to green jobs and technology?
- How can public-private collaboration sustain Detroit’s role as a global innovation hub?
By bringing together executives, elected officials, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, the event aims to explore how the automotive revolution intersects with urban renewal, workforce readiness, and social impact.
This year’s theme — to be unveiled in the coming weeks — will likely reflect the intersection of innovation, equity, and leadership, continuing the Chronicle’s mission of shaping dialogue that drives meaningful progress.
Elevating Detroit’s Global Profile
The Detroit Auto Show, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across the world, offers Pancakes & Politics a platform unlike any before. It situates Detroit’s homegrown leadership conversations in front of an international audience, amplifying the city’s narrative as a center of reinvention.
For Detroit’s civic and business ecosystem, this moment represents a symbolic alignment. The auto show — long synonymous with technological advancement — now joins forces with a forum built on civic engagement. Together, they reinforce Detroit’s dual identity as both a manufacturing powerhouse and a model for urban dialogue and collaboration.
The Michigan Chronicle, which has been a trusted voice in African American journalism for nearly a century, continues to evolve its role as not just a chronicler of Detroit’s story, but a catalyst for community progress. Through events like Pancakes & Politics, the Chronicle continues its mission of amplifying Black leadership and perspectives within Detroit’s broader narrative of innovation and growth.
January 2026
The January 15, 2026, launch of Pancakes & Politics Season 21 marks a historic milestone — one that honors the forum’s legacy while embracing the city’s future. Inside Huntington Place, where the world’s leading automakers will unveil their latest innovations, Detroit’s leaders will also gather to exchange ideas that drive human and economic transformation.
As both the Chronicle and DADA prepare for this groundbreaking event, anticipation is building across the region’s political, business, and civic circles. The event is expected to draw a diverse audience of policymakers, executives, community advocates, and media.
Full program details, including the agenda, keynote speakers, and featured panelists, will be announced in the coming weeks. But one thing is already clear: this partnership is more than symbolic — it is a testament to Detroit’s evolution, where industry meets community, and where the conversations that matter most are given a stage worthy of their impact.
About the Detroit Auto Show
The Detroit Auto Show is one of the most influential annual automotive events in the world, showcasing the latest mobility innovations, cutting-edge technology, and community-focused programming. The 2026 show runs January 14-25, 2026, at Huntington Place in Detroit. For more information, visit www.detroitautoshow.com.
About the Michigan Chronicle
Founded in 1936, the Michigan Chronicle is Detroit’s leading African American newspaper and media company, dedicated to providing trusted news and amplifying the voices of the community. Its Pancakes & Politics speaker series has become a signature civic event in the region.
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