R&B legends Kem, SOS Band, Loose Ends perform to benefit Detroit's unhoused population

Detroit-raised, Grammy-nominated R&B singer-songwriter Kem will be joined by genre legends the S.O.S. Band and Loose Ends this weekend in two concerts at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. A portion of the concerts' proceeds will go toward helping Detroit’s unhoused population.

It’s the second year of the Community of Hope weekend, running Friday through Sunday, kicking off with the Concert of Hope headed by Kem. The initiative aims to energize, inspire and deliver a community push for solutions to the challenges of unhoused individuals and families in metro Detroit.

After Friday and Saturday’s concerts, Sunday will see a Day of Hope that gives service to the unhoused population.

It’s a cause close to the heart for Kem, who spent time in his younger days addicted and without a home, drifting among shelters on the streets of Detroit.

“Spiritually, physically and emotionally, it was probably the most demanding time in my life and addiction,” Kem told the Free Press last year. “I was really low. I had already been low, but now I was wondering what had happened to my life.

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“This time, my downward spiral was so steep. I was bankrupt. I was 23. I didn’t have anything. Which, in a situation like that, is actually the best place to be. Because that’s the place where we’re open to being helped and not resisting.”

The Community of Hope weekend is a collaboration between the Neighborhood Service Organization and The Right Productions, Inc. along with the City of Detroit.

“Many unhoused individuals in metro Detroit are not being considered homeless but lack access to safe, stable and secure housing — they are sleeping in cars, abandoned buildings, or bouncing from house to house,” said NSO CEO Linda Little. “The Community of Hope collaboration seeks long-term, safe and affordable solutions and serves as a shining example of what we can accomplish together for our community's most vulnerable.”

In late 2023, The Right Productions and NSO came together again to open The Tommy Garrett House, a new home for artists struggling with housing.

“This partnership emphasizes the Right Productions’ commitment to giving back to the community and supporting those in need,” said Right Productions president and CEO Shahida Mausi. “Kem’s incredible journey from homelessness to musical success serves as a beacon of hope and resilience. We believe his inspiring story and powerful music will resonate deeply with the community and bring much-needed attention to this important cause.”

Performing alongside Kem during the weekend are two of the 1980's greatest and most loved R&B bands, the hard-jamming S.O.S. Band (“Take Your Time (Do It Right),” “Just Be Good to Me,” “The Finest”) and British sophisti-pop outfit Loose Ends featuring Jane Eugene (“Hanging on a String (Contemplating)," "Slow Down," "Stay a Little While, Child").

"In Detroit, arts and culture is everything," Kem told the Free Press in 2020. "From Motown to today — and even more so right now, it seems — what used to be underground has really come out in the city, and there's truly a renaissance going on right now."

Tickets for the Concert of Hope are available at TheAretha.com, ticketmaster.com and The Aretha box office, starting at $46. Both Friday and Saturday’s shows start at 8 p.m. A portion of all ticket sales will go to NSO to provide resources for Detroit’s unhoused community. The Aretha Amphitheatre is located at 2600 Atwater St. in Detroit.

More:New home for artists without housing opens in Detroit

A day of giving back

The Day of Hope, held from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday at Detroit’s Cass Park (2733 2nd Ave.), is a resource fair that brings vital housing and other comprehensive wraparound services directly to individuals experiencing homelessness. Last year, the event served nearly 600 attendees with resources including 750 meals and health screenings. Additionally, 675 bags of fresh produce and $10,000 in gift cards for groceries were distributed.

In addition, the event includes:

• Giveaways including fresh produce, toothbrushes, NARCAN kits, haircuts, no-cost health screenings, mobile showers, record expungement assistance, housing referrals and sign-ups for a program providing supplemental food to older adults.
• The Day of Hope will also feature Detroit poet laureate jessica Care moore performing her jazz/soul/poetry record, “Black Tea,” led by pianist Jon Dixon with vocals by Ideeyah.

Contact Free Press arts and culture reporter Duante Beddingfield at dbeddingfield@freepress.com.