Jon J
Every open mic runs through Jon J. He keeps the list moving, makes the room easy for first-timers, and makes sure everyone who signs up gets their moment on the mic.
Bring a can.
Take the mic.
Creating love, peace, and unity in Detroit through artistry and community. It starts with a monthly open mic and food drive — no ticket, just canned goods or a donation at the door.
Last Sunday of every month, 5–8 PM
27th Letter Books, 3546 Michigan Ave, Detroit
Hosted by Jon J · Sounds by Define Detroit
Next open mic
Sunday, 5–8 PM
- Where
- 27th Letter Books, 3546 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48216
- Entry
- Canned or dry goods, or a cash donation. RSVP on Eventbrite so we know you're coming.
- Featured artist
- Announced on Instagram
Upcoming events
Open mic nights are where we started. Here's what's coming up next.
More events are on the way. Follow @lpu.detroit for announcements.
Detroit has more talent than it has stages. LPU is one more stage — and every night on it feeds someone.
Love, Peace & Unity is a Detroit 501(c)(3) nonprofit built around one recurring night: an open mic where poets, singers, painters, and creatives of every kind get a welcoming room to be seen and heard.
Instead of charging admission, we ask guests to bring canned or dry goods, or give what they can. Everything collected goes to our ongoing food drive for the community. Food and snacks are on us.
The open mic is where we started, not where we stop. The goal is ease and unity for the whole neighborhood — feeding people, back-to-school drives, mental health awareness events, and connecting folks to help with housing, jobs, and food. Art is how we get everyone in the room.
How a night works
Same format every month, so you always know what to expect.
Featured artist
Each month spotlights one local artist with a longer set — a real platform, not just three minutes.
Open mic
Music, poetry, comedy, spoken word — if you can do it on a stage, you can do it here. Jon J hosts, Define Detroit keeps the room moving.
Free food
Complimentary food or snacks for everyone who comes through. Eat, hang out, meet people.
The food drive
Your entry is a can of food or a donation. Every item collected goes back into the community.
The people who run the night
The featured artist changes every month. These two are there every time.
Define Detroit
The music between sets, under the poets, and after the last name is called. Define Detroit sets the tone for the whole night, and a room full of strangers starts to feel like a living room.
Partners
- One Crafty Mama
- Sharp Pens
- Define Detroit
Organizations we work alongside to put on the night and get food back into the community.
Our mission
Funded by the Awesome Foundation Detroit, September 2026.
So far this year
Where we're headed
The open mic is the first program, not the only one. As LPU grows, so does the work: community meals and food kitchens, back-to-school drives, mental health awareness events, and connecting neighbors to housing, job, and food resources.
Love, Peace & Unity (LPU) is a monthly Open Mic/Food Drive dedicated to bringing the Detroit community together through artistry, creativity, and giving back. Our mission is to provide a safe and welcoming space where Detroit artists and creatives can authentically showcase their talents while building meaningful connections within their community.
Each month, LPU brings together artists, creatives, and community members for an evening centered around self-expression, connection, and service. Every open mic highlights a featured local artist, provides complimentary food or snacks for guests, and creates an opportunity for attendees to contribute to our ongoing food drive.
Instead of charging a traditional admission fee, we ask guests to bring canned goods or make a monetary donation. This allows us to keep the event accessible while encouraging everyone who attends to take part in giving back to the community.
Through our monthly Open Mic/Food Drive, Love, Peace & Unity uses artistry as a bridge between creativity and service — giving Detroit artists a consistent platform to be seen and heard while bringing people together to make a positive impact in their community.
Featured artists
The local artists who've headlined LPU so far.
- Billy ShakesSeptember 2026
- Dev the PoetAugust 2026
- Elante SpeaksJuly 2026
- Black CattJune 2026
- Detroit EchoMay 2026
- Icesis MarcoApril 2026
Every open mic
The room at the end of every show. Pick a month to open it.
Give
Two ways to support the work — pick whichever fits.
Bring food
Drop off canned or dry goods at any open mic. The most useful items are:
- Canned vegetables, fruit, beans, and soup
- Rice, pasta, oats, and cereal
- Peanut butter and shelf-stable milk
- Anything unopened and not expired
Donate
Donations keep the open mic free, stock the food drive, and build toward what's next — community meals, back-to-school drives, and resource events across Detroit.
Love, Peace & Unity is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations are tax-deductible. EIN 99-0471961.
Proud 2026 grantee of the Awesome Foundation Detroit.
Perform
Two ways to get on the LPU stage.
Open mic
Sign up in person when you arrive. Slots are first come, first served, so come at 5 PM to get on the list.
Featured artist
Each month one artist gets a full headline set. Tell us who you are and share links to your work.
Questions? Message @lpu.detroit or email lpudetroit313@gmail.com.
Who's behind it
LPU was founded in Detroit in December 2024 and is run by a three-person board.
- Kamia Daniel-IvoryFounder and President
- Karen L. IvoryTreasurer
- Antonio GholsonSecretary
A safe and welcoming space where Detroit artists can authentically showcase their talents while building real connections in their community.
Kamia Daniel-Ivory Founder and President, Love, Peace & Unity