Love, Peace & Unity is 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 the month, 5–8 PM · no December show27th Letter Books, 3546 Michigan Ave, DetroitHosted by Jon J · Sounds by Define Detroit
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.
Host · Entertainer · Personality
Jon J
Jon J is the host and creator of Farewell, Mr. Nice Guy, known for his authentic personality, quick wit, and ability to connect with any crowd. Whether he's hosting an event, interviewing guests, moderating a panel, or working the room, Jon brings energy, humor, and genuine audience interaction.
He doesn't just host the event. He becomes part of the experience.
Sounds
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.
Since January 2023
36open mics held
35featured artists paid
33different Detroit artists
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 since 2023.
2026 8 artists
Billy ShakesSeptember
Dev the PoetAugust
Elante SpeaksJuly
Black CattJune
Detroit EchoMay
Icesis MarcoApril
Urban ObasakiMarch
Ace BugeyFebruary
2025 11 artists
Artistic GeniusNovember
Krissy GOctober
KMoney the poetSeptember
RJMCAugust
Mic PhelpsJuly
VasgoJune
Bobina | Ahavah Ezra SarahMay
Sheezy Bo BeezyApril
CesMarch
GalaxyFebruary
Detroit EchoJanuary
2024 9 artists
Brittney B HaydenNovember
Reu’el JubileeOctober
V SoulSeptember
Laurie LoveAugust
Urban ObasakiMay
P Tha PoetApril
Young LonMarch
Lolly MariahFebruary
True AveryJanuary
2023 7 artists
Torrey GrayNovember
KwajOctober
Soulfull Keys ExperienceSeptember
ZeporahuJuly
Bryce the ThirdJune
Morgan MaddenApril
Brittini WardJanuary
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.