"Divining Freedom," the debut novel of Donna Givens-Davidson, follows Black Detroit families across five generations. 

The story spans more than a hundred years, following multiple families' hopeful journey to success and prosperity. The fictional narrative covers characters during the emancipation, the Detroit rebellion, and the modern day. 

Givens-Davidson served as a community builder for 40 years before embracing her role as a historian and organizer. She also hosts Authentically Detroit, a podcast that stems from her presidency at the Eastside Community Network. She joins The Metro to foreshadow what these chapters are all about and how the content stands as a testament to ancestors from the city.