Studio 8278

Studio 8278 takes its name from 8278 Greenlawn, the Detroit home of founder Cornetta Lane-Smith’s grandmother, Laura. That porch is where Cornetta’s love for storytelling first took root, and it continues to guide the studio’s work today.

Laura migrated to Detroit during the second wave of the Great Migration. By the time Cornetta grew curious about her story, it was too late. A stroke had taken her grandmother’s voice, and she passed away in 2009. That loss became a promise: to return to Laura’s story and to never again miss the chance to learn from the people around her.

Studio 8278 now uses storytelling, film, and immersive experiences to celebrate the depth and brilliance of Black Detroiters. At Studio 8278, Black stories are not a side note—they are the center.

Studio 8278 Projects

Recipes of Resistance

A docu-series exploring politics, power, and community through food. Each 12–15 minute episode combines culturally significant meals with honest conversations about complex socio-political issues. The pilot tells Laura’s story, while future episodes include conversations with a genealogist about what we need to remember, and with an Arab American woman about Detroit–Dearborn divides following the 2024 election.

Pedal to Porch

A neighborhood bike ride where residents transform their front porches into storytelling stages. What began as a simple ride has grown into a movement for belonging, connection, and preserving community identity.

Dinner for 30

A live cooking and storytelling experience where a home cook prepares a meaningful dish tied to their fondest memory. As the meal comes together, so do stories—of family, resilience, and the migration from the South to Detroit.