This past week, Wayne State University's WDET-FM (Detroit) shared the sad news of the passing of Ismael Ahmed, the longtime host of This Island Earth and a beloved voice on the station.  Ahmed passed away this last Saturday (1/31).  He was 78.  In a story posted on its website, the station noted that "Ismael was more than a broadcaster — he was a tireless advocate for culture, community, and justice, and his work touched generations across Detroit and beyond."

Ahmed devoted his life to public service and advocacy, working as a labor organizer and activist and later serving as director of the Michigan Department of Human Services during Governor Jennifer Granholm’s administration. His leadership and commitment to the arts were recognized nationally when President Joe Biden appointed him to the National Council on the Arts.

In Detroit, his legacy is inseparable from the Concert of Colors, which he founded 35 years ago. What began as a bold vision grew into a beloved institution celebrating cultural diversity, artistic excellence, and accessibility, bringing communities together through music and performance.