When the first issue of Hour Detroit hit newsstands in May 1996, the city was far from what would later be called its comeback, revival, or renaissance — but the seeds were already being planted. That same month, General Motors purchased the Renaissance Center, signaling renewed corporate interest in downtown. In November, voters approved Proposal E, paving the way for three Detroit casinos, and Proposal S, a Wayne County tax increase to fund two new downtown stadiums: Comerica Park and Ford Field.
Thirty years later, GM has moved its headquarters but remains firmly rooted downtown at Hudson’s Detroit. The homes of the Tigers and Lions have proven to be a resounding success. And per the 2023 census, the city’s population grew for the first time since 1957 — or, in other words, the year the Lions won their last championship title to date.
Over the past 30 years, Hour Detroit has delivered far more than headlines. We’ve brought metro Detroiters in-depth, up-close stories about the people, businesses, and organizations shaping the region — from CEOs at the top of the corporate ladder to everyday people in the city and suburbs. To give you a glimpse of that journey, we’ve gathered quotes from some of our cover subjects in our 30-year history.
Denise Ilitch: May 1999
“Lisa Spindler was the photographer, and she is brilliant. She deserves all the credit. I thought, ‘Wow, is that really me?’ A true glam shot. My kids today are like, ‘Mom!’ It meant a lot to me [to be on the cover] as it captured a very special time in my life, as well as capturing an important moment in our great city, Detroit’s redevelopment.”
Martha Reeves: July 2021
“It was one of the most exciting things that happened with any periodical here, any newspaper, any publicity that I received in the city or the world, really. Hour magazine was the most exciting of all. It was at my friend’s house, which is a very beautifully built colonial estate. I had a first-class interview in Bobbie Gingiloski’s house. I felt like I was the resident of this colonial palace.”
Dave Bing: July 2007
“I was truly honored and humbled to be on the cover of Hour Detroit magazine as Detroiter of the Year in 2007. During that time, I was building new homes in the North End near my business and serving as co-chair of Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative with Walt Watkins. … What I was doing was never for recognition but because I felt very strongly about the need to support the neighborhoods and give back to my adopted hometown, the city of Detroit.”
Abdul El-Sayed: January 2018
“I was so honored to be featured on the cover when I [ran for governor]. Hour has a pulse on the Detroit metro area, and I was so proud to share my vision for the state with readers. At the time, I was weeks away from being a first-time father and looking toward a future we could build for my daughter and for the state. I have some of those same feelings this time around as we work to create a coalition for real change. Congrats to Hour on 30 years!”
Scott Stinebaugh: September 2017
“I remember being in Greece at the time the issue came out, and my phone began to light up with texts, emails, DMs — people would send me photos of the cover on newsstands, in doctors’ offices, in people’s homes, sometimes even months later. I was even stopped in public a couple of times asking if I was “that guy” on the cover of Hour. It was a tremendous honor.”
Jon Kung: January 2022
“[The photoshoot] was during a really interesting and exciting time in my life with my TikTok blowing up … I think the coolest thing was when my friends were taking photos of the cover at airport lounges and stuff and being like, ‘I can’t believe you’re out here.’ And I was like, ‘I can’t believe I’m out there either.’”
Nicole Myint (DJ Myint): January 2023
“It honestly felt surreal … I couldn’t believe I was looking at myself on the cover of Hour Detroit. … My first thought was my mom. She was my biggest supporter, and I know she would’ve been telling everyone about it with the biggest smile. … Reading the article was really emotional, too. It captured not just what I do but why I do it — the love for music and the deep respect I have for Detroit and its roots. And being included alongside people like Roger Penske and Miguel Cabrera … that’s something I don’t take lightly.”
Quiana “Que” Broden: August 2020
“When I did the shoot, I had no idea it would become a cover. I thought I was simply taking photos with an amazing photographer as one of Detroit’s up-and-coming food businesses. Finding out later that I was on the cover — especially in August, my birthday month — was a complete shock. It made the moment even more special and unforgettable.”
James P. Hoffa: November 1998
“A lot of my friends said, ‘What a great picture’ and ‘How nice it was [for you] be featured in Hour Detroit magazine.’ Yeah, I was very pleased with it. [I received] many comments from friends in the union and in my personal life. It was certainly a nice thing to be featured in the magazine.”
Holly Campbell: November 2025
“The shoot was pretty dreamy. I went in a little nervous and left feeling like I had experienced being a professional model for a day. I loved every single second! [When the issue came out], everyone was so excited! My family teased me a little; Dan still calls me a supermodel. I got so many texts and still get screenshots of the cover when people see it in waiting rooms around town. It’s been so fun for all of us! Being asked to be on the cover was a bucket list item I didn’t even know I needed to check off. It was so special. It’s a pinch-me moment for the little girl I was and the woman I am. I am so thankful for the experience!”
This story originally appeared in the May 2026 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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