"We were focusing on women DJs and women DJs who have done a lot for the community, too," Carter said. "Each one of these women are very strong individuals who have done a lot for their community, so we’re very honored to have them here to talk about their story."

The event was two parts: a panel featuring Detroit DJs and a live set from Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale at the Techno exhibition. Detroit DJs DJ Holographic, DJ Minx, Jenny La Femme and Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale spoke on the panel, which was moderated by MSU’s Dr. Olivia Furman. These women came together and spoke about everything that techno music, house music and DJing means to them.

Through her experience growing up in Detroit and finding techno through her dad’s love of it, DJ Holographic knew she would be involved in music after experiencing the Movement Music Festival in Detroit. Starting as a coat check in Detroit clubs, she worked her way to becoming DJ Holographic, who now plays those same clubs.

DJ Minx started small and DJed for her friends. She worked on Deep Space Radio, bringing more attention to techno and house music before it was mainstream. She then went on to continue her career as a DJ and a producer through Women on Wax Recordings, a collective of Detroit’s female artists and an independent record label.

Jenny La Femme told her story of music as freedom. She came to the U.S. from what was then the Soviet Union. She was unable to listen to music in the Soviet Union due to government restriction, and she said coming to Detroit set her free. She pursued DJing and formed a close friendship with Hotwaxx. This friendship is one of the things that has helped her be a DJ, film/TV producer and a mother.

Hotwaxx started in house music early in the genre, and she became affectionately known as the "Godmother of house," a nickname given to her by her fans and the people of Detroit as an acknowledgement of what she did to make house music happen. Not only does she continue to DJ, but Hotwaxx also teaches others the technology behind it.

Something all these DJs have in common is why they got into DJing: The joy it brings.

"I love making people happy," Hotwaxx said. "I found a way to make them happy through music."

The love and passion for the music runs deep. DJ Holographic described the feeling of techno as the "industrial feeling of heartbeat going … going," and that heartbeat that keeps her going and bringing music to the community. The heartbeat is always strongest at home, and for techno music, and these DJs, home is Detroit. Along with their passion for the music, the history of where it came from is just as important.

"What allows you to live on and to move forward is you gotta know the history," Hotwaxx said.

Every other DJ on the panel agreed that the history is the most important. DJ Minx urged young people looking to get involved in music to learn the history.

One of those young people is digital storytelling senior Andrew Peabody, who attended the event after finding his own love for house and techno music.

"I’ve been familiar in the house scene, back in Detroit," Peabody said. "I’ve seen a lot of their sets at Spot Lite."

Spot Lite is a gallery and event space in Detroit known for being a place for community and collaboration. First seeing these DJs play live and then coming to hear their stories was a cool moment for Peabody.

"It’s honestly really inspiring," Peabody said. "You see them DJing and crafting their art, but it’s one thing to hear about their backstory and their experiences."