7 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Detroit

1. Take a trip to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation where, on select days each week in February, a different aspect of African-American history — including northern migration, the civil rights movement and present-day issues — is explored. Activities take place throughout the museum, with the Michigan Café featuring African-American–inspired recipes as well.
2. Celebrate at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. It’s open daily in February (even Mondays!), with family activities taking place each Saturday at noon. Visit Sunday, Feb. 12 for free courtesy of DTE Energy Foundation.
3. Check out the Detroit Historical Museum’s free family-friendly black history event on Feb. 25. Make-and-take crafts, games, readings and giveaways are planned, with special performances from storyteller Ivory D. Williams, The Alnur African Drum and Dance group and a Story Living presentation about the Underground Railroad by Madelyn Porter.
4. Explore the Detroit Institute of Arts’ renowned African art collection. Plus, there will be all-ages drop-in workshops, guided tours and short film screenings to enjoy throughout the month.
5. Visit the Macomb Community College Center Campus on Feb. 21 to learn how a group of African-American women known as “human computers” did the math that helped put John Glenn and Neil Armstrong into outer space. The event includes a discussion of the book Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly.
6. Catch a showing of Proudly We Served at Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Feb. 11 and 12. The film explores how the USS Mason, the only U.S. Navy Warship during WWII with a crew made up entirely of African-Americans, fought both segregation and U.S. enemies.
7. Listen to some of the nation’s most talented young black classical string players during the Sphinx Competition Finals Concert at Orchestra Hall on Feb. 12. In addition, the Sphinx Organization and the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club will perform a newly composed work honoring the lives of Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Kenneth Chamberlain, Amadou Diallo and John Crawford.

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