Black History Month always feels personal to me. It is a time to reflect, to learn, and to intentionally support the stories that built this country. So I have to ask: what are you doing this weekend to celebrate Black history?
If you are in the Metro Detroit area, here are a few places that you and your family will absolutely enjoy.
Start at the Charles H. Wright Museum
Spend time at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and experience the powerful And Still We Rise exhibit. It walks you through centuries of Black history, resilience, culture, and achievement in a way that is immersive and unforgettable.
This museum is a cornerstone of Detroit’s cultural landscape, and it always leaves me feeling grounded and inspired.
Next, head over to the Motown Museum. There is nothing like standing in the very space where legends were born and music history was made.
Motown shaped the sound of America, and walking through Hitsville U.S.A. is both nostalgic and powerful.
Explore the DIA’s Center for African American Art
Art lovers should not miss the Detroit Institute of Arts, especially the Center for African American Art. The collections highlight Black artists whose work tells stories of struggle, joy, beauty, and identity.
Take your time here. Let the pieces speak to you.
Step Into History at Second Baptist Church
For a deeper historical experience, visit the Second Baptist Church of Detroit, one of the most important Underground Railroad sites in the country. Walking through that space connects you to the courage and faith of those who risked everything for freedom.
It is humbling and necessary.
Continue the Celebration at The Henry Ford
Then you can head to The Henry Ford, where special Black History Month programs have been celebrated all month long.
Here are a few highlights happening this weekend:
Celebrate Black History Guided Tour | Three Cheers for Black History
Daily at 1 p.m. in the Museum Plaza
Discover the untold stories of Black innovators who changed America and how their legacies continue to inspire today.
Experiment with History | E-q-u-a-l-i-t-y
Daily from 10 a.m. to noon in With Liberty and Justice for All
Learn the story of MacNolia Cox, one of the first African Americans to compete at the National Spelling Bee. Test your spelling skills and see how you measure up.
Story Stroll | “Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory’s Run for the Hungry”
Daily, starting near Agriculture and the Environment
Follow the journey of comedian and activist Dick Gregory and learn how his 1976 cross-country run raised awareness about poverty and hunger in America.
All programs are free for members or included with museum admission unless otherwise noted.
However you spend the weekend, make it meaningful. Support Black institutions. Learn something new. Bring your family. Have conversations.
And most importantly, carry that awareness with you beyond February.
So tell me, where do you plan to go to celebrate Black History Month and enrich your knowledge? Have a wonderful weekend.
P.S. more reading and Black Stories here: Dandyism in America and the importance of seeing color from A Box of Colored Pencils. Also you can go to Visitdetroit.com for more exciting events.
(Photo by Ian Kiragu and Unseen Histories on Unsplash.)
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