Where to celebrate Black History Month in Detroit

By Layla McMurtrie on Wed, Jan 31, 2024 at 1:58 pm

The city of Detroit supports Black artists, entrepreneurs, and culture year-round, but February is especially time for events that center heavily on Black history. In honor of Black History Month, we’ve got special art exhibits, talks, performances, and more, happening all over the city. The Detroit Public Library alone has over 30 Black History Month activities happening at its various branches, many for youth. In one of the largest majority-Black cities in the U.S., Black history is prevalent, and supporting it is always important. Here are some ways that you can celebrate 2024’s Black History Month in Detroit.

We will continue adding to this list throughout the month. Email [email protected] to add your Black History Month event to the list.

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Facebook, The Carr Center

Celebrating Black Arts

Feb. 1-29; The Carr Center; thecarrcenter.org

The Carr Center and Bedrock Detroit are collaborating for a Black History Month exhibit highlighting multiple forms of art from over 100 Detroit-based artists and performers. The programming will provide opportunities to engage with the community, involving multiple generations of Detroiters from middle schoolers to seniors through visual art competitions, performing arts presentations, and spoken word poetry. As part of community engagement, every Saturday during February, community members are invited to contribute to a community quilt. People can contribute to the “Sewing the Community Together” project until Feb. 17.

Courtesy photo

BLACK Exhibition

Now through Feb. 29; The Carr Center; thecarrcenter.org

Carr Center Gallery Director Tia Nichols tapped Detroit artist Daniel Geanes to curate a show for Black History Month, aiding the organization’s mission of showcasing Black arts. Geanes’s vision with the show is to showcase the diverse array of unique artists in Detroit, and the exhibition includes 11 Black Detroit artists of unique backgrounds and mediums. It’s free and open to the public through Feb. 29. Read more here.

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Courtesy of Raphael Wright

Culinary Art Exhibit

Feb. 1-29; Neighborhood Grocery; instagram.com

Detroit’s recently-opened Black-owned grocery store is partnering with Hospitality Included to host programming all month long. The east side spot celebrates food and the arts with a Black History Month art exhibit, featuring local artists Fifty, India Solomon, Zuri Monet, Tony Rave, and Candy Reid. The store will also host a shoebox lunch distribution and other community collaborations and events throughout February.

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Google Maps

A Personal Experience of American Exceptionalism

Harper Galleries of Art & Interiors; harpergalleries.net

A powerful solo exhibition by Dr. Taft Parsons III.

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Google Maps

BHM Movie Night at the Wright Museum

Feb. 4, Feb. 18, & Feb. 25 from 1-3 p.m.; Wright Museum; thewright.org/programs

Every Sunday, Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History hosts a movie night. Throughout February, each week’s film will “uncover stories of courage and resilience, shedding light on the African Diasporic experience,” according to organizers. Movies featured will include Becoming Frederick Douglass, Minga and the Broken Spoon, and Hope of Escape.

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Facebook, The Satin Doll Revue

The Satin Doll Revue (Black History Month Special Presentation)

Feb. 12 from 6-10 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe; eventbrite.com

Renowned jazz artist Sky Covington is hosting a special edition of the Satin Doll Revue for Black History Month, with a soulful tribute to the cultural legacy of Black icons.

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se7enfifteen

An Evening with Detroit Poets

Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.; Next Chapter Books; nextchapterbkstore.com/events

This east-side new and used bookstore will host a free night of poetry highlighting Black Detroit poets Nandi Comer, La Shaun Phoenix Moore, and Justin Rogers.

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Layla McMurtrie

Noire: A Celebration of Black Music

Feb. 16 from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; Spot Lite; instagram.com

Local club Spot Lite is hosting its second installment of Noire: A Celebration of Black Music. The event, which will celebrate the richness of Black culture in music, features DJ sets by Whodat, Something Blue, Kindle, and Dej.y.

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Facebook, Detroit Book City

8th Annual African American Family Book Expo

Feb. 17 from 12:30-5 p.m.; Historic People’s Community Church; detroitbookcity.com

Detroit Book City is hosting this family book expo and read-in with a mission to “promote, preserve, and sustain literacy in metro Detroit.” The free event will feature special guest authors and books available for sale.

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Facebook, Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Kahil El’Zabar’s Ethnic Heritage Ensemble

Feb. 17; N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art; pitchperfectpr.com

For the legendary ensemble’s 50th annual February North American Tour in honor of Black History Month, they’ll be visiting Ann Arbor on Feb. 3 and Detroit on Feb. 17. The group is preparing to release its new album titled Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit on March 8, which continues a legacy of honoring Black music of the past and present.

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Facebook, The Satin Doll Revue

Music of Our Lives: A Musical Journey Celebrating Black History Month

Feb. 19 from 7-10 p.m.; Aretha’s Jazz Cafe; eventbrite.com

Unlimited Sky Productions is hosting this musical event exploring the diversity of Black music, from the roots of Africa to the modern day. Performances will feature sounds from Africa, Blues, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, Motown, hip-hop, and more. Special guests will include Sky Covington, Faye Bradford, and One Single Rose, among others.

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Facebook, TechTown Detroit

Black Business Reunion: Uniting the Community for Prosperity

Feb. 22 from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tech Town; techtown.zohobackstage.com

In honor of Black History Month, Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub is hosting a day to celebrate the legacy and emerging Black-owned businesses that are at the root of the city’s growth. The event will include two panels, a fireside chat, a resource fair, a pitch competition for high school students, a Black art exhibition, and tons of networking opportunities. There will also be a continental breakfast and lunch provided.

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Photo via Yelp user, Jay C

To Establish the Rule of Justice: 60 Years of the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Feb. 24 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Henry Ford Museum; thehenryford.org

This temporary showcase will open Feb. 22 as part one of a three-part pop-up exploring the decades-long activism that led to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The exhibit will be complemented by a curator conversation featuring Amber N. Mitchell, curator of Black history, and Heather Bruegl, curator of political and civic engagement, in the museum’s Drive-In Studio.

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Instagram, @ladytia_xoxo

Black History Month Celebration: Crowned

Feb. 24 from 1-3 p.m.; Painting with a Twist; paintingwithatwist.com

Great for a date night or a fun time with friends, Painting with a Twist’s Downtown Detroit location will be hosting this special event, featuring an image that surrounds Black power and pride.

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Shutterstock

BHM LEGO Challenge! Learn about Black inventors!

Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.; DPL Children’s Department Main Library; eventbrite.com

At this free event, children ages 5 and up can create their own inventions using LEGOs, while learning about important African American inventors.

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Google Maps

Black Like Me youth poetry and Pop-up shop

Feb. 24 from 4-8 p.m.; Detroit Sip; eventbrite.com/e/black-like-me

The Black Economic Exchange Group is hosting a youth poetry contest and pop-up shop for metro Detroiters ages 5-19. The subject of the poetry must surround Black history. The winner of the contest will receive $100, with a $50 prize for second place, and a $25 prize for third place.

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Facebook, Fort Street Chorale

A Celebration of Black History

Feb. 25 from at 4 p.m.; Fort Street Presbyterian Church; fortstreetchorale.org

A program of solos, choruses, and organ music by African American composers.

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Facebook, Detroit Historical Society

On the Shoulders of Giants

Feb. 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Detroit Historical Museum; detroithistorical.org

This in-person, all-ages celebration will honor the legacy of entrepreneurship in the Black community, highlighting business and history makers that make Detroit great. The event will include a panel discussion and local vendors, alongside the museum’s exhibitions and a kids’ craft room.

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