Black History Month is a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. It’s also a time to share and learn about Black stories and history.
The month-long celebration takes place during February.
There are numerous in-person and virtual events scheduled across the state to celebrate and spotlight Black achievement.
Check out the following events below:
Saginaw
Black History Month: Exhibition Open House
Three new exhibitions are opening at the Saginaw Art Museum in February.
The museum is hosting a Black History Month: Exhibition Open House event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, for all three exhibitions: “Blacktiquing Presents: The Black Hand Side,” “From Africa to Eternity,” and “Advocacy through Design.”
The trio of exhibits feature an interactive art installation that peeks through the prism of race to explore American history and experiences from American descendants of slavery, art work that honors the cycles of change present in life and ways the the Saginaw Branch of the NAACP has used a wide variety of materials to communicate messages associated with important causes over more than 100 years.
The Saginaw Art Museum is located at 1126 N. Michigan Ave. in Saginaw. Visit www.saginawartmuseum.org to learn more.
Harold Neal and Detroit African American Artists: 1945 through the Black Arts Movement
A new exhibition celebrating the works of Black artists in Detroit from the mid-1940s through the 1970s opens Tuesday, Feb. 1.
The exhibition, hosted at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, is described as follows on SVSU’s website:
“’Harold Neal and Detroit African American Artists: 1945 through the Black Arts Movement’ explores the efflorescence of Detroit African American art in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, as artists responded to the Civil Rights, Black Power, and Black Arts Movements. This vibrant art scene rivaled that of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
The museum is located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Road, in Kochville Township.
The exhibition runs through Saturday, April 16.
Flint
Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male
The exhibit, “Sons: Seeing the Modern African American Male” opened this week, and will run until Saturday, April 16 at the FIA, 1120 East Kearsley St., in Flint.
On display at the exhibit are black-and-white and color photographs by Jerry Taliaferro of 49 men from the Flint community.
This exhibition is much more than a photographic study, as it also aims to explore perceptions and biases.
The resulting images are divided into two sections: first a black-and-white photograph of just their face, and then later in the exhibition a photograph in color, where the subjects were instructed to “be themselves.”
Learn more about the exhibit here.
Detroit
Detroit Institute of Arts
Black History Month: The Ultimate Art Museum
Join author and art historian Ferren Gipson on a virtual adventure throughout her magnificent museum-in-a-book. This imaginary art museum is an inspiring experience without the constraints of space and time.
The event takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 via the DIA’s YouTube or Facebook page.
The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion
During the workshop, participants will experience the Africana field trip, learn about The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion, and investigate the meaning of imagery through artmaking.
The event takes place at the DIA, 5200 Woodward Ave., in Detroit from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12.
DIA educators will discuss museum tours and learning resources, and Nancy Barr, the James Pearson Duffy Curator of Photography and Department Head for Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, will introduce the exhibition, The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion. Participants will also experience a guided artmaking session centered on photography and how decisions affect meaning.
To learn more about the event, visit here.
Jackson
Black History Month Small Business Brunch and Pop Up
Many Hands Community Services, a nonprofit established in 2019, is hosting a small business brunch and pop-up shop Saturday, Feb. 12, at the American 1 Credit Union Event Center: 128 W. Ganson St.
The event gives small business owners a chance to network over brunch from 10-11:30 a.m. Vendor stands are open from noon-5 p.m. to give the public an opportunity to shop and support more than 50 small, locally owned businesses in Jackson County.
Those interested in being a vendor at the event, can visit here to register. For more information, visit Many Hands Community Services website.
2022 Black Excellence Community Awards
Robert and Yvette Wilkie, owners of RJ’s Heavenly Delights, are hosts of the second Black Excellence Community Awards Banquet and GALA to honor the life changers, leaders and trailblazers of Jackson’s community.
The formal, in-person event from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, is at Keeley Park/Jackson County Fairgrounds 128 W. Ganson St. The event features keynote speaker, Patrice Washington, Success Magazine’s 2020 one of 12 Inspiring Black Voices in Personal Development.
To learn more or purchase tickets for the event, visit here.
Jackson District Library
During the month of February, Jackson District Library is celebrating African American superheroes during Black History Month.
The Carnegie Branch, 244 W. Michigan Ave., is hosting a Black Superhero Party from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26.
The Jackson District Library’s 13 locations all are implementing a Logo Hunt in February for Black History Month. Guests are encouraged to collect all superhero logos and check out displays with books, graphic novels, movies and more, starring each superhero.
For library locations and operating times, visit here.
Ella Sharp Museum
The Ella Sharp Museum, 3225 Fourth St., is featuring exhibits and Hurst Planetarium shows in February.
The “For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights” exhibit explores how visual culture played a part in shaping and transforming the struggle for racial equality in America from late 1940 to mid-1970s.
The Hurst Planetarium will feature shows based on African American astronauts, astrologists and more on Saturdays throughout Black History Month.
The museum is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
For additional information, visit the Ella Sharp Museum’s website.
Washtenaw County
Ypsilanti District Library
The Ypsilanti District Library, 5577 Whittaker Road, is hosting a free in-person event called “Safely Talk about Race and Racism” from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. This event includes a documentary on Ken Burns’ “East Lake Meadows: A Public Housing Story.” After the film, a discussion is being led by La’Ron Williams, a local storyteller and peace activist. Light refreshments will be served.
The library is also hosting an in-person and virtual event called “Be Here, Be Heard — One Love Symposium” from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17. Anna Gersh of the One Love Symposium will host a panel that will include Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton, along with other professionals. Readings and youth performances will also take place during the event.
For more information on the symposium, visit here.
African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County
The museum, 1528 Pontiac Trail, is celebrating Black History Month by highlighting the significance of Black health and wellness. The museum will acknowledge the legacy of scholars, medical practitioners in Western medicine and others throughout the African Diaspora.
Ann Arbor District Library: Virtual Events
Every day in February, AADL will have a quote come to life as staff members use their skills to make powerful words become a work of art. To see the quote of the day, visit AADL’s YouTube page.
Puppet neighbors Al Paca and Bobby Cat celebrate Black History Month by exploring what the month is all about through stories of influential African Americans throughout history. Click here to watch the Al Paca and Bobby Cat’s videos.
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is hosting events throughout the month.
The university’s virtual Black History Month opening ceremony from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, begins a month of programs and events focusing on the experiences, successes and contributions of African Americans from around the world.
The university’s in-person Black History Month gala will celebrate the arts, music and African American culture in a formal affair from 7-9 p.m. Feb. 5, at the Rogel Ballroom, Michigan Union.
Here’s a link to a full list of scheduled programs.
Concordia University Ann Arbor
The Office of Multicultural Engagement is teaming up with the Black Student Union in presenting the “Strolling Black History Month Exhibit” for a second year. The exhibit features the traveling “Unconditional Loyalty: The Military Service of African Americans Exhibit” owned by the African American Museum of Iowa. The art will showcase Black culture, innovation and celebrations of life.
The event will take place every Monday in February, starting from noon-4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, in the Kreft Center for the Arts, 4090 Geddes Road. For more information, call 734-995-7391 or email erin.laverick@cuaa.edu.
Kalamazoo County
“Africa, Imagined” exhibit at Kalamazoo Institute of Arts: An exhibit inspired by the ideas, truths and myths surrounding African art, “Africa, Imagined: Reflections on Modern and Contemporary Art,” is on display at the museum, at 314 S. Park St., throughout the month.
The exhibit features mostly West African works of art spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, and hones in on three main themes — escapism, social inquiry and cultural reclamation.
The exhibit will be open for viewing from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays, through May 1.
Visit KIARTS.org for more information and other upcoming museum events.
First U.S. Black female prisoner of war comes to Portage
Shoshana Johnson, a second-generation Army veteran and author of “I’m Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free Citizen – My Journey Home,” will be in Portage on Feb. 5 to share her story of being taken as a prisoner of war in 2003 in Iraq.
The book signing and presentation will include a question and answer session and is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road. A limited number of books will be available for purchase.
Trivia & Soul Food Night
Billed as a “game night like no other,” attendees will have their knowledge of Black history, culture, shows and music tested, all while enjoying delicious Southern cuisine.
The event, hosted by the Black Arts & Cultural Center, will take place from 6-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 25, at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 102. Tickets cost $20 per person and can be purchased online at the Black Arts & Cultural Center website.
What A Time To Be Alive
A conversation about the past and the future ahead will be hosted by the Black Arts & Cultural Center. A panel of local activists plan a conversation centered around growing up in and being a part of the civil rights movement as well as being involved in the Black Lives Matter movement.
The discussion will be viewable in real time as well as archived on the cultural center’s Facebook page. The time is tentatively set for noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, but subject to change.
Black Arts Exhibit
The third annual event is being hosted by Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s Center for New Media. The show, which will highlight the works of local Black artists, will “offer a shared connection to the rich Black cultural heritage in the Kalamazoo area.”
The Black Arts Exhibit opens Friday, Feb. 4, and will be open for online viewing throughout the month of February on the Center for New Media Facebook page. Physical works will be on display in the Arcus Gallery, located on KVCC’s Arcadia Commons Campus at 100 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Kalamazoo.
The exhibit is available for viewing during the gallery’s open hours, which are 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday-Friday weekly.
Kalamazoo Public Library
The library hosts series of presentations: From a “Conversation on Anti-Racism” slated for Feb. 8 to Uprooting White Supremacy in Organizations” on Feb. 9 and “Equitable Hiring Practices” on Feb. 17, the library has numerous online discussions planned for Black History Month.
Visit the Kalamazoo Public Library website for a complete calendar.
Build Your Future Career Exploration and Planning Workshop
Geared towards high school students, the Michigan State University 4-H Program has partnered with the Black Arts & Cultural Center to present a program to aid students in career exploration and future planning.
The six-week program begins Tuesday, Feb. 1, at the Black Arts & Cultural Center and will be held at 4:30 p.m. weekly at the center, located at 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 102. All materials needed will be provided at no cost.
A panel discussion: “Sharing the Black Experience”
The discussion, hosted by Kellogg Community College for Black History Month, will include panelists, KCC President Adrien Bennings, actor/singer Altamiece Cooper, educator Kenneth Jackson, Southwestern Michigan Urban League President/CEO Kyra Wallace and Battle Creek Community Foundation Development Officer Lynn Ward Gray.
The free event will take place from 6:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, at the Binda Performing Arts Center, 450 North Ave. in Battle Creek.
Grand Rapids
Grand Valley State University
A panel discussion, Black History Celebration: Changing The Narrative Of Black Men In Higher Education, takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 3.
The virtual event will discuss the experiences of Black Men in Higher Education with particular focus on representation, support, and retention. To register, click here.
Black History Celebration: Talk Back Tuesday: The Invisibility of Black Women
This event is scheduled from 12 to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8 in the Center for Women and Gender Equity, 1201 Kirkhof Center, 1 Campus Dr. in Allendale. This presentation discusses disparities in missing Black women. Register here.
Black History Celebration: Conversations Of Color
The event takes place from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and will be held virtually. Critical Race Theory, What is it? The Implications of Eliminating it vs The Benefits of Keeping It. Register here.
Black History Celebration: Don’t Box Me In
The event will be held virtually from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21.
This presentation will explore how multiracial and biracial individuals are often marginalized, isolated, alienated, and made to choose one race instead of inherently placing value on both or all of their rich races in many spaces. Register here.
Grand Rapids Public Museum
During Black History Month, the Public Museum, located at 272 Pearl St. NW, is encouraging community members to visit its Newcomers: People of This Place exhibit, to learn more about stories from the Black community here in West Michigan. Interactive maps and photos show where different ethnic groups of newcomers settled in West Michigan.
Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA)
The museum and archives, 87 Monroe Center St. NW, is hosting or participating in a slew of events during the month. To see a full list of events, visit here.
Read more on MLive:
Black History Month events planned for the Grand Rapids area
From art exhibits to panel discussions, a list of Black History Month events in Kalamazoo
Celebrate Black History Month with with art, music, food, speakers in Washtenaw County
Honor African American culture, achievements with these Black History Month events in Jackson
New exhibition exploring Detroit African American art opens Feb. 1 for Black History Month
Saginaw Art Museum opening 3 new exhibitions during Black History Month
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