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Home , The Henry Ford

2004

Legacyof the NorthernStar Metro ’s guide

to African-American

cultural attractions and

points of interest Legacyof the NorthernStar

Reasons to visit: The center focuses on / ancient African history dating as far back as 3 million years. Displays include animated robotic figures and Cultural videos that help educate visitors on the many civ- ilizations that originated on the continent. Attractions Location: 21511 W. McNichols, Detroit Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Charles H. Wright (313) 494-7452 or of African American History www.detpub.k12.mi.us/schools/AHCC/ You won’t find a bigger monument to African- The Burton Historical American history anywhere else in the world. Besides three exhibition galleries, the museum Collection/E. Azalia Hackley also houses a theater, a café and a gift store. Memorial Collection Reasons to visit: The Charles H. Wright The ’s main branch Museum is the largest museum of African houses two of the country’s most extensive American history in the world. African-American historical collections. Before you enter through the brass doors take Reasons to visit: The Hackley Collection is a moment to admire the architecture which is an North America’s oldest source of historical infor- attraction of its own. mation on the careers of African Americans in Inside, the museum’s core exhibition takes the performing arts. This collection features rare visitors from the origins of African culture photographs and books, manuscripts, sheet through the horrors of the Middle Passage and music and memorabilia dating back to the mid- on to the modern day accomplishments and 19th century. The collections’ recordings include struggles of African Americans. It is filled with a African chant, Negro spirituals, ragtime, jazz, diverse selection of artifacts, including the gas opera, orchestral music and rhythm and blues. mask invented by Garrett Morgan and the NASA flight suit worn by astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison. Throughout, museum guides help tie the dis- plays and artifacts together through lively and informative group tours. After touring the main exhibition, visitors can explore two changing exhibits and art galleries, enjoy the museum’s lis- tening rooms or stop by the plaza areas for din- ing. And shoppers will be happy to find that the museum’s gift shop could stand alone as an attraction thanks to the variety and quality of its products. Location: 315 E. Warren, Detroit Wed.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun. 1-5 p.m. (313) 494-5800 or www.maah-detroit.org

African Heritage Cultural Center This cultural center began as a one-time African history exhibit presented by the Detroit Public Schools. Public demand called for the exhibit to be made available year-round and it was moved to a permanent home in 1991. Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Detroit Institute of Arts The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), the Museums/ nation’s fifth-largest fine art museum, features one of America’s largest collections of African and African American art. The DIA was one of the first major art museums to present a permanent Cultural showcase for African art. Reasons to visit: The DIA puts visitors face to face with ancient Egyptian artworks (statues, sculptures and artifacts) dating as far back as Attractions 4,000 years. The museum’s treasures from West African kingdoms include stunning bronze works from Benin. Among the featured works by African American artists, the DIA’ s selection includes pieces by Romare Beardon, and Detroiter Charles McGee. Location: 5200 Woodward, Detroit Wed.-Thu. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (313) 833-7900 or www.dia.org

Gospel Music Hall of Fame The Burton Historical Collection features both and Museum national and local sources for tracing genealogy, including charts of individual families and Detroit has long been a center of gospel music records of births and marriages. and this museum examines the evolution of this Location: 5201 Woodward, Detroit uniquely American art. Visitors can read through Thu., Fri., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. original compositions, view historical photo- Tue., Wed. noon-8 p.m. graphs and enjoy rare recordings of the music’s Hackley Collection (313) 833-1460 pioneers and innovators. Burton Collection (313) 833-1480 Reasons to visit: The Gospel Music Hall of www.detroit.lib.mi.us Fame and Museum sheds light on the impact that African Americans had on gospel music, an area that has been historically overlooked by many Detroit Historical Museum gospel music museums. The museum features This museum covers the extensive information on the man considered the from its founding in 1701 to the emergence of the father of gospel music, Thomas A. Dorsey, who auto industry. The building’s walk-through penned “Precious Lord”, one of the most success- exhibits help make history an interactive affair for ful gospel songs of all time. visitors. Location: 18301 W. McNichols, Detroit Reasons to visit: For thousands of former 11 a.m.-4 p.m. slaves, Detroit was the final stop before freedom Open by appointment in Canada. The museum houses a permanent (313) 592-0017 exhibit dedicated to the role the city played as a major terminal for the Underground Railroad. Another permanent exhibit, “Motor City”,chroni- cles the important role African Americans played in the rise of the automotive industry. Location: 5401 Woodward, Detroit Tue.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Detroit Metro Convention Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Visitors Bureau (313) 833-1805 or www.detroithistorical.org www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

The Visitors will also find a tribute to George Museums/ Washington Carver that Henry Ford had built The Henry Ford — America’s greatest history for his friend and fellow innovator. attraction — is one of the largest Midwest Location: 20900 Oakwood, Dearborn tourist destinations. Visitors will find a wide Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Cultural range of authentic and unique historical exhibits, Sun. noon-5 p.m. including ’s camp bed, (313) 271-1620 or www.thehenryford.org ’s lab and the ’ bicycle shop. John Freeman Walls Historic Attractions Reasons to visit: Henry Ford Museum recently added the bus where made Site and Underground Railroad her stand against segregation to its collection. Museum Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man and the Montgomery bus boycott galvanized the This 20-acre former Underground Railroad modern civil rights movement. The restored bus station offers tours to visitors. It is owned and will be the centerpiece of a new civil rights and run by the descendants of former slaves who social change exhibit that the museum is made the trip from slavery in North Carolina to developing. freedom in Canada. Greenfield Village is one of the few places to Reasons to visit: Tour leaders, called “con- see preserved slave quarters. Transported from a ductors”, help visitors retrace the steps taken by plantation near Savannah, Georgia, the those daring souls who made the trip over rivers Hermitage Slave Houses allow visitors to walk and through thousands of miles of dense forests through and take a real look at what life was like to freedom in the north. The guides bring histo- for enslaved people. The Hermitage Slave Houses ry to life, effectively re-creating the journey and are made of brick (the principal product of the giving insight into the dangers slaves faced along plantation) and have survived longer than the the way. majority of slave quarters built in this period. Location: Eight miles east of the Also located on the grounds is the Mattox Windsor/Detroit border in Lake Shore House, the actual 19th and early 20th century Township, Ontario, 401 exit Puce Road, home of several generations of African American north one mile. farmers who lived near Savannah, Georgia. Open by appointment, (519) 258-6253

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Motown Historical Museum This museum is the original studio and headquarters where the “Motown Sound” was born. No other 1960s music company produced the number of enduring hits, or launched the number of stellar careers that Motown did. Reasons to visit: Motown’s headquarters has been restored to its 1960s state, when Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5 and the Supremes recorded their first hits there. The studio is also where Motown fans can find rare photographs, gold records and one-of-a-kind Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site memorabilia, including Michael Jackson’s famed sequined glove and the glittering dresses once Reverend Josiah Henson founded this former worn by the Supremes. settlement for escaped slaves in 1841. Henson’s Plans are in the works to open a Motown life was the basis for the title character in Center to complement Hitsville. The Center will Harriet Beecher Stowe’s famous novel, Uncle include interactive exhibits, a Motown-themed Tom’s Cabin. restaurant and performance space. Reasons to visit: The site is a window Location: 2648 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit into what it was like to live in a 19th century Sun.-Mon. noon-5 p.m., Tue.-Sat. settlement for former slaves. Visitors can look 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through the settlement’s original buildings (313) 875-2264 including Henson’s home, the settlement church and the Harris House - one of the oldest fugi- tive slave structures in Canada. There’s also an Tuskegee Airmen interpretive museum and various galleries offer- National Museum ing information on early African American communities in Canada. The struggles and triumphs of the Tuskegee Location: 29251 Uncle Tom’s Rd., Airmen are celebrated at this museum with Dresden, Ontario, 1-km southwest of model aircrafts, rare photographs, vintage Dresden off Park Street - approximately uniforms and other exhibits. one hour and 15 minutes from the Reasons to visit: The Tuskegee Airmen Detroit/Windsor border. battled bigotry and racism to become the Wed.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. ’ first African American fighter Open by appointment (519) 683-2978 pilots. During World War II the 99th Fighter Squadron—composed entirely of Tuskegee Airmen—never lost a bomber during an escort mission. This record was unmatched during WWII. The Airmen’s stellar record helped lead to President Harry Truman’s integration of armed forces. Tuskegee Airmen auxiliary docents offer tours of the museum. Location: 6325 W. Jefferson, Detroit (313) 843-8849 (call for hours)

Detroit Detroit Metro Convention Metro & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com Convention & Visitors Bureau 1-800-DETROIT www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

Landmarks & Historic Sites

Second Baptist Church of Detroit This is the Midwest’s oldest African American church. Before the Civil War, Second Baptist served as the city’s leading Underground Railroad station. More than 5,000 slaves passed through Second Baptist on their way to Canada. Tours of the basement, which served as the station, are available by appointment. Location: 441-461 Monroe Ave., Detroit (313) 961-0920

Ambassador Bridge Cornelius Langston Henderson Sr., an African American, designed the Canadian approaches to this bridge — the world’s longest suspension bridge between nations. Henderson also super- vised construction of the steel tubes that enclose the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel — the world’s first auto traffic tunnel between two nations. Henderson would go on to design the General Elmwood Cemetery Electric Building in Toronto and participate in bridge-building projects in Trinidad, Jamaica, Detroit’s oldest cemetery is the final resting Australia and New Zealand. place for many of the city’s most famous and Location: Just west of downtown Detroit influential African Americans of the 19th century. Incorporated in 1846, abolitionist George DeBaptiste and William Lambert (treasurer and Dunbar Memorial Hospital manager of the Detroit terminal of the Dunbar Memorial Hospital was the first to Underground Railroad) and 14 members of the serve Detroit’s African American community in 102nd U.S. Colored Troops who fought in the the early 20th century. Founded by a group of Civil War are among those buried here. African American physicians in 1918, this build- Location: 1200 Elmwood, Detroit ing also served as the city’s first black nursing school. Frederick Douglass-John Brown In 1928 the hospital moved to a larger facility at Brush and Illinois. That same year, ’s Meeting Historical Marker first African American state senator, Charles Abolitionists Frederick Douglass and John Diggs, Sr., moved into the home with his family. Brown met with several Detroit residents at this site Diggs’ son, Charles, Jr. would go on to become on March 12, 1859, to discuss methods for ending Michigan’s first African American member of the slavery in America. While Douglass sought an end U.S. Congress. Today the site is part of the to slavery through political means, Brown believed National Registry of Historical Places and is open revolution was the way to end the system. Eight for free tours. months later, Brown would die for his beliefs after Location: 580 Frederick, Detroit the famed Harper’s Ferry Raid in West Virginia. Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Location: Congress and St. Antoine, Detroit www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Landmarks & Historic Sites

Home of Dr. Ossian Sweet A 12 foot statue of Louis is located in the Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center located at 1 The Sweet family’s move to this all-white Washington Blvd. The center also houses a collec- neighborhood on the west side of Detroit lead to tion of memorabilia and photos of Louis’ life and one of the pivotal Civil Rights rulings of the early career. Just down the street from Cobo Center, 20th century. visitors will find “The Fist” a 24-foot-long sculp- When an angry mob tried to gain entry to the ture by Robert Graham that sits at the foot of Sweet’s house on Sept. 9, 1925, shots fired from Woodward Avenue at Jefferson Avenue. Also in inside killed a neighbor. Dr. Sweet and his the downtown area, one of the city’s premiere younger brother were charged with murder. sports and concert arenas, Joe Louis Arena, is Legendary lawyer Clarence Darrow defended named for the former heavyweight champion. the Sweets in the case. After one trial yielded a hung jury, the brothers were cleared of all charges in the second. The case would set precedent for Muhammad’s Mosque #1 the rights of people of any color to defend their W.D. Fard first organized the Nation of Islam homes. in Detroit in the 1930s. This site was the Nation’s Location: 2905 Garland Rd., Detroit first mosque and still operates at the same loca- tion. It is also the site where Malcolm X began Joe Louis Memorials ministering. Elijah Muhammad succeeded Fard and eventually moved the headquarters to From his defeat of German champion Max . Schmeling during World War II, to his still Location: 11525 Linwood, Detroit unmatched 13-year reign as heavyweight boxing champion, this Detroiter ranks among the most Detroit Metro Convention influential figures of the 20th century. The city & Visitors Bureau pays homage to its native son with three monu- ments in the downtown area. www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

Orsel McGhee House Soldiers and Sailors Monument Landmarks When the McGhee family moved into a west This monument was dedicated by the city of side Detroit home in 1944, their new neighbors Detroit to local troops who fought in the Civil filed a lawsuit against them citing a restrictive War in 1872. Historians believe that one of the convenant forbidding non-white residents. After monument’s five bronze statues is modeled after & Historic receiving court orders to leave their home, the Sojourner Truth (born in New York, the famous McGhees appealed to the Supreme Court in a abolitionist and feminist lived in Battle Creek case presented by Thurgood Marshall. In 1948 during the later years of her life). The statue is Sites the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the titled ‘Emancipation’. McGhees and abolished restrictive covenants. Location: , Detroit Location: 4626 Seabaldt, Detroit International Monuments to the Underground Railroad (former Paradise Theatre) The cities of Detroit and Windsor honor the From 1941 through 1951, The Paradise thousands who crossed from slavery to freedom by Theatre was one of America’s hottest venues for the Underground Railroad with two bronze mon- jazz, with a selection of performers to rival the uments. Detroit’s sculpture features eight bronze Apollo in New York. Duke Ellington, Lionel figures gesturing over the river towards Canada. Hampton, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Nat King This monument is mirrored on the Canadian side Cole and Dizzy Gillespie were just a few of the of the Detroit River with a 22 foot sculpture of greats to grace the theater’s stage. The theater former slaves embracing freedom. The monu- closed in 1951 with the decline in widespread ments were designed by Denver sculptor Ed popularity of jazz. Today, the Hall serves as the Dwight, a former Air Force test pilot and the first home of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra which African American trained as an astronaut. features frequent tributes to Ellington and other Location: Hart Plaza, Detroit and jazz composers. The orchestra has recorded CDs Riverfront Civic Esplanade, Windsor, of jazz compositions. Ontario Location: 3663 Woodward, Detroit (313) 833-3362

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Dee Orr’s Gourmet Soul Food Restaurants Serving up: Fried chicken and catfish are Restaurants restaurant staples but diners can also find unique Beans & Cornbread and non-traditional fare on the menu. For some- thing different try Orr’s potato salad made with Serving up: Despite the simple name, this crab meat or the okra side dish made with restaurant has established itself as a place for soul shrimp. Health conscious diners will like the fact food with both a traditional and unique flavor. that restaurant’s greens and cabbage are seasoned Smothered pork chops like mom used to make without pork. mingle with creative selections like sweet potato Location: 1301 W. Lafayette, Detroit cheesecake, Harlem burritos (a flour tortilla filled (313) 962-3677 with collard greens, tomatoes, black-eyed peas and rice with a special salsa sauce) and vegetarian East Franklin Street Restaurant plates make this one of ’s busiest spots for soul food. Serving up: Ribs, smothered pork chops, Location: 29508 Northwestern Hwy., mashed potatoes, delicious candied yams and Southfield sweet corn muffins give the menu its home- (248) 208-1680 cooked appeal. The restaurant’s exposed brick building provides just the right atmosphere for Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant enjoying soul food. There’s also live music upstairs on many nights. Serving up: Blue Nile owner Seifu Location: 1440 Franklin, Detroit Lessanework has delivered a taste of Ethiopia (313) 393-0018 to Detroit since 1983. Diners can expect feast worthy portions of traditional Ethiopian dishes, Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café including Gomen — chopped collard greens spiced with onions and pepper — and servings Serving up: Traditionally, one of Detroit’s of tender chicken, beef and lamb. In Ethiopian liveliest and busiest restaurants. All the familiar tradition, patrons eat off of the same platter Creole favorites can be found here, including using delicious spongy bread to pick up food bronzed catfish, seafood gumbo and catfish instead of forks and knives. beignets. Location: 545 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale Location: 400 Monroe, Detroit (248) 547-6699 (313) 965-4600

Le Cafethe Serving up: An assortment of teas (try the red raspberry chamomile), and a diverse variety of coffees, salads, and sandwiches in an elegant restored 1900s Victorian home. The coffee and teahouse is located next to the Les Soeur Maison Bed & Breakfast near the Motown Museum. Location: 2449 W. Grand Blvd, Detroit (313) 494-1805

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

Galleries BOOKSTORES Bookstores Shrine of the Black Madonna Cultural Center and Bookstore Shopping The Shrine is the nation’s largest bookstore dedicated to African and African American litera- GALLERIES ture. It’s one of the best places to locate hard-to- find books on African American culture. It’s also G.R. N’Namdi Gallery a cultural center, so visitors will find authentic African art and prints and African and African- One of the nation’s premier galleries featuring American themed gift items including sculptures, contemporary African American artists, this col- statues, fabrics and leather goods. The center lection includes works by Al Loving, Lawrence features selections from throughout the African and Howardena Pindell. This gallery is located Diaspora. near the city’s cultural center. Location: 13535 Livernois, Detroit Location: 66 E. Forest, Detroit (313) 491-0777 or (313) 831-8700 www.shrinebookstore.com

International Bazaar Baker’s Bible Bookstore In addition to international clothing, jewelry Along with its large supply of bibles, this store and artwork this is one of the best locations to also features a wide range of videos, cassettes and see significant works by local artists, craftsmen CDs. and designers. Location: 10200 Grand River, Detroit Location: 6340 E. Jefferson, Detroit (313) 933-5507 (313) 567-4668 Globe Bible Bookstore Eric’s I’ve Been Framed Shop Downtown Detroit’s main location for reli- Custom framing for artwork, pictures, heir- giously inspired literature, this store also offers looms, memorabilia and more. Consultants work religiously inspired clothing, music and gift with patrons to find the right frame layout and items. design for customers. Visitors will also find a Location: 2990 E. Jefferson, Detroit large collection of African American memorabil- (313) 259-8865 ia, original art and handcrafted works from local artists. Location: 16527 Livernois, Detroit (313) 861-9263

Terr y’s Enchanted Garden This Detroit shop is well known for its creative floral arrangements, but flowers aren’t the only things to be found in this garden. Terry’s also features limited edition artwork, gifts for the home and a one-stop boutique for clothing, jewelry and African and African-American themed collectibles. Location: 19338 Livernois, Detroit Detroit Metro Convention (800) 342-4408 or & Visitors Bureau www.terrysenchantedgarden.com www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT CLOTHIERS Off the Dribble City Slicker Shoes A great place to find urban sportswear by Galleries Enyce, Girbaud, Rocawear and Timberland This downtown Detroit shoe dealer has been designers. There are also loads of accessories and delivering some of the area’s finest shoes since the much more. late 70s. It is the world’s largest supplier of exotic Location: 2894 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit Bookstores skin shoes, including Italian Mauri gators (alliga- (313) 874-2044 tor skin). Location: 164 Monroe, Detroit Serman’s (313) 963-1963 Shopping This clothier has offered men’s and women’s The Broadway fashion since 1917 but it stays contemporary with its fare that runs from suits to designer sweaters Upscale clothing and accessories to rival the and jeans. This downtown Detroit clothier has a high fashion shoppers would find on New York’s wide selection of suits for young men and boys. Fifth Avenue, but with a distinctly Detroit flair. Location: 1238 Randolph, Detroit The Broadway is where you’ll come across the (313) 964-1335 works of Versace and Moschino mixed with extravagant fare like ostrich jackets. Whether The New Hot Sams your tastes run from the extravagant to the more conservative, the Broadway has one of the area’s Downtown Detroit clothier for formal and best reputations for variety of fashion for men casual men’s wear by designers including Rubin and women. and Lubian. The shop features one of the area’s Locations: 1247 Broadway, widest ranges of suit colors from conservative to Detroit, (313) 963-2171 the more trendy. , 18900 Michigan, Location: 1317 Brush, Detroit Dearborn, (313) 982-1155 (313) 961-6779

Wayne T’s Henry the Hatter Features one of metro Detroit’s widest selec- This store offers one of the Detroit area’s tions of high fashion shoes, including alligator widest selections of hats and headwear for men. and snakeskin. The store also offers men’s and The store has been operating in downtown women’s formal and casual wear. Detroit since 1893, making it one of the two old- Location: 1368 Broadway, Detroit est retailers in the city. The Hatter also ships (313) 967-0227 nationwide. Location: 1307 Broadway, Detroit (313) 962-0970 or 1-800-591-4343

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

Club 2000 Nightlife Dance and dress to impress for the 25 and up crowd. Located in a warehouse district along the Coco’s “The House of Comedy” riverfront, the club’s spacious interior draws large numbers on the weekends. Club host, local DJ and comedienne, Coco, has Location: 2999 E. Woodbridge, Detroit earned a reputation for booking some of the best (313) 259-9860 in local and national comedians to entertain the crowds at her comedy club. You can find some Detroit Repertory Theatre familiar faces from the national scene working alongside local favorites on most nights. Dress This intimate theater with an elegant lobby is runs the range from jeans to formal wear. home to an interracial theater company that is Hungry visitors will find a solid menu that known for its race-transcendent casting. The includes shrimp, catfish and the 1/2 pound Coco theatre has been going strong since 1957. Show Burger. and shuttle service available from downtown Location: 3000 East Jefferson, Detroit hotels and restaurants. (313) 259-9806 Location: 13103 Woodrow Wilson, Detroit (313) 868-1347 or Cayenne Chocolate Bar www.detroitreptheatre.com One of Detroit’s most unique nightspots fea- Plowshares Theatre Company tures southern cooking on the first level and an eclectic martini bar and room to mingle down- Metro Detroit’s only African American theater stairs. Cayenne Chocolate Bar draws its name company presents productions by contemporary from the special martinis it serves with shaved and up-and-coming African-American play- dark or white chocolate. Entertainment ranges wrights. Since starting in 1990, Plowshares has from live jazz to hip-hop, neo soul and R&B. earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic Location: 1407 Randolph, Detroit drama companies in Michigan. Great pricing for (313) 961-9680 groups of 20 or more. Location: 8425 W. McNichols, Detroit Call (313) 872-0279 or visit www.plowshares.org, for times of performances

Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Over the course of the weekend there are a host of cultural activities for kids and adults and Summer Festivals free reggae, jazz, rhythm & blues, pop and gospel Festivals concerts. In years past, performers have included Steel Pulse, Maxi Priest, Shaggy and jazz great June Donald Byrd. The African and Caribbean-born artists draw many native Africans to the area to Farmer Jack’s Praisefest featuring attend the festival. McDonald’s Gospelfest For more information, call (313) 494-5800 Metro Detroit has become a major center for gospel music. This event is one of the nation’s Caribbean International Festival largest free gospel festivals. Yolanda Adams, the The Caribbean International Festival is an Winans and Kim Burrell are just a few of the annual Detroit riverfront ethnic festival featuring artists that have helped this three-day event carnival-type activities, performers and vendors. establish a reputation as a showcase for top per- There is also a parade with floats and musicians formers. The event also features carnival rides, and colorful costumes. Detroit’s sister city of comedy and a wide variety of gospel recordings Windsor also holds its Caribbean festival in for sale. Centered in the city’s Hart Plaza along August. Windsor’s Caribfeste includes a street the riverfront. parade, colorful costumes, live music and food. For more information, call (734) 459-9157 or For more information, call (313) 255-2226 www.wattsupinc.com July September Detroit International Jazz Festival Afro American Music Festival A free jazz festival was viewed as a risky This event celebrates the myriad of musical venture when this event was established in 1982. forms popularized by African Americans with Today, more than 1.5 million turn out for the three days of continuous concerts. The musical three-day event every Labor Day weekend, styles represented span jazz, blues, gospel, R&B making it the largest free jazz festival in North and hip hop. There are also a wide range of ven- America. Multiple stages throughout the river- dors of African and African-American art, gift front Hart Plaza area and jazz from noon until items and recordings. Held annually the third midnight are the festival’s main draw. week of July in Hart Plaza. Over the years, the list of participants has read For more information, call (313) 863-5554 like a who’s who of jazz greats including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Charles Mingus and Nancy Wilson. Beyond the first-rate music there are jazz educational activities for August kids. Coffee, food and CDs are available in Hart African World Festival Plaza’s underground area, just a short walk away from the music. This celebration of the cultures that comprise For more information, call (313) 963-7622 the African Diaspora draws nearly 1 million peo- ple over a three-day period each August to Hart Plaza. In the tradition of open markets found in many African countries, the festival features more than 200 vendors and international cuisine from more than 20 countries. Shoppers will find artists’ hand-made sculptures, woodcarvings, Detroit Metro Convention brass works and jewelry. & Visitors Bureau www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT Legacyof the NorthernStar

Special Special Events May Bal Africain Sponsored by the Friends of African and Events January African American Art, this gala event raises funds Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for the Detroit Institute of Arts’ African and Holiday Luncheon Program African-American collections and scholarships for promising young artists. The event is a cele- This annual luncheon, held at Detroit’s largest bration of the African Diaspora and has included university, always features a guest speaker who fashion shows, performers and speakers. For knew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The speaker more information, call (313) 833-0247. addresses the legacy of Dr. King from his or her unique perspective. For more information, call Wayne State University at (313) 577-2246. October Ancestors Day February Many community organizations throughout Black History Month metro Detroit observe this holiday that is tied to the African Yam Harvest Festivals. Celebrated in Cultural institutions throughout metro the African tradition with costuming, story- Detroit celebrate with month-long activities. telling, dancing, feasting and the pouring of liba- Listings of events can be found throughout local tions. For more information, contact the Charles media or visitdetroit.com. H. Wright Museum of African American History at (313) 833-9800. 2648 Grand Celebration This celebration stands as the Motown Historical Museum’s annual tribute to its artists December and features a performance by a former Motown Kwanzaa great. The gala is the museum’s annual fund- raising event. Besides the performers, the event This holiday is observed December 26 through serves as somewhat of a Motown reunion with January 1 throughout metro Detroit by churches, many artists attending to catch up with each civic groups, schools and a host of organizations. other. For more information call (313) 875-2264. Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa focuses on its participants embracing African heritage through a celebration inspired by the harvest festivals observed in many African April cultures. The Charles H. Wright Museum of NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner African American History and area newspapers are good sources for information on the many More than 10,000 people regularly turn out events taking place in the area. For more infor- for this event, making it the most highly attended mation call (313) 833-9800. fundraising sit down dinner in the world. The event features nationally renowned speak- ers (in recent years it has hosted visits from both the president and vice president of the United States) and a 1,000 voice choir. Four daises are required to accommodate all of the officials and special guests. For more information call Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau (313) 871-2087. www.visitdetroit.com 1-800-DETROIT ANITA BAKER ARETHA FRANKLIN JOE LOUIS ROSA PARKS COLEMAN A. YOUNG Famous African American Detroiters Famous Anita Baker b. 1957 Aretha Franklin Elijah McCoy This Grammy award-winning b. 1957 1844-1929 African songstress almost single-handedly The Queen of Soul grew up This 19th century inventor brought the jazz and soul influ- and still makes her home in was responsible for more than ence back to contemporary R&B metro Detroit. She is considered 78 inventions and 48 patents. music in the mid-80s. A favorite to have one of the great voices of Among his innovations was a American of both fans and critics alike, she the 20th century. Perhaps no better way to lubricate steam currently lives in the Detroit area musician infused the gospel engines in motion. The quality with her family. influence into American popular of his work would give rise to music more than Franklin. the American phrase, “the real Detroiters Dr. Ralph Bunche McCoy,” as railroad engineers 1904-1971 Berry Gordy, Jr. and workers would ask for his inventions by name. Dr. Ralph Bunche won a b. 1929 Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for A songwriter and former Rosa Parks b.1913 mediating peace in the Arab- autoworker, Berry Gordy, Jr. par- Israeli war of 1948. Upon his The “Mother of the Civil layed an $800 dollar family loan return to the United States he Rights Movement” has long made into one of the most successful was greeted with a ticker tape her home in Detroit. Ms. Parks music venture’s the world has parade in New York and honored refusal to give up her seat to a ever seen. Stevie Wonder, Diana with a “Ralph Bunche Day” in white rider on December 1, 1955 Ross, Smokie Robinson and the Los Angeles - at a time when ignited the historic Montgomery original Temptations were just segregation was at its height. bus boycott and helped galvanize some of the Detroit-born talent Born and raised in Detroit, no the Civil Rights movement. that made Motown an interna- stranger to Civil Rights’ struggles, tional success story. Dr. Bunche helped to lead the Stevie Wonder b. 1953 1965 civil rights march in Aaliyah Haughton Stevie Wonder’s groundbreak- Montgomery, Alabama with Dr. ing albums of the 1970s estab- Martin Luther King, Jr. He also 1979-2001 lished him as one of the most once turned down an invitation This singer and actress important and influential popu- to serve as assistant secretary of released her first hit album Age lar musicians of the 20th century. state because of segregated hous- Ain’t Nothing But a Number He is also a celebrated activist, ing in Washington, D.C. before finishing high school. She having campaigned for a national Dr. Benjamin Carson went on to release two more holiday for Martin Luther King, albums and star in two movies Jr. and an end to apartheid in b. 1957 before her tragic death in a plane South Africa. crash at the age of 22. This Detroit-born neurosur- Coleman A. Young geon was the first to successfully Joe Louis 1914-1981 perform brain separation surgery 1918-1997 on conjoined twins. Dr. Carson No conversation regarding the Coleman Young was Detroit’s now serves as the head of pedi- greatest athletes of the 20th cen- first African-American mayor atric nuerosurgery at Baltimore’s tury would be complete without and a former Tuskegee Airman. John Hopkins Hospital. discussing the “Brown Bomber.” Before his career in politics Louis, who grew up and trained Young established a reputation as in Detroit, held the World a tenacious Civil Rights and labor Heavyweight Boxing champi- movement activist. onship for an unmatched 13 Never one to back down to years. His victory over German anything, Young once told boxing champion Max Schmeling Senator McCarthy’s House of is one of the most famous sport- Detroit Metro Convention Un-American Activities while ing events of the 20th century. & Visitors Bureau being questioned: “I consider the actions of this committee un- www.visitdetroit.com American.” 1-800-DETROIT