Lit Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
Events of all types that celebrate Black Americans
Happy Black History Month. We took some time to curate a list of LIT BHM activities for all ages! Enjoy!
Securing the Bag for Detroit's Black Future: Session on Generational Wealth
Monday, February 17, 6 PM – 8 PM
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit, Michigan 48235
Hosted by Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department
Securing the Bag for Detroit’s Black Future: A session on creating generational wealth
Discussing the importance of financial security in order to secure better futures for our children and our children's children! We are striving to change the narrative of black families not leaving behind wealth for their families.
https://www.facebook.com/events/176298216800803/
Viewing Detroit from Street Level: A conversation with Jason Hall
Tuesday, February 18, 6:30 PM – 9 PM
Savant Midtown
51 W Forest Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48201
Hosted by Fresh Era
Entry into this event is non-perishable food items valued at $10 or more. All food items will be donated to the Detroit Chapter of Food Rescue US. **Tickets are very limited to this event. Please make sure if you reserve a ticket you are able to attend the event.
https://www.facebook.com/events/184658995952011/
Kumbuka V!
Thursday, February 20, 7 PM – 9 PM
Jam Handy
2900 E Grand Blvd, Detroit, Michigan 48202
Hosted by Kaylan Waterman
Kumbuka is the Swahili word "to remember," and was born from a fierce determination to resist the persistent, historic and systematic oppression of the African American people and celebrate the UNQUENCHABLE light inside of us, often expressed through our art and written words.
A luminous roster of Black luminaries from our community will read the posthumous work of African American authors, essayists, orators, dancers, comedians, and activists that have lit our way as they went on before us.
Light refreshments provided.
This event is FREE! Donations welcome.
CashApp: $KaylanWaterman
Venmo: @Kaylan-Waterman
ALL are invited. ALL are welcome.
https://www.facebook.com/events/503125286871976/
Third Thursday Speaker Series: Equity Panel Discussion
Thursday, February 20, 6 PM – 8 PM
Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48202
Hosted by the Detroit Historical Society
A recent study revealed that the equity gap in the city of Detroit is greater than it has ever been. African American homeownership has significantly decreased in the last decade, yet homeownership remains a hallmark for building generational wealth. What is happening in the midst of the city's "renaissance" to challenge and change this new finding and begin to close the gap once and for all?Be a part of the conversation, as a panel of experts engaged in equity work speak to this downward trend and what actionable steps are being taken to curb the tide.
Featuring Rod Liggins, Director of Community Affairs for the Detroit Land Bank Authority and Tonya Phillips, Director of Community Partnerships & Development at Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice.
Moderated by Malika Pryor, Senior Director of Education and Programs, Detroit Historical Society.
https://www.facebook.com/events/631693937600935/
Freedom To Be: Paintings by Waleed Johnson
Friday, February 21, 6 PM – 9 PM
Galerie Camille
4130 Cass Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48201
Hosted by Galerie Camille
Enjoy a reception for the solo pop-up exhibition featuring talented local painter, Waleed Johnson. Free and open to the public.
Waleed Johnson is a 2015 graduate of the University of Notre Dame Dual Degree program with a B.S. in Computer Engineering and a B.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in painting. He was selected as a 2015 Reilly Scholar and is the recipient of the 2015 Barbara H. Roche Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Painting as well as the Mabel L. Mountain Painting Prize.
Waleed is a native Detroiter who is passionate about his city. After graduation Waleed returned to Detroit, which is where he lives and creates. His work has been published in the International Review of African American Art and he has exhibited in various galleries including The Saginaw Art Museum, Gallery Guichard in Chicago and Cass Cafe in Detroit.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1385584168270134/
Finding Mandela’s Legacy 31 Fundraiser
Friday, February 21, 5-9 PM
M!X Bricktown
641 Beaubien St., Detroit, MI 48226
Be a part in purchasing 100 passports for Detroit High School students traveling to South Africa in 2021. Featuring guest bartender Jocelyn Rainey with sounds by DJ Lynda Carter. Complimentary Jameson at 7 p.m.
Free to attend. Donations are HIGHLY recommended!
Afro Karaoke
Friday, February 21, 10:30 PM
El Club
4114 Vernor Hwy Detroit, MI 48209
Afro Karaoke is coming back to Detroit to bring you a night filled with dancing, karaoke, and most importantly cultural vibes!
DJ Renzay, alongside with special guest DJs, will be spinning afrobeats, reggae, soca, soukous, highlife and more so bring your afrocentric vibes as we vibe out all night!
21 and Up
Black Business Crawl
Saturday, February 22, 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Hosted by Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department
https://www.facebook.com/events/138897497177067/
Shop Detroit: Black-Owned Business Walking Tour
Saturday, February 22, 11 AM - 1 PM
Hosted by the Detroit Experience Factory
On this walking tour, discover some of the most exciting businesses in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood, as we stop into just a few incredible black-owned businesses and boutiques the city has to offer. The tour group will hear from business owners as they share their stories of entrepreneurship and what it's like being a part of Detroit's thriving small business scene (and, of course, there will be time to shop!)
DREAM Movie Night: Jim Crow of the North
Saturday, February 22, 7 PM – 9 PM
Muslim Center Detroit
1605 W Davison, Detroit, Michigan 48238
Hosted by Dream of Detroit
Join Dream of Detroit for a screening of Jim Crow of the North. This is a film that explores the origins of housing segregation in a northern city and how Black people built community — within and despite — the red lines that these restrictive covenants created.
https://www.facebook.com/events/203696157671619/
RAHYMA BLACK HISTORY MONTH POP-UP SHOP DETROIT!
Sunday, February 23, 11 AM - 7 PM
Livernois Pop Up Shop
19410 Livernois Ave., Detroit, MI 48221
Hosted by the Rahyma Sleek
Rahyma is a Nigerian Award-winning women's wear designer with authentic, one of a kind African clothing that will leave you speechless. Get ready to shop from their exclusive collection for Black History Month. There will be a variety of dresses, skirts, jumpsuits and more; sizes from S-3XL. There will also be head wrapping tutorials while you shop!
A Toast To Culture: Bartending Competition powered by Courvoisier
Monday, February 24, 2020 from 5:30 PM - 9 PM
Bert’s Motown Bistro
2727 Russell St., Detroit, MI
Hosted by the Black Mixology Collective
Join the Black Mixology Collective as they celebrate Black History Month by honoring Tom Bullock (1872-1964), the first African American bartender to publish his own cocktail book in 1917 and Shannon Mustipher, the first African American woman to publish her own cocktail book in 2018. Network with Detroit industry professionals.
https://runbmcdetroit.splashthat.com/
Black History Month Social Impact Social
Wednesday, February 26, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
The Great Lakes Sports Bar - The Corner
17602 w. 7 Mile, Detroit, Michigan 48235
Hosted by Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department
Come out for an evening of networking with like minded individuals who are invested in making significant change in the community. Connect with other community leaders who are committed to quality programming, accessible resources and significant change!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/173436107319777/
Boss: The Black Experience in Business: A Film Screening
Wednesday, February 26, 6 PM – 8:30 PM
WSU Industry Innovation Center Auditorium Formerly Next Energy
461 Burroughs Street, Detroit, Michigan 48202
Hosted by Techtown, Detroit Public Television, & In Good Co.
Enjoy a night of dynamic storytelling — of journeys in entrepreneurship and of finding strength and inspiration in shared struggles and successes. Begin with a screening of select segments of Detroit Public Television and PBS’s Boss: The Black Experience in Business,* which chronicles the untold story of African American entrepreneurship — where skill, industriousness, ingenuity and courage in the face of overwhelming odds provide the backbone of this nation’s economic and social growth.
Being Black+Disabled, Then and Now Community Forum
Saturday, February 29, 12 - 3 PM
Wayne County Community College NW Campus
Larry K. Lewis Education Center (LEC) – Room: LEC: Media Lab
8200 Outer Drive West, Detroit, MI 48219
This Black History event will start off with Stories of the Elders and a 30-minute presentation about the history of African Americans with disabilities done by Disability Justice Activist and Filmmakers,Tameka Citchen-Spruce.
The second hour will feature a panel of African Americans living with various disabilities and who are representatives from organizations that serve people living with physical challenges, mental illness and chronic illnesses. Topics explored are criminalization and police violence towards African Americans with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses, Stigma attached to disabilities, Lack of Resources and Support for Parents of Children with Disabilities, Issues of Special Education and Black children.
Healing Detroit: African-American Hospitals
Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 2 - 4 PM
Duffield Branch Library
2507 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48208
Hosted by Detroit Public Libraries
Detroit was once known as the “Black Hospital Capital of America.” Come learn about the history of Detroit’s African-American hospitals presented by Dr. Anita Moncrease.
BHM Trivia Night 2020
Saturday, February 29, 2020 from 7 - 9:30 PM
5461 Brush Street, Detroit, MI 48202
Hosted by the Detroit Association of Women’s Club Inc.
Enjoy a fun-filled night of Black History Month themed trivia! On February 29th get a team of no more than 4 and join the Detroit Association of Women’s Club for challenging questions about your history knowledge! All levels of knowledge are welcome.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bhm-trivia-night-2020-tickets-94269521677?aff=ebdssbdestsearch