African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County

Friday marks the start of celebrations and remembrances that will continue throughout the weekend as the community observes Juneteenth. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM) has been making strides in its efforts to rehabilitate and transform Woodlawn Cemetery in Ypsilanti Township, the only known African American graveyard in Washtenaw County. AACHM Board Chair Dr. Debby Covington joined Lee Van Roth to talk about the progress already made on the project and what else is planned.

A crowd of local officials and community leaders were among those who attended Monday night’s Washtenaw State of County Address. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Scientists from Terracon are currently at a historic African American graveyard in Ypsilanti. They are conducting a non-invasive geophysical survey as part of a key step in restoring the site. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

The origins of Black History Month began 100 years ago. The African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County is commemorating the anniversary with an event tonight. It’s in collaboration with the Ypsilanti District Library. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and the upcoming Black History Month, the Riverside Arts Center is presenting its fourth annual Black Artist Exhibit. This year's theme is "Embracing Unity through Art" and is made possible by the African American Cultural Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, the Palm Leaf Club, and by Ronnie and Gloria Peterson. Ronnie Peterson himself will talk about the exhibit in detail with Lee Van Roth.

The Washtenaw County Historic Preservation Commission and the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County are restoring Ypsilanti Township’s Woodlawn Cemetery. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

The day after Christmas traditionally marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a growing seven-day holiday celebrated by some in the African American community. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more about the tradition.

Bev Willis, Washtenaw County Historical Society administrator, has a passion for history. She grew up in Washington, D.C. in a family deeply ensconced in the Civil Rights Movement. Her family’s role and record of the movement is our nation’s history. In this summer marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act becoming law, Bev tells her story when she joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

There is an exhibit that will be available from March through the month of May called, “Family Foundations: Four Stories of Black Washtenaw County Community Building.” It is an interactive exhibit put forth by the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County. There is a long, rich African American history in our community, and much of it is never taught or widely shared. Museum president and CEO Joyce Hunter joins WEMU's David Fair with some lessons and knowledge we can all benefit from in this final Black History Month 2024 installment of "Washtenaw United."