African American History

Michigan students would start learning about Black, Asian, Latin and other American minority cultural history under bills introduced this week in the Michigan Senate. Colin Jackson has more.

Eastern Michigan University hosted Reverend Jesse Jackson and his son, former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Wednesday afternoon. Ana Longoria reports.

Eastern Michigan University is co-sponsoring an event this Saturday exploring the relationship between Detroit and Selma, Alabama in the civil rights movement. Ana Longoria has the story.

The Ypsilanti District Library’s Whittaker Branch is about to launch an exhibition capturing what enslaved people might have witnessed on their journey along the Underground Railroad. It will also offer programs highlighting Washtenaw County's connections to the Underground Railroad throughout September and October. YDL assistant director Julianne Smith joined Rylee Barnsdale for a conversation about those very things.

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."

A new state law creates a holiday celebrating May 2nd as Negro Leagues Day in Michigan. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the bill Wednesday. Rick Pluta reports.

Detroit’s African American Civil Rights Survey Phase 2: Eastside aims to safeguard sites significant to the Black community. WEMU's Taylor Bowie has more.

An Eastern Michigan University professor launched an oral history project focusing on grassroots movements in Detroit. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more details.

The Arbor Preparatory School in the Ypsilanti area is one of only 20 schools in Michigan that will be teaching the controversial AP African American History Course. The instructor of that course, Jessica Wood, is taking issue with those like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who say the course could negatively impact the feelings of white students. Here is her complete conversation about the course with WEMU's Cathy Shafran.

Some Michigan lawmakers gathered in Ypsilanti Monday afternoon to unveil a monument to the state’s Black Civil War veterans. Colin Jackson has more from the ceremony.