African American History

A lakeside community outside of Chelsea has long served as a rural retreat and residence for African American families. WEMU’s Ana Longoria shares this Black History Month story.

There was one African American regiment from Michigan that fought in the Civil War. Their story is being told in a recently published book. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Henry “H.P.” Jacobs played a pivotal role in Ypsilanti’s Black history in the mid-1800s. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the story.

The Ann Arbor District Library has several events lined up to commemorate Black History Month. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

A new documentary called "Resurgo Detroit: The Rise from Within" is about make its world premiere in downtown Ann Arbor! Marquee Arts cinema programming director Nick Alderink joined WEMU's David Fair today. They discussed that event, other film openings and the list of movies just added to the National Film Registry.

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.

Persistence and action. Colin Jackson reports those were among the main themes at Monday's Day of Celebration in Lansing to mark Martin Luther King Junior Day.

Hope requires action—that was the message put forth on Martin Luther King Day by former Biden Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. She was the keynote speaker at Eastern Michigan University’s annual MLK President’s Luncheon. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Eastern Michigan University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza commemorates his story and the enduring legacy of his civil rights work. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.

Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The national holiday is an annual reflection on how far we've come, where we stand along with progress that still needs to be made since Dr King delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech at the National Mall in August of 1963. WEMU's Caroline MacGregor talked with Eastern Michigan University Chief Access and Opportunity Officer Dwight Hamilton, as we explore the meaning of this day and associated activities here at EMU.