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An Eastern Michigan University professor launched an oral history project focusing on grassroots movements in Detroit. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more details.
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The University Musical Society is bringing Detroit-based saxophonist Marcus Elliot and his seven-piece band to Ypsilanti this weekend. His upcoming concerts will be a celebration of Ypsilanti's history of being a refuge for Black Americans going all the way back to the 1830's. Elliot gives a preview of his performance in a conversation with WEMU's Michael Jewett.
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WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale talk to Rev. Donald Phillips, who, along with his wife Dr. Teleah Phillips, lead the Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. It's a church that has 180 years of history, but they have a mission for the 21st century.
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Dozens from the Lansing area’s faith-based communities gathered at the state Capitol Monday for a formal apology for slavery. Colin Jackson has more.
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Juneteenth is here. The occasion serves as a great opportunity to discuss where we’ve come as a community since the end of slavery and the significant work that remains ahead. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Trische’ Duckworth for a Juneteenth conversation. She is founder of Survivors Speak and continues to work in the local Black Lives Matter movement.
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Today - the 19th of June - is the day now recognized nationally as "Juneteenth". It’s the day in 1865 that American slaves received word they were officially freed. But a Washtenaw County racial justice activist is urging the local community to live the spirit of Juneteenth year-round. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran has more.
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A bill to outlaw discrimination against traits associated with race—including hair texture and related styles like locs, braids and twists—became Michigan law Thursday. Colin Jackson has more.
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Juneteenth will be an official state holiday in Michigan under legislation on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The state House adopted the bills Wednesday. Rick Pluta has details.
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The first four members of Washtenaw County’s advisory council on reparations have been selected. And as WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports, they are still looking for 10 more people to fill out the roster.
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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.