8 Ways to Observe Black History Month in Metro Detroit

ow much does your child know about Black history? If they are like a lot of Black youth, it may be less than you'd expect – or hope. Here are eight Metro Detroit events to check out this month to school them on their culture's story. And who knows? You might even learn a thing or two as well.

Black History Month at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit

• When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 1-29
• Where: 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit
• Cost: $8/adults, $5/seniors, $5/kids
• More: 313-494-5800, TheWright.org

February is always momentous for the Wright Museum. Open daily (including Mondays in February only), it boasts family activities at noon Saturdays. Visit Sunday Feb. 7, too, for the 5th annual Dilla Youth Day, which explores beat making and DIY Hip Hop Culture in honor of the late Detroit music producer J Dilla.

Black History Month at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn

• When: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28
• Where: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
• Cost: $21/adults, $19/seniors, $15.75/kids, free/4 and under; $6/parking
• More: 313-982-6001, TheHenryFord.org

For 20 days, the Henry Ford Museum explores different aspects of Black history, from the northern migration and the civil rights era, all the way to present-day issues. Activities will take place throughout the museum, including in the Michigan Café, which will feature African-American-inspired recipes.

African American History Day at the Detroit Historical Museum

• When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday Feb. 6
• Where: 5401 Woodward Ave., Detroit
• Cost: Free (general)
• More: 313-833-1805, DetroitHistorical.org

The Detroit Historical Museum hosts their annual free day to honor Black History. In addition to make-and-take crafts lead by the Peace Baptist Church Quilters, there will also be games, readings and other giveaways. Special performances include storyteller Ivory D. Williams, The Alnur African Drum and Dance group and performances by the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers.

Oh Ananse! at PuppetART Detroit Puppet Theater and Puppet Center

• When: 2 p.m. Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 and 28 (Saturdays and Sundays); 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18
• Where: Detroit Puppet Theater, 25 E. Grand River Ave.
• Cost: $10/adults, $5/kids; $8/puppet-making workshop after the show
• More: 313-961-7777, PuppetART.org

A little spider must earn the right to spin all the stories in the world from Nyame, the sky god, in PuppetART's popular annual hip-hop-flavored take on a West African story.

Ypsilanti as an African American City at Ann Arbor District Library Downtown Location

• When: 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10
• Where: 343 South Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor
• Cost: Free (general)
• More: 313-833-1805, AADL.org

Did you know Ypsilanti was Michigan’s most populous Black city by percentage between the Civil War and the 1920s? Local Historian Matt Siegfried will lead this discussion, looking at racism in the city, the rise of Jim Crow and more discussions of black life in Ypsilanti, throughout history and today. (Recommended for grades 6 and up).

The Raisin Cycle at Wayne State University in Detroit

• When: Times vary, Feb. 12-April 2
• Where: 3424 Woodward Ave. and 4743 Cass Ave., Detroit
• Cost: $15-$20
• More: 313-577-3508, DetroitRaisinCycle.com

Lead by a production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, Wayne State’s Department of Theatre and Dance will also  present productions of two other spin-off plays: Beneatha’s Place by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Clybourne Park by Bruce Norris. All  three plays tackle topics including race relations, urban renewal and gentrification. 

Black Girl Linguistic Play at the Power Center in Ann Arbor

• When:  8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13
• Where: 121 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor
• Cost: $26-$48
• More: 734-764-2538, UMS.org

Artistic director and choreographer Camille A. Brown and her dancers perform Black Girl-Linguistic Play. The performance explores Black female identity in an urban American culture.​

The Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Detroit Opera House

• When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-13, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 14
• Where: 1526 Broadway St., Detroit
• Cost: $25-$89
• More: 313-237-7464, MichiganOpera.org

The iconic Dance Theatre of Harlem makes a stop in Detroit, bringing their talent from New York’s Apollo Theater in New York. The racially diverse company is well known around the world for its thrilling performances celebrating African American culture.