Black History Month is a time to learn, reflect and celebrate the many accomplishments and achievements Black people have contributed to our history. Our community engagement team has helped put together a list of ways we can deepen our knowledge of Black history and celebrate the lives, culture and contributions of Black people in our communities and beyond.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History has announced that this year’s theme is Black Resistance. Click here if you would like to learn more from the Association about the theme and the background of Black History Month.
Here are some ways to celebrate and observe Black History Month:
- Learn more about notable figures and unsung heroes in Black history and their contributions.
- Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants—some great options are included in the lists below.
- Visit a Black museum/cultural institution or historical site. (Or visit virtually!)
- Celebrate Black literature: Buy books from Black authors. (Bonus: You can also support a Black-owned business at the same time.)
- Dedicate time to learning more about racial equity.
- Listen to podcasts by Black producers and creators.
- Learn more about Black music history.
- Donate to Black organizations and nonprofits.
- Watch a documentary, movie or TV show on Black history or culture.
- Advocate to change policy.
- Here are 38 Ways To Intentionally Celebrate Black History Month this year.
- Attend local Black History Month events. We’ve got a growing list of events and activities that are taking place right here across Michigan:
Michigan
Black History in Michigan from Michigan.org shares information on historic sites, incredible stories and art. There’s also a list of events celebrating Black history.
This 2023 Events Guide from WOOD TV 8 includes events in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Lansing, Kalamazoo and Holland.
This events guide covers Grand Rapids, Calhoun County, Kalamazoo County, Muskegon County and Ottawa County.
Lansing
Lansing.org offers a guide to African American Culture, which includes historic sites, events, Black-owned businesses and more.
Michigan State University is hosting Black History Month events on campus as well as virtually, and will update the events page throughout February.
Detroit and Southeast Michigan
On Saturday, February 18, the Pontiac Public Library will be hosting a Black History Month Celebration from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Check out the link for a list of authors, vendors, performers and presenters as well as more information.
Eastside Community Network is hosting a few events throughout the month, check out their Facebook page to learn more.
Wayne State University will be hosting a series of events throughout the month.
The Detroit Regional Chamber lists 11 Black History Month Events in Metro Detroit.
Here are 5 Places to Celebrate Black History Month in Metro Detroit from LittleGuide.
This 2023 Events Guide from WXYZ Detroit covers events in Metro Detroit.
Metro Parent has events in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor.
Hour Detroit and Metro Parent put together lists of Black-owned businesses in the Metro Detroit area. Shop small and support local businesses this month!
Oakland County also put together an extensive list of events happening throughout the month in several cities throughout the region.
Hour Detroit has a list of Black art to check out around Detroit.
Grand Rapids
Experience Grand Rapids has a list of activities and events to celebrate Black History Month, including exploring art and museums, enjoying entertainment, and supporting Black-owned restaurants.
Kalamazoo
Here are some 2023 Events Commemorating Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day from KZoo Kids.
Bay City
An Evening with a Civil Rights Icon, focusing on the life, death and family of Emmett Till.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
