Black History Month is a time to learn, reflect and celebrate the many accomplishments and achievements Black people have contributed to our history. We’ve 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 (ASALH) has announced that this year’s theme is African Americans and the Arts. 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!)
- The National Museum of African American History & Culture has additional resources to explore here.
- Celebrate Black literature: Buy books from Black authors.
- Goodreads has a list of popular Black History Month books.
- Goodreads also has a list of 100 Essential New Works of Fiction by Black Authors.
- East Lansing Public Library has a list of Teen Reads for Black History Month 2024.
- Bonus: You can also support a Black-owned business at the same time.
- Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center | Ypsilanti
- Comma Bookstore & Social Hub | Flint
- Detroit Book City | Southfield
- Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe | Highland Park
- Socialight Society | Lansing
- Source Booksellers | Detroit
- We Are LIT | Grand Rapids
- 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.
And you can also attend local Black History Month events! We’ve got a growing list of events and activities that are taking place right here across Michigan. Check back often, as we’ll be adding to this list as we hear of events:
Statewide/Virtual
Feb. 1 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Right to Read Virtual Launch | Michigan Education Justice Coalition: All Michigan students deserve the freedom to learn – and it starts with a foundation of reading. Our children need schools to prepare them for a diverse and rapidly changing world. Join our Right To Read screening launch event as we kick off Black History Month to discuss all aspects of literacy – the civil rights issue of our time.
Feb 1-3 | Troy, MI; Canton, MI; Southfield MI | Black History 101 Mobile Museum: The Black History 101 Mobile Museum stands as a renowned repository comprising over 10,000 original artifacts, spanning from the painful era of the trans-Atlantic slave trade to the vibrant culture of hip hop.
2024 Guide to Black History Month Events in West Michigan | WOOD TV: Includes events in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Holland and Battle Creek.
Black History Month Events | WWMT 3: Includes events in Calhoun County, Ingham County, Kent County, Muskegon County and Ottawa County.
Free Black History Month Events | AARP Michigan: Includes virtual and in-person events.
Detroit and Southeast Michigan
Feb. 1, 5-7 p.m. | A Night of History and Resilience with Ibram X. Kendi at The Wright Museum: The highlight of the evening will be Kendi’s discussion of his adaptation of Zora Neale Hurston’s Barracoon for young readers. This adaptation serves as a gateway for young minds into the true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last-known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade. Lewis was abducted from Africa on the final “Black Cargo” ship to arrive in the United States, leaving a profound impact on the history and culture of the nation.
Feb. 3, 12-5 pm | 2nd Annual Black History Book Fair w/The Indie Authors 2024 | Wayne: We kick-off this event during Black History month to promote, preserve and sustain… a family’s love for books! Expect to meet local authors who have written books across all genres with A-A and/or diverse characters, content and settings that may be relatable to all walks of life. The local authors have some incredible stories and knowledge to share and we are happy to connect you with them.
Feb 11, Feb. 17, Feb. 23 | “Where do we go from here?” African American Cultural and Historical Museum Annual Black History Month Exhibition and Programming | Ypsilanti:
Artist Talk – February 11. 2-4pm.
Local History Spotlight – February 17. 2-4pm.
Youth Night – February 17. 6-8pm.
Closing Exhibition – February 23. 6-8pm.
10 Black History Month Events in Metro Detroit in 2024 | Detroit Regional Chamber
Celebrate Black History & Black Futures | The Henry Ford
Black-Owned Businesses in Detroit | Visit Detroit
Shop These Metro Detroit Black-Owned Businesses | Hour Detroit
Black-Owned Businesses in Metro Detroit and Ann Arbor | Metro Parent
Black History Month Events in Washtenaw County | MLive
Black History Month Events in Southfield | City of Southfield
Black History Month Celebrations in Oakland County | Oakland County Blog
Flint
Flint School of Performing Arts Production | FSPA Celebrates Black History Month: FSPA student performers in music, dance, and theatre come together for an evening celebrating iconic works of Black composers and writers. Pieces range from traditional spirituals, spoken word, and contemporary songs that resonate with, connect to, and celebrate the history of Black people in America.
Grand Rapids and West Michigan
Feb. 1, 6:30-10 p.m. | All Black & Excellent: Music, Motown, & Maurice Chestnut: An immersive live event that is designed to draw you into a night of tap dance, black history, arts, and community. Our mission is to bring the community together (and even reach out to neighboring communities) to share space, time, education, love for music, tap dance, and to celebrate black excellence.
Feb. 3 | Innovators: Celebrating Black History: A chance to celebrate the past, present, and future of black innovators in Grand Rapids. Visitors will explore artifacts from our collection that highlight African American innovations.
Feb 3, Feb 11, Feb 26 | Black History Walking Tours | Rosa Parks Circle: Take a stroll through Grand Rapids’ Black History with our guide, Caroline Cook, and learn about the people, places, events and stories from 1826 to now.
Feb. 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Idlewild: Heirlooms of the Past | Kent District Library Wyoming Branch: Using original songs, a pop-up museum and lecture, CJ Kingdom-Grier will share Idlewild’s story—a community model of hope, resilience, entrepreneurship, restoration and Black excellence in the heart of Michigan juxtaposed over a nationwide landscape of Jim Crow and segregation.
Feb. 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Stories of the Underground Railroad Told Through Quilting | Kent District Library Spencer Township Branch: Learn the history of the Underground Railroad told through quilts. Learn about the people, places and codes used while escaping on the Underground Railroad. There will be a display of quilts by Erica Millbrooks.
GRPL Black History Month Storytimes: A series of storytimes during Black History Month. Storytimes will highlight Black stories and include songs, fingerplays, and hands-on fun. Classes end with a special art activity and playtime.
Grand Rapids Public Museum Black History Month events to check out this February | WZZM 13
Jackson
Celebrate Black History Month 2024 with these events in Jackson County | MLive
Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan
Feb. 3, 2024 | Black History Month Presentation with Dr. Sian Proctor | Portage: Dr. Proctor is a geoscientist, space artist, and astronaut. She was the mission pilot for SpaceX Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital mission. She is the first African American woman to pilot a spacecraft, the first African American commercial astronaut, and the first African American to paint in space. She is the CEO of Space2inspire and founder of the nonprofit Proctor Foundation for Art and Science.
Lansing
Feb 1, Feb. 15, Feb. 29 | Black History Month Teen Movie Days | East Lansing Public Library: The theme for Black History Month 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts.” To celebrate, we will be offering movie showings to teens throughout the month of February that explore this theme. Popcorn will be available as supplies last!
Feb. 1: The Hate U Give
Feb. 15: Soul
Feb. 29: Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Feb 7, 11:30 a.m. | James Madison College 2nd Annual Black History Month Symposium: Please join us on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, as we welcome Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra H. Bolden to James Madison College. Justice Bolden is the first Black woman to serve as a Michigan Supreme Court Justice.
Feb. 26, 5-7 p.m. | Black History Month Celebration | Lansing Charter Academy: Please join us as we celebrate Black History Month with a fun-filled afternoon featuring a gallery walk, black owned business fairs and much more.
Is there another event you’d like to see listed? Email Emily Jorgensen at ejorgensen@mlpp.org.
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.
Jacob Kaplan 
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. 
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.
Donald Stuckey 
Patrick Schaefer
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
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.
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.
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.
Amber Bellazaire joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a policy analyst in June of 2019. Her work primarily focuses on state policy and budgets affecting Michigan’s Medicaid programs. Previously, Amber worked at the National Conference of State Legislatures tracking legislation and research related to injury and violence prevention, adolescent health, and maternal and child health. She also brings with her two years of Americorps service. As a full time volunteer, Amber had the opportunity to tutor high school students in Chelsea, Massachusetts and address issues of healthcare access and food insecurity through in-person outreach in Seattle, Washington.
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.
