#Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

[karmaalwayswins]

Detroit Metro September 27-30, 2024

YA Salsa social.

Tuskegee Airmen exhibit, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

"Adrienne Waheed: The Audacity to Thrive" exhibit, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

"Ofrendas: Celebrating el Dia de Muertos 2024" exhibit, Detroit Institute of Arts.

"Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois" exhibit, Detroit Institute of Arts.

Skatepark Bowl, Lincoln Yard.

Photo Credit: karmaalwayswins

[samw3000]

The Chains that Bind Us

... and if only i couldif i were to relive this lifei would not be a slavebeholden to the plutocracyexpecting appreciationfor the scraps you gave mesqueeeezed into a holding cellHumansAfricansclassified as Cargochainedcrouching room onlythe lucky ones dying before me400 confined to the lower deckchained brandedpalm oil soothedsleeping on the right sideto save space for moresailing…

[stargazer56]

Yesterday was the Noah concert day that wasn't. It was a little sad, but I had a great day in Detroit with my sister. We saw some powerful exhibits at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The museum had an exhibit called Being Seen about perceptions of black women. I think Noah would appreciate this quilted portrait of Nina Simone.

[reasoningdaily]

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History nets $1.8M for renovations

[lboogie1906]

James Richmond Barthé, also known as Richmond Barthé (January 28, 1901 – March 5, 1989) was an African-American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. He is known for his portrayal of African American subjects. The focus of his artistic work was portraying the diversity and spirituality of man. He once said: "All my life I have been interested in trying to capture the spiritual quality I see and feel in people, and I feel that the human figure as God made it, is the best means of expressing this spirit in man." He was born in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to Richmond Barthé and Marie Clementine Robateau. His father died at age 22 when he was only a few months old. He showed a passion and skill for drawing from an early age. His mother was, in many ways, instrumental in his decision to pursue art as a vocation. He once said: "When I was crawling on the floor, my mother gave me paper and a pencil to play with. It kept me quiet while she did her errands. At six years old I started painting. A lady my mother sewed for gave me a set of watercolors. By that time, I could draw very well." His debut as a professional sculptor was at The Negro in Art Week exhibition in Chicago. His first solo exhibition was held at the Women's City Club in Chicago, exhibiting a selection of 38 works of sculpture, painting, and works on paper. The Whitney Museum of American Art decided to purchase a bronze copy of the Blackberry Woman after exhibiting it at the opening exhibition of Contemporary American Artists. He had an exhibition of 20 works of art at the South Side Community Art Center. The retrospective which included works from private collections shown for the first time, Richmond Barthé: The Seeker was the inaugural exhibition of the African American Galleries at the Ohr-O'Keefe museum of Art in Biloxi. His most recent retrospective, titled Richmond Barthé: His Life in Art, consisted of over 30 sculptures and photographs. The exhibition venues included the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the California African American Museum, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, and the NCCU Art Museum. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn9XL-sL7Gy/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bingwallpapers]

'United We Stand' sculpture by Charles McGee, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, Michigan (© Jim West/Alamy)

[ausetkmt]

14 Lesser-Known African American Historical Sites in Detroit | Visit Detroit

1.4 miles. That is the short distance that stood between many 19th century Black Americans and freedom in Canada.

For many runaway slaves, the shores of the Detroit River would be their last glimpse of life in the country that enslaved them.

Detroit’s history as a stop on the Underground Railroad is only one aspect of our city’s invaluable Black history.

Some of Detroit’s historical landmarks are well-known. Places like the Charles H. Wright Museum, and Second Baptist Church are not to be missed on any visit to our city. But, for those who would like an even deeper dive in Detroit’s Black history. Here’s a list of some of our faves.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom to see all of these sites mapped out for easy itinerary planning.

1.The Offices of the Detroit Plaindealer

1114 Washington Blvd., Detroit, MI 48226

An independent African American newspaper, The Detroit Plaindealer, published its first issue in May of 1863. It closed up shop somewhere around 1895.

Published by brothers Benjamin and Robert Pelham Jr. - alongside Walter H. Stowers and W.H. Anderson - The Plaindealer was the African American voice. “That was our voice,” explained Kimberly Simmons, chair of the Detroit Historical Society’s Black Sites Committee and president of the Detroit River Project, to The Huffington Post. “You had a whole group of people here, and the only way they knew what was going on was the Plaindealer. So it was a huge deal.”

The newspaper’s office was located on the southwest corner of Shelby and State Street. That space is currently occupied by the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel. A marker was recently erected to denote the historical relevance.

2. The Alger Theater

16451 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI 48224

While it has largely been white-owned, The Alger Theater served what evolved into the diverse historic neighborhood of Morningside located on the near-Eastside of the city.

One of only two remaining intact and unchanged neighborhood theaters, the Alger Theater was granted historic designation in 2009. The designation saved the theater from demolition.

Historically, it was a movie house that eventually showed B-movies in the late-70s and early 80s. However, earlier in its life, popular jazz acts like Dave Brubeck and the Duke Ellington Orchestra played in the 800-plus seat theater.

The Friends of the Alger Theater is a 25-year-old active non-profit organization committed to making the historic theater an anchor of this evolving neighborhood.

3. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity House

293 Eliot St., Detroit, MI 48201

The home of Gamma Lambda Chapter, the 100-year-old Alpha House near downtown Detroit is home to the third oldest alumni chapter in the history of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The building was built in 1919 and the fraternity purchased it in 1939. It is currently the meeting location, a museum, and event space for the organization.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the oldest Black Greek Letter Organization in history. It was founded in 1906.

4. Elmwood Cemetery

1200 Elmwood St., Detroit, MI 48207

One of the first fully-integrated cemeteries in the Midwest, Elmwood Cemetery is the resting place for a number of iconic Black Detroiters.

Former mayor, Coleman A. Young; Fannie Richards, Detroit’s first African American school teacher in the public school system; and Dudley Randall, Detroit’s former Poet Laureate, are all resting in this historic location.

Elmwood Cemetery and the Historic Elmwood Foundation launched a self-guided African American History Tour in 2015.

5. Algiers Motel Location

8301 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48202

Three people were killed throughout the night of July 25-26, 1967, at the Algiers Motel in an incident during one of the darkest times in Detroit history. A period that the city has still not truly healed from.

As the 1967 rebellion raged in Detroit, several Black male youths and white women were listening to music inside the motel. One youth fired a starter pistol into the air which drew the attention of nearby officers believing they were dealing with many armed rioters.

The resulting police clash and deaths and wounding of seven others enraged the already tense community. The legacy of the Algiers Motel has been preserved in stage plays and films including the 2017 movie, Detroit.

6. The Shrine of the Black Madonna

7625 Linwood St., Detroit, MI 48206

Founded in 1967 by Albert B. Cleage, The Shrine of the Black Madonna was established as a segment of the Black Christian Nationalist Movement. The church is known for its recognition to center African Americans within the Christian narrative – a narrative that was often rooted in white supremacy.

Since its founding, the congregation at The Shrine of the Black Madonna became a powerhouse in Detroit politics instrumental in the mayoral elections of Coleman A. Young and Kwame M. Kilpatrick.

The Shrine also has a dynamic bookstore that is essential for any visitor to the historic site. The store features new and rare books on Black history and culture.

7. Masjid Wali Muhammad

11529 Linwood St., Detroit, MI 48206

Linwood Street was the site and home of much of the pan-African and Black nationalist movement. One important site is this historic masjid. This location was initially established as Temple #1 of the Black Muslim movement, The Nation of Islam.

The Nation of Islam moved into this space in 1959 and was designated a historic site in 2013.

The location was renamed in the late 70s after the death of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. The name, Masjid Wali Muhammad was chosen in honor of the brother of Elijah Muhammad and designated a “masajid” the Arabic word for the place of worship for Muslims.

8. King Solomon Church

6100 14th St., Detroit, MI 48208

Founded in 1926, King Solomon Baptist Church has been an important center of Black life in Detroit since its founding.

The church was the site of one of the first Boy Scout troops for Black Detroiters. It was also a community center for the neighborhood. Youth outreach programs, like a boxing program led by the legendary Emmanuel Stewart, was where world champion boxer, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns got his start.

The church was also the home of a number of gospel acts including Reverend James Cleveland and The Supremes. The church, which has 5000-seats, has also been the location of a number of historical Black speeches including two appearances by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

9. Submerge Record Distribution

3000 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

The world headquarters of Underground Resistance is also home to the Detroit Techno Museum.

Original records from the height of the era, including gold and platinum plaques, are on display inside the museum. It should be noted that it is only available by appointment.

The museum has been called a “mecca for true techno fans” and the music, which reflected the grime of Detroit in the 1980s. John Collins, a DJ and producer told Detroit Metro Times that techno music, which is renowned around the world, was created to give listeners “hope for the future, that things will get better.”

10. Plowshares Theatre Company

440 Burroughs St. #185., Detroit, MI 48202

Founded in 1989, the Plowshares Theatre Company has been offering a true off-Broadway experience as Michigan’s only professional African American theatre company.

The company has dedicated itself to “breaking new ground” by nurturing emerging, talented writers and actors. Named after a blade that cuts the top layer of soil in a farm, the name Plowshares refers back to the work that enslaved people did on plantations.

Producer Gary Anderson wrote that Plowshares is important because when African Americans can see themselves in artistic endeavors, like plays, it is a validation of life.

11. Dr. Ossian Sweet House

2905 Garland St., Detroit, MI 48214

This historic site does appear on a number of must-see lists for visitors to Detroit, but it remains worth mentioning again.

In September of 1925, Dr. Ossian Sweet and his wife Gladys moved into their home on Garland St., and within hours a neighborhood group gathered to run the couple out of the home. A mob of at least 400 people gathered the next night throwing stones at the house.

Someone inside the house fired shots from a second-floor window hitting a rioter who had come onto the porch and wounded another in the crowd. All of the Black people in the house were charged with murder.

Dr. Sweet was acquitted of charges after being represented by the illustrious Charles Darrow. Charges against the rest of the group were dropped. However, Mrs. Sweet contracted tuberculosis in jail and died, along with the couple’s two-year-old daughter. And years later, Sweet took his own life.

The home represents the challenges that African Americans in Detroit had in moving into primarily white neighborhoods. The city is now majority Black.

12. Whipping Post

The Southeast corner of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues

This site was the location of Detroit’s first and only whipping post. The post was used to flog thieves and vagabonds, in protection of the city’s moral codes.

The whipping post was also a location where a man could be sold for a number of days work for petty crimes although slavery was illegal in the state of Michigan.

The legacy of the whipping post is still little-known. However, it is reasonable to assume that Black Detroiters, prior to 1830 when the post was removed, were punished at the post. It is mapped on the Mapping Slavery in Detroit map created by the University of Michigan.

13. Second Baptist Church

441 Monroe St., Detroit, MI 48226

Second Baptist Church is the oldest Black-established church in the Midwest. Founded in 1836, Second Baptist Church was a station on the Underground Railroad. The church was a final stop for some 5,000 enslaved people giving them food and clothing before sending them on to Canada.

14. Elizabeth Denison Forth’s House

328 Macomb, Detroit, MI 48226

Born a slave near Detroit in 1786, Elizabeth (Lisette) Denison Forth won her freedom after she and her brother moved to Canada to establish residency, which guaranteed that they would not be returned to their previous slave owner.

Lisette became a domestic servant, but she invested all of her pay into purchasing land. She became the first Black property owner in Pontiac, Michigan. She invested in the stock market and real estate and ultimately her own home became a Michigan Historic Site.

The front doors of St. James Episcopal Church is dedicated to Lisette who was a devout Episcopalian. She dedicated her life savings of $1,500 in 1866 to the building of the church.

In 2017, she was added to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame for her dedication to freedom and for equality among the rich and poor.

[thisent1]

Freddie Jackson Interview (Uncut): THIS Podcast OS Episode 9 We're running back our interview wi...

[juliesandothings]

Costumes and Zoot Suits designed by Ruth E. Carter for films like Coming to America and Dolemite is My Name on view at the Wright Museum in Detroit

[blawoarts]

Artwork by Charles McGee's, Artist. [1924-2021] Large-scale sculpture by Charles McGee's titled "United We Stand" which is situated at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Detroit, Michigan. Follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram: @blawoarts www.blawo.art #blacksculptor #blawo #africansculpture #blackartintheworld

[sheloya]

SEE PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC FEATURING GEORGE CLINTON LIVE

AFRICAN WORLD FESTIVAL 2023 SEE PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC FEATURING GEORGE CLINTON LIVE   PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY FOR THE 40TH ANNUAL AFRICAN WORLD FESTIVAL   This July, The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is proud to celebrate the 40th Annual African World Festival. We’re excited about this milestone...

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SEE PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC FEATURING GEORGE CLINTON LIVE was first posted on July 12, 2023 at 8:08 pm. ©2022 "Africans Live". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at nefertaueret@gmail.com

[bmenvs3000f23]

Hi there!

I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about nature and art interpretation as a pair. There truly are so many different art styles that can be used to portray nature, and it reminds me of the topic of learning styles that we previously discussed in this course. Diverse art styles can accommodate various learning styles and make nature interpretation accessible to all.

Sculptures are a type of media I hadn’t really considered, however, it reminded me of the art exhibitions I saw at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Michigan this summer. I learned about black history in this museum through detailed sculptures and displays, videos and songs, music, and visual art. I learned about significant aspects of black history while absorbing the information through various media. Within the art gallery at this museum, there is an exhibition that depicts the history of Detroit trees and includes tree sculptures made by local artists (The Wright, 2023). Recycled tree resources were used to produce various sculptures and allowed the artist and the audience to learn about the history and importance of trees in Detroit (The Wright, 2023). Workshops and symposiums are also provided by this museum in collaboration with other local groups, allowing people to interpret natural art together and learn from the interpreter’s presentations (The Wright, 2023)!

Art and history museums are beautiful ways to combine history with information in an engaging way. This museum also discussed the historical uses of natural spaces in Michigan and made mention of a town called Idlewood, which accepted black families in a less inclusive period (The Wright, 2023). It was interesting to learn that these families prioritized spending time in the environment and travelled through forests to immerse in nature, as there were no paved roads (The Wright, 2023). Environmentalists were present in the past, and it is fantastic to hear about how people benefited and longed for nature in the past.

As you mentioned, art has significant storytelling capabilities and can highlight the beauty of nature and nature’s abilities! Using art as a method of nature interpretation makes nature accessible to a broader audience and can help inspire and shape a future of environmentalists!

Brigette

Sources

The Wright. (2023). Exhibitions. [Accessed from https://www.thewright.org/exhibitions].

Blog Post 4

Who are you to interpret nature through art? How do you interpret “the gift of beauty”? (Your readings – specifically Chapter 5 of the textbook – will be helpful for this!)

Art can be interpreted differently by each person based on their own sense of "the gift of beauty". In my case, I have unique interpretations and perspectives on art. To me, art and the gift of beauty are appreciated for their aesthetics and looks as well as for their ability to tell stories. 

Sculptures, paintings, and photos can all be considered art. The aesthetics of a piece of art are what first catches my eye when viewing it. At first, I enjoy observing art, taking in the shapes, colours, lines, and textures because they fascinate me and have a way of providing feelings and sparking a sense of delight and curiosity. The aesthetic attractiveness of an art piece can be an experience in and of itself, providing enjoyment for the eyes and soul. 

I've always been fascinated with art, and on my first trip to the Louvre in Paris, I was especially taken to Eugène Delacroix's masterpiece "Liberty Leading the People." I just couldn't believe that a picture from the 1800s could be so detailed and carry so much history and meaning. I will make sure to include a photo of this painting so you can view it for its aesthetic and potentially recognize the history and story behind it!

My observation is that after admiring a work of art for a few seconds or minutes, I try to grasp its meaning by way of storytelling. My appreciation of art is enriched by the depth that this storytelling component brings, turning a lovely composition into a meaningful and stimulating experience. Art may help convey the gift of beauty by depicting how nature interacts with us, the wonders and mysteries it provides, or the compelling need to conserve it. We can interpret art in a way that is particular to each of us and open to interpretation in order to discover the message behind it. According to my perception, art acts as a link between the creator's original expression and the viewer's particular viewpoint. It enables us to connect with the beauty that the artist sees and get a look into their spirit. Consequently, art allows us to include our own experiences and recollections so that each interaction with art becomes a very personal and constantly changing journey. So to answer the initial question as to who I am labelled as when it comes to interpreting art, I am a curious soul looking to understand the meaning behind art. I continue to learn skills just by observing and staying curious. This ability to find significance and beauty in our own manner is what makes art such a valuable and lasting gift to society.

Hope you are all enjoying this sunny week!

[goodblacknews]

"Seeding by Ceding": MacKenzie Scott Donates $2.7 Billion to Racial Justice Organizations, Arts Groups and Community-Based Non-Profits

“Seeding by Ceding”: MacKenzie Scott Donates $2.7 Billion to Racial Justice Organizations, Arts Groups and Community-Based Non-Profits

by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (@lakinhutcherson) MacKenzie Scott, novelist, former teacher and ex-wife of Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, is a real one. Scott’s net worth since her divorce settlement from Bezos stands close to $60 billion, and Scott has vowed to give away her wealth in her lifetime -“until the safe is empty” – because she believes “it would be better if disproportionate wealth were…

[randyyagi]

Black History Month: 5 Destinations For African American Culture & History

[diallokenyatta]

Everytime I go to an African Festival I come home with the drip.📿 #AfricanWorldFestival 🌍 #Detroit #Motown 📻 (at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgPwklMOFl6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=