Now You Know: Discover Michigan’s Black History

Who says learning history can’t be fun? A good family trip promotes moments for bonding while creating long lasting memories. And it is perfect learning experience for your inquisitive children. If you’re looking for a location rich in Black culture, Michigan is an ideal place for you.

Did you know that a Baptist church located at 441 Monroe, in Greektown, was a major stop along the underground railroad? What about the small town Idlewild that was an escape for Black people during the Jim Crow era? The Great Lakes state is steeped in Black history as the birthplace of many influential moments that have helped shape the world. It is also the birthplace of notable names like Stevie Wonder and Della Reese. Michigan is more than a picturesque escape, it is a landmark for Black music, art, and history.

Second Baptist Church – A Stop Along The Underground Railroad

From 1836 to 1865, Second Baptist Church served as a “Safe Haven”  for the enslaved seeking freedom in Canada. It was one of the last stops on the Underground Railroad. As a hub, it helped free 5,000 enslaved people. 

Second Baptist Church still has Sunday service to this day. Visitors are encouraged to take a tour of the sacred grounds, guided by the Detroit Underground Historical Railroad Society. Trace the steps of your ancestors while learning about the “Freedom Fighters” who put their lives on the line to break the shackles for their brethren. 

Idlewild

Nestled in the woods of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, was a small resort town dubbed the “Black Eden of Michigan.” The land, which was surrounded by lakes, provided a getaway for Black people in 1912 at the height of the Jim Crow era. 25,000 tourists from various places like Chicago, St. Louis and Detroit would travel to Idlewild, every year, to experience the hidden gem that boasted two-night clubs. Iconic entertainers like the Black Bottom-born Della Reese, B.B. King, Louis Armstrong and Aretha Franklin performed at the historic Paradise and Flamingo Clubs. 

Sojourner Truth’s Monument

Abolitionist and women’s right activist Sojourner Truth’s legacy can be felt throughout Battle Creek, Michigan where she lived until she died in 1883. A 12-foot monument, designed by artist Tina Allen, was resurrected in her honor in Monument Park in 1999. It is a main attraction for visitors. Sojourner Truth is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery. 

James Jackson Museum of African American History

The James Jackson Museum of African American History can be found in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. This small but mighty time capsule is filled with history about the Black experience with a spotlight on local heroes and figures who’ve impacted American history. 

Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church 

If you look back at photos from the 1965 march on Selma, Alabama, you’ll notice everyone was dressed in their Sunday’s best. Often times, preachers would announce protests during church. The church was a safe space for Black leaders and organizers to convene.  

The historic Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church was the starting point for the march on Selma, Alabama on what is now regarded as “Bloody Sunday.” 600 peaceful protesters gathered outside the religious sanctuary; just a few blocks away from the Edmund Pettus Bridge where they would be brutalized by police.