African American culture has had a profound impact on Detroit’s development, both economically and culturally. Nowadays, Detroit continues to honour its roots in various ways throughout Black History Month, by taking pride in its art, historical monuments, and businesses.
The theme for 2025 Black History Month is “Africans and Labour”. It aims to celebrate the significant impact of Black labour on the community, how it has shaped the current landscape, and the achievements of African American workers. Their contributions are examined through a broad perspective that provides a platform to examine Black life and culture through space and time.
To honour this legacy, Visit Detroit, an organization dedicated to marketing and promoting the metropolitan Detroit area as a destination for leisure and business travel, highlights some essential locations to commemorate African American heritage. Here’s a brief overview of some important places.
1. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Established in 1965 and celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has been a leading institution documenting the African American experience. It also offers diverse opportunities such as learning experiences, exhibitions, and events that explore the rich history and culture of African Americans. Visitors can explore “And Still We Rise: Our Journey through African American History and Culture”, an immersive exhibition that takes them through historical recreations of African markets and other important moments from the past.
2. Motown Museum
Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959, the Motown Museum is a living testament of endurance and musical legacy. Visitors can step into the iconic space where artists such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye recorded their hits. Additionally, the museum houses an extensive collection of photos and memorabilia that provide an overview of Motown’s creative processes and their impact on the music industry. Motown’s innovative sounds transformed multiple genres, and their influence can be heard in hip-hop, rap, R&B, and, further cementing his legacy, they are a cornerstone of modern music.
3. The Plaindealer
The city’s first successful Black newspaper, the Detroit Plaindealer covered local and national events and promoted civil rights. The newspaper encouraged and supported black-owned businesses and black politicians. At the same time, its managing editor, Robert Pelham Jr., was one of the best-known black political figures in late nineteenth-century Detroit. Located Downtown, the newspaper helped establoish the Afro-American League, the first nationally prominent civil rights group. Despite its prominence in the community, the paper struggled with funding and ceased publication in 1984. Its legacy lives on a historical marker attached to the corner of its former office location.
4. Dunbar Hospital
By 1917, a large number of African Americans had started living in Detroit, which, like other US cities was severely segregated. The growing population was too large for the few black doctors to serve adequately, so they formed a society called the Allied Medical Society, which acquired this former residential home and turned it into the Dunbar Memorial Hospital in 1917. The hospital did more than just care for patients, it also provided medical training for nurses. As the first hospital in Detroit dedicated to serving black residents, Dunbar Hospital played a crucial role in advancing healthcare access and medical education. Today, the building serves as a museum, preserving its legacy as a symbol of resilience and progress.
