Crowning Glories is a tribute to the beauty, style, and self-expression of black women, and a historical survey of their hat-wearing traditions from the late 1700s to the present. The tradition of African American women adorning themselves with extraordinary headwear goes back generations. Wrapping one’s head with cloth, for example, finds its roots among West [...]
Second Baptist Church | Detroit, MI
The Second Baptist Church, constructed in 1914 to replace the original church building, houses Michigan’s first African American congregation. The church was established in 1836, when 13 former slaves decided to leave the First Baptist Church because of its discriminatory practices. The church quickly became involved in the period’s most bitter dispute–slavery. Just miles away [...]
Idlewild, MI
Idlewild, wild and free Our jumpin’ rhythms always calling me, Country air, sweet and strong, Packing up my suitcase So it won’t be long, Sing and dance ’til sundown, It’s such a rat race in Chicago town, Still I feel like a child, Cuz I’m heading up to Idlewild. – Ray Kamalay, Lansing, MI Once [...]
The Fist Memorial, Detroit MI
A 24-foot sculpture honoring Detroit’s favorite son, heavyweight boxing champ, Joe Louis. A second, 12-foot tall bronze sculpture of the “Brown Bomber” stands in the atrium of the Cobo Conference Center. To learn more about Louis, head on over to his official website. Address: Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, Detroit, MI 48243 USA Phone: N/A [...]
Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village, Detroit MI
The Ford Motor Company hired its first African American employee, William Perry, in 1914 by the order of Henry Ford himself, who formed a strong lasting bond with Perry almost thirty years earlier clearing timberland near present day Dearborn, Michigan. He was joined by the likes of Joe Louis, Jesse Owens and the late mayor [...]
Motown Historical Museum and Hitsville USA, Detroit MI
The Motown Historical Museum includes the original Hitsville USA building and Motown Studio A, once frequented by the likes of the Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and other Motown royalty to record their first hits. Looking very much like they did in the 1960′s, the buildings [...]
