American Black Journal

“The Riot Report” documentary examines the uprisings in the summer of 1967 by Black residents protesting police brutality, racial injustice and social and economic disparities. The documentary airs on Detroit PBS on Friday, July 26. The documentary’s co-producer and writer Jelani Cobb talks about the 57-year history of the uprisings and how they help us understand where we are as a country today.

Michigan has experienced a rise in maternal deaths as highlighted in an in-depth report by Detroit News. Of particular concern is the disproportionate impact on women of color. Dawn Shanafelt, Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, discusses the disparities among women of color, how to address the problem and more.

United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Ballmer Group have unveiled the new Summer Discovery program aimed at combatting summer learning loss and bridging educational disparities. United Way for Southeastern Michigan Vice President of Community Impact Jeff Miles and Detroit Parent Network CEO Jametta Lilly explain how the program provides free academic and enrichment activities.

Examine the high number of maternal deaths in Michigan and the disproportionate impact on Black mothers. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Dawn Shanafelt, Director of the Division of Maternal & Infant Health in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. Plus, United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Ballmer Group unveil the new Summer Discovery program to combat summer learning loss.

Forgotten Harvest has appointed Adrian Lewis as the new CEO of the food rescue organization. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Lewis about the increased demand for Forgotten Harvest’s services. Plus, Lewis highlights the agency’s summer feeding program for youth, its new facility, and its client choice market.

Meet Forgotten Harvest’s new CEO, Adrian Lewis. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Lewis about how the food rescue organization is helping to feed families and seniors over the summer, its new facility and its client choice market. Plus, learn about Detroit’s reparations efforts from “American Black Journal” and BridgeDetroit’s virtual town hall, “Making Amends: The Quest for Reparations.”

The 41st annual African World Festival returns to Detroit’s Hart Plaza July 12-14 to celebrate and showcase the culture, arts, and community spirit of the African diaspora. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Yolanda Jack, Manager of Community Engagement at The Wright Museum, about the festival’s growth, how it celebrates the African diaspora, and what attendees can expect at this year’s festival.

The 18th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day, a citywide celebration of community spirit and service, returns on Saturday, Aug. 3. This year’s event, themed “My Neighborhood Matters,” aims to amplify the voices and stories of Detroit residents. Host Stephen Henderson talks with ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith about this year’s event and the “My Neighborhood Matters” campaign.

Preview the 18th annual ARISE! Detroit Neighborhoods Day. ARISE Detroit! Executive Director Luther Keith talks about this year’s event and the new “My Neighborhood Matters” campaign. Get details on the 41st annual African World Festival July 12-14 at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Plus, jazz artist Sky Covington sings “All of Me,” accompanied by musicians John Douglas and Club Crescendo.

Renowned poet Nikki Giovanni talks with contributor Cecelia Sharpe at the Charles H. Wright Museum about her life, career, literary works and her future plans. Plus, we meet an eight-year-old Detroit girl who has gone viral on social media for her impersonations of Black icons and historical figures from the past and present.

“American Black Journal” and BridgeDetroit co-host a virtual town hall on reparations. “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson moderates a thought-provoking conversation with local experts on the status of Detroit’s reparations task force and how other cities have addressed reparations. The town hall also examines the University of Michigan’s research on city government and discrimination.

At the 17th annual Silence the Violence march, families and supporters come together to honor loved ones lost to gun violence and advance efforts to eradicate gun violence. This year’s event included Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Detroit Police Chief James White and others. Contributor Daijah Moss talks with attendees and hears from Church of the Messiah Pastor Barry Randolph.

For Black Music Month, host Stephen Henderson talks with Rev. Larry Simmons of Baber Memorial AME Church and Dr. Brandon Waddles, the assistant professor of choral conducting and music education at Wayne State University, about the history and ability of African American religious music to evoke emotions, connect cultures, improve mental health, and serve as a universal language.

June marks Black Music Month. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Rev. Larry Simmons of Baber Memorial AME Church and Dr. Brandon Waddles from Wayne State University about the history and influence of African American religious music. Plus, contributor Daijah Moss attends the 17th annual Silence the Violence march where families honored loved ones lost and advanced efforts to eradicate gun violence.

The 4th annual Obsidian Theatre Festival returns to Detroit from June 27-30, bringing a diverse array of original plays, a musical, and a cabaret to various downtown locations. Guest host Trudy Gallant-Stokes talks with festival organizer John Sloan III, CEO & Artistic Director of GhostLight Creative Productions, about this year’s festival and the additional activities taking place this month.

Identified as a piano prodigy by the age of eight, Charles Wilson III, known professionally as BLKBOK, has carved a unique path in the music world. For Black Music Month, BLKBOK talks with guest host Trudy Gallant-Stokes about how he blends classical and contemporary music, the significance of his name, his parents’ influence, and Detroit’s impact on his career.

For Black Music Month, guest host Trudy Gallant-Stokes talks with Detroit piano prodigy and composer, BLKBOK, whose real name is Charles Wilson III, about creating neoclassical music. Plus, Gallant-Stokes gets details about the 4th annual Obsidian Theatre Festival in Detroit from June 27-30, which features original plays from Black storytellers, a musical, and cabaret performances.

A new exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts pays homage to Black Detroiters’ style and culture. “7 Mile + Livernois,” was created by Detroit artist Tiff Massey, a metalsmith and sculptor. It’s the largest exhibition by a Detroit artist at the museum. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Massey about why she named the exhibit after the Detroit neighborhood where she grew up.

The Detroit Association of Black Organizations (DABO) has launched a Community Empowerment Speaker Series with the aim to enlighten and energize Detroit residents. The free series features well-known speakers discussing critical issues that impact the Black community. Host Stephen Henderson talks with DABO CEO Rev. Horace Sheffield III about the series and getting out the vote in November.

The exhibit “Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois” at the Detroit Institute of Arts pays homage to Black Detroiters’ style and culture. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Massey about the sculptures she created to celebrate Black Detroiters. Plus, Detroit Association of Black Organizations’ CEO Rev. Horace Sheffield III shares details about a free Community Empowerment Speaker Series.

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the impact of artificial intelligence on the African American community and the Black church. Guest Host Orlando Bailey of BridgeDetroit discusses the challenges and potential benefits of generative AI with Rev. Cindy Rudolph of Oak Grove AME Church and Rev. Lawrence Rodgers of Second Baptist Church.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the church’s role in providing a safe place and support for young people struggling with mental health challenges. We’ll talk about the reasons for the growing rates of depression, loneliness, anxiety and suicides among young African Americans and how the church can lead the way in promoting mental wellness.

The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion has announced longtime community organizer and author Yusef Bunchy Shakur as the nonprofit’s new co-executive director. The nonprofit also plans to change its name to the Michigan Roundtable for Just Communities to better reflect the nonprofit’s mission. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Shakur about his new appointment and the name change.

Acclaimed actress CCH Pounder visits Detroit to talk about her personal art collection on display at the Charles H. Wright Museum. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Pounder about her “Double ID” exhibit. Plus, a Detroit nonprofit gets a new name and its first Black leader. Henderson talks with the Michigan Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion’s new Co-Executive Director, Yusef Bunchy Shakur.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has opened “Double ID,” a new art exhibit featuring 54 works from the private collection of acclaimed actress CCH Pounder. Running through Oct. 20, the exhibit delves into the representation of Black men through the lens of W.E.B. Du Bois’ theory of “double consciousness.” Stephen Henderson talks with Pounder about the works in her exhibit.

The Detroit Branch NAACP’s 69th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner features President Joe Biden as the keynote speaker, marking only the second time a sitting U.S. President has given the keynote. Detroit NAACP President Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony talks about the importance of having President Biden deliver the keynote and outlines some of the vital issues in the Black community.

The Detroit Branch NAACP’s 69th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit features President Joe Biden as the keynote speaker, marking only the second time a sitting U.S. President has given the keynote. Plus, May is Mental Health Awareness Month and “American Black Journal” examines the unique challenges the Black community faces in navigating mental health issues.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and “American Black Journal” examines the unique challenges the Black community faces in navigating mental health issues. Carlynn Nichols, senior director of behavioral health at CNS Healthcare, talks about the mental health challenges facing children, individuals and families today and a growing shortage of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

The Small Business Workshop, hosted by The LEE Group, returns for its 10th year to explore practical solutions to navigate an evolving business landscape. Host Stephen Henderson talks with the event’s founder Mark S. Lee, President & CEO of The LEE Group, and Tawnya Rose, Vice President & Community Impact Manager at Fifth Third Bank, the event’s presenting sponsor.

It has been a decade since the Flint water crisis. The public health disaster exposed tens of thousands of residents in the predominantly African American city to perilously high levels of lead contamination. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley talks about the city’s current water quality, how residents are doing, and the challenges that are still present.

Host Stephen Henderson talks with current Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley about the 10-year anniversary of the Flint water crisis. Plus, Henderson talks with the founder of the Small Business Workshop, Mark S. Lee, President & CEO of The LEE Group, and Tawnya Rose, Vice President & Community Impact Manager at Fifth Third Bank, about the 10th annual event.

For National Minority Health Month, American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series looks at caregiving ministries and the efforts of the Black church to provide resources, referrals and respite for family caregivers. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard, project manager for the Detroit Family Caregivers’ Project, and Rev. Dr. Georgia Hill, pastor of LifeChurch Riverside.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History has been educating Detroiters and visitors on African American history since 1966. The museum continues to expand, introducing new exhibits, bolstering its technology, and expanding its theatre. One Detroit contributor Sarah Zientarski talks with Wright Museum President and CEO Neil Barclay about the improvements being made.

April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance that highlights the health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minority communities. Dr. Hayley Thompson, director of Wayne State University’s CHECK-UP, talks about the efforts to tackle health inequities in Detroit and Michigan.

For National Minority Health Month, Dr. Hayley Thompson, director of Wayne State University’s CHECK-UP, talks with host Stephen Henderson about the efforts to tackle health inequities in Detroit and Michigan. Plus, Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari and Faye Nelson from the Detroit Sports Organizing Corp share how the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit will impact tourism in the city.

The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has announced acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader Brian Blade as the artist-in-residence for this year’s Labor Day weekend festival. As part of his residency, Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band performed during a special preview event at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. Watch a portion of Blade’s performance.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump discusses the need for justice and equality in contemporary society and making the world a better place for the future during the Charles H. Wright Museum’s “The Wright Conversations” lecture series. The Wright Conversations series is a platform for dynamic discourse on issues ranging from civic engagement to cultural heritage.

The Wolverine Bar Association hosts its 62nd annual Barristers’ Ball, a cornerstone event in Detroit’s African American legal community. This year’s theme is “Motown: Back Down Memory Lane.” Wolverine Bar Association President Diane Hutcherson and State Bar of Michigan Diversity Director Gregory Conyers talk with host Stephen Henderson about the event and diversity in the legal profession.

The Wolverine Bar Association hosts its 62nd annual Barristers’ Ball, a cornerstone event in Detroit’s African American legal community. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump discusses the need for justice and equality in contemporary society during The Wright Conversations. Plus, Detroit Jazz Festival 2024 artist-in-residence Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band perform.

The Detroit Institute of Arts’ “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971″ exhibit highlights the trailblazing African American filmmakers and actors from the early days of cinema through the Civil Rights Movement. Host Stephen Henderson speaks with Detroit Institute of Arts Curator and Head of the Center for African American Art Valerie Mercer about the museum’s landmark exhibition.

A local documentary, “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,” explores Detroit’s jazz legacy and impact on the world. Host Stephen Henderson talks with the film’s co-producer and writer. Plus, the Detroit Institute of Arts’ “Regeneration: Black Cinema 1898-1971″ exhibit highlights the trailblazing Black filmmakers and actors from the early days of cinema through the Civil Rights Movement.

The 11th annual Freep Film Festival returns to various locations across Detroit and its suburbs, featuring a host of local documentaries with strong ties to the community. One local documentary, “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,” explores the city’s innovative and influential jazz scene and its impact on the world. “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson talks with the film’s co-producer and writer Mark Stryker.

The 20th annual Bookstock returns to Laurel Park Place in Livonia, Michigan on April 7-14, bringing with it nearly 400,000 used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, and vinyl records for sale. The community-driven initiative, organized entirely by volunteers, supports literacy education, including book clubs and poetry slams, and innovative programs like the Einstein Method in the Detroit metropolitan area and beyond.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine, the Wayne Mobile Health Unit and community stakeholders host a symposium on Black men’s health. Scheduled for April 13 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, the “Brother, Let’s Talk: A Conversation on Black Men’s Health” symposium aims to shed light on the disparities and health challenges faced by Black men.

The Wayne State University School of Medicine, the Wayne Mobile Health Unit and community stakeholders host a symposium on Black men’s health at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church on April 13. Plus, the 20th annual Bookstock returns to Laurel Park Place in Livonia, Michigan on April 7-14, bringing with it nearly 400,000 used books, DVDs, CDs, books on tape, and vinyl records for sale.

American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series examines the role of women in the Black church. Host Stephen Henderson discusses the issues impacting Black women in the church with two Detroit women ministers: Rev. Dr. Constance Simon of Fellowship Chapel and Rev. Dr. Remonia Chapman of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church.

A new documentary, “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” details the extraordinary life and career of renowned poet Nikki Giovanni. Contributor Cecelia Sharpe sat down with Giovanni at the Wright Museum for a wide-ranging conversation about her life, career, literary works and future plans. Plus, Giovanni discusses the “Going to Mars” documentary and her fascination with outer space.

There’s a new online tool available for Detroit residents, community development groups, local government and others to access timely data about how the city’s neighborhoods are doing. It’s called the Neighborhood Vitality Index (NVI) and its goal is to create a well-coordinated, effective, and equitable system for community development work in Detroit neighborhoods. Host Stephen Henderson talks with with Jane Morgan, president of JFM Consulting Group and one of the architects of the index.

There’s a new online tool available for Detroiters to access timely data about how city neighborhoods are doing. Host Stephen Henderson speaks with Jane Morgan, president of JFM Consulting Group, about the Neighborhood Vitality Index. Plus, Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter discusses her exhibit “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” at the Wright Museum through March 31.

The annual Grow Detroit’s Young Talent summer jobs program has returned for its 10th year. The program matches Detroit residents ages 14-24 with employers in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, IT, construction, entrepreneurship, and corporate work. Host Stephen Henderson speaks with three guests connected to the program about the job opportunities and career training provided.