Additional Black History Month events and programs planned all month

Southfield Parks and Recreation will host the ‘Southfield Celebrates Black History Month 2022 Kick-off Event’ on Saturday, February 5 from 4 - 9 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion, 26000 Evergreen Road.

This free event (suitable for ages 12 and up) will feature the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, a lecture by its founder Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, a Black-owned Business Marketplace and much more, including:

• Hair wrap tutorial with Love Rose, owner of Wrapped in Love, at 4:30 p.m.;
• Performances by Impulse Dance Academy, In the Zone Dance Studio (with drummer Marwan Amen-Ra) and Legacy Dance Studio;
• Spoken Word with Figure Skating in Detroit and The Delta Gems;
• Presentation by Black History 101 Mobile Museum founder Dr. Khalid el-Hakim at 7 p.m.;
• The Black-owned Business Marketplace will be open throughout the event for attendees to browse and support black-owned businesses from throughout the metro Detroit area; and
• DJ DeezyD will provide music throughout the event.

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum is an award-winning collection of over 7,000 original artifacts of Black memorabilia dating from the trans-Atlantic slave trade era to hip-hop culture. There is wide range of topics reflected in the rare objects on display including the trans-Atlantic slave trade, Jim Crow, Black leaders/organizations, Civil Rights, Black Power, Sports, and Entertainment. Museum founder Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, who has been called the "Schomburg of the Hip-Hop generation" because of his passionate commitment to collect and present these artifacts to the public via a non-traditional museum, will fascinate the audience with his lecture adding a voice and dimension to the pieces on display.

Walk Through History Front Lawn Display and Black History Activity Bags & T-Shirts

The Southfield Parks & Recreation Department is presenting numerous ‘Southfield Celebrates Black History Month’ programs, events and activities to remember the contributions and celebrate the history of African-Americans. The Walk Through History display featuring informational signs describing some well-known and lesser known influential African Americans throughout Southfield and world history will be on display along the walking path on the front lawn of the Municipal Campus (26000 Evergreen Road) from February 1 - 28, 2022.

Parks & Recreation will offer Black History Month Activity Bags containing activity sheets, stickers, themed coloring sheets, crayons, crafts and more for $5 each (while supplies last) by calling P&R at (248) 796-4620 or order online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/southfieldparks/. Celebrate Black History Month T-Shirts will also be available in sizes small through 4x for $20 each (while supplies last) at in-person events.

Additional Black History Month Events

Southfield’s Black History Month Celebration will continue on Saturday, February 12 from 7 - 10 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion with Conversations & Cocktails, a special program acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African Americans to society and the world with some of metro Detroit’s most notable poets and drummers. Conversations & Cocktails will feature Alex Goss & Detroit Soul Rhythm Band performing R&B and Soul music from the 70’s, 80’s & 90’s as well as spoken word with notable poets Rosemarie Wilson a.k.a. One Single Rose® and Bernita Bradley along with singer Anthony P. McGlaun and drummer Marwan Amen-Ra, hosted by Ber-Henda Williams.

There will also be a cash bar and food available for purchase. General Admission tickets are $10 per person and are available for purchase at the Parks & Recreation Information Desk located inside the Parks & Recreation Building at 26000 Evergreen Road or online at https://bit.ly/3rtCb6k. This program features limited capacity and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Black History Month Movie Night, featuring the 2019 documentary The Black Godfather will take place on Friday, February 18 at 7 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion. The film, directed by Reginald Hudlin, follows the life of music executive, entrepreneur and film producer Clarence Avant, as told by those who worked and lived with him. Admission is free and refreshments will be available for purchase from Shelly’s Hot Dog and We Be Poppin Popcorn. This film is rated TV-MA (for disturbing violent images, profanity and brief nudity).

The Secret Society of Twisted Story Tellers® will return to the Southfield Pavilion to close out Black History Month on Friday, February 25 with a special performance entitled Cancel Culture hosted by Satori Shakoor. Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a 45-minute pre-glow meet & greet session with the performers followed by the performance from 7 - 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person and are available for purchase in person Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Parks & Recreation Information Desk or online at https://bit.ly/3KvhHCS. Tickets must be purchased in advance due to limited capacity for this performance.

Please note that face masks must be worn at all times while attending all Southfield Celebrates Black History Month indoor programs. All indoor events feature limited capacity and tickets must be purchased in advance.

For more information, contact Southfield Parks & Recreation at (248) 796-4620. For a complete listing of all 2022 Southfield Black History Month programs, events and activities click HERE.