Southfield Celebrates Black History Month 2023: Remember, Celebrate & Educate!

The City of Southfield is a model of multiculturalism as one of the most diverse, progressive and integrated communities in Michigan and the Midwest. Southfield is proud to be an international city that is home to people from a rich array of cultural, racial, and religious backgrounds, including a large concentration of African Americans.  

One of the City of Southfield’s brand key messages is: A Place for Everyone. It is this belief that our racial and religious diversity is a strength that weaves together the cultural fabric of our community. There truly is A Place for Everyone in the City of Southfield.  All people, from virtually all walks of life, live peacefully together in harmony within our city boundaries.

Since 1976, Black History Month has been nationally recognized each February. From documentary viewings and education programming, to musical and dance performances, there are always a variety of events in the City of Southfield each year to honor and celebrate Black History Month. The City of Southfield annually hosts and sponsors a number of city programs, events and activities to remember the important contributions and celebrate the history of African-Americans. The City of Southfield Parks & Recreation Department, Southfield Public Library and several other city departments and community groups work together to plan and produce a wide range of educational and recreational programs and events that celebrate Black history and culture.

Southfield Parks and Recreation to host a ‘Southfield Celebrates Black History Month’ Kick-Off Event February 5

Southfield Parks & 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 City of Southfield 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, 2023.

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 here. Pick up of all activity bags will take place at the Parks & Recreation Building Wednesday, February 1 through Friday, February 3 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 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.

Conversations and Cocktails

Southfield’s Black History Month Celebration will continue on Saturday, February 11 from 7-10 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion with Conversations and 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 musicians. Conversations & Cocktails will be hosted by Joel Fluent Green and will include comedy by Josh Adams, poetry with Peace Bell and singer/guitarist Trey Priest. The night will close with a concert featuring Alex Goss & Detroit Soul Rhythm Band performing R&B and Soul music from the 70’s 80’s & 90’s.

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 here. This program features limited capacity and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Black History Month Movie Night

Black History Month Movie Night, featuring the 2021 drama “Respect” will take place on Friday, February 12 at 4:00 p.m. in the Southfield Pavilion.  Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, “Respect” is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice.

The Secret Society of Twisted Story Tellers will return to the Southfield Pavilion to close out Black History Month on Friday, February 17 with a special performance entitled CRT: Betrayal & Trust, hosted by Chery James and 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 $15 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 here.

All indoor events feature limited capacity and tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, contact Southfield Parks & Recreation at (248) 796-4620

Black History Month Library Events

• Now – March 2 – Black History Month posters hung throughout the library – all ages
• Feb 1 – The Jersey – local author - adults
• Feb 1 – Urban Fiction Book Club – adults
• Feb 1 – 28 – Black History Mysteries – children with their grownups
• Feb 8 - Wrapped in Love: A headwrap party & demonstration – all ages
• Feb 14 – Creecy Book Club – We Are Not Like Them – adults
• Feb 16 - Sci-Fi & Fantasy Fanatics Book Club - The City We Became – adults
• Feb 22 - African American Patriot Soldiers of the American Revolution: Who They Are and How to Find Yours – adults
• Feb 23 - RHYME & RHYTHM with Madelyn Porter – children
• Feb 26 - 25 Colorful Black Women, A Coloring Event by Naturally ILLustrated – all ages

The Jersey: The mysterious disappearance of Bill White, American Baseball’s first Jackie Robinson

February 1, 2023, 6:30pm - 7:30pm

See Alvin Strane as he talks about his debut book, The Jersey: The mysterious disappearance of Bill White, American Baseball’s first Jackie Robinson. 
 
The Jersey brings a new dimension to what it means to be an African-American "first." It draws us into the history of passing that many African Americans considered a necessary survival strategy or a viable path to success in a racist America and acknowledges the racial triumphs obscured by this phenomenon. Although the novel unveils troubling aspects of our culture, it also presents a story of a budding romance and of female solidarity in the male-dominated world of professional sports. Strane presents us with an enlighten-ing and ultimately heart-warming read. Barbara J. Wilcots, Ph.D. Vice President, Students Affairs Regis University Denver, Colorado.

Copies of The Jersey will be available for sale and signing.

Urban Fiction Book Club - Blow: Buy it. Sell it. Kill for it.

February 1, 2023, 6:30pm - 8:00pm

The next Urban Fiction Book Club meeting is Feb. 1st. in person in and on Zoom from 6:30 - 8:00pm. We will meet in the Southfield Meeting Room on the 3rd floor. The book we will be discussing is Blow: Buy it. Sell it. Kill for it. by 50 Cent & K'wan. The book is available at the library and on audio book on Hoopla. Refreshments will be served. Email Adult Services Librarian Jesse Cleary at jcleary@southfieldlibrary.org for the zoom link or more information.

Black History Mysteries

February 4, 2023, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Event Series

To celebrate Black History Month each week in February will feature a mystery for families to solve. Come to the youth desk and receive your clue sheet then make your way through the youth room to find the answers. Once all answers have been found all team members will receive a prize and can enter drawing to win a year long family membership to the Detroit Zoo. Raffle winner will be chosen and notified March 1, 2023.

Wrapped in Love: A headwrap party & demonstration

February 8, 2023, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Do you love headwraps? Want to learn a few simple yet beautiful styles? Come get Wrapped in Love!! Join Love Rose and her team of headwrappers for an intimate session of being Wrapped in Love!

People all over the world wear headwraps. There are so many reasons, so many different styles and some amazing culture behind the most distinct looks. We will discuss some of the reasons and share some styles we have learned along the way. We will have plenty of wraps to practice with and you are so very welcome to bring your own so we can create a magical look! 

Creecy Book Club reads We Are Not Like Them

February 14, 2023, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Virtual
 

The Creecy Book Club will be discussing We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride & Jo Piazza. Join us in the Southfield Room on the 3rd floor or join virtually on Zoom!
 
If you'd like to receive a monthly email reminder about upcoming meetings or if you have any further questions, please contact czimmer@southfieldlibrary.org. 
Virtual Event
https://zoom.us/j/91655659198?pwd=dlI3R2ovOGhtc0wyWEhQdUNtTUZIUT09
Meeting ID: 916 5565 9198
Password: 385922

Sci-Fi & Fantasy Fanatics Book Club reads The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin

February 16, 2023, 7:00pm - 8:00pm 
Virtual 
 

Here at the Southfield Library, we love sci-fi and fantasy so much that we decided to start an entire book club devoted to them! Join us as we traverse all kinds of unknown planets and mystical worlds—all from the comfort of home, curled up with a good book! We look forward to geeking out with you once a month to discuss some of our favorite titles, both classic and contemporary.

Join our Zoom meeting on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00–8:00 pm.

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin 

In Manhattan, a young grad student gets off the train and realizes he doesn't remember who he is, where he's from, or even his own name. But he can sense the beating heart of the city, see its history and feel its power.

In the Bronx, a Lenape gallery director discovers strange graffiti scattered throughout the city, so beautiful and powerful it's as if the paint is literally calling to her. 
In Brooklyn, a politician and mother finds she can hear the songs of her city, pulsing to the beat of her Louboutin heels.

And they're not the only ones. WS

Virtual Event

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81706156066?pwd=alJaN1FsWE9WdFhOTW45bnhFYWhYUT09

African American Patriot Soldiers of the American Revolution: Who They Are and How to Find Yours

February 22, 2023, 6:30pm - 8:00pm 
 

Between 10,000-20,000 African American soldiers fought with George Washington in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Come learn about these patriots, meet the Hubbard sisters of Southfield who will share the story of their African American patriot and learn ways trace your African American genealogy to see if you have a patriot relative. Presented in conjunction with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

RHYME & RHYTHM with Madelyn Porter

February 23, 2023, 6:00pm - 7:00pm 

Join Madelyn Porter of the Detroit Public Theater as she preforms stories designed to educate, enlighten, empower and entertain. Cultural diversity and colorism is explored through visual thinking strategies and symbols. Classic tales written in rhyme, Spoken-word, Black Folklore, Poetry and more.

25 Colorful Black Women, A Coloring Event by Naturally ILLustrated

February 26, 2023, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Come color with Sherrie Savage, illustrator and graphic designer, for this colorful Black History event. Coloring sheets and supplies will be provided and Natually Ill: A Naturally ILLustrated coloring book will be available for sale and signing.

Visions Art Exhibition at City Hall

Mayor Kenson Siver and the Southfield Public Arts Commission will present a special Black History Month exhibition of artworks by local African American artists Yvette Rock, Lonnell Hurst, and Raymond Wells including an Artists Opening Reception on Friday, February 24 from 6-8 p.m. in the Southfield City Hall Main Lobby, 26000 Evergreen Road.

The Southfield Public Arts Commission curates a new exhibit of local artists' work quarterly. The exhibition of work by Yvette Rock, Lonnell Hurst, and Raymond Wells will be on display in the main lobby of Southfield City Hall from February 4 to April 28. All of the works exhibited are also offered for sale to the public.