It’s Black History Month, let's seize the moment to emphasize that celebrating the achievements of the Black community is not confined to February—we can engage with, honor and appreciate them throughout the entire year. Allow this February to be a time for reflection and educating yourself on the work of Black leaders, and getting inspired by the legacy of the African American community. To help you on your journey, we have detailed 6 ways you can show your support of Black businesses and organizations.
Follow Black-led organizations and engage with their posts
Black History is happening all day, every day. If we only view black history as a thing of the past, we are doing a disservice to the countless awe-inspiring leaders in the African American community today. What are you personally passionate about? Research Black-led organizations in your area of interest, follow them on social media and be sure to engage with their posts! For instance, if you are passionate about transit justice, we recommend following the Detroit People’s Platform, @detroitpeoples on Instagram. If you want to support water justice, follow us on Instagram at @wethepeople_det! We also recommend following these incredible black-led organizations:
Wisdom Institute @wisdominstitutedetroit
EMEAC/ Frontline Detroit @frontlinedetroit
The Junction Coalition @junctioncoalition
One Love Global @1loveglobal
Mothering Justice @motheringjustice
Donate to or volunteer with local groups advancing racial justice in your community
We said it before and we’ll say it again- Black History is happening now! A powerful expression of support and one of the best ways to show some love during Black History Month is to share your time or financial resources with groups fighting for social justice in the modern day. Donating and/or volunteering is sharing necessary resources that are incredibly valuable to Black-led organizations and your contributions are immensely appreciated.
If you’d like to make a donation to We the People of Detroit, you can do so at https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/get-involved
Take some time to research Black history heroes
The world is a better place because of Black history heroes. Modern science, technology, arts, music, and culture would not be where it is today without the work of countless African American leaders.
The Honorable Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson was a Detroit advocate for environmental and social justice who crafted the first water affordability legislation in the nation. Erma Henderson was the first black woman elected to the Detroit City Council. Dorothea Height was a legendary feminist who spent her life advancing rights for Black women. John Lewis was a freedom fighter who served in Congress for over 30 years. We could go on infinitely about the advancements made by African American leaders. Take some time to research figures in movements important to you. We guarantee you will find a historical figure or even a modern-day hero who inspires you, no matter what your interests are.
Visit your local Black History Museum
There are few better ways to learn about Black History than by going to your local museum. Curators are trained to educate patrons on historical events and figures, in the most entertaining way possible. Bring a friend, partner, or family member to your local history museum and see what new things you can learn together. Discuss what surprised you and what inspired you about the Black history you witnessed in the exhibits.
We recommend visiting Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History or the Motown Museum, right here in Detroit. Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about Detroit’s role in the underground railroad, we encourage you to schedule a tour at the historic Second Baptist Church in Detroit. Further, there are incredible works of art by Black artists displayed within the Detroit Institute of Arts and the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Arts, which is a Black-owned gallery.
Read a book by a Black author
African American literature is powerful, moving, and important. Reading fiction novels by Black authors allows us to put ourselves in the shoes of another person, who may have different perspectives and experiences from us. Additionally, nonfiction books by Black authors educate us on important experiences and perspectives across the African Diaspora. While there is an endless number of worthwhile reads, here is a non-exhaustive list of books that may interest you:
Fiction
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Beloved by Toni Morrison
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin
Nonfiction
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Ain’t I a Woman, Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
Hard Stuff, The Autobiography of Mayor Coleman Young by Coleman Young and Lonnie Wheeler
The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Children’s Lit and YA
Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry by Mildred D Taylor
When the Schools Shut Down by Yolanda Gladden
Ida B. Wells, Let the Truth be Told by Walter Dean Myers
Sulwe Lupita Nyong’o
The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Support a Black-owned business by purchasing one of their goods or services
We always recommend supporting Black-owned businesses by purchasing one of their goods or services. Black businesses contribute greatly to the American economy. Here is a list of some of our favorite Black-owned businesses in Metro-Detroit:
Restaurant & Cafes
Yum Village
Narrow Way Cafe & Shop
Kuzzos Chicken & Waffles
Le Crepe (Royal Oak)
The Turkey Grill
Pasta Bowl
J’s Cafe
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Detroit Vegan Soul
Law
Great Lakes Legal Group
Clothing
Detroit vs. Everybody
The Fashion Place (Detroit)
My Refined Resale Boutique (Royal Oak)
Beauty
The Lip Bar
The Ten Nail Bar
Arts & Literature
Source Booksellers
The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art
To conclude, there are endless ways that you can show your support for Black-led, owned, and operated businesses and organizations. Be sure to share this post with friends and family!
Want to be a part of history in the making? Stand up for water justice. Pledge your support
today at https://www.welcoalition.org/take-the-pledge by taking the water affordability pledge.