Black History Month in Oakland County

4 mins read

Happy Black History Month, everyone!

Black History Month is about celebrating the many contributions of Black people, as well as Black lives, creatives, and Black excellence. 

As you celebrate Black History Month this year, take time to reflect on how our lives are impacted by Black inventors, artists, and educators. Black inventors like Garrett Morgan, changed the world when they invented the Three-Light Traffic Signal. Inventors like Alexander Miles are responsible for the creation of Automatic Elevator Doors. In New York, Black artists like Jean-Michael Basquiat helped to illuminate the African American perspective on the world in his portrayals of the struggles and triumphs of African Americans through paintings, sculptures, and other art forms.

Moreover, we should also take time to reflect on the many sacrifices civil rights organizers, & political activists made to change the quality of life for Black community members. In 1972 American Political activist, educator, and author Angela Davis said, “Racism is indeed the key problem faced by the people of this country, and the threat of fascism is growing.” And in 1979 she told a crowd in Florida, “There is a proliferation of police assaults on the Black community all over the country.”

Today, thirty-eight percent of the U.S. prison population is Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The recent Death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee is an example of how racism is not just ideas and individuals, but also a systematic problem. 

Historians have noted that the Black Lives Matter movement protests in 2020 and organizations that formed in response to the murder of George Floyd are the biggest civil rights movement since the 1960s.  

Black lives matter is about sharing Black stories, experiences, and politics; It’s about Black history being taught in schools. Black lives must be valued at every stage and in every facet of society. When Black lives matter, everyone’s life gets better.

Sincerely,

Alexandria Hughes

Chair, OCDP African American Committee

BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS

Black History Month Walk Through HistoryFebruary 1-28Southfield Municipal Campus – 26000 Evergreen Rd.Walk Through History Front Lawn Display and Black History Activity Bags & T-Shirts

Black History Month Poetry Slam

Thursday, February 2, 6pm – 9pm

At Jay Birds Rotisserie and Grill in Southfield, M

Rockies Reality Podcast  with Special Guest Jamond Jordan

Thursday, February 2, 7-8pm

Jamond Jordan is the founder of the Black Scroll history network, where they specialize in history tours that focus on African & African American history, especially, but not exclusively, African American history in Detroit (visit this website to learn more: https://blackscrollnetwork.weebly.com/).

Southfield, MI: Black History Month Kick-off Event

Saturday, February 4, 2023 – 4-8 p.m.

Black History Month Conversations & Cocktails

Friday, February 11, 7 -10 p.m

at the Southfield Pavilion

Pontiac Library: Black History Month Celebration 

2/18/23, 1pm – 5pm

Pontiac Public Library 60 East Pike Street Pontiac, MI 48342

Details: Our library celebrates Black History Month with African American authors who will present their books, speakers, vendors, and more.

Oakland County Democratic Party
555 Horace Brown Drive, Suite 202
Madison Heights, MI 48071
United States


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The great people who make up the Oakland County Democratic Party are the champions of working families in every city and township throughout our county. Please join us with your activism, your membership, your votes, and your voice as we stand shoulder to shoulder with all of our State and Local Democratic Leaders, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Debbie Stabenow, Senator Gary Peters, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, and Congressman Andy Levin.

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