Black history culture and people in Detroit Michigan

This summer I’ve had the privilege of spending three glorious weeks in the US, for both work and leisure, travelling from Detroit, to New York, Austin and back to Detroit….

I love Detroit, largely because of its demographic where Black people make up almost 83 per cent of the city’s population of 713,000. Despite being British, when I’m in Detroit I feel a sense of belonging and connection with its history and culture.

Therefore, on the last day of my three-week visit to the US, I re-visited Hart Plaza, chilling out by the river that separates the US from Canada, not far from the Gateway to Freedom sculpture by Ed Dwight – a memorial to the slaves who won their freedom by travelling the Underground Railroad.

From there I attended the Charles Wright African American Museum 37th African World Festival, where I browsed through the many stands selling African art, clothes, music and much more. I also took in some of the fabulous music performances, including the excellent Carr Center Music Academy Youth Ensemble and the uplifting Greater Emmanuel Institutional Gocic Choir (see the short video clips below).

At the festival I bought a copy of Philip Brooke’s latest CD Table for 2, with its smooth grooves. I’m looking forward to chilling out with these tunes!

Phillip Brooks

After a few hours at the festival I stopped at the Urban Soul Restaurant at East Lafeyette Street for a take-out of fried chicken, macaroni cheese and collard greens, which were delicious!

I can’t wait to come back to Detroit, next Spring if not before…

View my Detroit album

 

 

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