Celebrate Black History & Black Futures

Join us at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation throughout Black History Month to reflect on the past and to celebrate Black futures. Revitalize your spirit with live performances and your commitment to carrying the work of African American trailblazers forward as you take in amazing artifacts.

While recognizing that painful endurance is part of this past, take time to also celebrate brilliant ideas, breakthrough moments and important contributions to our shared American history. African American history is more than a monthlong celebration at The Henry Ford. From the civil rights era to today, explore stories that are both familiar and new to you — all sources of inspiration for the next generation in our community and beyond. 

 

Celebrate at the Museum:

The Motor City Stars

February 4, 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Join members of The Motor City Stars as they perform Motown hits. The music of Motown helped a small record company become the largest Black American-owned enterprise in the country and a national music industry competitor. Tony Lucas narrates this powerful performance. 

Institute of Dance at Marygrove

February 12, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Institute of Dance (IDM) at Marygrove was created to provide students of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with attainable, high-quality, developmentally appropriate dance programs. The purpose of IDM is to nurture and harness creativity, foster discipline, strengthen technical and performance skills, heighten artistic awareness, and encourage a lifelong interest in the arts. Its Repertory Dance Company evolved as a vehicle to further develop these skills in its most dedicated students, preparing them to pursue dance experiences on a professional level.  

Black Power MixTape 1967-1975

Friday, February 17 at 7pm in the Giant Screen Experience Theater

This documentary presents archival footage of notable civil-rights activists like Angela Davis, Eldridge Cleaver and Stokely Carmichael, as well as recent interviews with artists and historians on the Black Power movement.

Members receive 15% off movie tickets. 

McClenon & Mann

February 18, 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.

McClenon and Mann is a metro Detroit-based gospel duo. Featured in our 2022 Holiday Nights program in Greenfield Village, Amise McClenon and Kendarius Mann provide audiences with a heartfelt and joyous performance that leaves a lasting impact. 

The Will Cyprian Trio 

February 25, 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

This talented group of musicians and singers comes together to give some of the best entertainment in metro Detroit. Will Cyprian assembled some of Detroit’s finest musicians to create The Will Cyprian Trio. They will perform traditional music that celebrates Black history while creating a modern twist by performing jazzy and classical renditions of the songs. The result is a mix of cohesiveness and creativity that produces a moving experience for the audience. 

Featured Activity | “Stories of Black Empowerment” THF Connect App Tour

Download the THF Connect App to take the Stories of Black Empowerment tour through the museum anytime you visit.

Featured Activity | Experiment with History: From the Ground Up

From 10 a.m.-12 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in February, enjoy our Experiment with History program. Explore the connections between agriculture and diet through George Washington Carver’s solutions to diversify crops. Then take home your own cowpea to grow and make your own food.

Featured Activity | Celebrate Black History Guided Tour

Offered daily at 1 p.m. in February, join this 30-minute guided tour celebrating historical Black figures featured in the museum. From agriculture to manufacturing and beyond, learn how these African American innovators left an impact on our world.   

Featured Activity | Story Stroll

Our family program, made possible by support from the PNC Foundation, takes place from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. on February 14. The program will focus on the innovation habit of Challenge the Rules, centered around the “How Long?”: Revisiting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy pop-up exhibit and featuring the book, “My Voice Is a Trumpet” by Jimmie Allen.

Featured Activity | Tinkering for Tots

Our family program made possible with support from the PNC Foundation, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on February 14, will focus on the innovation habit of Challenge the Rules, centered around the pop-up exhibit “How Long?”: Revisiting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy and featuring the book “My Voice Is a Trumpet” by Jimmie Allen.

Featured Activity | Fueled by Passion

Head to our Driven to Win exhibit area to enjoy a film featuring the story of Brehanna Daniels. Then participate in the Pit Crew Challenge to see if you can compete as successfully as Daniels. 

Featured Exhibit | “How Long?”: Revisiting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and His Legacy 

Deepen your understanding of Dr. King’s life from his beginnings as an unknown Baptist minister to American civil rights leader and international human rights spokesperson. Located outside With Liberty and Justice for All. 

Featured Exhibit | With Liberty & Justice for All

Explore the proud and often painful evolution of American freedom, from the Revolutionary War through the struggle for civil rights, in this groundbreaking exhibit. Visit the Rosa Parks Bus 67 years after Mrs. Parks’ courageous act sparked the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955. 
 
Speak up! We’re listening! Throughout the exhibit, you’ll also find signs with QR code survey links that encourage you to share your thoughts on our key themes: identity, community, citizenship and justice. We're gathering input on this 18-year-old exhibit, which will help shape our focus on actions we can each take to create a more just world. 

Featured Artifact | National Historic Vehicle Register, powered by the Hagerty Drivers Foundation 

Our featured vehicle from the register’s prestigious group of automobiles is a 1966 Volkswagen Deluxe Station Wagon owned by civil rights activists Esau and Janie Jenkins. The van’s rugged character is a tribute to the selfless service of Esau and Janie Jenkins — and a testament to the long road toward equal rights. 

Featured Artifact | 1974 Warrior Concept Car 

Keep Up with the Latest Black History Stories on Our Blog

Learn more about stories of African American history from our collections on our blog.