Celebrate Black history at the museum with a dynamic lineup of events for all ages and interests. Explore art, connect with the community, and gain a deeper understanding of how the past has shaped Black lives today.
All events are offered free of charge with museum admission.
Performances
7 Mile + Livernois After Dark with Nick Speed
Kick off Black History Month with us! Explore the Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois exhibition, then keep the energy going with live beats from producer, rapper, and DJ Nick Speed.
Hair Wars
Hair as art? Absolutely! At a drop-in style demonstration, Hair Wars stylists will highlight innovative hair creations, as well as videos and images from past shows. Stop by for a fun glimpse into this unique, Detroit-born entertainment.
Artist Events
The 32nd Annual Alain Locke Awards
The Friends of African and African American Art will proudly honor Titus Kaphar — a celebrated artist, groundbreaking filmmaker, and Michigan native — as this year’s Alain Locke International Award recipient. One of the most significant contemporary painters whose work is featured at both the DIA and the Museum of Modern Art, Kaphar creates images that are both multidisciplinary and rich in historical meaning.
Uncommon Threads: Black Representation in Early American Needlework
Discover works by both Black and white makers that explicitly or implicitly evidence the lives of people of color in early America through a lecture by Emilie Gevalt, Curator of Folk Art, and Curatorial Chair for Collections at the Museum of American Folk Art. This event is a program of Painted with Silk: The Art of Early American Embroidery, now on view through June 15, 2025.
Free Family Fun
Steppers Ball
Are you curious about Steppin,’ an urban dance style that originated in Chicago in the mid-1900s? I Love Steppin,’ a vibrant community dedicated to celebrating and preserving this cherished tradition within Black communities, invites you to learn the moves! Enjoy a lesson on Steppin’ fundamentals, followed by dancing to music curated by DJ Ron Edwards. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
Drawing in the Galleries: 7 Mile + Livernois
Join us in the Contemporary galleries for this visitor-favorite event!
Guest Artist Workshop: Born to Remix with Jonathan Kimble
This workshop applies hip-hop’s method of production, the remix, into visual expression, creating stylized, vibrant portraits through unconventional mediums and techniques. This workshop will be led by Detroit native and College for Creative Studies graduate (BFA 2020) Jonathan Kimble.
New York International Children’s Film Festival: Celebrating Black Stories
This collection of short films highlights Black narratives that transcend national boundaries, culture, and language, with films in English, French, Zulu, and ASL. These films celebrate the joy, determination, resilience, and complexity of being young and Black, while underscoring the vibrancy of Black storytelling.
