Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, Michigan Memories is highlighting some of the photographs from the rich collections of our state's cultural institutions. We've included some research questions to help teachers who might like to use them in their classrooms.

For more on Carter G. Woodson and the origin of Black History Month, please see this article from the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Western Union bicycle messengers

Description: Three young African American women in uniforms, holding "Western Union Telegrams", 2 with bicycles. Left to Right: Earlene Robey, Marjorie Sams, Doris Leak. Grand Rapids Herald article, 11-7-1942, pg. 3

Possible research questions:

What was Western Union?
When did Western Union first hire African American men as workers?
When did Western Union first hire African American women?

Year: 1942

Source: The Robinson Studio Collection (Coll. 125), Grand Rapids History Center, at the Grand Rapids Public Library: https://digital.grpl.org/Detail/objects/121745

Aretha Franklin at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit

Suggested research questions:

Why was the New Bethel Baptist Church important to Aretha Franklin?
The congregation of New Bethel Baptist Church moved in 1961. Why did that happen?

Year: 1976

Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at Wayne State University Libraries and Walter P Reuther Library: https://wayne.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/vmc/id/5498/rec/15

Nelson Mandela receiving an honorary degree

Suggested research questions:

Who is Nelson Mandela, and for what is he remembered?
Why does someone receive an honorary degree?

Year: 1991

Source: Office of International Academic Affairs (University of Michigan) Records, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/image-idx?id=S-BHL-X-HS14491%5DHS14491

Poster: "Free Nelson Mandela and all South African Political Prisoners"

Year: Unknown

Source: Political Posters Collection, Joseph A. Labadie Collection, University of Michigan Library: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lbc2ic/x-sclp0294/sclp_0294

Poet Dudley Randall reading a book

Suggested research questions:

What were some of the common topics and themes found in the poems of Dudley Randall?
Besides writing his own poetry, what were his other contributions to promoting African American poetry?

Year: Unknown

Source: The Dudley Randall papers at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan (photographer: Hugh Grannum, Detroit Free Press): https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhl/x-hs18902/hs18902

For more about Dudley Randall: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/dudley-randall

Jazz band playing at Mickey's Show Bar in Detroit

Suggested research questions:

What was the impact of African Americans on jazz in Detroit?
Where could people go to hear African American musicians play jazz in Detroit in the 1940s and 1950s? Who were the most popular jazz musicians in the Detroit area at that time?
When do you think this photo was taken? Why do you think that?

Year: unknown

Source: The Detroit News Photograph Collection, The Virtual Motor City Collection at the Walter P Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University: https://wayne.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/vmc/id/40978/rec/1

Martin Luther King, Jr. speaks at Cobo Hall

Suggested research questions:

This photograph is from June 23, 1963. What do you think Dr. King is saying?
How could you find out?
How did different newspapers cover this speech?

Year: 1963

Coretta Scott King

Suggested research questions:

You might know that Coretta Scott King was married to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. What are some sources that demonstrate her beliefs and interests in her own words and actions?

Year: 1965

Soldiers seated at long tables at Fort Custer (known then as Camp Custer)

Suggested research questions:

In 1917 what percentage of the soldiers at Camp Custer were African American?
To what degree were soldiers racially segregated at Camp Custer during World War I?

Year: ca. 1917

Source: The Fort Custer photograph collection at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan (photographer: B.R. McIntyre (Battle Creek, MI)): https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhl/x-hs13642/hs13642

International Day of Solidarity with Namibia

Suggested research questions:

Where is Namibia?
What was the colonial name of Namibia? Why was it changed?
What were the issues in Namibia of that time?

Year: Unknown

Source: Political Posters Collection, Joseph A. Labadie Collection, University of Michigan Library: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lbc2ic/x-sclp0469/sclp_0469

Spike Lee at a University of Michigan basketball game

Suggested research questions:

Who is Spike Lee?
Spike Lee was visiting the University of Michigan to speak to a class. What do you think he told the students?

Year: 2000

Source: University of Michigan News and Information Services Photographs at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhl/x-bl022714/bl022714

Faygo Beverage Company

Suggested research questions:

When did the Faygo Company first hire African American workers?
What kind(s) of jobs were African Americans first hired to do?

Year: 1969

Workers in the Packard factory

Suggested research questions:

What job do you think the workers are doing here? What do you notice about the workers' appearances?
How did this kind of job compare to other jobs in the factory?
What kinds of jobs were available to African American autoworkers during the 1920s and 1930s?

Year: 1928

Source: Making of Modern Michigan, Michigan State University Libraries Digital Collections and Detroit Public Library: https://d.lib.msu.edu/mmm/6398

B. B. King at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival

Suggested research questions:

Consider what is happening around B.B. King that you can’t see. Who else performed at this event? Who was the audience?
What impact did B.B. King have on music in America?
What was the social and cultural significance of the blues?

Year: 1969

Source: The Michigan Daily Alumni Photographers Collection at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan (photographer: Jay Cassidy): https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/midaily1ic/x-md-und-69047-und-010/MD_69047_010