6 Ways You Can Show Your Support During Black History Month

It’s Black History Month, let's seize the moment to emphasize that celebrating the achievements of the Black community is not confined to February—we can engage with, honor and appreciate them throughout the entire year. Allow this February to be a time for reflection and educating yourself on the work of Black leaders, and getting inspired by the legacy of the African American community. To help you on your journey, we have detailed 6 ways you can show your support of Black businesses and organizations. 

1. Follow Black-led organizations and engage with their posts 

Black History is happening all day, every day. If we only view black history as a thing of the past, we are doing a disservice to the countless awe-inspiring leaders in the African American community today. What are you personally passionate about? Research Black-led organizations in your area of interest, follow them on social media and be sure to engage with their posts! For instance, if you are passionate about transit justice, we recommend following the Detroit People’s Platform, @detroitpeoples on Instagram. If you want to support water justice, follow us on Instagram at @wethepeople_det! We also recommend following these incredible black-led organizations: 

• Wisdom Institute @wisdominstitutedetroit

• EMEAC/ Frontline Detroit @frontlinedetroit

• The Junction Coalition @junctioncoalition

• One Love Global @1loveglobal

• Mothering Justice @motheringjustice

1. Donate to or volunteer with local groups advancing racial justice in your community 

We said it before and we’ll say it again- Black History is happening now! A powerful expression of support and one of the best ways to show some love during Black History Month is to share your time or financial resources with groups fighting for social justice in the modern day. Donating and/or volunteering is sharing  necessary resources that are incredibly valuable to Black-led organizations and your contributions are immensely appreciated.

If you’d like to make a donation to We the People of Detroit, you can do so at https://www.wethepeopleofdetroit.com/get-involved 

1. Take some time to research Black history heroes 

The world is a better place because of Black history heroes. Modern science, technology, arts, music, and culture would not be where it is today without the work of countless African American leaders. 

The Honorable Rev. Dr. JoAnn Watson was a Detroit advocate for environmental and social justice who crafted the first water affordability legislation in the nation. Erma Henderson was the first black woman elected to the Detroit City Council. Dorothea Height was a legendary feminist who spent her life advancing rights for Black women. John Lewis was a freedom fighter who served in Congress for over 30 years. We could go on infinitely about the advancements made by African American leaders. Take some time to research figures in movements important to you. We guarantee you will find a historical figure or even a modern-day hero who inspires you, no matter what your interests are. 

1. Visit your local Black History Museum 

There are few better ways to learn about Black History than by going to your local museum. Curators are trained to educate patrons on historical events and figures, in the most entertaining way possible. Bring a friend, partner, or family member to your local history museum and see what new things you can learn together. Discuss what surprised you and what inspired you about the Black history you witnessed in the exhibits. 

We recommend visiting Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History or the Motown Museum, right here in Detroit. Additionally, if you’d like to learn more about Detroit’s role in the underground railroad, we encourage you to schedule a tour at the historic Second Baptist Church in Detroit. Further, there are incredible works of art by Black artists displayed within the Detroit Institute of Arts and the N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Arts, which is a Black-owned gallery. 

1. Read a book by a Black author 

African American literature is powerful, moving, and important. Reading fiction novels by Black authors allows us to put ourselves in the shoes of another person, who may have different perspectives and experiences from us. Additionally, nonfiction books by Black authors educate us on important experiences and perspectives across the African Diaspora. While there is an endless number of worthwhile reads, here is a non-exhaustive list of books that may interest you: 

• Fiction 

• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston 

• Beloved by Toni Morrison 

• The Color Purple by Alice Walker 

• Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin 

• Nonfiction 

• Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho 

• Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde 

• I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou 

• Ain’t I a Woman, Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks 

• Hard Stuff, The Autobiography of Mayor Coleman Young by Coleman Young and Lonnie Wheeler 

• The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones 

• Children’s Lit and YA 

• Children of Blood & Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

• The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

• Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry by Mildred D Taylor 

• When the Schools Shut Down by Yolanda Gladden 

• Ida B. Wells, Let the Truth be Told by Walter Dean Myers 

• Sulwe Lupita Nyong’o

• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander 

• Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison 

1. Support a Black-owned business by purchasing one of their goods or services 

We always recommend supporting Black-owned businesses by purchasing one of their goods or services. Black businesses contribute greatly to the American economy. Here is a list of some of our favorite Black-owned businesses in Metro-Detroit: 

• Restaurant & Cafes 

• Yum Village 

• Narrow Way Cafe & Shop

• Kuzzos Chicken & Waffles 

• Le Crepe (Royal Oak) 

• The Turkey Grill 

• Pasta Bowl 

• J’s Cafe 

• Baker’s Keyboard Lounge

• Detroit Vegan Soul 

• Law 

• Great Lakes Legal Group 

• Clothing 

• Detroit vs. Everybody 

• The Fashion Place (Detroit)

• My Refined Resale Boutique (Royal Oak)

• Beauty 

• The Lip Bar 

• The Ten Nail Bar 

• Arts & Literature 

• Source Booksellers 

• The N’Namdi Center for Contemporary Art 

To conclude, there are endless ways that you can show your support for Black-led, owned, and operated businesses and organizations. Be sure to share this post with friends and family! 

Want to be a part of history in the making? Stand up for water justice. Pledge your support 

today at https://www.welcoalition.org/take-the-pledge by taking the water affordability pledge.