Detroit is UNDEFEATED. And they are celebrating a creative arts initiative, appropriately called UNDEFEATED, will begin during Black History Month when the City of Detroit hosts a weeklong celebration of African Americans in nearly every creative genre.
To launch the Undefeated initiative and Black History Month, Mayor Mike Duggan is calling for a citywide read of the powerful, new Detroit-based novel called Black Bottom Saints. He will interview New York Times best-selling author Alice Randall on Monday, Feb. 1 about her heralded tale of Detroit when Black Bottom thrived.
The book was named one of the Top 20 novels of the year by The New York Times. Among its stellar reviews was this one: “Black Bottom Saints sneaks up on you–telling you the rich story of Black Michigan and Black Detroit in a way that has never been told before. Detroit is not just Motown. Detroit is a stronghold of black America and black culture. This book tells the story. The characters, so rich, the story so strong, so complex. This book is instantly an American classic.”
The UNDEFEATED celebration has dual purposes: to shine a spotlight on a creative community that has contributed some of the best ever in music, art, design, dance, history and literature to the nation; and to help creatives survive the pandemic.
Beginning February 1, Detroit ACE (Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship) will accept creators’ submissions of videos and samples of their performances and work in every genre. The work will appear in a monthly showcase highlighting the breadth and depth of exceptional talent in Detroit. The showcases will give artists opportunities to sell their work and performers chances to be booked for virtual events. Anyone who wants to participate should send a sample of their work or performance to detroitartsandculture@gmail.com with their name, phone number and title of work.
The UNDEFEATED campaign, made possible in part by $176,000 in support from the Kresge Foundation, comes as thousands of artists have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, not just by illness but by the loss of income. Musicians, dancers, actors, production workers, poets, authors, all creatives, have seen their stages, book tours, exhibits shut down.
Detroit ACE began an emergency grants program last spring that still has a waiting list because so many people needed the rapid relief funds. Detroit ACE is still raising money for that fund.
“Our goal is to prove that Detroit is still the Paris of the Midwest,” said Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture for Detroit. “We have an overabundance of talent here, and we want the city, the region, the state and the world to see it, to see all of it. As we work our way forward from the pandemic, we want to bring our entire creative community with us.”
The showcases will be featured monthly throughout the year on Channel 22 and the City’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
Channel 22, which next month becomes Detroit Arts and Entertainment (Detroit A&E ), also is launching the Detroit Black Heritage Film Series, iconic African-American films from the 1920s through the 1970s, sponsored by Walker-Miller Energy Services. The series premieres Feb. 18, and showtime is 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Black History Month Kick-Off Week Schedule
February 1 at Noon: ACE Director Rochelle Riley interviews Stephanie Williams and Elizabeth Atkins on helping more Black authors tell their stories.
February 1 at 7 p.m.: Mayor Duggan interviews Alice Randall.
February 2 at Noon: A look at Detroit’s historic sites and treasures by screening a film featuring local historian and tour guide Jamon Jordan.
February 2 at 7 p.m.: A look at Detroit’s rich history in African American theatre. Learn who got their start in Detroit.
February 3 at Noon: ACE Director Rochelle Riley will interview Chef Phil, the godfather of Detroit culinary arts, and offer demonstrations of food preparation from Chef Omar and cannabis expert Chef Nikki.
February 3 at 7 p.m.: A look at Black dance in Detroit through the years with Debra White-Hunt and the Detroit-Windsor Dance Academy.
February 3 at 8 p.m.: A celebration of spoken word, poetry and rap and a special tribute to late Detroit Poet Laureate Naomi Long Madgett.
February 4 at 5 p.m.: A virtual art exhibit with a soundtrack that honors the African American origins of jazz as provided by some of Detroit’s best sound artists. The exhibit will be followed by a jazz concert featuring jazz greats that include Marion Hayden and Ralphe Armstrong.
February 5 at Noon: A conversation about the storied history and struggles and work of Detroit’s black architects.
February 5 at 7 p.m.: A Detroit ACE interview with designer Tracy Reese and uber fashionista Roslyn Karamoko discussing Detroit’s emerging fashion industry.
February 6 at 4 p.m.: A hip-hop, techno and rock virtual concert featuring Curtis Roach and a host of others.
February 6 at 7 p.m.: You want funny? Rochelle interviews Crystal P and Horace H.B. Sanders about the comedy landscape in Detroit, followed by a set featuring the two professional comics and Rochelle in her second debut set.
Rochelle’s last set was 15 years ago, which tells you a lot. Eek! Detroit ACE prepares for the Undefeated monthly showcase that will celebrate Detroit’s creative community all year. So, expect more comedy in the coming months!
February 7 at 4 p.m.: In honor of Black History Month, the City is hosting a tribute to Detroit’s African-American classical and operatic genius, followed by a gospel concert featuring some of Detroit’s most dynamic choirs!
The events will be live on Zoom, Channel 22 and Facebook. Register at Detroitartsandculture@gmail.com.
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