Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), in collaboration with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the Detroit Historical Society, is organizing an event to honor the history and culture of Detroit's former Black Bottom and Paradise Valley neighborhoods. This gathering will include a panel discussion featuring historians and storytellers who will share insights about life in these neighborhoods before they were affected by urban renewal policies in the 1950s.

The panel includes Jamon Jordan, a historian from the City of Detroit; Rod Arroyo, an academic scholar; Kimberly Cooley, founder and owner of A Taste of Hastings Street; and Josh Landon, a Fox 2 News anchor who will moderate the event. The event is open to interested residents as well as MDOT staff and partners.

Scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m., with doors opening at 5:30 p.m., the event will take place at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History located at 315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit, MI.

For attendees requiring assistance such as mobility or visual aids, contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or via email at CurryO@Michigan.gov at least five business days before the meeting. Requests made after this period will be accommodated if possible.

This event is part of MDOT’s broader initiative to recognize the social, environmental, and cultural legacy of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley while promoting community participation in the I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project. It aims to provide a platform for descendants and former residents to share their memories and experiences.