What's Happening

March 24, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – All are invited to learn about Detroit’s historic Black Bottom neighborhood and Paradise Valley business district during a special presentation at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Weber Center Auditorium.

Marcia Black, Co-director of Archives and Education for the Black Bottom Archives, shares the story of the people who lived, worked, and built their lives in this district east of downtown Detroit in the 1920s and 1930s. At its high point in 1942, the district was home to more than 300 businesses owned by Blacks, including bars and restaurants, pharmacies, hotels, and doctor’s offices. Black Bottom and Paradise Valley were razed in the 1950s and early 1960s and replaced by high-rise apartment buildings for middle-class, predominantly white families.

“I hope people will learn new things about Detroit,” said Mykayla Giles, Director of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Her office is sponsoring the event. “I appreciate some of the rich history that the Black Bottom District brought to what is now Detroit,” Mykayla said. “They thrived there. They kept the Black dollar within their community.”

Black Bottom Archives was founded in 2015 to research the history of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley and the lives of the people who resided and worked there. The organization offers pop-up displays of Black Bottom and has partnered with museums such as the Michigan Historical Center and the Charles Wright Museum of African American History.

The presentation is open to all, and registration is not required. Weber Center is on the campus of the Adrian Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, Adrian, Michigan. On East Siena Heights Drive, turn into the driveway between Adrian Rea Literacy Center and the solar panel-covered carport. Follow the signs to Weber Center. For information, contact Mykayla at 517-266-3542.

March 20, 2026, Adrian, Michigan – In a Black History Month presentation, Black Firsts: the Present, Sisters, Associates, and community members of Adrian heard of the experience of four Black professionals from Jackson, Michigan, who are the first Black person in their role. 

“The program is about our Black Firsts – how we celebrate when our Black leaders accomplish those high-achieving goals,” said Mykayla Giles, Director of the Congregation’s Office of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion while introducing the program. “It’s such a monumental event, but we seldom hear from them about their experience.” 

Mykayla introduced the panelists, who are also her mentors. Serving on the panel were Christopher Simpson, Jackson Chief of Police; Kelly Crum, Executive Director of School Climate and Curriculum for Jackson Public Schools; Daniel Mahoney, Jackson Mayor; and John Willis, Jackson Chief Equity Officer. 

As moderator, Mykayla’s questions to the panel focused on the various challenges that they faced as they took on their roles, including what inspired them, their reaction when they realized they were breaking new ground, how they navigated spaces in which they were the only Black person, and the systematic changes they believe still need to be made. 

Watch a recording of Black Firsts: The Present.

Caption for above feature photo: Panelists for Black Firsts: The Present are, from left, Christopher Simpson; Kelly Crum; Mykayla Giles, moderator; Daniel Mahoney; and John Willis.