UDM celebrates Black History Month with programming
University of Detroit Mercy is celebrating Black History Month with a series of programs on the McNichols, Riverfront and Corktown Campuses throughout February.
Below are the event details. All event dates and times are subject to change.
Learn more about events hosted by the Black Student Union throughout the month.
Past Events
Black American Dish Fundraiser
The Corktown Campus café celebrated culture, history and community through food with a different Black American dish prepared weeklyat lunchtime.
This event was hosted by the School of Dentistry.
Badge-making activity
Throughout the month the Library held a badge-making activity to celebrate Black History month.
This event was hosted by the McNichols Campus Library.
Door decoration
Throughout the month, doors were decorated throughout the Corktown Campus in commemoration of Black History Month.
This event was co-hosted by the School of Dentistry and School of Optometry.
SACD Middle Passage exhibition
Detroit Mercy’s SACD celebrated Black History Month with a month-long exhibition designed by Elgin Cleckley. The exhibition reimagined historic drawings and models used to document the conditions aboard the Brookes Slave Ship. The exhibition ran through Feb. 27.
This event was hosted by SACD and CHASS.
Jazz Night
Titans and UDM neighbors gathered in the Student Union Fountain Lounge for some jazz music, food and games.
This event was co-hosted by TENN and the Black Student Union.
Painting with a Twist: Black History Month special
Titans and friends gathered at Painting with a Twist for a creative sip‑and‑paint experience.
This event was hosted by the School of Dentistry.
Past, Present, Future screening with panel of African American judges + mixer
The past, present and future impact of Black Americans was showcased at this special screening followed by a discussion with a panel of African American judges. A mixer followed the event.
This event was co-hosted by the School of Law and Black Law Students Association.
Second Installment of NOMAS Lecture Series
The National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) at Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture & Community Development (SACD) hosted the third annual Black History Month lecture series featuring prominent Black designers.
This event was hosted by NOMAS and SACD.
Crown Her: African Fabric & Headwrap Workshop
This interactive workshop explored the rich history, meaning and cultural significance of African fabric and how it served as a tool for expression, tradition and storytelling across generations. Participants examined the history and beauty of African headwrapping and engaged in an interactive and creative styling experience.
This event was hosted by the McNichols Campus Library.
Poetry Reading with Brittany Rogers and Tommye Blount
Two acclaimed Detroit voices, lifelong Detroiter Brittany Rogers, author of Good Dress, a 2025 Michigan Notable Books selection, and Detroit native Tommye Blount, author of Fantasia for the Man in Blue and a National Book Award finalist, read from their work and shared poetry that reflects Black culture and history. A reception and book signing preceded the reading.
This event was co-hosted by the English Department, African American Studies and Student Life.
Poetry Reading with NBCCA award-winning author Ross Gay
Detroit Mercy’s English Department welcomed poet Ross Gay, who read his work for the 2026 Triptych series, a virtual reading series featuring award-winning authors in conversation with Detroit Mercy’s Poet-in-Residence Stacy Gnall.
This event was hosted by the English Department.
Book Talk with Marcus Rediker about Freedom Ship (2025 Viking Press)
Historian Marcus Rediker discussed his book Freedom Ship, which tells the little‑known story of how enslaved people escaped bondage by hiding aboard ships with help from sailors and dockworkers at ports along the Underground Railroad by sea.
This event was co-hosted by African American Studies and the Black Abolitionist Archive.
Walking with African American Saints To-be, Gallery + reception
Portraits were on display about Black Catholics who are undergoing the process to be made saints in the Catholic Church. A reception followed the viewing.
This event was co-hosted by the School of Dentistry and University Ministry.
Black Excellence Tailgate Pregame Event
This pregame event involved food vendors and student engagement in the Whitty Student Fitness Center, followed by a powerful Cass Tech High School Marching band drumline-led transition/march into Calihan Hall prior to the tipoff of the men’s basketball game. At halftime Divine Nine gave a stroll demonstration.
This event was co-hosted by the Black Student Union, University Athletics and Cass Tech High School Marching Band.
Civil Rights Tour of Detroit
This tour of some of the most iconic historic civil rights locations in Detroit enabled participants to reflect on how one's history connects to a sense of place and identity now.
This event was hosted by NOMAS, MSA and University Ministry.
Voices from the Slave Ships
Dramatic readings were told of enslaved Africans who were brought across the Atlantic in the belly of slave ships during the Middle Passage.
This event was co-hosted by the Black Abolitionist Archive, African American Studies and the McNichols Library.
NOMAS Lecture Series
The National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) at Detroit Mercy’s School of Architecture & Community Development (SACD) hosted the third annual Black History Month lecture series featuring prominent Black designers.
This event was hosted by NOMAS and SACD.
Love Stories from the Underground Railroad
On the eve of Valentine’s day, moving stories of love and partnership were told that explored how enslaved couples faced and endured the trials of slavery together.
This event was co-hosted by the Black Abolitionist Archive and Student Affairs.
Screening of documentary Redemption Road
This special screening of the award-winning documentary Redemption Road told a story of transformation and traced the life of Yusef “Bunchy” Shakur from a childhood shaped by abandonment and violence to his emergence as a respected community leader and thinker. The screening was followed by a conversation with Shakur.
This event was hosted by the College of Health Professions.
Young Inventors Day
The School of Dentistry partnered with local elementary schools to introduce students to Black innovators through hands-on lessons and activities exploring their impact on science, technology and culture.
This event was hosted by the School of Dentistry.
SACD Middle Passage exhibition opening
Detroit Mercy’s SACD opened a month-long exhibition designed by Elgin Cleckley. The exhibition reimagines historic drawings and models used to document the conditions aboard the Brookes Slave Ship. Cleckley and art historian Samantha Noël spoke at the opening event.
This event was hosted by SACD and CHASS.
Black Muslims in North American History, Jummah Prayer and Social
Islamic Ministry held a Jummah Prayer and social with the theme, “The Legacy of Black Muslims in America." Jummah Prayer featured a sermon and communal prayer emphasizing unity, spiritual renewal and remembrance of God.
This event was hosted by University Ministry.
Book Talk with Kendra Boyd
Kendra Boyd, assistant professor of History at Rutgers University-Camden, discussed her book, Freedom Enterprise, winner of the Historical Society of Michigan’s 2025 State History Award. The book traces the rise and fall of the Black business community in Detroit.
This event was hosted by the Department of History, African American Studies Program and Black Abolitionist Archive.
Interfaith Dinner
Fellow Titans celebrated world interfaith harmony at an interfaith panel and dinner. Participants shared food together, heard personal stories from a panel of speakers of various religious perspectives on sustaining hope and enjoyed a cultural drumming and singing group that included one UDM graduate student.
This event was hosted by University Ministry.
Legal Rights in Police Encounters Lecture and training
This presentation clarified the rights that young people—especially youth of color—are entitled to during police encounters, outlined strategies for self-protection without escalation and equipped the audience with a protocol they can carry into their very next interaction.
This event was co-hosted by CHASS, Divine Nine and the Black Student Union
Black American Muslims Sermon, Jummah Prayer
A Jummah Prayer service was held for Black American Muslims featuring a sermon and communal prayer emphasizing unity, spiritual renewal and remembrance of God.
This event was hosted by University Ministry.
MLK Day Immersion Trip
Students honored the spirit of Dr. King by assembling and delivering kits to help low-income seniors in Highland Park stay warm this winter.
This event was co-hosted by University of Ministry and TENN.
Last day to sign up for Montgomery, Ala., Spring Break Civil Rights Immersion trip (students only)
During Detroit Mercy's spring break from March 7-13, students will travel to Montgomery, Ala., to learn more about the Civil Rights movement. This trip is designed to provide an educational experience through visits to renowned museums and historical sites, highlighting the area's rich history. Students will engage in current-day civil rights issues around racism, voting access and even join a historical rally crossing the Selma bridge. Jan. 21 was the last day to sign up for this trip.
This event is hosted by University Ministry.