Adrian Dominican Sisters to Host Black Bottom History Presentation

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The Adrian Dominican Sisters are hosting a public presentation on April 9th focused on Detroit's historic Black Bottom neighborhood and Paradise Valley business district, which were home to hundreds of Black-owned businesses before being demolished in the 1950s and 1960s. Marcia Black, co-director of the Black Bottom Archives, will speak about the people, businesses, and cultural impact of this area that was once referred to as Detroit's 'Black Wall Street'.

Why it matters

The presentation aims to highlight and preserve the history of Detroit's Black Bottom, a once-thriving African American community that was devastated by urban renewal efforts in the mid-20th century. Recounting this history is important for understanding the impact of discriminatory housing and development policies on communities of color.

The details

The event will take place on Thursday, April 9th at 6 p.m. in the Weber Center Auditorium on the Adrian Dominican Sisters campus. Marcia Black, co-director of the Black Bottom Archives, will be the featured speaker, sharing insights about the people, businesses, and cultural significance of the Black Bottom neighborhood and Paradise Valley business district.

• The presentation will be held on Thursday, April 9th, 2026 at 6 p.m.