Voices of Black Midland

Voices of Black Midland is a living, digital exhibit featuring a collection of oral histories from current and former residents of Midland, Michigan. Bringing together community members from a variety of generations, careers, socioeconomic backgrounds, and periods of Midland’s history, the exhibition explores Midland’s racial history and the first-hand experiences of Midland’s evolving Black community. 

Building on the works of community historian, Dr. Betty Jones, Voices of Black Midland represents the most comprehensive digital collection of Black Midland’s history to-date. The featured stories describe the experiences of Midland’s first Black residents, community celebrations, and challenges Black Midlanders continue to face today. While the exhibition serves as a source for continued learning of Midland’s racial dynamics, its principal purpose is to provide members of Midland’s Black community the space and autonomy to tell their stories on their own terms, in their own words.