April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance aimed at shedding light on the persistent health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minority populations. American Black Journal’s “Black Church in Detroit” series looks at the efforts of the Black church to provide resources, referrals and respite for family caregivers. Host Stephen Henderson speaks with Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard, project manager for the Detroit Family Caregivers' Project, and Rev. Dr. Georgia Hill, pastor of LifeChurch Riverside, about their experiences as caregivers and how faith communities can develop cultures and communities of care.

Masaki Takahashi is the current Poet Laureate of Lansing, and the founder of The Poetry Room. Learn more about Masaki and his work: https://the517poetryroom.com/ Related resources and learning materials: https://MichiganLearning.org/PoetryAdventure

Brooke and Ari visit the Poetry Out Loud state competition in Lansing, Michigan; Lansing Poet Laureate Masaki Takahashi shares how his non-profit, The Poetry Room, aims to create space for writers of color; Flint Public Art Project and Flint Mural Poems combine visual art and poetry to spark important conversations and inspire positive change; Brooke shares her experience meeting history-making poet, Nandi Comer; Leah checks in from Chassell, MI with a poem inspired by nature; and Brooke and Paige learn about Ypsilanti’s Youth Poet Laureate program. From @MichLearning 's Extra Credit. For related resources and to learn more about the featured stories: https://michiganlearning.org/poetryadventure

Filmmakers collaborate with literary and visual artists to create a dynamic cinema series. Twelve Detroit filmmakers collaborated with the 2023 Kresge Artist Fellows in Literary and Visual Arts to create 18 dynamic short films exploring the artists’ creative practices, expressions, and journeys as artists and humans. The Detroit PBS premiere culminates with a vignette of 2024 Kresge Eminent Artist, Nora Chapa Mendoza.

About 300,000 people are expected to visit Detroit for the 2024 NFL Draft. The three-day event will be held April 25-27 in various locations downtown, including Campus Martius, Hart Plaza, Cadillac Square and the Monroe Street Midway. Beyond the draft, the city will be encouraging visitors to experience what it has to offer through its restaurants, world-class museums and award-winning parks. Host Stephen Henderson talks with Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari and Faye Nelson from the Detroit Sports Organizing Corp about the preparations for the draft and the impact it will have on tourism in the city.

April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance that highlights the health disparities faced by racial and ethnic minority communities. This year's theme, "Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections," emphasizes understanding how social determinants of health impact minority health outcomes. Dr. Hayley Thompson, director of Wayne State University's Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP), talks with host Stephen Henderson about the efforts to tackle health inequities in Detroit and Michigan.

This week on American Black Journal: April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance that highlights the health disparities faced by people of color. Dr. Hayley Thompson, director of Wayne State University's Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP), talks with host Stephen Henderson about the efforts to tackle health inequities in Detroit and Michigan. Plus, the 2024 NFL Draft will be in Detroit April 25-27 and approximately 300,000 visitors are expected to attend. Henderson talks with Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari and Faye Nelson from the Detroit Sports Organizing Corp about the logistics for the draft and how it will impact tourism in the city.

The Wolverine Bar Association hosts its 62nd annual Barristers' Ball, a cornerstone event in Detroit's African American legal community. Wolverine Bar Association President Diane Hutcherson and State Bar of Michigan Diversity Director Gregory Conyers talk with host Stephen Henderson about the event and the state of diversity in the field of law. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump discusses the need for justice and equality in contemporary society and making the world a better place for the future during the Charles H. Wright Museum’s “The Wright Conversations” lecture series. Plus, the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival artist-in-residence Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band perform during a special preview of the Labor Day weekend event at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University.

The Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has announced acclaimed drummer, composer, and bandleader Brian Blade as the artist-in-residence for the upcoming Detroit Jazz Festival. This two-time Grammy Award winner musician is set to take center stage during the Labor Day weekend festivities and engage with educational initiatives and community outreach programs spearheaded by the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. Watch a performance by Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band at the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center on the Wayne State University campus.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump discusses the need for justice and equality in contemporary society and making the world a better place for the future during the Charles H. Wright Museum’s “The Wright Conversations” lecture series. The Wright Conversations series is a platform for dynamic discourse on issues ranging from civic engagement to cultural heritage. It is presented by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in partnership with Detroit PBS. Watch an excerpt from Crump’s remarks about achieving racial and social justice and making this world a better place for our children's future. Plus, watch the full address at https://youtube.com/live/5xPiW80BCMs

The Wolverine Bar Association hosts its 62nd annual Barristers' Ball, a cornerstone event in Detroit's African American legal community. This year’s theme is "Motown: Back Down Memory Lane," a tribute to Detroit's Motown era. Wolverine Bar Association President Diane Hutcherson and State Bar of Michigan Diversity Director Gregory Conyers talk with host Stephen Henderson about the purpose of the Barristers' Ball, the current state of diversity in the legal profession, and the importance of African American legal representation for people of color. Barristers' Ball returns after two-year hiatus: https://youtu.be/huKqwsjttFM

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