Honoring the Foundation of Kalamazoo During Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and KPL is honoring some of the formative Black men and women who have impacted the founding and growth of Kalamazoo. Read, watch and listen to their stories, browse our special collections and participate in our dedicated Black History Month programming.

Influential Black Men and Women in Kalamazoo History

Black History

Roberts, Duane L.

Duane L. Roberts was a native son of Kalamazoo, and one of its most important voices for community change for…

Black History

Whitten, Anna L.

In 1999, Anna Whitten received the Women of Achievement Award from the YWCA of Kalamazoo. In their brochure for the…

Black History

Spradling, Mary Mace

Mary Mace Spradling’s revolutionary act of diversifying the library collection is only one part of her legacy as a librarian.

Black History

Minott, Margaret

Margaret Minott was the first African American elected to the Kalamazoo Board of Education. She was instrumental in the effort…

Black History

Pratt, Charles A.

One of several existing legal associations in Kalamazoo, is the Charles A. Pratt Bar Association, which takes its name from…

Black History

Harris, Enoch and Deborah

Among the earliest pioneers in Oshtemo Township were Enoch Harris and his family, the first black settlers in Kalamazoo County.…

Black History

Phillips Brothers

Of all the dance orchestras and concert ensembles that Kalamazoo produced during the 19th century, the Phillips Brothers’ Orchestra was…

Black History

White, Albert

Albert White was an African American building contractor who lived and worked in Kalamazoo from the 1870s until his death…

Black History

Stafford, Wallace F. W.

Little is known of the life of Wallace F. W. Stafford aside from a few early life events that speak…

Black History

Washington, Arthur, Jr.

In January of 2003, the Justice Center facility at Crosstown Parkway and S. Burdick Street was named in honor of…

Black History

Alexander, Dr. C. Allen

“An extraordinary personality, who is a physician, surgeon, community leader, oral historian, sportsman, raconteur, and author.”

Black History

Bradley, Gilbert H., Jr.

“Gil has something unique to offer our community. During his ten years as a resident of Kalamazoo, he has been…

Black History

Hill, Forrest M.

Hill’s influential contributions to life in Kalamazoo during the late 19th and early 20th century are deserving of chronicling, for…

Black History

Johnson, Pauline Byrd

Pauline Byrd Johnson was many things: an outspoken critic of forced desegregation policies, an active member of the Kalamazoo Republican…

Black History

Graine, Judson C.

Judson C. Graine was born in Paw Paw, Michigan. Later, he moved to Kalamazoo, where his enthusiasm for horses and…

Stories

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Black History

African American Newspapers

In addition to Kalamazoo’s principal newspapers (The Kalamazoo Gazette and The Kalamazoo Telegraph [1844-1916]), everyday life of black Kalamazoo residents…

Black History

Las Amigas Club

Organized on 28 February 1948 the African American women’s group Las Amigas (The Friends) Club emerged to provide a variety…

Black History

Afro-American Journal and Directory

Rev. John L. Davis, c.1894 Published by Rev. John L. Davis of Kalamazoo, this 48-page Afro-American Journal and Directory was printed…

Black History

Northside Neighborhood

There is a book waiting to be written about Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood, however no sketch of this length can do…

Black History

Civic Black Theatre

Founded in 1978, the Civic Black Theatre (CBT) “recognized a need” for “black theater” in Kalamazoo. According to WMU faculty…

Black History

Van Avery Drug Store Protest

By 1963, the post-World War II fervor for civil rights, which had begun several years earlier in southern states like…

Black History

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church

Founded in 1855 by a handful of members, the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church is the oldest black church in Kalamazoo.

Black History

Douglass Community Association

The Douglass Community Association was a byproduct of the First World War. Camp Custer was home to large numbers of…

Black History

Council Hawes Jr. and The Pacific Club

In 1946, after returning from military service in World War II, Council Hawes Jr. (1910-1982) managed The Pacific Club (aka…

Black History

North Burdick Grocery and Market

Established in 1949, the North Burdick Grocery and Market (1907 N. Burdick) was the first African American-owned and operated business…

Black History

African American Churches

List includes both active and inactive congregations Ministerial Alliance of Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1969 Allen Chapel A.M.E., founded in 1855 Bible…

Black History

Black Arts Festival

“The Black Arts Festival is founded on the belief that Black Awareness should be an integral part of our society.…

Black History

Underground Railroad in Kalamazoo

More than three million African-Americans lived as slaves in the Southern United States in the mid-1800s. They had few human…

Black History

Oliver v. Kalamazoo Board of Education

The following is not intended to be a comprehensive history of the Kalamazoo Public Schools desegregation case (Oliver v. Kalamazoo…

Black History

Baseball in Kalamazoo: Black Teams

From as early as 1877 or before, Kalamazoo’s leading African American baseball players were forming independent teams and successfully squaring…

Black History

Black Lives Matter Street Mural

You likely have seen the beautiful Black Lives Matter street mural on Rose Street, but do you know the amazing…

Watch

Collections

Collections

Black History Spotlight: Motown at 75

Black History Films 2026

Black History Experiences

Picture Books to Read During Black History Month

Black History Month—Essential Albums

Black History Month Books

See more collections…

Black History Month Events

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