From 1910 to 1970, six million Black Americans left the South fleeing racial oppression and seeking the promise of a better life for them and their families. An estimated half a million of them were bound for Detroit. And for many, their first stop was the historic Michigan Central Station. 

For three weekends in February, Detroit PBS and One Detroit partnered with Michigan Central to offer a range of activities celebrating this chapter in the city’s history. These events were held in conjunction with the release of Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s PBS documentary series, “Great Migrations: A People on the Move.” 

Attendees were able to watch screenings of the documentary series, purchase food and refreshments from Black-owned businesses, listen to live entertainment and share their family’s history with Detroit PBS’ Destination Detroit initiative. The events culminated with a panel discussion moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and One Detrtroit contributor Stephen Henderson, host of “American Black Journal.”

Henderson talked with City of Detroit Historian Jamon Jordan, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History President & CEO Neil Barclay, and Karen Batchelor, a genealogist, attorney and first Black member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. During an hour-long panel, they discussed what caused the Great Migration, why people chose Detroit, how they made a new life for themselves here, and the continuing influence of that mass movement. 

Watch an excerpt from the panel about how the increase of African Americans impacted labor and culture in Detroit and the migration’s continuing influence on the city today. Plus, the panelists share their personal migration stories and discuss how others can uncover their own family histories. 

Corporate support for “Great Migrations: A People on the Move” is provided by Bank of America, Ford Motor Company and Johnson & Johnson. Major support is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Support is also provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Inkwell Society together with many of its members, and by public television viewers. For a complete list of funders, please contact McGee Media.