From 1910 to 1970, six million Black Americans left the South 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. 

In conjunction with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.’s PBS documentary series, “Great Migrations: A People on the Move,” Detroit PBS and One Detroit gathered at The Station at Michigan Central to collect visitors’ migration stories, hearing how their families came to Detroit. 

Over three weekends in February, One Detroit heard stories of migration from the Deep South, Appalachia, Mexico, Honduras, Burundi, Germany, Laos, Vietnam and more.

Participants shared their personal stories about how they and their families traveled to Detroit, the challenges and opportunities they faced when they arrived, and the lives they’ve created for themselves and future generations. 

One Detroit’s Bill Kubota highlights some of the stories shared with Detroit PBS’ Destination Detroit initiative.

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.