The
Voices of Black Midland historical archive is a collection of oral histories that reflects the experience of black residents in Midland. Created by the grassroots organization
Anti-Racist Midland (ARM), the oral histories were collected in response to the 2020 deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery.
These tragedies sparked widespread conversations about racial justice, inspiring the creation of the archive, which aims to foster a greater understanding of local black history.
“With Covid and people being home and having really, truly more time to see what was unfolding in front of them,” Historian and member of the Cultural Awareness Coalition Dr. Jennifer Vannette says. “Things like George Floyd's murder, it wasn't the first time an extrajudicial killing of a black man had happened. But It's this moment where everybody was watching.”
Though ARM initially launched the initiative, leadership of the project has since been passed to the
Midland Area Cultural Awareness Coalition (MACAC). Today, MACAC is responsible for managing the project and expanding its outreach to further share this piece of history.
The coalition's mission is to continue what ARM started and share the stories of Black residents in Midland, with the goal of creating a space for connection and open conversation about race, history, and the lasting effects of systemic oppression.
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Voices of Black MidlandLinneaus Dorman became the first Black chemist hired by Dow in 1960The archive features over 23 hours of interviews with current and former black residents of Midland. The interviews, which range from 30 to 90 minutes in length are available online, along with full written transcripts.
“In Midland, as black people in a predominantly white community the white community didn't necessarily need to see, know, or understand what their experiences were,” Vannette says. “It was too easy, perhaps, to gloss over and this just coalesced in that space to say we've been here, we've had these experiences, and we want to share these in our own words.”
The stories cover a wide array of topics, including education, the history of Midland’s early Black families, and the role of work and community in shaping the lives of black residents.
The Voices of Black Midland’s website also offers resources to learn more about Midland’s racial history. In addition to the interviews, the site includes articles that highlight significant events in the city’s past, and the impact of redlining and urban renewal in Saginaw. The hope is that these stories will not only educate but also inspire conversation, connection, and empathy among the people of Midland.
The interviews offer an unfiltered look into the lived experiences of black residents, allowing their voices to be heard in their own words. These firsthand accounts offer a glimpse into the struggles, triumphs, and everyday realities that many people may not fully understand unless they hear it directly from those who’ve lived it.
“I think it's a unique resource,” Vannette says. “Not every community, especially not every community of our size, has such an extensive library that captures what life, and work, and school was like over these spans of time that these people who shared their stories experienced. It's a real gem that we have this.”
In addition to the oral histories, the Voices of Black Midland website offers a set of resources for educators. A dedicated page features lesson plans designed to teach students about black history, both locally and nationally. The goal is to help students understand the complexities of race and privilege, while also learning about the contributions and struggles of black individuals throughout history.
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Voices of Black MidlandJanis Smith explains why Midland was often a great place to live but how it was often hard, especially raising children.The goal of ARM and the coalition is to equip the next generation with the knowledge and empathy needed to recognize and challenge systemic racism. Teaching about white privilege and the oppression of black and indigenous people of color is key to breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive society.
“Enter that story in a way that's comfortable for you,” Vannette says. “That's, I think a key to breaking down barriers, is to just find those points where we can meet people where they're at. The people who sat for interviews were so generous, giving all these personal details and stories inviting people into their lived experiences so that others can learn from it and grow.”
The Voices of Black Midland project also encourages community involvement. The website features a submission form where anyone can contribute their own oral history to the archive. In addition, the site includes a donation option, to help keep the archive going for future generations.
By offering a platform for personal stories and educational resources, the Voices of Black Midland project aims to create lasting change. It’s a step toward understanding the lived experiences of black residents, educating people about the ongoing fight for racial justice, and building a more empathetic and inclusive community.