Black History

Learn more about Holland Park Transformation and other Black History in this section
See posts about History Hill below
An map of Holland Park from 1997 shows its location on the west side of Albion Michigan.
Holland Park is the site of the former West Ward School in Albion Michigan. This photo from early 2015 shows a tour of what existed at this site then.
City Council person Lenn Reid and others toured the playground equipment.
Historian Leslie Dick and City Council person Lenn Reid are among those who started a campaign to raise funds to transform Holland Park.
Holland Park was a favorite spot for its basketball courts. On the building next to the courts was a mural by Jerome Washington.
The mural by Jerome Washington had portraits of notable school teachers at West Ward School.
A marker at Holland Park tells the story of the segregated school that once stood at this spot.
Leslie Dick and Lenn Reid were active in their involvement to make the transformation project happen.
Presentations were made to City Council and to potential funders to provide a better playground, and more at Holland Park.
A sign at Holland Park that shows it is one of Albion’s large network of public parks.
Part of the process to raise funds for the Holland Park project was to increase public awareness at the Festival of the Forks.
The planners visited the park often to see what was there and needed to be updated or replaced.
Brainstorming sessions involved City Hall and community members.
Albion Youth helped to make presentations of the photos of the park and activities that take place there.
Presentations were made at area churches.
Meetings with key community members took place at City Hall. Here Harry Bonner helps with the strategic planning.
The work begins on the new playground equipment for Holland Park
Special equipment was installed for different age groups
The new equipment is safer and sturdy
Two of the helpers of the installataion day were City Manager Dr. Sherly MItchell, and Harry Bonner, Director of Substance Abuse Prevention Albion
Some of the volunteers pose for a photo
There was time left for a walk on the nearby Albion River Trail after the work day

Albion has a long history of celebrating and cultivating Black lives. Prior to the Great Migration beginning in 1916, the community had a very small population of Black Americans.

Since recruiting Black men from the south to work in the city’s industries, Black families have come to settle in Albion. Now the small town’s population has grown to be home to approximately 30% African American residents.

A crowd of Black Michiganders celebrating Emancipation Day on August 1, 1927 in Albion.

 

During the last 100+ years, Albion has stood out for its strength as a hub for civil rights leaders and social justice activists. Its residents often compare the community to a big family – one that can disagree and still remain by each other’s side, particularly in times of need.

Albion was the home of three Tuskegee Airmen, a rare achievement for a city this size.

Strenuous challenges have impacted the city of Albion; once a thriving industrial town, the closing of businesses, the local hospital, and the public school district have caused many residents to leave also.

Those who remain in Albion are concerned about the city’s future; while many are still coming together to envision what is possible amidst such great loss, many others feel a sense of mistrust too great to risk further pain.

When considering a key component of Albion’s Black History, let us remember some of the most incredible leaders who have come and imparted their wisdom. Among many trailblazers who have given back to the community, Albion’s anchor institutions have hosted the following luminaries:

What is more, the graduates of Albion Public Schools have also gone on to achieve greatness in every arena you can imagine. As with all of the information on AlbionMich.net, the content of the Black History page will continue to grow to paint the more full and rich picture of Albion that it deserves.

The best information about Black History in Albion can be found on the new website:  http://albionwestward.net/

For now, please see below the articles and webpages that Albion residents have created to tell vital stories that are far too often overlooked in American society.