Cityscape

PBS NewsHour: African American Bead Museum Graces a Distressed Detroit Neighborhood

October 16, 2019, 10:00 PM

Grand River, a main thoroughfare, was once a thriving commercial district in Detroit. It was home to the legendary Carl's Chop House where figures like Jimmy Hoffa lunched, and Olympia Stadium, where the Red Wings played and giants like the Beatles, Marvin Gaye and Bob Dylan performed. 


(Photo: Facebook)

After the 1967 riots, thing changed for the worse and most parts of the business district never recovered fully.

But there's a bright spot in the 6500 block of Grand River near West Grand Boulevard: The MBAD African Bead Museum run by Olayami Dabls. Sixteen years ago he created a space for the community to understand its African heritage.

Occupying nearly a city block, the MBAD African Bead Museum houses 18 outdoor installations as well as the African Bead Gallery, N'kisi House and African Language Wall. 

PBS NewsHour special correspondent Mary Ellen Geist reports on this Detroit attraction some Metro Detroiters don't know about.  


Read more:  PBS NewsHour


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