The Charles H. Wright Museum proudly presents “I, Charles H. Wright: My Story
A Festive Celebration of Community, Culture, and Holiday Cheer
Who: The Wright Museum celebrates its 60th Anniversary, an incredible milestone. It was six decades ago when Dr. Wright's vision, to ensure children and youth knew their history, began. Today, The Charles H. Wright Museum, inspired by Dr. Wright's vision, is excited to kick off a year-long initiative where we intentionally celebrate our past and create our future.
Our journey began with our founder, Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1919-2002). We've curated an in-house exhibition that highlights his life and achievements through his words, images, documents, and artifacts. This exhibition showcases his remarkable life and expansive legacy. Dr. Wright was an exceptional physician, a visionary intellectual, and a devoted community advocate. By founding The Wright Museum, he envisioned a place where African Americans could delve into their history and, through this understanding, aspire to greater heights.
What: Charles Howard Wright, M.D. (1918-2002) was a great physician, an intellectual of incredible insight, and a man of solemn dedication to his community. In 1965, he led the establishment of the Afro-American Museum, later named in his honor as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Now we celebrate our 60th anniversary. This exhibition, presented as a first-person narrative by Dr. Wright, uses words, images, documents and objects to portray his extraordinary life and expansive legacy.
We are grateful to his widow Roberta Hughes Wright, Ph.D., his daughters, Stephanie Wright Griggs, and Carla Wright, M.D., and Wilbur C. Rich, Ph.D. for sharing their writings, memories, artifacts, archival materials, and personal perspectives about Dr. Wright.
Where: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 Warren Ave., Detroit MI 48201 phone: 313-494-5800
When: January 17, 2025
Why: When Dr. Charles H. Wright established the museum, artists of Detroit were a part of his vision. He and his collaborative team of stakeholders created a groundbreaking and transformative gathering space focused on African American history, art, and culture. As the visual arts plays a central role in critiquing, representing, expressing, and imagining our world, our anniversary wish is to celebrate Detroit's Black Artists. This exhibition of contemporary art will highlight important African American Detroit artists.
About the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History was founded in 1965 and is in the heart of Midtown Detroit’s Cultural Center. The Wright Museum’s mission is to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history and culture. And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture — the museum’s 22,000 square foot, immersive core exhibit — is one of the largest, single exhibitions surveying the history of African Americans. The Wright Museum houses over 35,000 artifacts and archival materials and offers more than 300 public programs and events annually.
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Media Contacts:
Char Yates
Director of Media Relations
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
cyates@thewright.org
313.494-5839
Kelly Miner
Marketing & Communications Manager
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
kminer@thewright.org
313.494.5865