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Ann Street Black Business District

For most of the twentieth century, the 100 block of East Ann Street was a hub for Black-owned businesses in downtown Ann Arbor. A rotating set of barber shops, shoe shine parlors, dry cleaners, restaurants, blues bars, and pool rooms formed the backbone of Black social life, especially for men. The district stretched around the corner onto North Fourth Avenue where the Colored Welfare League housed Black-owned businesses and community organizations such as the early Dunbar Center.

Ann Street Project Being Proposed

Ann Street Project Being Proposed image
Parent Issue
Day
21
Month
November
Year
1975
Copyright
Copyright Protected

For The Record

For The Record image
Parent Issue
Day
30
Month
June
Year
1977
Copyright
Copyright Protected

Black men eligible for free hair cuts

Black men eligible for free hair cuts image
Parent Issue
Day
19
Month
June
Year
1998
Copyright
Copyright Protected
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Media

AACHM Oral History: Johnnie Rush

Please take a moment to take our Living Oral History Survey and let us know what you learned.

Johnnie Rush was born in 1931 and was the only black person in his class at Ann Arbor High School. He recalls many fond memories of activities with the Second Baptist Church and his family, and he talks about the many challenges for African American businesses as Ann Arbor changed over the years. Mr. Rush is a licensed barber and has run his own barbershop for 55 years.

Blacks Feel Wounded By Suspicion

Blacks Feel Wounded By Suspicion image
Parent Issue
Day
25
Month
January
Year
1995
Copyright
Copyright Protected

Cutting Remarks

Cutting Remarks image
Parent Issue
Day
3
Month
May
Year
1998
Copyright
Copyright Protected