Planning is underway for the next Michigan Black Summit, once again to be held at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in February.
Neighbors Organizing Against Racism Director Tracy Bullocks tells us the event is a chance for Black leaders from all over the state to gather and discuss common problems in a spirit of community and collaboration. The theme for the event will be “A Fierce Urgency of Now,” which Bullocks says is more like a call to action than mere words.
“Right now we really are living in a time where the stakes have never been higher and our communities are navigating systemic challenges in education and healthcare and economic opportunity, and we just don’t have the luxury of waiting for change to eventually come for us,” Bullocks said.
Bullocks says the summit will once again have a “rousing lineup” of special guests, although she can’t yet reveal who’s coming. Last year’s event featured Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Whoever the guests, she says the weekend of the Michigan Black Summit has been called the “Blackest weekend in Benton Harbor.”
“This is an opportunity to showcase for the state, for whomever, the great things that are in and coming out of Benton Harbor.”
The 2026 event will be February 6 and 7 in the Grand Upton Hall. Like last year, there will also be a black-tie gala with live music, this time from ConFunkShun and Radio.
