This is my final installment of Black History Month celebrations and selections on Visions. I couldn’t possibly cover the pantheon of the greatest Black jazz musicians in a month, the shortest month of the year no less, but I hope you’ve enjoyed listening as much as I’ve enjoyed putting these episodes together.

Visions typically covers the period of jazz from the late 1960s to the present, but I couldn’t celebrate Black History Month through jazz, aka black music, without taking it back a little further to the 1950s and even 1940s. And I still haven’t even covered the half of it! But I’ll keep celebrating black music each week, each month, each year of Visions.

During this episode, I feature music from 1956 to 2026. You hear Joe Henderson, Elvin Jones, Cecile McLorin Salvant, Lee Morgan, Art Ensemble of Chicago, Mulgrew Miller, Immanuel Wilkins, Tomeka Reid, Herbie Hancock, Marcus Belgrave, Duke Ellington, and many more.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for Feb. 23, 2026

• “Punjab” – Joe Henderson*
• “Angela” – Lee Morgan
• “New Breed” – Billy Harper
• “Waltz for Monk [Live]” – The Mulgrew Miller Trio
• “A Night In Tunisia” – Dizzy Gillespie Big Band
• “Len Sirrah” – Elvin Jones*
• “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues” – Cécile McLorin Salvant
• “BLUES BLOOD” – Immanuel Wilkins
• “Thème de Yoyo” – The Art Ensemble of Chicago
• “a(ways) For CC and CeCe [feat. Jason Roebke, Mary Halvorson & Tomas Fujiwara]” – Tomeka Reid
• “Firewater” – Herbie Hancock
• “Odoms Cave” – Marcus Belgrave*
• “Fleurette Africaine” – Duke Ellington
• “Darn That Dream” – Dexter Gordon
• “Kahlil the Prophet” – Jackie McLean

* indicates Detroit artists

The City of Detroit and the Cass Corridor Neighborhood Development Corporation celebrated the groundbreaking of the Greystone Senior Living Apartments this week in the heart of midtown.

The new four-story, 49-unit affordable housing development is designed for seniors earning 30-80% of the area median income. The development corporation says this development is part of their 40 year commitment to preserve affordability and to advance community ownership in the Cass Corridor. The new construction is on a site that has been vacant for 20 years.

Mayor Sheffield said she is proud that this is her first groundbreaking of her administration. “Seniors have been near and dear to my heart. My 12 years serving on the City Council…I actually represented the highest amount of senior buildings in the state of Michigan in my district. I know firsthand the needs of our seniors. I do believe that it is important as a city that we are building housing for all income levels and all stages of life.”

According to the city, this project is set to be completed in 2027, and welcoming residents shortly after.

Additional headlines for Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

Kandies Mini Mart

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation and city leaders celebrated the opening of Kandies Mini Mart. This is the first Green Grocer Program ribbon cutting since the program relaunched in 2024. This section will live in Blackwell’s Kandies sandwich shop and catering service which is located at the Durfee Innovation Society. The mini mart will provide fresh produce in the Dexter Linwood Neighborhood.

Weather forecast

This time of year, the weather feels like it cycles through all of the options Mother Nature has to offer and this weekend is no different. According to the National Weather Service Michigan is expected to cycle through hail, fog, winds, rain, and snow. So, say goodbye to the warm front we’ve been experiencing and hello again to your hats and winter jackets as colder air moves in.

The weather service also issued a wind advisory until 9 p.m. tonight. There is an 80% chance of snow on Sunday and the temperature this weekend is expected to be around the low 40’s and upper 30’s.

Stay strong Detroit, Spring will come… eventually.

Sports

Winter Olympics

This is the last weekend of the 2026 Winter Olympics and Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a surprise visit at this year’s games. She claimed Michigan has more Olympians competing in this year’s Olympics than any other state and also noted that California’s Governor Newsome had challenged her on the fact. The Winter Olympics final ceremony is on Sunday February 22.

NBA

Last night the Pistons had another dominant win against the New York Knicks 126—111. Cade “THE ALL STAR” Cunningham was two rebounds short of a triple-double with 42 points and 13 assists as the Pistons completed their season sweep of the Knicks. There is even talk of MVP consideration for the young star. The Pistons next game is against the Bulls tomorrow at the United Center. Tip off is at 8 p.m. EST.

Black author expo

Last but not least, this weekend Detroit Book City is having their 10th annual African American Family book expo on Saturday February 21 from noon to 5 p.m. This event celebrates Black History Month by having a meet and greet with over 40 independent Black authors for all ages.

The event is free with books available to purchase. This is all going down at the Village Hall in West Detroit.

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Sacred Spaces is more than a tour,  it’s a celebration of cultural stewardship, collaboration, and the powerful role Black creatives play in shaping the city’s identity.

Throughout the month, nearly twenty Black-owned galleries, cultural institutions, and creative spaces have their doors open and are cross-promoting one another, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the depth, diversity, and resilience of Detroit’s art ecosystem.

Misha McGowan is the gallery director and co-founder of Irwin House Detroit on West Grand Blvd. She also is the creator of Sacred Spaces.

We begin the conversation learning more about its origins and what’s happening right now to keep Detroit’s arts ecosystem connected. 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

This episode of Visions is my third installment of Black History Month celebrations. This time I play a limited selection of classics from the 1950’s-1980’s.

You hear from Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Grant Green, Nancy Wilson, John Lee Hooker, The Quintet (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach), Steve Lacy, Vi Redd, Henry Threadgill, Clifford Jordan, Walter Bishop, Jr., plus Detroit’s Yusef Lateef, Dorothy Ashby, and Barry Harris.

This episode celebrates blues, big band, vocalists, ballads, and jazz standards, all by black jazz musicians. Enjoy the episode!

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for Feb. 16, 2026

• “Speak Low” – Grant Green
• “Bouncing with Bud” – Bud Powell
• “Since I Fell For You” – Nancy Wilson
• “Bermuda Blues” – Henry Threadgill
• “Born in Mississippi, Raised Up in Tennessee” – John Lee Hooker
• “John Coltrane” – Clifford Jordan
• “Salty Papa Blues” – Vi Redd
• “Evidence” – Steve Lacy with Don Cherry
• “Airmail Special (Live At The Newport Jazz Festival, 1957)” – Ella Fitzgerald
• “Corner Pocket (Live)” – Count Basie
• “Freedom Suite” – Walter Bishop, Jr.
• “Attica” – The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe & Bill Lee
• “Hot House (Live)” – The Quintet (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach)
• “The Dreamer” – Yusef Lateef*
• “Round Midnight” – Dorothy Ashby*
• “Body and Soul” – Barry Harris*
• “You Don’t Know What Love Is” – John Coltrane

* indicates Detroit artists

Non-profit organization Black Leaders Detroit is known for its mission to provide access to capital for Black entrepreneurs. Now the group is extending those services to developers in the city. The program is a response to residents’ complaints of seeing development in the downtown area, but not in the neighborhoods.  

Dwan Dandridge is the CEO of Black Leaders Detroit. He says the goal is to make sure Detroiters who have stayed in the city for generations can benefit from the city’s resurgence.  

“We are aware that there have been and there are others that desire to be developers, that want to take on the challenge of making sure that development is happening in the neighborhoods. So, we’re just looking to empower them, right? Because the capital is missing in that space.” 

The program offers zero-interest loans of up to $150,000 to rehabilitate a single family homes or up to four-unit multifamily property. The loan is only open to developers looking to invest in Detroit neighborhoods.   

Dandridge says there are restrictions put in place to help protect neighborhoods from speculators looking to take advantage of the program.  

“One of the requirements is that you either completed the project and brought it to a finish, to finish at least one and meaning that property is renovated. It’s either you sold it or you’re renting it out currently, and if you have not completed at least one project, you’ve gone through Building Community Values program that’s put on by Chase Cantrell.” 

Dandridge says one of the ways the organization raises support for the program is through donations. The group is looking for people who wish to donate one dollar a week to support the program. Dandridge says he hopes to reach 1 million people to make that commitment.   

For more information visit blackleadersdetroit.org. Applications for the loans open on April 1.  

Additional headlines for Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026

Henry Ford Museum celebrates Black History Month

The Henry Ford is celebrating Black History Month with the theme “A Century of Black History Commemoration.” The museum has a series of events including a guided tour called “Three Cheers for Black History” which shares the untold stories of Black innovators. Visitors can also see the Equality exhibit, which tells the story of the first African Americans to compete in the national spelling bee.

There will also be a Black entrepreneurs vendor market that is free to the public, as well as multiple author talks on books on Harriet Tubman and the Civil War. Visit thf.org for all special events and programming.  

The Hustle returns

The Detroit Historical Society is launching its second round of The Hustle, a community engagement and exhibition program. The program was designed to spotlight Black entrepreneurs through photography, oral interviews, exhibits and more.

The society is looking for nominations from the community on who to spotlight next. Visit detroithistorical.org/hustle to nominate a business or business owner. Nominations will close on April 26.  

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Rube Foster was a pioneer in American baseball. His efforts in the early 20th century to organize Black baseball teams sparked professional Negro Leagues. The league’s style of play, the players, and the business model would go on to arguably alter the course of U.S. history. 

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, joined the show. He describes how Foster’s grit and business savvy tactics turned a fractured era in baseball into a lasting pillar of America’s favorite pastime.

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

More stories from The Metro

This episode of Visions features more celebrations of Black History Month. I span six decades and many subgenres within the broader lens of jazz.

You hear from Mary Lou Williams, McCoy Tyner, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, esperanza spalding, Joel Ross, Sun Ra, Gil Scott-Heron, Archie Shepp, Max Roach, Christian McBride, Roy Hargrove, and Lonnie Liston Smith.

This episode highlights rhythm, revolution, resistance, spirituality, the African diaspora, and so much more. Happy listening!

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for Feb. 9, 2026

• “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” – Gil Scott-Heron
• “Attica Blues” – Archie Shepp
• “All Africa” – Max Roach
• “Solea” – Miles Davis
• “Sister Rosa” – Christian McBride
• “Survival Blues” – McCoy Tyner
• “There Is No Greater Love” – Aretha Franklin*
• “I’m Not So Sure” – Roy Hargrove
• “Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)” – Joel Ross
• “Baby Man” – Mary Lou Williams
• “Sais (Egypt)” – Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes
• “On Jupiter” – Sun Ra
• “The Peacocks” – esperanza spalding
• “The Ankh of Amen-Ra” – Alice Coltrane*

* indicates Detroit artists

This week on Visions, I celebrate Black History Month with the creators, innovators, and current shapers of jazz. Since jazz music is Black music, what better way to start this month than with jazz through the decades? This episode features bebop, spiritual jazz, the avant-garde, modern jazz and hard bop. It touches on themes of slavery, freedom, resistance, political issues of the time, and forward-thinking, afro-futurist art.

I start out in 1947 with one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, Charlie Parker. I move through almost each decade with selections from Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, John Coltrane, Dorothy Ashby, Andrew Hill, Sonny Stitt, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, and Ornette Coleman.

I play more contemporary selections from Cassandra Wilson, Wynton Marsalis, Trio 3 & Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell, and Kamasi Washington. I’ll continue featuring Black artists this month, so stay tuned!

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for Feb. 2, 2026

• “Donna Lee” – Charlie Parker
• “Bright Mississippi (Take 1)” – Thelonious Monk
• “What’s Your Story, Morning Glory” – Trio 3 & Geri Allen*
• “Driva’man (feat. Weedie Braimah, Milena Casado, Morgan Guerin, Simon Moullier & Matthew Stevens)” – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell
• “Strange Fruit” – Cassandra Wilson
• “Original Faubus Fables” – Charles Mingus
• “The Chocolate Nuisance (Live)” – Cannonball Adderley
• “Lift Every Voice and Sing” – Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
• “There Is No Greater Love” – Gene Ammons & Sonny Stitt
• “Land of Nod” – Andrew Hill
• “Broad Way Blues” – Ornette Coleman
• “The Windmills of Your Mind” – Dorothy Ashby*
• “A Love Supreme, Pt. 2: Resolution” – John Coltrane
• “Chambers Of Tain” – Wynton Marsalis
• “Final Thought” – Kamasi Washington

* indicates Detroit artists