Brightmoor Music Series celebrates community

The Brightmoor community in the city of Detroit has had its battles. From blight to vacant property, the area needed a lift. The Brightmoor Music Series aims to do just that.

Michael Williams is the park manager for the Williams Park Alliance. He spoke with CultureShift’s Tia Graham about this summer’s series and the community’s transformation. 

Williams says the Brightmoor Music Series has been going on since 2019, but it wasn’t an instant hit. After a few weeks of word-of-mouth testimonies from community members, the series had to return the next year. Williams says it was great to see the residents embracing the series. 

“It got so popular that we’ve had quite a few requests making certain that it will continue this year. The community has wrapped their arms around it. They have applauded us for doing the cleanup in the area.”

This summer’s musical lineup includes Tosha Owens, the ArnellDerek Band and Straight Ahead, an all women-led band. Williams says the group have been working in the industry for decades.

“They they gained popularity in the late ’80s … Their drummer, Galen McKinney, she is a Highland Park High School graduate. They’re just a wonderful, wonderful group of women who do what is traditionally male roles.”

The weekly concert series takes place every Tuesday through Sept. 6 at Etheldra Mae Williams Park in the Brightmoor community on Burgess between Lyndon and Acacia Streets.

Photo courtesy of Michael Williams

Listen: Michael Williams talks returning music series and its impact on the community.