''B.L.A.C. Detroit'' magazine is operated by BLAC Inc, a

Detroit, MI Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at the ...

- based company that produces the flagship magazine BLAC, web content, events and video segments, is owned by Billy J. Strawter, Jr. a

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

area entrepreneur. The free-of-charge publication debuted in April 1999 as ''African American Parent Magazine'', a publication for

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white have o ...

parents, grandparents, educators and children. In 2002, the name was changed to ''African American Family''. During its 10th anniversary year, the publication was renamed BLAC (an acronym for Black Life, Arts & Culture) to more accurately reflect the content and mission. A monthly publication, ''B.L.A.C. Detroit'' is distributed at nearly 600 locations throughout the metro Detroit area with a circulation at 30,000.

Events

African American Family Magazine’s Distinguished Speaker Series

As part of ''African American Family Magazine''’s ongoing goal to inform and motivate metro Detroiters, the publication presents notable speakers at various local area venues. Speakers have included

Civil Rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

activist

Coretta Scott King Coretta Scott King ( Scott; April 27, 1927 – January 30, 2006) was an American author, activist, and civil rights leader who was married to Martin Luther King Jr. from 1953 until his death. As an advocate for African-American equality, she w ...

, poet/actress

Maya Angelou Maya Angelou ( ; born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American memoirist, popular poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and ...

Pulitzer Prize The Pulitzer Prize () is an award for achievements in newspaper, magazine, online journalism, literature, and musical composition within the United States. It was established in 1917 by provisions in the will of Joseph Pulitzer, who had made h ...

winning author

Toni Morrison Chloe Anthony Wofford Morrison (born Chloe Ardelia Wofford; February 18, 1931 – August 5, 2019), known as Toni Morrison, was an American novelist. Her first novel, ''The Bluest Eye'', was published in 1970. The critically acclaimed '' So ...

Black Entertainment Television Black Entertainment Television (acronym BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting African-American audiences. It is owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global via BET Networks and has offices in New York City, Los ...

(BET) co-founder

Sheila Johnson Sheila Crump Johnson (born January 25, 1949) is an American businesswoman, co-founder of BET, CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, and the first billionaire African-American woman. Johnson is team president, managing partner, and governor of the ...

Rwanda Rwanda (; rw, u Rwanda ), officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator ...

n heroine and author of ''Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust'' Immaculee Ilibagiza, former Lost Boy of

Sudan Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...

and author of ''

God Grew Tired of Us ''God Grew Tired of Us'' is a 2006 American documentary film about three of the "Lost Boys of Sudan", a group of some 25,000 young men who have fled the wars in Sudan since the 1980s, and their experiences as they move to the United States. The fil ...

'' John Bul Dau, former President

Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...

, and multi-millionaire entrepreneur and author of ''

The Pursuit of Happyness ''The Pursuit of Happyness'' is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman. Smith's son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner's son, Christo ...

'' Christopher Gardner. The events are co-sponsored by local corporations and partial proceeds benefit specific charities.

Awards

''African American Family'' has received several awards for the publication’s editorial content and design. Honors have included The

National Association of Black Journalists The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of African-American journalists, students, and media professionals. Founded in 1975 in Washington, D.C., by 44 journalists, the NABJ's stated purpose is to provide quality p ...

(NABJ) “Salute to Excellence Award”, Parenting Publications of America (PPA) - (Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards),

Society of Professional Journalists The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), formerly known as Sigma Delta Chi, is the oldest organization representing journalists in the United States. It was established on April 17, 1909, at DePauw University,2009 SPJ Annual Report, letter ...

(SPJ) Award,SPJ: Metropolitan Detroit Chapter
Life Directions - Mary Ball Children's Advocacy Award, Legacy Award (from Aisha Shule-WEB Dubois Academy, Detroit, MI), Against All Odds “Excellence in Print Media” AWEC/Alliance.

References

African-American history of Michigan Magazines published in Detroit 1999 establishments in Michigan Magazines established in 1999 African-American magazines Parenting magazines Monthly magazines published in the United States {{local-mag-stub