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Michigan Freedom Trail Commission

Michigan Freedom Trail Commission

The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission preserves, protects and promotes the rich legacy of the Underground Railroad and the antislavery movement in Michigan.

Commission Members

  • Melinda Babarskis, Chair, Lansing, Library of Michigan
  • Patrina Chapman, Detroit, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
  • Amanda J. Campbell, Harrisville, knowledgeable in historic preservation
  • Rochelle E. Danquah, Farmington Hills, Academic community knowledgeable in African American history
  • Roy E. Finkenbine, Livonia, academic community knowledgeable in African American history
  • Kimberly Holley, Battle Creek, Local communities in which UGRR had significant people
  • Jamon Jordan, Detroit, actively involved in civil rights
  • Adelaide Lancaster, Ypsilanti, Member at Large
  • Robin Peebles, Lansing, Travel Michigan
  • Priscilla D. Robinson, Vice Chair, Detroit, member-at-large
  • Jason Young, Ann Arbor, academic community knowledgeable in African American history

Heritage Gathering

Save the date! Sept. 30, 2023, at the Michigan History Center, Lansing. Learn about the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission Heritage Gathering, an annual fall series of virtual and in-person programs.

2023 Meeting Schedule and Agendas

In its quest to discover and chronicle the legacy of the Underground Railroad in Michigan, the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission holds quarterly meetings. Unless noted, all meetings are held in person at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in the Morris Learning Center (first floor, east wing); attendance via Zoom is also available. Meetings begin at 11 a.m. and are open to the public; agendas will be posted here in PDF format as they become available. The Michigan Library and Historical Center is located at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing. The building and visitor parking are on the north side of Kalamazoo Street, two blocks east of M. L. King Jr. Boulevard.

Accessibility Notice: To request an accommodation or other assistance for effective participation, please contact the person listed below as far in advance as possible to the scheduled event. All reasonable efforts will be made to arrange requested accommodations. Please contact: Sheri Giffin, Executive Secretary, at 517-231-1299 or GiffinS@Michigan.gov.

Updated 5/18/2023

Meeting minutes

For minutes of meetings held before 2020, please send an email request to MHCinfo@Michigan.gov