Black Summers

Growing Up in the Urban Outdoors

De: MARS. Marshall, Lillien Waller, Justin Boggués, Charisma Holly, Kamron Reynolds, Bridgett M. Davis, Nandi Comer, Angela Atabex Lugo-Thomas, Cassandra Spratling, Tommye Blount, D'Nae Hearn, Pamela Hilliard Owens, various, Zig Zag Claybourne, Luther Keith

A triumphant, cross-generational exploration of Black joy and resilience.

Arising from the iconic city of the African American experience comes this exploration of Black joy in the urban outdoors.

A triumphant, cross-generational exploration of Black joy and resilience.

Remember frolicking outside during the long, jubilant days of summer? This vibrant collection invites listeners to breathe deeply and return to that “carefree” season. From riding bikes with friends through the neighborhood, to hopping the ferry to Boblo Island, catching catfish along the river, dancing on warm nights to Afrobeats and jazz music, and cooling off in the Swimmobile, those sun-drenched memories were often clouded by racism for the Detroiters in this evocative anthology. These emerging and award-winning creators of all ages recount the struggles and triumph of staking their claim to public spaces. Ranging from poetry to essay, creative nonfiction to comics, this collection blends nostalgia with struggle and resilience. Arising from the iconic city of the African American experience comes this exploration of Black joy in the urban outdoors.

Authors:

MARS. Marshall

Lillien Waller

Justin Boggués

Charisma Holly

Kamron Reynolds

Bridgett M. Davis

Nandi Comer

Angela Atabex Lugo-Thomas

Cassandra Spratling

Tommye Blount

D'Nae Hearn

Pamela Hilliard Owens

Zig Zag Claybourne

Luther Keith

Renee Simms

Shannon Garth-Rhodes

Keith A. Owens

Esperanza Cintrón

Mic Jennings

Satori Shakoor

Desiree Cooper

Jean Alicia Elster

Chace Morris

Rochelle Wilson-Ellis

Isaiah Chambers

Xavier Jackson

Brittany Rogers

Stephen Henderson

Kahn Santori Davison

©2026 Desiree Cooper (P)2026 Blackstone Publishing