Detroit was once home to 18 Black-led hospitals – here’s how to understand their rise and fall

In the early 20th century, Detroit’s Black medical professionals created a network of health care institutions in response to racial discrimination and exclusion.

By: Rashid Faisal, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Anita Moncrease, Wayne State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: February 25, 2026

Words: 1,170

Last Updated: 2 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Rashid Faisal, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Anita Moncrease, Wayne State University

Few institutions better illustrate the effects of the Great Migration on Black life in Detroit than Dunbar Memorial Hospital.

Founded in 1918, Dunbar was both a medical institution and a radical expression of racial uplift and Black health advocacy.

We study and teach Black medical history and are members of the Association for the Study of African American Life and …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

Email Us