It's a 24-month storytelling and public art project in the Fitzgerald-Marygrove neighborhood of Detroit. It centers on Theresa Maxis and the Black educators who shaped this community. The project uses art, oral history, and education to make sure these stories are remembered for years to come.

It can be observed that communities that lose their history often lose part of their power and identity. Many stories about Black educators in Fitzgerald-Marygrove have been left out of the historical record. Choosing to remember, document, and share these stories is an act of resistance against being erased or overlooked.

Theresa Maxis Duchemin was a Black Catholic nun and co-founder of one of the first religious orders for women of color in the United States. Her legacy is closely tied to the land where Marygrove College once stood, now known as the Marygrove Conservancy.

The project runs for 24 months from May 2026 through April 2028.

Jay M. Meeks, a 3rd-generation Fitzgerad resident and President of the Marygrove Community Association, leads the project overall. Three additional key leaders guide the creative and editorial work. Tiff Massey, a Detroit-based artist known internationally, serves as Lead Artist. Benjamin Herold, an experienced journalist and editor, serves as Editorial Director. Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, a scholar of race, culture, and children's literature, serves as Academic Connector, helping ground the project in strong research.

The project will produce public art installations throughout the neighborhood, recorded oral histories from residents and former educators, and educational materials for teachers and students to use in classrooms.

This project is supported with funding from the Kresge Foundation and the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor’s Life Changing Education Initiative and Michigan Arts Initiative Project Support.

Review the criteria for the types of individuals this project is looking for. Nominate a living person!

Check back at the In Perpetuity webpage for updates or email projectlead@marygrovecommunitydevelopment.org.