PODCAST:
July 28, 2026 ~ WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News Marie Osborne discusses Michigan’s role in the Underground Railroad.
DETROIT, MICH. ~ To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, WJR’s Director of Community Affairs and News Marie Osborne is looking back at the memorable contributions that the state of Michigan has made to the cultural fabric of the country.
As slaves searched for freedom through the Underground Railroad, Michigan often served as the last stop on the dangerous journey. The Freedom Trail wasn’t a physical trail, rather a network of people helping those escape enslavement.
“Detroit’s role was shaped not just by its geography, but also by its people,” Osborne said on Focus. “The city had a strong abolitionist community made up of Black residents, formerly enslaved people, and white allies who refused to look away from the injustice.”
Detroit churches and residents offered shelter and strategy for those avoiding slave catchers. Even throughout the Civil War, Detroit continued as a hub for thousands seeking freedom. Today, the history is kept alive through landmarks and museums.
