F2534 When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling's History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City

F2534 When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling's History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City

Class | Registration opens Monday, September 15, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

10/17/2025 (one day)
10:00 AM-11:30 AM EDT on Fri
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F2534 When Detroit Played the Numbers: Gambling's History and Cultural Impact on the Motor City

Class | Registration opens Monday, September 15, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Join Felicia George—Detroit native, professor, and author—as she explores the lives of the city’s numbers operators. These entrepreneurs navigated poverty, racism, and capitalism using both legal and illegal means. Beyond gambling, they fueled community growth by creating jobs and supporting local businesses. George highlights the vibrant culture of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, connecting the rise of Detroit’s underground economy with key moments in history—including Joe Louis’s ascent and the ousting of a Ku Klux Klan-backed mayor. Discover the untold stories behind Detroit’s rich legacy of resilience, resistance, and Black enterprise.

Zoom - Recorded

George, Felicia
Felicia George

Felicia B. George, a native Detroiter who has a deep passion for Detroit's history and culture, holds a doctorate in anthropology from Wayne State University. Currently serving as an adjunct professor at the university, she invites you to explore her virtual museum dedicated to Detroit history (www.doctordetroit), whether you share her love for the city or simply have an interest in its rich heritage.