PARADISE VALLEY

Paradise Valley is one of Don’s most recognized works, a tribute to the heart of Black business and entertainment in Detroit. Through vibrant color and extraordinary detail, he brings its streets, gathering places and people to life, celebrating the community, achievement and shared pride that made it unforgettable.

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The painting has appeared on the front page of the Michigan Chronicle, been showcased in Décor Magazine and been displayed at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. For Don, its significance was deeply personal. His wife remembers tears running down his face as he painted, pouring his love for the community into this piece.

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Paradise Valley is an essential part of Detroit history. It was home to thriving Black businesses, restaurants, salons and nightclubs. Its stages welcomed celebrated performers, and its streets brought people together through music, friendship and opportunity.

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The construction of a highway through Paradise Valley, along with raids that disrupted daily life, forever changed this once thriving community. Much of the neighborhood was demolished, but its legacy remains an enduring part of Detroit history. Don’s painting preserves the spirit of the people and places that flourished there, celebrating their accomplishments and their lasting place in Detroit history and Black culture.