Some Stories Only Survive if Someone Records Them

We Tell These Truths is a partnership between Concert of Colors and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as part of the Smithsonian’s national 250th anniversary cultural initiative. Rooted in Detroit’s neighborhoods, the project uses music, cultural storytelling, interviews, dialogue, and public programming to connect local voices to a broader national conversation about culture, belonging, democracy, resilience, and shared future.

About Concert of Colors

Concert of Colors is one of the nation’s longest-running, largest, free global music festivals, bringing world-class performances from around the globe to Detroit.

Held annually in Midtown Detroit, this free, family-friendly music festival features live music, cultural programming, and community experiences both indoors and outdoors at the Detroit Institute of Arts and across the city’s leading cultural institutions.

About The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage is a research and educational unit of the Smithsonian Institution. The Center promotes greater understanding and sustainability of cultural heritage across the United States and around the world through research, education, and community engagement.