A plan to turn a Detroit highway that was built through a historic Black neighborhood in the 1960s into a boulevard is one step closer to reality.

During a time of segregation in the US, there was one destination in Detroit where people from around the world, no matter their color or culture flocked to for a great time. That was “Paradise Valley,” where thousands of African Americans thrived and owned over 300 businesses. It was located in an area known as Black Bottom.

The Detroit Historical Society is debuting a new, interactive exhibit honoring the history of Detroit’s Black Bottom neighborhood.

The predominantly Black neighborhood of Black Bottom in Detroit was demolished in the late 1950s to 1960s, later replaced with the Lafayette Park residential district and a major freeway.

A mile-long stretch of freeway leading into Downtown Detroit has long been a point of controversy dating back to when it was built.

A new exhibit is shedding light on what happened to hundreds of Detroiters who once lived in the neighborhood known as Black Bottom. “We have not been taught the full breadth of our history,” said PG Watkins, the director of the Black Bottom Archive. “It was a high-density black neighborhood not considered worthwhile for the city to invest in," Watkins said. “When we talk about Black History Month, we think about all of the contributions of black folks. More: Black History Month

It just always was a passion for me," said Matthews, the owner and executive chef at Le Culture Cafe. Eventually, he started looking for a place to open up his own restaurant. The food also reflects the restaurant's Black Bottom roots with their Black Bottom Cheesecake and their Le Culture wings with Hastings BBQ sauce. Currently, Le Culture Cafe is reservation only, with reservations able to be made via Open Table online. Le Culture Cafe is located at 1428 Gratiot Avenue in Detroit.