elaine latzman moon
Writer . Creative, Community and Media Relations Director . Teacher 1939-2020
Elaine Latzman Moon was a writer, creative director, historian, and teacher from Detroit, who is best known for the book "Untold Tales, Unsung Heroes: An Oral History of Detroit's African American Community, 1918-1967".
Elaine Latzman Moon is the author of numerous publications, many connected to the history of Detroit and its people. Her career encompassed the acclaimed Untold Tales, Unsung Heroes: An Oral History of Detroit’s African American Community, Homeland: Dream of My Father, Detroit 1701 - 1976, in addition to numerous articles.
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As a creative, community and media relations director, Elaine oversaw the conceptual visualization of publications and events for organizations, such as the Detroit Urban League, the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the Detroit Historic Commission, the Detroit Bicentennial Commission, and the Lafayette Park Community.
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Over the course of her career, Elaine led writing workshops for organizations around Detroit and also in Puerto Rico and South Africa. She taught as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Wayne State University, as well as Henry Ford Community College, Marygrove College, and the College for Creative Studies.
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Having lived for over 40 years in the Lafayette Park neighborhood of Detroit, where she raised her two children, she was a staunch advocate for the community, its unique architecture and its designation as a National Historic Landmark. Elaine was also an early advocate for the preservation of historic buildings in Detroit and wrote articles, as well as gave tours of the Fisher Building.
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Elaine was also a visual artist and exhibited fiber art pieces at art fairs while also working to coordinate the Lafayette Park Art Fair in the 1970s - 1980s. As an advocate for the arts, she always had art supplies on hand and creative projects to share with her children, neighbors, family friends, and many other community groups she worked with.