“She came here on that train, by herself … willing to do whatever it took to achieve the American Dream.”

Sharon Sexton’s paternal grandmother, Consuela Duncan, came to Detroit from Natchez, Mississippi more than a century ago. As a teenager, Duncan traveled from the South to Michigan Central Station alone. Sexton explains how her family came to Detroit during an interview in the same station where her grandmother arrived all those years ago.

“I kind of get goosebumps thinking ‘hey, I’m walking in my grandmother’s footsteps literally,’” Sexton said.

Sexton recalls that her father was born in Detroit and served in the Army during World War II and the Korean War. He married Sexton’s mother, and she moved to Detroit.

Viola Adams, Sexton’s maternal grandmother, visited Michigan often by train from New Jersey and rode one of the last trains that departed Michigan Central Station.

Sexton’s story is part of our Destination Detroit initiative, which explores the rich history of the people who have shaped Southeast Michigan through a collection of interviews.

The project will continue through Detroit PBS’ #America250 celebration in 2026, which explores Detroit’s role in shaping the nation.

Watch more stories at OneDetroitPBS.org/DestinationDetroit.