Welcome

Grand Opening Celebration of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights 

About the Keith Center

As a member of the federal judiciary, Judge Damon J. Keith has consistently stood as a courageous defender of the constitutional and civil rights of all people.

On Oct. 19, 2011, Wayne Law proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights.  Well over 600 people attended the event and leaders from around the state were on hand to pay tribute to Judge Keith. Speakers included philanthropist A. Alfred Taubman, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, Michigan Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and writer Mitch Albom. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder sent a video message with congratulations on the new building. (Click here to see photos of the event.)

Located at Wayne State University Law School, the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights honors the life and legacy of Judge Keith by carrying out his vision for civil rights. The Keith Center will advance learning, attract talented faculty, students and lecturers, enhance programming, and promote civil rights in one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the United States. The Keith Center will have active programs of legal studies and will promote community engagement.

The 10,000-square-foot Keith Center building will feature an exhibit area, meeting space, conference space and a 60-person lecture hall. It will also house an exhibit area that features Judge Keith’s life and work and focuses on civil rights.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights took place at 1:30 p.m. on May 17, 2010. (Click here for event coverage and to view the event video.)

       

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's video presentation at the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights Grand Opening, Oct. 19, 2011.

  

 Support the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights.

      
     

 

Wayne Law School

Events

Calendar of Events

Full List
Social Work Continuing Education Program: A Glimpse of Detroit's Black History - Opening Up the Dialogue
May 16 2012 at 11:00 AM
Wayne State University Law School - Damon J. Keith Center
Through this experiential learning opportunity, we will increase awareness of discrimination, civil rights issues during the Motown era, and significant contributions to society by Detroit’s African American community. Participants will learn more about important sites and issues of black history in Detroit to sensitize participants while increasing their understanding of the African American’s struggle for equality. The presentations and discussions will increase sensitivity and heighten awareness and skill building techniques for working with diverse populations. The Damon Keith Center exhibits will be the points of reference for the day’s topics and tour sites.  A set of questions and reflective exercises will be given at the beginning of the program for participants to consider throughout the day.  A narrative bus tour of sites in Detroit will increase understanding of geographic proximities of urban renewal and black history, and give a better understanding of present day Detroit. A visit to the Virgil H. Carr Center to learn more about promoting African and African American cultural arts traditions within Michigan’s multicultural community. Motown Museum will provide insight into the Civil Rights era in Detroit and nationally, including discrimination of the artists as they broke through racial borders and how their contributions have made a lasting impact on the nationally and abroad.  Participants will have discussions with prominent Detroiter’s, Bert Dearing Jr. and Andrew Pope, about their personal experiences growing up during this time in Detroit.  
University Bound Summer Program - Schoolcraft College
May 18 2012 at 3:30 PM
Wayne State Law School - Damon J. Keith Center
The University Bound Program is a partnership between Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University, whose primary goal is to help students successfully complete their Schoolcraft coursework and transfer to Wayne State or any other university with the intent of completing a bachelor's degree. Services are designed to enhance students' skills and provide academic and personal support so that they can make a smooth transition to a university setting.
Foster Care Alumni Association- Michigan Chapter
May 20 2012 at 2:00 PM
Wayne State Law School - Damon J. Keith Center
The purpose of this event is to establish a foster care resource group with the objective to formulate the first Foster Care Alumni of America - Michigan Chapter, here in the Metro-Detroit area.  This group will serve as mentors and provide resource services for current, as well as former alumni of the foster care system.
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