Located in Detroit and embedded within Wayne State University's Law School, the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights addresses the civil rights needs of southeast Michigan and beyond. The Keith Center's mission is to promote the educational, economic and political power of underrepresented communities in urban settings. 

Our communities need institutions that call attention to today's civil rights challenges and that nurture social conscience. The Keith Center strives to be one such institution: a hub for civil rights teaching, research and action, and a place that fuels the next generation of civil rights leaders.

At the Keith Center, stakeholders gather to analyze policy, law students teach a civil rights curriculum to high school students, and leaders dive into the equity issues of the day, such as tax foreclosures, water shutoffs and police-community relations. We welcome the public for lectures by civil rights icons, we support community-based organizations, and we publish scholarship about how the law and social justice impact one another.

Official Statements by the Damon J. Keith Center

Read our official statements on key civil rights matters:

• DJK Center Statement on the Inauguration
• DJK Center Statement on Executive Orders

Our Work

Detroit Equity Action Lab

The Detroit Equity Action Lab works to co-create a multiracial and multigenerational network of racial equity leaders and equip them with tools to disrupt racism and create equitable alternatives together. The lab offers a year-long fellowship program for emerging and experienced leaders with a deep commitment to racial equity. You can learn more about the fellowship here.

 Race and Justice Reporting Initiative

The Race and Justice Reporting Initiative support independent journalists with mini grants to cover racial justice issues and their impact on Detroit's Black, immigrant, and low-income communities. Areas of focus for this initiative include environmental justice, equitable development, and more to be determined. The initiative sets out to inform the general public on pressing race and justice issues in Detroit by increasing the number of race and justice stories that appear in local, state and national news outlets; Increase the ability of independent journalists to report on issues of racial equity; and develop more trust between journalists and communities of color. 

 Detroit Democracy Project

The Detroit Democracy Project aims to spark meaningful conversations about democracy, power, and solidarity within Detroit. We focus on engaging young Detroiters and underserved communities to foster a more inclusive and participatory dialogue. We believe that conversations play a critical role in building the bonds of solidarity. We invite you to get involved by becoming a conversation starter. Commit to starting conversations here!

The Beacon Project

The Beacon Project is a partnership between the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights and the Political Science Department at Johns Hopkins University. The project is a crowdsourcing tool that tracks the impact of federal policies on metro Detroit. Click the link to learn more.

Voices from the Grassroots

Voices from the Grassroots is an oral history project that documents how grassroots activists in Detroit have challenged systemic racism during the era of emergency management by building movements for a more just and equitable city. This collection aims to preserve, honor, and amplify the voices of grassroots organizers during this pivotal moment in Detroit’s history. Visit the digital collection here.