DETROIT – U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School, 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 17.

Judge Damon Keith

The ceremony comes on the heels of two generous gifts made to the Law School, including a combined gift from the Henry Ford II Fund and the Edsel B. Ford II Fund and a gift from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The 10,000-square-foot Keith Center building will feature an exhibit area, meeting space, conference space and a 60-person lecture hall. An exhibit area featuring Judge Keith’s life and work and focusing on civil rights will also serve as a reception area for the Law School’s clinics.
In addition to his gift, Mr. Edsel Ford has commissioned a portrait of Judge Keith by local artist Nancy Mitter that will be displayed in the exhibit area of the Keith Center.

“I am grateful to the Henry Ford II Fund, the Edsel B. Ford II Fund, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and other university alumni and friends, for making the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights a priority,” said Wayne State University President Jay Noren. “The Keith Center will play a pivotal role in civil rights education and awareness nationwide through its various programs of legal studies and community outreach.”

“Judge Keith’s life has been dedicated to fighting for justice and opportunity,” said Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman. “These gifts, combined with A. Alfred Taubman’s 2006 gift [the largest in the Law School’s history] and gifts from many other friends of Judge Keith and Wayne Law, will help continue that legacy and make the Keith Center possible.”

The May 17 groundbreaking ceremony will be attended by a number of dignitaries, including Governor Jennifer Granholm, A. Alfred Taubman, WSU President Jay Noren, Wayne Law Dean Robert M. Ackerman, Judge Damon J. Keith and Edsel B. Ford II. Wayne Law students, alumni, staff and friends are encouraged to attend the ceremonial groundbreaking – scheduled the same day as the Law School’s Commencement Ceremony – at the northwest end of the Law School complex. Parking is available in Structure #1 on Palmer Street in front of the Law School.