On the passing of community partner Luther Keith 

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of pioneering Detroit journalist, musician and community partner Luther Keith.  

Keith was a former award-winning editor and columnist for The Detroit News, a founding director of Wayne State University’s Journalism Institute for Minorities, and a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame. He served in leadership roles with several civic organizations and was a blues guitarist, who went by the stage name Luther “Badman” Keith. 

Keith also founded ARISE Detroit!, a nonprofit coalition that sought to change the city’s narrative and engage residents in solving challenges through volunteerism. The Community Foundation is proud to have supported ARISE Detroit! projects that amplified local voices via our Detroit Journalism Engagement Fund, as well as through donor-advised funds.  

We are grateful for Keith’s lifelong service to the community and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.  

Photo: arisedetroit.org