Democracy
& Civic Power

The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights approaches democracy the way Detroiters have always had to — as something built, defended, and reimagined at every level. Our community told us that democracy and civic power sit at the center of what this moment demands. Through our “Democracy and Civic Power" pillar, the Keith Center is developing programming that treats Detroit as a site of democratic invention rather than democratic decline.

 

The centerpiece of this work is the Detroit Democracy School; an initiative grounded in the intellectual traditions of Grace Lee Boggs and generations of Detroit organizers who understood that transforming a city also requires transforming the people who inhabit it. The Democracy School will convene residents, organizers, students, and public officials in sustained study of democratic practice to study how power is organized at the municipal level propose interventions for how ordinary people can govern. 

 

We are planning for this work now. Full programming, including Democracy School cohorts, public convenings, and published curricula, will launch soon mid to late 2027. To be notified when applications and events open, join our newsletter list and follow the Keith Center's social media channels.

 

This page will grow as the work does. Check back for program announcements, resources, and opportunities to participate.