University of Detroit Mercy alumnus Luther Keith died on March. 5, at the age of 74, leaving behind a rich legacy through his work as a renowned journalist, activist and blues musician.
Keith’s career in journalism began at The Varsity News, UDM’s student newspaper, where he established himself as a skilled writer while also working at The Detroit News loading dock, a strategic decision that gave him access to job notices.
“I think he was probably one of the most significant journalists that ever came from the University of Detroit Mercy ever,” UDM alumnus Martin Habalewsky said.
His efforts paid off as upon graduation he applied and landed a position as a staff writer for The Detroit News. Keith spent over 30 years there, eventually working his way up to assistant managing editor, overseeing the Sunday edition and even having his own column.
“There weren’t many African Americans working in any capacity at The Detroit News… or any major media outlet at that time,” Habalewsky said. “He really broke a lot of barriers… and he made it possible for a more diverse workforce.”
Despite the challenges, Keith annihilated those barriers; he became the first African American sports reporter and the first to cover the state capitol at a Detroit Daily newspaper. Additionally, he was the first African American to have his name in the master head and serve as a newsroom editor at The Detroit News. Not to mention, in 1995, Keith was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Keith’s reach as a journalist extends beyond, as he was the founding director of the Journalism Institute for Minorities at Wayne State University, now referred to as the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity, aiming to promote a more inclusive newsroom by providing training and support specifically for underrepresented journalists. Through this initiative, Keith became a mentor to young journalists.
However, Keith’s realm of focus transcended beyond just journalism, as he was committed to enhancing the city of Detroit.
“He was a Detroiter through and through,” said UDM alumnus Robert Rogowski. “He grew up from modest means in Detroit, and I think he just never forgot the city. He wanted to be part of its revitalization, and that was a big part of what he did.”
Consequently, in 2006, Keith founded “ARISE Detroit,” the city’s head non-profit organization that promotes collaboration among other community organizations, while encouraging local efforts to improve Detroit.
“He was somebody who wanted to make the city a better place and not just thought of that in abstract terms, but had a very concrete plan,” Rogowski said.
One thing about Keith is that he always strived for more, discovering his love for music later in life, hence his stage name Luther “Badman” Keith.
“He learned to play the guitar… and became a blues musician,” Rogowski said. “That became his real passion.”
Keith played regularly at venues across Detroit, including blues nights at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge.
“He loved performing and connecting with people,” Rogowski said.
As distinguished as he was, Keith always remained in touch with his Detroit Mercy roots. He frequently participated in alumni events, served on committees and even performed at the 100th anniversary of The Varsity News.
Both Habalewsky and Rogowski recall that every encounter led to conversations surrounding Detroit Mercy basketball and campus life.
“I just remember him as somebody who… was very proud to be a Detroit Mercy graduate, he mentioned that many times,” Rogowski said.
Habalewsky attended Keith’s funeral on March 14, which he recalls as a remarkable tribute to his friend.
“I learned some things that I didn’t know that he did in his life,” Habalewsky said.
Numerous individuals came to celebrate his life ranging from close friends and family to the publisher of The Detroit News to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, among many others.
“I can’t think of anybody that I’ve known from the alumni of The Varsity News that was as well-liked as him,” Habalewsky said. “In the Detroit Free Press, there were three articles about him… and these are not the pages that are contributed by The Detroit News, these are staff-written articles by the Detroit Free Press writing about somebody who was their competitor. This isn’t done. I’ve never seen this ever. He wasn’t just somebody who did his job. He was very important. He was influential.”
Notably, a definitive testimony to the type of person Keith was: extraordinary.
