Detroit History: Luther Keith Working Within The Community For Positive Change

DETROIT (WWJ) - In 2016, ARISE Detroit turns a decade old. Executive Director Luther Keith came up with the idea for the organization when he was a columnist for The Detroit News.

"I took a magic marker and some sheets of unlined paper and scribbled some ideas down and low and behold that was the genesis of the idea for ARISE Detroit - and a lot of great people came together; the Skillman Foundation, a lot of great community people came together, and made this idea a reality," said Keith.

From building playscapes and cleaning up parks to parades and showcasing talent; Neighborhoods Day is the biggest annual event for Arist Detroit.

This day is the biggest for arise Detroit, "I don't know any city that does something quite like this, and now we are at the point where we are ... mobilizing hundreds of organizations and thousands of volunteers across the city," he said.

ARISE Detroit also holds workshops to empower members of the community.

"We do workshops, people learn how to do block-clubs and how to fight crime and do street patrol," said Keith.

This year Neighborhoods Day is August 1. Find more information [here].

WWJ Newsradio 950 celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our local young African American professionals and their heroes – you can hear these reports throughout the day: 6:20 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 3:40 p.m. and 7:40 p.m.