Luther Keith

Luther Keith

Luther Keith

Inducted 1995

managing editor, The Detroit News

At mid-career, Luther Keith has established several “firsts” in Detroit newspapering: First African-American sports reporter at a major Detroit daily (1973); first African-American assigned to cover the state capitol (1979); and first African-American newsroom editor at The Detroit News (1982). And he’s first in the hearts and minds of young journalists throughout the county who have benefited from his guidance and teaching as the founding director of the Journalism Institute for Minorities at Wayne State University (1985). The Institute recruits and trains college students for media careers. In addition to Keith’s continuing efforts to increase the number of minorities in the newsroom, he created “On Detroit,” a weekly Detroit News tabloid that focuses on Detroit business, neighborhoods, churches and people. Keith joined The News in 1972 after graduating in journalism from the University of Detroit. After reporting assignments in Detroit and Lansing, he served as editor on various desks at The News, business editor and night city editor. He currently directs the Sunday news coverage of the paper. Keith has always been an active member of the Detroit community. He is a former president and current board member of the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation, board member of the Detroit Press Club, United Community Services, University of Detroit Alumni, and the Michigan Freedom of Information Committee. He is a former vice president of the Detroit Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. A colleague said: “Luther Keith’s initiatives and contributions are significant. They have helped put The News and Detroit at the forefront of the nation’s news organizations in providing education and career opportunities for journalists of color.”