Mitch Albom Helping Bring Detroit Together With Star-Studded Charity Event

Mitch Albom has made quite a name for himself in his 25 years as a Detroit sports writer. Honorable Judge Damon J. Keith, the 91-year old African-American that has not only endured, but exceeded the burdens and expectations placed on his shoulders.

Together, they and many others will join hands with "Detroit Legacies - In Black and White," a charity event being held at Detroit's famed Fox Theater on November 11.

"While we were sitting there telling stories," Albom recalled, working on Keith's upcoming book, Crusader for Justice: Federal Judge Damon J. Keith, "here we are, you know, friends. Kind of an unusual pairing and I realize that's all over Detroit. Wouldn't it be nice to celebrate that spirit of cooperation?"

Albom, who has spent nearly three decades in the Motor City, has seen the community improve over that time.

"Detroit is a much more inviting place now," he told Benzinga. "A lot of people, just in the world of sports - the Lions used to play in Pontiac. Now, you go downtown and you're there walking around the bars and restaurants. Same thing with Comerica Park."

The Detroit Free press columnist never believed that the race relations in the city were as bad as the national perspective seemed to think. "If you go back to 1968, a lot of places in the country don't look like they do today."

More so than anything, "Legacies" looks to put the area's fractured image of race and community relations in the rear-view mirror. The proceeds will benefit S.A.Y. Detroit Charities and The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, with a smaller portion going towards Reading Works.

Albom met Judge Keith about two years ago, to help give him some advice on his book. Albom said he tends to gravitate towards older people and eventually just developed a very close relationship with Keith.

"I find him a hero...To go from having been a janitor at the Detroit News building because he couldn't get work as a young lawyer, to being within a breath of the Supreme Court, that's an amazing thing."

Keith was born in Detroit and has served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit since 1977. Prior to that appointment, Judge Keith served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He is a graduate of West Virginia State College (B.A. 1943), Howard University Law School (J.D. 1949, where he was Chief Justice of the Court of Peers) and Wayne State University Law School (LL.M. 1956).

As a member of the federal judiciary, Keith has consistently stood as a courageous defender of the constitutional and civil rights of all people, and his decisions have helped shape the law as we know it today. One of those laws affects the African-American athletes of today.

Albom spoke about the story of a DTE DTE employee who was trying to be promoted, but couldn't because he was African-American. Several employees then filed a class-action suit, which eventually went to court where Keith awarded punitive damages of $4 million in their favor.

"It changed the workplace and kept peoples salaries in line with each other. You don't even think of having world's now where the black running back getting paid less than the white running back."

Albom noted that despite the racism he has faced over his life, Keith never uses the word "hate" in any capacity.

The event will bring forth numerous local and national figures, ranging from current Detroit Lion Matthew Stafford to NFL Hall of Fame member Barry Sanders. The Four Tops will perform, while Wayne State University and NBC's CMCSASaturday Night Live alum Tim Meadows will be among the many other athletes and celebrities who will speak at the event.

University of Michigan football legends Lloyd Carr and Mike Hart will discuss aspects from the college world. Detroit Tigers icons Willie Horton and Mickey Lolich will speak about the 1968 riots and their experiences through those turbulent times.

Jim Leyland, the recently retired Tigers manager, will also be celebrated, following Mayor Dave Bing's announcement that Nov. 11 is declared "Jim Leyland Day."

Albom's books have sold over 35 million copies over his writing career, the newest of which The First Phone Call From Heaven will include an autographed copy to those in attendance. He has had opportunities to leave for bigger markets, but considers Detroit as real as the rest.

"I love it here," he said. "The most important things in life are how you feel in the quiet moments. I'm at home here...I'm proud to say I'm from here." Albom was born in New Jersey and spent time in Florida and the east coast before coming to Detroit in 1985.

Tickets are now on sale. $40 for general admission and (limited number) $150 for VIP meet and greet reception prior to the event. Student Tickets are available for $25, and can only be picked up at the box offices. Tickets may be purchased at OlympiaEntertainment.com.