Wayne Law celebrates Black History Month typography
As social change swept through the nation, Wayne State became a crucible for some of the best-known activists in Detroit history. In February, Wayne Law paid homage to this enduring legacy with a variety of events, including a special Dean’s Speaker Series program and several panels presented by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).
Wayne Law celebrates Black History Month typography
As social change swept through the nation, Wayne State became a crucible for some of the best-known activists in Detroit history. In February, Wayne Law paid homage to this enduring legacy with a variety of events, including a special Dean’s Speaker Series program and several panels presented by the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).
A judges panel presented by the BLSA featured Judge Christopher Blount ’06, 36th District Court; Judge Adrienne Hinnant-Johnson, 36th District Court; Judge Noah Hood, 3rd Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan (pictured); and Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens, Michigan Court of Appeals.
A judges panel presented by the BLSA featured Judge Christopher Blount ’06, 36th District Court; Judge Adrienne Hinnant-Johnson, 36th District Court; Judge Noah Hood, 3rd Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan (pictured); and Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens, Michigan Court of Appeals.
The BLSA also hosted a panel of law partners who discussed their backgrounds, pathways to partnership, and tips for young lawyers and students. Speakers included Michelle Crockett ’00, Miller Canfield (pictured); Chauncey Mayfield, Honigman; and Boyd White III, Dykema. The panel was moderated by third-year student Alexis Smith-Scott, BLSA’s community chair.
The BLSA also hosted a panel of law partners who discussed their backgrounds, pathways to partnership, and tips for young lawyers and students. Speakers included Michelle Crockett ’00, Miller Canfield (pictured); Chauncey Mayfield, Honigman; and Boyd White III, Dykema. The panel was moderated by third-year student Alexis Smith-Scott, BLSA’s community chair.
The Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne Law is now, fittingly, home to the first polling location on Wayne State University’s campus. Keith, a longtime federal judge who fought for civil and democratic rights — including voting rights — died last year.

The majority of students living on campus during the March primary were able to cast their ballots at what is now Detroit’s 149th Precinct in the Keith Center.

At a reception formalizing the polling location on Feb. 5, Wayne State President M. Roy Wilson noted that the university was one of only two institutions in Michigan to receive a platinum seal for achieving a student voting rate above 50% during the 2018 midterm elections.

“Thanks to this new, convenient polling location, I think we can expect those numbers to go up,” said Wilson. He also announced that Wayne State has declared Election Day — Nov. 3, 2020 — an official university holiday so faculty, staff and students can prioritize their civic duty.

During his remarks, Wayne Law Dean Richard A. Bierschbach recognized a number of current and former Keith Scholars who were present for the announcement. He also noted that Keith’s famous quote — “Democracies die behind closed doors” — doesn’t just refer to transparency and accountability of elected officials.

“It also refers to the doors to the voting booth,” said Bierschbach. “The ability to cast a vote is the most fundamental accountability mechanism there is.”

The new on-campus polling location is the result of a WSU Student Senate initiative that began following the 2016 election, when students raised concerns that their previously designated off-campus polling location was not convenient and a barrier to voting.

Based on those concerns, the Student Senate — led by its current president, undergraduate student Stuart Baum — worked with the university’s leadership, Detroit City Council and the Detroit City Clerk’s Office over a yearslong period to formalize an agreement for the on-campus polling location. Baum says that in addition to overcoming barriers to voting, the new location will help students feel more at home on campus.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a former dean of Wayne Law and law clerk for Keith, acknowledged the impact that the new polling location will have.

“Thanks to all you have done, more voices will be heard, more votes will be counted and Judge Keith will be proud looking down on all of us,” said Benson.

WSU Board of Governors Chair Marilyn Kelly, a former Michigan Supreme Court justice who also knew Keith, recalled his pride in the eponymous center and his belief that voting rights are the most important constitutional right in our country.

“How fitting it is that right here, in this center named after the grandson of slaves who could not vote because of racism, we’re celebrating the opening of a new polling place,” said Kelly.

The Dean’s Speaker Series featured Damon J. Keith Scholar Tamira Chapman ’07 (pictured) for a Black History Month edition of the event. Chapman sat down with Dean Richard A. Bierschbach for a conversation about her career and then took questions from students in the audience. Chapman is president and CEO of SIAB Global and a former corporate attorney for Ford Motor Co.
From left are President James Johnson, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former President Monique Eubanks and Community Chair Alexis Smith-Scott.
Members of the executive board of the Black Law Students Association — many of whom are also Damon J. Keith Scholars at Wayne Law — attended the reception. From left are President James Johnson, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, former President Monique Eubanks and Community Chair Alexis Smith-Scott.
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