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Ken Cockrel. Brilliant litigator and extraordinary orator, Ken is remembered as one of the superheroes of the radical movements in 1960s Detroit. His leadership and influence with other radical groups including the League of Revolutionary Black Workers helped to unite the many progressive movements taking place all over the metropolitan area, from the auto plants to Wayne State University itself. Why do I admire him? Not only was Ken a proud graduate of Wayne State University where he received his Juris Doctor, he was renowned for his ability to communicate and get his point across no matter the audience, and without fear of reprisal or any ulterior selfish motive. John Conyers, Jr. United States Congressman from Michigan's 14th District. Congressman Conyers is currently the House of Representatives second-longest serving member, second only to John Dingell, also of Michigan. A graduate of Wayne State University, from which he received both his B.A. and J.D., Congressman Conyers has long been a progressive voice in the city and on Capitol Hill. Why do I look up to him? Congressman Conyers is not afraid to take politically unsafe or unpopular stances, from demanding an investigation into the Bush Administrations handling of the Iraq War to reparations for the descendants of slaves. Congressman Conyers is also a strong proponent of civil rights, often appearing at ACLU of Michigan events (where I met him!) Damon J. Keith. Senior Judge of the 6th Circuit Federal Appellate Court. A Wayne State grad, receiving his Master of Laws from Wayne Law in 1956, Judge Keith has served on the Federal Appellate since 1977. Why do I look up to him? In his written opinion for the 2002 case Detroit Free Press v. Ashcroft, in which the court upheld the ruling prohibiting the government from holding all immigration proceedings in secret, Keith is famous for writing, "Democracies die behind closed doors." (source:Wikipedia). This strong stand on civil liberties is a breath of fresh air in the dark times of fear-mongering and jingoism in which we now live. Plus he works out at my gym. :)
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Powerful and charismatic leader and one most remembered face of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Pictured here speaking at Cobo Hall following his historic March on Woodward that would later lead to the March on Washington. Why do I admire him? Many people remember King's "I Have a Dream" speech, but fewer are aware of his "Beyond Vietnam" speech, given at the Riverside Church in New York city. In this speech, Dr. King spoke at length about the nature of American Imperialism and attempts to reconcile the dichotomy of effecting social change through non-violence in a nation that spreads its beliefs and values through violence against the poor and the weak.   
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Description: A folder for people that I look up to, that have become immortal through their accomplishment. Individuals who strove to improve conditions for their people and their community.nnI straight gaffled all of these from Wayne State, with the watermark intact.