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Former Detroit city council member, community activist Kwame Kenyatta dies

headshot of kwame kenyatta
Detroit City Council
Detroit Council member Kwame Kenyatta

Former Detroit city council member Kwame Kenyatta has died. He was 63.

Kenyatta was known for his community activism in the city, including his advocacy for black empowerment. He was a proponent of African-centered education.

Kenyatta served on the Detroit City Council from 2006 until 2013.

Kenyatta was a vocal critic of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. During the then-mayor's texting scandal in 2008, Kenyatta called for Kilpatrick to resign.

Kenyatta also spoke out against the appointment of an emergency manager in Detroit, saying it made city council powerless.

Before his time on city council, he served as a Wayne County Commissioner and as vice president of the Detroit Board of Education.

Kenyatta's son, Cofi Kenyatta, says plans for a home-going celebration will be announced soon.

Lauren Talley is Michigan Radio’s Morning Edition producer. She produces and edits studio interviews and feature stories, and helps manage the “Mornings in Michigan” series. Lauren also serves as the lead substitute host for Morning Edition.
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