Detroit's Coleman Young statue gets major funding boost, heads toward U.S. Capitol in 2027

The Coleman A. Young Foundation announced that major donors have joined the long running $1 million campaign to honor former Detroit Mayor Coleman A. Young with a bronze statue in the U.S. Capitol. The campaign seeks to install a statue of Detroit's first Black mayor in the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Michigan is replacing its current statue in the collection, a marble figure of Lewis Cass, a territorial governor who supported slavery. Young will join the existing statue of former President Gerald Ford as the state's two representatives in the Capitol. The collection includes 100 historical figures chosen by U.S. states.

The foundation estimates the cost of the statue at about $1 million. Executive Director Khary Turner said the campaign is close to reaching its goal. Major funders include the DTE Foundation, business leaders John A. James and Suzanne Shank, the Ilitch family, and Dan Gilbert's Bedrock.

The foundation will hold an event Tuesday at the Wright Museum of African American History to report the campaign's status and ask the public to help finish fundraising. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Mayor Mary Sheffield, and other leaders are scheduled to speak. Austen Brantley, the commissioned sculptor, will also address attendees. All living Detroit mayors are expected to attend, according to Turner.

The event will also include information about the foundation's scholarship and job development programs. The announcement will stream at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the foundation's Facebook page.

Young was Detroit's mayor for 20 years, beginning in 1974. He was the city's first Black mayor and its longest serving leader. He died in 1997. The foundation says he integrated the police and promoted development. It also says he created opportunity for Black employees and businesses.

Turner said he expects the statue to be unveiled as soon as late 2027.