Detroit's Renaissance Center

October 22, 1978

Abstract

Max Fisher was an instrumental investor in Detroit projects, both private and public. Detroit Renaissance, Inc. was a nonprofit corporation founded in 1970 by 23 business executives, the power players of Detroit's economy, with the goal of directly addressing the city's economic and social problems and ushering in a new era of vitality, hence the group's name. "Max was beautiful," recalled fellow founder Dwight Havens of Fisher's address to the new board of the organization. "I wish I had it on tape. He said: 'I want to hear that you will commit yourself and your company to what we are going to do. I owe Detroit something because Detroit has been good to me and I want to put something back ... let's bring this thing together now and form an organization that will have the strength to do what Detroit needs.'"
Detroit business and community leaders, left to right, Robert Surdam, Henry Ford II, Max Fisher, and Robert McCabe in front of the Renaissance Center, late 1970s.
Credit: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation

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Detroit business and community leaders Robert Surdam, Henry Ford II, Max Fisher, and Robert McCabe in front of the Renaissance Center, late 1970s.
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