Narratives

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Introduction
9:59 minutes
9:34 minutes
11:55 minutes
13:01 minutes

Leadership

Persistent, patient, committed, pragmatic, and honest – words that Max Fisher’s friends and business colleagues have used to describe him over the years. All are noted qualities of a leader. Along with these qualities, Fisher had an intense, emotional desire to return Detroit to prominence after economic depression and socio-political turmoil plagued the city from the late 1950s to the late 1980s. He devoted millions of hours and millions of dollars to have a positive impact on the direction Detroit was going as a major city and a community of people.

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Henry Ford II presents a check to Max M. Fisher and the United Jewish Appeal.
Christmas shoppers in Detroit in the 1950s
New Detroit article
The Detroit riots, which began on July 23, 1967 led to 43 deaths, 7,200 arrests and a minimum of $42.5 million in damages.
Max Fisher agrees to serve as Chairman of New Detroit during a meeting at McGregor Conference Center on the Campus of Wayne State University.
Damon Keith recalls Max Fisher's wisdom in negotiations with African-American leaders in Detroit and his commitment to the city.
Max Fisher with Richard Nixon in the White House
Left to Right: Phillip Hart, J.L. Hudson, Jr., Robert P. Griffin, and Max Fisher
Max Fisher agreed to serve as Chairman of Detroit Renaissance, a civic organization with the goal of economic growth for Detroit. The directors included dozens of the most recognizable leaders in Detroit's business community including James M. Roche, Chairman of General Motors and Joseph Hudson, Jr., President of Hudson's Department Stores.
Jane Sherman talks about her father's motivation to help rebuild Detroit after the 1967 riots.
Notes and text for Max Fisher's speech to the Detroit Renaissance meeting.
Left to Right: Alan E. Schwartz, Joseph L. Hudson, Robert E. McCabe, Max M. Fisher, A. Alfred Taubman
Bob McCabe describes his early days as president of Detroit Renaissance.
Max and Marjorie Fisher with Henry Ford II and his wife, Christina, during a trip to Israel in 1972.
In the Fall of 1971, Henry Ford undertook the largest single building venture in Detroit’s history. The project was the Renaissance Center, also known as “RenCen.”
Henry Ford II speaks to a crowd of reporters and well-wishers at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Renaissance Center on a rainy day in Detroit.
Detroit's Renaissance Center Article
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.
Construction of Renaissance Center
Milwaukee Journal article entitled "Detroit Refuses to Give Up" about the Detroit Renaissance.
Max Fisher in front of the iconic Fisher Building in Detroit, and in his office on the 22nd floor.
Peter Cummings remembers Max Fisher's leadership and commitment to Detroit, and on his loyalty to people and causes.
Left to Right: Thomas A. Murphy (Chairman, General Motors), Max M. Fisher, Robert E. McCabe (President, Detroit Renaissance), A. Alfred Taubman, Frederick C. Matthaei, Jr.
Left to Right: Max M. Fisher, Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, Michigan Governor William Milliken
Coleman Young amid construction of Detroit's Renaissance Center
Bob McCabe describes the relationship between Max Fisher and Detroit Mayor Coleman Young.
Max Fisher; Former Mayor of Detroit Coleman Young; Former Governor of Michigan William Milliken
Max M. Fisher with A. Alfred Taubman in the early 1980s
The inner city neighborhoods in Detroit did not feel the economic growth created by the Detroit Renaissance.
Max Fisher at his office in the Fisher Building.
Detroit Councilman Kenneth Cockrel, who opposed city tax breaks for the development of Riverfront
Max Fisher at his office in the Fisher Building.
Detroit Renaissance Construction
In 1984, Max Fisher wrote an article for the Detroit Free Press titled "Believe in a brighter future for Detroit."
Groundbreaking on the Riverfront Apartments
The Riverfront development in Detroit, part of the city's Renaissance led by Fisher and Taubman
Renaissance Center and Riverfront
Max Fisher poses with a plaque from an article from The Detroit News about his involvement with the renaissance of Detroit.