Meet the individuals who dared to change Lansing forever
These are Lansing's changemakers—business leaders who built industries, educators who transformed lives, activists who fought for justice, artists who enriched our culture, and public servants who dedicated themselves to community. They came from different eras, different backgrounds, and different neighborhoods. But they shared one thing: the courage to make a difference.
Each inductee has a story worth knowing. Each legacy continues to shape our city today. Explore their lives here, then visit The Changemakers Center to experience their full stories through interactive displays, video interviews, and personal artifacts.
Sarah Anthony
Public Service and Social Justice
December 2, 1983 - Present
Sarah Anthony made history as Mid-Michigan's first African American woman elected to both the Michigan House and Senate and became the first Black woman to chair the powerful Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee.
Michael Burton
Business
Born 1957 - July 27, 2016
Michael Burton achieved a groundbreaking career milestone as the first Black automotive designer to work for all three "Big Three" American automakers: Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors.
Georgia Brown
Faith & Community Based Organizations
January 7, 1913 - July 24, 2013
Georgia Brown made history as the first Black female student to attend Eastern High School and was honored as Lansing's 1953 Mother of the Year, dedicating her life to improving opportunities for Lansing's youth through countless volunteer hours.
Dr. Eugene Cain
Education
October 6, 1950 - Present
Dr. Eugene Cain founded Shabazz Academy and served as its principal, establishing an important educational institution in the Lansing community focused on serving African American students.
Dr. Maxine Hankins Cain
Education
October 23, 1946 - Present
Dr. Maxine Hankins Cain rose from sharecropper parents in Norfolk, Virginia to a remarkable 43-year career as an educator in Michigan, serving as superintendent, principal, and performing powerful historical reenactments of Harriet Tubman.
Hortense Canady
Education
August 18, 1927 - October 23, 2010
Hortense Canady became the first African American elected to the Lansing Board of Education in 1968, where she courageously voted to desegregate Lansing schools despite facing a recall election for her stance.
Paula Cunningham
Business
Birth Date Unknown - Present
Paula Cunningham shattered multiple glass ceilings as the first female president of Lansing Community College and later became the first female executive and first Black president of Capital National Bank.
Willie Davis
Arts, Sports, and Culture
Birth Date Unknown – Present
Dr. Willie Davis has dedicated over 40 years to teaching at Lansing Community College while traveling to every continent except Antarctica to study the African diaspora, connecting Lansing's students to a global understanding of African and African American culture.
Gregory Eaton
Business
January 17, 1940 - Present
Gregory Eaton became the first Black person to apply for membership at the prestigious Lansing Country Club where he had once worked as a caddy and has attended every Super Bowl since the event began.
Dr. Eva Evans
Education
January 14, 1935 - July 20, 2020
Dr. Eva Evans was a pioneering educator who became the first female deputy superintendent and acting superintendent of the Lansing School District, championing diversity and equity throughout her 30-year career.
Joel Ferguson
Business
November 14, 1938 - October 19, 2024
Joel Ferguson made entrepreneurial history as the founder of Fox47 television station and Capital National Bank, served 33 years on the MSU Board of Trustees including 12 as chair, and became the first Black president of the Lansing Country Club where he had once worked as a caddy.
Dr. Robert Green
Education
November 23, 1933 - Present
Dr. Robert Green was one of the first African Americans to live in East Lansing, served as a lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and accompanied Dr. King when he spoke at Michigan State University in 1965.
Lady Margaret Groves
Education
July 8, 1921 - October 15, 2021
Lady Margaret Groves—whose given name is actually "Lady"—dedicated herself to education in Lansing Schools where she taught "forever" and was honored when she celebrated her 100th birthday.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Arts, Sports, and Culture
August 14, 1959 - Present
Earvin "Magic" Johnson graduated from Lansing Everett High School before achieving an unmatched sports trifecta—winning a High School State Championship, NCAA National Championship with Michigan State, and NBA Championship over just three years from 1978-1980.
Calvin Jones
Public Service and Social Justice
December 1953 - Present
Calvin Jones was formally recognized as a "Lansing Legend" for his substantial contributions to the city, earned his associate degree from Lansing Community College, and was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011.
Rev. Melvin T. Jones
Faith & Community Based Organizations
June 1942 - Present
Reverend Melvin T. Jones fought for recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy by advocating to rename Logan Street to Martin Luther King Boulevard and founded the early childhood program Mustard Seed Kids at Union Baptist Church.
Richard Letts
Public Service and Social Justice
April 15, 1922 - October 29, 1997
Richard "Dick" Letts was a championship athlete in football, tennis, and boxing who served as the City of Lansing Human Relations Director for 27 years, helping find new homes for African Americans displaced by Interstate 496 construction.
Olivia Letts
Education
January 18, 1928 - February 1, 2021
Olivia Letts became the first Black woman to teach in the Lansing School District in 1951 and the first Black woman to serve on the Lansing School Board, where she courageously advocated for school integration despite being recalled for her stance.
Malcolm X
Public Service and Social Justice
May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965
Malcolm X spent formative years in Lansing, attending Pleasant Grove Elementary in 1931, and chose to marry in Lansing, maintaining family ties to the area throughout his life before dictating his famous autobiography to Alex Haley.
Barbara Roberts Mason
Education
August 3, 1940 - Present
Barbara Roberts Mason made history as the first Black woman to be elected to a statewide office when she joined the Michigan State Board of Education, serving for 24 years and continually pushing to end inequities among school districts.
Michael McFadden
Arts, Sports, and Culture
October 10, 1958 - October 10, 2022
Michael McFadden, known as "Mighty Mike," was a radio broadcaster with a distinctive deep baritone voice who became a TV6 News reporter and served as the primary stage announcer for Lansing's Juneteenth Festival Main Stage activities.
Cyril McGuire
Public Service and Social Justice
April 9, 1926 - August 5, 2007
Cyril McGuire rose to Vice President of the United Auto Workers union, was the first Black President of UAW Local 652, and maintained a close friendship with Malcolm X, who often visited him in Lansing.
Metro Melik
Arts, Sports, and Culture
Birth Date Unknown - Present
Metro Melik established his artistic studio in Old Town when the area was just beginning its revitalization, making him a pioneer whose presence was instrumental in transforming the neighborhood into the vibrant arts district it is today.
Rev. Michael Murphy
Public Service and Social Justice
June 21, 1952 - December 28, 2014
Reverend Michael Murphy served as a respected pastor in Lansing and was one of just 100 ministers nationwide invited to the White House ahead of the 2000 election, later serving on Lansing City Council and in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Marilyn Rogers
Faith & Community Based Organizations
Birth Date Unknown - Present
Marilyn Rogers established a lasting cultural legacy for Lansing when she founded the city's Juneteenth celebration in 1993, creating what would become an important annual tradition, and served as Community Outreach Coordinator for the city.
Shirley Rodgers
Education
December 29, 1948 - January 4, 2018
Shirley Rodgers broke new ground in 1981 when she became the first Black person elected to the Lansing Community College Board of Trustees, serving for 12 years before continuing her education advocacy on the Lansing School Board.
Julian VanDyke
Arts, Sports, and Culture
January 4, 1956 - Present
Julian VanDyke's artistic talent has been displayed at the prestigious Broad Museum, and as a children's book author and muralist, he has enriched Lansing's cultural landscape with public art throughout Michigan Avenue and district schools.
Willard Walker
Public Service and Social Justice
1934 - Present
Willard Walker made history as the first Chair of the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission for the city of Lansing and established the groundbreaking Mayor's Initiative on Race and Diversity, working under four different Lansing Mayors.
Brian Whitfield
Arts, Sports, and Culture
Birth Date Unknown - Present
Brian Whitfield has created more than 50 murals across Lansing, including the award-winning "Under the Bridge" project at the intersection of US-127 and Michigan Avenue, transforming public spaces with art that celebrates community, history, and culture.
Rudy Wilson
Public Service and Social Justice
December 12, 1924 - August 6, 2015
Rudy Wilson became Oldsmobile's first salaried African American employee in 1955 and served as President of the NAACP Lansing branch from 1977 to 1986, fighting for fair compensation for residents displaced by I-496 construction.
Know a Future Changemaker?
The Changemakers Center is a living tribute that grows with our community. If you know someone making a lasting impact on Lansing today, nominate them for future consideration.
Wall 1: Legacy in Motion