The Detroit Renaissance Lions Club was founded in June of 1973 by Lion Larry Young.

                       Prior to that date, Lion Larry Young expressed his interest in forming a Lions Club. He was familiar with their outstanding dedication of services its members rendered on behave of the blind in Detroit and other communities.

Lion Young sought membership in a local Lions Club. It was suggested at that time that he would be an ideal person to charter a new Lions Club. The Lions Club International encouraged all members attending a national convention to support all efforts of chartering minority clubs in all of the urban areas of the United States.

The Detroit Renaissance Lions Club received its charter on September 6,1973, with a total of sixty nine members. Among those attending this great event; 

Dr.Rikumo Ito, Dean of the School of Business Administration, University of Detroit, Dr. Jesse Goodwin, Stratford Hilliard, District Governor Lion Marty Manoogian P.D.G., Lion Don Smaichand, Lion Bud Goodwin, and Lion Larry Young.

The name Renaissance was chosen that it might lend philosophical and spiritual recognition to the club. During that time, Detroit was a city struggling to rise and flourish. The membership felt certain that the Renaissance Lions Club would contribute greatly to that endeavor.

To this day The Detroit Renaissance Club continues to honor the Lions Club International Slogan, 

                                                                                 WE SERVE              

Lions are an international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world.