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Ford Freedom Awards honor men of courage

Posted at 11:29 PM, May 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-18 00:53:17-04

The 18th annual Ford Freedom Awards have wrapped up.

The annual gala brought some major star power to the Motor City and promoted an important message.

The awards annually honor African Americans who have dedicated their lives to improving the community and tonight five men were honored.

This year's theme was men of courage.

Among the living award winners were former mayor and NBA player Dave Bing, businessman Kerlin Blaise, activist and student Jonathan Butler and author and lecturer Shaka Senghor.

Almost 1,500 people were in attendance tonight for the occasion, including some big stars, like Usher and former NFL player Jerome Bettis. 

All of the proceeds from tonight benefit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.