The sculpture, titled "Outside the Ring," will commemorate Louis’s trailblazing contributions to golf and will be placed along the Joe Louis Greenway.
The unveiling is scheduled for August 2025, marking the anniversary of the first Joe Louis Open Golf Tournament.
Brantley, a self-taught figurative sculptor from Detroit, was chosen from a pool of applicants that included artists from Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Minneapolis, and Walnut, California. Known for his work inspired by African and classical art, Brantley recently created the sculpture of Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson for Jefferson Plaza in Rouge Park.
The panel of judges that selected Brantley include prominent figures, such as Joyce Barrow Henderson, daughter of Joe Louis; Dr. Hubert Massey, a master muralist; Taylor Childs, a Detroit artist; Karen Burton, an architect and co-founder of Spacelab Detroit; Arnold Boyd, a transportation executive; Joe Hooks, a professional golfer; and Akua Hill, director of arts and culture at the Gilbert Family Foundation.
The new statue will focus on Louis’s life beyond boxing, particularly his efforts to desegregate American golf. In 1935, Louis began playing golf and soon became a major supporter of the United Golf Association, a platform for African American golfers.
In 1941, he launched the Joe Louis Open, a tournament that provided exposure for Black golfers and elevated the sport within the African American community. Over the next decade, the tournament drew top talent and national attention to Detroit.
The "Outside the Ring" statue is part of the city’s larger efforts to celebrate Detroit’s rich African American history and enhance public spaces. It will join a growing collection of public art along the 30-mile Joe Louis Greenway, which connects neighborhoods from the Detroit riverfront to Highland Park, Dearborn, and Hamtramck.
The project is part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s Blight to Beauty initiative, which aims to transform neglected spaces into vibrant community hubs.
Brantley, who has described his artistic mission as continuing the traditions of the Harlem Renaissance, expressed his excitement about the project.
The Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship (ACE) and the Joe Louis Greenway Planning Team are spearheading the project. In addition to public art, ACE is working on several neighborhood beautification initiatives, including transforming residential and commercial alleys into gathering spaces.
Detroit ACE partners with organizations across the region to promote fine and performing arts, culture, and history. The agency also supports the city’s creative workforce, offering programs focused on artistic entrepreneurship. Follow Detroit ACE on social media at @detroitcityarts for updates.
