education

The inaugural Lomas Brown Jr. Golf Classic at the Country Club of Detroit raised $268,700 for The Children's Foundation and the Lomas Brown Jr. Foundation, attracting NFL legends and community supporters. The sold-out event, presented by WJR AM 760 and sponsored by Ford Motor Company, continues the fundraising legacy of the Paul W. Smith Golf Classic that supported Detroit-area youth programs for over two decades. Notable attendees included NFL Hall of Famers Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, alongside numerous Detroit Lions alumni, participating in golf, a reception, and a fundraising auction featuring custom golf carts. The funds will support children's health, education, and enrichment programs throughout Southeast Michigan, with a second annual event already scheduled for July 13, 2026.

This sponsored article by JPMorganChase offers comprehensive advice for affordable summer travel during what is typically the most expensive travel season. The guidance includes starting a vacation fund by cutting unnecessary expenses and leveraging credit card travel rewards to offset costs. The article recommends strategic timing approaches such as traveling during shoulder seasons and booking flights approximately two months in advance, while also suggesting money-saving alternatives like exploring lesser-known destinations, using public transportation, and taking advantage of free or discounted attractions. For those with tighter budgets, the article proposes staycations, day trips, and visits to state or national parks as enriching yet economical alternatives.

The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board of Education filled its vacant seat by appointing Reverend Dr. Steve Bland, Jr., a longtime faith leader and public education advocate, during a special meeting on July 28. This appointment completes the seven-member board at a critical time as the district continues implementing its strategic plan, Blueprint 2027, while recovering from years of state oversight and building community trust. Rev. Dr. Bland's selection followed a transparent public process where 14 candidates were interviewed, reinforcing the board's commitment to local governance and community-centered leadership. The appointment represents another significant step in Detroit's ongoing journey to maintain local control of its school system after years of state emergency management that had negatively impacted resources and educational decision-making.

Detroit's nonpartisan mayoral primary election on August 5 will determine the two candidates who will compete in the November 4 general election, with campaign finance disclosures providing insight into candidates' financial backing. The top three candidates raised $526,560 from Detroit addresses, while $1.5 million came from non-residents, according to BridgeDetroit, which created an interactive map showing donation origins. City Council member Mary Sheffield leads the nine-candidate field with $737,176 raised, followed by Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr. with $407,548 and nonprofit leader Saunteel Jenkins with $400,961. Donations came from various sources including political action committees, business leaders, church members, and individuals across Metro Detroit and beyond.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is actively reforming its curriculum to better represent Black history and culture beyond just slavery and civil rights, addressing the fact that only 13% of Michigan's K-12 curricula include meaningful Black historical content. Under Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti's leadership, the district has developed specialized programs including a Detroit History curriculum and the Detroit Perspectives Project, which incorporate local Black history, movements, and diverse literary works. Chief Academic Officer Leenet Campbell-Williams emphasizes their commitment to creating education that is both academically rigorous and culturally relevant for the district's predominantly Black student population. This initiative continues despite growing national pressure to reduce race-conscious education, as district leaders prioritize curriculum that authentically reflects students' identities and experiences.

Detroit is receiving $410,000 in state funding through Michigan's Make MI Home initiative to support local entrepreneurs and recent graduates via two new programs. The City of Detroit was granted $210,000 to establish the Detroit Tech Fellowship for recent Michigan university graduates developing startups in sectors like AI and clean energy, while Michigan Women Forward received $200,000 for its Founder Forward program supporting existing founders and returning Michigan talent. These investments aim to address long-standing inequities in access to capital and resources, particularly for Black entrepreneurs in the majority-Black city, while focusing on both attracting new talent and retaining existing Detroit innovators. The initiatives represent part of a broader state strategy that recognizes Detroit's central role in Michigan's population growth and economic recovery.

Money Matters for Youth, founded by Gail Perry-Mason in 1996, is a comprehensive financial literacy initiative in Detroit that teaches students aged 8-18 about investing, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation. The program goes beyond basic financial education to provide holistic development through its annual five-day camp, where participants learn about multiple income streams, budgeting, and leadership skills. In partnership with One Detroit Credit Union, the program recently awarded $25,000 in scholarships to 25 Detroit-area teens, who also received collegiate checking accounts with no fees or minimum balance requirements. For nearly 29 years, Perry-Mason has mentored thousands of youth, creating a generational ripple effect with many former participants returning as volunteers and mentors.

Michigan is experiencing a severe decline in local journalism, with 40% of newspapers lost since 2005 and more than half of counties down to one or no local news outlets. This crisis prompted a summit at the Detroit Athletic Club on July 22, organized by the Local Media Association and partners, where media leaders discussed the consequences of declining local coverage and potential solutions. The gathering highlighted alarming statistics, including the loss of 58% of journalism jobs in Michigan over 15 years, and emphasized the critical role local journalism plays in maintaining community accountability and democracy. Leaders from various media organizations stressed the importance of partnerships, diversified funding models, and community engagement as pathways to rebuilding local news infrastructure.

The Trump administration has frozen $171 million in congressionally approved education funding for Michigan, affecting critical programs that support vulnerable students. Michigan has joined over 20 states in filing a lawsuit against this sudden halt of funds for six essential programs that provide services for immigrant students, English learners, after-school care, and other educational support. The freeze has left school districts and nonprofit education providers scrambling to maintain programs that were already planned for the 2025-2026 school year, with funding typically received by April now under "review" as of July 1. This unexpected decision particularly impacts organizations like SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers EcoSchool, which provides crucial after-school and summer programs for nearly 1,000 children in low-income rural communities across Michigan.

Center Field Detroit, a two-day dance intensive created by the nonprofit Autumn Sun, will take place July 31-August 1 at the Joseph Walker Williams Center for Metro Detroit student dancers ages 12-18. The program offers up to 200 youth the opportunity to train with elite instructors from three prominent HBCUs: Jackson State University, Southern University, and Texas Southern University. This initiative provides culturally grounded education through dance while equipping participants with skills for auditions, higher education, and creative careers, regardless of their experience level. Arriving at a time when many institutions are scaling back diversity efforts, Center Field Detroit represents a commitment to investing directly in young people's cultural heritage and future opportunities.

The Equitable Internet Initiative (EII) and Michigan Central have launched a partnership called the Southwest Equitable Internet Initiative to provide affordable high-speed internet for $10 per month to residents in Detroit's 48216 and 48209 ZIP codes. This initiative addresses a significant digital divide, as over one-third of Detroit households lacked broadband access in 2015, with low-income areas being disproportionately affected. What makes this program unique is its community-centered approach, training and employing local residents as Digital Stewards who build and maintain the network infrastructure. The initiative plans to connect 200 homes annually for five years, ultimately serving 675 households in these underserved neighborhoods.

Three Detroit entrepreneurs, Racheal Allen, Ebony Cochran, and Jessie Hayes, have established community-focused business schools designed specifically for underserved Detroit entrepreneurs, particularly Black women. These initiatives—Operations School, Detroit Wealth Club, and The Hayes Institute of Esthetics & Entrepreneurship—address the systemic barriers that have historically limited access to business education and capital for Black entrepreneurs in Detroit. Despite Black women being the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs nationally and Detroit having one of the highest concentrations of Black women-owned businesses, less than 1% of venture capital reaches Black women entrepreneurs. These grassroots institutions provide culturally relevant training, mentorship, and infrastructure to build wealth, foster entrepreneurship, and create lasting economic opportunities within Detroit's communities.

AfroFuture Detroit will make its U.S. debut on August 16-17, 2025 at Bedrock's historic Douglass Site, once home to the Frederick Douglass Homes where Motown legends like Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson lived. The festival extends beyond a two-day event with a comprehensive series of community-focused activities from August 11-28, including a bar crawl, restaurant week featuring Black-owned establishments, pitch competitions for Black entrepreneurs, spoken word performances, and Afrocentric movie nights. With headliners Asake and Davido leading an international lineup, AfroFuture aims to honor Detroit's cultural significance while celebrating Black innovation, culture, and legacy on grounds that hold deep historical importance to the city's Black community.

Joi Harris will make history on September 8 when she becomes the first woman president and CEO of DTE Energy following a unanimous board vote as part of a planned leadership transition. Her remarkable 34-year journey with the company began as a high school engineering co-op, culminating in her current role as president and chief operating officer where she oversees electric and gas operations, customer service, IT, and safety departments. Under Harris's leadership, DTE launched the $1 billion Blue Water Energy Center and achieved a 70% improvement in electric reliability in 2024. Beyond her corporate achievements, Harris maintains deep community connections through her board service with organizations like the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) and the Skillman Foundation, while advocating for mentorship and career pathways for Black youth.

Angelique Peterson-Mayberry has resigned from Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) board after eight years to become Wayne County Commissioner for District 5, filling the vacancy left by the late Irma Clark-Coleman. Peterson-Mayberry played a crucial role in reestablishing local control of Detroit's public schools since 2017, working alongside Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti to rebuild community trust and stabilize district finances. DPSCD has now opened applications for her board seat replacement, with a special meeting scheduled for July 7 to begin the appointment process. The district seeks a candidate who will continue Peterson-Mayberry's legacy of service and collaborative leadership to address ongoing educational challenges in Detroit.

The Apple Developer Academy in Detroit recently celebrated the graduation of 125 local residents who completed a 10-month program focused on app development, coding, design, marketing, and project management. This fourth cohort of graduates, ranging in age from 18 to 72, represents the academy's commitment to inclusivity and Detroit's growing reputation as a technology hub. The academy is a partnership between Michigan State University, Apple, and the Gilbert Family Foundation, designed to prepare Detroiters for careers in the tech industry without any prerequisites for entry. Graduates can further their education through the Renaissance program, which offers advanced training and collaboration opportunities with local institutions and businesses.

The 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix showcased not only high-speed racing but also community inclusion and diversity initiatives in motorsports. Young artists from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) created murals for the event space, while Black-owned Curry Motorsports announced a summer boot camp program supported by a $25,000 investment. The Grand Prix emphasized making racing more inclusive, with BGCSM teens participating in global mobility coding programs and free access to portions of the racetrack for spectators. Beyond the excitement of race weekend, the event demonstrated Detroit's commitment to evolving its automotive legacy through education, innovation, and increased representation in motorsports.

The U.S. Senate has narrowly advanced President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" by a 51-50 vote, which local Detroit leaders like Wayne County Commission Chair Alisha Bell are calling the "Big Ugly Bill" due to its proposed cuts to vital social programs. The legislation threatens significant reductions to Medicaid and SNAP benefits that currently support millions of Michigan residents, including nearly half of Detroit's population and over 434,000 people in Wayne County who rely on food assistance. If passed by the House, the bill would potentially eliminate healthcare coverage for 11.8 million Americans over the next decade while creating a $467 million shortfall in Michigan's food assistance budget, all while providing $4.5 trillion in tax cuts primarily benefiting wealthy individuals and corporations.

Light Up Livernois, returning on July 5 from noon to 8 p.m., will transform Detroit's Avenue of Fashion between 6 Mile and 8 Mile into a vibrant cultural celebration showcasing Black music, fashion, food, and entrepreneurship. Produced by the Independent Business Association (IBA), this free event serves as both a cultural celebration and economic engine for one of the oldest and most significant Black commercial districts in the country. The festival features local performers across various music genres, fashion showcases highlighting Detroit designers, pop-up shops with handmade goods, food vendors offering local cuisine, and art installations illuminating storefronts. Beyond entertainment, Light Up Livernois represents a community-led initiative to support and amplify Black-owned businesses by creating visibility and generating revenue for the small enterprises that sustain Detroit's economic future.