JANUARY UPDATES
Grantor Highlight: Detroit Children’s Fund
Supporters of our students always go above and beyond, but the Detroit Children’s Fund (DCF) has taken their engagement with Detroit Public Schools Community District to the next level, by providing the DPS Foundation funding for several major projects that are transforming educational experiences for our children. This school year alone, DCF has invested in professional development at The School at Marygrove; supported a Project Manager for the Model School Project; made possible the New Leaders Leadership Development Program for principals and assistant principals; and so much more. We’re grateful to DCF for making this investment into the future of DPSCD, our students, families, and educators, and our city.
Partner Highlight: James Oliver Coffee
It takes an entire community—from individuals to corporations to local businesses—to support our students. That’s why we’re thankful to one of our newest partners, James Oliver Coffee. The company’s founders, David Shock and Miranda Clark, have found a creative new way to support our students: for each bag of their Alma Mater blend purchased, they’ll donate $7.50 to provide educational experiences to DPSCD students, families, and teachers. David was inspired to create this Alma Mater blend because his mother, Mary Ann, was a Detroit Public Schools elementary teacher working at Grayling, Wilkins, Bethune, and Bow throughout the 80's and into the early 2000's. We love this creative way of giving back!
National Day of Racial Healing
On January 21 at Wayne State University, we celebrated the W.K. Kellogg National Day of Racial Healing. This event brought together more than 300 middle school students from seven schools across the metro area, including three of ours: Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy (Lead School), Academy of the Americas, and Davison Elementary-Middle School, as well as Farber Hebrew Day School, Hillel Day School, Franklin Middle School (Westland) and Beer Middle School (Warren). Students had important conversations around being different and racial healing, all for a more just and equitable future. Special thanks to the Wayne State Freedom Players for their powerful performance, the Jewish Fund Teen Board for sponsoring the 2020 event, and all the partners and planners that made the day a huge success!
Single Mothers Private Donor Donation at Chrysler Elementary
In December, an anonymous donor gave $2,000 each to five single mothers at Chrysler Elementary — $10,000 in total! The donor, who was also a single mother that worked while raising her children, wanted to give back and support other mothers who struggle bravely and silently. $1,000 was also given to the school to make improvements in their teacher's lounge.
Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club
On Tuesday, January 21, four standout students from Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men and their chaperone, Major Ayanna Morales-Kaley, Sr. Army Instructor along with members of the DPS Foundation team, attended the Detroit Free Press’ Breakfast Club. In addition to hearing from five experts on the current state of public transit in the region, Pierre Brooks, Jr., Donivan Peoples, Raphael Crayton, and Franklin Ezeoke met the panelists and other influential attendees including Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive; Warren Evans, Wayne County Executive; Charlie Langton from FOX2; and many others. We’re so very proud of these young men!
Apply for Detroit College Promise Scholarships
The deadline for Detroit College Promise scholarships (and many others) is quickly approaching! Do you know a Detroit Public Schools Community District senior who’s pursuing higher education next school year? Be sure to share these scholarship opportunities and encourage them to apply by February 14, 2020.
Detroit College Promise scholarships provide students with much-needed financial support during their first year of college. A 2018 scholar said it best: “Thanks to the Detroit College Promise, I was less worried about how I would pay for books.” We need your help to meet our goal of awarding 50 students!
Save the Date for 2020 Champions of Education
Save the date for our 7th Annual Champions of Education signature fundraising event at the Detroit Yacht Club on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 5pm. This yearly event honors community partners and celebrates our amazing students. Sponsorships are available; learn more below and be sure to mark your calendars.
Support Student Learning Beyond the Classroom
While an outstanding classroom education is of vital importance for all students, educating the whole child also means providing quality experiences for students beyond the classroom. From local and international travel to quality afterschool programs and interactions with business and community leaders, these opportunities provide our children with real-world experiences that prepare them for college and career.

Going Beyond the Classroom also means supporting those who impact the quality of our students’ education: our parents and teachers.Through parent engagement and teacher professional development opportunities, our goal is to ensure that parents and educators have all the tools they need to support our future leaders.

We need your help to support our students, parents, and teachers Beyond the Classroom. Make a donation today to support the whole child!