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Annual luncheon salutes students' academic successes

DETROIT — The Skillman Foundation’s 24th annual Skillman Scholar luncheon was held May 18 at the Omni Hotel Riverfront to honor and celebrate the academic successes of nine Detroiters who are now pursuing a higher education.

Keynote speaker Christian Starling, a 2006 University of Liggett graduate who is a junior at Harvard University, addressed the crowd of 100 people, which included family, friends and former scholars. Starling is majoring in English and Science. Skillman Foundation President & CEO Carol Goss and Chairman Stephen Ewing presented the students with certificates, gift cards and well wishes.

The 2009 Skillman Scholars include (pictured from left, standing) Kalin Sellers, The Roeper School; Blendia Hubbard, The Roeper School; Danielle Smith, Detroit Country Day School; Imani Sims, Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School; Janaya Gripper, University Liggett School; Daniel Jackson, Detroit Country Day School; (from left, front) Aaron Spratt, Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School; Dominic Babb, Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School; and Jihad Mims, Detroit Country Day School.

The Skillman Scholars program provides educational opportunities for academically-gifted, minority scholars from metropolitan Detroit to maximize their potential to become future leaders in society. It’s been an important strategy at the Foundation for more than 20 years.

Created in 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy whose chief aim is to help develop good schools and good neighborhoods for children. Though grants are made throughout metropolitan Detroit, most grants are directed at six Detroit neighborhoods – Southwest Detroit (Vernor and Chadsey/Condon), Brightmoor, Osborn, Cody/Rouge and the Northend – and toward innovative and successful schools throughout the city of Detroit.