Category Archives: Blog
The Skillman Foundation & The Parade Company Announce the Winner of the 29th Annual Skillman Foundation Float Design Contest
by: The Skillman Foundation | Nov. 23rd, 2020 “The Genius of Children” Float Designed by Bates Academy 8th Grader to Debut in America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Gardner-White The Skillman Foundation and The Parade Company today announced 8th grader John Baker IV, student at Bates Academy in Detroit, as the grand prize winner of the […]
Read more »2020 Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellows
by: Kumar Raj | Nov. 20th, 2020 Detroit residents—and their voices—are strong. Detroiters have played an instrumental role in shaping culture in their city, country, and world. But too often, their voices are missing from the forefront of shaping the policies, practices, and systems that impact their lives and communities. To help deepen the bench […]
Read more »Our community wants Wayne kids to win
by: The Skillman Foundation | Nov. 18th, 2020 A Wayne Kids Win! ballot proposal didn’t move in 2020, but paves the way for future efforts Our grant and changemaking strategies under the Opportunity Agenda for Detroit Children seek to drive change on three primary indicators: third-grade reading proficiency, meaningful high school graduation, and funding for Detroit’s afterschool system. We selected these measures as they are critical […]
Read more »A house divided cannot stand
by: Tonya Allen | Nov. 9th, 2020 The narrative we have bombarded ourselves with is that we are a country that’s highly divided; that there are two opposing sides as to who we are and what we want for our future. As election ballots were processed, tallies starkly displayed a combative “red versus blue.” Political pundits pit whole groups of people as for this or against that based on exit polls. “Black women are fighting for ‘X’.” […]
Read more »Where Are the Children?
by: Punita Dani Thurman | Oct. 6th, 2020 A version of this article appears in The Detroit Free Press. View here. At The Skillman Foundation we often lead with a critical question to our community, “How are the children?” A traditional greeting of the Masai Tribe, it is a litmus test, knowing that if children […]
Read more »Black Futures Matter: Detroit’s Regional Compact to Get it Together for Equitable Postsecondary Attainment
by: Ashley Aidenbaum | Oct. 1st, 2020 Dr. Andre Perry says, “There’s nothing wrong with Black people that ending racism can’t solve.” It follows that there is nothing wrong with Black students, and when we talk about the “failure” to “earn” a degree, we need to remember that our students and teachers are not broken; […]
Read more »Black and Bright: Advancing Equitable Education Policies
by: The Skillman Foundation | Sep. 22nd, 2020 Michigan students are bright and capable. They are Michigan’s future. Nearly 1 in 5 are Black. By third grade, only 20% of our Black students are reading at grade level. 70% graduate from high school. 26% earn a college degree. For white students, 53% are reading proficient […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation Welcomes Three New Board of Trustees Members
by: The Skillman Foundation | Sep. 21st, 2020 DETROIT – The Skillman Foundation’s Board of Trustees approved the appointment of three new members to champion Detroit children. The Board welcomed Pastor Solomon Kinloch, Jr. of Triumph Church, Elizabeth Morales of Ice Miller, LLP, and Gary Torgow of TCF Financial and Chemical Financial Corporation as new […]
Read more »Reducing Child Abuse through Proactive Support
by: Matthew Hoerauf | Aug. 26th, 2020 When The Skillman Foundation was established in 1960, our founder Rose Skillman had already established a long history of supporting institutions and programs that protect the well-being of vulnerable children. Through her endowment, Rose’s commitment to children remains. We, the current team members, are privileged to carry it forward. […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation announces President’s Youth Council to guide strategy
by: The Skillman Foundation | Aug. 26th, 2020 Detroit – To continue amplifying youth voice and perspectives, The Skillman Foundation is seeking nominations for its new President’s Youth Council (PYC). PYC members will advise Foundation leadership by sharing their experiences, perspectives, and ideas about the Foundation’s role as a changemaker in Detroit. “As a fierce […]
Read more »Philanthropy’s Role in Education Equity and the Return to Learn: A Conversation with The Skillman Foundation
by: Council of Michigan Foundations | Aug. 25th, 2020 This article originally appeared on in the Council of Michigan Foundations‘ The Download. View the original post. As students and families prepare for the uncertainty of the 2020-21 school year, philanthropy continues to play a vital role in cultivating an equitable future for Michigan’s children. A […]
Read more »New Tech Fund for Detroit Students helps close city’s digital divide before school year
by: The Skillman Foundation | Aug. 11th, 2020 Detroit – Today, a collective of community leaders across the private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors have pooled resources to tackle Detroit’s digital divide and ensure students can continue to learn. With financial backing from the Deloitte Foundation, DTE Energy Foundation, Detroit Children’s Fund, Nancy and Arn Tellem […]
Read more »Finding Joy in Music with the DSO
by: Christal Phillips | Jul. 29th, 2020 Music education is vital as children may feel isolated, disconnected from society, and without an outlet to express themselves. During this unprecedented time, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has continued to provide music education to Detroit’s youth in the face of massive budget cuts to arts and culture […]
Read more »Governor Whitmer Releases MI Safe Schools Roadmap, Directs School Districts to Develop Return to School Plans
by: State of Michigan | Jun. 30th, 2020 Roadmap includes guidance on PPE, hygiene and cleaning protocols, athletics, and more LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, a comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall. The Roadmap outlines a […]
Read more »Detroit Coalition Launches Springboard Collaborative’s Family-Based Literacy Program for Thousands of Children Learning at Home
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jun. 30th, 2020 Read the original release from GreenLight Fund. GreenLight Fund Detroit’s third social investment leads a $3 million commitment to improve grade-level reading with structured family engagement. Detroit, MI – A citywide partnership led by GreenLight Fund brings national nonprofit Springboard Collaborative’s family-based literacy program to Detroit. GreenLight’s multi-year […]
Read more »Detroit 21 pens love letter to city
by: | Jun. 12th, 2020 This piece originally appeared in Bridge Detroit a non-profit news and engagement organization that is laser-focused on lifting up the issues that Detroiters themselves identify as important to their lives. View the original post. Beloved Detroit: There are moments in history that cause things to change. The murder of Emmett […]
Read more »“We Must be in It for the Long Haul”: Black Foundation Executives Request Action by Philanthropy on Anti-Black Racism
by: | Jun. 12th, 2020 “We are managing a pandemic within a pandemic. Police brutality is a scourge, it is a pandemic. The pre-existing condition before COVID, and it still exists, is racism.” —Representative Ayanna Pressley The Skillman Foundation president and CEO Tonya Allen is a co-signer of this letter from ABFE. View the letter […]
Read more »Governor Whitmer Appoints Educators, Parents, Students to COVID-19 Return to School Advisory Council
by: | Jun. 10th, 2020 This release originally was originally posted on Governor Whitmer’s website. View the original post. LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced a group of 25 leaders in health care and education to serve on the COVID-19 return to learn advisory council. The group of experts includes educators, parents, and students […]
Read more »60 Examples of Detroit Genius
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jun. 5th, 2020 Detroit youth possess genius. Their talent comes in all forms: academics, arts, sports, service to the community, and more. To celebrate Detroit genius, we asked the community-at-large to let us know of young people who astonish and inspire. Here are just a few of our incredible honorees: […]
Read more »A Prayer for U.S.
by: Tonya Allen | Jun. 3rd, 2020 Everyone, I have been thinking a lot about the message I wanted to send to you regarding George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor’s murders. These three recent acts, in a long line of brutality against black men and women, had me personally overwhelmed with grief, anger, impatience, and urgency. I didn’t want to compose a statement—well constructed […]
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