Category Archives: Blog
Making data work for young people
by: Stephanie Quesnelle | Mar. 16th, 2020 This post was originally shared on Data Driven Detroit’s website. Click here to view the original posting. Last summer, we introduced students at the Detroit International Academy for Young Women to user testing, a fast-growing facet of software development, and then guided them through a user test of […]
Read more »COVID-19 Resources for Students, Families, & Grant Partners
by: The Skillman Foundation | Mar. 16th, 2020 Last updated April 21, 2020 In light of COVID-19 Coronavirus, The Skillman Foundation is compiling a list of free or low-cost resources for students and families to help stay healthy, happy, and learning. Furthermore, we will provide resources for our grant partners to support their work and […]
Read more »Message from Tonya Allen: Our Response to Coronavirus COV-19
by: Tonya Allen | Mar. 11th, 2020 Privilege and responsibility are two words The Skillman Foundation often uses when talking about our shared work. We are privileged to be able to, together with the people of Detroit, champion and safeguard the people of our beloved city—particularly those most vulnerable. With these privileges comes responsibility to […]
Read more »Educators Share Recommendations to Address Our State’s Teacher Shortage
by: Council of Michigan Foundations | Mar. 2nd, 2020 This story originally appeared as part of the Council of Michigan Foundation’s (CMF) Weekly Download. Click here to read the original post. A new report is sharing insights from educators on potential solutions to address Michigan’s teacher shortage. According to the report, conducted by Public Policy […]
Read more »Educating Society on Humanity
by: Christal Phillips | Feb. 17th, 2020 Never were truer words written than in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables (1862) that “there is always more misery among the lower classes than there is humanity in the higher [classes].” So much so that Martin Luther King, Jr. referenced this quote in his speech, “The Three Evils […]
Read more »Dear Charles, Black Women Change the World
by: Patrice S. Johnson | Feb. 9th, 2020 This post was originally published on Medium. Click here to view the original post. The first snow fell in Detroit, and even though I’ve lived in Michigan all of my life, I went into a panic. Do I need new tires? Has the oil been changed? Where […]
Read more »CitizenDetroit, DPSCD & Dept. of Elections Simulate 2020 March Primary at Cass Tech
by: | Feb. 3rd, 2020 This post was adapted from a January 29 press release by CitizenDetroit. On Friday, January 31, 2020, nonprofit civic engagement organization CitizenDetroit and the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) hosted the first of four election simulations at Cass Technical High School. This program, funded by The Skillman Foundation and […]
Read more »MI Philanthropy Continues to Support Literacy Work and Families
by: The Skillman Foundation | Feb. 3rd, 2020 This story originally appeared in the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) Weekly Download. Click here to read the original post. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced last week during her State of the State address that her office is partnering with a number of CMF members to help families […]
Read more »Imposter Syndrome
by: Laila Nasher | Jan. 29th, 2020 This post originally appeared on Our Kids Detroit Students’ Blog. Read the original post here. I’m unconventional, at least by my neighborhood’s standards. My tight-knit Yemeni community stresses the benefit of staying silent. You can’t get in trouble, I’m constantly told if you don’t speak up. Sometimes I think this stems […]
Read more »In Defense of Youth Organizing
by: Laila Nasher | Jan. 27th, 2020 This post originally appeared on Our Kids Detroit Students’ Blog, supported by The Skillman Foundation. Read the original post here. As a child, you learn to take responsibility for your mistakes. Whether this means owning up to spilling that glass of milk or for ripping your older sister’s favorite t-shirt, it’s […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation Seeks Examples of Detroit Genius to Celebrate its 60th Anniversary
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 14th, 2020 To celebrate 60 years of service, The Skillman Foundation is looking for nominations of Detroit youth for our 60 Examples of Detroit Genius social media campaign. The campaign will showcase the variety of talents possessed by young Detroiters. “Genius” is open for interpretation. We want to show […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation Announces Team Member Promotions
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 14th, 2020 David R. McGhee has been named vice president of organizational excellence and impact after serving for one year as associate vice president in the same role. In his role, David supports the Foundation’s president & CEO and helps shape and support key initiatives and projects, manage external […]
Read more »Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 10th, 2020 To be fierce champions of Detroit children, we know the approaches The Skillman Foundation and its partners take must be mindful of our children’s unique stories and must leverage the input of all who can positively impact their lives. To make these principles visible–to the greater community […]
Read more »Wayne State University College of Education to host second annual Distinguished Lecture in Urban Education
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jan. 7th, 2020 This release originally appeared on Today@Wayne. Click here to read the original post. DETROIT — The Wayne State University College of Education invites the community to explore issues related to the role of philanthropy in urban education reform during its second annual Distinguished Lecture in Urban Education […]
Read more »Literacy Case
by: Imani Harris | Jan. 7th, 2020 This post originally appeared on Our Kids Detroit Students’ Blog, supported by The Skillman Foundation. Read the original post here. According to the state of Michigan, my high school education did not matter to them, because it wasn’t a right. It didn’t matter when I spent my first semester of freshman […]
Read more »11 College Bound Detroit Schools Selected, Begin Implementation
by: Ashley Aidenbaum | Dec. 30th, 2019 The Skillman Foundation funded the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) to launch the College Bound Detroit program, which is working with counselors in 10 schools to develop and implement a data-driven strategy to increase postsecondary success and access. We believe that school counselors have more potential to champion […]
Read more »Restorative Practices Expand to Reform School Discipline
by: Matthew Hoerauf | Dec. 29th, 2019 Across the nation, restorative practices have proven to be effective in lowering suspensions and expulsions in school districts. The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has agreed to invest in restorative practices to make similar changes in practice, climate, and culture. The Skillman Foundation is supporting partners to […]
Read more »Every School Day Counts Detroit Expands to Address Chronic Absence across Detroit
by: Matthew Hoerauf | Dec. 28th, 2019 Every School Day Counts Detroit (ESDC-D) is a community-driven network of neighborhood-based organizations working to support a school-going culture through efforts focused on data and research, wrap-around supports, messaging, professional development, and technical assistance on best practices that reduce chronic absenteeism across Detroit. In 2019, the group worked […]
Read more »Data Show Decrease in Violence in Detroit’s 48205 Zip Code
by: Matthew Hoerauf | Dec. 27th, 2019 Detroit’s 48205 zip code has for many years been one of highest crime rate zip codes in the nation. New data, though, show promise. According to Detroit police statistics, homicides in the zip code fell from 42 in 2011 to 21 in 2018. During that same time, robberies […]
Read more »Over $1M in Mini-Grants Deployed for 2020 Census
by: The Skillman Foundation | Dec. 26th, 2019 Statewide, over $1M in mini-grants ($435,000 in Detroit to many of The Skillman Foundation’s grant partners) has been deployed to educate residents and students about the Census and participation in historically underserved communities. Michigan Nonprofit Association has been working closely with the US Census Bureau, along with […]
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