Category Archives: Blog
An Opportunity Agenda for Detroit Children
by: Natalie Fotias | Dec. 12th, 2018 Melissa Butler (Cass Technical High School graduate) worked on Wall Street before moving home to focus on her lipstick line, The Lip Bar. She struck out with investors on the reality TV show Shark Tank, but kept grinding and created her own lane. Now, you can pop into […]
Read more »Detroit From My Bike Seat
by: Imani Nichele | Dec. 12th, 2018 We rode our bikes all over Detroit,which, then,was to the white picket fencejust past the pine tree next doorand back home again—an entire city packed into thislot of concrete meadow. We had to play in the fieldof Mama’s vision—Which was never consistent in range, especially when she would […]
Read more »50 People Who Represent the Heart of Detroit
by: Natalie Fotias | Dec. 12th, 2018 Detroit is fueled by community heroes dedicated to supporting children. In every pocket of the city, there are people nurturing and investing in our youth. From teachers and counselors, to doctors and nurses; librarians and statisticians, to mentors and artists. Some are youth themselves advocating for their peers. […]
Read more »A Letter to Detroit Youth
by: Tonya Allen | Dec. 12th, 2018 What up doe? I see you, Detroit youth. From the east side to the west side, your light shines. Your grind is admirable. Your swagger is in a league of its own. You are humble. You are brash. You are beautiful. You are tough. And so much more… […]
Read more »Detroit 4th Grader Inspires New “Let’s Be Thankful” Float for America’s Thanksgiving Parade
by: The Skillman Foundation | Nov. 19th, 2018 The Parade Company and The Skillman Foundation announced the winner of the 27th Annual Skillman Foundation’s Float Design Contest for America’s Thanksgiving Parade® presented by Art Van. Fourth grade student Karayna Wayne from Weston Prep Academy was joined by her family, teachers and school administrators as her winning […]
Read more »Upswell Podcast Episode 8: Delphia Simmons & Mike Alvidrez
by: Upswell 2018 | Nov. 12th, 2018 Homelessness is among the most difficult and heartbreaking issues facing society today. On Episode 8 of the Upswell Podcast, we tackle this intractable challenge with two changemakers whose organizations are taking on the complexities of homelessness and making headway, slowly but surely. First we’ll talk with Delphia Simmons, […]
Read more »19 Collaborative Efforts Building Opportunity for Detroit Kids
by: William Sexton | Nov. 12th, 2018 Ninteen organizations have been selected to receive funding as part of The Skillman Foundation’s Call for Collaborations, a unique grant opportunity that called on organizations applying for funding to do so in partnership with at least one other entity. Partnerships could be between nonprofits, schools, government agencies or […]
Read more »20 Innovative Ideas to Empower Detroit Youth Cultivated through MBK Detroit Innovation Challenge
by: The Skillman Foundation | Nov. 8th, 2018 Twenty new ideas to support youth of color in Detroit are being prototyped with the support of $5,000 each in seed funding and informational workshops provided through the My Brother’s Keeper Detroit Innovation Challenge. Six ideas will be selected at a community expo in January 2019 to […]
Read more »Renewing Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
by: Tonya Allen | Nov. 7th, 2018 Conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are becoming increasingly important to the future of our nation, especially here in Detroit. As our city continues its resurgence, the only way to maintain sustainable growth will be to create an inclusive Detroit where all residents feel connected, included and […]
Read more »If You Dream It, We Will Build It
by: | Nov. 5th, 2018 Hundreds of community members volunteered to assemble a state-of-the-art, 10,000 square foot playground in Detroit’s Cody Rouge neighborhood. On a rainy Saturday in late October, more than 200 people gathered in Stein Park in Cody Rouge, a neighborhood in northwest Detroit. It was the final day of a week-long effort […]
Read more »Upswell Podcast Episode 7: Erica Page & Brittany Murrey
by: Upswell 2018 | Nov. 2nd, 2018 When it comes to preparing community residents to be community leaders, ensuring that they have the skillsets needed for meaningful and gainful work is a must in today’s competitive environment. And sometimes life circumstances present residents with challenges that require a little extra help to overcome employment barriers. […]
Read more »Vote for Kids on November 6
by: David R. McGhee | Nov. 1st, 2018 A society’s strength can be measured by the well-being of its children. By that metric, Michigan is weak. In 2017, Michigan ranked 32nd in the nation for child well-being and 41st in education. That doesn’t bode well for the future of our children or our state. Fortunately, […]
Read more »Quicken Loans Partners with Urban Alliance to Bring Flagship Youth Employment Program to Detroit
by: Urban Alliance | Nov. 1st, 2018 Urban Alliance’s expansion to Detroit championed by Quicken Loans Community Fund, The Skillman Foundation, and Bank of America Urban Alliance (UA), a national youth development nonprofit organization, is bringing its flagship youth employment model to Detroit with support from the Quicken Loans Family of Companies, who will serve as the program’s anchor employer in the city. […]
Read more »Our Hearts Are With Pittsburgh
by: Tonya Allen | Oct. 29th, 2018 “We have come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy.” – Martin […]
Read more »Upswell Podcast Episode 6: Kim Johnson & Kayla Mason
by: Upswell 2018 | Oct. 27th, 2018 Our future depends in large part on supporting our young people with resources and experiences to develop into tomorrow’s involved citizens and leaders. Fortunately, many social good organizations focus on youth development. We were lucky to have three individuals join us on the Upswell Podcast whose nonprofits put […]
Read more »9TH Annual ARISE DETROIT! “Neighborhoods Rising Summit” Takes Place Nov 3
by: ARISE Detroit! | Oct. 25th, 2018 The 9th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Rising Summit will take place on Saturday, November 3. This year’s theme is “Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Detroit.” The event focuses on removing barriers to economic opportunities and expanding efforts to include neighborhoods as part of Detroit’s revival efforts. Skillman Foundation […]
Read more »Creating Change Through Collaboration
by: David R. McGhee | Oct. 19th, 2018 About our “Call for Collaboration,” a funding opportunity totaling nearly $3 million, available to organizations working in collaboration with at least one other entity to serve Detroit youth during out-of-school hours. Quality youth development programs are more than just activities to keep students busy outside of school. […]
Read more »Upswell Podcast Episode 5: Anise Hayes & Eva Fordham
by: Upswell 2018 | Oct. 19th, 2018 Republished with the permission of Upswell. View the original post here. In the realm of transformative changework, the future looks much brighter when we support our youth – particularly those who might not otherwise have important opportunities in their lives. With tight budgets forcing schools to make tough program […]
Read more »Campaign for Black Male Achievement’s 10th Anniversary Gala Honors Tonya Allen, George Soros, and John W. Rogers
by: Campaign For Black Male Achievement | Oct. 17th, 2018 Republished with the permission of eurweb.com. View the original post here. The Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA) holds its 10th Anniversary Gala: Black Male Reimagined on October 18, 2018, honoring Tonya Allen, George Soros, and John W. Rogers for their leadership in advancing life outcomes for boys and men of color. Actor, […]
Read more »Upswell Podcast Episode 4: Hassan Jaber & Patricia Ortiz
by: Upswell 2018 | Oct. 12th, 2018 Republished with the permission of Upswell. View the original post here. Challenges surrounding immigration are front and center in our country. The fourth episode of the Upswell Podcast explores how two changemakers – one near Detroit and one in Los Angeles – are working to advance social justice for […]
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