Category Archives: Blog
Coding a Future for Detroit Youth
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 Today’s tech industry is booming, and Detroit is at the forefront of job growth in the field. But amid all the excitement, many are questioning how accessible these career opportunities are for city residents, especially youth. Enter JOURNi, a non-profit organization dedicated to equipping young people with the tools […]
Read more »Creating Culture and Community for Young Detroit Artists
by: William Sexton | Sep. 25th, 2017 “Here, I’m learning how to become myself and talk about what I see and experience on a day-to-day basis,” Yeury said confidently. It’s a Friday afternoon and the young community organizer is seated at workstation filled with computer monitors, headphones and camera parts. Surrounding him are the fellow […]
Read more »Expo Highlights the Perspectives of Young Men of Color & Grassroots Programs Helping them Thrive
by: The Skillman Foundation | Sep. 25th, 2017 In Their Words, a photo exhibition and interactive installation in downtown Detroit offers a glimpse into the lives of several local young men of color and introduce four grassroots organizations that are creating pathways to support these young people’s talents and aspirations. The expo is the capstone […]
Read more »Foundation adds youth development expert to education team
by: Natalie Fotias | Sep. 17th, 2017 Terry Whitfield has joined the Skillman Foundation as a program officer, supporting the Foundation’s education work. Whitfield brings more than a decade of experience in youth development (out-of-school programs for youth) and parent engagement, focusing on diverse populations and communities. Most recently, Whitfield served as a project coordinator for Southwest […]
Read more »Our Associate Program Officers
by: Natalie Fotias | Aug. 27th, 2017 Three Skillman Foundation team members have recently been appointed to the role of associate program officer: Ashley Aidenbaum, Matt Hoerauf, and Siobhan O’Laoire. Each of these talented folks brings a different set of skills and experience to their new role, contributing to the Foundation’s grantmaking and changemaking efforts. The trio […]
Read more »Youth Council Helps Build Benches, Community
by: William Sexton | Aug. 25th, 2017 When one thinks of neighborhood essentials, bus benches may not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for the Cody Rouge Community Youth Council, it is the small things in a community that can make the most difference. Meet Sherrod, Jai’la and Dehvin, three members of the […]
Read more »Detroit Children’s Fund selects Jack Elsey as executive director
by: Natalie Fotias | Aug. 22nd, 2017 DETROIT – Detroit Children’s Fund (DCF) announced today the appointment of Jack Elsey as executive director. Elsey brings 13 years of experience in public education to his new role. “DCF has attracted a strong team to drive its mission of ensuring Detroit children have exceptional learning and development opportunities. We could not […]
Read more »Tonya Allen joins School Finance Research Collaborative
by: | Aug. 15th, 2017 Tonya Allen, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation and a recognized tireless advocate for Detroit and the city’s undeserved children, has joined the School Finance Research Collaborative, the Collaborative announced today. “I am honored and excited for the opportunity to bring the voice of Detroit’s children, particularly those facing economic, […]
Read more »Our Next Chapter: An Opportunity Agenda for Detroit Youth
by: | Aug. 4th, 2017 I began my philanthropic career at the Skillman Foundation in 1989. This February I returned after 17 years, as the organization’s vice president of program and strategy. When friends and colleagues heard the news, many asked why I chose to come back. My reasons are manifold. The Foundation’s mission to […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation announces election of two new trustees
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jul. 17th, 2017 The Skillman Foundation announced the appointment of two new members to its board of trustees, Ronald Hall and Suzanne Shank. “Both individuals have displayed a deep commitment to Detroit and bring valuable experience from their service on other local and national boards in addition to a keen interest […]
Read more »The Other Detroit Comeback Story
by: Beth Hawkins | Jun. 8th, 2017 A Cross-Section of Education Advocates Set Aside Their Differences to Create a Blueprint for Reshaping the City’s Education Landscape. It Almost Happened. The morning John Rakolta Jr. rode the bus to school with Mrs. Robinson and her two kids it was seven degrees in Detroit. The four stepped outside […]
Read more »Cody Rouge Residents Present Comprehensive Community Plan, Detroit Philanthropic and Business Community Announce Support and Investment
by: Natalie Fotias | May. 17th, 2017 DTE Energy, General Motors, Quicken Loans and the Skillman Foundation team up for first time in coordinated philanthropic effort to support community plan DETROIT, MI — Residents of Cody Rouge gathered today for an unveiling of a comprehensive plan to transform their west-side community into a premiere Detroit neighborhood. Leadership from DTE Energy, […]
Read more »1967 Remembered In Commemoration, Not Celebration
by: Reverend Wendell Anthony | May. 3rd, 2017 The talk in the city of Detroit by some in the business community or elsewhere concerning the upcoming commemoration of the 1967 rebellion raises a serious question: Does everyone understand the difference between celebration and commemoration? Celebration is the act of marking one’s pleasure at an important event […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation Named 2017 Winner of HUD Secretary’s Award
by: | Apr. 24th, 2017 Council on Foundations and HUD recognize the Skillman Foundation for outstanding work in building stronger communities through government partnerships The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations (COF) today announced that The Skillman Foundation is one of 10 winners of the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award […]
Read more »Working Together to Improve Academic Outcomes for Children
by: National Center for Families Learning | Apr. 12th, 2017 You can see the pride in Lourdes Valdivia’s eyes when she talks about her three sons, ages 3, 9, and 11. Each weekday morning, she and her sons walk through the doors of Harms Elementary in Southwest Detroit. Her oldest two children head for their […]
Read more »Skillman Foundation announces hiring of John Ziraldo as vice president of program and strategy
by: Natalie Fotias | Apr. 5th, 2017 The Skillman Foundation has named John Ziraldo as its new vice president of program and strategy. Ziraldo brings significant experience from both the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Most recently serving as senior program officer for the William Davidson Foundation, he has also served as president and CEO of […]
Read more »Head Start Early Childhood Innovation Fund announces new grant awards of $1.5 million to support parents and teachers
by: | Apr. 5th, 2017 LATEST ROUND OF FUNDING FROM $11 MILLION, FIVE-YEAR PROJECT THAT INCLUDES DETROIT AND TRI-COUNTIES FOCUSES ON INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION DETROIT – The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan today announced that the Head Start Early Childhood Innovation Fund Collaborative (Innovation Fund) will award grants totaling $1.5 million through nine awards to […]
Read more »Tonya Allen, President & CEO of the Skillman Foundation, Wins 2017 Nicholas P. Bollman Award
by: Funders’ Network | Apr. 5th, 2017 Each year, the Funders’ Network recognizes a leader committed to building strong, sustainable, and equitable communities with the Nicholas P. Bollman Award. We proudly announce that the recipient of the 2017 Bollman Award is Tonya Allen, president and CEO of the Skillman Foundation, who has dedicated herself to […]
Read more »My Journey as a Proud Michigan Educator
by: Chanel Hampton | Apr. 5th, 2017 Lola Mae and Joe Harris, my grandma and granddad, preached about the profound power of education, constantly and literally — my granddad was a pastor for nearly 80 years. They encouraged me to soak up every drop of knowledge possible. Lola and Joe were always open and honest […]
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