Category Archives: News
News from the Skillman Foundation on education, economy and equity for all Detroit Youth.
The Dawning of a New Day
by: Angelique Power | Nov. 8th, 2022 According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ (NAEP) latest report, Black students across the country were hit harder by the pandemic in terms of reading and math proficiency. In Detroit, scores continue to trail the nation and are lower than the first year the NAEP test was […]
Read more »New Research Reveals that Black Workers Have Borne the Brunt of Metro Detroit’s Inequitable Labor Market and Uneven Economic Growth
by: Detroit Area Workforce Funders Collaborative | Sep. 30th, 2022 The Skillman Foundation is a member of the Detroit Area Workforce Funders Collaborative which supported the creation of the “Advancing Workforce Equity in Metro Detroit: A Blueprint for Action” report. This report underscores that placing a racial equity lens on talent and economic development is […]
Read more »Our Report Card: Grant partners scored our work
by: Punita Dani Thurman | Sep. 30th, 2022 Every few years since 2003, The Skillman Foundation has commissioned a grant partner survey to request anonymous feedback about how we’re doing as a funder, partner, and youth advocate. Our 2022 survey ratings have remained consistent or trended up since 2019. We’re glad to see improvements and […]
Read more »Our history in K-12 education
by: Natalie Fotias | Sep. 19th, 2022 A good education unlocks many doors. Rose Skillman founded The Skillman Foundation because she was able to unlock a lot of doors in her lifetime. And as she did, she looked behind to see all the people—all the children—who were shut off from the paths she walked. As […]
Read more »It’s been a year
by: Angelique Power | Sep. 13th, 2022 When I began at The Skillman Foundation last September, I intentionally slowed my roll. I walked into Detroit knowing there is a need to learn. To learn the wide-ranging cast of characters that call this place home. To learn the language of place and to hear even the […]
Read more »Detroit kids are rich with ideas to boost well-being
by: The Skillman Foundation | Sep. 12th, 2022 Detroit youth have a bounty of ideas to support well-being, and half a million dollars to bring them to life. The Skillman Foundation is funding 40 projects designed and led by young people to support the social, emotional, and mental well-being of their peers. The selected projects, […]
Read more »Fostering a Detroit where youth are heard
by: Wallyaldeen Alhomaidi | Aug. 23rd, 2022 We often hear adults talk about methods they have attempted to create an improved Detroit for youth. What’s a better way to do so than listening to the younger generation itself? Hi, my name is Wallyaldeen Alhomaidi. I was among the young people at Arab Community Center for […]
Read more »2022 Call for Nominations: President’s Youth Council
by: Jessica Eiland Anders | Aug. 18th, 2022 The Skillman Foundation works to ensure Detroit youth have the tools and supports they need to be the designers of their destinies. We invest in their formal and informal education; in experiences that help them learn about the world and about themselves. And we help to amplify […]
Read more »Trust is transformational, and complicated
by: Angelique Power | Aug. 16th, 2022 Over the past 11 months, we’ve spoken to hundreds of people through individual and 17 group listening sessions. Each perspective shared has been transformative. We’re grateful as candid conversations like these take trust. Trust that we are listening with openness to change ourselves and our organization. Some listening […]
Read more »Detroit youth have a podcast and its awesome.
by: Natalie Fotias | Aug. 1st, 2022 Here at The Skillman Foundation, we are big fans of Authentically Detroit, a podcast hosted by Donna Givens Davidson and Orlando Bailey that takes a comprehensive look at contemporary issues—such as housing, spatial racism, economic development, neighborhood planning, self-care, and community trauma—and how they impact Detroit. With a […]
Read more »Ten Detroiters in their 20’s Selected for National BMe Fellowship
by: BMe Community | Jun. 20th, 2022 Original press release published on June 17, 2022. The Skillman Foundation is supporting a Detroit BMe cohort for a third year in a row — but for the first time, our cohort is comprised of community leaders in their 20s. The 2022 Skillman BMe Vanguard Fellows will receive […]
Read more »The Skillman Foundation Advances Summer Jobs Connect in Detroit
by: Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund | Jun. 20th, 2022 Summer Jobs Connect to Provide Summer Job Opportunities, Financial Education, and Banking Access to an Additional 145,000 Young People Today, national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) kicked off the ninth summer of Summer Jobs Connect (SJC), which will provide more […]
Read more »Work with Gen Z to change the world
by: Jeremiah Steen, Logan Newman, and Mohammad Muntakim | Jun. 6th, 2022 This op-ed was originally published in The Detroit News. What will the future look like? As young people headed into adulthood, it’s a question we answer through plans and action. And we answer it not just for ourselves but for our collective future. […]
Read more »Communications Officer
by: The Skillman Foundation | Dec. 21st, 2021 We’re looking for an innovative storyteller, multimedia creator, and cross-platform communicator with exceptional project management skills and attention to detail. WHAT YOU’LL DO: Advance the story of Detroit’s visionary young people and bring life to the Foundation’s multiple platforms through leading, developing, and implementing storytelling and digital engagement strategies. CORE OBJECTIVES: Multichannel Communications: Design and deliver multichannel communications strategies across the Foundation’s social media, website, videos, e-newsletters, press materials, and other distribution […]
Read more »Announcing Angelique Power as our Next President CEO
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jun. 21st, 2021 The Skillman Foundation is delighted to announce that Angelique Power will lead the organization as president & CEO, beginning on September 13th. Power is an accomplished champion for racial justice who comes to the Foundation after serving as president of the Field Foundation in Chicago. “Selecting Angelique […]
Read more »Today’s trial made history. How we help kids make sense of it will shape the future.
by: The Skillman Foundation Staff & Board of Trustees | Apr. 21st, 2021 The Derek Chauvin trial took place over nearly four weeks. For many, these four weeks represented 400 years that black and brown people have been on trial in America. For whom skin color has shaped outcomes in everything from the justice system […]
Read more »President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
by: The Skillman Foundation | Mar. 4th, 2021 The Opportunity A voice for children since 1960, The Skillman Foundation is a private philanthropy that serves as a fierce champion of Detroit children. The Foundation works to ensure Detroit youth achieve their highest aspirations by strengthening K-12 public education, afterschool learning opportunities, and college and career […]
Read more »60 Examples of Detroit Genius: 51-60
by: The Skillman Foundation | Aug. 17th, 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, we highlight honorees 51 through 60. Detroit’s Young […]
Read more »60 Examples of Detroit Genius: 41-50
by: The Skillman Foundation | Aug. 3rd, 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, we highlight honorees 41 through 50. Laila Nasher […]
Read more »60 Examples of Detroit Genius: 31-40
by: The Skillman Foundation | Jul. 20th, 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, we highlight honorees 31 through 40. Javion Terrell […]
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