The Skillman Foundation

Amani Merritt is an 11^th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is involved in Doctors of Tomorrow, book club, Wolverine Pathways, Women of Tomorrow, and serves as a Project Genesis summer intern. She is also a dedicated community babysitter and a proud member of AKA Teens. Amani is passionate about health advocacy and helping people. She joined the Skillman Youth Council to act as a voice for youth in the Detroit community and to help create positive change. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, reading romance and dystopian novels, and journaling.

Analeise Martinez is an 11^th grade student at Cesar Chavez Academy High School. She is a member of her school’s volleyball team and is passionate about helping others in different ways, especially through education. Analeise believes that education is a powerful tool that can help people accomplish their dreams and create better opportunities for themselves. In her free time, she enjoys riding her bike, reading poetry, and spending time with friends.

Brian Corona is a 10^th grade student at Cesar Chavez Academy High School. He is currently in robotics and varsity soccer. Brian cares about the education system because he believes it is the heart and drive for a better future in Detroit. It is the path for fortitude and progress in generations.

Brooklyn Ward is a 10^th grade student at Renaissance High School. In school she is a member of the medical careers club, in addition to being on the junior varsity softball team. Brooklyn believes everyone should have equal opportunities to educational resources. In her free time, Brooklyn often reads books or goes on walks with her dogs. 

Brooklyn Williams is an 11^th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is involved in six extracurricular activities including DECA Inc., Winning Futures, Rotary Interact Club, Pretty Brown Girls, Cass Tech Great Girls, and Detroit Windsor Dance Academy Teen Mentors. Brooklyn joined the Skillman Youth Council because of her passion for public education. She feels education is the key to unlock doors to generational success in her community, fueling her drive for her higher education. She wants to support those around her to be wealthy in knowledge by advocating for access to educational resources.

DeRick McCalebb is an 11^th grade student at University Prep Art & Design. He is the chair and founder of the Student Leadership Board across the University Prep network and serves as the sergeant at arms on his school’s Student Council. DeRick was also a lead mentor with Boldly Moving Education Ahead (BMEA) for three years. He is passionate about education, youth leadership, and building systems that empower students to be decision-makers in their schools and communities. DeRick joined the Skillman Youth Council to advocate for equitable educational opportunities and to help shape policies that reflect the voices of Detroit youth. In his free time, he enjoys visual storytelling, event planning, and exploring political leadership.

Emely Maciel is a 10^th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is part of the junior varsity girls’ lacrosse team, participated in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), and was a member of the student government club. One of her passions is getting involved in more activities in school and in the community. She enjoys helping others and learning new things. Emely cares about education because she believes everyone should have the chance to learn in a fun and safe environment. She joined the Skillman Youth Council so that she can help make school better for other students. During Emely’s free time she really loves to be active, exercise, and do pilates.

Gabrielle Jones is a 10^th grade student at Cass Technical High School. She is on the honor roll and is a member of her school’s varsity tennis team. Gabrielle takes pride in serving her community as a proud member of her school’s student ambassadors club, the NAACP, and the Co-Ette Club, Inc. She also serves as recording secretary for the teen group in her local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., as well as fall corresponding secretary for the Co-Ette Club, Inc. Gabrielle would like to attend a four-year university and then go on to law school. 

She is most proud of co-founding a skincare nonprofit, Forever Fleurish, to help teens feel confident in their skin while donating the profits to help fund future student-led projects. During her time on the Skillman Youth Council, Gabrielle wants to help Detroit public schools receive better funding to ensure students get the necessary resources to succeed. She is also passionate about providing more access to efficient and safe transportation for those struggling to participate in extracurriculars in her school district. 

Jurmel Mitchell Jr. is a 10^th grade home school student. He is also a member of Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, a youth ambassador for the Association for the Advancement of Deaf/Hard of Hearing (AADHH), a member of The Brown Explorers study abroad program, and member of the youth council for Community Development Advocates of Detroit. 

Lucy Stern is an 11^th grade home school student, artist, and someone who is deeply passionate about education that reflects who we truly are. She loves working with younger students and helping people feel understood. She draws, writes, plays music, and spends a lot of time learning languages. 

Lucy serves on the Skillman Youth Council because she believes every student deserves to feel seen, heard, and inspired—both in and out of the classroom. She sees creativity as a powerful way to connect, and she is excited to use her creativity to uplift youth voices and help create real change in Detroit’s education system. 

Matthew Johnson is an 11^th grade student at the University of Detroit Jesuit. He is also involved in the Hidden Genius Program and the Childs Play Foundation. Matthew is eager to learn about the diverse skills, cultures, and perspectives that the world has to offer. His goal is to choose a profession in the future that best suits him, while allowing him to be a role model and an inspiration for others as well. He believes that education can lead to new opportunities for personal growth, valuable lessons, and the development of important traits. Matthew is committed to supporting the education system through his work with the Skillman Youth Council, aiming to provide resources and drive changes that will benefit the community around him.

Mireya Pouncy is an 11^th grade student at University Preparatory Academy High School (UPA). She is the current president of National Honors Society, a TRIO Upward Bound Ambassador, and a leading member of UPA’s GSA (Gay Straight Alliance). Mireya maintains a 4.2 GPA in school while balancing multiple honors classes. Being a part of the Skillman Youth Council will allow her to achieve her dreams of becoming a special education teacher in the future by being able to work with other students who may have similar aspirations.

Ricardo Carter is a 10^th grade student at University Preparatory Academy. Ricardo cares about the education in his city because he knows everyone can learn and grow. He also cares about education because after COVID, when he was in 6^th grade, his grades were low then, but he made a turnaround from 7^th grade to now, averaging above a 3.5 GPA. In Ricardo’s free time he plays basketball and works out. He also loves clothes and playing video games sometimes.

Taylor Peterson is a 10^th grade student at Renaissance High School. She actively participates in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Umoja Debate League, the Biomedical Career Advancement Pipeline, and Medical Youth Professionals. In addition, she serves as a paid intern with the Henry Ford Health Department of Surgery. 

Taylor is passionate about women’s healthcare and is committed to serving minority and underfunded communities. Her drive to make a meaningful impact stems from her deep connection to her hometown of Detroit. She joined the Skillman Youth Council to further her mission of giving back and advocating for equity in underserved areas. In her free time, Taylor enjoys reading, learning new things, and exploring the city. 

Zyana Henry is a 16-year-old creative powerhouse, youth advocate, and fashion designer from Detroit, Michigan. She is an 11^th grade student at University Prep Art & Design and is actively involved in National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Student Council, Academic Games, and proudly holds the title of Youth of the Year 2025. Zyana is also a Detroit College Access Network Barrier Breaker, committed to uplifting youth voices, building equity, and driving change in her community. 

As the founder of Tranzit z.y., Zyana is building a fashion brand that centers sustainability, versatility, and empowerment—especially for women and marginalized communities. She’s participated in New York Fashion Week, collaborated with industry professionals like Deviate and Maison Black, and continues to merge fashion and advocacy through her designs and storytelling. 

In her free time, Zyana elevates her fashion skills by sketching, researching trends, and experimenting with unique garment construction. She also loves collecting fun facts and rewatching her favorite movie, Hairspray, a reflection of her bold, expressive, and change-making spirit. Speaking of movies her top three are Hairspray as stated, Wicked, and Sleeping Beauty—a perfect mix of glam, grit, and girl power. She’s excited to bring her creativity and leadership to the Skillman Youth Council and be a voice for youth in Detroit.