The Skillman Foundation

Our Youth Power work is investing in young people as catalysts of change. They have first-hand experiences and bold ideas needed to transform the education system. Hear directly from youth from our partners at Young Voices Action Collective - Michigan, Detroit Heals Detroit, and Detroit Area Youth Uniting Michigan about youth power and the visions they hold for education. 🎥 Video by Aaron Dawson 🎨 Art and design by Good Done Daily and Rachel Elise Thomas #PeoplePoweredEducation #education #detroit #michigan #philanthropy #policy #student #youth #educationpolicy #edpolicy #youth #youthpower

Our Policy & Systems work advocates for and supports education policymaking and implementation that centers the insights of Detroiters. We will: 👀 Track when, where, and how education policy decisions are being made, seeking opportunities to insert the wisdom of people most impacted by the education system. 💸 Fund education policy organizations to grow their influence. 🤝 Cultivate relationships with and across policy leaders and Detroit ground builders (students, educators, and organizers). 🛠 Support the implementation of policy to ensure it works for the Detroit education system and leads to positive outcomes for Detroit youth. Hear from two of our Policy & Systems partners working to bridge policy and community: The Institute for College Access & Success and The Education Trust-Midwest . 🎥 Video by Aaron Dawson 🎨 Art and design by Good Done Daily and Rachel Elise Thomas #PeoplePoweredEducation #education #detroit #michigan #philanthropy #policy #student #youth #educationpolicy #edpolicy

Open for applications: Our youth council is looking to make grants to youth-led Detroit nonprofits and organizations that build youth leadership and voice. 🌹 If that’s you, click here to apply!: https://bit.ly/3y66DuR The application is open until August 15. While all applications from organizations that support Detroit youth to develop their leadership and voice will be considered, youth council members are particularly interested in supporting youth-led and grassroots organizations. The President’s Youth Council is inspired by The Skillman Foundation’s strategy, but it has distinctly set its own priorities and will guide the decisions about this grant opportunity.

As VP of Program, Sarida Scott will provide both strategic and operational leadership to The Skillman Foundation’s program team, guiding and implementing grantmaking totaling more than $20 million annually in alignment with the organization’s mission, values, and newly launched People Powered Education strategy. “Sarida is the exact right person to lead our programmatic work,” said Angelique Power, president & CEO of The Skillman Foundation. “Our People Powered Education strategy puts people most proximate in the policymaking seat. Sarida will hit the ground running with our board, staff, and youth council as we partner with people across the city and state to innovate and upgrade public education.” Sarida Scott will begin as Vice President, Program on September 3. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4f615kF #philanthropy #nonprofit #Detroit #education

What should our education system look like? What will it take to get there? Our President & CEO, Angelique Power, kicks off our 2023 annual report with this message about a vision for an excellent and equitable education system, co-created with Detroiters.    Our 2023 annual report highlights the launch of our People Powered Education strategy, connecting people and policy to transform our education system. Hear from education advocates of all ages working across many levels, from classrooms to communities to the capitol, creating an innovative, future-forward education system that meets the needs of every student.   Explore our full annual report on our Instagram - https://bit.ly/3LvrVoA or at skillman.org/23report!

Applications are open until July 15th for Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan's Michigan Justice Fund Fellowship grant program, which is designed to give capacity to organizations and efforts focused on dismantling systems of mass incarceration in the state. Learn more at the link below:

Honoring education changemaker, Jerjuan H., an inaugural 2024 Skillman Visionary awardee! Jerjuan Howard’s work in Detroit’s afterschool system has earned him widespread admiration for the ways he approaches program delivery, partnerships, and system expansion. Howard launched the Umoja Debate League in 2021 at his alma mater, John R. King Middle School. Today, just three years later, the program reaches 210 students at 20 schools. Named after the Swahili word for “unity,” his program teaches youth conflict resolution skills, self-expression, and literacy. Howard also established Umoja Village, a community space with a garden, art, a free library, and a stage for debate events and community meetings. Howard previously worked as the special projects and partnerships coordinator for Detroit City Council President Pro Tem James Tate, where one of his priority areas was reducing gun violence in the city. This issue continues to fuel Howard, who uses debate training to teach young people to resolve conflict in a healthy, nonviolent way. Howard’s dedication to advancing racial equity and justice in education has been recognized through multiple awards from city officials, including the Spirit of Detroit Award in December 2023. You can find Skillman Visionaries across the city of Detroit. See this billboard with Jerjuan at: 📍Fenkell & Steel St Learn more about the Skillman Visionary Awards at skillmanvisionary.org. #skillmanvisionary #detroit #michigan #education #policy #edpolicy #youth #youthdevelopment #afterschool #debate

Honoring education changemaker, Dr. Nikolai Vitti, an inaugural 2024 Skillman Visionary awardee! Dr. Nikolai Vitti is the second longest serving superintendent in Detroit Public Schools Community District’s history—and arguably the district’s most transformational. Having stepped into the superintendent role at a time when Detroit Public Schools was undergoing significant operational and financial restructuring, Dr. Vitti has been an anchor of stability. He put the district on a path toward greater achievement and improved education for tens of thousands of Detroit children. Under his leadership, the district has seen its first improvement in decades in the areas of enrollment and financial management; student achievement; student attendance; teacher recruitment, retention, and pay; parental engagement; and student programming, including re-introduction of arts, sports, and music to all schools. Dr. Vitti has also worked to expand early childhood access, Montessori programs, afterschool programs, and mental health services. Dr. Vitti works at all levels to create equity across Detroit’s public education system, from partnering at the grassroots to advocating for equitable education policy at the state and federal levels. You can find Skillman Visionaries across the city of Detroit. See this billboard with Dr. Vitti at: 📍Gratiot & Orleans St Learn more about the Skillman Visionary Awards at skillmanvisionary.org. #skillmanvisionary #detroit #michigan #education #policy #edpolicy #school #k12 #dpscd

Honoring education changemaker, Marisol Bien Teachworth Walton, an inaugural 2024 Skillman Visionary awardee! Marisol Bien Teachworth Walton is a lifelong Detroit educator and community organizer who fosters and amplifies the power of Detroit youth as creative thinkers and leaders who advocate for and construct a just future. Teachworth co-founded The James and Grace Lee Boggs School, a community-based public charter school on the eastside of Detroit. The Boggs School, now in its 11th year, employs a placed-based model of learning for K-8 students that mixes traditional instruction with immersion in and service to the community around it. Today, Teachworth co-leads the Detroit Summer program, first founded by James and Grace Lee Boggs, which has inspired hundreds of youth through art and service projects that question their assumptions, support their community, and advocate for their rights. Additionally, she is the director of youth development at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. Through all the hats she wears, Teachworth devotes her time to advancing educational equity and nurturing Detroit youth to be creative, critical thinkers who understand themselves and the power they possess. You can find Skillman Visionaries across the city of Detroit. See this gem from Marisol at: 📍Fort St & Cass Ave Learn more about the Skillman Visionary Awards at skillmanvisionary.org. #skillmanvisionary #detroit #michigan #education #policy #edpolicy #school #k12 #community #organizing #youth #youthdevelopment

Join Communication Network Detroit for a summer happy hour at Brix Wine Bar! Mix & Mingle with other nonprofit and foundation 'comms for good' professionals and enjoy one of Detroit's newest wine bars near the riverfront. Happy Hour specials and good conversation are guaranteed! Learn more and register here: bit.ly/ComNetworkDETHH