Latest news with #DPSCD
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Detroit Partnership for Arts Education Officially Launches to Elevate the Importance of Youth Arts
Detroit city, schools, healthcare, corporate, arts and community leaders unite to create first-ever cross-sector collaborative to promote youth arts access for all DETROIT, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Detroit Partnership for Arts Education (DPAE), catalyzed and coordinated by the collective impact initiative Detroit Excellence in Youth Arts (DEYA), officially launched today. DPAE is a cross-sector collaborative supporting arts education access for all Detroit youth, emphasizing its benefit and application across a wide array of industry sectors. Supported by the Detroit Mayor's Office and the Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), DPAE brings together a powerful coalition of leaders in healthcare, youth services, philanthropy, workforce development, education, community development and the arts. Founding members include healthcare pioneers Robert Riney, CEO, Henry Ford Health and Dr. Herman Gray, former CEO of Detroit Medical Center and United Way for Southeastern Michigan; foundation stewards Angelique Power, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation and Andrew Stein, President and CEO, The Children's Foundation; arts visionaries Jessica Care Moore, Detroit's Poet Laureate and Mike Banks, Detroit Techno pioneer, along with many others from Detroit's civic, corporate, and cultural communities. "Detroit is building an innovative model that demonstrates what can happen when healthcare, schools, and grassroots organizations join forces to support our young people in arts education," said Bob Riney, CEO of Henry Ford Health. "Arts education enriches individual lives, but it cannot thrive as an isolated silo. From community health, economic development, educational outcomes, and more, arts education impacts every facet of our community. So many industry sectors benefit when a child has access to the arts." Launch Highlights The public launch of DPAE marks the release of three major initiatives developed through this collaboration: The Detroit Youth Arts Navigator, A Vision for Arts Education in Detroit report, and the Detroit Arts and Education Data Project. Both the Vision and Data Project were funded by The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Kresge Foundation. Detroit Youth Arts Navigator Developed with Digital Detroit Media and Data Driven Detroit (D3), the Navigator centralizes Detroit's arts education offerings for the first time ever. The free and comprehensive online hub at helps families, students, and educators discover and access youth arts programs citywide. The searchable map-based platform allows users to explore programs by discipline, age, cost, accessibility and more. More than 45 community youth arts programs and data from over 100 schools are featured, including DPSCD and charter schools. "The arts are the best way we find our voice. We learn that our ideas are our currency, we practice critical thinking, and we learn to connect deeply with others and ourselves," said Angelique Power, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation. "We want every Detroit youth to have access to all of this and to shape their own artistic journey. It's how we ensure Detroit remains a creative and entrepreneurial hub for generations to come." A Vision for Arts Education in Detroit A new report titled "Detroit Partnership for Arts Education: A Vision for Arts Education in Detroit," funded by the NEA with matching funds from The Kresge Foundation, lays out a unified citywide vision for equitable access to arts education through shared metrics and cross-sector collaboration. It is one of the final deliverables of an NEA "Collective Impact" grant secured for Detroit by Connect Detroit for its program partner, DEYA. Connect Detroit is a nonprofit organization addressing local problems in Detroit by facilitating and mobilizing support of collaborative community solutions. The grant award was terminated in May 2025 but not before the DPAE's convening and data collection were completed. Historically, the NEA Collective Impact grants have been awarded for multiple years to support the development of citywide arts education efforts in such cities as Chicago, Boston and Houston. With potential changes to the federal agency, future NEA funding for Detroit's arts education collective impact efforts is currently in jeopardy. "Detroit is well-known for its artistic and cultural contributions to the world," said Dr. Herman Gray, former CEO, Detroit Medical Center and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. "This report raises a vital question: If every Detroit child were intentionally exposed to arts education early on, how much stronger could our community be? As a pediatrician and child advocate, I believe one of the best things we can do is ensure every child, no matter their ZIP code, receives an excellent education that includes the arts." Detroit Arts Education Data Project The Detroit Arts Education Data Project, also funded by the NEA with support from The Kresge Foundation, and led by DEYA and D3, provides a comprehensive look at where and how Detroit youth engage with the arts. This multi-source research project collected and analyzed data from more than 105 public schools, state databases, and community organizations to understand the current state of youth arts access in Detroit. The findings provide a baseline for advocacy, investment, and planning toward equitable arts access. "This is more than just data. It represents a movement rooted in collaboration, imagination, and a shared commitment to ensuring every Detroit child has access to the transformative power of the arts," said Nafeesah Symonette, Executive Director of DEYA, a collective impact initiative that serves as a catalyst for cross-sector collaboration to ensure all youth have access to Detroit's rich cultural legacy and transformative power of the arts. "Our process united voices across the city. Now, with the Navigator and this vision, we take our first steps from vision to action." "The arts are a powerful driver for a well-rounded education, and we have prioritized access to art and music in the same way we think about math and reading," said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, DPSCD Superintendent and DPAE Honorary Co-Chair. "We have made tremendous strides but know there is still room for growth. We cannot stop until every young person in Detroit, one of the world's great cultural powerhouses, has access to quality arts education. Cross-sector partnerships like DPAE are essential to realizing that vision." To access the Detroit Youth Arts Navigator and read the full report and data project, visit To learn more about Connect Detroit, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Detroit Partnership for Arts Education Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Detroit high school student detained by federal agents denied request to pause deportation, attorney says
A Detroit high school student who was detained by federal agents last month was denied a request to pause his deportation, according to his attorney. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, which represents 18-year-old Maykol Bogoya-Duarte, said it received a notice from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday. "While we are angry and sad about this decision, we are heartened by the overwhelming support for Maykol shown by so many of you — fellow students, educators, neighbors, friends, faith leaders, community members, elected officials, and the DPSCD Board of Education. In the words of Maykol's mother, 'mil mil gracias,'" the center said in a statement posted on social media. Authorities say on May 20, the teen was on his way to Lake Erie Metropark with three classmates on a school field trip when Rockwood police pulled him over. Police say the officer had trouble communicating with him in English and called border patrol. During the investigation, the federal agent discovered Bogoya-Duarte was in the U.S. illegally, resulting in his arrest. The 18-year-old was months away from graduating from high school. His attorney says he could be deported to Colombia. On Tuesday, several protesters gathered outside a Detroit Public Schools Community District meeting, calling for the school district to do more. In a statement, the district said it "stands firmly with our community in demanding the immediate stay of deportation for our student, Maykol Bogoya Duarte." "Maykol is part of our DPSCD family, and we are heartbroken by the fear and disruption this situation has caused his loved ones, classmates, and school community," DPSCD officials said. "We call for the immediate release of Maykol and request a formal stay of his deportation. We want him to complete his coursework and graduate with his high school diploma — just as he has worked hard to do. We will also continue to keep in touch with the family and keep the school community updated." contributed to this report.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Detroit schools will celebrate a serious commitment to STEM and the community is invited
The ability to 'write their own ticket' is a superpower that is often applied to bright, up-and-coming, future professionals that have acquired in-demand STEM skills that make today's employers take notice. In Detroit, at schools across the Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD), there are dedicated teachers, administrators and other community stakeholders that talk about a 'STEM Movement,' which continues to pick up steam. The importance of STEM education to the district will be on full display Thursday evening, June 5, during the sixth annual DPSCD STEM Awards gala that will take place within the Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School auditorium. The community is invited to attend the festivities where more than300 honorees connected to K-12 schools will be celebrated for their high achievements in a variety of STEM-related activities, including the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro Detroit, Academic Games, Math Bee, robotics and chess. And no ticket is needed for admission to the free event, which is scheduled to begin at 5:30 pm. 'You don't have to be a parent or a relative of one of the honorees to attend, if you're a part of the village and care about young people in Detroit, we hope you will show up at King High School's beautiful auditorium and cheer our young people on,' DPSCD School Board Member Angelique Peterson-Mayberry, who chairs the board's Curriculum/Academic committee and also will serve as master of ceremonies during the STEM Awards gala, stated as final preparation was being completed for Thursday's event. Many of the students — representing more than 50 schools — that will be receiving customized trophies and medals, created with special care by Livonia-based A.J. Bros. LLC, have already had an opportunity to compete with and against other top students from outside of Detroit. For example, Detroit students and teams that participate in robotics, chess and Academic Games — a unique collection of games including math contests (Equations and On-Sets) — have regularly participated in competitions on the state and national levels. 'Often public education doesn't get its due, but we want our parents and community to know that this is what public education looks like in its most holistic form,' said Peterson-Mayberry, who will be making another happy return to King High School, where she graduated in 1992 out of the MSAT (Mathematics, Science and Applied Technology) program. 'There is a prize at the end for all the students that will be recognized because they are gaining tools that they will use in life.' In addition to the awards presented to the students, special awards will be given to STEM coaches — representing DPSCD educators and community volunteers — that have gone above and beyond the call of duty. And then there are the Principal 3 for 3 Awards that will be awarded to principals that have made a special effort to promote STEM by providing robotics, Academic Games and chess programs at their schools. 'For our coaches and school principals that make our STEM programs successful, we just want to say thank you for dedicating their time and talent to our young people outside of the classroom,' said Peterson-Mayberry, who will be joined on the King auditorium stage throughout the program by her fellow Class of 1992 King classmate Carl Hollier, musically known as DJ Invisible, who is expected to supply doses of pulsating music and witty banter as he has done at previous DPSCD STEM Awards galas, where students make a red carpet entrance as they file into the auditorium. Another hat that Peterson-Mayberry wears in the community includes being a Global Diversity Equity Inclusion Manager for manufacturing employees at Ford Motor Company. And as it turns out, she also will be joined on Thursday evening by others from the automotive community that have taken a special interest in STEM education at DPSCD schools, including representatives from General Motors, the sponsor of this year's STEM Awards gala, through a generous contribution made to the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation. "Innovation is the heart of the automotive industry, and STEM education fuels that creativity,' General Motors' Rhonda Fields, Portfolio Lead for STEAM Education, said. 'By supporting the DPSCD STEM Awards, we're strengthening a culture of problem-solving, investing in the future workforce, and inspiring students to see the possibilities within STEM careers. 'We want young minds to know that their talents can lead to groundbreaking advancements — not just in automotive, but across many industries that shape our world." This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Special evening planned for shining STEM stars in Detroit
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Detroit schools superintendent: Trump 'is not supportive of our children'
In a virtual event this week with over 1,000 attendees — many of whom were apparently Detroit school district employees — Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said President Donald Trump's administration is "not supportive of our children" and said employees who voted for Trump "have to reconcile that" with their day-to-day jobs. "There's certainly DPSCD employees that voted for Trump," Vitti, who leads the largest district in the state, said at the budget update. "I really think you have to reconcile that with your day-to-day job and the children that you support, because this current president and this administration is not supportive of our children and our communities based on their budget, and budget defines your priorities." More: Michigan school leaders run through 'what ifs' as Trump tries to gut education department Vitti spent an hour explaining how federal funding cuts and how the president's proposed elimination of the U.S. Department of Education and other administration priorities could possibly trickle down to Detroit Public Schools Community District, which serves more than 49,000 students. If Congress scales back federal education funding, and Title I funding for schools that serve economically disadvantaged students in particular, Vitti said the district may experience "hurt and pain." Only Congress can eliminate the federal department, but Trump's administration can weaken the department. Congress also hasn't indicated any cuts to Title I or other education funding such as money for services for students with disabilities, but many education advocates fear lawmakers will alter or partially cut those streams of funding in pursuit of major federal budget cuts. Vitti added later that the direction the federal government has taken under Trump is "defunding the future of the most disadvantaged children in this country." "I'm never going to tell you who to vote for," he said. "I'm going to tell you what I've always told you: You do your homework. " The superintendent called for employees to "feel free" to advocate to local, state and federal officials to rally around public education amid so many proposed federal changes. "This is no longer a drill," he said. "We have to stop thinking, 'Oh it's rhetoric; it's just an executive order.'... This is real, folks. ... We cannot wait, we cannot hope. We cannot pray alone to think that we're going to get through this without changing direction and advocating for something different and something better." While 10% of state education funding is federal, about 32% of federal funding constitutes the Detroit public schools budget, Vitti said, which is because the district has a weak local tax base and a larger population of vulnerable students than many districts in the state. Vitti said he is particularly concerned that Congress, in service of cutting $2 trillion from the budget, could eliminate portions of Title I funding, funding for teacher training, funding for English Learners, funding for programs that help low-income students improve learning experiences, Medicaid funding that helps students with disabilities, and funding for school lunch programs. In Detroit, $124 million in Title I funding for the 2024-25 school year went to paying academic interventionists, funding for assistant principals, funding for literacy programs, and more purposes. If Congress cut 25% of Title I funding, the superintendent said, Detroit would see $30 million gone. Vitti, stressing that no idea has been finalized, discussed several strategies district officials have thought up to address any potential budget cuts, including: accelerating the closure of schools that the district had already planned to close, reducing discretionary funds for purposes such as professional development and STEM programs, freezing hiring for vacant roles, delaying technology upgrades and eliminating commercial property insurance coverage. "Myself and the board is already thinking about ways to keep people employed, mainly protect school staffing, protect student programming so reform can continue despite these cuts for the next year or two," he said. Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit schools superintendent: Trump 'not supportive of our children'
