The Skillman Foundation

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The Skillman Foundation We partner with people to transform education systems, nurturing the brilliance and power of Detroit youth.

Views and opinions expressed equal those of speaker/author. Classroom rules apply: Any profanity or bullying will be removed from comments. At The Skillman Foundation, our grantmaking and advocacy is designed for, and shaped by, the rising Generation Z and their demand for an equitable education system – one that produces career-ready skills and rewards independent, creative thinkers who solve old problems and forge new worlds. We are in the process of developing new, community-informed strategies with Detroiters. Follow updates here and by visiting www.skillman.org. Views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily the official position of The Skillman Foundation.

10/06/2026

A new funding opportunity for Detroit’s youth arts community is here!

Proceeds from the first-ever The Coney: A celebrity charity event with everything on it will support youth arts education both now and for years to come through immediate grantmaking and the Endowment for Youth Arts.

The Children’s Foundation of Michigan is now accepting inquiries for the first annual The Coney – Youth Arts Education Impact Grants, supporting Detroit nonprofits that provide arts and culture programming for youth and young adults.

Grants will support:
• Arts Infrastructure
• Arts-Based Experiences
• Teaching Artists

Funding ranges from $5,000–$75,000, based on organization size.

Interested organizations should complete the Children’s Foundation of Michigan Inquiry Form and select “Youth Arts Education.”

Inquiry deadline: November 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

Learn more about eligibility, funding priorities, and how to apply: https://ow.ly/R2l850ZTcRI

Detroit Creativity Project

For immigrant and newcomer families, education can be one of the first connections to a new community. Schools can help ...
10/05/2026

For immigrant and newcomer families, education can be one of the first connections to a new community. Schools can help young people build confidence, help families understand unfamiliar systems, and create opportunities that reach across generations.

Tonight at 7p.m. on WJR Radio we host a special conversation about immigration, education, and belonging. Our guest host, Vice President of Program Sarida Scott, sits down with Skillman Visionaries Ines De Jesus, Dr. Omar Hakim, and Dr. Seydi Sarr, three Detroit leaders whose experiences as newcomers, educators, advocates, and community members shape how they support young people and families today. Together, they share personal stories of immigration and migration, explore the role education played in their lives, and discuss what schools and communities can do to help immigrant and newcomer students feel supported, heard, and able to thrive.

Listen in tonight! Recording will be available at skillman.org/stateofed and on your favorite podcast platfWJR Radio

09/29/2026

Safety influences whether students feel welcomed, supported, and able to focus on learning while in the classroom.

DeRick McCalebb, Skillman Youth Council member and senior class president at University Prep Art & Design Academy, shares how student leaders can use their influence to help cultivate a school environment where classmates feel like they belong. Hear more in Episode 16 of Our State of Education available at skillman.org/stateofed and on your favorite podcast platforms🎧

09/29/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED!
There’s still time to recognize a young person who is making a difference!
The Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan is accepting nominations for our 2026 “Do the Right Thing” Awards, celebrating students in grades 5–12 who are demonstrating achievement, leadership, service, citizenship, and more.
🗓️ NEW DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30, 2026
Do you know an outstanding young person who deserves to be recognized? Nominate them today!
And please SHARE this post with your schools, churches, organizations, family, friends, and community networks. Help us make sure deserving young people throughout Southeast Michigan have an opportunity to be celebrated.
🌟 Nominate. Celebrate. Empower.

We are thrilled to welcome Patrice D. Wright to the team as our new department associate for the Learning & Impact team ...
09/25/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Patrice D. Wright to the team as our new department associate for the Learning & Impact team 🎉 In this role, she supports department operations, project coordination, and relationship management.

Patrice is a dedicated education advocate and nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in data management, program implementation, and whole-child support. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, Patrice is a lifelong Detroiter and a proud product of Detroit Public Schools. She attended Michigan State University, where she studied history and deepened her passion for social justice, education, and research.

Prior to joining The Skillman Foundation, Patrice began her career as an AmeriCorps member with Playworks Michigan, teaching social-emotional learning to K-5 students in Detroit. Most recently, she served as a program director for Communities in Schools of Michigan, where she solidified her commitment to surround students with a community of support by breaking down barriers to success. Outside of work, Patrice is active in local politics and enjoys spending time with her book club, friends, and family.

We are delighted to welcome Maria Paton to the team as a new department associate, supporting the Operations team and th...
09/25/2026

We are delighted to welcome Maria Paton to the team as a new department associate, supporting the Operations team and the Office of the President 🎉 In this role, she provides logistical planning and coordination, as well as project ex*****on assistance to ensure both departments are running smoothly and effectively supported.

Maria has centered her career on community resilience initiatives, such as assisting survivors of natural disasters, providing patients with trauma-informed medical advocacy, planning mobile health clinics, and developing an emergency preparedness program by and for people with disabilities. Most recently, she supported statewide service members (ranging from ages 21 to 76) who contributed their time and talents to municipalities and nonprofits in service to the AmeriCorps state program at CEDAM, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan. Connecting people with the resources necessary to reach their goals is at the heart of Maria’s professional background.

We are excited to welcome Carly Grace to the team as a new department associate 🎉 In her role, she supports the Organiza...
09/24/2026

We are excited to welcome Carly Grace to the team as a new department associate 🎉 In her role, she supports the Organizational Design & Development and the Communications teams with internal operations, project management, and more.

Previously, Carly worked at the Detroit Regional Chamber, where she served as the manager of mobility initiatives for the MichAuto team. In that role, Carly managed a coalition of partners working on career exposure efforts for youth. Additionally, she supported the Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative, an initiative designed to strengthen community colleges and increase the number of residents earning college degrees and high skill credentials.

Early in her career, Carly performed scheduling and outreach for Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ district office. She also served as a campaign coordinator for State Senator Mallory McMorrow’s first campaign. These experiences deepened her commitment to working with and on behalf of communities on macro-level systems change.

Carly holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ferris State University, where she focused on macro practice (large-scale structures and societal outcomes). During her time with the university, she supported fellow and prospective students by working in the admissions office.

We are thrilled to welcome Carolyn Gonzalez-Bright to the team as our new department associate on the Program team 🎉 In ...
09/24/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Carolyn Gonzalez-Bright to the team as our new department associate on the Program team 🎉 In this role, she supports the Program team’s strategic and operational work, helping to coordinate projects, strengthen internal processes, and advance the team’s grantmaking and programmatic priorities in alignment with the Foundation’s People Powered Education strategy.

A Detroit native, Carolyn, brings a deep commitment to young people and extensive experience in workforce development, youth programming, employer engagement, and cross-sector partnership building. Prior to joining the Foundation, she served as a work-based learning coordinator with Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation, where she helped connect young Detroiters to meaningful career exposure, work-based learning experiences, and employment opportunities while building partnerships across employers, community organizations, and workforce systems.

Carolyn’s approach to her work is grounded in collaboration, curiosity, and a belief that young people should have meaningful opportunities to shape their own futures. She is especially passionate about connecting education, workforce development, and community partnerships in ways that expand access and opportunity for Detroit youth.

Carolyn earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science with a minor in African American studies from Oakland University.

09/23/2026

School shootings aren't a distant headline for students. Skillman Youth Council member Matthew Johnson opens up about what it's like to grow up in a generation where school shootings are part of the educational experience, and how that's shaped the way he shows up for his peers. Hear more in Episode 16 of Our State of Education titled "School Safety Through Students' Eyes" - available at skillman.org/stateofed and anywhere you get your podcasts.

Are you someone who is ready to drive the Foundation’s technology strategy to power our mission—and the people behind it...
09/22/2026

Are you someone who is ready to drive the Foundation’s technology strategy to power our mission—and the people behind it? We’re a director of information technology (IT) to lead with both strategy and heart. They will be responsible for the quality delivery of all IT services and provide leadership in support of multiple efforts to modernize the Foundation’s IT systems and increase productivity.

Applications are being accepted until October 9. To learn more and apply, visit www.skillman.org/working-at-skillman

Address

100 Talon Centre Drive, Suite 100
Detroit, MI
48207

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Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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