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Roots.
| June 5-11, 2019
michiganchronicle.com
Detroit Almighty Contest Aims to Empower DPSCD Youth to Create
By Branden Hunter Detroit Vs. Everybody (DVE) founder Tommey Walker was a student within the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) all his life. He attended Chrysler Elementary, Burton International and Cass Technical High School. Now he is giving current DPSCD students the opportunity to follow in his footsteps with the launch of the “Detroit Almighty” contest. DPSCD elementary, middle and high school students will have the opportunity to design a DVE t-shirt that best represents Detroit through their own eyes. Winning shirts from each grade level will be sold on the DVE website and inside its
flagship store located in Eastern Market. The student with the most sales wins $2,500 for themselves and another $2,500 for their school. “The whole scheme of this project is to let the kids of Detroit Public Schools know how feasible it is to have a career in fashion design,” said Walker, who founded DVE in 2012. “I want them to see the process from A-Z and get a feel for what it’s like to view financial reports…and see how their work is being accepted by the customers.” Participants will have to pitch their designs to the DVE team, explaining why they chose their design. The win-
ning students will have a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to engage with Walker, who will walk them through the entire process of design, manufacturing, shipping and retail of their respective shirt. Winners will also participate in the store display of their t-shirt and receive weekly sales reports. “We have this platform and are able to open doors for others,” said Walker. “I want the kids to see that it is very real for them to have an idea of theirs materialize and actually make money [from] it. Once they see that, they will know that things are more obtainable for them.” Walker credits his educational upbringing in DPSCD as
well as the fact that his mother has been an advocate and educator for his success to this day. As a student at Cass Tech in 2002, someone offered him the opportunity to break into the world of graphic design, which propelled him to start his international DVE brand a decade later. The next best Detroit brand could be waiting in the wings through the “Detroit Almighty” contest. “When you have some type of success, it’s kind of your duty to give back and lift up others,” added Walker. “But I didn’t want to do that in a cliché way. I wanted to give them something that they can remember. I wanted to give them the money so that they can spend it the way
they want. This is a project that I would have wanted to do as a DPS student.” All artwork submissions for elementary, middle and high school students are due June 21. The pitch stage begins June 22, with finalists announced June 25. Customers will be able to purchase the shirts July 1 until September 6 when the contest ends. The grand prize winner will be announced September 10. Detroit Public Schools (DPS) was established in 1842 with the first high school (Central) opening in 1858. DPSCD replaced the original DPS in 2016. It is comprised of 106 schools and more than 50,000 students.
From left, Jasmine H. (8th Grade), Mubashira W. (8th Grade) and Jianna H. Madison R. (1st Grade), Micah Wright (Teacher) Detroit 2017 Corps Member and (6th Grade) Sameir M. (1st Grade)
Teach For America Detroit’s 2019 “Detroit Writes Detroit” showcases writings and voices of outstanding students across the city By Patreice A. Massey MANAGING EDITOR
More than 85 K-12 students, representing 13 Detroit schools, contributed to Teach For America (TFA) Detroit’s 2019 Detroit Writes Detroit (DWD), a publication that gives students a platform to voice their ideas, criticisms and dreams, as well as recounting their experiences living and learning in Detroit. Since its inception in 2012, more than 500 Detroit students have been printed in DWD, becoming published authors for the first time. This publication brings together a diverse population of students from across the city of Detroit and exposes them to the creative aspects of storytelling as authors and illustrators, while developing confidence to share their thoughts and perspectives. Excerpt from 2019 DWD written by Ja’Mese W. (8th Grade): “As a member of Detroit community, I believe in motivation and improve-
ment. Our city has its ups and downs, but it takes one person to help make a difference in society. The downtown site has brought a lot of attention to my eyes. Here in Detroit, it is very unique. Our foods and traditions are not the same as everyone else. Visiting Detroit will be a huge amazement and experience. Our educational offering system is mind blowing. Many middle and high school students take advantage of these opportunities to get a head start on their future. Many people who put their mind to what they really want slowly but surely get a big “blessing” or positive in return for what they did, such as Big Sean. This particular artist was born and raised in the city of Detroit. Now that he has continued his mindset of fulfilling his dreams. He is wealthy, and constantly giving back to his city. Detroit has a lot of personality, unique cultures, and creative ways people express themselves.” The presentation was held at Cass Technical High School on May 23, 2019 Ja’Mese W.(8th Grade)