Nearly 400 Detroit-area students gathered at Wayne State University just before Thanksgiving for the inaugural Strong Youth Strong Communities (SYSC) Summit, a collaboration between the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Meridian Health Plan of Michigan, and local community partners.
The event, aimed at empowering young people with life skills, resilience, and leadership training, featured personal stories of overcoming adversity from Hall of Famers Darrell Green and Aeneas Williams, as well as former University of North Carolina Women’s Basketball player Iman McFarland.
The SYSC initiative is based on the belief that investing in youth today can have lasting, generational impacts on communities. With approximately 400 students from Detroit Public Schools Community District in attendance, the summit focused on providing them with the tools and support to navigate life’s challenges and build a positive future. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered opening remarks through a video message, underscoring the importance of the event as a means to uplift Detroit’s youth.
This year’s summit comes at a critical time when young people in Michigan are grappling with mental health and behavioral challenges. In Detroit, more than 45% of youth live in poverty, and nearly two-thirds of students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District were considered chronically absent in the 2023-2024 school year. With these challenges in mind, the summit’s organizers, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Meridian Health, created a space where students could engage in meaningful conversations and gain insights on overcoming adversity.
The event’s star speakers—Green and Williams, both of whom had distinguished careers in the NFL, and McFarland, who earned accolades in college basketball—shared their personal stories of struggle and perseverance. They emphasized the importance of resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles in order to build a brighter future.
Green, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008, spoke directly to the students, saying, “Our young people are facing a range of challenges, and through Strong Youth Strong Communities we’re stepping up to help them and let them know they are not alone.”
The summit’s format included icebreaker activities and interactive breakout sessions, where participants discussed the issues they face in their communities and homes. These sessions were designed to encourage open dialogue and help students feel supported as they tackled tough topics such as mental health, education, and personal growth.
Patty Graham, President and CEO of Meridian Health Plan, emphasized the importance of providing Detroit’s youth with a safe space to address their challenges and unlock their potential. “We all know Detroit students face many challenges at home, in their neighborhoods, and in the classroom. However, we also know Detroit students are strong, and they are among the best and the brightest and most resilient in the state. They are stronger than any obstacles they may face, and they have what it takes to overcome and succeed,” Graham said.
In addition to offering important life lessons, the summit also served as a reminder of the power of community support. Students were encouraged to recognize their strengths and abilities, and to seek out the resources they need to succeed. By fostering an environment of hope, mentorship, and collaboration, the SYSC Summit aimed to instill a sense of pride and empowerment in Detroit’s young people, helping them see the value of resilience in their own lives.
The SYSC initiative is part of a broader nationwide campaign led by Centene Corporation, in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and various national and local organizations. The campaign’s goal is to equip teens with the skills they need to succeed in life, while also strengthening the communities they come from. To learn more about the program, visit the official website at www.strongystrongc.com.
As Detroit continues to face challenges related to poverty and education, the Strong Youth Strong Communities Summit stands as an example of how collaboration, mentorship, and community support can help young people rise above their circumstances and create a better future.
