Detroit Public Schools Foundation 6th Annual Champions of Education Fundraiser was a Huge Success
Patreice A. Massey
Dr. Nikolai Vitti
The Detroit Public Schools Foundation celebrated students, educators, and partners at its 6th Annual Champions of Education fundraiser on October 8 presented by Ford Motor Company Fund.
The event, which took place at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, raised money to provide Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) children with educational experiences that will ensure students are college and career ready.
Room Raj, Fox 2 Anchor
Roop Raj of Fox 2 served as the evening’s master of ceremonies and remarks were given by Superintendent Nikolai Vitti and Randolph Vocational School student Damon Smith. The talents of DPSCD students were showcased, with performances from Detroit School of Arts Jazz Band, the Renaissance High School Choir, and the Cass Technical High School Dance Workshop.
The event honored the eleven DPSCD Educators of the Year, as well as community partners The Skillman Foundation and Ally Financial.
Alycia Meriweather, Detroit Public Schools Foundation board member and DPSCD Deputy Superintendent External Partnerships, Enrollment & Specialty Programming, with Pamela J. Moore, DPSF President and CEO.
Jason Pauleteer, Senior Vice President and CED Market Manager at Fifth Third Bank, Nicole Stallworth and Tanya Griffin, Oakland University, and Detroit Public Schools Foundation board member Patrick Lindsey, Vice President of Government and Community Affairs at Wayne State University, pictured here with others. Both Fifth Third Bank and Wayne State University were sponsors of the event.
Shirley A. Kaigler, partner in the Southfield office of Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, one of the evening’s sponsors.
Roop Raj, reporter and news anchor for Fox 2, served as the master of ceremonies for the evening.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti shared the successes of DPSCD students and educators.
Eleven Detroit Public Schools Community District Educators of the Year were honored at the event: Desiree Allen, Imelya Eberhardt-Ellison, Gina Goodman, Rodney Hall, Gabriella Hartman, Maria Hernandez-Martinez, Cornelius Pearson, Michele Pizzo, Ernestine Roberson-Beamon, Sergeant David Wallace, Sr., and Michelle Whitlow Johnson.
Reginald Turner, member of Clark Hill’s Executive Committee, Government Policy Group, and Labor and Employment Practice Group, with Pamela J. Moore. Clark Hill was one of the event’s sponsors
Detroit Public Schools Foundation Board Chair Jerome Watson with wife Judge Deborah Geraldine Bledsoe Ford.
Jason Paulateer, Senior Vice President and CED Market Manager at Fifth Third Bank attended the event to represent Fifth Third Bank, one of the evening’s sponsors.
Tonya Allen of The Skillman Foundation and Jacqueline Howard of Ally Financial, pictured here with Detroit Public Schools Foundation President and CEO Pamela J. Moore, were honored as this year’s Champions of Education.
Randolph student speaker Damon Smith and his mother with Felicia Wiseman.
Lee Graham and the Operating Engineers, Local #324, one of the evening’s sponsors.
DPSCD board member Dr. Deborah Hunter-Harvill, pictured here with her spouse.
The Cass Technical High School Dance Workshop performed a moving dance number.
The Detroit School of Arts Jazz Band provided musical entertainment during the program and also during the dessert afterglow.
The Renaissance High School Choir serenading the audience.
