Detroit’s education system thrives on resilience, powered by visionaries who refuse to accept the status quo. The Skillman Foundation recognizes that real change happens when educators, advocates, and community leaders receive the resources and recognition they deserve. The 2025 Skillman Visionary Awards honor those who are reimagining education in Detroit and beyond.
Angelique Power, president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation, emphasizes that systemic change requires collaboration. “Forming a future-forward education system requires many people working together,” she said. The awardees come from different sectors of education, proving that transformation extends beyond classrooms. Leaders working within school systems, after-school programs, community organizations, and policy advocacy spaces are reshaping Detroit’s educational landscape.
This second year of the award program strengthens an urgent mission. The ten awardees selected for the 2025 Skillman Visionary Award are reimagining education with bold leadership and community-driven action. From school leaders to policy influencers, they each carry a vision rooted in equity, student success, and community power. Each honoree receives a $50,000 unrestricted cash award, ensuring their work continues to push boundaries.
Saba Gebrai, program director at Park West Foundation, advocates for foster youth. Wytrice Harris, senior director of College Success & Partnerships at Detroit Promise, expands access to higher education. Mario Lemons, head of school at Detroit Achievement Academy, leads by example so students see themselves in leadership.
Research and policy shape educational transformation. Sarah Winchell Lenhoff, associate professor at Wayne State University and founding faculty director of the Detroit Partnership for Education Equity & Research, provides data and strategies necessary for systemic shifts. Jametta Lilly, president and CEO of Detroit Parent Network, amplifies the voices of parents in education.
Detroit’s charter schools present alternative models of student success. Juan José Martínez, superintendent of Cesar Chavez Academy School District, drives change in this space. Student athletics provides leadership opportunities. Anika Akins McEvans, assistant director of athletics for Detroit Public Schools Community District, ensures those opportunities remain a priority.
Education does not function separately from the community. Leaders like Ambra Redrick, CEO and co-founder of Teen HYPE, reinforce that truth. Youth-centered education must be led by those closest to the community, ensuring young people are seen, heard, and supported. Alisa Ruffin, senior director of leadership development for Detroit Public Schools Community District, cultivates the next generation of educators. Anisa Sahoubah, director of Youth and Education at the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, ensures educational leadership reflects all communities.
Skillman’s mission remains clear: elevate those who are doing the work and provide the platform they deserve. These awardees represent a generation of changemakers ensuring that Detroit’s students are prepared for the future and equipped to shape it.
Power structures in education have long favored policymakers over students, parents, and educators. The Skillman Visionary Awards address that imbalance. “It’s time to reimagine how decisions are made,” Power said. Expanding the table ensures that those working closest to students—educators, parents, and community leaders—are not only included but leading the conversation. When their voices shape policy, the entire system benefits.
Detroit leads change from the ground up. Educators, advocates, and community leaders have spent years demanding and creating stronger, student-centered schools. The Skillman Visionary Awards reinforce that Detroiters have never been passive observers in their own education system. They have always been at the forefront of its transformation.
Educators in Detroit build the foundation for a future where every child has access to opportunity. They create environments where curiosity thrives, ensuring students learn and grow with the support they need. Their work goes beyond lesson plans. They shape young minds into future community leaders, professionals, and advocates. A student-centered education model benefits entire neighborhoods and drives long-term success.
Youth in Detroit rise to meet expectations set by educators who see their promise. Programs designed by these visionaries create spaces where students step into leadership roles. Young people in Detroit take charge of their futures, innovate, and set new standards for education in a community that values them. These efforts prepare them to navigate challenges with confidence and use their voices to create meaningful change.
The achievements of Detroit’s youth reflect the unwavering dedication of educators and community leaders. Students with role models who advocate for them and invest in their potential thrive in ways that reshape the city’s future. Skillman Visionary Award honorees prove that when opportunity meets dedication, transformation follows. Detroit’s young people take ownership of their success, refusing to wait for others to create change.
Detroit’s investment in its young people extends beyond education. Community leaders, policymakers, and parents contribute to the ecosystem that supports student success. Local businesses and organizations collaborate with schools to create internship opportunities, mentorship programs, and leadership development initiatives. These investments position Detroit youth to thrive in careers, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship, proving that education is a lifelong journey.
Educators leading this transformation understand that success goes beyond standardized test scores. They work to ensure students receive a holistic education that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and self-advocacy. They champion cultural competency and curriculum reforms that reflect the lived experiences of Black and Brown students in Detroit. These efforts break generational cycles of inequality, providing students with knowledge that empowers them to take control of their futures.
Support for education in Detroit requires long-term commitment. Public and private partnerships must continue expanding resources and infrastructure to sustain meaningful change. Visionaries recognized by the Skillman Foundation pave the way for a future where every Detroit student has access to world-class education. They are not waiting for permission to innovate. They lead with urgency, knowing that the success of Detroit’s youth determines the future of the city itself.
“These awards not only celebrate individual achievements, they also serve as a down payment on the future of education,” Power added. Investing in visionaries means investing in solutions. Acknowledgment must be met with tangible support, resources, and the removal of barriers that have historically stifled innovation in education. The Skillman Foundation does not stand on the sidelines. It invests in the people driving progress. Detroit’s students deserve nothing less.
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