Image courtesy of Pensole Lewis College
Creativity meets community, Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit), the nation’s only design-focused Historically Black College and University, has unveiled a transformative initiative: PLC LIGHT SCHOOL. This free, seven-week evening program, launching January 27, 2025, promises to ignite new opportunities for Detroit residents by delivering hands-on career education led by design industry leaders, including StockX, the Detroit Pistons, Carhartt, and other Michigan-based innovators. Designed to bring diversity and brilliance to the world of design, PLC LIGHT SCHOOL is a beacon for aspiring creators seeking to turn their dreams into reality.
PLC LIGHT SCHOOL is a seven-week, in-person program held on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., running from January 27, 2025, through March 13, 2025. Top industry experts from PLC Detroit, StockX, the Detroit Pistons, Carhartt, and other Michigan-based creatives will lead the program.
This program is designed to cultivate future creative leaders through a FREE, project-based curriculum that provides a learning experience focused on tangible careers and the exploration of alternative career paths through practical skills and real-world applications.
PLC Detroit has a history of educating and empowering Black talent, and this partnership further strengthens its commitment to expanding access to design education while supporting underrepresented voices in the industry.
Rather than merely replicating the format of traditional night school, PLC LIGHT SCHOOL will elevate the concept by highlighting the specific interests of Detroit’s creative community, cultivating a powerful network of support for Detroit-based brands and thought leaders.
Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit, explained that PLC LIGHT SCHOOL is a new initiative for PLC that was birthed from the Detroit community’s desire for accessible design education.
“We are excited to partner with respected Detroit organizations like StockX and the Detroit Pistons as they are committed to empowering creatives and future professionals in Detroit,” Edwards said.
This collaboration highlights PLC’s critical position as an essential puzzle piece for career education and professional development within the design industry in Detroit. By fostering partnerships with local organizations and educational institutions, PLC actively contributes to the growth of talent and innovation in the field. This initiative provides valuable resources and learning opportunities for aspiring designers and strengthens the overall design community in the region, ensuring that it remains a hub for creativity and skilled professionals.
StockX’s Chief Impact Officer, Damien Hooper-Campbell, emphasized that PLC LIGHT SCHOOL empowers individuals in Detroit to tap more deeply into their passions and is proud to be a part of that journey.
“At StockX, we believe in the transformative power of access and education. In partnership with PLC Detroit and the Detroit Pistons, we’re helping provide the next generation of creative talent with some of the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in the design industry,” Hooper-Cambell said.
Many adults pursue night school to gain new skills or enhance existing ones, whether to advance in their current careers or transition to new fields. PLC LIGHT SCHOOL provides flexibility for those with daytime commitments, such as work or family. Recognizing that evenings often present the sole opportunity to explore new paths, PLC Detroit champions knowledge as a powerful light of possibility and transformation.
Career classes encompass Accessories Design, Apparel Design, Footwear Design, Graphics, Product Marketing, Social Marketing, and Web Design. Students will showcase their final projects to PLC Detroit, StockX, and the Detroit Pistons representatives. Selected projects will be considered for production and sold online at StockX, with proceeds reinvested into the program to ensure the continuous growth of PLC LIGHT SCHOOL and PLC Detroit.
Bilal Saeed, Detroit Pistons Vice President of Brand & Marketing Strategy, highlighted the Detroit Pistons are proud to partner with Pensole Lewis College and StockX to help launch and power the PLC LIGHT SCHOOL.
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to foster diversity and provide
opportunities for Detroit residents,” Saeed said.
“By partnering with PLC Detroit to support this free, hands on career education program, we aim to empower the next generation of creative leaders and support the unique interests of our vibrant community.”
Benefits for Participants
• Accessible creative career education classes during the evening
• Open to Metro Detroit residents looking to pursue or discover a new career pathway
• Learn the professional creative process of industry design
• Gain knowledge and mentorship from PLC Detroit, StockX, the Detroit Pistons, Carhartt
and more
• Opportunity for selected projects to be produced and sold online at StockX, with
proceeds supporting the program’s growth
Eligibility
• Must be a Metro Detroit resident
• High school graduate or adults 18+
Application Deadline: Sunday, December 29, 2024, @ 11:59 PM ET Apply
at www.plcdetroit.com/lightschool.
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