Business

Detroit youth summer job program heats up with $150,000 donation

MICHIGAN CHRONICLE — Even a polar vortex could not prevent mayor Mike Duggan, business and community leaders, employers, philanthropic organizations, and Detroit youth from convening at DTE Energy headquarters.

Published

7 years ago

February 6, 2019

Oakland Post

By Branden Hunter

Even a polar vortex could not prevent mayor Mike Duggan, business and community leaders, employers, philanthropic organizations, and Detroit youth from convening at DTE Energy headquarters Thursday morning to officially launch the application period for Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) 2019, the city’s summer youth employment program.

Now in its 5th year, GDYT is the lead coordinator, fundraiser and marketer for the city’s efforts to provide summer employment opportunities for youth ages 14-24. Prior to GDYT, approximately 2,500 Detroit youth would have summer jobs each year through a series of smaller independent programs. In 2018, 8,210 youth were employed at 669 work sites through 233 employers for six weeks.

Youth looking for summer employment and organizations interested in participating should go to www.GDYT.org through March 15th to complete the application. Employers interested in becoming a sponsor or providing summer work experiences for Detroit youth may register at the GDYT website also.

“We have to keep our talent in the city,” said Mayor Duggan. “I talk to too many Detroiters in their 20s that said, ‘coming up in Detroit, my goal was to get out.’ We need to have a situation where they’re saying, ‘my goal is to stay here and make it better.’ And I think GDTY is a big part in saying to our young people that the community here values you, supports your career, and wants you to stay.”

Mayor Duggan was joined at the kickoff breakfast at DTE Energy by many of the program’s key supporters and partners, including Dave Meador, DTE Energy Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer; September Hargrove, VP Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase; Faye Nelson, Michigan Director for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Kylee Mitchell Wells, Executive Director of Ballmer Group; and Nicole Sherard-Freeman, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation (DESC) President and CEO.

“DTE continues to increase participation in Grow Detroit’s Young Talent because young people who have real-world work experience grow into adults with more career options. That’s especially important for the energy industry, where 50 percent of employees are eligible to retire in the next five years,” said Meador. “DTE and the DTE Energy Foundation have provided more than 3,000 youth with meaningful work experiences. Our summer interns also make our company better, bringing new ideas and energy. I strongly encourage fellow business leaders to participate in the program; together we can provide even more opportunities for youth in Detroit.”

The city of Detroit’s summer youth employment program also kicked off its fifth year with a $150,000 boost from the Marjorie Fisher Fund, which is a “dollar-for-dollar” matching grant from new individuals, small businesses, and community supporters.

“We’re starting to give our young Detroiters the type of opportunities they expect,” Duggan added. “It wasn’t something that city government could have done by ourselves. I thank all the folks who have contributed so significantly along the way.”

The importance of having a summer job was highlighted by Sherard-Freeman.

“We are now seeing sustained growth in opportunity in Detroit, with increases in economic investment and decreases in unemployment” she said. “In order for those positives to be further sustained, we need the next generation of Detroit talent to be ready to take those opportunities. Having a summer job and being able to demonstrate experience is a key step to advancing on a career path along with showing an employer that you have the skills and the work ethic they need.”

Benefits for participating in GDYT extends beyond just a paycheck. A study concluded GDYT is improving educational outcomes for Detroit’s youth and the program will introduce or enhance several initiatives for the 2019 GDYT program, including Increasing the focus on financial literacy, a major issue in a city that has fewer bank accounts per capita than any other major U.S. city. Tyrone Bean said ever since he joined GDYT at age 14, his experience has been amazing.

“They taught me how to save money, budget, and the importance of a bank account,” said Bean. “Ever since I learned that, I’ve saved my money, bought a Mac Book, and to this day, I’m still making revenue off the decision I made in 2015.”

April, applicant contact, and work-readiness training sessions continue. In May, the start of employer match and interview process begins, and job-readiness training and orientation sessions start in June. July 8, work experience begins for Detroit’s youth.

This article originally appeared in the Michigan Chronicle.

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Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Arts and Culture

Prescott Circus Theatre Presents Free Summer Performance Series

Now in its 41st year, the Prescott Circus Theatre is a nationally recognized performing arts education program for Oakland youth. The circus offers safe environments that challenge Oakland youth, through circus arts training, to develop the skills and confidence to thrive on stage, in school, and in life.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Prescott Circus showcase pathways pyramid. Photo courtesy of Prescott Circus.

By Post Staff

The Prescott Circus, Oakland’s longest-running youth circus, is returning this summer with its free shows. Join the Prescott Circus’s young stars as they share their joys and talents through stilt-dancing, tumbling, juggling, and more.

At the heart of this one-hour show, which demonstrates teamwork, pride, and joy, are Oakland Unified School District students ages 8 – 17 from more than 10 different schools

This is accomplished through no-cost school and community programs for more than 300 Oakland youth each year. Performing company members from Prescott, where the program began, perform and make appearances at as many as 40 Bay Area events each year.

The summer program is funded in part by Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, California Arts Council, Port of Oakland, and the West Davis & Bergard Foundation.

Performances will be held Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (ASL interpreted) and Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m., at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland. For free reservations go to

https://PrescottCircusSummerShows.eventbrite.com

For group reservations for camps, childcare centers, senior centers, go to www.prescottcircus.org

A community show will be held Saturday, July 18, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at DeFremery Park,1651 Adeline St., Oakland.

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NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com