Multi-phased initiative transforms library into vibrant learning environment and launches summer reading opportunities for every student
In March, the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation announced an exciting milestone for Marcus Garvey Academy: a transformational investment from DPSCD alumna and attorney Denise Lewis to revitalize the school’s library.
Just a few months later, that vision has become a reality.
Students, educators, community leaders, and partners recently gathered to celebrate the completion of the Marcus Garvey Academy Library Transformation, the culmination of a multi-phased effort led by the DPSCD Foundation in partnership with Marcus Garvey Academy, Detroit Public Schools Community District, and community supporters.
What began as an investment in books and furnishings evolved into a broader opportunity to create a library that inspires curiosity, literacy, and discovery for years to come.
“Today is about more than a library,” said Principal Wakeita “Mama” Winston. “It’s about what happens when people believe in students and invest in their future.”
From Vision to Reality
As planning progressed, the DPSCD Foundation worked alongside school leadership to explore ways to maximize the impact of the investment. Through collaboration with Detroit Public Schools Community District’s literacy team, the project expanded beyond a traditional library refresh and became a comprehensive effort to strengthen both the physical space and the student experience.
Under the leadership of Cassie Williams, Director of Literacy, and Emily Pettey, Literacy Specialist, district staff conducted a comprehensive review of the library collection, helped catalog and organize thousands of books, and developed a strategic plan to elevate the space and support long-term student engagement.
The result is a transformed library featuring an expanded collection of books, updated furnishings, adaptive seating, instructional resources, organizational enhancements, and a custom mural created by DPSCD alumni artists Siana Treece and SuVon Treece that celebrates culture, creativity, and possibility.
Throughout the process, DPSCD Foundation staff worked closely with school leadership, district teams, donor partners, artists, and vendors to steward the project from concept to completion.
“When Denise first approached us about investing in Marcus Garvey Academy, we saw an opportunity to do something truly transformational,” said Kerrie Mitchell Campbell-Mabins, President and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation. “What makes this project special is the collaboration behind it. Together, we created a space that reflects the excellence of Marcus Garvey students today and will continue serving generations of students for years to come.”
“This project reflects the heart of the DPSCD Foundation’s mission: bringing people together to create meaningful opportunities for Detroit students,” said Dr. Iris Taylor, Board Chair of the DPSCD Foundation. “Through Denise Lewis’ generosity and the collaboration of our school, District, and community partners, Marcus Garvey students now have a library that celebrates who they are and supports who they are becoming.”
A Space Built for Discovery
One of the most significant developments during the project’s evolution was the hiring of Dana Anderson, Marcus Garvey Academy’s library teacher.
Her arrival created an opportunity to align the physical transformation of the library with a dedicated instructional vision, ensuring students have meaningful opportunities to engage with literacy every day.
As students continue to explore the revitalized space, Anderson’s leadership will help steward the investment and maximize its impact for years to come.
“I wouldn’t be standing here today if I hadn’t fallen in love with books,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District. “Books exposed me to new ideas, new perspectives, and possibilities I never knew existed. That’s why this investment matters. Every student deserves access to a space that inspires them to read, learn, and imagine what their future can become.”
Keeping the Momentum Going
The library celebration also marked the beginning of the next chapter for Marcus Garvey Academy students.
To help carry the excitement beyond the final week of school, the DPSCD Foundation partnered with First Book and General Motors to create an unforgettable literacy experience that extended well beyond the ribbon cutting.
As part of a broader districtwide initiative that delivered 43,000 books to 77 DPSCD schools, Marcus Garvey Academy was selected as a featured school location. In addition, First Book made an additional investment of approximately $5,000 in books to help strengthen the school’s collection and fulfill key library needs identified by school leadership and Dana Anderson.
The support didn’t stop there.
Every Marcus Garvey Academy student left the celebration with a summer learning bag filled with books, activities, and educational resources designed to encourage reading throughout the summer months. Together, those investments placed thousands of additional books into the hands of students and reinforced a simple but powerful message: learning doesn’t stop when the school year ends.
“Literacy opens the door to every future pathway imaginable, and this initiative is about making sure our students have access to books that inspire imagination, curiosity, and continued learning beyond the classroom,” said Campbell-Mabins.
A Gift Rooted in Legacy
For Lewis, the project was deeply personal.
An avid reader who spent much of her childhood at Detroit’s Parkman Library, she wanted today’s students to experience the same sense of wonder and possibility that shaped her own journey.
“I’ve always been an avid reader, and I spent many days at the Parkman Library growing up. It was such a beautiful, inviting place,” said Lewis. “I want our students to have that same experience. You shouldn’t have to look for your history; it should be part of who you are. My hope is that this library sparks an imagination in a child, whether they become a scientist, an astronaut, or an attorney, and that they see their heritage reflected in the content they read.”
That vision was on full display as students cut the ribbon, explored the transformed space, met local author Susan Wade, participated in literacy activities, collaborated with the mural artists, and received books to take home for the summer.
The celebration marked the completion of a remarkable project, but for Marcus Garvey Academy students, it also marked the beginning of countless new stories waiting to be discovered.
And thanks to the collective efforts of Denise Lewis, the DPSCD Foundation, Detroit Public Schools Community District, First Book, General Motors, and the many educators and community partners who helped bring the vision to life, those stories now have a beautiful new home.
