In Detroit’s West Village neighborhood, a major new chapter is about to be written where culture and education collide. As National Reading Month and Women’s History Month are in full swing, the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the district, has announced a $60,000 investment to bring new life to the Marcus Garvey Academy library.
The person behind this gift is Denise Lewis, a retired, influential Detroit real estate attorney and former senior partner at Honigman LLP, and a proud graduate of Mumford High School. Many in Detroit know her for her legal work and as a member of the Michigan Chronicle’s Women of Excellence Class of 2022. With this donation, she shows what true excellence means, giving back to the district that laid the foundation for her education and supporting the next generation.
Marcus Garvey Academy at 2301 Van Dyke Street has been a leader in African-centered education since the early 1990s. The school is based on the idea of a “village,” acting as a cultural and academic center for Detroit families. Still, even strong foundations need support. This investment is the first big update to the school’s library in years.
For Lewis, this project is personal.
“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,” Lewis shared.
