On Monday, December 8, six talented students took the stage at Mumford High School for the latest installment of the FACE Student Leadership Academy Pitch Competition. This enriching series helps DPSCD students build leadership skills, strengthen communication, and gain hands-on experience presenting business ideas.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation proudly sponsors this full series and will award $1,000 in prize funding at each competition. Schools participating this year include Southeastern, Mumford, Cass Tech, King, Henry Ford High School, and two additional sites to be announced. The aim is to create pathways for students to rise, dream boldly, and build real-world skills that will shape their futures.
Partnership That Elevates Student Voice
The Student Leadership Development Academy is coordinated by DPSCD’s FACE Department under the leadership of Chief External Engagement Officer Sharlonda Buckman, with Program Manager Destinee Williams spearheading this year’s pitch competition series. The Foundation values this partnership and is grateful for FACE’s commitment to student growth and empowerment.
“We support this pitch competition series because students deserve opportunities that help them discover what is possible,” said Kerrie Mitchell Campbell-Mabins, President and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation. “When young people are given a platform to share their ideas, we witness their potential come to life. The Foundation is proud to invest in that journey by putting real resources behind student dreams.”
Kerrie brings a strong background in youth development, community investment, and organizational leadership. Her experience coaching student innovators includes a 2024 student team she mentored that won a statewide pitch competition and is preparing to bring their concept to market.
Celebrating Creativity, CTE Pathways, and Innovation
This month’s competition showcased a powerful combination of creativity, innovation, and career-connected learning. Students presented ventures in baking, art, technology, and cosmetology, many of which align with skilled trades and arts pathways throughout the District.
Winners included:
- 1st Place, $500: A student baker who operates a successful pop-up and catering business for community events.
- 2nd Place, $250: A young baking entrepreneur building a growing customer base within her neighborhood.
- 3rd Place, $250: An emerging artist known for lifelike anime-style portraits. Her work resonates deeply with her age group and has strong commercial potential.
Other standout concepts included a tech-based alert system designed for large events, an AI-powered interior design app, and a cosmetology business from a student exploring the District’s CTE cosmetology program. Each idea demonstrated impressive problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.
Distinguished Judges Who Amplified Student Growth
Students were coached and evaluated by a panel of leaders with deep professional experience and strong ties to Detroit and DPSCD.
- Ebony Cochran (Finney and East English Village Alumna)
Entrepreneur, real estate investor, and founder of Blackwood Credit Services and the Detroit Wealth Club. Ebony has participated in more than 20 pitch competitions and brings extensive firsthand experience in securing funding and refining business strategies.
- Marshall Bullock (Mumford Alumnus)
Former Michigan State Senator and current Director of Government Affairs for the City of Detroit. His career centers on public service, policy leadership, and advocating for Detroit families. His feedback helped students strengthen clarity, purpose, and audience awareness.
- Tarence Wheeler (Southwestern Alumnus)
DPSCD Alumni Affairs Director and longtime champion of youth empowerment. Tarence helps students see themselves as leaders and encourages them to communicate with confidence and pride.
- Kerrie Mitchell Campbell-Mabins (King Alumna)
President and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation with extensive experience guiding community-focused initiatives and mentoring student innovators. Her coaching emphasizes strategic thinking, preparation, and belief in one’s ideas.
- Whitney Griffin
Director of Donor Relations for the DPSCD Foundation. Whitney draws from a background in marketing, consulting and communications, with experience helping leaders refine their message, articulate their ideas, and advocate for their work with clarity and confidence.
Ebony Cochran shared a powerful reflection on the value of this early exposure:
“Pitching is a skill that opens doors. I have participated in more than 20 competitions, and every experience sharpened my clarity and confidence,” said Ebony Cochran. “These students are gaining that insight now, which puts them ahead. Learning to trust your voice is where entrepreneurship truly begins.”
Whitney Griffin reinforced the importance of communication as a life and career skill:
“As a communications leader, I know how essential it is to be able to advocate for yourself and your ideas,” said Whitney Griffin, Director of Donor Relations for the DPSCD Foundation. “What these students demonstrated goes beyond entrepreneurship. They showed courage, preparation, and the ability to articulate their value. That skill will serve them in classrooms, careers, and every space they enter. We are proud to help them build that foundation now.”
A Future Strengthened by Opportunity
The DPSCD Foundation is honored to sponsor this pitch competition series and support FACE in offering meaningful, enriching experiences for students. Across participating schools, students are learning to express their ideas, embrace creativity, and build confidence in ways that will serve them for years to come. More competitions are ahead, and the future looks bright for Detroit’s rising entrepreneurs.
