News Summary
Angelique Power, the President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation, has been honored as Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News for her significant contributions to K-12 education. Power’s leadership has emphasized community engagement and educational reform, particularly in Detroit. Under her guidance, the Skillman Foundation has launched various initiatives aimed at improving education outcomes, including the inclusion of students on the board and mentoring emerging leaders. This recognition underscores Power’s commitment to advocating for the future of education in Michigan.
Detroit – Angelique Power, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation, has been named Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News for her exceptional advocacy in K-12 education. This prestigious recognition highlights her influence and commitment to improving education outcomes for children in Michigan, particularly those living in Detroit.
Power, who has resided in Detroit for the past four years after moving from Chicago, joined the Skillman Foundation in 2021. Since taking on her role during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she has demonstrated a strong dedication to educational reform by emphasizing the importance of engaging with local communities and listening to their needs. Throughout her tenure, she has made it clear that she believes that local residents possess valuable insights that can drive effective change in the education system.
At 54, Power has established herself as a significant force in the realm of educational advocacy. Under her leadership, the Skillman Foundation has initiated various programs aimed at addressing systemic issues within Detroit’s K-12 education system. This includes increasing grants for advocacy groups, while still providing immediate support services for students and families in need.
Prior to her work with the Skillman Foundation, Power built a robust career in philanthropy, starting with the Dayton Hudson Corporation. She has held numerous leadership roles, including serving in community relations at Target Corporation, acting as president of the Field Foundation, managing community engagement initiatives at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and leading program direction at the Joyce Foundation. These experiences have equipped her with a diverse skill set and a strong understanding of the intersections between philanthropy and education.
Initially, the Skillman Foundation’s chairperson Ron Hall Jr. had reservations regarding Power’s transition from Chicago to Detroit. However, he was quickly impressed by her innovative ideas and commitment to local engagement during the hiring process. This successful integration marked the beginning of a transformative chapter for the foundation.
At the heart of Power’s strategy is the notion of community involvement. In her first year with the foundation, she prioritized community outreach to better comprehend the needs of the residents in Detroit. This engagement led to an organization-wide audit of the foundation’s funding allocation practices, ensuring that resources are directed toward the areas that will have the most significant impact on local education.
One notable initiative introduced under Power’s guidance is the inclusion of two students on the Skillman Foundation board. This step is aimed at guaranteeing that young people’s voices are incorporated into policymaking discussions, thereby enhancing their role in shaping the educational landscape in Detroit.
Power has also taken on the role of mentor to emerging leaders in Detroit’s educational advocacy scene, such as Imani Foster from the advocacy group 482Forward. This mentorship reflects her commitment to fostering new generations of advocates who will contribute to the ongoing push for educational reform.
Among the Skillman Foundation’s ongoing initiatives is the Good Neighborhoods Initiative, designed to enhance conditions for children across six neighborhoods in Detroit. This initiative has successfully contributed to a 25% increase in graduation rates and a 40% boost in youth programming between 2009 and 2016. These accomplishments underscore the foundation’s commitment to promoting long-term educational improvements alongside immediate services.
As an alumnus of the University of Michigan, holding both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts, as well as possessing an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Power brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. She shares her life in Detroit with her husband Sean and their daughter, Sadie Lousiane, emphasizing the importance of family and community as she works toward her mission of enhancing education for all children in Michigan.
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Additional Resources
- The Detroit News: Angelique Power Named Michiganian of the Year
- Michigan Advance: Education Reform Discussion at Mackinac Conference
- Detroit Free Press: Community College and Universal Pre-K in Michigan
- Detroit Regional Chamber: Big Moves in Education Policy
- WXYZ: Thanksgiving Parade Float Designed by Middle School Student
- Wikipedia: Education in Michigan
- Google Search: Angelique Power Michigan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Michigan Education Reform
- Google Scholar: Philanthropy in Education Michigan
