Community leader Curtis Blackwell pitches charter partnership and youth programs to Detroit board
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Summary
Curtis Blackwell, founder of SoundMind SoundBody, told the policy committee his nonprofit serves about 8,000 students and proposed converting a gifted facility into a K–8 charter affiliated with the district, starting with ~50 students and growing by 50 per year.
Curtis Blackwell, a Detroit Public Schools graduate and founder of the SoundMind SoundBody foundation, used the policy committee's public-comment period to propose a potential charter partnership and explain his organization's work.
Blackwell said his nonprofit runs athletics-based youth programs and summer enrichment, and that the group was gifted a facility on Detroit’s east side that could become the headquarters for a K–8 charter under the district. He said the charter could start with about 50 students in year one and expand by roughly 50 students each year. Blackwell noted support from seven NFL alumni who would serve as board advocates and help re-engage alumni in district programming.
Blackwell summarized the organization's history and reach: he said SoundMind SoundBody serves about 8,000 students and has operated camps and after-school programs that have touched tens of thousands of children over two decades. He brought a handout for the board and indicated he would follow up with staff about potential partnership steps.
The committee acknowledged the comment and indicated staff would check whether sharing his materials was appropriate and follow up as needed.