About the Event


Gala Executive Summary

  • The Detroit Public Schools, as an urban education system, was founded on February 17, 1842. Throughout its history, the District has educated millions of city residents within pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school curricula.  ​

    ​DPS, and now the Detroit Public Schools Community District, graduated a multiplicity of students that became local, statewide, regional, national, and global leaders.  ​

    ​With theme of “Come Home,” and in partnership with the Detroit Public Schools Foundation, DPSCD will continuously honor our past and present, and salute those worldwide DPS/DPSCD alumni from closed/open high schools, and now officials within multiple career fields, retired, or transitioned.​

    ​Wherefore, we are commissioned to deliver the Second Annual “Tyrone E. Winfrey Sr. Come Home” Alumni Hall of Fame Gala with sub-theme of “The Magnificence of Motown” - an elegant and exquisite black-tie/formal affair featuring: 1.) distinguished first-class alumni dinner; 2.) magnificent recognition of universal alumni; 3.) spectacular honor ceremony for prestigious alumni with epic awards; 4.) paramount set of extraordinary alumni and student performances; and 5.) development of a pivotal mechanism for DPS/DPSCD alumni associations or groups to adjoin with present District students, and establish life-changing educational and career skill sets for our urban students of today, yet potential global leaders of tomorrow.

    Plan the Second Annual - Signature Event with a Wow Factor for DPS/DPSCD Alumni and extend alumni induction into the DPS/DPSCD Hall of Fame for the Detroit Public Schools Community District.​

    ​Produce the trademark event at the Huntington Place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, featuring Red Carpet, VIP Reception, Silent Auction, Gala, and Afterglow for 800 -1,000 combined District alumni, students, officials, partners, and overall, stakeholders. This impeccable setting is amenable to the elegance, the execution, and the evaluation of this premier, unparalleled event.​​

    Provide alumni with the following “Top Ten” transformative mandate to accelerate DPSCD student matriculation through amplified student  enrollment, daily attendance, chronic absenteeism elimination, achievement, academic growth, college & career readiness conjoined with student character, school climate, school culture, and overall, student high school graduation rates. 

Executive Advisory Group (EAG)

  • District Officials & Community Stakeholders​

    Mission​
    Serve as advisors and supporters of the signature events and utilize names/titles on letterhead and mailing information to alumni and partners.​

    Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent
    Detroit Public Schools Community District
    Co-Chair

    Bishop Charles Ellis III, Senior Pastor
    Greater Grace Temple
    Co-Chair

    Reverend Dr. Jim Holley, Senior Pastor
    Emeritus
    Historic Little Rock Baptist Church

    Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony, Pastor
    Fellowship Chapel
    President
    NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)
    Detroit Branch

    Sharlonda Buckman, Assistant Superintendent
    Office of Family & Community Engagement
    Detroit Public Schools Community District

    Chrystal Wilson, Assistant Superintendent
    Office of Communications
    Detroit Public Schools Community District

    Tammela Gilbert, Executive Director
    Office of Project Management
    Detroit Public Schools Community District

    Leon Johnson, Co-Chair
    District-Wide Alumni Advisory Council
    Detroit Public Schools Community District

    Pamela Moore, President & Chief Executive Officer
    Detroit Public Schools Foundation

    Kenneth Donaldson, President & Chief Executive Officer
    BUF (Black United Fund) of Michigan

    Reginald Hinton, Vice President & Consumer Banking Market Lender
    Bank of America

    W. Howard Morris, President & Chief Investment Officer
    Prairie & Tireman Group