Our History

Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA) is an open enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school on the northwest side of Detroit. The Academy began its first academic year in September 2011 and currently serves over 400 ninth through twelfth grade scholars as well as over 600 alumni from metro Detroit. JRLA provides a leadership-focused education that engages and inspires youth to achieve at the rigorous level necessary to ultimately graduate with a college degree.  Scholars are provided with an authentic academic experience which builds both the skill and will necessary to be successful in high school and beyond.  Immersed in the culture of college, scholars will receive extensive college exposure via university tours and summer program experiences to assist in a seamless transition into college.  JRLA is a 9-16 model where scholars are supported not only through high school graduation, but through college graduation via our College Success team that works to coordinate success for current scholars and alumni.

JRLA's Founders:

Founder and Detroit native Jalen Rose is an ESPN/ABC analyst and 13-year NBA Star who has assembled a team of educational experts and community leaders to turn his dream into a reality.  Mr. Rose brings to the Academy his knowledge of the sports and entertainment industries, commitment to philanthropy and his passion to give back to Detroit. A graduate of Detroit Southwestern High School, Mr. Rose attended the University of Michigan where he was one of five freshman basketball players known as the “Fab Five.”  As a college graduate, he is eager to help Detroit youth achieve the same goal.  Mr. Rose has been instrumental on the planning team and serves as the President of the JRLA Board of Directors.

Jalen Rose

Michael Carter

Co-founder Michael Carter is a Detroit native and successful entrepreneur. Mr. Carter is managing partner of Pinnacle Construction Partners, a multi-state, pre-construction planning and construction management services firm, and the former president and CEO of Athena Health Club and Day Spa in Nashville. As a successful graduate of Project 100, the University of Detroit’s recruitment program to enroll and graduate inner-city youth, Mr. Carter graduated with a B.A. cum laude and a M.B.A. He serves on the UDM Liberal Arts and Education Dean’s Advisory Board. Mr. Carter brings his first-hand experience to the design of the Academy, his commitment to provide resources, and his dedication to improving the future for Detroit youth.  He has been instrumental on the planning team and serves as the President of the Operation Graduation Board.

Current Board Members:

Jalen Rose

President

ESPN/ABC Analyist, CEO Three Tier Entertainment

Dennis Archer, Jr.

Secretary

CEO/Founder - Ignition Media Group; President - Archer Corporate Services

Greg Boll

Vice President

CEO, Navigant Oak, LLC

Leigh Chandler

Director

CAO of Strike Group, LLC

Christopher Brochert

Director

Co-Founder/Partner, Lormax Stern Development Co.

Shawna Forbes

Director

Professor and Former Vice Chancellor/School of Continuing Ed & Workforce Dev, Wayne County Community College District

Dean Brody

Treasurer

Managing Director, Accenture

Wendy Jackson

Director

Deputy Director, The Kresge Foundation

Jason Langwell

Director

EVP, Intersport

A special thanks to our past board members:

 Tonya Allen - Rumia Ambrose Burbank - Honorable Mayor Dave Bing - Tim Gale - John James
Ron Klein - Mick Koster - Diane Manica - Kim Mattes - David Schostak - Neil Weissman

The JRLA Founding Team

Jalen Rose, Michael A. Carter, Sr., Mick Koster, Diana Manica, Michelle Ruscitti-Miller, Dr. Barbara Smith and N. Kendell Walton

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Press Release

Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Receives $1 Million Donation From Tom Gores