About JRLA
ENTER A LEARNER: EXIT A LEADER.
At JRLA we develop ACADEMIC HARD SKILLS (the essential knowledge and skills to succeed), ACADEMIC MINDSETS AND SOFT SKILLS (the resilience and adaptiveness to thrive) and IDENTITY, RELEVANCE AND BELONGING (knowing that you matter as a part of something greater than yourself).
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 and nearly 500 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 not only receive extensive college exposure via university tours, but also be required to pass at least one Advanced Placement course 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.
Board of Directors
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 *appointment Jan 2021
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
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
OUR TEAM
Our team is hard working and relentless towards our goal of providing our scholars with an excellent education.
Administrative School Leadership Team
Wendie Lewis, Principal
Melissa Daugherty, Assistant Principal
Katelyn Hoisington, Dean of Students
Katteeva James, Dean of Operations
Rebecca Kissel, Instructional Coach
Eugene North, Leadership Coach
Rhea Cooper, School Social Worker
Demarcus Wingate, Building Sub
College Team
Malika Velinor, Dean of College
Kwesi Awotwi, College Advisor
Terran Davis, Alumni Success Coord.
Office Team
Niki Garcia, Office Manager
Silva Howard, Attendance Clerk
Special Education Team
Sandra Jackson, SPED Coordinator
Shirley Rowe, SPED Teacher
Barbra Smith, SPED Teacher.
Jessica Upshaw, SPED Teacher.
Instructional Team
Jake Brenner, Algebra II.
Rachel Bryan, College Bound Scholars
Alexandra BuWalda, Chemistry
Ryan Dougherty, History
Corey Edwards, Health & Fitness
Ciara Hamilton, Biology
Ricky Harzula, College Bound Scholars
Delonte Jones, English
Nick Kaczanowski, Civics and Econ
Keir Major, World History
Michael Mitchell, English
Calvin Nellum, Physics
Samuel Peterson, English
Bryan Raycraft, Spanish
Evan Sawyer, Spanish
Vickie Willis, Communications
JRLA News
The best way to stay up-to-date about the latest and greatest happenings at JRLA is by following us on social media.