Dear Colleagues, Friends, and Family,

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Access to a high-quality education should never be determined by a student’s zip code, background, or circumstances. Yet across our country—and especially in cities like Detroit—far too many young people still face barriers that limit their opportunities. That reality is why I founded the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA).

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JRLA is an open-enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school in my hometown of Detroit dedicated to preparing scholars for success in college, careers, and life. Our mission is to empower every scholar to develop the strength of character, skills, and knowledge needed to matriculate into, thrive in, and graduate from college or a postsecondary program—so they have the opportunities to succeed in the competitive world and take care of themselves and the people they love.

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Now in our 15th school year, JRLA continues to prove what’s possible when scholars are given the support and expectations they deserve. With a 97% high school graduation rate, 100% college and postsecondary acceptance, and one of the highest college matriculation rates among open-enrollment high schools in Detroit, our scholars are demonstrating every day that excellence is possible when opportunity meets preparation.

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As our vision for JRLA continues to grow, so does our ability to serve our community. We are proud to share that, through a transformative partnership with Henry Ford Health, JRLA will soon have a new academic home. The organization has generously donated the former Kingswood Hospital facility to JRLA, giving our scholars access to a 70,000-square-foot campus that will allow us to expand opportunities for future generations.

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Once renovations are complete, JRLA students will move into the new building for the start of the 2027 school year. Our current campus will then be transformed into a new JRLA middle school, allowing us to serve scholars in grades 6–8 for the very first time and strengthen the college-bound pipeline beginning even earlier. 

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At the same time, we remain committed to providing transformative educational experiences for our scholars today. One of the key ways we fund these opportunities is through our annual signature event.​ This year, we are proud to host the

16th Annual JRLA Celebrity Golf Classic the weekend of July 26–27, 2026 at TPC Michigan in Dearborn.

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While this will undoubtedly be a wonderful event, the impact goes far beyond the golf course. The funds raised will help support the year-round programs, resources, and experiences that prepare JRLA scholars to excel in college and careers—and now help fuel the next chapter of JRLA’s growth.

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Additional details about the event and ways to get involved can be found below. I hope you will join us as we continue building opportunities for Detroit’s next generation of leaders.

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Enter a Learner; Exit a Leader.

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Sincerely,
Jalen Rose