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By Ashley Michelle Williams

Jalen Rose can now add “educator” to his long list of social contributions.

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The former NBA star and current ESPN analyst has established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA) in his hometown of Detroit in order to help improve Michigan’s troubled education system — and ultimately give Detroit adolescents under his care the best education possible.

The thirty-eight-year-old was motivated to found JRLA due to a concern that Michigan’s stagnant economy is impeding students’ ability to succeed in high school and attend college.

“When the auto industry was around, adults weren’t necessarily going to college to get degrees,” Rose told theGrio. But that industry cannot support the region as it once did. “This domino effect has in turn affected children,” Rose continued.

Indeed, according to a recent study conducted at the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University, only 31.9 percent of Detroit’s public high school students graduate in four years. In addition, only 12 percent of adults in Detroit have a bachelor’s degree or higher.

To receive a good education, many students have to attend schools outside their districts. “If I live in a district where I know the school is poor performing, why should I have to make my child go there?,” Rose asserted.

To read more on Jalen Rose‘s wonderful contribution to Detroit, go to theGrio.

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  • SimplyComplex_87

    a former athlete using his money to give back to his community instead of only spending it frivolously…kudos to Mr. Rose!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/CobaltBlu/ CobaltBlu

    He is a true role model. Much respect.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NVKKG47IBQDLK5WRMUSSAUFNFA Shangri La

    Not much to be said here except, “Jalen is beautiful”. If he has a wife or girlfriend and he doesn’t cheat on her, then he is simply and Angel.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gokusc5 Joe Smith

    Great look Black man!!!

  • http://profiles.google.com/gokusc5 Joe Smith

    In the Bible most of the men talked about had multiple wives.

  • http://twitter.com/pblkbrothers Positive Brothers

    I Applaud him for at least taking an interest

  • Anonymous

    Very pleased to see he has hired very qualified educators.

  • Anonymous

    So this is a CHARTER SCHOOL funded with public money. And they named it after Jalen Rose because his name will attract kids to education. Im not seeing what he actually is gonna do at the school. Or what funds of his OWN he has put up. But all and all, this sounds like a DECENT idea. If it takes a former BALL PLAYER to get our kids intrested in to education, then so be it.

    CHECK THE SCHOOL WEBSITE

    The staff appears to be very well educated

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    Good deed! I ain’t gonna jump up and down as of yet because there are many schools named after Black people, but still teach white hisSTORY!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    I see your point about the charter school! They will still have contro over the curriculum of what is taught in the school!

    I hope it’s not just a school to promote basketball. I know it will have a gym, but hopefully it will be about teaching them their True OURstory instead of this slave bullshyt!

    I will check out the site!

    HOPEFULLY, IT’S A GOOD THANG, but charter schools are now the new plantation stations. Read up on them!

  • Anonymous

    It appears that he founded the academy and got a team together to get it established.

  • Dandelion

    “JRLA provides the rigorous education necessary for students to attend college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Students are educated in a context based on real world, project-based experiences. ”

    “The academy differs from other schools with its longer school year — 211 instead of 176 days — and a longer school day, which goes from 7:30 to 4:00. Instead of taking work home, students complete their homework at school where they do not have distractions and can readily receive assistance.”

    “JRLA attendants also receive laptop computers, get paired with college student mentors, and will earn credit for a minimum of three college courses from the University of Detroit prior to graduation.”

    “Through our curriculum, we see victories in the classroom. We are trying to expose students to life as a college student and get them a step ahead of the game,” Rose said.”

    “I wanted to approach the school like a business. Teachers, like students, have to perform at a higher level each year. They only have a year-long contract and do not get tenure.”

    “We wanted teachers who could inspire, multi-task, and be responsible for helping each student not only graduate, but also go on to college,” Rose said.”

    Sounds like a WINNER to me. Kudos, Mr. Rose!

  • Anonymous

    Yes sir. I want to key in on the word CHARTER SCHOOL. We have one that just opened in my city this school year. It was supposed to open 2 years ago, but politics got in the way. There are mixed reports on weather or not CHARTER SCHOOLS do or dont work. There is positive evidence of them doing well in Washingon, DC. But there are also many negative reports that come out of New Orleans where Charter SCHOOLS are not up to par.

    I would prefer that students in America went to school ALL YEAR. Like many other leading nations do. But again, I still support J. Rose and his effort on trying to reach our kids through EDUCTION. I hope this works out for the kids. We SHALL SEE IN 3-4 years

  • Anonymous

    You got it my sister. SCIENCE AND MATH are KEY. They are universal subjects that do not change no matter where you are. THose are the MONEY MAKERS. Acounting, building, engineering are all products of SCIENCE AND MATH.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/nodoubt10/ nodoubt10

    Finally!

  • SimplyComplex_87

    i love it!!!

  • Anonymous

    Good job..get the schools together and then start seminars and programs educating Blacks on opening up buisnesses.If not that, just open up buisnesses for Blacks to work at and we’ll be on our way!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Shariese-Hurd/100001852350588 Shariese Hurd

    I am glad to see alot of brothers and sisters are stepping up to the plate instead of just talking about our problems. We must save our own communities.

  • Anonymous

    Come to think of it, I believe the State of Michigan only requires two years of math and two years of science, or something like that…it’s not a whole hec of a lot. However, I’m basing this on of my memories in high school; I took four years of every basic subject because I was in a College-Prep program and from what I remember, the program either required or strongly encouraged us to take these courses.

    If this is the case, that’s too bad. I think this is one reason that Michigan’s schools are in such terrible shape. I understand that not all people are adept at science or math, but the foundation needs to be set early and continuous throughout the student’s time in school.

  • Anonymous

    Yes, Kudos indeed. I love his approach–performing at a higher level each year and have one-year long contracts. PLUS, that he is getting college students to mentor these kids is awesome. THAT is what is needed.

    There are some things that I noticed about the program that I hope change, but all in all, this is a good start. I wish the school, the students, the staff and Jaylen much success.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Alextafari Alexandre da Veiga

    That’s wassup.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/so4real63/ so4real63

    good deed which it was more blacks sports and bussiness, entertainment figure like him all over the country.

  • Anonymous

    I am really glad to hear it. As I’ve said before we need start taking control of our own education in a major way. An independently run school would be better, since it’s separate from the government, but a charter school has the advantage in that the school can be attended for free. I hope they cultivate a strong school culture and the school succeeds. The hard work has just begun. Much success to them.

  • Anonymous

    Here are the “Cliff’s Notes” version of what Charter Schools are: Charter Schools are subjected to some of the same requirements as public schools since they can receive public funding. They are expected to produce exceptional results.

    I read the school’s academic programs on the site…they seem pretty standard (?), but hopefully, in time, there will be more courses added on.

    In the meantime, whatever is lacking at the school should be taught in the home–which is how it should be anyway.

  • eazy rawlins

    jalen rose you rock!!!

  • Anonymous

    Yep, which is why I stated that independent schools are better and that the struggle has just begun.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/calebbrownceo/ calebbrownceo

    Hats off to Jalen Rose for making such a solid commitment to his hometown of Detroit. We all know that education is the key to economic empowerment b/c you can’t play the game if you don’t know the rules.

    Here’s My Success Formula for Black America:

    1) Start a Business
    2) Love the Black Woman
    3) Educate Your Own Children

    Don’t Ever Let Anybody Tell You That You’re Not Good Enough.

    You’re BETTER Than Enough!!!

    If You Value Home Ownership and Black Wealth Creation we need to talk.

    Much Love and Continued Success,

    Dennis (847) 980-2448
    dhowell@calebbrownonline.com

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NVKKG47IBQDLK5WRMUSSAUFNFA Shangri La

    And?

  • Anonymous

    Good news indeed! Jalen Rose has a “HEART” it seems and compassion for the youth where he grew up to succeed and excel in life! News reports like this makes me smile, and my own heart smile even more! God Bless you Jalen and continued success with your leadership academy!!

  • Anonymous

    I missed that part (sorry–I’m at work multi-tasking and multi-thinking).

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/waynelaboy/ waynelaboy

    DEAR MICHAEL JORDAN, KOBE, BARKLEY, DUNCAN, MR. KARODOMDASHIAN, AND THE REAT OF YOU NFL’ERS AND ENTERTAINERS WHERE ARE YOU? OH NEVER MIND HUGGING ANDMAKING BABIES DIFFERENT FROM YOUR OWN MAMA AND DADDIES…

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