Michigan Re-Opens its First HBCU
The Lewis College of Business was Michigan’s first historically Black college and university. It was founded in 1928, by Violet T. Lewis who’s goal was to focus the school’s purpose on training Black women to work in the secretarial field. Although the school moved to Detroit in 1939, it was subsequently closed in 2013. In December of 2021, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the state House Bill 5447 and 5448 to facilitate the reopening of the Lewis College of Business, saying "I am committed to expanding educational opportunities for Michiganders across our state to put Michigan first."
It is now the only HBCU in the state of Michigan, after the state’s legislature was petitioned in October of 2021 to be re-opened. The school’s name will be updated to the PENSOLE Lewis College of Business, because to the focus switching from business to design. Leadership of the new school will be in the hands of D’Wayne Edwards, the founder of the PENSOLE Design Academy in Portland, Oregon. Mr. Edwards, a black shoe designer, who was one of six designers to ever design an Air Jordan in it’s 23 years of development, founded his Oregon school back in 2010.
The Pensole Lewis College of Business has been lauded by potential students for being mostly tuition frees. Mr. Edwards can be quoted as saying that “today moves us forward to another major step in continuing [Violet T. Lewis’] legacy with the support of our founding partners College for Creative Studies, Target, and The Gilbert Family Foundation.” He reiterated that student fees and living expenses would be mostly covered by major companies.
Even though Lewis College has been closed for the las 14 years due to loss of accreditation, the energy surrounding the school’s re-opening, is in reverence to the 82 years history of the HBCU and its roots within the Detroit community. Michigan native, advocate and educator, Betty Shabazz, when discussing students in higher education, can be quoted as saying, “I wish you power that equals your intelligence and your strength. I wish you success that equals your talent and determination. and I wish you faith.” The spirit and commitment to education and creativity is solidified by the school’s goal to rebuild an alumni filled with entrepreneurs, designers, leaders and influencers.
