DTE Foundation Awards $25,000 Grant to WSU Athletics for Transformative Youth Leadership Summit

Investing in Detroit's Next Generation of Leaders

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University Department of Athletics is proud to announce the receipt of a $25,000 grant from the DTE Foundation to support the inaugural "Motown's Movers, Makers & Shakers: The Youth Impact – Game Changers in Motion" Youth Summit, taking place on July 2, 2026, on the campus of WSU.

This impactful initiative is being presented in collaboration with the 52nd Midwest Regional Conference of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, bringing together two organizations deeply committed to leadership development, education, service, and community empowerment.

The one-day immersive leadership experience will welcome 300 youth from across the Detroit metropolitan area for a dynamic day of leadership development, innovation, advocacy, creative expression, and mentorship. Rooted in Detroit's legacy of excellence and influence, the summit is designed to position young people not as future leaders, but as leaders actively shaping their communities today.

Through interactive training blocks focused on design thinking, advocacy through communication, and creative expression, students will develop practical leadership skills while collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds. Each session culminates in presentations and a championship-style showcase where participants demonstrate their learning and compete for recognition as Detroit's next generation of changemakers.

A signature component of the summit is the integration of Wayne State University Athletics. Warrior student-athletes will engage directly with participants during structured mentoring sessions, sharing lessons on discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and leadership under pressure. Wayne State's spirit program will further energize the experience through a high-impact performance that reinforces themes of preparation, confidence, and excellence.

"The DTE Foundation's investment represents more than financial support. It is an investment in the future of Detroit," said Dr. Candice L. Turner, Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Wayne State University. "In partnership with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated's 52nd Midwest Regional Conference, we are creating a space where young people can discover their voice, strengthen their leadership capacity, and recognize the impact they can have in their schools, neighborhoods, and beyond."

The $25,000 grant will help support participant experiences, leadership materials, meals, program resources, and engagement activities that ensure students leave inspired, equipped, and empowered to lead. The summit embodies the shared commitment of the DTE Foundation, Wayne State University Athletics, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated to creating meaningful opportunities that uplift youth and strengthen communities.

Together, these organizations are investing in Detroit's future, one Mover, Maker, and Shaker at a time.

About the Partnership
The 52nd Midwest Regional Conference of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated will bring thousands of members from across the Midwest to Detroit in July 2026. As part of its longstanding commitment to educational development and youth initiatives, the conference's Youth Summit serves as a cornerstone community impact program. Through this collaboration, Wayne State University Athletics provides the ideal environment to connect leadership, education, athletics, and service in a way that leaves a lasting impact on the next generation.

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