Reviving Michigan’s Only HBCU
Located in the heart of Downtown Detroit, the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC) has become the nation’s first ever reinstated Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), serving aspiring creatives, designers, engineers and business leaders of the future. Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, a renowned sneaker designer, founded the Portland-based Pensole Design Academy. He had no plans to leave Oregon until November 2020 when he learned of Detroit’s HBCU that had closed in 2015. Dr. Edwards jumped at the opportunity to revive the shuttered school in America’s only UNESCO City of Design.
“I could not have picked or designed a better location to be my reentry into Detroit,” said Edwards.
A college dedicated to teaching business and design felt like a perfect match for Detroit. Allen Largin, ROCK’s Creative & Innovation Director and long-time student of Edwards, coordinated to connect his mentor with crucial resources for restoring the college’s instatement and facilities, while Dan and Jennifer Gilbert became foundational partners of the school through their philanthropic nonprofit, the Gilbert Family Foundation. The attention surrounding the HBCU’s reopening also attracted other major corporations, including Target, who partnered with the college as part of its Racial Equality Action and Change strategy.
“None of this would have happened without some amazing founding partners. The partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, specifically with Jennifer and Dan, really introduces us to the community of Detroit. We want to enhance what they have started and then see how we can actually contribute to elevating that even further,” said Edwards.PLC remains centered around providing a unique, first-hand educational experience for its students from industry experts and professional designers. Dr. Edwards believes every student should have the opportunity to pursue a design education, a belief that seamlessly aligns with ROCK’s Family of Companies and our For More Than Profit philosophy. The work PLC and GFF do is focused on people and community.
Dr. Edwards leaned into the For More Than Profit philosophy with a pay-it-forward mentality. “The difference that we add to that philosophy is, because of our model, we put on all of our kids, you have to go help and mentor a couple people after you leave here. For me, it was never about the financial gain. It was the opportunity for me to share everything back because I wish someone did that for me. I did not have that. When you reach a certain level of expertise, you realize there is more.”
In February 2024, PLC opened the Foot Locker Footwear Creation Stu/deo at 200 Walker Street, a 5,000 square foot building with stunning views of the Detroit River. The new studio offers unmatched opportunities in the design field through shoemaking workshops, sample making services, footwear production capabilities and more. PLC continues to push the boundaries of design, ensuring world-class career-focused educations for their growing student body.
“This is the best education opportunity that you can get, if you choose to have a career in design, come to Detroit,” said Dr. Edwards.
