Detroit is a city of resilience, yet many of its marginalized youth—particularly those from Black, Brown, and low-income communities—face systemic barriers that hinder their success. From underfunded schools to mental health disparities, the odds are stacked against them. But change is happening. Innovative programs and community-driven solutions are giving young people the tools to thrive.

While 96% of U.S. students have access to the internet, Detroit has one of the highest rates of disconnected youth. Many students in low-income neighborhoods lack:

Traditional discipline models punish students for behavioral challenges without addressing the trauma that fuels them. In Detroit, where many students have faced poverty, violence, or systemic discrimination, these methods do more harm than good. Trauma-informed education (TIE) is an alternative that is gaining traction.