Kellogg Foundation features Michigan Future Inc.
Michigan Future, Inc.
An unexpected partner in Detroit education reform
Lou Glazer and his colleagues founded Michigan Future, Inc., a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank nearly 20 years ago to develop ideas to help transform the state from a factory-based to a knowledge-based economy. While a think tank is an unexpected partner in administering high school education reform in Detroit’s urban ring, the evolution of Michigan Future’s work and insights led the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and other local foundations to call upon the organization to lead the laudable endeavor.
“Early on, we had a pretty clear understanding that human capital is the asset that matters most in growing the economy, as well as the skill set people need to get into the knowledge-based economy,” said Lou Glazer, Michigan Future’s president and co-founder. “The foundations asked us to help tackle how you get central city kids – largely high school kids – connected to that economy. Michigan Future Schools grew from the work.”