Detroit-born native, Sean Anderson, renowned in the music industry as "Big Sean," and a longtime Wayne State supporter took center stage from Friday, August 25th to Sunday, August 27th, to host a vibrant celebration of Detroit and its rich culture. This dynamic event, proudly presented in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan (BGCSM) and the Sean Anderson Foundation, marked a significant moment of unity and empowerment.
The Detroit on Now (DON) Celebration, hosted at BGCSM's 4242 Collingwood St. location in the heart of Detroit, was conceived by Big Sean in 2018 as a platform to honor and uplift the resilient people of Detroit.
The two-day extravaganza featured an outdoor carnival, a spirited kickball tournament with prominent Detroit celebrities, and an array of engaging activities. This weekend also served as a jubilant commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, showcasing the profound influence of Detroit on this iconic genre.
During this remarkable event, Big Sean, a former BGCSM member himself, demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the community by making a substantial donation towards the expansion of BGCSM's newest locations. Myra Anderson, the president of the Sean Anderson Foundation, emphasized that the weekend was all about "educating, informing, showcasing, and celebrating the people of Detroit."
"Through neighborhood activations, entrepreneurial accelerators, and fun engaging events," said Big Sean, "The DON Weekend highlights what makes Detroit and its people the greatest in the world while empowering residents to achieve economic mobility."
The Sean Anderson Foundation has supported Wayne State University’s HIGH (Helping Individuals Go Higher) Program for several years. The HIGH Program and its founder, former Wayne State University First Lady Jacqueline Wilson, attended and were acknowledged at the event.
About The Sean Anderson Foundation:
Big Sean is not only a chart-topping recording artist but also a dedicated philanthropist and a proud Detroit native. In 2012, he founded the Sean Anderson Foundation with the goal of supporting young people and their families. The foundation has formed impactful partnerships with various organizations in Detroit, delivering essential educational, cultural, and recreational programs. Beyond his generous contributions to BGCSM, Big Sean has also made significant donations to the Wayne State HIGH Program.
About the HIGH Program
The HIGH Program was founded in 2013 to address student homelessness at Wayne State University. The vision of the HIGH Program is a university community where no student must abandon their dream of earning a degree solely because of housing or financial challenges. The mission of the program is to support students who struggle to balance their Wayne State University studies with meeting life’s most basic needs of food, shelter, and childcare.
Contact
Wayne State University HIGH (Helping Individuals Go Higher) Program
5475 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 577-9933
Email: wsuhighprogram@wayne.edu