Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to re-open Michigan’s first and only Historically Black College.
Whitmer signed House Bill 5447 and 5448 to re-open Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design. The college is set to open in March of this year. The famed business school’s return is exciting, given the institution’s illustrious legacy.
Founded by Violet T. Lewis in 1928, it was previously known as the Lewis College of Business. Lewis was a prominent African American educator and businesswoman. According to HBCU Connect, she opened the school during the Great Depression to teach black students traditional skills for the business world. Lewis also founded the historic Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc. in 1943 with her sister, Elizabeth Garner, at the private institution.
As one of five black colleges in the north, Lewis College of Business is important. It was crucial in Indiana at its opening, where there were scarce opportunities for aspiring African American college students. The school had a good run in Indiana but, eventually, it found a new home.
Just 11 years after opening, Lewis moved the institution to Detroit, Michigan. Then, something amazing happened.
In 1987, the U.S. education secretary declared Lewis College of Business as one of the nation’s HBCUs.
On par with Lewis’ mission of excellence, over 2,500 students have graduated from the school with Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhDs. In total, nearly 27,000 students have attended since 1928.
Unfortunately, Lewis College of Business closed its doors in 2013 due to accreditation challenges. However, new life will be breathed into the college in a little over two months.
“I am proud to play a part in helping re-open the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design in Detroit,” Governor Whitmer said. “I am committed to expanding educational opportunities for Michiganders across our state to put Michigan first.”
State Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, sponsored one of the bills Governor Whitmer signed to re-open the HBCU.
“Michigan’s first historically Black college shut its doors eight years ago. Next year, those doors will re-open,” he said. “I was proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the governor to have an HBCU back in the city of Detroit. I look forward to seeing the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design create valuable opportunities for its students and businesses across Michigan and Detroit.”
The future president of Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design also expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you to Governor Whitmer and all of our partners for helping the grandchildren of Violet T. Lewis, Pensole and College for Creative Studies establish an HBCU in the state of Michigan,” Dr. D’Wayne Edwards said.
Michigan’s first and only HBCU will offer free tuition to its business and design students.
