Detroit ACE congratulates InsideOut Literary Arts on receiving a $2 million gift from McKenzie Scott's foundation.

Scott has gifted $1 million to nonprofits across the country, but InsideOut was selected for a $2 million dollar gift as one of the highest-scoring organizations in the applicant pool. 

Founded by Detroit Public Schools teacher Dr. Terry Blackhawk in 1995, InsideOut grew from a handful of classrooms to serving thousands of students annually. They weathered the pandemic, grew stronger as a team and organization, and adapted to their students.

InsideOut students participated in DUETS--presented by the Detroit ACE office last year which paired youth poets with members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Inside Out, which is 30 years old, said the gift will allow them to:

• Further ignite student creativity, nurture emerging voices, and produce the next generation of thinkers and leaders through helping young people find their voices.

• Reach more students with high-quality creative writing instruction during the school day and afterschool.

• Continue to bring our mission to the broader community through thoughtful, collaborative community programming