Our Board of Directors
Our Founders
Founder and Detroit native Jalen Rose was a 13-year NBA Star and most recently an ABC/ESPN analyst who has assembled a team of educational experts and community leaders to turn his dream into a reality. Mr. Rose brings to the Academy his knowledge of the sports and entertainment industries, commitment to philanthropy and his passion to give back to Detroit. A graduate of Detroit Southwestern High School, Mr. Rose attended the University of Michigan where he was one of five freshman basketball players known as the “Fab Five.” As a college graduate, he is eager to help Detroit youth achieve the same goal. Mr. Rose has been instrumental on the planning team and serves as the President of the JRLA Board of Directors.
Co-founder Michael Carter is a Detroit native and successful entrepreneur. Mr. Carter is managing partner of Pinnacle Construction Partners, a multi-state, pre-construction planning and construction management services firm, and the former president and CEO of Athena Health Club and Day Spa in Nashville. As a successful graduate of Project 100, the University of Detroit’s recruitment program to enroll and graduate inner-city youth, Mr. Carter graduated with a B.A. cum laude and a M.B.A. He serves on the UDM Liberal Arts and Education Dean’s Advisory Board. Mr. Carter brings his first-hand experience to the design of the Academy, his commitment to provide resources, and his dedication to improving the future for Detroit youth. He has been instrumental on the planning team and serves as the President of the Operation Graduation Board.
Michael Carter
Jalen Rose
Current Board Members
Jalen Rose
President
ESPN/ABC Analyist, CEO Three Tier Entertainment
Dennis Archer, Jr.
Secretary
CEO/Founder - Ignition Media Group; President - Archer Corporate Services
Greg Boll
Vice President
CEO, Navigant Oak, LLC
Leigh Chandler
Director
CAO of Strike Group, LLC
Christopher Brochert
Director
Co-Founder/Partner, Lormax Stern Development Co.
Shawna Forbes
Director
Professor and Former Vice Chancellor/School of Continuing Ed & Workforce Dev, Wayne County Community College District
Dean Brody
Treasurer
Managing Director, Accenture
Wendy Jackson
Director
Deputy Director, The Kresge Foundation
Burt Jordan
Director
Vice President, Global Purchasing, Ford Motor Company (Retired)
A special thanks to our past board members:
Tonya Allen - Rumia Ambrose Burbank - Honorable Mayor Dave Bing - Tim Gale - John James
Ron Klein - Mick Koster - Jason Langwell - Diane Manica - Kim Mattes - David Schostak - Neil Weissman
The JRLA Founding Team
