Blue background with geometric light effects and sparkles. Text reads "Detroit Public Schools Foundation Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala." A sunburst logo is above the foundation's name.

A Star-studded Homage to DPSCD

SATURDAY MAY 3, 2025

Cass Technical High School

VIP Hour: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Main Event: 8:00pm – Midnight

Attend
Sponsor

Get ready to roll out the blue carpet for a truly unforgettable evening on Saturday, May 3, 2025! Join us at the Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala for a night of glamour and heartfelt impact as we celebrate Detroit’s finest and raise vital support for DPSCD students.

This year’s theme, Legends and Lights: A Star-Studded Homage to DPSCD’s Legacy, offers a one-of-a-kind gala experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Prepare for a night with complete with show-stopping celebrity performances, exquisite dining, and immersive entertainment. Produced in partnership with DPSCD alumni—who bring their talents to every detail—this event is a powerful showcase of the excellence that emerges from our district. Join us for a celebration unlike any other, where Detroit’s legacy of achievement shines brightly on a glamorous, unforgettable evening.

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90% DPSCD Alumni Produced

Chef Reva Constantine

Breithaupt / Henry Ford High School

Chef Dominic McCord

Mumford High School

Derrick & Ladonna Reynolds

Restauranteurs
Chadsey High School | Webber Middle School

Special Performance

speakeasy headliner

Jeff Ponders & Isis Damil

Renaissance High School

main stage dj

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DJ Lynda Carter

Henry Ford High School

VIP HONOREE RECEPTION

Join us in inducting Kylee Mitchell Wells, Executive Director of Ballmer Group Southeast Michigan, into the DPSCD Alumni Hall of Fame with the Tyrone E. Winfrey Changemaker Award. A Cass Tech and Randolph graduate, she exemplifies Detroit’s educational excellence. The intimate ceremony features student performances and tributes from the city’s top leaders. VIP tickets are your exclusive opportunity to witness this unforgettable induction. Don’t miss your chance to be in the room.

Tyrone E. Winfrey Changemaker Award Recipient

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Kylee Mitchell Wells

Cass Techical High School
Executive Director of Southeast Michigan
Ballmer Group

VIP reception hosted by

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FayE Nelson

Cass Technical High School
Board Chairperson
DSO & Corewell Health East

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Get Ready for a Blockbuster Night: Relive the Magic of the 2024 Alumni Gala

Last year, we transformed Samuel C. Mumford High School into a vibrant sports arena, celebrating Detroit’s legendary athletic legacy with an unforgettable night of alumni honors, gourmet dishes, top-shelf cocktails, and a thrilling celebrity performance. In 2025, we’re turning up the glam with a celebration that promises even more excitement, glamour, and unforgettable memories.Watch the 2024 recap video and explore the gallery to relive the magic—then grab your tickets now to be part of Detroit’s most exciting night, celebrating our community’s brightest stars and paving the way for future legends!

View 2024 Event Gallery
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Be a Part of the Magic

By purchasing a ticket, you’re not just securing your place at one of Detroit’s premier events—you’re investing in brighter futures for DPSCD students. Your presence powers life-changing programs, scholarships, and resources that give our students the opportunity to rise and achieve their dreams.

Get Ready to Experience:

  • Exclusive evening with VIP experiences and “blue” carpet moments
  • Live celebrity performances and entertainment
  • Upscale dining and immersive experiences, crafted in partnership with our community’s finest alumni
  • Opportunities to connect with Detroit’s leaders, philanthropists, and advocates for education
  • AND MORE! Stay tuned for breaking announcements to see how the night will unfold

Limited tickets are available! Last year’s gala was a sold-out success, and seats are going fast. Don’t wait—secure your spot today and be part of a night that promises impact, elegance, and memories to last a lifetime.

Secure Your Tickets

Sponsorship

Join us in empowering the next generation of DPSCD students by becoming a sponsor of the 2025 Tyrone E. Winfrey Hall of Fame Alumni Gala. Sponsorship opportunities allow you to make a meaningful impact while gaining visibility among Detroit’s business and community leaders. Your support will directly fund vital programs, scholarships, and resources, helping students rise to their full potential. Be part of a night filled with glamour, inspiring stories, and unforgettable connections, all while making a difference in the lives of Detroit’s youth. Contact us today to learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits.

Contact Rachael Williams-Welch at rwelch@dpsfdn.org

View Sponsorship packages

Honoring the Life of

Tyrone E. Winfrey Sr.

At the heart of this gala is the enduring spirit of Tyrone E. Winfrey Sr., a man whose life was a testament to service and community unity. Born and raised in Detroit, Tyrone’s journey as a DPS scholar from Hampton Elementary through Cass Technical High School laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to education and community engagement. As a passionate advocate for youth and education, he significantly impacted the Detroit area, bringing the promise of higher education closer to home. His trailblazing work at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the Detroit Public Schools Community District showcased his dedication to guiding thousands of young minds towards their potential.

Let’s come together to honor our past, celebrate the present, and innovate opportunities for the legends in the making of the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

2025 Sponsors

Entertainment Sponsor

Emily and Henry Ford III

Media Sponsor

Text in a stylized Gothic font reads "Detroit Free Press." The letters are white against a transparent background.

Valet Sponsor

DTE foundation

Meet & Greet Sponsor

ally

Legendary Moments Sponsor

Emily and Henry Ford III

Spotlight Sponsor

Logo featuring a stylized geometric "H" inside a hexagon next to the word "Huntington" in bold, white letters. The background is black.
Logo of The Skillman Foundation featuring a stylized spiral design on the left and the organization's name in bold capital letters on the right. The logo is in grayscale.
Logos of Barton Malow, Turner, and DIXON in white, above the text "WITH STRATEGIC PARTNER" in smaller letters, followed by the logo "gayanga co." in lowercase grey letters, all on a black background.
Logo of MGM Grand Detroit featuring a white silhouette of a lion walking above the text "MGM GRAND DETROIT" on a black background.

Rising Star Sponsor

Comcast
Logo of dfcu Financial featuring stylized lowercase letters "dfcu" above a graphic of a classical column, with the word "FINANCIAL" to the right in uppercase. The design is in white on a transparent background.
flagstar logo
Emily and Henry Ford III
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The image shows the Marathon Oil logo featuring a bold, white letter "M" inside a hexagonal shape, with "MARATHON" written beneath it. The background is black.
The image shows the Tito's Handmade Vodka logo. It features an illustration of a distillery in an orange circular emblem, with text above and below reading "Tito's Handmade Vodka" followed by "Austin Texas" on a black background.

Workforce Development Sponsor

Logo of Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. It features the acronym "DESC" in bold letters at the center, surrounded by a stylized gear design with the full name written along the top and bottom edges of a circular border.