Pensole Lewis College Detroit (PLC Detroit) today announced the opening of the Foot Locker Footwear Creation Stu/deo at 200 Walker St. along the Detroit riverfront, just west of Stroh River Place.
PLC Detroit offers a comprehensive curriculum, industry partnerships, and hands-on learning experiences to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the design industry.
The new design studio location in what was originally the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, will offer a level of access and opportunity through shoemaking workshops, sample making services, small footwear production capabilities, and more.
At the morning ribbon cutting, D’Wayne Edwards, president of PLC Detroit, was joined by Mayor Mike Duggan, Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rocket Cos. and the Gilbert Family Foundation, both in Detroit, and community members, students, and civic and business leaders.
“We are honored to unveil the Foot Locker Footwear Creation Stu/deo at our new Detroit campus,” says Edwards. “It is a space that will inspire the next generation of footwear creators and design visionaries, providing them with the resources and education to excel in the industry.”
PLC Detroit is the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) focused on design. The new Detroit studio features more than 5,000 square feet of design space. The building is owned by Bedrock in Detroit, one of Gilbert’s companies.
“We’re thrilled to once again partner with PLC Detroit to foster innovation and promote diversity in design through the opening of the Foot Locker Footwear Creation Stu/deo,” says Elliott Rodgers, executive vice president and COO of Foot Locker. “This space further demonstrates our commitment to invest in and provide opportunity for creatives to excel in the fashion industry.”
Through its learning by doing career-focused education, and industry partnerships, PLC Detroit presents students with opportunities to develop their skills and pursue successful careers in the design industry.
PLC Detroit was founded with the support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, which provided $10 million over five years to the school as part of its ongoing efforts to provide Detroit residents with pathways to job opportunities in high-demand industries.
Target also was a founding partner through its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) strategy. Since its rebirth in 2022, hundreds of students have graduated from PLC Detroit.
“Detroit is a birthplace of innovation and creation — and this spirit thrives at Pensole as they continue inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers and achievers,” says Gilbert.
“Dr. Edwards’ passion, experience, and love of design is unmatched. His work with innovators like Michael Jordan, Nike, and others helps PLC students become the designers of tomorrow. Today’s announcement with Foot Locker is another example of the pathways to success that Detroit’s HBCU are opening for students in our city.”
Foot Locker Inc. has approximately 2,600 retail stores in 26 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, and a franchised store presence in the Middle East and Asia.
For more information on PLC Detroit, visit here.
 opening of Foot Locker Footwear Creation Stu/deo at 200 Walker St. along the Detroit riverfront.){kind=link}