Elements of the partnership include a mentoring program between Jeep brand employees and students, field trips to several Chrysler Group facilities including the Jefferson North Assembly Plant and the Jeep Design Studio, development of a marketing project, and sponsorship of the academy’s boys’ and girls’ basketball team.

“The Jeep brand is honored to partner with the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and build a relationship within our community.  This program is an authentic, hands-on approach that will fuel leadership, provide educational empowerment and develop life skills for the students,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “With this program, we hope to help students reach their fullest potential.”

“A philanthropic project of this nature requires support from the entire community and it is a privilege to have the Jeep brand join our team,” said Jalen Rose, JRLA Founder.  We will work together to have a positive influence on our future leaders.”

The program kicked-off in February and will continue for the next seven months.  Additionally, the Jeep brand also will award $100,000 in college scholarships to the first graduating class of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

Jeep Brand Mentorship Program

Focusing on educational empowerment and the development of leadership skills, Jeep brand employees will partner with select students from JRLA to participate in a seven-month long mentorship program.  Each session will focus on personal improvement skills such as goal setting and career planning.

Students  will also embark on a series of educational excursions that will include a trip Chrysler Group LLC’s Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit and a trip to the World Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., where the students will visit the Jeep Design Studio and meet the designers.

In January, students attended the North American International Auto Show Preview, where they snapped photos of the event, Jeep vehicles and their favorite product features.  Their task was to develop a photo journal that outlined their favorite Jeep brand vehicles.

Marketing Competition

Select JRLA students will participate in a marketing competition where students will be given a marketing assignment in which they will compete amongst each other for an opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip for a family of four to a USA Basketball exhibition game in Washington, DC.

JRLA Basketball Team Sponsorship

The Jeep brand will sponsor the JRLA boys’ and girls’ basketball team.  The sponsorship will provide funding to support their team fees, uniforms and equipment.

As part of the Jeep brand’s affiliation with the USA Basketball, the brand will also provide JRLA students with the opportunity to participate in a summer basketball clinic hosted by USA Basketball legends and Jalen Rose.

About JRLA

The Jalen Rose Leadership Academy is an open enrollment, public charter high school on the Northwest side of Detroit. The Academy opened its doors in September 2011 to 120 ninth grade students; an additional freshman class will be added each subsequent year. Detroit area students receive a leadership-focused education based upon real-world, project-based experiences within the career context of sports and entertainment. Students will receive extensive college exposure and course opportunities through a partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy. Immersed in the culture of college, they will take three university courses as upperclassmen to ensure a seamless transition for college entry.   As a Michigan Future Schools initiative grant recipient, the Academy recognizes their expectation of 85% high school graduation, 85% college enrollment, and 85% college graduation, and will meet or exceed these standards.  For more information about JRLA, please visit http://www.jrladetroit.com

Jeep Brand

Built on over 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

and Comedian/Actor Bill Bellamy!

Sunday, November 6, 2011
MGM Grand Detroit
1777 Third Street, Detroit, MI 48226

Master of Ceremonies – Emmy Award-Winning Broadcaster Ed Gordon

Celebrity supporters of JRLA will be in attendance including: 
Bill Bellamy (Comedian/Actor) *Special Performance!
Lomas Brown (NFL All-Pro and Super Bowl Champion)
Rashied Davis (Detroit Lions WR)
Justin Durant (Detroit Lions OLB)
Howard Eisley (NBA Star and LA Clippers Assistant Coach)
Tommy Hearns (Hall of Fame Boxing Legend)
Jimmy King (Michigan Basketball “Fab Five” Legend)
Helen Phillips (NBC’s Season 7 Winner of Biggest Loser)
Stephen Tulloch (Detroit Lions Linebacker)
Ekpe Udoh (Golden State Warriors)
Perry Watson (Detroit Basketball Coaching Legend)
& more to TBA!

6:00pm – Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:00pm – Seated Dinner
7:10pm – Opening Remarks and Live Auction
8:15pm – Special Performance
8:30pm – Strolling Dessert and Dancing with Simone Vitale Band

Jalen Rose discusses the innovative approach to education utilized by his charter school in the Detroit area -- the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

In 2004, Jalen Rose gave a gift to the University of Michigan to endow a scholarship for an incoming freshman.  The scholarship is available to a first-year student with special consideration for students who come from the state of Michigan and reside in the inner-city.  The $10,000 scholarship completely covers the cost of in-state tuition as well as provides support for additional expenses. It is renewable for three additional years, provided the student recipient meets the eligibility requirements, which include maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Jalen has said that his desire to establish the scholarship fund grew out of an appreciation for a University that set him on a path to succeed and his wish for other students to benefit from that same opportunity.

In order to be eligible for the Jalen Rose Endowed Scholarship in future years, students must apply for admission to the University of Michigan prior to the February 1 application deadline, and must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than March 1. As noted above, this award is renewable for three years and may not be available again until the 2015-16 school year.

JRLA Ribbon Cutting

JRLA Class of 2015

Tour of JRLA

*Photos By: Gary G. Naeyaert