RUD STUDENTS SPOTLIGHT DETROIT BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES

The stretch of Livernois Avenue between 7 and 8 Mile Rds.–just a short drive from our new facility–is also known as the “Avenue of Fashion.” This business district in Northwest Detroit is home to one of the largest concentrations of Black-owned businesses (B.o.B) in the country. Shops in this area include clothing stores, bakeries, restaurants, and even a racquet shop! Since February, our 7th and 8th grade students have been researching these businesses–with the goal of eventually traveling to them and interviewing the owners. 

In preparation, Middle School Team Director, Keonia Ridley worked with her students to build their business vocabulary and interview skills. As a way of preparing to interview these B.o.B owners, students took turns interviewing each other (even taking on celebrity personas!) and Racquet Up staff to hone their question-asking skills. When it came time for students to head to Livernois, they went prepared with plenty of questions!

Groups of students successfully put their newly polished skills into practice at their respective businesses in late April. After getting to know the owners, students took photos and even got to sample some of the goods at a few businesses! With all their questions answered and plenty of good stories, the 7/8 Team returned to Racquet Up ready to share what they learned. 

To complete their experience, our students channeled their newfound knowledge and pictures into tri-fold displays that were featured during our Grand Opening exhibition! A special thanks to the Black-owned businesses that graciously allowed our students to visit: Good Cakes and Bakes, Kuzzo's Chicken and Waffles, Professional Racquet Services, Sherwood Forest Art Gallery, The Energy Zone, Three Thirteen, and Times Square.