Great Feature on Jalen Rose's Charter School; Hints at Mayoral Run

Submitted by BursleyHall82 on

EA Sports did a great feature story on Jalen Rose's charter school in Detroit:

https://vimeo.com/116121523

The more I read and hear about what he's doing with that school, the more my admiration for Jalen grows. He doesn't have to be doing this - he could just be sitting back at ESPN writing checks to his alma mater so that everybody would think he's a great guy. When you see this story about his school, you see that he's really walking the walk.

And he drops a semi-bombshell in this: He might want to run for Mayor of Detroit someday. Maybe THEN they'll put the banners back up in Crisler.

jmdblue

January 28th, 2015 at 5:11 PM ^

I've ever heard.  He seems to be able to travel in any circles and never seem like he's selling out one group for another.  He seems completely genuine regardless of company without seeming out of place.  Don't know if he has the political chops to become mayor, but his philanthropic work is great.

As for banners.... that was a shameful period of M basketball and carrying that shame is what separates us from Miami(YTM)/Johnson, OSU/Tressell + Pryor, and Oklahoma/Switzer.

MGoUberBlue

January 28th, 2015 at 5:48 PM ^

I love his commentary and attitude when he played that continued into his televison career.

His charter school is beyond wonderful.  What a great concept, charity and educational opportunity for the kids of Detroit.

Public office though is a whole other matter.  Dave Bing ran a multi-million dollar corporation prior to becoming mayor of Detroit and even his corporate experiences could not lead to success as mayor.  Why would he even think of this?

lilpenny1316

January 28th, 2015 at 6:01 PM ^

I don't know if it filed for bankruptcy, but it ran into a lot trouble before Bing was elected.  I don't know how good Jalen could do, but the one thing is that he grew up in the neighborhoods that are hardest hit.  Even if it's not in a mayoral spot, he may have knowledge and resources to turn those neighborhoods around.  Without it, I don't see this get Detroit renaissance happening outside of a few locations.

Augger

January 28th, 2015 at 6:14 PM ^

I really like Jalen and what he has tried to do here as well, it's truly a wonderful thing. But beyond the two second background of this school you get in the video, there has been some shady stuff reported about it. Things like constant staff turnover and massive failures of leadership. Apparently there was 100% teacher turnover at one point and the teachers really lit up the admins on the way out. It's a very difficult situation and I hope it does have a happy ending but reality may not be quite as rosy as portrayed.

cobra14

January 28th, 2015 at 6:23 PM ^

About his Charter school. its an absolute joke of a school that he is collecting big money off of. That education they provide isn't worth shit.

HarbaughorBust

January 28th, 2015 at 9:05 PM ^

As a former Michigan basketball player I love Jalen Rose.

With that being said, there are skeletons in Jalen's closet that directly relate to his Charter School.  

Let's just say Jalen hasn't been the best at paying bills and it's ugly.

I can't see how a guy that can't handle his own finances with his own business get elected Mayor of a city that just went through bankruptcy.

Then again, this is Detroit.  

The Man Down T…

January 28th, 2015 at 9:08 PM ^

people think he has for skeletons,  he's not nearly corrupt enough to be the mayor of Detroit.  You can't get elected unless you're as shady as they come and if a good one does come along and somehow gets elected (Archer), they try to kick him out asap.