I seized the opportunity to play sports, and it taught me something I didn’t expect. By learning to work hard and stay focused on my running regimen on the Edwin Denby High School track team, I also learned to stay focused on my studies and work hard to succeed in all aspects of my life. Participating in high school athletics is what taught me the value of teamwork, dedication, perseverance and discipline.

Now that I am a successful businessman (I am the CEO of a private equity firm called Inheritance Capital Group), I try to inspire the young people of the next generation. One of my efforts is tied to my love of running. The Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays (held every April in Detroit) represent my way of giving back to my community and helping young athletes achieve their dreams – not only on the track, but in life as well. I am so proud of this event because we highlight academic achievement right alongside athletic ability. Top academic scholars on each school’s team are given special recognition and awards. We also award scholarship money to all qualified high school students from participating schools. In fact, you’re just as likely to hear an athlete’s GPA announced as they cross the finish line, as you are to hear their time.

The Shumake Relays is just the tip of the iceberg, however, when it comes to my work on education. My big project right now is to create a revolutionary new charter school here in Detroit. My dream is to open a school that trains the CEOs of the future, giving kids not just a foundation for success in any realm, but a foundation specifically geared toward entrepreneurship.

Picture a safe, forward-thinking public academy that teaches middle and high school students not only reading, writing and arithmetic, but financial acumen, real estate and business leadership with a conscience. That is the mission my proposed Robert Shumake Academy for the Advancement of Green Business and Real Estate in Detroit.

My vision is an academy to educate the next generation of leaders and prepare them to compete in a global economy. I believe it is of critical importance to have a school like this in Detroit, where students can seize an unparalleled opportunity to earn their place at the forefront of the new global economy.

We also plan to focus on the new “green” economy. With all the billions of dollars in green business out there, imagine kids learning how to start businesses focused on solar and wind energy, and socially conscious living. Green technology is a sign of the times and our future economy will hinge on green businesses and green real estate. Why wouldn’t we want to prepare our children to succeed in this new economic landscape?

To give you a better idea of what the Shumake Academey would be like, here are some of the tenets of the proposed school’s curriculum, based on the award-winning Kipp Academy of Houston, and written using a $ 500,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Education:

1)The Shumake Academy will have flat screen TVs broadcasting Bloomberg News in the hallways, a Wall Street Journal in every classroom and a laptop on every desk.

2)We will partner with major corporations, inviting CEOs to forge relationships with students and participate in their education. Students will serve internships at these same companies, and earn college credits before they graduate.

3)The curriculum at this charter academy will not be easy. Parents will have to sign a contract declaring their support of longer instructional days and mandatory summer classes, but I truly believe this is the only way to prepare students for success in our ever more competitive world.

The school’s mission is in keeping with my own on-going mission to make education accessible to minority youths as a path to financial success and empowerment. After all, education is always the foundation for wealth, but entrepreneurship is how you create it.

One last thing I’d like to share on the subject of education. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Ghana and work with the KENO (Kid Entrepreneurs Need Opportunities) Micro-Fund. We were working with the Minister of Education on an initiative to help keep rural kids in school longer. We found it costs $ 500 to send one child to school for one year. I have set a personal goal to raise the funds to “adopt” 100 kids and pay for their schooling. But in addition to just sending them to school, KENO would also teach these kids about entrepreneurship. As I’ve stated many times, entrepreneurship is one of the most important ideas a child can learn, because the skills involved will help them in every aspect of your life.

Robert S. Shumake

CEO, Inheritance Capital Group

Founder, Robert S. Shumake Scholarship Relays

Founder, Robert Shumake HBCU Challenge

(To contact Robert Shumake, please e-mail Lisa Maas at lmaas@publicityworkspr.com)

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