(ThyBlackMan.com) Dominique Smith, Khory Johnson, Sheon Wellons, and Christal and Shanae Christopher will never be mistaken for the “Fab Five” basketball stars that brought national fanfare to the University of Michigan campus 20 years ago.
However, for one Saturday afternoon in May on Detroit’s west side, this lesser known quintet, consisting of middle and high school students, were 
recognized as trailblazers of a different kind.
These students were the first graduates of the Michigan Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) financial education series for youth, and members of the organization gathered at Greater Burnette Baptist Church to celebrate their accomplishment.
For 13 consecutive weeks, tucked away from any spotlight in a small classroom at Greater Burnette, the five young people had their eyes opened to financial literacy—a vital, if not glamorous topic, for youth hoping to thrive in the 21st century.
“I liked it; I think the program was helpful. I enjoyed learning about saving and investing,” said Smith, an honor roll student who will start high school in the fall. “I want to be a pediatrician and now I’m thinking about what I’m going to do with my money.”
The Michigan SCLC tapped MBA students at Detroit’s Wayne State University to develop the curriculum, which covered everything from credit cards and student loans to 401(k) plans and mortgages.
The program also was a testament that the venerable civil rights organization, whose first national president was Dr. Martin Luther King, still has the ability to address today’s challenges.
“With everything we do, we think about what Dr. King would do,” said Michigan SCLC member Tim Barksdale, an organizer of the financial education programs. “For me, that means reaching out and touching people.
As an organization, we all have that spirit within us and that’s why we do what we do.”
Founded in 1970 by Dr. Claud Young, a former personal physician to Dr. King, the Michigan SCLC is still actively addressing a wide range of issues, 
including financial literacy, health and access to health care, education, economic empowerment, voter registration and youth development.
As members discussed plans to expand the financial education series to reach 500 students and beyond, by involving more churches and community centers, another celebration was being planned across town by the Coleman A. Young Foundation (CAYF).
Headquartered across the street from Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, CAYF has registered its own big victories in the community. Since 1986, CAYF has awarded more than $4 million dollars in scholarships to more than 450 deserving Detroit students.
Even more impressive is what the CAYF Scholars have done with their opportunity, achieving a 90-percent graduation rate, far exceeding national graduation rates for all students.
“We have the talent in Detroit to make things happen,” said Delia Graham, a past CAYF scholarship recipient who graduated this year from the University of Michigan with a major in Spanish and Sociology.
Graham’s statement was made during CAYF’s annual Awards Program, held at a sparkling downtown Detroit hotel, less than 72 hours after the SCLC 
event. Despite the steady flow of local media stories that paint a dire picture of Detroit youth and their academic achievement, the collection of current and past CAYF scholarship recipients in attendance told a different story. These decorated scholars carry on the vision of the late Coleman Alexander Young, who served as Detroit’s mayor from 1974 to 1993.
Coleman Young—a cousin of Dr. Claud Young—was a major power broker in Michigan politics and in the National Democratic Party. He established CAYF in 1982 to provide opportunities for future generations of Detroit youth. Along with awarding scholarships, CAYF offers innovative, nationally recognized support programs for pre-college students and scholarship recipients that pave the way to future success. Thus at a time when government studies indicate that a quarter of American adults are functionally illiterate, an enormous disadvantage in an economy that is increasingly knowledge-based, CAYF is part of the solution.
“Our students should be celebrated and encouraged, as should all efforts that promote education, particularly given the current state of affairs,” said Dr. Claudette Smith CAYF executive director. “We need jobs and in order to attract jobs, we need to have an educated and skilled workforce.”
Smith recently received good news from the Detroit-based Skillman Foundation, which plans to award $500,000 in college scholarships to 50 local students, in celebration of Skillman’s 50th anniversary. CAYF will select the youths to receive the scholarships and administer the program.
While support from philanthropic institutions is sorely needed by Detroit’s community organizations, particularly as the region tries to recover from the decline in the automotive industry, a strong message of self-reliance could be heard at the CAYF and SCLC programs.
“You have to make an investment in the lives of others,” was the directive to new CAYF Scholars made by Lonnie Johnson, a former CAYF scholarship recipient who graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University with a major in aviation administration.
A few days earlier, longtime Michigan SCLC member Louise Guyton voiced a similar tune at the financial literacy program graduation.
“This is absolutely fabulous that we have been able to offer this program, and many more young people need to be exposed,” said Guyton, a native of Memphis, Tenn. who moved to Detroit shortly after Dr. King was assassinated in her hometown.
“Social programs aren’t going to be there for us anymore. We need to pick up the challenge and realize that we can take care of ourselves.”
Staff Writer; Scott Talley
This talented journalist is owner of a public relations firm; Scott Talley & Associates, Inc….