Behind the Scenes of Our CAY Stamily Marketplace

Excitement is building at CAY, as students prepare for our CAY Stamily Marketplace, a school-wide entrepreneurial experience that has transformed our classrooms into businesses. Our CAY Stamily Marketplace will be open for business on Monday, June 1st. 

This project has been a true labor of love for our students, staff, business partners, and community. At CAY, we believe education extends far beyond the classroom. Students deserve opportunities that inspire them, validate their talents, and connect learning to the real world. Market Day was designed to do exactly that.

Through this innovative project, students have applied literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, and financial literacy skills in meaningful ways. From writing business plans and creating advertisements to testing products and managing money, students have experienced firsthand how classroom learning can prepare them for future careers and entrepreneurship.

The idea for Market Day began as a reimagining of CAY's traditional Black History Month program. Instead of hosting the annual wax museum, Mrs. Bower had the idea for a Market Day event which could highlight the impact Black entrepreneurs have in our communities every day. Her vision inspired a project that would allow students to learn directly from successful business owners while developing businesses of their own.

To bring this vision to life, Principal Scott set out to recruit community partners. Beginning along Livernois Avenue, one of Detroit's historic corridors of Black-owned businesses, she connected with business owners throughout our community who believed in the power of this project. In total, 19 businesses agreed to partner with classrooms from Pre-K through 5th grade.

One remarkable discovery quickly emerged: every business owner participating in Market Day attended a Detroit Public School. Their journeys began in schools across the city, including Cass Tech High School, Renaissance High School, Central High School, McDowell Elementary, and many others. Their success stories provide powerful examples of what is possible for our students.

Throughout the spring, Tuesday afternoons became dedicated Market Day planning sessions. Business owners met regularly with students, sharing their experiences and mentoring our young entrepreneurs. Students conducted interviews, asking questions about what inspired their partners to start their businesses, what skills are needed to succeed, and what daily life as a business owner looks like.

With this background knowledge, each class developed their own business inspired by their community partner. Students selected business names, designed logos, and created visions for their companies. Creative names such as Smarty Arties, Danger Dodgers, and CAY Pinnacle SuperStars began to emerge as students took ownership of their work.

The next step was product development. Working alongside their business partners, students brainstormed products and services that were inspired by their business partner. For example, 4th grade students in Ms. Ferguson's class partnered with HallStarz Business Center and created their business called YoungStarz Printing Co. They plan to sell student-designed stickers on Market Day. Across the building, students got creative with the types of products they were designing: from kool aid pickles to personalized badge holders to inspirational water bottles, Detroit-themed hats, and more. 

As businesses took shape, students also learned the importance of money management. Student Council created the United Vault, a student-operated bank that allows students to deposit and manage the money they earn throughout the school year. Students earn "Coleman Cash" through attendance, positive behavior, completion of iReady and Zearn lessons, and being in full uniform each day. An online banking system through ClassDojo allows students and families to track balances and watch savings grow in preparation for Market Day.

In the final stages of preparation, students shifted their focus to production and marketing. They created prototypes, gathered feedback, revised their designs, and began producing inventory for sale. They also designed storefronts, posted flyers around the school, and shared commercials and jingles on morning meeting to attract customers.

After months of planning, problem-solving, collaboration, and hard work, our students are nearly ready to open their doors for business. Market Day represents far more than a school project, it is a celebration of student potential, community partnerships, and the belief that today's learners are tomorrow's leaders.

At CAY, we remind our students that they are the future. Through Market Day, they are proving that the future is already taking shape.

A very special thank you to our community partners: 
     -  Alexandria Givens, Purlfect Stitch
     -  Leona Milton, What's the Dill Restaurant
     -  Atieno Orowe, SafiLife Botanica
     -  Dustin Barlow, Nerds Xpress
     -  Kayla Columbert, Our Family Designz
     -  Brian Ellison, Law Practice
     -  Raymond Smith, Innovative Solutions
     -  Latoya Lewis, Lewis Learning Center
     -  Justin Payne, BluCar
     -  Charles Grant, ABC Transportation
     -  Jerjuan Howard, Howard Family Bookstore
     -  Stephanie Perkins, Sugar'N'Spice Daycare
     -  Donna Thornton, Pinnacle Solutions and Supports
     -  Mario Hall, Hallstarz
     -  Gary Winston, Liberty Tax
     -  Clement Brown, Three Thirteen Store
     -  Aaron McIver, McIver Industrial Safety Consultants
     -  Dr. Donya Odom, The Shop Experience
     -  Rachel Chenault, Scientist

Thank you to our Market Day Committee: 
     -  Carrie Bower
     -  Eryn Bryant
     -  Terry Coltrane
     -  Sydney Ferguson
     -  Genel Fowler 
     -  Caira Frohman
     -  Samantha Lamb
     -  Maya Phelps
     -  Lisa Pope 

Watch Our Market Day Video Series: 

Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bXvxRjrPrLY

Episode 2: https://youtu.be/9dm90T1YxXM?si=8PTNbdKAeuO_07s1

Episode 3: https://youtube.com/shorts/42qdIpakKbM?si=z-YiAvnP65fPEwry