More than $55,000 in gifts and donations were delivered to the Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences, an Oakland University charter school, March 1, from the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) in anticipation of the PBR Built Ford Tough Series “Last Cowboy Standing” bull riding championship at Ford Field, March 10.
PBR graciously donated 1,300 backpacks filled with gifts and supplies, $30,000 of event tickets and a $1,000 check to DAAS.
The DAAS “Detroit Youth Show Choir” is slated to perform the national anthem and “Detroit State of Mind” at PBR’s March 10 show. DAAS elementary choir students penned their own version of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” for a class assignment. Four students rewrote the lyrics to show their pride in academic achievement and in their hometown of Detroit.
DAAS’ Choir Director Angela Kee says, “There have been a lot of negative comments and press about Detroit and our inner city school system. But when people listen to this song and view the music video, all of that negativity gets pushed to the side and we remember: ‘We’re from Detroit and our children are talented and they can receive an excellent education! We can be proud and stand up.’”