Detroit Evening Report: Billionaire MacKenzie Scott donated millions to Black-led nonprofits in Metro Detroit

Listen to the latest episode of the Detroit Evening Report.

MacKenzie Scott headshot, former wife of Jeff Bezos, graphic element on gray.

MacKenzie Scott

Several nonprofits featuring Black leaders in Southeast Michigan have received large donations from billionaire MacKenzie Scott.


Listen and Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report

NPR | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts


As BLAC Detroit reports, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan received a $1 million gift. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) was awarded $2.4 million.

“You get this email and you’re like, ‘Is this spam?’ You call them back and they’re lovely and you chat and they tell you who they’re calling on behalf of,” GSSEM CEO Monica Woodson told BLAC Detroit. “It was very much a surreal moment.

“What gifts of this nature do more than anything is allow you the freedom to dream.”

Detroit Public Schools Community District also made the list of recipients, securing more than $20 million.

Scott is a novelist and the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The San Francisco native has given more than $14.4 billion to over 1,500 nonprofits since 2019.

Other headlines for Dec. 12, 2022:

  • Wayne State University hosting webinar to help parents address lead in homes
  • ACCESS building substance use disorder treatment center in Dearborn
  • Focus: HOPE seeking 400 volunteers to help distribute food boxes to seniors
  • Clark Park Hockey Program wants to make sport more accessible for girls, children of color

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

Donate today »

Author

  • Sascha Raiyn
    Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio.