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MGM Grand Hosts Fundraiser For Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit's new "Jalen Rose Leadership Academy" is off to a promising start -- two months after launching a mission to offer bright, motivated city teens a tuition-free high school education similar to the quality at Catholic Central, Country Day, University-Liggett and other elite private schools.

That means, as founder and former University of Michigan basketball star Rose explained, creating a strong financial base through events like Sunday night's Gala at M-G-M Grand Detroit Casino.

"They've made the sacrifice to go to school the longer day, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with tutoring 4:30 to 5:30," said Rose. "There's a longer school year, 211 days. All of our students wear uniforms and all of our students have laptops. For us to keep the costs down for the families, we continue to do fundraisers."

Rose said attendance has been almost 100 percent on regular school days and over percent at the charter school's optional Saturday classes. The strong academic curriculum is accompanied by special Leadership training.

"Coming from a lot of broken situations at home, these kids lose their innocence early. If you have a leadership course, it teaches them life skills, how to deal with situations as they happen and not be the person that's just going to follow and made poor decisions that could cost you an opportunity for success in your life, success in your career," said Rose.

Chante Moore is the music headliner, Bill Bellamy will provide comedy and there's a lineup of special guests from the local sports scene. The event will also feature silent and live auctions, a seated dinner, dancing and more.

The "Live. Love. Learn. And Leave a Legacy… A Celebration to Benefit the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy" Gala will take place on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at the MGM Grand Detroit Casino.

Tickets are $250 each. For more details, visit www.jrladetroit.com or call 800-975-0001.

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