One couldn’t help but feel inspired walking out of the Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) following the kick-off meeting of the Dale Carnegie Barfield Entrepreneurial & Leadership Development program. The program was developed by Mr. Barfield and Brandon Marsh, Performance Consultant and Coach at Dale Carnegie of Southeast Michigan and will serve as a National model for inner city schools across the state of Michigan and beyond.
The event featured an introduction by Ralph C. Bland, superintendent of DEPSA, a keynote address by John W. Barfield, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Bartech Group, Inc. and an orientation address for students, parents and staff by Mark Will, partner at Dale Carnegie of Southeast Michigan. Brandon worked to bring together students, faculty and parents to introduce this ground-breaking pilot program where students are given the opportunity to take the Dale Carnegie Course as part of their school curriculum. The pilot program involves 26 students, all Juniors at DEPSA and has thus far been a raging success. Brooke Franklin, Director of Strategic Partnership for the Detroit Regional Chamber was instrumental in introducing the program to DEPSA.
During the kick-off event, attendees had the opportunity to hear from students involved in the program and what they had to say inspired hope and gave us all the opportunity to see the makings of the leaders of tomorrow. Parents, faculty and students alike had the opportunity to ask Mr. Barfield and Mr. Will thought provoking questions, the answers to which shed light on this promising program, which will serve as a model for inner city schools nationwide, starting at Detroit’s own Detroit Edison Public School Academy.
Take a look at some inspiring video from the kick-off event!

I am a site coordinator in charge of After School programming through a “21st Century Community Learning Center” grant. This is a great idea involving teenagers in the Dale Carnegie courses. I currently work in an ajudicated High School in Downtown Detroit. The students here range in ages from 12-18yrs. This would be a great program for my students. Most are locked up here due to poor choices they have made. I would really like more info on how I can incorporate this program in my facility. Please contact me when more info becomes available. Thank you for your time. Glynis Rumfelt