Pembroke Academy students and staff joined local and state leaders as they unveiled a secondary street sign in honor of civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo. The sign, which is outside the school at the corner of Pembroke Avenue and Mansfield Street, was made possible thanks to the hard work of Principal Salwa Kinsey and Detroit City Council member Angela Whitfield-Calloway.
Kinsey first learned of Liuzzo’s connection to the school from a Facebook comment on a post of Pembroke’s fourth-graders visit to Campus Martius in celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Bob Vorborker’s comment began “I wonder if the children are aware that Dr. King had once been at the Pembroke Academy building many years ago…”.
His words instantly caught Kinsey’s eye.
After further investigation, she was able to confirm Martin Luther King Jr. was inside what is now the school’s gymnasium. He was in attendance at Liuzzo’s funeral after she was killed in the midst of the civil rights movement. The event was held at The Immaculate Heart of Mary, which was in the building we now know as Pembroke Academy.
Kinsey approached Whitfield-Calloway about naming the street that borders Pembroke after Liuzzo, and the pair began the work to secure signage. The process lasted over a year, but the pair was able to get the historic marker approved.
Kinsey said she felt it was important to honor the history of her school building and community.
“The sign is going to provide a continuous reminder of Viola and her impact on Detroit,” Kinsey said. “As our students walk in and out of the building, it’s going to serve as a reminder of Liuzzo and the values she lived by, including Moral Focus™ virtues. Students were part of process, so it’s also a reminder to them of the community and collaboration involved.”
The big unveiling took place on April 11, and Liuzzo’s direct descendants were in attendance. Viola’s daughter-in-law Anthe Liuzzo spoke to the community, sharing gratitude and more about Liuzzo’s life.
State and local leaders were also excited to join in the celebration. Among those who spoke were: Kinsey, Whitfield-Calloway, Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, State Representative Regina Weiss, Board President Contessa Rudolph, and City Historian Jamon Jordan.
Pembroke’s student council leaders spoke about how Liuzzo’s values connected with the Moral Focus™ virtues they learn about today. They also shared the sign is a reminder of Liuzzo’s impact and the rich history connected to Pembroke Academy.
The group of speakers and leaders then went to the street corner and pulled away a curtain to reveal the blue sign reading: “Viola Liuzzo Blvd.”
After the unveiling, Pembroke held a private ceremony. Community members mingled and learned more about Liuzzo and the hard work that went into securing the sign. Liuzzo family friend Arlan Feiles played music, including his original song "Viola."
The hard work of Kinsey, Whitfield-Calloway, and everyone involved in the process shows the impact a community can make when they’re committed to a common goal.
Congratulations, Pembroke! Way to make a meaningful impact on your community and connect with history!
About Pembroke Academy
Pembroke Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Detroit, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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