New Affordable Senior Living Honors Detroit’s HBCU Legacy
The grand opening of Violet T. Lewis Village provides much-needed affordable senior housing on a historically significant site in Detroit. This new complex stands where Michigan’s only historically Black college, the Lewis College of Business, once empowered generations. The village not only offers vital housing but also ensures the enduring legacy of its visionary founder, Violet T. Lewis, continues to inspire the community.
A Legacy of Education and Empowerment
From College to Community Haven
The Lewis College of Business, founded by Violet T. Lewis in 1928, was a cornerstone of Black education in Michigan. It offered crucial vocational courses like typewriting, bookkeeping, stenography, penmanship, and office management, providing pathways to professional careers for many. Although the original college closed in 2013 amidst Detroit’s bankruptcy, its spirit was rekindled with the re-opening as the Pensole Lewis College of Design and Business, in partnership with the College for Creative Studies. Now, the site takes on a new form of community service, offering affordable senior housing.
The Vision of Violet T. Lewis
Dr. Violet Ponders, Lewis’s granddaughter, shared insights into her grandmother’s motivations and impact. Lewis faced difficulties finding suitable employment despite her education, noticing a significant lack of Black professionals in office roles. This propelled her to establish the college. Dr. Ponders affectionately recalled Lewis’s dual role: “Everybody called her mommy TV. Those of us who were in the family, there was a certain place on the stairwell … where she stopped being mommy TV, and she became Doctor Lewis. And we would ebb and flow that way all of the time.” Lewis was also a key figure in the community, notably founding the March of Dimes fashion extravaganza, which raised money for polio research.
A Sisterhood of Service: Gamma Phi Delta
Violet T. Lewis’s influence extended beyond education, as she was also one of the founders of the Gamma Phi Delta sorority. Dr. Contessa Bell, the 14th president and CEO of Gamma Phi Delta, spoke at the opening, emphasizing Lewis’s lasting impact. Bell noted that Lewis “helped build a sisterhood rooted in service, leadership, business excellence, and empowerment through Lewis College of Business. She opened doors that many believed were locked. She championed education when it seemed like it was impossible, and during her time when it wasn’t easy, and especially for women.”
Meeting Detroit’s Housing Needs
Council Support for Affordable Living
Detroit City Council person Angela Whitfield Calloway, a member of the Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, has been a vocal advocate for more affordable housing since taking office in 2021. She highlighted Lewis’s pioneering spirit, noting that Lewis “owned that property over there on John R and Ferry when Black folks were restricted from owning properties over there because of the restrictive covenants in the deeds. But she worked around that and opened that school.” This history underscores the significance of the new housing project on such hallowed ground.
Violet T. Lewis Village: What You Need to Know
The Violet T. Lewis Village is a modern apartment complex specifically designed for seniors. Rent for these units is income-based, with one-bedroom apartments starting as low as $427. This initiative directly addresses the critical need for affordable senior living options in Detroit, continuing Violet T. Lewis’s legacy of community upliftment.
| Site Aspect | Past (Lewis College of Business) | Present (Violet T. Lewis Village) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Education, vocational training for Black individuals | Affordable senior living |
| Founded By | Violet T. Lewis (1928) | Developed honoring Violet T. Lewis |
| Key Offerings | Typewriting, bookkeeping, office management, stenography, penmanship | Income-based 1-bedroom apartments for seniors ($427+ rent) |
| Significance | Michigan’s only historically Black college (HBCU) | Honors trailblazing legacy, addresses critical housing needs |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Violet T. Lewis?
Violet T. Lewis was a pioneering Black educator and entrepreneur who founded the Lewis College of Business in Detroit in 1928, Michigan’s only historically Black college. She also co-founded the Gamma Phi Delta sorority and was a significant community leader. - What was the Lewis College of Business?
It was Michigan’s first and only historically Black college, offering vocational training in areas like typewriting, bookkeeping, and office management, specifically to empower Black individuals in professional roles. - What is the Violet T. Lewis Village?
It is a new affordable senior apartment complex in Detroit, built on the historic site of the former Lewis College of Business, offering income-based rents for seniors. - What are the rental costs and unit types?
The village offers one-bedroom apartments with rents starting as low as $427, based on income eligibility. - How can I inquire about residency at Violet T. Lewis Village?
For more information about availability, you can call 313-270-9150 or visit pvm.org.
The opening of Violet T. Lewis Village stands as a testament to how Detroit continues to honor its rich past while actively building a more equitable and supportive future for its residents, ensuring vital resources like affordable housing are accessible to all.
Affordable Senior Housing Honors Detroit HBCU Legacy
