Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder

Aspen Challenge Launches in Detroit, Empowering Students to Lead Community Change

Aspen Challenge partners with Detroit Public Schools Community District to elevate student voice and innovation across the city.

Detroit, MI, Feb 10, 2026  — The Aspen Challenge, a signature youth leadership initiative of the Aspen Institute, will launch in Detroit on February 24, 2026, in partnership with the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). Aspiring changemakers from across the city’s high schools will work together to design community-driven solutions to pressing local challenges, amplifying student voice and innovation throughout Detroit.

Aspen Challenge: Detroit marks a new chapter in the national expansion of this transformative program, which invites students to develop and apply critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills while addressing issues that matter most in their communities. The initiative builds on Aspen Challenge’s history of engaging young people in cities across the country, including Boston, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and elsewhere.

“The Aspen Challenge is about trusting young people to lead real change,” said Katie Fitzgerald, Director of the Aspen Challenge. “We are honored to partner with Detroit Public Schools Community District to bring this opportunity to students across the city and support them as they take on challenges with bold ideas and thoughtful solutions.”

“We are excited about adding the Aspen Challenge to the intentional ways we are building the leadership capacity of our students but also providing the District, the City, and most importantly our students with an opportunity to remind the world of how gifted and talented they are,” said Dr. Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District. “This partnership gives our students the opportunity to tackle real-world problems and enables them to design solutions that strengthen their communities. Our students bring lived experience, insight, and innovation to the table, and the Aspen Challenge recognizes that student leadership is essential to community progress. We are proud to partner with the Aspen Institute to expand opportunities for young people across Detroit.”

About Aspen Challenge: Detroit 2026
Aspen Challenge: Detroit brings together teams of high school students and educators in a multi-stage experience, starting with an opening forum on February 24, 2026 where local leaders will present community challenge areas. Over the course of the program, students work in teams to research, design, and prototype solutions, culminating in a solution showcase judged by civic, industry, and education leaders. Top teams will have opportunities to advance their work and gain broader recognition.

Participating Schools
Students from a diverse group of Detroit Public Schools Community District high schools will take part in Aspen Challenge: Detroit, including:

  • Academy of the Americas
  • Cass Technical High School
  • Central High School
  • Cody High School
  • Communication and Media Arts High School
  • Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine
  • Davis Aerospace Technical High School at Golightly
  • Denby High School
  • Detroit International Academy for Young Women
  • Detroit Lions Academy
  • Detroit School of Arts
  • East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney
  • Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men
  • Henry Ford High School
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School
  • Mumford High School
  • Northwestern High School
  • Osborn High School
  • Pershing High School
  • Renaissance High School
  • Southeastern High School
  • The School at Marygrove
  • Western International High School

For more information about Aspen Challenge: Detroit or to attend as a member of the media, contact
Ben Berliner: [email protected].

About Aspen Challenge
Launched in a new U.S. city each year, the Aspen Challenge provides high school students with a platform to engage deeply with community issues and design impactful solutions. Through mentorship, expert input, and peer collaboration, young people enhance their leadership and problem-solving capacities while contributing to the vitality of their communities. Past Aspen Challenge cities include Boston, San Diego, Brooklyn, New Orleans, and others.

Partner District
Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) is Michigan’s largest public education system, serving 52,528 students across 108 schools. It is governed by a locally elected, seven-member board with Dr. Nikolai Vitti serving as superintendent. Anchored by its mission to educate and empower every student, in every community, every day, to build a stronger Detroit, the district is guided by a whole-child approach that provides rigorous, standards-aligned instruction, expanding arts programming, and comprehensive wraparound services to prepare students for college, careers, and leadership in the city. In collaboration with more than 200 business, civic, community, and faith-based partners, the district continues to strengthen student achievement and advance educational excellence across Detroit.

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