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About Us

”Detroit and the entire country have shown me so much love and I passionately want to return that love.

Sean AndersonFounder

Mission

The mission of the Sean Anderson Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3, is to uplift our youth & community, by providing them with the academic & wellness resources necessary, to aid in their journey to becoming their best selves. The Foundation partners with established charitable organizations and corporate sponsors to support its community services and its signature program, Mogul Prep.

Vision

My vision for the Sean Anderson Foundation is simply to make the lives of young people better. I want to be an inspiration to young people by showing them that hard work and determination pay off, to be an example of what can happen when you follow your dreams, and to be an instrument of encouragement for us all to help ourselves and to support one another. Detroit and the entire country have shown me much love, and I passionately want to return that love.

Foundation Services

Our dream is that every child can have the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nourishing environment surrounded by a loving family and a supportive community.
 
To this end, the Sean Anderson Foundation supports and participates in:
·      economic mobility events
·      educational programs which foster creativity and critical thinking
·      scholarship funds
·      family activities
·      physical and mental health initiatives
·      preparation for professional, trade, entertainment, and entrepreneurial careers
·      professional and personal relationship development skills


Ultimately, our goal is to assist in the development of confident, creative, compassionate individuals who not only survive, but who joyfully thrive.

What We’ve Accomplished

Our Impact

Since 2012, the Sean Anderson Foundation consistently finds ways to strengthen the impact. We are very proud and honored to be of service to students, communities and programs throughout both Detroit and Michigan, and we look forward to building even more bridges for others.

10,000

Youth & Families Helped
3
More Than $3m Raised for our causes and initiatives.

15000

Youth received school supplies and backpacks

9,700

Received job placement information utility assistance and record expungement services

16,500

Backpacks given away during our Back To School Giveaway

1,700

Young Moguls inspired

  • Principal for the Day at Lincoln High School, Warren, MI

  • Charles Wright Museum’s “1000 Give a $1000”

  • Coats for Kids (Salvation Army)

  • GUAP Give Away

  • Thanksgiving    50 – $50 Meijer’s gift cards given to  107.5 FM  Listeners

  • 12 Days of Christmas Give Away to WJLB listeners

  • Visit to Warner Upper Elementary School, Farmington Hills, MI

  • We Day  – (California)

  • Back to School Backpack Giveaway for Detroit Public Schools, in partnership with Office Depot

  • Boys and Girls Club Visit

  • Visit and Toy Donation to Detroit Children’s Hospital

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presented Detroit Public Schools with a $7500 check to help those students in need.

  • The Come Together Foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships at the Detroit Pistons ninth annual Black History Month program and “Dream Big Detroit” scholarship competition, hosted by Pistons Legend Rick Mahorn and sponsored by Tim Horton’s and Humana at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Myra Anderson, President of the Sean Anderson Foundation, participated as one of the judges.  The students, high school seniors, performed through a chosen artistic medium, to the theme “Dream Big Detroit”. Afterwards there was a brief Q&A with the judges.

  • Big Sean is the recipient of the Chauncey Glover “Game Changer Award”

  • Big Sean receives the “Legacy Award” from Detroit’s Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, in recognition of furthering the legacy of Dr. King.

  • We Day – Toronto

  • Coats for Kids

  • Principal for the Day at Detroit’s Bates Academy

  • Back to School Backpack Giveaway, in addition to a student program at 2 Detroit Public Schools: Carleton Elementary-Middle School and Blackwell Institute

  • Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway

  • Boys and Girls Club visit to Detroit Pistons Game

    • On Sunday, April 13, 2014, the Sean Anderson Foundation provided transportation for a great group of kids from the Southeastern Michigan Boys and Girls Club to the Pistons vs. Raptors game at The Palace! The kids received an SAF bag with a notebook, water bottle, a Piston’s shirt along with food and beverage vouchers.  The kids were able to take a photo with Charlie Villanueva 

  • “Behind the Mic” – Donda’s House Chicago

  • Received “Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award” – Detroit’s Martin Luther King H.S.

  • Skype Interview from Japan for Ford Fund’s STEAM initiative

  • BET Evening of Stars – $25,000 Scholarship presented to Detroit college student attending Miles College

  • Formation of #It Takes One – permanent fixture on SAF website

  • Ford Freedom Awards

  • Honorary Diploma – Jalen Rose Leadership Academy

  • Adidas partnership “Sean Anderson Studio of Infinite Possibility” unveiled – Cass Tech H.S.

  • First Annual Scholarship Fundraiser – Mr. & Mrs. Jeff Fratarcangeli/Mr. & Mrs. Dr. David Brownstein

  • Men of Courage Event – sponsored by SAF, Bing Foundation, Ford Fund

  • Playworks of MI partnership – sponsoring Playworks in Roosevelt Primary School, Ferndale, MI

  • Coats for Kids Donation

  • Annual Turkey Giveaway at River Rogue High School

  • Project Knapsack partnership – sponsoring in Detroit’s Bates Academy

  • Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL) – $5,000 donation

  • Acknowledged by Detroit City Council

  • Michigan Chronicle’s  “40 Under 40 Entertainment Trailblazer Award”

  • Benefit Concert Finding Paradise Concert – Joe Louis Arena

  • Inaugural Mogul Prep Academy Event

  • State of MI Special Tribute from State Senator Bert Johnson

  • Cass Tech Business of Music Afterschool Program initiated

  • Sean Anderson Foundation’s #HealFlintsKids Raises Nearly $100,000; Partners with Focus For Health Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Blackout for Human Rights, CrowdRise

  • Big Sean and the Sean Anderson Foundation created a $25,000 endowment for the Wayne State HIGH Program

  • Sean Anderson Foundation Sponsor South Oakland Shelter’s Holiday Party for Homeless Families and Children

  • Big Sean Gives Back to Students With DJ Mustard, SLATE Backpacks in South Central

  • Big Sean Performs At Beyond The Blue Benefit Concert- $2/Ticket Donated To Sean Anderson Foundation

  • Big Sean Performs “One Man Can Change The World” at WE Day 2016

  • Big Sean and the Sean Anderson Foundation Return as Sponsors of the ALL STAR THANKSGIVING GIVE BACK

  • Playworks Gives the “Inclusion” Award to the Sean Anderson Foundation

  • Sean Anderson Foundation Continues Partnership with Project Knapsack

  • Big Sean and Sean Anderson Foundation partner with PUMA to present a classroom of students with new shoes

  • Big Sean and Sean Anderson Foundation return to Annual Thanksgiving All Star Giveback as sponsors, helping to distribute over 5,000 holiday meals to families in need

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents Detroit PAL with a $25,000 donation

  • Big Sean and Sean Anderson Foundation host Mogul to Mogul event for 400 students at the GEM Theatre, in an open forum conversation with billionaire investor Dan Gilbert (Owner of Quicken Loans, Cleveland Cavaliers)

  • Sean Anderson Foundation’s Mogul Prep is featured in 6 Detroit Public Schools Summer Programs, in addition to providing supplemental one-on-one instructional guidance courses for educators (facilitated by Myra Anderson, Executive Dir., Sean Anderson Foundation)

  • Big Sean Throws Out First Pitch at June 29, 2017 Detroit Tigers Game; June 29 declared Big Sean Day

  • Sean Anderson Foundation and Big Sean Partner with BET and AEG for a Mogul Prep Workshop for fifty students from LA Unified School during the BET Awards Weekend

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents $15,000 check to Wayne State University’s HIGH Program, in continuing support of the foundation’s already $25,000 endowment made in 2016 with the HIGH initiative

  • Sean Anderson Foundation supports the Russell Simmons Foundation, Shawn Carter Foundation and Detroit Waldorf School via donated auction items

  • Sean Anderson Foundation hosts Mogul Prep events in Detroit, Atlanta, Silver Springs and Miami

  • Sean Anderson Foundation launch Mogul Prep Classroom Curriculum

  • Sean Anderson Foundation continues partnership with Project Knapsack

  • The Sean Anderson Foundation and Big Sean Return as Sponsors to Help Distribute Over 6,500 Meals at the 2018 Thanksgiving All Star Give Back

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents $10,000 check to Wayne State University’s HIGH Program, in continuing support of the foundation’s already $25,000 endowment made in 2016 with the HIGH initiative

  • Big Sean and the Sean Anderson Foundation Announce the D.O.N. WEEKEND in Detroit

  • Big Sean Joins Chance the Rapper to Surprise Students at OpenMike

  • Big Sean Helps Send 900 Detroit Public School Students to a Screening of Marvel’s Black Panther and Announces Partnership with Emagine Theatres to Open a Downtown Detroit Movie Theatre and Music Venue

  • Big Sean Participates in Ford’s Men of Courage MLK Day Events

  • Big Sean, the Sean Anderson Foundation present D.O.N. Weekend 2019 in partnership with Ally, Puma, Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Michigan, Detroit Pistons, Quicken Loans, Essentia Water and D’USSE

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents $10,000 check to Wayne State University’s HIGH Program, in continuing support of the foundation’s already $25,000 endowment made in 2016 with the HIGH initiative

  • Big Sean and the Sean Anderson Foundation Provide $100,000 Grant to Support the Construction of the Sean Anderson Foundation Content & Production Studio at the Boys & Girls Club of SE Michigan

  • Big Sean invites Mayor Mike Duggan to Speak at the Boys and Girls Club of SE Michigan to discuss community involvement and the 2020 census

  • Big Sean, Ally Financial and the Thurgood Marshal College Fund Host “Ally Moguls in the Making” Competition

  • Big Sean, The Sean Anderson Foundation, Puma and the Boys and Girls Club Help to Launch New Interactive Foot Locker

  • The Sean Anderson Foundation and Big Sean Return as Sponsors to Help Distribute Meals at Wheeler Production’s 2019 Thanksgiving All Star Give Back

  • Nearly 4,000 youth and families attended the neighborhood carnival and service fair

  • 2,700 received job placement information, utility assistance and record expungement services

  • 2,500 youth received school supplies and backpacks

  • 500 attended mental health panel services event

  • 1,000 sports equipment donated to youth

  • Big Sean joins Detroit Lions, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Tigers players for Boys and Girls Club online fundraiser

  • Big Sean hosts 16 Bars Rap Challenge for Boys and Girls Clubs Virtual Club Takeover

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents $10,000 check to Wayne State University’s HIGH Program, in continuing support of the foundation’s already $25,000 endowment made in 2016 with the HIGH initiative

  • Big Sean helps raise $300K Covid Relief dollars benefiting Boys and Girls Clubs youth

  • Nearly 6,000 youth and families attended the neighborhood carnival and services fair

  • Sean Anderson Foundation presents $10,000 check to Wayne State University’s HIGH Program, in continuing support of the foundation’s already $25,000 endowment made in 2016 with the HIGH initiative

  • 2,700 received job placement information utility assistance and record expungement services

  • 3,500 youth received school supplies and backpacks

  • 2,000 youth have been able to use the Big Sean Studios at the Diehl Club and Dauch Club

  • 2,000 sports equipment donated to youth

SEAN ANDERSON FOUNDATION BOARD

SEAN ANDERSON

Sean Anderson, raised in Detroit since he was an eight week old infant, attended the Detroit Waldorf School where as a young child he told everyone that he wanted to be a rapper. Later, as a student at Cass Technical High School, a nationally recognized college preparatory school, despite being laughed at and ridiculed, Sean still clung to his dream of being a rapper. He religiously competed every Friday night for almost two years on a local radio station’s Friday Night Cypher, which ultimately lead to his being discovered by Kanye West. It was the contact of a lifetime, which led to Sean’s signing with G.O.O.D. Music in late 2007, and his subsequent signing to Def Jam in 2008.

As they say, the rest is history. To date, Big Sean has sold over 15 million records, has numerous gold and multi-platinum recordings, has won a slew of awards – including, MTV’s “Hottest MCs” List of the Year, BET’s Rookie of the Year, MTV’s Video With a Social Message Award, and in 2014 became the first rapper to ever perform at The White House.

While his professional work as a music artist keeps him extremely busy, Sean always makes time to use his resources and his voice to give back to the community and those in need through his Detroit based non-profit, the Sean Anderson Foundation.

MYRA ANDERSON "Mama Myra"

Myra Anderson was born and raised in Detroit and, like her son, attended Cass Technical High School. She holds a BA in economics from the University of Michigan and received her Master’s Degree from New York University. She has been employed as a public middle school teacher, in programs for adults returning to obtain diplomas or GED’s, and in a number of supplemental educational programs. Prior to motherhood, Myra worked as an actress in numerous television commercials, industrial films, and off Broadway theater, and as a senior flight attendant for a major airline. For the past seven years, Myra has served as the Sean Anderson Foundation’s Executive Director and President.

BRETT ANDERSON

Brett Anderson attended Eastern Michigan University. He has worked for the Southeastern Michigan Health Association and the Painex Corporation. He has, also, served as a Marketing Merchandiser for FF to Def Entertainment and continues as a consultant for FF to Def Entertainment. Brett has served as the Treasurer for the Sean Anderson Foundation since 2012.

TONYA CORBITT

Tonya Corbitt, a native Detroiter who graduated from Cass Technical High School, currently serves as a high school assistant principal for the Farmington Public School District. She is a graduate of Michigan State University, holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching and an Education Specialist Degree in School Administration and Leadership. Tonya has brought special programming such as Pretty Brown Girls, Proud Dads, National African American Parental Involvement Day, the Sankofa Book Club, Dads Eat and Run, as well other parental involvement and extra-curricular activities to her school community. Ms. Corbitt has also facilitated and presented professional development programming at the local and state levels. She has mentored many students and teachers and supported their instructional, organizational and professional efforts. Tonya currently serves as the Sean Anderson Foundation’s Secretary.

JEFF M. FRATARCANGELI

Jeffrey is the Managing Principal of Fratarcangeli Wealth Management, at Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network. While enrolled in a four year fully-funded soccer scholarship at Eastern Michigan University where Jeffrey was on the Mid-American Conference All-Academic Honor Roll, he received a Bachelor of Science in Business administration; majoring in finance and minoring in accounting and economics. Jeffrey also received training for his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification from Oakland University. Jeff has three children; Louis, Marcelo and Alessandro with his wife Nicole. He enjoys competitive sports and is involved with many charities in the Detroit Metropolitan and Fort Lauderdale, Florida areas.

As the Board Member for Sean Anderson Foundation, I act in a completely separate role from my position as a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network.

MICHAEL FAIR

Michael Fair, a native Detroiter, is an accomplished marketing/advertising strategist with diverse experience in brand strategy, secondary research and project management. Starting his career in the music industry with Universal Music Group Distribution, Michael has gone on to deliver new business intelligence, strategic planning and marketing consulting to a variety of clients in B2C & B2B. He recently served as lead strategic planner on the Walmart business at GlobalHue, the largest multicultural advertising agency in the US. Michael currently serves as a lead North American strategist on the Chevrolet Truck business at Commonwealth//McCann. Michael holds a BA in Business (Marketing) from Michigan State University.