Detroit Launches Free Tech Training With U-M Credentials

When a city's economic future shifts from manufacturing to tech, the people who built that city deserve a seat at the table.

That's the driving force behind Bridge to Success, a groundbreaking partnership between Black Tech Saturdays, the University of Michigan, and Michigan Central. Starting June 6, 2026, the program will offer Detroit residents free micro-credentials in five critical skill areas: AI fluency, storytelling and marketing, problem solving, design thinking, and leadership.

The first 100 participants attend completely free. Classes meet Saturday mornings at Newlab at Michigan Central, with each certification requiring just nine hours of classroom instruction spread across three weeks.

Johnnie Turnage, co-founder of Black Tech Saturdays, calls the partnership "infrastructure." He says when a community organization, a top public university, and an innovation hub share equal ownership, "that is how you build a future that doesn't leave anyone behind."

The timing matters. Experts project the global skills gap could leave 85 million jobs unfilled worldwide by 2030. For cities like Detroit, built on automotive and manufacturing heritage, this shift to tech-driven work could deepen inequality if residents lack access to training and credentials.

Bridge to Success was designed to prevent exactly that. No technical background is required to enroll.

The AI Fluency course launches first on June 6. Participants will learn how AI systems work, how to use them to generate income and boost productivity, and how to think critically about their societal impact.

The Storytelling and Marketing track begins July 11, teaching entrepreneurs how to brand themselves, analyze data, and communicate their business purpose effectively. Additional courses in problem solving, design thinking, and leadership follow later in summer.

The Ripple Effect

This partnership breaks new ground in how institutions and communities can work together. Black Tech Saturdays and the University of Michigan will co-design curriculum, co-brand credentials, and split revenue evenly. It's one of the first collaborations of this scale between a Black-founded community tech organization and a major research university.

The model ensures Detroit residents aren't just included in the innovation economy—they're positioned to lead it. Lutalo Sanifu, Director of Community Engagement at the U-M Center for Innovation in Detroit, says the goal is making sure "the future of innovation in Detroit belongs to everyone who lives here."

Michigan Central, which reopened as an innovation hub two years ago, will host every class during the pilot phase. The collaboration reflects a broader vision for Detroit's innovation district as a place where institutions, businesses, and community organizations create opportunity together rather than in isolation.

Applications are open now, and the credentials carry the weight of a major university while remaining rooted in community trust and real-world application.