The City of Detroit has officially declared May 27 as Violet T. Lewis Day, recognizing the lasting contributions of the educator, entrepreneur, and civic leader during a ceremony held Wednesday at Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design.
A representative from Mayor Mary Sheffield’s office presented the official declaration to Dr. Violet Ponders, Lewis’ granddaughter and namesake, before an audience of civic leaders, educators, students, entrepreneurs, and community members gathered at the college’s Detroit campus.
The designation honors Lewis, who founded Lewis Business College in 1928 and later relocated the institution to Detroit in 1939. The school became a center for Black education and professional advancement, serving more than 20,000 students and eventually becoming Michigan’s only historically Black college.
The recognition comes as national discussions continue around preserving Black educational institutions and expanding pathways to economic opportunity.
An estimated 250 to 300 people attended the celebration, including representatives from organizations and companies such as the Gilbert Family Foundation, Apple, Carhartt, StockX, Nike, and adidas.
Guests dressed in shades of violet participated in a series of experiences designed to honor Lewis’ life and legacy. The event featured storytelling activations, commemorative displays, and a specialty violet-colored beverage created by Fixins Soul Kitchen. Attendees also received packets of violet flower seeds and customized planters as they departed, symbolizing the continued growth of Lewis’ vision.
Members of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Incorporated also attended the observance. Lewis co-founded the organization in 1943 alongside her sister, Elizabeth A. Garner, creating opportunities for leadership development and professional advancement for women.
Lewis established Lewis Business College during an era when educational and professional opportunities for Black Americans, particularly Black women, were limited. Her work helped expand access to business education and career preparation for generations of students.
In 2022, designer and educator Dr. D’Wayne Edwards revitalized the institution, reestablishing it as the nation’s only design-focused historically Black college and university while preserving Lewis’ name and legacy.
“We are honored to celebrate Violet T. Lewis’ legacy and continue the mission she began,” Edwards said. “This declaration reflects the transformative power of education, opportunity, and institutional impact.”
Ponders said the city’s recognition highlights the enduring influence of her grandmother’s work.
“My grandmother understood that education was not simply about learning — it was about access, dignity, independence, and the ability to transform lives across generations,” Ponders said. “To witness the City of Detroit formally recognize her contributions in the community where her work impacted thousands of lives is deeply meaningful.”
City officials said Violet T. Lewis Day will be observed annually as a recognition of Black educational achievement, institutional leadership, and the role historically Black institutions continue to play in shaping culture, industry, and economic mobility.
