Pensole Lewis College

What Pensole Lewis College does

Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit) is a private, non-traditional educational institution headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, operating as Michigan's first Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The institution was formed through the 2022 merger of Pensole and the Lewis College of Business, which traces its origins to a 1928 founding by Dr. Violet T. Lewis. PLC Detroit offers two-year Associate of Applied Science degrees in Footwear Design, Color Strategy Design, and Apparel Design, alongside four-week brand-sponsored certificate programs, self-guided Design Essentials online courses, the SEE High School Program, and free global digital content through its ePLC platform. Curriculum delivery combines a learn-by-doing studio approach with general education courses provided virtually through Wayne County Community College District.

The institution's business model is anchored by a scholarship-funded tuition structure. The PLC Detroit Design Scholarship covers full design-studio tuition ($9,750 per year) for all enrolled two-year degree students, supported by corporate partnership funding from over 50 brand partners. Founding and strategic partners include the Gilbert Family Foundation, Target, Nike, adidas, Foot Locker, New Balance, Puma, Jordan Brand, Levi's, Carhartt, Converse, Vans, Hanes, MillerKnoll, DSW, and Logitech. Corporate-sponsored certificate programs (e.g., Target Design for All, VF Digital SoleSmith) generate additional revenue through brand-funded training in exchange for student work on brand-specific projects. Recent product and partnership launches include the Ruth E. Carter Masterclass by adidas on ePLC and the Merrell Outside: Futures Project with Fashion Scholarship Fund.

PLC Detroit serves aspiring designers from underrepresented communities seeking careers in footwear, apparel, color, and product creation industries. The institution explicitly notes that it is not currently accredited by any national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, which constrains credit transfer and certain employer recognition. The organization is small (11-50 employees), privately held, and operates with a hybrid product-led, event-driven, and community-led go-to-market motion that combines an online application portal, competitive programs (e.g., Sneakerhead of State), and global digital course distribution.

Name

Pensole Lewis College

Legal name

Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design

Website

https://pensolelewiscollege.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit) is a private HBCU design school in Detroit offering two-year AAS degrees in footwear, apparel, and color design, plus brand-sponsored certificate programs. It serves aspiring designers from underrepresented communities through corporate-funded scholarships and 50+ brand partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Design Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Junior Colleges (61121), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate & Employer-Sponsored Scholarships (EDAIAOAI)

Keywords

• Design education
• Footwear design
• Apparel design
• Product creation training
• HBCU college

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Revenue: Students pay tuition for two-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs. The college partners with Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD) for general education courses, with tuition pass-through of $1,820 annually for Michigan residents. Design-studio tuition is $9,750 per year (15 credits at $650/credit).
2. Corporate Partnership Funding: Major corporate partners including Gilbert Family Foundation, Target, Nike, Foot Locker provide funding and scholarships. The Gilbert Family Foundation has a $500M commitment to Detroit focused on building opportunity and equity.
3. Certificate Program Sponsorship: Brand-sponsored certificate programs where companies fund the training in exchange for student work on brand-specific projects. Examples include Target Design for All and VF Digital SoleSmith programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit) is a Historically Black College and University offering two-year Associate of Applied Science degrees in Footwear Design, Color Strategy Design, and Apparel Design, along with brand-sponsored certificate programs and online design courses. The institution uses a learn-by-doing curriculum in partnership with 50+ major brands including Nike, adidas, Target, and Foot Locker to prepare students for careers in product creation industries.

Product overview

Pensole Lewis College (PLC Detroit) is a non-traditional HBCU (Historically Black College and University) in Detroit, Michigan offering a portfolio of educational products including three two-year Associate of Applied Science degree programs (Footwear Design, Apparel Design, Color Strategy Design), certificate/masterclass programs, online Design Essentials courses, high school programming (SEE), and specialized corporate training programs. The institution operates through W.IN and ALL.IN program pathways, providing learn-by-doing curriculum in partnership with major brands including Nike, adidas, Target, and VF Corporation. Programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the product creation industry with industry credentials and portfolio development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Footwear Design Two-year degree program preparing students for careers in the global footwear industry using a learn-by-doing approach. Curriculum covers principles of design, visual communication, design narrative, product and process creation, production communication, technical specification, and branding principles. Tuition is covered by the PLC Detroit Design Scholarship for enrolled students.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Color Strategy Design Two-year degree program preparing students for careers in color design across fashion, automotive, interior design, UI design, wellness, and product development. Covers history of color influences, color theory, trend insights, material finishes, color merchandising, and psychology of color.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Apparel Design Two-year degree program preparing students for careers in apparel design and product creation. Covers history of apparel, hand illustrations, digital designing, critical conceptual thinking, product strategy, prototyping, craftsmanship, product development, branding, color theory, merchandising, and storytelling.
• Certificate Programs (Masterclasses) Four-week intensive professional skills-based training programs sponsored by industry-leading brands. Students work individually and in teams to create and market products based on each brand's specific needs. Awards Industry Credentials certificates upon completion.
• Design Essentials Self-guided online instruction classes for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Offers course materials for those starting out or wanting to develop specific design skills.
• SEE High School Program High school programming that reimagines high-school classrooms, providing educational opportunities for secondary school students interested in design.
• Ruth E. Carter Masterclass by adidas | ePLC Free digital costume design program focused on Afrofuturism, storytelling, and costume design. A four-part video course led by Oscar-winning designer Ruth E. Carter, offering methodologies and creative insights to a global audience of aspiring designers.
• Sneakerhead of State Competition A sneaker design competition program open to aspiring designers, delivered through the ePLC platform.
• 2026 Target Design for All Brand-sponsored certificate program in partnership with Target, offering specialized training in design.
• 2026 VF Digital Solvesmith Brand-sponsored certificate program in partnership with VF Corporation focused on footwear design.

Quantifiable outcome

• Full tuition support through PLC Detroit Design Scholarship for all enrolled two-year degree students
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, program and minor.

• NikecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC Detroit website. Provides industry partnership and potential student opportunities in footwear and apparel design.
• adidascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner collaborating on the Ruth E. Carter Masterclass and costume design program through ePLC. Logo displayed on partnership page.
• Ruth E. CartercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOscar-winning costume designer leads a four-part video masterclass on Afrofuturism, storytelling, and costume design in collaboration with adidas and PLC Detroit's ePLC platform. The free digital courses aim to inspire a global audience of aspiring designers.
• Foot LockerstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with logo displayed on PLC Detroit website. Partnership represents major retail industry connection for student career pathways.
• MerrellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Merrell Outside: Futures Project developed with Fashion Scholarship Fund and PLC Detroit to expand access and opportunity for aspiring designers from underrepresented talent. Merrell is part of Wolverine Worldwide which reported 8.4% YoY revenue growth for the brand in 2025.
• Fashion Scholarship FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in the Merrell Outside: Futures Project, working with Merrell and PLC Detroit to support aspiring designers from underrepresented backgrounds.
• HanesprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• New BalanceprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• PumaprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website. Provides industry pathway opportunities for students.
• Jordan BrandprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• CarharttprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• Levi'sprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• VansprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• ConverseprogramStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership for delivery of general education courses required for the AAS degree. Courses are taught virtually, allowing students to focus on design studio work at PLC Detroit.
• MillerKnollstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner with logo displayed on PLC website.
• DSWstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner (Designer Shoe Warehouse) with logo displayed on PLC website.
• LogitechstrategicTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partner providing technology support, with logo displayed on PLC website.
• Shoes That FitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalifornia-based nonprofit that coordinated the effort to provide custom-designed shoes for a 13-year-old with Weaver-Smith syndrome. PLC Detroit built the shoes at its Detroit facility.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Otis College of Art and Design: Otis is a private Los Angeles design school offering BFA degrees in fashion, toy, product, and communication design with corporate-sponsored capstone projects. It is comparable to PLC Detroit on the learn-by-doing model and integration of brand-sponsored product challenges into curriculum.
• Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT): Fashion Institute of Technology is a SUNY college in New York City offering AAS and BFA degrees in fashion, footwear, accessories, and cosmetics design with deep industry partnerships. It is the closest direct peer to PLC Detroit given overlapping footwear, apparel, and color/material design offerings at the associate-degree level and similar industry-sponsored program model.
• Parsons School of Design: Parsons is a private design school within The New School offering BFA and AAS pathways in fashion design, product design, and integrated design with strong brand partnerships. Comparable to PLC Detroit on product creation curriculum and industry-engaged learning model, though operating as a more established four-year institution.
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): SCAD is a private nonprofit art and design university offering BFA, MA, and MFA degrees across fashion, footwear, accessories, fibers, and product design with corporate partnership programming. It is comparable to PLC Detroit as a private design school with branded scholarship/sponsored program structures and a portfolio-driven admissions approach.
• ArtCenter College of Design: ArtCenter is a private Pasadena-based design college known for product, transportation, and entertainment design with strong corporate sponsor relationships. It is comparable to PLC Detroit on the learn-by-doing studio model and direct industry project integration, though broader in scope and four-year degree focused.
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): RISD is a leading private art and design college offering BFA and graduate degrees in apparel, furniture, industrial design, and textiles. It is comparable to PLC Detroit as a portfolio-driven design school with strong footwear/apparel curriculum and brand-engaged project work, but operating at a much larger and more established scale.
• Pratt Institute: Pratt is a private Brooklyn-based design school offering BFA degrees in fashion, industrial, and communication design with corporate-sponsored programs and competitions. Comparable to PLC Detroit on the design industry pipeline model and industry-sponsored student projects, though operating primarily as a four-year BFA institution.

Emerging players

• Istituto Europeo di Design (IED): IED is a private international design school with campuses across Italy, Spain, and Brazil offering undergraduate and master programs in fashion, product, and footwear design. Comparable to PLC Detroit on footwear/product creation curriculum and industry-driven learning, but operating as a global multi-campus institution.
• Central Saint Martins (UAL): Central Saint Martins is a public UK art and design college within University of the Arts London known for fashion, product, and industrial design programs. It is thematically comparable to PLC Detroit as a portfolio-driven product creation school with strong brand industry connections, though operating at much larger scale internationally.
• London College of Fashion (UAL): London College of Fashion is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fashion, footwear, and product design with strong industry partnerships. Comparable to PLC Detroit on footwear and apparel design focus, but operating as a public UK institution at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pensolelewis
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@plcdetroit
• Facebookfacebook.com/pensolelewiscollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plcdetroit
• Instagraminstagram.com/plcdetroit

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pensole Lewis College