DETROIT – Today, Alycia Meriweather has been announced as the Detroit Lions 2024 Inspire Change Changemaker – an annual award given to local leaders who are making a difference in their community across the NFL's Inspire Change initiatives four pillars of education, economic advancement, police-community relations or criminal justice reform.
Meriweather is the Deputy Superintendent of External Partnerships and Innovation for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and has been making a difference in the community for over 20 years.
As a Detroit native, she has dedicated her life and profession to education. Her career at DPSCD has included the positions of lead teacher, Executive Director for the Office of Science Education, the Director of the Detroit Mathematics and Science Center, Executive Director for the Office of Curriculum, and Interim Superintendent. With each role, she combines a deep understanding of traditional education with creative approaches to meet the diverse needs of students and teachers.
In 2023, Meriweather partnered with the Detroit Lions to organize a CPR/AED training for 400 DPSCD faculty members at Ford Field and provide 30 training kits to DPSCD facilities for continuous training of staff and students. She also coordinated DPSCD's involvement in the 2024 NFL Draft, giving over 2,000 local students unique opportunities throughout the week in Detroit.
Through mentorship, Meriweather has inspired lifelong resilience and success in her students, often going above and beyond, including taking students into her home for periods of time while their families worked through housing and financial problems.
Meriweather will be recognized at the Detroit Lions Inspire Change game on Dec. 15 for her extraordinary work in pursuit of social justice. She will also receive a $10,000 donation from the NFL Foundation, paid directly to a non-profit organization of her choice.
"We are proud to announce Alycia Meriweather as the Detroit Lions 2025 Inspire Change Changemaker," said Detroit Lions Vice President of Detroit Lions Foundation and Community Relations Roxanne Caine. "Throughout her career, she has been an invaluable partner to our club. Her passion and dedication to promoting equitable education and creating unique learning experiences for Detroit teachers and students perfectly embodies the spirit of the Inspire Change Changemaker award."
"It is an incredible honor to be selected by the Detroit Lions as their Inspire Change Changemaker of the year," said Meriweather. "I represent all of the Changemakers in the Detroit Public Schools Community District – our students, teachers, parents, staff and administrators who work hard every day to create better opportunities and outcomes for young people in the City of Detroit."
"The NFL and Inspire Change take pride in recognizing the incredible efforts of these 32 Changemakers who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of those around them," said Anna Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility. "Their dedication, compassion, and remarkable achievements inspire us all and serve as a powerful reminder of the impact one dedicated person can make in their community."
For more information on Inspire Change and the Changemaker Award, visit NFL.com/Changemakers.
