Derschaun Sharpley-Shaping Students

Derschaun Sharpley is the president and founder of Helping Individuals Succeed (H.I.S.). Launched in August of 2004, H.I.S. is located in Detroit, Michigan and focuses on developing positive character, building self-esteem and leadership skills, and enhancing etiquette skills in the lives of inner city youth.
Her Early Years:
Derschaun grew up in a neighborhood that offered few advantages. Born and raised on Detroit’s west side and educated within the Detroit Public School system, she spent hours giving manicures and makeovers to friends and family. She also studied Fashion Merchandising at Randolph Vocational/Technical School.
From early childhood, she appreciated the values of family, charm and etiquette; something that would later translate into a career in helping others.
Educational Background:
Derschaun graduated from Mumford High School. After high school she became a licensed cosmetologist. To further her education, she enrolled in the Detroit College of Business where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration. During her senior year, she accepted an internship at the Detroit Medical Center in Human Resources.
She also went to The Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute to further enhance the success of her business.
A Desire to Help Challenged by Limited Resources:
Derschaun worked as a Program Manager at Drew Middle School in Detroit, MI for approximately eight years developing programs and initiatives for children with social challenges. She was tasked with creating programs to decrease student code of conduct violations, improve attendance while developing strategies to improve test scores and grade point averages.
With limited school funding resources, Derschaun was unable to find a program that could effectively meet all this criteria in a way that was both affordable, and enjoyable to the students.