WhatUpDoe!

To my Detroiters near, far, and at heart:

I am Centurium Frost—a 41-year Detroit native, Cancer survivor, and Detroit’s Clay Ambassador. We are raising $300,000 to complete the buildout for Detroit-Culture and Clay, the very first black male owned full-service ceramic experience on Detroit’s West Side, creating a safe creative sanctuary for our youth and revitalizing our residential neighborhoods.

Most of my adult life, I’ve heard the same crucial concerns in our community: the lack of positive Black male role models, a shortage of safe places for youth, and investment that stops where downtown ends.

Detroit Culture and Clay is my direct response.

What started as a concept became a tangible seed in the 2025 Comerica Hatch Detroit contest, backed by $10,000 and over 4,000 votes from Detroit to the UK, Australia, and Iceland. Everywhere I go, neighbors ask, "Where is it?" and "When can I come?"

We already put boots on the ground during 2026 Career Day at Mumford High School, bringing wheels and clay directly to students. Seeing their intrigue prove that our youth are hungry for creative outlets and mentorship.

Now, we are turning that momentum into a permanent, fully functioning studio offering Paint-a-Pot sessions, community ceramics, and structured classes.

The Budget: $300,000 Financial Breakdown

Allocation of Investment

Studio & Equipment

$120,000

consisting of High-fire kilns, potter’s wheels, glaze/clay inventory, studio ventilation , Paint-a-Pot stations .

Youth & Community Fund

$90,000

Free 8-week youth clubs , mobile school outreach & trips, weekly subsidized Paint-a-Pot days, community showcases.

West Side Location

$60,000

Lease acquisition, ADA accessibility upgrades, plumbing/electrical infrastructure, and initial facility overhead.

Mentorship & Staffing

$30,000

Fair-wage compensation for local artists and mentors providing hands-on leadership for Detroit youth.

The Impact

Safe Youth Haven

Provides hundreds of inner-city youth with free access to creative expression and positive Black male leadership every year.

Neighborhood Revitalization

Brings real cultural infrastructure directly to Detroit’s West Side residential community—not just downtown.

Accessible Art

Ensures cost is never a barrier through fully subsidized after-school programs, mobile workshops, and open community days.

Generational Legacy: Establishes a permanent community anchor that turns local pride, grit, and love into long-term history.

I invite you to be a part of history in the making by donating today to help us open these doors. Please share this campaign link with your network as well as word of mouth and leave a comment below.

Join us in making Detroit -Culture and Clay a permanent reality for Detroit resulting in leaving a Legacy for generations to come!