About Us

Maurice Morton, CEO of Detroit Academy of Arts & Sciences, brings over 20 years of legal experience, having argued over 100 major felony trials. He possesses expertise in corporate development, zoning, and land use, and has managed teams in law enforcement and healthcare sectors. With a focus on strategic initiatives in criminal justice, healthcare, and education, Maurice has received training in innovative practices from Harvard University. He previously served as Chief of Special Operations with the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit, Class XXXV. In addition to his role at the academy, Maurice is CEO of Morton Investments & Total Essence LLC, and owns Hospital Foods, along with multiple Subway and Biggby Coffee franchises in Metro-Detroit. He also provides legal commentary for national TV shows produced by Jupiter Entertainment.

With more than 20 years of experience as a K-12 educator, Jackson is CEO of University Prep Schools (U Prep Schools) in Detroit. She previously served as chief academic officer as well as principal of U Prep Academy High School for four years. She has taught and led at the elementary and middle school levels. Jackson holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, as well as a master’s degree in educational leadership from Wayne State University. In addition to her work at U Prep Schools, she is a certified professional coach and has served on the board of directors of a local charter school. A native Detroiter, Jackson understands firsthand the needs of the community U Prep Schools serves.

Since 1994, Alice has served as the CEO of Black Family Development, (BFDI), which manages Hope Academy, a Michigan Public Charter School, K- 8, with a population in excess of 500 students. She continues to build the organization capacity as she has guided the acquisition of $407 million dollars. Alice served for 10 years as Adjunct Professor in the Wayne State University School of Social Work, and presently serves as Chair of the university's School of Social Work Board of Visitors, and as Third Vice President of the Detroit Branch of the NAACP. She serves on many boards that focus on education, workforce development, health, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other quality of life issues, including the revitalization of the City of Detroit.

Ralph C. Bland began his career in education as a 1st grade teacher at an all-boys academy in Detroit Public Schools. Since then he has served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. Under his leadership, Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) was the first charter school in Michigan to be named a Michigan Blue Ribbon School and is consistently the city's highest performing PK-8 school, also outpacing state-level academic performance. In 2010 Mr. Bland founded New Paradigm For Education (NPFE) to expand the DEPSA instructional model across the region, ensuring access to a rigorous world-class education for thousands of Michigan scholars.