About the HLS Center

The Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. Center functions as an organizational “incubator” that houses eight (8) fledgling non-profits, small businesses, and community organizations in their own separate and free-standing offices within the center. As a tenant in the Sheffield Center, each “incubator occupant” is provided access to an integrated telecommunications system, on-site clerical services, programmed meeting space, and tailored technical and administrative assistance designed to enhance their operations.

In addition to these eight free-standing office cubicles, the Sheffield Center also provides these services to over thirty (30) other organizations who, while not completely housed within the Sheffield Center, as “Center Subscribers” have unlimited access to our three conference rooms, suitable kitchen facilities, audio and video teleconferencing technology, and all of the other administrative and clerical services provided to the eight in-house “incubator tenants”.

Message from the Executive Director :

The need for the Sheffield Center was discovered when members of DABO’s Board of Directors were made aware a recent Detroit News article that states that of the over one hundred and fifty (150) Black organizations that were DABO affiliates, less than twenty-percent (20 %) of them operated a full time administrative office, and of the over 200 community based organizations that were polled less than fifteen (15%) of them were fully functional and housed in an office environment.

The Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. Center for Organizational Development was specifically developed to meet the need for a facility that would partner with these affiliates and community based organizations. Though we offer them housing within the Center’s incubator, we also provide non-tenants access to the use of the Center. Both tenants and non-tenants are provided with hands-on technical assistance in organizational and program development, organizational enhancement, and fund acquisition.

Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. was an important Detroit labor and civil rights activist. During his career as a factory worker, labor and civil rights activist, political leader and journalist, he developed a local and national reputation as a dedicated fighter for human rights.

Sheffield was widely recognized for his contributions to Detroit. He received numerous awards for his work, including prestigious honorary doctorate degrees from Wayne State University, Mary grove College, and the University of Michigan.

Horace L. Sheffield III. Executive Director
The Horace L Sheffield Jr. Center

Supporters of the HLS Center for Organizational Development

The Horace L. Sheffield, Jr. Center for Organizational Development has been partially funded through grants and contributions from-