“I am old enough to remember when America's K-12 public schools were the best in the world. I am a proud graduate of them, and I credit much of my success to what I learned in Detroit Public Schools and at Michigan State University.”

American businessman and philanthropist

Eli Broad was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was known for his work in business and for directing major gifts toward public education, scientific and medical research, and the visual and performing arts. His philanthropy focused especially on changing public K to 12 education toward charter school models. In June 2019, Forbes ranked him among the wealthiest people in the world and in the United States, with an estimated net worth of $6.7 billion.