A Detroit Mercy graduate is helping write the next chapter for one of the city’s most beloved bookstores — and it’s all about community, creativity, and opportunity.
Jeremiah Steen, a proud alum of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS), is leading the transformation of Pages Bookshop in Detroit’s Grandmont Rosedale neighborhood. Through his youth-led nonprofit, the Steen Foundation, Steen has taken over the bookstore with a plan to expand its impact beyond the shelves.
Pages, a staple in the community for the past decade, was on the verge of closing after its original owner, Susan Murphy, announced her retirement. That’s when Steen stepped in, partnering with the nonprofit Black Marriage Movement to ensure the story didn’t end there.
Now, Pages is preparing for a grand reopening on April 26 — and the new vision is inspiring. In addition to offering books, the shop will host student performances, showcase local art, and provide a podcast studio for young creatives. A portion of book sales will also support a scholarship fund for Detroit Public Schools students, honoring Murphy and her bookstore’s longtime feline mascot, Pip.
What makes this even more special? Steen’s deep ties to Detroit and his Detroit Mercy roots. As a CHASS graduate, he’s applying the values he cultivated during his time at the university — service, leadership, and empowerment — to create lasting change in his city.
“The goal is to ensure the next generation has the tools and resources they need to succeed,” Steen told the Detroit Free Press, which first reported the story. “Literacy and workforce development are key.”
This is more than a bookstore revival. It’s a homegrown effort to preserve culture, spark ideas, and uplift future leaders — all led by a Titan who continues to make us proud.
The new Pages Bookshop opens April 26 at 11 a.m. at 19560 Grand River Ave., Detroit. Regular hours will be Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Support the new chapter by donating to the scholarship fund: givebutter.com/gQFSZG