Piast Institute Recap: Summer 2025

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Hamtramck, Michigan, the Piast Institute is one of the few think tanks in North America focused on Polish-American issues. Its work encompasses applied research, community outreach, civic engagement, and cultural preservation.

Over the past year, the Piast Institute has expanded its impact through programs that uplift individuals of Polish descent and address broader community needs.

In 2024, the Piast Institute launched the nomination process for its inaugural "Top 25 Polish-American Leaders" initiative, designed to honor outstanding individuals in Michigan's Polish-American community. These leaders represent excellence in fields such as business, education, public service, philanthropy, and the arts. The initiative culminated in a formal awards banquet on June 1, 2025, where honorees were recognized for their achievements.

Also presented at the June banquet was the first annual John J. Janowicz Renaissance Scholarship, awarded to Franciszek Buciek, a Hamtramck High School student and long-time intern of the Institute. The scholarship highlights the Piast Institute's commitment to mentoring future generations and encouraging civic engagement and pride in Polish heritage among youth.

In early 2024, the Piast Institute hosted a national webinar with Dr. Dominik Stecula to present findings from the "Polish Americans Today" survey, the only regular national study dedicated to understanding the perspectives and identity of Polish Americans. The survey, which has garnered international recognition, continues to be cited in Polish and American media, government, and academic discourse. The webinar drew national participation and reinforced the Institute's role in shaping data-driven conversations around Polish-American life.

The Piast Institute continued to promote Polish language education by partnering with Avant Assessment to offer the STAMP4S Polish language test. As a result, 26 students earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy and 15 earned the Michigan State Seal, strengthening bilingual achievement among Polish-American youth. It has also donated to local Polish language schools to support Christmas programming for their young students.

Piast Institute has been working with the Polish scouting organization ZHP (Związek Harcerstwa Polskiego) to provide cultural programming and storytelling to Polish youth and volunteers. Institute staff shared Polish legends such as the story of the Wawel Dragon with the youngest scouts (zuchy) and supported ZHP's participation in the X Światowy Zlot ZHP (10th Annual World Polish Scout Jamboree) was held at Camp Raven Knob, North Carolina. This collaboration strengthened Polish cultural awareness among youth and emphasized the Institute's commitment to heritage education.

In addition to its cultural and academic programming, the Piast Institute leads the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition (HDFCC), now in its 17th year. The coalition held its annual 5K Health Hike in May 2025, bringing together over 500 residents, local leaders, volunteers, and families to promote wellness and drug-free living. HDFCC continues to organize public health campaigns, pre-prom drug prevention events, safe medication disposal drives, and educational programming for Hamtramck youth and families.

The Piast Institute also manages the Dekaban Program, which supports academic exchange in economics, engineering, and agriculture between universities in Poland and institutions in North America and the UK. Currently, the Dekaban Program is seeking a new Chair for the Piast Institute Dekaban Advisory Board to lead and expand this important transatlantic academic initiative. Please email skrzyniarz@piastinstitute.org, if you are interested in this 40 hours a year commitment position.

Through its dynamic blend of cultural recognition, youth development, community health, and academic exchange, the Piast Institute remains a leader in Polish-American advocacy and innovation. Our work is made possible by the generosity of individuals like you, as well as grants and contracts that specifically support some of our work.

If you'd like to learn more, contact the Piast Institute today at: www.PiastInstitute.org