Features

Longform Adam Grant at A Brighter Way's future transitional house for formerly incarcerated people.

Ypsi nonprofit creates long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated people

Ypsilanti nonprofit A Brighter Way recently purchased a home in Ypsilanti to provide long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated clients, just a few blocks from the organization's office.

Feature Story This scene in "Money Over Boyz," directed by Ypsilanti couple Yolanda and Keith Ragland, takes place on the Tridge in Ypsi's Riverside Park.

Ypsi filmmaking couple's debut feature holds top 100 spot on streaming service Tubi

After finding great success releasing their debut feature film, "Money Over Boyz," on the free streaming service Tubi, Ypsilanti-based married filmmakers Keith and Yolanda Ragland are nearly ready to debut their second movie.

Longform Sienna Troy, Eli Harris, Nick Corvera-Garay, Jaylah Cotton, Josephine Smith, and Tuula Martinez at a Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program meeting.

Teens fight food insecurity in Ypsi through Growing Hope leadership program

In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Tova Weiss takes a look into the work of the Growing Hope Teen Leadership Program. 

Innovation News Michigan Stadium.

Report finds $226 million economic impact in Ann Arbor from 2024 U-M football season

The study reports that 2024-2025 U-M football home games generated $226.7 million in direct visitor spending from attendees residing outside Washtenaw County.

Feature Story Ann Arbor Economic Development Director Joe Giant.

Q&A: Ann Arbor's first economic development director on affordability, growth, and more

Now that he's had two months to settle into the job, we sat down with Joe Giant to discuss the future of economic development in Ann Arbor.

Longform Lauren LaPine

Medicaid cuts would destabilize mental health care: How Michigan is responding

Proposed Medicaid funding cuts would dismantle critical services, especially for residents facing poverty, mental illness, or substance use disorders — and reduce access to mental health services for all.

Longform A Great Day in Ypsi on the steps of the downtown branch of the Ypsilanti District Library.

"A Great Day in Ypsi": Residents recreate iconic 1958 Harlem photo

Over 60 writers, word-lovers, and community members gathered for a celebratory photo inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photograph "A Great Day in Harlem" and Ypsi writer Debbie Taylor’s children’s book "Sweet Music in Harlem."

Feature Story Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface. 

Innovation News Nancy Park in Gault Village.

Gault Village residents plan cleanup and other community events for Ypsi Township neighborhood

The "Gault Village Glow-Up," organized by Gault Village resident Regan Hizer, is the first of many planned events intended to foster a sense of unity throughout the neighborhood.

Innovation News Students work in a lab at WCC.

WCC to launch programs preparing students for growing semiconductor and battery industries

Washtenaw Community College was recently awarded nearly $2 million through three Michigan Economic Development Corporation grants to launch new degree and certificate programs that support Michigan’s growing semiconductor and battery manufacturing industries.

Innovation News Economists Donald Grimes (center) and Dr. Gabriel Ehrlich (right) present the 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report.

Annual report finds "headwinds" for Washtenaw County's economic outlook

The 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report, commissioned by Washtenaw Community College, was presented on April 24.

Longform At an April 21 meeting at Eastern Michigan University, attendees wrote concerns about the future of school funding on sticky notes, grouping similar concerns together.

Washtenaw County families, educators grapple with "uncertainty" of Dept. of Education funding cuts

President Donald Trump's new policies and budget cuts have affected educational programs in the county, and residents and educators have been strategizing about what comes next. 

Feature Story Playwright Rodolfo Alvarado plays World War II medic Anthony Acevedo in a rehearsal of "Undesirable Secrets" at Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti.

Ypsi writer's play about Mexican-American concentration camp survivor reaches audiences across U.S.

Rodolfo Alvarado's play "Undesirable Secrets" tells the story of Anthony Acevedo, a U.S. Army medic who was held in a sub-camp of the infamous Buchenwald. It will be performed in New York City this year.

Feature Story Tiffany Brown founded Developing Despite Distance

Amplifying voices of “an historically invisible population of young people”Nonprofit Journal Project

Developing Despite Distance has gone deep investing in Detroit youth with incarcerated parents. In launching a teen advisory board, it looks to go broad.  

Feature Story The taphouse at hear.say brewing + theater.

Ann Arbor brewery and improv theater flourishes in its first year

Owner Tony DeRosa's enthusiasm for both comedy and beer have helped his business, hear.say brewing + theater, take off since it opened last fall at 2350 W. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. 

Longform Sean Brandon Jr. coaching All About Speed Track Club members at the YCHS track.

Ypsi mini-grants support youth nonprofits offering sports and professional trades programming

Two nonprofits serving youth — one a track and field club, the other a program to introduce young people to professional trades — are the recipients of the city of Ypsilanti's 2025 Youth Mini-Grants.

Innovation News A trial run for the Traveling Sound Museum event at Ypsilanti Community Middle School last year.

"Traveling Sound Museum" brings the science of music to Ypsi in two free events

As part of its mission to bring arts and culture programming to all parts of Washtenaw County, A2 Jazz Fest will bring a free "Traveling Sound Museum" to two locations in Ypsilanti in May in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Feature Story Ashley Carter of Michigan Justice Fund and Adam Grant of A Brighter Way

Boosting resources for legal reform in MichiganNonprofit Journal Project Feature

Michigan Justice Fund is pioneering a collaborative funding model to support justice reform initiatives across the state. By bringing together local and national funders, the fund invests in community-led solutions that address the long-term impact of mass incarceration.

Longform SMALLBrush-Mentone

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.

Longform Misty Lyn Bergeron and The Big Beautiful performing at The Ark in 2023.

"Hallowed ground": Performers reflect on 60 years of community and creativity at The Ark

To observe The Ark's 60th anniversary, we spoke with close to a dozen local and not-so-local artists about their memories of the beloved Ann Arbor folk venue.

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.