Drag as activism: Washtenaw County performers seek to "demystify" queerness in divisive times Read Article

Performers Lotipha Renée Hunter (left) and Donnie Love Hunter (right) with Uplift resident show director Sahlin Berman at Uplift in Ann Arbor.
Photo: Performers Lotipha Renée Hunter (left) and Donnie Love Hunter (right) with Uplift resident show director Sahlin Berman at Uplift in Ann Arbor. Doug Coombe

Features

Longform Food Folks Fun's studio in Depot Town. Entrepreneurship

New Ypsi-based podcast network aims to uplift local community and neighboring businesses

Lee Van RothWednesday, June 18, 2025
The new podcast network Food Folks Fun will showcase a variety of local voices in order to promote the businesses, organizations, and people of Depot Town and beyond.
Longform Lotipha Renée Hunter performs at a drag bingo event at Uplift. Arts and Culture

Drag as activism: Washtenaw County performers seek to "demystify" queerness in divisive times

Lee Van RothWednesday, June 18, 2025
Washtenaw County’s drag scene is stepping boldly into the political spotlight, using art and expression to counter rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment.
Innovation News Juneteenth celebrations in Ypsilanti. Community Development

Juneteenth in Ypsi grows into a weekend of activism, music, and faith, featuring gospel star

Sarah RiggTuesday, June 17, 2025
Ypsilanti's annual Juneteenth celebration will run a full weekend this year, including a day of action, a sickle cell anemia awareness walk, and a performance by a Grammy-winning artist.
Innovation News A flyer for Lattes and Bouquets. Entrepreneurship

Ypsi cafe to feature "flower bar" for attendees to build their own bouquets

Lee Van RothTuesday, June 17, 2025
Ypsilanti’s Bridge Community Cafe is collaborating with Detroit-based pop-up event planner Swanky Lady Couture for a series of hands-on bouquet-building events throughout July. 
Feature Story The Michigan Union. Equity

U-M students respond to DEI programs' end

Anamika SureshMonday, June 16, 2025
In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Anamika Suresh breaks down the recent end of University of Michigan diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and interviews students about the changes.
Longform A Michigan Technological University booth at Safe Demo Day at the American Center for Mobility. Technology and Innovation

American Center for Mobility's Demo Day highlights new tech, expanded facility scope

Sarah RiggWednesday, June 11, 2025
On June 6, Safe Demo Day at Ypsilanti Township's American Center for Mobility showcased the latest developments at the state-of-the-art testing facility, ranging from new technologies to an expansion of ACM's scope.
Longform Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Vice President for Community Investment Christopher Lemon, CFO Jamie Hunter, President and CEO Shannon Polk, and Impact Investing Manager Frances Todoro-Hargreaves. Community Development

Community foundation's impact investing takes chances on unconventional Washtenaw County projects

Sarah RiggWednesday, June 11, 2025
From micro-lending to expanding child care openings, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation's Impact Investing program has spent the past four years supporting Washtenaw County community projects that otherwise wouldn't have been funded.
Longform Ypsi Pride 2025 attendees. Diversity

Photo essay: Ypsi Pride 2025

Lee Van Roth, Doug Coombe, and Patrick DunnTuesday, June 10, 2025
Ypsi Pride returned to Ypsilanti on June 9 with the theme "Our Stories." Here are some of the Pride attendees and entertainers we ran into around Depot Town.
Innovation News Andy Labarre, executive vice president and director of government relations for the A2Y Chamber, chats with Dr. Mona Hanna at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center. Healthy Communities

Cash assistance for new parents could be coming soon to Ypsi, according to prominent doctor's talk

Sarah RiggMonday, June 9, 2025
An initiative that promotes no-strings-attached financial assistance for new parents could be coming soon to Ypsi, according to a June 9 talk given by its founder at Eastern Michigan University.
Feature Story Squonk performs "Brouhaha." Arts and Culture

Audiences will join in unconventional musical performance as Squonk troupe makes Ann Arbor debut

Lee Van RothMonday, June 9, 2025
Squonk, a Pittsburgh-based group of musicians and visual artists, will bring the free outdoor show "Brouhaha" to Ann Arbor Summer Festival's Top of the Park on Ann Arbor's Ingalls Mall in six performances June 20-22. 
Feature Story Author Jahshua Treadwell stands at the site of a future community center in Superior Township. Community Development

Community members weigh in on new community center coming to Superior Township

Jahshua TreadwellMonday, June 9, 2025
In the latest installment of our Voices of Youth series, student writer Jahshua Treadwell interviews community members about the impact of a forthcoming community center on the site of the former Cheney Elementary School. 
Longform TradeScouts program participants pose with a toy box they built for a daycare center. Kids and Education

Ypsi program helps youth and adults build skills and confidence for careers in the trades

Jah'Niya TreadwellThursday, June 5, 2025
The Ypsilanti-based Trades Program for Youth and Adults is designed for those who want to learn hands-on skills, explore careers in the trades, and build confidence along the way.
Innovation News A union training event at Washtenaw Community College. Economic Development

Study finds union training programs bring millions to Washtenaw County economy

Jaishree DrepaulWednesday, June 4, 2025
Destination Ann Arbor has announced results of a recent study showing that three major national union training programs hosted in Washtenaw County injected $23 million into the local economy last year.
Feature Story London Beck will be featured in the next installment of the Voices concert series at The Ark. Arts and Culture

Series spotlighting BIPOC artists at The Ark set to return June 8

Natalia HoltzmanTuesday, June 3, 2025
Artist Kyler Wilkins, known as Ki5, founded the ongoing Voices concert series at The Ark. The series is intended to highlight the work of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) artists in an intimate setting.
Innovation News A rendering of the planned pavilion at Broadway Park West. Economic Development

Ann Arbor's Broadway Park West development receives $1 million grant for public pavilion

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, June 3, 2025
The nonprofit Lower Town Riverfront Conservancy was recently awarded a $1 million grant to support the largest brownfield redevelopment in Washtenaw County’s history, Broadway Park West.
Longform PreK for All ensures that every 4-year-old in Michigan has access to a high-quality preschool experience, regardless of income. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations

Brianna NargisoTuesday, June 3, 2025
Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for all families, no matter their income. The program operates across a mixed delivery system, including local school districts, public charter schools, private child care providers, Head Start programs, and community-based organizations.    
Longform Cheers to Queers founders Marisa Quiery and Danya Youssef-Agha. Community Development

Ypsi organizations rally to support LGBTQ+ community in challenging times

Sarah RiggTuesday, June 3, 2025
Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting local members of the LGBTQ+ community in a variety of ways, ranging from supportive health care to queer takeovers of public spaces.
Longform DTE workers make upgrades to power lines near Dixboro in fall 2024. The utility says it is investing $200 million in Ann Arbor's infrastructure over the next five years. But the city is pushing back against DTE's request to raise electricity rates. Sustainability

Ann Arbor takes key role in pushing DTE Energy for lower rates and improved infrastructure

Elinor EppersonMonday, June 2, 2025
Over the past few years, Ann Arbor has emerged as the only municipality in Michigan to regularly and publicly push DTE Energy for more action toward carbon neutrality, affordable rates, and reliable infrastructure.
Partner Content Event helps autistic children and adults get used to the airport environment and boarding experience. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

On Board for Autism: Airport simulation helps autistic kids take flight

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, May 30, 2025
To help autistic people and their families manage  these challenges, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), Delta Airlines, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport partner to host On Board for Autism events that prepare them to successfully take a flight.
Innovation News EMU logo Healthy Communities

Ypsi students prepare for health careers by becoming peer educators through new EMU/Toyota program

Sarah RiggThursday, May 29, 2025
High school students from Ypsilanti Community Schools and two other southeast Michigan school districts will be trained as peer health educators, teaching others about traumatic brain injury, through a new program called Way Forward@EMU. 
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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.

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