Features

Longform Carmen Bell

Opera premiere in Battle Creek gives voice to the Tangled Roots of slavery

“Our African history runs deeper than slavery, but it is a part of it. The spirituals are intertwined throughout our history,  our faith, and became anthems of the civil rights movement. There are classical, jazz, and hip-hop themes  intertwined within the score.”

Feature Story SHARE Center

Providing emergency overnight shelter comes at a price for Battle Creek’s SHARE Center

“The SHARE Center is the last hope for many people, and the organization faces a very real threat of de-funding by the Federal government, which will result in more needless suffering, more death."

Feature Story Expensive houses in kalamazoo SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

Yes, housing really is more unaffordable in Kalamazoo — here’s why

In Kalamazoo County. Incomes have risen 19% since 2019 — but housing prices are up 46%. Finding housing that doesn’t break the bank used to be a problem for low-income folks. Now, even households with a decent salary are in a pinch. Kalamazoo County is not alone — its housing woes are a microcosm of the nationwide housing crisis.

Feature Story ESPN Expensive houses in kalamazoo SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

Sí, la vivienda es realmente más inasequible en Kalamazoo -aquí está el porqué

En el condado de Kalamazoo. Los ingresos han aumentado un 19% desde 2019, pero los precios de la vivienda han subido un 46%. Encontrar una vivienda que no cueste mucho dinero solía ser un problema para las personas de bajos ingresos. Ahora, incluso los hogares con un salario decente están en apuros. El condado de Kalamazoo no está solo: sus problemas de vivienda son un microcosmos de la crisis inmobiliaria a nivel nacional.  

Feature Story Affordable Housing St.Joe County SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

What qualifies as affordable housing in St. Joseph County? We asked a developer, residents, and more

“We’re more powerful as a county and can have more of an impact by having all these talented, smart, dedicated people collaborating on these issues,” John Carmichael says.

Feature Story Affordable Housing St.Joe County SWMI Journalism Collab Equitable Development

¿Realmente qué se considera como vivienda asequible en el condado de St. Joseph?

«Somos más poderosos como condado y podemos tener un mayor impacto al tener a todas estas personas talentosas, inteligentes y dedicadas colaborando en estos temas», dice John Carmichael.

Feature Story Happy Cities

Joyful Streets, Real-World Struggles: "Happy Cities" author on the journey to transform Kalamazoo

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."  

Feature Story Battle Creek TRHT

Battle Creek Truth Racial Healing and Transformation still a change agent in a changing world

Local equity leaders remain steadfast while tackling questions of what's next for DEI and racial healing.  “Fearmongering and overwhelm are deliberate tactics meant to discourage progress — but we refuse to be derailed. We are committed to moving forward."

Feature Story Encourage Battle Creek

Nonprofits can't do it all — Encourage BC supports those who address needs in Battle Creek

“Some are standalone organizations and some are individuals who want to do great work in the community but don’t have the capacity to build out an organization around their work. These folks are able to do these different projects, have relationships with their donors, and get educated about philanthropy through this work. We want to give them as much autonomy as possible."

Longform Tara Poore, manager of Children’s Services, left, and Megan Ford, manager of Autism and Intellectual

Michigan student loan repayment program helping to tackle mental health workforce shortage

Michigan has long faced a critical shortage of mental health professionals, impacting access to vital care for communities across the state. To address this growing challenge, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched the Behavioral Health Now Loan Repayment Program, a strategic initiative aimed at attracting and retaining mental health professionals by alleviating the financial burden of student loans.

Feature Story Renee Thompson with Disability Advocates of Kent County makes adjustments to the new walker being loaned to Ronny Richardson through DAKC's Occupational Therapy Equipment Loan Closet.

Finding belonging through empowerment: One journey with Disability Advocates of Kent County

For Ronny Richardson, Disability Advocates of Kent County's Occupational Therapy Equipment Loan Closet didn't merely provide him with needed medical equipment; they extended personalized support to empower him and help him fully participate in his community. 

Feature Story Phyllis Neal found a way to give back in retirement through the AARP and Disability Network West Michigan.

AARP program helps seniors find purpose and make a difference

After retiring from social work, Phyllis Neal sought a meaningful way to give back. An AARP program led her to Disability Network West Michigan, where she found a renewed sense of purpose and full-time employment.

Feature Story Rx Kids

Rx Kids expands its prescription for health, hope, and opportunity in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.

Feature Story Kellogg Community College Chorus

Music program hits the high notes at Kellogg Community CollegeAssociate of Fine Arts in Music degree launching

Kellogg Community College is growing its music program as it launches an Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree in Fall 2025.

Feature Story Shonda Buchanan

A Kalamazoo poet's journey home and her upcoming book on Nina Simone, 'The High Priestess of Soul'

Shonda Buchanan, poet, memoirist, and Western Michigan University Professor of English, returned home to Kalamazoo where her family has deep roots. Her upcoming book, "The Lost Songs of Nina Simone" will be released in May 2025.

In The News Interdunal Wetlands

Rare interdunal wetlands under threat from development, climate change in Michigan

Wetlands located near freshwater dunes are 'globally imperiled,' according to Dr. Tiffany Schriever, a freshwater ecologist and WMU Associate Professor. Michigan's interdunal wetlands are home to rich and rare ecological diversity and need protection.

Feature Story A WAY HOME IN THE COLD

Kalamazoo’s homeless face cold waves -- natural and political

As the unhoused struggle to get out of the cold they  also facethe harsh possibility of a loss of services from local and state organizations as the new Trump administration looks to freeze federal grants and loans. The status of the funding freeze is fast-moving and may have changed by the time you read this story. 

Feature Story Gadson Chris Pompey

Road to Recovery: Transportation to treatment steered by peer support drivers who've been thereKalamazoo's RSL Transportation pilots program

"These drivers bring a unique understanding of recovery through their own lived experiences, which helps clients feel safe, understood, and free from judgment as they take transformative steps toward recovery."  

Feature Story La June Montgomery

W.K. Kellogg Foundation President authors two new books on healing and celebrating difference

"After reading these books, I hope people will feel more empowered to engage with our stories — their own story, the stories we all share, and the story we can write together."  

Feature Story Brush the Block

Brush the Block Mural Festival aims to paint the town vibrant in Kalamazoo

“We would very much like to have public art everywhere in our city, It conveys a message that people are invested here."  

Battle Creek

New leader of Battle Creek’s Burma Center talks challenges and opportunities

“My biggest passion and mission for the Burma Center is to empower our people and make these people valued in this community and make sure that their voices are heard so that they can thrive alongside other people here so they can be successful like other families." For the full story, click hereFor more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Healthy House for Women offers women in recovery a loving place to stay

"Our core values are to be sober, safe, and self-sufficient. I think there is a balance between self-sufficiency and community. I don’t want the women to think they can do everything by themselves.". Read the full story here. Read more stories here.