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Happy Mother's Day, Southwest Michigan! John Grap

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Feature Story Small-downtown-aerial Equity

Discover Kalamazoo to use state grant to show community’s accessibility to travelers

Shandra MartinezFriday, March 1, 2024
Kalamazoo will partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to map at least 130 locations across the county to show potential tourists the region’s accessibility. 
Feature Story Small-John-Miller Economic Development

Brewery’s new summer offerings reflect growth of region’s agribusiness

Shandra MartinezWednesday, February 28, 2024
Allegan County-based Saugatuck Brewing Company, which has grown into one of Michigan's largest independently owned craft breweries, is aiming to grow its market share even more with a new Shandy Variety Pack.
Longform Melvin Henley Second Wave - MichiganBuilding Communities

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Sarah SpohnTuesday, February 27, 2024
Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   
Longform Belinda Orozco Community Development

Safe space at Battle Creek’s Voces helps immigrants navigate legal landscape

Jane ParikhThursday, February 22, 2024
“We have had generations of people who have emigrated from their native countries and established themselves here (in Battle Creek). It’s a safe and embracing community.”
Longform Orchestra Jammbo'laya Arts and Culture

Orchestra Jammbo'laya offers feast of music from African diaspora for under-served BIPOC youth

Zinta AistarsThursday, February 22, 2024
“We wanted to explore the African diaspora esthetics of music. And while anyone can join, our hope is to encourage underserved Black youth in our community to explore instrumental music by Black composers from the Americans, the Caribbean, Europe, from anywhere."
Feature Story Speman Glee Club Arts and Culture

Spelman College Glee Club to perform free concert in Battle CreekBearcat Advantage scholars can see an HBCU in action

Jane ParikhThursday, February 22, 2024
“There is an experience going to an HBCU that you just can’t compare. It’s the camaraderie, the cultural experience, and the emphasis on the heritage. You’re able to see how people of color in those days were able to create an institution with so little.”
Longform Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick is the Michigan Public Health Institute's MI ACE project director. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

200-partner collaborative raises awareness about impact of adverse childhood experiences in Michigan

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, February 22, 2024
Partners in the Michigan ACE Initiative are working to raise awareness of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), prevent ACEs, and foster resilience among children who have experienced them. 
Feature Story NACD Homes ready for occupancy Building Communities

Owner-occupied housing is focus of four new homes in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Al JonesThursday, February 22, 2024
The first four of some 21 homes the Northside Association for Community Development hopes to build in the neighborhood are nearly ready to be offered for sale. 
Longform MDHHS staff early 20th century. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

State of Michigan public health celebrates 150 years of service to Michiganders

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, February 20, 2024
The State of Michigan’s public health system recently celebrated its sesquicentennial: 150 years in service to Michiganders. To mark the occasion, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has shared a nice collection of sesquicentennial information on its website.   
Feature Story Signapse-Small Equity

Ford Airport one of first airports to use sign language boards powered by AI

Shandra MartinezMonday, February 19, 2024
The Grand Rapids airport is one of the first in the nation to try out new technology powered by AI that is being used successfully at train stations in the United Kingdom. 
Feature Story Galillee Baptist Church Community Development

Galilee Baptist Church clears the way for $7M housing development on Kalamazoo’s Northside

Al JonesThursday, February 15, 2024
Galilee Baptist Church moves ahead with plans to develop housing across the street from the church’s longtime location, with hopes of breaking ground later this year on two large apartment buildings. 
Feature Story Representative Jim Haadsma Safe Communities

Battle Creek leaders reflect on Jennifer Crumbley verdict and Michigan's new gun legislation

Jane ParikhThursday, February 15, 2024
“How many people along the way saw warning signs with Ethan (Crumbley) and felt like it was not their place to say anything? We need to support each other in this thing called parenting. Parenting is hard and we all need each other to get through it.”
Feature Story League of Women Voters Community Development

Cause for trust: Kalamazoo's League of Women Voters protecting democracy for everyone

Mark WedelThursday, February 15, 2024
"At the 2020 presidential election, I was observing the Kalamazoo County Board of Canvassers.... They spent an entire hour because there was a one-vote discrepancy in one of the precincts." When they figured out the discrepancy, "everybody broke out into applause."
Longform Child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Michigan makes the leap to improved educational opportunities with MiLEAP

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderTuesday, February 13, 2024
MiLEAP consolidates the expansion of Pre-K for All, Sixty by 30, which would see 60% of working-age Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030, and all education in between. 
Feature Story Kendall College of Art and Design partnered with Corewell Health to bring a little artistic joy to the hospital's Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

Art and Healing: Collaborative project at Corewell Health's cancer pavilion

Laura BergellsTuesday, February 13, 2024
What happened when students from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University partnered with Corewell Health to bring the healing power of art to the Cancer Pavilion.
Feature Story virtual job fair image Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Virtual Job Fair represents 40+ employers seeking behavioral health services professionals

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, February 13, 2024
The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) is sponsoring a Behavioral Health Services Virtual Job Fair 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024. 
Longform J.R. Reynolds Diversity

Battle Creek Did Not Burn: Documentary chronicles local events after MLK's assasination

Jane ParikhThursday, February 8, 2024
While other communities experienced riots and destruction during the aftermath of MLK's assassination, Battle Creek didn't — thanks to the coordinating efforts of local folks and the NAACP. A new documentary features the story of civil rights in the city.
Longform SHALOM Community Development

SHALOM: A farm full of possibilities for people with disabilities

Zinta AistarsThursday, February 8, 2024
Just minutes from Kalamazoo sits a picturesque farm with grazing animals and several outbuildings — a woolery, coffee shop, thrift store, wood shop, and sugar shack. This is SHALOM, a unique Christian caring community that provides housing, and social and educational opportunities for adults and some youths who have physical, developmental, emotional, and mental disabilities.
Feature Story Boonikka and Khyrinn Herring Diversity

Elevating youth to leadership in Battle Creek is focus of new consulting business

Jane ParikhThursday, February 8, 2024
“A lot of our leadership is in the 55-plus age range and a lot of times we’re missing the youth voice because that’s what not what we’re actively seeking out. . . We’re making sure that we’re listening to our youth because they have great experiences.”
Longform Housing Solutions Zone 32 update Community Development

Young developer plans second phase of affordable housing in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Al JonesThursday, February 8, 2024
Zone 32 is the name of the new residential and commercial complex owned by Bogan Developments Pitcher Street. Taking its name from the number Jamauri Bogan wore on the football field at the complex, the building began welcoming residents in December.
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Battle Creek

Battle Creek's Washington Heights reaching new heights in affordable housing stock

“We have demonstrated that we’ll do what we say we’re going to do. Some of the barriers we’ve had to overcome we’ve looked at as opportunities. These new homes will be an opportunity for residents to create generational wealth and go from renter-ship to homeownership.” For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change

In this first installment of our Sacred Earth series, we speak with Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, whose combined interests in sustainability and religion have helped her identify how faith institutions engage, support, and undertake earth care. Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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