Kalamazoo’s name is so distinctive strangers around the world have been known to break into song at hearing the name. With such a recognizable moniker you’d think Kalamazoo wouldn’t need nicknames, but through the years changing names have reflected the city’s refusal to stand still. The Zoo, Celery City and the Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown K’zoo the nation’s first pedestrian mall in 1959 continues to work today. Innovators have developed thriving life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. They build on the expertise of Kalamazoo’s universities. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College all are centers of research, development and technology. They surround a downtown vibrating with condos, apartments and homegrown, top-notch restaurants. The universities are woven into the city’s social fabric and contribute to a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and a vibrant local theater community are a few of the offerings. Locals also love their festivals that fill the air with music and the scents of ethnic foods wafting over the Arcadia Festival grounds and the Kalamazoo River. Outdoor activities from biking on the Kal-Haven trail to disc golf and standard golf on a nationally-acclaimed course in Milham Park are the start of the city’s leisure side. Sports fans have competitive college teams, minor league baseball and hockey to follow. And it all comes with a Promise. All high school graduates who live in Kalamazoo qualify for a scholarship that pays 100 percent of their tuition at any public university or community college.
Bronson’s Mothers’ Milk Bank helps grieving families like Elizabeth Mohney’s turn the loss of a child into a lasting legacy by donating breast milk to fragile infants in need.
After losing their daughter Ellie to Trisomy 18 and a severe heart condition, Elizabeth and Nathaniel Mohney founded Through Ellie’s Eyes to support families navigating the unique grief of carrying a baby they know may not survive.
Volunteers for Milestone Senior Services do more than deliver meals; they provide companionship, pet support, home repairs, and more. And most report their service has unexpected benefits
Bonnie Gabriel and the Michigan SBDC help West Michigan’s small businesses navigate economic uncertainty, grow sustainably, and strengthen the communities they serve.
Shibam Coffee is bringing the distinctive flavors and centuries-old traditions of Yemeni coffee to Kalamazoo while creating a welcoming, late-night gathering place for students and the wider community.
This is one of the largest projects to date that Kalamazoo County has contributed to.
Kalamazoo’s inaugural Black Pride Festival aims to uplift queer Black voices, honor LGBTQ+ history and create a joyful space for community and belonging.
Citing concerns for sanitation and safety the City took action on Thursday, ordering the removal of all the tents and for sidewalks to be cleared.
A Kalamazoo startup's AI-powered platform delivers instant test feedback, helping teachers save time and personalize learning.
From youth rock bands to funk, hip-hop, reggae, and blues, Beats on Bates has turned a humble alley into the soundtrack of Kalamazoo's summer Wednesdays.
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