Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Racism is a hard lesson for young people in high school Read Article

Jaden Davis

Seeking a less stressful, elegant wedding option? Consider Elopement Day at Battle Creek farm Read Article

Courtesy: Of the Land

'We're all related, we're all connected': Many march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Read Article

John Grap

Final Chapter: Kalamazoo remembers Dean Hauck and the legacy of Michigan News Read Article

Fran Dwight

Antique expert to share tips, tricks, and treasures at Battle Creek’s Regional History Museum Read Article

UnSplash: Alexander Schimmeck

Voices of Youth: Burnout in high school can happen, but you’re not alone Read Article

UnSplash: Nguyen Phan Nam Anh

Features

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Feature Story Megan and Andrew Howe enjoy the great outdoors. Equity

Accountant with hearing loss advocates for her success

Kym ReinstadlerFriday, June 16, 2023
Hungerford Nichols accountant Megan Howe talks about navigating her personal and professional life with hearing loss.
Feature Story Los Artistas Arts and Culture

Los Artistas of the Great Lakes: Latinx art show debuts in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, June 15, 2023
In healing colors, five Michigan-based Latinx artists display their work at Commerce Pointe in Downtown Battle Creek until the end of July. “If you have something within you that you want to express I tell people to take it out of yourself and put it into art,” says Fausto Fernandez, a Battle Creek participating artist.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Dry Goods Entrepreneurship

Kalamazoo Dry Goods and DRUE Salon are two downtown businesses that celebrate year-round Pride

Casey GrootenThursday, June 15, 2023
It's Pride Month, and in downtown Kalamazoo, flags are flying and crosswalks are rainbowed. Southwest Michigan Second Wave Writer Casey Grooten speaks to two LGBTQ+ allied business owners — one new and one that's been around for a decade — about their Kalamazoo Pride and concerns they share about a changing climate for LGBTQ+ folks.
Longform Cereal City Candles Entrepreneurship

Waxing nostalgia for Battle Creek candlemaker

Jane ParikhThursday, June 15, 2023
A Battle Creek candlemaker got her start making gifts for far-flung relatives during the pandemic lockdown. Now she's launched Cereal City Candle Company and one of her most popular candles honors a certain locally-made fruity breakfast cereal.
Longform Pickleball Healthy Communities

Pickleball passion outpaces new courts in Kalamazoo County

Andy RobinsThursday, June 15, 2023
With Kalamazoo's annual Pickleball Tournament just around the corner, Southwest Michigan Second Wave's Andy Robins takes a look at the current state of the country's fastest-growing recreational and competitive sport here in Kalamazoo County.
Partner Content John Capers Entrepreneurship

Northern Initiatives helps jumpstart new businesses

Tuesday, June 13, 2023
Have an idea and want to start a new business? As a Community Development Financial Institution, Northern Initiatives has been supporting Michigan startups with education, coaching, and needed financing — for 30 years. Check out these two success stories in Comstock and Battle Creek.
Feature Story Urban Alliance Life Camp Safe Communities

Kalamazoo's Life Camp to help young people find a path away from gun violence

Al JonesThursday, June 8, 2023
Five lives have been lost to gun violence in Kalamazoo just this year. On Monday, Moms Demand Action and supporters packed Bronson Park wearing orange to honor those who have been impacted. For June, which is Gun Violence Prevention Month, Urban Alliance is planning three Life Camps to help youth avoid gun violence, learn compassion, and understand "Hands are Meant to Heal, Not Kill."
Feature Story Dr. Kimberly Carter Kids and Education

Salary surprise for Battle Creek teachers swells Bearcat pride

Jane ParikhThursday, June 8, 2023
Following the Bearcat Advantage college scholarship announcement, Battle Creek Public School teachers were just as stunned as students. Then came the next great news: A $10,000 pay raise, bumping teacher salaries to the top in Southwest Michigan districts. "Having a district that sees every day the work that you do and appreciates that — I think that's huge," says Natasha Hager, Verona Elementary teacher.
Feature Story Hope for Creation Sustainability

Kalamazoo's Hope for Creation: Interfaith climate action grown from grassroots

Casey GrootenThursday, June 8, 2023
While faith-based groups may disagree about the science of climate change, they typically agree on the importance of caring for creation. Using the approach of shared morality, Hope for Creation, an interfaith group, aims to "galvanize the faith community" to promote earth-friendly actions within a climate action framework, says organizer Joan Hawxhurst.
Longform Jerk Your Beef Jerky Entrepreneurship

A love of beef jerky becomes a business for Battle Creek man

Jane ParikhThursday, June 8, 2023
Zaccari Frailey's love for beef jerky blossomed during the pandemic when he was a high school junior with an EBT card at his disposal. When funds dried up, Frailey decided to dry his own beef. Not long after, Jerk Your Beef Jerky, Frailey's successful, new business, was born.
Longform Kalamazoo Lyceum Sustainability

Kalamazoo Lyceum on Nature: Act locally, think globally

Mark WedelThursday, June 8, 2023
The third Kalamazoo Lyceum convened at the Kalamazoo Nature Center in May to focus on nature and what it means to the community. Protecting wild, urban spaces; cleaning up the Kalamazoo River; and halting pollution of our neighborhoods were just a few of the topics that arose. The general consensus: Hope plus action can equal impactful change.
Feature Story Accessible-Kent Equity

Absolutely Accessible Kent looks at making ‘disabled’ buildings extinct

Shandra MartinezWednesday, June 7, 2023
On June 14, from 1–4 p.m. at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, Absolutely Accessible Kent will explore how universal design goes beyond ADA to future-proof space.  
Feature Story Lucia Rios Equity

Why commemorating Global Accessibility Awareness Day is important

Lucia Rios Wednesday, May 31, 2023
This global event shines a light on digital access and inclusion for people with disabilities. The idea is that every user deserves a first-rate experience on the web.   
Feature Story Bike routes Safe Communities

Bicycle safety is a Kalamazoo priority – but how to choose the safest route?

Mark WedelThursday, May 25, 2023
Expanded trails and added bike lanes have been part of the push for cyclist safety in the Kalamazoo community. Still, getting from Point A to Point B can pose challenges, especially for those who are traveling with children. Avid cyclist and SW Second Wave Writer Mark Wedel speaks to local road-savvy bicyclists and shares some resources for choosing the safest routes.
Feature Story Ida Byrd-Hill Economic Development

Battle Creek is part of a regional initiative to increase access to tech jobs for African Americans

Jane ParikhThursday, May 25, 2023
The West Michigan African American Tech Readiness Collaborative is a group of 30 organizations seeking to increase African American representation in high-paying tech jobs, many of which don't require a four-year degree. Ida Byrd-Hill, CEO of Automation Works and initiative founder, says she believes West Michigan could become a major tech innovation hub.
Feature Story Battle Creek History App Arts and Culture

Battle Creek history in the palm of your hand

Jane ParikhThursday, May 25, 2023
"Battle Creek has more history per square mile than any other city" in the United States, says often-quoted Mary Butler, who was a well-respected Battle Creek historian. Now residents and visitors can hold some of that history in the palm of their hands by way of a newly-launched app called "Tours of Battle Creek" – just in time for some Memorial Day hometown touring!
Longform Voices of Youth BC 3 Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Clothing challenges for some LGBTQIA+ folx – and one teen's solution

Lila McCarthyThursday, May 25, 2023
Nonbinary, trans, and genderfluid people can find it challenging when shopping for clothes. Their shapes and body types may not conform to typical gender shapes and sizes. This Voices of Youth writer explains the difference between 'gender identity' and 'gender expression,' looks at some needs and challenges facing fashion choices for trans and gender-fluid folx, and creates her own trans clothing designs that accommodate differences in body shape and size.
Longform Racial Bias Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Standards for beauty, race, and more inspired teen’s artistic examination

Pumpkin KingThursday, May 25, 2023
With thoughtfulness and artistry, a Battle Creek teen explores the impact of societal expectations. This multi-media project incorporates both artwork and poetry to consider essential questions related to cultural norms around topics of race, gender, class, beauty standards, and more.
Partner Content A Farmers Market Food Navigator assists shoppers at the Muskegon Farmers Market. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan Fitness Foundation connects families to farmers and fresh, locally grown food

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, May 24, 2023
Michigan Fitness Foundation has been working with Michigan farmers and farmers market managers to reduce barriers to accessing fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for families on tight budgets. 
Longform Bearcat Advantage Kids and Education

Battle Creek Bearcats receive key college advantage

Jane ParikhThursday, May 18, 2023
“Today, I’m introducing you to a new scholarship program we’re calling the Bearcat Advantage,” said Kimberly Carter, Superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools in a surprise announcement to a student-packed auditorium this Wednesday. “It will cover up to 100 percent of your college tuition and fees. . . Starting with the class of 2023 we will pay for your college education. This is your bridge and all you have to do is walk over it.”
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Battle Creek

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek 

Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence." For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

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

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, that 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."  Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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