Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight

Empowering voices: Black disability history workshop returns Read Article

Fran Dwight

Reclamation & Testimony: Kalamazoo nonprofit premiers stories of the unhoused Read Article

Casey Grooten

Preserving Indigenous language focus of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Read Article

Building businesses and community at Jerico in Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood Read Article

Fran Dwight

PHOTOS: Rootead's annual Youth Drum and Dance Ensemble wows once again Read Article

Fran Dwight

Small blueberry farm survives by going organic Read Article

Battle Creek breakfast companies unite to raise funds for United Way — one cereal box at a time Read Article

Features

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Longform Napkin Lady Arts and Culture

The Napkin Lady: 50,000 and counting for a Calhoun County collector

Jane ParikhThursday, December 12, 2024
Her first napkin was collected at a birthday party when she was 5. Now the Smithsonian reaches out to her with requests to include her rare and one-of-a-kind pieces in their collections.
Feature Story New Vicksburg Arts logo Arts and Culture

New logo and 'arts for all' focus unveiled at Vicksburg Arts Gala

Maya JamesThursday, December 12, 2024
The Vicksburg Arts Gala in November unveiled a new name, logo, and expanded commitment to increasing accessibility to the arts by adding programs that serve those who are neurodivergent or have special needs.
Longform Staci Stuart Entrepreneurship

A book-related accident didn't stop Albion woman from running two businesses

Jane ParikhThursday, December 12, 2024
An unfortunate accident didn't stop bookstore co-owner Staci Stuart from also running a construction business, a field typically not well-represented by women. From her wheelchair, "She's the spider in the web, controlling the web."
Feature Story Signs galore at the Kalamazoo Women's March Healthy Communities

Voices of Youth: ACLU, YWCA Kalamazoo sue Michigan over Medicaid's abortion coverage ban

Krithvi RayarupuThursday, December 12, 2024
ACLU Kalamazoo and YWCA Kalamazoo are bringing a suit against the State of Michigan because of a ban on funding abortion care for Medicaid recipients.
Feature Story Teen Voters Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Ten things teens should know about voting

Anas ElkafrawyThursday, December 12, 2024
Even though the 2024 presidential election has come and gone, many youths will turn 18 in the coming year and be eligible to vote. Voices of Youth's Anas Elkafrawy has identified 10 important things to know before teens cast their first vote.
Longform The program reduced postpartum depression by 50% among participants. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

MSU public health researchers seek to expand successful preventive postpartum depression program

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, December 10, 2024
ROSE program trains expectant mothers on how roles and relationships change postpartum and teaches assertiveness skills so expectant mothers can ask for the support they need.
Longform On The Ground El Concilio new building Diversity

El Concilio celebrates new building, prepares for life under Trump, round two

Mark WedelThursday, December 5, 2024
Correspondent Mark Wedel recently visited El Concilio's new building to learn how much more work the organization can do for the community in the new location. But the sense that the coming years are going to be years of crisis kept intruding on the visit that included a serious discussion of what could be coming under a second Trump administration for the community El Concilio serves.
Longform Tech Savvy Seniors Technology and Innovation

Albion elders becoming Tech Savvy thanks to Albion College students

Jane ParikhThursday, December 5, 2024
 “I feel like us just being present in areas that seniors utilize a lot is making them feel more comfortable. They may be a little wary and feel like we’re going to rush through it. Being empathetic and understanding of their experiences is how we get around this,” 
Feature Story Battle Creek Wanderland Entrepreneurship

Step into a Winter Wanderland in downtown Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, December 5, 2024
Battle Creek's Winter Wanderland celebrates the season and small businesses at Kellogg Arena on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Classroom ‘Cozy Corner’ lets teens take emotional break

Edith WhalenThursday, December 5, 2024
Pillows and nooks aren't just for elementary school classrooms. Adolescents also benefit from an inviting, comfy space to take a time out.  One Loy Norris High School teacher created a classroom Cozy Corner — and her students are benefiting. 
Longform Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents. Healthy Communities

Rural mental health providers overcome stigma, rugged individualism, and distance to provide care

Julie RiddleTuesday, December 3, 2024
Here's how three Michigan community mental health agencies serving rural populations have found ways to meet their unique needs by developing innovative programs and effective outreach.
Feature Story Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Kelly Linton, an ADA specialist and systems advocate working with Wheel the World, takes measurements. Equity

How Wheel the World is changing accessibility in Kalamazoo, one business at a time

Shandra MartinezSaturday, November 30, 2024
Kalamazoo businesses partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to improve accessibility, creating inclusive spaces that welcome everyone.
Feature Story Housing Matters Update Building Communities

Finding answers means discussion with those who are unsheltered, shelter representatives suggest

Mark WedelWednesday, November 27, 2024
It's getting harder to operate a shelter for the unhoused as their numbers increase. Representatives of two of Kalamazoo's most recognizable shelters tell Housing Matters what might work to bring those numbers down. 
Feature Story small-karen Equity

Advocate uses her experiences to help others with disabilities gain independence through work

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 25, 2024
Karen Wynne helps individuals with disabilities navigate the Ticket to Work program, empowering them to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
Longform Housing Solutions Ransom Homes Building Communities

It’s first-come first-served for four new houses in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Al JonesThursday, November 21, 2024
Prospective homeowners must be first-time home-buyers, pre-approved by a mortgage lender, represented by a Realtor, and have participated in at least one of three home-buying workshops conducted at NACD. Beyond that the process to obtain one of the four homes is first-come first-served.
Feature Story LGBTQ Safe Communities

Queer Activist in Battle Creek prepares to go silent to stay safe

Jane ParikhThursday, November 21, 2024
Many in the LGBTQIA+ community are taking steps to protect themselves from the threat of Project 25 to roll back rights. As a response, one Queer Activist in Battle Creek plans to keep a low profile while reducing household expenses and getting important papers in order.
Feature Story Julius Stulberg Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo's Stulberg string competition brings back medalist for golden anniversary

Mike WenningerThursday, November 21, 2024
The Stulberg International String Competition has grown to be one of the world's premier young string players' competitions drawing more competitors each year and spawning impressive musical careers.  To celebrate its 50th, former medalist and violinist Rachel Barton Pine returns to Kalamazoo.
Feature Story Maya James Arts and Culture

Subject to Review: Ed Genesis on the politics of hip-hop

Maya JamesThursday, November 21, 2024
Local hip-hop artist Ed Genesis recently presented a seminar on hip-hop through a social justice lens. Maya James, our social practice artist and writer, was there to 'review.' She also created a collage to accompany the piece.
Feature Story BC Pride Safe Communities

LGBTQIA+ community in Battle Creek works on plans to stay safe

Jane ParikhThursday, November 21, 2024
Battle Creek Pride is helping people prepare for possible changes to LGBTQIA+ rights and addressing concerns by providing safe spaces and workshops that address practical matters, such as estate planning and protecting assets.
Feature Story BETA COHORT 4 Entrepreneurship

Black Entrepreneur Training Academy celebrates fourth cohort

Leo V. KaplanWednesday, November 20, 2024
The Black Entrepreneur Training Academy uplifts Black entrepreneurs, helping to keep small business sector growth equitable  
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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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