Features

Longform A Great Day in Ypsi on the steps of the downtown branch of the Ypsilanti District Library.

"A Great Day in Ypsi": Residents recreate iconic 1958 Harlem photo

Over 60 writers, word-lovers, and community members gathered for a celebratory photo inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photograph "A Great Day in Harlem" and Ypsi writer Debbie Taylor’s children’s book "Sweet Music in Harlem."

Feature Story Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface. 

Innovation News Nancy Park in Gault Village.

Gault Village residents plan cleanup and other community events for Ypsi Township neighborhood

The "Gault Village Glow-Up," organized by Gault Village resident Regan Hizer, is the first of many planned events intended to foster a sense of unity throughout the neighborhood.

Innovation News Students work in a lab at WCC.

WCC to launch programs preparing students for growing semiconductor and battery industries

Washtenaw Community College was recently awarded nearly $2 million through three Michigan Economic Development Corporation grants to launch new degree and certificate programs that support Michigan’s growing semiconductor and battery manufacturing industries.

Innovation News Economists Donald Grimes (center) and Dr. Gabriel Ehrlich (right) present the 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report.

Annual report finds "headwinds" for Washtenaw County's economic outlook

The 40th annual Washtenaw County Economic Outlook report, commissioned by Washtenaw Community College, was presented on April 24.

Longform At an April 21 meeting at Eastern Michigan University, attendees wrote concerns about the future of school funding on sticky notes, grouping similar concerns together.

Washtenaw County families, educators grapple with "uncertainty" of Dept. of Education funding cuts

President Donald Trump's new policies and budget cuts have affected educational programs in the county, and residents and educators have been strategizing about what comes next. 

Feature Story Playwright Rodolfo Alvarado plays World War II medic Anthony Acevedo in a rehearsal of "Undesirable Secrets" at Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti.

Ypsi writer's play about Mexican-American concentration camp survivor reaches audiences across U.S.

Rodolfo Alvarado's play "Undesirable Secrets" tells the story of Anthony Acevedo, a U.S. Army medic who was held in a sub-camp of the infamous Buchenwald. It will be performed in New York City this year.

Feature Story Tiffany Brown founded Developing Despite Distance

Amplifying voices of “an historically invisible population of young people”Nonprofit Journal Project

Developing Despite Distance has gone deep investing in Detroit youth with incarcerated parents. In launching a teen advisory board, it looks to go broad.  

Feature Story The taphouse at hear.say brewing + theater.

Ann Arbor brewery and improv theater flourishes in its first year

Owner Tony DeRosa's enthusiasm for both comedy and beer have helped his business, hear.say brewing + theater, take off since it opened last fall at 2350 W. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. 

Longform Sean Brandon Jr. coaching All About Speed Track Club members at the YCHS track.

Ypsi mini-grants support youth nonprofits offering sports and professional trades programming

Two nonprofits serving youth — one a track and field club, the other a program to introduce young people to professional trades — are the recipients of the city of Ypsilanti's 2025 Youth Mini-Grants.

Innovation News A trial run for the Traveling Sound Museum event at Ypsilanti Community Middle School last year.

"Traveling Sound Museum" brings the science of music to Ypsi in two free events

As part of its mission to bring arts and culture programming to all parts of Washtenaw County, A2 Jazz Fest will bring a free "Traveling Sound Museum" to two locations in Ypsilanti in May in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Feature Story Ashley Carter of Michigan Justice Fund and Adam Grant of A Brighter Way

Boosting resources for legal reform in MichiganNonprofit Journal Project Feature

Michigan Justice Fund is pioneering a collaborative funding model to support justice reform initiatives across the state. By bringing together local and national funders, the fund invests in community-led solutions that address the long-term impact of mass incarceration.

Longform SMALLBrush-Mentone

Indiana nonprofit’s oral health program reaches 39 states

McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.

Longform Misty Lyn Bergeron and The Big Beautiful performing at The Ark in 2023.

"Hallowed ground": Performers reflect on 60 years of community and creativity at The Ark

To observe The Ark's 60th anniversary, we spoke with close to a dozen local and not-so-local artists about their memories of the beloved Ann Arbor folk venue.

Innovation News Manzanitas Spanish Immersion Playschool in Ann Arbor.

Nonprofit to implement action plan for child care crisis in Washtenaw County

The Ann Arbor-based nonprofit Child Care Network has been chosen to lead Michigan’s Regional Child Care Coalitions for Washtenaw County and several other Michigan counties.

Innovation News A promotional image for the inaugural Creative Mornings Ann Arbor event, featuring speaker Hien Lam.

Creative Mornings launches free monthly community-building event in Ann Arbor

Creative Mornings Ann Arbor, a new free monthly breakfast lecture series for Ann Arbor's creative community, kicks off this week.

Longform Roz Nowosielski picks up trash at Stony Creek Metropark during an Earth Day cleanup event. She walks at the park every day and wanted to help clean it up.

Metroparks highlight new and expanded climate initiatives for Earth Day

The Huron-Clinton Metroparks are celebrating this Earth Day by rolling out several new pilot initiatives that are the first steps in an ambitious plan to combat the impacts of climate change.

Partner Content AAoM NAT Conference vendors include autistic artists and entrepreneurs.

Beyond awareness, autism acceptance affirms neurodiversity and improves lives

The Autism Alliance of Michigan and other advocates for autistic people are working hard to move from raising autism awareness to fostering autism acceptance. 

Longform Amanda Moore at Dzanc House.

New Ypsi artists' hub offers workshops, gallery shows, youth programs, and more

Ypsi's recently opened Dzanc House is a multi-faceted arts center and an extension of the Ann Arbor-based nonprofit independent publisher Dzanc Books.

Innovation News Wilson Marine Brighton aprentice Brad Tyler.

Apprenticeship fair offers paid, on-the-job training opportunities in Washtenaw County

A collaborative of 10 Washtenaw County organizations will host its second annual Apprenticeship Fair on May 1 from 4-7 p.m. at Ypsilanti Community High School.

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.