Making good scents: Kalamazoo’s The Aroma Labs spreads its smell of success across the Midwest
At The Aroma Labs, custom scents become bottled memories. What began in a Kalamazoo kitchen is now a scent-sational business spreading across the Midwest.
Al Jones's Latest Articles
Back to build bridges: Yarbrough brings homegrown vision to Northside leadership
Northside native Jonathan Yarbrough has been named executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development. Seen as a "connector, bridge-builder, and advocate," he plans to "move the needle" on the neighborhood’s legacy while driving community-focused growth.
Kalamazoo County Housing Portal opens with $2.8 million for new projects
On June 2, the Kalamazoo County Housing Department opened its online portal for projects seeking financial support from the county’s Homes for All Housing Millage. “It’s open and we have money for funding,” says Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema. “We’re really hoping that developers and nonprofits go in and really have some good applications for funding.”
Ministers lead Dominion March to galvanize community to end gun violence in Kalamazoo
Following the recent gun deaths of two Kalamazoo youth, the Northside Ministerial Alliance organized a Dominion Walk for peace and against gun violence that drew over 250. “There’s more of us in the community than there are shooters, and so if we make our voices loud and do what we’re supposed to, I think we can make it better.”
Kalamazoo’s ‘Speak It Forward’ continues to help others find their voice and celebrate success
Speak It Forward hosts the Kirk Latimer Celebration of Success, the group's 16th event that will highlight a year's worth of working with youth and honor its late co-founder. The event takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Chenery Auditorium.
The Kalamazoo Promise keeping its generous promise and more for 20 years
Still going strong after two decades, the Kalamazoo Promise has grown and pivoted to adjust to current trends and needs. "We started to realize that every student's story is unique."
Persistence and prayer make senior housing a reality in Kalamazoo’s Northside Neighborhood
Legacy Senior Living, a 70-unit affordable apartment complex for people age 55 or older is expected to be completed in the next 17 to 18 months. More than 200 people attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church's groundbreaking for the of two, three-story buildings.
Kalamazoo launches the ‘Plan It!’ phase for creating a new 10-year master plan
“In Kalamazoo, we have a proven track record of turning community vision into action: Ninety-nine percent of the actions in Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 have been completed or are in progress. This wouldn’t be possible without our community showing up and sharing their voices, ideas, and energy to help shape our community.”
Rx Kids expands its prescription for health, hope, and opportunity in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.
Kalamazoo’s homeless face cold waves — natural and political
As the unhoused struggle to get out of the cold they also facethe harsh possibility of a loss of services from local and state organizations as the new Trump administration looks to freeze federal grants and loans. The status of the funding freeze is fast-moving and may have changed by the time you read this story.
