Al Jones is a freelance writer who has worked for many years as a reporter, editor, and columnist. He is the Project Editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo.
What really happened the first weekend of June when those in downtown Kalamazoo were tear-gassed by the police? An investigation is to be undertaken this summer.
Juneteenth is a celebration of June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved African-Americans were officially freed in the United States. In Kalamazoo, it was celebrated in 2020 everywhere from downtown to the Vine Neighborhood.
“We were having a conversation about how love and peace are significant and important,” says Deveta Gardner. The Black Lives Matter artwork in downtown Kalamazoo inspires such conversations.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum is partnering with Soul Artistry LLC to host a live digital event, “Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom,” from 1 to 5 p.m. to commemorate the history of Juneteenth.
For Green Door Distilling Co. the coronavirus journey has been from spirits to sanitizer and back again. Right now they are working on getting social distancing right so they can get back to serving spirits.