Jane Parikh is a freelance reporter and writer with more than 20 years of experience and also is the owner of In So Many Words based in Battle Creek. She is the Project Editor for On the Ground Battle Creek.
RxKids is expanding across parts of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties, providing eligible pregnant women with $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly for six months after birth to support maternal and infant health regardless of income.
The Battle Creek Battle Jacks enter a new era under owner Scott Miles, a Massachusetts businessman investing in fan experience, community engagement, and competitive summer collegiate baseball in the Northwoods League.
After overcoming a life-threatening illness, Battle Creek entrepreneur Nicole Hart launched New Eden Microgreens with support from local business organizations, bringing fresh, health-focused products to stores and restaurants across Southwest Michigan.
The Village Network of Battle Creek is dissolving after helping direct more than $1.25 million to BIPOC-led organizations and entrepreneurs, saying its mission to build community-led economic justice networks has successfully created lasting local momentum.
Through community gardening, Kathy Antaya became involved in equity and racial healing initiatives. "I’m a full-time volunteer and community activist,” she says.
Jazz prodigy Esteban Castro returns to the Gilmore International Piano Festival in Battle Creek as a 2026 Young Artist Award winner, bringing a career that began on a toy piano to the Kool Community Center.
Maid in Battle Creek has expanded into Kalamazoo, growing from a local startup into a two-city cleaning company with a team of employees, commercial and residential clients, and a continued focus on personalized service.
As child abuse cases outpace foster care capacity in Calhoun County, a newly launched CASA program is training volunteers to provide consistent, court-appointed advocacy for vulnerable children navigating the welfare system.
Evan Gray founded Gray’s on Deck to give underserved Battle Creek youth access to baseball and life lessons through affordable, community-supported programs.