Diversity & Equity

Coverage of programs that deal with gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, and socioeconomic status; are focused on fair access to resources and opportunities; and, those that create environments where people feel welcome, respected, and fully accepted.

Zoo City Farm and Food takes root: Food sovereignty group works to expand its network in Kalamazoo

Imagine a food system in which the people who produce, distribute, and consume food also control the mechanisms and policies of food production and distribution. It's called food sovereignty and Zoo City Farm and Food Network is working to bring it to Kalamazoo.

Latest in Diversity & Equity
A big-city mix of people and places thrive in Kalamazoo’s West Douglas Neighborhood

Take a tour up and down the hills of the West Douglas/Fairmont Neighborhood in Kalamazoo with On the Ground and see what the neighbors say are their favorite reasons for living there.

Joyanne Huston-Swanson, community relations for the Kent District Library, works with a wi-fi hotspot that is available for checkout at the library. Patrons have used the hotspots to access telehealth appointments, among other needs.
Telehealth expansion has made health care more accessible during the pandemic – but not for everyone

Michiganders who are older, live in rural areas, or have income challenges may have trouble navigating, accessing, or affording the technology they need to keep their telehealth appointments.

Climate Kalamazoo: Grief, reconstructed

There is a way forward for those experiencing climate grief. Because prolonged deep grief over the earth's depredations is not sustainable.

The blog: To my friends who asked why I have been at the rallies

The Burma Center had a Candlelight Service and Global Protest and Revolution Day in Myanmar on Saturday, March 27 at the Sojourner Truth Monument, one in a series of recent protests. Dr. Than Oo offers insights into what the Burmese community is protesting.

Native American Heritage Fund grant awards go to six Michigan organizations

Since 2016, the Native American Heritage Fund has been providing information and funding to promote positive relationships between public and private K-12 schools, colleges, universities, local units of government, and Michigan’s federally recognized Native American Tribes. This year $482,000 in grants were awarded to foster those relationships.

Pathway Home: Partnership will create new way to go from experiencing homelessness to owning a home

People can't move from homelessness to housed if there is not enough affordable housing in a community. Pathway Home is one new way that shortage is being addressed in Kalamazoo. 

A splash pad holds promise of opportunity for those who live near Claude Evans Park in Battle Creek

Neighbors in Washington Heights have high expectations for the impact of an improvement to Claude Evans park known as a splash pad. So now they are raising funds for the project.

Hearing is not enough. Let’s start listening to one another.

The more we listen to each other, the better we can adjust or respond to each other and help to improve our collective conditions. Jeff Cotton offers this thought and more regarding our current situation.  

Jametta Lilly.
State task force leads the way on reducing Michigan’s COVID-19 racial disparities

Black residents have borne a disproportionate share of Michigan's COVID-19 cases and deaths, but in recent weeks those disheartening numbers have begun to turn around.

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