Many Paths to A Life Well Lived: Filmmaker Sky Bergman to speak at Western Michigan University

What does it mean to live a well-lived life? Ask your mom, your grandmother, and other important elder people in your life. That's what filmmaker Sky Bergman did. Come hear what she found in the final event of Kalamazoo's series "A Life Well Lived" on March 15.

Calhoun County’s Hispanic population making the American dream a reality, report says

A study conducted by Ida Byrd-Hill, CEO of Automation Workz, found that Hispanics in Calhoun County are following a national trend that finds them outpacing other minorities in earning both college degrees and money. Many have high-paying jobs in technology or run their own businesses.

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.” 

Climate change forcing animal and plant migration — and they may need human help

“Very few nonhuman climate migrants are moving fast enough [and] the rate of movement is going to increase [which] leads to the conclusion that to avoid extinction, many species are going to require us to intervene via assisted migration."

Gala rocks and raises funds to advocate for autistic Michiganders

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) Michigan Shines for Autism Gala, its largest fundraiser, will rock Detroit’s Motor City Casino Hotel on April 25, 2025 with “an electrifying evening blending a black-tie event with a rebellious twist.” 

‘Crip Camp’ screening in Muskegon highlights disability inclusion

A free “Crip Camp” screening at the Frauenthal Center will spark conversations on disability rights, accessibility, and community inclusion in Muskegon.

(From left) Peggy Helsel, development director at DAKC; Jenny Gauld, designer at Steelcase; Kamara Sudberry, global inclusive design leader at Steelcase; and Vicky Schmidt, a high-level paraplegic and longtime DAKC test pilot.
Beyond compliance: Area nonprofit and corporation are redefining inclusive workplaces

For the Steelcase team, accessibility is far more than ramps and automatic doors. Through an innovative partnership with Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC), Steelcase is reimagining what it means to create truly inclusive workplaces.

Empowering voices: Black disability history workshop returns

Disability Network Southwest Michigan brought back a popular workshop on Black disability history, led by Frances Vicioso, highlighting intersectionality and civil rights contributions.

Reclamation & Testimony: Kalamazoo nonprofit premiers stories of the unhoused

“Kalamazoo is a beautiful place, but it’s also very small in some ways. People can live in their own bubbles, never seeing or acknowledging the unhoused community. This play keeps the humanity of people in focus. It does not pretend that this group does not exist.”

Preserving Indigenous language focus of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi

Indigenous languages "are in the extinct stage. There are not many fluent speakers who survive. Our elder fluent speakers are slowly leaving us and there aren’t many left today. We are trying to bond together with each band" to keep the languages alive.

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