A recent project for Christina Ne’Cole Smith involved capturing images of children dressed as African American historical figures during Black History Month in February. And the Battle Creek photographer displayed the photos on various social media platforms.
Through city and federal grants, and cost-saving measures, a local landlord keeps rent low, provides housing security, and hopes to make a small dent in Kalamazoo's housing crisis. Jake Tardani's been called a landlord with a mission.
The idea of a food co-op in downtown Battle Creek has been discussed for several years and now there is a demand for it given the growth of residential properties that are fully occupied with waiting lists.
Running crafting retreat centers is a business where people are making memories together. Katrina Asselin, owner of Riverside Retreats in Marshall and Kim Hall manager of Creekside Crafting Retreats in Emmett Township have found their niche.
Kim Langridge has hit the jackpot even though she’s never won the Michigan Lottery. Langridge, who was born and raised in Marshall and continues to make her home there, creates the majority of the radio spots for the state’s lottery, in addition to writing copy for television commercials promoting it.
Sisters in Business Michigan and Black Wall Street Kalamazoo are working to increase the access African-American entrepreneurs and their businesses have the funding and training they need.
For those who might be missing their favorite treat from MacKenzie's bakery in Kalamazoo after it closed the same recipes, smells and even some staff from the former locations on West Main and Ransom streets can now be found in Vicksburg courtesy of the folks developing The Mill there.
Connor Tierney learned to make chocolate for himself, using only beans that came from ethical sources and processes that don't cut corners on flavor. His chocolate from Kalamazoo's lone small-batch bean-to-chocolate company will be on sale at the Farmers Market.
Matthew Schmidt bought a former factory in the Edison Neighborhood in October of 2020 and has been working to convert it into a studio for himself, as well as an art gallery and performance space for other artists. Other people's trash is slowing him down. Now the neighborhood wants to hold property owners like Schmidt's neighbor who allow illegal dumping accountable.
Nicole R. Triplett founded Black Wall Street Kalamazoo in 2018 to build wealth in the Black community by keeping money circulating longer in the Black community.
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