On the Ground Northside introduces our first youth community contributor: Ke’Asia Shepherd-Friday
A love for learning new things launches writing experience for Ke’Asia Shepherd-Friday, On the Ground Northside's first youth community correspondent.
Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo’s name is so distinctive strangers around the world have been known to break into song at hearing the name. With such a recognizable moniker you’d think Kalamazoo wouldn’t need nicknames, but through the years changing names have reflected the city’s refusal to stand still. The Zoo, Celery City and the Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown K’zoo the nation’s first pedestrian mall in 1959 continues to work today. Innovators have developed thriving life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. They build on the expertise of Kalamazoo’s universities. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College all are centers of research, development and technology. They surround a downtown vibrating with condos, apartments and homegrown, top-notch restaurants. The universities are woven into the city’s social fabric and contribute to a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and a vibrant local theater community are a few of the offerings. Locals also love their festivals that fill the air with music and the scents of ethnic foods wafting over the Arcadia Festival grounds and the Kalamazoo River. Outdoor activities from biking on the Kal-Haven trail to disc golf and standard golf on a nationally-acclaimed course in Milham Park are the start of the city’s leisure side. Sports fans have competitive college teams, minor league baseball and hockey to follow. And it all comes with a Promise. All high school graduates who live in Kalamazoo qualify for a scholarship that pays 100 percent of their tuition at any public university or community college.
Public Skool: Opening a door to hip hop and inclusion
Yes, "be the change" has evolved from inspiration to cliche. And then you find someone who is doing it. In this case for the love of hip hop and R&B.
Dreaming of the Northside Promise: Free, high-quality infant to Pre-K care and education
The Kalamazoo Promise has inspired Northside educators to dream of a promise of their own.
Justyce Against Bullying in Schools supports youth, raises awareness of how to deal with bullying
Do you know what to do if you are bullied? The young people in JABS are learning how best to respond when confronted by bullies.
The Douglass Community Association’s Autumn Gala to take place at Cityscape
Autumn Gala to benefit Douglass Community Association moves to Cityscape for a celebration of its years of service to the Northside.
From a genesis in Gary to a nexus on the Northside: One rapper’s artistic journey
Rapper Ed Genesis, gives poetic testimony to his Gary, Ind. roots and his Northside neighborhood while mentoring youth around the region to speak their own truths through spoken word and rap.
Rootead transplants to the Douglass to help area youth thrive
When Rootead outgrew its previous location it turned to the Douglass Community Center as a new home base.
KVCC Food Innovation Center awarded significant USDA grant
New funding will expand the ability of the food hub at KVCC to help make stronger connections between farms and institutions serving food.
A marriage of nonprofits: Young Kings and Queens, Inc.
The belief behind Young Kings and Queens is if you give a young person enough positive experiences they will learn how to be their best in the world.
Northside Gardens: Creating beauty and community
James Pitts shares the bounty of his garden and his gardening tips with his neighbors. And David Jones realizes a dream when a vacant lot becomes verdant.
