Northside Community Police Officer Aaron Jackson serves as eyes and boots on the ground
With the help of many City of Kalamazoo patrol officers who know the Northside well, Aaron Jackson says, he tries to be the “eyes and boots on the ground.”
On the Ground
On the Ground helps to tell the stories of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for Southwest Michigan.
Published by Southwest Michigan Second Wave, the mission of On the Ground is to connect readers to the area's most visionary and active people, businesses, and organizations — elevating a wide diversity of voices and contributing to the community conversation about what it means to call Southwest Michigan home.
Our journalists engage residents through regular listening sessions, events, and conversations to build trusted relationships that shape the community’s unique, solutions-oriented stories. We want to know what you think because what you think matters.
The On the Ground Battle Creek team includes Project Editor Jane Parikh and Photographer John Grap. The On the Ground Kalamazoo team includes Project Editor Al Jones and Photographer Fran Dwight. The Managing Editor for both series is Theresa Coty O'Neil.
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
We’re always looking for story content. Send your Battle Creek or Calhoun County ideas to otgreporter18@gmail.com. Send your Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo County ideas to editor@swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com.
For families working through recovery, Mothers of Hope offers care, compassion, and information
Sobriety is the best hope that women with substance abuse disorder can receive and Mothers of Hope offers that hope.
MKNAACP invites community to special event to talk voting
The Metropolitan Kalamazoo National Association for the Advancement of Colored People plans cook-out with a purpose
New giving circle, Tendaji, makes first donations
Two local groups share $20,000 thanks to the generosity of the giving circle Tendaji.
Kalamazoo Junior Girls Organization is 32, thanks to Miss Pam Roland
Through after-school and summer camp programs, Kalamazoo Junior Girls learn how to be self-reliant.
Second phase of senior housing development ready for ground breaking
New senior housing duplex will duplicate NACD's first senior duplex completed in 2016.
A Northside Icon: They call him Mr. Everything
Where can youth pursue leadership and community engagement? At Charlie's P.L.A.C.E.
A cowboy at heart, Murphy Darden’s collection celebrates all that’s possible for African Americans
Artifacts from the first black astronauts, the Buffalo Soldiers, and the first African American millionaire are just the beginning of the Darden collection acquired over many years by the 90-year-old.
$100,000 in funding will help launch new Northside training and entrepreneurial programs
The Northside Cultural Business District is intended to increase the number of resident-owned business, especially those by African American and low-income residents, preserve existing housing and create new housing.
