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.
“If everything goes along business as usual, the Kindergarten readiness rate would most likely be only about 30 percent. To reach 54.9 percent shows that the work being done is producing great results.”
“Our African history runs deeper than slavery, but it is a part of it. The spirituals are intertwined throughout our history, our faith, and became anthems of the civil rights movement. There are classical, jazz, and hip-hop themes intertwined within the score.”
“The SHARE Center is the last hope for many people, and the organization faces a very real threat of de-funding by the Federal government, which will result in more needless suffering, more death."
"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."
Local equity leaders remain steadfast while tackling questions of what's next for DEI and racial healing. “Fearmongering and overwhelm are deliberate tactics meant to discourage progress — but we refuse to be derailed. We are committed to moving forward."
“Some are standalone organizations and some are individuals who want to do great work in the community but don’t have the capacity to build out an organization around their work. These folks are able to do these different projects, have relationships with their donors, and get educated about philanthropy through this work. We want to give them as much autonomy as possible."
Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.
Kellogg Community College is growing its music program as it launches an Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree in Fall 2025.
"These drivers bring a unique understanding of recovery through their own lived experiences, which helps clients feel safe, understood, and free from judgment as they take transformative steps toward recovery."
"After reading these books, I hope people will feel more empowered to engage with our stories — their own story, the stories we all share, and the story we can write together."
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