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.
Since 2016, Kalamazoo has been hosting annual women's marches. This year's theme was "We are not going back!" Over 1,200 people showed up to march for women's and LGBTQIA+ rights on Oct. 13. Check out Fran Dwight's photos!
Home Energy Efficiency Summit seeks to educate attendees on what they can do to improve efficiency and save money.
Revolutionary love is when, “We are brave enough to look upon anyone around us and say, 'You are a part of me I do not yet know. I will let your story into my heart. I will let your grief into my heart, and I will fight for you when you are in harm’s way.'”
Republicans and Democrats agree that expensive campaigns, disinformation, and 'dark money' are all threats to fair elections. Citizens Rising, a nonpartisan Kalamazoo group, hosted a recent forum on protecting democracy.
Tsugi Ogane's recent visit to Kalamazoo, her sister city, rekindled memories of visits past, including Mike Morrison's stories shared by his grandfather, former Kalamazoo Mayor Paul Morrison, regarding his visit to Numazu, Japan in 1963.
“I had a private life and a public life and I decided who knew what. Now that the book is out I have a recorded legacy of my authentic truth.”
“I think it’s that balance between outreach and enforcement that is what’s working. . .The outreach folks are talking to the enforcement folks and vice-versa. I think that’s what’s really got a handle on our shootings and homicides.”
What started as art displayed on walls in a public space became one of Battle Creek's longest-running art galleries. A 25-year retrospective is planned for Oct. 18 at Commerce Pointe Art Gallery.
If you don't yet have a pumpkin, these photos might get you in the mood. Photographer John Grap captured some harvest joy at Of the Land, a homestead, farm, and farm school, in Battle Creek.
“We understand that traditional businesses are often being funded and started by traditional white males. The new fund answers the question: “So how do we support people outside of that group?”
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