Edison Neighborhood

Named after a neighborhood school, the Edison Environmental Science Academy, a magnet elementary school, which was in turn, named after Thomas Edison, America’s best-known inventor, the Edison neighborhood is largely comprised of production, service and construction workers, people who have literally helped build and rebuild the city, as well as healthcare, office, and food service workers, people who take care of the city and its residents. And in the spirit of its namesake, Edison continues to invent itself, even when growth and revitalization have failed to deliver on hoped-for promises.With recent economic upturns both for the neighborhood and the city, as well as community and police efforts to lessen violent crime, the future looks bright. 

Edison is the first neighborhood being covered in the “On the Ground" series which amplifies the voices of Edison Neighborhood residents. Over three months, Second Wave journalists will be embedded in the Edison Neighborhood to explore topics of importance to residents, business owners, and other members of the community. 

The On the Ground program is made possible by funding from the City of Kalamazoo, LISC, the Fetzer Institute, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Michigan WORKS!, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

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Feature Story On the Ground Edison Building Blocks Community Development

Spreading gravel on a hot day is a Building Blocks' way of meeting the neighbors

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, June 7, 2018
Feature Story On the Ground Edison Washington Writers Academy Arts and Culture

Washington Writers' Academy shows off its writing skills during Art Hop

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, June 7, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Artists Arts and Culture

How will Edison keep moving ahead? Neighborhood explores artistic answers

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, May 24, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Esto Community Development

Transformation: When lives change, a neighborhood can change

Mark WedelThursday, May 17, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Despierta Arts and Culture

Despierta awakens Hispanic American Festival and now moves to larger venue

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, May 17, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Pam Burpee Diversity

Edison is disability friendly, but unfriendly sidewalks are among issues to be addressed

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, May 10, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Pamela Jenkins Community Development

Empowering Women in Edison: Two women who help others find their own strengths

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, May 3, 2018
Feature Story Samantha Drew’s family OTG Edison Diversity

For many single parents in Edison it takes almost super powers to succeed

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, April 26, 2018
Feature Story Imagine Kalamazoo Healthy Communities

Let your voice be heard in Edison: IK2025

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, April 26, 2018
Feature Story Fido OTG Entrepreneurship

From a single scooter company to three buildings, Jericho Town grows in Edison

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, April 19, 2018
Feature Story FIRE Diversity

Fire: Where teens find a safe place to learn about themselves and others with poetry

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 12, 2018
Feature Story FIRE Diversity

Edison Voices: Jaylah N. Lewis offers an invitation to Fire

Kathy JenningsThursday, April 12, 2018
Feature Story OTG Edison Diversity

Edison: Where helping your neighbor is what people do and diversity is a matter of pride

Theresa Coty-O'NeilThursday, April 5, 2018
Feature Story Geno Hinton Arts and Culture

Edison Voices: Geno Hinton in his own words

Theresa Coty-O'NeilThursday, April 5, 2018
Feature Story Edison OTB Community Development

On the Ground Kalamazoo launches in the Edison Neighborhood

Kathy JenningsThursday, March 29, 2018
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