Author: Sonya Bernard-Hollins

-KRESA/Youth Opportunities Unlimited and Big Brothers Big Sisters are partnering with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and others in Education Reconnection to positively impact the high school graduation rate of Kalamazoo area youth and expose them to educational opportunities beyond high school. The pilot project has identified 25 youth between the ages of 16 and 19 who have dropped-out of school or are at risk to drop-out who will be connected to multiple education and support services that will assist each youth to develop and follow a pathway for school success and gainful employment. READ MORE!

Youth share their views on RACE during the student-produced film, “Racism: Through the Eyes of Youth.” The film will debut during a free red-carpet screening at Little Theatre on the campus of Western Michigan University. LEARN HOW TO ATTEND!

“Racism is like putting a ball on the hill, once it picks up momentum, it will keep going down hill and keep picking up speed,” said John Powell. “Race has been a very powerful part of us; even before the United States was a country…It’s a part of our history and it won’t just go away without potential work.” READ OF POWELL’S UPCOMING VISIT!

“Can a married woman have a friend of the opposite sex? How do you keep a sense of yourself when you are married? What about abuse in marriage? Those are some of the many questions raised in the Von Washington, Sr. production, “Looking For Talika,” coming to the Epic Center. READ MORE!

Glance through the press kit of Dr. Teresa Hairston and you will see the publisher of Gospel Today magazine posed alongside heavy-hitters in the political, music and business worlds. She has been featured in Essence and Ebony magazines and has been named the “Oprah” of Gospel. Through the many accolades she receives, her spirit is humble, yet her success and confidence through Christ leads many to seek her advice on how to be the person God has called them to be. READ MORE!

What would have happened if the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X had met? The play, “The Meeting” shared that through a thought-provoking and entertaining event for the entire family. READ MORE!

Comedian Damon Williams has jokes. However, his road to success has taken him from being the owner of a Subway sandwich shop to opening for the Kings of Comedy. He will come to Kalamazoo this weekend! READ MORE!

Local artist Al LaVergne will compete with nearly 1,200 other artists from around the world for $250,000 in prize money during this week’s Art Prize in Grand Rapids. He will present a lecture of his work. FIND OUT MORE AND VOTE!

It was a proud day for Dayna Dantzler when she walked across the stage of Miller Auditorium in 2004. Her mother was there from Warren, MI, glowing in pride as Dayna’s name was called to receive her degree in Theatre from Western Michigan University.

Although Dantzler had been a student at WMU for years and active with the theater program, before graduation the closest she came to the stage of Miller Auditorium was the stage behind it in the Gilmore Theater Complex.

On Sept. 21 however, Dantzler will take center stage at Miller Auditorium as she plays Celie, the lead role in the Broadway musical, The Color Purple: A Musical About Love. READ MORE ABOUT DAYNA’S THEATRICAL JOURNEY!

Imperial Beverage of Kalamazoo, Michigan has been named a 2010 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award finalist. Imperial Beverage takes craft beer education and awareness very seriously and stands out in this important area. The distributor’s monthly daylong education meeting is just one example of its efforts to further develop the craft knowledge of staffers who are eager to learn the intricacies and unique traits of each beer they are proudly promoting. READ MORE ABOUT JOE CEKOLA AND HIS COMPANY’S SUCCESS!