Iden’s measure would allow student-athletes to receive compensation from a third party in exchange for using any forms of their name, likeness or image – something any other college student or private citizen is allowed to do at any time. The NCAA currently bans this practice for student-athletes, even though they are the driving force behind huge profits for many colleges and universities. READ MORE!
Car Museum Highlights Green Book
To ease their way, Victor Hugo Green published “The Negro Travelers’ Green Book” with a listing of places — some commercial, some private homes — where dark-skinned people could stay and eat, where they could buy gas and even which towns to avoid for their own safety. READ MORE!
Juneteenth…Dragging the Feet of Justice
The story actually begins in 1863. It was on January 1st of that year that the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery was enacted by President Abraham Lincoln. It wasn’t as easy as flipping a switch. It would be one of many incidents in America where dragging the feet of justice would become a dance move as popular as the Cha Cha Slide. One example is the desegregation of American schools. While the 1954 Supreme Court ruled to eliminate segregated schools, actions to make it happen would “slide” into practice across the nation. In Kalamazoo, Michigan (not Birmingham, Alabama) it wasn’t until May 6, 1971, that Kalamazoo’s Board of Education officially desegregated its schools. That’s almost 20 years AFTER the ruling by the highest court of the land!
What is Juneteenth and why is the celebration significant? READ MORE!
City Manager Outlines Action Steps for KDPS
At the June 15 City Commission meeting, Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema discussed a series of action steps that the City Administration and the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety will begin immediately in response to the events which occurred in Kalamazoo May 30 through June 2. SEE COMPLETE ACTION PLAN HERE!
I Remember: The Tornado of 1980
Everyone remembers where they were during devastating events. For me, I remember clearly what happened the day of the 1980 tornado in Kalamazoo. Check out this story and the exhibit displaying this Kalamazoo Moment! READ MORE!
LIVE Community Conversation Planned on Racial Unrest
The Lewis Walker Institute will host a series of Zoom discussions with leaders in our community and nation to address the current events surrounding George Floyd’s death and its aftermath. READ MORE!
Little Miss Perfect Video Wins National Award
Last Fall up-and-coming film director MJ Harrell shared a video with then co-worker Sonya Bernard-Hollins. Harrell had provided hands-on training in videography to members of the Merze Tate Explorers. He would even accompany them to record an exclusive interview with costume designer Ruth Carter, just days before her historic Oscar win for Best Costume Designer for her work on Black Panther. The students later would repay Harrell for his time by participating in the remake of a video he had recorded years earlier. READ MORE!
I Am Done Running
I would sprint 30 minutes nonstop from there to Kings Plaza Shopping Center dodging bottles, garbage cans, baseball bats, and a torrential downfall of “Nigger this and Nigger that” just to make it home safely. And then, I would immediately worry about having to navigate those same streets again the next day. This was a year or two before Yusuf Hawkins, a 16-year-old black teen, who had gone to inquire about a used car, was chased and murdered by a white mob in Bensonhurst. Already, my mother had warned me about going alone into Canarsie, Brighton Beach, Bay Ridge, and Sheepshead Bay, but somehow, she forgot to mention Ralph and K. READ MORE!
America Kills Our Dreams First
Low-income African American students and students with disabilities have been passed through the system unable to read and do math at their age and grade level. In most cases, students are two years behind. However, in some cases four or more years behind in their reading and math skills.
KPS School Board must mandate the testing of all students to determine what reading and math skill areas students are below grade level in. Each student must have an Educational Development Plan targeted to strengthen the specific skill level area of weakness until the student is grade-level proficient!
Blogs Coming Soon!
We will share the latest in publishing tips here!