Rylee Barnsdale

Dzanc House in Ypsilanti is a home and hub for literary and cultural arts programming for all ages. For this week's "On the Ground Ypsi," Rylee Barnsdale spoke with creative director Amanda May Moore about the latest program offerings and a new artist-in-residency program.

Later this month, there is going to be a celebration of artistic endeavor in Ypsilanti! It will include a one-of-a-kind processional from the Riverside Arts Center to the Freighthouse in Depot Town. On this week's “On the Ground Ypsi,” Rylee Barnsdale spoke with UMS community and audience programs manager Justine Sedky about the partnerships that will bring to life the creativity of the community on April 19th.

Incubator kitchens are commercial kitchen spaces for food-based entrepreneurs to rent and share, and they're an integral resource to those with big food ideas but lack of access to specific equipment. They also provide information and assistance both on business matters, like marketing and advertising, and food matters, like food safety and product testing. Ypsilanti nonprofit Growing Hope offers its own incubator kitchen program to any Ypsilanti resident with food business dreams. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale talks about the program with its manager, Deante Brand.

The Ypsilanti Community School District has clarified that school staff will not ask families about their immigration status or voluntarily coordinate with immigration control and enforcement officers. Immigrant students are anxious that, when they get home from school, their parents may not be there. Rebecca Olszewski is the managing attorney at the Ypsilanti office of the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. She joined Rylee Barnsdale to discuss how to keep up with the needs of Ypsilanti's immigrant community.

Although spring is not quite here just yet, there is always new growth sprouting up around Ypsilanti, including in the small business community. Ypsilanti will soon have three more business options for you to quench your thirst. Skott Schoonover is the owner at the incoming Water Tower Distilling Company. He joined Rylee Barnsdale to talk about what folks can look forward to on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

Founded in 2001, the nonprofit Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan has provided high-quality, research-backed programming that blends physical activity with life skill development for over 24,000 girls in Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw Counties. With nine locations in Ypsilanti, Girls on the Run aims to help participants realize their limitless potential and boldly pursue their dreams. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale shares more about the program with one of the Ypsilanti site leaders, Estabrook Elementary teacher Cheri Cottrell, on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

At the end of 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) announced that the state of Michigan had the highest pre-kindergarten enrollment numbers over the past decade and an increase of over 4,000 students from 2023 figures. The Ypsilanti Community Schools saw a 15% increase in pre-kindergarten enrollment. Rylee Barnsdale checked in with Washtenaw Intermediate School District executive director of early childhood, Edward Manuszak, to discuss the increase and what it weans to the community on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

Creating inclusive spaces for those with sensory needs is at the heart of "Feed the Need Sensory Zone." It’s a Washtenaw County nonprofit fostering a more inclusive community. Organization founder, Tiana Haygood, joined Rylee Barnsdale for this week's “On the Ground Ypsi.”

The Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) is looking for heavy metal. This past summer, the YCUA recieved funding as part of the Environmental Protection Agency's "Get the Lead Out" initiative. It's designed to remove lead water pipes that can impact drinking water. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale provides more details on the work being done in Ypsilanti area in a conversation with YCUA executive director Luke Blackburn on this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."

The father/son-led nonprofit, Odindi Youth Action Village (OYA), has been actively working in and alongside the West Willow neighborhood community since 2022. And as their numerous successful initiatives and programs continue to evolve and grow, the support from the community members and local partners grows as well. Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale speaks with OYA co-founder Akin Oluwadare about his and his father's organization and their unwavering commitment to the community that they serve for this week's "On the Ground Ypsi."