Rylee Barnsdale

The Riverside Arts Center has revitalized its Artist-in-Residency program this year. The two artists serving in that capacity are about to mark the halfway point of their residency, and you’ll hear from one of them! Nick Azzaro sat down with Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the program, his art, education and what is still to come through the rest of the residency.

Eastern Michigan University's Halle Library is receiving a makeover thanks to a donation from its namesake. With this move, the university's oral history program will soon grow into a center of its own. EMU Archivist and Library Department head, Alexis Braun Marks, joined Rylee Barnsdale for a conversation on what this will mean to the school and community-at-large.

While completing his doctoral studies at Eastern Michigan University, Dr. Rod Wallace had a vision to give back to his community through music. From there, he partnered with Ypsilanti-based Grove Studios and Ann Arbor-based Leon Speakers to create The Amplify Project, which is now in its fourth season. Dr. Wallace joins Rylee Barnsdale to talk about the work they are doing to lift the voices of African American musicians in Washtenaw County.

It was a sad day when Go! Ice Cream closed its doors in Ypsilanti. Now, there is some happier news to report. Four new business will occupy that building, Rylee Barnsdale spoke with one them. Colleen Kennedy is the owner of Investors Realty Group, which will also serve as the new property manager for the building on North Washington Street.

Today is Juneteenth. This is the is day celebrating the end of slavery in America. The Juneteenth celebration in Ypsilanti this year is bigger and better than ever and will run Friday through Sunday, Rylee Barnsdale sat down with Survivors Speak founder and Juneteenth organizer Trische' Duckworth to discuss the growth that the community will have the opportunity to enjoy.

Whether you know it or not, many believe Ypsilanti is a hotbed for hauntings and supernatural experiences. Exploring the stories and haunted places is the focus of a new book called, "Ypsilanti Ghosts and Legends. Kay Gray is one of the co-authors and co-hosts the podcast "Haunted Mitten." She shares her journey to the beyond and back in a conversation with Rylee Barnsdale.

Affordable housing continues to be an issue in Washtenaw County. In Ypsilanti Township, Habitat for Humanity has built 275 new, affordable homes over the past 30 years. After a period in which it focused on renovating existing homes, it is returning to new construction with two new projects in the township. Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley CEO Sarah Stanton checks in with Rylee Barnsdale to give an update on current and future plans to create more affordable housing.

More businesses in Ypsilanti are working to become more sustainable in their practices. A Prospect Park business called "We Adore Flowers" is among them. It focuses on organically grown, local blooms and have gone to great lengths to institute sustainable practices in creating their fragrant offerings. Rylee Barnsdale talked all about the "We Adore Flowers" establishment with its founder/owner, Ginny Blades.

YpsiWrites has been providing resources and space for local writers to hone their craft and foster unity between writers and the with the community they call home. Since 2019, the nonprofit has hosted events and workshops, and the next is the upcoming Ypsilanti-Area Authors Reading on May 22nd. Dr. Toni Pressley-Sanon will be among those presenting. She is an Africology and African American studies professor at Eastern Michigan University and has authored the book, "Lifting as They Climb: Black Women Buddhists and Collective Liberation." She joined Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the book, the event and the value of community connection.

Acts of gun violence and deaths have reached epidemic levels throughout the United States. The group Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is focused on reducing gun violence. Rylee Barnsdale speaks with Washtenaw County's chapter lead, Rochelle Igrisan, about the work they are doing in Washtenaw County and to highlight some upcoming events.