Washtenaw United

For over 60 years, the St. Louis Center in Chelsea has housed those with developmental disabilities and helped them find employment and work toward independence. Yet, like many nonprofit organizations, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the center financially and emotionally. The center's chief operations officer, Deana Fisher, joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss how her establishment and its residents have adapted to the pandemic.

The Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center in Ypsilanti has a mission: To unite all people, regardless of race, religion, or politics, and to highlight the works of authors of color. Bookstore co-owner Carlos Franklin joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss his love of literature and his journey as a Black, small business owner during social unrest and a pandemic. 

Many families face some sort of crisis, especially when it involves the criminal justice system. Finding support can be difficult, which is why Florence Roberson formed "Sisters United Resilient and Empowered," or SURE Moms. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the work her group is doing to build the community and alter the life trajectories for local women and their children. 

Discussing racism, whether individual or systemic, is important, but sometimes awkward or uncomfortable. Not in the Kekere Freedom School program. It is at the core of what founder and director Nuola Akinde imparts to the students the school serves. Nuola joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss confronting racism and teaching children to embrace their cultural heritage. 

Learning remotely and through a difficult pandemic academic year has left some children in the area a bit behind. Black Men Read (BMR) was formed to promote literacy and cultural engagement. WEMU's David Fair spoke with one of BMR's founders, Tamara Tucker-Ibarisha, about the innovative program and its plans to help kids be ready for academics in the fall. 

Many communities, including Washtenaw County, have declared racism a public health crisis. There are no simple cures for such a crisis, but holistic nursing consultant Dr. Roxane Raffin Chan has been providing services to help people cope with the racially-charged incidents in their lives. Dr. Chan explains how she and her company, Chan Body Energy, have responded to the United Way's 2021 21-Day Equity Challenge in a chat with WEMU's David Fair.

There can't be equality until equity is achieved. Self-awareness and understanding of where systemic and institutionalized bias exists is the launch point. The United Way of Washtenaw County is about to kick off another 21-Day Equity Challenge, and its aim is to create recognition and awareness and provide a foundation for change. Naomi Norman is interim superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the benefits to public education and the people it serves. 

The United Way's National Day of Action is right around the corner. Local volunteers in communities around the country work on a number of projects  aimed at helping the underserved and enhancing engagement. Last year, the pandemic forced everything to be a virtual experience. This year, vaccinations and relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions will allow for the return of some in-person work, too.  WEMU's David Fair got the rundown of how the 2021 Day of Action will be conducted from United Way of Washtenaw County senior development associate Madeline Garcia.

Michigan Ability Partners (MAP) has an ongoing mission to find work, housing, and other esssentials for military veterans and those with disabilities. The COVID-19 public health crisis created new and different challenges. MAP's chief executive officer, Jan Little, joined WEMU's David Fair to look at the immediate past, the present, and the future. 

While there is still work to be done, women continue to shatter glass ceilings. More women are taking on the challenge of entrepeneurship and doing so successfully. At some point, most everyone launching a new business needs some guidance, and that's where Kristin Gapske and her team come in. Kristin is director of the Entrepeneurship Center at Washtenaw Community College. She joined WEMU's David Fair about how the center is assisting women in business start-ups and in industry growth. 

Throughout history, women have been the primary caregivers. All too often, it comes at the cost of their own physical and mental health. Dr. Ebony Parker-Featherstone is an assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Michigan. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discusses ways for women to improve self-care. 

The year-plus of the coronavirus pandemic has been difficult on everyone.  Yet, women, overall, have carried greater burden with both physical and mental ramifications.  Life and health coach Liza Baker has developed techniques to maintain and improve women's health and shared her methods with WEMU's David Fair. 

"Barrier Busters" is a coalition of more than 90-plus service agencies and organizations in Washtenaw County.  It helps low and moderate income families in times of need and helps bridge gaps that might otherwise send a person, or family, spiraling downward.  Moonson Eninsche supervises the program from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.  He joined WEMU's David Fair to offer an inside look at how pandemic hardships have increased the need for services. 

This year marks the United Way of Washtenaw County's 100th anniversary.  Appropriately enough, "Washtenaw United" has now surpassed 100 episodes on WEMU.  David Fair marks both milestones in a conversation with UWWC president and CEO Pam Smith and touches on what the future holds. 

Washtenaw County residents aged 50 and over may not get out and about as easily as younger folks.  It can be even harder for those with less financial means.  A new pilot program called "AARP Ride@50+" was developed to make public transit more accesible, and its community development manager, Alison Petersen, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the program and what it has, so far, achieved. 

We are officially in the midst of tax season.  For many Washtenaw County residents, it is stressful, especially for those who have struggled financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  Still, volunteers working at the United Way of Washtenaw County's VITA program are ready to provide tax advice and assistance.  VITA program manager Emma Roeder joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation about the program's current efforts on this week's "Washtenaw United."

Yodit Mesfin-Johnson has been a community activist all her adult life.  She serves as president adn CEO of  Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) in Ann Arbor, is active in Black Lives Matter, and is on the board of the United Way of Washtenaw County.  It is her mission to create equity in marginalized communities and put more people of color at leadership tables to ensure diversity and equality in our communities.  In the final Women's History Month edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks with Mesfin-Johnson about her life, career, and the foundations she is helping build for future generations.

Barbara Niess-May has provided a voice for survivors of sexual assault in Washtenaw County for decades.  Currently, she serves as the executive director of SafeHouse Center in Ann Arbor, which provides shelter, counseling, legal help, and other services for such victims.  Niess-May joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss her work, the progress made, and what lays ahead.  

Albert Wheeler was Ann Arbor's first, and only, African-American mayor.  His activism in the Civil Rights Movement inspired his daughter, Alma Wheeler Smith, to enter the political arena as well.  She served 14 years in the Michigan Legislature and continues to be a voice for equity and equality across race and genders.  WEMU's David Fair reflects with Wheeler Smith with an eye towards what the future may hold. 

As WEMU continues to mark Women's History Month, we continue to talk with some of the women working today to building a new and better future.  The Black Lives Matter movement was initiated by women.  Community activist Trische' Duckworth has been a vocal leader of the movement in Washtenaw County.  WEMU's David Fair discussed the journey to activism with Duckworth and the history she hopes to help write and the legacy she wishes to leave on this  week's "Washtenaw United." 

Numerous women in America often face two challenges in life: succeeding in business and maintaining a family.  Finding balance can be daunting.  In this Women's History Month edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair talks with  Tiffany Ford, president and CEO of the University of Michigan Credit Union, about her experience and the work to create better futures and more balance for members of her team. 

In the best of times, food insecurity is a significant community problem.  In the pandemic economy, it has become a desperate situation for all too many.  The Ypsilanti-based Joyful Treats Community Foundation is bringing its culinary and catering talents to the fore in helping address the issue.  Founder and president Khadija Wallace joined WEMU's David Fair on "Washtenaw United" to discuss the inspiration and motivation behind the foundation's efforts.

Those who are released from jail or prison, especially people of  color, face a great number of barriers to successfully reintegrating.  The COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse.  Former inmate Cozine Welch started the organization "A Brighter Way" to help those, like him, who have faced these obstacles.  Welch joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the work of supporting those in need of a new path while recognizing, and fighting, the systemic racism that permeates our system of justice. 

Soon after the pandemic hit, unemployment went up significantly on the east side of Washtenaw County.  Student homelessness and food insecurity went up, while any sense of security and stability plummeted. The Ypsilanti Community Schools and its partners responded in short order by creating "The Resiliency Center."  YCS superintendent Alena Zachery-Ross joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the center's impact so far and why the center will likely be with us even after the pandemic is over. 

For nearly a decade now, Eastern Michigan University's Family Empowerment Program has helped those living in Ypsilanti Housing Commission facilities in a variety of ways.  The program's work has become even more important through the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for families of color.  The program's executive director, Marquan Jackson, joined WEMU's David Fair on the first day of Black History Month to discuss services offered and why the pandemic has highlighted issues of systemic racism. 

The past year has brought a global pandemic, political unrest, and a more concerted effort to combat systemic racism.  Put together, it has created new challenges for leaders in the non-profit sector.  Ann Arbor-based "Career Directions" is dedicated to coaching leaders and organization teams and, it too, has found new challenges to overcome.  On "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair explores challenges and solutions with Career Directions executive coach/principal, David Gruner.

2020 reinforced that there is still a lot of work to do to achieve racial equality and justice in America.  Numerous acts of police brutality and a pandemic that disproportionate impacted people of color highlight the need for greater investment in equity.  In a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day edition of "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair discusses the state of "The Dream," locally and beyond, with Washtenaw County racial equity officer Alize Asberry Payne.

There has been some progress made in societal acceptance of the trans community, but there is a long way to go.  Most communities still lack adequate support systems for trans people and their families to help navigate through.  In this week's "Washtenaw United," Roz Gould Keith joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss her family's journey and the nonprofit organization it inspired, Stand with Trans. 

The pandemic has created hardships across the board.  For a good number of people, it has been devastating and sometimes tragic.  Many have lost jobs and, coupled with being largely confined at home, are more stressed than ever.  That can be a recipe for child abuse.  WEMU's David Fair spoke about it with Michelle Walters, executive director of the Washtenaw Area Council for Children, whose mission is to prevent child abuse and ensure safe and healthy lives for all children. 

To say that 2020 was a challenging year would be an understatement.  The coronavirus pandemic combined with political unrest and reinvigorated calls for racial justice and equity proved difficult for everyone. The United Way of Washtenaw County had to adapt to new work restrictions, launch new fundraising programs, and adapt to changing and increasing needs in the community.  UWWC vice president for impact and advocacy Bridget Herrmann joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the year in review and a peek into what 2021 may bring.