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As a recording artist and music producer, Dr. Rod Wallace amplifies hip hop. He is an educator who applies the study of music technology to ignite and inspire youth. Rod is busy planning the March 2nd Detroit Electronic Music Conference at Washtenaw Community College. Meet him when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

There is an exhibit that will be available from March through the month of May called, “Family Foundations: Four Stories of Black Washtenaw County Community Building.” It is an interactive exhibit put forth by the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County. There is a long, rich African American history in our community, and much of it is never taught or widely shared. Museum president and CEO Joyce Hunter joins WEMU's David Fair with some lessons and knowledge we can all benefit from in this final Black History Month 2024 installment of "Washtenaw United."

Our spaces—the places we live and spend most of our time—can be our happy place. Designing happy spaces is what Kami Michels does. As the director of interiors at Center Design Build, she helps people create a place where they can renew and restore. Kami joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact" to talk about the art of interior design.

The U.S. Department of Defense is finally going to take meaningful action to protect Lake Huron from PFAS contamination emanating from the Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda. This action in Michigan may serve as a template for clean-ups at nearly 400 other bases across the country. The progress can be attributed to the efforts of concerned Michigan residents. Tony Spaniola is an Oscoda resident and co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak to discuss the latest information and what comes next.

There is a long and storied history of African American farmers in Washtenaw County. Its impacts are often overlooked and underappreciated. Bringing the stories to light is the mission of the Ypsi Farmers and Gardeners Oral History Project. The project is headed by University of Michigan-Dearborn Assistant Professor of Human Services Dr. Finn Bell. He not only joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the project but brought Patricia Wells with him. She is a master gardener with a rich history of her own. This is the first in a series of Black History Month editions of "Washtenaw United" for 2024.

Capturing 200 years of history is a daunting task, but the Ann Arbor District Library’s archive manager, Andrew MacLaren, is up to the challenge. He is leading the Ann Arbor 200 project—200 digital releases throughout the bicentennial year that explore Ann Arbor's history from a 2024 point of view. Listen in to hear all about it when Andrew joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

The theme of Black History Month this year is African Americans and the Arts. The Ann Arbor-based Willis C. Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale is celebrating 50 years of sharing the legacy of African American spirituals in 2024. It has spent five decades combatting the lack of inclusion for Black composers in chorale and classical music spaces. WEMU's David Fair talks all about it with the president of the chorale, Sharon Vaughters, in advance of some special performances in Ann Arbor on another Black History Month edition of "Washtenaw United."

We're just past Valentine's Day, but you can still share a movie with that special someone. WEMU's David Fair met up with Michigan Theater executive director, Russ Collins, to chat about new films and special screenings coming to your favorite movie houses.

One of Michigan’s largest pagan gatherings is making its way to Ypsilanti later this month. ConVocation is a four-day convention hosted by the Ann Arbor Magical Education Council. It brings together many mystical paths and the people that follow them through educational classes, art shows, a merchant’s room and more. One local merchant appearing at ConVocation is Mara Evenstar. She is owner of Evenstar’s Chalice in Ypsilanti and joined Concentrate Media's Rylee Barnsdale to discuss the event and sense of community it brings.

The City of Ann Arbor wants to move away from natural gas. In 2020, the city declared a climate emergency and noted the need to get off of fossil fuels. For the most part, that means a shift to more electric appliances, including the manner in which we heat the spaces where we live and work. Is it possible to make the transition? Some say yes. Some say no. John Mirsky is a member of the Ann Arbor Energy Commission,. He says it is absolutely possible and, in fact, has done it at his own home. He shares his perspective with WEMU's David Fair.