equality

Juneteenth is here. The occasion serves as a great opportunity to discuss where we’ve come as a community since the end of slavery and the significant work that remains ahead. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Trische’ Duckworth for a Juneteenth conversation. She is founder of Survivors Speak and continues to work in the local Black Lives Matter movement.

The Peace Neighborhood Center in Ann Arbor is expanding wellness programs to benefit youngsters and their families. That is in addition to building on existing programs aimed at transformational experiences that build self-sufficiency. Bonnie Billups has been involved with the center since the 1970’s and now serves as its executive director. He joined WEMU's David Fair to talk about the latest program updates as the quest for equity and equality continues.

Mitigating inequity continues to prove difficult. That can be said for people of color, women, and those on the low-income side of the economic scale. Now, imagine trying to overcome those barriers fresh out of prison. Helping overcome those obstacles for convicts returning to society is the purpose of "A Brighter Way" in Washtenaw County. Adam Grant is a former inmate himself and now serves as its executive director. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss his story of redemption and the work underway to help others do the same.

There are a number of firsts this year in the United Way of Washtenaw County's Justice Fund allocations. The aim is to put money in the hands of more nonprofits and organizations that are working most closely with those in need—particularly Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). WEMU's David Fair is joined by Bridget Herrmann, UWWC's vice president for community impact and advocacy, to discuss the refocused lens being used to shape community investment moving forward.

As Pride Month continues, we remember a trailblazing, social justice force that forever changed Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. Jim Toy passed away this year at the age of 91, but his work not only lives on, but it also continues to grow in his name. WEMU's David Fair is joined by Jim Toy Community Center board member, Leigh Greden. Together, they explore the community and attitudinal changes Mr. Toy brought forth on behalf of the LGBTQ community and the work his legacy requires to be carried forward.

June is Pride Month, and the effort to advance equity and equality for the LGBTQ community has a long way to go. There are also areas of foundational progress to celebrate, even while some are under attack. On "Washtenaw United," WEMU's David Fair covers all of that with the deputy director of Movement Advancement Project, Naomi Goldberg. Naomi also serves as LGBTQ Liaison to the Mayor of Ann Arbor.

The Washtenaw County-based Community Action Network (CAN) is taking a neighborhood approach to help those most in need and to build better and more…

University of Michigan law professor and network TV legal analyst Barbara McQuade says the Constitution still holds up as a guidebook for how we are going…