equity

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.

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 2021, hate crimes against members of the AAPI community in the U.S. increased 339%. WEMU's David Fair sat down with local artist, graphic recorder, and BIPOC advocate, Yen Azzaro, to discuss her personal journey and how it informs the work she does to build equity and understanding.

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is under new direction. Shannon Polk took over as president and CEO late last year. The foundation is a trusted philanthropic resource in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair caught up with Dr. Polk for a look at what the future holds for the foundation.

Black and Brown residents in Washtenaw County are disproportionately impacted by traffic violations. Associated costs help contribute to a cycle of poverty. The state is offering help through its "Clean Slate" program. The Deputy Legal Director of the Department of State, Khyla Craine, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the driver's license restoration program.

Nonprofits in Washtenaw County have been heavily reliant on volunteers as we manage our way through a global pandemic. The fact of the matter is, they've always been an important safety net and most are reliant on volunteers. Bridget Herrmann is Vice President for Impact and Advocacy at the United Way of Washtenaw County. She joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the need for greater participation and the ongoing efforts to better diversify the volunteer force.

Women in leadership positions in unions and the labor movement are still the exception rather than the rule. On WEMU's final Women's History Month edition of "Washtenaw United," David Fair will introduce you to a local woman who is among the exceptions. Gloria Llamas worked her way up to become President of the Communication Workers of America union before her retirement. Today, she remains active in egalitarian efforts to achieve equity among women and workers here in Washtenaw County.

All too often, those with disabilities feel left out. The notion of community-wide inclusion to forge more meaningful and productive relationships to people of all abilities is behind the soon-to-open "Work & Play Cafe" in Ypsilanti. In the return of "On the Ground Ypsi," David Fair welcomed Concentrate Media's "On the Ground" project manager, Sarah Rigg, and the subject of her article, cafe co-founder Steve Berg.

The United Way of Washtenaw County has chosen the leader of the Washtenaw County Health Department as its 2022 Woman of the Year. Jimena Loveluck has spent over three decades working in the public health realm and continues the quest to create equity in care accessibility and health outcomes. She became chief health officer for Washtenaw County just months before the pandemic hit. The manner in which she has led the department and engaged the community has led to the award recognition. The legacy she continues to build made her the perfect choice as our first guest on WEMU's Washtenaw United Women’s History Month series.