equity challenge

Racism exists, and it is called a lot of things. One of the more under-represented ways it is characterized is as a public health crisis. All of the evidence shows that is right on target. WEMU's David Fair is joined by the Washtenaw County Health Department's health equity manager, Charyln VanDeventer. She tells us how and where racism shows up as a public health crisis and what's being done about it in our community.

There are underserved portions of our community, and among them are newcomers to Washtenaw County. Immigrants make up an important part of the area's workforce but often struggle to gain a stable foundation on which to build a new life in our country and in our county. WEMU's David Fair talked about the efforts to welcome and support immigrants with Shrina Eadeh of Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County.

This is a major election year, and there are races to be decided at every level of government. Michigan’s new election laws will work to combat voter suppression and increase turnout. While improvements have been made, more work is left to do. WEMU's David Fair talked about that work with the Washtenaw County co-leader of the grassroots group, Voters Not Politicians, Marie Knoerl.

The earlier in age we begin addressing societal and educational inequity, the better the future results will be. There is a partnership between The University of Michigan School of Kinesiology Childhood Disparities Research Laboratory (UMCDRL) and the Washtenaw Intermediate School District that is working to provide equitable access to structured physical activity to children inside the classroom. WEMU's David Fair spoke to U-M associate professor of Kinesiology, Dr. Rebecca Hasson, and regional school health coordinator for Washtenaw County, Danielle Dros.

Understanding individually how we process the world around us is the best way to get to the underlying factors contributing to inequity in our lives. On Friday, May 17th, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan will launch the 21-Day Equity Challenge, and it's open to everyone in the community. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the UWSEM's senior director for diversity, equity and inclusion, Andre Ebron, about the program and its impacts.

It is Black History Month, and not everyone is on board. There are some in the Black community that are upset that Black History is relegated to one month a year, noting that Black history is American History. How do you feel about it? We're going to look at that and the historical bias in education. WEMU's David Fair discussed it with activist, poet, and co-founder of "Black Men Read," Yodit Mesfin-Johnson

Despite the fact Democrats won control of the state Legislature for the first time in four decades in November, there are ongoing efforts at voter suppression. WEMU's David Fair is joined by first-term state representative Jason Morgan of Ann Arbor to discuss how best to legislatively combat those efforts in the new session.

Washtenaw County residents are getting a chance to learn more about the ways racism, equity, and bias continue to affect the community. WEMU's Taylor Pinson has more.

The United Way of Washtenaw County's 21-day Equity Challenge begins today. It asks us to spend time each day exploring our personal bias and to educate ourselves on how to recognize them, deal with them and, ultimately, discard them. It also provides context for the society we live in today and our roles in it. La'Ron Williams is a noted storyteller and a founding member of "Washtenaw Faces Race." He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the ongoing local efforts to dismantle hierarchal and systemic racism.

There is growing evidence art plays a role in how we express ourselves, and ultimately, treat one another. That's why, for the first time in 2023, art will be part of the 21-Day Equity Challenge in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair talks with local artist and equity activist Yen Azzaro, about using art to better understand implicit bias and racism's adverse impacts on the community around us.