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Connecting to the earth, learning to work, play and learn from the soil below our feet: That’s the mission Willow Run Acres in Ypsilanti and the personal mission of its founder, Farmer T.C. Collins. In addition to nurturing the earth and taking joy in its bounties, Farmer T.C. uses Willow Run Acres to fight food injustice and inequities in economic opportunities for the Black community. The land also serves as an education center for young people, so future generations can connect to the earth. Farmer T.C. joined WEMU’s David Fair on an Earth Day edition of "Washtenaw United."
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A new report issued today shows disparities in the way people of color have their cases referred for prosecution in Washtenaw County. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.
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A county official has been appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court’s commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. WEMU’s Taylor Bowie has more.
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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.
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There are a number of health care issues we are dealing with: lack of affordable service for the uninsured, lack of affordable health insurance, inadequate adolescent health care and health education and a lack of people of color as health care providers. The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti is specifically designed to address those issues. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the center’s executive director, Alex Plum, to find out what is working and what more needs to be done.
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These are rather exciting times in the Ypsilanti Community Schools. The state is forgiving the combined debt created when the district merged with the Willow Run Schools. It has received a significant grant to invest in and expand STEAM and STEM programs. And the district will reopen a shuttered school building. WEMU's David Fair discussed these issues and more with district superintendent, Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross.
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In 2003, an organization was founded with a mission of tackling the unmet needs of socially and economically vulnerable young women in Washtenaw County. Now, Girls Group is celebrating 20 years of empowering young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency by ensuring they graduate from high school and begin their college or career journeys. Sue Schooner is the founder and executive director of Girls Group and shared the organization's story with WEMU's David Fair.
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When former President Barack Obama signed a declaration establishing the My Brother's Keeper Task Force, it promised a coordinated federal effort to address persistent opportunity gaps faced by boys and young men of color. Washtenaw My Brothers Keeper will hold a celebratory gala on Sunday, November 5th. In the meantime, WEMU's David Fair discussed the organization's growing scope of work with Washtenaw My Brothers Keeper project specialist, Jamall Bufford.
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Ypsilanti-based SOS Community Services and its "Parents as Teachers" program helps parents learn how to foster healthy growth and development for their children. It's community building, one family at a time. Rhonda Weathers and Rana Smith head up the program and joined WEMU's David Fair to detail the program and its community impact.
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The number of working poor in Washtenaw County is on the rise. Those are employed people that don’t make enough money to cover basics like housing, food and transportation. A new report shows more than 27% of all households in Washtenaw County live in these circumstances. That’s a significant jump from pre-pandemic levels. Bridget Herrmann is Vice President of Impact and Advocacy for the United Way of Washtenaw County. She joined WEMU's David Fair with details on the report and the efforts underway to address many of the underlying issues in finding a path forward to a better future.