Sarah Rigg

Students across Ypsilanti Community Schools are learning local history in a hands-on way by turning it into art. A new project called "Ypsilanti Future History" invites students to explore the people, places, and events that shape their city and to imagine what its future might look like. The program is led by Ypsilanti artist and educator Nick Azzaro. He spoke about what he hopes the project will achieve with Lee Van Roth.

In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's legacy and the upcoming Black History Month, the Riverside Arts Center is presenting its fourth annual Black Artist Exhibit. This year's theme is "Embracing Unity through Art" and is made possible by the African American Cultural Historical Museum of Washtenaw County, the Palm Leaf Club, and by Ronnie and Gloria Peterson. Ronnie Peterson himself will talk about the exhibit in detail with Lee Van Roth.

As national policy changes continue to reshape access to housing, food, health care, and other basic resources, more people are turning to local nonprofits for stability and support. Here in Ypsilanti, that increased need is being felt every day by organizations working directly with individuals and families in crisis. Tyrone Kelsey is the executive director of Friends In Deed. He joined Lee Van Roth to discuss his organization's ongoing mission to serve the public and the challenges they will face in the near future.

Back in the fall of 2024, Eastern Michigan University added a new, four-legged staff member. Tinker, a PAWS facility golden retriever, provides emotional comfort and relief to students and the campus community. Lee Van Roth shared Tinker's story and what her ongoing duties will be with her handler, Alexis Braun Marks.

There’s a new educational program that's literally transforming the landscape around Ypsilanti Community Schools, sometimes one sweet potato or pawpaw tree at a time. YCS has launched a new agriscience and botany career technical education program. It's part of a countywide push to expand hands-on learning opportunities for students. Lee Van Roth discussed the program and what it hopes to achieve with Ypsilanti Community High School biology teacher Laurel Wiinikka-Buesser.

Reports of mold at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility are creating difficult living conditions. The Ypsilanti-based organization Survivors Speak has been working to address these problems and to have inmate Krystal Clark released because of the health issues created by the prison conditions. Learn more in the conversation Lee Van Roth has with Survivors Speak founder, Trische' Duckworth.

At Eastern Michigan University, the Speech and Hearing Clinic has been quietly transforming lives in Ypsilanti and beyond. The clinic is housed in the College of Education and helps everyone from young children learning their first words to adults recovering from strokes. Lee Van Roth discussed the clinic's work with its co-director, Karen Parish-Foster, and with EMU graduate student Mollie Spencer.

Ypsilanti Community High School has officially been authorized as an international baccalaureate career-related program school. It's a milestone that expands college credit opportunities, hands-on learning and career pathways for students. This designation is also a key step in the district's broader magnet school vision aimed at preparing scholars for life success. Lee Van Roth talked all about it with YCS director of special projects and magnet schools, Turquoise Neal.

The University Musical Society (UMS) is partnering once again with the Ypsilanti Freighthouse to bring live musical events and fun activities this fall. Lee Van Roth spoke with UMS Community and Audience Programs Manager, Justine Sedky, about what to expect at the Freighthouse this month.

Dzanc House in Ypsilanti has given a home for writers and creatives for years. Starting this fall, Dzanc House will present a new project called "Beyond the Binary: Stories That Shift Culture." It aims to amplify the stories of LGBTQ+ youth through writing, poetry and podcasting. Learn more in Lee Van Roth's conversation with Dzanc House's director of development, programs and communications, Charlene Choi.