Neighborhood Voices
Local creators and producers share news and information about the community.
Media Shift: Are You Ready?
For many young adults like Michael, graduating High School presents many uncertain feelings and potential doubts. Michael S., of the 2025 Media Shift Youth Cohort, says "high school life ending makes you see if you can really realize whats about…
Media Shift: Beauty from Within
Yamalisa is a young woman born in Grand Rapids that attended Western Michigan University, shares her journey with beauty pageants while also being a part of criminal law. Producer London H., of the 2025 Media Shift Youth Cohort, says "I…
Media Shift: Echoes from the Grave – A Death Metal Journey
Follow Benjamin Boggs of the local Metal band "Drink Their Blood," as he recounts the story of how the band's formation and transformations shape new creative journeys, new connections, and unforgettable opportunities. Producer Drake H., of the Media Shift 2025…
Media Shift: Point One Percent
Kalamazoo County's Juvenile court system was established in 1996. Over the years, thousands of juveniles have gone in an out of the system, only one has successfully completed the program with a diploma. Xavion C. is a producer in the…
Connecting Communities: Yes, There Really is a Podcast Episode About a Kalamazoo Meme Page
Residents who follow the page "Yes, There Really Is A Kalamazoo Meme Page" on Facebook and Instagram frequently comment on the page's original memes saying "This is so true." The page nods to neighborhood inside jokes, winks about local heroes,…
All Stories Matter: Southwest Michigan First and The Chamber
Clarence Lloyd and Kevin Crittendon first knew of each other from passing encounters on the Western Michigan Univeristy campus, exchanging the familiar "head nod" in recognition. Years later, a series of serendipitous events brought them together as coworkers. In this…
All Stories Matter: Shonda Buchanan
Shonda's curiosity particularly about her family lineage began in childhood. At age 16, she wrote in her journal the a question that would years later be answered in her book Black Indian. A prodigious writer, teacher and activist, Shonda shares…
