Kalamazoo County school administrators and over 225 community members at nine organizations now better understand the impact of chronic trauma on children–and how we can respond more effectively to help trauma-affected children develop resilience. Making good on their promise at the ISAAC Public Meeting in October, school administrators participated in workshops in October and November. The WMU Children’s […]
In Kalamazoo black babies die 4X more than white babies. All the research on this disparity shows that the causes are not what you might guess—not income level, not education level, not genetics, not health care. The stress caused by racism is the cause — all the many ways that racism puts immense stress on mothers-to-be and families who […]
You are invited to the next Housing Matters forum, where Ann Perry, Kay Perry and Tobi Hanna- Davies will describe their experience taking homeless individuals into their homes. Ann and her sister Kay have given a home six times to individuals re-entering the community from prison. Tobi, inspired by the Perrys, has had a housemate […]
Psalm 118:23 – This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Oh what a night! This is exactly how I felt after our recent Public Meeting on October 6, 2016 at Mt. Zion Baptist church. What an awesome night of celebration and commitments! The community support was amazing, which just overwhelmed our […]
The Urban Democracy Feast: Supporting Local Social Justice Projects Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 4:30 pm, at First Congregational Church Since 2015, a group of community organizations have started a face-to-face crowd funding process. This process occurs over a meal so we can exchange information about shared problems, common obstacles and ways to overcome […]
Clergy from many faith traditions and from across Kalamazoo County have come together out of concern over talk by some individuals of negative actions following our national election. They invite the whole community to an interfaith service for unity and peace on November 9, the evening after the election. They asked ISAAC to help organize […]
Huge thanks to everyone who helped make the 2016 Public Meeting so powerful! Special thanks to Amy Peterson and Charlae Davis’ Uncle Johnny for capturing the event in these wonderful photos.
The three hundred people at the ISAAC Public Meeting at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on Thursday evening October 6, cheered enthusiastically for the new strategies ISAAC has chosen and the new community partners who have joined the work on Anti-Racism, Early Childhood & Education, and Youth Violence Prevention. “Once again, the Public Meeting was amazing,” […]
Those who attended the Public Meeting learned about the impacts of adverse childhood experiences (traumatic stress) on brain development, behavior and learning, and long-term health and well-being. Cara Weiler, MSW, Clinical Supervisor from Southwest Michigan Children’s Trauma Assessment Center (CTAC), joined task force members in explaining the science and the heart of the matter. Our […]
The Youth Violence Prevention Task Force is currently working on the curriculum for the Future Leaders for Peace (FLFP) leadership development and youth community organizing training. This training will help prepare our young people to be community leaders and make effective changes to make our community more just. Stay tuned for more information to get […]
Examining Racial Disparities in Employment: Critical Cultural Competency A workshop for Employers and Human Resource Directors The Anti-Racism Task Force is asking local employers to save May 25! Thursday, May 25, 9:00am – 4:30pm Location in Kalamazoo, to be announced An additional date, probably on a Saturday, is also being explored, so that employers have […]
Your Presence Matters October 6! YOU are needed on October 6! The more people present, the greater our progress on creating an equitable community! “This will be a joyful gathering,” said Elder Doug King, Pastor of Grace Covenant Ministries and President of ISAAC. “We expect hundreds of people who share our faith values of fairness, equity, opportunity and loving […]
Ed Genesis is an artist, poet, musician, organizer, entrepreneur, and community leader. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan permanently in his early 20’s, his love of art/music, his passion for his people and community, and his gift of creativity are evident in all areas of his work. In October 2018 Ed Genesis released a song to accompany the campaign he was working on around school push out, entitled Junior High, which was distributed nationwide including on his own iHeart radio station, Spotify, and iTunes.
In 2017 Ed Genesis created Poetic Justice, a monthly open-mic that was hosted/led by 5 local poets. He has performed as well as hosted several events such as the Black Arts Festival, the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival, and the National Day of Racial Healing.
Ed Genesis is Lead Mentor and head of community relations at Speak It Forward where he teaches youth at Lakeside Academy, Starr-Commonwealth, and the Kalamazoo County Juvenile home healing through music and art. In 2017, he started WE ACTIVE! a community organization aimed at fighting against mass incarceration and the school to prison pipeline. The organization was recognized by the State of Michigan and presented with a Special Tribute by Representative Jon Hoadley for its work on Criminal Justice Reform and Mass Incarceration in the Kalamazoo Community. Ed Genesis has been a panelist and featured speaker in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Milwaukee. He has and continues to collaborate with artists local to Kalamazoo, youth included, to create music to address social justice issues. In 2018 Ed Genesis joined Truth Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT). He leads the Racial Healing design team with a focus on healing justice and is also part of the Law Design Team.
ISAAC
