Yesterday Tim and I traveled to the small encampment behind the old Wayside on Stadium Drive. We touched base with some folks who had already been given sleeping bag coats, and we learned that there were some “new” campers there. Two of them were forced outside because of problems “receiving their unemployment checks.” They welcomed […]
We’re inspired for the work ahead by the amazing inaugural poem of Amanda Gorman, National Youth Poet Laureate. Here are her closing lines: “We will rebuild, reconcile and recover and every known nook of our nation and every corner called our country, our people diverse and beautiful will emerge, battered and beautiful When day comes […]
Awesome Virtual Public Meeting! The turnout was amazing! ISAAC held our first virtual Public Meeting on October 22, to call for “policies and practices infused with love, hope, equity and abundance”–the words Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used to describe the Beloved Community. Nearly 500 people tuned in during the meeting, and over 3500 have […]
You can watch the whole meeting at ISAAC – Virtual Public Meeting 2020 Or you can watch any sections you choose: ● Performers and opening blessings and songs ● Elder King’s welcome & explanation of the public meeting purpose ● Housing Task Force Presentation ● Anti-Racism TF Presentation ● Gun Violence Prevention TF Presentation ● […]
Ask #1 – Housing Equity Ordinances in More Municipalities Good evening, I’m Andrew Chaponda, I’m Ellen Nelson. I’m Brenda Henry. I’m Cathy Phason. And I’m Parker James. Andrew – We have some celebrating to do!! The Housing Equity Ordinance–that ISAAC proposed at our Public Meeting two years ago—PASSED the Kalamazoo City Commission unanimously! This […]
Good evening, my name is Al Dixon, I am a co-chair of the Anti-Racism Task Force. We are committed to anti-racism and racial healing work because our history impacts our present and we continue to see systemic racism threaded within the practices and policies of our country, our local communities, and our institutions. We believe […]
Good evening my name is Rick Omilian, co-chair of the ISAAC Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. One year ago, we stood before the community at the ISAAC Issues Convention and shared statistics and news headlines about gun violence in Kalamazoo County in 2019. Gun violence within our community has shifted under Covid-19. Through Oct. 13, 2020 […]
We invite you to listen to our Beloved Community Members, Ms. Melody Coleman, Dr. Pat Stromsta and Ms. Gwendolyn Lewis as they share their personal stories of how gun violence has impacted their lives. We want to send heartfelt love and gratitude to these awesome women! Ms. Melody Coleman Dr. Pat Stromsta Ms. Gwendolyn Lewis
Trauma Reducing Informed Practices Our community has unfortunately been experiencing the impacts of gun violence. Many of us are wondering what we can do collectively. Please know you are not alone. We are in this together! We invite you to view this virtual community discussion recording. It’s a T.R.I.P, standing for Trauma Reducing, Informed Practices […]
Our Journey Continues… Dear Beloved Community Members, thank you for your support and for joining us for our 2020 Virtual Journey to DC for Racial Justice! We traveled over 7,000 miles together!!! BUT WE CAN’T STOP MOVING NOW! Our vital work continues!!! Please listen to our ISAAC President, Elder Doug King’s opening inspirational message inviting […]
Changes of “policy and practice infused with love, hope, equity and abundance”! (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words describing the Beloved Community.) At the ISAAC 2020 Public Meeting on Thursday, October 22, at 6:30 pm, public officials, candidates, and community leaders will publicly pledge to work with us on policies and practices that help build […]
How can people “stay home” during the pandemic if they don’t have a home? How can children do school online “from home” if they don’t have a home? Turn your ballot over! Vote YES on the “Kalamazoo County Housing Proposal” at the very end of your ballot! Just 10 cents a day if you have […]
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
