Momentum from pledges made at the October 25TH Public Meeting continues as ISAAC recently hosted Racial Healing Circles for 42 people from 20-25 ISAAC member organizations. Participants reported feeling listened to, listening deeply, and hearing about experiences different from their own. More Healing Circles for people from ISAAC member organizations may be held in March. […]
During the ISAAC’s Public Meeting in October, the Anti-Poverty Task Force presented a list of barriers to employment such as job readiness skills, health issues, criminal record, substance abuse, photo identification, housing, transportation and child care. Local organizations such as Momentum, Michigan Works and Employer Resource Network are providing services to help families obtain jobs […]
The entire audience rose to their feet at the Public Meeting in October, in response to Deacon Pat Vinge’s call for us all to support new affordable housing. One exciting way we can live up to our pledge is to be at the Trailblazers Tribute and Tiny Houses of H.O.P.E. Reception on Friday, January 25, […]
STEP BACK AND TAKE A LONG VIEW “It helps now and then, to step back and take a long view…. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that this enables us to do […]
Many of us are familiar with the Story of Esther, a woman who helped save her Jewish Community from a violent edict. Mordecai urged Esther to go to the King and make supplication. Esther initially said this was something she could not do, as she had not been called by the King and this action […]
There was a lot of laughter, a wonderful crowd, and a delicious buffet at the ISAAC Breakfast on December 5. Elder King started all the laughs by reminding everyone giving a testimonial that when the governor spoke at an ISAAC Public Meeting, he was the timekeeper, she exceeded her time, and he sat her down! […]
Thanks to many of you, we are almost halfway toward the required $50,000 for ISAAC to receive interest income from our Endowment Fund! As of the ISAAC Breakfast on December 5, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation has received ISAAC Endowment Fund gifts and 2018 commitments of well over $23,000! Huge thanks to all of you who […]
The work of Justice is more vital than ever! We invite you to give to our work of community organizing, social justice and policy changes in the areas of racism, poverty and housing. As described by Dr. Martin Luther King, The Beloved Community is an inclusive, democratic reality, which while not devoid of conflict, is […]
A very warm welcome to the new clergy at three of our ISAAC member congregations–Rev. John Best at Pine Island Presbyterian Church, Pastor Chuck Moerdyk at North Presbyterian Church, and The Rev. Mike Wood at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church. We are very pleased to have each of you in our ISAAC Family! We look forward […]
Today is Cyber Monday and tomorrow is Giving Tuesday! Give to both at the same time! The work of Justice is more vital than ever! We invite you to give to our work of community organizing, social justice and policy changes in the areas of racism, poverty and housing. As described by Dr. Martin Luther […]
On October 25th, Kalamazoo Community Members, Leaders, Clergy, Elected & Public Officials, and Candidates showed up in support of Cultivating the Beloved Community! We would like to issue a sincere thank you to ALL who attended ISAAC’s 2018 Public Meeting! It was an awesome night! We are thankful to our hardworking Co-Chairs, (Stephanie Hoffman, Tobi […]
These wonderful photos were taken by Amy Peterson from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Rick Johnson from People’s Church. Click on any photo to enlarge it. Then read about all that happened at the “Awesome Public Meeting!” in the next article.
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
