Michigan

6:33

The Economic Impact of Latinos in Michigan

According to the 2020 U.S. Census,Hispanics and Latinos make up 5.6% of Michiganresidents, up from 4.4% in 2010. Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez, Executive Director of the Hispanic Latino/Commission of Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to talk about the impact that Latinos are having on Michigan's economy.

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5:06

Empowering the Hispanic Latino Community

Latinos represent 16% of the Grand Rapids population and constitute the largest minority group in the city. Evelyn Esparza-Gonzalez – Executive Director, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to talk about how they are supporting the Hispanic /Latino community in Western Michigan.

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5:15

Making the Outdoors Inclusive for Everyone

According to the CDC about 12 percent of adults in Michigan have a disability impacting their mobility. Ron Olson, Chief of Parks and Recreation for the State of Michigan joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how the State of Michigan is making the outdoors inclusive for everyone.

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5:57

Keeping Students Safe in School

They are using American-bred scent detection dogs to protect schools, hospitals, businesses, public venues, and more. Greg Guidice, President and CEO of Elite Detection K9 joins Laurel Hess to discuss how they are using K9's to protect our communities.

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5:41

Learning through literacy

According to the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics, 34% of students are below basic reading level in the fourth grade. Andrea Meyer, Executive Director of the Center for Success Network joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how literacy is bigger then reading.

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5:57

Supporting working families and lifting people out of poverty

According to recent studies, the child poverty rate in Michigan is still nearly 19% statewide, and higher than the state rate in 45 of the state’s 83 counties. The Michigan League for Public Policy is working to help support working families and lift people out of poverty. They are working to increase the state Earned Income Tax Credit to help put more money in the pockets of families struggling to pay for basic necessities.

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5:54

Helping People to Better Understand Each other through the arts

African-American art is a broad term describing art created by Americans who also identify as Black. The Carr Center is celebrating 30 years of the African and African American Culture arts tradition. Oliver Ragsdale, Jr., President of The Carr Center joins host Laurel Hess to discuss how they are making people aware of the wide range of culture that exists in the world and our community.

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5:36

Changing lives for those that are visually impaired

According to the CDC, approximately 12 million people 40 years and over in the United States have vision impairment. Leader Dogs for the Blind is helping to make a difference in the lives of those that are visually impaired. Beth Slade, Director of Philanthropy for Leader Dogs for the Blind joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the different programs that are offered.

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6:01

Educating and Empowering people in the lessons of the Holocaust

The Holocaust was the culmination of years of hatred that spread and manifested itself into actions. Eventually, these actions became very violent on a large scale and were government-sponsored and organized. The Zekelman Holocaust Center is empowering people to stand up against hate. Katie Chaka Parks, Adult Museum Educator Manager for The Zekelman Holocaust Center joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the importance of their Adult Museum Education program.

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4:40

Bridging the Filipino Generational Gap

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the country. The US Pinoy for Good Governance is creating events to spread knowledge about the Filipino culture. Brenda Sanagustin, Chairperson of the 2022 Filipino Unity Day and President of the US Pinoy for Good Governance joins Laurel Hess to discuss the importance of Unity Day.

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7:04

Art for Art's Sake

Studies have shown that art and culture policies and programs increase economic development in states by attracting businesses, creating new jobs, increasing tax revenues and promoting tourism. Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director of the Anton Art Center discusses how art can support many different aspects of life and communities.

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6:09

Breaking Barriers in the Digital Divide

According to Pew Research Center, roughly a quarter of adults with household incomes below $30,000 a year (24%) say they don’t own a smartphone. About four-in-ten adults with lower incomes do not have home broadband services (43%) or a desktop or laptop computer (41%). And a majority of Americans with lower incomes are not tablet owners. By comparison, each of these technologies is nearly ubiquitous among adults in households earning $100,000 or more a year. Dr. Paula Whittaker Watkins, Chief Academic Officer of The International School talks about the importanceof breaking the barriers when it comes to the digital divide.

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5:49

Using art to spark meaningful conversations

Embracing Our Differences of Southeast Michigan is using art to talk about all kinds of diversity. From billboard size art in parks to educational art programs, they are helping to spark meaningful discussions. Nancy Margolis, President of Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan discusses how her organization is helping to spark the conversation about diversity.

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6:01

Health Benefits: Understanding Your Rights

Over $262 Billion in Medical Claims are initially denied. Recent studies show that the teen mental health crisis continues to grow, in fact mental health professionals and medical community have referred to the current rising trend in teens seeking (or needing) mental health treatment as an epidemic. J.J. Conway, Employee Benefits and ERISA attorney discusses the importance of families becoming more aware of their rights and benefit plans when it comes to their health benefits.

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5:47

Fighting a good fight since 1908

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority with over 300,000 members. Carrie Clark, Great Lakes Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the important work that the sorority is doing all over the world.

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5:57

Overcoming Poverty by Meeting Families Where They Are

Today 60 percent of Detroit children under five live in poverty with the majority of kids not ready for kindergarten. By third grade only 14 percent read at grade level. Cindy Eggleton, Co-Founder and CEO of Brilliant Detroit joins host Laurel Hess to discuss the importance of families being seen and heard.

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MICHIGAN SEGMENTS (166)