Winter 2014 Issue

Contents What’s Inside Feature Story Area Youth Follow their Passion

Entertainment

P. 14

Studio Dedicated to Training a New Generation of Dancers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6

College Life Girls Experience Life in the Dorms. . . . p.8

Education Money Smart Kids Goes to Schools to Teach Financial Literacy... . . . . . . . . . . p.13

History

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Faith

10 Ways to Preserve Family History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.24

Health Pregnant? Now What? Caring for baby and self. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.22

Macedonia Baptist Church adds beat to their vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.20

Let’s Begin From The Editor

Make it Happen: Remember What’s Important for Yourself and Your Community

For many of us, 2014 rolled in with a renewed vigor to “start fresh” toward our goals. However, while new beginnings promise change, remembering what lessons we learned – in the trials and triumphs of the past – is vital in shaping our character, our community and our world. There is no better example of this than the late Nelson Mandela.

As a young lawyer he led the fight against apartheid with the African National Congress and as a result was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Fast foreword towards the end of his life and he became his country’s first Black president. His hardships of the past did not make him bitter. In fact, they served to make him stronger, more humble, more loving.

“In the life of any individual, family, community or society, memory is a fundamental importance. It is the fabric of identity.”

One of my favorite quotes by him is:

Volume 01, Issue 12

Founders Arlene & James Washington (2005-2010) Publisher Season Press LLC (2010-) Editor-In-Chief Sonya Bernard-Hollins Graphic Design Fortitude Graphic Design Contributing Writer Tate-Stone Travel Writers Contributing Photographer Sean Hollins Aaron Cantrell For more information visit www.comvoicesonline.com write: Community Voices P.O. Box 51042 Kalamazoo, MI 49005 or call: 269-365-4019

Let’s not forget the past as it has helped shape us into who we are today. Let’s honor our history, our journey and what we personally have overcome. In doing that we become stronger, bolder, smarter and more of an asset to our community and our world. In this issue we honor those in the arts who have paved the way for us, those who strive to reach their dreams, and those who inspire us along the way.

In our Spring edition, we will focus on those from West Michigan who have made great strides in Business. Let us know of anyone you would like see featured!

What will you do to Make it Happen in 2014?

See you online and on our new APP! Sonya Bernard-Hollins, publisher 4

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Download COMMUNITY VOICES

App Today!

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By Sonya Bernard-Hollins, publisher Performance photos by Sean Hollins Rehearsal photos by Aaron Cantrell

BATTLE CREEK- When Angela Graham-Williams was a child she loved taking dance classes.

As she grew older her passion for the artistic movements of all types of dance began to flourish. In 2003, she and Fionn Williams co-founded AGW Dance Conservatory of the Arts in Battle Creek. What started with about a dozen students has turned into studios with more than 200 students taking classes in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

Her studio in Battle Creek is located at 410 W. Van Buren St. In Kalamazoo she has created a partnership with the Black Arts and Cultural Center (BACC) to provide dancing opportunities for girls ages 2 and older at Maple Street Magnet School. The BACC provided scholarships for 25 area girls to take part in the dance education experience.

The mission of the Conservatory is to provide an imaginative and emotional outlet with creative expression; thereby instilling self-esteem and self-actualization through classical dance technique and Christian principles. Students have the opportunity to participate in classes where tap, ballet, hip-hop, hustle, jazz and other styles of dance are taught. The students from both studios showcase their talents in winter and spring musicals and are exposed to professional dance performances. Students recently traveled to Chicago to see the Alvin Ailey dancers live!

Graham-Williams earned her Ph.D. in psychology, however her love for dance continues to shine as she trains the next generation of dancers. Some of her original students are now instructors and have decided to pursue dance on the collegiate level.

Watch her video and learn more about AGW Dance Conservatory for the Arts at: http://agwconservatory.blogspot.com/

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Page 6: AGW co-founder Angela Graham-Williams shows her moves during the Winter Recital in Battle Creek; Graham-Williams instructs students of her Kalamazoo studio in proper technique. Page 7: Kalamazoo and Battle Creek students in ballet, tap and jazz perform during the recital co-sponsored by the Battle Creek Festival of Lights. www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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By Makaila Morris KALAMAZOO-I loved staying on campus at Kalamazoo “K” College during the Tate-Stone Travel Writers Academy in July of 2013. My experience was pretty amazing as we experienced being reporters immediately. Our goal was to travel throughout the community and state reporting on the amazing people and places we encountered. But it also taught me something more.

One of my favorite parts of the academy was moving into the DeWaters Hall dorm. For the first time, 12 girls in grades 5th-10th knew what it felt like to have a college roommate. We had the opportunity to make our room our own by adding our own personality to it. I couldn’t believe I was a about to be a junior at Loy Norrix High School and was staying on campus. I soon started to feel like an actual college student.

At the same time, staying on campus taught me a lot about living with people you were meeting for the first time. It has taught me that you have to learn to work out your differences; everyone is different and some personalities collided. The luxuries of home were not the same either – did you say, no air conditioning in July? Hot! Whether we were learning about Merze Tate, Lucinda Hinsdale Stone, Kalamazoo College or even how to compromise with our roommates, we learned something new about our friends and ourselves. Kalamazoo College and the dorm experiences were pretty amazing. I hope that one day I can attend “K” as an actual student and travel abroad to study in Greece. I can’t wait! I hope that more young people could have the chance to experience dorm life before they head off to college.

Makaila Morris was sponsored by Vineyard Outreach Ministries during the 1st Annual Tate-Stone Travel Writers Academy. At the community awards ceremony she received the Honorary Editor award for her outstanding work as a junior reporter.

From top: Makaila Morris poses with Asia Taylor and Jazmine Webb and her mother, Simone. Sandy Portes poses with her daughter, Rickelle and neice, Shamya Banks. Syann Hollins and Claire Khaibery make their beds. Shakira Sykes (in red T-shirt) poses with her family;

Girls of Kalamazoo County in grades 5-9 may apply for an opportunity to participate in the 2014 Tate-Stone Travel Writers Academy.

Girls in grades 10-12 may apply for an Ambassador Leader position.

Visit www.comvoicesonline.com and click on the Tate-Stone Academy logo on the Home page to download an application. For more information call Sonya Bernard-Hollins at 269-365-4019. Deadline for student applications is March 31, 2014. Limited sponsorship is available!

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Kendal Dean has made a world of friends since coming to Kalamazoo College.

“I really enjoy the students here, especially the international students and the athletes; the students made the transition from high school easier, they make me feel comfortable,” says the chemistry major.

Kendal plays defense for the Hornet football team, and believes the team is on track for a conference championship.

In his academic life he loves that “you can go to the professors at any time you need or want; you can build a great connection with them.”

Kalamazoo College has challenged Kendal to be more open to others’ thoughts and opinions and helped him voice his own in a more effective manner.

“If I could stay on this campus all year round—I would.”

MoreMore ininFour. a Lifetime. www.kzoo.edu www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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WEST BLOOMFIELD HILLS- The City of West Bloomfield and the Macon-Thomas Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. recently honored the men who served as Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Photos from top: The Macon-Thomas Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., held their first Annual Founder’s Day Dinner October 18, 2013 honoring LTC Alexander Jefferson, Original TAI Pilot, POW, WWII Veteran as guest speaker.

Jefferson talks with students during an exhibition of the Tuskegee Airmen. The airmen continue to educate students across the nation about their role during World War II as the first African American air corps members. In addition, the men continue to inspire youth through pilot programs and trips to places such as NASA space camp. For more information or to donate to this effort, Contact Tuskegee Airmen West Bloomfield, MI chapter at: (248) 242-6293, or email: taiwbloomfield@comcast.net.

Chapter President Maj. William Burnett poses with Police Chief Michael Patton as they unveiled the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during Veteran’s Day, 2013.

Images contributed by Maj. William Burnett.

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Sonya Bernard-Hollins has used her love for history and passion for inspiring young women to create the soon-to-be-released book, Pure Michigan Women: 30 Women From the Michigan Hall of Fame.

The interactive history book features narratives of amazing women of Michigan history such as Madame Laframboise, a Native American women who made a fortune in the fur trade; and Anna Bissell who helped her husband create the Bissell carpet sweeper and became one of America’s first woman CEOs. Caricature drawings by Albion native Jerome Washington, and a cover design by Kalamazoo’s Chad Sutton add inspiration to the narratives of the women of diverse cultures, professions and Michigan regions. In addition, a time line and Michigan facts educate readers on just what was going on in the state and nation during the lives of these women who have made their mark on Michigan from the 18th-21st centuries. For more information or to request copies visit Seasonpresspublishing/facebook.com.

Help Place a Michigan Woman in History

LANSING-Do you know a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to her community, region or state of Michigan? Nominate a woman from the past or present for a chance to have them honored in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame!

Those selected will be recognized during a gala dinner in October hosted by the Michigan Women’s Historical Center of Lansing. For the past 30 years the center has honored women in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame exhibition in their museum – the only one is its kind in the state. For more information or to nominate a woman visit: http://www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org/pages/ nomination.htm.

Deadline for submission is March 21! www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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"At an early age, libraries became the most important place for me to go, because there, I could explore the entire world.”

Von H. Washington, Ph.D.- Master Storyteller “When the founders of the Ladies’ Library Association organized the first library in western Michigan they knew that libraries could raise the educational level of the community. Everyone benefits.” Paula Jameson, president of the 160-year old Ladies’ Library Association

“Many of us couldn’t afford to buy a lot of books so the library was a place of endless resources for free!”

Willie Mae Pierson Kalamazoo’s First African-American female realtor

“Through poetry, we help students shine a positive light on themselves and their outlook on themselves starts to change.”

Kirk Latimer & Gabriel Giron, Founders of Kinetic Affect Art by: Kenjji

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The Money Smart Kids afterschool program is a six-week program that was initiated at Northeastern Elementary School in the Kalamazoo Public School district. Each Tuesday and Thursday students participate in the nearly two-hour class which highlights financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career readiness in fun and unique ways.

Northeastern was the site of the pilot program thanks to a grant Principal Dr. Vanessa Carter applied for through the Greg Jennings Foundation.

Carter’s goal was for her students to learn the basics and importance of financial literacy in their lives – something that should begin early in life. All third grade students were given

the opportunity to participate in the after-school program through the encouragement of their teachers.

In addition to the information shared on money management, entrepreneurship and careers, students earn real money for participating in the program in addition to Money Smart Kids products (book, music cd, bookmark, apparel and wrist band). Students also create a business plan of their Dream Business, which they shared at the end of the program.

The grant for Northeastern was a double bonus for the program founder, Stanley Steppes, president of The Steppes Group. Steppes and Nicole Jennings (president of the Greg Jennings Foundation) both attended Northeastern Elementary School. They felt this partnership was their way

pay-it-forward in exchange for the rewarding experiences they shared as students there.

Steppes’ Money Smart Kids children’s book has been shared with thousands of students in the Kalamazoo Public Schools and across the country thanks to grants by Communities in Schools, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and business sponsors. Educator Dr. Carol Hogan created the curriculum which is the basis of the after-school financial literacy program.

“By providing youth with the knowledge and skills to manage their finances, they are more likely to be successful in the pursuit of career aspirations,” Steppes said. “Money is simply a tool to reach your dreams.”

Pictured left from back row: Dionna Roberts (4th grade teacher), Stanley M. Steppes, Dr. Carol Hogan. Front row students from left: Ariah Abbott, Donnie Ozomaro, and Rebecca Burns.

Books are available in print or ebook at: http://www.amazon.com/ Christian-Daddy-Shopping To schedule a Money Smart Kids program at your school or organization, contact Stanley Steppes at: stanley@ steppesgroup.com www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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2 Community Voices’ 2014 theme is, Make it Happen.

In that spirit, we want to find out what happens to Michigan natives who leave 1 to pursue their dreams. In this issue we will focus on those who have followed their dreams in the areas of Arts and Entertainment. Let’s celebrate them, their success, lessons learned and goals for the future.

by Sonya Bernard-Hollins, publisher

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Dereck Cobb must have been about 4 years old when I first saw him perform a drum solo during the Kalamazoo Junior Girls’ Children’s Fashion show in 1994.

Even at a young age his passion for music was evident. Today, the 2008 graduate of Portage Northern High School is one of the most sought-after young drummers in the music industry.

After attending Berklee College of Music he immediately began touring overseas as drummer in a Michael Jackson tribute show– he was just 20 years old!

His first TV appearance was playing drums on the Today

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Show for Nicki Minaj in 2012.

“I have never been so nervous in my life,” said Cobb of the concert in Rockefeller Plaza where people lined up 24 hours before the show to catch Minaj in action.

After his first trip to South Africa as a drummer for Kenny Lattimore he said, “It is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.”

Cobb has played around the world and has worked with dozens of today’s top artists including: Ne-Yo, Rhianna, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown and Snoop Dogg.

What has he learned?: “The musical challenge is to always make the artist happy.

Being a musician is an extremely unpredictable profession. Good health and money management is key!

Approach this career like there is no Plan B. Always be prepared because you never know who’s watching.”

While Cobb says Plan B’s are not an option.

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Brandi Washington says it’s the Plan B’s that allow her to follow her dreams.

Washington left Kalamazoo and earned a B.A. degree in TV/ Film Production from Howard University.

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Today, she lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. where she is an actress, comedian, writer, model and production assistant, Whew!

What inspires her?: “I’ve always loved the arts and the freedom to express myself,” she said. “When I arrived at Howard University my eyes were opened to the possibilities of becoming an artist. I was surrounded by so many creative people and it made me comfortable to just BE.” Her major goal is to land a role on a comedy series and in feature films. Along her journey she has met valuable mentors.

“The most amazing set of people that I’ve

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5 Photo by Steve Leonard

worked with was the cast and crew of The Wire Season. I was behind the scenes for the show working in the Locations department. That experience taught me so many lesson in the industry.”

Her advice: “It’s never too late, but it’s better to have something else that you are just as passionate about in case acting doesn’t work out. Overall, happiness is key. Never give up!”

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Meredith Arwady Vocalist who are serious about their craft long to hear the words... “And the Grammy goes to....”

Well, West Michigan native Meredith Arwady had Grammy added to her resume in 2012 when she and the cast of Doctor Atomic won a Grammy for their opera drama.

Arwady, a 1996 graduate of Loy Norrix High School, joined the cast of the opera in 2008 at the Metropolitan Opera in – where else?

– New York! She has performed at some of the world’s most renown theaters such as Lyric Opera Opera of Chicago and with the Boston Symphony among many other symphonic ensembles.

This young star is at the top of her craft as her itinerary continues to be filled. According to her website (mereditharwady. com) her 2013 – 2014 season will begin at San Francisco Opera as Mistress Quickly in Falstaff. She also will return to Houston Grand Opera as Erda in Das Rheingold, in the opera house’s first installment of their four-year Ring Cycle project. As if that’s not enough, she then re-

turns to Opera Theatre of Saint Louis as Mme. Croissy in Dialogues of the Carmelites followed by a return to Santa Fe Opera in their double-bill The Impresario (Fräulein Krone) and Le Rossignol (Death). She will sing Alexander Nevsky with the Spokane Symphony and Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 with the North Netherlands Orchestra. Go girl!

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Cataanda James was a finalist in the job of a lifetime. When President Barack Obama was elected in 2008 his wife needed a personal stylist. James was interviewed for the job.

While she didn’t get that position it is her reputation as a beauty maker that has allowed her monumental success as makeup artist to the stars. As a national consul-

tant for L’Oreal Paris her resume includes dozens of A-list clients. Those who have sat before her included presidential hopeful Al Gore, boxing beauty Laila Ali, Earth, Wind and Fire musicians and actor Terrence Howard.

James has taken her passion for beauty from one that started as a child modeling for Jacobson’s Department store, to success making others look good on the runway, in film and print. Her famous, “Cat Eyez” look was featured on the models of a Mercedes Benz Fashion Week show.

James attended one of the top cosmetology schools – Dudley’s in North Carolina. It was that training which allowed her to hone her craft and graduate top of her class. The clients

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of her image creations have grace the covers of Essence, Seventeen and other print media. Also a columnist for Community Voices, James, a 1992 graduate of Kalamazoo Central says, cosmetology is her passion and believes God has placed her on earth to do this! A beauty herself, she has been featured in Dove and O Magazine ads.

“I believe the soulful eyes discover underlying beauty, and that a divine touch enhances style and character.”

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Edward Callahan Jr. echoes the word many of our hometown artists use in their quest for success – Perseverance. As a contestant in the NAACP ACT-SO competition, it took him three years of competition before earning a gold on the local level to compete in the national event.

He also participated in the United Teens Talent Show, was a member of Kalamazoo Central’s, and WMU’s marching bands and orchestras.

Nearly three years after the national ACT-SO

competition he reconnected with one of his competitors who came to Kalamazoo to perform with the Morgan State University gospel choir.

As fate would have it, the friend encouraged him to venture east to New York to see if he had what it takes to make it in the industry. Callahan was connected with classical pianist Damian Sneed.

During his first few months in New York Callahan worked as Sneed’s personal assistant – selling the artists’ CDs, running errands and making travel arrangements. He accompanied Sneed on photo shoots, jam sessions with Wynton Marsalis and opportunities to meet other well-known artists in the Gospel and Classical music industries.

Sneed saw Callahan’s desire to perfect his own craft and helped him secure the position of Minister of Music for Creston Avenue Baptist Church in New York. In addition, Callahan began teaching elementary school music in Queens and began getting exposure for his church choir.

He has led his choir to performances with such

more people

ready for success

thelearningnetwork.org

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stars as Melanie Fiona, and as an opening act for those such as Hezikah Walker. In 2012 his choir performed in the McDonald Gospelfest.

He began playing piano at age 5 with Mrs. Billie Netterwald and says the foundation she gave him continues to prove invaluable.

“I am still passionate about classical music..I’m learning that my gift can be used in many other genres from Gospel, Jazz R & B and Rap. *Our next issue will feature those who followed their dreams in Business. If you know of someone who would be a great person to feature, email: editor@comvoicesonline.com.

Callahan, seated, posed next to R&B artist Melanie Fiona and his choir after a live performance in New York City.

KALAMAZOO-Arcadia Elementary School 5th grader Sierra Ward won a train trip to Chicago for both her family and the family of her teacher, Holly Bishop through WGVU’s Cool Teacher Contest. Sierra’s essay focused on how creative her teacher is in her approach to educating her students. The television studio, based in Grand Rapids, MI., provided a pizza party to the class along with the opportunity to highlight them on WVGU. See more photos in the photo gallery at www.comvoicesonline. com!

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Answers on page 25

Benton Harbor Native Continues to Make the World Laugh GRAND RAPIDS-Ministers and entertainers have a lot in common. Both must know how to capture the attention of the audience and make them come back for more. Young David Adkins grew up watching his father, the Rev. Dr. Donald Adkins, minister to his congregation in Benton Harbor. What he didn’t know then was that he too would grow up to hold an audience in the palm of his hand. After dreams of playing professional baseketball diminished and a career in the U.S. Air Force flopped, Adkins reinvented himself. Today, we know the 1974 graduate of Benton Harbor High School as Sinbad.

Named one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time by Comedy Central, Sinbad has made his mark on stage and screen. His debut as a comedian on Star Search has led to his hosting Showtime at the Apollo, starring in the sit-com, A Different World, and appearing in hit movies such as Jingle All the Way, Houseguest and Necessary Roughness, in addition to starring in his own television comedy specials.

Sinbad will perform during this year’s Laughfest in Grand Rapids on Sunday, March 16 at the Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. N.E., 49503. Lily Tomlin, a Detroit native, and other midwest comedians will join the line featuring Chris Tucker, Jay Leno, Jim Gaffigan, and many others. See the entire schedule at: http://comvoicesonline.com/16808/entertainment/laughfest-lineup-promises-entertainment-for-all-ages/ Photo courtesy of Laughfest

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The Rev. Timothy Troxler of Macedonia Baptist Church in Battle Creek stands behind Studio A.R.T.S. Ministry leader Delbert Wanzer in their newly created recording studio. Community Voices photo

BATTLE CREEK-Anyone who has ever heard Macedonia Baptist Church’s Pastor Timothy Troxler preach knows his sermons contain to a rhythm that will leave you swaying and shouting. Now, take that same natural rhythm, allow Delbert Wanzer to drop a musical track behind it, and you have a creation of the Word and music that takes ministry to a new level.

Wanzer is the sound engineer of the Studio A.R.T.S. (Always Reaching the Saved) Ministry at Macedonia. His vision helped transform an old church storage room into a beautifully-designed recording studio on the church’s lower level. The goal of the ministry is to use the studio as a vehicle to establish relationships with youth. While the idea seems like a natural fit to the church today, it took some time for the Rev. Troxler to see Wanzer’s vision.

“When (Wanzer) first mentioned the idea of a studio here, his focus was music, not ministry,” Troxler said. “He was thinking of songs, not souls.”

Wanzer grew up hearing his mother, Charlotte, performing with Battle Creek’s famed Blues player Lou Wilson. His father Jimmy Green played guitar for bands such as Jr. Walker and the All Stars. As years passed he developed the desire to get on the other side of the microphone. He began experimenting with his mother’s four-track recorder and then graduated to a beat machine. He eventually created a music studio in his home where musicians of all genres came in to record their sessions.

However, some of the clients who came into his home often brought “drama” and Wanzer closed the studio for the safety of his family. It was during this time he, his wife and nine other family members 20

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joined Macedonia. He immediately saw a need for a recording studio in the church – if for nothing more than quality sound recordings for church sermons and the choir. But he admits he had some spiritual growing to do.

“My vision of a studio was correct, Wanzer said. “But my motives had nothing to do with Kingdom building. That took time.”

After six years of volunteering with the camera and sound ministry, Pastor Troxler felt Wanzer had grown in his spiritual walk and revisited Wanzer’s vision for a studio. They researched the equipment needed, transformed a former storage room into a studio and lounge and secured online sound engineer training for Wanzer through the Berklee School of Music. Plans were set to provide a safe place for youth to record their music, learn about the industry, meet with area leaders and receive educational assistance. Most importantly, the studio would be a way to get kids off the street and introduce them to Christ.

“When we establish a relationship with youth through music, we are then able to learn more about them, find out what they need to become successful, be a mentor to them in life,” Pastor Troxler said. “Our main goal, however, is to introduce them to Christ.”

EDITOR’S PICK- SHUT MOUTH GRACE Have you ever said something you wish you could take back? For more than 40 years Mother Stella Davis has traveled the country giving wisdom regarding God’s grace based on her most-requested sermon, “Shut Mouth Grace.” The sermon has been expanded into a book which combines the lessons learned when biblical and moderntimes characters face harsh realities when they neglect to harness their tongue. Buy your copy at Amazon.com!

This is a Season Press LLC collaborative.

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You’re Pregnant. Now What?

1.) See a doctor as soon as possible. You and the unborn baby need medical assistance to make sure you are both healthy through the pregnancy.

2.) Take prenatal vitamins and eat healthy foods. Remember, what you put in your body also goes to the baby and can affect his health and brain development for years to come.

3.) Exercise. Even a daily walk around the block will keep you healthier and in shape for labor.

4.) Prepare a safe, clean environment for the baby. An atmosphere of peace and security is most important in the early stages of life.

5.) Think about your future and how you and your baby will grow together. Pregnacy is just the beginning. What do you need to do for yourself to become a better parent?

Pregnant with your first baby?

We can help!

For more information call:

269-373-5067 www.nursefamilypartnership.org Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department. The HCS Programs are open to all without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

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Moment in Faith: Love and Service

By Evangelist Jayda Craig

In January and February of each year we celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During that time documentaries and movies are shown which reveal the major challenges he encountered. We recognized how he sacrificed his time as a father. He sacrificed his time as a husband. He also sacrificed perhaps some of his own personal dreams and desires.

The dream he had for freedom and equality was not for himself only, and it manifested in so many ways. Despite the stones thrown at him in the face of vast opposition he never ceased to amaze me. I often think about Moses and Joshua who led the Israelites out of slavery and into the Promised Land. What was their motive and why did they remain diligent through the toils, battles and the danger? It was love that made it happen. It was love that encouraged them. It was love that allowed them to endure even through the rough season of their journey.

In 1st Corinthians:13 it explains what love is and that love does endure all things. So when you reflect on men such as the Rev. Dr. King, keep in mind they were men who humbled themselves unto the Lord and fulfilled their purpose by helping others. And they could only do so with love.

That’s what love is.

Read Evangelist Craig’s entire column at: http://comvoicesonline.com/16979/faith/a-momentin-faith-how-are-you-spreading-love/

Real Careers. Real People.

WEDNESDAY / MARCH 19, 2014 2–6 pm / Kalamazoo Valley Community College

LOCATION / FREE PARKING

Over 100 Participating Employers

Sponsored by

Professional Networking Opportunities

Start Networking #KzooCareerFair

Student Commons, Texas Township Campus Kalamazoo Valley Community College

kalamazoocareerfair.com www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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Talk to the oldest living relative. Videotape this interview in order to share with generations to come.

Collect photos representing as many family members as possible – past and present. Scan, label and save the together on a disc for the family.

Search for obituaries of deceased family members and go online to copy published obituaries. Place them in order of death. This helps fill in many family tree branches.

Post messages on a family Ancestry.com or Rootsweb.com page. You will be surprised to find out that others may be needing your information or have something you didn’t know about your family.

This photo was ruined with age. Professional restoration can help preserve old photos. Restored by Fortitude Graphics.

Investigate your family roots by searching the 1870 US Census or Freeedman’s Bank Records, 1865-75.

Visit your library’s Local History room to get help on how to search their genealogy data base.

Organize important family news clippings, death and marriage certificates, deeds, etc.

Restore any rare family photos and scan or copy on a disk.

Involve as many young members of the family in family tree or interviewing projects to inspire them to maintain the family history for generations to come.

Create a way to honor your family history through a photo quilt, family recipe book or movie, which can be displayed at family events and reunions.

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Kalamazoo lawyer James Ford took five generations of memoirs written by the men in his family to produce a treasured family heirloom presented as a holiday gift.

I Lived in Those Times is available at Amazon.com.

*Note these book and restorations projects were created with the help of Season Press and Fortitude Graphics. For more information on your self publishing or historical restoration project, call Sean Hollins at: 269-342-2367.

Jaqua

Jamar Herron

Realtors

REALTOR®

Email: jherron@jaquarealtors.com Cell/Text: 269.903.9326 Fax: 269.567.7710 221 S. Drake Road • Kalamazoo, MI 49009

www.jaquarealtors.com Southwest Michigan’s Premier Real Estate Company

love where you live Kalamazoo Community Foundation

269.381.4416 www.KalFound.org

Answers from page 18 quiz: 1-Jimmy Bakker-Muskegon; 2-Loretta Long-Paw Paw; 3-Al Green-Grand Rapids; 4-Kate Upton-St. Joseph; 5-Madonna-Bay City; 6-Terry Crew-Flint (Genesee); 7-Lily TomlinDetroit (Wayne); 8-Dave Coulier-Grosse Pointe (Wayne); 9-James Earl Jones-Manistee; 10-SinbadBenton Harbor (Berrien); 11-Stevie Wonder-Saginaw www.comvoicesonline.com Jan, Feb, March 2014 |

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POOR PARENTS’ EDUCATION IS KEY IN THEIR CHILDREN’S ESCAPE FROM POVERTY “Children whose parents did not complete high school

are 18% points more likely to enter their 20s without completing high school than children whose parents have some education beyond high school.”

Contributed by the Urban Institute Earning a high school diploma today can help break the cycle of poverty tomorrow, according to an Urban Institute study.

White children born to poor high-school dropouts are 12 percentage points more likely to be persistently poor (that is, poor for at least half their lives from birth through age 17) than white children whose poor parents earned a diploma.

The comparable number for black children is 21 percentage points.

Children – and in particular minority children – born to poor under-educated parents face a challenging beginning and are substantially more likely to spend most of their formative years in poverty,” say researchers Caroline Ratcliffe and Signe-Mary McKernan.

“Connecting at-risk children to appropriate services at birth is vital, as a child’s early environment can affect brain development.”

Using data from the University of Michigan’s Panel Study of Income Dynamics, Ratcliffe and McKernan tracked the 26

life trajectory of children born between 1967 and 1989.

Children born between 1967 and 1974 had lower poverty rates (13%) than newborns in the 1980s and 1990s (18–19%).

The poverty rate dipped to 15% for infants born between 2000 and 2008, but this downward trend stalled with the Great Recession. Child poverty rates hit a nearly 20-year high in 2010 (22%) and remained there in 2011.

The fallout from a parent’s low educational attainment hits beyond childhood experiences and into adolescent outcomes.

Children whose parents did not complete high school are 18% points more likely to enter their 20s without completing high school than children whose parents have some education beyond high school (even after controlling for childhood poverty and other factors).

These children are also 10% points more likely to drop out of high school than children whose parents earn a high school degree (but did not have additional education).

| Jan, Feb, March 2014 www.comvoicesonline.com

AMONG OTHER

FINDINGS

...

* Between 1967 and 2008, one in every 10 white newborns was poor, compared with four of every 10 black newborns. Of those poor at birth, 30% of the white children and 46% of the black children live in deep poverty (below 50 percent of federal poverty level). * Children poor for half of their childhood are nearly 90% more likely than neverpoor children to enter their 20s without completing high school (controlling for other factors). * Persistently poor girls are also four times more likely to give birth outside of marriage during their teenage years. Dropping out of high school and teen childbearing...repeating the cycle of poverty.

Let’s Break the Cycle!

Mentor a student and together we can increase the graduation rate and decrease the poverty cycle!

ls o o h c S c i l b u P Kalamazoo ! r e h g i h g n i h c a are re ise® m o r P o o z a m la • The Ka ion for it u t e g e ll o c e fre KPS graduatensdance requirements apply) atte (residency and

udents t s 0 0 4 2 f o e s a • An incre nt of e m e c n u o n n a since the mise o r P o o z a m la a the K trict is d g in is r f o s r • 5 yea test scores ols o h c s d e t c u r t s • 2 newly con way) e h t n o d ir h t (with a

ents d u t s f o r e b m u • Double the n ement c la P d e c n a v d taking A ars e y 5 t s la e h t courses in

For enrollment or more information please contact Kalamazoo Public Schools at (269) 337-1572.

WE’RE GIVING PATIENTS WITH INOPERABLE

HEART DISEASE

WHAT THEY NEVER EXPECTED.

A CHANCE.

Our advanced capabilities are putting Bronson Heart & Vascular at the forefront of cardiac care. We are the only hospital in the region approved to perform two approaches to a lifesaving treatment called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). It’s the only option available for those considered too high risk for traditional open heart surgery. Our team has the most TAVR experience in southwest Michigan, helping us change the lives of many patients. And by partnering with physicians from Lakeland HealthCare, we can help even more people get the care they need. To learn more, visit bronsonhealth.com/TAVR.