summer 2017
partners in progress kalamazoo community foundation
partnering with you to create a community where every person can reach full potential
Artrella Cohn, Laura Bell, Jim Escamilla, Lissette Mira-Amaya, Dr. Linwood Cousins, Amy Upjohn, Hon. Carolyn Williams and Mary Harper. Not pictured: Byron Foster.
community investment committee welcomes new members Laura Bell, Artrella Cohn and Dr. Linwood Cousins have joined the Community Investment Committee of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Other CIC members include community members Byron Foster and Lissette Mira-Amaya. Jim Escamilla, Mary Harper and Hon. Carolyn Williams, who are members of the Community Foundation’s board of trustees, also serve on the committee — Williams as it’s chair. The committee — part of KZCF’s due diligence process by providing community voice in addition to that of
the board of trustees — meets four times a year, reviewing and approving grant requests twice a year. “Our committee is thrilled to have Artrella, Laura and Linwood on board,” says Williams. “Their perspective on our community will help our committee. Enlarging the membership of the Community Investment Committee assures that we have a variety of viewpoints and experiences helping us to make the best possible recommendations for the most effective use of the community’s dollars.”
Artrella Cohn is Senior Director of Community Engagement and Student Investment for Communities In Schools Kalamazoo. With a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, she has experience in youth development and dropout prevention. She previously served at Community Advocates for Parents and Students. Laura Bell is CEO of Bell’s Brewery, Inc., and has been a company owner since 2008. With bachelor’s degrees in Continued on page 4 SEE COMMITTEE