equity

Ann Arbor Public Schools will create an equity and inclusion standing committee. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.

There is a growing commitment to put equity at the fore in our governance. Democrats are in control in Lansing for the first time in 40 years and plan to further those efforts, including in the areas of environmental justice and sustainability. In the April edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to find out what that will look like. They asked Democratic State Senator, Erika Geiss for her insights.

There is a growing commitment to put equity at the fore in our governance. Democrats are in control in Lansing for the first time in 40 years and plan to further those efforts, including in the areas of environmental justice and sustainability. In the April edition of "1st Friday Focus on the Environment," WEMU’s David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, wanted to find out what that will look like. They asked Democratic State Senator, Erika Geiss for her insights.

Addressing trauma-related mental health more equitably will be the focus of a high school elective course in Washtenaw County next fall. The idea is addressing trauma earlier in life creates better outcomes. The non-profit “Growing Forward Together” is creating an intervention class called Trauma & Society. Co-founder and CEO, Julia Seng, joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss development and implementation of a new and innovative approach.

Recent power outages in Washtenaw County have a good portion of Southeast Michigan outraged. Nearly a million lost power in the last two winter storms. Ann Arbor City Council member Jen Eyer joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss what the city will ask of the state legislature and the Michigan Public Service Commission and the increased interest in establishing a municipal electric utility in Ann Arbor.

There is increased focus on promoting and highlighting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in Washtenaw County. In fact, Destination Ann Arbor has created a new series called, "Walking the Walk." It puts a spotlight on local businesses living the DEI promise , impacting the local quality of life and making the county a more attractive tourist destination. Destination Ann Arbor's Amy Karbo joined us with all the information on how "talking the talk" is evolving into "walking the walk."

Historically speaking, women have been undervalued and have lacked equal opportunity and pay. As we mark Women's History Month, we explore the importance of being financially literate and articulate as the quest for equity and equality continue. Melissa Joy from Pearl Planning, in Dexter, joins WEMU's David Fair to discuss running a woman-owned business and helping prepare a generation of women for their financial futures.

The agricultural industry is a tough business under the best of circumstances. Add in systemic barriers to get underway, and it adds up to a lack of diversity in small, family farming. Kathy Sample is co-owner of Argus Farm Stop and is committed to increasing opportunity for minorities interested in agriculture. Because of her work in that realm, she has been named the United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2023 Power of the Purse Woman of the Year. Learn more in Sample's 'Washtenaw United' conversation with WEMU’s David Fair.

It is Black History Month, and not everyone is on board. There are some in the Black community that are upset that Black History is relegated to one month a year, noting that Black history is American History. How do you feel about it? We're going to look at that and the historical bias in education. WEMU's David Fair discussed it with activist, poet, and co-founder of "Black Men Read," Yodit Mesfin-Johnson

We continue to mark Black History Month with a look at overcoming inequities in education by exploring local efforts at improving literacy and accessibility to diverse literature in Washtenaw County. Margy Long is director of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District's Success by Six-Great Start Collaborative. She joined WEMU's David Fair for a conversation on progress made and progress yet needed.