2023 B.E.T.A Graduation Ceremony

KALAMAZOO – The 2023 Black Entrepreneur Training Academy (BETA) Graduation Ceremony, held Feb. 8, celebrated the end of training for 14 new graduates of the Black Entrepreneur Training Program, a joint effort by Black Wall Street Kalamazoo and Sisters in Business. This effort was funded in part through the City of Kalamazoo ARPA dollars, and…

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Celebrating Black History Month at UWSCMI

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. February commemorates the impactful Black leaders of our past and shines a spotlight on our everyday…

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Embracing Our Values: The Heart of It All

Graphic noting Our Values, which are Equity, Community, Integrity, Compassion, Collaboration, and Results.

This is the last in a three-part series exploring UWSCMI’s recently adopted vision, mission and values. You can find them all in one place at unitedforscmi.org/vision-mission-values. Part 1: Where We’re Going | Part 2: What We Do Tibor “Ted” Rubin had every reason to be bitter. As a Jewish Hungarian-American, he faced anti-Semitism and constant…

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Embracing Our Mission: What We Do

Graphic of people huddling next to the words of our mission: We bring together the people, ideas and resources to lead with our communities and creating a flourishing, equitable life for everyone. A box has the words of Our Path: Our work lifts our local communities by reducing racial and economic disparities; addressing the needs of ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households in financial stability, education, health, and basic needs; and creating opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.

This is the second in a three-part series exploring UWSCMI’s recently adopted vision, mission and values. You can find them all in one place at unitedforscmi.org/vision-mission-values. Part 1: Where We’re Going | Part 3: The Heart of it All What does it take to fit a square peg in a round hole? When the answer…

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Embracing our Vision: Where We’re Going

Graphic of people surrounding Our Vision, which is strong, caring communities where every person is valued, thriving and connected for the common good.

This is the first in a three-part series exploring UWSCMI’s recently adopted vision, mission and values. You can find them all in one place at unitedforscmi.org/vision-mission-values. Part 2: What We Do | Part 3: The Heart of it All Standing at the Lincoln Memorial on a steamy August day in 1963, one man talked about…

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Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants: Fall 2022 Recipients Announced

KALAMAZOO- The fall 2022 round of the Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) program has come to a close, and United Way of South Central Michigan has announced 60 new recipients.   KMEG, one of three United Way small business programs, provides $5,000 grants to eligible businesses within the city of Kalamazoo and is designed to bring…

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