Lewis Walker Institute
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Mission
The mission of the Walker Institute is to engage in research, teaching and service to promote:
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understanding of race and ethnic relations, with a special emphasis on the causes of disparities and the contexts in which conflicts as well as shared purposes and perspectives arise;
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appreciation of the diverse peoples and cultures of the United States, with special emphasis on the peoples and cultures of Michigan;
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more equitable and inclusive communities and institutions, especially in this region of the state and throughout Michigan.
TOGETHER KALAMAZOO GRAND FINALE
Celebration of Creativity, Diversity and Community
This spring, nearly 100 children who were recruited from various schools, churches, community organizations and mosques in the Kalamazoo area participated in an arts-based youth development program called Together Kalamazoo. Emphasizing the themes of creativity, diversity and community, Together Kalamazoo was created by the WMU Walker Institute, in collaboration with BIGthink, a Kalamazoo-based arts organization founded by WMU emeritus art professor Lou Rizzolo.
Under the expert guidance of art educators from BIGthink, program participants learned to communicate through art what they want others to know about themselves, their favorite activities, and how they feel about the people and places that are most important to them. During the workshops, the participants produced their artwork on dozens of hexagons. The colorful, content-rich hexagons were assembled into five large geodesic domes at the finale as shown in the photos below. To see more photos from the finale [click here]
www.mivoices.org
The Walker Institute is proud to introduce www.mivoices.org, the premier source for information on poverty in Michigan.
WIRE Youth Development Program December Newsletter
WIRE Sports Winter 2015 registration form [click here]
Together Kalamazoo Grand Finale Celebration of Creativity, Diversity and Community -- May 31, 1-4:30pm Bronson Park Amazing Photos [click here]
Tim Ready presents Kalamazoo United for Shared Prosperity: Basic Principles and Proposed Strategy to Kalamazoo City Commission [click here]
Tim Ready presents new data on the trends and demography of poverty in Kalamazoo at College of Health and Human Services Poverty Reduction Seminar, February 4, 2014 [click here]
MORE THAN JUST RACE: A PATHWAY TO THE FUTURE by Dr. William Julius Wilson
Racial and Ethnic Diversity: Experiences, Beliefs and Attitudes of 2011 Incoming Freshmen Report
Walker Institute Report on Education, Race and Poverty in Kalamazoo