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Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations

  • Annual Report Programming

     Celebrating 30 Years of Service to WMU and Greater Kalamazoo Communities

    Annual Report '19-'20
  • WIRE students study The World of Environmental Science

See Events Explore Minor WIRE Youth Program Contact Us

Devoted to race and ethnic relations

Founded in 1989 as the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations, the Institute was renamed in 2000 in honor of Dr. Lewis Walker, Western Michigan University’s first African American Ph.D. faculty member. Dr. Walker devoted his career to teaching and research about race and ethnic relations and worked for social justice through many applied research and community service projects. The Walker Institute continues this work in service to the University and community.

More about the institute

About Dr. Lewis Walker

  • 30+ Years

    serving the city of Kalamazoo and surrounding areas

    About Us
  • 18

    credit hours required for the minor in Race and Ethnic Relations

    Start Now
  • 1,000+

    3rd-8th grade Kalamazoo area students educated

    WIRE Program
  • 500+

    books in our library collection concerning race and ethnic topics

    Library
A photo of various pieces of hip-hop memorabilia, including a shirt worn by rap group Public Enemy.

Film festival, exhibit to celebrate hip-hop's role in black history

Throughout the month of February—in celebration of Black History Month—the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations will celebrate the hip-hop movement. Events will include a film festival and museum exhibit.

A portrait of the Thomas family

Family overcoming adversity thrives through WMU programs, partnerships

A Kalamazoo family involved in programs offered by WMU's Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations is finding success in the classroom and on the job.

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  • About Us
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  • Minor in Race and Ethnic Relations
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Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5236 USA
(269) 387-2141

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Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5200 USA
(269) 387-1000
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