About Us Members of the Merze Tate Explorers served as delegates with City officials during a visit to our sister city, Numazu, Japan. As of 2020, Explorers had visited five countries, taken part in summer academy programs at four college campuses, and more! From Kalamazoo to Numazu THE BEGINNING: The Merze Tate Explorers began in 2008 as a grassroots project to provide girls in grades 6th-12th the tools they need to communicate in the world. Sonya Bernard-Hollins, an award-winning journalist, based the original Saturday program on the Travel Club founded by Merze Tate, a 1927 graduate of Western Michigan University, who went on to become the first African American graduate of Oxford University and many other firsts. Recently, WMU named a college in honor of Tate who left more than $1 million to the university as well as other contributions. Sonya poses with the Explorers after the dedication of Merze Tate College at Western Michigan University (2021). Photo by WMU. Sonya (left) poses with WMU Board President Lynn Zhang, Dean Jennifer Bott, and Associate Dean Devita Gardner after the board approves Merze Tate College (2021). MILESTONES: The Explorers became a 501(c)(3) in 2013 with the help of a local attorney who encouraged the move to allow more financial opportunities to expand through grants and other donations. That year, the program moved from a Saturday program to a summer college residential travel writer’s academy. Explorers spent a week on a college campus where day trips included hands-on career exploration opportunities to such places as Whirlpool and Kellogg’s Company where they met and worked with vice presidents and leading professionals in their fields. Colleges such as Kalamazoo and Olivet colleges and the University of Michigan provided tours, discussions with students and faculty, financial aid, and other college prep activities. Girls sailed a ship on Lake Michigan and co-piloted planes with local pilots among other S.T.E.A.M.-based learning adventures. The Explorers also serve as Girl Scouts and volunteer after school to help kids learn media. International study abroad was added to the organization in 2015. Since then, students have traveled to five countries, Hawaii, and various states where they explored history, culture, careers, and more. Students had the opportunity to earn college credits which provided extra incentives for college success. WHY WE ARE UNIQUE: While focus on technology and hard skills are vital to success, the Explorers focus on the crucial elements of soft skills that employers say are often lacking in a well-rounded candidate for almost any job or career (Child Trends, Inc. 2015 “Key “Soft Skills” that Foster Youth Workforce Success). A partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College also provides an opportunity for Explorers to earn college credit during an exclusive Saturday College Academy. In all we do, we use media to tell a story to our community through our print and on-line platforms while equipping girls with what is needed to embrace their voice and master the art of soft skills developed as travel writers, videographers, photographers, and ultimately, master communicators. We focus on: social skills, self-control, communication, positive self-image, and critical thinking. Explorer Youth Council provides backpacks to youth at the Kalamazoo Drop-in Child Care Center in Kalamazoo. Explorers have interviewed Oscar winner Ruth Carter (Black Panther Costume Design), Astronaut Mae Jemison, author Margot Shetterly (Hidden Figures), and many other phenomenal role models for our Girls Can! Magazine, Explorers YouTube page, and the local Public Media Network. Explorer History The Explorers interviewed Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth Carter (Black Panther Marvel movie) for an exclusive interview prior to her keynote address at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Explorers have interviewed astronauts, ambassadors, vice presidents of corporations, and more! Photo courtesy of the Merze Tate Explorers. Do not use without permission. Equipping Leaders Explorers are taught the soft skills needed in any career. Through speaking engagements, poetry competitions, and essay contests, Explorers have been recognized with awards by the local NAACP, the City of Kalamazoo, and more. Explorers have earned recognition from the City of Kalamazoo for the Social Justice Youth Award. Brittany Wright is the most recent Explorers to earn this honor. Sierra Ward has taken what she learned as a public speaker and used it as a poet for programs at WMU’s Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine.
