"(PeaceJam) gave us a platform where we didn’t have to be scared to be ourselves." Shadae Hillsman By Shadae Hillsman     Peacejam 2018 was held at Western Michigan Universities Bernhard Center. We had the opportunity to meet Nobel Prize Laureate Leymah Gbowee, participate in service projects, several different workshops, and meet people of

By Sierra Ward The organizers of the Great Lakes PeaceJam held the 22nd annual conference on March 14 at Western Michigan University. The event was held in the Bernhard Center where participants from chapters in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin came together to create service projects and honored Nobel Peace Prize

The students of the Merze Tate Explorers were buzzing with excitement. They would interview a former U.S. Ambassador. More than a dozen youth teamed with volunteers and staff of Public Media Network on May 2, for an exclusive interview with Harriet Lee Elam-Thomas. The former ambassador was in Kalamazoo as

 Explorer Syann Hollins and Shadae Hillsman took part in the annual North X Midwest Film Festival held in March by Public Media Network. The annual film festival awarded teens and adult filmmakers on their creative works made on a budget. Syann served as interviewer for the festival's Teen Filmmaker portion where

*Headline photo: Reporters Syann Hollins and Darianna Browning pose with Genise Shelton, author, foundation founder, mother, and media personality of Bravo!'s "Married to Medicine," reality series.   *On March 2, Explorers were invited to serve as the official youth media team for the 2nd annual Cultivating Women Leaders Conference at Olivet College

Okay, you said you were going to do more of it this year...yes, TRAVEL! What better way to start the year than to plan an educational experience of a lifetime. The Merze Tate Explorers will explore the black sand beaches of Hawaii during an all-inclusive, tour-guide led study in June,

By Sonya Bernard-Hollins- Founder, Merze Tate Explorers PORTAGE (MICH.)- Two weeks before Christmas the Explorers were on a mission: HELP SHOPPERS WRAP THEIR GIFTS! Explorers, parents, and community volunteers all took part in this amazing fundraising adventure, thanks to the Crossroads Mall in Portage, Michigan. The mall allowed the Explorers to

Battle Creek (MICH.)-On November 19th, the Sojourner Truth Institute of Battle Creek, Michigan, presented Sonya Bernard-Hollins with an award in honor of women who give back. The inaugural Dr. Velma Laws Clay Vanguard Award was presented to Bernard-Hollins for her work with youth and Michigan African American history. The Institute cited