Who was the first African American female pilot to graduate from Western Michigan University’s School of Aviation? Who was the first African American female mayor of Kalamazoo? Who was the first African American female realtor in Kalamazoo?

The youth reporters of the Merze Tate Explorers know the answers and they share them through a multi-media project entitled: Your Turn: African American Women Firsts of Kalamazoo. The project will premier on Oct. 6th at 1:30 p.m. on the Merze Tate Explorer YouTube Channel (PLEASE SUBSCRIBE!) The first episode features Kalamazoo native Monique Grayson, a Delta Airlines pilot. Watch the episode here! https://youtu.be/18P1ryqRxp8

The coloring book was created in partnership with artist Jerome Washington and Season Press LLC. The team selected 16 African American women from Kalamazoo’s history to highlight those who broke race and gender barriers in fields from education to aviation.

The project is supported by partnering organizations such as The Kalamazoo Community Foundation for the distribution of hundreds of books to area youth in addition to online downloads of the coloring pages, and Public Media Network for their media support and distribution of episodes on local media channels.

K-RESA originally published 200 free copies for an Explorer spring fundraising event. However, the COVID pandemic shut down their plans just days before. This allowed the Explorers to take time to record the stories of the women for an additional layer to the project. The interest for the history evolved as did the multi-media aspect by the Explorers. Students recorded scripts of the women, edited the projects, and helped promote them on social media. The interest for the books led to the project becoming a published work with proceeds to go to the youth organization.

In addition, the message of the local history spread and organizations such as the Kalamazoo Promise and Family Health Center purchased hundreds for youth in their sectors.

Each week through November 24th, two women will be featured each week. Coloring pages will be available for download, and books can be ordered through Amazon by searching Your Turn: African American Women of Kalamazoo #StartWithaSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to Merze Tate Explorers. Bookmark the link http://smile.amazon.com/ch/47-4167598 and support us every time you shop.

In November, the African American Men of Kalamazoo partner edition will be released to highlight men who were instrumental in areas from government to construction.

For information on how to use Your Turn in virtual classrooms or library events, or for bulk orders which could include their logo, contact Sonya Bernard-Hollins at contact@merzetate.org, or 269-359-7895.