Month: October 2020

With a strong artistic and entrepreneurial spirit but few local opportunities to apply his passions, Alex Weller, owner and operator of Weller BBQ Food Truck forged his own path. “I grew up in Grand Haven. There are only two options: either work in factories or restaurants,” said Alex. “So, I’ve cooked in restaurants my whole […]

We all know that higher education is an investment in ourselves that will pay off in many ways. To make the investment more accessible, Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College are working to ease the financial burden of higher education by developing new programs and restructuring priorities. Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) has […]

Recently retired from the army with a great deal of energy and passion to share, Jason Baldwin jumped into the food truck business starting On the Roll Food Truck with the encouragement of his wife and co-owner Brenda. “When he said he was going to retire, I said, ‘Okay, that’s fine, but you still have […]

Throughout this past summer, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo supported families by providing fun and safe camp programs during the day. To continue its support of the community, particularly working families and school children in Kalamazoo, the YMCA worked with local organizations such as KYDNet, Bronson, and area schools to develop its school support program. […]

If you traveled back in time 20 years, the one square mile sitting on top of a hill in Kalamazoo may be unrecognizable. Known as the Eastside Neighborhood, the place used to be home to upwards of 30 businesses, explained Neighborhood Association Director Pat Taylor. “As the years went by and the paper mills died […]

It’s that time of year when lots of things start creeping up: Halloween, midterm exams, and unless you’ve been hiding under the bed after seeing a spider—Election 2020. To help keep your panic at bay when you pull the curtain closed in that dark election booth (one can only think fondly back on pre-COVID days), […]

Early training and support for young professionals and high potentials is a crucial investment. The first few years of anyone’s career are an unanticipated and critical point of transition. Young professionals move out of the structured and predictable world of education and enter the professional landscape, with heightened responsibilities. To equip the rising leaders in our community […]

Fresh, warm donuts are the sweetest fall treat to enjoy for any meal or snack. Who can resist enjoying fresh apple or pumpkin donuts along with a day at the orchard, picking up some fun fall flavors on your way to work to share with your team, or even sweetening up your breakfast? Right now […]

Have you seen that tall, lime green “tacos” banner flying in the wind next to a brilliantly white, new food truck? The name, “Teresa’s Kitchen” is printed across the side with a shadow of a monarch butterfly. More than a decade ago, Maria Teresa Hernandez began sharing her recipes with the community. She would wake […]

FIRST & 42 is giving readers a front row seat to read the stories of leaders from the 2020 class of Leadership Kalamazoo in our FIRST & 42 Leader Spotlight. Learn more about these leaders’ “firsts’ in life as well as insights about leadership and their visions for our community in the coming years. It’s […]

From registering to vote through casting a ballot on Election Day, informed voters are empowered voters. As you prepare for the big day on November 3, 2020, the best thing you can do for your voter self is to make a plan of action for when you enter that voting booth or fill in the […]

FIRST & 42 continues to celebrate the stars from the 2020 Class of Leadership Kalamazoo with our Leader Spotlight series in which these leaders share insights on leadership, some personal “firsts” in life, and their vision for our community. Abbie Rumery, partner at Southwest Michigan First, is featured today. Abbie collaborates internally and externally to […]