Congratulations Explorers! The seniors of the Merze Tate Explorers were named top honorees in the recent Metropolitan Kalamazoo NAACP annual awards ceremony. The students were recognized for their contributions to the community through the Dr. Charles Warfield Youth Community Service Award. The annual NAACP event highlights the work of African Americans in the city as
The Explorers created 16 mini-documentaries on African American women in Kalamazoo History. Learn how a teenage girl became the lead singer in a Motown recording group! Explorers Cienna Hobson and Sasha Hollins bring their story to life!
Explorers Compete for Best Book Review What happens when life throws you a curve? Do you throw in the towel and quit? Or, do you find new, creative ways to overcome your challenge? This is the theme of the book, Who Moved my Cheese? Teen Edition by Spencer Johnson M.D. Several Explorers read the book
The Explorers are keeping their skills as journalists fresh as they write about virtual experiences. In one recent Zoom workshop, students learned the importance of healthy skin and how to maintain it. Guest presenter and Mary Kay Consultant Dr. Justine Franklin, provided items to Explorers in advance for a Spa Day they could experience together.
In partnership with Albion artist Jerome Washington, the students created 2-minute documentaries on the women based on research. The students used editing to bring their voices together with images of women who broke glass ceilings in areas of Education, Medicine, and Entertainment. The multimedia project will be released on September 7th. Local organizations also came
@merzetate TRAVEL FLASHBACK MOMENT! In honor of Black Music Month, Explorer Sierra Ward poses with Michael Jackson and Beyonce wax figures at Madame Tussauds in Tokyo, Japan. Ward along with other Explorers “explored” the historic cultural, education, and business of Japan during a 2019 visit to Numazu, Japan with the Kalamazoo Sister City delegation of
KALAMAZOO (MICH.)– Last Fall up-and-coming film director MJ Harrell shared a video with then co-worker Sonya Bernard-Hollins. Harrell had provided hands-on training in videography to members of the Merze Tate Explorers. He would even accompany them to record an exclusive interview with costume designer Ruth Carter, just days before her historic Oscar win for Best
What happens when youth continue racist, privileged behavior? This youth video says it all.
Daughters of Civil Rights Leaders:GirlTrek features a candid talk with Dr. Bernice King and Ilyasah Shabazz By Kennedy Hudson KALAMAZOO (MICH.)-On May 15, I viewed a live Facebook talk with Dr. Bernice King and IIyasah Shabazz hosted by GirlTrek. The ladies spoke about growing up in families involved in the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. Bernice
Merze Tate Explorers completed a challenge to create a video about the 2020 Census!