For the second year, the Merze Tate Explorers wrapped gifts for hurried Christmas shoppers at the Crossroads Mall in Portage, Michigan. Gifts of all shapes and sizes were wrapped for donations to support the study abroad scholarship fund for the Explorers. The 2019 study abroad destination is Japan! Selected Explorers will travel to Numazu, the
In the 10th year of the Merze Tate Explorers, we are excited to welcome new students and parents to our amazing organization! During our orientation, all learned of our mission and upcoming year of educational, volunteer, and media exploration. Parents also took part as students interviewed them about their own lives and what they want
Explorers have many talents…one is that of thespian. Congratulations to Sanaa Olivacce-Shabazz who stars in the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre production of Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang, as Jemima! Thanks to the Explorers who came out to the final dress rehearsal to support and cheer her on!
The Merze Tate Explorers partnered with the Boy Scouts HEROES program to honor Mayor Bobby Hopewell. Kalamazoo’s longest serving mayor was recognized by the Southern Shores chapter for his role as a community leader, Eagle Scout, and supporter of youth. The event was held at Pretty Lake Adventure Centre and Camp in Mattawan, where Hopewell
The Explorers celebrated the organization’s 10th anniversary with family, friends, and community supporters. After an exhibit display that focused on their recent STEAM study in Hawaii, Explorers changed into beautiful white dresses to celebrate the evening. Explorers from 4th grade to college graduates, were led into the banquet by three women who have made history
The Merze Tate Explorers hosted its first Flip n’ Flick Movie Talkback fundraiser with the movie, The Hate U Give. The film, shown at Kalamazoo 10 Theater was highly anticipated by the Explorers who also read the book, donated by Kalamazoo Public Library. Nearly 100 supporters packed the theater for this fundraising event. The
Buy Tickets Today! (*See our keynote speaker, Monique Grayson, in this promotional video at the 1.30 sec. mark!) For the past 10 years, young women from across Michigan have explored the possibilities of life as travel writers. Girls in grades 4-12 have walked in the shoes of women pilots, authors, ambassadors, and more in
Note: Headline image of Shadae Hillsman is from previous interview; not the Tendaji grant interview of which she was a co-presenter. Thanks to WMUK’s Earlene McMichael for helping us share the news of this amazing grant opportunity! The Merze Tate Explorers received their first Tendji grant of $15,000! The award was part of a
After 10 years of traveling near and far, the Merze Tate Explorers have compiled their favorite travel pics in a calendar. The 2019 calendar features images taken by the travel writers that reflect the past 10 years of travel highlight visits from Detroit to Venice. Calendars at $15 and part of the fundraising efforts to
The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., presented their annual Mary McLeod Bethune Award for Community Service to The Merze Tate Explorers. The award was presented to Sonya Bernard-Hollins, founder of the nonprofit organization for her work in serving the youth of the Kalamazoo community. The sorority presented the award during their women’s history celebration in