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URBAN DEMOCRACY FEAST ORGANIZERS CANCEL MARCH FEAST

Kalamazoo, MI- The UDF planning committee decided it was best to cancel the 28 March Feast event. We will be rescheduling this event to occur during the fall (November 2020). Given the  CDC advice about cancelling gatherings of 10 people or more, and the closure of all restaurants in Michigan, we believe canceling the 28 March event is best. 


We are working on a podcast to air close to the 28 March date, and an online event to discuss gaps in prevention, planning to deal with consequences of the virus, and other needs in the city. We will let you know how to link into these events.  Visit www.urbandemoracyfeast.org for more information.

November 2019 FEAST (Self-Reliance: Featuring Guest Speaker Malik Yakini

November 2019 FEAST (Self-Reliance: Featuring Guest Speaker Malik Yakini

The last Urban Democracy Feast for 2019 featured a Social Transformation Workshop theme on November 9th at the Edison Neighborhood Association, located in Kalamazoo, MI. This workshop included social justice organizations from across the city to:

  • compare several ways of thinking about social transformation
  • identify the public policies that prevent equal access to all the resources and services
  • describe the kinds of social justice projects urgently needed in Kalamazoo
  • build coalitions with others working in the same “trench”
  • make suggestions to the March 2020 presenters about how to strengthen their five-minute presentations with the help of previously awarded groups who will be present 
  • provide an inventory of the education/media platforms where we can debate social justice issues and share strategies to build alliances for addressing these issues

Malik Kenyatta Yakini is co-founder and Executive Director of the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN). DBCFSN operates a seven-acre urban farm and is spearheading the opening of a co-op grocery store in Detroit’s North End.
Yakini views the “good food revolution” as part of the larger movement for freedom, justice, and equality. He has an intense interest in contributing to the development of an international food sovereignty movement that embraces Blacks communities in the Americas, the Caribbean, and Africa.

Accountability reports from groups that were awarded funds at the Spring FEAST shared out what the funds were used for an impact if any to their work in the community.

3rd Shift Daycare
The Kalamazoo Breastfeeding Coalition
Boiling Point

The next FEAST will be Eastside Neighborhood Association located at 1301 Eastmain, Kalamazoo, MI in March 2020. Check back for updates!

FEAST Presenters at Allen Chapel AME in Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo, MI- Allen Chapel AME of Kalamazoo, hosted the fall Urban Democracy FEAST. Three projects from the community were selected to present. Members of the community local and beyond gathered to hear from folks representing community gardens, literary and parent advocacy.

Mia Storm, director of Lamkin House of Kalamazoo residential, legal and other supports to asylum seekers in Kalamazoo and SW Michigan. Storm explains that there is a difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee. Folks seeking asylum are asking the United States Government for protection against persecution from their home country.

Renting a farm house and land from the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the organizers from Lamkin House are addressing how to increase free fresh produce for families that they are working with. Lamkin House received 19% of the funds from the nights FEAST. Click to watch the presentation.

Fathers Do Read, represented by David Jones, promoting fathers actively participating in schools and reading to their children.   Leading the change by example, Jones explains that the transformation  comes from within the individual person and not the schools or children.  Currently in the their fourth year partnership with the Kalamazoo Public Library, “Fathers Do Read” event a week before Father’s Day. The project received 25% of the funds. Click to watch presentation.

Parents for Transition founder, Tamiko Garrett, the FEAST last project for the evening shared her plans to work towards empowering parents who have children with ” invisible disabilities.” Examples including ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, etc. Educating around special education laws and realistic expectations parents can support for their student transitioning from high school to higher education or vocational school. Parents for Transition received 56% of the funds raised at the event. Click to watch presentation.

Make sure you check our website often and connect with us on social media for the next FEAST! Watch gallery of images from FEAST! See you in Spring 2019!

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