Share: Society for History and Racial Equity

05/22/2026

Happy Birthday to our awesome Administrative Assistant, Christa Stewart! We appreciate the commitment, creativity, passion, and organizational skills you bring to S.H.A.R.E. May your special day be filled with warmth and love!

05/21/2026

We’re proud to celebrate S.H.A.R.E.’s Executive Director on her reappointment by Gretchen Whitmer to continue serving on the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards through 2030. 💙
Thank you for your continued leadership, advocacy, and commitment to equity, transparency, and community trust across Michigan. Your dedication to serving the people of our state continues to inspire us all.

05/19/2026

This week we would like to highlight Monteze Morales, Commissioner for the 3rd District of Kalamazoo County, and a 2026 YWCA Woman of Achievement. She also serves as the Director of Student Wellbeing and Thriving at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is a known student advocate.

She sat down with one of our former summer interns (Jada Lewis), to discuss her origins, how she advocates for her constituents and students alike, and what it means to her to currently hold office as the county's first Afro-Latina commissioner. You can view her interview in full here: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/standing-on-her-shoulders/9/ as a part of our Standing On Her Shoulders Oral History Series.

05/12/2026

We are back with another Reading Race book meet on Today! Tuesday, May 12th. We’ll be meeting in the Marlborough Building Garden to discuss Didn’t Nobody Give A S**t What Happened To Carlotta by James Hannaham. All are welcome to participate whether you’ve read the book or not, and you will likely leave with your own perspective broadened. Please join us!

For more information on our partnership with the Public Library visit: https://lnkd.in/gHU5GjC9.

05/08/2026

We had the pleasure of adding Dr. Grace Lubwama's oral history to our archives this past summer. She is the current President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and the former CEO of the YWCA Kalamazoo. While breaking down ceilings as the first Black woman to lead in either of the roles, she is also a champion in the city for community wellbeing and health equity.

She sat down with one of our former summer fellows (Dorcas Doku), to discuss her journey from Uganda to the United States, pursuing a career in public health, and truly leaning into her own passions. You can view her interview in full here: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/standing-on-her-shoulders/7/ as a part of our Standing On Her Shoulders Oral History Series.

05/01/2026

We are back with another Reading Race book meet on Tuesday, May 12th. We'll be meeting in the Marlborough Building Garden to discuss Didn't Nobody Give A S**t What Happened To Carlotta by James Hannaham. All are welcome to participate whether you’ve read the book or not, and you will likely leave with your own perspective broadened. Please join us!

For more information on our partnership with the Public Library visit: https://lnkd.in/gHU5GjC9.

04/01/2026

03/09/2026

Join us tomorrow Tuesday, March 10th at the Central Library for our Reading Race discussion of Legacy by Uché Blackstock. This book explores her own story as a Black Physician and the inequities that still exist within the United States healthcare system. All are welcome to attend whether you’ve read the book or not. We have great dialogue, and would love to see some new faces!
For more information on our partnership with the Kalamazoo Public Library, visit: https://Inkd.in/ gHU5GjC9.

03/05/2026

Meet the incredible talent for this season's Symphonic Beats concert! Led by Dr. Kandace "DC" Lavender, Yolonda Lavender and Soul Artistry, and KSO Music Director Julian Kuerti, this season's concert celebrates Women in Hip Hop Culture.

You can check out concert details and learn more about the artists at: https://kalamazoosymphony.com/concerts/hip-hop/

From left to right:
Nana Willhite
Troy Robertson III
Dr. Kandace "DC" Lavender
Dr. Michelle Johnson
Yolonda Lavender
PJ
Mariah Martin
Monica Washington-Padula
Jessica Ivey
JB
Ki Forté
EgypTrinity
Ace Boogie
Dr. Candy McCorkel-Boughton
Dr. B
DJ Venus Flyytrap
Denise Miller
Steve Lundquist
Bruce Anderson
Bonnie G
Biscuit
Asia Sings
Dr. Tasleem Jamila
Seanna "Bird" Turner
Glenn McFarland

02/20/2026

Thank you to Kalamazoo Valley Community College for having S.H.A.R.E. for Black History Bingo! 🖤✊🏾
We had a great time sharing local Black history and connecting with students and staff in a fun and meaningful way. We appreciate the partnership and the opportunity to celebrate together. 💛✨