Share: Society for History and Racial Equity

10/16/2026

🎷 TASTE OF JAZZ | Musician Highlight🎻

Justin Liggins picked up the violin at age nine and took to it quickly. He served as concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Central High School Orchestra and of Orchestra Jammbo’laya, and as assistant concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra (KJSO), where he also led one of its chamber ensembles. Justin studied at The Juilliard School in New York City, immersing himself in the classical repertoire and learning to play Baroque instruments. He has performed with the internationally recognized duo The Piano Guys at Western Michigan University’s Miller Auditorium, and this past summer he toured Europe with the KJSO on his first international tour. Justin is now a freshman at Western Michigan University, where he studies violin performance as a student in the Lee Honors College.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Marilyn Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., Kalamazoo
🎟️ Presale tickets: $75 through October 20. Scan the QR code on the flyer to buy yours.

Or click our Zeffy link to purchase online. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/taste-of-jazz-gala
Questions? Email [email protected] or call 269.381.9775
Presented by the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE). Thank you to our sponsors, Warner Vineyards and the Kalamazoo Black Male Alliance! 💜🧡

10/16/2026

Thank you to Leadership Detroit for inviting S.H.A.R.E.’s Executive Director to be part of the Health & Wellness session! 💚 We’re excited to explore conversations around community health, wellness, and leadership.

10/15/2026

🎷 TASTE OF JAZZ 🎻
Friday, October 23 | 6–9 PM

🎻 Justin Liggins
Kalamazoo violinist, Juilliard-trained, and he’s played with The Piano Guys. Now a freshman at WMU!

🎤🎹 Jess Ivey & Brandon Fitzpatrick Duo |
Detroit vocalist meets Kalamazoo pianist. R&B, gospel, and soul, with 5+ years of making music together.

🎷 Sax Fifth |
Raised on church music and ’90s R&B, with a smooth sound all his own.An evening of live music with three incredible acts:
📍 Marilyn Schlack Culinary & Allied Health Building
418 E. Walnut St., Kalamazoo

🎟️ Presale tickets are $75 through October 20. Tap the link in bio or scan the QR code on the flyer!

Presented by SHARE (the Society for History and Racial Equity), with sponsors Warner Vineyards and the Kalamazoo Black Male Alliance.

10/13/2026

Voting is a Group Project But this one is Actually FUN!!!
We’re turning the ballot box into an informative and interactive party! It’s time to celebrate our voting power and show up for the neighborhood we love.
Join MTS Ministries, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha's Kappa Psi Lambda Chapter for a celebration of civic power, voter education, free food, music, and community spirit!
Link:

# **LET’S PARTY AT THE POLLS!** 🗳️ *Voting is a Group Project* But this one is Actually FUN!!! We’re turning the ballot box into an informative and interactive party! It’s time to celebrate our voting power and show up for the neighborhood we love. Join MTS Ministries, Inc. and Alpha Phi ...

10/09/2026

✨ Gathering with Intention. Building Community. Creating Connection. ✨

What an inspiring evening at the launch of the Great Michigan Gathering, a new three-year initiative from Michigan Humanities focused on building community through the art of intentional gathering!

We had the opportunity to experience an in-person conversation with bestselling author Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, alongside Michigan Humanities CEO Jennifer Rupp. The conversation was refreshing, thought-provoking, and a beautiful reminder that meaningful connections don’t require elaborate plans—just intention, hospitality, and a willingness to bring people together. The state of Michigan hosted over 60+ watch parties for this event on live stream. We are excited to have been apart of such an amazing experience of people gathering all over.

One of the most powerful takeaways? You don’t need a grand occasion to create community. Sometimes, all it takes is an invitation, a shared table, and something as simple as a cornbread and red beans gathering!

We’re grateful to Michigan Humanities, Kalamazoo Public Library, and the WMU Center for the Humanities for creating space for this important conversation and bringing people together around the power of connection.

At Society for History and Racial Equity, we believe community grows when we make room for meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and opportunities to connect. Here’s to being more intentional about how we gather and the relationships we build along the way!

10/09/2026

School is back in session, and what better time to introduce our new podcast, SHARE The Mic! For our inaugural episode, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Bianca Nightengale-Lee, Director of the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations at Western Michigan University. Join us for an inspiring conversation about Dr. Nightengale-Lee’s passion for education, the powerful connection between Hip Hop and literacy, and her commitment to reaching and empowering young people through the innovative programs offered by the Institute.

Watch Episode 1 here: https://lnkd.in/gxi-72_E.
Tune in, share in the conversation, and SHARE The Mic!

10/08/2026

🎷 You’re invited to Taste of Jazz! 🎷
Join us on Friday, October 23, from 6 to 9 PM for an unforgettable night of live music in downtown Kalamazoo.

Featuring:
Justin Liggins

Justin Liggins began playing violin at age nine. He served as concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Central High School Orchestra and Orchestra Jammbo’laya, and as assistant concertmaster of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, touring Europe with them this past summer. He studied at The Juilliard School, has performed with The Piano Guys, and is now a freshman violin performance student in WMU’s Lee Honors College.

Jess Ivey and Brandon Fitzpatrick Duo

Detroit vocalist, songwriter, and DJ Jessica Ivey blends alternative R&B, gospel, and melodic hip-hop into soulful, vulnerable performances. Kalamazoo-born pianist, composer, and producer Brandon Fitzpatrick is self-taught and has been playing since age four. Collaborators for more than five years, the two bring finesse, effervescence, and shared joy to every set.

Sax Fifth

Shawn, known as “Sax Fifth,” picked up the saxophone at 13, playing along with the radio and later in church beside his brother Ti on the organ. Raised on ’90s R&B and inspired by Mike Phillips, Kirk Whalum, and Gerald Albright, he’s built a sound all his own.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Marilyn Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building, 418 E. Walnut St., Kalamazoo
🎟️ Presale tickets: $75 through October 20. Scan the QR code on the flyer to buy yours.
Or click our Zeffy link to purchase online. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/taste-of-jazz-gala

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 269.381.9775

Presented by the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE). Thank you to our sponsors, Warner Vineyards and the Kalamazoo Black Male Alliance! 💜🧡

10/06/2026

🎷 You're invited to Taste of Jazz! 🍽️
Join the Society for History and Racial Equity (SHARE) for an evening where great food meets great music. Come hungry and ready to enjoy a delicious spread while the jazz sets the mood in downtown Kalamazoo. Dress up, bring a friend, and savor every moment, all in support of SHARE's work preserving history and advancing racial equity in our community.

📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
📍 Marilyn Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building
418 E. Walnut St, Kalamazoo

🎟️ Presale tickets are just $75 through October 20th, so get yours early! Scan the QR code on the flyer to purchase.
Or click our Zeffy link to purchase online. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/taste-of-jazz-gala

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 269.381.9775.
A special thank-you to our sponsors, Warner Vineyards and the Kalamazoo Black Male Alliance, for helping make this evening possible. 💜🧡
Good food, good music, good people. We can't wait to see you there!