Thredz Community Building Organization

08/11/2026

Y3 Thredz

That’s a wrap on an amazing summer with THREDZ Y3 C.O.D.E.S.! 💙💚🎉

Our THREDZ Y3 C.O.D.E.S. End-of-Year Celebration was all about recognizing our youth, celebrating their growth, and showcasing the impact they’ve made throughout the program. From community engagement and leadership to data, AI, and innovative solutions, our Y3 leaders showed us exactly what happens when young voices are given the opportunity to lead. 🌟

We’re so proud of everything they accomplished and even more excited for what’s ahead!

Hope. Access. Purpose.

08/07/2026

🚨TOMORROW—FRIDAY🚨
Y3 C.O.D.E.S. COMMUNITY INNOVATION SHOWCASE—REGISTER NOW!

📅 TOMORROW — FRIDAY, August 7
⏰ 1:00–3:30 PM
📍 GVSU Innovation Hub | 200 Viridian Dr., Muskegon

https://2026Y3CODESHOWCASE.eventbrite.com

🍽️ FREE CATERED LUNCH
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION
🏆 Youth Recognition
🤖 AI + Community Data
🎤 Youth Voices
❤️ Donations Welcome

They showed up for our community all summer. Tomorrow, we’re asking our community to SHOW UP FOR THEM.

Bring a friend. Bring a young person. Bring somebody who needs to see what happens when we listen to, invest in, and believe in our youth.

TOMORROW. 1 PM. BE IN THE ROOM. 💚💙

Hope. Access. Purpose.

07/18/2026

📣 Coming to a Neighborhood Near You! 🏡💙

This summer, Thredz’s Y3 C.O.D.E.S. Youth Leaders are walking neighborhoods across our community to listen, learn, and hear directly from residents.

When you see our youth… say hello! 👋🏾

They’ll be asking a few short questions about the future of our community and the issues that matter most to you.

Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your ideas matter.

Together, we’re helping shape a stronger future for Muskegon County—one conversation at a time.

06/30/2026

06/20/2026

Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚 reminds us that freedom is more than a moment in history—it is an ongoing commitment to ensuring that Black children, Black boys, and Black men are fully seen, valued, protected, and empowered.

One week ago TODAY, Thredz.org Y3 Youth Leadership Program had the privilege of participating in the 2026 Black Boys & Men National Symposium at Grand Valley State University with our session:

“Boys II Men: Mentoring and Educating Black Boys When You’re Not the Model, But the Work Still Needs to Be Done.”

The conversation challenged institutions to move beyond good intentions and examine how anti-Blackness, mentorship, and educational environments impact Black boys and young men.

Most importantly, youth voice led the way.

Thank you to our Y3 Hope, Access, Purpose Youth Gentleman Leaders, Marcus H., Y3 President, and Samuels, Grand Valley State University student, for courageously sharing their lived experiences and reminding us what authentic support, accountability, and leadership truly look like.

Thank you to Morgan, MBA, IOM, CEO & Principal Strategist of RKM Enterprises LLC and former Chamber CEO, for standing alongside our young men and helping bridge generations through wisdom and mentorship.

Special appreciation to our outstanding Y3 Lady Leaders, Aaliyah J., Y3 Vice Treasurer, and Dekyra D., Y3 Secretary, who moderated the session with excellence, grace, and confidence.

We are also grateful for our youth media team, Madison and Cyanna, for capturing the experience, and to Pastor Randy Vanderweit, Y3 Assistant Advisor and Thredz Advisory Council member, for faithfully supporting and transporting our youth.

Thank you to our President & CEO, Marria McIntosh, for continuing to create spaces where young people are not just invited to participate—but trusted to lead.

Finally, thank you to Grand Valley State University and Dr. B. Donta Truss for their vision and commitment to the Black Boys & Men National Symposium. We are honored to have participated for a second year and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to conversations that inspire transformational change.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, may we continue building schools, organizations, and communities where Black boys are not simply managed—but developed.

Not simply included—but valued.

Not simply tolerated—but loved.

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚

06/14/2026

🚨 LAST CALL! APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW JUNE 15th! 🚨

The deadline to apply for the Thredz Y3 C.O.D.E.S Fellowship is TOMORROW, June 15th!

If you’re between the ages of 14–18 and live in Muskegon County, this is your opportunity to:

✅ Earn $15/hour
✅ Work up to 20 hours per week
✅ Build leadership and workforce skills
✅ Learn AI and data analysis
✅ Explore homeownership and entrepreneurship
✅ Engage directly with your community
✅ Gain real-world experience that prepares you for your future

📅 Fellowship Dates:
June 27 – August 7, 2026

⚠️ Only 12 spots are available!

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Apply TODAY by scanning the QR code on the flyer below.

Your Future.
Your Voice.
Your Impact.

06/11/2026

🎤 Join Us at the 2026 Black Boys & Men National Symposium!

Thredz.org’s Y3 Hope • Access • Purpose Youth Leadership Program is honored to present:

Boys II Men: Mentoring & Educating Black Boys When You Are NOT the Model

Through authentic youth voice and intergenerational dialogue, this session will explore how educators, mentors, organizations, and institutions can better support Black boys and young men—even when they do not share the same lived experiences.

We are incredibly proud of our Y3 youth leaders and panelists who will be representing Muskegon and Grand Valley State University while sharing their experiences, insights, and recommendations for creating environments where Black boys are fully seen, developed, protected, and empowered.

📅 Friday, June 12, 2026
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Conference Center
Battle Creek, Michigan

Featured Participants:
🎙️ Y3 Youth Moderators Aaliyah Jordan & DeKyra Diggs
🎙️ Y3 President Marcus Harris
🎙️ GVSU Student Panelist Jaylin Samuels
🎙️ Keith Morgan, CEO | RKM Enterprises LLC
🎙️ Marria McIntosh, President & CEO, Thredz.org

Registration is now open!

🔗 Register to attend:
gvsu.edu/bbms

Thank you to the Black Boys & Men National Symposium for creating spaces where youth voices are not only welcomed—but centered.

06/10/2026

Thredz.org Reaffirms Commitment to Muskegon Heights Following Council “NO,” Vote on Former King Elementary School Redevelopment

Last night was disappointing, but it does not change our mission.

For years, Thredz.org worked with residents, partners, and City leadership to pursue a vision for the former King Elementary School that included housing, jobs, community space, and long-term investment in Muskegon Heights.

Although the Council voted not to move the project forward, the need for housing has not disappeared.

Families still need opportunities.

Children still deserve stable homes.

And our commitment to Muskegon Heights remains unchanged.

Today, I had the privilege of attending the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony in my role as a member of the Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System Board of Education.

As I watched students cross the stage, I recognized some of the young people and families we met while walking neighborhoods and listening to residents over the last several years.

Looking out into the audience at parents, grandparents, younger siblings, and babies reminded me that this work has never been about a building.

It has always been about people.

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable home. Every family deserves the opportunity to build wealth, create memories, and have a place they are proud to call their own.

King Village would have provided:

• Approximately 140 new housing opportunities.

• Approximately $22 million in investment and approximately 120 jobs supported.

• More than $100,000 annually in combined property taxes, income taxes, and utility revenue.

• A productive use for a property that has remained vacant for more than 12 years and generated more than 163 police calls.

• A $60,000 purchase offer despite an independent appraisal determining the property’s net value to be $0.

• A voluntary reverter clause ensuring that if development did not begin within five years, ownership would return to the City free and clear.

So while last night’s decision was difficult, one vote does not change who we are.

As long as God calls us to this work, we will continue showing up, listening, and fighting for our community.

Hope did not lose.

And neither did Muskegon Heights. ❤️

— Marria McIntosh
President & CEO, Thredz.org
Member, Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System Board of Education

Explore King Village redevelopment with Thredz. Learn how affordable housing for Thredz will restore a vacant landmark and boost local stability.