There is something special about summertime. The pace slows down just enough for us to notice things we often miss. A child discovers a love for reading. A teenager lands a first job. A family visits a museum for the first time. An entrepreneur finally launches that business they've been talking about for years. Learning isn't confined
Empowering minds through discovery, creativity, and community connection
There are moments when a community pauses to recognize an individual whose life has quietly shaped generations. At this year’s Lansing Juneteenth Celebration, one of those moments unfolded as Lansing Mayor Andy Schor presented Mr. Gregory Eaton with the Key to the City. For many in attendance, the applause was about more than an award. It was an acknowledgment of decades of leadership, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to Lansing.
Gregory Eaton’s story is wo-
Parents, students, school staff members, and others are encouraged to nominate outstanding public-school educators for the Michigan Lottery’s 2026-27 Excellence in Education awards. All public-school employees may be nominated for the Excellence in Education awards, which recognize educators who go “above and beyond” to make a difference in the lives of children. To nominate a pub-
BY YANICE Y. CARTER
The excitement is building as the 2nd Annual HBCU Initiative: Empower, Educate & Excellence prepares to return to Lansing this December, continuing a mission that is about much more than college recruitment. It is about opening doors, expanding dreams, and introducing young people to the rich leg-
Before the Civil War, higher education for African Americans in the United States was nearly nonexistent. But with freedom came determination—and a fierce commitment to education. Between 1861 and 1870, African American missionary associations and the Freedmen’s Bureau helped establish seven colleges and thirteen teaching schools dedicated to educating newly freed Black citizens. These early institutions laid the foundation for what would become known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The first degree-granting institution for African Americans was Ashmun Institute, founded in 1854 in Chester County, Pennsylvania by a Quaker couple. It was renamed Lincoln University in 1866 and today continues its legacy with undergraduate and graduate programs serving over 2,000 students. Among its distinguished leaders was
Dr. Horace Mann Bond, father of civil rights icon Julian Bond and one of many influential presidents to guide the institution through its pivotal role in American history.
Between 1854 and 1954, Lincoln University alone produced: 420% of the nation’s Black physicians
Morrill
In 1862, Senator Justin Morrill championed federal legislation to allocate land and funding for colleges focused on agriculture, science, and en-
BY YANICE Y. CARTER
When most Americans hear the name Huey P. Newton, the image that often comes to mind is a young man seated in a wicker chair, rifle in hand, gaze steady and unflinching.
That image became iconic. It also became incomplete.
Newton co-founded the Black Panther Party in Oakland, California in 1966 alongside Bobby Seale. The organization emerged during a period of intense racial tension, police violence, and systemic inequity. The Panthers are frequently remembered for their visible stance on armed self-defense. Less frequently discussed are the extensive community programs
they built across the country.
The Panthers launched free breakfast programs for children before school districts did. They established free medical clinics, offered sickle cell anemia testing, provided food distribution, and created political education initiatives. In many neighborhoods, these programs filled gaps where government systems had failed.
The Black Panther Party openly carried firearms while monitoring police activity. At the time, California law permitted open carry. The Panthers argued that their presence was meant to deter police brutality and
gineering. While the initial act helped establish public colleges across the country, Black Americans were largely excluded from these opportunities.
In response, the Second Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1890 required that states either integrate their land-grant institutions or create separate HBCUs to ensure access for Black students. This led to the formal recognition and funding of HBCUs like Alcorn State University (founded in 1871), and over a dozen others between 1870 and 1910.
These institutions didn't just provide education—they cultivated leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, artists, engineers, and scholars who helped shape every sector of American life.
Celebrating the Legacy, Championing the Future
The Chronicle Newspaper proudly honors the impact of HBCUs year-round. Below is a
Scan to read full story
protect Black residents from abuse. Their tactics were controversial. Their message was unapologetic. But the group’s public image often overshadowed their service programs. Media coverage frequently emphasized the weapons and rhetoric, reducing a complex organization to a single dimension. itsHistory can flatten movements. It rarely captures the full architecture behind them.
The Panthers also became a primary target of federal surveillance. Under
PUBLIC MEETING
PROPOSED SERVICE CHANGES
Effective Aug. 24, 2026
The Capital Area Transportation Authority will host a series of public meetings to present proposed service changes effective Aug. 24, 2026. The following routes and services are included in the proposed service changes:
• Route 1 – Downtown Lansing – Meridian Mall: Weekday service frequency would change from every 9–15 minutes to every 15 minutes. Late-night service, Thursday through Saturday, would be eliminated. Final departures Monday through Saturday from the CATA Transportation Center (CTC) will be at 10:20 p.m. and from Meridian Mall at 11 p.m.
• Route 9 – South Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd – Miller: The outbound loop through downtown Lansing along Grand Ave and Capitol Ave would be eliminated, with buses traveling directly onto Kalamazoo Street from the CTC. Trips would depart approximately 5 minutes earlier from the South Pennsylvania Meijer traveling inbound.
• Route 18 – Capital City Crosstown: Buses would serve Spartan Village on all inbound and outbound trips. Stop-based service times will be adjusted.
• Route 20 – South Harrison – Jolly-Dunckel: Weekday service frequency would change from 30 minutes to every 40 minutes between 6:33 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. Buses will remain on Harrison Road and will no longer serve Spartan Village on all inbound and outbound trips.
• Route 46 – Mason, Limited: Service would be discontinued (see proposed Mason Connector change).
• Mason Connector: Monday-Friday service hours would be expanded to incorporate service hours no longer served by Route 46. Saturday service would be eliminated (see proposed CATA Rural Service (CRS) change).
• Route 48 – Williamston – Webberville, Limited: Service would be discontinued (see proposed Williamston/Webberville Connector change).
• Williamston/Webberville Connector: Monday- Friday service hours would be expanded to incorporate service hours no longer served by Route 48. Saturday service would be eliminated (see proposed CRS change).
• Mason Redi-Ride: Service would be discontinued (see proposed CRS change).
• CATA Rural Service (CRS): The City of Mason would be added to the service area, incorporating the former Mason Redi-Ride service area into the CRS zone. Saturday service from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. would be added, and same-day trip scheduling would be available. The distance-based fare for trips over 10 miles would be eliminated, and all trips would have a $2.25 fare across the expanded service area.
Details of service changes will be available online at cata.org. Representatives from CATA will be present at the open-forum public meetings listed below. There is no formal presentation planned, allowing CATA staff to meet and interact with attendees on an individual basis. Public comment is welcome. The same service information will be available at each meeting, allowing area residents to attend any session of their choosing.
July 21, 2026
July 22, 2026
Thursday, July 23, 2026
July 27, 2026
Meeting locations are accessible by CATA services. Spec-Tran rides must be reserved by 5 p.m. the evening before the session you plan to attend. Individuals requiring special accommodations should contact CATA Customer Experience at 517-394-1000. CATA will make every attempt to provide reasonable accommodation for requests submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, July 20, 2026.
For those unable to attend a meeting but would like to provide input, visit cata.org to review details, email comments to marketing@cata.org or submit written comments to:
Capital Area Transportation Authority
Attn: Marketing Department 4615 Tranter Street, Lansing, MI 48910
Members of the public can also contact CATA Customer Experience at 517-394-1000, Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All comments must be received by 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Visit cata.org for the latest information.
When your heart needs help, trust the specialists who work just as hard as your heart does.
Our cardiac team combines advanced diagnostics, minimally invasive procedures, and the latest research to provide exceptional care for every beat. We’re here for your heart, 24/7.
Learn more at mclaren.org/lansingheart.
McLaren Greater Lansing is proud to be the only hospital system in the Tri-County region accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology.
BY YANICE Y. CARTER
As families across Greater Lansing prepare for another school year, one of the community's most anticipated back-to-school celebrations returns with a day filled with hope, generosity, and unforgettable memories.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Ed Rockett, will host Pilgrim Fest 2026 on Saturday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 5200 Pleasant Grove Road in Lansing. The annual community festival has become a signature event that brings together local organizations, volunteers, businesses, and families for a day centered on service, fellowship, and fun.
Open to everyone at no cost, Pilgrim Fest offers
Greater Lansing is proud to be the only hospital system in the Tri-County region accredited as a Chest Pain Center by the American College of Cardiology.
an incredible lineup of free resources and activities designed to help families prepare for the school year while enjoying a day together. Guests can receive free backpacks filled with school supplies, clothing and shoes for all ages, sports physicals, community resources, food, prayer, and family-friendly entertainment while supplies last.
Children can look forward to bounce houses, a video game truck, live entertainment, interactive activities, and plenty of surprises throughout the day.
As someone who attended last year's event with my son, Liam, I can honestly say Pilgrim Fest exceeded our expectations. Liam had an amazing time. One of his favorite memories was getting the opportuni-
ty to pet a horse, something he still talks about today. He also enjoyed the games, entertainment, and giveaways, and proudly carried home a backpack filled with school supplies that he still uses today. More than the free items, what stayed with me was the atmosphere. Volunteers greeted every family with kindness, encouragement, and genuine love, creating an environment where everyone felt welcomed and appreciated. That spirit of generosity is what makes Pilgrim Fest special.
For many families, the event provides valuable school supplies and resources at a time when household budgets are stretched. For others, it's simply an opportunity to spend quality time together while connecting with neighbors, local organizations, and a church committed to serving the community.
Event Highlights
Include:
Free backpacks with school supplies*
Free clothing and Scan to read full story
BY AL SMITH
So… our youngest daughter is in gymnastics.
And her gym? Clear across the other side of Indianapolis. It’s a commute.
Instead of driving all the way back home, I’ve started making a stop at the library. Quiet. Focused. A place to reset and create.
On one of those days, I went looking for inspiration—flipping through graphic novels and comics—and stumbled across “8 Million Genies.”
The premise stopped me cold: What if everyone in the world got one wish… at the same time?
Sounds exciting, right?
But as I read… it wasn’t. It was chaos. Greed.
Violence.
Power grabs.
Because here’s the truth: Not everyone has good intentions. And honestly… you don’t have to look far to see that reflected in real life.
War. Division. Self-interest.
But that’s not the whole story. There’s also:
Love.
Generosity.
People pouring into others with no expectation in return.
That tension—the good and the bad—is what inspired this comic. Because if everyone had one wish… it wouldn’t just change the world. It would amplify who we already are. So now I’m curious…
If you had one wish—just one—what would it be?
For a limited time in July, when the Red Ball is drawn, the Lottery will then draw a second set of Daily 3 numbers, giving you a second chance to win on the same ticket—making lots more winners! Visit your favorite Michigan Lottery retailer and play Daily 3 today.
For more than two decades, the Uplift Our Youth Foundation has remained committed to one simple but powerful belief: when young people are given opportunities to succeed, entire communities flourish.
Founded in 2002 by the late Larry Leatherwood, the Greater Lansing-based nonprofit has become one of the region's enduring champions for youth development. Leatherwood envisioned an organization that would not only provide financial assistance to youth-serving organizations but also inspire a culture of leadership, service, and community responsibility among the next generation. Although he is no longer with us, his vision continues to guide the foundation's work and serves as a lasting testament to his dedication to the young people of Mid-Michigan.
Serving Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties primarily, the Uplift Our Youth Foundation has awarded more than $275,000 in grants to nonprofit organiza-
tions, schools, and community agencies dedicated to improving the lives of local youth. Those investments have supported educational enrichment, leadership development, mentoring, health and wellness initiatives, arts programming, and community engagement opportunities that help young people realize their full potential.
Rather than simply funding programs, the foundation invests in lasting change. Its leaders understand that strengthening youth today creates stronger families, neighborhoods, and communities tomorrow. By partnering with organizations that share its mission, the foundation helps ensure young people have access to resources, encouragement, and opportunities that inspire confidence, resilience, and lifelong success.
lic-school educator, go to www.michiganlottery.com/excellence-in-education.
The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence in Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.
One outstanding educator will be selected each week and will receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of these weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize. Winners of the weekly award are featured in a news segment on the Lottery’s media partner stations:
WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in
Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, WWTV-TV in Traverse City, and WLUC-TV in Marquette.
The winner of the 2026 Educator of the Year award was Brandon Bailey, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Forest View Elementary. The school is part of the Cadillac Area Public Schools.
Hundreds of educators were nominated during the 2025-26 school year, which was the 12th year of the Excellence in Education awards program. Thirty-four of these nominees, including Bailey, were selected to
to four classroom walls, it happens wherever curiosity is welcomed.
As a publisher, I spend a lot of time telling other people's stories. As a mother, I spend just as much time thinking about the stories our children are writing for themselves. Every book they read, every question they ask, every mentor who pours into them, and every new experience becomes another chapter in who they are becoming.
That is why National Summer Learning Month matters.
Education isn't simply about grades. It's about confidence. It's about exposure. It's about helping people see possibilities they didn't know existed. Sometimes all it takes is one caring adult, one opportunity, or one encouraging word to change the direction of someone's life.
At The Chronicle, we believe our community is filled with teachers
acy and life-changing opportunities found at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Scheduled for Friday, December 11, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5852 Wise Road in Lansing, the event will once again bring together HBCU representatives, Divine Nine organizations, scholarship opportunities, community resources, inspiring speakers, alumni, students, and families for an afternoon dedicated to education, empowerment, and Black excellence.
The initiative is the vision of Na-
ven into the fabric of this city. As one of Michigan’s pioneering African American lobbyists, a successful entrepreneur, business owner, community advocate, and philanthropist, his influence reaches far beyond boardrooms or business ventures. Through Gregory’s Soul Food, Metro Cars, scholarship support, mentorship, and countless acts of generosity, Mr. Eaton has demonstrated what it means to build success while lifting others along the way. His family’s connection to Lansing stretches back generations, making this recognition not only personal, but deeply historical.
In addition to its grantmaking efforts, Uplift Our Youth Foundation actively brings the community together through fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships that celebrate youth achievement and encourage civic engagement. The organization's work reflects the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their gifts, pursue their dreams, and become a positive force within their
saan Jackson, a Lansing native whose passion for HBCUs has grown into a community movement focused on helping local students discover pathways to higher education. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, organizers are expanding opportunities for students to connect directly with colleges, mentors, professionals, and organizations committed to helping them suc -
The presentation carried special significance during Juneteenth, a celebration rooted in freedom, perseverance, and the ongoing pursuit of equality. Honoring a Black business leader whose life’s work reflects those same values reminds us that freedom is not simply remembered through history books. It is lived through service, opportunity, economic empowerment, and the willingness to invest in future generations.
The Key to the
