Courtesy Photo: Nature Breaks the Law explores conflicts and resolutions resulting from humans and wildlife sharing the same habitat. Author: Mary Roach . The Great Lakes Fact or Fake  delves beneath the surface of the world’s largest chain of freshwater lakes, confirming truths and debunking myths in an effort to protect this unique watershed. Author: Dave Dempsey MidMichigan  — Greater Lansing area residents are invited to a series of events celebrating our Great Lakes her

Courtesy Photo: Verna Dorsey Holly she built a life grounded in love and legacy, raising three children while shaping countless others through her work. There are some names that don’t just belong to a person, they belong to a sound, a spirit, a movement. Verna Dorsey Holley is one of those names. Born on April 29, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, Holley’s life has been a living composition, one that blends discipline, faith, culture, and the unmistakable power of music. Long befo

There are some words that refuse to stay in the past. They rise. They echo. They return… right on time. This weekend, those words take center stage as Stage One at Sycamore Creek Eastwood presents a powerful staged reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, directed by 517’s own Melik Brown. Written from a jail cell in 1963, Dr. King’s letter was never meant to be comfortable. It was meant to confront. To challenge. To awaken. And decades later, it

LANSING, Mich. – In partnership with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), Gleaner Life Insurance Society’s Capital Arbor #772 donated more than 130 care kits of essential items for Michigan veterans experiencing homelessness. “Every one of these care kits represents more than just essential supplies, it sends a powerful message to Michigan veterans that their community cares,” said MVAA homeless veteran coordinator Cassie Smith. “That kind of support is often the fi

Courtesy Photo: Shemeika Barney, owner of Meika’s Boutique N More in Lansing, Michigan, embodies the very confidence she inspires in others, creating a space where style, self-expression, and empowerment come together for women in the community. Confidence as Currency: Shemeika Barney Is Dressing Women for More Than the Moment There are women who follow trends… and then there are women who create spaces where confidence becomes the standard. In Lansing, Michigan, Shemeika Bar

Photo Credit:The Chronicle Media Group Yanice Carter spent some time in the chair at Dr. Evelyn Lucas-Perry’s office, and it was more than an appointment, it was an experience. From the dentist to the staff, the care, professionalism, and attention to detail all felt intentional. You can always tell when a team is operating in excellence, and that day, I felt it. As a publisher, I have the honor of telling powerful stories, but every now and then, one becomes personal. Dr. Ev

Courtesy Photo- ( L to R) Jan Henderson, Yanice Carter and Brenda Henderson. Connection, community, and celebration all in one frame. March 19, 2026, BATH, Mich.  — There are events you attend, and then there are moments you feel. The 2026 White Rose Gala, hosted by the Lansing/East Lansing Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, was one of those moments. Held at Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center, the evening brought together leaders across business, education, healthcare, law,

This Women’s History Month, The Chronicle News proudly celebrates 30 extraordinary women whose leadership, courage, and commitment to community are shaping the present and inspiring the future. Across Michigan and beyond, women are building businesses, leading classrooms, strengthening families, mentoring young people, and advocating for change in ways that impact entire communities. Some lead from boardrooms. Some lead from classrooms. Some lead quietly through service, ment

Courtesy Photo:Carolyn Carter Before the titles, before the legacy, before the lives she would touch… there was this moment. A young woman, full of light, already becoming who she was called to be. Silent strength. That is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of Carolyn (Hill) Carter. Not loud. Not attention-seeking. Not chasing recognition. But steady… faithful… foundational. Born on June 22, 1951, in Great Lakes, Illinois, to Willie L. Hill and Emma Garland, Carolyn’s

Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a towering voice in the fight for civil rights and social justice, dedicated his life to uplifting communities and challenging systems of inequality. His message, “Keep Hope Alive,” remains a guiding call for generations continuing the work of justice and freedom. For more than half a century, the name Jesse Jackson  has echoed through the halls of justice, church sanctuaries, college campuses, and city streets across America. His voice, steady

Courtesy Photo:Terra Riley, founder of SisterHood Excellence, is honored for empowering women and youth through mentorship, faith, and community leadership. Some women build platforms. Others build people. Terra Riley is doing both. As Founder of SisterHood Excellence (S.H.E.), Terra has created a space dedicated to connection, growth, and transformation for women and girls of all ages. Since its founding in 2017, S.H.E. has been rooted in one powerful truth: sisterhood is es

Courtesy Photo:Erica Lynn, founder of The Village Lansing, is honored for her work in public health, community advocacy, and violence prevention in Women Making History 2026 Real leadership doesn’t always start with a title. Sometimes it starts with paying attention. For Erica Lynn, her work has always been rooted in community, long before it had a name. With over 22 years in public health, Erica has dedicated her career to understanding how environment, access, and lived exp

Courtesy Photo:Elyse Ribbons, founder of Chengdu Teahouse in Lansing, is honored for building community through culture, tea, and connection in Women Making History 2026. Sometimes reinvention is not a setback. It’s an invitation. After spending decades living and working in China, Elyse Ribbons returned to the United States with a decision to make: how do you begin again? Her answer was both simple and powerful, create space. In 2024, she opened Chengdu Teahouse in Lansing’s

Courtesy Photo: Dr. Terra DeFoe, Founder of De’Cole & Associates, is honored in Women Making History 2026 for her leadership in policy, civic engagement, and community impact across Michigan and beyond. Some leaders seek recognition. Others build impact that speaks for itself. Dr. Terra DeFoe is firmly the latter. As Founder and Managing Partner of De’Cole & Associates, Dr. DeFoe has spent decades shaping policy, empowering communities, and creating pathways where barriers on

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Farha Abbasi, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Michigan State University, is a leading voice in mental health advocacy, empowering women to break stigma, prioritize wellness, and reclaim their power. Visibility Is Viability. And She’s Making Sure Women Are Seen. There are women who work within systems…and then there are women who challenge them, reshape them, and refuse to let them stay broken. Dr. Farha Abbasi is the latter. An Associate Professor of P

Courtesy Photo: Rhonda Stokes, owner of Rhonda’s Reflections in Lansing, Michigan, is redefining beauty through a commitment to healthy Black hair, strong branding, and empowering women to embrace the fullness of their crown. For more than two decades, Rhonda Stokes has been helping women rediscover the beauty and strength of their natural crown. As the owner of Rhonda’s Reflections Salon in Lansing, Michigan, Rhonda opened her doors in 1999 with a passion that began long bef

Courtesy Photo:Family and friends gathered in Detroit for “The Emerald City: A Celebration of Legacy and Love,” honoring the 43-year marriage of Lavel and Dr. Patricia Lucas-Perry. Some stories are not just about success. They are about legacy. When you listen to the story of Lavel and Dr. Patricia Lucas-Perry, you quickly realize their journey was never simply about careers or accomplishments. It was about building something enduring together, brick by brick, year by year, f

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Shenika Hankerson, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, is a leading scholar in Black Language research. Meet Dr. Shenika Hankerson, a scholar, educator, and advocate whose work centers the power, identity, and cultural significance of Black language. A proud graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing, Dr. Hankerson has built a career at the intersection of scholarship, and community impact. Today

In Lansing, some families quietly shape the future of their communities through generations of service. The Taylor family is one of them. From youth mentorship and literacy programs to cultural dance and community outreach, the work of Dr. Lee Taylor, AnJanette “Ms. Angel” Taylor, and Heather Taylor reflects a shared belief that when women invest in their communities, entire generations rise. Together, their work spans more than five decades of leadership rooted in education,

Courtesy Photo: Meet Ali Bennett, Founder and CEO of Grassroots Giving, launched the Lansing-based initiative in 2023 to help first-generation entrepreneurs connect with the resources, knowledge, and community support needed to build sustainable businesses. In every generation, there are people who recognize that the systems around them were never designed for everyone to thrive. Instead of waiting for change, they begin building something new. For Ali Bennett, that moment ca