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: Kiara Dumas, founder of Kingdom Mind Design, is honored in Women Making History 2026 for empowering women through photography, faith, and personal transformation. Sometimes purpose doesn’t arrive all at once. It unfolds. For Kiara Dumas, that journey has been one of growth, faith, and transformation. After nearly nine years as a dispute specialist in the tech industry, Kiara made the bold decision to step into a new chapter, one rooted in creativity, healing

Courtesy Photo:Meet Candace Phillips, owner of CandyShoppe Hair Studio and CEO of CandeCollective, a beauty industry leader empowering women through entrepreneurship and mentorship. She uses her platform to uplift communities and inspire the next generation of women leaders. For Candace Phillips, beauty has never been just about hair and style. It has always been about confidence, culture, and helping people step into the best version of themselves. A Lansing native, Candace

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

Courtesy Photo:Corean Canty, founder of Speak More Human and co-founder of Shift to Play, helps leaders and organizations strengthen communication, culture, and connection by empowering people to find and use their authentic voice. Some leaders build businesses. Others build movements in how people think, communicate, and show up in the world. For Corean Canty, leadership begins with one powerful idea: OUR VOICE MATTERS. A seasoned communications strategist, speaker, and peop

EP14 - Pop That! Occasionally the viral game show “Pop The Balloon” shows up in my feed. I’ll admit… it’s entertaining. But at the same time I can’t help but wonder: Who on earth would willingly subject themselves to humiliation just to be seen? Clearly… thousands. As the father of four beautiful daughters, these things hit differently. As they get older and conversations about dating start to happen, the discussions around character, respect, and social media become more imp

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Melody Angel, physician, entrepreneur, and founder of Full Well, whose second act reflects resilience, healing, and visionary leadership In 2012, Dr. Melody Angel lost her husband to suicide. She lost a 45-unit real estate portfolio. She faced bankruptcy in the aftermath of the housing collapse. Her daughter was seven years old. Many people survive seasons like that. Few decide to rise from them with intention. Dr. Melody Angel did not just rebuild. She too

Courtesy Photo: Sharon D. Rogers For more than four decades, Sharon D. Rogers has dedicated her life to strengthening children, families, and the very foundation of community. Her professional journey began in Kentucky, where she studied Home Economics with a specialization in Child Development at Murray State University . After graduating, she relocated to Lansing, Michigan, and began what would become a lifelong commitment to early childhood education and family engagement.

Photo Credit:The Chronicle Media Group-Representing the next generation of community storytellers, Liam Carter dives into hands-on learning at Impression 5. LANSING, Mich. — Creativity was in full force February 28 and March 1 as families gathered at Impression 5 Science Center for LEGO®Palooza 2026, the museum’s annual family-focused fundraiser. Presented by Impression 5 and supported by the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation and T-Fiber, the two-day event transformed the Science

Photo Credit-The Chronicle Media Group-Generations aligned. My son Liam Carter is standing among men who model confidence, discipline, and care. This is what community mentorship looks like in action. Last weekend at the Lansing Mall, something shifted in the atmosphere. It wasn’t just a workshop. It wasn’t just photo ops in front of a branded backdrop. It was a room full of men choosing to rewrite narratives. Young men showed up for the 2026 Suited 4 Success Etiquette Worksh

By Chelsea Wooton Courtesy Photo-For 30 years, across 41 states and more than 1,000 venues, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim refused to wait for history to be told correctly. He put it on wheels and brought it directly to us through the Black History 101 Mobile Museum. Lansing, admission is free, but the truth you’ll encounter is priceless. Dr. Khalid el-Hakim didn’t wait for history to be told correctly. He put it on wheels and brought it to us. Lansing, admission is free. The truth is p

Courtesy Photo-Oluwaseun “Sean” Sipeolu, Founder of Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge, is building more than a restaurant in Downtown Lansing — he is creating a cultural home rooted in connection, ownership, and legacy. Some businesses sell products. Others create experiences. Oluwaseun “Sean” Sipeolu did not open Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge to simply serve food. He opened it to serve culture. Founded in 2025 in the heart of Downtown Lansing, Jollof Afro-Caribbean Lounge is more

For four decades, The Chronicle News has amplified voices, honored culture, and preserved the stories that shape our community. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, we invite you to celebrate this milestone at the Michigan Room at Lansing Community College. The 40th Anniversary Legacy Gala will be an unforgettable experience featuring a locally owned business showcase, a vibrant mix and mingle reception, live music and entertainment, a dinner experience, and keynote remarks from Judge

Photo Credit: Alfred Laurence, Beige Planet Photography The Spartans won emphatically against the Northwestern Wildcats while celebrating their seniors on Wednesday night. The final score was 104 to 68 and MSU looked great 'offensively, shooting 53 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep. Grace VanSlooten would not be denied on her way to 22 points and she thwarted Northwestern in the post with 3 blocks. She forced the Wildcats’ leading scorer, a 6’4 Grace Sullivan, t

LANSING, Mich., February 6, 2026 — Music and movement will meet center stage as the Lansing Community College Jazz Band returns for its third annual collaboration with Happendance Professional Company. The concert, Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Blue, promises two evenings of rhythm, soul, and storytelling through sound and motion. Under the direction of LCC music faculty member Jon Gewirtz, the 20-plus-member jazz band will perform timeless standards that have shaped generations

Photo Credit:Getty Images-The Wayans family attends the NAACP Image Awards, where they were inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame for their groundbreaking contributions to comedy, film, and television. There are families who make history, and then there are families who rewrite it with a punchline, a mirror, and a refusal to be boxed in. This year, the NAACP Hall of Fame welcomed one of the most influential creative dynasties in American entertainment, the Wayans family . For

As we celebrate Black History Month, I wanted to pause and bask in the achievements, resilience, and brilliance of our ancestors. Their legacy is not just history—it is instruction. Recently, many have shared reactions to a racist post from #47 depicting the Obamas as apes. I won’t pretend to be surprised. That kind of imagery has a long, ugly history in this country—one meant to dehumanize, distract, and diminish. As a Christian, Scripture calls me to pray for our leaders—an

Emerson Green and King Episode 5-A Socially Conscious Comic created by Purpix Media Founder Al Smith. Last night, my daughters came into the room lit up. Not because of social media. Not because it was “the thing to do.” But because they used their voices. We had a real conversation about ICE, about the nationwide school walkouts, and about why they chose to participate in activism at their school. They didn’t just repeat slogans—they explained their why. And as a father, tha

Join Us for a Doubleheader Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is hosting an exciting day filled with Eagle pride, purpose, and high-energy basketball. On Saturday, January 24, fans can enjoy a thrilling women’s and men’s doubleheader at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. Women's Basketball Game The action begins at 1 p.m. with EMU Women’s Basketball taking on Northern Illinois. This game is special as it coincides with Mental Health Awareness and Fraternity & Sorority Life Da