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 a

Nonprofit to expand its thrift enterprise to live sell clothing and accessories to create community while increasing revenue to help fund essential programs for veterans, seniors, and families SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (July 1, 2026) – VOA Michigan (formerly Volunteers of America Michigan) today announced the launch of its new MI Thrift by VOA Michigan showroom on Whatnot, a popular, fast-growing livestreaming e-commerce app founded in 2019. The new revenue-producing enterprise will

Courtesy Photo: 150,000 books. Countless dreams. 📚✨WKAR’s Robin Pizzo and her team continue to put books directly into the hands of children across Mid-Michigan, helping build stronger readers, learners, and communities. 150,000 books into the tiny, curious, precocious and sometimes reluctant hands of children across mid-Michigan was never a goal Robin Pizzo, director of education at WKAR, considered reaching within six years. Yet, with each event she attended as a public me

Across Michigan, communities are gathering to celebrate Juneteenth with festivals, parades, educational programs, cultural performances, health initiatives, and family-friendly activities honoring African American freedom, resilience, and achievement. From Lansing’s longstanding 33-year celebration to growing observances in Grand Rapids, Flint, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, and historic Idlewild, Juneteenth continues to unite communities through reflection, education, an

Courtesy Photo: The Honorable Judge Wanda Stokes. 30th District Circuit Court Ingham County Michigan For decades, Judge Wanda M. Stokes has been a respected leader, advocate, and trailblazer whose work has helped shape communities throughout Mid-Michigan. Her distinguished career in law, public service, and community leadership has earned her recognition as one of the region’s most influential voices for justice, equity, and opportunity. Throughout her career, Judge Stokes ha

When many people think about Marine Corps training, they often imagine nonstop yelling, impossible physical challenges, and intense discipline. That was certainly part of what I expected before attending the 2026 Michigan Marine Corps Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. As a writer representing The Chronicle News, I was invited alongside educators, community leaders, and media professionals from across Michigan to experience first

Lansing will welcome high-level roller derby competition this weekend as the 2026 WFTDA North America Playoffs – Michigan come to the Lansing Center, May 29–31, 2026. Hosted by Lansing Roller Derby, the three-day tournament will feature top-ranked teams from across North America competing in a WFTDA-sanctioned postseason event. The tournament includes 12 teams and 17 games, with teams battling for placement and advancement toward the 2026 WFTDA Championships. Modern roller de

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, my son Liam and I had the pleasure of attending the 27th Annual Against All Odds “Wings of Hope” Brunch, held at the MSUFCU Building in East Lansing, Michigan. From the moment guests walked through the doors, the atmosphere felt warm, uplifting, and filled with purpose. Purple butterflies, soft floral arrangements, and messages of hope decorated the room, serving as beautiful reminders of transformation, survival, and strength. It was more than jus

Graphic Content Warning: The photographs contained in this release are graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers. Isaiah Christopher Kirby’s family has chosen to share these images after careful consideration to help the public understand the extent of his injuries and why they continue to demand truth, transparency, accountability, and justice. Viewer discretion is strongly advised. Isaiah Kirby’s family has made the difficult decision to release a few photographs of Isa

Courtesy Photo: Teresa A. Caine-Bingman, Esq., civil rights attorney and advocate for the family of Isaiah Kirby. After reviewing multiple complete, unedited body camera footage, dash camera footage, and eyewitness videos, it is clear that Isaiah Kirby was met with an immediate and overwhelming use of deadly force. Within moments of arriving on the scene, East Lansing police officers did not use non lethal options and immediately fired more than 20 rounds. The videos also sh

Courtesy Photo: Chronicle News Publisher Yanice Y. Carter May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but if we are honest, healing has become a year-round conversation in our communities. Everywhere we turn, people are carrying something. Grief. Burnout. Anxiety. Financial stress. Loneliness. Trauma. Exhaustion from simply trying to hold life together while still showing up for work, family, church, school, and community. Some people are quietly surviving battles nobody else can s

Courtesy Photo: Pictured left to right: Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Assembly 2982 members Jim Kurt, Jim Sigmon, Jim Seprell, David Buick and Paul Koleda LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) received and distributed more than 95 care kits of essential items for veterans experiencing homelessness from the Knights of Columbus (K of C) Fourth Degree Assembly 2982. “We see immediate impact with these donations,” said MVAA homeless veteran coordinator

Courtesy Photo: Teresa A. Caine-Bingman, Esq., civil rights attorney and advocate for the family of Isaiah Kirby, following the release of a public statement calling for full transparency and the release of unedited video evidence in the fatal East Lansing police shooting investigation. Today, the family of Isaiah Kirby viewed what the East Lansing Police Department characterized as video evidence related to the fatal shooting of Isaiah Kirby. What was presented was not trans

Courtesy Photo: The Perry Robinson Circle property in Lansing, MI in Ingham County Parcel No. 33-01-05-04-203-001, at the center of Robinson Memorial Church’s tax exemption and foreclosure dispute. For nearly eight decades, Robinson Memorial Church has served Lansing through faith, outreach, and community care. Though the church is currently located on Lansing’s east side, the disputed property on Perry Robinson Circle was purchased by a prior church administration with the i

“Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor.” For the men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., it is more than a motto, it is a mandate. A standard. A calling to lead, serve, and build across every space they occupy. Photo Credit: Andre Smith Photography- Brotherhood across generations, Gregory S. Thomas stands with young men enrolled in the Lansing Alumni Chapter Kappa League Program. This is a reflection of the organization’s commitment to mentorship, discipline, and achi

Courtesy Photo: Dick Peffley, General Manager of Lansing Board of Water and Light. LBWL is a public owned utility governed by the Board of Directors. When it comes to keeping the lights on in Lansing, the Lansing Board of Water & Light is helping power the community. In a recent episode of The Sunday Chronicle, I sat down with Dick Peffley, General Manager of BWL, to talk about leadership, community responsibility, and one of the organization’s most impactful initiatives, t

Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) General Manager Dick Peffley issues the following statement: “The Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) understands that Deep Green has made the decision to withdraw their proposals for both the purchase and the rezoning of the E. Kalamazoo St. and S. Cedar St. property and defer project specific questions to them. We believe in the benefits this project would bring to the City of Lansing and our customers, including the benefit to our futu

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (MHSP) team hosted two LivingWorks Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST) trainings in March. Attendees learned how to recognize signs of suicide, offer lifesaving intervention support and connect people to safety. “ASIST is more than a training – it’s a powerful way to bring communities together around a shared responsibility to look out for one another,” said MVAA MHSP m

Courtesy Photo: Eastern & Sukterm Sweep Titles at Silicon Valley Showcase. Eastern Michigan Eagles women's golf captured the team title at the Silicon Valley Showcase, led by Baiyok Sukterm, who earned her first EMU individual win after leading the tournament from start to finish. The Eagles’ victory marked their third team title of the season. Spring is bringing more than warmer weather to Eastern Michigan University, it’s bringing wins, milestones, and momentum across multi

While Eastern Michigan continues to make noise in competition, the wins aren’t just happening under bright lights, they’re happening in the classroom too. Eastern Michigan women’s basketball standouts Sisi Eleko and Brooklyn Thrash have been named to the Academic All-MAC Team, a recognition that honors student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. And this wasn’t just a participation trophy moment. This was earned. Eleko, one of the Mid-American Conference’s