Stories

Feature Story Property Praxis 2.0

Mapping Detroit: How much land in the city is owned by land speculators?

At least 20% of land in Detroit is owned by property speculators, defined by the amount of property they own that is not registered to an owner that lives in the same neighborhood.

Longform The START Collaborative's first retreat in January 2024.

From tornado to ice storm, collaborative addresses unmet needs in Otsego County

Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.

Partner Content buylease.jpg

How to manage the high costs of leasing or buying a vehicle

Whether you’re looking for a way to commute to work or school on your own time, or you’ve been saving up for your own set of wheels to go on countless adventures, in today’s financial climate, managing your vehicle loans efficiently is key.

Longform West Corktown Corner Bank

The million-dollar real estate listing that started a historic Detroit gentrification debateWhat's in a name? Let's revisit the decade-old lesson from 'West Corktown'

What ensued was one of the bigger — if now overlooked, if the real estate listing is any indication — citywide gentrification debates at the time.

Feature Story Robyn and Melissa Childers, owners of Welcome Home Yoga & Wellness.

LGBTQ+ owned businesses in Metro Detroit you should know about

In celebration of Pride Month, here are some businesses owned by folks in the LGBTQ+ community that you should check out.

Longform Making connections at Dinan Park.

How local musicians help connect parks and people in downtown Farmington

“That keystone moment of creating Riley Park has led downtown Farmington down the direction of creating this network of other cool little public nodes, like Dinan Park and the Masonic park, and connecting them,” says John Bry, Program Coordinator at Main Street Oakland County.

Feature Story Randi Rossario Maples holding her newly launched book "Sis I Get It!"

Detroit influencer's new book, “Sis, I Get It” explores black girl empowerment and sisterhood

Randi Rossario Maples, Detroit's most followed influencer, has authored several books focusing on co-parenting and the art of goal setting. In her latest publication, “Sis, I Get It!” which hit the shelves last month, delves into themes such as establishing boundaries in friendships, the challenges of motherhood, and the journey of discovering one's voice.

Feature Story Valerie Orr, Executive Director of Community Foundation of Monroe County

Valerie Orr Brings educator’s eye and collaborative vision to Community Foundation of Monroe CountyNonprofit Journal Project

Valerie Orr brings an educator’s perspective and collaborative spirit to her role as executive director of the Community Foundation of Monroe County.

Feature Story veterans

Veterans in St. Clair County can rely on community mental health

St. Clair County Community Mental Health (St. Clair County CMH) continues to meet veterans’ mental health care needs. A certified community behavioral health clinic (CCBHC), St. Clair County CMH offers veterans a wide range of services regardless of their ability to pay or residency. 

Longform Left to Right: Paul Jones, Jennifer Hayes, and Lucius Vassar inside La Joya Gardens

Detroit CDFI coalition amplifies positive outcomes in communities across the city

CDFIs or community development financial institutions care deeply about the neighborhoods in which they live, work, and serve. Within the Detroit CDFI Coalition, these nonprofit financial institutions often collaborate together to provide an even more amplified catalyst of growth, prosperity and revitalization throughout unique communities across Detroit.

Feature Story The Ambassador Bridge

HISTORY LESSON: How Trump's influence is keeping Canadians' tourism dollars out of Detroit

Cultural tourists are hardly the only Canadians staying on their side of the Detroit River. In recent months, fears over tariffs, border confrontations, and political disagreements have engendered a decrease in border crossings not seen since the pandemic.

Feature Story Sister Pie

Sister Pie announces temporary closure for 'reconfiguration,' citing economic challenges

"The business will enter a period of rest and radical reconfiguration, of exploration and experimentation, and of occasional pop-ups and events to keep the roof over our heads," Ludwinski, a James Beard Award winner, writes.

Longform small-judy-logan

Dental aid helps cancer patients regain health and dignity

HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.

Partner Content Boy in classroom

Blueprint for school funding would ensure equitable resources in special education

The MI Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would ensure that Michigan adequately and equitably funds public special education in Michigan. 

Feature Story All Gods Children teacher

No-cost pre-K for all Michigan 4-year-olds enrolling for 2025-26 school year

QA with Jeffrey Capizzano, Policy Equity Group, on the implementation of Pre-K for All no-cost preschool for Michigan 4-year-olds.

Feature Story Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, February 2025

How Michigan nonprofits are navigating federal uncertaintyNonprofit Journal Project

Michigan nonprofits are facing uncertainty as federal funding streams fluctuate and administrative support wanes. The Michigan Nonprofit Association is helping organizations navigate this instability through advocacy, collaboration, and strategic planning.

Longform Labrea Robinson with her daughter Amarrah.

Oakland County residents give back to family, community, and more after experiencing homelessness

After finding housing, people who've experienced homelessness frequently seek to further stabilize their lives, better support their families, and give back to their communities. Here are a few of their stories.

Longform Kids participate in a water safety class at Adams Butzel Complex in Detroit.

Free swimming classes and equipment help improve water safety across Metro Detroit

A network of programs across Metro Detroit seeks to address high drowning rates and low swimming skills with free water safety education.

Feature Story Humanity first: Members of the Church of the Latter-day Saints volunteer at Zaman

Shared humanity that crosses language, religious and cultural barriersNonprofit Journal Project

An unlikely partnership has blossomed between the Mormon church and Zaman International, a nonprofit that serves mostly Middle Eastern Muslim women. Both faiths have more in common that it might appear on the surface.