Meet The Institute
Meet the Institute’s vibrant and talented team based in Kalamazoo, MI! We are a diverse group of individuals passionate about creating and implementing projects and programs that that operate at the intersection of education, public benefit, and social justice, with a commitment to building an informed and empowered society. Our work is rooted in the belief that knowledge, when shared across sectors and generations, can shift power, dismantle barriers, and foster change.
Our team is dedicated to elevating historically excluded voices by cultivating environments where young people, creatives, scholars, and community leaders co-create new narratives for justice and liberation. By developing and implementing programs that blend the humanities, arts, sciences, and environmental stewardship, our dynamic team empowers youth and adult learners to reclaim agency over their stories, health, and futures. Together, we strive to make a positive impact in our community through interdisciplinary approaches and a shared commitment to excellence.
Our team is dedicated to elevating historically excluded voices by cultivating environments where young people, creatives, scholars, and community leaders co-create new narratives for justice and liberation. By developing and implementing programs that blend the humanities, arts, sciences, and environmental stewardship, our dynamic team empowers youth and adult learners to reclaim agency over their stories, health, and futures. Together, we strive to make a positive impact in our community through interdisciplinary approaches and a shared commitment to excellence.
Dr. Michelle S. Johnson | Executive Director
Co-Founder of The Institute
Arts Production Program (Lead)
From This Place (Lead)
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Denise Miller | Co-Founder of The Institute
Art of Fact (Lead)
Grant Team
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Dr. Jennifer Mills | Health Equity (Lead)
Housing in Action
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Micah Green | Wellness Director
Collect & Recover Wellness (Lead)
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Mary Crosby | Advisory Team Lead
Ampersee Garden (Lead)
Event Program Director
Young Scholars (Lead)
Institute Herbalist
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Kennedy Williams | Executive Assistant
Air Quality Monitoring (Lead)
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Jessica Ivey | Director of Art Sounds of our Stories (Lead)
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Nashon Holloway | Arts Production Program
Human Resources (HeRS)
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Erica Smith | Director of Marketing
Community Outreach
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Markeva Love | Black Environmental Team
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Lisa Russell | Human Resources (HeRS)
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Dr. Binney Girdler | Remediation Team
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Shannon Sykes-Nehring | Genealogy Coordinator
Grant Team
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Deirdre Courtney | Air Quality Monitoring Team
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Mia Sanchez | Community Outreach
Ampersee Garden Specialist
Collect & Recover Operations Coordinator
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Donna Odom | Grant Team
Family History Coordinator
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William Edmondson | Remediation Team
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Quincy Ellis | Young Scholars (Lead)
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Reeta Chandler | Air Quality Monitoring Outreach
Collect & Recover Events Team
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Kimberly Borden | Events Coordinator
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Elan Bridges |
Health Equity Team Member
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