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
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Denise Miller
Co-Founder of The Institute
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Dr. Jennifer Mills
Health Equity (Lead)
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Micah Green
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Mary Crosby
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Kennedy Williams
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Wellness Director
Collect & Recover Wellness (Lead) |
Advisory Team Lead
Ampersee Garden (Lead) Event Program Director Young Scholars (Lead) Institute Herbalist |
Executive Assistant
Air Quality Monitoring (Lead) |
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Jessica Ivey
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Nashon Holloway
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Erica Smith
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Director of Art
Sounds of Our Stories (Lead) |
Arts Production Program
Human Resources (HeRS) |
Director of Marketing
Community Outreach |
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Markeva Love
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Lisa Russell
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Dr. Binney Girdler
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Black Environmental Team
Shannon Sykes-Nehring
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Human Resources (HeRS)
Deirdre Courtney
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Remediation Team
Mia Sanchez
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Genealogy Coordinator
Grant Team |
Air Quality Monitoring Team
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Community Outreach
Ampersee Garden Specialist Collect & Recover Operations Coordinator |
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Donna Odom
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William Edmondson
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Quincy Ellis
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Grant Team
Family History Coordinator |
Remediation Team
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Young Scholars (Lead)
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Reeta Chandler
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Kimberly Borden
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Elan Bridges
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Events Coordinator
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Air Quality Monitoring Outreach
Collect & Recover Events Team |
Health Equity Team Member
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