Promise Week III: November 7-15

Don’t miss Promise Week III, the annual recognition and discussion of progress in making the Kalamazoo Promise a reality for many. Throughout the week of November 7 through 15, community members and leaders will highlight continuing efforts to build the Kalamazoo Promise, plans for future community building efforts and economic development potential, opportunities to revitalize the urban core, provide support for young people throughout the community and improve the quality of life in the Greater Kalamazoo area.

Promise Week III is supported by a broad coalition of interests who seek to engage the community in providing outstanding education and a path to success for all students, to revive the area and to create a “region of choice” for economic development. This year, Promise Week will address these important questions:

• What has happened since the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship program was announced three years ago?

• What does it mean to me, regardless of whether I am not among those who send their children to Kalamazoo Public Schools?

• How can I get involved in the “Promise of a Greater Kalamazoo,” an effort to build on the gift of the Kalamazoo Promise and stimulate the vitality of the region through education and quality-of-life initiatives?

Promise Week III is a continuation of the ongoing effort to build on the promise of a Greater Kalamazoo! Don’t miss any of the exciting events listed below. For more information, please visit: www.promiseweek.com or call the Special Events Line at (269) 345-1913.


Promise Week III: Leadership by Example
Events Calendar, November 7-15, 2008


Art Hop
Friday, November 7th, 2008
Downtown Kalmazoo | 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm (times may vary)

This month's Art Hop features several exhibits with educational themes, including the work of Kalamazoo Public Schools students, alumni, and teachers at Kalamazoo Communities In Schools/Kalamazoo Promise (125 W. Exchange Place); K/Resa - Education for the Arts Teaching Artists Showcase at the Epic Center (359 S. Kalamazoo Mall), and performances by youth from the ACT OUT program at the City of Kalamazoo Youth Development Center (230 E. Crosstown Parkway). To download a map, visit the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.


Marketing Kalamazoo and its Promise
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
Radisson Hotel - Kalamazoo | 7:30 am - 9:00 am

A panel discussion of how area business and organizations can leverage the Kalamazoo Promise to support their mission or goals. Will include speakers from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Michigan First, and Allen Edwin Home; Blaine Lam (moderator).


Arts Education and Community Success
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts | 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Organizations that are aligning their activities with the broader goals of the Kalamazoo Promise will be featured. Speakers include area arts students as well as representatives of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Civic Theater, and Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers.


Business/Education Roundtable
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Radisson Hotel - Kalamazoo | 7:30 am - 9:00 am

A community conversation around what businesses are doing to connect with education. Will include speakers from Monroe-Brown internship program, Pfizer's Partners in Education, BASIC, Eaton Corp's Big Brothers Big Sisters in Business program, and small business rep. Ron Kitchens (moderator).


What the Promise Means to You
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Ecumenical Senior Center, 702 N. Burdick (at North Street) | 12:00 - 3:00 pm

Join members of the Kalamazoo Junior Girls Organization and Ecumenical Senior Center in a celebration of Promise Week. The afternoon event will include youth entertainment, refreshments, networking, an open discussion of the Kalamazoo Promise, and display of the Kalamazoo Promise Traveling Exhibit. For more information, call 344-2330.


Meet Author/Illustrator Kadir Nelson
Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Kalamazoo Public Library - Eastwood Branch | 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Hear from this year's featured children's author about his stunning illustrated history, We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Books for sale and signing. Refreshments served.


31st Annual Mary Caletto Rife Children's Literature Seminar
Friday, November 14th, 2008
Fetzer Center, Western Michigan University | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Kadir Nelson, author of picture books about Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. DuBois, Duke Ellington, Michael Jordan, and Henry Brown, the slave who literally mailed himself to freedom, is the featured author at this annual celebration of great books for children. Registration required; $35 fee includes lunch | students $5 without lunch, $15 with lunch. Call 553-7804 or register online, here.