On the Ground helps to tell the story of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for communities. The intended impact is for “solutions-oriented” media coverage, engagement, and ultimately understanding of the community, resulting in awareness and investments that can contribute to the vitality and prosperity of the district covered.
The concept of On the Ground is to use an “embedded journalism” model to maintain a presence in a specific community. During this time the publication focuses weekly coverage on those neighborhoods to tell the story of the people, organizations, and businesses working and living there.
On the Ground has been embedded in the city of Ypsilanti since July 2017.
On the Ground is supported by Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Washtenaw Community College, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Ann Arbor SPARK, Washtenaw ISD, and Center for Health and Research Transformation.
To learn more about On the Ground program, click here.
High school students from Ypsilanti Community Schools and two other southeast Michigan school districts will be trained as peer health educators, teaching others about traumatic brain injury, through a new program called Way Forward@EMU.
The partnership draws on expertise from EMU’s School of Social Work and Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young program to bring realism and empathy into police trainings.
Ypsilanti nonprofit A Brighter Way recently purchased a home in Ypsilanti to provide long-term transitional housing for formerly incarcerated clients, just a few blocks from the organization's office.
After finding great success releasing their debut feature film, "Money Over Boyz," on the free streaming service Tubi, Ypsilanti-based married filmmakers Keith and Yolanda Ragland are nearly ready to debut their second movie.
Over 60 writers, word-lovers, and community members gathered for a celebratory photo inspired by Art Kane’s iconic 1958 photograph "A Great Day in Harlem" and Ypsi writer Debbie Taylor’s children’s book "Sweet Music in Harlem."
The "Gault Village Glow-Up," organized by Gault Village resident Regan Hizer, is the first of many planned events intended to foster a sense of unity throughout the neighborhood.
Rodolfo Alvarado's play "Undesirable Secrets" tells the story of Anthony Acevedo, a U.S. Army medic who was held in a sub-camp of the infamous Buchenwald. It will be performed in New York City this year.
Two nonprofits serving youth — one a track and field club, the other a program to introduce young people to professional trades — are the recipients of the city of Ypsilanti's 2025 Youth Mini-Grants.
As part of its mission to bring arts and culture programming to all parts of Washtenaw County, A2 Jazz Fest will bring a free "Traveling Sound Museum" to two locations in Ypsilanti in May in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.
Ypsi's recently opened Dzanc House is a multi-faceted arts center and an extension of the Ann Arbor-based nonprofit independent publisher Dzanc Books.
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