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.
Two free rowing classes will be offered to the public as part of RowFest 2025, a national rowing championship coming to Ford Lake in Ypsilanti Township this year.
Since May 2023, Ypsilanti’s Riverside Arts Center has hosted the Ypsilanti Fine Arts Club, providing a space for local artists and art appreciators to connect and share their work on the first and third Wednesday of each month.
Washtenaw Optimal Wellness has partnered with Ypsilanti Marketing and Print Company and the Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority to bring a new, free walking group to Ypsi residents this summer.
The new podcast network Food Folks Fun will showcase a variety of local voices in order to promote the businesses, organizations, and people of Depot Town and beyond.
Ypsilanti's annual Juneteenth celebration will run a full weekend this year, including a day of action, a sickle cell anemia awareness walk, and a performance by a Grammy-winning artist.
Ypsilanti’s Bridge Community Cafe is collaborating with Detroit-based pop-up event planner Swanky Lady Couture for a series of hands-on bouquet-building events throughout July.
On June 6, Safe Demo Day at Ypsilanti Township's American Center for Mobility showcased the latest developments at the state-of-the-art testing facility, ranging from new technologies to an expansion of ACM's scope.
Ypsi Pride returned to Ypsilanti on June 9 with the theme "Our Stories." Here are some of the Pride attendees and entertainers we ran into around Depot Town.
An initiative that promotes no-strings-attached financial assistance for new parents could be coming soon to Ypsi, according to a June 9 talk given by its founder at Eastern Michigan University.
Ypsilanti-area organizations and community members are supporting local members of the LGBTQ+ community in a variety of ways, ranging from supportive health care to queer takeovers of public spaces.
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