Second Wave

2 days ago | secondwavemedia.com | Shandra Martinez

Jennifer Evans, executive director of the nonprofit Out On the Lakeshore, understands the growing mental health needs of Allegan County’s LGBTQIA+ community. Jennifer Evans “That money will be earmarked for our outreach wellness initiative, and that's where we're getting mental health help to the people who need it when they need it,” Evans says of the $5,000 grant her organization received through the Allegan County Community Foundation’s second annual Pride Fund cycle.

2 days ago | secondwavemedia.com | Shandra Martinez

What’s happening: At the “Advocacy in Action: Housing Solutions & Supply Data Updates” event on June 17, local leaders and housing experts discussed the latest data on housing in Ottawa County. The findings reflect encouraging progress while highlighting the ongoing need for targeted solutions, particularly for low- and moderate-income renters and middle-income buyers. What’s the key takeaway: The total housing need in Ottawa County has increased slightly since 2021, from 15,731 to 16,464 units.

3 days ago | secondwavemedia.com | Shandra Martinez

As a student at Western Michigan University, Matthew Neyens dreamed of one day running an airport. Nearly a decade and thousands of flight operations later, that dream has landed right back in West Michigan. Matthew Neyens Earlier this month, Neyens took the helm as airport manager at West Michigan Regional Airport (WMRA), returning to the region with nearly 10 years of experience in managing large-scale aviation operations, most recently at Denver International Airport.

3 days ago | secondwavemedia.com | Natalia Holtzman

This story is part of a series about arts and culture in Washtenaw County. It is made possible by the Ann Arbor Art Center, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Destination Ann Arbor, Larry and Lucie Nisson, and the University Musical Society. Ann Arbor-based musician Danielle Davis, who performs as Dani Darling, says she doesn't "want to throw out the word 'retirement,'" but she is also looking forward to taking a break from music after she releases her latest EP, "Cazimi," at the end of July.

4 days ago | secondwavemedia.com | Shandra Martinez

When Nicole Triplett of Black Wall Street Kalamazoo and Nicole Parker of Sisters in Business joined forces during the COVID-19 pandemic, it marked the beginning of a powerful collaboration rooted in advocacy, access, and action. Both women were already leading efforts to support Black entrepreneurs in their hometown of Kalamazoo. But as they watched systemic gaps widen for Black-owned businesses during the crisis, they knew they could do more together and regionally.