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Program Registration
The Southwestern Michigan Urban League (SWMUL) creates impactful programs that strengthen communities, support leadership, and drive meaningful change. From education and entrepreneurship to advocacy and wellness, our initiatives are designed to make a difference.
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Mic Check: Read, Write, Rhyme
June 9, 11, 12 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Southwestern Michigan Urban League
172 W Van Buren St, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Calling all 7th - 9th graders!
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Hip hop is more than music—it’s a voice, a movement, a way to be heard. Join Dr. Kandace Lavender and her team for a free literacy and writing workshop that blends hip hop and spoken word.
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Step up, speak out, and make your voice heard! In this workshop, you’ll use hip hop and spoken word to tackle real issues—social justice, identity, mindfulness, and self-expression—while crafting poetry that hits deep and tells your story the way only you can.
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At the end of the workshop, you’ll publish your own work in an anthology, sharing your message with the world.
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Register now at https://forms.office.com/r/7unB83Fqtp
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About Dr. Kandace Lavender:
Dr. Lavender is an educator, teaching artist, and youth advocate. As the Executive Director of Read and Write Kalamazoo and founder of The Teacher Cypher, she uplifts youth voices through hip hop, writing, and literacy. She also shares her spoken word and hip hop under the label Truth Tone as “DC.”
African American Collaborative
Tee Up For Change
SWMUL, African American Collaborative, in partnership with the Kalamazoo Black Golf Association, invites you to Tee Up for Change—a series of free Strategic Engagement Sessions designed to bring communities together, spark meaningful conversations, and create lasting impact, all while embracing golf as a wellness activity.
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These sessions go beyond discussion—they're an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and take action on issues that matter. Through open dialogue and shared experiences, participants will help strengthen relationships and inspire solutions that benefit the community.
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Event Details
Strategic Engagement Sessions
June 6, June 20, June 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM
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KBGA Juneteenth Golf Jam
June 21, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Location: Squirrel Hollow Golf Course
12111 Helmer Rd S, Battle Creek, MI 49015
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​This is an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, take action, and enjoy the game of golf in a way that strengthens community ties. Let’s make an impact—one swing at a time.​​
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