When Shekinah Wagner was a little girl, she knew that when she grew up, she wanted to work with animals. She always loved cats, animals and reptiles but was completely obsessed with tigers. Born and raised in Flint, she graduated from Carman-Ainsworth High School and obtained a degree in science and zoology at Michigan State University.
In Genesee County, the skating community has always been happy to stay in the periphery. In the late 80s and early 90s, skateboarding was popular but stigmatized. Skaters practiced their craft wherever they could until they were threatened with legal actions and chased away. Skaters have never meant any harm – they just wanted a place to ride. Finally, in 2008, the skateboarding community united, found their voice, and (with help from some prominent area citizens) built the Flint Skate Park located on Miller Rd. next to the Swartz Creek Golf Course. They had created a place to skate, practice and learn.
It was a warm, sunny Wednesday evening on the shores of Lake Fenton and a cool breeze was blowing in from the north. “It’s a great night for sailing!” exclaimed Michael Casler, Commodore of the Lake Fenton Sailing Club. “The wind is steady and coming from a good direction.” Members of the club were straggling in, getting their sailboats in the water for the evening race, which is a weekly event.
When My City sat down with Amie Burke, 36, she wore a T-shirt that reads, “Weird But Nice.” We quickly found out that this creative, fun and energetic radio deejay fit that description to a T. Burke plays on the Bath City Roller Girls team, is an instructor at Sailor’s Mouth Yoga, a Detroit School of Burlesque graduate and performer, a comic book reviewer at Slackjaw Punks and a vintage clothing collector. She lives life in the moment and keeps an open mind. “If an opportunity comes my way, I just roll with it,” says Burke, a Central Michigan University grad who earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, and can be heard on radio stations US 103.1 (classic rock) from noon to 3pm, and CARS 108 (adult contemporary) from 5-7pm. “I try to take opportunities as they come and since we only live once, why not?”
Before he began writing a series of Post-Apocalyptic and Science Fiction novels, Boyd Craven, III worked factory jobs and for Flint River Farm. He has now self-published over 30 works including two series, The World Burns and Anonymous Justice, available as eBooks, in print and also on audio. His novels aim to entertain while also informing readers about prepping and survival techniques. Craven currently lives in Grand Blanc with his wife and four kids. He prefers not to have an address on his home and has begun practicing living “off the grid,” something he plans to pursue further when his children are all grown.
At just 14 years old, Ashton Edwards already has the talent and the discipline to spend the rest of his life fulfilling and cultivating his passion: ballet.
Mesmerizing music sets the tone of a YouTube video entitled, “United Way of Genesee County: Flint Water Fund.” Images of sunlit Flint-area landmarks appear. Roughly 16 seconds elapse before a studious-looking, well-spoken 13-year-old named Mia Aubuchon begins passionately describing the Flint Water Crisis, first while standing in front of the Flint Institute of Music before moving on to other well-known spots around the city.
“I feel like I was born with a gift to dance. It’s something I have done all my life,” says Sheila Miller-Graham, Founder, CEO, Director, Instructor and Choreographer at Creative Expressions Dance Studio in Flint. With all of these titles, Graham’s first was a self-described “child entertainer,” having danced for her relatives at many big family dinners.
These local thespians sure are passionate about acting! Read on to learn more about the faces you see on (and sometimes behind) the main stage.
It’s Christmas every day at Old Newsboys of Flint. Decorations hang on the walls year ’round and a life-like Santa stands in the entryway. You can almost hear him saying, “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” The warehouse is filled to the brim with coats, hats, mittens, gloves and other items for children’s Christmas boxes.
