For many, Autumn in Michigan is the best season. Mother Nature puts on her most colorful display, the temperatures are just right for bundling up or sleeping in, and the holiday season officially begins. Halloween gives us the fun and fright, Thanksgiving brings the warmth of family, and Christmas will soon cloak us in good
Having grown up in Hong Kong, Kai Fai (Ray) Lum didn’t know what to expect when, at 16, he arrived in Flint to be reunited with his father. “It was culture shock. It was language shock,” remembers Lum. “When the plane touched down at Bishop Airport, I noticed that the houses all had metal things
The Latinx Technology & Community Center of Greater Flint (previously named Hispanic Technology & Community) is a community service and educational agency established to secure equal opportunities for Hispanics and other minority individuals, as well as the local community. According to LTCC Director, Asa Zuccaro, the name was changed to Latinx at the beginning of
For Flint native, Jasmine Hall, things have come full circle. While studying at Harvard University, her mind would often wander to thoughts of Flint and how, one day, she would return home. After graduating from the Ivy League school this past May, earning a master’s degree in neuropsychiatric epidemiology with concentrations in public health leadership
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your culture. I came to Flint from South Africa and I am working toward my nursing degree. I have followed a strict vegetarian diet since birth. My family adheres to the practice of Hinduism and I love to read, swim and travel. I have three sons. How
Arab-American Heritage Council (AAHC) Executive Director, Devin Bathish is proud of the roles that Arab Americans have played in Flint’s history. “Arab-Americans have been a part of Flint since the 1940s,” he says. “We came to Flint because of the opportunities of the auto industry and the population. We moved in, worked in plants and
In the late 60s and early 70s, Flint began to see an influx of immigrants from India. They were drawn to the great potential of a city thriving. Doctors, educators, accountants, engineers and other professionals came to the city to try their hand at prosperity. “My family was one of the first to settle here,”
For many years, FISH of Grand Blanc has lent a helping hand to all residents living within the Grand Blanc Community School District, according to Chairperson, Barb Smith. The nonprofit, nondenominational organization was founded in 1974. The word FISH represents the symbol of the early Christians to identify themselves, Smith explains. And the need in
When taking over as executive director of the Flint Jewish Federation (FJF) in 2011, Steven Low wasn’t sure what to expect. After arriving and finding his feet, he was pleasantly surprised. “I came from the St. Louis area, and the level of enthusiasm and passion here in the Jewish community and our collaborations are astonishing,”
The religion of Islam has many followers from all walks of life and nationalities, and many of them call Greater Flint and Genesee County home. “We have a growing Muslim population,” explains Niman Shukairy of the Flint Islamic Center, “and our community is very diverse. We have Syrians, Egyptians, Sudanese, Jordanians, Palestinians, Pakistani and Yemeni,
Welcoming Week Reception Greater Flint Arts Council 9.18.2019 Photography by Kayce McClure As part of this year’s welcoming week celebration, the International Center of Greater Flint in partnership with the City of Flint and Genesee County hosted a welcome reception at the Greater Flint Arts Council. The purpose of the event was to welcome immigrants
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your culture. I was born and raised in Haiti until the age eleven and a half. I have been married for 22 years to Tony Haywood and we have four beautiful children: Aujaurie, Cyerra, Caleb and Carlens, our adopted son in Haiti. I speak three languages and
