Photographer Captures Explorer Beauty Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 24, 2023April 24, 20230 Featured image: Jillian Liggins poses with her daughters Juliana and Jasmine. Unique hairstyles are one way that women and men express themselves. However, Explorer parent Tasleem Jamila shared a new way for girls to wrap themselves in beauty. Jamila is an international hair wrap stylist and author who took the time
Girls Explore STEM at Air Zoo Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 22, 2023April 22, 20230 The Merze Tate Explorers and the Henrietta Lacks Traveling Museum partnered with the Air Zoo to expose girls to STEM. On April 7th, nearly 50 girls in grades 6-9th took part in a day of exposure to careers in STEM through panel discussions, hands-on activities, and a scavenger hunt of
Explorers Make Finals in GoAbroad Competition Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 21, 2023April 21, 20230 The Merze Tate Explorers has been named a finalist in the GoAbroad Innovation in Diversity award category for its work to expose girls of color to the world. The organization's Girls Can! Magazine highlights the local and international adventures of girls as young as 12 and is being recognized for
Winter Fun Mystery Day Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - January 30, 2023January 30, 20230 Allegan (Mich.)- The Merze Tate Explorers knew they were going someplace cold but, they had no clue where it would be. Thanks to local ski enthusiast Ollie Barnes, the Explorers went SKIING! Explorer board member Angie Daniels helps Jasmine snap into her ski at Bittersweet Ski Resort in Allegan, Michigan. Photo
Gift Wrapping Success! Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - January 12, 2023January 13, 20230 Thank you to all of those in the community who stopped by the Crossroads Mall to have their gifts wrapped! For the 6th year in a row, the Explorers have used the Season for Giving as a fundraising opportunity to raise money for scholarships. This year, more than $4,000 was
Explorers Experience MasterChef Jr. Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - October 5, 2022October 5, 20220 KALAMAZOO (MICH.) Explorer Mahalia Guidry has her own cake pop business and dreams of becoming an actress. So when the representative of MasterChef Jr. asked if she would like to take part in a segment of the live show, she didn't hesitate. Acting and baking...it was perfect! Mahalia, a 14-year-old entrepreneur
Explorers Soar with Dr. Drew Lanham Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - September 14, 2022September 17, 20220 KALAMAZOO (MICH.) Zydiora "Ziggy" Jones was all giggly as she stood on her tiptoes to take took the microphone in front of nearly 500 people in Kalamazoo's Chenery Auditorium. Nine-year-old Ziggy and other Explorers had just listed to a lecture by ornithologist (bird-watching expert) Dr. J. Drew Lanham and it
Exploring Nature with the Audubon Society Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - July 16, 2022July 16, 20220 The Merze Tate Explorers recently explored the world of birds with the Kalamazoo Audubon Society. Russ Schipper led a team of bird enthusiasts in sharing the amazing world of featured creatures. Explorers learned how to identify the sounds of local birds such as robins, sparrows, and cardinals. In addition, they
Explorers Meet PNC Foundation Leader Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - June 9, 2022June 9, 20220 KALAMAZOO (MICH.) - The Merze Tate Explorers is truly a community youth organization. For more than a decade, the student Explorers have met with hundreds of women who rock in their chosen careers. As Explorer travel writers meet phenomenal women, they enhance their communications skills as journalists. Through article writing,
Explorer to Compete in New York City Uncategorized by Sonya Bernard-Hollins - April 15, 2022April 15, 20220 Six members of the Merze Tate Explorers held their breath as they awaited the results. The young women in grades 9th-12th, had just competed with nearly 30 other youth in the inaugural virtual True Colors Next Narrative Monologue Competition. Their hard work had paid off as students competed virtually