Michigan City Neighborhood Leadership Academy participants presented their group project ideas to family, friends and community leaders as well as received their certificates during a recent graduation event.

The program is a partnership between the City of Michigan City and the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City. During the 8-week session, participants learned more about the city, its departments, processes and resources to help cultivate their neighborhood’s identity and future path. The purpose of the Neighborhood Leadership Academy is to unite like-minded leaders and provide the education and resources necessary to take on a larger role within their neighborhoods to ignite opportunities and change.  

“Participants showcased a passion for their neighbors and desire to make an impact,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “The sessions and discussions culminated in their ideas to work toward a larger sense of community in their own individual spots in the city.”

At the graduation ceremony, each group highlighted how they hope to create a space for all their neighbors to thrive, based on the group’s own neighborhood assets and needs. Project ideas included a community calendar and social media channels to better create connections and share resources, block parties for celebrating their neighborhoods and providing opportunities for neighbors to get to know one another, a focus on updating sidewalks and streetlights and initiatives to focus on health and community partnerships.  

“I was heartened by the differences and needs represented by each project for the individual neighborhoods,” said EDCMC Community Development Manager Erin Meisner, who facilitated the leadership academy. “The different ideas were brought together in solid plans.

“Now that you are graduates, you are leaders for Michigan City, especially for your own neighborhoods.”

“The Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity for our residents to get involved in a way that triggers dedication to our neighborhoods as well as a zeal for improvements and positivity,” added Michigan City Mayor Angie Nelson Deuitch.

The Class of 2024 included:

=       Albertine Allen, Edgewood

=       Jeff Balog, Trail Creek

=       Antonio Conley, Near Westside

=       Quayla Cooper, Eastport

=       Horace Douglas, Village Green

=       Vernessa Fry, Eastport

=       Antoneo Garrett, Jefferson

=       Kurtess Gillespie, Edgewood

=       DeShawn Gordon, Eastport

=       Daniel Higgins, Lakeside Glen

=       Shauna Hill, Eastport

=       Jackqueline Jones, Eastport

=       Ashley Kazmucha, Midtown West

=       Tina Mahone, Mott’s Woods

=       Patricia Matsey, Jefferson

=       Essie McMillon, Elston Grove

=       Nicole Mitchell, Trail Creek

=       Catrina Rose, Eastport

=       Tristan Smith, Westside

=       Tamara Thomas, Eastport

=       Aprilla VanBuren, Westside

=       Kimberly Williams, Eastport

=       Kameesha Williams, Marsh

=       Wendy Willis, Eastport

Graduate Horace Douglas and his group look to forge a foundation in Midtown by creating channels to share news and events and ensure residents are informed.

“You can’t have community without unity,” he said. “We named our project Midtown Roundtable so there is no one at the head of the table and everyone has a seat at the table.”

The academy will kick off another session in the spring of 2025. Details will be posted on the Vibrant Michigan City website: www.vibrantmc.com.