About

Community Voices was founded in 2005 by visionary entrepreneurs James and Arlene Washington in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With a passion for uplifting their community, the Washingtons launched a free bi-weekly newspaper that aimed to educate, inspire, and entertain. Arlene brought stories to life as lead writer while James secured support through advertising and sponsorships—together, they reshaped the local media landscape by highlighting the achievements, struggles, and triumphs of the Black community.

Their newspaper reached thousands of households and became a trusted source for positive, community-centered storytelling. In 2010, after attending a publishing workshop hosted at the Kalamazoo Public Library, the Washingtons passed the torch to Sean and Sonya Hollins, whom they saw as the next generation of community storytellers.

Sean, an award-winning graphic designer, and Sonya, an award-winning journalist, author, and founder of the Merze Tate Explorers, embraced the challenge. Together, they transformed Community Voices from a black-and-white newspaper into a vibrant, full-color magazine that celebrates diverse change makers and trailblazers across West Michigan.

Today, under Season Press LLC, Community Voices continues to thrive—not only as a legacy publication, but as a platform for youth voices. The magazine is now home to contributions from the Merze Tate Explorers, the world’s only all-girl travel writers’ organization. These girls travel locally and globally, documenting their journeys and the careers they explore. Their experiences are featured in the annual youth-led edition, ensuring that the next generation of storytellers is seen, heard, and empowered.