About Us
Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan is a nonprofit organization in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan that uses the power of art and education to expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family.
The centerpiece is a juried, outdoor exhibit featuring 60 billboard size images created by local, national and international artists, writers and students reflecting their interpre- tations of the theme “enriching our lives through diversity.

ProgramDescription
Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan uses the transformative power of art combined with an educational curriculum to celebrate diversity. The centerpiece is a juried, outdoor exhibit featuring 50 billboard size images created by local, national and international artists, writers and students reflecting their interpretations of the theme “enriching our lives through diversity.” Beautiful, breathtaking and insightful artwork on the themes of diversity, equity and inclusion are selected from submissions from around the world as well as from local artists. They will be enlarged to billboard size, printed on 16’ by 12’ 13 oz vinyl posters, and will be installed in Gallup Park, Leslie Science Center Park in Ann Arbor and Riverside Park and Parkridge Community Center Park in Ypsilanti. Chelsea may be a satellite site.
This program has been presented in Sarasota, Fla. for 19 years. (see www.embracingourdifferences.org) Through the generosity of the Sarasota organization and their interest in spreading these teachings, our community has been offered the art, the curriculum, their guidance, wisdom and experience to launch the program here in Washtenaw County. We would use their work for the first few years as a model. We will also feature local artists. We have sent out a Call for Art in Washtenaw County.
Our Vision
A society that embraces differences, builds respect and celebrates the diversity of the human family.
Board of Directors

Bonnie Billups, Jr., Member
Executive Director Peace Neighborhood Center

Evie Lichter, Vice President
Community Activist

Edwin Pear, Member
Partner Pear, Sperling, Eggan & Daniels

Lynette Findley, Member
Clerk Superior Township

Nancy Margolis, President
Executive Director Embracing Our Differences SE Michigan

Lynne Settles, Treasurer
Community arts advocateRetired Ypsilanti art teacher

Versell Smith, Secretary
Executive Director Peace Neighborhood Center




The Need
Children – and adults as well -- don’t always have the words to express how they feel --and these feelings can result in negative and aggressive behaviors. That is why art is so important. The art and quotes can be used as tools to spark discussions. Building a society in which all people can feel equal, safe, admired, and affirmed sounds easy. But achieving such a goal takes community-wide education and on-going support. Such an effort is rare but greatly needed. This program strives to bring together a wide and diverse population to work together to expand consciousness and open the heart to celebrate the diversity of the human family.
The Design
Working with the Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation department, Ypsilanti Parks and the Washtenaw County Parks Department, we have been given four park sites on which to install the billboards. The installations will remain for four months – May through September, 2022. After that time the billboards will then be available to give to schools, or other organizations. We visualize that this program would become an annual event.


Team of Diversity Leaders
EOD Action Committee

Barb Bach

Evie Lichter

Diana McKnight-Morton

Debby Mitchel-Covington

Nan Gill

Brenda McKinney

Pat Chapman

Lynette Findley

Nancy Margolis

Lynne Settles

Marsha Chamberlin

Linda Grekin

Bia Hamed
No Photo
- Wadad Abed
- Huda Karaman Rosen
Community Partners
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In-Kind








LandAcknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional homelands and ancestral territories of the people from the Odawa, Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Wyandot tribes who lived on the land and along the Huron River for hundreds of years before Ann Arbor’s founding as a city.
We honor the land itself and the people who have stewarded it.