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
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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
Sponsors
Ambassadors
Partners
Associates
Friends & Boosters
Well Wishers
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.