Tag Archives: WKTV In Focus

Kentwood commissioner to host ‘Celebrate the Small Victories’ discussion on Facebook live, WKTV on-demand

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Tired of all the sad, bad news these days? City of Kentwood commissioner Emily Bridson will host a casual conversation to “Celebrate the Small Victories” during the global pandemic via a Facebook Live Event on Saturday, May 23, starting at 10 a.m.

The discussion, produced at WKTV Community Media center in Wyoming, will have a video version of the podcast available on-demand later on WKTV’s The Whole Picture Podcast Facebook page and the audio-only version of the podcast also available on-demand on WKTV’s Podcast Page, under the In Focus series.

“Let’s focus on the positive, what we’ve learned, how we adapted, and what moving forward looks like,” Bridson said in supplied material. “This will be an uplifting take during this challenging time but will include real stories of pain and struggle and, of course, the small victories.”


In the discussion, Bridson will be “Celebrating the Small Victories” with guests Hanna Schulze of Local First, Tarah Carnahan of Treetops Collective and Sagar Dangal, an activist in the Bhutanese community.

The discussion is expected to include topics such as the local economy, personal growth, practices of local businesses that prioritize people’s safety and needs and facilitating the sense of belonging in our community, according to supplied material.

Also on the agenda are how we will be more adaptable, proactive and action-oriented; job flexibility for working parents and workforce health considerations moving forward; creating more equitable opportunities for caretakers and those with underlying conditions; and, finally, looking to the future.

The discussion guests

Dangal is owner of the local business Everest Tax Services. In addition, he is vice-president of the Bhutanese Community of Michigan and host of the podcast “Bhutanese Talk”.

Carnahan is the executive director and co-founder of Treetops Collective, which has the mission: “To connect refugee women with people and opportunities in their new community so they can flourish for generations to come — standing tall and impacting others.”

Schulze is the executive director at Local First, a group with the vision: “We lead the development of an economy grounded in local ownership that meets the basic need of people, builds local wealth and social capital, functions in harmony with our ecosystem, and encourages joyful community.”

Bridson is a Michigan native, community activist, business professional and retired professional athlete. She serves as a Kentwood city commissioner and serves on Kent County’s City/County Building Authority.

During the discussion, Facebook Live comments and questions may be discussed in real-time.

New South Christian head football coach on latest WKTV Journal In Focus

South Christian head football coach Danny Brown, at left, at a practice last week. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, one of the interviews is a special high school sports segment with South Christian High School’s new head football coach Danny Brown, of whom it would not be an understatement to say he bleeds Sailor Blue.

Coach Brown is no stranger to the Sailors’ program having served as an assistant coach since 2011 and as defensive coordinator for the past five seasons under Mark Tamminga, who retired after last season. Being a Sailor runs deep for Brown, having played varsity football at South Christian in the early 2000s. Brown attended Hope College and now is a small business owner in Byron Center.

For a YouTube video of the interview visit here.

During the discussion, Coach Brown talks about working with Coach Tamminga, playing for the late Bob Blacquiere, who was head coach when Brown played for the Sailors and was a big influence on his becoming a coach, and Brown’s transition from running the South Christian defense to being the man in charge of the entire program.

WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.

Godfrey-Lee’s new school superintendent on latest WKTV Journal: In Focus 

New Godfrey-Lee Public School superintendent Kevin Polston visits WKTV Journal’s In Focus set. (WKTV)

WKTV Staff

news@wktv.org

 

On the latest episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus”, WKTV’s public affairs show, program host Ken Norris talks with new Godfrey-Lee Public School superintendent Kevin Polston about the opportunities — not challenges — his district offers.

 

Also on the program, with all the road construction going on, just about everywhere, WKTV hosts a deputy managing director of the Kent County Road Commission as he discusses the public’s role in work zone safety.

 

The new episode will air twice a week on WKTV channels starting this week and running through Oct. 5. Along with all episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus, the new interviews are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.

 

 

In the interview, Superintendent Polston talks, among several topics, about how demographics of his district — which includes a high Hispanic population — is an obstacle to be overcome for some of his students but also could develop in a bilingual asset for future students and graduates.

 

A bilingual student population “is not one that has been traditionally valued because were get measured on the rate of English acquisition” by Spanish speaking students, Polston said. “Over 50 percent of our students qualify for English language services. … I think bilingual is a tremendous asset, especially with the largest growing demographic in our country right now is our Hispanic population.”

 

Prior to taking the position in July, Polston served as Lakeshore Middle School’s principal, but he has worked in the classroom as well as in administration. He received his bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, and his master’s in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.

 

“WKTV Journal: In Focus” will started airing on Tuesday, Sept. 26, and will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 6:30 p.m., on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.

 

For a video of the In Focus interview with Jerry Byrne, deputy managing director of the Kent County Road Commission, see below.