Flintside

12/17/2025

Why Flint Needs a Comedy Home—and Why JeCorey Hawkins Is Building It

JeCorey Hawkins is rethinking what comedy can look like in Flint, pushing for consistency, space, and a scene to call home.

“I would love to be a world-famous comedian who still lives in Flint. I visualize it every once in a while—a show where I’m at The Capitol.” — JeCorey Hawkins

✍🏼+📸= Anthony Summers

JeCorey Hawkins is rethinking what comedy can look like in Flint, pushing for consistency, space, and a scene to call home.

12/15/2025

Rooted in Culture, Driven by Justice: Inside the Arab American Heritage Council

For more than 40 years, the Arab American Heritage Council has preserved culture, supported immigrant families, and built community power in Flint.

“For years, our immigration and language program has not just been about filing applications or completing translations. It has been about showing up for the community in ways that build trust, demand dignity, and make people feel seen, supported, and empowered.” - Lucine Jarrah | Executive Director

✍🏽: Brianna Nargiso

For more than 40 years, the Arab American Heritage Council has preserved culture, supported immigrant families, and built community power in Flint.

12/10/2025

A Middle Kind of View: Where Do Children Learn Community When the Schools Are Gone?

Columnist Amina Smith asks: Where Do Children Learn Community When the Schools Are Gone?

"What makes a community a community? My own definition comes from a place stamped into my memory like an address on an envelope: Pierce Elementary School on Flint’s eastside. Pierce was where I first learned what it meant to belong to something larger than myself." — Amina Smith

Check out the 2nd piece by our resident columnist and UM-Flint student.

Columnist, Amina Smith, asks the question: Where Do Children Learn Community When the Schools Are Gone?

12/10/2025

Flint’s Food Scene Just Got Bigger: The Story Behind Michigan’s First MOOYAH

Flint becomes home to Michigan’s first MOOYAH, bringing fresh burgers, hand-cut fries, and a community-first vision to the city.

“Flint is my city. Flint made me the person I am, and I wanted to give back to the city that gave me so much. I love to help my community and my city get better.” — Walid Bounenni | Owner of Flint’s MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes

✍🏼+📸: Anthony Summers

Flint becomes home to Michigan’s first MOOYAH, bringing fresh burgers, hand-cut fries, and a community-first vision to the city.

12/09/2025

“We Bend, We Don’t Break”: Comma Bookstore & Social Hub Closes its Doors, Beginning its Next Chapter Online

Comma Bookstore founder, Egypt Otis, details new plans for their digital storefront.

“I think the reason why people loved it so much is because they really felt invested in it. They felt like it was theirs. It was for the city, and it was by the city. We’re called Comma for a reason. Comma—we keep going. We’re not a period. ” — Egypt Otis

✍🏽: Brianna Nargiso

Comma Bookstore founder, Egypt Otis, details new plans for their digital storefront.

12/08/2025

Forgive them and Parent Better: An interview with Jordyn Anese

Jordyn Mickens invites readers into a vulnerable and honest conversation about growth and forgiveness with her upcoming book.

"I heard God say, ‘This is a you project. You know how to market and create content. You have all the tools you need.’” — Jordyn Mickens

✍🏽: Dezha Peterson

Jordyn Mickens invites readers into a vulnerable and honest conversation about growth and forgiveness with her upcoming book.

12/03/2025

Introducing "A Middle Kind of View" Column Series

“A Middle Kind of View” is a new Flintside bi-weekly column series by University of Michigan–Flint student and Flint native, Amina Smith.

"I hope that by reading and taking in this series, I can encourage you, too, as a reader, to see a city that deserves to be viewed not solely through the lens of what used to be, nor only through the wishful thinking of what might come but through the middle—the now—where you can really see what the city is offering in real time."

A Middle Kind of View” is a bi-weekly column series by University of Michigan–Flint student and Flint native, Amina Smith.

12/02/2025

Volunteers of America Michigan is expanding its impact with help from an unlikely place: its thrift stores is expanding its impact with help from an unlikely place: its thrift stores.

When the organization needed to repair, upgrade, and grow these stores, community lender IFF stepped in with flexible, affordable financing that traditional banks often can’t provide.

Six projects later, VOA has opened new locations, strengthened its social enterprise model, and increased its ability to support seniors, families, and people experiencing homelessness across Michigan. ⬇️
🔗 bit.ly/VOAMichThriftStores

12/02/2025

Genesee ISD Hosts Ideation Crash Course to Power Youth Entrepreneurship Across Genesee County

For Kimberly Dehmel, Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator at GISD, the magic of the event is watching students discover what they’re capable of. “This event gives students the space to explore bold ideas and see what’s truly possible,” Dehmel says. “While creativity is often the first skill they tap into, they also learn problem-solving, empathy, and the importance of building connections.”

✍🏼: Brianna Nargiso

High school students across Genesee County will soon gather for a half-day of high-energy creativity, problem-solving, and business building.

12/02/2025

Thank you Flint. Daily. for this insightful article on an event that represents and helps all of us in local independent media outlets.

Check out the article and join Flintside, Flint Beat, and East Village Magazine this Thursday at 7pm at Queens' Provisions.

Gothic Funk Press’s quarterly Salons feature writers and other literary minds discussing a wide range of topics.

12/01/2025

African American Film Series returns, featuring Claressa Shields, civil rights history, and untold cultural narratives

From Claressa Shields to civil rights history, Communities First, Inc.., film series returns with a new season of powerful Black storytelling at Flint Institute of Arts.

“Storytelling and art—especially film—are powerful catalysts for change. They help us imagine new possibilities, challenge our assumptions, and connect more deeply with one another." — Essence Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer.

✍🏼: Briana McNair

From Claressa Shields to civil rights history, Communities First Inc., film series returns with a new season of powerful Black storytelling.