is a creative problem solver passionate about the arts, bike culture and continuing the progress of Kalamazoo as a community where everyone belongs. A graduate of WMU and a member of the YMCA Youth Peace Network, Chris believes in the power of great ideas and is looking forward to meeting you. Peace.
Chelsea Thorpe is a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a concentration in interdisciplinary social sciences. She has worked with a variety of community development projects since moving to Kalamazoo in 2006, including the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. campaign, The Kalamazoo Peace Center, and Asylum Lake Press, a local literature and arts magazine. Chelsea generally prefers volunteering with Kalamazoo youth, participating in community gardening projects, working at local small farms, and organizing fun, educational and engaging events to writing biographical descriptions such as this. Chelsea can be reached at c6thorpe@gmail.com .
A Michigan State University dropout and former student of Diane Wakoski, Mr. Hampton, age 27, has been writing since he was 12 years old. He has produced several self-published chapbooks of poetry, and as a former poetry editor for The Litribune in 2009, has helped publish the first three issues of their Magazine. Nicolas recently finished a book of poetry and prose, Cracker Jacks At The Opera, self-published in print form September, 2009, and has done readings across Michigan & Chicago. His poems have been published in several online journals, including Short, Fast, And Deadly, Gutter Eloquence, and DecomP Magazine. Nicolas currently keeps himself busy functioning as the editor in chief and poetry editor of Asylum Lake Magazine in Kalamazoo, MI.
Matthew Lechel works as the Executive Director of Kalamazoo Collective Housing and as the Kalamazoo Neighborhood Safety Initiative Coordinator for the Volunteer Center of Greater Kalamazoo. Matt received his Master’s of Public Administration-Nonprofit Leadership degree from Western Michigan University. Matt is active on several community boards including The People’s Food Co-op and Seeding Change/Great Lakes Peace Jam. Connect with Matt online Twitter at: http://twitter.com/mlechs, connect with Matt offline at one of the many amazing art or music events in Kalamazoo and beyond.
Mark Thompson has his Masters Degree in International Development Administration from Western Michigan University studying under Paul Clements. He teaches music for strings around Kalamazoo.
Drew Tyner has been a board member with the I.D.E.A. Association since its beginnings in 2007. He currently serves as treasurer. Drew has been a standout public speaker and event host all his life, the most recent example being his role as master of ceremonies at the inaugural Boiling Pot event in 2010. As a musician, Drew also finds stage time sharing it with fellow board member, Mark Thompson, along with Mike Savina in Kalamazoo's rock band, Elk Welcome. Drew earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in English; his passion for clear communication through proper language usage has become integral in the development of I.D.E.A. Association printed media. Lastly, Drew spent many years as a banquet and facility manager at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in downtown Kalamazoo where large staff and large group management were primary job roles. Drew uses his multi-faceted background for event leadership essential to the operations of the I.D.E.A. Association.