• Home
  • Search
  • Browse Collections
  • My Account
  • About
  • DC Network Digital Commons Network™
Skip to main content
ScholarWorks Western Michigan University
  • Home
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • My Account

Home > Libraries > SHARE > GANT-FAMILY

429 Reed Avenue: The Gant Family Legacy
 

429 Reed Avenue: The Gant Family Legacy

Tucked away in the Edison Neighborhood at 429 Reed Avenue, you’ll find a unique sight in the city of Kalamazoo. Goats roaming within the fenced yard, a sign detailing the history of the property, and an eco-friendly oasis complete with a small home, purpose-built outbuildings, even a goat run. This is the home of Mr. Raymond Gant — a proud resident of Kalamazoo, a community activist, orator, retired educator, keeper of family history, and genealogy expert. In this three part series you’ll learn more about Mr. Gant’s life, his family’s generational ties to Kalamazoo, his career as an educator supporting BIPOC students, and his experience building a homestead on the property that was once his childhood home.
Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Follow

Switch View to Grid View Slideshow
 
  • Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 1 by Raymond Gant

    Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 1

    Raymond Gant

    Part 1 of three part interview with Raymond Gant. Mr. Gant is a community leader, family historian, orator, and urban homesteader. He has transformed 429 Reed Avenue where his former family home stood into a eco-friendly homestead. JB Brown interviews Mr. Gant and he covers the following topics:

    • Discussed being brought up in Kalamazoo, Michigan;
    • Building a homestead and residing at the same address he once grew up at;
    • What his parents instilled in him and his siblings;
    • Early interests in the outdoors as a child;
    • Attending Ferris State University;
    • Founding the Office of Minority Student Support Services on the campus of FSU;
    • Leading as a Black man in the field of education, and impact;
    • The benefits of creating "your own norm" and finding your purpose;
    • Transitioning to a tiny house;
    • What fatherhood has taught him;
    • Family genealogy and the importance of knowing who you come from;
    • Legacy of generations of family heritage in Kalamazoo.

  • Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 2 by Raymond Gant

    Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 2

    Raymond Gant

    Part 2 of three part interview with Raymond Gant. Mr. Gant is a community leader, family historian, orator, and urban homesteader. He has transformed 429 Reed Avenue where his former family home stood into a eco-friendly homestead. In this interview, Mr. Gant gives a tour of his home and outbuildings. JB Brown interviews Mr. Gant and he covers the following topics:

    • Discussed being brought up in Kalamazoo, Michigan;
    • Building a homestead and residing at the same address he once grew up at;
    • What his parents instilled in him and his siblings;
    • Early interests in the outdoors as a child;
    • Attending Ferris State University;
    • Founding the Office of Minority Student Support Services on the campus of FSU;
    • Leading as a Black man in the field of education, and impact;
    • The benefits of creating "your own norm" and finding your purpose;
    • Transitioning to a tiny house;
    • What fatherhood has taught him;
    • Family genealogy and the importance of knowing who you come from;
    • Legacy of generations of family heritage in Kalamazoo.

  • Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 3 by Raymond Gant

    Interview with Raymond Gant, Part 3

    Raymond Gant

    Part 3 of three part interview with Raymond Gant. Mr. Gant is a community leader, family historian, orator, and urban homesteader. He has transformed 429 Reed Avenue where his former family home stood into a eco-friendly homestead. In this interview, Mr. Gant shares some of the resources he has compiled of his family history and ancestors. JB Brown interviews Mr. Gant and he covers the following topics:

    • Discussed being brought up in Kalamazoo, Michigan;
    • Building a homestead and residing at the same address he once grew up at;
    • What his parents instilled in him and his siblings;
    • Early interests in the outdoors as a child;
    • Attending Ferris State University;
    • Founding the Office of Minority Student Support Services on the campus of FSU;
    • Leading as a Black man in the field of education, and impact;
    • The benefits of creating "your own norm" and finding your purpose;
    • Transitioning to a tiny house;
    • What fatherhood has taught him;
    • Family genealogy and the importance of knowing who you come from;
    • Legacy of generations of family heritage in Kalamazoo.

 
 
 

Search

Advanced Search

  • Notify me via email or RSS

Browse

  • Collections
  • Disciplines
  • Authors

Author Corner

  • Author FAQ

Links

  • SHARE Kalamazoo Website
 
Elsevier - Digital Commons

University Libraries
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5353 USA
(269) 387-5611   |

My Account
Accessibility Statement
Privacy
Copyright