The Cracks in the Pavement Grant was awarded by the Mellon Foundation to the University of Michigan-Flint in 2024. It enables us to examine how democratic cultures flourish in places like Flint, where communities creatively respond to challenges and reimagine democratic participation beyond traditional institutions.
Affiliated with the Institute for Society and Technology and led by IST directors Jacob Lederman and Kimberly Saks, the Mellon Grant Cracks in the Pavement Initiative investigates the everyday forms of democratic civic and political life that characterize the Flint community and region. The initiative leverages the expertise of IST-affiliated faculty to examine the social implications of technological advancements and grassroots democratic practices.
We aim to explore how residents and organizations in our region are reimagining democratic participation beyond conventional forms of governance to foster new cultures of democracy.
Activities related to the grant will take place during the academic years 2025-28, kicked off by a community-focused Symposium to exchange ideas, share experiences and engage in collective creation.
About the Grant
The Cracks in the Pavement initiative is supported by a $495,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation, awarded to UM-Flint’s College of Arts, Sciences & Education. This interdisciplinary project seeks to examine how Flint residents are actively reimagining democratic participation beyond traditional forms of governance and electoral politics.
News & Updates
- Mar 11, 2026: Cracks in the Pavement Symposium 2025 Archived Agenda and Videos of Keynotes + Discussions
- Nov 11, 2025: UM-Flint’s “Cracks in the Pavement” Symposium brings the community together to showcase Flint’s civic empowerment
- Oct 4, 2025: Print-only: Cracks in the Pavement Symposium 2025 Flyer
- Jan 27, 2025: UM-Flint receives $495K Mellon Grant to explore “Cracks in the Pavement”
Goals & Activities
- Community Symposium Fall 2025: Launch event featuring local and national speakers discussing innovative forms of democratic engagement.
- Curriculum Development: Beginning in 2026, new UM-Flint courses on “Cultures of Democracy” will provide immersive, community-based learning for students.
- Faculty Workshops: Faculty will design learning modules that rethink public engagement, civic identity and democratic space.
- Student Engagement: Undergraduate students will partner with UM-Flint’s Urban Institute to apply humanities-based research methods in local communities.
- Community Arts Festival: The Dancing in the Streets festival, launched initially under UM-Flint’s previous Mellon grant, will return in fall 2026 and 2027. It will celebrate public art, dance and local activism.
Upcoming Events
Dancing in the Streets: Thresholds
April 11, 2026 | Flint Institute of Arts
Dancing in the Streets: Thresholds, is a community engagement project in connection with the Cracks in the Pavement Mellon Grant and in collaboration with Magic Wheel Creative. Join us for an evening of movement and dance performance. Free and open to the public.
Past Events
Cracks in the Pavement Symposium
November 6, 2025 | Downtown Flint
The Mellon Grant work was kicked off with a day-long symposium held on the UM-Flint campus and at the Flint Farmers’ Market. Featuring multiple keynotes, discussion panels, and breakout sessions, the symposium provided UM-Flint faculty, staff and students the opportunity to connect with the Flint community, learn about the work that is being done to revitalize the city, and forge new relationships in support of the Mellon Grant’s goals.