{"id":2137,"date":"2026-07-10T21:16:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T01:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.web.umflint.edu\/case\/?page_id=2137"},"modified":"2026-08-10T15:36:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T19:36:41","slug":"cracks-in-the-pavement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/research\/cracks-in-the-pavement\/","title":{"rendered":"Cracks in the Pavement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center fb-columns-page-header is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-global-padding is-content-justification-right is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-951621a4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-xx-large-font-size\">Cracks in the Pavement<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cracks in the Pavement Grant was awarded by the Mellon Foundation to the University of Michigan-Flint in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-column-is-layout-5b271542 wp-block-column-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light wp-container-content-958eb9dc\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0;min-height:70vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-2145 size-full\" alt=\"A person smiles while seated on a panel, with another person speaking beside them, in a conference setting.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint.jpg\" style=\"object-position:69% 28%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"69% 28%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/research-cracks-mellon-umflint-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#9a8b81\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><nav class=\"is-responsive is-vertical is-style-sidebar is-style-sidebar--1 wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-bd946717 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Sidebar Navigation\" \n\t\t data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" \n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"\n\t\t\t><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div 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data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.openMenuOnHover\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.closeMenuOnHover\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"wp-block-navigation-item has-child open-on-hover-click wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Contact Us<\/span><\/a><button data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggleMenuOnClick\" aria-label=\"Contact Us submenu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-icon wp-block-navigation-submenu__toggle\" ><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M1.50002 4L6.00002 8L10.5 4\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button><ul data-wp-on--focus=\"actions.openMenuOnFocus\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__submenu-container wp-block-navigation-submenu\"><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/education\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Education<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/fine-performing-arts\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Fine &amp; Performing Arts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/language-communication\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Language &amp; Communication<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/psychology\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Psychology<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/department-of-social-sciences-humanities\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Social Sciences &amp; Humanities<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/contact-us\/sociology-anthropology-criminal-justice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Department of Sociology, Anthropology &amp; Criminal Justice<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/Cracks-in-pavement.png\" alt=\"Logo for the Cracks in the Pavement research project\" class=\"wp-image-2131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/Cracks-in-pavement.png 940w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/Cracks-in-pavement-300x160.png 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/Cracks-in-pavement-768x410.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Logo for the Mellon Foundation\" class=\"wp-image-2134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/MellonFoundationLogomarkWordmarkLockup_Black-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">How does democracy flourish?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Affiliated with the Institute for Society and Technology and led by IST directors Jacob Lederman and Kimberly Saks, the&nbsp;Mellon Grant Cracks in the Pavement&nbsp;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Activities related to the grant will take place during the academic years 2025-28, kicking off with a community-focused Symposium to exchange ideas, share experiences, and engage in collective creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">About the Grant<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Cracks in the Pavement initiative is supported by a $495,000 grant from the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mellon.org\/\">Mellon Foundation<\/a>, awarded to UM-Flint\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/umflint.edu\/case\/\">College of Arts, Sciences &amp; Education<\/a>. This interdisciplinary project seeks to examine how Flint residents are actively reimagining democratic participation beyond traditional forms of governance and electoral politics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3beeebe7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Goals &amp; Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Community Symposium Fall&nbsp;2025<\/strong>: Launch&nbsp;event featuring local and national speakers discussing innovative forms of democratic engagement. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/research\/cracks-in-the-pavement\/symposium\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2150\">Learn more about the Symposium<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Curriculum Development<\/strong>: Beginning in 2026, new UM-Flint courses on&nbsp;<em>\u201c<\/em>Cultures of Democracy<em>\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;will provide immersive, community-based learning for students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Faculty Workshops<\/strong>: Faculty will design learning modules that rethink public engagement, civic identity, and democratic space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student Engagement<\/strong>: Undergraduate students will partner with UM-Flint\u2019s Urban Institute to apply humanities-based research methods in local communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Arts Festival<\/strong>: The Dancing in the Streets festival, launched initially under UM-Flint\u2019s previous Mellon grant, will return in fall 2026 and 2027. It will celebrate public art, dance, and local activism.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">News &amp; Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mar 11, 2026:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/research\/mellon-cracks-pavement\/symposium\/\">Cracks in the Pavement Symposium 2025 Archived Agenda and Videos of Keynotes + Discussions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nov 11, 2025:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/news.umflint.edu\/2025\/11\/11\/um-flints-cracks-in-the-pavement-symposium-brings-the-community-together-to-showcase-flints-civic-empowerment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UM-Flint\u2019s \u201cCracks in the Pavement\u201d Symposium brings the community together to showcase Flint\u2019s civic empowerment<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oct 4, 2025:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1FWxdEE88UZcb7H5vgfGlZ0kMyWC8d1uC\/view?usp=sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Print-only: Cracks in the Pavement Symposium 2025 Flyer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jan 27, 2025:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.umflint.edu\/2025\/01\/27\/um-flint-receives-495k-mellon-grant-to-explore-cracks-in-the-pavement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UM-Flint receives $495K Mellon Grant to explore \u201cCracks in the Pavement\u201d<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Upcoming Events &amp; Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Fall 2026 Mellon Courses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After meeting with experts during the Winter 2026 semester, faculty have developed a specialized curriculum informed by the Cracks in the Pavement methodology in Fall 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mellon course modules created by faculty foster students&#8217; humanistic thinking through meaningful engagement with community members and the contemporary issues that shape our region. Drawing on the diverse disciplinary expertise of faculty across the college, the courses demonstrate how different academic perspectives offer distinct approaches to understanding social change. Through the lens of the arts, culture, history, and contemporary social movements, these courses equip students with habits of mind needed to understand the complex, interconnected histories that shape our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-bf7b1fff wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Anthropology<\/strong> | ANT 100: Intro to Cultural Anthropology <em>(Daniel Birchok)<\/em>. This course explores what anthropologists have called an &#8220;ethics of dwelling,&#8221; which is basically a fancy way of saying that just being with people \u2014 that is, dwelling with our fellow humans and learning about their social worlds and concerns \u2014 is an underappreciated skill of democratic ethics. Too often we jump quickly to advocacy, but learning to dwell with others is essential to developing the shared concerns and senses of &#8220;us&#8221; on which the expansion of democracy depends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anthropology<\/strong> | WGS 100: Introduction to Women&#8217;s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies <em>(Jennifer Alvey)<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Art &amp; Design<\/strong> | ART 342: Graphic Design II &#8211; Publication and Exhibition Design <em>(Robert Carter)<\/em>. This course will be structured around the themes of democracy in graphic design, exhibition, and architecture. Throughout the semester, students will create a publication and an exhibition based on Riverbank Park\u2019s original design, evolution, community use, and current active redesign and renovations. The exhibition will open to the public on November 20, 2026, at the UCEN gallery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sociology<\/strong> | SOC 471: Social Movements <em>(Heather Laube)<\/em>. This course focuses on the phenomenon of ordinary people consciously, collectively, and with sustained effort, actively working to change (or resist change in) some aspect of society. In this spirit, students will learn about and practice everyday forms of democracy. They will connect and learn with community members who engage in this work. Students will document their activities throughout the semester, and together we will develop an archive of this messy practice of everyday democracy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Theatre &amp; Dance<\/strong> | THE 100.01: Fine Arts 2 &#8211; Producing Theatre with and for Community <em>(Janet Haley)<\/em>. Students will identify themes of a script&#8217;s story to build connection within and across communities; increase understanding and appreciation of a community&#8217;s identity as intersectional in culture, gender, generation, and economics. In-person class sessions combined with rehearsals and performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-x-large-font-size\">Event &amp; Activity Archive<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">February 2026 Communication Engagement Workshop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Facilitated by Lucine Jarrah, UM-Flint faculty met with several community partners to gain insight into course development that meets community needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Community partners included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thomas Hutchison | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geneseehabitat.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Genesee County Habitat for Humanity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Athena McKay | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flintinnovativesolutions.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flint Innovative Solutions<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Regina Laurie | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Flint-Alliance-for-Immigrant-Rights-FAIR-61577738624172\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Robert White | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/p\/Flint-Alliance-for-Immigrant-Rights-FAIR-61577738624172\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">April 2026 Communication Engagement Workshop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UM-Flint faculty met with NYU&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/gallatin.nyu.edu\/academics\/faculty\/gianpaolo-baiocchi.html\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/gallatin.nyu.edu\/academics\/faculty\/gianpaolo-baiocchi.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gianpaolo Baiocchi<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Baiocchi is known in the field for his work on community engagement and democracy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Dancing in the Streets: Thresholds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">April 11, 2026 | Flint Institute of Arts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-arboretum-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/news.umflint.edu\/2026\/04\/13\/moving-through-meaning-dancing-in-the-streets-photo-gallery\/\">Check out a photo gallery of the event<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure style=\"clip-path: polygon(40px 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%, 0 40px);\" class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large has-chamfer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/FLINT_Dancing-in-the-Streets-Thresholds_0042-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Performers dance at the Flint Institute of Arts during Dancing in the Streets: Thresholds in Flint, Michigan.\" class=\"wp-image-2175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/FLINT_Dancing-in-the-Streets-Thresholds_0042-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/FLINT_Dancing-in-the-Streets-Thresholds_0042-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/FLINT_Dancing-in-the-Streets-Thresholds_0042-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/FLINT_Dancing-in-the-Streets-Thresholds_0042.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-0e47273b wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\">Cracks in the Pavement Symposium<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-medium-font-size\">November 6, 2025 | Downtown Flint<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Mellon Grant work was kicked off with a day-long symposium held on the UM-Flint campus and at the Flint Farmers\u2019 Market. Featuring multiple keynotes, discussion panels, and breakout sessions, the symposium provided UM-Flint faculty, staff, and students with the opportunity to connect with the Flint community, learn about the work underway to revitalize the city, and forge new relationships in support of the Mellon Grant\u2019s goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-arboretum-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/research\/cracks-in-the-pavement\/symposium\/\">Check out the archive + watch keynotes and panel discussions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure style=\"clip-path: polygon(40px 0, 100% 0, 100% 100%, 0 100%, 0 40px);\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-chamfer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Two people are seated at a table, one wearing a patterned shirt and the other in a plaid jacket and cap, focused on their work.\" class=\"wp-image-2177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2026\/07\/cracks-featured-umflint.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cracks in the Pavement 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. How does democracy flourish? Affiliated with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":0,"parent":403,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2137","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2137"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2912,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2137\/revisions\/2912"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/403"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.umflint.edu\/case\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}