The Changemakers Center exists to honor the extraordinary individuals who shaped Lansing's past while inspiring future generations to create their own legacies of positive change. Through cutting-edge interactive technology and immersive storytelling, we preserve history, celebrate achievement, and prove that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things.
- Every generation has changemakers worth celebrating
- History is more than dates and facts—it's personal stories that inspire
- Interactive learning creates deeper understanding and retention
- Representation matters in telling our community's complete story
- Legacy isn't just about the past—it's about inspiring the future
- Everyone has the potential to make a difference
The Changemakers Center will be the premier destination for exploring Lansing's African American history and the people who shaped it. We envision a space where:
- Students discover role models who look like them and come from similar backgrounds
- Families connect across generations through shared stories
- Educators find engaging resources that bring history to life
- Community members feel proud of their city's rich heritage
- Visitors leave inspired to create positive change in their own lives
The Story Behind The Changemakers Center
How It Began: Since Lansing's first Black resident called Michigan's Capital City home in 1847, countless others have followed. They built and created transformational legacies across business, education, arts, sports, culture, public service, and faith-based enterprises that have lifted and sustained Lansing. Yet as our city evolved and longtime residents passed away, many of these stories were being lost.
At the May 16, 2022 LCC Board of Trustees meeting, former Trustee Andrew Abood suggested that LCC create an installation or physical commemoration honoring African American residents of Greater Lansing who have made significant contributions to the community. The Board approved a formal investigation into how best to bring this vision to life.
The college conducted comprehensive research and presented the Board with a detailed prospectus featuring three installation options: a Traditional Outdoor Sculpture, an Indoor Digital Display, and an Outdoor Environmental Landscape Display, with estimated costs ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 or more. In March of 2023, the Board selected the technological display option, recognizing its potential for the most dynamic and interactive storytelling experience. The Board subsequently approved $200,000 for the project.
Once the format was chosen, work began to identify an appropriate campus location and the inaugural honorees. Focus groups made up of community members representing various backgrounds and industries, facilitated by LCC's External Affairs Division, gathered on numerous occasions to share ideas for location and names of potential inductees. What emerged was a vision that honors both the individual changemakers and the collective moments that shaped Lansing—preserving stories of civil rights activism, UAW organizing, integration, and the community movements that define our city's character.
Wall 4: Echoes of Excellence