Hope in Action: Celebrating Pride, Inclusion, and Community in Lansing
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Hope starts with a conversation.

Sometimes it’s a conversation about belonging. Sometimes it’s a conversation about visibility. And sometimes it’s a conversation about creating a community where every person feels valued, supported, and seen.

That’s exactly what the inaugural episode of Hope in Action set out to accomplish.

Hosted by Sheri Jones and produced by Uno Deuce Media, Hope in Action was created to spotlight the organizations, leaders, and changemakers building stronger communities throughout Greater Lansing. Each month, the program explores a different theme through the lens of local nonprofits and community partners who are creating meaningful impact.

For its very first episode, the focus couldn’t have been more fitting: Pride Month.

Through conversations with leaders from the Salus Center, Helping Women, Period, and Lansing Pride, the episode explored what inclusion looks like in action and how communities become stronger when everyone has a place to belong.
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*A New Platform for Community Stories*

At its core, Hope in Action exists to celebrate the positive work happening throughout Lansing and beyond.

As Sheri Jones shared during the episode, hope isn’t just an idea. It’s something people build every day through relationships, service, and community engagement. The goal of the program is simple: shine a light on organizations making a difference while helping viewers discover opportunities to get involved.

By focusing on Pride Month, the conversation highlighted organizations working to create safe, welcoming spaces where individuals can be their authentic selves.
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*The Salus Center: Creating Space for Authenticity*

One of the featured organizations was the Salus Center, a community hub dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals throughout mid-Michigan.

The name itself tells a story. Derived from the Latin word salus, meaning wholeness and well-being, the center exists to provide a space where people can show up fully as themselves without fear of judgment or rejection.

Founded by Piwa Langeni, a Black, transgender Christian man, the Salus Center was created from personal experience and a desire to build the kind of community space he wished existed earlier in his own journey.

Today, the center hosts numerous support groups, community gatherings, educational programs, and outreach efforts throughout the region. More importantly, it serves as a reminder that belonging matters. For many individuals, simply finding a place where they are accepted can be life-changing.

The stories shared during the episode reinforced a powerful message: when people feel safe enough to be themselves, they often inspire others to do the same.
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*Visibility Creates Hope*

Pride Month is often associated with celebration, but it’s also about visibility.

Visibility allows people to see themselves reflected in their community. It reminds individuals that they are not alone. It creates opportunities for connection, understanding, and support.

Throughout the conversation, guests emphasized that visibility isn’t about standing apart—it’s about recognizing our shared humanity. When communities embrace diversity, everyone benefits.

The Pride flag flying across Lansing serves as a symbol of that commitment, reminding residents and visitors alike that inclusion is not just an aspiration. It’s something people actively work toward every day.
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*Helping Women, Period: Expanding Access Through Inclusion*

Another featured organization, Helping Women Period, demonstrated how even small changes can make a significant difference.

For more than a decade, the organization has worked to address period poverty by providing menstrual products to individuals throughout Michigan. As their work evolved, so did their understanding of the diverse communities they serve.

Recognizing that menstrual health affects people across a variety of gender identities, the organization began intentionally updating its language, educational materials, and product offerings to become more inclusive.

Those changes included offering products such as menstrual cups and period underwear while ensuring communication reflected the needs of all individuals who require menstrual care products.

It’s a powerful example of how organizations can continue learning, growing, and adapting to better serve their communities.

At its heart, inclusion is about listening. Helping Women Period has embraced that principle by ensuring everyone who needs support can access it without barriers.
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*Lansing Pride’s Growing Impact*

The episode also featured insights from Lansing Pride, one of the region’s fastest-growing community celebrations.

Since launching in 2021, Lansing Pride has experienced remarkable growth, drawing tens of thousands of attendees and establishing itself as one of Michigan’s premier Pride celebrations.

That growth didn’t happen by accident. It happened because of partnerships. Local businesses, nonprofits, community leaders, volunteers, and government agencies have worked together to create an event that welcomes everyone.

The result is more than a festival; it’s an invitation. An invitation for people to experience Lansing as a community that values diversity, celebrates authenticity, and embraces inclusion.

As Lansing Pride continues to grow, so does its impact on how people view the city and the opportunities it offers.
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*Hope in Action*

The inaugural episode of Hope in Action demonstrated exactly why this new platform matters. Every organization featured shared a common belief: communities thrive when people feel supported, respected, and connected.

Whether it’s creating safe spaces, expanding access to essential resources, or organizing events that celebrate diversity, each organization is helping build a stronger Lansing.

And that’s what hope in action looks like. It’s not just talking about change, it’s creating it.

As Hope in Action continues throughout the year, viewers can expect more stories from nonprofits, community leaders, and organizations working every day to make Greater Lansing a more welcoming place for everyone.

Because when people come together with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to one another, hope becomes something much bigger than a feeling. It becomes action.