Two former residents of Idlewild, Michigan—a historically Black community—are teaming up to revitalize the precious neighborhood, which once thrived with Black-owned businesses, schools, and cultural vibrancy. To achieve their goal, they’re focused on mentoring the next generation to continue the legacy and shape the future of the historic area.
Founded by Kyle and Carmen Grier, the TEEM Center opened its doors in May 2024, according to Pioneer. TEEM stands for Train, Educate, Equip, and Mentor, reflecting the center’s mission to empower Idlewild’s youth to build a bigger and brighter future for not only themselves but their community.
Kyle shared that the center’s goal is to help local young people establish roots in the quaint town, ensuring a stronger, more prosperous Idlewild for generations to come.
“Our mission is to train, educate, equip, and mentor individuals through learning resources and coaching systems that would help them govern their lives so that they have the tools they need to thrive in the community,” Kyle told Pioneer on Sunday.
Kyle and Carmen have poured every available resource into the TEEM Center, even dipping into their 401(k)s to make the space a reality. In 2024, Carmen took the next step by meeting with students from Baldwin Community Schools to learn what they needed from the curriculum to align with the center’s mission and better support the community.
“This is our home. We love these people and we know what they need,” the community leader told 9 and 10 News at the time. “When you grow up here, you know what’s not here, and you leave, and you see what opportunities and advantages other people have. And we’re going to bring it back here because they deserve to have that too. So it’s our love for them and their love for us that’s going to build this thing into something powerful.”
Since the center’s inception, the duo has taken frequent trips from their Illinois home to Michigan to fulfill their mission of revitalizing Idlewild. The pair, along with their dedicated team, organize a wide range of events, from community poetry nights, mental health awareness programs, and senior dances, to trade workshops for students. To maximize accessibility, most of the events are completely free, ensuring that everyone in the community can take part.
“We get lots of positive feedback that they are glad we’re here,” Carmen told Pioneer earlier this week. “It took them a little while to realize that we were serious. You know, a lot of people come and go because it’s a seasonal community. But there are permanent residents here.”
Source: Reviving Idlewild: The Griers Are Rebuilding The Historically Black Town For Future Generations
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