This post has moved to my personal author platform. As Kalamazoo Justice Project establishes formal Board governance, my personal narrative and evidence-based writing is being housed independently so it is not owned, controlled, or governed by the nonprofit. Read the full post here: https://jenniferldayton.substack.com This work reflects my personal experience and analysis and is published in…
Author: Jennifer L. Dayton
I'm the founder and executive director of the Kalamazoo Justice Project, Inc. a writer, advocate, and entrepreneur committed to exposing the systems that uphold housing discrimination and civil injustice in our communities. What began as a personal fight for fairness evolved into a broader mission to hold local institutions accountable. Through lived experience and relentless research, I document what others are too afraid—or too protected—to confront.
This platform is my way of telling the truth: not just for myself, but for others who’ve been ignored, displaced, or silenced by a system designed to fail them. My writing is rooted in history, guided by evidence, and driven by the urgency of now.
Half of Kalamazoo Lives Behind Rented Doors: Why That Matters
When we talk about housing justice in Kalamazoo, it’s easy for some to think the issue only affects a small group, a few families in public housing, or tenants facing eviction notices. But the truth is much bigger. To understand why housing justice matters, we have to start with the numbers. Nearly Half of Kalamazoo…
The Creamery Dream – How a Promise of Stability Turned Into Betrayal
This post has moved to my personal author platform. As Kalamazoo Justice Project establishes formal Board governance, my personal narrative and evidence-based writing is being housed independently so it is not owned, controlled, or governed by the nonprofit. Read the full post here: https://jenniferldayton.substack.com This work reflects my personal experience and analysis and is published…
When Mayors Are Landlords: The Housing Power of David Anderson
Kalamazoo is a city at a crossroads, facing a housing crisis that demands our immediate attention. While we pride ourselves on being a community of generosity, innovation, and opportunity, the stark reality of our housing situation tells a different story. Every day, residents are grappling with unsafe conditions, escalating rents, and landlord retaliation. What’s more,…
The Birth of Homecrest & Co. — Creating Light in a City That Wanted Darkness
This post has moved to my personal author platform. As Kalamazoo Justice Project establishes formal Board governance, my personal narrative and evidence-based writing is being housed independently so it is not owned, controlled, or governed by the nonprofit. Read the full post here: https://jenniferldayton.substack.com This work reflects my personal experience and analysis and is published…
Before the Walls Were Drawn: The Roots of Housing Injustice in Kalamazoo
Photo Credit: Kalamazoo Public Library, Local History Collection
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