Lansing 360 Symposium: A Powerful Step Forward for Our City

Mikey Lynn III
Apr 25
2 min read

On Friday, we held the very first Lansing 360 Symposium — and what a day it was. From deep insights to honest conversations, this gathering marked a powerful step toward building a safer, stronger Lansing.

First, we want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of our incredible speakers and to LAFCU for sponsoring the day’s food. Your support helped create a welcoming, energizing atmosphere where real connections and real solutions took root.

We were honored to welcome our extended family from the Omaha Empowerment Network and grateful for everyone who showed up with purpose, ready to listen, share, and collaborate.

Voices of Leadership

We heard from local leaders who are on the front lines every day:

Michael Lynn Jr., Lansing Empowerment Network
Andy Schor, Mayor of Lansing
Justin Sheehan, Lansing Promise
Laura Stoken, Rathbun Insurance Agency
Greg McNeil, The Equalizer Project
Robert Backus, Chief, Lansing Police Department

Learning from National Experts

We also gained insight from national thought leaders with proven experience:

Dr. Shondra L. Marshall, MPHI — Violence as a Public Health Issue
Willie Barney, Empowerment Network of Omaha — 360 Collaborative Model

Data That Drives Us

Understanding the landscape is key to shaping solutions. We were fortunate to hear important data and trends from:

Kim Coleman, City of Lansing HRCS — Demographics and Poverty
Ben Shuldiner, Lansing School District — Education Trends
Dr. Julie Krupa, MSU School of Criminal Justice — Gun Violence Trends
Ulices Rosas, City of Lansing — Housing and the Built Environment

The Power of Lived Experience

One of the most moving parts of the day was our Lived Experience Panel, which brought lived truths and real solutions to the table:

Marlon Beard, Advance Peace Lansing
William Carthen, Advance Peace Lansing
Michael X, Go Program

Innovation Over Lunch

During our working lunch, attendees explored strategies and solutions grounded in experience and evidence:

Michael Lynn Jr. — Hospital-based Intervention
Daniel Boggan — Direct Intervention
Jonathan Chapman — Employment Pathways
Jerry Norris — Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Sheri Pruitt — Prevention and Family Supports
Jonathan W. Lawrence — Trauma-Informed Care

Building a Collective Plan

We closed the day by rolling up our sleeves. In a hands-on collaborative session, we focused on Prevention, Intervention, Enforcement, and Reentry, working together to draft a collective action plan that empowers and unites Lansing.

Looking Ahead

To every speaker, partner, and attendee — thank you. Your time, energy, and passion made this day not just impactful, but transformational. Events like this are not just moments; they are momentum.

The work continues, and together, so do we.