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28 2O24–2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S Asked about the mean- ing of community, Dr. Kevin McGruder said he believes community often comes from a personal need for connec- tion — people build the com - munity they need. In the spirit of that statement, McGruder, who has lived in Yellow Springs for over a decade, has spent his time in the village finding space for himself, and in turn, creating space for others. After growing up in Toledo and graduating with a degree in economics from Harvard 1979, McGruder said he developed an interest in urban economics, particularly com - munity development. “My first job out of college was with the city of Cleveland working with the Department of Development,” McGruder said. “It was fascinating.” Part of McGruder’s job was to facilitate the 312 loan program, a Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, initia - tive that gave residents loans to renovate their homes. After working for several organiza- tions in the Cleveland area, McGruder said he was faced with the reality of cuts in federal funding to HUD under the Reagan administration. “The cuts rippled down to us, and I could see how it EXPERTISE IN LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS By JESSICA THOMAS ▲ Kevin McGruder is seated at his desk at Antioch College, where he has been professor of history since 2012. was affecting [our community development corporation],” McGruder said. “I decided to apply to graduate school.” The decision to pursue a graduate degree led McGruder to Columbia University, where he studied business. “I did the real estate finance program, which was very good for me in terms of the skills I needed to work in commu- nity development,” McGruder said. “That’s how I ended up moving to New York in 1982.” After graduate school, McGruder stayed in New York for work, but found a lack of community after graduating from university. “It was difficult to get connected,” McGruder said. “Being in New York as a resident rather than a stu- dent made it difficult to get grounded.” To find that sense of com - munity, McGruder joined a year-old organization called Gay Men of African Descent, or GMAD, in 1987. GMAD is an organization focused on promoting interconnectedness and support for members of the LGBTQ+ community. “It was an all-volunteer organization at the time,” McGruder said. “I went to their Friday Forums, and got more involved from there.” McGruder would continue his involvement in GMAD, serving as executive director from 1997–2001, working on HIV prevention, health educa - tion and advocacy. At the same time that he began his involvement P H O T O : J E S S I C A T H O M A S A community studio offering classes, weekend passes, work- shops and memberships. Meg Smallwood, Studio Manager Email JBCP.YS @gmail.com to reserve your spot or check out communitypottery.com for our latest classes, workshops and events. Studio Memberships offer 24-hr. access. For over 50 years , this non- profit studio has provided opportunities for pottery education and working with clay to the Yellow Springs community and beyond. The studio is well equipped with multiple kilns including a gas reduction kiln, 12 wheels, slab roller, extruder, glaze room and more. 5 Clay St., Clifton, Ohio • Cheryl B.Levine, Psy.D. • Kathleen Galarza, Ph.D. • John Beer, LISW • Saidee Purcell, LPC 566 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn The Lotus Center, 4949 Urbana Rd., Springfield 937-390-3800 www.positiveperspectivescounseling.com