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30 2O24–2O2 5 GU I D E to Y E L LOW S P R I NG S he wanted to replicate the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCU, model that focused on student expe- rience and wellbeing. “What I see [HBCUs] doing is figuring out ways to wel - come the students that they have and get them to where they need to go,” McGruder said. “The colleges are not framing that journey as one of overcoming deficiencies, but really helping [students] achieve what they want.” The mission to give students what they need is reflected in McGruder’s involvement in other Yellow Springs organizations. That, coupled with his interest in history, is one aspect of The 365 Project that drew McGruder to the organization. “I think in a way I’ve kind of exploited it,” McGruder said with a chuckle. All joking aside, McGruder said he has a vested interest in The 365 Project’s mission to teach Black children from Yellow Springs their history and help close the opportunity gap between Black and white children in the Yellow Springs school district. McGruder said he believes projects such as the “Blacks in Yellow Springs” encyclopedia and walking tours work towards those missions. “The walking tour came from a ‘Growing Up Black in Yellow Springs’ panel that included high school students,” McGruder said. “They were saying that they were not get- ting much beyond Rosa Parks in terms of Black history.” McGruder, who’d led walk- ing tours in Harlem, suggested training students to guide the tours. Along with guiding tours, McGruder said ideas for certain tours, such as the Black foods and Black athletes tours, came from students who were either guides for the tours or otherwise involved in The 365 Project. “I just think that almost whatever [students] are interested in, there’s a history associated with it,” McGruder said. Understanding the his- tory of systems is a skill that McGruder offers to several organizations, such as Home, Inc. With his background in community development organizations, he has been an advocate for affordable housing, offering his financial expertise as the treasurer. “I’d heard about Home, Inc. early on when I lived here, and I went to one or two annual meetings,” McGruder said. “I was recruited by Len Kramer, who encouraged me to con- sider joining the board and I appreciated that he thought there were some things I could contribute.” In McGruder’s eyes, Home, Inc.’s growth has been, in part, due to its adherence to its missions and ability to show it can use donations and grant funding well. He also says the Yellow Springs community is unique in the way community shows support for the orga- nization. “There are generous people, so our funding, some of that comes from private dona- tions,” McGruder said. “In terms of our project funding, we have been able to raise capital campaigns to complete projects as well. I really appre- ciate that.” McGruder’s other involve- ments include a trusteeship for Central Chapel AME church, the Antioch Col - lege representative on the YS Development Corpora- tion, and the Antioch College representative on the board of 91.3 WYSO, the local public radio station. He said his work and involvement is based on a feeling of use. “I want to be able to offer something,” McGruder said. Looking at his time in Yellow Springs, McGruder said he has been able to draw on experiences from other places to support organizations that have helped him feel a part of the community he has now been a part of for 12 years. “A healthy community is one where people are really welcomed and there’s a level of trust,” McGruder said. “And it’s not based on hope; it’s a feeling based on seeing how people are treated.” ♦ ▲ Organized by The 365 Project — and by extension, Kevin McGruder — Yellow Springs Schools students lead "Blacks in Yellow Springs" walking tours each summer. Here, Griffin Roberts and Gini Meekin shared information about Wheeling Gaunt and his wife Amanda at their gravesite. P H O T O : K A T H L E E N G A L A R Z A 8606 Selma Pike South Charleston, OH 937-265-0148 greenplainsbison.com 100% Grass Fed Grass Finished BISON RANCH G REEN P LAINS OHIO’S PREMIUM BISON MEAT No Antibiotics Hormones , GMOs Hours by appointment. Visit our website for details.