Community organization 517 Living (517Living.com) has been promoting goodness in the Greater Lansing (517) Michigan Area since 2014. Founded by Sarah Pierce, the website and social platform uses its ONE Calendar to build awareness of the Best Events happening throughout the year.
In 2022 Pierce introduced the prestigious merit 517 Living Community Member of the Month, bestowing the honor to Downtown Lansing Inc. Executive Director Cathleen Edgerly in October of that year.
In this interview Cathleen shares details about who she is, what she does, and what she loves about living in the Greater Lansing Michigan Area.
Who are you?
I’m a life-long Lansing resident, mother of two, wife to my husband of 16 years, and professional who happened to fall into the field of Community Development. My family, including my 4 brothers and I, grew up in Lansing and all followed our own path working in very different fields…but doing jobs that we really enjoy. I’ve worked in Downtowns for the past 12 years and enjoy highlighting what there is to love about Lansing. Leading downtowns and Main Street communities isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s incredibly rewarding and I can honestly say that this work is a calling for me. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be right now, doing what I was meant to do.
My kids and I love to kayak at city parks, our entire family enjoys adventuring and exploring new places especially if they include outdoor hikes, fishing, or water in some way. Our dog Maya often travels with us when we’re touring the Mitten.
If you own or represent a business or organization, tell us about it (or them).
For the past 3 years I’ve served as the Executive Director of Downtown Lansing Inc., the downtown management agency in Lansing.
Downtown Lansing, like many communities, is in a state of transition. Our agency had to shift really quickly with COVID, but thanks to strong leadership and teams of volunteers, we’re helping chart a new course forward for the city, for downtown. Our strategic action plan plans for cultivating a downtown that reaches a broader audience – and offers more of a 24/7 experience. But it’s going to take time and relentless, steady vision to see this change occur over future years. But when we work together as a community, I know it absolutely can happen.
Tell us about a recent uplifting experience you had in the Greater Lansing Area.
Admittedly I’m fortunate as I immediately had at least 3 experiences over the last 3 months come to mind. But the most recent involved helping coordinate and welcome state-wide Downtown Directors to the Capital City. Just several days before the visit and the training was to take place, we had an unexpected change take place. We started to worry and then suddenly multiple businesses came together to figure out a plan for providing WIFI in a vacant space, one businesses donated dinner, two partner organizations donated a projector and screen, and multiple other businesses got involved with delicious breakfast and lunch options – creating a unique experience and story that showed the heart and soul of a community, coming together to problem solve and highlight Lansing in a really wonderful way.
What’s the most recent “new” (to you) local business or organization you’ve enjoyed discovering?
It’s so hard to choose one! I’ve really enjoyed discovering and learning more about Helping Women Period as an organization over the past couple years. Also, as far as businesses, 517 Coffee, Dancing with the Nordés, and Capital Hippie are all newer businesses I’ve been enjoying personally as well as watching their stories unfold. The energy and new ideas they bring.
What is one thing, big or small, that you love about living in the Greater Lansing Area?
It’s a little BIG city, where you can make a difference and be connected to your community. There is really always something to do, to support, experience and make you fall in love with your city again! From night kayaking on the river, to events happening every weekend all year long, to shopping local businesses where the owners know your name – what size and style you’re looking for. | By Sarah Pierce
Sarah Pierce is the founder of the website and social platform 517Living. Promoting goodness and the best events in the Greater Lansing (517) Michigan Area, the process of building the platform helped Pierce overcome social anxiety, gave her a more purposeful life, and introduced her to the fascinating behind-the-scenes movers and shakers of her community who are much more “walk” than talk! 517 Living has enriched Pierce’s life, and she hopes it does the same for you.
