Celebrate 10 Years of NIRMV With Us

We hope you can join us for this free event on Sat., Oct. 3, at 1 p.m. at the Dearborn Heights Public Library, Caroline Kennedy Branch, to celebrate a decade of NIRMV. Celebration activities include Increments of Ten Showcase (art, jewelry, paintings, sports collectibles and more to claim), NIRMV Spotlights, and light refreshments. Please RSVP by Fri., Sep. 19 by email to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with NIRMV Tenth Event in the subject line and registrant names. Download and share the event flyer (pdf). Congratulatory donations earmarked for community service outreach are welcome! Use the Donate button on the NIRMV website, CashApp to $Royalc40 or Zelle to 313-414-0683. Memo: NIRMV 10th Donation

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Enlightening Read Series, 12th Selection

NIRMV is pleased to present our 12th selection of the 1-2-3 Book Club Enlightening Reads Series, The Lost Quilter by Jennifer Chiaverini. We invite you to spend quality time experiencing history with this novel linked to the Underground Railroad. Want an invite to a live event to discuss the book? Just email NIRMV at nirmvdetroit@gmail.com by Sat., Sep. 12, 2026. Please put Book Club in the subject line. Download the flyer (pdf).

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2025 Milestone Award Winner Salute

Enjoy this presentation that salutes our 2025 NIRMV Milestone Award Winner. Founded in 1900, Detroit Working Writers (detworkingwriters.org) is an outstanding organization that celebrated its 125th anniversary.

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Reading Rewards Stay At Home Party VII

Registration is now open for our 7th Reading Rewards Stay at Home Party. Here's everything you need to know.
 
2026 Theme: Experiencing History
Date: Saturday, Aug. 1
Time: Participant's Choice
Ages: 3-17
Deadline to register: Wed., July 22

To register and receive an age-appropriate activities kit, email nirmvdetroit@gmail.com. Put "RR Registration" in the subject line. Please include the participant names and ages, and name of adult authorizing participation.
 
Download the flyer (pdf) 

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Nominate a 2026 High School Grad for our Annual Salute

Graduating is inspiring! Recognize this achievement by nominating a high school graduate for our annual salute. Any 2026 high school graduate you know is eligible to be included on nirmvkids.org.

Just send the following to nirmvdetroit@gmail.com with the subject line 2026 Inspiring Grads by Monday, July 20:

• Photo, name and graduating school of the honoree
• Graduate's new school and declared major and/or plans

Download and share the flyer (PDF)

 

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Announcing the Winners of the NIRMV 2026 Poetry Contest

Congratulations to our three prize winners, plus those recognized with an honorable mention. Many thanks to everyone who entered and shared their poetry celebrating their inspiration (this year's theme) with us. We also want to thank our Poetry Contest Chair Maureen McGerty, and most of all, our judge Kathleen Ripley Leo. Kathleen says "Writing poems intensifies metaphorical thinking skills which helps one solve problems in whatever field of work is pursued in life. Have you ever had the opportunity to stop people in their tracks by what you’re saying, with what you’ve observed? That’s some power. That’s the essence and magic of poems, and I congratulate the poets whose works I’ve had the pleasure and honor of reading." Learn more about Leo in the judge's reveal sheet (pdf). And now, meet our winners and their poems (all files are pdfs).

First Place: Ojo Olumide Emmanuel, Nigeria, “At the Feet of Mary Oliver”

Second Place: Nwefuru Godstime Chiadikobi, Nigeria, “Within an Atmosphere of Emergencies”

Third Place: Charisma Holly, USA, “May Flowers”

First Honorable Mention: Abraham Aondoana, Nigeria, “Because Someone Stood”

Second Honorable Mention: Tessa Alexander, USA, “Ode to Survivors”

Third Honorable Mention: Ronja Vieth, USA, “Tapestry”

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