Kathie Dunbar
Councilmember At-Large
When Kathie and her husband Sam began looking for their first home, they were drawn to older urban neighborhoods within walking distance of local parks and stores. They found their perfect niche in the Sagamore Hill Neighborhood in Southwest Lansing.
Kathie and Sam wanted their children to grow up in a neighborhood with a strong sense of community. To build relationships among her neighbors, Kathie founded the Sagamore Hill Neighborhood Association (SHNA) in 1997. During the neighborhood's first picnic, families who had lived in the area for more than 40 years met for the first time! Inspired by the positive response from neighbors, Kathie and her neighbors organized Christmas dinners, Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Parades, and beautification projects, all of which have become annual traditions in Sagamore Hill.
During her eight years as the president of SHNA, Kathie was recognized at the local and state levels for her work in the community. In 2002, Kathie received the Lansing Neighborhood Council's Bea Christy Award for dedication to neighborhoods. Two years later, she was the keynote speaker at the 2004 Bea Christy Award Dinner. Kathie also received a Community Leadership Award from Neighborhood Associations of Michigan.
Kathie has volunteered and served on the boards of many nonprofit and community organizations, including the Lansing Neighborhood Council, the South Lansing Business Association, the Lansing Jaycees. She also served on her children's PTA and coached T-ball and soccer through Lansing Parks and Recreation.
Kathie has a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities Pre-Law (History and Philosophy of Law) from Michigan State University. She is currently Director of the South Lansing Community Development Association (SLCDA), a nonprofit organization she founded with local stakeholders to improve economic opportunities and quality of life on Lansing's south side. As director of SLCDA, Kathie created and continues to publish South Lansing Community News, a newsletter featuring positive coverage of local neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and the faith community, with articles on health and wellness, community services, and events/activities for all ages.
Kathie Dunbar services on the following Committees and Boards:
- Committee on Ways and Means
- Tri-County Michigan Works
- Committee on Public Services
Council Office: (517) 483-4171
Council Fax: (517) 483-7630
Home: (517) 487-6828
Email: kdunbar@ci.lansing.mi.us
