Patrese Griffin is a lifelong Kalamazoo resident who is dedicated to taking Kalamazoo to a higher level for all. She is a committed community activist who has over 16 years experience in property management, specifically managing single family, conventional, senior housing, subsidized housing, and housing for those with mental disabilities.
For the last 3 years, Patrese has facilitated successes as a housing advocate. She researched and created a process that resulted in funding for housing application assistance, and helped to place families into housing. She has also been instrumental in writing equitable housing policies that increase housing choices and options for all residents of Kalamazoo.
Patrese also serves in many other capacities, including: Board Vice-Chair of the Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan, Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo (SPK) organizing committee member, member of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) Law and Separation Design Teams, member of Vibrant Kalamazoo Board, member of the ISAAC Housing Task Force, Co-Chair of the Allocation and Accountability Team for Continuum of Care, Chair of Housing Resources Incorporated’s (HRI) Housing Equity Advisory Committee, and member of the Southwest Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative Community Development subcommittee. She also volunteers with the United Way and Michigan United; and also does equity, cultural awareness, and evaluation training for various non-profit organizations.
Patrese is a graduate of Hackett Catholic Central High School and has taken Business Management courses at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Patrese resides on the Northside of Kalamazoo, and is married to artist/activist/community organizer Ed Genesis. They are parents to one adult son, and a son and daughter who are enrolled in Kalamazoo Public Schools.