In this episode of Remembering the Block, Dr. Michelle S. Johnson sits down with artist and humanist James Charles Palmore to explore the people, places and experiences that shaped his life and perspective. Palmore begins by tracing his family history, sharing stories of his parents, grandparents and relatives, and the journey that brought his family from Arkansas to Kalamazoo. He recalls the skills, traditions and values passed down through generations, including his grandmother’s work as a midwife and herbalist and his grandfather’s talents as a farmer and metalsmith. He also reflects on growing up in a large family and the profound experiences of loss that shaped his life. The conversation follows Palmore’s own path toward art, including the influence of his brother Joe and the creative community that developed at the Burdick Hotel in the late 1960s. Through stories of family, creativity, community and personal philosophy, Palmore offers a deeply personal perspective on the people and experiences that have shaped Kalamazoo, and the meaning he has found in a life devoted to art and humanity.