Diversity
'Championing female leaders of color in West Michigan'
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 03-17-2017 under NEWS
Shannon Cohen and Patricia Sosa VerDuin began having conversations about the representation of women of color in leadership in the news while they got to know each other as W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellows. Cohen is the...
Series confronts equity issues in West Michigan businesses
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 01-13-2017 under OPINION
At a roundtable discussion recently facilitated by MiBiz, small business owners raised their concerns about equity issues in West Michigan. As Grand Rapidians head into 2017, how is systemic bias perpetuated, even as our awareness of barriers grows...
Equity issues: Entrepreneur Adriane Johnson speaks out
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 01-10-2017 under OPINION
Part 4 During a recent roundtable discussion with local small business owners, hosted by MiBiz, the all-white panel brought up the large economic gap between people of color and whites in Grand Rapids. As I continue the conversation in...
Live art, music create win for equity at Race Together
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 12-09-2016 under NEWS
Surrounded by party-goers with cocktails in their hands, artist J.A. Medcalf worked steadily at his easel with a palette of browns, reds and blues for over three hours. The music of Vox Vidorra played in the background, spirited and soulful,...
Amid post-election tension, Race Together to celebrate equity
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 12-06-2016 under NEWS
In these post-election days of increased harassment for members of marginalized communities, Partners for a Racism-Free Community (PRFC) is hosting a celebration of the racial, ethnic and religious diversity of West Michigan. Anyone who wants to...
Roosevelt Park releases community video of their own
by (Paola R. Mendivil)
Submitted 09-13-2016 under OPINION
How exciting it is to see the wonderful things happening when a community is united. I’ve always said that whenever we encounter a negative experience, there are lessons to be learned and move on. This was the case for the Southwest...
Play exploring racial issues based on actual experiences of local community members showing at Wealthy Theatre
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-01-2016 under NEWS
A play grappling with racial issues in the West Michigan area, “LINES:The Lived Experience of Race 2016” is showing this weekend, April 1-3, 2016 at the Wealthy Theatre. Actors will be performing the actual experiences and words of local...
New Experience GR video misses mark in representing real neighborhood diversity
by (Paola R. Mendivil)
Submitted 01-22-2016 under OPINION
As a proud resident of Grand Rapids, I'd like to comment on the recent video called "Grand Rapids Destination Neighborhoods" released by Experience GR. Grand Rapids has been a city of opportunity for me and for my family in...
SiTE:LAB community creates one more surprise at final performance of grand prize winner
by (Holly)
Submitted 10-12-2015 under OPINION
Late into a night of celebrating at SiTE:LAB on Friday after the ArtPrize Awards Ceremony, members of the team of volunteers animatedly discussed how to retrofit a swing to accommodate long-time volunteer Toni Bal. Bal is in a wheelchair as a long-...GRAPE - Grand Rapids Area Professionals for Excellence
by (grapegr1)
Submitted 09-01-2015 under
Monthly GRAPE Event. Diversity Theme: Speakers, Carlos Sanchez and Kristin Ekkens. Carlos Sanchez, Director of the Latino Business and Economic Development Center at Ferris State University, will explain the many differences between...