race
In order to heal, communities must listen
by (balexander)
Submitted 08-16-2016 under OPINION
Each day I wake up, I am confronted with a singular truth; the world that lies outside my front door has no space for my pain. Not only is it void of space for my pain, my ability to achieve economic mobility and professional success essentially...
Celebrating Loving Day in Grand Rapids and its legacy in justice
by (balexander)
Submitted 06-07-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
Ever since I can remember I have been hopelessly in love with love. I would regularly consume the Disney fairytales as a child where men were always coming to the princess’s rescue. I had this addiction to the anime series "Sailor Moon,...
"Caroline, or Change" full of raw feeling, captures strength of community theater
by (Luis Rodriguez)
Submitted 05-31-2016 under OPINION
I have strolled through Porter Hall, the rehearsal room, in the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre many times by now – and this time was no different, at first. The accent brick wall drawing in the four corners while the aging hardwood floor is masked...
Local production of "The Mikado" raises questions on theatre and race
by (kt.herr)
Submitted 04-22-2016 under OPINION
What are acceptable vestiges for art to speak through? This is the simple question that so many other questions seem to boil down to as we reflect on West Michigan Savoyards’ latest production of "The Mikado", showing this weekend at...
Racial equity, citizen empowerment focus of City's neighborhood liaison
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-19-2016 under LOCAL LIFE
Stacy Stout was hired by the City of Grand Rapids in January, 2016 to be an Assistant to the City Manager, specifically appointed to coordinate efforts to implement the anti-violence recommendations of the SAFE Report released in March 2015 and to...
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...
FORUM 2016
by (prfcgr)
Submitted 03-24-2016 under
FORUM is an annual conference centered on addressing issues of racial equity through connecting professionals across sectors to topical experts. About the Keynote Speaker: His enlightening social commentary is inescapable — and it’s what...
Citizens' housing, income, equity concerns become focus of Grand Rapids' second neighborhood summit
by (StacyStout)
Submitted 03-22-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
Listening to the voices of the community and the neighbors themselves was a key theme of the 2016 Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit. More than 350 people attended the Friday, March 11 event at GRPS University. If Grand Rapids is to increase...
Baxter, Madison neighbors urged to speak up about local developer's plans
by (GGRREN)
Submitted 03-15-2016 under NONPROFITS
Last week the Greater Grand Rapids Racial Equity Network (GGRREN) was made aware of plans by Rockford Construction to develop specific areas around Eastern Avenue and Cottage Grove Street, in southeast Grand Rapids. As a network of individuals and...
New jobs fair connecting the Black community to growing environmental industry
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 03-10-2016 under NEWS
The Think Green Jobs Fair is a free event designed to connect communities of color with education and jobs in Michigan's growing environmental market. Organized by Alvin Hills IV and Jonathan Jelks, local community organizers and entreprenurs,...