Spreading the Woosah: one print at a time
Submitted 08-25-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Erica Lang, artist and founder of Woosah Apparel and Print Shop talks about the development of her art, business and new shop space on Division Avenue.
Long time Westsider works to build community as Union High School's new football coach
Submitted 08-11-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Rick Angstman sees building up the local football team as a way to give back to the community he loves and build a stronger neighborhood for the kids who live there now.
New app-driven bike sharing program comes to Grand Rapids
Submitted 07-28-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Spokefly bikes can be used all over Grand Rapids and parked at any bike rack since the entire transaction is through the Spokefly app.
Building legacy now: GR Current works to strengthen startups, investors with impact investing
Submitted 07-14-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
The Grand Rapids community is known for all of its startups, entrepreneurs and impact investing. It's in our culture to give back- but how do we do it in a way that builds impact and legacy- now and in the future?
Little free libraries trend popping up in Grand Rapids
Submitted 06-30-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Grand Rapids neighbors place little libraries in front of their homes for people to indulge in free books.
New food co-op forming in Grand Rapids
Submitted 06-16-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Local community organizers seek to bring a centrally located food co-op store that is accessible to all of Grand Rapids.
New owner of The Urban Mushroom expands grow rooms, becomes certified forager
Submitted 06-02-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
The new owner of The Urban Mushroom, Mary Ann Faulkner, has expanded the business in under a year with her recent certification as a mushroom identification expert.
Local dojo works to increase community wellness with Kickstarter
Submitted 05-19-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Shen & Kyoseikan Dojo is working to increase wellness accessibility in its new neighborhood and transform care for cancer patients and survivors.
Community Cleanup champions placemaking, neighborhood love, inclusive growth
Submitted 05-05-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
In early spring 2008, Brian and Erica VanEe were on a walk in their neighborhood and decided to get some friends together for a little pick up of the area and some fun together afterward. Now, the WestSide Community Cleanup has grown to a diverse event with over 300 participants.
How working with people on the streets turned me into a drug policy reformer
Submitted 04-21-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
When I dove into work with our homeless communities 15 years ago, I began to understand that another way of helping our neighbors dealing with homelessness and drug addiction is needed- one based on science, compassion, health and human rights.