communityconversations
ACLU to host community discussion of criminal justice reform
by (amanda_a_sterling)
Submitted 06-19-2018 under NEWS
Questions about the relationship between police, prosecutors, and citizens continue to dominate the American consciousness. The United States has roughly 2.2 million people behind bars – one quarter of the world’s total prison population...
Westside neighbors work with health department, press for answers over cancer concerns
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 06-05-2018 under NEWS
A lot has happened since cousins Shane Smith and Jammie Danner began talking with former neighbors in southwest Grand Rapids about why so many of their loved ones were getting cancer. Since bringing their group's conversations to the public on a...
Shawmut Hills needs more than great teachers, it needs investment from GRPS
by (SaraMelton)
Submitted 05-22-2018 under OPINION
Dear Board of Education, I want to thank GRPS for being a place where I can raise children who see the world at large, where all languages are encouraged, differences are celebrated, and where my boys are learning side by side with families...
Immigrant tells the story of their journey with a poem
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 04-24-2018 under VOICES
From Saturday, April 28 to Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Movimiento Cosecha GR will be calling for a four-day Puente, a strike and boycott to show the power of immigrants in the West Michigan economy. To highlight one of the stories from area immigrants,...
Contentious GRPS school board meeting over special education, calls to remove superintendent
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-17-2018 under NEWS
A Grand Rapids Public Schools board meeting held on April 16, 2018 was a contentious meeting, preceded by a protest outside the administration buildings by special education advocates and ending in shouting and a call to the Grand Rapids Police...
Thousands take part in March for Our Lives in Grand Rapids
by (jproth1)
Submitted 03-27-2018 under NEWS
More than 4,000 people gathered at Rosa Parks Circle on Saturday, March 24, 2018 calling for tougher gun control laws at the Grand Rapids March for Our Lives rally. As part of the national March for Our Lives movement the the student-...
Break it Down, Make it Better helps build community in Grand Rapids art world
by (dylangrosser)
Submitted 02-27-2018 under NEWS
“Break it Down, Make it Better" is an event gathering creative minds in the Grand Rapids community for an opportunity to have conversations with one another on a range of topics related to being an artist. Artists, curators, and venue...
Neighborhood organizations hold meetings informing residents about proposed zoning changes
by (jproth1)
Submitted 02-20-2018 under NEWS
Neighborhood associations are worried that the city of Grand Rapids is pushing through new changes to the zoning ordinances without community engagement under the guise of creating more affordable housing. Meetings on Saturday, February 17, 2018...
Local environmental groups react to Governor Snyder's refusal to shut down Line 5
by (dylangrosser)
Submitted 02-13-2018 under NEWS
On Friday, January 26, 2018 Governor Rick Snyder sent a letter to the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board of Michigan regarding the pipeline “Line 5” owned by Enbridge Inc., where he "respectfully" turned down their advice to shut...
Neighbors reflect on history of mining, dumps on Westside
by (jproth1)
Submitted 02-06-2018 under LOCAL LIFE
Living on the westside of Grand Rapids has always had its own unique pride and challenges. There was a time before gentrification when many residents felt the westside was not important to the city. There was a time when the city used it as a dump...