communityconversations
When free college is not enough
by (benwilkoliver)
Submitted 05-03-2016 under OPINION
On Saturday, April 23, neighbors on the westside of Grand Rapids got “down and dirty” at the annual Westside Community Cleanup. Started in 2009, it has evolved from a small group of concerned residents who saw a need to clean up the...
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...
Children's poetry travels local bus system
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 04-12-2016 under NEWS
Grand Rapids' Poet Laureate, Lew Klatt debuts his new project, "Grand Poems in Rapid Transit," during National Poetry Month on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. Collaborating with The Rapid and several local afterschool programs, Klatt will be...
Monthly forum aims to educate, strengthen ties in Grand Rapids' music community
by (Briana)
Submitted 03-29-2016 under LOCAL LIFE
On Monday, March 28, 2016 on the Northwest side, a small, eager group of members of the local music community crowded into a recording space in Grand River Studios. They were gathered to hear the latest in a series of conversations about Grand...
Women, politics, Grand Rapids: a chat with Tami VandenBerg
by (Marjorie Steele)
Submitted 03-22-2016 under OPINION
Local business owner and force of nature Tami Vandenberg has never been one to be shy about the issues that matter most to her, which are often of a controversial nature. The co-owner of Grand Rapids’ much loved Meanwhile Bar and The Pyramid...
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...
Author of Mayor's Book of the Year returns to Grand Rapids to talk race, equity
by (Jacksant)
Submitted 03-08-2016 under OPINION
Todd Robinson is the author of the book, "A City Within a City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan." Robinson is a specialist in African-American history, and his book provides an account of the African-American history...
Interfaith, civic organizations unite to sponsor conversation on welcoming refugees
by (Kaufman Interfaith)
Submitted 03-01-2016 under NONPROFITS
In November 2015, following the Paris terrorist attacks, Michigan was the first state whose governor proposed to “pause” allowing Syrian refugees into the United States. This concern around security was a response to the recent ISIS...
Education workshop seeks to build community for better schools at Neighborhood Summit
by (John Helmholdt)
Submitted 02-23-2016 under OPINION
It takes a village to raise a child. Congress Elementary is putting that thought into action. Five years ago, a handful of neighbors and community leaders met with then Congress Principal Bridget Cheney and Grand Rapids Public Schools...
Grand Rapids, time to get in formation
by (balexander)
Submitted 02-16-2016 under OPINION
After the Superbowl, none of us are talking about a game reminiscent of flag football. We are talking about a video that dropped a day before the game. We are talking about the powerful performance that reinforced that existence of that video. We...