racial equity
Community updates: Thursday, July 8
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 07-08-2021 under NEWS
City of Grand Rapids resuming in-person government meetings next week The City of Grand Rapids is resuming in-person government meetings starting July 13, it announced Thursday. The meetings had been held virtually since March 2020, in...
Connecting Our Stories, Connecting Our Power: Grand Rapids previews 2019 neighborhood summit
by (MaverickLaw)
Submitted 10-23-2018 under PLACE-MATTERS
Reclaiming narratives is essential in healing generations of systemic oppression and shared trauma. Sharing our stories not only builds unity and power; it also allows us to co-create community. Imagine relocating to a community where residents,...
In Grand Rapids, equity work is co-opted for influence
by (balexander)
Submitted 04-07-2017 under OPINION
In the age of co-opted movements for the sake of advertisements gone terribly wrong (hey Pepsi, what's good?), the best way to look at a community’s commitment to equity is to look at the way it treats its organizers. My time in Grand...
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...
Equity issues: Concern for West Michigan businesses
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 01-03-2017 under OPINION
Part 1 of 4 Nine white people looked out at us from the computer screen. Seven were men. All were small business owners. For many, the photo was the first thing they saw, and it told a story often typical of West Michigan. The photo accompanied an...
Homeownership dream evaporates in changing neighborhood
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 12-22-2016 under NEWS
“I’m watching strangers go in and out of my home,” said Yvonne Johnson, looking out the window. While we talked at a neighbor's house, Johnson’s home was filled with realtors and prospective buyers, there for a typical...
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...
#TheShift Summit plots cooperative course to success for local Black residents
by (arcarpenter)
Submitted 11-22-2016 under NEWS
On Friday, November 18, an audience of over 50 people, including many African-American small business owners and non-profit community workers, attended #TheShift Summit at the Seidman Business Center of Grand Valley State University. The Summit was...