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Opinion

 

Return from the Women's March brings new perspectives

Submitted 01-24-2017 under OPINION

  In the days before the Women’s March on Washington, I started receiving messages from family members and friends expressing concerns for my safety. Those concerns heightened on Friday, when activists became violent, reckless, and...

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During the Michigan State of the State, hold the Governor accountable

Submitted 01-17-2017 under OPINION

In what has been a Governorship bathed in mismanagement, scandal and decisions that have disparately affected our most vulnerable residents – today the Michigan Governor will need to deliver a State of the State that reads like the apology...

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Why I'm marching in the Women's March on Washington

Submitted 01-17-2017 under OPINION

  I am not a sore loser. I am not a delicate snowflake. I am not an <insert insulting epithet here>. I am a human being.  And, I am marching because I feel inspired. Inspired to lock arms with thousands of my fellow humans who all...

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On MLK Day the Call to action is to resist

Submitted 01-16-2017 under OPINION

My grandmother used to tell me stories of her life in Mississippi. She was born in a city called Cotton Plant, Mississippi. Her narrative was almost straight from the novel "The Help" without the sensationalized narratives and sanitized...

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Series confronts equity issues in West Michigan businesses

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...

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Grand Rapids Symphony's Marcelo Lehninger makes momentous debut in St. Cecilia Music Center

Submitted 01-11-2017 under OPINION

A new artistic leader’s arrival in a new home is a series of firsts. There’s the first announcement, first public appearance, first performance and on it goes. January's first was Music Director Marcelo Lehninger’s debut in St...

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Equity issues: Entrepreneur Adriane Johnson speaks out

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...

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Equity issues: The role of mentoring

Submitted 01-05-2017 under OPINION

Part 3 of 4 During a recent roundtable discussion with local small business owners, hosted by MiBiz, some on the all-white panel brought up the large economic gap between people of color and whites in Grand Rapids. As I researched the issue,...

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Equity issues: West Michigan businesses should measure progress

Submitted 01-04-2017 under OPINION

Part 2 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 white people in Grand Rapids. In Part 2, I talk with one of the...

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Equity issues: Concern for West Michigan businesses

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...

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