Underwriting support from:
2017 Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit /Coutesy of The City of Grand Rapids
2017 Volunteers, summit staff and city officials /Coutesy of The City of Grand Rapids
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, civic and cultural organizations, and government entities alike celebrate the history of the land and the people. Here, the neighbors know one another by name and the above-mentioned groups lift up marginalized voices and experiences.
Connecting Our Stories – Connecting Our Power is the theme of the 5th Annual Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit. Summit 2019 will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2019 on the downtown Pew Campus of Grand Valley State University and will focus on how our unique stories connect us to one another and to our community.
Summit will open with a welcome song by a local Anishinaabe community drum, followed by experiential theater performances of neighborhood-based scenes by Mixed Roots Collective. These two activities will replace the traditional opening keynote address. Between scenes, attendees will discuss learnings in pairs or small groups. This will bring attendees' voices into the room right away and set the stage for them to make meaningful connections throughout the day.
Residents will see an increased infusion of art and the core Summit values of resident voice and racial equity woven throughout their Summit experience. In the hallways, they can engage local Grand Rapids stories through quilts from the Threads Quilt Show. Guests may also explore resource tables curated specifically for Grand Rapids residents.
New this year is a call for workshop proposals. The Neighborhood Summit Steering Committee encourages Grand Rapids residents and stakeholders to submit a proposal by November 26, 2018. Last year, the majority of the 31 workshops were led by Grand Rapids residents. We look forward to continuing to center residents as subject matter experts on issues important to our community.
The very popular Kids Summit is also returning and will be expanding to serve more and younger children. Residents can sign up their children, ages 12 and under, for Kids Summit during their online Summit registration. We have limited space so Kids Summit is for Grand Rapids residents only. Registration for Kids Summit will be open in January 2019.
Summit’s closing session will include a special recognition of Grand Rapids residents who led projects supported by the City’s Neighborhood Match Fund as well as a drawing for prizes. The post-Summit Community Celebration will immediately follow in the same location. It will recognize volunteers, sponsors, and others for their contribution to this year's Summit.
The Steering Committee is currently accepting sponsorship from local businesses and organizations that value equity, centering resident voice, and investing in strengthening neighborhoods. We are also seeking gift cards and merchandise from locally-owned businesses to serve as drawing prizes. We want to encourage winners to explore and patronize those businesses. Those interested in sponsoring or donating a prize should email [email protected].
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