The Rapidian to celebrate the "we" that makes citizen journalism powerful

On May 14 at 7:00 p.m., The Rapidian will be holding its annual Community Celebration at Brewery Vivant to help kick off our Spring Fund Drive, which runs May 15 to 22. We will be celebrating and recognizing all the different working parts that make us possible, from community support from amazing businesses and groups, the GRCMC staff and friends and most important of all: you.

The Rapidian is possible because of you: our citizen journalists, editorial mentors and readers who together create, shape and share the news, narratives and stories of Grand Rapids on The Rapidian.

As a writer and organizer, when my friends hear that I work for The Rapidian, it is often assumed that I must be primarily writing. Strangely enough, I find a weird kind of happiness in saying “nope.” While the platform is open for my use as well, my role at The Rapidian isn’t telling my story. My role is helping others tell their own stories and share their own news, leading them through that process of self-advocacy and building a voice in a space specifically tailored to elevate them.

I know how necessary and important that platform is to make yourself heard and to orient yourself in community. This is why The Rapidian is so necessary to the community. Anyone can contribute and have their voices heard, and we’re here to facilitate that process. We at The Rapidian can’t do it without the larger "We" of our greater Grand Rapids community.

Thanks to your contribution and support, we’ll continue to provide:

• Hyperlocal news with high journalistic standards, making it easy for readers to “support local” as they learn about area businesses, restaurants, and breweries.
• Ease of access for citizen journalists and interns with tools, training, and mentorship. 
• A better place to live for all of us, keeping readers informed of local nonprofit news.
• Opposing viewpoints, new opportunities and knowledge about our community and our place in the world through empowered, diverse voices.

Together, with your voices, our resources and everyone's city, we are what makes The Rapidian so powerful.

We will be meeting in Brewery Vivant's Beer Garden and Walloon Room for drinks and complimentary appetizers from 7-10 p.m. on Thursday, May 14. For the first 75 people, your first beer is on us! Attendees will have advanced access to all of our gifts for our donors, including Rapidian swag as well as gift certificates from many awesome local restaurants, bars and businesses. Celebrations will end at 10 p.m. Our fund drive then begins the following Friday, May 15. We'd love to see your faces and, as always, hear your voices!

A huge "Thank You!" to our generous sponsors, Brewery Vivant and Griffin Properties.

Be sure to RSVP at our Eventbrite.