Featured Stories

RapidChat: Becky Puckett-Wood on Inforum and the #MeToo Movement

By Jenna Morton, Rapid Chat Editor Thursday, August 30, 2018

This year, #MeToo founder, Tarana Burke, has been invited to speak at the annual Inforum Capstone dinner. For women and men alike, "Hearing Ms. Burke’s words with a group will be powerful and the table conversations will provide new perspectives," expresses VP of Corporate & Member Engagement at Inforum, Becky Puckett-Wood.

RapidChat

Here's how one new local lender aims to eliminate the racial wealth gap in Grand Rapids

By Leandra Nisbet Thursday, August 30, 2018

As a local emerging community development financial institution (CDFI), Rende Progress Capital is the only racial equity-focused CDFI to provide loans, investments, and business technical assistance services to excluded entrepreneurs like Asian Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, and immigrants.

Entrepreneurship, Finance, Investment, Small Business

Bruce Retterath demonstrates use of a telepsychiatry system.

How telemedicine brings healthcare into vulnerable patients' homes

By Sarah Rigg Thursday, August 30, 2018

Programs that allow patients to confer with medical staff via phone or videoconferencing have the potential to create more equitable access to health care, but they're underutilized for a variety of reasons.

healthcare, Healthy Living, High Tech GR, High Tech/High Growth, Technology

G-Sync: Refugee Education Center advances new Americans through solutions-based programs

By Tommy Allen, Publisher Thursday, August 30, 2018

For this month's conversation piece, we sit down with the Refugee Education Center's Executive Director Susan Kragt to garner a bit of insight into our region's vast and robust refugee population and how they are assisting in building meaningful solutions that enhance and grow our community for the better.

Education, Multi-Cultural, Talent Dividend, Tommy Allen, Lifestyle Editor

UIX: If you live in West Michigan, these are the people keeping your most valuable resource alive

By Matthew Russell, UIX Editor Thursday, August 23, 2018

The river is crossed by hundreds of thousands of people every day, on their way to work, school, and just passing through town. Likely few of them are fighting for control of it, but then again, they may not realize its significance. Here are the stories of those who do.

Environment, Great Lakes Stewardship, Greater Lakes, Sustainability, Urban Innovation Exchange

Winning the right to be heard: Melvin Thomas poised to engage youth in urban classrooms

By Natalie Tomlin Thursday, August 23, 2018

Davenport University’s Master of Urban Education trains teachers on the specific needs of the urban classroom. After eight years of counseling students, Melvin Thomas will attend the program to learn how to mentor youth in more profound ways.

Areas of Concern, Community Engagement, Education, Michigan Nightlight

The 10 most interesting homes in Grand Rapids

By Lauren Fay Carlson, Managing Editor Thursday, August 23, 2018

For hundreds of years, Grand Rapids creators have built and maintained unique properties; whether home to influential people or a marvel of design themselves, these are 10 of the most interesting homes in Grand Rapids.

Attractions, Design, Historic Sites, Sense of Place

Heritage Hill, Ada, East Hills - Cherry Hill, East Grand Rapids, Baxter

RapidChat: Patty McCormick on providing a home away from home at the RMHWM

By Jenna Morton, Rapid Chat Editor Thursday, August 16, 2018

As the medical and mental health facilities in Grand Rapids grow in reputation and in specialties offered, so does the need for lodging of patients and their families. "These families are facing unimaginable stress and it's our mission to provide them a “home-away-from-home” at no cost," stresses Patty McCormick, Development Director of Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan.

healthcare, hospitality, Non Profit, nonprofit, RapidChat

Little Mussel, Big City: Area high school students, river restoration, and a sustainable future

By David Koning Thursday, August 16, 2018

In this Rapid Blog, local teacher David Koning explores Grand Rapids WhiteWater’s Little Mussel, Big City: Summer Science and Leadership program that connects high schoolers with the Grand River.

Education, Environment, Great Lakes Stewardship, Rapid Blog, Sense of Place, Sustainability

What's next for Mt. Pleasant? Stay connected with IMG's newest pub, 'Epicenter'

Diana Prichard Thursday, August 16, 2018

There are plenty of great things happening in Mt. Pleasant and its neighboring communities. We think it’s time people heard more about them.

Building Communities, Entrepreneurship, Media, Sense of Place

Clinicians work on a patient at Cherry Health.

One million Michiganders have little or no dental care access. Here's how we can change that.

By Leandra Nisbet Thursday, August 16, 2018

A variety of organizations across the state are working to connect people to oral care they otherwise might never get, and they're innovating to continue improving oral health access in the future.

Healthy Living, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit

East Hills - Cherry Hill

The Rapid 25 years on: Looking back on the transit's evolution as instrumental CEO retires

By Paul R. Kopenkoskey Thursday, August 16, 2018

In the past 25 years, the Rapid has transformed to a "1950s-style transit system" that didn't run on Sundays, to a tech-forward, sustainable, and reliable public transportation network vital to the community.

Technology, Transit, Transportation

Geamill Gibson and her son buy produce using a doctor's prescription at the Flint Farmers Market.

Prescriptions for nutrition: How culinary medicine is advancing health equity in Michigan

By Scott Atkinson Thursday, August 09, 2018

For many people, it's not always easy to find and buy fresh food. Culinary medicine initiatives aim to address that by increasing access to healthy food and building awareness of the importance of nutrition.

Food, Healthy Living, Medical Research, Medical Technology

Resurrecting history: Angela Yondo unearths grave markers at cemetery housing Grand Rapids pioneers

By Paul R. Kopenkoskey Thursday, August 09, 2018

For nearly 20 years, Angela Yondo has unearthed neglected headstones in St. Andrew's Cemetery, rediscovering history and reconnecting the community to its roots.

Building Communities, Historic Sites

Southeast Community, Madison Square