Featured Stories

Game over: Enough excuses from Detroit to Grand Rapids

By Matt Clayson Thursday, April 12, 2018

This Rapid Blog comes to us from Matt Clayson, who leads, launches, and scales outcome driven organizations and initiatives. Clayson explores bottom-up solutions for communities across the state, including coming together to solve common problems.

Areas of Concern, Building Communities, Community Engagement, Community Organizing, Government, Public Policy, Rapid Blog, Transformational change, Volunteerism

RapidChat: Gwadue Bossuah on celebrating the highs and lows of being a local business owner

By Jenna Morton Thursday, April 05, 2018

After four years of being in business, Gwadue Bossuah, creator and owner of FZIQUE full body cycling studio, takes a walk down memory lane with us. Remembering all of the highs and lows that brought him to where he is today, Gwadue plans on hosting an extra-special celebration this month at his new Midtown location.

Entrepreneurship, RapidChat

Midtown

Ken Bair is the store manager of the new Bridge Street Market.

Neighborhoods of GR: WestSide evolution continues

By Paul Soltysiak Thursday, April 05, 2018

According to local professional Paul Soltysiak, The WestSide is diverse with lots of history. It has a wonderful flavor that is tough to define unless one lives, works, or plays here often. It needs to be experienced to be understood. Explore the Westside from Soltysiak's perspective in this installment of Neighborhoods of GR.

Business Development, Cultural, Food, Neighborhoods of GR, Small Business

Stockbridge

Cracking the affordable housing conundrum with creative solutions

By Majorie Steele Thursday, April 05, 2018

While the state of the “housing crisis” is troubled and unclear, one thing is for sure: Grand Rapids’ community isn’t lacking the potential for innovative solutions.

Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit

1920s Fulton and Sheldon Intersection. Looking west on Fulton Street at Sheldon and Monroe Center.

Grand Rapids' streets of old still tell stories

By Paul R. Kopenkoskey Thursday, April 05, 2018

From “bricks” made of cedar wood and soaked in creosote to sturdy but expensive cobblestones, GR's oldest streets are rich with history.

Building Grand Rapids, Development, Historic Sites

Belknap-Monroe North, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Center City

Look at us: Seeing trans in times of misidentification

By Carlos Garay Negrón Thursday, March 29, 2018

This Rapid Blog comes to us from Carlos Garay Negrón, a Trans Latinx activist, community advocate, musician, and queer/trans theorist. Their theory work is centered around intersectional analyses of trans and queer experience through the media lens, and their praxis is focused on empowering marginalized communities to enact transformative change.

Cultural, LGBT, Rapid Blog

VIDEO: Pennies from Heaven breaks down employment barriers

By Council of Michigan Foundations Thursday, March 29, 2018

How are rural foundations across the state approaching economic development? We’re sharing success stories right here in Michigan, with a look at how can the philanthropic sector breaks down barriers that make it challenging for employees to be successful in the workforce.

Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Sustainability

Neighborhoods of GR celebrates our city's places and spaces

By Rapid Growth Media Thursday, March 29, 2018

Over the past 10 months, Rapid Growth has featured the places and spaces of GR in our Neighborhoods of GR series. Catch up with the amazing people, nonprofits, and businesses that have graced our pages.

Neighborhoods of GR, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Sense of Place, Small Business

Eastown, Heritage Hill, South Division, East Hills - Cherry Hill, Creston-Cheshire, Center City, Midtown, Southeast Community, Stockbridge

Making it in GR: Adapting an engineering mindset to entrepreneurship

By Leandra Nisbet, Making it in GR Editor Thursday, March 29, 2018

Reports show women and minority-owned businesses are face an ongoing disparity of funding awarded to them and to their male, non-minority counterparts. As a minority-business owner and Grand Rapids transplant, Supermercado Mexico's Javier Olvera discusses the challenges of growth, and finding finance options.

Cultural, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Food, Making it in Grand Rapids, Shopping, Small Business

South Division

VIDEO: Rotary Charities expands equitable access to the waterfront in the Grand Traverse

Council of Michigan Foundations Thursday, March 22, 2018

How are rural foundations across the state approaching economic development? We’re sharing success stories right here in Michigan, starting with a look at the Rotary Charities' efforts to expand equitable access to the waterfront in the Grand Traverse region.

Education, Environment, Great Lakes Stewardship, Greater Lakes, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit, Public Education

Promise Zones and place-based scholarships are game changers for families in Grand Rapids

By Allison Spooner Thursday, March 22, 2018

If Grand Rapids becomes a Promise Zone, it would change the game for funding college in the River City. Currently in the process of applying for the designation, the city of GR is prioritizing affordable college education for all.

Education, Government, Michigan Nightlight, Public Education

UIX: Offstage engineering makes a big difference in local music

By Matthew Russell, UIX Editor Thursday, March 22, 2018

More than a dozen different audio recording studios in West Michigan help musicians, podcasters, broadcasters, show hosts, and others capture their sound on digital media, vinyl records, and sometimes even magnetic tape.

Engineering, Entertainment, Music, Urban Innovation Exchange

Women fill the gaps: Training and empowering the next generation of skilled trades professionals

By Lauren Fay Carlson Thursday, March 22, 2018

Though for centuries overlooked in the skilled trades, women are making a comeback in a big way in construction. Equipped with ambition and seeking out educational and training programs tailored specifically for them, Michigan women are building the future—one brick, beam, or conquered stereotype at a time.

Building Grand Rapids, Construction, Education, Non Profit, nonprofit, Non-Profit

RapidChat: Stefan Sagmeister on Why Beauty Matters

By Jenna Morton, Rapid Chat Editor Thursday, March 15, 2018

Beauty is commonly defined as the characteristic of an animal, idea, object, person, or place that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure or satisfaction. But what role does it actually play within our lives? For West Michigan Design Week, renowned creative, Stegan Sagmeister, will talk to Grand Rapidians about Why Beauty Matters, and more.

Arts & Culture, Design, RapidChat

Archives preserves West Michigan's rich design heritage

By Estelle Slootmaker Thursday, March 15, 2018

The West Michigan Design Archives was formed by designers Barbara Loveland and Linda Powell, for anyone who appreciates good design. With work from companies like Herman Miller and French Paper, the archives aim to showcase the craft and history of design to a new generation of designers.

Design, Education