When Governor Whitmer ordered schools closed for the remainder of the school year this spring, GRPS quickly pivoted to continue offering meals to families. As they approach another uncertain school year, Executive Director of Communications and External Affairs John Helmholdt looks back on how the school supported the community in the spring, and how they continue to do so with Grab and Go meals this summer.

"A shift is occurring in our society. We must dismantle and re-engineer new systems that are free of structural racism," says Micah Foster, Executive Director of the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute. In this vulnerable op-ed, Foster shares his personal experiences with racism, and the dialogue necessary to effect lasting change in our communities.

Flip Dog Yoga strives for a welcoming, inclusive space that, since COVID-19, has moved online and to Briggs Park.

"We have a saying here: If you don't have shooting, you don't have hunting; if you don't have hunting, you don't have conservation, and if you don't have conservation, you don't have wildlife.”

In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and other Black men and women due to police misconduct, new activists are finding their voices. And across the country and here in Grand Rapids, activism takes many forms. Whether speaking out, attending a protest or organizing one, or supporting the marginalized, GR activists discuss why it's important to keep showing up.

Aunque hoy los datos obtenidos del censo se utilizan para asegurar cuántos dólares en fondos federales se destinan a hospitales, departamentos de bomberos, escuelas, carreteras y otros recursos, muchas comunidades, especialmente la comunidad Latinx, dudan en participar. La ciudad de Wyoming está trabajando para alentar a su creciente comunidad latina (22.8%) a ser contada a fin de proporcionar fondos para programas para esta población a menudo marginada.

In light of COVID-19, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health has produced five videos to promote health equity. Spectrum Health, Cherry Health, and Mercy Health are also expanding efforts to address racial and ethnic health inequities per the Black Lives Matter movement.