Architects, educators, and building contractors are collaborating to create learning spaces that incorporate all the benefits new technologies have to offer while addressing children’s holistic needs: physical, emotional, and intellectual.

Forty Acres Soul Kitchen seeks to launch in late fall 2017/early winter 2018. With great food, quality service and an up-scale dining experience, this soul-food venture seeks to create a community gathering place and impact wealth creation and minority-owned entrepreneurial endeavors.

"Be confident enough to accept your faults. No one is good at everything," reflects co-owner of the popular lash lounge and brow bar, Siren & Proper, Christina Lynn Perez. As someone who fears failure, but also finds joy in doing things that aren't expected of her, Christina made the bold choice of going into business for herself in 2015. She knew she would be letting the grass grow under her feet, otherwise.

This op-ed is part of Rapid Growth's Rapid Blog series, which highlights the voices of leaders making positive change in Grand Rapids. This week's post from Attorney Liz Balck Monsma is a response to President Trump's removal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

According to US News and World Report, young families are choosing Grand Rapids as the place to live: “Families make up a big chunk of the region's population. Nearly a third of Grand Rapids' households have children under the age of 18.” With organizations like the Grand Rapids Children's Museum and the John Ball Zoo geared toward little ones, and Spectrum Butterworth Hospital's baby-friendly designation, GR is increasingly becoming a great place to raise a family.