How do we begin to change the cultural narrative of hate, anxiety and fear towards people of different faiths? For these three congregations in Grand Rapids, the answer starts with sharing food and creating new friendships together on Burton Street.

Military veterans' leadership training, skills, and perspective give them a grounding they need to help meet the challenges of producing food and rebuilding rural and urban communities. In Michigan, these protectors are turning into agricultural producers. 

As the president and founder of LaFleur Marketing, a Grand Rapids-based digital marketing company, Chip LaFleur understands how data is gathered and used to influence individuals' behavior in advertising. Now, he is witnessing the same tools being used to manipulate voter behavior and other aspects of the United States' democratic processes. Here, he explains what that means for our country.

Así como la comunidad sureste de Grand Rapids se enfrenta a los cambios ocurriendo en el vecindario, la gerente de Linc Up Soul Food Café, Kasandra Lott espera que su restaurante inspire apoyo hacia negocios perteneciendo a personas de grupos minoritarios raciales y de esta manera sirva como una luz de esperanza para la comunidad.

Rebeca Velazquez-Publes, residente del vecindario del sureste,  nos comparte aqui, como hacer de Grand Rapids una ciudad acogedora y para ella esto involucra desarrollar una comunidad con proposito y elevar la consciencia en los lugares dende las personas afro americanas de la ciudad estan siendo excluidas.

What does not require a four-year college education, is in demand, and pays well? Skilled-trade food and ag jobs. And the opportunities are out there across Michigan.

When Ashley Nickels and Dani Vilella think of Grand Rapids, they think of the hundreds, and even thousands, of grassroots activists who are shaping the city, who are fighting for affordable housing, living wages, racial and economic justice, and a whole lot more. Now, Nickels and Vilella want to hear from these individuals for the book they're editing, "Grand Rapids Grassroots: An Anthology."