Stories

Feature Story Tetusa Ndalamba works on reading with his daycare kids.

A place to call home: How refugees are rebuilding lives in West Michigan

As the Trump administration fights to keep refugees from entering the United States, a different story is playing out in West Michigan: one of love and inclusion. In our community, residents are banding together to support refugees who are doing everything from starting their own businesses to working with children from countries torn apart by war.

Blandford Nature Center breathes new life into Highlands Golf Course with plans for recreation space


Feature Story UIXcircus

UIX: What's the future of education? In Grand Rapids, it's all about being unconventional

Whether you're looking to learn coding or would like to explore a career in art or design, there's a host of creative ways you can do that in Grand Rapids. From boot camps to building confidence, organizations like Grand Circus, The Factory and UICA are thinking outside the box when it comes to education.

Feature Story Paula Collier

Dreams of equity: Southtown Sustainable Women’s Group lifts up community

Paula Collier, a resident of the Madison Square neighborhood and host of the Southtown Sustainable Women's Group at Seeds of Promise, is addressing racism by empowering women in her community.

Feature Story OTG206

Sueños de igualdad: El Grupo de Mujeres del Southtown es una ganancia para la comunidad

Paula Collier, residente del vecindario de Madison Square y anfitriona del Grupo de Mujeres del Southtown en Seeds of Promise, está empoderando a las mujeres de su comunidad a terminar con el racismo. 

Feature Story FTdance080

Boys can dance, too: Grand Rapids ballet companies encourage all children to take to the stage

Ballet companies throughout Grand Rapids are breaking down negative stereotypes of boys in ballet and are making sure all children have the chance to explore a passion for dance.

Feature Story FTtelemedicine090

Saving the lives of the future: Grand Rapids plays starring role in national health care

To say the healthcare industry is in flux is an understatement. As the field evolves, however, one thing is certain: by continuing to implement new and improve existing technologies, Grand Rapids is at the forefront of innovation in health care.

Innovation News Volunteering

Giving back: A guide to volunteering in Grand Rapids


Feature Story Alice Johnson

Facing racism: The lasting effects of discrimination in GR's southeast community

Marked by a history of racism and segregation, members of Grand Rapids' southeast communities share the ways this has blocked access to fostering sustainable neighborhoods -- and how they are working to overcome these barriers.

Feature Story OTG207

Como el racismo y la segregación deja su huella marcada en la comunidad de sureste de GR

Estigmatizados por una historia de racismo y exclusión, las comunidades del sureste debieron compartir la inaccesibilidad a programas de apoyo como comunidades con recursos propios -- y como ellos están trabajando para conquistar estos limitantes.

Feature Story Graci Harkema

RapidChat: Graci Harkema

Days after being born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Graci Harkema was placed for adoption at a local orphanage. After being given only 12 to 24 hours to live, she was adopted by her (now) parents. Following her move to Grand Rapids as a child, Harkema has gone on to become one of the city's most passionate leaders, fighting for everything from LGBTQ rights to racial equality and more.

Feature Story Ferry Farm

Heading home: For many who grew up on the farm, roots run deep

Paul Pridgeon remembers graduating from Central Michigan University and asking himself the question that swirls in the minds of so many recent graduates: now what?

Feature Story FTetsy6

Profit and heart: Etsy co-founder to talk business with a conscience in Grand Rapids

Etsy, like most startups, struggled to balance the company's values and outlook with that of venture capital investors’ desire for rapid growth. Co-founder Mathew Stinchcomb stops by Grand Rapids to talk about how the power of B Corps can transform our businesses -- and communities.