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What a former popular Detroit Chinese restaurant can still teach us about belonging and the power of third spaces
Curtis Chin’s memoir about growing up inside his family’s restaurant becomes something larger than nostalgia, offering a timely reminder that everyday places can help communities practice belonging across differences.
Latest stories
#RG20LookBack: Beyond Record Store Day festivities, a real GR success story worth celebrating
In his 14th #RG20LookBack, Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2013 story on Herm Baker, whose journey from Vinyl Solution to Vertigo Music reflects resilient innovation shaping Grand Rapids’ music culture.
What a former popular Detroit Chinese restaurant can still teach us about belonging and the power of third spaces
Curtis Chin’s memoir about growing up inside his family’s restaurant becomes something larger than nostalgia, offering a timely reminder that everyday places can help communities practice belonging across differences.
At GRPM, laughter joins the lesson in Betka-Pope’s Cretaceous Countdown
An after-hours trivia experience created in partnership with Betka-Pope Productions suggests another way a public museum can build belonging: by making room for play, conversation, and the awesome power of laughter.
GVSU students turn old tech troubles into trusted local resale solutions
GVSU students solve risky, wasteful tech resale by building a trusted local model that improves safety, transparency, and sustainability.
Free AI classes aim to narrow growing digital knowledge gap
Tim Haines’ free AI classes at Bamboo Grand Rapids support entrepreneurs and business owners, though challenges remain in scaling access and sustaining the model.
Michigan coaches lead student mental health support beyond the game
Michigan coaches recognized by the Coaches Who Care program for commitment to student mental health.
Grand Rapids sustainability leaders recognized for innovative environmental community impact
Three West Michigan fellowship winners advance zero-waste business, forest protection, and climate justice, inspiring communities to adopt sustainable and equitable solutions.
#RG20LookBack: Music as infrastructure, talent retention, neighborhood identity, and the glue of community
In his 13th #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth publisher Tommy Allen reflects on the 2022 story by Enrique Olmos, which serves as a reminder that the region’s music economy is about more than entertainment.
Collaboration helps unhoused residents with disabilities navigate housing crisis
Local agencies, including Disability Network Northern Michigan, collaborate to help unhoused residents with disabilities find housing in Traverse City’s tight market.
West Michigan students spread kindness by joining Positive Affirmations initiative
A group of West Michigan students launches an initiative promoting kindness, combating bullying, and creating National Positive Affirmations Day in schools.
Workplace accommodations challenge one-size-fits-all approaches for employees
Advocate and guardian collaborate to resolve workplace accommodation gap, highlighting communication, policies, and solutions that keep a worker safely employed.
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Solutions that work, from communities like yours. Explore innovative stories from across our network showcasing how neighborhoods are solving today’s challenges together.
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