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.
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.
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.
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.
In his eleventh #RG20LookBack column, Rapid Growth Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2014 story, “The Vegan Kitchen Takeover: Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill,” reflecting on how local restaurants can be spaces for connection and community.
The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus, a 110-voice ensemble, presents the Michigan premiere of Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray, inviting the community to discover a civil rights trailblazer whose influence shapes discussions on justice, identity, and belonging.
For his ninth #RG20LookBack, Publisher Tommy Allen revisits his 2013 story, written while he was Lifestyle Editor, about the Division Avenue Arts Collective’s eviction from Avenue for the Arts just days before its 10th anniversary.
On every second Sunday, the Grand Rapids Public Museum dims the sensory “noise” of a typical visit, enabling more families to experience wonder, enhance their learning, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.
Educators increasingly rely on the Grand Rapids Public Museum as a dynamic classroom where students can “wake up” history, learn through listening, and find that curiosity and a sense of belonging can be cultivated together … and sometimes through the sharing of individual stories.
Our Voices of Youth narrative shows how theater fosters empathy, confidence, and belonging. City High Middle School student Ineke Petroelje explains why this art remains a deeply human experience.
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