A new study confirms what many people of color have known for years: black drivers are far more likely to be stopped by police in Grand Rapids than white motorists. Now, city officials and community leaders are planning for widespread systemic change to address racism and racial bias in law enforcement.
How do we build a more inclusive Grand Rapids? How do we create a city where anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability can thrive? A group of female leaders who are shaping the city tackle this, and more, at the recent Women + City Building event.
Grand Rapidians took to the streets for the annual César E. Chávez Social Justice March, calling for the respect, dignity and protection of all immigrants and emphasizing the driving force that migrant and seasonal farm workers play in the economy of West Michigan and the country.
Stephanie Adams, the new executive director at Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, is laying the groundwork for an ambitious tenure that includes strengthening neighborhoods’ access to nature and exercise, improving green space in areas that have historically been marginalized and disenfranchised, unifying communities through parks, and more.
A new research project tells the stories of female leaders of color in West Michigan, and the women's words make it clear: we must be better when it comes to fighting, and acknowledging, racism and sexism in the workplace.
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.
The Ebony Road Players and its executive director, Edye Evans Hyde, are pushing the community forward with theater, prompting people to listen, really listen, to stories of racism and injustice that they may not have otherwise known. Or wanted to hear.
Grand Rapids educators and researchers are calling on the state to rethink their approach to the way standardized testing is conducted for English language learners.
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