It's been weeks since Grand Rapids' most widely attended protest highlighted the need for greater racial equity and police accountability in our city. As community members move to effect lasting change in the wake of unrest, Director of the Office of Public Accountability for the City of Grand Rapids Brandon Davis explores his new and evolving role with the city and the community.
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and other Black men and women due to police misconduct, new activists are finding their voices. And across the country and here in Grand Rapids, activism takes many forms. Whether speaking out, attending a protest or organizing one, or supporting the marginalized, GR activists discuss why it's important to keep showing up.
Michigan has officially entered summer, a season that brings tens of thousands of migrant and seasonal farmworkers to the state for temporary employment picking produce. COVID-19 has complicated this journey, housing, and benefits for migrant workers, and attorney Ben O'Hearn of Migrant Legal Aid breaks down the unique challenges they face.
Salons in Grand Rapids are reopening as of June 15. Veteran hairstylist Nona Walters explores her own plan for operating her business amid COVID-19.
In this special Q&A, Therapist Otha Brown of the Men’s Resource Center at The Fountain Hill Center explores discussing civil strife and racial inequality with our children, and the mental health impact of both COVID-19 and nationwide racial inequality on communities of color.
What started as a small business incubator to support the refugee community in West Michigan has become a lifeline for childcare providers and parents during COVID-19.
Cornerstone University announced that it plans to resume all on-campus services this fall. President Joe Stowell explores the university's plans for "agile teaching," virtual support, social distancing in the dorms, and more.
For the past month, Metro Health ICU physicians have partnered with Mayo Clinic in researching treating COVID-19 patients with convalescent plasma and the early results have been positive. Ronald Grifka, MD, Chief Medical Officer breaks down the partnership, the treatment, and the future of the research.
West Michigan Works! connects employers and job seekers in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties — even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 30, the nonprofit switched to remote services by phone and online. We caught up with Angie Barksdale, COO; Amy Lebednick, business solutions director; and Brittany Lenertz, talent solutions director for an update on this new model, and to learn what job seekers can expect during quarantine and into the future.
As Michigan's economy begins to slowly reopen, employers are taking steps to protect their workers from further spread of COVID-19. Attorney Luis Avila discusses the implications of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) determination that employers may screen their employees for COVID-19.
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