By Tommy Allen, Publisher

By Tommy Allen, Publisher's Latest Articles

G-Sync: Looking back to an interview with Leafly’s Deputy Editor Bruce Barcott

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Entrepreneurship

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April 18, 2019

Bruce Barcott — a Guggenheim Fellow in nonfiction and the author of "Weed the People: The Future of Legal Marijuana in America" — arrived in Grand Rapids to celebrate 420 Day with an informative lecture “Everyday Wisdom from an Extraordinary Industry: Ten Hard-Learned Business Lessons from the First Year of Legal Marijuana” in 2018. This interview with Rapid Growth's Publisher Tommy Allen is packed with info still relevant a year later.

G-Sync: Kev Couture adventures in style

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Arts & Culture

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February 28, 2019

This month we continue G-Sync's series devoted to having insightful conversations with community members, like Kev Couture, who are making an impact upon our culture through their contributions.

G-sync: Ripples of change happen as Marlee Grace circulates back to Grand Rapids for a year

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Arts & Culture

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January 31, 2019

Brain circulation (or better known as the act of leaving, learning from outside, and then (possibly) returning) is a popular emerging topic within circles trying to solve the talent crisis locally. Publisher Tommy Allen sits down with Marlee Grace to talk about her former life here, her adventures on the road, the release of her new book, and an artist residency program.

G-Sync: Co-Housing is Personal and Community-Building

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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General

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November 29, 2018

Rapid Growth's former editor, Anna Gustafson, reported on this local matter with her piece, "The search for affordable housing in Grand Rapids: How housing co-ops are making a difference" in 2016. This month, publisher Tommy Allen sits down with a community member who has been living in one of the city's longest-running co-housing residences for nearly 18 years.

G-Sync: In Life Now husband and wife team once again expand their brand

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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General

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October 25, 2018

Bryan and Toresa Blakely of In Life Now Travel are setting a refreshing local standard about how area entrepreneurs in love are able to support each other as they navigate the relaunch of their business.

G-Sync: Juana Williams’ migration from Detroit to Grand Rapids ushers in a new era of art here

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Arts & Culture

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September 27, 2018

Last month, the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art (UICA) welcomed Detroit’s Juana Williams as their Exhibitions Curator. Publisher Tommy Allen sat down this month with her to get to know a bit more about her vision in this important role.  

G-Sync: Refugee Education Center advances new Americans through solutions-based programs

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Talent

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August 30, 2018

For this month's conversation piece, we sit down with the Refugee Education Center's Executive Director Susan Kragt to garner a bit of insight into our region's vast and robust refugee population and how they are assisting in building meaningful solutions that enhance and grow our community for the better.

G-Sync: Getting to the heart of community takes conversations

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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General

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July 26, 2018

Getting to the heart of community takes dialogue. Rapid Growth's Publisher Tommy Allen's first seven interviews of the year are shared here along with thoughts on why localism still matters ... maybe more than ever.

Tommie Wallace: A Heartside artist rooted in history

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Arts & Culture

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June 28, 2018

This month we sat down with local Heartside artist Tommie Wallace, aka Town Hall Auk Med to learn more about his life, distinct artistic style, and the roots of his imagery/meaning.

Marching without fear: Movimiento Cosecha GR seeks licenses for all on May Day

By By Tommy Allen, Publisher

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Talent

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May 3, 2018

The annual May Day demonstration, organized by Movimiento Cosecha GR, cut through many neighborhoods on Tuesday, May 1, and marked the launch of a statewide campaign to win licenses for all so that immigrants in Michigan can “drive without fear.”