Bing Goei holds a new title, Director of the Office for New Americans, but he's still focused on his life's work of promoting and supporting small business and racial equity. When Bing immigrated to the United States at age 11, he expected to find the "cowboys and Indians" he'd enjoyed on TV, but instead found the American dream. Read on for his perspectives on minority-owned businesses, neighborhood investment, and the value of diversity.
Allison Lugo Knapp wasn't raised to stay in one place for very long, but she can't seem to leave the Mitten. With three passports, a professorship at GVSU, and a fondness for her neighborhood, she's rooted in West Michigan and digging into leadership development for the Latino community and Spanish language reading sessions for youngsters at KDL. Read on as we chat about new chapters, philanthropy, and dreamy Buenos Aires.
At the top of one of Grand Rapids' most stunning buildings lives Mark Holzbach and his expansive creativity. In this week's RapidChat we enter Mark's world and chat about MIT, retirement, and community building. Mark lived in Boston, Toyko, and Austin before landing in Grand Rapids when his partner, Dana Friis-Hansen, was hired as the director at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Mark thinks big and in his short time in this city, he's become an important stakeholder. Read on to learn how and why.
RapidChat is a bi-weekly glimpse into the life and work of an interesting local. This week we highlight Marlee Grace, a maker and entrepreneur who encourages connections within her community through workshops, handmade products, and conversation at her shop on Division Ave., Have Company. Read on to learn more about Marlee's Eastown-living, shop-keeping, yoga-teaching lifestyle.
This week's RapidGrowth Q&A series features Paul Lee, owner of The Winchester and the new Donkey Taqueria. With Molly Crist wielding the pen, this piece features two local food truck early adopters talking about anything but mobile cuisine. Paul has played an important role in reviving the Wealthy Street business district, and here he chats about neighborhoods, ethnic food, city-living, and fatherhood.
Third time's a charm for Rapid Growth's new Q&A series, RapidChat. This week, we chat with Jonathan Pichot, a self-taught programmer with a passion for software and cities. He talks about the social aspect of software development, muses on writing code and speaking French, and elaborates on how technology can be used to engage citizens in local government.
Rapid Growth's recently debuted Q&A series, RapidChat, introduces Mary Brown this week. She's a lady who wears many hats: Principal Consultant of leeAlexander Consulting, coLearning Program Director at The Factory, adjunct professor at GRCC, and above all else, lifelong student. Read on to learn about her passion for books, zombies, and the unusual suspects.
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