“My grandmother understood how important it was for her, as a black woman, to own property. It gave her access to mobility and most importantly,” Jordan explains, “the ability to help others who are struggling.”
Vicente Velazquez Ramirez, owner of Xela Store, a business located on Grandville Avenue, shares his journey in entrepreneurship and the barriers of redlining he has faced in building a successful business.
Muskegon is undergoing massive change. Major waterfront development is on the horizon, there's increased investment in the city, recreational opportunities abound, businesses are opening, companies are moving there. Why is this all happening? Look to its water.
Dominga Lucas-Pérez is a member of the community on Grandville Avenue. Here we highlight the voices of indigenous members of the community who face greater barriers at accessing basic needs due to a lack of resources in their primary language.
Here we explore the story of Juan Fernando Delgado, a young resident of Grandville Avenue and DACA recipient, and what it means to navigate access to education, resources, and basic needs as an undocumented immigrant.
Welcome to the On the Ground GR. For 12 weeks, this series will highlight and celebrate the communities found touching Grandville Avenue of Grand Rapids.
Learn about the people who are mobilizing, living and working on the southeast community of Grand Rapids in our On The Ground Video celebrating the threads connecting these communities to each other.
This past week, we had the great privilege to spend a day with Tommie Johnson: a teacher, advocate and resident of the southeast community of Grand Rapids.
What is your income? Where do you live? What color is your skin? These questions shouldn't matter when it comes to getting food. But they do, and residents and organizers in southeast Grand Rapids are working to change this by providing equitable access to affordable and healthy food for everyone.
As southeast Grand Rapids faces gentrification, Linc Up Soul Food Café Manager Kassandra Lott hopes her restaurant will inspire support for businesses owned by people of color and will serve as a beacon of hope for the community.
Our Partners
Common Ground Is Brewing
Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).
Drink Better, Read Local
