Stories

Longform Conversations about hard topics like suicide can help prevent it.

Here's how Michigan's community mental health agencies are helping prevent youth suicide

Summit Pointe, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and other community mental health agencies provide youth access to services that help them overcome suicidal thoughts and self-harming actions.

Feature Story The Music That Raised Us honors some of the local Grand Rapids Black women performers who have been an inspiration to Sarena Rae.

Sarena Rae shares her music and leadership in Grand Rapids

Finding a love for music at an early age, Grand Rapids native Sarena Rae was able to find her voice and share part of her story. Now, in her 20s, she is using her passion to help other musicians and amplify other stories and voices.  

Feature Story theatre1

Actors’ Theatre welcomes new perspectives, mentors future artists of Grand Rapids

The Actors' Theatre of Grand Rapids, founded in 1980, continues to build on its legacy, evolving as an entertainment outlet as an arts incubator and (ultimately a) regional attractant for talent, too.  

Feature Story Carl Dunker works from his home office in Holland, Michigan.

Building relationships is at the heart of great design

Skot Welch, Julia Swenson and Carl Dunker are three designers who live and work in West Michigan. They share the ways they work to create a community where people belong.

Development News The Diatribe is a grassroots Grand Rapids youth-centered arts nonprofit.

New Burton Heights cultural arts center to be “an example of development without displacement”

The Diatribe is moving forward with its plans of establishing The Emory Arts and Culture Center at 2440 Division South, just south of Burton Street.

Feature Story DJDemers

Accessible humor takes the stage at Laughfest

D.J. Demers, who is hearing impaired, brings his unique stand-up style to LaughFest on March 8 at the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center in Grand Rapids. His opening act will be local comedian Jon Cauchi, who is visually impaired. 

Feature Story The United Way ALICE initiative puts focus on the financial struggles faced by people with disabilities, while other efforts work to address those needs. (Canva)

More than half of people with disabilities in West Michigan struggle financially

The United Way ALICE initiative puts focus on the financial struggles faced by people with disabilities, while other efforts work to address those needs.

Feature Story Benjamin's Hope founders Krista Mason (right) and Dave Mason pose with animal scientist and autism advocate Temple Grandin.

Autism rights advocate Temple Grandin hails those who think differently

Although Temple Grandin is a widely sought-after professor for animal science and veterinary colleges, she couldn’t get into veterinary school when she failed the math portion of the SAT. The educational system is screening out visual thinkers such as herself, Grandin says.

Longform Aisha Sanders, owner and creator of Wicksup Candle Co. in Oak Park, explains the candle making process to a Food and Friendship Connections group.

Program brings friendship, needed resources to older adults living with HIV in Detroit and Lansing

Seventy-five Detroit- and Lansing-area residents have benefited from a pilot program called Food and Friendship Connections, which offers meals, transportation, and community for older adults living with HIV.

Feature Story The Inner City Christian Federation Homeownership Program team.

Overcoming the challenges of homebuying: Class introduces first-timers to homeownership

The process of buying a home can be daunting for first-time homebuyers. Nonprofit organization ICCF's introduction to homeownership class provides education, counseling and support to help individuals achieve their dreams of homeownership.  

Feature Story stephencalkins

Stephen Norregaard: Caretaker of memories

It is this natural connection he has with people that allows Stephen Norregaard to stand out among other photographers. He genuinely enjoys sharing his vision with each couple when they are seeking a photographer.

Feature Story BK0A04381

Highlighting history through handcrafted works of art


Feature Story KDL-lede

Community support and engagement recognized through prestigious five-star designation

The Kent District Library (KDL) was awarded a five-star library rating by the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. This top score recognition reflects the commitment the Library has to bettering everyone in the community.

Feature Story Matthew-Shepard

‘Considering Matthew Shepard’ to have West Michigan premiere

The West Michigan premiere of Grammy-nominated "Considering Matthew Shepard" will be performed by the Holland Chorale and the Park Church Choir on Feb. 25-26. 

Longform Breastfeeding education materials at the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association in Detroit.

Michigan's breastfeeding networks educate parents, address disparities, advocate for parent rights

Support networks for breastfeeding parents are helping more little Michiganders get their best start in life.

Feature Story This year, Opera Grand Rapids continues its Contemporary Opera series by presenting Peter Hilliard and Matt Boresi’s “The Last American Hammer.” This opera is centered on the flight of industrial jobs from America’s Midwest.

Published Together: A 400+-year-old art form still has relevance today

For non-operagoers, it may seem like opera companies have kept recycling the same classic repertoire over the past 100 years. Still, an examination of opera will reveal a genre bursting with new works, relevant stories and talented artists experimenting with new vocal styles.

Feature Story Renée Cummings, data science professor of practice at The University of Virginia, and nonresident senior fellow at The Brookings Institution, will speak at an AI conference in West Michigan this month.

Leveraging technology “in service of humanity”

While artificial intelligence continues to add value and find a home in more segments of our lives, it is important to identify and address potential unintentional biases and data injustices it can create. This week, Renée Cummings will speak about AI ethics and the future of our algorithmic society. Additionally, she will mentor five local young women during a day of education and career exploration.

Feature Story Voices of Youth is a Rapid Growth program that connects high school students in the greater Grand Rapids area with paid journalism experience and opportunities.

Grand Rapids students share perspectives through Voices of Youth

Voices of Youth is a Rapid Growth program that connects high school students in the greater Grand Rapids area with paid journalism experience and opportunities. The cohort, which launched this month, consists of three in-person workshops where students learn journalism basics and how to go from story idea to published piece.   

Feature Story The Mosaic Film Experience focuses on connecting students with cognitive disabilities with opportunities to continue their journey to other platforms.

Partnering up to make storytelling a creative outlet for all in GR

The Mosaic Film Experience focuses on connecting students with cognitive disabilities with opportunities to continue their journey to other platforms.

Longform Sanilac County Sheriff Paul Rich and Sanilac County Community Mental Health CEO Wilbert Morris

Michigan’s community mental health and law enforcement agencies team up to keep people out of jail

As awareness about how policing and mental health intersect grows across the state, more Michigan counties are involving community mental health agencies in law enforcement response and diverting people who are simply experiencing symptoms of mental illness from jail.