Stories

Feature Story Jeffrey Sorensen, the Rev. Jennifer Adams, and Sara Van Tongeren pose in the Holland City Council chambers during a meeting to discuss a civil rights ordinance Aug. 19.

After nondiscrimination ordinance passed, the time has come to heal, advocates say

Nearly 10 years after the Holland City Council shot down a nondiscrimination ordinance that would codify protections for LGBTQ people, the council voted 8-to-1 in August to approve an ordinance that bars discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and public services “on the basis of age, race, national origin, color, disability, education, familial status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, height, marital status, religion, source of income or weight.”  

Feature Story George Barfield, Deanna Rollfs, and Angelica Colon will be the panelists for the first antiracism town hall event.

Racist attack on race/racism town hall leaves organizers shaken, resolved to continue

The Momentum Center's first town hall on race and racism was interrupted with just that — racism. Participants of the virtual town hall were accosted with rapid-fire shouting of the n-word and other racial slurs as well as graphic pornography.

Feature Story An eight-man team recently rode 369 miles in under 16 hours, crossing Michigan from south to north. In completing the course, the team set a new World Ultra Cycling cross state record.

8 cyclists, 1 Epic Ride, 1 new world record set in Michigan

An eight-man team recently rode 369 miles in under 16 hours, crossing Michigan from south to north. In completing the course, the team set a new World Ultra Cycling cross state record.

Feature Story Robyn Afrik is Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

How Diversity Forum aims to advance equity in Ottawa County

Robyn Afrik, Ottawa County’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, discusses the upcoming Diversity Forum on Oct. 20 and how to participate. The virtual event will focus on the role of government in advancing equity and addressing health inequities amid COVID-19.

Longform Jametta Lilly.

State task force leads the way on reducing Michigan's COVID-19 racial disparities

Black residents have borne a disproportionate share of Michigan's COVID-19 cases and deaths, but in recent weeks those disheartening numbers have begun to turn around.

Feature Story Joe Haveman speaks at a Ottawa County meeting.

Legislature’s automatic expungement vote is good for future of state, economy

Former State Rep. Joe Haveman shares why he is grateful that the Michigan Legislature finally passed laws allowing some felons to have their records expunged.

Longform Idlewild-Access-Pa

Michigan's 'Black Eden': A short history of Idlewild

The town of Idlewild was once known as "the Summer Apollo of Michigan." By the1950s, the community was so packed that it would draw 25,000 visitors in a given weekend. But then the Black Eden entered an era of decline.


Feature Story Jubilee Ministries Executive Director Steve Grose and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Don Wilkinson speak to a crowd before a ceremonial groundbreaking at Park Vista Place on East 40th Street in Holland.

Jubilee, Habitat break ground on mixed-income neighborhood

Work has begun on Park Vista Place, a joint project to create a mixed-income neighborhood. Organizers Jubilee Ministries and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity expect the first three homes to be move-in ready by early spring.

Longform Lauren Kazee, an independent consultant, wrote the Michigan Department of Education's Social and Emotional Learning Competencies.

Michigan schools once lagged in behavioral health care. Here's how they made it a priority.

Thanks to new findings, new funding, and a new focus on mental health, Michigan’s schools are expanding behavioral health services.

Beer the change: Three local breweries join People Power Beer Campaign

Brewery Vivant, Broad Leaf Local Beer, and City Built Brewing Company are three of five Michigan breweries taking part in the 2020 People Power Beer Campaign. Launched in 2018 by Brooklyn, New York-based Threes Brewing, the grassroots effort has enlisted more than 100 craft breweries across the nation. The participating breweries brew and release their own version of a People Power Beer between July 4 and Election Day, November 3, then follow up with a donation to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Feature Story Amanda Chocko is Lakeshore Advantage's Director of Entrepreneurship.

Lakeshore Advantage entrepreneurship director takes on international role

Amanda Chocko has been elected to a three-year term on the board of the International Business Innovation Association. The Lakeshore Advantage Director of Entrepreneurship said the appointment gives her a bird’s-eye view of incubators’ and entrepreneurship managers’ best practices.

Feature Story Sharon Yonker

Lighthouse Award recipient’s Purple Pride helps those on cancer journey

Sharon Yonker received this year’s Lighthouse Award, which celebrates a spirit of accomplishment and a triumph of excellence over indifference. The co-founder of BUCS Pride, a nonprofit that provides financial and community support to cancer patients, Yonker spreads Purple Pride throughout the area.

Partner Content A family on bikes

It takes a village to improve the health and wellbeing of families in Northwestern Michigan

Through SNAP-Ed funding, Traverse City Area Public Schools have collaborated with like-minded individuals and community organizations to systematically improve the lives of children and families.

Feature Story Rebecca Spann

Mental Health Clinicians of Color aim to destigmatize mental health in communities of color

The City of Grand Rapids recently awarded funding to nine organizations with projects centered around COVID-19 resiliency, equity, and structural racism. Through the city’s Neighborhood Match Fund (NMF) $64,000 was granted to projects igniting community change. One of these is the Mental Health Clinicians of Color in Grand Rapids, which works to decrease the stigma surrounding mental health in communities of color, while also increasing awareness of clinicians of color.  

Feature Story Grant

Kent County COVID-19 Grants help college students in need succeed

Kent County Non-Profit Organization COVID-19 Grant Fund awards to Grand Rapids Community College and West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology will help college students.

Feature Story West Michigan brewers are modifying the base recipe for the Black is Beautiful stout and making it their own. Proceeds are donated to organizations that raise awareness of racial inequality and promote social justice.

Black is Beautiful collaborative takes hold at Lakeshore breweries

West Michigan brewers are modifying the base recipe for the Black is Beautiful stout and making it their own. Proceeds are donated to organizations that raise awareness of racial inequality and promote social justice.

Feature Story City Built

How Beer City USA is handling the impacts of COVID-19

The beer industry is a significant part of economic vitality in West Michigan and the COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark. Industry entrepreneurs are doing their best to innovate amid the challenges, keeping customers coming in (or staying outside) and ordering online.

Feature Story Looking to reconnect with nature this fall? Check out Sanctuary Woods, just minutes from downtown Holland in beautiful Allegan County.

What to do in October? 8 ways to enjoy fall along the lakeshore

October is a prime time to get outdoors and enjoy the Lakeshore’s breathtaking fall foliage. Here are some suggestions for exploring the county’s parks and other special spots. This list includes options for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or interest.

Feature Story Herman

Health equity, race, and COVID-19: Q&A with GRAAHI board member and physician Herman Sullivan

"The COVID pandemic has amplified the disparities that have existed for generations...the solution must be intentional, requiring sacrifice on the part of those who have benefitted from disparities. Long-term success will occur only when society is fundamentally changed; that is to say, when we defeat the addiction of American-styled racism." -Dr. Sullivan, 12-year board member of the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute.

Longform Lisa Del Buono, physician advocate for Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action.

Michigan clinicians rally to address climate change as a public health issue

Members of both Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action and the Michigan State Medical Society are working to address and raise awareness of climate change's many adverse health effects.