Latest news with #GrandRapidsCenterforCommunityTransformation
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NAACP to host ‘listening session' for GR community
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Community members will be able to voice their opinions and frustrations about Christopher Schurr's mistral at a NAACP listening session Wednesday evening. The NAACP, working with local nonprofits, will hold the listening session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation on Madison Avenue. for the shooting and killing of Patrick Lyoya after a traffic stop in 2022. The ex-Grand Rapids police officer faced up to life in prison if convicted of second degree murder. His defense team argued that Schurr shot Lyoya out of self defense, while prosecutors argued that the shooting was not justified. What comes next? Legal expert weighs in on Schurr mistrial The NAACP says the session is part of their continued demand for accountability and structural change. It will offer a chance for community members to speak, hear legal context and discussion aimed at building collective demands, the organization said. The NAACP says once the session is complete, they will announce a formal public demand. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vacant Grand Rapids factory to become hub for entrepreneurs
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A vacant factory in southeast Grand Rapids could soon become a center for entrepreneurs. The building at south of Hall Street was a Heinz pickle factory for many years. The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation is leading the $20 million project. Justin Beene is the founder of the center, which is located across the street from the site. 'This building used to be kind of a thriving job creator and wealth generation for this neighborhood,' Beene said. The project looks to have a variety of uses, including as a restaurant and coworking space. Detroit-based coworking company working to buy UICA building in downtown GR 'We have lots of organizations and nonprofits in Grand Rapids but the normative way that I say people actually move out of poverty is through business, through entrepreneurship, through innovation, through good-paying jobs and so we really hope to be able to facilitate that in this building,' Beene said. The center for community transformation has already identified about $14 million in funding. It is looking for donations and appropriations to make up the remaining $6 million gap. 'One of the cool things about this project is that we are gonna launch a crowd funding campaign in which we allow residents, primarily targeting residents in this neighborhood, to contribute to the crowdfunding, in which eventually they'll be able to have ownership over the building and get dividend checks,' Beene said. Similar hubs have been successful in other cities with entrepreneurs able to make stronger connections. 'Regionally we've looked at TechTown in Detroit, we've looked at 1871 in Chicago, both have seen the kind of trend of less people wanting an identified long-term kind of workspace. This will have a lot of different options from coworking space to shared space, shared conference rooms to suites that we can build out,' Beene said. Work to begin preparing the site could begin as soon as the end of this summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Event in Grand Rapids aims to celebrate Black history, uplift businesses
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A celebration of Black history is happening in Grand Rapids this weekend. The nonprofit organization A Glimpse of Africa is showcasing artists' talent, cultural foods and products and services at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, located at 1530 Madison Ave. SE near Cottage Grove Street SE. The organization works year-round to celebrate African cultures and educate the community. It also aims to lift up immigrants and refugees and connect them with resources. On Friday night, guest panelists will empower Black businesses by sharing resources, offering support services and guiding vendors through financial decisions. Friday's event runs from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 'There will be opportunities to network,' CEO Fridah Kanini said. 'People can connect to business experts.' An even bigger celebration is planned for Saturday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It will include a panel discussion titled 'Bridging the Gap Between Diverse Black Communities.' To learn more about the two-day event, you can visit . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
