Dynamic Variation:

Building a More Inclusive Business Community

Home to more than 130 global companies and one of the fastest growing economies in the U.S., West Michigan has long been known as a great place to do business. Whether in small, family-owned companies…

Read More

Take the Black History Tour of Downtown Grand Rapids

To commemorate Black History Month 2017, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., (DGRI) asked locals to share their stories and knowledge of African-American leadership, culture and community in Grand Rapids. The…

Read More

LGBTQIA+ in GR

The Advocate honored Grand Rapids as one of the “Gayest Cities in America.” Expedia ranked it among “the cream of the crop of cool cities to visit in the U.S.” Thrillist hailed it as offering “much of…

Read More

History of Latinos in GR

The Latino, or Hispanic, community in Grand Rapids dates back as far as the 1920s, when a small number of young men from Mexico came here to work in railroad jobs. Almost a century later, this…

Read More

History of Native Americans in GR

More than 2,000 years ago, Native Americans associated with the Hopewell culture occupied the Grand River Valley. The Hopewell were mound builders, constructing great geometric earthworks that served…

Read More

History of Europeans in GR

As is the case with many American cities, the unique character of Grand Rapids was shaped largely by successive waves of European settlers. Dutch immigrants had the most lasting impact - Grand Rapids…

Read More

History of Dutch in GR

As is the case with many American cities, the unique character of Grand Rapids was shaped largely by successive waves of European settlers. Germans, Poles, Italians, English, Irish and French…

Read More

History of Asians in GR

In 2010, approximately 2% of Grand Rapids residents claimed Asian-only descent. Their influence on the city is much greater than their numbers would imply, as first-generation Asians have married into…

Read More

History of African Americans in GR

Few African Americans came to West Michigan until after the Civil War, fleeing Jim Crow discrimination in the southern states. Even then, the numbers were relatively small. It wasn't until the Great…

Read More