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…
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You don’t have to travel the world to experience an abundance of cultures. West Michigan hosts a variety of fun, educational and entertaining festivals that give visitors a glimpse into the diverse…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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