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Our Inclusive Community

The people of Grand Rapids reflect the full range of human experience – in who they are, where they come from, what they look like, how they worship and so much more. All of them have contributed their own unique colors and brushstrokes to the canvas of Grand Rapids, creating a rich, vibrant community that emphasizes collaboration while honoring diversity.

However, we as a community recognize that we can and should do more to make all of our citizens feel equally included. The Office of Equity and Engagement for the city of Grand Rapids is dedicated to promoting community, workforce and supplier diversity to help ensure that everyone gets to participate in the area’s economic success and quality of life. Likewise, Kent County is committed to advancing a culture that demonstrates Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Statement

Experience Grand Rapids is committed to ensuring that our mission assists Grand Rapids/Kent County become a more sustainable, diverse, equitable, accessible, and inclusive destination.

Every effort will be made to ensure all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, visible and invisible disabilities, class, cultural and religious beliefs are welcomed throughout our community.

For us, inclusion is not an endpoint, but rather a continuing effort to make both residents and visitors feel more at home, more empowered and more delighted with their time here. We’ll highlight some of our – and the region’s – progress on this page.

Jordoun Eatman, President of Engagement and Inclusion.

Jordoun Eatman Vice President of Engagement & Inclusion

JEatman@ExperienceGR.com (616) 258-7388 ext. 3568
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Festivals
Grand Rapids Pride Festival's theme for 2019 is "Proud to Be."
Festivals

Your Guide to the 2023 Grand Rapids Pride Festival

  • by Rick Jensen photo by Pride Festival. Performer: Batty Davis, 2018. Photographer: Eric Zuniga
    • GR text Must
    Read
  • 5 min story

Celebrating pride in Grand Rapids for 35 years If you have never been to the Grand Rapids Pride…

Art & Culture
Mandy Cano Villalobos with World of Winter Artwork Carnevale
Art & Culture

Local World of Winter Artist: Mandy Cano Villalobos

  • by Jordoun Eatman photo by Nick Irwin for Experience GR Artwork: Carnevale by Mandy Cano Villalobos
    • GR text Must
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  • 5 min story

Since it started in 2018, the World of Winter Festival (WOW) has invited all of us to rethink how we…

Art & Culture
Enjoying the Roots of our Positive Struggle by E'lla Webber - The 49507 Project
Art & Culture

The 49507 Project Mural Tour

  • by Shayna Haynes Heard photo by Leda Theres for The 49507 Project. Artist: E'lla Webber.
    • GR text Must
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  • 6 min story

The 49507 Project is a liberated public arts project unlike anything that I’ve seen in West…

LGBTQIA+ in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is a perfect destination for LGTBQIA+ travelers – inclusive, hip and just plain (affordable) fun.

photo by Experience Grand Rapids

The People of this Place

Before we can look forward, we must take a look back at the people who helped shape West Michigan, from the first French fur traders to the latest influx of refugees escaping wars and others seeking a better standard living. Visit the Grand Rapids Public Museum to view the Newcomers: the People of this Place exhibit – and check out this video for a quick overview. Then, see what Kent County is doing today to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for New Americans.
Community Relations

Interested in exploring the work Experience Grand Rapids is doing in our community?

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