Write616 is West Michigan’s Literary Hub
Write 616, formerly Great Lakes Commonwealth of Letters (GLCL), aims to be a helping hand to all writers in the Grand Rapids area. While its name has recently changed, its initial mission of providing resources, building skills, and creating connected, professional platforms for writers, has not shifted since its inception in 2013.
From Student Athlete to CEO
As a full-time student and athlete at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the founder of her own company, Locker Lifestyle, Katarina Samardzija is living her dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur.
Journalist Who Uncovered Nassar Abuse Kicks Off New GVSU Speaker Series
Investigative reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski was working on a story about the failure to report sexual abuse within Indiana’s schools when she received a tip from one of her sources suggesting she take a look at USA Gymnastics. The tip led to the uncovering of a massive scandal by the organization and the discovery of the widespread abuse young girls had faced for decades at the hands of Larry Nassar.
Church to art hub
Carol Moore purchased the historic church and is leading it through a transformation.
Looking For An Escape?
At the corner of Division and Weston in downtown Grand Rapids sits a building that begs the question, “Will you make it out alive?”
A Family Affair: Laureen Robinson’s Kids Helped Prepare Her for State Games
Wyoming resident Laureen Robinson, 53, took up running following the tragic death of a family friend during the Fifth Third River Bank Run. At her son's encouragement, Robinson took her running to the next level by competing in the Meijer State Games of Michigan and later competing in her first State Games of America.
A Journey of Self-discovery
For David Leslie, leaving his hometown of Grand Rapids in the 1990s began a 25-year journey west and back. He’s a furniture craftsman, owner of The Maker’s Bench, but that wasn’t what he set out to do intentionally.
Cooking up awards
Gilles Renusson, French Agricultural Merit award winner, discovers profession in boarding school.
Helping Animals Find Their Forever Homes
When Henry entered the Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) he was not only malnourished and suffering from severe skin infections and internal wounds, but he’d also lost most of the fur on his body. Because of this, the HSWM staff members could not identify his breed.
UICA’s Off the Wall Shakes Things Up
The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art (UICA) is switching things up this year with the first annual Off the Wall fundraiser. For 20 years, the UICA hosted Live Coverage—an event that invited artists to create in a live setting while spectators mused, hoping to win auctioned art.
Make Room for the Mountain Minnies
Say hello to the winter adventure program designed to get little girls outside to brighten the colder months.
Creator of #OscarsSoWhite Speaks in Grand Rapids
Three years ago, while sitting in her living room, April Reign watched as the nominees for the 87th Oscars were named. All 20 of the acting category nominees were white men or women and the behind the scenes nominees weren’t any better.
Two Area Mompreneurs Are Building a Community of #GRbossbabes
Whether you are a female entrepreneur with a brick and mortar business to your name or a woman with a great business idea but not a clue how to launch it, SHEvents is here for you.
Enthusiasts Explore World of Orchids
Orchids. Those delicate, multibloomed delicacies of the botanical world. So desirable, orchids are smuggled globally as devotees seek out incredibly rare varieties.
Passing Peacefully
When they say “dog is a man’s best friend,” that’s no exaggeration. A family or companion pet can make a profound difference in many people’s lives, and their memories are often cherished forever.
Jeff Troutman Tackles Stress with New Album
With a newborn baby and a demanding job in finance that sucked up to 70 hours out of his week, Jeff Troutman was struggling with stress and sleep deprivation. So when his psychologist told him he needed a break and recommended he take up a hobby, Troutman decided to give fly-fishing a try.
Celebrating Black literature
The Black Book Exchange Box project encourages reading.
Girl power
A local mom is creating safer beauty products for tweens and teens.
From Local Inspiration To Global Campaign
“No one expected my life to be as normal as it is,” said Rockford athlete, Johnny Agar. While Agar simply views his life as normal, most would view it as extraordinary and inspiring.
The Rescuers
Peg Markle sat at a glass-top patio table on the wooden deck outside what is both her home and the site for Wildlife Rehab Center, 1504 Union Ave. NE. Sporting a pink T-shirt beneath an unbuttoned blue-on-blue shirt, Markle, the WRC executive director, was within reach of her coffee and her cordless phone, which seemed to ring every 10 minutes.