Profile

As president and CEO of DGRI, Tim Kelly is helping to bring downtown to life.

Brian Kelly used a drone to capture images of Grand Rapids — his first muse.

The American Dream never goes out of style.

Graci Harkema is committed to a more diverse and inclusive world.

Even without live events, the Hays have kept busy amid the pandemic.

From dashing people’s dreams to helping fulfill people’s dreams.

“All Manner of Things” was selected as a Michigan Notable Book.

Why Alice Jasper is on a mission to lead people of color into the outdoors.

The Black Book Exchange Box project encourages reading.

A local mom is creating safer beauty products for tweens and teens.

Tom Werkman shares his love of fishing with other anglers.

Carol Moore purchased the historic church and is leading it through a transformation.

Gilles Renusson, French Agricultural Merit award winner, discovers profession in boarding school.

Grand Valley State University is gaining a fresh perspective with new President Philomena V. Mantella.

Self-described “huge comic books fan and toy collector” Jeff Moore launched the venture of his dreams in Rockford.

A pair of Calvin College grads and their kids have moved back to West Michigan with an Airstream trailer and a vision in tow.

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.

A doodle drawn out of frustration led local artist and writer Peter Welmerink to launch StickonStump, a simple cartoon figure who waxes motivational.

Social justice and passion have always been a part of Janay Brower’s work. Before starting Public Thread, she worked for the city of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness, doing systems change and public policy work. But despite the work she was doing, Brower wanted to find a way to foster deeper systemic change.

Nakajabu Sims’ probation officer told him that he was the poster child to see if 70x7 Life Recovery really works. Turns out, the nonprofit does its job well.