Profile

Terry Rostic and Jamaal Ewing launched Black Calder Brewing late last year.

On Jan. 1, Grand Rapids gained its newest poet laureate in Ericka “Kyd Kane” Thompson. She is the seventh to take on the title and the first Black woman and openly queer person to hold the role.

Dr. Charles Gibson is one of only a few Black trauma surgeons in the country.

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.