Muskegon Rising

DJ Hilson asks Todd Jacobs, President and CEO at Community Foundation for Muskegon County:

“By bringing people together around a shared goal and connecting resources to a common future vision, our foundation is building a vibrant community with great opportunities. Our foundation works collaboratively with donors, community partners, educators, and local municipalities to create economic opportunity.”

We invite you to discover how this wonderful community asset breathes money and life into worthwhile projects you might appreciate more once you know how they come together.

The Lakeshore Museum Center has six museums in one. Learn from Melissa Horton, Executive Director, about the Museum of History & Science, the historic sites, and the Heritage Museum of Business & Industry. They are preserving our Muskegon-area history while mixing science and creative fun, making it interesting for all ages.

A company builds a culture. When that culture is built on trust and mutual benefit, it creates the energy and momentum to improve lives, families, and the community around it. Jack Russell of Rolar Products shares his innovative methods through technology and mutual respect. 

His view of innovation begins with people, not processes. Valuing the worker is the real innovation in Muskegon manufacturing.

In this Muskegon Rising, we’ll take a glimpse into a community organization transcending service for the people's needs. Citi Boi Corp. owner Rob Mathis opens his shop to everyone in need, offering food and furniture for free, with one goal in mind: “Pay it Forward.”

Host Rem Sprague and guest Aaron Maike discover how Baker College of Muskegon combines classroom and restaurant experience to train award-winning restauranteurs.

DJ Hilson, Muskegon County Prosecutor, has been instrumental in an initiative to improve cooperative efforts in reducing gun violence. Muskegon has received a federal grant to identify teens at risk of engaging in violent behaviors and intervene in a supportive and positive way to redirect them to better solutions.

Innovation has been vital to Consumers Energy over the years, and it is focused on using technological innovations to ensure Michigan’s environment is better in the future. Rich Houtteman shares the utilities’ ambitious clean energy goals for power production and consumption in Michigan. Learn about the Muskegon Solar Energy Center, a 2000-acre solar farm in partnership with Muskegon County, which will produce 8000 megawatts of power, continuing the innovative and environmental stewardship in the area. 

Gabrielle Gerlach, CEO of the Muskegon YMCA, leads programs that reach more than 10,000 people in our community annually. Discover its team's amazing number of services in an ever-expanding series of instruction, care, and insight. Our YMCA is thriving by targeting healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development.

Meet Venita Melton, Correction Team Case Manager at HealthWest. Listen and learn how incarcerated individuals are transitioned back into the community and connected with vital resources to be successful and ultimately reduce recidivism. If you know of someone who’s ever been incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system, this is a program you don’t want to miss.

Get to know Matt Cortez, Superintendent of Muskegon Public Schools. Discover how Muskegon Public Schools is applying the Ford NGL framework, becoming the fourth district in Michigan to adopt this innovative program. Matt also shares insights into the state-accredited Career Technical Course in Geometry and Construction. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the future of education in Muskegon.