In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Elizabeth Bovard Strong, the Founder and President of Construction Allies in Action (CAIA).

Elizabeth was the first female Executive Vice President of the Builders Exchange of Michigan.

Construction Allies in Action is a local nonprofit organization committed to building a more inclusive, transparent, and equitable construction industry. 

Through strategic partnerships, they empower underrepresented contractors by providing business education, project opportunities, and direct access to critical resources.

Construction Allies in Action empowers industry leaders to drive generational change by fostering transparency, accountability, and real opportunity in the construction field.

With the support of our Construction Allies, Community Partners, and many volunteers and supporters, we create free and low-cost programming that equips underrepresented contractors with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to build sustainable, thriving businesses.

Become a Construction Ally--Become a Community Partner--Share a Project Opportunity--Find Your Next Go-To Contractor.

More: Construction Allies in Action 

In this episode, host Janet Zahn welcomes Dr. Wendy Falb, Ph.D., the Executive Director of the Literacy Center of West Michigan.

The Literacy Center of West Michigan was founded in 1986 by educators and librarians, and today is the largest community-based organization in Michigan… and one of the largest in the country dedicated solely to adult literacy and learning.

The Literacy Center works locally to remove literacy as a barrier to employment, healthcare, housing, and parent engagement.    Its mission is to bring about a just and vibrant West Michigan through the power of literacy.

Literacy by the numbers:

--The Literacy Center serves nearly 1,300 learners annually.

--85,000 adults read below the 4th grade level in Kent County.

--7,500 classroom instructional hours taught by certified staff.

--More than 8,000 hours contributed by volunteer literacy coaches in 1-on-1 tutoring.  

Online: Literacy of West Michigan

In this episode, we speak with Hannah Berry, Executive Director of Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts.

Lions & Rabbits fosters creative community development through strategy, transformative placemaking, and workforce development.

Much of their work in the West Michigan area is focused on Public Health…using art as a powerful tool for promoting physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Their initiatives aim to create environments that inspire healthy behaviors and foster a sense of belonging.

Lions & Rabbits environmental health projects celebrate the interconnectedness of human and ecological health. Through creative interventions, we raise awareness about environmental challenges and inspire stewardship of our shared spaces.

Their goal is to create opportunities for all residents to thrive, and by fostering collaborations and systems thinking to address the root causes of complex community challenges. 

Learn more about Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts.

In this week's episode, we welcome George Bayard, Executive Director of The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives.

The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives’ mission is to collect and retell the rich, colorful stories that compose the historic African American tapestry of living in Grand Rapids.

George Bayard joined us on the program to speak about the big move for GRAAMA to a new location full of immense potential for the organization.

The Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives (GRAAMA)is moving to 41 Sheldon Avenue SE in downtown Grand Rapids, which will serve as the organization's permanent home. 

Their new 30,000-square-foot space will be a major upgrade from the museum's former 2,000-square-foot building on Monroe Center.

Bayard encouraged community members to get involved by contributing to the project or serving as a volunteer.

ONLINE:  Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives

In this episode, we speak with Katie Zychowski, Director of Marketing & Communications with the Grand Rapids Public Library.

Katie joined us to speak on a variety of topics, including how easy it is to sign up and get a Grand Rapids Public Library card.

This can be done year-round at any branch in the city.

On an ongoing basis, your Grand Rapids Public Library is a wonderful resource for people who need help with their computer, laptop, or smartphone. 

Even general questions about email, the Internet, or the library's digital resources are available during drop-in sessions at your public library branch.

Upcoming GRPL events include:

Saturday, November 01, 10:00 am–12:00 pm-- Kids can build and code their own robots using LEGO’s Spike Prime sets. 

Monday, November 10: An Indigenous Fashion Presentation with Bead and Powwow Supply, 6:00 pm–7:00 pm at the Yankee Clipper Branch on Leonard NE.

Tuesday, November 11: A Beadwork Workshop with Bead and Powwow Supply, 6:00 pm–7:00 pm, at the Yankee Clipper Branch.

Thursday, December 18: Tails & Tales | Read to Therapy Dogs, 6 pm-Madison Square Branch. Kids are invited to practice reading to a licensed therapy dog from West Michigan Therapy Dogs Ruff Readers! 

Online: Grand Rapids Public Library

In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Mary Jennings, Executive Director with The Grand Rapids Ballet, and James Sofranko, the Artistic Director with the Grand Rapids Ballet.

Mary and James joined us on the program for a preview of the 2025–2026 season.

The season kicks off with the world premiere production of “Sherlock"--October 24-26, 2025, at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Next up is the timeless holiday classic, “The Nutcracker", December 12-14 & 19-21 at DeVos Performance Hall, and three other dynamic productions throughout the remainder of the Ballet’s 2025-2026 season.

Tickets for all shows, as well as more information, are available at grballet.com

Online: The Grand Rapids Ballet

In this episode, we speak with Patrick Placzkowski, Chief Executive Officer, Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids, and Daryl Reece, Community leader, founder of the Piecing Together Unity Foundation, and also a board member with the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids.

Daryl shared his story with us regarding the powerful impact that was made on him as a young man while attending programming at the Boys and Girls Clubs in both Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor.

The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as responsible citizens through education, recreation, and positive community experiences in partnership with the Grand Rapids Police Department.

The Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids offers youth a safe, caring environment and equips them with practical tools to help them prepare for a solid future.

They offer very affordable memberships for only $5 per year!

ONLINE-Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids

In this week's episode, WYCE's John Rummery welcomes Pablo Garcia, the Executive Director of SECOM Resource Center.     

The mission at SECOM Resource Center is to give help and hope to their neighbors by empowering families to achieve their full potential through healthy living, education, and economic opportunities.

SECOM began in 1971 as an outreach ministry of four area churches to meet the needs of the surrounding neighborhood, particularly in hunger and food insecurity.

In 1993, SECOM became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Today, SECOM is a key resource center that gives help today and builds hope for tomorrow through providing equitable access to resources that promote healthy living, education, and economic opportunities for low-income children and families.

Online SECOM

In this episode, we welcome Jess Young, Executive Director with East Hills Council of Neighbors.

Through regular meetings and continuous outreach, East Hills is reaching beyond the status quo to address the needs of its community.

With the collaboration of passionate neighbors, they have worked to build and maintain a beautiful, diverse, friendly, and safe place to live, work, and play.

The East Hills Council holds monthly meetings on the third Monday of Every Month at 6:30 PM in Cherry Park
All are welcome!

MORE INFO: East Hills Council of Neighbors

East Hills Council of Neighbors on Facebook

In this episode, we speak with Jason Wheeler and Bruce Ling, cofounders and instructors for the annual Great Lakes Music Camp.

This year's Great Lakes Music Camp is October 2-5.

Once again, this year's session is sold out, but there are opportunities to be added to a waiting list for next year's session.

Great Lakes Music Camp is an inspiring and community-building musical experience held on the shores of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett Loeks Retreat Center.

The camp creates a unique opportunity for equitable access to traditional music education and offers attendees the opportunity to engage with world-class instructors, staff, and musicians while being immersed in the beauty of Michigan’s lakeshore.

GLMC’s team has long-standing partnerships with several community partners, organizations, businesses, and individuals who provide varying levels of support.

Funds are raised through a fiduciary partnership with Grand River Watershed Arts & Music Council (GRWAMC), a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

This support allows camp leaders to offer a Youth Scholarship Program and to provide additional financial assistance to students throughout the year for a continued traditional arts education.

Learn more about Great Lakes Music Camp HERE.