WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

We spoke with Jazz McKinney, Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, about pride month, LGBTQ+ equality, gender, equity, transgender education, housing challenges and equal employment opportunities.

The Grand Rapids Pride Center works to create positive change for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community by breaking down barriers, creating awareness, providing inclusive services, and bridging relationships.

Online: Grand Rapids Pride Center

We spoke with Steve Salter, President of The Killer Blues Headstone Project, about blues music, blues culture and musicians, and headstones for blues musicians in unmarked graves.

The Killer Blues Headstone Project exists to provide headstones 
for blues musicians lying in unmarked graves. They have placed over 150 headstones in 14 years.

In 2009, The Killer Blues Headstone Project became a non-profit 501(c)(3).

Online: Killer Blues Headstone Project

We spoke with Missy Summers, Executive Director of Festival Grand Rapids, about the arts and culture appreciation, performing arts and music appreciation, community outreach, and food and beverage culture.

Festival began in 1970 – as a celebration of the arts in West Michigan, inspired by the 1969 installation of Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse” (“The Great Swiftness”). From the beginning, the vibrant red stabile served as the backdrop to Festival, as well as a symbol of the City of Grand Rapids.

Festival looks to offer West Michigan an opportunity to experience the best local performers, artists and craftspeople in an environment that is free, accessible and welcoming to all.

Online: Festival GR

We spoke with Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss about city funding, affordable housing funding, public safety, Homelessness, Mental health co- response in policing.

Mayor Rosalynn Bliss became the City of Grand Rapids’ first female Mayor when she took office on January 1, 2016. She was re-elected for a second term in November 2019.  She previously served as a Second Ward City Commissioner for 10 years.

As Mayor, she is committed to supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs, working to create a cleaner, healthier and safer community and has a commitment to addressing disparities in our community to make sure that Grand Rapids is a great place for everyone.

Online: City of Grand Rapids

In this episode we welcome Brianna Shahly, Communications and Marketing Coordinator of the Humane Society of West Michigan.

Brianna touches on animal welfare, pet adoption, spaying and neutering of pets, pet rescue, and feral cats.

The Humane Society of West Michigans mission is to promote the humane treatment and responsible care of animals in West Michigan through education, example, placement & protection. Humane Society of West Michigan serves Kent County, other counties in Michigan, and other states overpopulated with companion animals in need of homes. They are the area’s leading animal welfare organization, with a vision to build a healthy, safe, and compassionate community where all animals receive the care they deserve.

Online: The Humane Society of West Michigan

In this episode, we welcome Mariah Malone, Communication Specialist with John Ball Zoo.

Mariah spoke with us about the Zoo's Lantern Festival is a one-mile light tour through John Ball Zoo. The festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.

John Ball Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation committed to the advancement of public education on the need for wildlife conservation and preservation. On January 1, 2014, Kent County, the owner of the Zoo, and the John Ball Zoo Society unified their respective operations at the Zoo to create John Ball Zoo. 

Online: John Ball Zoo

In this week's program, we welcome two members of the Grand Rapids Prime Time Brewers Association: Jeremy Gavin and Mies Martin, President of the GR Prime Time Brewers.

According to the team of club historians, GR PrimeTime Brewers goes back to the late 70's.  Originally, this loosely associated group of homebrewers would sporadically meet to share beers and generally try to get others to drink their garbage. 

By 1994 the club registered with the AHA(American Home Brewers Association) as an official club.  This was the first officially registered club in the greater Grand Rapids, Michigan area. 

Today, GR PrimeTime Brewers maintains more connections and alumni in the Michigan professional beer scene than any other club. 

The group meets at 7 p.m. every 3rd Wednesday at a rotating location throughout the year, and you do not need to be a member to attend any of our meetings or outings. 

Online: Grand Rapids Prime Time Brewers

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes GRPD's newly named Deputy Chief, Joseph Trigg.

Incoming Deputy Chief Trigg has held additional duty assignments as a Field Training Officer, a member of the department’s Board of Awards, and an advisor to Grand Rapids Police Explorer Post 1871, working with young people who are interested in learning more about policing as a profession; he is a member of the department’s Peer Support Team.

Online: Grand Rapids Police Department

This week's program welcomes Sara Olson, marketing and communications manager with the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

We spoke with Sara about their Sensory-Friendly Museum Night at the GRPM.

During a Sensory-Friendly Museum Night, the Museum adapts sounds, lighting, and activities within the current exhibits to create a low-sensory experience for the evening.

One in every sixty-eight children is on the autism spectrum, with another diagnosed every 20 minutes.

Online: Grand Rapids Public Museum

In this week's program, we welcome Broadway Grand Rapids and Meghan Distel, their executive director.

Broadway GR celebrates its 35th year with a stellar lineup of performances, including the Michigan premieres of “MJ” the musical, a revival of “Funny Girl.” Plus “Tina,” the Tina Turner musical, and Disney’s “Aladdin.”

“To Kill a Mockingbird," a new critically acclaimed play will debut next year as well. "Les Misérables” and “Wicked,” are also a part of the series.

Broadway Grand Rapids was established in September of 1988 and opened its first season with South Pacific.

Broadway Grand Rapids' mission is to bring the very best of national touring Broadway productions to Grand Rapids. The Broadway series has included nearly every major title to hit the stage from Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera to Wicked and Hamilton.  

Online: Broadway Grand Rapids