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

On this week's, Community Connection station manager, Phil Tower, welcomes Regenail Thomas, CEO of Seeds Of Promise, Grand Rapids.  Seeds of Promise is a place-based urban community improvement initiative located in the Southeast community of Grand Rapids. Seeds of Promise empower those who live in this urban neighborhood to direct their own strategy.   Seeds of Promise describes itself as  a “Bottom-Up” rather than “Top Down.” Our future is not about reducing poverty, it is about empowering urban residents to build personal and neighborhood prosperity through producing measurable impacts. 

More online: Seeds Of Promise

On this week's episode of Community Connection, WYCE Station Manager welcomes Stephanie Sheler, Executive Director, CASA of Kent County as Executive Director. Stephanie oversees the staff, volunteers, donors, and family court personnel as they work for the best interest of children who are in foster care. 

Stephanie encourages you to reach out if you want to know anything about CASA, or if you are interested in volunteering or supporting us in any way.

Visit CASA of Kent County

In this week's program, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Randall Goble, Director of Engagement: Marketing, programming, and communications at Kent District Library. Kent District Library operates 20 branch libraries that serve nearly 440,000 residents of 27 different municipalities throughout Kent County. KDL enriches lives by providing information, ideas, and excitement. 

Learn More at Kent District Library 

On this week's episode of community connection, station manager, Phil Tower speaks with Michael Van Denend, M.A., Executive Director

Michael has always been interested in world events and issues—and is a strong advocate of non-partisan grace-filled discourse. He’s fond of Richard Mouw’s description of “convicted civility”—which is “combining a civil outlook with a passionate intensity about our convictions.” 

Michael came to the World Affairs Council after 33 years as the executive director of the Calvin College Alumni Association, where he interviewed and wrote stories about alumni all over the globe.

In addition to his leadership role with the World Affairs Council, he’s also an on-air radio programmer at WYCE 88.1 FM (Saturdays from 8-10 a.m.) where he presents folk, blues, jazz, rock, and a lot of WORLD music!

More online:

World Affairs Council

Station manager, Phil Tower, welcomes, Cathy Holbrook, Executive Director of Saint Cecilia Music Society to talk about the history of the organization and the quality programming and shows coming up in the 2023 season.

Jose Gonzalez joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to discuss fatherhood, existentialism & information theory, musical inspirations, and his gorgeous new album "Local Valley"' - which is out now on Mute Records.  

https://jose-gonzalez.com/ 

WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1fm, and reaching out to the world through online streaming. Dedicated to providing an eclectic blend of under-represented music. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered.  

http://www.wyce.org WYCE is a proud service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center. http://www.grcmc.org

Jess Sylvester of Marinero joins WYCE Music Director Shane German to discuss his new album "Hella Love" - which is out now via Hardly Art Records.

https://maringuero.bandcamp.com/album/hella-love

WYCE is an independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the communities of Grand Rapids, West Michigan, & beyond. Broadcasting on-air programming at 88.1fm, and reaching out to the world through online streaming. Dedicated to providing an eclectic blend of under-represented music. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered.  http://www.wyce.org

Joff Oddie of Wolf Alice joins us to discuss the making of their brand new album BLUE WEEKEND. The band also performs the songs "No Hard Feelings" and "Safe From Heartbreak."

https://wolfalice.co.uk