Local News
Giant Among Giants
The community honored Bishop McMurray, the senior pastor at Renaissance Church of God in Christ of Grand Rapids, as a spiritual visionary who brings an array of theological, business, management and financial expertise to his ministry. As an Apostle, Bishop McMurray and his wife of 34 years, Dr. E. Jean Lackey-McMurray, and their 3 small children founded the Renaissance Church of God in Christ on August 22, 1992.
THE Annual GIANT Awards And Banquet Returns After A Two-Year Hiatus Imposed Due To Covid Restrictions
The Black community honored 12 individuals at the J. W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids, in recognition of their outstanding achievements.
Sophisticated Gentlemen's and Ladies Auxiliary Club Still Growing in The Community
A well-known social club located at 1439 Eastern lost their building due to a fire. The good news is that Grand Rapids Planning Commission recently approved a land permit that enables the club to resume operations, which includes the sale of alcohol. The permit also approves live entertainment and other activities in a different building located on the property. The club has about seventy members and growing.
Housing Commission To Dedicate Bobbie Butler Community Center At Creston Plaza Apartments
Grand Rapids, MI,—The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) will host a special event to dedicate the Bobbie Butler Community Center at Creston Plaza Apartments on Friday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m.; the Bobbie Butler Community Center is located at 1080 Creston Plaza Drive NE. Members of the media are invited to attend the event, which will include tours of the center.
Calvin University's Incoming Class Tops 1,000 and Sets Records for Diversity
This year's incoming class hails from 42 U.S. states and 38 countries, both five-year highs for Calvin. The 173 students coming from outside the United States represents more than 17-percent of the class, which is a record for the university.
Rising Star Paul Mayfield
Paul Mayfield is a Grand Rapids native and graduate of Ottawa Hills High School, class of 1992. He recently received the "Rising Star Award" on August 11, 2022, from the Grand Rapids Lions' Club.
Mrs. Yvonne Sims Embraces Our Home Too Documentary Film Project
"Grand Rapids is not just about prejudice, it's also about the misinformed and misinforming people about race relations. Racial misinformation still plagues Black and White Grand Rapidians." -Mrs. Yvonne Sims
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
The West Michigan Jewels Of Africa LLC. (WMJOA LLC.) traditional African drum and dance group, the GR Community with the leadership of the African Drum and Dance Parent Association (ADDPA) is back again for its fifth year hosting Jubilee. The fifty year celebration of the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation was celebrated like no other. It was called the Dickinson Park Dunumba (DPD).
Grand Rapids Negroe Baseball Team Owner Celebrates 90th Birthday
Minnie Forbes recently celebrated her 90th Birthday with a celebration held at the Hilton Garden Inn East on May 21, 2022. The event was put together by Miss Forbes and her grand children. The guest list included mostly family who flew in from as far away as New Jersey, Florida and Texas.
Ain't No Stopping Us Now
The McFadden and Whitehead song "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" connects to the OUR HOME TOO: THE BLACK FREEDOM STRUGGLE IN GRAND RAPIDS (WT) documentary film and community outreach project.
The Community Speaks Out On the Death of PATRICK LYOYA
The Community Speaks Out On the Death of PATRICK LYOYA
Local Videographer Takes Giving Back To His Community Very Serious
Grand Rapids native Marcus Thomas is a professional videographer who not only runs his own business but also finds time to give back to the community by educating youth about the career field of videography. In this interview with the Grand Rapids Times, he discusses how he got started, some unsuspected challenged that he faced, working with local youth groups and more.
Mrs. Bobbie Butler Retirement
Grand Rapids, MI. - For nearly half a century, Bobbie Butler has been a tireless advocate for accessible and affordable housing by serving on the Grand Rapids Housing Commission. Her more than four decades of service will come to an end this year as she finally retires the title of "Commissioner."
Murals Honoring Local Women
Over the past few years, several murals honoring women have popped up around Grand Rapids. Local artists have been painting murals that celebrate some of the local women whose work, service, and accomplishments have added immense value to the Grand Rapids community. Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), through their Women's Way Initiative and Dwelling Place, has committed to lifting these women's voices and visibility. This work is being done in collaboration with other organizations, including the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council, the City of Grand Rapids, and Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts.
Grand Rapids Sport's Legend Clarence J. Bouknight Passes
Clarence was one of the best athletes to ever walk the streets of Grand Rapids. Clarence was the youngest of two children born to the late Shirley J and Vera A Bouknight on June 16, 1935 in Grand Rapids, MI.
James Family Singers Release New Legacy Gospel Album
The last James Family Singers album was released in 1993 and was entitled "Holy is the Lord". JFS recently released their second album in 2022 titled "Legacy" which is a compilation of older and newly written Gospel music composed and produced by very talented family members and the expertise of Debra Perry (also a family member), CFO of Joint Heir Music Studios.
Our Home Too, The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids
Until The Lion Tells His Side Of The Story, The Tale Of The Hunt Will Always Glorify The Hunter -Zimbabwean Proverb