Everyone Wins

By Jamiel Robinson

Can everyone win socioeconomically in Grand Rapids?  If we were to base our answers off of the current data the answer would unequivocally be NO! Grand Rapids currently ranks 51 out of 52 as worst cities economically for Blacks
(http://www.grbj.com/articles/81533-grand-rapids-ranks-among-worst-economically-for-african-americans). Also, nearly 45% of Black residents in Grand Rapids live in poverty. The lack of Black businesses specifically second-stage Black businesses can be attributed to the current state of the Black community and economy in Grand Rapids. Unlike startups, second-stage businesses are no longer concerned about survival. And in contrast to small businesses and lifestyle entrepreneurs, second-stage businesses are significant job creators. So, how can Black businesses win and grow into second-stage businesses in a competitive environment?

Competition and competitiveness is an essential element in business. Competition drives businesses… Continue reading http://www.grabblocal.com/everyone-wins/

You’ve no doubt heard it a million times: Career advancement is as much about who you know as what you know—and that’s exactly why being a powerful networker is so important.

But mastering this crucial skill requires more than just schmoozing over cheese platters and exchanging business cards. There’s actually an art to it.

“Since there are so many different platforms for people to market themselves these days, you have to find ways to cut through the white noise and get noticed,” says Ivan Misner, Ph.D., author of “Networking Like a Pro.”

When done skillfully, networking can not only open the door to plum job opportunities but it can also help land new clients and tap talent for future hiring. And what better way to learn the ins and outs of such skillful networking than to go straight to power networking pros for their tips on how to land on someone’s radar—and stay there.

Link to Full Article http://www.learnvest.com/2014/07/networking-secrets/4/

What is the GRABB Market? The GRABB Market is the only online marketplace platform designed & created for Black businesses in the Metro Grand Rapids area as well as the West Michigan region. The GRABB Market will assists members of GRABB with gaining exposure and building their customer base by creating a centralized place for customers seeking to locate and purchase products from Black businesses. GRABB Market will be rolled out in March 2015.

Endless Opportunities Presents – Evening of Excellence

Date: February 26 2015
Time: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: The Lafontesee Art Gallery (833 Lake Dr SE Grand Rapids, MI)
Cost: Free Please register for proper event accommodations
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/endless-opportunities-an-evening-of-excellence-tickets-15611218575

Strong Neighborhoods, Strong City Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit 2015

This summit will serve as the kick-off to important discussions and ideas about how to strengthen neighborhoods. The day-long event has been designed to provide attendees with the flexibility to attend different breakout workshops as well as attending the keynote and lunch speakers. Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to cast their votes throughout the day to identify the top priorities to strengthen neighborhoods. We invite you to attend to help us identify our priorities.

Date: March 13 2015
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Grand Rapids Public School University – 1400 Fuller Avenue NE

Learn more here
http://grcity.us/city-manager/Pages/Neighborhoods0119-9843.aspx

Emerge West MI Presents – Make It or Break It

We’ll host three breakout sessions while you navigate the support organizations, thickening the conversation on how startups can spark and grow with limited resources.

Who Should Come?
Entrepreneurs, Startups, Community Members, Makers, Hackers, Hustlers, Collaborators, Doers, Thinkers, Artists, Poets, Minglers, Lurkers, Networkers, NGOers, You, Me, Movers, Shakers, Network Minded Individuals, Drinkers, Eaters, Listeners, Questioners.

So Come…
Chill, eat, drink, talk, ask questions – that’s all there is to it – fun and free.

By Todd E. Robinson

“A City within a City” cogently argues that the post-war political reform championed by local Republicans transformed the city’s racial geography, creating a racialized city within a city, featuring a system of managerial racism designed to keep blacks in declining inner-city areas. As Robinson indicates, this bold, provocative framework for understanding race relations in Grand Rapids has broader implications for illuminating the twentieth-century African American urban experience in secondary cities.