February 2022 Newsletter

Opportunities and news for residents and friends of Boston Square, Cottage Grove, Madison Square and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Welcome to the AGR newsletter featuring to-the-point news you can use! We will deliver it straight to your inbox each month. Visit our website for more stories.

Artwork above by local artist Marie Margaret who contributed to the Boston Square Together mural.

THE FUTURE OF LOCAL BUSINESS IS BRIGHT

Last month seven partner organizations led three open houses for neighbors of 49507 that has an existing business or a budding business idea.

While the partners provided some incredible resources it was the neighbors who brought the energy and made the open house series exciting!

Nearly 85 attendees were engaged and ready to find the next steps for their entrepreneurial pursuits. The future of local business in Boston Square is bright!

As an extra special feature, there were tasty treats from local black-, brown-, and women-owned businesses available to attendees.

Thanks to the community partner organizations who are passionate about seeing a business flourish in 49507.

Didn't attend? Want to know more? Click the button for a recap and resources available.

DISCOVER MORE

Photo (top and middle) by Two Eagles Marcus Photography

Photo (bottom) by Stephen Smith, Evisionsmedia

NEIGHBOR SPOTLIGHT: Kiara Baskin

Baby showers usually include a few friends and family members, but a neighbor and business owner, Kiara Baskin, Owner and CEO at Bump to Birth Doula Services, had a dream to hold a community baby shower.

Her idea came to life after she was funded by an AMP The Good grant this past fall. In November, she threw the Bumps and Babes Community Baby Shower for dozens of underserved expecting mothers in the neighborhood.

"The energy [at the event] was AMAZING and if you look at everyone’s faces photographed you can see the importance of centering and supporting our mothers and parenting families," shared Kiara in a Facebook post.

Other local organizations, businesses and neighbors also came together to help bring the celebration of mothers and parenting families to life by donating gifts, clothes, diapers and more.

"This is community!" exclaimed Kiara. She has run her doula business for the last 4 years in Grand Rapids. She has a deep commitment to serving all birthing people, especially women of color in which her knowledge and support of these families address persistent racial and social disparities.

If you'd like to learn more about Bump to Birth Doula Services, click here.

Thank you, Kiara!

You help push the community forward!

YOUTH SPEAK!

This year, 19 creative young minds in the community submitted their incredible entries for the 2022 MLK Day Youth Speak competition. Videos, drawings, singing, sports, dancing, virtual storytelling, and more were used to express the legacy left by Dr. King on these young people's lives. This is black history in the making!

All participants were invited to a celebratory meet and greet with dreamer and entrepreneur, Duke Turley Jr. of Dreams Take Work. We are so proud of all those who entered! Check out the entries including the 3 winners chosen by a panel of judges.

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YOU SHOULD KNOW

GR TEENS' BHM APPAREL FOR SALE AT ALL MEIJER STORES

Meijer is selling limited Black History Month apparel designed by GRPS students who attend WMCAT's Afterschool Program. Don't wait, get yours today! LEARN MORE

KZOO STATION SEEKING ENTREPRENEURS

Are you looking for a commercial kitchen to build or expand your food business? Know someone who is? Submit an interest form today. LEARN MORE

AMP THE GOOD

A new year means a new set of grant funds to AMP The Good in Amplify GR's service area! Do you have a community-focused idea or passion project that would positively impact your neighbors? LEARN MORE

SHARE YOUR EVENTS

Do you live, work or play in the neighborhood and have an event or information to share? Does it connect neighbors or provide residents in the Amplify GR service area with opportunity? Submit it here.

Each entry will be reviewed and considered for a place in the upcoming newsletter. No ads will be allowed. But if you want to amplify a neighborhood business send us a note.

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