Community Events
📍Grand Rapids, MI
Deeply United Immigration Conference
America’s role in our interconnected world of borders and migrations is both crucial and inspiring, and we firmly believe that immigration strengthens our communities. In light of this, Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates is hosting the Deeply United Immigration Conference aimed at helping our community unravel the complexities of immigration.
Understanding immigration and justice work is essential. It directly impacts the fabric of our communities, shaping and influencing neighborhoods, labor forces, and our shared future. Knowledge of these topics dispels myths and promotes informed discourse, which is imperative for creating policies for immigrants and locals alike. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of immigration in West Michigan, empowering one another to support equitable approaches to business and community
The Pinnacle Center
3330 Highland Dr
Hudsonville, MI
Hosted by: West MI Welcome Plan
Diversity & Talent Summit
The 2024 Diversity & Talent Summit explores the latest DEI trends to enhance business success in an increasingly diverse and global community.
This event will focus on leading practices to attract, retain, and develop a dynamic workforce in today’s competitive marketplace. The summit features subject matter experts who will share proven strategies on how to advance inclusion and belonging in innovative ways.
JW Marriott
235 Louis St NW,
Grand Rapids, MI
Hosted by: West MI Welcome Plan
Homebuyer Education Class – iccf Community Homes
In collaboration with ICCF Community Homes, A Glimpse of Africa is hosting a housing class where participants can learn about the process of buying a house as well as helpful resources for this process. At the end of the class, all participants will receive a certificate that will make them eligible for several down payment assistance programs. This class will be offered in English, Swahili, Kinyarwanda and Arabic.
AGOA Office
2025 East Beltline Ave
Grand Rapids, MI
Hosted by: West MI Welcome Plan
Gran Fiesta Independencia de Colombia
Colombian Festival Celebrating the Colombian Independence Day with music, dance, food, and family fun!
Hosted by: City of Grand Rapids
EMBRACE HER SUMMIT
BREAKING BARRIERS. BUILDING SISTERHOOD.
The EmbraceHer Summit brings together young girls of color, providing a space to instill their confidence and establish a firm belief in their personal strength.
Keynote Speaker: Donasia Jackson is a criminal justice professional born and raised in Grand Rapids. Donasia hopes to empower young women by sharing her challenges and how she overcame them to become the successful woman she is today.
Workshops: Delve into healthy boundaries and fostering a positive mindset. Gain confidence in your self-worth and recognizing healthy relationships
Giveaways: We’ve got a few surprises up our sleeves.
Hosted By: Heart of United Way
Las Canchas European Championship and COPA American Watch
Watch parties for global soccer tournaments. There will be a DJ, food trucks, and active soccer games at Las Canchas.
Hosted by: City of Grand Rapids
Park Parties: Hosted by GR African American Arts and Music Festival
Join the Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival at the various park parties throughout the year leading up to the annual African American Art and Music Celebration! These park parties are FREE, so come on out and enjoy the music, resources, free food and fun!
Hosted by: Hosted by GR African American Arts and Music Festival
Grand Rapids Food Fest
Food festival that showcases local food vendors.
This will feature a variety of food, drinks, and live entertainment!
Hosted by: City of Grand Rapids
June Community Event
Join us for an inspiring evening as we showcase the incredible work accomplished by past recipients of the Emerging Leaders Microgrant.
Gain valuable insights and firsthand accounts of the difference these agencies are making.
Presentations from:
The Barn for Equine Learning
Girls Growing 2 Women
Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival
Hosted by: West MI Welcome Plan
Calder Plaza
300 monroe
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Festival of the Arts
The first Festival of the Arts drew about 7,000 people and activities were confined to Vandenberg Plaza, the public square now commonly referred to as Calder Plaza. Today, the event spans multiple city blocks and attracts upwards of 300,000 visitors – always on the first weekend of June each year.
Festival of the Arts has also expanded its scope over the years, encompassing virtually every discipline of the arts – visual art, dance, music, film, literature, design and more. It’s also become one of the city’s favorite food events, as local nonprofit organizations host booths offering a tremendous variety of street foods, including Greek, Polish, Asian, and Latin favorites.
What to See & Do at Festival 2024
See 300 original art pieces by accomplished local artists competing for juried prizes. Works are displayed in the DeVos Place Skywalk.
View the work of local youth – from young fives to 12th grade – at DeVos Place Convention Center.
Shop the Artisan Village along Ottawa Street for locally made paintings, ceramics, woodworks, photography, jewelry and more.
Attend 100 music and dance performances – classical, choral, rock, pop, folk, soul, jazz, country & more. Click herefor a schedule.PDF File for a schedule.
Sample street foods from 20+ vendors representing American, Central American, Caribbean, Mexican, European, African and Asian cuisines. Click herefor a full list. for a full list.
Bring the kids to participate in a variety of creative activities, including a paint-in and a digital scavenger hunt.
Hosted by: City of Grand RapidsCommunity Day
Event is hosted by Secom Resource Center for Community Day! Event will include: prizes and giveaways, food trucks, resource tables (which ImmiGreatness will be apart of), dunk tank and yard games, folklorico dancing, immigrations Q&A panel, and so much more!
June 1st, 2024 | 1pm-4pm | 1545 Buchanan Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
GR African American Arts & Must Festival 2024
Annual festival celebrating African-American art, music, culture, and people!
Garfield Park, 250 Burton, Grand Rapids, 49507
Hosted by City of Grand Rapids | More Info
Multicultural Art and Education in the Park
A presentation where teachers and students will present their investigations about countries and cultures.
Roberto Clemente Park, 546 Rumsey St SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Grand Rapids, 49503
Hosted by City of Grand Rapids | More Info
Access of West MI Walk for Good Food
Walk for Good Food raises awareness and funds to support development work related to community food security. The Kickoff event involves a small collective walk with vendors and booths for collective organizations, as well as activities for children.
Richmond Park, 963 Richmond St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, Grand Rapids, 49504
Hosted by City of Grand Rapids, Access of West Michigan | More Info
Festival del Cinco de Mayo
Come and enjoy, music, food trucks, and arts and crafts at this culturally immersive Festival del Cinco de Mayo celebrating Mexico's independence!
Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, Grand Rapids
Hosted By City of Grand Rapids | More Info
LatinNext Summit
LatinNEXT Summit isn’t just another event—it’s a powerful gathering aimed at empowering and inspiring emerging leaders and mid-career professionals within West Michigan’s dynamic Latino community, fostering the Next Generation of Leaders.
Hosted By West MI Welcome Plan
DIVERSITY & TALENT WEBINAR: HOW OUR CULTURE IMPACTS OUR WORKPLACE
‘Nice and Exclusionary’ – How Our Culture Impacts Our Workplace
ZOOM WEBINAR
The politeness that comes with our “West Michigan nice” culture is loved by locals and visitors alike, but how does it impact our true selves at work?
Join us to hear from Misti Stanton, Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Mercantile Bank to discuss how our West Michigan culture impacts our workplace. Receive insights and learn the ABA approach: Act, Be bold, and Aid where it is needed. Join us Tuesday, April 30.
Members $20 // Non-members $30
Supper Club (Treetops Collective)
Welcome to our monthly Supper Club, hosted by Treetops Collective! We pick the date, time, and New American owned restaurant, and you show up with your friends and family and enjoy the delicious food.
Apr 18: Pho Soc Tran
West Michigan Minority Contractor Programming
Save time and gain financial confidence by mastering accounting essentials at our next West Michigan Minority Contractors workshop. Join us Monday, April 18 to hear from Jennifer Price, Controller at Rockford Construction on accounting best practices for contractors (payroll, taxes, and beyond)! Plus, get the inside scoop on the Grand Rapid Soccer Stadium and two other timely construction projects in Grand Rapids. Click here to Register
Latina Connect (West MI Welcome Plan)
Embrace the Growth: Thriving Through Discomfort
In a world that constantly challenges us, learning to thrive amidst discomfort is an essential skill. This Latina Connect forum is designed to empower participants with strategies and insights to embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Through interactive exercises, reflective discussions, and practical strategies, attendees will learn how to reframe discomfort as a positive force in their lives.
Join us Wednesday, April 10 to hear from two visionaries behind Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women (GROW): Milinda Ysasi, CEO and Paola Mendivil, Business Development Officer and get equipped with the mindset and skills to not just survive, but thrive, in the face of discomfort.
Members $35 // Non- members $45
Professional Panel
Join ImmiGreatness for our first Professional Panel!
Explore the stories of successful professionals from immigrant backgrounds in our community. Learn from their experiences, ask questions, and connect with like-minded individuals during our networking session.
Hear from our guests as they discuss their personal experiences, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs they've experienced while navigating education and forging successful careers as first-generation individuals.Discover invaluable insights, gain practical advice, and find inspiration as our panelists delve into their journeys, offering guidance to those aspiring to follow similar career paths.
Cap off the evening with a networking opportunity, where connections can be forged and experiences shared among all attendees. Don't miss this chance to be part of an enriching dialogue and build meaningful connections within our diverse community.
Our guest speakers will include Janis Petrini, Dr. Wassim Jawad, Amra Delic-Bristina, Carlos Sanchez, Juan Salmoran, Priscila Ontiveros Chucatiny, and Saleh Mohamed.
When: Monday, March 25th from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 5528 Division Ave S, Kentwood, MI 49548
*parking available on-site*
Companionship Workshop
**Partner Hosted Event
Learn how to support the individuals in your community who are in distress (due to mental health, family crisis, immigration trauma, etc.)
Also learnhow to come alongside someone in distress in a mutually beneficial way. This content is relevant for anyone who is in a relationship (ie: family, friends, clients, coworkers, neighbors, etc.)!
Book Club
**Partner Hosted Event
At Treetops, we say no to the single story. We understand that each refugee that we walk alongside has an individual story to honor and listen to.
This quarter, we are reading The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan, about an unlikely friendship between Palestinian and Israeli young people, woven through the long and brutal history between the two regions.
Please join us in this important and timely learning and listening experience.
Community Tax Day
**Partner Hosted Event
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served. Doors may close early due to capacity.
Visit hwmuw.org/kctcc for a list of required documents to bring.
Paddy for a Cause
**Partner Hosted Event
Join us for a night of fun, games, and philanthropy to kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend—all in support of a great cause!
Leaders across the community are coming together to raise money for the Emerging Leaders Microgrant Fund. With your support, we'll award small, one-time grants to local, grassroots nonprofits working to reduce poverty in West Michigan and create a thriving community for all.
From 5:30–7:30 p.m., we'll enjoy drinks, a silent auction, games, and networking with local business and nonprofit leaders. Your ticket will include admission and appetizers.
Community Tax Day
**Partner Hosted Event
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served. Doors may close early due to capacity.
Visit hwmuw.org/kctcc for a list of required documents to bring.
Community Tax Day
**Partner Hosted Event
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served. Doors may close early due to capacity.
Visit hwmuw.org/kctcc for a list of required documents to bring.
Financial Literacy Workshop
Join us as we talk all things money! How to save it, manage it, and keep it aligned with your future goals.
Emerging Leaders United 2024 Town Hall
Join us and Emerging Leaders United for their annual membership kickoff as they share the excitement around the upcoming year, chat Microgrant Fund and what it means in 2024, and how you can get involved with the group throughout the next 12 months!
During the lunch hour on February 7, ELU will join together and will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals passionate about giving, volunteering, and advocating for change in our community.