On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Jazz McKinney, executive director of The Grand Rapids Pride Center.

The mission of The Grand Rapids Pride Center is to create positive change for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community by breaking down barriers, creating awareness, providing inclusive services, and bridging relationships.

Jazz spoke about the history of the Pride Center and also discussed the upcoming PrideFest 2025, happening on Calder Plaza on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, full of activities for all kinds of people and family-friendly as well.

The first Pride Celebration was held at the Monroe Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids on June 19, 1988.

Today, it has grown to be one of the largest one-day events in Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings 2-SLGBTQ+ community members, 2-SLGBTQ+ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the beautiful, vast 2-SLGBTQ+ community!

Going into its 37th year in 2025, Grand Rapids Pride Festival is working to create a safe, open, and inclusive environment for Grand Rapids community members to celebrate who they are.

On this episode, host Janet Zahn welcomes Lakiya Jenkins, executive director of LINC UP, and Donald Thompson, events coordinator with LINC UP.

They joined Janet to discuss their upcoming Rock the Block Festival on June 14th in Grand Rapids

LINC UP’s Rock the Block brings neighbors, local businesses, and community partners together for a vibrant day of connection, celebration, and culture. It features live music and food trucks, local vendors, and many family activities.

Rock the Block transforms their neighborhood into a block party with purpose—celebrating the people who make our community strong.

About LINC UP: With 20 years of experience building affordable housing and community power, LINC UP is working to achieve racial equity in Grand Rapids.

The LINC UP mission is to advance a racial equity agenda in Grand Rapids by Expanding Affordable Housing and Increasing Community Power. They strive to change policies that limit advancement opportunities in under-resourced communities and neighborhoods.

Online: LINC UP

On this episode, we welcome back Dana Romero-, BSCD.

They are the Development Coordinator for Donor Communications at YWCA West Central Michigan.

YWCA West Central Michigan is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA West Central Michigan seeks to inspire hope and healing.

Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, the YWCA works to transform lives with expert services for victims, and education programs to end those things that fuel abuse.

The YWCA also works to urge public policy that translates its mission into law.

Dana reminded us that one of the biggest fundraisers of the year is coming up on June 7, 2025.

The 41st annual Women Lawyers Versus Judges, Charity Softball game, and fundraiser for the YWCA.

The game is held at LMCU Ballpark.

Learn more about YWCA West Central Michigan.

On this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Adrienne Goodstal, the Executive Director of North Kent Connect.

North Kent Connect is a Christian service organization committed to improving the lives of all people in northern Kent County by providing access to basic needs and promoting economic independence.

They provide a wide variety of services for the clients/individuals they serve.

North Kent Connect serves a very broad geographic area in northern Kent County. You can see that the area served by NKC here.

The NKC Thrift Store and Farm Stand offer high-quality clothing, housewares, locally-sourced produce, and almost something for everyone.

Learn how to get involved as a volunteer with North Kent Connect here.

Online: North Kent Connect

On this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with David Bult, executive director of Next Step of West Michigan, and Darion Boyd, Carpentry-Community Builder with Next Step of West Michigan.

Next Step of West Michigan is a faith-based, social enterprise non-profit that provides job skills training, as well as employment opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and municipal clean-up.

The organization works to stabilize and empower its teammates to create high-quality products and services for its customers.​

They serve people who have barriers to employment—broken relationships, lack of resources, insecure housing, previous incarceration, or addiction—but are determined to build a better future.

Next Step of West Michigan does this work in the 49507 neighborhood and greater Grand Rapids communities. Their goal is to cultivate a sustainable place in our city where people can heal and grow through work and relationships, where all can thrive.​

Online: Next Step of West Michigan

On this week's episode, host , John Rumery fromWYCE speaks with Lindsay Ellis, a member of the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus.

The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus is dedicated to singing music that celebrates and honors the diversity of women’s lives. Drawing on music from many cultures, the Chorus strives to educate and inspire its community to promote justice, peace, and equality.

The chorus is a diverse, volunteer group of women who are devoted to musical excellence and using the power of music to delight, to uplift, and to advance the cause of social justice.

The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus presents two major concerts annually in addition to appearances in a variety of community events and venues.

Learn More: The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus

On this episode, WYCE's Janet Zahn speaks with Nicole Rapacki, the Recycling Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Department of Public Works.

Nicole and Janet spoke about the efforts by the city of Grand Rapids to consider becoming the sole trash hauler for residential properties, according to city officials.

The Grand Rapids Department of Public Works leadership has conducted two separate studies that have each recommended that the city become the single hauler for residential services.

Currently, the city handles about 90% of residential trash collection, with private companies serving the remainder.

ONLINE: City of Grand Rapids Department of Public Works