The Grand Rapids Neighborhood Summit is a transformational day-long learning experience centered around Summit’s core values of resident voice and racial equity. Summit brings Grand Rapids residents and stakeholders together to learn, strategize and connect to strengthen neighborhoods and belonging in community, with the overall goal to make Grand Rapids a more equitable place for all to live, work and play.

 

The theme for this year's Summit is "Embracing The Power of Tension, Tenacity, & Intentionality." Through a series of workshops aligned with local efforts and strategies, we will explore ways to foster belonging and inclusivity by embracing the many teachings learned over the past 10 years. 

 

One of the key strengths of Summit is its diversity and inclusivity. Participants come from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, genders, age groups, and identities. The appreciation for the inclusive space that Summit provides consistently ranks as one of the top themes in past event evaluations. As part of our commitment to diversity, we prioritize partnerships with local businesses, particularly those owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). In 2023, 82% of our expenses were spent with BIPOC-owned businesses, and 97% of expenses went to businesses located within the City of Grand Rapids.

 

This year we will host approximately 500 attendees. Whether you come from a grassroots movement, a corporate organization, a non-profit, or the public sector, Summit offers opportunities for meaningful connections and collaborations. In 2023, we witnessed inspiring highlights, and we aim to build on that success in the upcoming anniversary event.