WE BELIEVE

that successful people and neighborhoods overcome effects of systemic racism through equal access to: Education, Economic Prosperity, Health, Power & Influence.
A bus stop sign advertising Urban Core Collective with a quote by MLK saying, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal."

SIX ORGANIZATIONS

A COMMUNITY SUSTAINING AND ADVOCATING FOR ONE ANOTHER TO END SYSTEMIC RACISM.
Three hands raised

MISSION

Uplifting historically marginalized communities to a place of greater self sufficiency by unifying communities of color in order to reduce the effects of systemic racism.

Four houses representing a neighborhood

VISION

Grand Rapids families and neighborhoods will maximize their full human potential, thus redefining the narrative associated with living in urban communities.

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TLP PROGRAM

The Transformational Leaders Program (TLP) is a unique eight-month training program designed to advance a pipeline of African-American and Latinx leaders within Grand Rapids. The program’s objective is to help emerging and existing difference-makers develop the hard and soft skills needed to promote racial equity. TLP leaders are radically changing the landscape of community as influencers in the public, private, and nonprofit sector, as well as in grassroots movements, civic and voluntary board service, and as residents of metro Grand Rapids.

Learn More About the program
View Alumni Profiles

StoryTelling

Our Community sharing their hopes, dreams, and Fears

Our community are the experts--here you can find how we are partnering with our residents consultants to address systemic oppression in our communities through education, economic empowerment, leadership development and meaningful relationship building.

Greyci Merida

Resident Consultant Hispanic Center of West Michigan

"I want to live in a community where everyone has access to education. When people are not able to obtain meaningful employment they turn to risky jobs or illegal activity in the neighborhood."

Jashawn ThompsoN

Resident Consultant for the Grand Rapids Urban League

"A healthy community for me means access to good and healthy food on a regular basis. Kids in our neighborhood shouldn’t have to go hungry."

Missy Grice

Resident Consultant of  United Methodist Community House

"Everyone deserves a nice home on a nice street. We should all be able to have guests over to a nice  home."

Fred Lane

Resident Consultant of United Methodist Community House

"Addressing the profiling from the police towards black folks forme is important. We deserve a positive police presence too."

LATEST FROM BLOG

Check out the blog for our latest musings

COMMUNITY UpDates

LATEST Events and News
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