The Urban Core Collective (UCC) exists to support the self-determination and agency of historically marginalized communities by engaging in advocacy, community organizing, and leadership cultivation that transforms living conditions and the distribution of power in the Greater Grand Rapids area. We believe that people impacted by injustice hold wisdom that is vital to disrupting the status quo and that through building power and acting collectively, we can bring about transformational justice.
Founded in 2011, the Urban Core Collective (UCC) is the collaborative effort of six pioneering organizations, united by a shared vision of uplifting Black and Latinx communities in Grand Rapids. With over 350 years of combined service, our current and past member organizations continue to champion access to education, health, and economic prosperity for our neighbors. Our founding members include:
• Baxter Community Center
• Family Outreach Center
• Grand Rapids African American Health Institute
• Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
• Urban League of West Michigan
• United Methodist Community House
At UCC, we are committed to practicing a different way of being. We are not just a response to systemic injustice but a movement dedicated to fostering equity and collective well-being. Together, we strive to cultivate relationships, incubate transformative ideas, and take collective action to create a more just community.
Our current member organizations are:
• Baxter Community Center
• Family Outreach Center
• Urban League of West Michigan
What It Means to Be a Membership Organization
Membership organizations are a unique type of nonprofit operating structure. With over 100 years of combined service to the Grand Rapids community, our member organizations bring invaluable leadership and guidance to our collective mission.
We are honored to have their steadfast support as we plant our roots firmly in the community, working together to foster growth, equity, and lasting change.
