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Check out the blog for our latest in storytelling
June 24, 2018

Three Ways UCC is Changing the Leadership Landscape in GR

The Urban Core Collective is one of a rising contingency of voices contributing to leadership development discourse in this city in a manner that unveils invisible truths, disrupts notions of ‘rugged individualism’ and makes place for the voice and visibility of leaders of color.

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May 22, 2018

Finding My Role In The Fight For Equity

Kendra Avila, a Grand Rapids resident passionate about equity and social justice, shares her experience attending the Urban Core Collective Refuel Road Trip to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia and why she strives to build a community of belonging.

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May 6, 2018

Honoring Our Elders

"Getting to build a relationship with June means a lot to me. Without her and seniors like her -- my generation would not be here today. Honoring her means building a relationship of respect with her," - Rebecca Ryon, Administrative Assistant of the Senior Department at United Methodist Community House.

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March 12, 2018

We are Our Community & Our Community is Us

For Aarie Wade the Baxter Neighborhood has always been home. It is at Baxter that Aarie first learned what authentic community and friendship could be like. Baxter and belonging in Aarie's mind go hand in hand and responsibility for her meant that she had to give back to the community that made her who she is today.

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January 24, 2018

Where have we been & where are we going?

The Urban Core Collective has been in existence since 2011. Since then we have partnered closely with six organizations in the urban core of Grand Rapids to dismantle systemic racism and empower communities of color.

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