Chamber Blog

Leadership Grand Rapids, often called LGR, is the premier leadership program of Grand Rapids, boasting alumni who are some of the city’s top change-makers over the last 30 years. A quick Google search for Professional Development programs in Grand Rapids will come up with hundreds of results, but what makes LGR stand out from the […]

Today’s society is diverse in many ways and is growing ever more diverse by the day. But despite our growing diversity, racism is still pervasive in our culture. Racism is an issue on the minds of many at the moment, but many struggle to discuss it in an open and productive way. The Chamber’s Institute […]

Once upon a time, women didn’t have the right to vote or drive… Today, after years of fiercely fighting for their rights, they are challenging, re-inventing, and innovating their communities and are a strong force for economic change. Join us in celebrating some of these women at the ATHENA Awards Celebration! Congratulations to Jennifer Maxson, […]

The Grand Rapids Chamber is proud to announce the upcoming 2019 Leadership Grand Rapids Class, a program of the Chamber’s Center for Community Leadership (CCL). Leadership Grand Rapids provides an intensive, nine-month program focused on community leadership. The day-long monthly class sessions take a deep-dive into issues impacting our community. Four platforms support the program […]

The Center for Community Leadership (CCL) has been a valued resource of the Chamber since 1985. Its goal is to educate, engage, and challenge current and emerging leaders in the community through various leadership and skill-building programs, such as Leadership Grand Rapids, Emerging Leaders, and Leadership Advantage. Participants in these programs are given a more […]

Now in its 10th year, Leadership Advantage is the Grand Rapids Chamber’s intensive leadership coaching program designed to enhance the knowledge and critical thinking skills of emerging and established leaders. The unique aspect of this eight-session program is its focus on peer coaching and meaningful introspection. The fact that guest presenters are of national caliber doesn’t hurt […]

Why would a talented young artist leave San Francisco to move to Grand Rapids? The short answer: ArtPrize. The long answer? Well, we’ll get to that. Jeffrey Augustine Songco was born and raised in New Jersey by his Filipino immigrant parents. Despite his devout Catholic upbringing, he is best known in the West Michigan art scene for […]

Once upon a time, women weren’t accepted in the workplace, let alone in the boardroom. Today, after years of fiercely fighting for equality, women are challenging, re-inventing, and innovating businesses and their communities – and are a strong force for economic change On September 14, 2017, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the prestigious ATHENA […]