Chamber Blog

Each year, the Grand Rapids Chamber recognizes individuals that are alumni of the Chamber’s leadership programs who exemplify what it means to be a devoted community trustee. This year’s honorees come from a variety of different backgrounds and have each contributed greatly to the Grand Rapids Community. We look forward to celebrating their achievements with […]

The Emerging Leaders Series, one of four leadership programs at the Grand Rapids Chamber, is designed to help individuals grow their career and become actively engaged in the Grand Rapids community. This five-session program is built to engage participants in a variety of ways, from a bus tour of GR, to in-depth discussions about individual […]

Leadership Grand Rapids, often called LGR, is the premier leadership program of Grand Rapids. The program boasts 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 […]

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 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 […]