Contact Name: Kristen Krueger-Corrado, kcorrado@grpl.org
Type of Initiative: Inclusion/Intolerance  
Initiative Partners: Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Description:

The Grand Rapids Public Library partnered with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre to host a panel discussion on immigration in our community, examining it from both a historic perspective and a modern one. Panelists discussed how immigration has impacted our city historically, as well as today and how our community can better support our immigrants.

Panelists from organizations working within immigrant & refugee services shared historical insights and impacts of immigration on Grand Rapids, as well as how we can better support immigrants to create an inclusive, diverse community. Local immigrants shared their personal experiences in this critical community discussion. All attendees received a discount to Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s upcoming production of Ragtime – an epic, historical musical of how our county, and those who immigrated here, share the same hopes and dreams while struggling with class and racial divides.