Kent County hires first chief inclusion officer to oversee diversity, equity and inclusion efforts
Updated May 06, 2021;
Posted May 06, 2021
Teresa Branson has been hired as the county s first chief inclusion officer, a new role tasked with overseeing the county s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and ways the county can improve. (Photo provided by Kent County)
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GRAND RAPIDS, MI Kent County has hired its first chief inclusion officer, a new role tasked with overseeing the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and ways the county can improve.
Currently the deputy administrative health officer at the Kent County Health Department, Teresa Branson was selected for the role, county officials announced Thursday, May 6.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy Gerald R. Ford International Airport
Gerald R. Ford International Airport unveiled a new sculpture to honor Native American history in West Michigan.
The artwork, Aankobiisinging Eshki-kakamigak, or Connection to Creation, was crafted by Anishinaabe sculptor Jason Quigno. The sculpture is carved from black granite and Indiana limestone and features elements in Anishinaabe teachings.
The base features a turtle with Anishinaabe floral design representing the four cardinal directions – north (giwaydoonig), east (wabunnoong), south (zhawanoog) and west (ningabeunoong). On top of the turtle’s shell sits the second feature of fire and flames flowing upward in a spiral pattern suggesting smoke. The pinnacle features four eagles with their mouths slightly open.
“I’m saddened because we love our relationship within the communities we serve and we love the consumer business,” the company s president, John Van Tongeren, wrote on the company website. “COVID devastated our business, and we had to make a choice to survive.”
Ferris Production Manager Evan Groendyk said while the downtown location had parking and traffic challenges earlier on, the shift away from downtown offices to working from home during the pandemic “devastated our sales.”
Ferris Coffee plans to focus on its headquarters on Seward Avenue near Seventh Street NW, where it will expand the retail and café spaces. The nearly century-old roasting company says it’s conceptualizing ideas and designs for the addition.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Courtesy Grand Rapids Chamber
The Experience Grand Rapids board of directors elected new officers and members to lead the organization for the next two years.
Dr. Floyd Wilson Jr., chief development officer for Pinnacle Construction Group Inc., was elected to serve as the board chair. Jenifer Cutter, regional general manager at AHC Hospitality, was elected as vice chair of the board. Rick Baker, president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber, will serve as secretary and treasurer.
Three members were elected by the 33-member board, and they were ratified by the full membership of the organization. The new members are Kyle Holst of Hampton Inn and Suites Downtown Grand Rapids, Grant Hirst of Embassy Suites Downtown Grand Rapids and Suresh Patel of GR Hospitality Inc.