WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

WYCE Independent Community Radio
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY

WYCE's Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program featuring community leaders and nonprofit organizations. WYCE is West Michigan's only independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the greater Grand Rapids metro. WYCE programs an eclectic blend of folk, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and world music to the West Michigan community and beyond. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered. WYCE is a proud service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center. We exist because of listener support. Please support us to keep the music playing: http://www.wyce.org

  1. 22H AGO

    How Great Lakes Music Camp offers equitable access to traditional music education (09-20-25)

    In this episode, we speak with Jason Wheeler and Bruce Ling, cofounders and instructors for the annual Great Lakes Music Camp. This year's Great Lakes Music Camp is October 2-5. Once again, this year's session is sold out, but there are opportunities to be added to a waiting list for next year's session. Great Lakes Music Camp is an inspiring and community-building musical experience held on the shores of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett Loeks Retreat Center. The camp creates a unique opportunity for equitable access to traditional music education and offers attendees the opportunity to engage with world-class instructors, staff, and musicians while being immersed in the beauty of Michigan’s lakeshore. GLMC’s team has long-standing partnerships with several community partners, organizations, businesses, and individuals who provide varying levels of support. Funds are raised through a fiduciary partnership with Grand River Watershed Arts & Music Council (GRWAMC), a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. This support allows camp leaders to offer a Youth Scholarship Program and to provide additional financial assistance to students throughout the year for a continued traditional arts education. Learn more about Great Lakes Music Camp HERE.

    15 min

  2. SEP 12

    How MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative helps Michigan Communities Heal and Grow (09-13-25)

    In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Stefanie Pohl, Senior Content Specialist · Michigan Economic Development Corporation. In July, a unique Crowdfunding Campaign called "Northeast Grand Rapids: A City of Healing" was launched with a $50,000 goal to win a matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative. This project was powered by donations through the success of a crowdfunding campaign led by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the nonprofit Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts (LRCFA), which was powered by donations through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. We're pleased to add that after this program was recorded, the Grand Rapids City of Healing project met its required match of $50,000 on August 23, 2025, triggering the MEDC match of $50,000 to complete the project.  Because of the successful funding and the match from the MEDC, a new series of public art installations and murals will be completed throughout Northeast Grand Rapids to improve public health and community connection. Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.  The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of July 7, 2025, MEDC has provided more than $14.3 million in matching grants.

    15 min

  3. SEP 5

    How the Rapidian is boosting media transparency and making city government more accessible to its readers (09-06-25)

    On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Allison Donahue, Program Manager, The Rapidian. Allison joined us on this program to provide us with an update about everything happening with The Rapidian. In 2023, the Rapidian introduced the Grand Rapids Documenters program, part of the nationwide Documenters Network, to create a new public record in Grand Rapids. Since then,  The Rapidian has been training and paying community members to record notes and audio for a diverse range of local public meetings, with a goal of boosting transparency and making what goes on at City Hall (and in boardrooms and auditoriums across the city) more accessible to our neighbors. Allison also reminded us that The Rapidian upholds the highest standards of editorial independence. The staff has a strong commitment to full transparency in how they fund their work.  The Rapidian accepts gifts, grants, and sponsorships from individuals, organizations, and foundations to support its operations, special projects, and coverage of specific topics. However, editorial decisions remain entirely independent—donors have no role in assigning, reviewing, or editing content. The Rapidian is holding a fund drive September 15-19. ONLINE: ⁠The Rapidian⁠

    17 min

  4. AUG 29

    Up close with Cindy Meyers-Foley, the Director and CEO of The Grand Rapids Art Museum

    In this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Cindy Meyers-Foley, the Director and CEO ofThe Grand Rapids Art Museum. Cindy spoke with us about several programs and happenings at the GRAM, including their new "Thursdays on the Terrace" programming, the GRAM on The Green Concert Series, a partnership with WYCE Community Radio. Cindy also spoke about the changing role of museums, especially how places like the Grand Rapids Art Museum are becoming positive spaces for health and wellbeing, third spaces, and spaces for community and social connection. Much of their new initiatives are centered on community outreach, including an exciting new program we spoke about at GRAM...their Teen Identity program. We also briefly discussed the must-see exhibition: David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed, Prints from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation. The exhibit continues through November 2 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Online: The Grand Rapids Art Museum Cindy Meyers-Foley, Director and CEO ofthe Grand Rapids Art Museum.(Late August) Online:artmuseumgr.org CLOSE: You’ve been listening toWYCE’s Community Closeup…a weekly public affairs program produced inpartnership with The Rapidian, a hyper-local news service of the Grand RapidsCommunity Media Center. This is WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower…thank you forjoining us! Cindy Meyers-Foley, Director and CEO ofthe Grand Rapids Art Museum.(Late August) Online:artmuseumgr.org CLOSE: You’ve been listening toWYCE’s Community Closeup…a weekly public affairs program produced inpartnership with The Rapidian, a hyper-local news service of the Grand RapidsCommunity Media Center. This is WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower…thank you forjoining us!

    17 min

  5. AUG 22

    How WMCAT is providing a culture of opportunity for people throughout West Michigan (08-24-25)

    On this week's program, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Jamon Alexander, President + CEO, WMCAT (West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology) Jamon joined WMCAT in 2015 and now leads the organization’s work to provide access to opportunity as president & CEO. Previously, he was the director of workforce development at WMCAT, where he spent several years growing WMCAT’s Adult Career Training Program. Jamon shared with us how WMCAT provides a culture of opportunity for people to make social and economic progress in their lives and community. They fulfill the mission through visual arts and tech engagement, workforce development, and social enterprise. For years, WMCAT has created access to opportunity for teens, adults, and families through their Arts + Tech programs, through their workforce development programs and career training, and leadership development. Jamon also spoke about WMCAT’s unique Step Year programming, which is a unique mix of college and career exploration, self-discovery, and connections to employment pathways in a variety of sectors. Step Year is tuition-free and is open to Kent County adults 18-24 with a high school diploma or GED. Learn more: WMCAT ONLINE

    17 min

  6. AUG 15

    Up close with Hal Phillips, from the Eastown Community Association (08-16-25)

    On this week's episode, we welcome Hal Phillips, board chair of the Eastown Community Association. The Eastown Community Association is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit Neighborhood Association that was formed through the joint efforts of Aquinas College and Eastown residents in 1973. The ECA works with City officials, the Grand Rapids Police Department, other nonprofit organizations, and area businesses. The Eastown Community Association also works closely with the Eastown Business Association on improvement projects within the business district. Some of the many signature events sponsored by  The Eastown Community Association are Community Bike Rides, Bizarre Bazaar, held in mid-June each year, and the fast-approaching Eastown Street Fair, on Saturday, September 6. The mission of The Eastown Community Association is to foster a safe, diverse, and walkable Eastown neighborhood by creating opportunities for neighbors and friends to engage and connect. ONLINE: Eastown Community Association

    14 min

  7. AUG 8

    A Preview of Grand Rapids Greatest Generation Celebration: Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II (08-09-25)

    In this episode, we welcome Joel Westphal,  Deputy Director, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum  Joel spoke with us about the upcoming multi-day event: The Greatest Generation Celebration: Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II. The events will be spread across several days from September 1-7, 2025. This Historic Celebration in Grand Rapids offers a full week of remembrance and tribute to America's Greatest Generation. The events also offer an opportunity to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, honoring the millions of American and Allied forces, patriots, and citizens who made immense sacrifices to ensure a world free of tyranny. Greatest Generation Events: Honor Parade & Wings of Honor 📅 Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM. 📍 Downtown Grand Rapids Bell Ringing Ceremony 📅 Monday, September 1 | 8:08 PM-📍 Throughout Grand Rapids. Celebration at the Air Zoo.  📅 Saturday, September 6 | time TBA📍 Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Center, Kalamazoo, MI Perspectives on the Greatest Generation – Lecture Series 📅 Tuesday, September 2 – Thursday, September 4📍 Various Venues🎟 Free Admission (Registration Required for Some Events) Renowned WWII historians and authors present insightful lectures on the impact and legacy of the Greatest Generation. Convocation of Remembrance (Prayer Service) 📅 Tuesday, September 2 | 6:00 PM at Saint Andrew’s Cathedral. Greatest Generation Night at the Whitecaps 📅 Tuesday, September 2 | 6:35 PM--📍 LMCU Ballpark Cinematic Salute Film Festival 📅 Friday, September 5 – Sunday, September 7📍 Studio Park, Downtown Grand Rapids🎟 Outdoor Screenings (BYO Chairs) Enjoy classic films that highlight the sacrifices and struggles of the Greatest Generation.  Online: The Greatest Generation Celebration: Honoring the 80th Anniversary of the End of World War II.

    15 min

  8. JUL 31

    How A Glimpse of Africa Festival celebrates diverse African cultures from West Michigan (08-02-25)

    In this episode, WYCE's John Rumery welcomes   Guest: : Guest:   Fridah Kanini, the Founder and CEO of A Glimpse of Africa. A Glimpse of Africa is a West-Michigan-based non-profit that brings people together by showcasing, educating, celebrating, and sharing diverse African cultures while fostering community through programs that voice, advocate for, and address African refugees and immigrants’ needs and disparities.   Fridah also gave us a preview of their annual, A Glimpse of Africa Festival, happening August 9th -August 10th, at Calder Plaza. Saturday hours -10:30 am - 11:00 pm. Sunday Festival hours | 10:30 am - 5:30 pm. The festival is a beautiful and richly diverse showcase of the many African cultures in West Michigan.     LEARN MORE AT:  A Glimpse of Africa

    10 min
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About

WYCE's Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program featuring community leaders and nonprofit organizations. WYCE is West Michigan's only independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the greater Grand Rapids metro. WYCE programs an eclectic blend of folk, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and world music to the West Michigan community and beyond. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered. WYCE is a proud service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center. We exist because of listener support. Please support us to keep the music playing: http://www.wyce.org

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