Past Events
April 2024
Kalene McElveen How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Della Marie Levi is a creative, educator, visionary, entrepreneur, DJ, social worker, black farmer, and the creator of Della Soul Records. In this interview, we were able to understand the life of a multifaceted individual and how she has gotten to where she is now.
February 2024
African American Entrepreneur Training and Intellectual Property Program
This pilot program was a huge success and was able to provide many African Americans in our community with vital information to help make their businesses even more successful. The program concluded with a graduation ceremony and all the participants received a completion certificate.
January 2024
The Biggest Loser Challenge
January kicked off the start of the collaborative challenge between NIA Centre and The National Professional Men’s and Women’s Network. The sign-ups are now closed but we look forward to seeing the progress of those involved over the next 60 days.
December 2023
Kalene McElveen How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Kalene McElveen is the owner of Tastefull Vegan Frozen Desserts LLC. In this interview, we were able to dive into the journey from childhood memories to redefining the joy of desserts.
November 2023
Kayla Morgan How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Kayla Morgan is the founder of Resilient Roots Wellness where she provides holistic healing services that are accessible to all and hold space for others to actualize their own healing. This interview was a dive into health, wellness and entrepreneurship.
October 2023
My Story 5 Art Exhibition Featuring Artist Esan Sommersell
This exhibition showcased art depicting how African Americans have been impacted by prejudice, bigotry, racism, and negative stereotypes. In addition it graphically displayed how these issues have led to African Americans constantly being subject to trauma threatening their physical and mental health.
September 2023
DeAndre “Dee” Jones How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Dee Jones is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit L3C. He is a trailblazer in the world of E-Sports, using gaming to empower our community and educate on critical social issues. The interview was mostly a conversation about the rise in E-sports and how it is an effective way to connect and empower todays youth.
September 2023
Privilege & Power: Celebration of the Black Woman Event for Young Women
This event was dedicated to young women interested in creative arts and media. It was an opportunity for them to meet ArtPrize artist Laura Wilson and talk about the journey of being a creative black woman.
September 2023
ArtPrize Art Display at NIA Centre
The artwork being displayed were part of a collection created by contemporary artist Laura T. Wilson titled From a Place of Privilege: A Celebration of the Black Woman.
September 2023
Project Backpack School Supplies Giveaway
This giveaway event was presented by NIA Centre and the National Professional Women & Mens Network working together to provide backpacks with school supplies for the children of Alger Middle School.
August 2023
Shannon Cohen How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Shannon Cohen is an individual who holds many titles including founder and CEO of Shannon Cohen Inc, founder of the Rockstar Women Brunch Experience, author, podcaster and owner of an inspirational product line called Tough Skin that had greeting cards debuted at 1750+ Target stores nationwide. During the great interview with her she talked about her journey getting to this point in her life and what inspires her. It was a wonderful conversation that gave great insight into the life of an entrepreneur.
August 2023
Summer Jazz Concert Fundraiser
This great event featured saxophonist Frank B, an amazing musician who has opened for many well-known R&B performers. Both the concert and fundraiser were a great success full of fun and fellowship with members of our community.
July 2023
TaRita Johnson How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
TaRita Johnson is the Senior Vice President of Talent and Diversity at The Right Place. During the livestream we talked about the large number of different positions and how she ultimately ended up here in Grand Rapids doing her dream job. Although TaRita is a woman full of connections, she emphasized that in a talent based career networking is one big key to success. TaRita has helped open doors for a vast amount of people and is excited to keep making a difference.
June 2023
How Intellectual Property Impacts the Business of Art!
The How Intellectual Property Impacts the Business of Art event was located here at NIA Centre. It was designed to be a discussion format that was open to members of the community. The event focused on artists of all kinds, helping them figure out the importance of intellectual property and how they can protect it. The night was full of clarity for many of those in attendance and sparked excitement for events to come at NIA Centre.
June 2023
Mandice McAllister How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Mandice McAllister is the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Manager at Warner Norcross & Judd, where she uses her leadership skills to help diversify professional environments. The interview was a very insightful look into the hard work required to be in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion field and how she has navigated her way from an educator to the legal industry.
June 2023
“Because They Did, We Can” Juneteenth Celebration
On Juneteenth, our very own executive director was invited to be a panelist at the “Because They Did, We Can” Juneteenth Celebration, located at the Grand Rapids Public Library. The panel discussed the topic of economic development and building black wealth. The event was full of black excellence, from an amazing dance performance to food and drinks prepared by black owned businesses. This event was the perfect way to celebrate Juneteenth!
June 2023
Jessa Challa How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Jessa Challa is an entrepreneur who is a conscious technologist and equity advocate. She also created the BIPOC-Owned Businesses Map, which is a great tool for those interested in finding BIPOC-Owned Businesses in the greater Grand Rapids area. During the interview we found out the inspiration behind the creation of the map and the importance of utilizing technology.
MAy 2023
Kareem Scales How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Kareem Scales is an entrepreneur who has recently started a company called Scales Consulting. Scales Consulting basically helps companies and organizations solve problems that require a second opinion. Throughout the interview Kareem explained that he always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur and walked through the journey of stepping away from the NAACP to follow his dream.
May 2023
Afield Reeves How Excellent We Are GR Instagram Live Series
Alfield Reeves is a full time photographer who does amazing work. During the interview Alfield talks about the story of how he randomly ended up interested in photography by helping out a friend. He has always been a creative individual and started off doing writing and poetry. He also shared that he loves the storytelling aspect of photography and has been widely inspired by his peers, friends and church.
June 2021
Dr. Eric Lewis Williams
Virtual Connect Event
Dr. Eric Lewis Williams is the Curator of Religion at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Dr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the McCormick Theological Seminary, the Master of Divinity degree from Duke University and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Religious Studies from the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.
He spoke with virtual NIA Centre audiences about the historical significance of family and reunion as it relates to the Juneteenth holiday.
OCTOBER 2020
Dr. Antonia Henry, MD, MPH
Virtual Connect Event
Antonia Henry, MD, MPH is a Colorectal Surgeon and Associate Chief Clinical Officer at Metro Health - University of Michigan. A Michigan native, she was born in Detroit and raised in Grand Rapids, graduating from City High School as valedictorian. She holds a BS with distinction in Microbiology from the University of Michigan where she was a Rhodes Scholarship Finalist and Angell Scholar.
After college she was awarded the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship and earned her MD degree at Harvard Medical School. She completed residency in Harvard Medical School. She completed residency in General Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where she also published research on health care disparities and completed an MPH degree at the Harvard School of Public Health. Following residency, she served as the Ship’s Surgeon on the USS Roosevelt, an aircraft carrier, before returning to Boston for fellowship training in Colon and Rectal Surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
She is a fellow of both the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons and is board certified in both specialties. While in the uS Navy, she was a Staff Surgeon at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Medical Director of the Combined Endoscopy Center.
September 2020
Damien Escobar
Virtual Connect Event
A world-renowned violinist, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, hailing from Jamaica, Queens, New York. His musical career spans over a decade, and his inspiring journey of making it big, losing it all, fighting to rebuild, and getting a second chance at success is as much apart of his brand identity than being among the top violinists in the world.
August 2020
Jason D. Slaikeu, MD, MBA &
TaLawnda L. Bragg, MD, FACP
Virtual Connect Event
Interim Vice President and Department Chief, Vascular Surgery, Wound Care and Limb Preservation, and Hyperbaric and Dive Medicine, Spectrum Health West Michigan.
Internal Medicine Hospitalist with the Spectrum Health Medical Group, Program Director for the Spectrum Health/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at MSU CHM