Category: Culture

Passion, Purpose, Solutions, Genuineness, and Servant Leadership FIRST & 42 is celebrating the region’s outstanding workplaces with our 2020 Wonderful Workplaces competition. Today we would like to extend a warm congratulations to Consumers Credit Union for being crowned a champion in this year’s competition. Consumers Credit Union is a Michigan-based credit union offering a range […]

Let’s Make a Toast to 2021 There’s no better way to start off the new year than by supporting local breweries, distilleries, and wineries, some of which may have gotten you through the old year (wink, wink). However you choose to celebrate, remember to support our local small businesses and drink local and responsibly to […]

While the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan (BBBSMI) Fire & Ice event has gone virtual this year, the inspirational stories and exciting entertainment will still warm your heart from the chill of the December air. “It’s still a celebration of the community commitment to igniting potential and empowering resilience through mentoring, just […]

Did you know that Western Michigan University’s (WMU) dance department is one of the largest in the Midwest and its graduates go on to professional careers as dancers, choreographers, educators, and much more? Like many other educational experiences this year at the university, the department has faced its challenges during COVID-19—especially since its primary form […]

Did you know that there are currently 16 million Americans providing unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias? These caregivers provide an estimated 18.6 billion hours of care valued at nearly $244 billion. During the month of November, caregivers are being honored and supported during National Family Caregivers Month. Caregivers provide necessary support […]

Currently operating as a food truck and offering catering, Cairo’s Kitchen, a traditional Egyptian restaurant is opening a brick and mortar location in the Exchange Building in spring 2021. But, if you were to ask Ramy Rezkalla and his family a year ago, cooking and selling their mother’s food, let alone opening a restaurant was […]

What started as a way to help her family out has turned into a career for Jamie Brock, as well as a way to let her entrepreneurial spirit soar. In 2014, Jamie purchased Coffee Rescue from her brother and continues to serve as the sole owner. While coffee has consistently been a part of the […]

FIRST & 42 has curated a list of ideas for you to find locally made gifts for the most wonderful time of the year with features of local Merry Makers. Giving the gift of local means more, because not only will you find quality items that are meaningful to others, but yule get to support […]

With a strong artistic and entrepreneurial spirit but few local opportunities to apply his passions, Alex Weller, owner and operator of Weller BBQ Food Truck forged his own path. “I grew up in Grand Haven. There are only two options: either work in factories or restaurants,” said Alex. “So, I’ve cooked in restaurants my whole […]

Recently retired from the army with a great deal of energy and passion to share, Jason Baldwin jumped into the food truck business starting On the Roll Food Truck with the encouragement of his wife and co-owner Brenda. “When he said he was going to retire, I said, ‘Okay, that’s fine, but you still have […]

Throughout this past summer, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo supported families by providing fun and safe camp programs during the day. To continue its support of the community, particularly working families and school children in Kalamazoo, the YMCA worked with local organizations such as KYDNet, Bronson, and area schools to develop its school support program. […]

If you traveled back in time 20 years, the one square mile sitting on top of a hill in Kalamazoo may be unrecognizable. Known as the Eastside Neighborhood, the place used to be home to upwards of 30 businesses, explained Neighborhood Association Director Pat Taylor. “As the years went by and the paper mills died […]