Tommy Allen

Grand Rapids

Publisher and Lifestyle Editor at Rapid Growth

Creative raised in Flint trying to navigate West Michigan Nice in Grand Rapids.

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Articles

Forecasting the future: Keith Brophy on 20 years of Tech Trends and the human side of AI

3 days ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

For the past 20 years, West Michigan Tech Trends has been both a reflection and a driving force behind the region's evolving relationship with technology. Since it began in 1999 as a small gathering hosted by the SBDC, it has grown into a signature annual event, now run by West Michigan Tech Talent, drawing tech enthusiasts, business leaders, educators, and curious minds to explore the fast-paced world of innovation.
Adapting outdoor recreation in West Michigan amidst shifting seasons and climate change

1 week ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

West Michigan’s recreational environment is undergoing a significant shift due to climate change, characterized by milder winters and increasingly unpredictable seasons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture officially changed the region’s climate classification from Zone 5 to Zone 6A in November 2023, underscoring the extensive regional effects of climate change on winter activities in West Michigan.
Adapting outdoor recreation in West Michigan amidst shifting seasons and climate change

1 week ago | secondwavemedia.com | Tommy Allen

West Michigan’s recreational environment is undergoing a significant shift due to climate change, characterized by milder winters and increasingly unpredictable seasons. The U.S. Department of Agriculture officially changed the region’s climate classification from Zone 5 to Zone 6A in November 2023, underscoring the extensive regional effects of climate change on winter activities in West Michigan.
Strengthening our local arts organizations: The DeVos Institute’s capacity-building initiative in Gr

3 weeks ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

Five months into its transformative two-year journey, the DeVos Institute for Arts and Nonprofit Management’s Capacity Building: Grand Rapids program is driving change in the local arts and nonprofit sectors. With the enthusiastic support of Dick and Betsy DeVos, this program is assisting 14 Grand Rapids arts organizations in enhancing their strategic planning, strengthening sustainability, and developing impactful, enduring community programs.
Students preserve stories of Vietnam War survivors

3 weeks ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

Fifty years after the Fall of Saigon, a group of students at East Kentwood High School is helping to preserve the stories of their families’ harrowing journeys from Vietnam to the United States. Through a collaboration with the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the Vietnamese American Community of West Michigan, and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, these students are documenting oral histories that reflect not only personal resilience but also the legacy of this country's refugee policy.
Gravel, growth, and the future of Barry-Roubaix in rural Michigan

1 month ago | secondwavemedia.com | Tommy Allen

Every spring, Hastings — a peaceful town with around 7,500 residents — undergoes a remarkable transformation. During the weekend of the Barry-Roubaix gravel cycling race, the town’s population nearly doubles. "We conservatively estimate around 8,000 people attend," says Matt Acker, co-owner of Pavement Ends Inc., which organizes the race. Established in 2009 with just a few hundred participants, Barry-Roubaix is now acknowledged as the largest gravel road race globally.
'Knowledge to All': How the Grand Rapids Public Museum fosters belonging through education

1 month ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

As museums nationwide are urged to evolve beyond mere passive repositories, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is leading the charge in transformation, assuming its role as an educational hub and community partner.
Gravel, growth, and the future of Barry-Roubaix rural Michigan

1 month ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

Every spring, Hastings — a peaceful town with around 7,500 residents — undergoes a remarkable transformation. During the weekend of the Barry-Roubaix gravel cycling race, the town’s population nearly doubles. "We conservatively estimate around 8,000 people attend," says Matt Acker, co-owner of Pavement Ends Inc., which organizes the race. Established in 2009 with just a few hundred participants, Barry-Roubaix is now acknowledged as the largest gravel road race globally.
Literacy Matters: 5 stories that celebrate the evolution of our libraries

1 month ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

For years, the Literacy Matters series has demonstrated how West Michigan's libraries are transforming into vibrant civic institutions, adapting, inspiring, broadening everyone's access to knowledge, and expanding our intellectual curiosity.While libraries nationwide face challenges, our local establishments shine as symbols of creativity, inclusion, and community solutions. Below, we highlight five of the many stories that Rapid Growth has produced through our local journalists.
From Detroit to Grand Rapids: How a community-focused grocer flourishes despite challenges

1 month ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Tommy Allen

Situated in the heart of Creston's Cheshire neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Kingma's Market exemplifies the effectiveness of community-oriented solutions for Michigan food and beverage entrepreneurs within the challenging grocery sector. With the leadership of owner Alan Hartline, a former Spartan Nash executive with extensive experience in the food sector, Kingma’s has adeptly faced the challenges of running a small urban market.