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A WGVU initiative in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation using on-air programs and community events to explore issues of inclusion and equity.

When economic opportunity is directly tied to policy it becomes equitable

Kyama Kitavi, an economic developer in the city of Grand Rapids, says economic opportunity really has to do with developing policies on equity intentionally.  

“The same intentionality that was used to keep people out of this economic opportunity, the same intentionality needs to be used to bring people back in.” 

According to data from the U.S Census Bureau, 30% percent of the firms in the city are owned by people of color, but their value is at an average of $105,642 while the business value for white owned businesses is at an average of nearly $600,000. 

Kitavi says if Grand Rapids were doing well, policies would allow for an increase in wealth creation for people of color. 

“It’s one thing to talk about it, and put it into conversation and be vocal about it and its another thing to put it into practice and to implement it, and when it comes to practicing and implementing it we are talking about policy. 

In the spring of 2016, the city of Grand Rapids developed a racial equity plan, and one of their priorities was to bridge the opportunity gap for the City’s vulnerable and underserved communities of color. Stay tuned for our next piece examining how the City of Grand Rapids is taking on economic development for communities of color.   

Michelle Jokisch Polo, WGVU News. 

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