Economic empowerment, racial justice event planned for Muskegon Heights

By Skyla Jewell-Hammie

On October 20, 2023

The 2023 West MI Cooperative Economics & Racial Wealth Parity Fair on Oct. 21 invites all stakeholders to unite in the spirit of cooperative economic empowerment and racial justice. (Photo provided to MLive by Thredz Community Building Organization)

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI – The heart of Muskegon Heights is about to witness an “extraordinary convergence of purpose” this weekend, officials say, as the community unites for the 2023 West MI Cooperative Economics & Racial Wealth Parity Fair.

Development Company Main Street Loan Fund and Thredz.org, a community development organization, are calling for all to unite in the spirit of cooperative economic empowerment and racial justice, the news release said.

The free event is planned from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at 600 E. Barney St. It will feature a panel discussion on racial wealth parity, cooperative economics and significance for melenated communities.

“If you’re a stakeholder in West Michigan, this is your moment to contribute to something greater than yourself,” as stated in the release. “Together, we can bridge the economic gap, build generational wealth and create a more inclusive economy.”

Guests can also expect to connect with Black, Indigenous and Latinx majority-owned businesses as well as take part in fun activities like pumpkin decorating, Halloween costume contests and trick-or-treating.

Marria McIntosh, president of Thredz, told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle that the goal of the inaugural event is to inspire positive change and comradery among BIPOC residents.

“There is a wealth of individuals in Muskegon Heights who are highly educated, highly capable and invested in seeing the growth within their communities,” McIntosh said. “We are all interconnected. We’re intentional of making sure we reach within the community but also outside of the community.”

2024 Senate Candidate Hill Harper will give the keynote address before the SuperPower Panel Discussion. Panelists include:

  • William Grice, executive director of The Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (U.S. Department of Commerce)
  • LaShae Simmons II, founder of Black Wall Street (Muskegon)
  • Attah Obande, vice president of business and talent development at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce (Grand Rapids)
  • Donald Alexis, president of Main Street Loan Fund (New England & West Michigan)
  • Bobby Boyd, platinum-selling songwriter & environmental justice advocate (Kalamazoo)

The anticipated event follows the launch of the 2022 Michigan Statewide Housing Plan which addressed the pressing challenges of soaring rents, systemic housing inequities and the scarcity of affordable housing.

“We are really heavy on community engagement,” McIntosh said. “What we are looking to do as Thredz grows in West Michigan is looking to see what communities really want in their area, in terms of housing development and retail space.”

For more information and to register for the Oct. 21 event, click here.

Thredz brings affordable housing and economic development to hidden gems within the most distressed areas in West Michigan, with the goal of uplifting the prosperity of melanated neighborhoods.

This was republished from Michigan Live.

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