Funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) is aimed at increasing the number of women and people of color utilizing outdoor recreation spaces in Grand Rapids.

WKKF has provided funding to the city of Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Whitewater (GRW)—an organization dedicated to restoring rapids on the Grand River—to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in their growing conservation and restoration efforts. With this funding, GRW has hired Ciarra Adkins as an equity analyst, overseeing DEI efforts for the project and to get more women and people of color to participate in restoration efforts and future rapids recreation.

“There is an opportunity for economic prosperity within the environmental world that typically people of color are not a part of,” Adkins said in an interview with MiBiz. “We’re trying to be intentional as the city, and with a lot of our partners, to make sure economic opportunities that arise from our river improvements make space for women and people of color to be able to participate.”

According to the Outdoor Foundation, people of color continue to show low participation in outdoor recreation activities despite some small increases. However, the number of women participants has increased significantly in recent years, making up 45% of participants in 2019.

WKKF and GRW also hope to increase economic opportunities for women and people of color with their efforts. With business developments being planned for the restoration, Adkins will ensure that businesses owned by women and people of color will have the chance to open and thrive as visitor numbers are expected to increase.

CMF reported last year that WKKF had partnered with the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF) to amplify locally driven philanthropy by and for communities of color. This most-recent grant is a continuation of the work to create a more equitable future for all Grand Rapids residents.

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Read MiBiz’s story on the grant

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