Grand Rapids – The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG) will host The BIPOC Pop-Up Shop this Saturday, September 17, in conjunction with the Grand Rapids African American Arts & Music Festival. Vendors will be located in the Alligator Alley next to Van Andel Arena® and on Oakes Street near the Studio Park Piazza, where the African American Festival is taking place. The community is invited to shop the local BIPOC-owned business booths from 12 PM – 6 PM. The BIPOC Pop-Up Shop will give diverse vendors an opportunity to sell their wares to thousands of residents and visitors coming downtown for the Festival and ArtPrize.
A ribbon cutting for the BIPOC Pop-Up Shop will take place at 3 PM on Saturday at the Pop-Up Shop entry in the Alligator Alley. Attah Obande, Vice President of Business & Talent Development for the Grand Rapids Chamber, will oversee the ceremony, and will be joined by members of the Community Inclusion Group.
“We’re excited to offer local diverse businesses owners the opportunity to gain exposure to visitors coming downtown for two high-traffic festivals,” said Omar Cuevas, CIG Co-Chair and Grand Rapids Chamber Vice President of Investor and Corporate Relations. “We’re also thrilled to provide a variety of offerings to festival attendees to contribute to inclusivity during one of the busiest weekends of the year.”
“The BIPOC Pop-Up Shop is part of the greater effort of the CIG to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our community and at our venues - Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall,” said Joe Jones, CIG Co-Chair and President/CEO of The Hekima Group. “This event is a great opportunity to celebrate the rich culture here in West Michigan.”
About the CIG
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority’s Community Inclusion Group (CIG) is a task force comprised of local community leaders that strive to make DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall West Michigan’s premier multicultural enjoyment and entertainment venues. Established in 2005 as the CAA’s Diversity Committee and reconvened as the Community Inclusion Group (CIG) in 2010, CIG actively guides the venues in increasing community access and awareness, attracting top level events and talent, and fostering inclusive staff and supplier development and engagement. As a result of these ongoing efforts, the West Michigan community has enjoyed visits from a number of diverse artists, including Kevin Hart, Janet Jackson, Shen Yun, Snoop Dogg, Pepe Aguilar, Pitbull, Aretha Franklin and more. The support of the Community Inclusion Group continues to ensure that DeVos Place, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall remain “Three Premier Venues: Welcoming All.”
About the CAA
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) is the seven-member board that administers DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall and Van Andel Arena. The CAA was established on March 29, 2000 by the City of Grand Rapids and County of Kent under the Convention Facility Authority Act, Act 203 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1999, to encourage economic development within the West Michigan region, create jobs, and provide facilities for the entertainment, enjoyment, and/or benefit of the citizens in an economical manner by developing and operating convention, entertainment, and sports facilities within Kent County.
About ASM Global
Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall are managed by ASM Global. ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management—delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter. asmglobal.com
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