Monitoring the Rich and Powerful in Grand Rapids – Segment One

One of the 10 principles of journalism is that it must serve as an independent monitor of power.

Now, I don’t claim to be a journalist, more of a media watchdog, but I do engage in movement media. Movement media is reporting and documenting what social movements are doing, which is what I have been trying to do with GRIID since 2009.

However, since I have been monitoring what I call the Grand Rapids Power Structure for nearly two decades, I thought I would start a new segment – Monitoring the Rich and Powerful in Grand Rapids. 

The Monitoring the Rich and Powerful in Grand Rapids segments will offer brief commentary on those who have power over others in this community. These segments will not replace my regular reporting on the Grand Rapids Power Structure, since those stories will offer more in depth writing. 

As we navigate a second Trump Administration with the likes of Elon Musk, it seems like a perfect opportunity to shed some light on rich and powerful of Grand Rapids, or to frame it the way that radical media from the 60s and 70s would do regarding the Capitalist Class, using the phrase, “up against the wall motherfucker!”

1. Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella was appointed to the board of directors for the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank Chicago. Mantella can add this appointment to her list of other roles that demonstrates that she is more interested in being connected to centers of power than promoting critical thinking and academic freedom. Mantella is also part of the Right Place Inc., the Econ Club of Grand Rapids, and Grand Action 2.0. In 2023, the President of GVSU decided to partner with local companies to promote a talent pipeline for local business, when she stated: “We are addressing labor-shortage concerns and creating a positive impact on the business community. This program will highlight Grand Valley students’ human-centered skills and deep knowledge of their disciplines, and the companies will benefit from well-prepared employees.”
2. On Tuesday, the Grand Rapids City Commission voted to authorize $128 million in capital improvement bonds that will go toward constructing the Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Stadium, as reported in Crain’s Business. This money will eventually come out of the Hotel Tax, which was increased last year through an August ballot initiative. However, the City’s willingness to approve the $128 million bond for entertainment facilities is reflective of their priorities, since Grand Rapids City Commissioners have never agreed to take out a similar amount for affordable housing or any other social benefit for the residents of Grand Rapids. Imagine if Grand Rapids took out a bond of $128 million for housing? Imagine if people could get $50,000 towards a downpayment for a modest $250,000 home. $128 million could provide 2560 families with a downpayment. For tenants who are paying $2000 a month for rent, which is $24,000 a year, then $128 million could cover the cost of rent for 5333 families for an entire year. Now, that would be housing justice!
3. The Acton Institute is a notorious think tank that calls Grand Rapids home. GRIID has been writing about the Acton Institute for decades. However, we also are always looking at who sits on their board of directors. For instance, J.C. Huizenga, the CEO of National Heritage Academies (NHA), is an Acton Institute board member. NHA is a charter school entity that has a long history of undermining public education. JC Huizenga also sits on the Grand Rapids Promise board. At one of their board meetings in someone entions BIPOC students and Huizenga responds, “what does BIPOC stand for?” Former GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal responds, “It’s just another name for non-sense, JC.” JC Huizenga then asks, “I’m wondering, does this discriminate against Asian people,  Jews who aren’t wealthy or Syrian Refugees?” All the while Weatherall Neal is shaking her head in affirmation of Huizenga’s comment. Weatherall Neal talks about how she had to deal with the term BIPOC while she was GRPS Superintendent. “Black signifies all people from Africa. So everyone is lumped together.” You could not make this stuff up.