On this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Victor Williams, founder and president of the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator (GR-MiFi) and CEO of Grandstand Pictures. Victor shares how GR-MiFi is empowering the next generation of filmmakers while preserving and amplifying the stories that have shaped Grand Rapids.

The conversation explores the organization's innovative film incubator model, its commitment to hands-on education and media literacy, and its first major documentary project inspired by Dr. Todd E. Robinson's A City Within A City: The Black Freedom Struggle in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Victor also reflects on his own creative journey—from performing with his pioneering Grand Rapids hip-hop group, New Concept, to producing films that spotlight the community's rich and often untold history.

Learn more about the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator at grmifi.org.

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Janet Zahn sits down with Heather Obrien (Program Manager) and Victor Sultana (Board Member) from Renew Mobility to discuss how their organization transforms lives by providing essential mobility equipment to those who need it most.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• A Personal Story: Board Member Victor Sultana shares a moving personal experience of how Renew Mobility provided a wheelchair for his son, enabling him to attend school for the very first time.

• Connecting with Care: How clients in need can reach out and connect with their services.

• The Funding Challenge: An honest look at the current financial struggles the organization is facing and why community backing is more vital than ever.

• How You Can Help: Beyond financial donations, discover the various ways the community can step up and support Renew Mobility's local programming.

• Website: Visit renewmobility.org to learn more, donate, or get involved.

  
  

  Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program produced by WYCE Community Radio and The Grand Rapids Community Media Center.

In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower dives into the highlights of the 2026 National Civics Bee.

On April 15th, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce hosted the prestigious regional competition at the Ford Presidential Museum, bringing together 20 talented middle school finalists from across the area to showcase their civic knowledge.

We are joined by Andy Johnston, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, along with two inspiring regional contestants from Riley Street Middle School in Hudsonville: Hadley Baer and Siddhi Pandey.

We spoke with both Hadley and Siddhi about their experience competing on the big stage, what it takes to prepare for a civics bee, and how this unique initiative is building essential skills for the next generation of leadership.

• Inside the Competition: A recap of the April 15th regional event at the Ford Presidential Museum and what the competition looked like for the 20 local finalists.

• The Stakes: How top state winners earn prizes of up to $1,000, and how Michigan’s first-place winner advances to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall to compete for a $100,000 contribution to a 529 college savings plan.

• The Mission: Why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched this annual, nonpartisan competition to increase civic literacy, skills, and community disposition among young Americans.

• Learn more about local business advocacy and initiatives: Grand Rapids Chamber

• Learn more about the competition: National Civics Bee / U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

WYCE’s Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, bringing you diverse perspectives from community leaders throughout West Michigan.