West Michigan Minority Contractors

West Michigan Minority Contractors events offer diversely owned and emerging contractors a place to connect, learn, and grow through relationship‑building and strategic partnerships.

This upcoming session will explore universal design and accessible housing and why going beyond minimum ADA compliance is not only the right thing to do, but also smart business.

Featured speakers include Gabriel Grant, Founder and CEO of Care Granted and developer of two of West Michigan’s most forward‑thinking accessible housing projects, and Dave Bulkowski, Executive Director of Disability Advocates of Kent County and a longtime advocate for accessible, inclusive communities.

Together, they will share real‑world insight into how universal design principles are being applied to upcoming housing developments in West Michigan, what accessibility looks like when it’s integrated from the start, and how contractors, designers, and developers can position themselves for future opportunities as demand for inclusive housing continues to grow.

Attendees will gain perspective on:

• Why accessibility and universal design create stronger projects and broader market appeal
• How inclusive design impacts construction practices, collaboration, and project planning
• Opportunities for contractors, trades, and developers to engage in accessible housing projects now and in the future

Whether you’re a trade contractor, minority‑owned business, construction firm, architect, engineer, developer, or supplier, this session offers practical insight, meaningful conversation, and the chance to build connections across West Michigan’s construction and development community.