Leadership Grand Rapids was an outstanding experience that accelerated my ability to find causes & organizations that I could serve & support. Having lived outside the area for nearly 20 years, the program helped me gain new perspectives on my hometown through both personal connections and informative day sessions. I would recommend it to anyone that wants to serve as a community trustee with nearly immediate impact.
Diverse Business Enterprise Certifications
The Grand Rapids Chamberās Diverse Business EnterpriseĀ (DBE) certification program recognizes minority, veteran, women, tribal, disability and LGBTQ+ owned businesses. Certifications are provided to increase transparency and to create opportunities for procurement with supplier diversity programs with the areaās largest companies.
The certification of diverse-owned businesses gives West Michigan organizations a competitive advantage when working with the greater business community without additional barriers such as pending citizenship status or access to capital. The process will be the first step to other certifications outside of our jurisdictions.
Having the support and approval of the Grand Rapids Chamber will give these businesses a competitive edge when bidding for contracts with local companies.
*A minority business enterprise is one owned or controlled by a recognized minority group, such as Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic, or Native American.Ā