Urban Core Collective

Urban Core Collective Join us in building collective power, fostering community, and creating lasting change.

Urban Core Collective supports the self-determination and agency of marginalized communities in Grand Rapids through advocacy, organizing, and leadership cultivation. The Urban Core Collective exists to support the self-determination and agency of historically marginalized communities by engaging in advocacy, community organizing, and leadership cultivation that transforms living conditions and th

e distribution of power in the Greater Grand Rapids area. We believe that people impacted by injustice hold wisdom that is vital to disrupting the status quo and that through building power and acting collectively, we can bring about racial justice.

Did you know that air quality in Grand Rapids isn’t equal? Communities located near highways and industrial areas experi...
05/30/2026

Did you know that air quality in Grand Rapids isn’t equal? Communities located near highways and industrial areas experience:
🌫️ Higher levels of pollution
🚛 Increased truck traffic
⚠️ Greater health risks

In some neighborhoods, air quality is considered unhealthy for over 25% of the year.

It’s the result of systems, not chance. This is environmental injustice.

At UCC, our Air Quality Advocacy work focuses on:
🌫️ Pushing for stricter enforcement on industry and emissions
🚛 Addressing the impact of truck traffic in residential areas
📢 Raising awareness about environmental health disparities

This work is led by Climate Justice Organizer Nancy, who is organizing alongside community members who are putting in the work and advocating for better air quality.

📩 Want to get involved? Reach out to Nancy: [email protected]

"Climate change is often talked about as a future crisis, but for many communities in Grand Rapids, it’s already a daily...
05/29/2026

"Climate change is often talked about as a future crisis, but for many communities in Grand Rapids, it’s already a daily reality. From rising energy costs to poor air quality and inequitable infrastructure, the impacts of environmental injustice are not evenly distributed. They fall hardest on communities of color and working families. These communities have historically been excluded from the decisions that shape their lives. At Urban Core Collective, our Climate & Environmental Justice team is working every day to change that. We are organizing, educating, and building community power to ensure that everyone has access to clean air, affordable energy, and sustainable systems that support a healthy future..."

Read more here: https://urbancorecollective.org/post/climate-justice-is-community-justice

Last chance to join us for The People's Game Night happening this Thursday! ⏰Don’t miss your chance to learn how decisio...
05/26/2026

Last chance to join us for The People's Game Night happening this Thursday! ⏰

Don’t miss your chance to learn how decisions in our city get made, connect with community, and have a genuinely fun night doing it. Come test your knowledge, enjoy food, win prizes, and walk away knowing more about who represents you and how to stay involved!

Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/the-peoples-game-night-city-commission-edition

What an incredible celebration as we honored and graduated TLP Cohort 12!The Transformational Leadership Program was cre...
05/22/2026

What an incredible celebration as we honored and graduated TLP Cohort 12!

The Transformational Leadership Program was created intentionally as a space for people of color to build community, deepen leadership, and cultivate power together. Spaces like TLP matter because our communities hold the wisdom, lived experiences, and visions needed to create the future we deserve. When people of color are supported in growing as leaders, our entire community becomes stronger.

To our newest graduates: congratulations on this milestone and all you brought to this journey. Your courage, care, and commitment to showing up for one another reflect the power of collective action and the possibilities that emerge when we invest in ourselves and each other.

Thank you for dreaming boldly, leading authentically, and helping us practice new ways of being together. We are excited to witness the relationships, ideas, and change that will continue to grow from this cohort.

Congratulations, TLP Cohort 12! 💛

Do you know who represents you in the Grand Rapids City Commission? 🤔 What ward do you live in?🤔 Who are your city commi...
05/20/2026

Do you know who represents you in the Grand Rapids City Commission?

🤔 What ward do you live in?
🤔 Who are your city commissioners?
🤔 What decisions are they making that impact your daily life?

For many of us, the answers aren’t always clear. That’s exactly why we created The People’s Game Night

This is your chance to learn in a way that’s actually engaging, interactive, and rooted in community:

🎲 Play trivia + test your knowledge
🏛️ Learn how the City Commission works
🍽️ Share food and space with others
🏆 Win prizes along the way

Register now and join us for our next People’s Game Night: https://actionnetwork.org/events/the-peoples-game-night-city-commission-edition

What does a sustainable city actually look like?It looks like:🚶🏽 Walkable neighborhoods🚌 Safe, accessible transportation...
05/19/2026

What does a sustainable city actually look like?

It looks like:
🚶🏽 Walkable neighborhoods
🚌 Safe, accessible transportation
🌊 Infrastructure that prevents flooding
♻️ Responsible waste systems
🏡 Affordable, sustainable housing

These systems shape our everyday lives, and they should be designed with our communities in mind. But too often, decisions about infrastructure and development are made without meaningful community input.

At UCC, we’re working to change that. Through our Sustainable Municipal Systems work, we are:
🌱 Advocating for smarter, more equitable infrastructure
🌱 Working with community members, local businesses, and partners
🌱 Holding decision-makers accountable for how taxpayer dollars are used

Because we all deserve a city that supports our health, safety, and future!

This work is led by Erica, our Climate Justice Organizer, who centers community voices in building a more sustainable Grand Rapids.

📩 Want to get involved? Reach out to Erica: [email protected]

Folks are talking about The People’s Game Night 👀“I laughed and learned.”“Didn’t feel ashamed about what I didn’t know.”...
05/18/2026

Folks are talking about The People’s Game Night 👀

“I laughed and learned.”
“Didn’t feel ashamed about what I didn’t know.”
“I didn’t realize how much power local government has!”

This is what it looks like when learning about our city is accessible, joyful, and rooted in community!

You can join us at our next game night! This time we’re diving into the topic of Grand Rapids City Commission 🏛️

Thursday, May 28th from 6-7:30pm
At the UCC Office (413 Hall Street Southeast #1)

🎲 Come play, learn, and test your civic knowledge
🍽️ Enjoy food
🏆 Win prizes
📚 Walk away knowing more about how decisions get made in our city

Register now: https://actionnetwork.org/events/the-peoples-game-night-city-commission-edition

Energy is a basic need, but for many families in our community, it’s becoming a financial crisis. Households should spen...
05/12/2026

Energy is a basic need, but for many families in our community, it’s becoming a financial crisis. Households should spend no more than 6% of their income on energy. But right now, many are paying 20–25%.

At the same time, utility companies continue to push for massive rate increases, leaving the community out of the decision-making process.

This is where organizing comes in! At UCC, our Energy Justice work focuses on:
⚡ Challenging unfair rate increases
⚡ Engaging residents in the regulatory process
⚡ Advocating for clean, sustainable energy systems

Because when people understand how these systems work, they can change them!

This work is led by Sergio, our Climate Justice Catalyst. He is building power with communities across Grand Rapids and beyond.

📩 Want to get involved? Reach out to Sergio: [email protected]

Address

413 Hall Street Southeast #1
Grand Rapids, MI
49507

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