Join the community for a powerful and thought-provoking panel discussion inspired by the GR Stories exhibit, exploring how history unfolded in West Michigan and how local experiences both reflect and diverge from the broader story of America.

Led by Dr. Tony Baker, Ferris State University Professor of Sociology, and Dale Robertson, Director of the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the discussion will examine how national movements, policies, and court decisions shaped everyday life in Grand Rapids. Through personal stories and lived experiences, the panel will reveal how history truly “happened here.”

The conversation features eight individuals who grew up or worked in Grand Rapids during key periods of social change, including:

• Teresa Neal, 1977 Creston High School graduate and member of the first generation of school integration

• Deborah Jones, 1968 South High School graduate and niece of Malcolm X

• Ed Kettle, 1969 Union High School graduate and member of the first generation of school integration

• Doretha Ardoin, one of the earliest Black realtors in Grand Rapids and an advocate for fair housing

• Nancy Haynes, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Center of West Michigan

• Rick Bengelink, 1968 South High School graduate and longtime public school teacher

• Edye Evans Hyde, 1975 Creston High School graduate, educator, and theater director, and Mike Hyde, jazz musician

This panel offers a meaningful opportunity to hear firsthand accounts that deepen understanding of civil rights, education, housing, and community history in West Michigan. Ideal for students, educators, history enthusiasts, and community members, the event encourages reflection, dialogue, and connection through shared stories and perspectives.