City of Inclusion: community gathers for conversation on, learning about immigrants and refugees
The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and Grand Rapids Public Library joined forces to create a panel discussion and community conversation around issues and themes raised in the upcoming production of “Ragtime: The Musical” that resonate with current events in our community and nation.
A panel of immigration and refugee experts gave presentations on refugee and immigration experience in Grand Rapids tonight to a standing room only crowd of some 200 people. The panel was sponsored by Grand Rapids Public Library and Grand Rapids Civic Theater in conjunction with the production of “Ragtime: The Musical” at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. The musical includes strong themes of experiences for immigrants. Civic Theatre leaders saw an opportunity to expand on that conversation, started by the arts, with a community event.
Panelists included: Kristine Van Noord, Program Manager at Bethany Christian Services’ Refugee Adult & Family Programs; Ricardo Tavarez, pastor of En Vivo Church; Kelsey Herbert, Office of Social Justice at the Christian Reformed Church North America (CRCNA); Susan Kragt, Executive Director of West Michigan Refugee Education and Cultural Center (WMRECC); and Irina Nadrau, Grand Rapids Public Library (and Romanian immigrant).