Patti Caudill Diversity and Inclusion Manager 616.456.3027 Welcome to the City of Grand Rapids Diversity and Inclusion website! Grand Rapids, the second-largest city in the state of Michigan, values and respects the diversity of its residents and employees. The City of Grand Rapids is committed to providing a working environment free from discrimination and to fostering a nurturing and vibrant community founded upon the fundamental dignity and worth of all of its members.   The Diversity and Inclusion Office  has overall responsibility for the administration of the City's equal opportunity, nondiscrimination and diversity policies and programs. To that extent, we work to promote inclusion and accessibility. Diversity and Inclusion has three basic divisions under which programs are administered. They are Supplier Diversity, Workforce Diveristy Community Diversity.   The Diversity and Inclusion Office is also responsible for providing staff support to the Community Relations Commission. The Commission is a nine member body of citizens appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Commission to work toward the elimination of prejudice and discrimination.

To access our services, please click on one of the links below:

• Workforce Diversity
  Monitors and analyzes the City's workforce diversity and equal opportunity activities; investigates discrimination and harassment complaints of City employees; provides internal training and orientation on issues of discrimination, harassment prevention and eeo principles; and provides federal, state and local reporting on the employment activities of the City of Grand Rapids.
  
  
  
• Community Diversity
  Investigates and resolves complaints of ADA accessibility for City facilities, organizes and provides support to the City's Hate Crime initiative, and administers the Contract Compliance Program.
  
  
  
• Contract Compliance - Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination in City Contracting
  City Commission Policy 600-10 indicates that all firms who receive payments of greater that $10,000 must comply with the Contract Compliance guidelines set forth ensuring equal opportunity and non-discriminatory practices.

 CONTRACT COMPLIANCE ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES

•  Community Relations Commission
  Seeks to keep peace among citizens; avoid intergroup tensions and promote good will; and ensure equality of treatment and opportunities to all.
  
  Acts as an advisory, operational and quasi-judicial body that conducts hearings, investigates complaints of discrimination, provides for community education, conducts research, releases reports and takes action as it deems necessary to promote the principles of social equity including but not limited to equal opportunity, non-discrimination, access and diversity.

For information about the Rosa Parks Sculpture Project click on the Rosa Parks sculpture picture.

Photograph by Keepsake Studios.

 The Grand Rapids Community Relations Commission in collaboration with the Rosa Parks Sculpture Education Committee is pleased to present the 2012 Rosa Parks Essay Contest.  This contest is open to middle and high school students in Kent County.  Please click here for complete details.
​​