Celebrating Minority-Owned Businesses in Grand Rapids: BIPOC Pop-Up Event
GRAND RAPIDS, MI – On Thursday, May 18, fifty minority-owned businesses came together at the Goei Center for a dynamic and inspiring BIPOC Pop-Up Event. This gathering provided local entrepreneurs the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and showcase their unique perspectives with the broader Grand Rapids community.
Throughout the event, community members explored the Goei Center, walking from table to table and engaging with businesses in a variety of ways. Attendees sampled coffee, smoothies, and other specialty treats, modeled fashion and clothing items, and had meaningful conversations with owners about their products and services. Many participants discovered small, local businesses they may not have previously known, fostering a stronger connection between entrepreneurs and the community.
Among the vendors, Kalene Mcelveen, owner of Tasteful Vegan, showcased her dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and peanut-free frozen desserts sold at her shop in Wyoming, MI. Mcelveen described the event as having a special “warmth,” emphasizing the value of community support and collaboration among like-minded business owners.
“You’re able to see a lot of businesses that you support and that you have been around for a long time, and be in a place where we’re all together,” said Mcelveen.
The event was sponsored by Rende Progress Capital, which provided small-business loans to 38 of the approximately 50 businesses in attendance. This initiative highlighted the importance of financial support, business growth, and community investment in fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Grand Rapids.
This BIPOC Pop-Up was the second semi-annual event, seeing significantly higher turnout than the first event held in November 2022, which coincided with the first snowstorm of the season and limited attendance. Mcelveen noted the positive impact of better weather on attendance, hoping that future events would continue to promote local businesses and encourage community engagement.
Another standout participant, Iroyanna Hogan Davis, owner of Perfect Fit, brought her line of professional clothing for young adults, alongside casual wear and a children’s line. Perfect Fit emphasizes inclusion and representation, with personalized jewelry celebrating “Black magic” and the concept of being “Black and educated.”
“I definitely think that there needs to be a lot more representation and a lot more support,” said Davis. “We need to recognize in order to be a great, flourishing, and thriving community, it takes all of us.”
While Davis’ goal was to achieve at least $500 in sales, she emphasized that the relationships formed and the opportunity to support fellow minority-owned businesses were just as important as monetary outcomes. This sentiment captures the spirit of the event: fostering connection, collaboration, and empowerment among Grand Rapids entrepreneurs and residents alike.
At the same event, Emmitt Bronkema, owner of Eden Coffee, delighted attendees with free samples of specialty lattes and coffee drinks, showcasing the unique offerings of his west-side Grand Rapids coffee shop. Bronkema attended the BIPOC Pop-Up not only to grow his business but also to raise awareness about the diverse, innovative coffee experiences available in the community.
Reflecting on his journey as a local entrepreneur, Bronkema expressed gratitude to the pioneers of minority-owned businesses who paved the way for new generations. Inspired by their example, he aims to pass the torch and support other minority business owners in achieving their goals.
“It’s very good, even if it’s just for minorities, to mix up populations and be able to meet with each other, connect with each other and be able to say, ‘I have that, and you might need this’ so we can build off each other,” Bronkema said.
Bronkema likened the collaborative spirit of the event to building with Legos, emphasizing the importance of mutual support and community collaboration. His vision extends beyond individual business success—he hopes to contribute to making Grand Rapids a more vibrant, inclusive, and beautiful city, where minority entrepreneurs can thrive and support one another.
By participating in events like the BIPOC Pop-Up at the Goei Center, Bronkema and other business owners are strengthening community ties, encouraging economic growth, and fostering an environment of mentorship and collaboration. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and relationship-building, which are essential for creating a strong and resilient local business ecosystem.
Through his dedication and forward-thinking approach, Bronkema exemplifies the mission of Seeds of Promise: to empower local entrepreneurs, celebrate diversity, and cultivate meaningful community connections. By working together, local businesses can create lasting impact in the Southtown–Madison Square neighborhood and the greater Grand Rapids community, one innovative product, partnership, and connection at a time.
Community members also played a vital role in making the BIPOC Pop-Up Event at the Goei Center a success. Regenail Thomas, invited by friends, expressed his appreciation for the businesses taking the time to actively engage with the community.
“We know that these communities have built this country,” Thomas said. “Most of their intellectual prowess has been used throughout to help advance this country and put this country in the position to be the empire that we are today. [We are] tapping into that talent in a way that hopefully inspires people and energizes people. It only does what it always has, and that allows our country to create an environment that the rest of the world often tries to ignore.”
Thomas highlighted how historical inequities have affected minority businesses, limiting their opportunities and resources. Events like this BIPOC Pop-Up offer a powerful counterpoint by empowering minority entrepreneurs, fostering networking, and providing visibility to businesses that have historically been underrepresented.
Another attendee, Lynn Setsma, attended the event simply to explore what local businesses had to offer the Grand Rapids community.
“I think it can make people aware of diversity in the types of products that are out there, as well as just being open to different ideas,” Setsma said.
Through interactions like these, the event emphasized the importance of community awareness, inclusivity, and support for minority-owned businesses. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about unique products, services, and entrepreneurial journeys, while business owners gained valuable feedback, connections, and increased exposure.
By bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and residents, the BIPOC Pop-Up Event strengthened community ties, encouraged local economic growth, and highlighted the richness and diversity of Grand Rapids’ small business ecosystem. Events like this embody the mission of Seeds of Promise: to foster resident engagement, support minority-owned businesses, and cultivate a thriving, connected community.
With the participation of residents like Thomas and Setsma, along with the dedication of local business owners, the event demonstrated the power of collaboration, representation, and community support in driving positive change throughout the Southtown–Madison Square neighborhood and Grand Rapids at large.
For Kalene Mcelveen, owner of Tasteful Vegan, the BIPOC Pop-Up Event was more than just an opportunity to promote her own business, it was a platform to elevate minority-owned businesses throughout the Grand Rapids area. She believes that, with the right visibility and support, minority businesses can thrive just as prominently as large chains.
“There has to be a way to promote the minority businesses that are present in [Grand Rapids] that you don’t typically hear about being promoted,” Mcelveen said. “Because there’s a lot of restaurant chains or things that people are more familiar with in terms of larger brands, so when small businesses are starting out in the minority, it’s harder to get that visibility. I think something like this gives them visibility, so people know instead of going to a Bath and Body Works, I can get my lotions and creams here.”
Mcelveen’s comments highlight a key mission of the BIPOC Pop-Up Event: to showcase the incredible talent, creativity, and products offered by minority entrepreneurs while fostering community support for small businesses. By providing a space for these businesses to connect directly with residents, the event helps increase awareness, build loyal customer bases, and amplify underrepresented voices in Grand Rapids’ local economy.
Events like this demonstrate the power of community collaboration and intentional promotion in helping minority-owned businesses grow and succeed. For residents, it’s an opportunity to explore unique products, support local entrepreneurs, and engage with the stories behind these businesses. For business owners, it’s a chance to network, share ideas, and gain the exposure necessary to compete with larger brands.
By creating visibility for minority entrepreneurs, Mcelveen and her colleagues are helping to reshape the landscape of commerce in Grand Rapids, showing that small businesses can thrive when the community comes together to support diversity, innovation, and local entrepreneurship.
Ultimately, the BIPOC Pop-Up Event underscores the importance of equity, representation, and opportunity in building a vibrant, inclusive, and economically robust community. Through events like these, Seeds of Promisecontinues to champion minority-owned businesses, foster local engagement, and nurture a culture where all entrepreneurs have the chance to succeed.