Ciarra C. Adkins, JD Awarded the 2022 Athena Young Professional Award

Every other Wednesday from 8:00am – 10:00am, the “River Project Team” meets for a checkup on the whitewater project.  This talented and committed group of people include folks from the City, Grand Rapids Whitewater, McAlvey Merchant & Associates, and Grand Valley Metro Council.  Jay Steffen (and in his absence Juan Torres) capably facilitates the group’s discussion of all facets of the project.  The notion is to assure that everyone has current information as they go about performing their distinctive role within the project.   

The whole group attempts to keep an eye on equity issues as we contemplate this transformational project.  Equity is important in this project, in contracting and construction as well as in the need to make the resulting amenities welcoming to all.  Further, there is a sense that Grand Rapids is turning a corner and must consider equity issues in all things, especially efforts like whitewater that will help define Grand Rapids of the future.  

But the eye on equity is not just left to the group conscience, it is embodied in the presence of Ciarra C. Adkins.  Ciarra, who is an Equity Analyst for the City of Grand Rapids, is an integral part of the RPT.  While focused on assuring that there is a voice for equity in the project, Ciarra participates in every discussion, whether it is river engineering design, legal strategy, communications approach, or any of the myriad other issues the group contemplates.  Her presence and contributions are effective and positive.  She helps make the meetings productive, enriching, and inspiring.   

Her talents have not been unnoticed by the community.  Recently, the Grand Rapids Chamber awarded the 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Award Recipient to CIARRA C. ADKINS, JD.  They said, “As Founder & President of AQUME Foundation, Ciarra C. Adkins is a change agent working to effect equitable systems transformation in West Michigan. Ciarra is committed to racial justice, economic equity, inclusive higher education, civic engagement and voting rights, and legal accessibility for low-income communities. Ciarra strives to live by the quote from Angela Davis: “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.”

Congratulations to Ciarra!  

Meet the Team: Janet Korn

Janet Korn is Senior Vice President at Experience Grand Rapids and a Grand Rapids WhiteWater Board Member. During this video introduction, she discusses her support of the project and what it could mean for the city as whole. As part of Experience Grand Rapids, she understands the need for destination landmarks that set Grand Rapids apart and can be marketed to the rest of the world. The Grand River is one of these unique assets and its restoration brings endless possibilities that invite visitors to experience Grand Rapids in a fresh, new way. She is excited to be part of two organizations who focus on the beauty and natural assets offered by our city.

Watch Janet’s introduction to learn more about how the river can be used to further benefit Grand Rapids.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Mayor Rosalynn Bliss

City of Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has been involved in the river restoration process for over a decade. She believes the project will make Grand Rapids an even more exciting place to live, work and play, while also highlighting much of the environmental work the City has already accomplished. She is proud of a project that has such a commitment to the environment and hopes to see restored rapids before her tenure is up.

Watch the entire interview with Mayor Bliss here.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Dale Burkett

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was created with three objectives in mind: cooperative fishery management in the Great Lakes, sea lamprey control and the use of scientific evidence to back the need for the first two. Sea lamprey are not native to the Great Lakes and are considered a predator, feeding on salmon and lake trout. Currently, the Sixth Street Dam keeps the sea lamprey at bay, but as plans include removal of the dam, Dale Burkett (through his work at the Great Lakes Fishery Commission) is working closely with Grand Rapids WhiteWater to plan a better path for controlling and blocking sea lamprey.

See more of Dale’s interview here.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Kyle Shour

As a consultant from AECOM, Kyle Shour is tasked with creating the Environmental Impact Statement for the Grand River revitalization project. In this Meet the Team interview, he sits down with Grand Rapids WhiteWater President and CEO Steve Heacock to give insight into the work done to determine the opportunities, obstacles — and possible alternatives — of urban river revitalization.

See Kyle’s full interview here.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Wendy Ogilvie

Wendy Olgilvie serves as Director of Environmental Programs for the Grand Valley Metro Council. Wendy has spent her life improving watersheds and has a passion for people having access and being able to recreate on the Grand River. Wendy talks with Steve about the process to get the Lower Reach of the river restoration project moving.

Watch Wendy’s full introduction here.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Mike Staal

Mike Staal serves as the river restoration Project Manager for the City of Grand Rapids. In this role, he focuses on the potential impacts of the project, ensuring access on and off the river and other technical aspects. Mike shares some background on the City’s green infrastructure initiatives to improve the water quality of the Grand River watershed.

Watch Mike’s full introduction here.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Kristin Pfauth

Kristin Pfauth is an Engineering Project Manager for the City of Grand Rapids. She also oversees capital projects for the City (“everything that’s not a road or a sidewalk”), including the river restoration. Kristin “represents the engineering department to ensure users are properly following all guidelines and working with the [appropriate] officials” and project designs meet all requirements.

Watch this interview to learn more about Kristin’s role in the project.

 

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

 

Meet the Team: Ciarra Adkins

Ciarra Adkins is the Equity Analyst for the City of Grand Rapids, helping to ensure an equity lens to river restoration work. As she works to promote equity and inclusion within the community, Ciarra says, “I want inclusion for everyone… [ensuring we’re] embedding equity within the fabric of the community.”

Check out the full interview for more about Ciarra’s involvement with Grand Rapids WhiteWater and the river restoration initiative.

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.

Meet the Team: Jay Steffen

Jay Steffen, the Assistant Planning Director for the City of Grand Rapids has been a key part of the river restoration project for many years. Jay serves as the lead staff person between the city and GRWW.

This interview highlights Jay’s role with GRWW and on the project.

 

Note: This is one in a series of video interviews spotlighting the many people involved in the river restoration project.